My Man and The Sea

Since my husband is the Exhausted Dad, one of the ways he likes to relax is by deep sea fishing with his friends. When we first started dating, he would go every weekend.  Lately, it hasn't been as frequent as it once was, but he still goes every chance he gets.

His family tells stories of fishing when he was little.  The best story is when he wouldn't let go of a fish he caught.  He took a nap with it still in his arms!  That's love.  

These deep sea fishing trips usually take him around Miami, The Keys, and the Bahamas.  Different times of the year yield different types of fish.  

His most recent trip was to catch fresh yellowfin tuna and dolphin (not "Flipper," the Mahi Mahi kind).  YUMMY!!  There is no shortage of fresh fish around here.  We are really spoiled.  (So spoiled that there are times when I'm actually tired of eating fish!)

My favorite...Tuna Sashimi fresh from the ocean!

Over the next few weeks, I will be featuring different fresh fish dishes that we like to make for my Sane Cooking segments.  I'm open to any and all suggestions for recipes.  Love to keep it fresh!






Alexis

South Florida Finds ~ Summer Camps

Summer is almost here!  No more classroom, no more books, no more....well, you get it.  Teachers are excited to relax and unwind and recharge their batteries for the next school year, parents are excited to not have to argue about homework for a few months, and kids are excited to relax and have fun with their own agendas.

What kind of summer do you have planned?  Are you a stay at home parent who likes to be the "director" of your child's summer, or are you a working parent who needs a place for your child to be entertained and taken care of at summer camp?

As a teacher, I'm off, so my summers usually consist of relaxing for a couple of weeks and then the fighting begins.  My kids just seem to need a break from each other for a while.  So we like to put them in camp for a couple of weeks sporadically throughout the summer.  They are far apart in age that they are never in the same group, therefore they actually miss each other during the day so they play better in the afternoons.  (Not to mention they actually miss me too....so we all win!)

Here is a list of some South Florida summer camps:

*Zoo Miami ~ Zoofari Summer Camp
Ages 4-13 (Kindergarten-8th grade)
$195/week  $175/week for members
At Zoo Miami, the kids get close encounters with the animals at the zoo, educational themes that revolve around animals both tame and wild, visits and presentations from the zookeeper and Banfield Pet Hospital FutureVets program, arts & crafts, and water play.  Themes are based on the age groups' level of interest.

*Fit2Play, Green-It-Up Summer Camps
Ages 6-14 
$40-$90/week (financial assistance & scholarship available to those who qualify)
Miami-Dade Parks in partnership with University of Miami Health System offer this camp to teach children the fundamentals of living a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, fitness and exercise.  They also learn the health benefits of going green through recycling, water conservation, and other eco-friendly behaviors that help the planet.

*Miami Stone Crabs Lacrosse Camp
Kindergarten-12th grade 
$200 before May 8; $225 before June 8; $250 June 9-10
This is a one week camp from 3pm-7pm for boys and girls to learn the fundamentals of lacrosse.  Players must provide their own equipment.

*Miami Dade College Kids/Teen College Summer Programs
Ages 7-17
Approx. $110 per class
Miami Dade College offers a wide variety of summer classes for youth including dance like ballet, hip hop and zumba; etiquette courses; varied sports like soccer, tennis and golf; acting; cartooning; photography; and robotics using LEGOS.  

*School of Rock
All ages
$499-$999/week
Rock N’ Roll boot camps are 5 days of learning music, playing music, fun, band bonding and performance! Throughout the week kids go from zero to a full set of songs and performance at a local all ages venue. Group rehearsal, music trivia, song casting, one-on-one attention from all-star instructors, gear education, and band-related activities are all aimed at helping kids learn a set of songs and be totally ready to rock them by the end of the week. Whether you play drums, sing, shred guitar or bass or play keyboard -- you’ll have a blast.  


There are SO many choices at different venues throughout Miami for many age groups and for any budget.  

What are your summer plans?

 
Alexis

Our Urban Adventure!

So the other day, the boys and I went on an urban adventure.  We rode the Miami MetroRail.  

As a former resident of the Washington, D.C. area where the Metro is the main form of transportation, I am comfortable with taking the public route when getting around.  But since I've lived in Miami, I have only taken the MetroRail once. 

In Miami, almost everyone has a car.  And from the look of our traffic, they are all on the road.  


When I decided to take a trip to The Filling Station, a downtown Miami burger joint, with my boys, I thought it would be a fun adventure by taking the MetroRail.  I will admit it, my kids have never been on the MetroRail.  And to be honest, they've only been downtown a handful of times.  What a great way for them to see a new side to our immense city.

"The Nag" was a little nervous waiting...

I must say, I felt like a complete rookie as we purchased our tickets...I didn't know which way to go to the platform.  While we were waiting, we talked about staying behind the yellow line and how fast the train would be moving.  "The Nag" was a little nervous because he didn't want to fall on the tracks.  The invincible "Little Ricky" kept trying to push limits, but I kept a close eye on him.  



Once we were on the train, the boys loved it! "It's like we're on a rollercoaster!"  

They also liked looking out the window and identifying landmarks that we usually see from our car.  "Look Mommy, that's where we go to school!"  "We've been there before!" 
 
And every kid's fun time:  the escalator.  We took many of them.

In Miami, you don't have to walk to every destination because we have MetroMovers so you can get even closer to where you are going.  We took the MetroMover to the restaurant so that I wouldn't have to hear: "I'm tired of walking!" even though it was only a couple of blocks away.


What a DISASTER!  Yeah, another rookie mistake.  We got on the wrong MetroMover....twice!  But if we hadn't made our mistake, we wouldn't have gotten such a great view of the American Airlines Arena, the home of the Miami Heat! 







Well, we finally made it to The Filling Station and enjoyed an awesome cheeseburger & tots!

We FINALLY made it!

All in all, it was a great urban adventure....one I'm sure we'll do again.  Next time, we will know a lot more!!



Alexis

South Florida Finds ~ The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club

For Father's Day weekend, we decided to take a last minute mini-vacation to the west coast of Florida to Naples.   My aunt and uncle had just returned from The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club and couldn't stop talking about it, so we decided to go.  

WHAT AN AMAZING TIME WE HAD!!!

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is nestled along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Naples, Florida.  It has an on-site golf course, tennis courts, a spa and fitness center, family & adult only pools, and 7 miles of soft sandy beaches.  Are you intrigued?   


There were different styles of buildings to stay in on the resort property.  We stayed in the Watkins building.  Our room was on the bottom floor and had a balcony that walked right out to the pool and beach.  It was HEAVEN!  Perfect for leaving our sand toys and shoes outside when we came in for the day.

Did I mention the awesome beach?!  The sand was so soft.  And since it's the Gulf, the water was so calm.  The boys had a ball searching for sea creatures.  We found many fighting conch and collected a whole bucket full of shells.

How can you not feel relaxed with this beach??

The resort thought of everything!  There was a "shell wash" station to clean your shells before taking them home and a sign letting us know what kinds of shells and animals that can be found on the "Paradise Coast."  The boys really wanted to find a star fish...just to say they've touched one, but we didn't have any luck. 

We had such a wonderful time at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club that we already want to go back!  Next time we want to go with more friends and family to share in the fun!

We had an amazing time!!

Until our next visit, we will have our pictures and memories to keep us relaxed!  If you ever find yourself in Naples, Florida, you need to check this place out...you WON'T be disappointed!

And the sunsets on the west coast of Florida are AMAZING!

Alexis

Naples on Dwellable

South Florida Finds ~ ELEVEN Spa

I NEED A MASSAGE!  

Did I say that out loud?   
Was it loud enough for the Hubby to hear?  I hope so!


And what better place to go for a complete beauty day?  
ELEVEN Spa in Delray Beach, Florida!

I recently visited ELEVEN Spa when I toured South Florida during the #ChevyHiddenJEWELs event.
I immediately wanted to go into a private room and get ready for a massage!  The posh interior of the spa was welcoming and made you forget that a major roadway was just outside the door.

Outside courtyard.  There are massage tables under that tent!

This full spa includes such services as facials, massages, manis, pedis, hair, makeup, and waxing.  There is also a boutique...what better way to top off a day with the girls?!

The private room where you can shop with friends...I want my closet to look like this!

ELEVEN Spa didn't forget about the guys!  There is a special area just for men equipped with TVs and a manly feel.  

Check out ELEVEN Spa for reservations, specials, or how to rent the space for your next get together.


Did I mention that there are Botox Parties?  Perfect for exhausted moms...if you dare!

Are you brave enough?

Check out ELEVEN Spa for your beauty and relaxation needs.  You'll thank me for it!
 
Alexis

#ChevyHiddenJEWELs ~ A GREAT Experience!

I was recently chosen to attend the Chevy  Crawl #ChevyHiddenJEWELs in partnership with GM in the Southeast.  The fabulous Jewel Figueras of Jewel’s Fab Life has been hosting these Chevy Crawls for a few years.  This year, she took it to the next level. 

We “crawled” in Chevy vehicles all over South Florida and visited places and businesses that I NEVER even knew existed! 



The Exhausted Mom, Zippy from Champagne Living, and
Pop sensation Nir Yzhari!

 But first let me explain the BEST part….we got to drive around in brand new Chevrolet cars!  (No, not a Camaro or Corvette…*sniff, sniff*) But we did get to check out the more economic and eco-friendly sedans.  Chevys like the Malibu, Cruze, Sonic, and even the electric Volt

As the day progressed, we drove a total of 4 different types of Chevrolets.  My favorite?  The Malibu. It was roomy, comfy, and had all the bells and whistles. 

We toured South Florida in style and well equipped with OnStar (my new best friend) so we wouldn’t get lost in our travels.  We visited such establishments as Junior Acheivement World of South Florida, ELEVEN Spa in Delray Beach, The National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, and South Beach Furs in Ft. Lauderdale.  What a great way to visit my own area!

Oh yeah, and did I mention that I got tremendous SWAG??  Be on the lookout for reviews on these items as well!

Thanks to my new bestie Jewel Figueras and Jewel’s Fab Life.  I can’t wait to continue to live a “FAB” life here in South Florida!

Alexis

Schnebly Redland Winery ~ An Oasis in Miami

Hey South Floridians....
Did you know that there is a wine oasis in South Florida?  

Ever wanted to try a wine made with avocados?  How about coconuts?  What about beer made with mango?   

I recently went with a few friends to Schnebly Redlands Winery & Brewery just south of Miami in Homestead.  This family friendly venue (oh yeah, we brought the kids!) holds varied events throughout each month where you can enjoy the the tastes of the locally grown and crafted from tropical fruits that are special to South Florida. 

Yup.  Tropical fruits in wine.  Can you say yummy??

This enchanting winery is equipped with a grand tasting room where you can try the varied flavors of wine that they offer, as well as buy cold bottles to enjoy on the premises.  There is also a bar on the end of the grounds where they offer the many flavored beers.  The large tiki hut is a wonderful place for celebrations and dancing.  

The Grand Tasting Room        Photo courtesy of Javier E. Gutierrez

After your tasting, you get to keep the glass!  Bring it back the next visit for 1/2 off a tasting.

My favorite wine?  The Cocovino.  This wine exhibits an oaky nose and refreshing hints of coconut and lemongrass on the palate, with a long buttery finish.  Mmmmmm!

The next time you want something interesting and different to do in South Florida, head on down to Schnebly Redlands Winery & Brewery.  I promise, you won't be disappointed!


And if you can't make it to the winery, you can order bottles online from their website or purchase these tropical delights from Florida Publix Supermarkets or Walgreens.



Alexis

Pay it Forward Friday ~ Free or Cheap South Florida Activities

Naomi Polovich from NaomiParentInfo is a South Florida blogger who loves finding activities for her kids that are free or cheap.   So whether you live in South Florida, or are just visiting, check out her blog to find more fun things to do with your kids.

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Free or Cheap South Florida Activities


Are you looking for something to do with your children that is reasonably priced or even FREE?  There are many things to see or do in South Florida and they can even be a great learning experience for your children!

Your local Lowes and Home Depot stores offer a free monthly workshops for children.  Your child will have a chance to build using nails and a hammer. Once they complete the workshop, your child will get a certificate and pin or badge. This would be a great father/son or daughter activity!  Check out the stores' websites for more information.

For those crafty types, there are many classes offered at Micheals and AC Moore.  The classes change depending on the month.  Some crafts center around the holiday during that time of year.  Most classes are free; some require purchase of materials.

Since it is South Florida, what goes better with the beautiful weather and atmosphere?  You guessed it, local parks and nature centers!  Here is one that you may not know about:

Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton is rated as one of the top 10 playgrounds in South Florida.  They have a huge wooden playground area and a carousel that only costs $1 to ride. There is an indoor science museum; free of charge.  This park also offers many cheap classes for the children to attend as well.  There is also an onsite theater where you can watch classic kids movies for a minimum fee that includes the movie, popcorn and a drink. 

Other nature centers around South Florida:

Daggerwing (Boca Raton)

Gumbo Limbo (Boca Raton)

Fern Forest (Coconut Creek)

Anne Kolbe (Hollywood)

Tree Tops Park (Davie)

Bill Bags Cape (Key Biscane)

Greynolds Park (North Miami)

Tradewinds Park (Coconut Creek)

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As a way to share the blogging love and meet new bloggers, I am introducing "Pay it Forward Friday."  I will periodically feature fellow bloggers with different interests and from new areas.  If you are interested in writing a guest post for "Pay it Forward Friday," feel free to send me a message!  Would love to feature you!!


Alexis

Lolliposh Seasonal Children’s Consignment Sale

Buying items for your new baby or kids, can be EXTREMELY expensive!  And if you don't have other children or kids in your life that can "hand down" items, finding gently used children's items is hard work.  If you're in the South Florida area, Lolliposh is for you.

On September 16 -17, the Lolliposh Seasonal Children’s Consignment Sale, now in its 4th year, will once again set up shop at the JCC in Plantation, FL located at 6501 W. Sunrise Blvd. 

Lolliposh is a seasonal consignment sale in South Florida.  This community wide event offers the opportunity to buy and sell brand new and gently used clothing, toys, furniture and accessories for babies and children of all ages.  This is a place where families can consign their high quality children's items that they've outgrown, as well as save 70-90% off retail on their purchases.

Lolliposh is a seasonal sale held 2-3 times per year in South Florida. More information can be obtained from the website at http://www.lolliposh.com

For more information about consigning, attending, exhibiting, or covering Lolliposh, please email info@lolliposh.com, visit the website at www.lolliposh.com or contact Juliana Ruiz at 305-606-5044.

Lolliposh is a 2011 Kids Crown Award 

Winner for Best Consignment in Broward
and Palm Beach Counties

 *Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post.

Alexis