What Is The Best Tactical Flashlights for your choice?

April 15, 2020

Are you searching for a quality best tactical flashlight? You may have visited many websites and forums before.

With so much information and advice, I think you’ve been confused. I was once like you are now and I had experienced that confuse. I am sure that what I share in this article will help you a lot with choosing the best tactical flashlight for the money

What is the tactical flashlight?

But, first! You need to know the concept “tactical flashlight”. Simply put, these flashlights are used by law enforcement agencies. And that means they have to have durability, reliability, and ease of use.

Of course, the SOS signaling and Strobe flash are the must-have features in each tactical flashlight. So the question is “Do you really need the SOS signaling and strobe flash in your tactical flashlight? ” I said YES!

The SOS signal is very essential in tactical flashlights as well as other flashlights. It is easy to catch the attention of people in emergency situations. And, what about Strobe flash? You may know the strobe flash is often used for temporarily blinding the opponents’ eyes by strong light. It is useful when you need for self-defense.

Why do you own the best tactical flashlight?

“I just love the tactical flashlights because they are reliable and durable, they probably work well in extremely poor conditions”

Here are the reasons:

1. One of the essential tools in your first aid kit: In emergencies at night, a reliable light source is vital. The light in such situations will reduce stress, nervosity, and fright. Plus, you will need a quality flashlight for searching and rescue or simply catching the eyes for help.

2. Reliability and Durability: The tactical flashlights are produced from quality materials such as aerospace aluminum alloy which are light, hard, and durable. In addition, water resistance and impact resistance is other benefits when you own a quality tactical flashlight.

3. Nice and collection value: Yeah, I know so many people take up an interest in collecting led flashlights. I think that the tactical flashlights are worth being a part of your collection. They are not only practical flashlights but also cool looking one.

4. Work well in self-defense: The tactical flashlights have a hard body enough so that you can probably use it as a weapon for self-defense. Moreover, the strobe mode is pretty good in situations that need to blind attackers temporarily for a few seconds. However, you need to have experiences and skills to use them efficiently. You need more practice first!

How do you recognize the best tactical flashlights?

Brand and Warranty: The first factors that you have to consider before buying tactical flashlights are brand and warranty. Why? Most of the quality tactical flashlights are made by famous brands such as Nitecore, Fenix, and Surefire which have good care service after sales.
Materials: As I said above, good tactical flashlights have to be made from high-quality materials. The Anodized Aluminum and Aerospace Aluminum alloys are both materials that are very popular in premium tactical flashlights as well as in the other ones.
Run time: Obviously, the longer the better. You should choose the tactical flashlights with the run time (at max output) > = 2 hours.
Simple to use: That means you just take it and turn it on – off with one hand. Some brands such as Fenix have many-operation-mode built-in for their tactical flashlights. So I think that they like a multi-purpose flashlight rather than a tactical flashlight.
SOS signaling and Strobe flash: both features are must-haves for every tactical flashlight.
Ease of EDC: Yeah, they have to fit in your pocket for everyday carry.
Equipped with rechargeable batteries: There are many types of batteries that are equipped for a tactical flashlight. Personally, I recommend you choose the tactical flashlights that use rechargeable AA batteries or the best 18650 battery. These types of batteries are very popular and you can buy them easily anywhere.

Conclusion

I have three tactical flashlights, one in my house, one in my car, and one in my backpack for EDC. The reason that I chose the tactical flashlight rather than the others is because I like the durability and they can work in extremely poor conditions.

Hopefully, with what I shared in this article, you’ll get the best tactical flashlight.

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7 Yoga Poses for Couples – Partner Yoga Poses

April 5, 2020

With the increasing popularity of yoga in today’s society, pair yoga has been developing more and more strongly. Nowadays, some people have no longer gone to the fitness center or private class to exercise yoga alone. They go with their partners to experience it together or just to raise motivation for each other.

In fact, pair yoga has certain benefits to practitioners in terms of not only health but also improving their relations. If you have a friend or someone that you want to practice with but have never tried before, refer to the following 7 partner yoga poses for beginners:

Partner forward bend (Uttanasana):

Actually, you can do this pose on a wall, but it would be much more fun to practice it with a partner. First, stand facing each other then take turn to do the following steps.

One person inhales and lengthens up, then exhales and comes into their forward fold. Next, the other person will do the same. Inhale while pressing all feet down and raise two arms up, exhale and fold forward, then keep walking forward to the partner’s position until both sides’ shoulder blades touch.

At this time, two of you are going to give each other a little pressure. You have to look for a perfect spot so that you won’t knock each other over. Go to your forward fold as deeply as possible. Release your head down the floor. To get out of the pose, just step back a little, inhale and bring your arms up. Exhale and bring your hands to the heart center.

This pose has so many benefits for your body and your mind. It’s going to calm the brain, improve the function of liver and kidneys, stretch the hamstrings, calves and hips, strengthen the thighs and knees, improve digestion, relieve headache and insomnia and so on.

Note: The most important thing is that you must straighten your legs. But if you cannot, it’s okay to bend your knee a little bit. You will soon get better!

Twin tree pose:

You cannot keep balance when doing the tree pose by yourself? Don’t worry! You can choose a partner to practice it with you. It would be a really fun, enjoyable way to exercise with your fellow tree to support your balance.

Just stand side by side, hip to hip, wrapping arms around each other’s waist. Bend your outside leg and turn into tree pose. Your both inside hands will raise up touching each other. The outside hands can also join in a prayer position or move back behind your waist and touch each other there. Or you can also grow your tree by reaching your outside hands up overhead.

Try to keep balance as long as possible and learn to cooperate with your partner smoothly. It will create stability and improve your balance, increase concentration, open the hips, and strengthen the ankles as well.

Breathe together:

Breathe? Sounds so simple. But it is very powerful. It fills your body with life and energy, relax all muscles, facilitate the oxygen delivery process, lower blood pressure, as well as relieve stress and anxiety. If you practice it with another partner, you two can even build more connection.

You just need to sit down with your back facing each other. Begin to inhale and exhale deeply at the same time and observe your breath while doing that.

Try to feel how the back of your ribcage feels against your partner’s back while he or she is breathing like you. Try alternating breathing with the other fellow. For example, you inhale, that person exhales, and vice versa. Continue in 5 minutes.

Partner planks:

Perhaps you have already heard about the huge benefits of plank pose. This incredibly popular exercise can seriously boost your fitness level. It engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously, improve your core strength, strengthen your back. You will be able to enjoy better bone and joint health, reduce stress, increase flexibility and lower the risk of getting injury, etc.

Note that this is not really a pose for beginners. If you are going to try with your friend, make sure both of you have strong core. Remember to make sure that you engage your shoulders, and really focus on tightening your abdominal area. Keep even breaths while holding on the pose.

Partner L forward fold (Temple pose):

This is also one of the most favourite partner yoga poses for beginners. It is a soothing partner Asana that helps to open the shoulders and chest, stretches the hamstrings, strengthens your back and arms, and is a good exercise for thighs and butt.

You should keep your position in 5-7 long, deep breaths while enjoying a blissful, silent connection between you and your partner.

Spinal twist:

Do you feel twisting and turning is always fun? Then this pose if perfect for you. It adds vigor and energy to your body. It helps to improve digestive function, maintain normal spinal rotation, relieve back pains, and reduce stress.

All you need to do is sitting with your backs facing each other. Inhale and raise your arms up over your head. Exhale and twist to the right, putting your right palm on the partner’s left knee and your left palm should be on your right thigh.

Your partner will do the same motion. Hold for a couple of breaths. Exhale and come back to the original position. Repeat with the other side of your body.

Partner boat:

The final suggested in the top 7 partner yoga poses for beginners is Boat pose. It is quite challenging at first, but it is extremely good for your core and makes you energetic. This pose requires trust, focus and balance. You can fall out several times when you just get started with it, but no problem. You will achieve it!

To start, sit down face-to-face with your knees bent and all toes touching each other. Reach out to your partner’s wrists and hold them.

Next, lift your legs up, try to straighten your legs. Your partner will also do the same thing. Straighten your back and trust in the support from your partner’s wrists. Hold on for a few breaths, then release your body. You two will feel the good energy flowing between the two of you.

Streamlight TLR-1 HL Review – Full In-Depth Review!

February 27, 2020

Editor Rating
+ 9/10 Great Rail-Mounted Tactical Flashlight

Pros
+ Easy to operate.
+ Very reasonable cost.
+ Easy to install or remove without a wiggle.
+ Suitable for a wide range of weapons.

Cons
– It does not have multiple brightness settings.
– The runtime is only around over one hour.

Introduction

When talking about Rail-Mounted Tactical led flashlights, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is one of the most famous and popular models. There are so many people have chosen and gotten a high appreciated it. I had a deeply researched and some experienced for TLR-1 HL. In this article, I will share to you about Streamlight TLR-1 HL review, pros & cons, comparing with other models and so on. I hope that what I write here, which give you have further information about the flashlight knowledge or help you understand clearly this model before has the decision to purchase it or no.

Specifications

(taken from the website http://www.streamlight.com/en-us/)

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL is powered by two CR123A lithium batteries.

Length: 3.39 in. (8.61 cm)
Width: 1.47 in. (3.73 cm)
Height: 1.44 in. (3.65 cm)
Weight: 4.18 ounce (118.6 grams)

The light also has the following features:

LED: C4 LED
Lens: TIR optic (http://flashlightwiki.com/Lenses)
Output: 12,000 candela peak beam intensity; 630 lumens.
Runtime: 1.25 hours
Water-resistance: IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes

First Impression

First, with aircraft aluminum body, black color, it looks so luxury and elegant. It’s not like in the old version – the TLR-1 (100 and then 300 lumens), the TLR-1 HL (630 lumens) is equipped with C4 LED delivers 12,000-candela peak beam intensity. It is a rail mounted tactical led flashlight with features: full on, momentary on and strobe effect, which are easy to control with either hand.

In addition, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL was built-in with some options “key”, which are interchangeable to many pistols. It included Glock, Beretta, Smith & Wesson 99 TSW and it’s as easy as removing the nut on the side and slipping the new bracket key in.

Operating & Features

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL does not have programmable or multiple brightness mode settings, it is only one level bright for full-on, momentary on and strobe effect that is why the runtime just about over one hour.

However, the TLR-1 HL beam is very good. It is a nice flood beam as well as a large hot spot. It’s a mix of throw & floody and the light will handle the stress of firing with no problem.

I want to say that a person with medium size hands shouldn’t have a problem to master the toggle switch but with your hands is small, the TLR – 1 HL also has a rigid pressure switch attachment available in case the toggle switch isn’t suitable to your shooting style.

The Price

The TLR-1 HL tactical led flashlight costs around $140. It is not a small investment. However, I think the price is very reasonable at all. It’s the nearest competitor in this power and quality range runs well over $200, which making this Streamlight TLR-1 HL tactical led flashlight offering a great of a deal.

Testing

I tested the TLR-1 HL in the dark room. After turning off all the lights of the room, and then turned on TLR-1 HL with full-on mode. I feel that my room is brighter than when all the lights in the room are turned on. I aimed the TLR-1 HL at the ceiling, it reflects enough light to see clearly and easily anything in the room. In my opinion, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is a bit high bright for indoor using but for outdoor it would be greatest.

I tested it with Glock – GL19. I install the GL key (standard key or universal rail) and it keeping the rail slot very well, which will eliminate any moving forwards and/or backward which might lead to loosening.

Generally, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is fit & feel are great on the Glock 19. It’s is tight on the G19. I just need to tighten down the screw by a hand, and then just use a small knife or coin to tighten more about 1/4 turn. You will not need more effort for tightening down.

Moreover, the control modes are also in the perfect spot for me, I feel very comfortable and convenient when pressing on the light switch. In addition, the strobe mode is also very easy to activate without loosening up or changing my grip.

Streamlight TLR-1 HL vs. Surefire x300 ultra

For now, I will be offering a side-by-side comparison of the Streamlight TLR-1 HL and the Surefire x300 ultra. I have some experience with each. There are obviously many other models available, including some with lasers, but I’m focusing in the Streamlight TLR-1 HL & the Surefire x300 ultra since they seem to be the most common. Both of the weapon-mounted led flashlights is attached and tested with Glock 19.

Control Switch:

With each model, they have a similar about looking and function of the control switch, but there are a bit of differences.

For the TLR-1 HL, the right-handed of shooter need to push the switch up for momentary on or push the switch down for constant on. If the shooter was left-handed, just doing the opposite, the switch is one piece that extends to two sides of the light across the face of the trigger guard. See pictures below.

For the Surefire x300 ultra, the shooter will need to push slightly the switch to forward (pushing the switch toward the muzzle of the gun) for momentary on. The full-on mode turned on by pushing the switch either up or down.

Pressure Switch:

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL and the Surefire x300 ultra are also has a pressure switch available too. Whether it’s sometimes called with a different names such as a remote switch, contour switch, or pressure switch. You should choose and buy the pressure switch model that is suitable for your particular pistol so that it properly fits around the bottom of the trigger guard and on the front strap so that you can activate the remote switch with a squeeze of the middle finger.

The Streamlight TLR 1&2 contoured remote switch (fits standard Glock) fits around the bottom of the trigger guard and curves around to the side of each side of the trigger guard. The exterior of the Streamlight TLR 1&2 contoured remote switch is a slick metal-feeling shell that seems like it will stand up well to use.

The Surefire X300 DG grip remote switch (fits standard Glock) attaches in the same way but it is a little more streamlined as it does not wrap up on the sides of the trigger guard. The push button pad seems a bit smaller on the Surefire x300 ultra. The exterior protective coating of the Surefire X300 DG grip remote switch is a thin layer of a rubbery material that can possibly tear over time.

I prefer the slimmer profile of the Surefire X300 DG grip remote switch, but I’m worried the thin rubber layer coating will be scrapped. The Streamlight TLR 1&2 contoured remote switch is a little bigger, but its exterior is more durable.

Attachment:

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL has a large screw on the left side of the gun that has spring tension on the rail attachment on the right side of it. Once the light is on the rail, and the horizontal “key” is in the notch on the rail, this screw is tightened easily by using a screwdriver or coin, etc and the light is safe to the rail.

The Surefire X300 ultra has a lever on either side of the light that is depressed against spring pressure to allow the light to slide onto the rail and locks in place once the horizontal “key” clicks into the notch on the rail.

Both are very safe when installed without a wiggle. Overall I find the TLR-1HL a bit easier to install or remove. In reality, you won’t be taking it off and putting it back again many times so that it is not a problem.

Each weapon-mounted led flashlight comes with a universal key for attaching to common rails (Glock rails) as well as other keys that can be put on such as 1913 rail, etc. The TLR-1 HL system of swapping these out is easier that requires removal of a single hex-head screw, where the Surefire X300 ultra requires removal of the hex-head screw.

Which One Should You Buy?

There are main features of each that I prefer over the other, so it is hard to say. I have to be honest when this one is around half the cost of others. It’s hard to get a decision. I like the push-forward for momentary on the mode of the Surefire X300 ultra but it is difficult to engage or disengage when installing and removing.

The momentary on for each is pretty easy to activate, just different from each other. I recommend the pressure switch for either. You are just easy to activate with a simple squeeze of your middle finger and not have to use your trigger finger to activate the light.

The assumption is that the Streamlight TRL-1 HL is running a similar LED as the Surefire X300 Ultra. The lumens difference is most likely two things.

The Surefire X300 ultra tends to be really conservative on its ratings and
The TRL-1 HL could be going with a lower run time to get a little more light.

It is hard to say which one is better, both weapon-mounted lights will get the job well done. I think you’d be happier with the Surefire X300 ultra, but you’ll save a couple of budget with the Streamlight TRL-1 HL.

Conclusion

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL weapon-mounted led flashlight is great. I’ve always been impressed with Streamlight’s quality and especially for a fair price. I like the TLR-1 HL than TLR- 2 or TLR- 3 because it is much brighter than the TLR-3, and has an aluminum body (vs. plastic, composite) for not too expensive. The TLR-2 is much more expensive because it is equipped with laser sights.

Personally, I’d go with a Surefire X300 ultra. The TIR lens is a much nice optic, I like the tool-less install and removal, I like the momentary on, the Surefire will have the USA build high quality vs. Chinese.

Hopefully, this article has been helpful. If you have any questions about the Streamlight TLR-1 HL review, please post ask in the comments section below. Thanks for visiting and reading!

The BEST Ukulele (Uke) for Beginners

February 16, 2020

If you are newbies and looking for the BEST Ukulele (Uke) for beginners, I hope this topic will help you get a good choice. After a long time searching and consulting from many Uke stores, Uke bloggers and Uke websites, I have found a great Uke for me. So today, I am so glad to share with you all I know about this adorable instrument.

So, let’s get started.

Why is Ukulele?

Uke is the best instrument for a beginner. It is so easy to practice with 4 strings. And you totally can play Uke well after a few months.

Moreover, Uke is a small instrument. Therefore, you can bring this best friend to wherever you want. The Uke will be by your side when you traveling, go camping, picnics, hanging out, etc. Uke will never let you down or leave you alone.

You must be wondering about the Uke price? Don’t worry, they are all inexpensive than another instrument. And you totally can pick one under $100.

Honoka & Azita play Bodysurfing by Tenor Ukulele at the beach.

You see, the good brands can give you playable Ukulele, no matter its materials are. So…

Which type of ukulele is best suited to beginners?

Firstly, look at your hand, estimate your hand’s size and see 4 main Ukulele’s sizes. You will know which size is the best suited for you.

1) Soprano

The soprano is the smallest and traditional Ukuleles. The soprano is 21 inches long. And it usually has 12 – 15 frets.

The Soprano frets are narrow, so it is an ideal Uke for kids and people owning small hands. Because of its small size, Soprano’s sound is quite amusing sounds and resonant.

2) Concert

Concert (also called Alto) is 23 inches long. Its sound is similar to Soprano, but a little bit deeper, louder and warmer.

Because the frets are larger than Soprano, and usually are 15 – 20 frets. It is not too longer than a Soprano, so kids also can use this size, but bigger hands will feel more comfortable.

3) Tenor

The tenor is 26 inches long. It is also larger than Soprano and Concert. Tenor got a wider body and bigger frets, therefore, its sound is more resonant and deeper. I think Tenor is more fit for adults and good players as well.

4) Baritone

The baritone is the biggest size with 30.5 inches long. It has a full tone like a guitar. If you want to have a Uke with clear sound with full of tones for performances, this size is perfect for you.

Note: Besides 4 main sizes above, you can see some less common sizes of Ukulele: Pocket, Bass, and Contrabass.

In short, you should determine your purpose of using Uke first.

If you are going to play Uke in a Chord, choose Soprano or Concert.
If you are a soloist, Tenor and Baritone are more suitable.

After all, I think you should go to a store, keep each Uke in your hand and choose the one you feel the most comfortable when you strum. Or you can see reviews, demos of ukuleles which you like on Youtube.

Solid Wood or Laminated or Plastic Ukulele?

Your Ukulele’s sound depends so much on materials that made it. Therefore, it is so crucial to choose Uke’s material to have a nice sound.

There are 3 types of materials to make Ukulele: solid wood, laminated wood, and plastic. Let’s see what they can impart to your Uke’s sound:

Solid wood: The Uke made of solid wood sounds the best. Tones are also richer than other materials and mellow with age. Moreover, solid wood makes the Uke is more beautiful because of clear wood grain on the body. That is the reason why it is the most expensive than the others.
Laminated wood: The Uke made of laminated wood sounds great. It seems stronger than solid wood, and less cracking due to dry and cold climate. However, laminated wood sounds the same in all its life. Therefore, they are cheaper than solid wood.
Plastic: Plastic Uke is the cheapest. Because their sounds are “cheapest”, they are not durable. However, you still find a playable plastic one with Makala brand. They have released the new version called Waterman. These series sound good, and there are many awesome colors to choose from.

What about the brands?

You can see many Ukulele brands out there, such as Kala, Mahalo, Makala, Lanikai. If you are looking for the best cheap Ukulele, you can find one with Kala, Mahalo, Makala brand. With these brands, you will easily take the best Uke under $100.

The most popular brand is Kala. A Uke shop owner told me that Kala is famous, quite cheap and suitable for beginners. Its sound is great, and customers rarely got a problem with it.

Kala KA-C and KA-T are two Uke from Kala Ukulele that you should pick if you are a newbie. They are playable and just around $100. It is a good price, isn’t it? I am using Kala KA-C right now, and I satisfy with my choice!
The second biggest brand for beginners is Lanikai. The LU_21C and LU_21T models are the ones you should take first.

If you are a big fan of handmade Ukes, you can find a great one with the following brand: Big Rusty, Blackbird, Bruko, Captain, Da Silva Ukuleles and so much more.

How to test Uke’s sound?

Uke’s sound depends on many things, such as strings, wood, body, sound hole. So if you don’t know much about these, I think you should call someone to help you to take a nice sound Uke. For instance: you can go to a trusted local store, the owner will give you some good advice. Or if you have a friend playing Uke well, call him/her.

If you are too lazy to go out or none of your friend playing Uke, you can search for an online store. Then choose a model you love and research its review from some well-known bloggers. Read some articles about that Uke. And you also can ask some bloggers by commenting on their articles or email them. They are all so nice and always willing to share with you what they know about that.

HTML Buyer Guide The Best Ukulele for Beginners
On a more important thing, you should read the reviews from people who bought the Uke you like. Because some Uke is good, but don’t trust every online store without knowing any information about them.

Consider your budget

For beginners, I think you don’t need to spend much money on the first Uke. Because some people give up before they can play it well. So it better to take an inexpensive Uke and try to play first. If you find your passion with Uke, you can pay more to upgrade your Uke after that.

Most of the best ukulele for beginners from $50 to $100. In my opinion, around $70 for the first Uke is BEST. They sound beautiful, nice, and playable.

It is so important to determine your budget. Because this helps you to know clear about standard features for these Ukes and choose the right one with your limited budget.

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6 Things to know for your trip to Florida

February 3, 2020

Florida is great for people of all ages, from the beaches to the theme parks, there are many things to do in Florida to keep you busy. From coast to coast is only a few hours, and you can drive from forest to paradise in just a day.

One thing to keep in mind for your trip: it’s not always paradise. Whether you’re going to the beach or to the parks, here are some tips to make sure you’re safe and happy on your vacation.

1. Bring Sunscreen And Wear It

You’ve probably heard this many times, and you probably thinking this is common sense, but hear me out. This tip is especially helpful if you have skin that burns in the dark like I do. Always bring sunscreen. If you’re carrying a bag, put sunscreen in it and keep it with you at all times.

Wear Chapstick with sunscreen in it and put it on just as often as the on the rest of your body. The sun is strong here, and your best bet to staying happy after the first day of your stay is to apply it as often as you can – once every hour is a good amount if you’re going to be out in the sun constantly.

If it is cloudy this rule still applies, you can get burned when the sun isn’t out and it’ll be an unhappy surprise when you step in a hot shower at the end of the day and you feel like the wicked witch being melted. I know we all want that sun-kissed skin that shows everyone back at home that you had a great time at the beach, but it just isn’t worth it. Trust me.

2. Do Your Research for Know When To Go

If you’re coming to Florida for the beaches, anytime might be okay. If you’re used to the cold weather in a state that actually gets cold, the November and December might be beautiful for you! I’ve seen people in bikinis swimming in the ocean while I am walking on the beach in a sweater and running away from the cold waves.

As far as summertime goes, July and August might be too hot for long periods of time at the beach, and it rains almost every afternoon. If you do vacation during the summer months, hit the beach early in the morning and you’ll be tired and ready for lunch and a nap by the time the storms roll in.

If you’re going to Disney World for your “vacation” (more on that in a bit), check out the best dates to go to Disney on wdwprepschool.com. They have a bunch of tips and information if you’re going to Disney World!

3. Keep Your Eyes Open – Be Relaxed, But Not Too Relaxed!

Obviously, you don’t want anything upsetting to happen while you’re on vacation, but if we are being honest with ourselves, usually something does happen.

If you’ve paid attention to the news, you know that Florida has a big mix of interesting and colorful people. There are so many people here, you never know who you’re going to get when you talk to someone, so be careful!

Some common but helpful reminders:

Always lock your car doors.
If you’re leaving something valuable in your car (like a purse) put it in your trunk or under a seat out of site.
If you’re walking around a busy area like a theme park, don’t keep things in your back pocket.
If you have a child at Disney, hold their hand or keep on hand on them so you know where they are!
Don’t talk to strangers!

Okay, that last one is the only kind of true. There are a lot of nice people here in Florida, but always be aware of your surroundings and you’ll be just fine.

4. A Disney Vacation is Not a Vacation

If you want a vacation, you go to a relaxing resort where you can be pampered and relax on the beach without a schedule or a worry in the world. If you want to spend way too much money and get pushed around by everyone trying to rush through the park, you go to Disney.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very fun place to go with your kids(I guess, I actually haven’t been to the Magic Kingdom since that picture was taken, but I think it was fun) and all of the other Disney parks have fun rides and attractions, but it’s going to be stressful.

First of all, it’s expensive; not only to get into the park but the food and not to mention the souvenirs you HAVE to buy. Although I do have to mention about the food, they’re very allergen friendly and will open up new things just to avoid cross-contamination.

If you get there right when it opens it won’t be that bad, but come one or two in the afternoon and you’re bound to be pushed around by the other people at the park, your legs will be tired, and you will be hot or drenched in rain.

Overall, just don’t think it will be a vacation, because a vacation is not supposed to be that stressful.

5. Don’t Go Outside at Night -Beware the Bugs

If you’re planning a trip near any body of water, or anything southeast of Orlando, prepare for lots of bugs. The mosquitoes are always a problem, especially if you’re near any preserves because they don’t spray those areas. Pack your bug spray and make sure to put it on once it starts getting dark.

If you’re in the woods during the day, or if you’re camping, wear it all the time or risk being itchy for many days(and possibly that weird disease that’s traveling through the bloodsuckers lately). If you’re camping in a tent, spray the outside of the tent for extra precaution.

If you’re walking through any tall grass (in some areas any grass at all) watch out for ticks and spiders! Spider bites are awful and there are some weird ones that are hard to see. I’m not sure how to prevent them other than stay on the trails that are heavily traveled so you don’t walk into any established spider webs.

Check for ticks under your socks and in hidden places after you’re done walking through the woods! The ticks are small and lately, there have been a lot of them, so be safe!

6. If You Planned it, It Will Rain

The general rule in my experience is, the longer you planned it, the harder it will rain. When planning your trip, you can look at the weather all you want, but it can change at any minute.

You can look at the weather for the next day and see sunny skies predicted from the weather channel, but still, wake up to clouds and rain. Try to have fun anyway!

If you’re at a park and can make it from one building to the next or see shows to wait out the rain, most of the crowd will leave during the storm and when it stops twenty minutes later you’ll have the park to yourself.

I’d Rather Be at the Beach

January 24, 2020

A Day at the Beach

Ahhh…the beach! Warm sun on my face, sand between my toes, and the smell of the salty air. Seagulls crying overhead, and waves crashing against a lonely seashore; that’s what I call paradise!

I’ve always loved going to the beach; it’s so peaceful. When my daughters were little, we made trips to the beach every summer. We built many a sandcastle there, buried toes in the sand, and waded into the cool, foamy water.

Of course, we always enjoyed our favorite beach picnic – sandwiches, funyuns, and sodas! Why is it that those sandwiches taste so much better at the beach?

And now, we’re carrying on that tradition with my grand-daughters; their daughters. We still play in the surf, sun, and sand. I know my children and grandchildren will forever carry on this tradition, and they will always share my love of the beach.

When God created the beaches and the oceans, He created serenity.

Galveston Island

Our closest beach is Galveston Island which can be found deep in the heart of South Texas along our Texas Gulf Coast.

Once known as the “Playground of the South”, Galveston Island is a thriving tourist town filled with southern charm, history, and hospitality. With its 32 miles of beaches, the island also offers family entertainment from attractions to museums, dining, shopping, resort hotels, water sports, and its now ever-popular “Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier”.

Built where the historic Flagship Hotel once stood, the Pier offers waterfront family fun with a wide variety of attractions and games.

It’s not wonder that our family is proud to call Galveston Island “our beach”!

Beaches I’ve Visited

Besides Galveston, I have visited only a few other beaches – South Padre Island in Texas and Cocoa Beach in Florida.

Just like Galveston, South Padre lies on the Texas Gulf Coast in the deep South. It’s located near Brownsville, Texas and is also a popular tourist town. South Padre, just like Galveston, meets the Gulf of Mexico.

Cocoa Beach is located just past Cape Canaveral in Florida and meets the Atlantic Ocean. With its beautiful blue waters and white sandy beaches, it’s the perfect picture of God’s amazing artwork!

Things To Do at the Beach

Besides getting a tan or swimming, there’s plenty of fun to be had at the beach! Many beaches or beach towns offer their guests lots of recreational activities.

Here’s just a few that I can think of:

1) Water Sports – From swimming to boating, fishing, or water skiing, you’ll find an abundance of water activities to participate in;

2) Looking for Seashells – You just can’t go to the beach and not look for seashells!

3) Building Sandcastles – The little ones love playing in the sand and building their sandcastles. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone, but I think the big kids like it, too!

4) Feeding the Seagulls – Who doesn’t love feeding these awesome birds? But beware! They do get a little excited sometimes! 🙂

5) Have a Picnic – Like I said before, our good old-fashioned picnic is one of our favorite things we enjoy on the beach;

6) Watching the Sunrise or Sunset – They can be really amazing at the beach, and they’re not to be missed;

7) Watch the Waves Come In – Just sit back, relax, and watch and listen to the beautiful sound of the ocean’s waves coming in to the shore;

8) Play Volleyball – Everyone loves a good game of volleyball on the beach;

9) Fly a Kite – What better place is there to fly a kite than at the beach! It’s always nice and windy, and there’s not any trees around, except for a palm tree here and there sometimes;

10) Go Surfing – And, of course, you can always surf those awesome waves! And, if you’re not into that, just go out and “ride the waves” – for those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about – just jump the waves as they come in! This was always one of our favorites!

You’ll always find something fun and exciting to do on the beach! But don’t forget, it is a great place to relax and just breathe.

Packing for the Beach

So, you’ve decided to take a little beach trip! Good! Now what should you bring with you?

1) Make sure to bring a cooler, and fill it with some drinks, especially water. You’ll definitely get thirsty while you’re out in the hot sun.

2) Be sure to grab that sunscreen. Again that sun can get really hot, and you’ll find yourself with much more than a tan if you don’t wear some kind of sunscreen!

3) Make some sandwiches, and bring some snacks. I don’t know why, but everything tastes better at the beach! And you’ll definitely get the munchies!

4) Don’t forget the blanket! You’ll need something to lay out for that picnic you’re having on the beach.

5) You might wanna grab some beach chairs, if you’d prefer not to lay out on beach towels or a blanket.

6) Sunglasses! You don’t want to leave those behind!

7) Everyone loves to listen to music on the beach, so remember to bring a radio, an ipod, or a good old boombox with you.

8) If you’re not really into getting a tan, or you just don’t want too much sun, an umbrella would be a good choice to bring with you.

9) Remember the flip flops! That sand can get pretty hot out there!

10) Be sure to bring the kiddos some beach pails and shovels! They’ll need ’em to build those awesome sandcastles!

Hope you have a great time! Cowabunga!

Nutritious Foods For The Busy Person On-The-Go

May 5, 2019

Busy? Don’t Let THAT Hurt Your Health! Life has its demands. Work, school, family, friends, chores, and a whole slew of other things that keep us constantly busy.

With so many important things to do and so little time, other issues – like healthy eating – can fall completely by the wayside.

I have a passion for health and physical fitness, and my experiences trying to balance maintaining a diet while constantly having obligations outside the house have given me some insight into healthy foods that require little or no preparation.

I’m also a college student, so believe me when I say that I understand the importance of sparing every penny possible!

In this article, you’ll find a list of inexpensive, healthy food choices and their approximate costs per unit, along with the nutritional information, so that you can decide exactly what works best for you. And if you have any suggestions for me, I’d love to hear all about them!

“Pure Protein” Bars

“Pure Protein” bars are one of my personal favorites when I know I’m not going to have time to cook something or when I’m out and about. The nutritional value could be better, but as far as mass-produced protein bars go, it isn’t bad and is much better than grabbing a bag of chips or something from your favorite fast food joint.

Protein bars are typically fairly expensive on a per unit basis. “Pure Protein” bars are sold in grocery stores across America, and in stores such as Target and Walmart. Usually, they go on special every few weeks, at which time you can purchase 10 for $10. It’s one of the best deals you can find on protein bars, so I recommend stocking up whenever they’re on sale.

They come in a variety of flavors including chocolate chip, chocolate deluxe, chocolate peanut butter, and a few more novel flavors like blueberry crumb cake and strawberry shortcake.

The nutritional makeup of the bars varies depending on the type you purchase, but on average you can expect 20g of protein, 4-5g of fat, and 16-18g of carbohydrates, around half of which come from sugar.

Clif Bars

I love Clif Bars, but they definitely aren’t for everyone. They’re fairly nutritious, but if you are on a low-carb diet it’s a good idea to stay away.

They’re pretty filling, and can be purchased for around $1 to $1.20 apiece, depending on how many you buy at a time. They come in a whole assortment of flavors, all of which have a pretty similar nutritional make-up.

On average, you can expect Clif bars to contain between 220-240 calories apiece, coming from approximately 8-10g of protein, 3-6g of fat, and 40-45g of carbohydrates, 20g of which are usually from sugars. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and are 70% organic.

Don’t Like Mass-Produced? Make It Yourself!

One of my favorite things to do is make my own trail mix combinations. It’s cheap, nutritious, and you can determine what you put in and how much of it you want.

I like to buy a large quantity of granola, oats, mixed nuts, and dried fruit from a wholesaler like Sam’s Club to make it as cost-efficient as I can, but getting your choice ingredients from a grocery store and throwing them together is still far cheaper than buying pre-packaged trail mix.

I can’t give specifics on nutritional value or pricing “per unit” – it all depends what you choose to use – but as long as you use quality ingredients and buy in reasonable bulk there’s nothing to fret about. And, you can easily throw together 10 or 20 packages in just a few minutes!

Fantastic Fruit

It’s a pretty common idea, but it never hurts to reinforce. Fresh fruit is a great option for a mid-day snack on-the-go. Plus, there’s a ton of different options to choose from. Grab a bag of grapes, an apple, banana, orange, or essentially any other fruit and you’re good to go. Most fruits have around 80-120 calories, with 0-2g of protein, 0g of fat, and 20-30g of carbohydrates from natural sugars.

Get Cracking!

Nuts are one of the best and easiest snacks for the busy person, with pistachios topping the list as my personal favorite. That said, other nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews, are equally as good for your health.

In terms of price, nuts are best bought in bulk, especially since you should aim to buy them all-natural for best dieting results. You can choose your favorite type, or buy an assortment and mix them together. But back to pistachios for a second – one added benefit of choosing pistachios is that you are less likely to overeat. This is a result of the time it takes to open each individual one, giving your stomach more time to settle and feel full.

In terms of general nutrition for nuts, they are high in fat, usually containing between 12 and 18g per serving, along with 3-6g of carbohydrates and 7-10g of protein. Don’t be scared off by the fat content. The fat from natural, or “whole” nuts, is extremely good for you and necessary for a variety of functions in the body.

When buying nuts in bulk, you can expect to pay anywhere from $.70 to about $1.20 per serving, depending on the type and brand.

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