Book it. Buy it. BELIEVE it! - TR is started! link posted 8/11

[Native NYer]

Everything looks good!
Love your lunch choice for the first day.

 

[eandesmom]

Never been to Vero, but my jaw has dropped with all the yummies and I am drooling!

Can't wait for more food planning - favourite part in my trip planning all the time.

Food planning is fun Definitely looking forward to it.

Wow...I was seriously behind! Glad you're feeling better, although the leak situation certainly isn't fun. We had to do a major repair on our central a/c unit this past week. Ah, the joys of being an adult.

Sometimes being a grownup really sucks! That does not sound like a nice welcome home on the a/c. Ugh.

You picked up some adorable shoes. I feel your pain on the feet thing. After three Disney trips with painful feet, I finally figured out what the problem is. I always go for a pedicure right before I leave and then go and walk around Disney with no calluses! Ouch.

The funny thing is I've never had an issue at Disney. It's just at the start of the season each year and then my feet seem to toughen up just fine. The ones I got in Vegas are actually on the top of my feet, from a strap rubbing. The no callus factor can make it worse though, I know exactly what you mean.

Your dining plans look great, especially all the seafood. Yum.

Thanks! I'd like to figure out one more Vero eating out, or cooking option but other than that am pretty happy with the plans.

I should not have read that last post before lunch

Sounds delish, I love seafood on the beach!

Me too, I am very excited to eat at Squidlips, love the menu!

Everything looks good!
Love your lunch choice for the first day.

We couldn't NOT go there!

 

[MEK]

Margaritaville - DOH! I should have thought of that.

For your arrival dinner I strongly suggest you just drive out of the entrance, hang a right and go to the pizza shop on the corner. I have no idea what the name is but I know we got yummy wings, pizza, and salad there. Probably got a sandwich too and had plenty for left overs. Close and convenient is what you need on your first night as your dine on your porch and (hopefully) smell the salt air with a view of the ocean.

You can walk there, but it would be a pain to carry all that food.

I found it: Orchid Island Pizza

 

[englishrose47]

Wow that menu at squidlips is HUGE!!!!! You would have to find something you liked from all the choices .
Tonight I had the consumers help cook (so ya know it ain't hard) Dijon Chicken breasts , they were really good and easy and just took the time to cook the chicken all the way thru Prep time minimal!!

 

[Misskitty3]

Absolutely! And with the spray, more likely to get on the clothing for sure.

I use this site to check on sunscreen and then basically look for what I can find locally for the most part.

EWG's Skin Deep (Environmental Working Group)

http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/

Apparently they now have an app for the sunscreens! LOL. But handy when you are at the store.

What's nice is not only will it tell you what's "best" you can also look up what you already have in terms of effectiveness. I do think many have improved since I researched this back in 2010.

We like Blue Lizard, California Baby, Aveeno and Alba. I do special order for Eric and we've been making the rest use it at times too. Eric can't use the Blue Lizard or Aveeno, it makes him turn red (super sensitive skin) so if I only feel like hauling one kind, everyone has to use this.

Purple Prairie Botanicals Sun Stuff Mineral Lotion

http://www.purpleprairie.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=40_41&product_id=52

I like this for my face as most stuff will make me break out

Karen's Botanical's Lovely Lavender Facial Cream. It's only a 15 but b/c it's mineral, works more like a 25.

http://www.karensbotanicals.com/sun and summer care.htm

I do probably need to order new stuff though...it does have a shelf life.

Wow!! Thanks for sharing this info! I plan to spend some time looking thru the links!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Congrats on the weight loss and feeling like you are getting back on track! That is not vain at all either, that is healthy! I'm going to take a look at that myfitnesspal, I need something to keep me more accountable lately. I was doing really well and was down 5 pounds, but lately I feel like I'm constantly eating!

Anyway, now onto the post about food. Your meal plans looks tasty to me-not boring at all! I'm terrible at planning meals, so I'm no help there! The only thing that comes to mind is perhaps a "leftovers" type meal where you smorgasbord all the food before you go?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I really had thought about Margaritaville but was so confused as to where you were going to be! So I just didn't guess. Sounds like a great plan though!!!

Oh, I think your meal plans are far from boring. We eat such boring plain food here that anything sounds exciting! What kind of fish are you planning? I'm not much of a fish eater and am curious what you like and what type of rub you use.

cute rash-sun guard tops for you too!!

 

[Chilly]

Food is one of the best bits of holidays, esp as I hate cooking.

 

[natebenma]

Caught up on your last couple of updates I missed during my trip to Atlantis. I'm glad to see that is still on your list of probable excursions. It's going to be perfect for your family. I'll be starting up my TR later this week, but I have preview photos in my Muggles report (page 56, I think, it's in my sig)

Thanks for sharing the recipe and weight loss app- I plan to use both, in that order!

Margaritaville!!!????!!! *hangs head in shame* Revoke my Parrotthead status now!

YUM! was exactly the word I thought of when I saw the menu for Sonya's. Squidlips sounds intriguing, too.

I love the cute dresses and the rashguards you ordered for the boys (Ben wears them all the time, Nate refuses)

 

[eandesmom]

Margaritaville - DOH! I should have thought of that.

Yep, I thought you and Dee would get that one right away.

For your arrival dinner I strongly suggest you just drive out of the entrance, hang a right and go to the pizza shop on the corner. I have no idea what the name is but I know we got yummy wings, pizza, and salad there. Probably got a sandwich too and had plenty for left overs. Close and convenient is what you need on your first night as your dine on your porch and (hopefully) smell the salt air with a view of the ocean.

You can walk there, but it would be a pain to carry all that food.

I found it: Orchid Island Pizza

That is the pizza place we were looking at. I'm mixed on it for 2 reasons, one it gets mixed reviews and two, pizza after lunch at Margaritaville sounds like a bit much to me but I don't have a better idea! It's definitely the default plan just not one I'm excited about.

Wow that menu at squidlips is HUGE!!!!! You would have to find something you liked from all the choices .
Tonight I had the consumers help cook (so ya know it ain't hard) Dijon Chicken breasts , they were really good and easy and just took the time to cook the chicken all the way thru Prep time minimal!!

I know, isn't that menu something else?

Wow!! Thanks for sharing this info! I plan to spend some time looking thru the links!

Sadly, as I mentioned, I needed to get new stuff as I feared mine was expired and sure enough...one of them was! We were down to 3 kinds, one Jeff and I use and 2 different ones that the kids use. We actually had SUN this weekend so had to dig it out. Kids were fine...me not so much! Thankfully my face stuff seems fine still but I'll probably replace that as well. Ordering new stuff this week as I'd still like to toss the other two since they were bought at the same time. I never burn so this was even more frustrating. I will say there are a ton more options that get better ratings and reviews than there were 2 years ago when I last bought so that really opens up a lot more options and access.

 

[eandesmom]

Congrats on the weight loss and feeling like you are getting back on track! That is not vain at all either, that is healthy! I'm going to take a look at that myfitnesspal, I need something to keep me more accountable lately. I was doing really well and was down 5 pounds, but lately I feel like I'm constantly eating!

I just love that it helps me be more accountable. Seriously tracking it does reinforce squeezing in 20 minutes of cardio where I might have not tried as hard in the past to get that in when timing was tight.

Anyway, now onto the post about food. Your meal plans looks tasty to me-not boring at all! I'm terrible at planning meals, so I'm no help there! The only thing that comes to mind is perhaps a "leftovers" type meal where you smorgasbord all the food before you go?

We pretty much never have leftovers. It's a family of huge eaters, a bunch of hollow legs! What little we ever due have, Jeff commandeers for his lunches. I may plan a dinner of chinese chicken salad for the first night. Super easy and after the big margaritaville lunch, might be the perfect light but fast item. I think I'm going to add that to the list and then just make a game day call depending on when we hit the store, if people would rather have pizza, or whatever.

Meal planning SUCKS! And on that note...I have no idea what to make for dinner tonight!

I really had thought about Margaritaville but was so confused as to where you were going to be! So I just didn't guess. Sounds like a great plan though!!!

Fair enough, I'm confused all the time!

Oh, I think your meal plans are far from boring. We eat such boring plain food here that anything sounds exciting! What kind of fish are you planning? I'm not much of a fish eater and am curious what you like and what type of rub you use.

We eat a ton of fish, most likely I'll just see what looks good at the local market. For grilling I prefer a meatier fish like mahi or salmon (we eat a ridiculous amount of salmon) but Evan's on this huge rockfish/cod/sole kick though they don't grill well they are easy enough to cook. We also do a fair bit of ahi though that can be more difficult to get right.

If we are grilling, I'll typically do it one of 4 ways

1. Rubbed with Tom Douglas "Rub with Love" Salmon rub. Stick the fillet skin side down on foil, heat the grill to high. Once the grill is ready, put the foil on the grill, turn down to medium and close lid. Cook for 20 minutes.

2. Brushed with Yoshida's or another similar or homemade terikaki sauce and then rub with Tom Douglas "Rub with Love" Toyko rub. This is a spicier rub that we love with the terikaki sauce. Cook as above. The sauce will carmelize a little on the edges.

3. Slather with pesto and grill as above.

4. Brush with lime or the juice from salsa, grill, and then serve with mango salsa on the side.

I also have 2 other rubs that I use specifically for fish tacos, both homemade. One is the Emeril Bayou Blast Creole seasoning mix, which I think now you can buy in the stores but I just keep a batch on hand and the other is actually an Epcot Event Fish Taco rub, specific for Mahi, that we just love. Happy to pass on either recipe! I'll usually broil the fish for fish taco's.

Pretty basic to be sure but it works!

cute rash-sun guard tops for you too!!

Thanks!, Could have used it this weekend actually so happy I ordered them.

Food is one of the best bits of holidays, esp as I hate cooking.

It is definitely one of the best bits! That and someone else cleaning up after you, if only a little bit.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Meal planning SUCKS! And on that note...I have no idea what to make for dinner tonight!

I agree! I joined emeals.com just so I wouldn't have to deal with meal planning! It's been soooo nice. I cook way more often versus pulling up seamlessweb.com!

 

[eandesmom]

I agree! I joined emeals.com just so I wouldn't have to deal with meal planning! It's been soooo nice. I cook way more often versus pulling up seamlessweb.com!

LOL, don't know either of those sites but I'm glad it's working out for you!

 

[brookelizabeth]

LOL, don't know either of those sites but I'm glad it's working out for you!

I figured seamless was everywhere...it's a delivery website for local restaurants. Sorry about that! emeals is just a small business that does meal planning for you, you print the grocery list and viola!

 

[Moira222]

Just catching up (again!)..

what a bummer for all your leaks and unexpected expenses. I agree, there should be some sort of credit for saving for college, and frankly, there should be a way to split the child credit for families that effectively share custody.

Your sandals are really cute! Have you ever tried using an anti-chafing cream on your feet for the change of season issues? I am trying to remember the brand I have - its not lancome, thats the fancy cosmetic brand, but its lan - something. sorry can't remember now!

YAY for discovering a new app to help track and get in gear. Joe and I use that site a LOT for checking nutrition facts on foods when we are out or planning to go out. I didn't realize they had an app, I will have to look now if they have a 'droid app.

I'm glad your neck is better and not worse, especially after painting.


Food plans sound yummy...worth every extra walk you take in preparation LOL

I remember your visit to margaritaville last year, so what a great pick for your next trip.

I know nothing about Vero Beach at all, but will offer a suggestion for what to eat the first night when you are wiped out. My favorite easy cook free dinner in the summer is shrimp cocktail, a prepackaged veggie tray, cheese & crackers and a bottle of wine. I will do this when I have a friend over in the summer - very little prep and work, and we can sit back, chat, relax and enjoy. It requires a trip to the grocery store, but no cooking at all if you buy and thaw the frozen pre cooked shrimp, or the little rings that come with cocktail sauce in the middle. Not sure how the E's are with that sort of "meal" -- I know Katie loves it, and I let her have sparkling cider in a "fancy glass" and she is thrilled.

That brunch menu sounds awesome.

 

[eandesmom]

I figured seamless was everywhere...it's a delivery website for local restaurants. Sorry about that! emeals is just a small business that does meal planning for you, you print the grocery list and viola!

ah, where we live there really aren't all that many delivery options lol!

Just catching up (again!)..

what a bummer for all your leaks and unexpected expenses. I agree, there should be some sort of credit for saving for college, and frankly, there should be a way to split the child credit for families that effectively share custody.

Your sandals are really cute! Have you ever tried using an anti-chafing cream on your feet for the change of season issues? I am trying to remember the brand I have - its not lancome, thats the fancy cosmetic brand, but its lan - something. sorry can't remember now!

I have, the problem is you never know where it will hit so I'd have to grease my entire foot. LOL!

YAY for discovering a new app to help track and get in gear. Joe and I use that site a LOT for checking nutrition facts on foods when we are out or planning to go out. I didn't realize they had an app, I will have to look now if they have a 'droid app.

I'm glad your neck is better and not worse, especially after painting.


Food plans sound yummy...worth every extra walk you take in preparation LOL

I remember your visit to margaritaville last year, so what a great pick for your next trip.

I know nothing about Vero Beach at all, but will offer a suggestion for what to eat the first night when you are wiped out. My favorite easy cook free dinner in the summer is shrimp cocktail, a prepackaged veggie tray, cheese & crackers and a bottle of wine. I will do this when I have a friend over in the summer - very little prep and work, and we can sit back, chat, relax and enjoy. It requires a trip to the grocery store, but no cooking at all if you buy and thaw the frozen pre cooked shrimp, or the little rings that come with cocktail sauce in the middle. Not sure how the E's are with that sort of "meal" -- I know Katie loves it, and I let her have sparkling cider in a "fancy glass" and she is thrilled.

That brunch menu sounds awesome.

Unfortunately no one in my crew would consider that a dinner. LOL! They'd love it as appetizers though. Well except for Jeff who is pretty anti shellfish.

 

[KatMark]

Cynthia, I am slowly getting caught up on all my threads.

Your food choices sound yummy...I am drooling here after my simple ceasar salad for dinner.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I love the idea of starting at Margaritavile. It is totally worth 20 minutes out of the way to start in a place that makes you feel like you're "on vacation". I was going to suggest pizza that first night too, since it is simple and you don't have to do any cooking. I think you all are going to be too tired to go out anywhere that night after such a long flight.

 

[eandesmom]

Cynthia, I am slowly getting caught up on all my threads.

Your food choices sound yummy...I am drooling here after my simple ceasar salad for dinner.

I hear you! Meal planning around here is the bane of my existence, I can't wait for 11 days of other folks cooking! YUM. Or at least cooking some of it.

I love the idea of starting at Margaritavile. It is totally worth 20 minutes out of the way to start in a place that makes you feel like you're "on vacation". I was going to suggest pizza that first night too, since it is simple and you don't have to do any cooking. I think you all are going to be too tired to go out anywhere that night after such a long flight.

We may do pizza, or a chinese chicken salad as that's super fast to make, I think we will just play it by ear. My worry is knowing us, after a Margaritaville lunch pizza just won't appeal but we will see.

 

[englishrose47]

I have been lurking so decided to let you lnow that!!!