Travel: Saratoga Race Course

Starting Gate

This past Saturday I ventured with my family on a gambling adventure to Saratoga Race Course, located in Saratoga Springs, New York. Parking is very inexpensive you can park down the road from the venue and park free or you can park right next to the venue (2 minute walk) and pay $12. As you walk up to Saratoga Race course you pay a $5 entry fee, for adults. You can tell this race course has had years of fun by the historical feel. The first race at Saratoga took place on August 3, 1863. 

Inside where you place your bets

I'm not a gambling at Casinos or the type to buy lottery tickets every day but Saratoga is a different story. Every one is relaxed eating or drinking their wine when you first walk in, however once 1:00PM rolls around and the first bets are in the crowd goes wild. Yelling random phrases, which are often the horses names, jumping around, looking for the number they picked to cross the finish line first. It gets intense! 

It is crazy to think that the season is so short. It started this year on July 18th and ends on September 1st. Only 40 days! 

Everybody getting ready to watch

I don't know much about horse racing, I basically base my picks on the horses names (because I like the creativity), and pure luck. There are a number of ways to bet such as Exacta which you pick 1st and 2nd place horse and you must have them in correct order or Trifecta which you have to pick 1st three horses in the correct order. But the easiest way is by betting win, place, show.
Win: Your horse must win. 
Place: Your horse must come in 1st or 2nd place. 
Show: Your horse must come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. 
The minimum you are able to bet is $1. 

My favorite race of the day featured a Boston favorite Wicked Strong. This horse competed this year in the Kentucky Derby and won his race today against some tough competitors. 

Wicked Strong

If you would like to find out more information for a fun day trip or weekend. Visit their website at: nyra.com/saratoga

Healthy Food: Skinny Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

After an early morning hot summer run, I wanted to recharge with a change to my daily instant breakfast. I wanted a nutritious smoothie, with easy to find, inexpensive ingredients. After looking through some health magazines and Pinterest, I found an easy healthy smoothie I had to try, Skinny Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie.

I followed the online recipe but make some modifications. Here is my recipe that you just have to try...

1 cup almond milk

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1/2 banana

2 tbsp low-fat cream cheese

1 spoonful of instant breakfast or protein powder

Put everything in a blender and enjoy.

 

It was so delicious and nutritious that I would definitely keep this recipes ingredients available. 

Let me know what you think and any other healthy smoothies you enjoy!

Fitness/Fun: SUP

For the past three years I have become severely addicted to stand up paddleboarding. For those who don't know what SUP or Stand Up Paddleboarding is, it's a long foam board (like a surf board) which people stand on and move around with a long plastic paddle.

You can use SUPs in lakes, ponds, oceans and rivers however each place has it's own challenges (which makes it even more fun to do!). Oceans have waves and tides which makes it harder to balance. In rivers such as the Charles River, where I go, you have to be aware of currents. If you think the paddling is wicked easy and the current is doing most of the work remember you have to get back to where you started, by going against the current.

SUP works your arms, legs and your core. It is said to burn close to 500 calories/ hr. Of course you will burn more spending on conditions.

The boards are pretty expensive but if you live near a body of water there are usually places where you can rent. 

In the Boston area I always go to Charles River Canoe and Kayak. Go to paddle boston.com to check it out!

Around Boston: SOWA Open Market

Local Farmers

If you have never been to the SOWA Open Market you are missing out on one of the best hidden events in Boston. SOWA Open Market is only open from May to October, on Sundays from 10:00AM-4:00PM. If you want to come I recommend taking the T or walking, however there are some parking spots on site which are $7. You can also search around for free street parking, it just may take awhile. 

There are four different sections of goodies set up in three separate lots and one building. In the main lot are a number of artists from all over New England set up tents and show you their products. Here you can find bracelets, t-shirts, art, lamps, tables and even get a henna tattoo. Just a tip, if you see something you like, you may not want to wait until next weekend to think about it. The same vendors may not be present every week. 

Next to this parking lot is a large brick building, if you adventure up stairs you will find a large open space which contains a ton of crazy antiques. And I mean a TON! This section is called the SOWA Vintage Market and open on Sundays from 10:00 AM -4:00 PM throughout the year. You can buy anything, antique furniture, clothing, decor, forks, spoons, records etc. 

On the opposite site of the building you here just in is another building which has an open walkway at the bottom. This is where you want to go for the next part of the Open Market! Once you walk through here you see a ton of local farmers from all over New ENgland with a variety of different goods. I was in a sampling mood trying Spicy Mango Salsa, cheeses and organic ice cream. There are a variety of fresh fruits, herbs, vegetables, meats, bread for a great Sunday night meal. 

Now if the men get bored (which I don't understand how they could) or you get hungry from all the shopping and need a break, in one of the lots are around ten or so food trucks. They are lined up in the parking lot with tables, benches and tons of people munching away on a variety of meals. You can find yourself food trucks with from ribs or seafood, to cookies and the famous grilled cheese truck which was on the television series Food Truck Wars. 

During the nice summer and early fall months you have to come discover this part of Boston with your friends and family. Let me know what you think and if you know of any other hidden Markets or fairs around the city.  

 SOWA Vintage Market Website

Around Boston: Down East Cider House

Hidden in an old Charlestown factory under the Tobin Bridge on the edge of the Atlantic, I visited a small upcoming brewery on Saturday afternoon. My Auntie came up for the weekend and randomly found a coupon for this hidden spot. We had to try it out! This small brewery is amazing and unique. We tried four different kinds of cider, lemonade cider, cranberry cider, honey cider and the original apple. We also had a chance to learn how the cider is made (which is different from beer). 

If you are in the city and looking for something different and exciting to do, I definitely recommend checking them out.  
I love checking out new breweries and wineries, please give some recommendations if you have been anywhere new and exciting!

Here is their info...
200 Terminal Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
(207) 200-7332
downeastcider.com

Charles River Run

Motivational Quote found on Pinterest

5:30 AM on a Thursday morning, my alarm goes off and I am ready to start my day. Finding my daily motivational quote, tying up my running shoes and excited for a run along the Charles River. 

My friend and I started our 4 mile adventure from the MGH T stop on the red line, around the river and finished at the Dartmouth Street bridge. Here are shots from our adventure.

MapMyRun map of our route

1. A shot from the running path at the starting point of our run.

2. Passing the boat house

3. The Esplanade

4. Running over the Mass Ave Bridge into Cambridge

5. We made it to Cambridge. We are half way there!

6. Loving the beautiful view of the city.

7. Passing the Museum of Science

8. Passing Mass. General Hospital

9. The final stretch, of 4 beautiful miles.

This is a great running route. Flat, nice pathways and lots to see. Please tell me what you think and any other routes around the city that you feel I should tryout. 

Beach: Nahant Reservation

I love adventuring out to discover new beaches north and south of the city. Sometimes however it is nice to not have to deal with the Cape Cod and New Hampshire traffic headaches (if you are from here I know you understand what I am talking about). This past Sunday I went to my favorite, some what local beach, Nahant Reservation. It only costs $5 to park your car for the day or if you are a frequent visitor a $35 season pass is available.

View from the Healthy Trail

Due to the location and the price you are able to see a variety of people from families with small children, high school, college students as well as seniors. 

One of the great perks of this reservation is the mile and a half healthy trail for a run or great walk. Also during low tide the water goes out so far that you see a lot people playing volleyball, soccer and wiffle ball without the hassle of running into others, which can get annoying on small beaches. 

The water is so clean you will not be afraid to cool off on a hot summer day. If you do not like the ocean there are outdoor showers to cool off in and rinse off the sand. At the end of the relaxing day at the beach you are able to walk to the end of the healthy trail and grab yourself a margarita at Tides to top off your amazing weekend. 

Hi everyone this is my first blog so I thought that I would start out with a little introduction. My name is Ashley and I am in my late 20's living the life in Boston. Being a very outgoing individual I will be sharing my crazy experiences with topics including beach life, travel, health and fun activities taking place around the city. Stay tuned adventures await!