Parks and Rec

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In my former life as an urban planner, I worked for a private consulting firm, but I interacted with local and county government departments frequently.  My favorite department to talk to was undoubtedly Parks and Recreation.  I never realized that most Parks and Rec were so extensive and amazing – not only do they handle parks, but most departments also operate trails, dog parks, public gyms and pools, and bike paths. 

 

So – a little tip!  If you’re looking for a new cycling route or an ‘undiscovered’ off-road running trail, just Google your city (or county) and “parks and recreation.” 

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There’s tons of info available online and most of the amenities are free!  Well, paid for by your taxes.  Practically the same thing, right?

 

Thanks to my Parks and Rec department, I found out that my aquatic center membership (AKA my pool) gives me access to another amazing gym run partially run by the city!  I can’t even believe that I get access to two great facilities for such a low price.  Three cheers for city government!

 

Eats, Eats, Eats

 

Snack was a few handfuls of pumpkin seeds.

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And dinner was a giant pancake…. Yes, a giant, thick, fluffy pancake.  With Greek yogurt, almonds, and blueberries.  Breakfast.  It’s what’s for dinner.

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Thinking about an orange or a fruit smoothie for dessert. 

 

Thought of the Day

 

“You are free to experience life negatively or positively, and the choice you make determines whether you are at cause, or at effect, of the life you are living.” – Marianne Williamson

{ 26 comments }

 

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey February 6, 2012, 8:44 pm

    I am all about pancakes for dinner – actually pancakes any time would be nice.

  • Kristen@Change of Pace February 6, 2012, 9:02 pm

    I just love breakfast for dinner and so do my kids! Pancakes are the best 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) February 6, 2012, 9:05 pm

    Pancakes for dinner are my favorite!!! I like to makes lots of little ones and pile them up with toppings! Makes dinner fun and delicious! They are doing great things with parks in my little town outside of Atlanta. I love that we can now walk to the park daily!

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats February 6, 2012, 9:08 pm

    I had breakfast for dinner too, some greek yogurt and Stuft Mama’s pumpkin microwave muffin! It’s all I wanted after 12 hours in law school classes and a 5am wake up call to hit the gym.

  • Christine @ BookishlyB February 6, 2012, 9:08 pm

    Yup, and a lot of times they have agreements with private facilities that you can use at a discount (like my yoga studio does). I remember feverishly scouring the parks and rec bulletin every summer as a teenager for cheap public pools.

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) February 6, 2012, 9:12 pm

    We do breakfast for dinner several times a week! Seriously, do pancakes or waffles ever get old? Or oatmeal? Seriously, YUM!

  • J February 6, 2012, 9:22 pm

    Hey, I’m a Parks & Rec girl! In fact, I have a Masters Degree in Recreaetion. Yes, it’s a real degree, and it was NOT a walk in the park – no pun intended! And yeah, we’re pretty cool peeps. 🙂

    • Jackie February 7, 2012, 4:51 pm

      Rec girls unite! A few weeks ago I attended the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association annual cofnerence in Chicago and it always reminds me how lucky we are to have this type of career.

      If anyone is looking for a career switch seriously consider Parks and Rec you will not regret it!

      We get paid to play!

    • Allison K February 7, 2012, 5:25 pm

      Yay! I too am a recreation professional. And while the degree might not be a walk in the park…the education and the job are a blast!

  • Elle February 6, 2012, 9:47 pm

    I love Parks & Rec as well! Know of any teaching jobs out there? I’m looking and according to that map there would be a great run too!!

  • hippierunner February 6, 2012, 10:15 pm

    How could you write this post and not mention the TV show? It is literally, the best! 😉

    • Jennifer February 7, 2012, 9:01 am

      Agree!! One of my favorite TV shows. 🙂

      • Jessica February 7, 2012, 2:32 pm

        YES! Parks and Rec is probably one of my top three favorite TV shows!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb February 6, 2012, 10:48 pm

    brinner is the best!

    and another lovely quote 🙂

  • Rachel February 6, 2012, 11:11 pm

    i had breakfast for dinner too! a bowl of cereal at 5pm & 2 frozen waffles at 8pm. i’m 38 weeks pregnant, cut me some slack 😉

  • Laura @ She Eats Well February 7, 2012, 12:14 am

    I really like that quote. I also really really love breakfast for dinner.

  • Khushboo February 7, 2012, 12:41 am

    Brinner is where it’s at! I have a friend coming over tomorrow night for waffles 😀

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin February 7, 2012, 7:58 am

    Breakfast for dinner is the best! It’s nice to get to enjoy pancakes/waffles during the week when it’s usually too busy to make them in the mornings!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed February 7, 2012, 8:08 am

    Nice deal, everybody likes a 2 for 1 special! I never thought about looking at my county’s parks and rec website. Although maybe that’s just because I still have so much of Valley Forge National Park to explore (and it’s in our backyard). Oooh I may be making an omlet for dinner tonight. I prefer a savory breakfast… although I did just see a recipe for a savory waffle with an egg and some salsa on top. Yum… wish I had that NOW for actual breakfast! Womp lol.

  • Amy Q February 7, 2012, 8:19 am

    LOVEEEEEEEEEE that quote you have at the bottom of your post! I tell my kids that all the time– maybe some day it will sink in!!!

  • Emily February 7, 2012, 9:12 am

    I am headed to my hometown this weekend and have a double digit run on the calendar. That means, I am DEFINITELY using this to try and figure out where to have an interesting long run.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife February 7, 2012, 9:17 am

    I love breakfast for dinner!! SO awesome. It feels kind of sneaky to do it, because I never had that as a kid. Kinda funnny 😉

  • Poptartyogini February 7, 2012, 10:10 am

    I love breakfast for dinner. We are doing eggs tonight. A good park district and library are wonderful things. Take advantage. As you wrote, we pay for it!

  • Lexi @ Cura Personalis Foodie February 7, 2012, 10:25 am

    Breakfast for dinner = the best meal ever

  • Life's a Bowl February 7, 2012, 1:11 pm

    Breakfast for dinner is one of our fave dinners! Pancakes or waffles are delic anytime of the day 😀

  • Amber K February 7, 2012, 2:08 pm

    Ooh a pancake for dinner. That sounds just right 🙂

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