Healthy Living around the World Showcase ~ June 2016 WISH Challenge!

Question of the Day- June 2

June is a complete new start for me in every way! But my ultimate New Start is getting my butt up off the couch and moving! I normally come home from work and the only time I get up is to make dinner... or let's be honest, or go out to eat. For the last 4 days I have walked at least a mile!
 
I'm sure you can set some small milestone maybe for the 179 or lower finish? Ie: A Lilly Pulitzer day planner if you make it? The new ones just got released so OF COURSE i pre-ordered mine. I love paper planners.

Hahaha! You've found my weakness--Lilly! I love those planners! Now, do I ever use mine? Nope-- I bought one thinking I was going to meal plan and be all grown up, but found a dry erase board in the kitchen works better for us. At any rate, I do think I work well with definitive little milestones. I will have to think of something motivational-- I was thinking of getting DH a cute Lilly bow tie though to match my new Lovers Coral dress... then go take pictures at the beach. I am thinking of decorating my (never used) exercise cove/cat's den/random half room we have with Lilly and I think it would be fun to have photos of us in Lilly-- maybe that will be motivator and invite me onto the elliptical more often :-)

Yesterday we talked about about who we are and what our goals are. Today, tell us what makes this month a new start for you. What are you going to do different this month. Or are you keeping everything as it is? What is your plan for this month?

I am keeping everything mostly the same, but DH and I are both making efforts this month to get out of the house and do more active things. Now summer automatically lends itself to that (beach days with volleyball and paddle boarding, swimming parties at the in-laws, etc). Heck, we even tried geo-caching Wednesday night just to get out of the house (not my cup of tea, but DH likes it so maybe we will keep at it and there's lots within biking distance). Anyway, I think keeping with cleaner at home eating and then adding in some activity should help me reach my goal.
 
Defiantly going counter clockwise this time. I will let you know how it goes when I am back.

Is there a proper way to walk in and do the World Showcase? We usually go one way on one visit and the other on our second visit.

This month is different for me because I have switched my goal from weightloss to activity. It's only June 2nd and it already feels different - and change of focus can be good sometimes.

I think the activity will result in weight loss - so I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the end of the month :)

Today's actually a pretty good example of my approach to the month. I haven't been having the best morning. A bird decided to poop on my water bottle, so I had to clean and disinfect that, and then I was eating everything in the kitchen while waiting for my toast this morning. Normally that's something that would stress me out, but I decided to just let it go. Things happen. Sometimes birds poop on you or your stuff. Sometimes you eat too much. It happens, and you just have to move on, and do your best to make the rest of the day better. Just being able to say that and not beat myself up about it is a huge step.

Sorry that you had such a "sh!tty" morning this morning :( Sending big hugs to you.

@Hazelon I'm glad you came out of lurkdom. I'm starting "running training" this month with my runDisney V5K's in hopes of doing the Princess 10K with @flvy and @courtneybeth next February, so any advice from a real runner is always welcome, in my opinion!

You're going to rock those 5Ks and the 10K. :lovestruc

It's funny that you mention that because I didn't even know that was a thing until just recently! I'm not a member already but I'm going to see what I can do to join. You could totally do that! You're already running half marathons like crazy.

We'll see how I do with the 10K and Half weekend with Dumbo Double Dare. It may not even hurt at all ;)

Random running question - for those that run 10k's and halfs, how much slower is your pace on the half from your 10k pace

My 5K and 10K pace are fairly consistent - about a 13 minute mile. The difference between the two as you know is only 3 miles and I'm not fatigued yet. I can run both consistently with little walking. When it comes to the half marathon, you're essentially doing 4 5Ks or 2 10Ks (plus a little extra because it's like a 21K). This is where I notice the biggest difference in my times. My best race to date was a 3:12 finish, or a 14.5 minute mile -- but I was having foot problems with a shoe and the last three miles were me averaging about 16 minutes per mile and not the 13.5 I was usually doing.

You'll usually have about a 1-2 minute difference in pace as you do these races because it's normal. Your body gets tired. Something will happen at mile 11, like a calf locking up (New Orleans) or your ankle hurting due to the wrong shoes (Raleigh). But... you just run the best race you can and hope for the best.

This weekend in San Diego I'm hoping for a 2:59:59 finish. I just need to maintain a 13.5 minute mile pace and I'm there. The back seven miles of the race are all downhill so i am feeling confident.

Hahaha! You've found my weakness--Lilly! I love those planners! Now, do I ever use mine? Nope-- I bought one thinking I was going to meal plan and be all grown up, but found a dry erase board in the kitchen works better for us. At any rate, I do think I work well with definitive little milestones. I will have to think of something motivational-- I was thinking of getting DH a cute Lilly bow tie though to match my new Lovers Coral dress... then go take pictures at the beach. I am thinking of decorating my (never used) exercise cove/cat's den/random half room we have with Lilly and I think it would be fun to have photos of us in Lilly-- maybe that will be motivator and invite me onto the elliptical more often :-)

Lovers Coral is seriously the best new print of the season - that's the planner theme I chose. The Lilly Store was out of the Lovers Coral shorts in my size (boo!) so I had to skip those, but we're heading to a store that's on the north side of Los Angeles over July 4th weekend and we're going to clean up on merch for sure. We'll actually have time to try on dresses and look at the shelves without feeling rushed for the airport. (And maybe they'll have a special going on for the weekend!)
 
Is there a proper way to walk in and do the World Showcase? We usually go one way on one visit and the other on our second

We tend to always start at Mexico because it feels like it is the closest to future world and less walking. It is also a lack of planning in this area.
 

I do need to come up with some sort of running/workout plan. I've been kind of going week to week depending on if I had a race or not, but I need to change that.

Random running question - for those that run 10k's and halfs, how much slower is your pace on the half from your 10k pace?

To kind of build on and reinforce what @courtneybeth said. With it being a new distance for you if you go out at your 5k/10k pace you're going to bonk and could get hurt. Basically it can negatively effect your overall time. It'll take running the distance a few times to get a good feel for fuel and pace. A half is a totally different beast from a 10k. My pace is only around a min slower maybe less, unless I get blisters or am in a Disney race. (runDisney is wonderful and frustrating all at the same time). The first half I did though I went out waaaayyyy to fast and tanked the last 10k. One of the more recent halfs I did I went out more moderate (which is so so so hard), and crushed the last 10k and got a PR.

I worry is that you're doing long distances with no training plan. My brain immediately goes into oh **** your going to get hurt mode. There are some awesome training plans out there for free and just as many if not more where you can pay someone to make you one. I'm better with beginners but the rundisney part of the board is an awesome resource and has a running thread with lots of general info and opinions that you should check out if you haven't. Lots of serious and veteran runners are in there. A solid plan will help your speed, endurance, and keep you from injury. I completely recommend it. For my marathon training I took a Higdon plan and modified it to suit my needs and schedule.

I rambled so basically you'll be slower in a half and that's okay, and please do some kind of plan so you don't get hurt. Injuries suck.
 
@Flossbolna I work for a college access program. We work in the high schools to help students with the college process. We also have a Resource center for students that are not at a school we serve and for adults. On top of working with students we give out scholarships. This is where I work. I work with the traditional students. we have about 1000 kids each year that get a scholarship from us. we pick about 400 new incoming freshman every year. The freshman need to come in and have an "interview" (really just to go over information with them) and all of the upperclassman have to turn in renewal paperwork (the scholarship is renewable for 4 years). We have to have all of this processed before we can send checks to the schools. Needless to say summer is the busiest time of the year for me.

After seeing how stressful it is for me to take vacation at this time, I don't think I will do it again. There is just too much going on. I knew this was going to be the case but I couldn't pass up the deal we got. It is not helping matters that the office will basically be closed during the Republican Nation Convention. My building is in downtown Cleveland and very close to the blocked off area for the convention. Basically one slight adjustment to the secured area and it will encompass my building.

That really is an interesting job! It must be quite amazing to facilitate so many young people's education! I can see how this is a stressful time for you. And I see how this is not the best time to take vacation!

I used to work in Berlin for a few years and there were plenty of situations where suddenly you could not use certain roads and such. But that was only for a few hours at a time. Sounds like a pain if it is for a convention that runs several days!

Hi! I'm Patricia-- crazy cat lady, travel addict, and cookie monster's long lost daughter.

:rotfl2: At least you did not inherit your father's looks, just his appetite for cookies!!

Actually, my favorite cookie at the moment is from a German organic food company that has licensed Sesame Street and is selling "cookie monster cookies". They are whole wheat and have reduced sugar, so I can pretend that they are somewhat healthy.

It's not been a consistent journey for me so far (loose 4, gain 2-- loose 3, gain 5-- over and over again....) but the overall trend is downward. Since Oct 2015 I've lost about 13 lbs, but I still have 17 to go to where I what I think is my best weight. I think I would like to try for 15 more after that.... but I will cross that bridge once I get there. I am having a hard time getting into and staying in the high 170's.... I'll get there and bounce back, so this is the month I want to be SOLIDLY in 17X department!

Yes, you can do it!! We will all cheer you on to never see the 180s again!!

I like Germany the best too-- the grapefruit beer and the caramel shop.......:love:

I already mentioned that the caramel is not German at all. It is embarrassing, but the grapefruit beer is indeed German. Actually, it kind of is a version of a popular summer drink here: beer mixed with lemon soda. The Schöfferhofer Grapefruit is really just a take on that.

Hi, I'm Melissa. 36 year old single mom to Zoe just shy of 13. I'm currently a caregiver without any clients. :( So not really working but looking for something full time to replace it. I have been off and on these WISH board challenges for years. I use MFP to track my food, calories and macros. I joined Anytime Fitness in April and its going really well and keeping me on track with the food journaling. I'm losing pretty steadily though I wish a bit more. Really hoping to take a Florida trip to WDW and Universal in the fall or winter. So would like to make a good dent so I can worry less about rides at Universal. Not at all worried about WDW never had an issue there.

Seems like you have found something that really works for you! And a trip is definitely always a good motivator. Hope you can manage it!

Probably Japan or Morocco. The architecture is some of my favorites in the world showcase. The restaurant in Morocco is great. Though my step mom I think loves France the most and we've gone there for a snack/lunch a few times and it's good. YUM

My fellow Japan lover! I love Marocco, too. I think it is one of the most interesting pavilions with regard of the buildings themselves.

Quick bio...

Turning 60 later this month, how the heck did that happen? Have struggled with my weight most of my adult life: got serious about weight control early this year after a rough winter of being continually stressed out and Ill: have lost around 30 pounds so far and have at least another 30 to go: have been on a holding pattern the past month so ready to get focussed and going again.

Hope you get out of your holding pattern! You already have achieved quite a lot with 30 pounds!

EPCOT is my favorite park and I seem to end up there multiple times each trip. I love taking the boat over from DHS and going in thru International Gateway. I also like entering the front at RD and walking back to France for breakfast... So quiet and peaceful. I also love walking around WS in the dark. I love taking a break at Spice Road for some hummus and as much mint iced tea as they'll bring me. I love Voices of Liberty and the show at American Pavillian. I love the Lady and the Tramp topiaries and take a picture of them every time I see them. I love walking in to the cool dark of the Mexico Pavillian. I actually don't love Illuminations but last Christmas got to watch it from an AllEars dessert viewing party up front and the extra Christmas add on actually made me cry. I already miss the old Norway... We're Norwegian on my Dad's side so it was always a must do. Awwww, getting totally nostalgic just thinking about how much I love it all.

This all sounds like lovely memories of Epcot! I am contemplating Spice Road table for our next trip. I know I would love all the food there. It just seems so expensive.

We loved the Maelstrom ride so much and the old Norway pavilion. I don't think we're quite ready for the Arendelle tourist center just yet... I love Frozen but I am a little skeptical on how they're going to make a fake place stand out in an area where it's all real countries. :(

I was so angry about this when I first heard it, but somehow have kind of come to terms with it. I still think it is a bad fit. And I think it is sad that instead of focussing on Norway's real cultural heritage, they make it out that an American movie is part of that culture. But in the end I think the pavilion will still be distinctly Norwegian and just feature a fairytale inside. I don't expect the whole pavilion to be Arendelle. But maybe I am too optimistic...

We love walking through World Showcase. We often travel with my daughter, her husband and our 5 year old grandson. We have made it a last night tradition to eat dinner at Via Napoli, so I have nice memories of Italy. My mother's parents were born in Germany so I always buy a Christmas ornament as a souvenir in the German pavilion. My father's parents were from Norway, so I love looking at the jewelry in the Norwegian pavilion.

So many lovely memories from Epcot! Sounds wonderful. I never looked at the jewelry in Norway, need to do that on my next trip!
 
All good you take August - I'll do September - that will give me more time to get ready for it :D

I have done some quick scanning and a few likes - you guys have been chatty - I have been super busy but will try and get back tonight to do my intro and have a really good read - I feel so far behind already. Have great day everyone.

I put you on the list for September now!

Hope you are ok, did not see you come back after your initial check in! Don't worry about feeling behind, just jump in today!

A lot of people have had "lightbulb" moments when they knew something had to change - but I never had that. I've always felt like I needed to lose weight. And I think a lot of that has to do with the way I see myself - I want to see something wrong with me, so I'm looking for trouble. That's why I'm taking this month to focus on myself and seeing myself in a better light. I have a big birthday (30) coming up soon, and I want to stop dreading that birthday.
My goal for the month is to spend at least 30 minutes every day focused on myself - whether that's spending time reading, watching TV, taking a nap, going out for a not-previously-scheduled run (not likely with the hot summer weather), crafting, taking a walk to clear my head ... something that's focused on keeping me away from stress and reminding myself why I'm so awesome. If I can take those 30 minutes every single day this month, then it will be a successful month for me!

I think your plan sounds really good! Being happy about yourself makes so much of a difference in all aspects of your life!

I like the boat ride in Mexico. A lot. It's probably my second favorite attraction in Epcot (Test Track is my favorite).
Although ... really not the biggest of Epcot fans. I like a few rides and the princesses. Other than that ... eh.

The boat ride is a lot of fun! I love Donald, so that is always a plus when he is in an attraction.

I hope you will enjoy this month's challenge despite not liking Epcot. I promise you it comes without some of the bad things of Epcot (like too little shade and long walks)!

I've been within the same 10 pound range since mid-2009, but lately I've been at the higher end of that range than I would like, hence the reason I consider myself a LOSER on these challenges and NOT a maintainer. But I do know, even if my weight never ever drops another ounce, that I am SO MUCH HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER than I was 90 pounds ago!

I know that you are sometimes frustrated, but the part that I bolded is the important thing about your weight! Even if you are a loser currently. In reality you are a maintainer!!

Did you ever contact that weight loss register that was mentioned in the article last month?


Favorite country........hmmmm..... hard to say.... but I'll say Canada because I think it is the MOST beautiful "land" in World Showcase! I have done a small "Eat Around the World" with DD in the past (2011 and 2013), but we aren't big foodies so other than the comment from @MochaDrinker (see below), I don't have any special Epcot foods that I crave.

Canada is so beautiful! I think it wasn't until my third trip that I realized how you could even go on a little "hike" in that pavilion.

Oh man I forgot to mention my favorite country! It's Japan. I love the view of spaceship earth at sunset from that location is so beautiful. Also you can't get past the gift shop there it's so amazing. I think Germany might be my number two for the snacks, and England is number three. I just love the set up of England and the little meet and greet areas that are tucked away. I power walk past France unless it's a stall for F&G or F&W. :duck:

And another Japan fan!! :thumbsup2

Italy is my favorite country. I want all the masks!!

Oh, those masks totally creep me out!! :rotfl2:
 
So, I finally caught up with the first day of replies! Thankfully you were less chatty yesterday. :goodvibes

My answer to the QOTD for yesterday:
Yesterday we talked about about who we are and what our goals are. Today, tell us what makes this month a new start for you. What are you going to do different this month. Or are you keeping everything as it is? What is your plan for this month?

For me the big difference is the type of activity I am doing. Due to the foot issues that happened last month, I need to figure out what kind of exercise I am going to build into my weekly schedule. So far I am managing to stay active, but I lost my schedule. I was so used to have my three runs during the week. Currently exercise happens when I feel like it, instead of on a schedule. I still am moving enough. But I know that not having the schedule could be dangerous. So, I need to work on that. The problem is that secretly I am hoping to be able to run again very soon, so don't want to bother with changing things up. BUT I know that even if I start running again, I need to take it slower, so I need to build in other exercise as well. I think this needs to be the one thing I do this weekend: Make an exercise schedule for the month! And then stick with it!
 
Question of the Day – June 3rd

It’s time to explore the Italy pavilion! A big element here is food, there are two restaurants and a wine bar to be found in this pavilion. Now Italian food is often not known for being particularly low in calories, when we think of pizza or lasagna - which of course is being featured at the Italian pavilion, especially at Via Napoli, which seems to be a favorite amongst the WISH challenge people.

via-napoli-pizza.jpg

However, Italians have the second highest life expectancy of all our World Showcase countries (Japan has the highest). So there must be something that they are doing right! And that might be what is known as “Mediterranean Diet”. This is not a diet like the cabbage soup fad, but a diet as in cuisine, nutrition or such. It even has a status as a UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage – so it is comparable to the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Statute of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles or the Great Wall of China.

So, what is the Mediterranean Diet? It’s principal aspect is a high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat and non-fish meat products. Does sound pretty delicious in my opinion.

And I am sure we all know of delicious dishes that fit this description! So, let’s share your favourite meals or meal ideas that fit into this discription! If you have a recipe to share, we would love to read it! Could you imagine following the Mediterranean Diet? Which aspects of it do you find appealing, which would you have trouble with?
 
The Mediterranean diet sounds yummy to me! But I might struggle with fish...I live in Ohio and fish is not yummy here, not fresh enough

Here's a recipe that I love

http://www.cookincanuck.com/2014/01/healthy-mediterranean-7-layer-dip-recipe/

Well my goal of staying on point this month is going fairly well. I did remember to weigh in this mornings a routine I had slacked off on. I didn't get my steps yesterday but did the prior days of the week.

How's your week going?
 
I know that you are sometimes frustrated, but the part that I bolded is the important thing about your weight! Even if you are a loser currently. In reality you are a maintainer!!

Did you ever contact that weight loss register that was mentioned in the article last month?

Canada is so beautiful! I think it wasn't until my third trip that I realized how you could even go on a little "hike" in that pavilion.

Thank you for those words. Yes, I actually did send my name/address into that weight loss registry. The website said that they only send out the registration packets once every other month, so I'm still waiting. But the study is done at Brown University in Rhode Island.... just a few hours from me, so it would be great to be asked to participate somehow!

I think I passed Canada by several times before I discovered it as well!! This is my favorite spot, along with the waterfalls nearer the back. P5060247 (640x480).jpg



Question of the Day – June 3rd

It’s time to explore the Italy pavilion! A big element here is food, there are two restaurants and a wine bar to be found in this pavilion. Now Italian food is often not known for being particularly low in calories, when we think of pizza or lasagna - which of course is being featured at the Italian pavilion, especially at Via Napoli, which seems to be a favorite amongst the WISH challenge people.

However, Italians have the second highest life expectancy of all our World Showcase countries (Japan has the highest). So there must be something that they are doing right! And that might be what is known as “Mediterranean Diet”. This is not a diet like the cabbage soup fad, but a diet as in cuisine, nutrition or such. It even has a status as a UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage – so it is comparable to the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Statute of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles or the Great Wall of China.

So, what is the Mediterranean Diet? It’s principal aspect is a high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat and non-fish meat products. Does sound pretty delicious in my opinion.

And I am sure we all know of delicious dishes that fit this description! So, let’s share your favourite meals or meal ideas that fit into this discription! If you have a recipe to share, we would love to read it! Could you imagine following the Mediterranean Diet? Which aspects of it do you find appealing, which would you have trouble with?

What a terrific segue and question!!

I eat a fairly similar diet to the Mediterranean, other than the fish (we don't consume seafood for environmental reasons) and the oil (I am fat-phobic, but I KNOW that healthy fats are important). The only dairy I eat other than a splash of lowfat milk in my first cup of coffee of the day, is yogurt and cheese (well.... occasionally ice cream happens), I eat very few refined grains (no cold cereal, very little bread, etc), we do have beans frequently and of course, a TON of produce! I find it an easy and sustainable way to eat (although I wish I could add some seafood.... I miss it).

**********************

Hey friends.... happy Friday! Scale made a little progress in the right direction.... not as much as I was hoping, but a little, so I'll take it. I'll figure out my percentage of progress later today. I'm dashing to work now, but I'll BBL to chat! HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!...............P
 
Yes cooking QOTD!!!!

I had no idea the Mediterranean Diet was UNESCO certified (I have no idea how else to word that) I'm not surprised, but that's awesome. I eat like this pretty frequently without even realizing it. Except for the dairy products part for several reasons. One being our bodies really aren't made to process lactose properly past the age of 5 that's why so many people have issues with it. I'm also not huge on the taste of dairy products which I guess I should just be thankful for haha.

One of my biggest quick and easy go to side dishes is plum tomatoes and avocado mixed with some olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper (you can easily skip the olive oil because of the fats from the avocado). Sometimes I'll add in red onion. Honestly the two is a really good base to add a lot of flavors to and perfect for the summer. It's amazing mixed with couscous as well. Couscous is a great way to get lots of veggies and flavor into a meal. It' makes a great and filling "salad". Basically just add things you love to it like green peppers, carrots, tomatoes add some herbs like basil, and dress it with a little olive oil and lemon. I'm saying heavy on the veg light on the couscous here, but still so so good and you can make it as healthy and veggie packed as you want to. Even grilled eggplant, mushrooms, and peppers is a great mix for it. There's endless possibilities there depending on what tastes you like.

Fish is one of my favorite sources of protein and there are so many kinds and soooo many ways to cook them. (Though as mentioned above it's important to know where it's coming from and the impact) Thankfully I'm in a great area for locally sustainable beef, fish, and poultry. I normally go simple with my food. Tuna steaks I'll grill or sear quickly. I'll bake salmon or cod. Most of the time I'll just mix up whatever herbs I have on hand with a citrus acid. Nothing crazy or labor heavy.
 
Question of the Day – June 3rd

It’s time to explore the Italy pavilion! A big element here is food, there are two restaurants and a wine bar to be found in this pavilion. Now Italian food is often not known for being particularly low in calories, when we think of pizza or lasagna - which of course is being featured at the Italian pavilion, especially at Via Napoli, which seems to be a favorite amongst the WISH challenge people.

via-napoli-pizza.jpg

However, Italians have the second highest life expectancy of all our World Showcase countries (Japan has the highest). So there must be something that they are doing right! And that might be what is known as “Mediterranean Diet”. This is not a diet like the cabbage soup fad, but a diet as in cuisine, nutrition or such. It even has a status as a UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage – so it is comparable to the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Statute of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles or the Great Wall of China.

So, what is the Mediterranean Diet? It’s principal aspect is a high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat and non-fish meat products. Does sound pretty delicious in my opinion.

And I am sure we all know of delicious dishes that fit this description! So, let’s share your favourite meals or meal ideas that fit into this discription! If you have a recipe to share, we would love to read it! Could you imagine following the Mediterranean Diet? Which aspects of it do you find appealing, which would you have trouble with?

I am Italian. My great grandparents came here when they were kids/teenagers. They both lived until they where in their 90's. Even though I am more itailan and Hungarian then anything else I did not pick up on the love of these foods. Everything that was mentioned except olive oil I will not eat. I do love my spaghetti. We make home made sauce that has been passed down. We also eat lasagna.
 
I will miss my check in today. We left the house around 3:45 am for our long drive down to disney and forgot to weight myself. A big plus I got all 4 of us packed by 11 last night. We are making good time. We are about half way or more through west Virginia. The worst part of the drive is coming up. I hate the drive through Virginia. I will be in the car for about 8 more hours before we stop for the night and finish the drive tomorrow.
 
@Flossbolna the job is awesome at times. Tell a kid that are getting a scholarship and seeing there excitement is the best thing. I had a girl and her aunt came in and she was not getting a scholarship. She was basically a homeless teen and she only needed $4000 to make it to school. I was able to find her that $4000 and one was from on of our best donors that mentors them through and really treats the kids as his family. They cried when I told them and then I started to cry.

The worst part is telling kids they weren't selected. I feel bad because I want to help but I just can't always do it.
 
Question of the Day – June 3rd

It’s time to explore the Italy pavilion! A big element here is food, there are two restaurants and a wine bar to be found in this pavilion. Now Italian food is often not known for being particularly low in calories, when we think of pizza or lasagna - which of course is being featured at the Italian pavilion, especially at Via Napoli, which seems to be a favorite amongst the WISH challenge people.

via-napoli-pizza.jpg

However, Italians have the second highest life expectancy of all our World Showcase countries (Japan has the highest). So there must be something that they are doing right! And that might be what is known as “Mediterranean Diet”. This is not a diet like the cabbage soup fad, but a diet as in cuisine, nutrition or such. It even has a status as a UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage – so it is comparable to the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Statute of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles or the Great Wall of China.

So, what is the Mediterranean Diet? It’s principal aspect is a high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat and non-fish meat products. Does sound pretty delicious in my opinion.

And I am sure we all know of delicious dishes that fit this description! So, let’s share your favourite meals or meal ideas that fit into this discription! If you have a recipe to share, we would love to read it! Could you imagine following the Mediterranean Diet? Which aspects of it do you find appealing, which would you have trouble with?


Nope nope nope. I love chicken and turkey too much to give it up. I like some fish but it's not a huge part of my diet and it's because I'm rather picky. I need light flavored fish like tilapia. I can't do anything that tastes too much like...fish. I do love the unhealthy italian foods. Pasta, italian wedding cookies, etc. Pretty anything that they probably don't eat on a regular basis.

____


I did switch over to MFP today! My username is brownpaige1022. @Flossbolna would you mind adding me to the list at the beginning? Thanks!
 
Question of the Day – June 3rd

It’s time to explore the Italy pavilion! A big element here is food, there are two restaurants and a wine bar to be found in this pavilion. Now Italian food is often not known for being particularly low in calories, when we think of pizza or lasagna - which of course is being featured at the Italian pavilion, especially at Via Napoli, which seems to be a favorite amongst the WISH challenge people.

via-napoli-pizza.jpg

However, Italians have the second highest life expectancy of all our World Showcase countries (Japan has the highest). So there must be something that they are doing right! And that might be what is known as “Mediterranean Diet”. This is not a diet like the cabbage soup fad, but a diet as in cuisine, nutrition or such. It even has a status as a UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage – so it is comparable to the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Statute of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles or the Great Wall of China.

So, what is the Mediterranean Diet? It’s principal aspect is a high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat and non-fish meat products. Does sound pretty delicious in my opinion.

And I am sure we all know of delicious dishes that fit this description! So, let’s share your favourite meals or meal ideas that fit into this discription! If you have a recipe to share, we would love to read it! Could you imagine following the Mediterranean Diet? Which aspects of it do you find appealing, which would you have trouble with?

This is an excellent question of the day!

I love the idea of the Mediterranean diet, but I can't say that I eat that way. I certainly don't eat a lot of refined carbs on a day to day basis, but it's not quite the same. I love fish of all sorts, but sustainable fish is expensive where I live and when you are feeding a family of five, you have to be reasonable when choosing proteins.

Of course, I, too, love the pizza and pasta of Italian cooking - and Via Napoli, too - we're going to have lunch there later this month!
 
:rotfl2: At least you did not inherit your father's looks, just his appetite for cookies!!

Actually, my favorite cookie at the moment is from a German organic food company that has licensed Sesame Street and is selling "cookie monster cookies". They are whole wheat and have reduced sugar, so I can pretend that they are somewhat healthy.

Hahahaha! True-- blue hair would not suit me!

And those cookies sound pretty good. I am currently keeping myself in check with 100 calorie packs of shortbread cookies-- when the cravings get too much I will have one pack. That way I can indulge without messing up my whole day!

It is embarrassing, but the grapefruit beer is indeed German. Actually, it kind of is a version of a popular summer drink here: beer mixed with lemon soda. The Schöfferhofer Grapefruit is really just a take on that.

I had something similar in Ireland where they mixed a beer with lemonade and called it a shandy. They may do this other places as well. At any rate, it was delicious. DH makes fun of me though between liking the shandy and the Schofferhofer because I always tend to like beers with the lowest alcohol content!

Question of the Day – June 3rd

It’s time to explore the Italy pavilion! A big element here is food, there are two restaurants and a wine bar to be found in this pavilion. Now Italian food is often not known for being particularly low in calories, when we think of pizza or lasagna - which of course is being featured at the Italian pavilion, especially at Via Napoli, which seems to be a favorite amongst the WISH challenge people.

via-napoli-pizza.jpg

However, Italians have the second highest life expectancy of all our World Showcase countries (Japan has the highest). So there must be something that they are doing right! And that might be what is known as “Mediterranean Diet”. This is not a diet like the cabbage soup fad, but a diet as in cuisine, nutrition or such. It even has a status as a UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage – so it is comparable to the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Statute of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles or the Great Wall of China.

So, what is the Mediterranean Diet? It’s principal aspect is a high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat and non-fish meat products. Does sound pretty delicious in my opinion.

And I am sure we all know of delicious dishes that fit this description! So, let’s share your favourite meals or meal ideas that fit into this discription! If you have a recipe to share, we would love to read it! Could you imagine following the Mediterranean Diet? Which aspects of it do you find appealing, which would you have trouble with?

This is fascinating!!! I could DEFINITELY follow the Mediterranean Diet! I am not a huge meat eater in general, and have found I looooove lots of fish since I moved to Florida. The only problem would be staying away from the Italian sweets!

One of my biggest quick and easy go to side dishes is plum tomatoes and avocado mixed with some olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper (you can easily skip the olive oil because of the fats from the avocado). Sometimes I'll add in red onion. Honestly the two is a really good base to add a lot of flavors to and perfect for the summer. It's amazing mixed with couscous as well. Couscous is a great way to get lots of veggies and flavor into a meal. It' makes a great and filling "salad". Basically just add things you love to it like green peppers, carrots, tomatoes add some herbs like basil, and dress it with a little olive oil and lemon. I'm saying heavy on the veg light on the couscous here, but still so so good and you can make it as healthy and veggie packed as you want to. Even grilled eggplant, mushrooms, and peppers is a great mix for it. There's endless possibilities there depending on what tastes you like.

All of this sounds absolutely fabulous!!!
 
Question of the Day – June 3rd

It’s time to explore the Italy pavilion! A big element here is food, there are two restaurants and a wine bar to be found in this pavilion. Now Italian food is often not known for being particularly low in calories, when we think of pizza or lasagna - which of course is being featured at the Italian pavilion, especially at Via Napoli, which seems to be a favorite amongst the WISH challenge people.

via-napoli-pizza.jpg

However, Italians have the second highest life expectancy of all our World Showcase countries (Japan has the highest). So there must be something that they are doing right! And that might be what is known as “Mediterranean Diet”. This is not a diet like the cabbage soup fad, but a diet as in cuisine, nutrition or such. It even has a status as a UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage – so it is comparable to the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Statute of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles or the Great Wall of China.

So, what is the Mediterranean Diet? It’s principal aspect is a high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat and non-fish meat products. Does sound pretty delicious in my opinion.

And I am sure we all know of delicious dishes that fit this description! So, let’s share your favourite meals or meal ideas that fit into this discription! If you have a recipe to share, we would love to read it! Could you imagine following the Mediterranean Diet? Which aspects of it do you find appealing, which would you have trouble with?

So clearly I need to hire @Hazelon to be my personal chef because i can't cook and his/her meal plan listed above sounded amazing.

I'm always at a loss for words with these cooking questions because I burn water... so I'll just say that I love the food in the EPCOT Italy pavilion. Via Napoli was so much better than it should have been. The pizza and veal meatballs were great. We can't wait to go back and try them again :)
 
Question of the Day – June 3rd

It’s time to explore the Italy pavilion! A big element here is food, there are two restaurants and a wine bar to be found in this pavilion. Now Italian food is often not known for being particularly low in calories, when we think of pizza or lasagna - which of course is being featured at the Italian pavilion, especially at Via Napoli, which seems to be a favorite amongst the WISH challenge people.

However, Italians have the second highest life expectancy of all our World Showcase countries (Japan has the highest). So there must be something that they are doing right! And that might be what is known as “Mediterranean Diet”. This is not a diet like the cabbage soup fad, but a diet as in cuisine, nutrition or such. It even has a status as a UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage – so it is comparable to the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Statute of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, Stonehenge, the Palace of Versailles or the Great Wall of China.

So, what is the Mediterranean Diet? It’s principal aspect is a high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat and non-fish meat products. Does sound pretty delicious in my opinion.

And I am sure we all know of delicious dishes that fit this description! So, let’s share your favourite meals or meal ideas that fit into this description! If you have a recipe to share, we would love to read it! Could you imagine following the Mediterranean Diet? Which aspects of it do you find appealing, which would you have trouble with?

I actually despise fish. I'll eat tuna fish (like from a can... with relish... and mayo...) but that is 100% as far as I go with it. I just hate fish. The taste, the texture, everything about it. I do LOVE lobster and crab, though... And cheese is a staple of every meal. It's protein and good fat. I don't understand people who cut OUT cheese altogether.

The "Mediterranean Diet" to me is actually more Greek than Italian, as Italians are much more carb-centric than that diet - have you ever seen the amount of different types of pasta that exist? Italians are crazy! LOL.. I've also never known an Italian to shy away from sausage, chicken, pork, and beef, haha. I love that they actually don't shy away from anything. Food is such a big part of Italian life, and nothing is off limits to them.

My husband's family is Italian, and more directly from New Orleans, so you can just imagine the amount of pasta and pizza (not Domino's, but legitimate yummy homemade pizza) and chicken and sausage and seafood and other amazing things that are in abundance every time there's more than two of them together (and if it's his dad, anytime there's even one of them anywhere, lol)... Oh, man. They are bound and determined to expand my palette, like when at Christmas they forced me to eat their soup before they would tell me what was in it... I could've told you before I tried it that I wouldn't like alligator, and wouldn't you know, I was right. LOL. That's their New Orleans side coming out in full force.
 















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