Running, Dancing, Waving Off Those Big Game Calories

   

If you’ve ever wondered how many football fields you would have to run, or how many minutes of dancing to Beyoncé it would take to work out those tasty Super Bowl treats, here’s your answer. These exercise equivalents are from the City University of New York School of Public Health at Hunter College.

Along with the depressing calorie counts are some suggestions for healthier alternatives.

You won’t find me running on any football fields. Then again you won’t find me within 100 feet of a White Castle burger, or seeing how I’m an Atlanta girl, drinking a Pepsi. But I may join in on the dancing portion of the Super Bowl.

Can you dance all those Super Bowl party calories off during halftime?

• Handful Of Pita Chips, Each With Artichoke Dip = Running 141 Football Fields


Each chip is 13 calories, plus just 1 tablespoon, probably just about a chips worth, of dip is 80 calories.

Lighten up: Make your own 100 percent whole-wheat pita chips, and use salsa instead of the artichoke dip, for just 15 calories per tablespoon.

• Three Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Beers = 211 Minutes Of Coaching Football 


There are some high-calorie beers out there, and this is one of the highest.

Lighten up: Unless you love Sierra Nevada, your best bet is a regular beer or, even better, one of those micro-light beers. The best would be Beck’s Premier Light at only 64 calories per 12-ounce bottle or MGD Light, also 64 calories. Michelob Ultra and Natural Light have 95, or you can go very low with Budweiser Select for 55. Sample a few light beers before the game to see which ones you prefer.

• Six Traditional Buffalo Wild Wings Dipped In Ranch Dressing = Doing “The Wave” 6,480 Times


Stand up, wave your hand and be counted 6,480 times. Six wings from Buffalo Wild Wings have 990 calories. Then add about two servings of ranch dressing at 170 calories each for a total of 340 calories. That’s 1,330 calories if you have only a small dip of dressing per wing.

Lighten up: You can certainly make your own chicken wings. Go skinless and bake instead of deep frying them.
 Read the full post »

No Comments by on February 1, 2013
filed in Health and Fitness
tagged

Pedal Chic: Greenville, SC

   

Robyn Bylenga in front of Pedal Chic, the first women-specific bike shop in the country.

During a trip last fall to beautiful and charming Greenville, SC, we decided to do a bit of touring our favorite way: by bicycle. Several people had steered us to Pedal Chic to rent bikes for the day.

It’s a perfect name for the supercute women-specific bike shop and fashion boutique, the first one of its kind in the country. But owner Robyn Bylenga refers to her two-year-old establishment, opened with “super glue, duct tape and a prayer” as a women’s empowerment center.

A road biker for 25 years who took it up more seriously as “great therapy” after a divorce, Robyn sees biking as an activity that women can do together and help them feel good about themselves, which led her to open what she believes is the first woman-specific bike shop in the country. “And if I can get women on bikes, I can get kids on bikes and help combat our obesity problem,” she said.

Robyn sells bikes to women and men, although women are clearly the market for the jewelry made from small bicycle parts and other accessories and racks of fashionable athletic wear in her colorful shop. After all, Pedal Chic’s motto is “Roadways are the New Runways.”

Robyn helped us select the right bikes for us — yes, she does have bikes for men so my husband wasn’t wheeling around on an all-pink number — and she supplied us with a map for the nearby Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 17.5 mile paved path than winds by the Reedy River and through wooded areas surrounding Greenville.

When we returned from our journey, I took a few minutes to check out the jewelry and fashion selections in the store as Robyn described the makeover the store was getting ready to receive so she can continue her “minister to motor” in even more stylish surroundings.

 

No Comments by on January 25, 2013
filed in SC
tagged , , ,

“Gogo: Nature Transformed” at the High

   

The beautiful necklace is inspired by armadillo scapulo and is one of the pieces on display in “Gogo: Nature Transformed” at the High Museum of Art.

When we visited gorgeous Cumberland Island last fall, I didn’t want to leave this barrier island off the coast of Georgia where I would have loved to wander for days down dirt paths under arching  majestic live oak trees .  Lucky for me, I could take home a souvenir in the form of earrings purchased from Gogo Ferguson, granddaughter of the original owner of The Greyfield Inn, now run as an inn and our home for the weekend. I rode my bike down the dirt path to her home, where she keeps a small store on the side. After perusing her beautiful jewelry and housewares, all inspired by nature, I selected a pair of silver earring with small leaves on them.

I wore those earrings this week during a preview of Gogo’s first museum exhibition. Sixty-three of her pieces are on display in the High Museum of Art through July 7, 2013. “Gogo: Nature Transformed”  includes items created with rattlesnake vertebrae, armadillo scapulo and even the most male part of a raccoon.

Gogo created two pieces especially for the exhibition. The ottoman inspired by a sea urchin is topped with a whimsical pink cushion, which is displayed next to a flowing six’ by eight’ wall sculpture inspired by New England seaweed.

Gogo spoke to the crowd of journalists about growing up on Cumberland Island, and the inspiration for her work. Watch this short video as she talks about her grandmother, Lucy Ferguson, a descendent of the Carnegie family.

Be sure to stop in the gift shop to take home your own piece of Nature Transformed and view the armadillo scarf created by her friend, designer Nicole Miller, to commemorate the exhibition. To view more of her jewelry visit Gogo Jewelry. 

The High Museum of Art is at 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309; 404.733.4400

 

No Comments by on January 19, 2013
filed in Atlanta Attractions, Museums
tagged , , , , , ,

Winter Winterlands: Banff and Montreal

   

Ah, winter. Not exactly my favorite season unless I could spend all the cold months huddled by a fire sipping on warm soup and cold wine. But I do love snow. And I love festivals. Here are two to consider.

 

The Ice Magic Festival Banff Lake Louise. Photo by Paul Zizka.

Ice Magic Festival

Banff Lake Louise, Canada

January 18-20, 26-27, 2013

A centerpiece to Banff National Park’s Snowdays, a month-long celebration of activities and festivals, the Ice Magic Festival is celebrated over two weekends at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The first weekend, 12 teams of two ice-carving artists from around the world have 34 hours to create their works of art out of a 300-pound block of ice placed right on Lake Louise. This year the theme is “Carve a Song” and each sculpture must be at least seven feet tall. The following weekend is Little Chippers Weekend, with chances for the kids to learn to ice carve, play ice mini golf, skate with the Ice Queen and play on the ice playground.

 

Grab your (faux) fur for Snow Village Montreal.

Snow Village Montreal

January 4, 2013 through mid-March, 2013

Pack your faux furs for this one, travelgirls! You can spend the night, get married, host a corporate event, have dinner, or just enjoy a drink in a village entirely made of ice. The village includes the 25-room Ice Hotel, the Ice Chapel, and the Pommery Ice Restaurant housed in a giant igloo. Feeling the chill a bit? Warm up with an adult beverage at the Amarula Ice Bar. But bring your mittens – the drinks are served in glasses made of ice. Every year an entirely new Snow Village is constructed in Montreal in tribute to a different city, and this year buildings in New York City will be replicated in miniature in ice.

These items originally appeared in the Fall 2012 issue of Travelgirl magazine.

No Comments by on January 10, 2013
filed in Festivals
tagged , , ,

Best Travel Leggings

   

As a frequent traveler,  I need to be aware of swelling and possible clot formations from spending a lot of time at 30,000 feet. Compression garments can help ease those concerns. But I’ve tried on compression socks and leggings that pretty much felt like a boa constrictor had a firm grip on my legs. Not a pleasant feeling. But when I slipped on these new Slimming Support Compression Leggings from Rejuvahealth, I was amazed at how comfortable they are. But I won’t reserve them just for flying. As shapewear, the leggings helps control all those jiggly bits and the four” wide waistband banishes the muffin top. $79.99

 

 

 

No Comments by on January 4, 2013
filed in Travel products/companions
tagged , ,

Tea with the Granthams, Ritz-style

   

I’ll be taking tea with The Granthams at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead. Okay, it’s a cardboard cutout but it will look real enough when I post it on Facebook and claim I was at Downton Abbey, right? (Photo by Ben Rose.)

I’m not sure why I share the obsession for “Downton Abbey” with millions of other avid viewers. Is it the fancy frocks or the who-will-inherit-Downton, who-will-wed-whom plot lines?

The excellent writing, intriguing characters and the chance to peek at the veddy-British upper crust lifestyle of a bygone era are certainly factors that play into my heightened anticipation of Season 3, starting January 6.

Lucky for fans like me, The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead is offering us a chance to enjoy their elegant tea with the Lord Grantham and Lady Grantham, Dowager Countess at the hotel’s iconic fireplace in The Lobby Lounge.

Well, we won’t exactly be lifting our pinkies from dainty china cups with the Granthams, but we can enjoy a Royal Afternoon Tea, and take a photo with a cutout of the dynamic duo.

The Royal Tea, offered from Thursday, January 3 through Sunday, January 6, 2013, includes the regular delicious Afternoon Tea, along with a glass of Heidsieck Monopole, Brut, “Blue Top”, France and with strawberries topped with whipped cream and Grand Marnier.

But why not make a weekend of it? (Emphasis on the second syllable, you know, like the British do) The “What is a Weekend?” Package includes the Royal Afternoon Tea for two, overnight accommodations in a deluxe guestroom, a turndown amenity of eye masks, two glasses of sherry and English biscuits. Valet parking is included but your own personal valet is not.

Positively brilliant, isn’t it?

Afternoon Tea is $44; Royal Afternoon Tea is $60, includes valet parking. Call 404.240.7035 for information and reservations. The “What is a Weekend?” Package starts at $359.

No Comments by on December 28, 2012
filed in Atlanta Events, Atlanta Hotels
tagged , , ,

Southern Hospitality: 6 Stellar Accommodations

   

While I have no desire to stop adding stamps to my passport from foreign lands, I’ll never tire of exploring my own region, the South, where warm hospitality is as much of a religion as college football, big hair and sweet tea. I’ve savored the world’s best biscuits, ridden a bicycle on an unspoiled barrier island, enlisted a Fairy Godmother to celebrate an anniversary and marveled at a full rainbow while dining in a private cabana beachside at these award-winning accommodations.

 

The Carolina Inn is located right on the campus of UNC, Chapel Hill

The Carolina Inn: Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Known as “the university’s living room,” this elegant property was built on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1924, houses the largest collection of antiques in the state, and is just a short walk to the bars, shops and restaurants on Franklin Street. Dozens of historical photos are on display throughout the elegant lobby, although there are no photos of one of the most famous guests — the resident ghost, a well dressed portly man reportedly spotted by several guests. He, along with a reported 20 other ghosts, are responsible for the inn being named as one of America’s top 10 haunted hotels.

The inn welcomed a new chef in June. Chef James Clark is in the kitchen at the Carolina Crossroads, the inn’s fine dining restaurant, and having eaten a lunch he prepared I can attest to his amazing talent. His pimento cheese was the best ever, followed by truffled sweet potato bisque and sautéed local sunburst trout with boiled peanut arugula pesto, which sparked a lively conversation about the pros and cons of boiled peanuts. No denying we were in the South.  Read the full post »

No Comments by on December 21, 2012
filed in Accomodations in the South
tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Biggest Magic Kingdom Expansion Ever: The New Fantasyland

   

Guests become part of the story at Enchanted Tales with Belle

“You can never have too much Disney,” my daughter declared emphatically when I suggested maybe adding a fourth day to our busy three-day itinerary was too much.

It seems the Disney folks agree. Constantly in the process of adding new features to its theme parks, Disney officially opened the New Fantasyland last week.

We had seen a huge area blocked off during our visit in January and were thrilled to return for the opening. Fantasyland is now doubled in size, with the new attractions taking over the former site of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Here are a few highlights of the New Fantasyland.

At Enchanted Tales with Belle, Disney elevates the meet and greet by immersing guests into Belle’s story. The adventure starts at Maurice’s Cottage, where the Enchanted Mirror transforms to a door and transports guests to the Beast’s Castle. Guests use props to play characters in the story. Read the full post »

1 Comment by on December 11, 2012
filed in Disney
tagged , , , , , , ,

Cirque’s Totem Enchants, Entertains

   

“I saw Allegria when I was a teenager, and decided that when I grew up I was going to join the circus,” our tour guide said as she was leading us backstage after a mesmerizing performance of Totem. “After university, much to my parents’ dismay, I did.”

The hilarious Pippo Crotti, who plays the Italian tourist in Totem.

We toured the artists’ tent, dodging the now jeans-clad artists as they rushed to catch the next shuttle back to the Georgian Terrace where they are staying, where we saw the shoe corner, the make-up area and dressing rooms.

I won’t be joining the circus any time soon — that no-talent, loving my own bathroom thing being just two of the many obstacles — but I will see every Cirque show that I can.

Including ones I’ve seen before. As soon as I sat down in the huge blue-and-yellow tent, the Grand Chapiteau, at Atlantic Station in Atlanta and saw the turtle carapace set, I had déjà vu all over again. I had indeed seen Totem before, on its closing night in Montreal in 2010.

But that didn’t diminish my sheer delight at the show, whose story is the journey of the human species from an amphibian to its desire to fly.

The set is so well done that you would swear there’s real water there, as waves and ripples are projected onto the raised center and at one point it looks like artists are swimming out onto the stage.

I’ve been hooked on Cirque since the very first show I saw and since then have seen several in Atlanta, Vegas and Montreal.

A highlight of my life was visiting the Cirque du Soleil headquarters in Montreal, where we were only allowed as a journalists’ group. (Hey, there have to be some special benefits to the job.)

We saw buffed-up artists everywhere, working out, practicing, or just having lunch. My favorite part, of course, was a visit to the costume shop, a gigantic area filled with thousands of costumes, shoes, headpieces and dozens of people working meticulously to craft the gorgeous outfits we see on stage.

But back to Totem. As is typical of Cirque, each amazing act was followed by yet another one where human bodies performed feats that were seemingly impossible. Read the full post »

No Comments by on December 1, 2012
filed in Atlanta
tagged , , , , ,

Make it the W Atlanta for a Girlfriend Getaway

   

A view looking north from a corner room at The W Atlanta — Downtown

There’s something about a city view from a high rise. It’s hard to find a more spectacular view of the Atlanta skyline than from a corner room at the W Atlanta — Downtown. That’s where you’d be staying with the new Girlfriends Getaway package.

In addition to the Cool Corner Room that accommodates up to four people, the package comes with a bottle of Voli Light Vodka with mixers for your own in-suite party needs. Try the Fergatini, made with cranberry juice and lime, or the Light Dreamsicle, with Voli orange vanilla and a splash of ginger ale.

You and the girls will also receive Voli lemon nail polishes and emery boards for a quick touch-up manicure before heading out.

The zero-edge pool on the 16th floor is a perfect place to sip cool beverages and relax with your girlfriends.

There’s plenty to do right in the hotel. Set up your spa appointments at Bliss Spa,  where you can nibble on their famous brownie buffet while you relax. If the weather is nice, make time to relax at the gorgeous pool and enjoy the view from the 16th floor.

Or take to the skies with a tour of the city in the W Whirlybird that takes off right from the hotel’s helipad!

Forget watching those carbs — you won’t want to miss out on the signature warm popovers at BLT Steak at the hotel, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Beef lovers will have a tough decision with offerings like American Wagyu Skirt, ribeyes and New York strips, while seafood lovers can enjoy dishes like red snapper, lobster or tuna.

Rates for the package start at $239. Like W Atlanta – Downtown on Facebook and  follow the hotel on Twitter at @watlantadowntown.

For more activities to explore, read the post on Atlanta Girlfriend Getaways.

 

1 Comment by on November 21, 2012
filed in Atlanta Hotels, Atlanta Spas, Girlfriend Getaways
tagged , , , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »