This (DISNEY)land Was Made For You and Me - July 2016 Weight Loss and Lifestyle Change Challenge

[Flossbolna]

If you have not already done so, please submit your weekly summary via
personal message or posting here. We're missing quite a few.

It needs to be a percentage - please do the math for me ​

Still 100%!

Sorry for being late! Having BF back in house is time consuming!

 

[4Mickeys]

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Well I get one less holiday to worry about than my US friends as don't have Thanksgiving . Whilst Halloween is not largely celebrated here either many neighbourhoods are now embracing it .... we had a Halloween party last year and the kids went trick or treating and many houses had treats ready for the kids - I was so busy running the party I didn't eat all that much really. For Christmas day I won't let it worry me too much we don't really have that many extra snacks that day as we know Christmas lunch fills us up so much.

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!

We were lucky enough to arrive a DL when the Haunted Mansion reopened with the Holiday overlay on!!! It looks great from the outside with the extra decorations - I don't remember what the Ginger Bread House was that year. I just remember being so happy to be inside in the dark and air-conditioning - it was sooooo hot when we were there.

Sorry for being late! Having BF back in house is time consuming!

Lol - you enjoy yourself while you can ..... we will be here.

 

[pjlla]

July 11 - Happy Hauntings

Question of the Day - July 11
The arrival of the Pumpkin King and his happy haunts signifies the arrival of some pretty difficult food-centric
holiday events. Now that you're making a lifestyle change, you're going to have to think big picture!

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!
​

It has taken my whole 8 years of weight loss/maintenance to get to a point where I feel like I manage holidays pretty well most of the time. Halloween is usually a non-issue. As long as I don't even START eating the candy, I can resist. And once trick-or-treat is over, I dump the leftovers into the last kid's bucket or bring it to work. Done and gone. I don't care for Halloween anyhow, so I don't get excited about it.

Thanksgiving is a bit tougher, since we usually have two dinners (one Thursday with DH's family and one Friday with my family). I try to stick with just my favorites and ignore things that just aren't that special (mashed potatoes and green bean casserole aren't that special..... but pumpkin ravioli in brown butter is YUM!) I try to start the day with a healthy filling breakfast and then eat a snack of fruit on the drive to the dinner, so I don't arrive starving.

Christmas tends to be the holiday where I go all out for just 36 hours (Christmas Eve dinner plus Christmas day). Since we spend that time at home (usually with my parents) I am in complete control of the foods..... so I make sure I have some splurge-worthy options along with some lighter healthier meals (usually Christmas Eve dinner is the big splurge).

Bonus: I have never ridden Haunted Mansion Holiday. In fact, DD doesn't like HM at all, so I don't think I've ridden it since 2010 or 2008.

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

Morning all! Worked a bit of 24/7 chat earlier this morning and now it is time to put on my work clothes and head out for a day of painting at school.

@courtneybeth , in case you didn't see my vague reference, I am at 0% so far for July.

Made a batch of black beans, a batch of red beans and rice (a rare carb splurge for our house), taco meat, and two Mexican meatloaves yesterday (one for this week, one for the freezer). Not much other meal prep, but we have just enough fresh veggies daily from the garden so we should be good. Also defrosted a roast to make a pot roast later this week..... it will be a meat-heavy week, but I'm trying to use up some over abundance of red meat in the freezer. I'll just have to be careful with my portions. I bought a cabbage to add some extra low-calorie bulk to the pot roast veggies. But tonight is MEATLESS MONDAY, so I think I'll do a black bean and quinoa stuffed zucchini for DH and I (DS would not like that!).

Off to eat breakfast and dash to work... the sooner I get there, the sooner I can leave!................P

 

[ski_mom]

Question of the Day - July 11
The arrival of the Pumpkin King and his happy haunts signifies the arrival of some pretty difficult food-centric
holiday events. Now that you're making a lifestyle change, you're going to have to think big picture!

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!

I haven't posted for a few days, but I just got caught up on reading. I must say, I've only been to DL one time in July of 2014 and we really enjoyed it, but I really want to go back now. I'm loving our tour of the park and am learning so much!

I don't think we rode Haunted Mansion while we were there, but I'd love to see it (especially during the holidays)!

I really haven't been through the big holidays since I've been eating better, but I think since there aren't that many days, my main goal will be to just eat one plate and not graze all day. That should really help. Also, just to be clear, I'm not talking one plate that is piled 6" high . Also, thinking about it, I think I will plan on taking a veggie tray, so something similar to help with having at least one healthy choice!

As far as my goal - I'm at 18.75% - I've lost 1.5 out of my 8 pound goal.

 

[Dr Gunnie]

Question of the Day - July 11
The arrival of the Pumpkin King and his happy haunts signifies the arrival of some pretty difficult food-centric
holiday events. Now that you're making a lifestyle change, you're going to have to think big picture!

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!

I should be in more of a maintain phase by then which changes things. I'm sure I'll think about it more when the time comes, but as of right now, I will indulge, but scale it back. Halloween shouldn't be too difficult, but Christmas and Thanksgiving will be tougher. If I gain a pound or two, oh well. I'll just have to work out hard the next day to drop them. I'm not going to not celebrate with my family or be harping about food choices and ticking off everyone else. Like I said earlier, it's a little different when your in a maintenance phase than it is when you're in the middle of dropping weight.

------------

Have not done the holiday haunted mansion. Speaking of haunted mansion, last year my son and I split from my daughter and my wife and we went over to the haunted mansion at WDW. We ended up going in the store Memento Mori and got our spirit pictures taken. I knew nothing about it, but for $20 you get an 8x10 that changes from your pic to your spirit (like the skeleton pic of you) depending on the angle your looking at the pic. It's very neat and for the price, well worth it. I have my pic in my classroom - the kids think it's hilarious. If you get the chance, check it out... it's a great memory and at a good price too.

 

[CruisingCamper]

If you have not already done so, please submit your weekly summary via
personal message or posting here. We're missing quite a few.

It needs to be a percentage - please do the math for me ​

Yesterday, I was at 22.2% of my July goal.

 

[CruisingCamper]

July 11 - Happy Hauntings

We're going to head along the Rivers of America and make our last stop in New Orleans Square:
The infamous Haunted Mansion. Disneyland's Haunted Mansion comes in two varieties...
Traditional and an extra special version September - December called Haunted Mansion Holiday.

(here's the entire ride from a couple years ago so you can see the changes!)

In its normal iteration, the ride is nearly identical to its MK counterpart. But during the Holiday season,
well... it's something quite delightful and amazing. Sandy Claws of Nightmare Before Christmas decorates
the haunted halls and a gingerbread house replaces the centerpiece for the 'swinging wake'.
Not joking - the gingerbread houses are pretty phenomenal and change every year.

The Advent Calendar from 2013 for the 13th year... and the Iron Maiden Gingerbread from 2014 are prime
examples of what the Disney folks can do with real gingerbread. So amazing, right? The Advent Calendar was
awesome because each week for 13 weeks they'd show a new face in honor of the 13th anniversary.

If you ever get the opportunity to go from Mid-September to Christmas... this is a MUST DO for everyone!

Question of the Day - July 11
The arrival of the Pumpkin King and his happy haunts signifies the arrival of some pretty difficult food-centric
holiday events. Now that you're making a lifestyle change, you're going to have to think big picture!

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!
​

Oh wow, it's hard to think of the Fall holidays here in La, bc it's so hot and humid. But, the family always relies on me to cook a lot for the holiday meals. That normally means that I don't eat a lot of it. I know it seems strange, but the holidays really aren't a big deal to me food wise. I find myself sometimes eating less bc I am so busy for them.

I have only rode Haunted Mansion at WDW.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

My plan for the holidays is moderation. I think I will torture myself if I deny myself all those goodies and then eventually cave and eat more than I should. The biggest temptation I am going to face is picking off the kid's plates after they are done, I have a real problem with not wanting to waste food. So I am going to be strong and clear their plates as soon as they are done and not look back.

I have never seen the HM overlay but it looks awesome!!

 

[Oneanne]

July 10 - A Pirate's Life For Me

Let's leave the restaurants and go ride a ride.... the best darn ride in New Orleans Square:
Pirates of the Caribbean! This is the last ride that Walt Disney had a hand in designing. It
opened in 1967, just three months after his death and boasted effects so realistic that the
Anaheim Fire Chief though there were real fires inside the ride. Woah!!!

The upper levels of the ride hosts the Disneyland Dream Suite, launched 2006 as part of the Year of a Million
Dreams. You could win a nights stay in the suite and have a great view of Fantasmic! along the Rivers of America.
... But back to Pirates.

Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean is much longer (and better!) than the Magic Kingdom version. After
two wild drops down down down, you enter into treasure caves (like the one shown in the sample picture) and
end in the Burning Room as you begin your journey back up to the main level of the ride. It's one of the
most fun attractions at Disneyland, rich with history and popularity. And a few random Captain Jacks within the ride.

Question of the Day - July 10
The lyrics of the song mentions the line "drink up me hearties, yo ho!"
Let's talk fluids and your intake of them. How are you doing on drinking more healthy options
rather than sugary drinks and sodas? Have you cut out your alcohol intake or are you limiting drinks?
Or... are you a pirate and someone will lose a hand if they try to steal your bottle of rum, aarrrrr?

Bonus questions: Which versions of the ride have you ridden? Do you sing the infamous song while on the ride?​

I am better about drinking my water during the work day, but normally come up short on the weekends. I do get at least one huge glass of water when I drink my cal/mag supplement tho. I'm addicted to Starbucks Chai, hot or cold doesn't matter. I also really like Arnold Palmers, which are loaded with sugar. Fortunately I've never taken to soft drinks.

I've had a thing for pirates most of my life, even though they are dirty and smelly. POC has always been one of my favorite rides and I'll do it multiple times each trip. I've done the WDW version and the DL version. The only thing I really remember of the DL version is that it was different, because I've done the WDW version so many times its engrained on a cellular level. When at DL we also ate at the restaurant and I thought that was really cool and wished WDW had the same. The only thing I really remember about the meal is that we both just wanted the wedge salad and the waiter do not posdible but he gets asked all the time... Hello, if people are asking...

Had a nice weekend. 16,000 in steps Saturday between going to the beach and to the street festival - twice. Which was a good thing because the primary feature of Sunday was a long drive out to my favorite yarn shop to spend money. Then it was home to knit so steps for the day were only 4500. I've already got more than that this morning.

Happy Monday everyone!

 

[Oneanne]

Settling down to watch tonight's Big Brother (anyone else watch?) after a good day. I did my 2nd 10 mile run today and I was a little sore in the hips/ankles. Spent the rest of the day at the pool which helped loosen me back up and I'm feeling better. I knocked off 3:30 off my last 10 mile run, but I really hit a wall during mile 7. I'll get better.



My alcohol intake has definitely gone down. At first, I cut out diet soda completely. Now, diet soda is back in, but in limited supply. The past few weeks I was drinking too much soda and this past week I've tried to cut back again. It's a process.

My water consumption has really gone down since the summer started and I need to drink more. During the school year I do well, but not so much at home.

-------------

I've done the DW POTC both before the recent update and after, but not the DL POTC. I was afraid my daughter wouldn't like it last year, but she did pretty well with it. I don't think I ever sing along with it, but I might be guilty of humming it during the ride.

Every summer I tell myself I'm not going to watch it, and yep, im watching it. Although I fid have the Olympic trials on last night instead.

 

[SarahDisney]

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Those three are holidays that I don't particularly celebrate (occasionally we do Thanksgiving, but it's really not a big thing), but when we do have big holiday celebrations ... I try not to stress out about it. I try to make good choices, but if I don't ... oh well. I've spent a lot of time stressing out about screwing up, and I'm kinda over it. I will always make mistakes, I just have to let it not get to me and make sure to do better next time.

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!

I've never done Haunted Mansion at DL. I'm not a huge Haunted Mansion fan in general.
I'm basically a terrible Disneyland visitor.

 

[Oneanne]

July 11 - Happy Hauntings

We're going to head along the Rivers of America and make our last stop in New Orleans Square:
The infamous Haunted Mansion. Disneyland's Haunted Mansion comes in two varieties...
Traditional and an extra special version September - December called Haunted Mansion Holiday.

(here's the entire ride from a couple years ago so you can see the changes!)

In its normal iteration, the ride is nearly identical to its MK counterpart. But during the Holiday season,
well... it's something quite delightful and amazing. Sandy Claws of Nightmare Before Christmas decorates
the haunted halls and a gingerbread house replaces the centerpiece for the 'swinging wake'.
Not joking - the gingerbread houses are pretty phenomenal and change every year.

The Advent Calendar from 2013 for the 13th year... and the Iron Maiden Gingerbread from 2014 are prime
examples of what the Disney folks can do with real gingerbread. So amazing, right? The Advent Calendar was
awesome because each week for 13 weeks they'd show a new face in honor of the 13th anniversary.

If you ever get the opportunity to go from Mid-September to Christmas... this is a MUST DO for everyone!

Question of the Day - July 11
The arrival of the Pumpkin King and his happy haunts signifies the arrival of some pretty difficult food-centric
holiday events. Now that you're making a lifestyle change, you're going to have to think big picture!

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!
​

Halloween candy isn't too much of a challenge... Buy stuff I don't like at the last minute and bring the left overs to work the next day. I will have some, particularly anything chewy, but it's not too damaging. I usually end up hosting either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Not sure what's going to happen this year's as my SIL with ALS cannot get up my front steps. My Sister lives right next door and the house floor plans are essentially the same, but my Sister is a horder, not too bad at collecting just can't give things up, and since the houses are very small there's very little room for people. She might have to host this year, we do potluck so it shouldn't be too much work. I'll eat a full meal regardless of where we meet up. Christmas dinner for us is on Christmas Eve and is usually pretty casual with more buffet style, so a lot of eating will happen there as well.

Forgot the bonus. Last year I was at WDW during October and thought I had tickets to MNSSHP. I had a super cute hippie costume all put together. Then at 3am the morning of I jolted awake and realized I hadn't gotten an email confirmation. I got up and for about an hour searched thru all my old emails and yup, no confirmation and of course at the party was sold out. HM was one of the things on the top of my list to check out during the party. Not sure if I'll be going this year or not.

 

[courtneybeth]

We were lucky enough to arrive a DL when the Haunted Mansion reopened with the Holiday overlay on!!! It looks great from the outside with the extra decorations - I don't remember what the Ginger Bread House was that year. I just remember being so happy to be inside in the dark and air-conditioning - it was sooooo hot when we were there.

September is one of the hottest months in Southern California, so I totally get this.

Another fu nfact: the song playing outside in the queue during the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay is actually the queue music from Disneyland Paris' Phantom Manner!

It has taken my whole 8 years of weight loss/maintenance to get to a point where I feel like I manage holidays pretty well most of the time. Halloween is usually a non-issue. As long as I don't even START eating the candy, I can resist. And once trick-or-treat is over, I dump the leftovers into the last kid's bucket or bring it to work. Done and gone. I don't care for Halloween anyhow, so I don't get excited about it.

That's a pretty good trick. I usually just buy candy I can't eat (ie: has nuts in it since I have a nut allergy) and it removes all temptation.

I really haven't been through the big holidays since I've been eating better, but I think since there aren't that many days, my main goal will be to just eat one plate and not graze all day. That should really help. Also, just to be clear, I'm not talking one plate that is piled 6" high . Also, thinking about it, I think I will plan on taking a veggie tray, so something similar to help with having at least one healthy choice!

Darn, I thought you were saying "one fully loaded plate!"

e ended up going in the store Memento Mori and got our spirit pictures taken. I knew nothing about it, but for $20 you get an 8x10 that changes from your pic to your spirit (like the skeleton pic of you) depending on the angle your looking at the pic. It's very neat and for the price, well worth it. I have my pic in my classroom - the kids think it's hilarious. If you get the chance, check it out... it's a great memory and at a good price too.

I didn't know this was a thing! SO COOL. I'll check it out next time I'm there.

My plan for the holidays is moderation. I think I will torture myself if I deny myself all those goodies and then eventually cave and eat more than I should. The biggest temptation I am going to face is picking off the kid's plates after they are done, I have a real problem with not wanting to waste food. So I am going to be strong and clear their plates as soon as they are done and not look back.

The "wasting of food" is such a strange mantra - I grew up in a house like that. Now, we just go "oh, welp, we're done". It took time to realize it's okay to leave food on the plate.

have never seen the HM overlay but it looks awesome!!

It is sooo awesome. Are you doing the Avengers 5K or 10K before heading to Vegas? You could see it then if you are. It's up Mid-September through Christmas... so much fun and just puts you into the holiday spirit.

I've never done Haunted Mansion at DL. I'm not a huge Haunted Mansion fan in general.
I'm basically a terrible Disneyland visitor.

I'm not a big Haunted Mansion fan either - but the Haunted Mansion Holiday is cool because we love the Nightmare before Christmas and it's celebrating the movie.

So, no Indy and no Haunted Mansion?

 

[SarahDisney]

So, no Indy and no Haunted Mansion?

If it helps, I love Matterhorn Bobsleds...

 

[donac]

July 11 - Happy Hauntings

We're going to head along the Rivers of America and make our last stop in New Orleans Square:
The infamous Haunted Mansion. Disneyland's Haunted Mansion comes in two varieties...
Traditional and an extra special version September - December called Haunted Mansion Holiday.

(here's the entire ride from a couple years ago so you can see the changes!)

In its normal iteration, the ride is nearly identical to its MK counterpart. But during the Holiday season,
well... it's something quite delightful and amazing. Sandy Claws of Nightmare Before Christmas decorates
the haunted halls and a gingerbread house replaces the centerpiece for the 'swinging wake'.
Not joking - the gingerbread houses are pretty phenomenal and change every year.

The Advent Calendar from 2013 for the 13th year... and the Iron Maiden Gingerbread from 2014 are prime
examples of what the Disney folks can do with real gingerbread. So amazing, right? The Advent Calendar was
awesome because each week for 13 weeks they'd show a new face in honor of the 13th anniversary.

If you ever get the opportunity to go from Mid-September to Christmas... this is a MUST DO for everyone!

Question of the Day - July 11
The arrival of the Pumpkin King and his happy haunts signifies the arrival of some pretty difficult food-centric
holiday events. Now that you're making a lifestyle change, you're going to have to think big picture!

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!
​

We are in transition about holidays since my father and both of dh's parents have died in the last 2 years. I have no idea what to do about Thanksgiving. I have cooked for dh's family and brought it 40 minutes to their house. I am talking the entire dinner. I have also done this Christmas to make life easier for my mother in law. Dh has already said that I am not cooking Thanksgiving but he has kind of backed away by saying maybe I should cook the turkey. I know I will be doing Christmas at the house this year. I am usually too tired to eat much that day and I have gotten better about packing leftovers to go into the freezer. Halloween I just don't buy candy I like and I only buy it Halloween so it is not sitting in the house.

I have never ridden Haunted Mansion HOliday. I love the Haunted Mansion since I first saw it tv on Wonderful World of Color but The Nightmare Before Christmas is not movie that I like so it really doesn't interest me.

Got up this morning and rode my exercise bike and did a yoga dvd. Now off to make a couple of simple quilts for a friend's nephew who lost everything in a house fire. At least everyone was alright.

Have a happy and healthy day.

 

[courtneybeth]

If it helps, I love Matterhorn Bobsleds...

You're Redeemed

 

[kirstie101]

Hi all! Just got back from our family reunion/vacation. I'll work on getting caught up on reading this thread in just a bit. Wanted to check in really fast with the QOTD.
What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
My plan is more to limit rather than to resist. Halloween time I'll allow myself a piece or two of my favorite (Almond Joy). Thanksgiving I focus on portion sizes at our 2 meals we go to. I eat my favorites from each meal and dont bother with the rest. Desert is easy cause I dont like pumpkin pie and no one ever bakes apple for me! Christmas is definitely harder. I tried this year to focus on portion sizes (1 tamale, not 2!) and sticking to my favorite sweets and passing the others up. It worked fairly well. My goal with Christmas is to not gain weight.

Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?
Similar to how I handled them this weekend at our family reunion. I made the best choice I could, one meal at a time so as not to get overwhelmed. The "bad choices" I made, I had planned on making ahead of time (I'm talking about you, peanut butter milkshake) and felt they were "worth it" to me. Even then, once I was full, I stopped eating.

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!
LOVE HMH! Its even better than regular HM which I seldom bother riding anymore!


ETA: Topics I'm catching up on....
Drinks: I'm hit and miss on this. I get try to get in my 8+ glasses of water a day and usually succeed. I dont drink sugary drinks but I do drink diet coke daily. Not a big coffee drinker so thats my caffeine. Alcohol I am working on. I love beer and wine. I'm choosing wine over beer because beer leaves me more bloated and I retain water quite a bit when I drink it. Wine I'm still drinking. DH and I share a bottle a week usually. I do drink more when we're on vacation as we were this weekend.

New Orleans Square eats: I've never eaten at BB but totally want to. I just haven't been able to bring myself to suck it up and pay the price. I think maybe next summer DH and I will try it without the kids? I HAVE eaten at Club 33! I received an invite to dine there with a few other DISers after my very first RunDisney event which was the Tinkerbell Half marathon! This was in 2013 so before the remodel. The experience was absolutely amazing and I will always treasure it.

Fitness: Running is my workout of choice. Ideally I mix in some cross training with it. I admit I'm slacking on this one the past few months and trying to improve. Summer schedules are crazy and not helping me with this! I have a half the first weekend of October so I need to start ramping up my mileage for that (RnR San Jose).

 

[courtneybeth]

All right, All right, All right! We have our first weekly check in -- woohoo! Everyone is making great strides in making their goals. We still have three more weeks to go - so if you're unhappy with your results right now... know that you have plenty of time to make it up!

These are the results to date. I tried to find everyone's results, so if you have a big fat zero next to your name - it's probably because I missed your post. PM me and I'll get it fixed

@4Mickeys 25%
@bigsis1970
@courtneybeth 25%
@CruisingCamper 22%
@CruisingKate 0%
@donac 26%
@Dr Gunnie 30%
@Flossbolna 100%
@HappyGrape 0%
@JacknSally 0%
@kirstie101 50%
@iona 0%
@Lady Marie 0%
@mamattorney 29%
@MommaoffherRocker 20%
@MochaDrinker 100%
@Oneanne 50%
@piglet1979 32.5%
@pjlla 0%
@rascooby 0%
@SarahDisney 70%
@ski_mom 19%
@verleniahall 0%​

 

[pjlla]

Wow.... pretty quiet day here today!!

Anyhow, just popping on while I prep for tomorrow.... 24/7 chat shift in the early a.m., substitute teaching for summer school in the morning, maintenance work at school in the afternoon, and my WW meeting in the evening, so I need to be ready to go, go, go tomorrow. Planned an easy dinner for the men to make while I'm at work (ham steak for the grill and a cucumber salad with cukes from our garden), so that is one thing taken care of.... and tomorrow's lunch for work is packed (leftover from dinner... unstuffed zucchini with quinoa and black beans), I'll pick something easy and casual to wear to school so that I can wear it to my meeting as well (that will save having to iron a second outfit).

Off to do my meeting prep, hit the shower, iron clothes, and DROP into bed.... I'm already tired!...........P

 

[piglet1979]

July 11 - Happy Hauntings

We're going to head along the Rivers of America and make our last stop in New Orleans Square:
The infamous Haunted Mansion. Disneyland's Haunted Mansion comes in two varieties...
Traditional and an extra special version September - December called Haunted Mansion Holiday.

(here's the entire ride from a couple years ago so you can see the changes!)

In its normal iteration, the ride is nearly identical to its MK counterpart. But during the Holiday season,
well... it's something quite delightful and amazing. Sandy Claws of Nightmare Before Christmas decorates
the haunted halls and a gingerbread house replaces the centerpiece for the 'swinging wake'.
Not joking - the gingerbread houses are pretty phenomenal and change every year.

The Advent Calendar from 2013 for the 13th year... and the Iron Maiden Gingerbread from 2014 are prime
examples of what the Disney folks can do with real gingerbread. So amazing, right? The Advent Calendar was
awesome because each week for 13 weeks they'd show a new face in honor of the 13th anniversary.

If you ever get the opportunity to go from Mid-September to Christmas... this is a MUST DO for everyone!

Question of the Day - July 11
The arrival of the Pumpkin King and his happy haunts signifies the arrival of some pretty difficult food-centric
holiday events. Now that you're making a lifestyle change, you're going to have to think big picture!

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!
​

I don't have a problem with staying away from the candy at Halloween. If my kids caught me eating there candy I think we would have an issue. I also don't care for most candy/chocolate.

I have the mind set that eat for the most part over Thanksgiving and Christmas. I try not to eat all the desserts though. The day after the holidays I am back to my schedule. However Christmas lasted a week in our house. I take vacation over Christmas and new years so I can get to the rec more during the day.