Pugaloo_Adventures

We’ve all heard about the GLP-1 medications—Zepbound, Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, Saxenda. We’ve heard about the insurance battles, the skyrocketing costs, the shortages, and the endless TikToks, Snapchats, and Instagram posts praising their benefits. We’ve heard the government is lowering doses or making changes, yet most of us still don’t know how to access what we need. So, here’s my  real, honest journey with GLP-1 medications—because maybe it will help someone

“How do you find the time?” If you’ve ever struggled with weight or tried to build a healthier lifestyle, you’ve probably heard every cliché in the book: “If it’s important, you’ll make time.” “Just do it.” “Stop making excuses.” People mean well, but comments like that never really help—especially when you’re juggling being a wife, daughter, mother, full-time employee, and everything else life stacks on your plate. As a woman heading into my 50s, I have struggled with my wei

Most of you know that our family has been on a GLP-1 at some point over the last 2–3 years. My husband and daughter are now on maintenance doses, while I’m still on my regular weekly dose—and for a few good reasons I’ll share below. What Maintenance Looks Like A maintenance dose happens once someone reaches their goal weight and no longer needs the full weekly amount. Instead of taking the medication every 7 days, they may stretch it to every 10–14 days or lower their dose. T

When it comes to running, gear really  matters. There’s so much to consider—what equipment to use, what clothes to wear, what shoes actually work for your feet, which apps to track your progress, where to sign up for races, even how GLP-1 use affects running and walking. Trust me, I could write for days about all of it (and I will!), so I hope these posts help you on your journey. My Brooks Adrenalines, except the purple ones. Those are Hubbs Start With Shoes—Because the Righ

As some may know, I have struggled with my weight my entire life. Even at a young age, I understood I would never be the “skinny girl.” I wasn’t built like a ballerina—I was built like an athlete. In high school, I was incredibly active: basketball, volleyball, track, and softball . But as adulthood rolled in, everything changed. Work, responsibilities, parenting, and exhaustion slowly edged out my fitness routines. 🔁 The Cycle of Diets, Successes, and Setbacks Like many peo

Alright, listen up, shutterbugs and pixel pushers! You’ve got a camera, a dream, and a bunch of killer shots that could make Ansel Adams jealous. But here’s the kicker - if your personal photography portfolio looks like a hot mess, no one’s gonna stick around to admire your genius. So, buckle up, because I’m about to spill the tea on how to craft a portfolio that actually stands out in the wild jungle of online photography. Why Your Photo Portfolio Tips Need to Be More Than

Prepping for Our Walt Disney World Run Weekend! It’s finally here! We’re leaving for Walt Disney World  in just a day or two, and I can’t believe how fast this trip snuck up on us. We’ve been planning this for about six months, and yet somehow I’m still double-checking everything like it’s the night before finals. Hotels? Check. Flights? Check. Bags? Sort of check. Running gear? Probably scattered around the house somewhere. This trip has been months in the making, and I can’

Alright, buckle up, fellow wanderers! If you’re itching to break free from the humdrum and dive headfirst into some seriously epic family escapades, you’ve landed in the right spot. I’m here to spill the beans on how to turn your next trip into a legendary story you’ll be retelling for years (with a few laughs and maybe a couple of “remember when” eye rolls). Ready to shake up your travel game? Let’s roll. Why Creative Family Travel Ideas Are Your New Best Friend Let’s face i

As some of you already know, our family has jumped headfirst into the magical (and sometimes exhausting!) world of RunDisney . From 5Ks to 10Ks and now even half marathons, this journey has transformed our health, our habits, and honestly—our lives. This is how we got here… and why we’re still going. 💍 From a Disney Wedding to Realizing We Needed Change The photo below is from our wedding day in February 2022. We celebrated in our favorite place—Disney, of course! We were ha

Alright, fellow wanderlusters, buckle up! If you’re tired of the same old tourist traps, the overcrowded selfie spots, and the “been there, done that” vibes, you’re in the right place. I’m about to spill the tea on some seriously hidden getaway spots that will make your next trip unforgettable. Think secret waterfalls, tucked-away villages, and landscapes so stunning you’ll want to pinch yourself. Ready to ditch the crowds and dive into adventure? Let’s roll. Why Chase Hidde

📍 Walt Disney World Resort — November 2025 Started in the morning with long sleeves At the Wine & Dine Race Weekend , there’s a challenge where you can run all three races —the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon—over one weekend. I’ll be honest: doing that as your first  race weekend is absolutely wild… but yep, we did it. My husband didn’t do the full challenge this time (he’s already regretting that decision), but after this experience, we decided we’ll be doing the challenges fro

📍 Walt Disney World Resort — October 2025 So here we are at Walt Disney World  for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend ! Of course, we couldn’t help but compare it to our Disneyland Halloween Villains Run . I know, it’s not really fair to compare California to Florida—but it’s what runners do, right? We just had to see what the differences were between the two magical parks. DL Villain Half Marathon 🏁 The Start: Our Family 5K We kicked off the weekend with the 5K , and th

Well, the time has finally arrived — we’re heading to Walt Disney World ! Our bags are packed, airline tickets printed, and hotels booked. (Yes, hotels  — plural. Thanks to my questionable planning skills, we ended up doing a split stay with our Disney Vacation Club. Fingers crossed this goes smoothly!) Family after we landed in MCO. Pre-Travel Prep Because we live a couple of hours from Reno, my husband booked a free night at the Grand Sierra Resort  so we could sleep in bef

As most of you know, my family and I have a slight obsession with Disney runs. Okay, fine — it’s an expensive habit . Between the costumes, shoes, travel, hotels, flights, park tickets, and registration fees, the magic can really add up. But don’t worry, I’ve learned a few tricks to keep our wallets from completely crying. Let’s break it down — Pugaloo style. 🐾✨ Widelux F7 at Disneyland 2025 🏅 When the Race Is Sold Out: Go the Charity Route So here’s the deal: if you’re s

Disney World Wind & Dine 2025 Our Next Adventure: Disney’s Wine & Dine Run Weekend Alright, friends — pack your ears and your running shoes because this momma is heading to Disney World!  That’s right, it’s time for the Wine & Dine Run Weekend , where we trade our everyday chaos for pixie dust, pasta, and pretending running is fun. We’re also diving into the Halloween season  at Disney, which means spooky snacks, villain vibes, and me sweating through my Haunted Mansion leggi

2025 Disneyland Villains Half Marathon Has anyone ever thought about doing a half-marathon? Better yet—a Disney RunDisney half marathon ? When I first signed up, I wasn’t in shape, I wasn’t a “runner,” and honestly… I half-assed the training. But here we are! My husband, daughter, and I jumped in anyway, and it’s been a journey. If you’ve read my earlier blog, you know how we got into this crazy idea . If you read the follow-up, you’ll see how it all ended . But this post? Th

Sometimes a lake feels like a secret gift from nature—and Juniper Lake  is one of those places. My family and I try to visit every year, but life (and wildfires) has made that a little harder recently. If you follow my blog, you know I often talk about the devastation caused by the Dixie Fire in 2021 . Sadly, Juniper Lake wasn’t spared. Located within Lassen Volcanic National Park , Juniper Lake is not accessible from the park’s two main entrances. Instead, you’ll have to do

Lake Almanor is one of the most popular lakes in Lassen and Plumas counties—beloved by locals and a must-visit spot for travelers. With its sheer size, there’s no way to see it all in one trip! My family’s favorite hangout is near Rocky Point  and the Plumas Pines  area. Sony 6700 with E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens, ISO 100, focal length 50mm, aperture f/5.6, shutter speed 1/400 sec. 📍 How to Get There: 🚗 From Reno, NV : About 170 miles (3 hours) 🚗 From Chico, CA : About

OH. MY. GOODNESS. The time has finally come, and I am beyond excited! Honestly, I don’t even care how long tonight’s drive is—I’m running on pure adrenaline (and probably caffeine). Let’s rewind to January when I casually asked my husband if he’d be willing to: Run a half marathon (when neither of us was in shape), and Run one at Walt Disney World in the same year… so we could earn that shiny Coast-to-Coast medal. His face? Priceless. Like, “WTF are you talking about?!” H

Silver Lake in 2025 four years after the Dixie Fire Have you ever been to a lake that feels small, cozy, and surrounded by the cutest little cabins? That’s Silver Lake  in Lassen National Forest. A few years ago, these cabins were nearly lost in the Dixie Fire , so seeing them still standing today feels like a miracle. That said, the scars of the fire are still visible around the lake, and you’ll often spot locals working hard on brush cleanup. These two photos are taken from