A Much Needed Beak

It’s been a bit since my last post. I just got back from vacation in Georgia.

This last week my 2 kiddos and I went to visit my mom and dad in their cabin in northern Georgia. It’s located in the woods of Dahlonega GA, near the Appalachian Trail. We spent a week at the cabin, and then our last full day of vacation was spent in Atlanta Georgia with my Aunt and cousin.

My kiddos were FANTASTIC travelers. Gone are the days when they were babies or toddlers when I worried about them throwing fits or trying to squirm out of my lap on the plane. I felt for the other mommas with babies who were traveling all alone.

Here is my silly boy making faces as we wait to exit the plane.

We had such a wonderful time. I didn’t do any formal workouts. I just did something active each day. We went on walks, had water balloon fights, hiked, and paddle boated (where I sweat buckets into my life jacket in the middle of a lake in the hot Georgia sun).

I ate pretty clean and healthy while I was there. My mom and I went grocery shopping at Trader Joes in Atlanta before heading to the cabin. We bought lots of produce and quality protein. I made some fantastic almond butter brownies! I also always pack tons of healthy snacks when I go on vacation like pumpkin seeds, kale chips, Nick’s Sticks, carrot sticks, Larabars and apples.

I ate far less carbs than I usually do since I didn’t need them (I wasn’t working out), and I ate higher healthy fats and quality meat based protein. I also ate my weight in cheese. YUM! I don’t usually eat a lot of cheese so when I’m on vacation I often splurge in that area. My stomach reminded me that this was not the best idea when I got back home. I’m glad it waited until then to remind me. 🙂

I also enjoyed ice cream in Atlanta. We found a fabulous little ice cream shop called Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. They use grass fed dairy and many of their flavors have quality ingredients. My daughter was even able to enjoy their berry sorbet since it was dairy free and sweetened with cane sugar (something her tummy can handle in small doses). I had one scoop of “darkest chocolate” and one scoop of “honey toasted almond”. The combo was heaven!

The best part of the trip was spending time with my kiddos and relatives. My heart filled with joy as I watched my children play with their little cousin.

I got to give my nephew snuggles (even though he rather walk then be held… typical toddler) 🙂 He’s the sweetest thing ever! He’s so positive and happy (literally answering every question with “YEAH!”).

We hiked up trails to the top of water falls, walked the belt line in Atlanta, and played at parks.

The kiddos fishing with grandparents and my daughter caught 3 fish! That was a total surprise to us all.

My week off of working out didn’t mess up my fitness goals one bit.  I wasn’t gaining strength, but I had a much needed physical and mental break while doing the things I love with the people I love.

The only thing that could have made it better was if my hubby could have joined us. But he was working hard at home, playing lots and lots of softball, and watching movie marathons.

We all had a fantastic week, but I am happy to be back home with my hubby.

I hope you all are having a great start to the Summer season, and remember that sometimes you just need a break. I didn’t feel the least bit guilty taking my week off. My vacation was not an “excuse”, it was fun.

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