Peek-a-boo! It has been an incredible weekend in Central Florida — the kind the tourism board dreams about! The Sunshine State gets a bad rap, and it’s true that we DO have problems; namely, crime, underfunded schools, pollution/lack of eco-friendly policies and dubious politics.
But this is why I love living here — this weekend, we spent NO money and took in some amazing sights at the Winter Park Art Festival and Leu Gardens (wedding trivia — we used pictures from a previous trip to Leu Gardens as table numbers!)
We also did a TON of work on the backyard, trying to get it ready for my first vegetable garden!
The weather stayed sunny but cool (mid-70s), so I knew this morning would be a perfect time for a bike ride. It was my first outing with the new cycling shoes and pedals, and it took a little driveway practice, but I was able to get in and out without crashing! Yippee! I even saw an alligator:
When I got home, I was pleasantly warmed up and felt like I had gotten a great lower-body workout, but my arms felt unloved. So I took care of that with one of the free Exercise TV on Demand programs, and let Jackie Warner do a little 1-on-1 Upper Body and Core work. My arms now feel loved, tired and beaten down, just the way I like them.
Come ON with that body!
After the workout, I got started on my weekly Clean ‘N’ Prep Sunday routine, but something got into me and I went even crazier than normal! I’m talking down on my hands and knees, scrubbing my beloved-yet-bane of my existence tile floor, baseboards and more.
My sore arms will feel THIS tomorrow, too! And if you don’t believe me that cleaning is a workout, check this chart out. (Just noticed our klassy recycling system in that picture — Sam Adams beer boxes! Oh well, I guess our system is an example of recycling itself.)
Once that was done, I moved right into my prep, so I didn’t lose the momentum. This week, we will be dining on cantaloupe, strawberries, romaine lettuce, carrots, brussels sprouts, broccoli and more.
Plus, we have an overflowing fruit bowl full of yummy peaches, bosc pears, plantains, grape tomatoes and more!
(Can you spot the kitty in that picture?)
My biggest tip for prepping food? Keep a garbage “bowl” nearby, and just dump all of the leftover junk in it (or the sink) and that way, you only have to take one trip to the garbage. Yes, Rachael Ray gave me the idea.
And, as a reward, I made myself the lunch I was craving — typical, but yummy nonetheless:
Phew! All that plus another win for my beloved Syracuse basketball team? What a weekend!
Have you decided which veggies to grow? So many from which to choose! I see research on non-chemical pest repellents in your future! Raised beds, pots, garden plot???? Details, woman, details!
Those fruits and veggies look absolutely scrumptious! Nice ageoping with you!