Half Crazy Mama- An Active Mother's Guide To Life

Which Marathon Should I Run?

June 1, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mamacomment

Do you want to run a marathon? Are you wondering which marathon to run? Looking for marathon recommendations? Which marathon is the best for first timers? Which marathon is the hardest? Which marathon is the best for a BQ? So many questions! But you are in luck because I have a lot of answers.

Which marathon should I run?

Let’s dive right in to help you figure out which marathon you should run. This all depends on a bunch of factors like is it your first time running a marathon? What is your projected pace? Are you looking for a Boston qualifying time? Do you want a large race or small race? Keep reading to help figure out the right race for you.

What marathon is best for a first timer?

If it is your first marathon you will want to figure out what your goal is. If it is just to finish and have fun, then pick a race that offers a great atmosphere and a more generous time limit. My personal recommendation to people is the Disney World Marathon. It always takes place in January and is a ton of fun, a great marathon for first timers, and offers a generous time limit, with a 16 minute mile pace maximum requirement.

Which marathon is the hardest?

If you are looking to run (or avoid) the hardest marathon, you will want to steer clear of the Blue Ridge Marathon. It is known as one of the hardest road marathons in the U.S. because you are either constantly climbing or dropping. You may also want to avoid Pikes Peak Ascent & Marathon. You have to make your way up a winding narrow trail of gravel, rocks, and dirt. Runners start at 6,300 feet of elevation and make their way up to Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet, and then make the extreme descent.

Which marathon is the best for a BQ?

For those of you that are new around here, a BQ means a Boston Qualifying time. This means you will want a fast course to help you get a better time to qualify. My recommendation for a great marathon to qualify for Boston would be the Chicago Marathon because it is flat and fast with amazing crowd support to keep you energized. It is a really big race though and has a lottery if you don’t have a qualifying time, so you will want a good corral to start towards the front and not get stuck weaving through traffic in the back. CIM (California International Marathon) in Sacramento, CA is also known as a great BQ race. This isn’t as large as Chicago and doesn’t have the amazing crowd support, but the course is promising. This race is in December though, so the weather could be perfect, or also could be cold and rainy. Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is also known to be a great course with a gradual downhill to help your speed. I haven’t ran the full, but I ran the M2B half and you can read all about that here. REVEL Mt. Charleston also produces a lot of BQ’s.

What marathon is the best?

This is totally subjective question. If you are looking for prestigious it is definitely the Boston Marathon. You have go be fast and have a great qualifying time to get in, or you have to raise a ton of money for charity to be able to run. The New York City Marathon is also either qualifying or a lottery that is extremely hard to get into, but is so much fun. If you are looking for the best, as in crowd favorites, here are some of suggestions: Honolulu Marathon, Twin Cities Marathon, Maine Corps Marathon (you can read my post about it here), all of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons, Los Angeles Marathon (read about it here), and of course the Walt Disney World Marathon.

Here are lots more running posts to help guide you on this journey:

Average Marathon Time- US Marathons By Numbers

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series FAQ and Discount Code

2020 runDisney Disney World Marathon Weekend Themes- Something’s Different?

10 Reasons Why You Should Marry A Runner

Los Angeles Marathon By Numbers

Race Medal Display Rack

What Runners Don’t Want You To Know

10 Things Runners Say To Other Runners, But Would Never Say To Their “Normal” Friends

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All About Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon San Diego

May 31, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mamacomment

This weekend is the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k! I can’t wait! Looking for more information about #RnRSanDiego including the medals, the course, parking, start times, and all the details? Here you go!

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Medals

First thing is first, here are the medals for Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego 2019!

Marathon Medal

Half Marathon Medal

5k Medal

Remix Challenge Medal

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Participant Shirts

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Schedule

Here are the expo times, start times, and all the times you could possibly need.

Health & Fitness Expo Day 1

Fri / 05-31-19 / 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

San Diego Convention Center, Halls D – F

NOTE: All registered participants must attend Athlete Check-In and pick-up their own individual materials. Bibs will not be given to friends or family member’s under any circumstance. All runners must pick up their own packet at the expo. An adult may pick up a packet for a child under 18.

More Info

Health & Fitness Expo Day 2

Sat / 06-01-19 / 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

San Diego Convention Center, Halls D – F

More Info

5K presented by Brooks- Sat / 06-01-19 / 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Start: 6th Ave & Palm St. at Balboa Park
Finish: Balboa Dr & Olive St at Balboa Park

More Info

Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, Relay- Sun / 06-02-19 / 6:15 AM – 2:30 PM

Marathon, Half Marathon, 2-Person Half Marathon Relay
Start Time: 6:15am

Start: 6th Ave & Quince St at Balboa Park
Finish: Waterfront Park

More Info

Westin Rock ‘n’ Roll VIP- Sun / 06-02-19 / 5:30 AM – 2:30 PM

• Start Line VIP Area: 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM – Balboa Dr. & Quince St.
• Finish Line VIP Area: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM – Waterfront Park

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Parking Information

Race Day Transportation – Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay

Star Line: 6th Ave & Quince St at Balboa Park
Finish Line: Ash St at Union St
Finish Line Festival: Waterfront Park

PARK & RIDE OR PARK & WALK

You can park at SDCCU Stadium for FREE & ride the trolley to County Center/Little Italy station. Round trip trolley tickets are available for $5 through the Compass Cloud mobile app, $6 at the Expo, or $5-$7 at any trolley station kiosk ($5 for current Compass Card holders, cash or credit/debit cards accepted). The trolley ride is approximately 23 minutes long and begins running at 4:08 AM and will continue to run every 7-8 minutes race morning.

From County Center/Little Italy station you can either: AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT EXPO ONLY!

Walk approximately 1.5 miles uphill to the start line OR
Purchase Shuttle Ticket for $6 and ride to the start line

You can also Purchase Pre-Paid Parking for $15 within a few blocks of the finish line.
Parking passes must be pre-purchased online or at the expo, while supplies last (not available to buy on race day). *Online sales close on Wednesday, May 29, or once sold out.
All reserved parking passes must be picked up at the Health & Fitness Expo, May 31 – June 1, with photo ID.
Vehicles must be parked between 4:00 AM and 5:30 AM race morning.
Garage assignments and directions will be given at the time of pickup. All garages are within a few blocks of the finish line festival at Waterfront Park. Plan for traffic delays – it will be very important to use the route outlined on the parking pass.

From those parking garages you can either: AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT EXPO ONLY!

Walk approximately 1.5 miles uphill to the start line OR
Purchase Shuttle Ticket for $6 and ride to the start line

PRE-RACE SHUTTLES:

Pre-race shuttle passes to the Start Line from designated locations will be available to purchase for $6 per person.
Shuttles will pick up at the locations noted below and take participants directly to the start line.
Shuttle wristbands must be pre-purchased ONLINE or at the expo, while supplies last (not available to buy on race day).
All shuttle passes must be picked up at the Health & Fitness Expo, May 31 – June 1, with photo ID.
Shuttle passes are limited in capacity and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Online sales close on Wednesday, May 29, or once capacity is reached.
Pre-race shuttles will run continuously to the Start Line between 4:30 and 6:00 AM. *There are NO post-race shuttles available.

PRE-RACE SHUTTLE PICK-UP LOCATIONS:

Waterfront Park (corner of W Ash St & Pacific Hwy) – location closest to pre-paid parking garages, coaster drop-off and trolley drop-off
Gaslamp Quarter (7th Ave between K&L Streets) – location closest to participants staying in downtown hotels in Gaslamp area

WALKING

Participants staying in the downtown hotels are encouraged to walk to the start area, or Purchase Shuttle Ticket for $6 and ride to the start line for the Gaslamp location. Please note, there are no post race shuttles.

5K PARKING:

Park for free at the Inspiration Point parking lot and then follow the red line to walk to the start area. Follow the blue line to walk to the start area from the 5th Ave trolley station. **parking at Inspiration Point is on a first come first served basis.

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Race Courses

The half and full marathon courses are point to point races, meaning you start somewhere totally different than where you finish, so park accordingly.

Marathon Course

Half Marathon Course

5k Course

The Spectators!

You guys, this is my absolute favorite part of this race. People set up donuts, mimosas, jello shots, bacon, water, and pretty much anything else you can think of, in front of their homes and have a party for the runners! I always tell people that the course isn’t flat, but the spectators will help get you through the tough spots.

San Diego is such a beautiful city with great weather. This is a must-do race for everyone. Go out there and fun!

Looking to run a Rock ‘n’ Roll race in 2019? Here is a discount code for you and lots more info.

Here are some of the best things to do and see in San Diego while you are there.

These are some other posts you might like:

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose 5k and Half Marathon Remix Challenge Recap

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Francisco Half Marathon- Just Some Hills…No Big Deal

Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon Washington DC Recap

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7 Probiotic Rich Foods to Add to Your Diet

May 30, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mamacomment

What do probiotics do? What foods have lots of probiotics in them? Chances are you aren’t getting enough of probiotics in your diet. From boosting immunity to helping your body with nutrient absorption, there’s a lot probiotic bacteria do.

What’s more, adding them to your diet is super easy. Keep reading to discover 7 of the most powerful probiotic rich foods that you can include in your meals, and how.

Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the most probiotic foods, and is packed full of the gut friendly healthy bacteria that boost your health in more ways than one. It usually contains more of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria, and has been found to improve bone health, reduce the risk of diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome and even reduce elevated blood pressure levels. Bring on the yogurt!

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is basically made using shredded cabbage and other veggies, which have been fermented with lactic acid bacteria. This food is rather popular in Europe, and today, as a probiotic. Apart from being loaded with probiotic bacteria, it also contains vitamins B, C and K and has a nice sour and salty taste, which makes it a great accompaniment alongside many dishes.

Tempeh

Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that makes for an excellent source of probiotics. Rich in proteins, it can be an excellent meat substitute as well. After fermentation, tempeh resembles a cake and has a delicious nutty flavor (and also packs in some vitamin B12), which makes it a great addition to stir fry dishes.

Apple Cider Vinegar

You may be surprised at this one, but yes, apple cider vinegar is actually a great source of probiotics. Just a little bit, consumed as is or added to your salads or other food preparations can boost weight loss, improve digestive health, reduce blood cholesterol levels and even control blood pressure. I know people that swear by drinking a little apple cider vinegar every morning to ward off sickness.

Kimchi

Kimchi is very similar to sauerkraut. Kimchi s a popular spicy Korean dish that also doubles up as a probiotic food. Apart from cabbage, it also contains a mix of different spices, scallions, ginger, garlic and fish sauce. One of the best parts about eating this one is that it is so packed with flavor. It is actually super easy to make it a part of your meal. Add some to your salad, chicken dish, or in your sandwich.

Miso

Miso is a well known Japanese seasoning that is crafted by fermenting soybeans with salt and a kind of fungus. It is rich in probiotic bacteria, and also contains impressive amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals. You can try whipping up a quick famous Miso soup or add some of the paste to your food preparations to lend it a great flavor and get all the probiotic benefits. A miso glazed salmon is always delicious.

Kombucha

Kombucha has been around for over 2000 years now and is basically the fermented version of black tea. The probiotic content present in it has been found to help boost energy levels, aid liver detoxification and also improve digestive health.

Adding more probiotic to your diet can help in so many ways. Do you have a favorite way to get probiotic in your body?

Here are some other posts you might like:

The Best Grilled Fish Recipes- 24 Mouthwatering Fish Recipes

Unicorn Party Ideas: How To Make “Unicorn Food” Candy Bark

3 Delicious Almond Milk Recipes

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10 Reasons Why You Should Marry A Runner

May 29, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mama2 Comments

Runners are some of the best people who walk this Earth. Runner’s humor is also a a fantastic quality that goes along with running. (I may be a little bias). But here are 10 reasons why you should marry a runner.

Runners are always willing to travel…as long as there is a race nearby.
Runners have good stamina. (Get your mind out of the gutter!) This just means that when it comes to chores we can plow through them. 😉
If a runners mood is foul, it will always improve after a run.
Running is a cheaper hobby than some other options like owning horses, sailing, and/or being a pilot.
If you ever want to run a marathon you know you can talk your spouse into doing it with you.
Runners know how to carb-load and carbs are yummy.
~~All~~ Most runners have good direction and navigational skills. You may never get lost again.
Running can help reduce stress and having less stress in a marriage is always a good thing.
You can usually talk a runner into other fun things like hiking, going for a bike ride, or long walks on the beach.
If you marry a runner you know you have someone who is dedicated, because being a runner takes consistency and perseverance even on the days they don’t want to run. This is a good quality in a life partner.

Did you marry a runner? Would you marry a runner? Tell us other great things about spending your life with a runner.

Here are some other posts you may like:

What Runners Don’t Want You To Know

10 Things Runners Say To Other Runners, But Would Never Say To Their “Normal” Friends

12 Things To Say To A Runner That Would Make Them Happy

What To Do With Your Old Race Bibs

Race Medal Display Rack

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What are the Benefits of Family Time?

May 28, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mamacomment

Research has shown time and time again that spending quality time with your family can actually help bring a positive environment within your household.

Whether you’re looking for ways to spend quality time together or already have some ideas, but aren’t quite sold on the benefits of family time then you’re in luck. I’m going to tell you what the benefits are of spending quality time together as a family and why it is so important. This way you can be inspired to start making time for the family today.

What are the Benefits of Family Time?

Stronger Parent and Child Bond

Spending family time together on a regular basis helps encourage a strong bond between parents and children. Children who spend quality time with their family on a regular basis grow up to have a deeper bond and appreciation for their parents due to the quality time they’ve spent together throughout the years. I know my daughter loves doing family activities together and this is probably because she has grown up with an environment with fun, family activities. I don’t know what the future holds as we get to the tween years, but I do know that right now at 9 years old, even though she loves YouTube, she would much rather go on a family hike or bike ride than watch something by herself on TV or the computer.

Discourages Bad Behavior

Children who have a strong bond with their parents and family unit as a whole tend to be more positive in all areas of life. Teenagers who have family time scheduled into their day to day life, are less apt to get into violence or other negative decisions during that stage of childhood. Younger children who are used to spending quality time with family tend to better behave in all social settings. Growing up my family always made a huge effort to all sit down for dinner time together and I loved this. I always looked forward to dinner time and talking about how our days went.

Improves Self-Esteem

Families who opt to spend time together feel more confident, secure and happy with their lifestyle. This is a fabulous way to improve and continue on the growth of self-esteem for both children and parents. Family time helps make each member of the household feel valued, important and a part of something larger than themselves, which only makes self-esteem soar. With all the influences all around our children I can only hope to fill my daughter with as much confidence and self-esteem as I can.

Reduces Stress

Family time helps reduce stress by allowing family members to gather together for some fun, laughter, and happiness. Families who opt to have family time on a regular basis are able to think more positively and in turn, have less stress than families who spend their entire days working or only focusing on the major responsibilities of the household. Laughter goes a long way.

More and more families are starting to realize the benefits of family time far outweigh anything else in life. From weekly movie night to a daily meal together, spending quality time with your family is a great way to reduce stress, improve the family bond, and increase self-esteem for every member of the family. How often are you able to schedule in family time?

Looking for more content like this? Here are some posts you might like:

3 Tips to Help Teach Kids About Money

4th of July Craft Project That The Whole Family Can Do- Clothespin Wreath

Craft Kits For Teens

3 Tips to Help Teach Kids About Money

May 24, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mamacomment

Kids and money is a topic that often comes up with my mom friends. We want to help teach and guide them. Money management for kids can be a hard lesson though. Teaching kids about money is so important for their future. In this post I have some great tips on how to teach kids about money.

It can be so frustrating to go to a toy store with your child begging for every fun toy on the shelves. Or to make a trip to the grocery store and have them point to each treat they want to take home. Kids just don’t know the price of things or anything about budgeting. It’s not a skill taught in the schools and sadly, is not learned in a lot of homes. Here are a few ways you can introduce young kids to the value of money.

Start to show them the prices of things that you buy:

How much does gas cost when you fill up at the pump? When you buy sneakers, how much are they? If you stop to eat lunch, what are the prices? Just notice what the prices are together.

Give your child a small dollar amount to spend at a store, with the choice of a type of item they can buy:

A great idea is to take them to the grocery store and let them pick out their breakfast cereal. Talk about how much cereal you get for which prices. How nutritious the cereal is, so your child will have good energy for the day. Will there be money left over or is the cereal too costly?

If your child sees TV ads for toys and simply can’t stop asking for them, consider talking about how Mom and Dad save up for future purchases.

Even if your child is young, it could be a good idea to create a way for them to save for a purchase they would like that you are comfortable with, such as a doll or a toy robot. Make sure the goal is not impossible to reach so your child does not feel defeated even before they get started.

Talk Openly About Finances:

Take the stigma out of paying bills. When discussing money, leave any shame or blame out of it. When your child asks for a toy or to go on a big vacation, discuss calming and matter of factly about how much the family needs to save in order to do that. Explain how bills work and are paid. Talk about how credit works and why it is important to be responsible with it.

Young children can become savvy about money too. These skills will only help them as they become older. Do you have an open dialogue with your children about money?

Looking for some more content to read? Here are some posts you may like:

Top 10 Crafts For Kids

Dear moms, I think some of you need a time out!

On The Go Snacks For A Busy Mom

Craft Supplies for Kids

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All About the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ

May 23, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mamacomment

I was hosted by the Desert Botanical Garden as an attendee of a Flock Presents conference. All opinions are always my own.

The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ is a hidden gem. They are open long hours and have many events. The gardens even have a restaurant and gift shop. Scroll below for all the details about the Desert Botanical Garden.

Desert Botanical Garden Hours

First let’s get down to the important part, when the Desert Botanical Garden is open, so you can plan your visit. The hours at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona:

CURRENT HOURS FOR GENERAL ADMISSION

Daily | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Garden opens an hour early Wednesdays and Sundays for members. (6 a.m.)

HOLIDAY CLOSURES
July 4
Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28)
Christmas Day (Dec. 25)

Desert Botanical Garden Coupon

I didn’t see many reputable coupons floating around the internet, but becoming a member does come with a lot of discounts.

Desert Botanical Garden Events

They host private events, ticket only events, as well as special events. Check their calendar on their website here for more info.

What is Recommended to Bring?

SUNSCREEN- Arizona’s weather is pretty consistently sunny and warm.

HAT & SUNGLASSES- Shade your eyes so you can better take in the beautiful landscape.

WATER- They also offer hydration stations to refill your water bottles if it becomes empty.

CAMERA- Capture all the of the beautiful plants you see while on your visit.

COMFORTABLE SHOES- The trails are easy to walk, but loose gravel/dirt is what most of the trails are made of.

What to See at the Desert Botanical Garden

When planning your visit, keep in mind the desert heat. You probably wouldn’t want to go in the middle of the day in the summer, but with that said, here are the amazing trails they offer:

SONORAN DESERT NATURE LOOP TRAIL- Hike to the top of this trail for a great view of the mountains that surround Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix.

CENTER FOR DESERT LIVING TRAIL- Immerse yourself in the colors and fragrances of this trail, which demonstrates ideas and strategies for efficient, sustainable and harmonious ways to work with nature in our desert environment.

DESERT DISCOVERY LOOP TRAIL- Stroll through the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Desert Terrace Garden into the heart of Desert Botanical Garden.

HARRIET K. MAXWELL DESERT WILDFLOWER LOOP TRAIL- Revel in the explosion of desert wildflowers and blooming cactus along Garden trails during the height of the blooming season. You might even spot three species of hummingbirds that live in the Garden.

PLANTS & PEOPLE OF THE SONORAN DESERT LOOP TRAIL- Explore this loop trail to see how Sonoran Desert plants have been used by native people for food, medicine and building materials. This trail is one of the largest exhibits of its kind dedicated to helping people understand the complex cultural relationships between people and plants in our region. The trail is brought to life through cultural examples of the Tohono O’odham, Western Apache and Hispanic households.

Desert Botanical Garden Admission

You can buy tickets online for Desert Botanical Garden or at the location when you get there. You can also join to become a member online as well. The Garden hosts Community Day the second Tuesday of every month, where admission is complimentary.

Cost to Visit Desert Botanical Garden

General Admission (Daytime) – $24.95

Youth 3 – 17 (Daytime) – $12.95

Children under 3 – FREE

Members – FREE

Active Military Personnel – FREE (with valid government ID for General Admission only)

*General Admission does not include special events or exhibitions.

To be honest, I was a little skeptical of a “Desert Garden”, but it completely exceeded my expectations and was gorgeous. I went in the late afternoon/evening and watching the sunset was beautiful. I highly recommend that time of day.

Now I want a cactus garden of my own.

Looking for more travel content? Here are some of my other posts.

What to Do in Nashville

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Magnolia in Waco, TX

6 Reasons to Stay At Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Disney World

Vero Beach Hotels

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2020 runDisney Disney World Marathon Weekend Themes- Something’s Different?

May 21, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mama

runDisney shared the themes for the Disney World Marathon Weekend races 2020 and there is something different.

5k

The 5k is back to Pluto after taking a break for Oswald last year.

10k

And here is our different character, Minnie Mouse isn’t the 10k girl anymore. This was always her race, but it looks like Oswald moved up in the world.

Half Marathon

The Disney World Half Marathon still has Donald Duck as its mascot.

Full Marathon

Disney World Marathon has always been Mickey Mouse, but it looks like Mickey and Minnie are going to share the spotlight together this year.

Goofy Challenge

Goofy will still me representing the Goofy Challenge, which is the half and full marathon.

Dopey Challenge

The Dopey Challenge is back, thank goodness. There are always rumors of it going away. This challenge consists of running the 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon. Completing this challenge earns you a grand total of 6 medals.

Kids Races

The Kids Races have typically had Mickey Mouse on the medal, so I actually really love this design for changing it up.

I love the style of the designs, especially the Marathon design. The Disney World Marathon is my favorite runDisney race weekend. It is also the largest. I’ve been running the Dopey Challenge since it’s conception, which is around 6 or 7 years. (I totally lost count ?) This makes me perfectly Dopey.

Disney World Marathon Weekend Medals and Shirts

These designs will be the style for the shirts and medals. I think the medals will be super cute and the shirts will be too. While the characters stay relatively the same (except the whole Minnie Oswald thing), the style that they are done in is different.

runDisney

Want to check our runDisney’s announcement with the reveal? Click here to read more.

If you are looking for more runDisney information I’ve included some helpful posts below.

10 Training Tips for the runDisney Dopey Challenge

President Jimmy Carter Experienced runDisney Before runDisney Even Existed

The runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Dopey Challenge Recap 2018

The Really Cold Walt Disney World Marathon 2017

My Interview With Hunter Kemper During Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Presented by Cigna

6 Reasons to Stay At Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Disney World

Affordable Disney World Area Hotel For runDisney Races

What Happened After the 2017 Disney World Half Marathon Was Cancelled

7 Ways To Surprise Your Kids That They Are Going To Disney World

runDisney Tips

Thoughts on the themes? I think the Disney World Marathon Weekend shirts and medals will be great. Do you agree?

What to Do in Nashville

May 15, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mama

Thank you to Visit Music City for hosting me at various locations throughout the city. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Are you planning a trip to Tennessee and are wondering what to do in Nashville? This post has all the great things to do in Nashville, plus where to eat, Nashville attractions, free things to do in Nashville, family friendly places in Nashville, and more.

Nashville Attractions:

Country Music Hall of Fame:

The Country Music Hall of Fame is in the heart of downtown Nashville. It is a really fun place to visit, even if you aren’t the biggest country fan. They cover all the decades of country music with fun costumes, memorabilia, and even cars. It will take you about half a day to cover the museum if you take your time.

Ryman Auditorium:

Take a fun tour of the iconic Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman is located downtown Nashville and is walking distance to the Country Music Half of Fame. I recommend booking your tour ahead of time because they do sell out popular time slots.

Grand Ole Opry:

The Grand Ole Opry is located about 10-15 minutes outside of downtown Nashville. Get tickets to a show or book yourself a backstage tour, but plan ahead because they also sell out popular times as well.

Johnny Cash Museum:

This is a great place to visit for everyone from Johnny Cash’s biggest fan all the way to someone who just mildly enjoys the music. It is a great trip through history and was one of my favorite things to do in Nashville.

Free Things To Do In Nashville:

The Gulch:

The Gulch is a small trendy neighborhood in Nashville. In the Gulch is where you will find the Kelsey Montague Wings, which is a popular destination for a great photo. You can find some fun shopping including the FRYE shoe store and Two Old Hippies, which is a great place to pick up a gift for you or someone you love. This is also where the Thompson Hotel and Biscuit Love is located.

THE PARTHENON AT CENTENNIAL PARK:

This is a replica of the original Parthenon in Athens and it is inside a big park called Centennial Park. There is a playground near by and lots of open space to run around or picnic. Being at the park and walking around the outside of the Parthenon is free, but FYI, Nashville’s Art Museum is inside of the Parthenon and that is NOT free to go in.

Where to Eat in Nashville

Loveless Cafe:

Loveless Cafe is about 20 minutes from downtown Nashville, but is worth the drive for the homemade biscuits and and preserves. Go early to avoid a long wait. They also have a gift shop where they sell their biscuit mix and preserves, plus other fun items.

Martin’s BBQ Joint:

Martin’s BBQ is a quick walk from Country Music Hall of Fame. Enjoy some delicious Tennessee BBQ and yummy side dishes. They can often have a line, but it moves really fast and they have plenty of seating including an upstairs area and bar. Martin’s is my favorite BBQ in Nashville. I got to take a tour of their pit room where they roast a whole hog for their pulled pork.

The Southern:

This restaurant is located downtown. The Southern is a nice restaurant for both lunch and dinner. At lunch time it is popular with corporate business from the neighboring buildings for a quick power lunch and cocktail. I enjoyed the atmosphere plus everything I ate was delicious.

Family Fun in Nashville

The Goo Goo Shop:

Located right across the street from the Johnny Cash Museum, the Goo Goo store is a destination for the whole family. Goo Goo Clusters are a delicious candy and you can get all the varieties, plus so much more at the store. They even offer chocolate making classes! Want to have some hands-on fun with chocolate? Offered to the public on most Thursdays at 2 p.m., Fridays at 2 p.m., and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. You or your group can also reserve a private class any day of the week. Click here for the current open class schedule.

Adventure Science Center:

Just about a 5 minute drive from downtown Nashville is a really fun place for kids called the Adventure Science Center. My daughter loved all the exhibits. It isn’t just fun, but also educational. We have actually gone twice. Some exhibits change and some are more permanent, so even if you have been before it might be worth another visit.

Gaylord Opryland Resort:

There are 4 acres worth of indoor atriums to explore at this resort, complete with indoor boat ride, shopping, indoor waterpark, and indoor ice extravaganza during the holidays. This is a great place to walk around and spend sometime, especially if the weather is bad. You can check out my compete post about Gaylord Opryland here.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere:

When my family visited the Nashville Zoo we had a fantastic time. It is quite large with lots of walking, tons of animals, and even some fun play structures and rides. You can even pet a kangaroo!

Nashville Hot Spots

LA Jackson:

My favorite place for a drink is this rooftop bar at the Thompson Hotel. It has a great atmosphere, great drinks, and a great view.

Pinewood Social:

Small retro bowling alley meets trendy food and craft cocktails at Pinewood Social. They also offer brunch on the weekends.

Best of Nashville According to the Internet (a.k.a. be prepared for a line)

Biscuit Love:

Biscuit love is good, but not an hour long wait good in my opinion. If you get there early and there is no line it is definitely worth it, but I wouldn’t wait if the line is wrapped around the block.

Hattie B’s Fried Chicken:

Nashville hot chicken is super popular these days and Hattie B’s is one of the originals. There is often a line. It usually moves fast, but the chicken is good. You can order it to varying degrees of hotness.

Here are some other posts you might like:

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Magnolia in Waco, TX

Things To Do In San Diego

Everything You Need To Know About Gaylord Opryland Resort

6 Reasons to Stay At Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Disney World

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Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Magnolia in Waco, TX

May 14, 2019 By: Half Crazy Mama

Fixer Upper on HGTV is a fan favorite. If you are fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines then you probably want to visit all the Magnolia businesses in Waco, TX including Magnolia Table, Magnolia Silos, and Little Shop on Bosque. I will also talk about Silos Baking Co., Magnolia Seed and Supply, and the food trucks at the Silos all located in Waco, Texas. Here we go!

When I had a conference to attend in Austin, TX I knew this was my one opportunity to visit Waco to live out my a bucket list item. On my bucket list was to visit Magnolia Silos because I love everything Chip and Joanna Gaines designs. I, of course, talked two of my friends, who were also attending the conference in Austin, to come with me. We rented a car and made the 1.5 hour trek from Austin to Waco. We figured we would get to Waco around 1:45pm and just drive straight to Magnolia Table for lunch.

All About Magnolia Table

Magnolia Table DOES NOT take reservations ahead of time and the wait can be very long. We got to Magnolia Table at 1:45pm on a Tuesday in April and was told it would be a 1.5 hour wait.

We got coffee and some snacks from the Take-Out counter and waited in the ample waiting area outside. We opted to take the “first available” option, which meant we could end up with a family style long table with other people sitting there as well or we might get a table of our own. We waited for about an hour and was seated at a table on our own.

Magnolia Table is only open for breakfast and lunch. Their breakfast food is available all day though. The biscuits with strawberry butter was yummy. In my opinion though, hands down, the best thing on the menu is on the “For The Table” section

Bacon & Eggs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12- Classic deviled eggs and brown sugar peppered bacon strips, served with jalapeño drip jam.

I’m not a fan of hardboiled eggs, but the BACON! OMG that bacon! It was the most delicious candied bacon I have ever had.

My friends had the:

T e a S a m p l e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14- A trio of finger sandwiches: chicken salad, egg salad, and pimiento cheese served with a cup of soup of your choice + simply dressed greens topped with seasonal berries.

They said all the tea sandwiches tasted like they weren’t seasoned at all. I had the kids grilled cheese with a side of the Tomato Bisque and that was yummy.

The decor is cute and it was something that I’m glad I did, but I never feel like I need to go back again. The food isn’t worth the 1.5 hour wait. The menu is relatively small, but worth the one time experience of it if you are a fan of Chip and Joanna.

All About Magnolia Silos

After we ate at Magnolia Table we drove the roughly 3 miles to Magnolia Silos. We got there at roughly 3:50pm on a Tuesday and I expected parking to be hard, but found a street parking spot pretty easy. Magnolia Market at the Silos was big and didn’t disappoint. Although everything they had was gorgeous I soon realized that everything I wanted I was also able to buy online and they no longer ship from the store like I heard they use to. So I came to the decision that lugging the heavy cake stand I wanted home on the airplane would be tough and it would be easier to just order online (which I still haven’t done). I did buy a butter dish though. I figured it was a cheap souvenir, easy to get home, and I needed a new one anyways.

Silos Baking Co.

Ok, THIS IS WHERE IT’S AT! The cupcakes are delicious! I consider myself a cupcake coniseur and these were delicious! They also have cookies, but the buttercream frosting was so creamy and delicious and not at all grainy with sugar like other cupcakes can be. The “Silobration” was definitely my favorite. It was white cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.

Food Trucks at The Silos

If you are hungry there were a bunch of food trucks to choose from. We were there in the late afternoon, so it wasn’t super crowded and there were no lines at the food trucks. If you don’t want to wait at Magnolia table for a couple hours, this would be a better bet.

Magnolia Seed and Supply

This is located on the Silos property too. It is a small little building where you can get some flower pots, seeds and a candle that is green house scented. (Along with some other stuff.) The seeds would be easiest souvenirs to bring home.

Little Shop on Bosque

When I bought my butter dish the cashier called my attention to the 10% off coupon on the receipt for the Little Shop on Bosque. I hadn’t heard of this before. (Apparently I didn’t do my homework ahead of time). The cashier said that this was where they sold slightly damaged and discounted items. (Kind of like a small outlet store). So of course the 3 of us decided while we were in Waco we might as well venture out that way before we headed back to Austin. It was about a 10 minute drive from the Silos. There is a church next to the little shop where you are allowed to park. It was small, but we each found a little thing or two worthwhile and were on our way.

Expectations

To be totally honest, I think I had pictured Waco and all these areas a certain way in my head and I was a little surprised. Looking back though I probably shouldn’t have been that surprised considering on the show it shows you can buy a home and renovate it to be amazing all for the price tag of only $150k. Waco is definitely a small town and all 3 of these Magnolia locations are all in a very nondescript areas. It is very obvious that Magnolia probably quadrupled (if not more) the tourism in Waco. There were hired security guards standing around the parking lots keeping an eye out for the tourists and signs warning people about car break-ins.

I am glad I made the trip to check it all out in person, but now that I did it isn’t a place that I feel like I ever need to go back to sadly. I can order whatever merchandise I want online and there wasn’t anything else that made me feel like I needed it again (Except maybe a cupcake and some bacon).

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