stay with me!

Hey every one! Spain is interesting so far...unfortunately connecting to the internet has been an obstacle. Hopefully, I can stick to writing as much as possible. Im in the south coast of Spain where the weather is like the desert in where its cold and dry but when the sun comes out it can be warm. I've been practicing a lot every day since there's really not much other to do here. :) Monday my tournament starts for the q-school for the European Ladies Tour. Another obstacle that I've had to deal with is having my American food. The grocery stores here are not like home I can tell you that. The first time my father and I went I walked out of the store with a massive headache! My two years of high school Spanish really had to come out to try to figure out what I was looking at but then trying to figure what the ingredients were was another challenge in itself. So my peanut butter and protein powder I packed with me is like gold to me! I've decided to stick to what items I do know and unfortunately the meals have been pretty plain... so not too many new recipes to post at the moment. Tomorrow I'm really excited in trying the one dish I wanted to try in Spain...paella! Supposedly its like the Spanish version of Cajun dirty rice but they use all types of meat or seafood. So really the anticipation for paella is the most exciting thing happening at the moment! Friday my past teammate from Spain is coming down to play in the tournament on Monday. I'm really happy to see her its been a few years since she graduated from college. Ok readers I will do my best to stay posted and to take some interesting photos of my trip!

So what would be a good Spanish dish to try while I'm here? Would love to hear what you think!

Til next time!
Candace

Prepping for Spain

This week has been crazy!!!!! This coming Monday, my father and I are flying out to Spain to play in a couple tournaments in order to qualify for the European Tour. We'll be out of the states for a little over a month. Its my first time out of North America so I'm a little anxious and nervous, but mainly excited to experience a new country. So this week began with a new workout regimen, Insanity! Believe me the name describes the workouts perfectly but thats what i wanted. So my Insanity challenge began one early morning in July watching the informicial. After watching it over and over, I was pumped. I usually don't buy into programs or informicals but the more i saw the informicial i just had to do get it just to see if i complete the two month challenge. So hopefully in 2 months you guys will hear (or maybe see) about my "dramatic" results, who knows but I do know I'm having a fun time trying. Ok moving on.... in preparing for my trip this week my parents and i have had to handle last minute arrangements for booking a condo (on the beach!) and rental car, as well as figuring out means for communication (basically meaning we won't be using cell phones because its expensive!! I'm going to have to rely on internet and skype to stay connected with every one), hmmm what else? We tried to set up my tomtom that was a wasted 2 or 3 hours. Oh.... and Packing! Yeah I've been pretty much trying to pack everything I own and will need into 2 bags.....will need to downsize definately! I cooked a few amazing meals, so check out the new additions in my recipe tab.  The carrot zucchini muffins are pretty addicting (try not to be close minded to the name. They're like a healthy version of carrot cake). Tomorrow I'll be organizing all my food to take to Spain....not to sure if I'll be cooking or baking anything for the trip but if i do I'll post the recipes before I fly out! Well thats all I have for now! Stay posted for more news from Spain :)

Thanks always for reading and following!


Also if anyone has any advice for traveling, eating, exercising internationally I would love to hear what you have to say!

Top Tips for staying clean and fit on the road

 Here are some of my survival tips for traveling, eating out, and staying in shape.

Drink your WATER! I constantly have a water bottle in hand. Staying hydrated is so important. Even when you don't think you are you may be thristy or dehydrated (especially while flying I'm not sure about the facts behind it but simply flying dehydrates you I guess from altitude changes.....drink up) Also pass on alcohol and sodas which only bloat you and dehydrate more. If you need more of a lift that just plain water drop in some lemon or orange and maybe some stevia sweetener. I love hot tea with lemon!


Get a hotel with a gym. If yours doesn't have one thats ok there's so much you can still do. Using your own body weight is amazing; lunges, squats, push ups. I always pack along resistance bands and even a jump rope. Running around the city or town is a great way to explore your surroundings as well.

Get your sleep! My body is very sensitive to the time changes so I always try to catch up with my sleep get back into a rhythm.

Be strict at restaurants. This I've had to learn from the hard way. You really don't know how the food is prepared from the menus. So nicely ask that your food is prepared dry (without butter or much oil) and lightly seasoned to reduce all the salt. Stick with the basics lean meat (like chicken, sea food) and go for veggies steamed. Eating out is the hardest thing about being on the road but if you are nice to your waiters you can have more control over your food

Think ahead where you are going. If i'm flying i pack a lunch and whatever snacks I will need for that time.  Plan where you may eat as well. I have a great app on my phone where i can look up good restaurants around me. Try looking for vegetarian options I find these restaurants that offer good veg. options offer the best vegetable and clean options.

Be prepared by packing easy take along items like oatmeal, protein powders, nuts, dried and whole fruits, home made nutrition bars (or clean ones like luna, soyjoy, kashi etc)


What are some of the ways you stay healthy and fit while traveling? Email or write a comment would love to hear what you think!

15 Shocking Food Industry Secrets

15 Shocking Food Industry Secrets

People read this! Its so true!