Add Some Spring to Your Step!

Now that the weather is (finally!) warmer it's the perfect time to add a little spring to your step! After being cooped up indoors all winter, being outside and getting some fresh air will do your body (and soul) some good. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy spring outdoors with your friends & family.

Take a Walk - Experts say adults are suppose to walk an estimated 10,000 steps per day, however in recent studies, it has been found that people are only walking an average of 1,000 to 3,000 steps a day. Taking a walk not only helps you reach your daily fitness goal, but it is good for the mind and soul as well.  Getting fresh air and enjoying the scenery can wash away a stressful day or give the perfect venue for a meaningful conversation. Here are some ideas of how to get those extra steps in this spring:  

• Take your dog for a walk instead of just letting him out the back door. Your loved canine needs the increase in doggie steps too! 
• Meet up with friends and take a walk around your neighborhood. Getting lost in conversation is the perfect way to add up those steps! 
• Walk to the store. If your destination is close enough to walk to - go for it! 
• Park at the back of the parking lot. Forget trying to snag the space closest to the entrance, those few extra steps will quickly add up. 
• Take a walk around the block on your lunch break. Taking a short break from your desk will keep your body moving and your blood flowing. You will return to your desk ready to concur the rest of the day. 
• If you are interested in keeping track of how many steps you take per day, pick up a pedometer or try one of the new health trackers like Fitbit, Nike, or the Up Band. 

Take a Hike - Find a local trail in your area and go explore! Hiking is a great activity to do with a spouse, a friend, or family member. Bring a camera for some unforgettable pictures or a picnic for a rest along the way.  

Bike Ride -  Plan a date to ride a bike, it is a great activity to do with the kids, with a friend or in a group. If you don't own a bike, a lot of major cities have bike rentals that you can take advantage of. There are also group bike tours that you can join within your community and if you're feeling adventurous, join a U.S bike tour or travel overseas! 

Plant a Garden - Spring is the perfect time to start a garden and believe it or not, it can even be a workout! After a day of digging and planting, you're going to be feeling the burn.  You can plant your favorite flowers or even start your own fruit and vegetable garden. Fresh fruit and veggies are great to cook with during the summer and they taste fantastic, just make sure deer and wildlife don't get to them before you do!  

Spring is such a great time of year, so try and take full advantage of the weather before it gets too hot. Your kids will enjoy spending time outdoors and so will you! What are your favorite spring activities? 

Quinoa White Chicken Chili - a new take on a traditional recipe

 Quinoa White Chicken Chili

Reveille Camper: Sharon Cuny Howard

Camper In: 2008 - 2013

Sharon's Recipe:  QUINOA WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

Sharon's Story:  Quinoa White Chicken Chili is a delicious, family friendly, easy to make recipe. However for me, this recipe represents more than just that. It represents change and new beginnings... hmm trying to make the connection?  Let me explain. I recently completed a 21 day detox/cleanse. I know that seems to be the craze lately. That along with gluten-free, vegan, paleo and I am sure many more eating plans.  I have experimented with a few of them, been successful, lost weight, felt great...but when the program was over or I got bored it never stuck. I then came across a program called "Detox with a Purpose" created by Julie Felsher.  It is a seasonal cleanse that is not just about the food, it is about you! It goes deeper than eating well, juicing, and making smoothies. 

I wanted to share this because I feel this goes perfectly with Joan's vision and everything she has created at Camp Reveille. Joan has taught us as women the importance of taking care of ourselves, how to have fun and support each other. This is why many of us keep coming back to Camp Reveille, because we are craving this oasis. Julie was able to create this same environment with her program, so to me it seemed like a perfect fit. Everything in the chili recipe I was able to eat during my cleanse, so I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  I hope everyone stays warm and I look forward to returning to the oasis of Reveille. 

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin, toasted and ground
• 3 cups chicken broth or chicken stock
• 1 cup salsa verde
• 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 (15 ounce) can white beans
• 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (~1/2 lime)
• 2 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat, add the onion and jalapeno peppers and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cumin and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
• Add the broth, salsa verde, chicken, beans, quinoa and oregano, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked and the quinoa is tender, about 10-15 minutes.
• Remove the chicken, shred or dice, return to soup along with the lime juice and cilantro, season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.

Slow Cooker: Optionally implement steps 1 & 2, place everything except the lime juice and cilantro in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-10 hours or on high for 3-4 hours before continuing on with step 4.

Option: Add 1 cup zucchini along with the chicken.
Option: Add 1 cup corn 5 minutes before taking off the heat.
Option: Replace the jalapeno peppers with poblano peppers or 1 4.5 ounce can of diced green chilies.
Nutrition Facts: Calories 397, Fat 8g (Saturated 1g, Trans 0), Cholesterol 66mg, Sodium 693mg, Carbs 44g (Fiber 8g, Sugars 3g), Protein 42g

SLEEP DEPRIVED? NOT FOR LONG.

Getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep each night is so important. Lack of sleep can act as a contributor to high blood pressure, obesity and other physical conditions. 

We reached out to our Camp Reveille alumni (and good friends), Lisa Mercurio and Cindy Bressler from The Bedtime Network, for their expert advice on how to create a bedtime ritual to help us get more sleep! Here is what they had to say... 

Most of us don’t get enough sleep and are desperate to know how we can get more. 

Getting a good night’s sleep starts with recognizing bedtime as a longer than imagined period of the day. Many perceive bedtime as the moment they literally crawl under the covers, but we know that’s just not long enough. Sleep is the end game but to get there we need to give our mind and body the time to make the shift from daytime to bedtime. And so, the real secret to sleep lies in what you do before you get into bed. Whether you’re 2, 22, 42, 62 or 82, everyone needs a bedtime ritual.  

We understand that creating and adhering to that ritual may seem overwhelming. So we would like to share our favorite bedtime rituals and bedtime tips. They’re very simple and just might help you help you and the ones you love to enjoy the best bedtime ever. Feel free to mix and match. The important point is to create a lasting bedtime ritual that brings you pleasure and peace. If you do your ritual nightly, over time it will signal your mind and body that’s it’s time for bed. 

Bedtime Network’s nutritionist Gayle Reichler recommends cuddling up under a blanket with a warm drink as an enormously satisfying bedtime snack. Of course, when selecting evening beverages, you want to opt for something that is not high in caffeine. Warm milk and honey is the ideal bedtime drink. Not only is it delicious and comforting, milk contains the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to the brain chemical serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate your sleep cycle. 

Bedtime Network’s fitness guru Elisabeth Halfpapp has also developed a unique sequence of stretches, called “Night Moves,” designed to transition the mind and body from daytime to bedtime. Just five minutes of simple stretching in the evening will help you release the tension often held in your neck and throughout your body. These stretches are simple and don’t require any equipment, so they are perfect to do both at home and while traveling. 

Bedtime Network’s relationship expert, therapist Nyiri Grigorian comments, “Ever notice that your worst arguments with your kids, partner or spouse happen at bedtime?” She recommends that before engaging in a major argument you “allow some time to review and look at how you feel, even make some notes. Then, tuck your feelings away for the night. Issues that may begin a fight at night are better solved in the light of day.” 

Bedtime Network’s sex therapist Miriam Baker recommends that we examine what is standing in the way of greater sexual satisfaction for us and our partner, adding that “sex at bedtimemay actually help you sleep.”  

Bedtime Network interior designer Randy Florke recommends turning off your technology at bedtime. He (and we) believe that the only real way to power down for the evening is to let go of your cell phone and computer. While many of us feel we are unable to part with our devices, turning them off for the night is the only way for us to truly disconnect. “Don’t put a workstation in your bedroom. If space is really an issue and you have to have a desk for your laptop in your bedroom, put it away at night so that you don’t see it if you happen to get up to go to the bathroom.” No need to bring on the worry train if you awake at 3am! 

Parents of college kids living away from home or people with elderly parents: we know the temptation to keep your cell phone on is great. If you have a land line, perhaps you can ask your kids to call you at that number if they really need you “after hours.” This way you can turn off your cell phone and avoid unnecessary distractions. 
As for us, we are big fans of taking a warm shower with Dr. Bronner’s lavender soap before bed. It’s very relaxing and somehow when the shower is over even the most stressful of days doesn’t seem quite as bad. The combination of the warm water and the lavender scent definitely helps to make the transition. 

We hope we have inspired you to create your own bedtime ritual. Let us know how it goes. And if you need a little support or guidance, drop us a line at sleepypeeps@bedtimenetwork.com. We would love to hear from you. 

Night, Night. Cindy Bressler and Lisa Mercurio Co-Founders, Bedtime Networkhttp://www.bedtimenetwork.com 

P.S. We are also the co-creators of “Bedtime Beats – The Secret To Sleep,” the 60 to 80 beat-per-minute musical sleep solution. When used as the foundation for a bedtime ritual for 15 minutes nightly. Listening to Bedtime Beats each night will help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

The Perfect Mother's Day Gift: Time Spent Together

Whether you live next door or across the country, the bond between mother and daughter is a unique and unbreakable one. Some of us are lucky enough to spend time together often, sharing daily moments and special celebrations. Others however have to plan such occasions to spend quality "mommy/daughter" time together...enter the perfect Mother's Day gift: Camp Reveille! 

There are a million Mothers Day gift ideas out there, from a new sweater, to a piece of jewelry, or a good book but what about giving the gift of spending time together, trying new things, embracing the challenge of taking care of yourselves? There is nothing more special than spending time with the people you love, so what about giving a unique experience together at Camp Reveille!? 

Often, as the years pass and life gets busy, the quality time that mothers and daughters spend together can become scarce, but making an effort to reconnect is priceless. At Camp Reveille, mothers and daughters can share an ultimately unique experience together. At Camp Reveille we have heard a mom say that she and her grown up daughter had never really gotten to know each other as adults and the weekend away together allowed them to do that! Reveille is a perfect and unique Mother's Day gift, the gift of relaxation and time spent together. Hear what some of our other mothers and daughters have said about their experience!  

"My mother has always said, "take the time to make memories." When my sister came up with the idea of going to Camp Reveille we just thought It would be fun. What happened was a wonderful Mother and daughter(s) experience!  Not only did we get to try new classes, use our creativity making jewelry, meet amazing women and have many other adventures, we got to be together. My sister lives in Maine and my Mom and I in Buffalo, New York so we don't get together a lot. We loved just hanging out in our cabin, drinking coffee or wine and talking. No life distractions just being ourselves and enjoying each other company! Those days at camp we created many life memories with others but the bonding with my family was priceless!" 
-Julie Bunn

"I look forward to Camp Reveille each year with my two daughters. Besides for our time to bond more, each year there's always something new to experience. I always leave feeling so refreshed and very happy I took the time for myself." 
- Elizabeth Sabia 
"My mom is the most amazing, selfless woman I know, everything she does is for her family. Camp Reveille gives my mom a well deserved opportunity to relax and focus on herself." 
- Ashley Sabia

"I have been blessed with a terrific family. Each member is unique and brings their own beauty to my bouquet of love. My daughter, Nancy was kind enough to invite me to Reveille a few years ago, so we could have some play time together. It has been a joy to spend time together and experience her so picturesque a setting. We have shared nearly all of the activities together and it is so much fun to laugh with each other whatever the activity, whether it's tennis, archery, jewelry, yoga or getting tossed off the banana boat! I am grateful that Nancy invited me to be her bunk mate and I am grateful for all you have provided for us to enjoy. I am truly blessed to be able to spend time with my daughter each year!" 
- Lorraine Bedingfield

"Sharing a REVEILLE weekend with my daughter - Shanna, daughter-in-love - Lindsay, her mom - Joan, & my sister - Emily, was truly the most LOVING, ENERGIZING, SPIRITUAL, & JOYOUS experience for me. We designed jewelry, worked out, climbed the rock wall(!), played tennis, raced cardboard boats on BEAUTIFUL Long Lake (still laughing over that!), meditated, shared make-up secrets with Emir, had massages, reflected around the Council Fire, ate too much, slept too little, hugged A LOT, embraced the sunset from the deck of our FAVORITE spot in the whole world, & danced the last night away... Even the moments in our bunk were special & memorable. The gift of REVEILLE was priceless. & there was NOTHING like embracing this "heaven" with the girls that you LOVE MORE THAN ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE!!! XOXO" 
- Louise Weinberg

"Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the universe! Camp Reveille was an awesome fun time for me and my 2 daughters, it was a great bonding time for us we had lots of fun lots of activities and we took back home lots of shared memories. Nicolette lives in NYC and Brielle recently moved to NYC and when we get together with friends and family, there is always some conversation of our summer-girls-me-time at Camp Reveille! We are looking forward for this end of summer camp experience this summer again." 
-Rivka Cohen

There is still space for you and your mom to experience Camp Reveille together this summer! 

For more information:  

CampReveille.com 

Register for Camp Reveille