Health and Fitness in The Union Flats Apartments

Fitness is vital to good health. But you may wonder how you can do this at home in the Union Flats is on the way. You can build a solid at-home exercise and healthy eating plan. Working out and eating right helps more than your body. Fitness and healthy eating helps improve your mental health. Here are some great tips that are sure to keep boost your health and fitness this summer. 

How to Eat Healthy At-Home

Preparation is key to eating healthy at-home. Nothing will hurt your nutrition more than trying to decide what to eat when you are hungry. The good news is that it’s simple and easy to cook healthy meals right in your apartment.

First, decide on your nutritional plan. Many experts recommend a 40 protein/40 carbohydrate/20 fats macro-nutrient approach. Next, plan your meals. An easy tip is to use the size of your closed fist as a guide to the 40% portions. Each meal should have a protein (like chicken, fish, lean beef, or tofu), a carbohydrate, and a serving of healthy fats. Prepare three meals a day and a few healthy snacks, like yogurt or bananas, and you are all set.

Make sure you eat healthy snacks throughout the day because people tend to overeat when they get hungry.

Home Workouts 

The current health crisis has made working out a real challenge. Gyms are closed and most in-person classes are cancelled. The good news is that it’s easy to give yourself a challenging workout in your apartment using just your body weight and minimal equipment. Health and Fitness can be successful at home. 

Cardio and Strength-Based Workouts

Complete fitness takes both cardio and strength-based workouts, and both can easily be done at home without a gym. Walking is one of the most efficient cardio workouts around. Just pick a field, a park, or even the streets in your neighborhood and get ready for some interval walking. A good interval plan is three to one, so walk quickly for three minutes (you should be breathing hard) and then recover with a slower walk. Try to shoot for 10 intervals or a 40 minute walk. You should be burning about 10 calories per minute. You can burn 400 calories in that workout. If you do interval training, then you will also increase your resting heart rate for hours after the workout, giving you an even longer burn.

Strength-Training at Home

All you need for strength training at-home is your body weight. Start with an 8-minute warm up of calisthenics. Your warmup should be 8, one-minute long sets, of body weight exercises. During each set, work as fast as you can for 45 seconds, and rest for 15 seconds. Try this mix for a full-body workout: high knees, jumping jacks, front or rear lunges, push-ups, sit-ups, mountain climbers, up-downs, and jump squats. Once you have mastered that, then grow your strength by adding to the routine. You can do that by extending the time for each set (first to a minute and a quarter, then to a minute and a half, etc.) or adding in sets. Do a little each week, and you should see the difference.

Yoga or Pilates

If you prefer a more relaxing workout, then you can do yoga or Pilates inside or outside your apartment. All you need is a towel or a yoga mat. There are many exercises you can do including planks to build your core, down dogs to strengthen your arms and legs, and sun salutations to improve your breathing and strengthen your body. Yoga workouts can burn 160-460 calories in an hour depending upon your weight and the level of activity you are doing.

Whatever form of exercise you choose, make sure you have a bottle of water and a towel to keep you hydrated and to wipe sweat.

Improve Your Mental Health

The current state of our nation’s health crisis has increased stress, isolation, and loneliness for just about everyone. Rest assured, there are things you can do at-home to improve your mental health. Consider taking a break from the news. Try setting some limits on the news, like a certain time of day or specific days of the week, and step away from all the negativity.

Schedules Help Keep You on Track

Set and follow a schedule. Schedules help establish some certainty. Although being stuck at home or working from home can make you lose track of time, a schedule will help you remember what you need to do and when to do it. Be sure to move every day and spend at least twenty minutes in the sun. Soaking in the sun and increasing your oxygen levels through exercise have proven mental health benefits.

Stay in Touch with Family and Friends

Make a point of keeping in touch with your friends and family. Social media is fine, but nothing beats a call or a video chat to catch up and stay connected. If you can see your friends and extended family with proper social distancing, then that can lift your mood and keep you all safe. Follow these tips and you are sure to flex your mental health muscles.

Gym closures, eating-in, and social distancing are serious challenges to physical and mental health. Luckily, you can stay fit with at-home exercise and healthy eating. With a little work you can be the best version of yourself this summer.

Winter Activities in Portland, OR

Winter is such a magical and beautiful time. You’ve just had a wonderful holiday and now it’s time to get into some nonholiday related fun. It’s plenty cold outside but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. All around town the are fun winter activities you can take part in, and even some enjoyable ones you can do at home. Winter is the perfect time to take on certain activities or start on certain crafts. If you’re not sure what to do with yourself this winter, here are some fun winter activities you can try.

Go Ice Skating

Ice skating is a wonderful winter activity that isn’t costly and is perfect for this time of year. You can check out your local indoor and outdoor ice skating rink. Bring your own skates or rent some from the rink. Skate, glide, and slide on the ice with a bunch of other people having a great time. Show your skills or simply cruise around. No matter if you’re a beginner or a professional ice skater having a good time ice skating is where you should be. Not to mention it’s a great workout.

 

New Year’s Eve in Portland, OR

This year is on it’s way out and we couldn’t be more excited. Everyone is getting geared up to bring in the new year and say goodbye to this one. There is so much promise in the new year, plenty of reflection for the year that has passed, and time is running out to make New Year’s Eve plans. Bring in the new year surrounded by loved ones and people with positive energy is always exciting. Take your New Year’s plan to the next level and enjoy all the great events happening in your city to ring in the new year. If you’re thinking of bringing in the new year in a fun and exciting way in the city, here are a few ideas.

Head to A New Year’s Eve Party

There will be tons of people, establishments, and organizations that will be hosting New Year’s Eve parties in and around the neighborhood. Some of these parties will be themed while others will want you to come just as you are. There will be plenty of food and drinks so you can enjoy yourself until the big countdown. Check out Eventbrite to see which parties are going on in your area.

New Year New Home in Portland

New Year New Home Union

The Union in Northeast Portland is one of the luxury apartments of this city. Along with upgraded amenities and comfortable interiors, you will be lucky to experience the lively and energetic surrounding. Restaurants, boutiques, bike-friendly streets and pet-friendly parks are just a few steps away.

Well-crafted designs and top-of-the-line materials embellish each and every apartment. Floor plans include studios, one and two bedroom homes. Price ranges between $1251-$2859. The Union features well-connected transit system. While you can catch a train from MAX station, PDX Airport and rest of the Portland are easily accessible through roadways.

Interior Amenities include:

  • Air-conditioning
  • Quartz stone kitchen and bathroom countertops
  • Front-loading washer and dryer
  • Plenty of storage space
  • Hardwood floors, contemporary carpeting and designer lighting

Community Features include:

  • Indoor dog-wash station
  • Covered outdoor deck with lounge seating, fire pit and barbecue grills
  • Fully-equipped Fitness Room
  • Shared Club Room with a full kitchen

Family-Friendly Fourth of July Destinations

We don’t know about you but July 4th is one of the best holidays because it’s the one night of the year when there are plenty of fireworks displays. If you’re looking for some excitement this Fourth of July, look no further.

 

Waterfront Blues Festival | .5 miles away

If you’d rather stay close to home, then this just might be the event for you. It’s a festival, which means there will be food, good music, and a ton of fireworks. Plus, it’s right along the waterfront, so the views won’t be too shabby either.

 

Oaks Park Fireworks Display | 6 miles away

Head south for a fireworks display at your local theme park! Picnic areas will be first come first serve, so be sure to arrive early and spread your blankets out for the best view. There will be extended ride and roller skating hours, which makes this one of the best family-friendly Independence Day events in the area. Fireworks will start at dusk.

Your Guide to Summer Festivals in Portland

Here are 3 ways Portland is ready to make all of your summer dreams come true.

 

Soar Over the City in June

If you’ve ever wanted to ride in a hot air balloon, then you’ll have your chance at the Festival of Balloons happening June 23-25 at Cook Park in Tigard. There will be plenty of fun though if heights aren’t really your thing. A craft show, carnival, vendors, food trucks, and even a beer garden will help keep you busy.

 

All the Beer You Ever Wanted in July

The Portland Craft Beer Festival is July 1-2 at Fields Neighborhood Park. There will be beer from over 50 Portland breweries along with wine, cider, and more! Oh, and there will be cheese. Get tickets.

 

Get a Little Saucy in August

If you like it hot (your food, that is), then you’ll love the Portland Hot Sauce Expo that’s taking place from August 5-6 at the OMSI parking lot. There will be hot and spicy food vendors, craft beers, eating contests, and more. But trust us. You’ll really want to come for the Chihuahua beauty contest that will take place at 1 pm on Saturday. Get tickets.

 

Exciting Father’s Day Activities in Portland

Wondering how to spend Father’s Day this year? Here are a few ideas!

 

Wine Weekend

Some fathers just really love their wine. If your dad is one of these people, it’s probably a good idea to take part in Wine Weekend. Wine Weekend is an exciting two-day event where over 20 different wineries participate in a celebration of all things wine. From tastings to tours, this is a really great way to spend Father’s Day weekend. There will also be live music, delicious food, and a chance to spend some quality time with Dad.

 

Father’s Day Cruise

Portland’s Spirit cruise ship might just be where you want to have your Father’s Day brunch or dinner. Not only will your dad be able to experience a five-star course, but he’ll have breathtaking views of Columbia River Gorge. Bring your camera. Bring the family. Then, see how many memories you make. Seats are filling up fast, though, so reserve your spot here.

A Festival for Your Memorial Day Weekend Plans

Do you know what your Memorial Day Weekend Plans are? If not, you can spend the weekend at the Multnomah County Fair and Art in the Park Festival which takes place from May 27-29 from Noon to 7:00 pm. It’s a great way to spend the day with your family and have some outdoor fun.

 

There will be plenty to do and see when you get there including activities like camel rides as well as a showcase of wild and rare mammals and reptiles that will delight audiences of all ages. The kids will love Professor Bamboozle and his many magic tricks, so don’t miss one of his many shows.

 

One of the best aspects of the Festival will be the Art in the Park extravaganza, complete with hundreds of vendors, artists, and more! The Multnomah County Fair and Art in the Park will take place at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way right here in Portland.

Portland’s Mother’s Day Events and Deals

Ready to celebrate Mother’s Day in Portland? We are too! Good thing Portland has a bunch of events, performances, markets, and more that are all taking place this weekend and providing three entire days of fun and festivities with your loved ones!

 

 

May 10 – 12
Head over to Pioneer Courthouse Square for the Portland Artisan Festival! You’ll find unique items, arts and crafts, ceramics, jewelry, and more from over 30 different artists. It’s a great way to find a gift for Mom or simply spend the day outside.

 

May 13
The Camas Plant & Garden Fair is a botanical extravaganza! It’s also the perfect place to let Mom pick out her favorite bouquet or plant for her own garden.

 

May 14
If you really want to go big this year, take that special woman in your life out on a Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise! Featuring a three-course dinner or brunch on the Portland’s Spirit, looks like you can have a side of breathtaking views to go along with your meal.

3 of the Best BBQ Restaurants in Portland

Some days you want your barbecue with your favorite local craft beer. Other days, you just want a casual atmosphere so you can focus on savoring that sweet and succulent BBQ taste. Well, it’s your lucky day, because we’re showcasing three Portland restaurants that are serving up your favorites and then some.

 

If You Love Texas-Style BBQ, then be sure to check out Podnah’s BBQ, where you’ll find smoked Texas-style meats and delicious sides. The atmosphere isn’t bad either. With wooden tables in a spacious setting, you’ll feel right at home.

 

If You’re Looking for Vegetarian Options, you might want to make reservations at Russell Street Bar-B-Que. Okay, we know that “vegetarian” and “barbecue” don’t exactly mesh that well, but hey, it’s nice to know that you have options, right?

 
If You Like Your Fried Chicken with a Side of Beer, then you’re going to love Reverend’s BBQ. In a modern space, you’ll be able to enjoy fried chicken, smoked meats, and a wide variety of local and craft beers.