Traveling with Baby

I recently traveled as a mother for the first time a few weeks back and while I am super late with this post I figure better late than never.

So we traveled to Orlando with our sweet 8 month old baby boy this August and I will a admit going in I was terrified!

The idea of leaving something for the baby and being stuck on a plane (even if just for an hour) with no way to get what I needed made me check my baby's bag 9 times.

When traveling I am all about less is more. Less hassle, less money, less bags. I like to check in to my flight drop my bags off and go the rest of the way with just my purse. I dispise unnecessary costs and extra baggage. I learned very quickly that this is no longer possible being a mom. However I have learned a few tricks to staying as light as possible and making your travel experience with your baby enjoyable and more affordable.

1. Your purse is now your baby bag
I traveled with my baby bag and my purse and this was quite the hassle. Lugging my huge purse (I decided to bring my largest one) and my baby bag just became annoying. Take my advice if you can; put all of your purse goodies in the same bag as your babies goodies.

2. Get your travel in while your baby is free!
You only pay taxes for infants up to two years old. Take advantage while you can!

3. Take your own car seat
Taking your own car seat is one way you will avoid exorbitant fees for car seat rental at the car rental companies. Car rentals charge anywhere from $40-$100 A DAY to rent a car seat. (Bonus tip: cover your car seat with a plastic cover or garbage bag before checking it in ours came back filthy. Most airlines will check your car seat in for free!)

4. Travel around nap time
We traveled early in the morning. Kaiden normally wakes up around 5 - 5:30am and falls back to sleep around 8am perfect timing he slept through the entire flight from take off to landing.

5. Take your formula for the entire trip with you
We spent literally twice as much on formula than we do at home ... Who wudda thunk?!

6. Be patient
Just relax ... You are on vacation and your baby is just as excited as you are. It can become trying when you just want to sit down but baby doesnt .

7. Take crib sheets with you
Hotels may provide you with a sheet for the crib that you request ours didn't so we bought our own. (Check with your hotel prior to arrival to make sure cots are free of charge. If it isn't I would suggest traveling with your pack and play)

8. Sit in the back with baby and let daddy or whoever you are traveling with drive
The last thing you want is to be on a 30 minute drive and you can't reach your baby to console him or her. I was chauffeured for 9 days and loved it.

9. Sanitizing wipes are your best friend
When you are visiting restaurants and doing your shopping don't just plop baby down in the high chair or shopping cart. Wipe it down. We wiped down everything we wiped down almost the entire shopping cart and high chairs especially because Kaiden is putting any and everything in his mouth.

10. Get a travel sized stroller
I think this is self explainitory when you are having to open and close your stroller every 10 minutes you are going to want something that's light and Hassel free.

I am no veteran at this and I am sure as I travel more and more I will unlock more tips to share with you.

What are your tips and tricks to traveling with an infant?

Foodie Friday: Interview with Chef Angel Betancourt

For this weeks Foodie Friday I wanted to get into the brain of a Chef!! I had a brief interview with the awesome Chef Betancourt and also got some of his must visit restaurants for us all to try!! 

VanzBlogz: When did you first recognize your love for food?

Chef Betancourt: Since I was young cooking with my Grand Mother as well as my Mother

used to bake very simple Granolas, quick breads and cookies. 

VanzBlogz: What is the best dish you have ever eaten?

Chef Betancourt: Too Many to tell you only one! but i could give you my top 3:

1. Foie Grass Cromequis / Pied de Cochon / Montreal.
2. Foie Grass+Truffles Eclair / Fouchon / Paris.
3. Conch Salad / Nassau.

VanzBlogz: What is the best dish you have ever created?

Chef Betancourt: I let my guest to choose for me! I am my worts critic!!!!!

VanzBlogz: If you could only make and eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?

Chef Betancourt: Got to be Ice Cream!!!!!!!

VanzBlogz: What restaurant would you say every "foodie" needs to experience both local and international?

Chef Betancourt: I feel like i have to extend and list you the best ones I have been honored to experienced such as:

International:

• Pubbely / Miami.
• Bazaar / Miami.
• Alinea / Chicago.
• Perse / New York.
• ABC Kitchen / New York.
• The French Laundry / Napa Valley.
• The Restaurant at Meadowood Rest / Napa Valley.
• Momofuko / Toronto.
• Au Pied de Cochon / Montreal.
• CopperBox / Miami.
• August / New Orleans.
• L` Atelier / Las Vegas.

Local:

• Flying Fish / Free Port.
• Nobu / Paradise Island.
• Olive / Paradise Island.

Food is the new Love = Angel R. Betancourt.

'Paint Da Streets Pink' - Fun Run Walk!

 

 

 

 

My mother passed away from breast cancer when I was 10 years old. I remember her struggle with this stupid disease like it was yesterday. With that being said whenever I get the chance to assist with beating this disease that continues to plague  so many families I jump to it!

I was approached by a good friend of mine who is apart of the Rotaract Club of South East Nassau Centennial to help promote a Fun, Run, Walk they are hosting in Aid of the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative Foundation. Read below for all the information!

 

 

 

The Rotaract Club of South East Nassau Centennial (RSENC) is hosting their second annual 'Paint Da Streets Pink' Fun, Run, Walk. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative Foundation (BBCIF) to support the work they are doing to help the fight against Breast Cancer in the Bahamas. Last year the event attracted over 200 participants who came out in all their pink wonder!

The walk will be held on Saturday October 18 starting at Arawak Cay. The walkers/runners will leave at 6am and travel west on West Bay Street to Goodman's Bay, then travel back to Arawak Cay via travelling east on west bay st. There are no wardrobe rules for this walk, just pink it up!

Pre-Registration can be done at the BBCIF office at the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, all Kelso Medical Laboratory location (Collins Avenue, Village Road, Carmichael Road), and Solomon's Fresh Market locations each Saturday leading up to the race. Registration will also be done on the day of the event beginning at 5:30am. For a small donation of $10 you can help RSENC and BBCIF fight Breast Cancer in the Bahamas.

Rotaract is a Rotary sponsored Non- Profit Service Club for young professionals aged 18-30. We focus on organizing, carrying out, and participating in meaningful community service initiatives throughout Nassau. We also encourage and promote the professional and personal development of our Members and friends. Contact us through Facebook or via email rotaract.senc.bahamas@gmail.com.

More information about the 'Paint Da Streets Pink' and the Club can be found on their Facebook Page. ( https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Rotaract-Club-of-South-East-Nassau-Centennial/155835717843067  )

 

 

 

 

 

Weight loss journey: First Step...First Hurdle

Here I am once again day one of my weight loss journey. I feel like I have been here so many times before and to be honest it always seems hopeless at the beginning.

I have struggled with my weight for quite some time now and have began to get very frustrated with myself because when I look back I have never really done anything about it. I would start working out then stop start a diet and then quit it. Obviously this trend would reap no reward.

 

So how did I get back here and what is so different?

Well... how did I get back here?

The answer is simple. I want more for myself. More importantly I have the sweetest baby boy that I need to be healthy and active for.

 

Step 1: Want it for YOURSELF

You will never be successful in losing weight or staying consistent if you are doing it for anyone other than yourself. If when you are working you are thinking about how others will see you... You need to reevaluate your reasons for taking on this joyrney.

I have realized that every time I started a weight loss journey (many times) I wasn't doing it for myself. I was doing it because one too many people said "girl you have gained weight" or because I couldnt find that dress in my size.

This journey to losing weight goes so much deeper. Finding your own motivation will be the foundation of what the rest of your experience to your goal will be like and how successful you are.

 

 

First Hurdle : Getting Started

Getting started is always the biggest challenge for me because I am so good at making excuses.

There is no one to watch the baby
I don't have the time
I don't have the money
I will start next month

The list goes on and on.

When you finally quit the excuses and "Just do it" is when your journey truly begins.

 

 

 

This is my first post about my journey and I will continue to write as more steps and hurdles come my way. My goal is to lose 50 LB's yes I said 50 pounds.

This should be veeerryyy interesting.

 

If you are taking this journey with me I would love to hear about your day 1 in the comments!

Foodie Friday: Meet Chef Tim Tibbitts

Its Foodie Friday!! 

We have yet another Chef added to our list of contributors for VanzBlogz. 

See Chef Tim Tibbitts's bio. We are so excited and honored to have this awesome chef grace our pages! 

Chef Tim Tibbitts was born in Nassau, Bahamas and grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada.  His interest in food goes well back into his childhood.  The ethnic diversity of Toronto has always played a large part in his style having spent so much of his youth in the ethnic communities of one of the most multicultural cities in the world.  His passion for Asian flavors stems from this time and was a major factor in starting his apprenticeship in the early 90's. 

     Tim enrolled in the Canadian Apprenticeship Program at Toronto's famed George

Brown College, School of Culinary Arts.  There he learned the basics of classic

European cuisine, which he applied first under his mentor Roger Genoe.  It was during this time that Tim developed his respect for great ingredients and technique that is still the hallmark of his style.  It was the same restaurant where he met his wife and business partner, Sommelier Rebecca Tibbitts.

     After many years of working through the ranks of small high-end kitchens in the Toronto area, Tim along with Rebecca, decided to make a move back to the Bahamas.  After successfully opening and running a modern Asian restaurant and sushi bar, Tim decided it was time to start working for himself.

     Starting with the creation of his company 99/1 Food Services Management in 2009, Tim has created a brand throughout the Bahamas.  In February of 2012 Tim realized a dream by opening his own restaurant, Flying Fish, in Freeport, Grand Bahama.  Flying Fish is the only restaurant in the Bahamas using modernist techniques to explore the flavors of the Caribbean.  Local products used in various ways exploring all the ethnic influences of Chef Tim from around the world entertain diners every night.  His commitment to quality and sustainability of the products are paramount at Flying Fish.  It is a dining experience like no other in the Bahamas.

      Chef Tim was named one of the Top 25 Chefs in the Caribbean for 2014 by Caribbean Journal magazine.  Flying Fish was awarded a 4 Diamond Rating this year as well by AAA making it only the third restaurant in Bahamian history to achieve this honor and the first in the history of Grand Bahama island.  There are less than 30 restaurants in the entire Caribbean with this honor.

     Currently Tim is also a staff writer for the Freeport News with his column "Food

For Thought" printed twice weekly.  He is also a contributing writer for Bob Izumi's Real Fishing magazine in Canada as a guest chef, and is currently in production locally of his first TV series titled “Caught in Paradise”, that shows viewers a glimpse into the life of a top chef.  He is also in development of two other new shows with Canadian TV production company, RTR Media, about the food industry in the Caribbean.

Foodie Friday: Introducing Chef Angel R. Betancourt and Foodie Friday Chef at Food Network

As if this Foodie Friday wasn't already exciting we have another Chef that has come on board! Angel R. Betancourt has graciously accepted to be one of the contributors to VanzBlogz Foodie Friday series! Learn more about this awesome Chef below!

Angel Ramirez Betancourt Venezuelan trained in one of the best & most renowned culinary institutes of the world. Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Ottawa Culinary Institute.

Having worked in the best kitchens around the world in cities like Barcelona & A Coruna in Spain, Cancun in Mexico, Montreal, Gatineau & Ottawa in Canada, Caracas in Venezuela & San Salvador & Nassau in The Bahamas. Chef Angel has worked with celebrities chefs or “chef mentors” how he likes to call them. Bruno Oteiza (Biko) Laurent Pages (LCB) Carles Mampel (BuBo) Jean Georges Vongerichten, Nobu & Pascal Charence, Sarah Kosikowski (Valrhona corporate chef) are among them.
All those experiences now have transformed into a perfect mix of motivation, perseverance & passion that he applies to each of his unique desserts in the place. 

He loves The One&Only Ocean Club, Bahamas where he is the actual Executive Pastry Chef.

Bahamian Pineappla+Thyme Tart

Chef Angel is no stranger to publications as he is being featured on magazines & websites often. 

From his former school’s brochure http://www.lcbottawa.com famous websites like molecularrecipes.com

The Chefs Garden Guide Magazine & very Famous blogs like Restaurantware Blog

Recently chef angel was selected along the very best pastry chef from USA to attend to L’ecole Valrhona in France a privilege that is given only to raising stars or celebrated pastry chefs.

Coconut Milk Sorbet + Coconut Water Gelee + Sesame Seed Caviar + Sesame Tuile ``Food is the new love’’

Angel Ramirez Betancourt

We are so excited about having Chef Betancourt on board and can't wait to get the inside scoop on some of his beautiful creations!

We also wanted to take the time to let you know that one of our Foodie Friday contributors has hit it big time and is one of participating chefs in Food Network in Concert Event being held in Rivinia, Chicago. We can't wait till he comes back and shares the experience. See him featured here ----> http://www.foodnetworkinconcert.com

He is truly deserving and we are SUPER excited for him! 

Posted via Blogaway

Posted via Blogaway

Tagged Tuesday: Update Yourself on Your Life

Your Life Update 

     

Every January (wether you want to admit or not) we right down our "New Years Resolution list". 

85% of the time nothing on this list is crossed out; but why is that? Some may say they just weren't committed others may say I just forgot. Personally I think its because we just get so caught up in our everyday lives that we just completely lose track of what we wanted to accomplish in that year. 

Lets face it time flies I mean it seems like just yesterday I brought my new born baby home and now he's almost 1!!! Its so easy for us to just live day by day and completely lose track of the fact that we need to make future plans to achieve goals that we have. Thats why I think its always good to sit back and rewrite our Yearly goals or write a "Life Update". 

What do you mean update myself on my life? Its my life why do I need updating on it?

When I think of updating myself on my life I ask myself a few simple questions. 

1. What have you accomplished this year so far?

2. How many of those accomplishment if any are on your New Years Resolution list? 

3. Can any of your goals be reached before the year is through? 

Many of us (including myself) will answer these questions and feel totally defeated. We will think to ourself "What in heck have I been doing?!?!?". Don't beat yourself up, this thing called life can be hectic and the reason we are doing the Life Update is so that we can get ourselves back on track. 

Here is my Life Update 

So far this year I have continued to go through the learning process of being a Mother. I am continuing to learn that I can't do everything and be everywhere for my baby and that I have to learn to live this new life of functioning with my heart out of my chest. I have accomplished my goal of getting a raise at work and continue to work hard to be promoted. I am on my journey to losing 20 pounds by December. My educational goals can and will be started before the year is complete. Of my 5 goals on my New Years Resolution 3 of them are either complete or currently in motion. 

What is your "Life Update" looking like? Leave them in the comments below!

Its Tagged Tuesday!!!! Check out Annis Bubble to see her view on "The Life Update".