Family By The Lake
I have been wanting to go canoeing all summer long and here, it is almost over! The husband and I decided today would be the perfect day, so we got up early and packed up the daughters for a day at the lake.
First, I filled up with a big bowl of AB&B (almond butter and banana) Oat Bran…
- 1/2 cup oat bran
- 1 1/4 cup water
- dash salt
- dash cinnamon
- 4 drops liquid Vanilla NuStevia
- banana
- 1/2 tbsp. almond butter
- sprinkle of sliced almonds
Oat bran is so filling. Following the serving size on the box makes a ton! Although I love volume, it was a little too much for me and I couldn’t finish it. I’ll have to scale back on it next time. I’d rather skimp on the oat bran than the almond butter 
After breakfast, we were off to Marsh Creek Lake. I’m not sure why we never thought to visit the lake before today. It is a beautiful place!
The lake covers over 500 acres and draws many boaters to the area. Sailboats, rowboats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboats were all available for rental. Because of the vast lake area, the husband thought it best we rent the motorized rowboat so we could explore for a couple hours. Good thing since about 4 seconds into our scenic ride, little daughter was already asking when we were leaving 
I smile and row…
We explored the lake for close to 2 hours, then returned the boat and found the nearest picnic table to eat lunch. I packed the traditional sandwich and chip fare.
Almond butter and fruit-only raspberry preserves on white whole wheat for me…
along with reduced-fat Kettle chips and a gala…
Then, we headed home and crashed! All that fresh air knocked us out!
I got moving after a quick 10 minutes of shut-eye and started preparing dinner. We invited my parents and Gram over for a falafel party. Yes, FALAFEL!! I know, I’m still yelling in happiness about these
The falafel party spread included…
- Falafel Republic falafel balls
- whole wheat pitas
- Trader Joe’s Tzatziki sauce
- Hummus
- shredded lettuce
- sliced cucumbers
- sliced tomatoes
- sliced onion
- roasted sweet potato wedges with chipotle guacamole dip
- salad
The chipotle guacamole dip was a big hit with the parents. In a small food processor, I combined 1 chipotle pepper (in adobo) with 1/2 cup greek nonfat yogurt and 1/4 cup guacamole and blended until smooth. The heat was a nice compliment to the sweetness of the potato.
My plate of falafely goodness…
We ended the night with a family game of Sequence…
My parents whipped our butts again.
Twice.
I smile and go.
Have a great day, everyone!
Do you like boating? Have you tried canoeing or kayaking? I ogled the kayaks; I really want to try that next time!
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
16 comments
I spent several summers of my childhood on wilderness canoe trips where we traveled about 200 miles in a week in an area where motors were not allowed, and you primitive camped on islands ( dig your own latrine, fetch water from the lake and string your food packs up in the trees so the bears do not get them). I have also done white water rafting and kayaking. Kayaks are a lot trickier to row than canoes, and rowboats are the easiest of all. Have not been to do ether of these in years though.
Wow what amazing pictures. Can’t say I’ve ever tried canoeing or kayaking and until I’ve lost a lot more weight I wouldn’t dare to lol.
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I love falafel! Have you every tried making your own? It isn’t to difficult. I would love to trying kayaking. I have it on my “Life’s to do list”. Enjoy the rest of your weekend..
Oh. my. gosh.
Every time I’m here I end up licking the computer screen.
And yes, we are big canoe-ers. And also? We ca-BREW occasionally, but not this summer since we’re watching our figures.
Beautiful photos!
What a great day Marisa! I used to canoe all the time when I was younger – I probably haven’t been in 20 years though!
On our last vacation, we rented a pontoon boat for the day, and we would just drive, stop, swim, repeat – it was by far our favorite day of the vacation!
Beautiful lake! would love to try kayaking, never have done either.
You and I are gonna have to have a falafel party. It all looks soooo DELICIOUS! I love everything you have in those pictures. Hope you had fun!
wow, the photos of the lake are stunning. i love breathtaking scenery! white whole wheat–never seen nor heard of that bread! raspberry jam/preserves is my #1. yum. it makes me smile that you had a whole party revolving around falafel. it is totally worth it, i love those balls of deliciousness!
The lake photos are gorgeous!
I LOOOOVE kayaking. It’s seriously one of my favorite activities in the world. You should definitely try it.
i LOVE kayaking…went kayaking in canada this summer and it was AMAZING! i actually think i’m going to ask for a kayak for christmas this year.
french creek has row boats, canoes…etc as well…and frisbee golf! it’s a good time.
i also just had falafel for the very first time last week! ah!!!!!!!!! i can’t believe i never had it before…i’m officially in love.
Stunning pictures.
The fallafel looks great
Gorgeous pictures.
You are the proud winner of a little award over on my blog. Enjoy!
Marisa Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Thank you so much, Laurie!!
as always I live vicariously through your blog….
Rowing is such a great workout! I “sort of” kayaked at a water park. It wasn’t a real kayak–it was made out of plastic–but it worked the same way and I was beat after fifteen minutes! rubber arms, man.