The Barats Travel To Maui

My husband Avi and I enjoyed a fabulous week vacation in Maui. We were there to celebrate my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's 20th wedding anniversary. It was my first time to Hawaii and I finally saw for myself what everyone had described as amazing.

Here is a view from the part of Hawaii where we stayed Ka'anapali


This is what I call a vacation...


My niece, Saraya and Uncle Avi before our first big family dinner at the wonderful steak and seafood restaurant at the hotel.


The highlight of the trip was definitely our snorkeling experiences. Avi and I snorkeled almost every day while we were there. We could walk right out from our hotel and it was just like you were swimming in an aquarium. Here is just one small glimpse of what we saw.


The coolest thing we did is swim amongst the sea turtles. Avi got a good picture here with our underwater camera to capture both me and the turtle.

A little closer...


Of course, you can't go to Hawaii without experiencing a luau. Here is Avi and I before we received our welcome leis and pina coladas .

Practicing with the hula girls.


Avi was brought up on stage by one of the dancers. Here he is showcasing his best moves. My niece, Saraya got this on film and told him she'd show the video to his kids someday! ;)


In an effort to see the different landscapes of Hawaii, Avi and I traveled the Road to Hana. While experiencing the single lane bridges and 600 twists and turns, we discovered amazingly beautiful sites. Here's just one of the hundreds of picturesque views. Avi an I went snorkeling at this site too.

Here's a view of the seven sacred pools and just one of the many waterfalls along the way.

One of my favorite stops along the way was an organic stand where they grow everything there and pick it fresh daily. The people there live off the land in huts. Here I am bellying up to the juice bar for my strawberry papaya coconut smoothie and raw pie. I wasn't hungry enough, but if you wanted, they would go and pick everything for your salad.


It was so interesting to hear how they lived. It made me really connect with nature and think about how fun it would be to experience this. Then I remembered how much I liked my shower and king size bed. :)

In order to get your smoothies blended, you had to ride a bike and that powered the blender. Here's a honeymooner who took on the challenge.

During the trip we celebrated my nieces Saraya and Jordyn's birthdays, 17 and 9. They were born on the same day, July 2nd.

We also enjoyed the "main event" with Jacki and Babu's wedding renewal. Here's a snapshot of the "big day!"

I can see why they picked the beach at Kapalua as the wedding spot.


I had told myself for seven years that I was going to learn how to surf. So, I FINALLY DID! And here's proof that I actually got up. I had a blast with the other 5 year olds in the class! :) No, really there were a few more adults.

Although I mostly relaxed and took it easy, I did enjoy some 1.5 mile swims from our hotel to the others' time share. That was a great adventure before a leisurely afternoon at the pool.


As a major spa fan, our trip to Grand Wailia and their top-rated spa was incredible. Before you even got your massage there were multiple types of jacuzzis, different spa baths plus you had your personal loofah attendant to get you ready. Hee, hee, this is GREAT! While you wait for your massage you sit out on the lanai. Here's a view from my lounge chair. Yeah, I could get used to this.


As the sun set on our vacation, we had many great memories and will look forward to returning to Hawaii again! : )

Mexican Adventure

Our week in Paradise, where do I even start...

Avi and I had the pleasure of spending a week with my family in the Riviera Maya region (just south of Cancun). We stayed at two different all inclusive resorts. The weather was picture perfect all week (and that's saying a lot coming from a San Diegan). ;) It was in the 80s with an ocean breeze each day.

Here is the view when we first got there...yeah, I can get real used to this.

Another view from my beach chair.

As we walked to the expansive buffet for breakfast each morning we were greeted by the locals.

We stayed next door to an Eco Park. Here's our family at the entrance.

At the park, I met my newest friend, Palau. Swimming with the dolphins was an amazing experience.


Palau showing us her newest trick. My niece, Alicia and I enjoyed the hour swim.

Now it was on to the next resort...yeah, I think I can real used to this place too!


We took a day trip over to check out Chichen Itza - a newly named 7 Wonder of the World. Not bad; with the Taj Mahal, that makes 2 Wonders in 2 Years.

The city used to be surrounded by 12-foot walls. I'll take my view of the lake any day.

On our way back to the resort we stopped to swim in an underground well.

The food was incredible and each night we explored a different themed restaurant. Here we are at the French restaurant. It's hard to tell from the picture, but we are actually sitting out on a pool of water next to a mini Eiffel Tower replica.

A highlight of the trip was snorkeling. The reef is the second largest (behind the Great Barrier Reef). We took a boat out and snorkeled in two different spots. We saw hundreds if not thousands of colorful fish AND three sting rays! I can't believe we got so close.

Here's a view of the coral (and a few fish if you look closely).

This is just a small sampling of our many adventures. Of course a "Jeanie trip" would not be complete without a trip to the spa. We took advantage of the "local flavor" and enjoyed a couple's massage in a beach hut just steps from the ocean (sorry no pictures here). ;) I've been to spas where they played the sound of ocean waves, but it's nothing like the real thing.

We truly lived like kings and queens for the week. Although it would be hard to top the amazing scenery, the natural wonders, the beautiful weather and outstanding food and drinks, the overall highlight was all of the quality time we got to spend with family. There is nothing I love and appreciate more than creating awesome memories with the people you love most.

80s Party

This past Friday my friend and client, Donna and I journeyed up to Marina Del Rey to enjoy our friend Ali's 80s-themed birthday party. Here we are at Tony P's where we enjoyed a relaxing lunch before the big event. I loved the view of the boats from our table.



Here's my "before" picture. I had just curled my hair, but no ratting, side ponytail or hairspray...yet!


Here's me in my full get up. I thought I did Olivia Newton John proud! What do you think? We stayed at the Ritz Carlton. You should have seen the looks we got as we left the place.



Here's me with the birthday girl, Ali. She rented a yacht and we all enjoyed a night of dancing - 80s style. No, I didn't dance to "Let's Get Physical" but there were definitely a few Madonna and Prince songs in there. Oh yeah, and an Avi/Jeanie favorite "Whoomp! (There It Is). We had a blast!

IDEA World Fitness Convention

I just finished an intense five days at the IDEA Fitness Convention. There were 4000 attendees from 51 countries. Our days were filled with trying the latest workouts and listening to the top researchers in Exercise Science and Nutrition.

My friend Sara flew in from Colorado to join me for the event. Here's us sporting our matching headbands we bought at the Expo.



I got to try out the "latest and greatest" in fitness equipment including the "Ohm Gym." It was definitely a head rush.


It took me back to my gymnast days...from a LONG time ago!


They let you check out the latest mixes for your ipod at just one of the many booths at the Expo.

Outside of attending the workshops, I worked out 2-3 hours each day trying new classes with the best and brightest instructors. Here's Sara and me at the BOSU block party taught by BOSU's Master Trainers.


Working hard in the ResistABall workout. There were as many as 250 people attending a single session.



With my class in the web fitness lecture creatively titled "It'sURLife, Make it a Healthy WWWone!" We also created a You Tube video.


The Power Lunch with the Fitness Jeanie was a huge success! We kicked off the lunch with a shot (of wheatgrass, of course) and then enjoyed great conversation and the awesome food at one of my favorite Organic and Raw restaurants, Cilantro Live. The best part was the Carob Chocolate Mint candies for dessert. They taste just like Andes Mints only without the sugar. Mmmmm.... Here's me with Healthy Life subscriber, Marji.



I ended the conference with some relaxation on the spa bed. Ahhhh! Think combination of a water bed and massage bed. AWESOME! It was hooked up to a headset and TV where you could listen to music, watch movies and play solitaire.

They had it at the expo advertising it to clubs. I asked the salesman how much it would be to have it in my house. He laughed. I told him I was going to put it on my vision board. After joking with me and asking if I was a student of Tony Robbins, he gave me his card and told me to keep in touch. Stay tuned!


All in all, it was a great convention! Now it's back to work for a few days and then off to Fargo/Minneapolis/Wisconsin.

Our Summer Road Trip

June 1st, 2007 Avi and I embarked on a 10-day road trip that included 900 miles of driving, 7 states, 3 MLB baseball games, 2 weddings, 1 National Wonder and lots of old and new friends.

We kicked off our road trip with a Padres/Nationals game in D.C. Although, the Padres lost, we enjoyed our great seats. Here's the view of the field from where we were sitting...


Avi surprised me with by booking a night at the funky Hotel Helix in downtown D.C. Here are a few pics of the room.

I loved the funky bathroom complete with Aveda spa products...ahhh! :)

Oh yeah, and the bed! The cheetah blanket matched the Cheetah robes!! Of course, we thought the surfing picture was a nice touch for us fellow San Diegans.


From D.C. it was off to Wilmington, Delaware for the wedding of our great friends Dan (nicknamed IronDan for completing three Ironman triathlons) and his awesome bride, Tiff. I spared you from posting my dancing pictures from the night!!


Here is my new friend, Kate. She works for NFL films and we shared lots of fun football stories. Look for her as the next Suzy Kolberg on the sidelines. Go Kate! :)


After a great wedding weekend, it was off to Philly for my first game at Citizen's Bank Ballpark, Giants 8, Phillies 1. The new ballpark is very impressive.


After an afternoon in Philly, Avi had another surprise planned - my first visit to Atlantic City. We had a great dinner at Buddakan and then proceeded to lose that night at Blackjack. I wouldn't say A.C. is the most happening place on a Monday night, but Avi and I had fun. Of course, the highlight was a morning trip to the Red Door Spa for a couple's massage. Here's me enjoying the view from the poolside Cabana.


From Atlantic City it was on to NYC. We met up with our friend, Mark for sushi and then headed to the Mets game with our friend, Eric. We enjoyed our box seats where Avi took this close up shot of Glavine. It was a great game and ended with a score of Phillies 4, Mets 2 in 11 innings. After my third ballpark, I thought I was on my Dad's dream vacation, not mine. ;)


Now it was time for some R and R in Niagara Falls. After our six hour drive, we made it safely to Canada. We decided to splurge and upgraded to a suite with a panoramic view of the Falls and a jacuzzi tub. Here is the view from our room...WOW!


Here's a picture of the boat we took in to get a closer look at the Falls.


We had to wear these special raincoats to keep from getting soaked.


I told Avi I wanted one more spa visit before we headed back home. So, I booked my appointments and he decided to try his luck at the casino. When I got back we were recapping our afternoon and he told me he was hot and won $700 in craps! Wow, I need to go to the spa more often!! He helped make up for our previous losses in the week.

We were finally ready for our final stop, wedding #2 in Cleveland. Here's a picture of our table that included several of Avi's former Arthur Andersen co-workers.


It was a great road trip and a super vacation! Can't wait for our trip next month to Fargo/Minneapolis/Wisconsin.