Team Mickey - Biggest Loser "No Excuses" 2012 Challenge

[BernardandMissBianca]

QOTD: POOF! you're in Disney! Alone! No kids, work, pets, responsibilities! What SPECIAL event, show, tour, spa, little extra Disney thing would you like to do right now. Since you're alone you'll have plennnnty to time to ride whatever rides you want (did I mention there aren't any lines??) so what's that little somethin' somethin' extra you'd like to do?

Oh, I don't like Disney alone. I went with DH to WDW for our anniversary/conference and I was alone for 2 days while he worked.

I'd probably just wander, maybe hang out with Streetmosphere characters or Main Street residents.
Or meet up with all my other peeps who poofed alone to WDW!!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

OK last night I had a food win!!!!

I was tearing out recipes from my Everyday food magazines and DD found one for Barley salad. So I cooked the barley a few days ago and finally got around to making the salad. The kids had eaten most of the ingredients like the grape tomatoes so I just winged it with the rest of the stuff. I put in mixed field greens, shredded chicken, lime juice, cranberries, roasted corn, black and white barley, and a little grape seed oil. I tossed the whole thing in a bowl and everyone tried it. EVERYONE LOVED IT!!!!!! Very rare feat in my house.
DS15 poured balsamic vinaigrette on it and it was amazing!
We figured you could add roasted asparagus, salmon, flank steak, shrimp. The options are endless!!!!!

hang on, mom just walked in the door.

 

[myweegirls]

QOTD: POOF! you're in Disney! Alone! No kids, work, pets, responsibilities! What SPECIAL event, show, tour, spa, little extra Disney thing would you like to do right now. Since you're alone you'll have plennnnty to time to ride whatever rides you want (did I mention there aren't any lines??) so what's that little somethin' somethin' extra you'd like to do?

Aaahhhhhh, where to start? I think I'd go to DHS first and hit the Aerosmith coaster a few times. Then I'd hop over to AK to do the same on Everest (I miss those rides when we're there with the kids - so many things they want to do that we rarely hit the coasters on full family trips!). I'd go to Epcot for lunch somewhere in World Showcase and take my time walking around WS, shopping all the way. Then I'd walk the Boardwalk over to the Mandara spa at the Swan (Dolphin? can't remember) for a massage and pedi. And then I'd walk back to the Boardwalk for a dinner at Flying Fish - at the bar that looks into the kitchen.

Now I'm completely transported. Thank you!

XO
Liz

 

[lovetoscrap]

Not going to be able to respond to posts today. I have a bunch of things to do and have already had a morning. DH realized the lights were on in my van all night so have a dead battery that is still charging. Fortunately we have another car because DD16 called from school with a wicked migraine so I had to go pick her up. I was supposed to pick DD11 up today and bring up her science project to turn in so I figured I would go ahead and take it to her now (the middle and high school are in one building). I picked it up and tilted it slightly and part of it fell over. It is under shrink wrap so it has to be taken apart to be fixed so she and DH will have to do that tonight and I will take it in the morning. I have a pool board meeting tonight I need to get ready for and a list of things to get done.

Just finally getting breakfast now. My meeting will mess up my dinner time so I was planning to eat late anyway (just not this late!). I will have a big lunch later this afternoon and snack before my meeting and then something small when I get home.

I will try to at least read back when I take some breaks. Everyone have a great ON PLAN day!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Hi everyone! My dining reviews are updated and I'm working on the blog.

I will be working the main entrance turnstiles at Epcot, so there's no reason for you all not to come visit me if you're here!

I'm living in a 3 bedroom apartment in Patterson Court, the newest complex. It's beautiful and we are right by the pool and laundry room.

I will definitely try to make it to the Princess!

 

[fitgirl36]

Hi everyone! My dining reviews are updated and I'm working on the blog.

I will be working the main entrance turnstiles at Epcot, so there's no reason for you all not to come visit me if you're here!

I'm living in a 3 bedroom apartment in Patterson Court, the newest complex. It's beautiful and we are right by the pool and laundry room.

I will definitely try to make it to the Princess!

Hi! Would you tell me again when you CP ends? My family will be at the Boardwalk Villas May 12th-17th. Hope you are having a splendid time!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Hi! Would you tell me again when you CP ends? My family will be at the Boardwalk Villas May 12th-17th. Hope you are having a splendid time!

I'm scheduled to leave on May 11th. I may try to extend though, so I'll let you know.

 

[MelindaRuns]

OK last night I had a food win!!!!

I was tearing out recipes from my Everyday food magazines and DD found one for Barley salad. So I cooked the barley a few days ago and finally got around to making the salad. The kids had eaten most of the ingredients like the grape tomatoes so I just winged it with the rest of the stuff. I put in mixed field greens, shredded chicken, lime juice, cranberries, roasted corn, black and white barley, and a little grape seed oil. I tossed the whole thing in a bowl and everyone tried it. EVERYONE LOVED IT!!!!!! Very rare feat in my house.
DS15 poured balsamic vinaigrette on it and it was amazing!
We figured you could add roasted asparagus, salmon, flank steak, shrimp. The options are endless!!!!!

hang on, mom just walked in the door.

Wow! That sounds GREAT! I have been wanting to try something like this. My friend gave me this recipe for a Wheat Berry Salad (she is on WW, too). Its from Food Network. Ill post the link to it as well, because in the reviews there are lots of tweaks people have listed.

WHEATBERRY SALAD
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups hard wheat berries
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup tart dried cherries, chopped
1 scallion, white and green parts, chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley leaves
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions


In a large pot combine the wheat berries and enough water to come 2 inches over the wheat berries. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered for 1 hour, or until tender. Drain and let cool. Toast the walnuts in a medium dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the wheat berries, walnuts, celery, dried cherries, scallions, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.


Calories 360; Total Fat 17 g; (Sat Fat 2 g, Mono Fat 6 g, Poly Fat 8 g) ; Protein 9 g; Carb 46 g; Fiber 8 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 15 mg

Excellent source of: Fiber, Vitamin K, Manganese

Good source of: Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Copper, Iron

LINK TO RECIPE: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/wheat-berry-salad-recipe2/index.html

Not going to be able to respond to posts today. I have a bunch of things to do and have already had a morning. DH realized the lights were on in my van all night so have a dead battery that is still charging. Fortunately we have another car because DD16 called from school with a wicked migraine so I had to go pick her up. I was supposed to pick DD11 up today and bring up her science project to turn in so I figured I would go ahead and take it to her now (the middle and high school are in one building). I picked it up and tilted it slightly and part of it fell over. It is under shrink wrap so it has to be taken apart to be fixed so she and DH will have to do that tonight and I will take it in the morning. I have a pool board meeting tonight I need to get ready for and a list of things to get done.

Just finally getting breakfast now. My meeting will mess up my dinner time so I was planning to eat late anyway (just not this late!). I will have a big lunch later this afternoon and snack before my meeting and then something small when I get home.

I will try to at least read back when I take some breaks. Everyone have a great ON PLAN day!

Wow, you are one busy lady! But it sounds like you are a busy lady with a PLAN! Good for you! Awesome keeping it all going like that!

Hi everyone! My dining reviews are updated and I'm working on the blog.

I will be working the main entrance turnstiles at Epcot, so there's no reason for you all not to come visit me if you're here!

I'm living in a 3 bedroom apartment in Patterson Court, the newest complex. It's beautiful and we are right by the pool and laundry room.

I will definitely try to make it to the Princess!

Awesome! Sounds like you got a great place to live and a great job assignment! : We will be in WDW April 4--13, staying at Bonnet Creek Resort. I hope I can meet you Gretchen.

 

[MelindaRuns]

Healthy Habits Results Week 1: Fantasyland

Congratulations to all our participants!

Team Mickey had 10 participants:
bellebookworm9
BMC423
cclovesdis
Disneywedding2010
glass1/2fll
KDIPIAZZ
MelindaRuns
myweegirls
Rozz
RutgersAlum

Team Donald had 16 participants:
#1hoosierfan
4HOLIDAYS
6Smiles
belledreamer
buzz5985
disneyluvr
GoofyPredsFan
JacksLilWench
jillbur
klmrph
luvpoohandcompany
Mary▪Poppins
MissDisney121
mommyof2pirates
momofdjc
ougrad86

Team Donald is the team winner for HH Week 1! Congratulations!

Congratulations to all of the Team Mickey Participants for earning 5/5 on at least 1 of the 4 Healthy Habits! They were:
bellebookworm9
BMC423
cclovesdis
Disneywedding2010
glass1/2fll
KDIPIAZZ
MelindaRuns
myweegirls
Rozz
RutgersAlum

Congratulations to MelindaRuns and RutgersAlum from Team Mickey for earning all 22/22 points!

Congratulations to the Team Donald Participants who earned 5/5 on at least 1 Healthy Habit! They are:
#1hoosierfan
4HOLIDAYS
6Smiles
belledreamer
buzz5985
disneyluvr
GoofyPredsFan
jillbur
klmrph
luvpoohandcompany
Mary▪Poppins
MissDisney121
mommyof2pirates
momofdjc
ougrad86

Congratulations to belledreamer, buzz5985, and mommyof2pirates for earning all 22/22 points!

For Week 1: Fantasyland, I have a mini-prize to Team Donald Participant GoofyPredsFan. Please PM me your address and I will mail out your prize as soon as possible.

Congrats to everyone who participated in Healthy Habits! I think this is a great way for me to make sure I am staying on track on a daily basis!

 

[cruisecrasher]

Do any of you use the app RunKeeper? Its for the iphone and droid phones, and you can use it online. I love it! I track all my workouts in it. It has capability for running, cycling, walking, and even an "other" feature where you can put in things like Wii games, or lifting weights. You can add me if you want,ww Melinda Marble - I think it goes by full name.

Also, are any of you vegeterian? I have been for a long time. I find it hard to get the protein I need with all this working out. Anyone have any tips for that or have vegeterian WW or "diet" recipes they would like to share? I'm making LTS's garbanzo or black beans today!! Woo hoo!

I'm vegan, it's not that hard getting protein, actually. Beans, tofu, fortified cereals, hummus, nuts and nut butters. My kids love vegan hot dogs (the lightlife smart dogs jumbo size are 80 calories with 15 g protein.)
And I run daily and have run half marathons vegan. So it's doable, so long as I don't use up too many calories on vegan cookies, cupcakes and vegan ice cream.

 

[pjstevens]

I think I'll try BodyFlow or BodyPump at the Y today.

What is BodyFlow or pump? We have Muscle pump at our Y (wonder if similar). I started doing that back in October or so and really have noticed it's helped my metabolism get moving.

I tracked everything again yesterday (and friended a few here) on my fitness pal. I was over (by about 50, but was enjoying a treat). Doing well so far today and hoping to continue.

I too had the scale going up instead of down and I'm really tracking and working out, so it's frustrating. Hoping tomorrow for weigh in it's down (we shall see though).

 

[lisaviolet]

Just saying "hi" to everyone. I simply can't keep up. ksdalfjlsdkfjlkd. My multi-quote is now skipping to the next step QUOTE without me pushing it. It's driving me nuts. And doubling posting time if I want to multi - which is the land I live in.

So reading but not contributing the way I want.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in Healthy Habits and a big thank you to the volunteers that are doing so much work to support us all.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

GOOD MORNING MY LOVELY LOSERS!!!

so, in a spinoff of maria's "poofing" QOTDs:

QOTD: POOF! you're in Disney! Alone! No kids, work, pets, responsibilities! What SPECIAL event, show, tour, spa, little extra Disney thing would you like to do right now. Since you're alone you'll have plennnnty to time to ride whatever rides you want (did I mention there aren't any lines??) so what's that little somethin' somethin' extra you'd like to do?

Hey Nancy!

You know we weigh more when there's precipitation, right? You may see a different number tomorrow, as soon as the barometric pressure goes down.

Nice! Not only is it a "spinoff" -- this is what I was able to do last year for the Princess! So, I made it a point to do the things in each park I wasn't able to do when I have the fellas with me. I did three parks in one day, just hitting the "me" stuff (after the race I did the same thing at Epcot, with the lovely Corinna). So, at Epcot I did a Kim Possible mission, sat through the movie at Norway (no need to do that again ), saw the movies at Canada, China and France, enjoyed an Off Kilter performance, saw the Voices of Liberty and the American Experience, watched steet performers in the UK, and had a lovely meal at the Tangerine Cafe in Morocco. Did I mention the Welsh Dragon at the pub in the UK? It's even WISH green!

In HS I saw the Prince Caspian stuff, and the Beauty and the Beast show for the first time In AK, I saw Nemo and Friends and rode Kali River Rapids for the first time, too. I ended my day at the MK. I saw the new (to me) addition to the Hall of Presidents, the updated Haunted Mansion, and rode BTMR at night (awesome, with fireworks going off!). I wanted to eat at Columbia Harbor House, but didn't realize how early it closed.

I will be by myself (ok, I plan to spend some time with our lovely Rose and her husband) this time, too. Must dos include riding the revamped Star Tours repeatedly for different experiences, POR food court for "Make Your Own Pasta", Goofy's Candy Co. at DTD for a carrot cake cookie, Columbia Harbor House, finding Gretchen at the Epcot entrance, and a repeat visit to the Beauty and the Beast show!

Maria

 

[jenanderson]

Hello Team Mickey!

This is Jen from Team Donald again. I just wanted to pop on over for a few things.

CC - Thanks for doing the Healthy Habits! I know that I never did get my numbers sent over because it was such a crazy week but this week I am telling myself no excuses...Healthy Habits really help keep me on plan and are good for me.

To your whole group - I was the coach this week on the Donald thread and knowing we were facing our weigh in day again tomorrow, I wanted people to think about things we could celebrate today that have nothing to do with the number that we see on the scale tomorrow. It is great to see how much we all lost the first week but know from experience that not everyone loses every week and just because we don't see a lower number on the scale does not mean that we don't have something to celebrate.

Here are some of the great responses we have had today:
• Celebrating registering for a first 5K
• Celebrating a comment about thinner thighs
• Celebrating packing a healthy lunch all week long
• Celebrating not giving up and making through 2 weeks of changes
• Celebrating drinking 64 oz of water every day

I hope that everyone here finds at least one thing to celebrate about living a healthier life this week regardless of what the scale says!

Have a great day Team Mickey!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

http://www.marthastewart.com/334099/barley-salad-with-chicken-and-corn

Ingredients

Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 cup barley
2 bunches scallions, cut into thirds crosswise and white ends halved
2 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (from 3 ears corn) or frozen corn
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
Reserved cooked chicken breast from Buttermilk Chicken with Cornbread and Cucumber-Celery Salad, shredded
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
5 ounces baby spinach
Directions

In a medium pot of boiling salted water, cook barley according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place scallions and corn on a rimmed baking sheet. Toss with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
In a large bowl, combine barley, roasted vegetables, tomatoes, parsley, chicken, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 tablespoon lime juice; season with salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, toss spinach with 1 tablespoon oil and 2 teaspoons lime juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve spinach with chicken-barley mixture.

book says: 4 servings 409 calories per serving, 13g fat, 16.1 g protein, 62.4 g carbs, 13.2 g fiber.


My version:

• Barley - White and black barley - 1/2 cup each, soaked in 3 cup water for 5 hours. brought to boil. simmered for 15 minutes (you can also just cook it in 3 cups water for 45 minutes)
• no scallions
• no grape tomato
• added dried cranberries
• field green mix from a bag instead of spinach
• added balsamic vinaigrette for a dressing.

variations:
flank steak
salmon
roasted asparagus


I bet you could get the calories down too. They seem high to me but I don't know what recipe they used for the left over chicken.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

WHEATBERRY SALAD
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups hard wheat berries
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup tart dried cherries, chopped
1 scallion, white and green parts, chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley leaves
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

That sounds really good Melinda. I bet the cherries would be good in the barley salad as well.
We've been spending a lot of time at the bulk grains section of whole foods. I think they might have had wheat berries, I'll have to look next time we go.

 

[cclovesdis]

QOTD: My ideal day would look something like this:
- Fantasyland during EMH, followed by a spin on Buzz, and the TTA
- Hop to DHS for Toy Story Midway Mania and The Great Movie Ride
- Epcot for lunch, I know I can get something good and GF at Rose & Crown
- massage and facial at a spa somewhere along the Boardwalk or the GF
- dinner at Victoria & Albert's
- EMH and IllumiNations at Epcot with reserved viewing or even on a fireworks cruise

(A girl can dream, right)

 

[Disneywedding2010]

QOTD: POOF! you're in Disney! Alone! No kids, work, pets, responsibilities! What SPECIAL event, show, tour, spa, little extra Disney thing would you like to do right now. Since you're alone you'll have plennnnty to time to ride whatever rides you want (did I mention there aren't any lines??) so what's that little somethin' somethin' extra you'd like to do?

I've done Magic Kingdom alone for a day and LOVED it!

I would hit up Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Haunted Mansion. Then I would grab a bite to eat at Tony's. Then I'd head over to Grand Floridian and get a spa treatment (or two). Then head back to my 16th floor balcony at BLT and watch the Wishes fireworks from my balcony with a wine cooler.

 

[MelindaRuns]

I'm vegan, it's not that hard getting protein, actually. Beans, tofu, fortified cereals, hummus, nuts and nut butters. My kids love vegan hot dogs (the lightlife smart dogs jumbo size are 80 calories with 15 g protein.)
And I run daily and have run half marathons vegan. So it's doable, so long as I don't use up too many calories on vegan cookies, cupcakes and vegan ice cream.

Do you know how much protein we should be getting each day? I looked it up once, but seems like it was somewhere near 100g for someone working out or running a lot. I need to track my protein and see what I'm getting per day. I doubt its near 100.

What is BodyFlow or pump? We have Muscle pump at our Y (wonder if similar). I started doing that back in October or so and really have noticed it's helped my metabolism get moving.

I tracked everything again yesterday (and friended a few here) on my fitness pal. I was over (by about 50, but was enjoying a treat). Doing well so far today and hoping to continue.

I too had the scale going up instead of down and I'm really tracking and working out, so it's frustrating. Hoping tomorrow for weigh in it's down (we shall see though).

WTG on the tracking!!

Hey Nancy!

You know we weigh more when there's precipitation, right? You may see a different number tomorrow, as soon as the barometric pressure goes down.

Seriously? I've never heard of this! I'll have to remember this.

Hello Team Mickey!

This is Jen from Team Donald again. I just wanted to pop on over for a few things.

CC - Thanks for doing the Healthy Habits! I know that I never did get my numbers sent over because it was such a crazy week but this week I am telling myself no excuses...Healthy Habits really help keep me on plan and are good for me.

To your whole group - I was the coach this week on the Donald thread and knowing we were facing our weigh in day again tomorrow, I wanted people to think about things we could celebrate today that have nothing to do with the number that we see on the scale tomorrow. It is great to see how much we all lost the first week but know from experience that not everyone loses every week and just because we don't see a lower number on the scale does not mean that we don't have something to celebrate.

Here are some of the great responses we have had today:
• Celebrating registering for a first 5K
• Celebrating a comment about thinner thighs
• Celebrating packing a healthy lunch all week long
• Celebrating not giving up and making through 2 weeks of changes
• Celebrating drinking 64 oz of water every day

I hope that everyone here finds at least one thing to celebrate about living a healthier life this week regardless of what the scale says!

Have a great day Team Mickey!

Thanks Jen!

That sounds really good Melinda. I bet the cherries would be good in the barley salad as well.
We've been spending a lot of time at the bulk grains section of whole foods. I think they might have had wheat berries, I'll have to look next time we go.

That's where I got mine. And also some quinoa. I haven't tried it yet, but its supposed to be one of the most complete proteins. What that means I'm not quite sure....

 

[Disneywedding2010]

Okay this week hasn't been all that great. I've had some bad food choices and exercise has been pretty lax. I've stayed up all night for two nights this week. I got addicted to Royal Pains . However, I have to get to bed at a decent hour tonight.

After we get the Juke serviced at the Nissan dealership we are driving back to Dallas. We got our tow trucks sold so we are going to pick up the money and the one tool box that Alan had left in the truck. We'll get there sometime on Saturday, get the money, meet up with my best friend for lunch (or dinner), relax at the hotel, and then head home on Sunday. We should be home at some point on Monday.

I'm going to get on the treadmill here in a bit. I think I have a workout today but can't remember. So I'll check the kinect here in a few. I hope everyone has a great OP weekend! I'll be back around later and I'll get my WI sent off before we head to the Nissan dealership tomorrow AM.