HARRAH'S CASINO

I spent most of the day driving back to Chicago from Ohio after visiting two customers. It was approaching 8PM and I was wondering how I could accomplish my daily walk.  On the way home I found a park with a trail, but it was too close to sunset when the park would close and lock its gates and trap my car so I decided to not take any chances there. Less than 20 miles outside Chicago, at the Illinois/Indiana border,  I thought that I could park my car at the Walmart and walk around and peek my head inside the Harrah's Horseshoe Casino and see what it looks like. This is precisely what I started to do. I parked my car in the Walmart parking lot, but I immediately found a walking/bike trail and although I only walked about 2.5 miles out and another 2.5 miles back, the trail extended much further. This will be a place I will chose to revisit with more time and in sunlight. I never did get to the Harrah's Casino. So my opportunity to see what the place looks like will have to wait until another day. I do not gamble, and when I do, I don't win, which is why I don't.

Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, November 30, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Simple Super 8 Cinnamon Roll - Cinnamon Roll, 2	620	96	30	8	1,100	50
Quaker - Instant Oatmeal- Maple	640	128	8	16	1,040	48
	1,260	224	38	24	2,140	98
L U N C H
Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream	400	38	25	5	450	3
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel, 1 Sandwich	410	56	14	17	920	5
	810	94	39	22	1,370	8
D I N N E R
Subway - Sunchips Harvest Cheddar	210	29	9	4	240	3
Subway - Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki	740	114	9	50	1,540	32
	950	143	18	54	1,780	35
S N A C K S
Klondike - Klondike Bar	500	58	28	6	140	46
	500	58	28	6	140	46
Totals	3,520	519	123	106	5,430	187
Your Daily Goal	2,781	347	92	140	2,300	104
Remaining	-739	-172	-31	34	-3,130	-83
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 851 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 235.2 lbs in 5 weeks     

REVENGE HIKE

I admit it. I pushed myself and I surely pushed my daughter when we biked 43.5 miles on a trip that took us to the Indiana border and back home again. It was not the wisest choice for a first bike ride of the season. I let my enthusiasm get the best of me. I wanted my daughter to have this accomplishment of biking to Indiana. The next day, yesterday, would have been a great day to recuperate. My daughter who had completely recovered from the bike ride, insisted on taking a walk the next day, as she thought (correctly) that I was still recovering from the day before. We did not set any speed records, but we did walk 7+ miles.  It may be 'over the top' to call this a 'revenge hike' - but it is true that my daughter did delight in some of my reticence to take this walk.

Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, April 15, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Apples & Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal	780	162	9	18	1,020	72
	780	162	9	18	1,020	72
L U N C H
Mostaccioli With Meat Sauce	800	117	22	37	1,661	22
	800	117	22	37	1,661	22
D I N N E R
Turkey Pot Roast	400	9	22	43	1,630	3
Brussel Sprouts	100	15	2	5	0	0
Cream corn	100	23	0	0	0	0
	600	47	24	48	1,630	3
S N A C K S
Haddar - Coconut bar chocolate drizzle	480	56	26	4	20	30
	480	56	26	4	20	30
Totals	2,660	382	81	107	4,331	127
Your Daily Goal	3,038	380	101	152	2,300	114
Remaining	378	-2	20	45	-2,031	-13
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
7.39 Mile Urban Hike	136	1,108
Daily Total / Goal	136 / 30	1,108 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	659 / 210	5,398 / 4,130

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READ THIS

On Sunday my wife served me a side dish with lunch that I have never had before. 4 BEAN SALAD.  READ SALADS are marketed by Seneca Foods. Nutritionally, I am aware that fresh vegetables are preferable to canned vegetables. Nevertheless, fresh vegetables are not always available. The complete contents of this can are only 300 calories, and I am sure that it will be a useful snack to keep in stock at home and on the road. Apparently, my daughter has been enjoying this as part of her school lunches for some time now. Even if the health benefits of canned vegetables are somewhat limited - I am pretty certain that this is still better than a candy bar or a bag of chips.

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15 Oz. CanClassic salad of green beans, wax beans, kidney beans plus chickpeas in a vinegar based, sweet-tangy dressing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Ingredients:
Green Beans, Water, Wax Beans, Kidney Beans, Garbanzo Beans, Sugar, Distilled Vinegar, Dehydrated Onions, Red Peppers, Salt, Soybean Oil, Turmeric..
Serving Size: 85g 
Servings Per Container: 5
Amount Per Serving: 1/3 cup
(Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet)
Calories: 60
   Calories from Fat 0
Total Fat 0g (0%)
   Saturated Fat 0g (0%)
   Trans Fat 0g (0%)
Cholesterol 0mg (0%).
Sodium 300mg (13%)
Potassium 90mg (5%)
Total Carbohydrate 13g (5%)
   Dietary Fiber 2g (8%) 
   Sugars 8g
Protein 1g 
Vitamin A (0%)
Vitamin C (4%)
Calcium (2%)
Iron (4%)

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I woke up at the crack of dawn on Monday, in sharp contrast to my 10AM start of the day on Sunday. Long before my family woke up I completed 99 minutes on the elliptical machine.

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After lunch our family took a leisurely bike ride along the Lake. I didn't initialize the MapMyRide Application until we arrived at the Museum Campus.  The 17 Mile ride that we recorded was understated by about 4 miles.

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Right before we returned home from the bike ride, my daughter expressed an interest in returning to Navy Pier to watch the 4th of July Fireworks. You know me...any chance to 'take a walk' and I am usually ready. We left our home at 8:40 which gave us plenty of time before the 9:30 start time. We hadn't counted on the fact that NAVY PIER was closed as it was FULL TO CAPACITY. We found a spot close by, still packed like sardines and watched the show.
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Our attempt to walk to Navy Pier failed as it was filled to capacity

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We took the long way home, fighting through a sea of humanity to get away from Navy Pier  area.

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Your Food Diary For:

Monday, July 4, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 3 packet (28 g)	300	66	0	6	930	0
Maltomeal - Honey Nut Scooters, 2 cup	240	48	3	6	420	18
	540	114	3	12	1,350	18
L U N C H
Campbell's Chunky - Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
Read 4 Bean Salad - Green and Yellow Beans, Red Beans, Chickpeas, 1.65 cup	300	65	0	5	1,500	40
Sargento - Havarti (sliced) - 7 oz, 2 slice	160	0	14	8	250	0
Butternut - Whole Grain White, 4 slices	280	54	3	10	540	8
Oscar Meyer - Deli Fresh Black Forest Ham	100	0	3	18	1,120	0
	1,080	155	26	51	5,010	54
D I N N E R
Italian Roast Beef, 4 ounces	60	0	2	12	390	0
Melon - Honeydew	150	36	1	3	90	33
Broiled Whitefish	200	0	9	29	0	0
	410	36	11	44	480	33
S N A C K S
Nestle - Mini Baby Ruth, 2 bars	170	24	8	2	85	20
YOGURT PRETZELS	380	56	0	4	360	38
Nice! Trail Mix - trail mix, 1 package	200	24	11	4	0	0
	750	104	19	10	445	58
Totals	2,780	409	59	117	7,285	163
Your Daily Goal	5,017	627	167	251	2,300	188
Remaining	2,237	218	107	134	-4,985	25
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 3,087 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Monday, July 4, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	99	1,154
Bicycling, road cycle	132	1,200
Walking	77	585
Walking	38	285
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-137
Daily Total / Goal	347 / 30	3,087 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	347 / 210	3,087 / 4,130

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AllTrails

The world wide web is a very big place. There is always something new to be discovered.  A few months back I had discovered an application and website called 'Rails to Trails'.  Recently I discovered another application and website called AllTrails.

I have used this application to 'discover' trails in Kankakee, Illinois and two days ago in Cincinnati, Ohio. The app names trails close to your location, gives a brief description and will give you directions to drive there. Yesterday, I did not return to my hotel room until after 7:30PM, and I did get on any trail or work out at all. Once again, my body was able to take advantage of the rest. I have discussed many times before that it is important to rest, at least once per week. I have found this difficult in the past - but it is the best course for long term good results.

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Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Enriched instant grits, butter flavor	500	105	8	10	1,700	0
Kellogg's - Fruit Loops Cereal	330	78	3	3	405	36
	830	183	11	13	2,105	36
L U N C H
Turkey Cheddar on Pretzel Bun	700	78	24	44	1,720	18
Medium - Anjou Pear, 2 pear	200	50	0	2	0	34
	900	128	24	46	1,720	52
D I N N E R
Subway - Footlong Steak Cheese	760	96	20	52	2,060	16
	760	96	20	52	2,060	16
S N A C K S
Quaker - Salt Free Gluten Free Rice Cake	980	196	0	28	0	0
Medium - Anjou Pear, 1 pear	100	25	0	1	0	17
	1,080	221	0	29	0	17
Totals	3,570	628	55	140	5,885	121
Your Daily Goal	2,006	251	67	101	2,300	75
Remaining	-1,564	-377	12	-39	-3,585	-46
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 76 extra calories from exercise today

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I only accumulated 4216 steps on Tuesday. Most of the day was spent either in front of a customer or driving. It takes a lot of effort to only walk 4216 steps in a day - after my 11 mile hike up and down multiple hills on Monday, my right shin was hurting a bit and I really needed the rest. Today, Wednesday,  I hope to return to a trail somewhere and log some real steps.



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FIRST BIKE RIDE OF THE YEAR

The transition from winter to summer has included an unseasonably cool spring. Finally, on Mother's Day, the weather was very good. It still could have been a bit warmer, but it was hard to complain with the deep blue skies covering Chicago. My family took out the bikes for the first time this year. I used the MAP MY RIDE application on my phone to calculate that we traveled 16 miles. We stopped to have a picnic lunch near the Adler Planetarium. And my wife, Jennifer and daughter, Sara, saw some parts of of Lake Shore Drive that they had never seen before. The same parts that I had only discovered late last year on one of my solo bike rides. Before we got underway I spent one hour on the treadmill, so yesterday was an active day for me, which was in stark contrast to so many of the days spent doing nothing in the previous month.

We took a bunch of photos yesterday.  The surreal photos with the giant carved insects were among my favorites.
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This is a favorite spot near Soldier Field.  I am the shadowy lurker in the background - but you already knew that.

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Mother's Day was a picture perfect day in Chicago

Mother/Daughter did a bit of climbing to get to the top

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What's a day in the park without a quick climb in a tree?

This was the view from the Adler Planetarium where we stopped for lunch

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a favorite spot from the southernmost part of Northerly Island looking north towards Chicago

Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, May 8, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 2 packet (28 g)	200	44	0	4	620	0
Jason's Deli - Flatbread Crackers	400	48	16	16	760	8
	600	92	16	20	1,380	8
L U N C H
Butternut - Enriched Hot Dog Bun, 3 bun	330	63	5	9	660	6
Nathan's Skinless Beef Frank - Hot Dog, 3 Frank	420	3	39	15	1,440	0
	750	66	44	24	2,100	6
D I N N E R
EARTHBOUND FARM - ORGANIC BABY SPINACH, 170 g (approx 3 oz, two cups)	40	0	0	4	130	0
Eggs - Hard Boiled - Large, 1 egg	78	1	5	6	62	1
Ham slices - Ham pieces	160	4	10	14	1,000	2
libby's - Sweet Corn	105	16	3	4	350	12
Roundy's - Asparagus Spears	70	11	0	7	1,225	11
365 - Hearts of Palm: Salad Cut	50	10	0	4	580	0
Homemade - Barbecued Pulled Pork	340	22	7	44	620	10
	843	63	25	83	3,967	35
S N A C K S
Apple - Fuji, 250 g (4.4 oz)	130	34	0	0	0	26
Chocolate Chip Cookie, 1 cookie	320	42	16	4	250	27
	450	76	16	4	250	53
Totals	2,643	297	100	131	7,697	102
Your Daily Goal	3,413	426	113	171	2,300	128
Remaining	770	129	12	40	-5,397	25
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,483 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Bicycling, road cycle	129	1,174
MATRIX TREADMILL	65	578
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-269
Add Exercise Quick Tools
Daily Total / Goal	195 / 30	1,483 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	876 / 210	6,519 / 4,130

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MAP MY RIDE application is 'very generous' when it calculates calories burned... There is no way that this bike ride burned 1174 calories. I am completely aware that this number is a complete fiction. I do have much more faith in the accuracy of the total miles that we rode. In fact, there is little question that we traveled a total of 16 miles in our roundtrip excursion.

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