Weekend Reading

{via}

Happy Thursday everyone! Now, let's all pretend it's Friday for the next bit of time and talk about some fun articles to read over the weekend. I have read some pretty interesting articles this week, some of which are completely related to health and fitness and some that are completely not. Time to get this newly created 3-day weekend started off right with some random but interesting weekend reads.

• Do you drink red or white wine? According to a recent study by Iowa State University, the color wine you drink could correlate with the amount you pour. A quick sum-up of the article can be found here for the Reader's Digest types, or the entire Iowa State article can be found here. Oh, the funny little things Universities research.
  
• Cardio vs. Weights This articles discusses the debate between completing cardio or weights first in a workout series. This has been a pretty long debate and the jury is still out. The article talks about the perks and downfalls of each in simple terms with bullet points. Sold.  
• What a Wall Workout! This is for everyone that wants to get started on their weekend workouts a bit early. Nicole over at Pumps and Iron created this super fun wall workout that has very little to do with reading and a great deal more to do with doing. I would first suggest doing this on a wall you do not care much about or with shoes that do not scuff. Secondly, I would suggest doing it!

Calories Burned at Disney World

{via}

This past week we were able to spend two days at Disney World and I was able to track steps taken, stairs climbed, and calories burned. Since we have done this for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, I have been able to do some maths and find some patters.The first pattern is pretty easy to find and has to do with a correlation between the park we attend and the steps we take. The second maths realization has to do with calories we burn.

One of the easiest to see is that eight hours spent at any park will get you a lot of steps in for the day. If, that park turns into two different parks and those parks are EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, you are, most likely, looking at about 30,000 steps and 2,500 calories! That is fantastic for a day in the parks, especially when we consider that this is only showing calories burnt from logged movement. This does not include the calories our bodies output for temperature control on either very warm or very cool days.  

That being said, it is pretty obvious that a day spend at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom will get you the most steps and the most calorie burn. If we were to do a sliding scale of parks that burn the most calories to the least, it would go:

• Magic Kingdom because of all the back and forth walking and inclines
• EPCOT since it is huge and walking far is not difficult
• Animal Kingdom, again, it is quite large, but not as big as EPCOT or as hilly as Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios fall last since it is the smallest of the four and most areas are quite close together. This park is also extremely flat.
  

This last trip I was able to log the calories burned and steps taken at Hollywood Studios in 4-hours. After 4-hours of rides, shows, and eating, I was able to burn about 600 calories and walk 5,000 steps. No, this is not much compared to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT's high rolling numbers, but hey, I will happily take a calorie burn of 150 calories/hour any day of the week!

Now, on to the calories. It turns out that if you spend 8-hours in a park, you will, on average, burn between 120 and 160 calories per hour. The higher you want the number, the bigger the park you will need to attend. Both of the smaller parks will leave you at a calorie burn right around 120, but, EPCOT and Magic Kingdom will get you burning 150+ calories per hour! This also means that EPCOT and Magic Kingdom will leave you feet hurting the most and your body the most tired at the end of the day. My best tip for this would be to get some ice from those beloved hotel ice machines and plant your feet on them for the rest of the night. Even if you feet are not hurting at the time, chances are this ice trick will save some soreness on your next day of trecking through the parks or heading home. 

5 Great and Inexspensive Dates for Fall

{via}

There is simply no way to hide my excitement that fall is finally here! Oh fall, such a wonderful time of year to be outside, and to go on some great, inexpensive dates. With all of the beauties of nature during the fall season, it is easy to switch out those theater nights and trendy restaurants with some great dates that will cost very little. No matter where you live, these dates will ensure a fun time that does not leave our wallets crying for mercy. Thank goodness!

Farmers Markets

Most farmers markets are still open during the fall season, and most of the food available is more fresh and less expensive than you will find in grocery stores. Plus, all of the food is from local growers, meaning that it had less travel time and more time to grow. This cuts back on our carbon footprints and supports local business. 

Instead of going out for dinner on a Saturday night, spend the morning at the farmers market with your special someone, then, go home and cook the night away! Chances are you will spend about a quarter as much, but will have more fun than almost any regular restaurant experience. Two dates for the price of 1/2, that is a wallet win!

Outdoor Theaters

Fall is a wonderful time of year. The weather is getting cooler, leaves are changing their colors, and outdoor activities are in abundance. Most larger cities have outdoor amphitheaters that host everything from rock concerts to orchestra festivals and operas. Best part about this date is that there are a great deal of these performances that are either free or as little as $10-$15 per person!

This date can be ridiculously simple but incredibly memorable. Bring some blankets and a picnic to your amphitheater's next performance for an inexpensive and romantic night at the theater! Those over-achievers can even double up on dates and bring their farmer's market finds to the concert under the stars. Impressed.

Pumpkin Picking

One of my favorite parts of the fall season is Halloween and the pumpkin picking that goes along with it. Pumpkin picking has come a long way from your local grocery store. Now, farms all over the US are having massive pumpkin picking festivals that sometimes include live music, food trucks, face painting, and pumpkin craft contests. These festivals are a great way to spend the day and will give future fun as well since hardly anyone buys a pumpkin without dressing it up or carving it out.

Take this one to the extreme with a pumpkin carving party. Start the celebrations with pumpkin choosing at the local pumpkin celebration site- I am pretty sure every town has one of these. Then, move your party to your back yard where everyone can carve those pumpkins to their heart's content. Carving the pumpkins outside will take advantage of that gorgeous fall weather and make clean-up a breeze. That is what I call a smart party! 

Race for a Reason

There are, literally, hundreds of 5k's, 10k's, half marathons, marathons, and tri-athalons going on in the month of October alone. Have some fun and give back to a charity you believe in by running in their race. This date will be more than your usual fun outing; it will be good for you, give back to those in need, and be completely tax deductible. Yes, I am pretty sure our CPA would tear-up at that tax deduction recommendation.

Running in the USA is a great database for upcoming races in the US. Races can be found by location, dates, or types of races. Some even have links where you can register on the spot.  

Festivals

There are way more festivals during the fall season than, pretty much, any other part of the year combined. Festivals are a great place to have a fun and easy date since they are so fun and easy themselves. Depending on what kinds of festivals you are going to or what you are doing at them, they can range from $15 to over a couple hundred dollars. Youzas. Stay on the smaller side of that range by bringing food with you and taking advantage of some of that free entertainment most festivals are known for.  

A small tip when choosing your festival would be to steer clear of Food and Wine festivals if you are looking to save a buck. Food and Wine festivals can be super fun, but they tend to have a high price tag to go along with it. Instead, eat ahead of time or pack it with you, then head out to your neighborhood's fall carnival. This will be loaded with fun games and rides that will not put you back nearly as much as those hors d'oeuvres and wine samples.

4 Ways to Recycle Summer Clothes for Fall

Fall is finally here and I am so excited for it! Our house is currently getting decked out for the Halloween season and my wardrobe is seeing some changes as well. Even though sunny old Florida is not blessed with multiple seasons like most the world, we Floridians still like to pretend. That's right, lookout 70 degree weather, my blazers, cardigans, scarfs and booties are on their way! Sure, I can pretend my way through fall, but for the rest of those who are seeing the colors change and feeling the cooler weather will be changing out their wardrobe for real. Don't be too hasty to put all those summer shorts and maxi dresses in storage, there are a great many summer pieces that can be styled for fall as well!

Shorts

{via}

Who knew that our summer shorts can last all the way through the fall? No, I do not suggest strutting around in those short shorts alone when the weather cools, but pair those duds with some tights and booties, and you have yourself a recycled wardrobe! Shorts can easily transition into a preppy, fun fall outfit with the simple addition of some opaque tights and booties. Take it a step farther and make it a bit warmer with a slouchy sweater. This look can also become sleek by pairing your shorts combo with a preppy blouse and fitted blazer. Viva la shorts!

Wendy from Wendy's Look Book has a great example on how to pay jean shorts, booties, tights, and a blazer here.  

Maxi Skirts

{via}

Oh the maxi skirt, pretty much every girl has at least one of these tied to her summer wardrobe. Maxis were everywhere this summer and, thankfully, can be worn straight on through fall. Another bonus is that this look can be completed with a maxi dress or skirt; the recycling abounds!  

To pull off a super cute, bohemian fall look, pair your favorite maxi with your new favorite slouchy sweater. The best way to pull off this look is with a slouchy, boyfriend sweater. Make it even more bohemian chic with a large hay or beanie and pair of fall booties. Careful, you may be confused for Sienna Miller or an Olson twin if you're not careful. 

If chic is more your style, go for a somewhat fitted sweater that can be tucked into your maxi skirt. Finish it off with a statement belt and you have an inexpensive and trendy day-to-night outfit.  Here is a great example!

Mini's

{via}

Mini skirts and dresses pretty much work the same as your favorite pair of shorts. Add a pair of opaque, colorful tights and some heels and you have a completed outfit. When it comes to tops, the sky is the limit for this look. Pair it with a blouse and blazer, tank top and cardigan, or any type of sweater that you see fit. This is one of the most interchangeable looks for fall. I like to keep the tights colorful but in the fall color spectrum. Tights that fall into the deep greens, blues, burgundies, and mustard yellows tend to look the best.

T-Shirts

T-shirts should never be put away for any season of the year; they are far too comfy and interchangeable for that nonsense. This look is one that both girls and guys can use year-round. Pair your favorite tees with long wrapped scarves and a super fitted blazer for a fun look that will also keep you warm. Tees can be paired with anything from boyfriend jeans to leather pants. Any way you mix it, the tee is something that can transfer between any outfit.

Combine multiple looks and pair your t-shirt/blazer combo with the shorts and tights for a seriously recycled and super trendy outfit. Blazer from Asos.