Karate classes for children and adults in Downtown Sanford

Two Dragons Tang Soo Do opened its doors in March of this year in Downtown Sanford. Owned and operated by Master Constantino Terrigno, they offer Karate classes Monday – Thursday for children and adults. He accepts children from 8 to 12 years old, but I’ve seen some younger than 8 attend. It all depends on your child’s readiness. Adult classes are for ages 13 and up. My son and husband attend classes here at separate times.

The facility is a nice 1800 sq ft with an open waiting area, 1100 sq ft training floor, and changing rooms. It’s a very family friendly environment. The thing that attracts me most is Master Terrigno himself. He began his martial arts training in 1981. He has a calm, soothing, wise demeanor that reminds me of Chuck Norris; even in his appearance. Whether he is training children or adults, he relates his training to real life scenarios and teaches the importance of self defense, self discipline, and self confidence.When I think of a martial arts instructor, I think of people like Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid movies and in my opinion Master Terrigno falls right in line with the best of them.

Overall, the classes are very affordable for 4 days out of the week. There are also combined rates for families. You can come as often or as little as you’d like. However, your success to the next level or the next belt depends on your commitment to learning the art and training. Occasionally, Master Terrigno will offer Women’s Self-Defense classes or Buddy Day for kids currently enrolled to bring a friend for one free day of instruction.  Currently, my son has 2 passes left for Buddy Day on Monday, June 20^th, 2011 from 6:15p to 7:15p for all you young budding martial artists. Contact me, if you’re interested.

Two Dragons Tang Soo Do is located at 115 S. Oak Avenue in Downtown Sanford.  You can find them online at http://www.twodragonstsd.com or phone them at 407-312-9702 for more information.

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Green event at Central Florida Zoo

On May 14^th from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will be throwing a Party for the Planet.  This annual event is a great place to learn about local green businesses.  Vendors and exhibitors will be located throughout the park to promote their sustainable living services and products.

A bounce house, eco friendly crafts, and treat stations will be on hand for the kids and they can visit with Rae Rae the Red Panda from the popular PBS kids’ show Enviropals.

Regular Zoo admission applies, members are free.  Receive $2.00 off Zoo admission for each pair of sneakers donated to the Nike Shoe recycling drive (only athletic shoes will be accepted)

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Greening Up Your Picnic is Easier than Ever

Spring is Picnic Season in Florida

Picnics with friends and family are a wonderful way to connect with one another and enjoy nature. Remembering that we are in their environment is key to assuring we are picnicing in an Eco-friendly way. As the park rangers often tell children:

“Leave nothing behind but your footprints.”

In our hurried, convenience-driven lives, we often pack our picnics more with our time in mind, than the environment. Fortunately, some eco-friendly companies out there have seen this problem and are offering solutions. Today, there are many compostable, recycled and reusable picnic supplies available, making it easier to enjoy an “impulse picnic” than it used to be. Planning is much quicker when the supplies are at hand, and the only thing to do is pack up the food.

Here’s a few tips on acquiring some Eco-friendly picnic or cookout supplies for your pantry, to be sure you’re ready when the perfect day arrives:

• If you really want to be a ‘Frequent Picnic Patron’, perhaps a reusable picnic basket, supplied with reusable plates, utensils, cups, and napkins, is a good idea. In the long run, this will save you money, and it sure will be cute sitting on the blanket. That said, the most important part is that you won’t be tossing a lot of paper goods into the trash–or the landfill.
• Okay…so you’re not into the every weekend picnic. No problem. You can still have a environmentally friendly picnic, with a few supplies that are compostable, recyclable, and made of recycled materials–all good things to save the earth. Check out the photo below, with its accompanying information, and you’ll find that you can pick up everything you need at your neighborhood healthy food market.
• Skip the vinyl table cloth and grab a sheet for the table (washable!) or a blanket for the ground. Either way, it will be easy to clean up the mess.
• If you’d like to bring along some vino, reusable plastic wine glasses are available most everywhere now. I’ve even seen them in traditional grocers, and they’re beautiful. Watch for BPA-free labels and these should last you a lifetime of picnics. Don’t forget the corkscrew.

Eco-Friendly Picnic Supplies

Left to right, you’ll see my favorite picnic and cookout supplies, all of which (except the 100% recycled aluminum foil for grilling) can be tossed into my compost pile when used:

1. Twist, the 100% biodegradable sponge cloth, is a favorite in my kitchen, as well. I particularly love that I can sanitize this sponge (unlike old fashioned ones) simply by tossing it in the dishwasher or zapping it in the microwave. I have 2 under my sink that have lasted me nearly 2 years, and are still showing no signs of wearing out. That’s what I call sustainable!
2. Glad’s trash bags, if you plan to cookout, may be a necessary evil. While others also make plastic bags that include recycled consumer plastics, these are the highest percentage I have yet to find.
3. You’ll never know you’re not using plastic, when you eat with Earth Friendly Cutlery. Made by TerraWare, these utensils are surprisingly strong, use sustainable resources, and are made from GMO-free cornstarch resin.
4. Sustainable and compostable plates made by WorldCentric.org are the biggest surprise. They’re made from wheat and are nearly as sturdy as the Chinet of my childhood.
5. Speaking of Chinet, if soup bowls are needed, Chinet is biodegradable in your compost pile. Some natural foods stores may carry other choices, and TerraWare plans to add bowls to their line soon.
6. When it comes to cups, there is a plethora of recycled choices at most every grocer’s paper aisle. TerraWare also plans to add cups to their line, so watch for these. Most importantly, be sure to choose the cups with the least environmental impact, and dispose of them properly. Reusable cups are preferable.
7. If cloth napkins are not an option, skip the fancy ones and toss in a roll of 100% recycled post-consumer paper towels, to be used as napkins and for all manner of cleaning up. I favor Greenwise brand, both for the cost and the texture.
8. Finally, if you plan to cook out on a grill, you may need tin foil. Please choose 100% recycled tin foil, and use it sparingly.

Now, all you have to worry about is the food; that’s the fun part. See you at the park!

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Immerse Yourself in Central Florida’s Natural Beauty

Don't Forget to Bring a Friend

Looking for a green activity in sunny Central Florida, that won’t break the bank? The gem of Seminole County is the Wekiva River, which winds through Seminole County’s parks, providing rich, natural beauty.

Having lived along its border for nearly 20 years, I have witnessed its inhabitants in my own back yard many times. Raccoons, owls, hawks, woodpeckers, armadillos, bears, fox, does, and one precious sighting of a buck with a set of antlers that any avid hunter would drool over. Thank goodness he was in the sanctity of my back yard. I awoke the whole family coaxing them all to the back window, where we quietly peaked out at his majestic beauty. My daughter exclaimed, “Look, Mommy! It’s Bambi’s daddy.”

Recently, we took our Michigan guests along on a canoe outing on the Wekiva River. From a rental location just off Wekiva Springs Road, we rented canoes, vests, paddles and knee cushions to make the trip safely and comfortably. Given 4 hours for just over $40, we thought our Eco-outing was a terrific bargain—no gasoline refills or highway noise–Just peaceful bird watching, with a few entertaining canoe episodes.

Gators, water snakes, blue heron, and turtles were plentiful along our route, which allowed for a Y shaped tour of two areas of the river. What was not plentiful were my opportunities to snap photos—something I had planned to do in earnest. I thought it best to attend to my paddling duties with more diligence than my photography, lest we run aground and have to disembark.

Seminole County also offers Kelly Park at Rock Springs, which offers a large picnic area, swimming in the refreshingly cool spring water, along with its signature activity—tubing the river—and all for a meager $5 a carload.

There is nothing more inviting on a hot summer day than a cool dip. The tubing run is staffed by lifeguards, despite its shallow water.

There are always those who forgo the tube rental and simply swim or walk the river, enjoying the many treasures they can find along the bottom.  Not a water lover? The entire tubing run is lined with a wooden deck with ample viewing areas. With crystal clear water, Kelly Park’s visitors have often proclaimed success in finding sharks’ teeth along the bottom, where they are deposited by the spring’s input from the aquifer.

Whether you choose to enjoy the Wekiva River by canoe, tube, or your own foot-paddles, it is a beautiful way to enjoy nature. Close to home, inexpensive, and wonderfully peaceful, the river offers much to strip away the stresses of a busy week, while providing an Eco-adventure that does not stress the environment. That’s a Win-Win in my book.

Online resources for canoeing and kayaking the Wekiva River:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/eastcentral/trails/wekiva_river.htm

http://www.canoewekiva.com

http://www.wekivaadventures.com

http://www.floridastateparks.org/WekiwaSprings/

http://www.clubkayak.com/cfkt/trips/wekiva_river.html

http://www.floridaparks.com/floridacanoeing/canoe.htm

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Saturday Morning Stroll in Winter Garden

Saturday mornings in historic downtown Winter Garden offer visitors the opportunity to exercise, explore and relax.  The West Orange Trail runs right through the middle of downtown on the center median of Plant Street.  The West Orange Trail is 19 miles long starting in Oakland at the County Line station going up to Apopka.  The Winter Garden station is at mile 5.  On Saturday mornings bikers and runners go zipping by safely in the center median.

If you don’t have a bike but would like to explore the West Orange Trail downtown Winter Garden has two bike shops and a running shop.  Winter Garden Wheel Works offers bike rental at reasonable rates (starting at $6 per hour with a two hour minimum).  You can rent a bike for each member of your family and if needed a trailer to pull your younger child.  They even offer rentals of tagalong bikes, a half-size kid’s bike that attaches to an adult bike.  Tri & Run of West Orange offers triathlon and marathon training programs and running shoes and clothing.  Both are located right on Plant Street  in the heart of downtown Winter Garden. 

Winter Garden also hosts a Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings.  It is located at the corner of Plant Street and Lakeview Avenue.  You can find fresh produce and plants and an array of other food and unique items.  I shop there each weekend and often save almost 50% on my produce purchase over buying in a grocery store.  I have always found the items to be fresh, colorful and tasty.  Bring your own shopping bags and green bags for things like small potatoes or tomatoes.  These are priced by weight and it helps to have green bags for each item.

Once you have gotten your exercise and produce shopping out of the way, it is time to relax.  There are many stores to explore and restaurants offering good food and outdoor dining.  Sweet Traditions is a French bakery and cafe offering a long display case of pastries and yummy breakfast and lunch items.  You will often see groups clad in biking gear dining outside the cafe.

Heading off Plant Street down Main Street be sure to check out Daisy’s Children’s Boutique.  Daisy offers many toys crafted from environmentally friendly and organic materials.  Along the way you will also discover Winter Garden Fencing Academy, Garden Music School and Winter Garden Feed & Seed.  Winter Garden Feed & Seed offers items to feed and care for horses and livestock.  They also have great deals on items for smaller family friends like dogs.  If you have not been in a feed store, definitely stop in and check it out.  They often have small animals like goats and chicks for sale and they have their huge pet pig in the back. 

Following Main Street will also take you to Boyd Street and the Central Florida Railroad Museum.  The Railroad Museum is free and offers a fine collection of Florida railroadiana.  It is operated by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and they also operate the Heritage Museum, History Center and The Garden Theater.  All of these wonderful resources are located right in downtown Winter Garden.  Be sure to click through the Hertiage Foundation link for information on locations and hours.

Kristy has one son and since his birth she’s been researching to find healthier ways to do things and live a life of less impact. In a city that is less than “crunchy” it has been an adventure and she hopes to share some of what she’s learned both here and at her store Wee Willie Winks where she offers cloth diapers and other earth/child friendly parenting solutions. She also hosts Cloth Diaper News.

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Finding Out More About Florida’s Natural Ecosystems

 

Florida Trail Association is inviting the public to come and hear Ed L’Heureux, historian and author, discuss Florida’s natural ecosystems and how they are valuable.  The discussion is free and will be held on July 9th at 6:30 pm at Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Avenue, Palm Room, Orlando.

The Florida Trail Association was founded in 1964 and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit volunteer organization.  Its purpose is to build, maintain, protect, and promote the 1,400 mile Florida Trail.  It is one of only eight National Scenic Trails in the United States.  In addition to maintaining these trails, the Florida Trail Association also provides educational opportunities to help people learn to appreciate the natural beauty of Florida and what they can do to help protect it.  They also provide recreational opportunities for hiking and camping such as Grab-and-Go Hikes, State Park Hikes, and Long Distance Hiking.

 

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