The First Del's Of the Season

Even after a mild winter, there is one thing that everyone looks forward to on a hot day; the thirst quenching, body cooling first sip/ bite of a Del's Lemonade.  It has the perfect size ice crush and real pieces of lemon.  Okay, you have waited long enough.  Here you go ..... just watch out for the brain freeze!

But one first has to work up a sweat to truly appreciate the cooling effects that a Del's has to offer.  I offer the perfect location to get a good sweat on first and then have it answered immediately by proximity to a Del's stand: The bike path in Warren.  Park behind the Del's Lemonade stand located at 65 Child Street, Warren, RI in the municipal lot; it has free parking.  

Let's talk about the bike path.  To begin with, it's gorgeous.  I just bought a new pair of rollerblades, that's right rollerblades, and needed to break them in.  With a friend in tow, we took off.  

Within a mile or so we came upon this sight:

This Save the Bay spot is great for a few reasons.  Let's say that you are with your kids and they need a break.  Not only do you have a beautiful view but you have an educational opportunity.  Further down the path, just over the Warren line and into Bristol, is another gorgeous spot next to a small wetland.

This small wetland protected by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island is host to a variety of wildlife.  Just in the short time I spent listening, I could hear red-winged blackbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, black-capped chickadees, common grackles, and two pairs of ospreys.  I also saw a few frogs jumping around and some tadpoles.  Just listen to these two pairs of osprey go at it:

All along the path you'll find families, friends, couples and a few people going solo to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery. 

It's free, it's fun, and its right in our backyard.  Twenty minutes from Providence and an opportunity for some wholesome together time in the sun or some plain old exercise, the Bike Path delivers.  By the time you get back to your car in the municipal lot, I highly doubt you'll need a reminder to quench your thirst with the Del's that is so perfectly located you would have to be blind to miss it.  The Bike Path and Del's Lemonade, how much easier could it get?

Hearty & Healthy Breakfast: Good Old Fashioned Oatmeal

Delicious and nutritious can absolutely go hand in hand.  Whoever said that to have one is to go without the other is out of their mind.  Point in fact:

Serves 1 hungry person

1 cup of Old Fashioned Oats (not the instant stuff)
2.5 cups of water
2 Tablespoons of dark brown sugar
1 Tablespoon of butter (optional)
1/4 cup whole walnuts
1/3 cup frozen berries (can use the real stuff if you have it)



In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil on high heat.  Once boiled, add the Old Fashioned Oats and reduce heat to medium, if you continue to boil on high heat it will boil over.  The most important part of this cooking process is that you constantly stir the oats.  

After 10 minutes of constant stirring, add the brown sugar and butter.  The butter adds a creamy texture to the oatmeal but is not necessary especially if you are counting calories.  It will take about 15 minutes of constant stirring until the oats are broken down and they release their starches.  It will look like this when it is ready:

Pour into your serving bowl and let cool while we add the last touches.  

First we will toast the walnuts.  I prefer to toast them on medium heat in a small cast iron skillet but use what you have.  First I break the nuts into bite size pieces then add them straight into the pan without anything else.  The walnuts will begin to release their oils and darken in color as they toast.  Toss occasionally so that any one side does not burn.  It only takes 2-3 minutes for the desired result.

Once the walnuts are done pour on top of the oatmeal, they will be very hot, so let them cool just a bit before eating.  Then, take the frozen berries and microwave in a microwave safe container for 1 minute.  

The end result will be warmed berries in a sauce.  Pour right on top of the oatmeal and toasted walnuts and voila!  By the end of the meal, if you can finish it all, you'll be satisfied and ready to start your day.

The other thing to consider is that you can make multiple batches of this at once and heat it up during the week.  Double or triple the recipe and you can ensure that you will have a heart healthy meal multiple days a week.  If its been awhile since you've given oatmeal a chance, now is the time to try it.  Plus its just so dam pretty, and who doesn't like to eat pretty food?

Go Take a Hike: Fort Barton Woods, Tiverton, RI then eat at The Black Goose!

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon where the chill of winter was finally starting to wear off.  I've got cabin fever, and the only prescription, is sunshine and a walk in the woods.  I chose Fort Barton.

This is why you must go to Fort Barton.  It is has fabulous views of Narragansett Bay including the Sakonnet River, which isn't actually a river but a tidal strait, and Mount Hope Bay.  You can also see the Mount Hope Bridge in the background.

Here's another representation of what you are seeing:

The video was taken from the top of the observation tower at the very beginning of the hike.  A few logistical things first: Parking is on the street across the Town Hall and is free.  The location is a bit confusing so aim for the Town Hall.  The hardest part of the trail is the steep incline going from the street to the trails.  

After the initial steep incline from the street, the hiker will face a series of up and down inclines, with steps, as you make your way to the trails.  I find the ups and downs interesting and a good workout.  The novice will find it a safe challenge.  Once you reach the trailhead you have a few options of where you would like to hike.  For trail map click here.  With my brother and sister-in-law in tow, we decided to hike the entirety of the Red Trail.  Fort Barton has a total 3 miles of trails so I think that the Red Trail takes up about 2.5 miles of that.  

We start by walking over a few wooden bridges with streams gently flowing underneath.  Hiking in the woods is my zen moment.  Its also the perfect time of year to appreciate the little buds starting to form on the trees and shrubs.  Everything is about to wake up and you are there just as its about to happen.  

Beautiful rock formations, moss, and blue sky.

Lovely stream flowing near the Red Trail.

Speaking of waking up, as we are hiking I hear the call of wood frogs in the distance.  Wood frogs, along with other frogs, congregate at vernal pools this time of year and produce a beautiful chorus of calls.  I found such a pool and here is what it sounds like:

Throughout the hike we see a few families, obviously kid friendly, a few dogs and a few solo hikers.  Personally I have hiked this place many times and have always felt safe.  My only suggestion is for the eastern most end of the red trail, the signs get a bit confusing to the point where we went off trail.  Luckily though, and this is the scientist in me, we found an owl pellet.  An owl pellet is the remains of the food an owl eats that cannot be digested.  When found, you can dissect them and get a "birds eye" view of an owl's diet.

Roughly dissected owl pellet with a rodent skull, various other bones and fur.

While I was dissecting the pellet a few kids walked by with their father who were already well aware of what an owl pellet was.  Now those are some educated kids!  

Once we trecked back to the trail is was smooth sailing back to the beginning.  The Red Trail is a loop so its pretty clear where you will end up.  We crossed a few more bridges, and voila, back to where we started.  

We're so proud!

Always check yourself for ticks!!!

Now by the end of the hike we were starving.  The perfect place to go for a hearty, decently priced meal that overlooks the water is the The Black Goose Cafe.  I got the Godfather panini while my hiking buddies both got the Et tu Brute sandwich.

The Godfather Panini

Ham, Genoa salami, pepperoni, provolone, roasted red peppers, baby spinach with a spicy mayo sauce

Et Tu Brute

Grilled chicken breast, bacon, fresh romaine lettuce and shaved parmesan with a stab of Caesar dressing on country white bread

Obviously fresh ingredients, freshly prepared with no skimping on anything.  Both were served with a side of potato salad and a pickle.  The panini did not leave me wanting anything and I left very satisfied.  The potato salad was adequate and the pickle was fresh and crunchy.  The view of Nannaquaket Pond isn't a bad way to spend a meal either.

So on the way out we notice all of the homemade pastries and utter deliciousness mocking us as we try to leave without one of them.  They win:

Needless to say, from the hike to the cafe, I've had nearly every sense awakened and fulfilled.  The zen from the walk, the camaraderie with my family, and a refuel for my tired muscles.  I do believe that this is a perfect day trip.  Its 30 minutes from Providence and an excellent way to see the beauty that is our own backyard.  So get out there, and take a hike!!!