TBT: The First P+K Post!

There are times when everyone would prefer to eat a big mac, fries, mac and cheese, pizza or anything else on the “no go” list rather than the salad their diets recommend. For cheat days like this along with all those other days that we would just prefer eating something absolutely delicious, I have created a list of cheats and alternatives. This is definitely not a diet list and I would not recommend using this system if you are trying to loose weight, but it will at least help curb some of those cravings without sending all of our hard earned fitness success down the drain.

Tip One, A Pizza Secret:
I am a pizza fiend. Literally. There is absolutely no difficulty for me in finishing an entire large Pizza Hut pizza in one sitting, on my own. Pizza is my kryptonite. For that reason, I was very happy to learn this little tip. If you are going through a pizza binge and have decided to eat all pizza in the world, go for the veggie. Veggie pizzas have a slightly higher nutritional content and average 1-3 grams less fat and up to 50 calories less per slice. This is because there is less cheese and none of the high fat meats.

Tip Two, Sweets:
Here is another thing I L-O-V-E, cookies. They are warm and yummy and I am drooling. There are times in my day where I could battle a fleet of ninjas for that one cookie. For me, this is usually late at night or early in the morning. Oddly though, the time that a cookie is best for me is the same time that one is more than enough to appease my craving. Afternoon, between dinner and lunch is the best time for that extra burst of sugary noms. This is the time of day when we can start getting a little sluggish and our bodies are able to digest that sweet, sweet goodness more easily.

Tip Three, Carbs:
Bread is something that oh so many people love. Starchy things are seen all over fast food menu’s and are a staple of almost every American comfort food. Too bad every health conscience person out there curses that corner of the food groupings. Oh how we love carbs and how we love to hate them even more.

Fortunately, there is a good time of day to eat them with less impact on your body. Morning is the time that our bodies are best able to process and regroup after a carb load. This energy can be used for the rest of the day and has less of a chance of being stored than that plate of spaghetti you (by you I mean me) are thinking of eating for dinner. If a starch-tastic meal is something that is happening, better to make it breakfast rather than dinner or a late-night snack. Just remember to reduce your carb intake for that day since you hit it out of the park at breakfast.

This was the first ever post on P+K way back on October 18th, 2012. It is so fun to see where a blogger (or any writer) started out compared to where they are now. An extra perk is that these tips still stand the test of time and can be super handy when those pesky cravings hit ;)

Happy Thursday and the last of our TBT series!

5 Must Haves for Camping

We recently went on a massive camping trip that included hiking on the Appalachian Trail and climbing a mountain. This was the first camping trip I have been on since I was 6-years old and it has left me with plenty of tips and must-haves to share with you. Since it was the hubs and my first time camping in quite a while, we brought plenty of goods- some of it we used and swear by and some of it will not be packed in our camping bag again. These 5 must haves for camping are all the little things I would not venture on any camping trip without.

1. An Infinity Scarf

You may laugh at this and think I am such a city girl gone glamping, but it is for waaayyy more than looks. My infinity scarf was the most used and most appreciated thing I brought... Well, other than food and a tent. The scarf will keep your neck warm and ward off any unwanted bug bites on that super sensitive area. I also used mine as a eye mask to keep the early morning sun out, as extra umph to my camping pillow, a hood when things got wet, a napkin when hands got dirty, and a pot holder. Yes, the infinity scarf turned out to be the best portable oven mitten ever!

My best advice would be to bring an infinity scarf that is made out of a gauze-like material and one that you do not mind loosing to the elements.

2. Flip Flops

No, you will not be wearing these whilst hiking, but yes, you will be wearing them almost everywhere else. Sure, hiking boots or sneakers are great when you are roughing the elements, but no one wants to worry about untying and retying them every time you go into or come out of the tent. And don't even think about wearing those muddy sneakers inside your camping abode. Instead, pack a pair of sandals that you can wear around the campsite and easily put on or kick off.

3. Cotton Balls

We like to start a fire the simple way, some tinder and that scratchy spark-maker thing wisely called a "fire starter." Sometimes however, nature does not make things so easy or dry. Cotton balls make the easiest tinder and the best cheater method for starting your fire. Besides, most girls have them in their toiletries bag anyway :)

4. Baby Wipes

Most camp sites do not have showers or, they are the kind you would prefer not to use (another reason to bring flip flops). Sure, you could purchase and lug one of those portable showers everywhere with you, or, you could just purchase a pack of pretty scented baby wipes. No, it is not a five-star bath house, but it will do the trick after a long day of hiking. Baby wipes are my best secret to staying clean and smelling good the whole camping trip long!

If you are really wanting to glam it up, some dry shampoo, a good deodorant, and facial cleansing wipes are pretty great to have as well!

5. A Good Attitude

Bear Grylls says that one of the most important parts of being in nature is your attitude. Remember, you are in the elements and things might not always go according to plan. There will be bugs and some nights, there will be lots of rain and little food. My best advice would be to get over these trip snags as quickly as possible and remember why you are out there in the first place.

All of the things listed above along with a tent, good sleeping bag, food that does not need to be heated, water, snacks, and hair ties will make a camping trip easier, but nothing will make or break a trip like the attitude going in and coming out of it. Camping is super fun, just go with the flow, relax, stay positive, and you will be sure to love it!!

P.S. A handy tip would be to know the wildlife in the area... We knew of bears but had no idea there would be rattlesnakes- these are the little, vital things to know :)

Oh, and one more thing... I am so excited about tomorrow's post talking all about our trip on the Appalachian Trail. There will be lots of pictures too!!!

5 Tips for Visiting Disney World This Summer

The summer is one of the busiest times of year for Disney World; sure, it will be hot and there will be loads of bodies, but there are some simple ways to make your trip low stress and with minimal heat. If you are planning a trip to the happiest place on earth in the next few months, these tips will ensure your vacation is just a bit happier! 

1. Fast Pass+

Fast Pass+ is Disney's new Fast Pass system that allows you to book fast passes up to 180 days in advance. If you have little ones who are hoping to see Elsa and Anna, get on this. That character wait time averages 3-4 hours! 

Fast Pass is pretty great for other rides too and can be changed through the app. If you are staying at a Disney resort, you can log on the myDisney experience and order your fast pass bands ahead of time. This will allow you to start planning way before you arrive. 

2. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is Disney's newest ride and is located in New Fantasyland. The ride is incredible and we were able to get two fast passes for it on this last trip. The first time, we rode in the front and the second, we rode in the back. The ride is smooth in either location but there are way more thrills in the back. If you have young children riding it, best to be in the front. Thrill seekers, however, will enjoy the faster drops and turns that the back of the ride offers. 

Get a Fast Pass for this if you can, wait times range from 90-minutes to 2 hours. 

3. Share Mickey's Kitchen Sink Sunday

Mickey's Kitchen Sink Sunday was available on the 24-hour day and is now available at the Ice Cream Shop at the corner of Main Street USA. This Sunday was, literally, the size of my head. It was way too big for two, but a family of four would probably love it. The Sunday has three huge scoops of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream topped with peanut butter and chocolate syrup and strawberries. It then has the most whipped cream I have ever seen in my life sandwiched between two layers of chocolate and peanut butter chips.

The entire thing comes in a souvenir Mickey sink and  is a whopping $15.95. The good news is that a large family could split this and still spend less on ice cream than if everyone got their own.

4. Resort Hotels

Disney Resort Hotels are expensive because you are paying for the experience of the hotel more than the room. Hotel rooms that would usually cost $80 a night are $120+ because of the incredible hotel surroundings, kids games, Extra Magic Hours, and all those "free" experiences as well. 

Hotels on Hotel Drive over by Downtown Disney are more the quality and prices we are use to and many offer Extra Magic Hours and bus transportation to the parks. If you are opting for one of these, be sure that the park transportation comes sooner than once an hour and that you have Extra Magic Hour privileges. 

5. Outside Disney

The parks get hot in the summer and at 1:00 in the afternoon, you are sweaty, tired, and crowded. Avoid this hot time of the park by taking a break and visiting some of the areas still in the Disney Resort. Disney allows visitors not staying at resorts to visit until 10:00 pm. Although you cannot use their pool, you can definitely have meals, explore the area, and play at the playgrounds and arcades. 

The Boardwalk is a great place to go for dinner at night and is open to non-hotel guests. Yacht and Beach Club also has a great ice cream parlor with arcade attached. Or, you can just go relax around the pool at your hotel for those hot ours of the day and get to the parks in the cooler hours refreshed and ready for fun! 

Be ready though, summer thunder storms happen at the same time every day and will last 20-minutes to an hour. Best to be near a covered area around 3:00 or 4:00 pm.