Part of a Disney Dream

I just had to post this. I thought this part of the Disney Dream which is still being built looked pretty cool for the kids who will be with us on this cruise.

I am actually leaving today for the Food & Wine Festival and should be obsessing about that trip, but I am also looking forward to our cruise in March. I've never been on a Disney cruise and everyone says that as usual nobody does it better than Disney.

Just a glimpse of what we can look forward to.

Shoreline Classic

Our cheerful shirt from the Shoreline Classic


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Recipe: Homemade Chocolate Protein Bars

I found a recipe today on SparkPeople that I think I might need to try. It's Homemade Chocolate Protein Bars. I love homemade food. The problem is finding the time to prepare it myself....and then making it again if I like it. Oh well. I'm not perfect. Maybe I'll just gather all of these recipes for a cold, wintry weekend and spend the entire weekend cooking and prepping food to keep my family and myself healthy.

Vacation Preparedness

I don't leave for 2 days, 23 hours, 58 minutes and 10 seconds, but I just have to say I am getting really excited. I've been planning my menu. Confirming airlines. Looking at forums to obsess gather as much information as possible. And of course, it gives me time to reflect on our last trip to the Food & Wine Festival in 2008 when our dear friends, Ben & Renee, joined us on the trip. Renee had never been to WDW so we tried to hit as much as possible throughout the weekend.

The Festival Center of the F&W Festival. A lot of fun shopping.
A lot of great events. 

Renee & Ben at the festival with their Mardi Gras beads and
recent beverage purchase.

To me, this sign said a lot. CELEBRATE THE JOY OF LIFE!

My dear husband - double fisting it!
And everyone thinks he's such a nice, sweet guy.

Green Army Men at Hollywood Studios.
Yep, they whistled at Renee & I. We still got it!

Jeff & Renee relaxing by the lagoon.

Dinner at Narcoosee's to watch the fireworks. Renee
took this great picture of us! Love it!

We tried many, many glasses of wine. This was in Germany.

Renee didn't like many glasses of wine.

But the best memory of all was watching BEN,
quiet, sweet Ben try to feed the ducks off
the bridge by Canada. 

Here's to making many, many more memories at the Food & Wine Festival.

Goal for October

Because I've been trying to work on the Les Mills Body Flow dvd, I've discovered I'm getting old. Actually, not that I am getting old, but that my body is getting old. When I was younger, I could do all of the strange contortions which most people think are just sick and wrong. Over the years, I've continued to work on the flexibility of my legs, but apparently I've lost most of the flexibility in my upper back and shoulders.

Last week, I tried to push up from a bridge to a back bend and discovered that not only has my flexibility greatly decreased, but that my arm and shoulder strength has greatly decreased as well. As a result, my goal for the month of October is to work on my shoulders, biceps and triceps. I'd like to see the strength come back into them. Of course, I DO NOT WANT THEM TO LOOK LIKE THIS:

I don't believe in steroids, but I do believe in weights and strength training for all women and men.

So, stay tuned for some workout reports. I'll be working on them soon.

Workout plan for the week:
Sunday - volleyball (check)
Monday - Body Flow, 5 mile run
Tuesday - Upper Body
Wednesday - Hopefully a 5 mile run, Body Flow
Thursday & Friday - Rest due to traveling, but I will be walking around the world!
Saturday - Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon!!!!!
Sunday - Walk around world to keep up with my drinking around the world!
Monday - Rest due to traveling!

Have a great week!

Workout Wednesday

Last night at Sunshine's cross country meet, I was asked by a friend about using the incline on a treadmill which got me to thinking about a statement Jillian Michaels made during her radio show on KFI. It went something like this:

"If you use less than 1% incline on a treadmill, it's like going downhill."

So at a minimum, set your incline to 1.0 and give it a go. Once you get warmed up, start using the incline to raise your heart rate and see how tough those hills really are!

Happiness in a Magical Card

Behold, my ticket to happiness!

What is it you may ask?

It is the gift card you can purchase at the Walt Disney World 2010 Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT. It works like any other gift card. You can load it up and whip it out each time you want to purchase something.

The 2010 menus are as follows:

• Argentina
  • Roasted Corn and Cheese Empanda
  • Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree
  • Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec
  • Bodega Norton Cosecha Tardia
  • Kaiden Cabernet
  • Pasual Toso Torontes
• Australia
  • Seared Barramundi with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes Arugula, and Lemon Oil
  • Grilled Lamp Chop with Roasted Potato Salad and Red Wine Reduction
  • Lamington (sponge cake dipped in chocolate)
  • Rosemount Traminer Riesling
  • Marquis Phillips Shiraz
  • Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet
  • Nugan Estate Riverina Chardonnay
• NEW-Belgium
  • Steamed Mussels with Roasted Garlic Cream
  • Freshly Baked Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
  • Stella Artois
  • Godiva Chocolate Ice Coffee
  • Leffe
  • Hoegaarden
• Brazil
  • Grilled Pork Skewer with Farofa
  • Shrimp Stew with Coconut and Lime
  • Leblon Frozen Caipirinha
• Brewer's Collection
  • Radeberger Pilsner
  • Schofferhofer Weizen
  • Hovels
  • Schlosser Alt
  • Altenmunster Octoberfest
  • Altenmunster Dunkel
  • Altenmunster Marzen
  • Clausthaler Classic
• Canada
  • Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
  • Maple Glazed Salmon with Lentil Salad
  • Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta
  • Nanaimo Bar
  • Moosehead Beer
  • Vidal Icewine
  • Chateau De Charmes Riesling
  • St. David's Bench Vineyard Merlot
• NEW-Charcuterie and Cheese
  • Cheese Fondue with Croutons and Roasted Potatoes
  • Applewood Smoked Beef, Duck, and Ham
  • Martini Prosecco
  • Ace Joker Hard Cider
  • MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
• Chile
  • Shrimp Ceviche
  • Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Pie)
  • Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc
  • Satna Ema Reserve Chardonnay
  • Casa Carmenere
  • Montes Classic Cabernet Sauvignon
• China
  • Black Pepper Shrimp with Sichuan Noodles
  • Pork Pot Stickers
  • Xinjiang Barbecue Chicken Stick
  • Tsingtao Beer
  • Dragon's Hollow Chardonnay
  • Green Tee Plum Wine Cooler
  • Happy Lychee
• Desserts and Champagne
  • Strawberry Angel Verrine
  • Pear Streusel Pudding Cake
  • Dark Chocolate Sensation
  • Moet and Chandon White Star Imperial
  • Rose Imperial
  • Nectar Imperial
  • Nectar Imperial Rose
• France
  • Escargots Persillade en Brioche
  • Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet with Mashed Potatoes
  • Creme Brulee au Chocolate au Lait
  • Merlot, Chateau Des Deux Rives, Bordeaux
  • Chardonnay, Private Selection Barton and Guestier
  • Sparkling Pomegranate Kir
  • Parisien Cosmo Slush
• Germany
  • Spatzle Gratin with Ham and Cheese
  • Nurnberger Sausage in a Pretzel Roll
  • Apfel Strudel featuring Werther's Original Karamell Sauce
  • S.A. Prum Essence Riesling
  • Hooked Riesling
  • Gunderlock Diva Spatlese Riesling
  • Rudi Wiest Rhine River Riesling, Radeberger Pilsner
  • Hovels
  • Altenmunster Octoberfest
• Greece
  • Greek Salad with Pita Bread
  • Spanakopita
  • Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
  • Baklava
  • Boutari Moschofilero
  • Enoteca Emery Athiri Mountain Slopes
  • Boutari Naoussa
  • Atlantis White
• Hops and Barley
  • Boston style Crab Cake with Cabbage Slaw and Remoulade
  • New England Lobster Roll
  • Pecan Bread Pudding
  • Samuel Adams Beers: Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Cherry Wheat, 15th Anniversary Festival Beer Coastal Wheat Light, Cream Stout, Blackberry Witbier, Latitude 48 IPA
• Ireland
  • Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie
  • Kerrygold Cheese Selection
  • Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Irish Cream Ganache
• Italy
  • Polpettine Toscane with a Rosemary Breadstick
  • Baked Cheese Ravioli with Creamy Bolognese Sauce Melted Mozzarella
  • Cannolo Al Cioccolato
  • Primavera Fruit Smoothie
  • Fantinel Prosecco
  • Chianti Placido Banfi
  • Pinot Sartori
  • Moretti Beer
• Japan
  • Spicy Tuna Roll
  • California Sushi Roll
  • Tuna Sensation
  • Wabu Ribettes
  • Kirin Draft Beer
  • Hatsumago sake
  • Denemon Junmai sake
• Mexico
  • Tamal de Pollo
  • Taco de Chilorio
  • Esquites (Pan Fried Corn and Spices)
  • Churro
  • Dos Esqis Beer
  • Passion Fruit Frozen Margarita
  • Conga Fruit Punch
  • Wine L.A. Cetto Chardonnay
  • Wine L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah
• Morocco
  • Beef in a Pita Pocket
  • Falafel Pita Pocket
  • Baklava
  • Amazigh Red wine
  • Sangria
  • Tangerine Mimosa Royale
  • Iced Mint Tea
  • Casa Beer
• New Zealand
  • Seared Sea Scallop with Vegetable Slaw and Lemon Oil
  • Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney
  • Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
  • Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Villa Maria Private Bin Unoaked Hawkes Bay Chardonnay
  • Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Pinot Noir
• Poland
  • Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream
  • Golabki (Pork stuffed cabbage)
  • Chopin Strawberry Balsamic Chiller
• Puerto Rico
  • Asopao de Pollo (Chicken Soup with Rice)
  • Medianoche Sandwich
  • Bacardi Frozen Torched Cherry Colada
  • Bacardi Frozen Lemon Mojito
• Singapore
  • Shrimp Cake with Singapore Noodle Salad
  • Coconut Braised Beef Rendang with Jasmine Rice
  • Singapore Sling
  • Tiger Beer
• Spain
• Serrano Ham, Chorizo, Manchego, Olives, and Tomato Bread
• Seared Albacore Tuna with Romesco Sauce
• Spanish Almond Cake
• Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza Red
• Paul Cheneau "Lady" Blanc de Blancs Cava
• Marques de Caceres Rioja White
• South Africa
  • Flavors of Africa (Salad, Bread, and Spreads)
  • Seared Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Puree and Mango Barbecue Sauce
  • Goats do Roam White
  • La Capra Pinotage
  • La Capra Shiraz
  • La Capra Chardonnay
• South Korea
  • Lettuce Wraps with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw
  • Barbecue Short Rib with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi
  • Honey Ginger Tea
  • Jinro Chamisul Soju
  • Bohae Bokbunjajoo (Black Raspberry Rice Wine)
• United States
  • Bison Chili with Wild Mushrooms, Cabernet, and Pepper Jack Cheese
  • Heirloom Tomatoes with Oregon Blue Cheese, Red Onions, and Basil
  • Sagelands Vineyard Merlot
  • Four Corners
  • Sagelands Vineyard Riesling
  • Columbia Valley
  • Red Stag by Jim Beam

Cannellini Bean Salad with Tuna, Peperoncini, and Parsley

OK, that's obviously not me baking
in the kitchen. Maybe Mrs. Cleaver?

While trolling through my food blogs, I found this recipe Spicy Cannellini Bean Salad with Tuna, Peperoncini, and Parsley from Kalyn's Kitchen. I've decided to give this recipe a try for lunch this week. If food is going to fuel my body, I want it to be tasty, flavorful food and this recipe while simple enough for a poor cook like me offers plenty of flavor. I'll post a review later this week.

Let's Talk Vacation

Next March we will be going on our first Disney cruise for Spring Break. When it comes to cruising, everyone says Disney does it best. We can't wait to get on board the Disney Dream, Disney's 3rd majestic ship which has 14 decks. We can't wait to check out the AquaDuck, the very first water roller coaster at sea, and to chill out while basking in the Magic of all that is Disney. The only bummer is that the cruise is only 4 days.

Once we hit shore after the cruise, we have reservations in Orlando at Bonnet Creek, a condo in our vacation club. One of our must do stops in Orlando will be the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal. Squueeee! I can't wait. Disney, Harry Potter, two of my most favorite entertainment entities.

Why do I love Harry Potter & Disney? DETAILS. It's all in the details. With Disney, every aspect of their business has a back story from the queue lines at the Disney parks to which horse in the carousel actually belonged to Cinderella. (Do you know which horse is Cinderella's?) The same is true with Harry Potter. When J.K. Rowling wrote her seven incredible novels, she thoroughly thought through each and every detail in the books. Some minor fact which barely gains your notice in the first or second book may suddenly become a huge clue in final climax scene between Harry Potter and Voldemort. Maybe it's the big picture person in me. I love having someone else think all of the details through and discovering the story behind each of those details.

So in seven months, I will experience my first Disney cruise as well as visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the first time............Is it too early to start a count down?

Little Blood Sucker

The phone call came while I was sitting at work. Unfortunately, I couldn't answer the call, but when I check my messages here are the magic words I heard:

Mrs. Leber, this is Kim. We'd like to have you come to the office on Wednesday, September 8th at 9:30 am to put you on the constant glucose monitor. Please let me know if that works for you.

It's Time to Celebrate!

It's time to celebrate. Beginning next Wednesday for 3 days, I will know what my body is doing at all times - every 5 minutes - with the sugar in my system. When I eat. When I sleep. When I run, bike and swim or when I lay around like my naturally lazy self would like to do at all times. I'm so excited to see what will be happening with my body that I will be working out pretty hard over those three days. I'm planning a log run Wednesday night, a swim Thursday morning and a Body Flow class Thursday night, and a bike ride on Friday. This kind of stuff actually gets me excited. To see the inner workings of my body and understand this great creation that God has given me. The body is a complicated mass of various systems which must work together to help keep you healthy & happy. Who really understands how the body works? Not me. I thought I did until I started learning more about these disease that I have inherited from the last 4 generations of the Moore-Cronister line. Yah, thanks Great-Great-Grandpa from Ireland. Love your heritage. Not your genetics. 

DC Rainmaker: September Garmin Forerunner 310XT Giveaway

Guess who is giving away another 310XT? Yep, the tech guru, DC Rainmaker. Why do I want this watch??? Because

A) I love techie toys

B) You can use it on your swim training

C) I just want to win something!

So check out DC Rainmaker's blog to win the 310XT. If it's not me winning, why shouldn't it be you?

Following Doctor's Orders

Since I've begun the Week of the Guinea Pig, errr, maybe that should be MONTH of the Guinea Pig, I've had a little heart to heart with myself. I says to myself, "SELF, you need a doctor you can count on. A doctor you can have a conversation with." Now it's not that I didn't like my previous doctor, or even that I thought he was incompetent. Heck no! I liked Dr. L and felt quite confident that he was going to help me figure out what the heck my body was doing and why, but I've always had a problem with authority figures.

I was a good little Midwestern girl brought up by parents who taught their children not to question authority. When an authoritative figure tells you something, you shut up, listen and do as told. Dr. L is definitely an authority figure as he is 10-15 years older than I am. I need to find someone I could talk to as a friend, someone I could trust, someone I could question without feeling as if I was disobeying. So I thought to myself, "SELF, who do you know that could meet all of your requirements?"...and I could only come up with one answer, my dear friend Dr. S. The good doc is a friend of mine. I scrapbook with his wife. We raise our kids together in our nice little town. We even vacation together.

So when I called the good doc's office last week and they told me they couldn't get me in to see  him until November I asked them to look again for a special "friends only" appointment. They found a time for me at 8:20 a.m. which is perfect for me to drop off my kids at school and head to his office.

Constant Glucose Monitor

My meeting with the good doc went well  just as I expected. We talked a lot about my blood sugars and why they go up when I run longer distances. Dr. S wanted to run some more blood test to see if I had insulin in my system causing me to be insulin resistant and to see what level of insulin my pancreas was producing. Dr. S was also hoping to get me approved for a constant glucose monitor. His office has a grant to do a study on insulin dependent using a constant glucose monitor. Dr. S calls it a "tick", but it reminds me of a leech. They attach a flat circular object to your abdomen which will take my blood sugar level every five minutes. Of course, I'm not insulin dependent. There's the rub. I guess you've got to be really sick before you can benefit from the miracle of modern medicine. However, Dr. S is hoping someone will take an interest in my case. How often do you have a Type 2 diabetic who runs miles and miles at a time? I can only hope that someone will want to study my internal organs to figure out what the heck is going on in there when I head out for a long run.

One Touch Ultra

In the meantime, I plan on having my blood drawn early next week for a c-peptide and CBC panel while I wait for that phone call to get a leech attached to my body. I am continuing to take my blood sugars first thing in the morning, before and after one meal and after exercise. After purchasing new test strips earlier this week, I'm not sure I can continue to test that often. The test strips and lancets alone will break the Leber bank! Hopefully, we will start to get some answers and I will be able to test a little less frequently once I understand my triggers.

What are you doing this week to be a proactive advocate for your own health?

Anticipation for the Ultimate Endurance Event

In exactly one month from today, I will be in Orlando, FL basking in the glory of being in Walt Disney World for my first Disney endurance event, the Wine & Dine Half Marathon. Ohhh, the excitement.

Camo-Man, being the most excellent husband that he is, called our vacation club today and upgraded our reservation to a 2-bedroom suite. Now Awesome Cheryl will have her own bedroom to sleep in during our whirlwind weekend instead of a couch bed. Besides making sure our own three princess are properly taken care of for the weekend, our only remaining concern is transportation to and from the starting line as well as back to our resort once the race and after party is over. However, I can't worry about that now. I'm too excited to let mundane details kill my buzz.

So that countdown has begun. T minus 30. Ahhhh, sweet anticipation.