Birthday Boat Ride with the Seadog!

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After such a fabulous Birthday Lunch (read the recap and review of ATHEA’S), what could possibly top that? HOW ABOUT AN EXTREME SPEED BOAT RIDE ON LAKE MICHIGAN, AT NAVY PIER?????

There is little bit of background info that you must have: when Lluvia was 8 years old, our family: Mom, Brother, his Wife (before their children were born), both of my daughters, their dad, and my self went on a similar boat ride. It was also at Navy Pier. We missed the 5 pm ride and had to catch the 6 pm boat. Its was unseasonably chilly for August, and we did not have jackets or coats. The Sun was already going down when we started the ride. It was very cold out there on the water, and Lluvia got really sick. It appeared to have been caused by a combination of things: food poisoning, staying in a n apartment with heavy cigarette smokers that never opened their windows, and the cold boat ride. In fact, we almost lost her. She could not breathe through her nose, or her mouth. I realized that she would not get well within city limits, so we ended our trip early and headed south, back to Texas. As soon as we were out in the countryside of Illinois, she started breathing normally again,. It was terrifying. …. so going on this speed ride was actually about facing fears AND having fun while dong it!!!

Once we had purchased our tickets, we began to regret our decision, because just at the next dock, was a huge sailboat! We wished that we had seen that one first, and vowed to return for that ride…..of course after the ride, we did not mention the sailboat again!

before…..

Before getting on the boat, they take your picture. Lluvia was like, we don’t need a picture. But it was policy, to take everyone’s photo. Later on I reflected how this mis probably for safety measures as well as commercial ventures. We were told that the ride would be wet, and by the looks of the folks that got off the boat before us, this would be inevitable. It was so hit, that we were all ready to cool off. Of course, I ended jus buying the photos after the ride, because it was SO MUCH FUN!!! I especially love the fact that the photo is dated, with my birthdate.

At this point, we were just 2 people sitting on a boat, waiting for the ride to begin. I apologize in advance for the crazy video shots, because the boat was going really fast, and I was laughing uncontrollably. At times, I thought it was recording, but it was not, then, when I thought it was off, it was recording… sigh. It has been one entire week, and I am still laughing inside, can still feel the water pouring all over us, and the music they played just added to the experience.. Anyway, here come some video clips…

By the way, the announcer survives on tips, so have some cash in your pocket….

This is our after photo. We were drenched. had to walk around to dry off! LOL!! WAAAAAAY MORE FUN THAN A ROLLER COASTER…

After then ride, I was impelled to buy the official “before” photograph. Then we went on that crazy swing ride. I kept thinking, “what happens if one of these chains were to break?” But it was too much fun to worry about it. Here is a clip of the ride, no we are not in the swing, no photos allowed!

We ended this spectacular day by shopping at one of our favorite thrift shops. This was a fantastic fun day, and an excellent way to start off year 58.

If you are ever looking for something fun to do on birthdays, or when people come to visit you in Chicago, I would definitely recommend the Seadog. But only on a hot sunnier day….

thanks for checking out yet another Light Being Wellness Product review…..stay tuned for more to come.

Birthday Lunch Recap and Review: Althea’s Vegan Fine Cuisine

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My BeEarthDay was Monday August 5. 58 and Life is Great! I am filled with Gratitude. I wanted to do something different: I usually travel out of the country for my birthday, however this year, I stayed home. My daughter Via Rosa chose this restaurant: ALTHEA. Chef Matthew Kenney plant-based fine dining. Located on the 7th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue on the Magnificent Mile.

Althea Vegan Plant Based Restaurant

BTW, Vegan is a different category from Plant Based.: Vegans will eat Oreos ( now made vegan, without animal products and not so much toxic stuff) but a Plant Based Diet person might eat meat or eggs. I am def a plant based vegan….LOL!!! I eat Oreos sometimes, and sometimes, while out and about, might eat a pastry that was made with eggs. But overall, plant based vegan.

The restaurant is on the 7th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue!  I haven’t been there since I was a young girl. My Dad used to love to shop there. It looks alot different! Lol!  The view is nice and the food is incredible! 

Golden Milk Spice Tea

Golden Milk Spice Tea. Of course, I thought it would have been made with coconut milk. I was wrong. It was super gingery and black peppery. I chose to add some Agave and it became super yummy.

Fancy Blue Gem Shoes, get it Gem Shoes! LOL!! I just got it….instaed of gym shoes.,.. duh.

The lady sitting at the table next to us was wearing the most fascinating shoes, and her suit also. However, I could not stop staring at these shoes. Are these real gems or just rhinestones? I dunno, but perhaps when I am 85, I will have a pair of shoes like this..LOL!!! My daughter was very embarrassed when I took this photo. I wanted to compliment her on the shoes when she was getting up to leave, However, she looked right through me as if I wasn’t there, so I said nothing.

Kimchi Dumplings

We wanted to order this because it got great reviews. Then decided not to get it, because of our budget. Then the waittress said they were treating us because IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!!! Kimchi Dumplings, Beet Sauce and Ginger Foam. Please don’t ask me how they make foam out of ginger. This was so delicious. Will order this again…

Mushroom Tacos

Aaaahhhh, the Mushroom Tacos! When we were getting on the elevator, some ladies were getting off. They were taking photographs of the sign! They were raving about the food. Especially these mushroom tacos! Now, we know why!!! The food @altheas is delicious and filling, yet everything is so light. We were amazed at how much we ate, we felt full, yet not stuffed. I especially love how it is plant based as opposed to vegan: vegan can mean lots of meat substitutes. Plant based means it came from the earth, not processed to be something that it is not…every dish was a work of art, and all senses are involved in the experience, not just taste..

Crab Cakes

Now the Crab Cakes were outta this world. I have not tasted any other crab cakes, so I have no way of comparing them to cakes made from dead sea creatures or fake sea creatures. I have only tasted these, and will be ordering them again. Why don’t we meet there for lunch? I cannot tell you what they taste like, because I have never tasted anything like them!!! Lol! I recognized green onion, but that was all.

Gnocchi

Plant-based Gnocchi. WOW! And the sauce was so yummy. I am not really a foodie. In fact, I am not at all. However, looking at these photos, I am recalling the fun and joy that we experienced at this restaurant. Maybe because I was there with my favorite vegan and/or plant-based chef, Via Rosa, which helped make everything taste even better. I also learned how to pronounce Gnocchi. 

And now for the Main Entree: RAW PLANT BASED LASAGNE. It looked like a piece of wedding cake. I did not want to cut it or mess up the artwork. The “cream cheese” looked like little clouds. The SAUCE? Magnifico!!! You really have to be there…this is Chef Matthew’s specialty. You have to try this. The menu is seasonal, so that means we will go at LEAST 4 times per year.

Banana Creme Pie and Chocolate Ice Cream.

Dessert was also on the house. The waittress brought out with candle lit, but i guess i was do excited it went out before the photo was taken. The Banana Cream Pie, also raw,  stole out hearts. Magicsl is best way to describe the experience. The ice cream tasted good, but was not creamy enough for our tastes. 

All in all, we will definitely be going there every season….I have a feeling that it’s always yummy season at Althea! 

Stay tuned for more reviews from Light Being Wellness Center. One Love!