Planning Your Mommy Travels for 2016

January has always been a reset for me. It's a time where I empower myself and reevaluate my yearly travel

Planning trips to nearby state zoos is an inexpensive family trip

goals. . A difficulty many moms have is time and money for trips. It’s easy to put off your dreams of travel when the kids have after school activities or when the boss requires you to work extra hours. To overcome these challenges I try to set personal deadlines for myself. For example, I have three “trips” planned in the next 6 months two are local and one is a 14-day cross-country road trip.  

Once my deadlines are in place, I try to figure out when I can travel and how I’m going to pay for it. Sometimes it means making a bit of money online while waiting on the kids or I find myself stretching the time between haircuts to save a bit extra or cooking at home more. My busy life has me saving everywhere I can so I have enough for my travel goals.

You can make your travel dreams come true, if you plan it to match your current lifestyle! For example, our 14-day road trip will involve camping at some locations and food I’ve brought from home to save money. We’ve decided to drive instead of fly. It’s cheaper and we have more to see.

 The following smartphone Aps have help me refocus me travel goals and I hope they set you on the path for success in 2016. These links are to Android Aps to help you plan your trips, Apple users can find many of these aps at the Apple Store.

Note and Planning Tools – These Aps allow you to write, make lists and plan your trips on the run then you can port to other  computers or print your stuff at home.

MS Office 

Squid – This is a favorite of mine. It has a pen function that allows me to draw or write notes by hand.

Trello – I recommend you take the online tutorial before using this product. It takes a while to get used to but it is the best tool I’ve used in planning trips, my published books, blogs and even my home life. It’s especially helpful in putting together savings plans for future trips.

Keep- This is a Google product and works very similar to Trello. I use this for making travel lists, writing poetry, and filing travel details directly from Google Maps.  

A Holiday Staycation and Pet Safety

I have not been writing recently because I have been working on completing my cookbook Read, Cook, Eat which is now available through Amazon.com, Kindle and other fine bookstores. I also spent the month of November writing a new novel to a book series. I'm currently sending our queries for my  Murder in the Stacks series. Naturally, this has curtailed my travel plans, but I am planning a cross country road trip to the East Coast for next year.  

My activities have curtailed my travel and as Mom's know that happens. This year, we are spending the holidays at home and something that has been especially on my mind this season - our new kitten! She has made me especially anxious this season and has me asking, "How do I keep her safe during Christmas and New Year’s Eve!"  To help , I discovered that following hints so let's help keep your dog, cats and other pets safe during Christmas and New Year’s Eve so they can enjoy the holidays with you. 

Many of us do not realize that Christmas traditions we take for granted are actually dangerous to our pets.

Holiday Foods and Beverages

Alcoholic beverages during the holidays are tempting to some pets. All mixed drinks, such as eggnog and rum punches, are toxic to pets but are tempting since they are mixed with items that generally attract their interest. Chocolate poisoning can be fatal, so place foods, such as chocolate chip cookies, away from pet and discourage the kids from “treating” your pets with human food.  Signs of chocolate and other food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures.  If your pet shows, signs of any of these symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately.

Christmas

Christmas decorations such as ornaments, decoration hooks, and tinsel when swallowed can cause choking and internal trauma. Christmas tree water is often overlooked at a hazard. Stagnant or preservatives in the water can cause stomach upset. Certain holiday plants such as holly, poinsettias, lilies, and mistletoe are toxic to pets. Keeping these plants in a home with cats is especially dangerous since cats are naturally attracted to them by their scent and can climb to reach them. 

Small toys and parts, if swallowed, can cause pets to choke or damage their intestinal track. Make sure children watch pets at they play with their new toys on Christmas day. Their pets will be excited to see new things in their environment and investigate. Purchasing special toys for pets helps keep them occupied while open gifts.

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s is a noisy holiday. Try to keep you pets confined if you are having a party indoors. Loud noises often frighten pets and may cause them to run off. New Year’s Eve decorations such as balloons and confetti can cause choking or intestinal blockages if ingested.  Alcohol is toxic to all pets so avoid leaving out beverages where animals can access them.  

Mago Grill & Cantina: Too expensive for Quality

We enjoyed a meal at Mago Grill &Cantina on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. This was not the first time I went to this restaurant because I believe on giving a place more than one chance before reviewing it. The first time I tried one of their “famous” margaritas, it tasted wonderful; but was overpriced for the size of the drink. I particularly enjoyed the fresh squeezed lime, which added an additional dimension to the drink. Unfortunately, I think $9.00 for only 15 ounces is too much for any alcoholic beverage. 

I also tried the guacamole prior to this visit. The first time I tried the guacamole was too spicy even though we asked for a milder version. The second time the guacamole was perfect though it was served with our entrées instead of as an appetizer as we expected. I believe the staffing issues are more a matter of proper training than malic on their part. The staff seems young and inexperienced as opposed to purposely inept.

Both times, I have visited Mago the service has seemed disjointed. Our servers were courteous and friendly their meal timing with appetizers was off.    I do not enjoy having my main meal cool as I eat the appetizer I have ordered. In addition, the quality of the food, except for the guacamole, was not up to the standards of a high quality Mexican restaurant. The steak Fajita order came to the table with all the appropriate sides but the meat was tough and tasted microwaved warm.  Having eaten at a number of Mexican restaurants, the cost of $19.00 was overpriced in comparison to the quality of meat served.

Overall, I cannot recommend this restaurant. The meal left me dissatisfied considering I could have purchase this two meals for the price I paid at Mago  closer to home at Super Taco  in Plainfield. Their food is authentic and the quality is wonderful. If you are ever in the Plainfield area, try them out. You will be surprised at the freshness of their food and its quality. As far as eating Mexican at Mago located at the Promenade in Bolingbrook, consider what you are getting for the price.  

Will be positing content soon!

Hello, I just want to thank my readers for saying with me as I finish the last edits on my first Fiction mystery novel called “Murder in the Stacks.” I will return to posting new blogs in the coming weeks. Your suggestions on the topics you are interested in reading are always welcome

Local Theater for a Night Out

Travel moms know that it is not always possible to take trips outside your own area. Thankfully sometimes entertainment opportunities such as local theater is as close as the nearest city.

Many local theater groups offer special discounts for season tickets. For example , the Paramount Theater in Aurora Illinois offers a buy two shows get two free shows package. This season offers such shows as Cats and Mary Poppins. 

Offers such as this helps create a memorable evening out without breaking the bank.  Look to your local theaters for an evening of fun

Exploring Tropical Travel in Belize

Belize is located on northeastern coast of Central America and is often referred to by divers as one of the seven wonders of the underwater world. The Great Barrier Reef that runs parallel to the coast of Belize is the second largest reef in the world rivaled only by Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This dotted chain of cays shelters an astonishing amount of marine life and with a visibility of over 100 feet; it is considered a divers and snorkelers paradise.

For moms looking for a water travel adventure, Belize is the perfect place to enjoy pristine beaches and the ocean's natural wonders. Travel choices to Belize offer trips for any type of traveler. Travel moms can visit with their children using one of many guided family tours available in Belize. 

Very adventurous travel moms can also book their own trips and stay at resort hotels such as the Sunbreeze Hotel in Ambergris Cay. 

Most flights going to Belize land in Belize City but most recommend that vacationers take the time to travel to the more tourist friendly San Pedro. This city serves as a Belize tourist base for deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling tours. An example of such a tour is a visit to Shark Ray Alley within the Hol Chan Aquatic Nature Reserve where visitors can snorkel in an aquarium like setting along with nurse sharks, stingrays and a variety of other local tropical fish species.

Tourist friendly San Pedro boasts a laid-back atmosphere where golf carts, bicycles and walking are the preferred methods of transportation. In addition, many of the San Pedro hotels offer services to help visitors book guided Belize tours. 

Guided tours are the best way to explore Belize for first time travel moms. One tour that should not be missed when visiting San Pedro is the nearby archaeological site called the Marco Gonzalez Ruins. Over 2000 years old, these ruins are believed to be part of an important Mayan trading center. 

Travel to Belize can be found throughout the internet at reasonable prices, but make sure to check reviews and references before booking a trip.There is a high amount of crime in Belize City so a reputable agent with personal references is important.