Tag Archives: Magic Kingdom

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Making Smart Choices

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Day 370 in eating my way to a healthier me to meet up with Mickey (1 month and 28 days to go)

Today’s plan is to create my menu for the week, making it as heavily veggie centered as possible.  I need to pack in the water and veggies this week to try to purge all the salt I took in during our vacation.  We ate out and carried in a lot, and unfortunately, these types of foods have much more salt than I cook with at home.  I am bloated with water weight, and I am anxious to get rid of it.  I can feel it in my shoes and clothes.  Yuck!

So this week it’s back to fruits and veggies, lean proteins and complex carbs.  ( And I will stay sugar-free.)  And I really need to refocus on portions size.  It’s so easy to eat too much when you are given such large portions.   I will fill my dinner plate like this: half vegetables, one quarter meat (3 to 4 ounces), one quarter complex carbs (brown rice, quinoa, brown pasta or spinach pasta, rye bread, etc…)

Thank you for reading, Dear Friends and Family.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Putting Myself Out There

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Day 368 in dealing with my hang ups on my way to meeting up with Mickey

OK, here’s the deal.  I have a nervous stomach.  I always have had it.  Today I am invited to a friend’s condo to help celebrate another friend.  I’ve never been to my friend’s condo before.  I have known about this event for a couple of weeks, so I thought I would be ready to go.  Now, however, my stomach is tied in knots, and I have diarrhea just thinking about it.  Whenever I have to drive to a new place, my system reacts this way.  I don’t know why.

When I was a little girl, my mom would wait to tell me we were going on vacation until the last minute.  Otherwise, I would become so excited that I got an upset stomach…every time.  Maybe this is the result of those early days.  I don’t know.  I just know it happens every time.

Today’s plan is to suck it up, get in my car and drive myself over to the gathering.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV  I believe that verse, so I am going to step out in faith and believe that God will guide me and be with me.   This does not come easy for me.  Fifty pounds ago, I would have found an excuse to not attend.  I don’t want to be that sedentary, closet eater (not eating closets, but hiding and eating) anymore.

I really want to attend this particular event, because I want to show my love and support for the Guest of Honor.  And once I am there, I know I will really enjoy it.  So, Dear Readers, into the fray I go!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Fuel and Motion

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Day 367 in my determination to reach Mickey in a healthier state (2 months and 1 day to go)

Today’s plan was to begin again: to eat healthier meals and snacks and to move more.

  1. I picked the best foods available to me today.  For instance, for lunch I had a Boca veggie burger, some mini-carrots and some grapes.  At dinner I made sure to include a salad of greens with our chicken and boiled carrots.  My snacks today: an banana and a Greek yogurt.
  2. Moving more was easy.  While I was away over the last five day, my office was carpeted.  So today I moved things back into my office, not all at once, but every hour I walked down to the storage area and moved a few more things back into my office.

I am tired and a bit sore, but it was a good work day.  AND I slept so much better last night.  Halle-J-lujah!  I am one grateful woman tonight.  I stayed sugar-free today, too.  I am going up to bed to fall asleep and dream sweet Disney dreams: Mad Tea Party, Journey of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast: Live Stage Show, Spaceship Earth, Festival of the Lion King and my very fave, it’s a small world.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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It’s Time…Again

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Day 366 in my quest to meet up with Mickey in October

Today’s plan is to begin again.  I am exhausted from five poor nights of sleep, but I am back home now after my trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  So tonight I will sleep in my own bed, hoping against all hope that I get a good night’s sleep.  Tomorrow morning when I wake up I begin again.  One year and one day after I began this blog, I will begin again.  My goals are to make the best food choices possible (including getting back to sugar-free) and to move more.  Tomorrow I will move around five minutes every hour while at work.  I miss moving more, and now that my body is well on its way to healing, I am ready to move it more again.  So now just two months out from our trip to Florida, I am ready to dive in and immerse myself in healthy foods and more walking.

When I get to Walt Disney World, it will be what it will be.  But I am ready to take it seriously until then.  So whatever happens I will be in the best shape that I can be…for the age that I am…in the condition that I am in.  🙂

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Work and Play

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Day 360 in working toward a healthier me to meet Mickey

  1. Today’s plan was to up the physical activity factor at work today.  New carpet is being put in my office on Monday.  Mike and I are leaving town tomorrow evening (Thursday) for a family reunion in Michigan.  So I have been purging and moving things out of the office most of today.  My neck is sore, my back is bit achy, even my wrists and ankles are complaining.  🙂  But I have been VERY physically active today.  And, thanks to my rescue inhaler, I haven’t gotten out of breath and wheezy.  Yay!  I’m liking this new me, and I’ll like it even better when I am moving around more.
  2. On a side note: Be Our Guest, a restaurant at Magic Kingdom, opened reservations today for breakfast.  They used to only serve lunch and dinner.  I thought, “Great!  We can change our reservation for there rather than Crystal Palace, since we’ve already eaten breakfast at Crystal Palace.  We’ll try something new.”  Well, I should have been online at 6:00 am, but I didn’t remember until 9:00 am, so guess what…no reservations available.  Figures.  It’s a good things we like Crystal Palace.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Ten Minutes and Thirty Seconds of Peace and Good Will

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Day 358 in my contemplations on meeting Mickey

According to DIS at wdwinfo.com: it’s a small world–Ride Length: 10 minutes, 30 seconds

“The “legend” has it that if you ride it’s a small world at Disney World, the song will stay in your head forever, it’s a small world after all.  A lot of people claim this ride is just a cliché or is “just for kids.”  People will tell you that they avoid it like the plague. These are the same people that will turn around and moan that the Carousel of Progress should be saved, or that they never should have taken out Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Their reasoning is that these are Walt Disney’s Legacy…Let’s talk about that. Many of the older, or original if you prefer, attractions at Disneyland and Disney World have Walt’s touch. Walt and his team of Imagineers, led by artist and designer Mary Blair, created it’s a small world as tribute to the children of the world for the UNICEF pavilion at the 1964/65 World’s Fair. The Sherman Brothers, responsible for a big chunk of Disney music (ex. Mary Poppins) originally wrote the theme song as a ballad. Legend has it that Walt told them he needed something “peppy” that would last throughout the ride. “

it’s a small world is my favorite ride.  When I get to Walt Disney World, riding this ride is my sign that I can exhale and really begin my vacation.  It has always been my favorite ride here.  On our fourth trip to Walt Disney World, which was our second trip as Disney Vacation Club members, we invited my mom and dad and Mike’s mom along.  My dad was enjoying the vacation, but not really showing excitement about anything.  Then we rode it’s a small world, and everything changed.  As soon as we got off the ride he asked to go again.  🙂  And then on our last day of that trip, I asked my dad what he would like to do on his last day of this vacation.  His response?  “I want to go on it’s a small world.”  That cemented it for me.  It is now and will always be my favorite Walt Disney World attraction.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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A Lovely Evening Booked

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Day 355 in my early morning efforts to meet Mickey in October

Today’s plan was to be calling Disney Vacation Club at 8:00 am (9:00 am EST).  This morning I could book an Eat to the Beat Dinner Package at EPCOT while we are in Florida.  I was able to get through right away, so Mike and I are booked for a 5:30 dinner at Rose and Crown Pub, then we have seats reserved for an 8:00 pm Air Supply concert.

All Out of Love, Making Love Out of Nothing at All, Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Here I Am, Even the Nights are Better. Every Woman in the World  So many love songs, so little time.  🙂  It will be a lovely evening with my favorite guy.  Then at 9:00 pm Illuminations, EPCOT‘s fireworks/laser light show.  *sigh*

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: I could have called as early at 6:00 am, because the reservations opened at 7:00 am EST this morning.  I didn’t realize that until I had made my call.  Oh well, all’s well that ends well.

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Moving and Breathing

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Day 351 in working my way back to you, Mickey!  (Think The Four Seasons melody) Today’s plan is to firm up our grocery shopping list for our vacation in October.  This evening Jake and Eliza (our son and daughter-in-law) will come over for dinner.  While they are here we will finish up our grocery list, so I can send it off to gardengrocer.com.  It’s important to send the order early to get on their delivery list.  They only take X-amount of orders for each delivery day.  I hope to submit our list tomorrow morning.

Today we had a lovely breakfast at Eggsperience Cafe in Bannockburn.  They make a most delicious Eleni’s Egg-white Scramble: two egg whites with roasted red peppers, spinach and onion, served with fresh fruit and a piece of 9-grain toast with butter.  The presentation was beautiful for this healthy choice breakfast.

Then we were off to Great Clips for a $14 haircut.  I was in and out, before Mike had a chance to pay for his new swim suit at Dick’s Sporting Goods nearby.

Then I WALKED to Pet Smart at the other end of the strip mall to pick up an order of kitty food that I had ordered and paid for online.  I walked it!!  Thanks to my rescue inhaler, I actually believed I could make that walk, and I did it.  This is huge for me!  I walked it and kept drawing in deep, lung-filling breaths.  It was spectacular!  Mike moved the car to Pet Smart.  (Thank you, Honey!)

Finally we headed for Sam’s Club.  That place is huge!  I hadn’t quite recovered all the way from my walk when we got there, but I pushed on.  We picked up some things for my upcoming family reunion.  (OMGoodness!  I can’t wait to visit with my cousins again!!!)  We were in the store for about 45 minutes, and by the end my legs were giving out on me.  Mike ran to get the car, and I collapsed into my seat and cranked the AC.  (Don’t worry; I didn’t literally collapse.  I’m taking a bit of literary license for dramatic effect.)  😉

Dear readers, it is so-o-o-o-o good to have the energy and the lung capacity to move some.  Thank you, Jesus!!!  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Choosing an EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Special Event

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Day 348 in planning for fun with food when I meet Mickey in October (2 months and 21 days to go)

Today’s plan was to investigate the special events at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival this year.  I plan on partaking in one of the events below with Mike (my honey bun).  Thanks to Disney Food Blog at:

2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events

for the info!  Disney Food Blog is a lot of fun.  Subscribe if you are a Disneyphile like me, and you go there whenever you can.  They have very current information and it is always a delightful read.

Parisian Breakfast

The Parisian Breakfast returns this year. Les Chefs de France will serve breakfast and a welcoming Mimosa on Saturday mornings, featuring authentic pastries (baguettes, brioches, croissants), unlimited coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and orange juice! Savor the baguettes made from scratch in a 48-hour process at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie. Fresh from the oven, enjoy them with butter and Bonne Maman confiture (fruit preserve) to make a French tartine. Check out our 2013 Parisian Breakfast Review!

Where: Les Chefs de France, France pavilion
When: Saturdays 9-10:30AM
Price: $39 per person, plus tax, gratuity included. Epcot admission required.

The Parisian Afternoon: Sandwiches, Macarons, and Bubbles! — NEW!

Discover snacking, Parisian style, with this fun new experience featuring finger sandwiches, savory mignardises, petit fours, and macarons — as well as unlimited mimosas!

Where: Monsieur Paul, France Pavilion
When: Select Saturdays, 1:30-3:30PM
Price: $55 per person, plus tax, gratuity included. Epcot admission required.

Sparkling IllumiNations Dessert Party

This year-round Epcot event is increasing its available dates during the Festival! Guests nosh on desserts from around the world as they have VIP viewing of the IllumiNations fireworks event.

Desserts may include: Traditional baklava from Morocco, Tiramisu from Italy, Chocolate ganache tarts from France, Crisped rice puffs inspired by Asian cuisine, Cinnamon sugar churros with caramel and chocolate sauces from Mexico, Seasonal berry cobbler from the United States, Apple dried fruit crumbles from the United Kingdom, Sparkling blue velvet cupcakes, Chocolate chip cookies and no-sugar-added lemon cookies. Sparkling wines and other beverages will be available.

Check out a guest review of the dessert party here. Desserts and experience subject to change.

Where: Epcot World Showcase
When: September 25, 27, 29, 30; October 2, 4-9, 11-16, 18, 19, 21-23, 25-30; Nov 1-6, 8-13, 15
Price: $49 for Adults; $29 for Children 3-9. Price is per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Epcot admission required.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tasting Sampler — NEW!

To celebrate the Epcot Food and Wine Festival’s 20th anniversary, for the first time ever, you can enjoy this sampler package that allows you to Taste Your Way Around the World easier than ever before! You’ll also enjoy priority seating for the 6:45 Eat to the Beat Show!

You’ve wanted that pass to Eat and Drink Your Way Around the World — well, here it is!

This package includes:

  • Eight entitlements for food or beverage of your choice at 30 Food and Wine Festival Booths
  • Priority seating at the 6:45 Eat to the Beat Concert on the day the package is purchased
  • Limited release 20th Anniversary pin that comes in 3 different colors

When: Limited amount of packages available daily
Where: Epcot
Pricing: $59, per person, plus tax. Epcot admission required.

Let me know in the comments which one you would choose.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Leading the Charge

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Day 347 in changing my ways on the road to meeting Mickey

Today’s plan was to lead the discussion at book club tonight.  The book we are reading is Get Out of that Pit by Beth Moore.  What an interesting book this is turning out to be.  The titles of this week’s chapters were: (1) Sliding into a Pit and (2) Stepping into a Pit.  Sliding into a pit can sneak up on you.  Your intentions may be completely well meaning, but before you know it you’re in a bottom of a pit.  But stepping into a pit, is different, because you have full knowledge of the pit and still choose to step into it.  “Motive is HUGE with God.  So is character.  Especially HIS character which we are created to emulate.”  When we make wrong choices, are we mocking God?  Heavy stuff to contemplate.  I am loving this book and this book group!

Remember not so long ago, I wouldn’t have joined a book club much less led one.  I would have chosen to sit at home hoarding and eating sweets, and sitting on my backside in front of the TV.  This is progress, and I thank God for every bit of it.  “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.” Praise God!

Meet you at the Kingdom!