#TripleD Recipe Friday

During the cold Ohio winters I love making soups and stews. I also like to take my favorite summer foods and make them into soups. This time I took an Italian sausage and pepper sandwich and turned it into a soup. There are a few things I love about soups. They are filling, hearty, and it’s a great way to get your vegetables in without weighing you down.

What you’ll need:

1. Three turkey Italian sausage links casing removed
2. 1 cup diced carrots
3. 2 green peppers diced
4. 1 red pepper diced
5. 1 sweet onion diced
6. 3 Tbsp tomato paste
7. 4 cups chicken broth
8. 1 Tbsp celery seed
9. 2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
10. 1 tsp red pepper flakes
11. 2 cups dry bow tie pasta (or your favorite kind of pasta)
12. 1 Tbsp of French’s fried onions for garnish

• Combine sausage, vegetables, and 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a pot
• Cook the mixture until the vegetables are soft and the sausage is cooked
• Add tomato paste and incorporate into mixture
• Add seasonings and broth.
• Cook at a simmer for 20 minutes
• Cook pasta according to the instructions on the box
• Put some of the cooked pasta in the bowl and add soup over top
• garnish with fried onions and ENJOY!

I like to use other things besides crackers in my soups. It also will cut down on the calories and carbs. I use fried onions, baked tortillas, sesame sticks, etc

#TripleD Off The Wagon For A Cheat Day

Every journey will have its uphill battles and downhill cruises. We all will have those moments where our willpower won’t win and we will fall off the wagon. Since beginning I have learned several things not only about myself mentally but physically as well.

We all need a “cheat day” to reward ourselves for the hard work and sacrifices we have made. I have been planning one a week usually on the weekends so I have something to look forward to. My first cheat day didn’t go so well. Coordinating my cheat day with The Ohio State University’s Fiesta Bowl game. I bought my favorite chicken wings, pizza, and beer to celebrate a certain victory for the buckeyes.

I have to admit the first bite of pizza was amazing and the wings were divine. I had three large pieces of pizza and around 20 wings (I lost count after a while). I was on cloud nine for most of the day. The buckeyes won the game, I was eating my favorite foods, and life was good.

Later that night my stomach started its assault on the rest of me. I got very sick and felt awful. I quickly learned that my body was rejecting all of the grease and fat I had shoved in it all day. As my body has adjusted to the nutritious foods over the few weeks since starting, I learned that you don’t need to go crazy on cheat day. Cheat day isn’t about the amount of food you eat, but what it is. Also, your stomach is muscle. It will shrink and expand accordingly. However, if you spend all week shrinking it. It won’t expand with one meal and you will get sick.

Here are some of my cheat day tips:

• Plan Ahead- the day before and after plan on having salads, soups, and simple vegetable filled meals.
• Flush Your Body- eating foods high in sodium will make you retain water and weight. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water to flush the sodium out
• Quality Over Quantity- eat the foods you crave, but eat small to average potions. Don’t go crazy
• Remember Your Stomach- the day after your cheat day your stomach will be craving more food than normal. Keep healthy snacks on hand so you don’t feel starving.

So remember cheating is fine as long as you have a plan to get back on the wagon and keep driving!

 

#TripleD Recipe Friday

There is nothing I like more than a big juicy burger. However, those can be filled with fat and calories. I am not saying never have a burger again, but it’s good once in a while to go meatless for dinner. This recipe would be perfect for a weeknight dinner because it is relatively quick to prepare. I could have used a scratch made black bean burger recipe, but like I said I wanted quick and easy. So the store bought patties were perfect. Here we go!

What you’ll need:

1. One Morningstar (or another brand) spicy black bean burger patty
2. 1/2 thinly sliced sweet onion
3. One slice of swiss cheese ( I used and ultra thin 40 calorie brand)
4. 2 slices of marble rye (or any type of bread)
5. 1 Tbsp of mayonnaise ( I use Dukes because it’s my favorite)
6. One large red potato cut in wedges
7. 2 Tbsp margarine (one for the onions and one for the potatoes)
8. 2 Tbsp cornmeal
9. Salt and Pepper

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
• Melt 1 Tbsp of the margarine and pour over the potato wedges in a bowl
• Sprinkle salt and pepper and cornmeal on the potatoes while tossing
• Lay the potatoes flat on a foil lined sheet pan
• Bake for 45 minutes turning once half way through
• Melt 1 Tbsp of margarine in a small skillet and add onions turn on medium low heat
• sprinkle a little salt over the onions to help them soften. Cook until they are soft and take off heat
• Thaw the burger patty in the microwave for one minute and then transfer to another skillet on medium heat.
• Cook the patty until it is hot throughout
• Top with the onions and swiss and let the cheese melt
• Put the patty between the marble rye and spread a thin layer of the mayo on the outside of the sandwich.
• Put back into the skillet to brown the bread like a grilled cheese
• Slice patty melt in half and enjoy

I use mayo on my grilled cheese sandwiches (and these) because I like how it browns and tastes. You can easily use more margarine if you choose.

I also always have a tossed salad with my meal (not pictured but added into the calorie count for the meal). You always need your vegetables! With the tossed salad this meal adds up to 646 calories.

If you have a recipe for a from scratch veggie burgers send them along to keith@enchantedtikitalk.com and I will pass them along to the other readers.

#TripleD Getting Back To The Gym

The word “gym” can be intimidating for many people. I played football in high school so I have been well versed in the gym culture. I actually enjoyed it then and have always enjoyed the feeling I get afterwards. There is a certain “high” from a good workout.

I have been in and out of a gym ever since (mostly out). However, the thought of going back into the gym has always held mixed emotions for me. I know I can’t lift or do as much as I used to be able to. There is always the competitive side of me who wants to go meatballs to the wall and hit it like the old days.

I got a membership to my local Planet Fitness. It was relatively inexpensive and I liked the fact they have a lot of machines. Everything from treadmills, bikes, etc. They also have a nice selection of weight machines, free weights and helpful staff. I am not being paid for that endorsement, however any gym will do. Don’t feel self conscious. There will always be people who are more and less fit than you. Just focus on your own journey.

If you begin now please be aware that the gym will be busy. A lot of resolutions being fulfilled will draw a crowd. However, don’t fret any activity is better than no activity.  When dealing with the weights, more reps and low weight is always the best policy. If you go too big too fast you will be very sore. It will take a few days for you to feel like working out again and throw you off your schedule. So go slow for the first few times until you see how your body responds.

Doing cardio will certainly burn the calories and help you lose weight. If your knees are an issue try the bike. It will relieve the pressure and constant pounding on your knees. If you are fine with the treadmill try a slight incline while you walk. it will burn more calories that walking on a flat plane. Please remember that muscle weighs more than fat. So while you are building muscle the scale might not reflect your hard work, but the mirror will.

You don’t have to have a gym membership to be active. Walking around the block, buying some resistance bands, anything will do. Just start moving

 

#TripleD Recipe Friday

I have always been a fan of Latin cuisine. I love spicy foods and I have heard that capsaicin, the heat component in chilies, may boost your metabolism. So I decided to make a fish taco recipe that isn’t just fish and salsa. I made a chipotle pineapple sauce for the top and made some jalapeno bacon black beans to go with it.

Here’s what you need:

1. one package of frozen tilapia fillets, thawed
2. cajun seasoning
3. diced pinapple
4. one small can of chipotle in adobo sauce
5. queso fresco cheese
6. taco sized corn tortillas
7. one can of black beans
8. thick sliced bacon
9. one lime
10. light sour cream
11. iceberg lettuce
12. jalapeno powder or diced jalapenos
13. 1 Tbsp of fresh cilantro

A couple of notes before I get into the instructions.  Make the sauce ahead of time that way the flavors will blend better. When using canned beans always rinse them before using. It will take all of the starchy liquid off of them and give you a better consistency. Ok so here we go!

To make the sauce you’ll need either a food processor or something like a nutri bullet or ninja type machine.

1. Combine one half chipotle pepper and a 1/2 tsp of sauce with about 1/4 cup diced pineapple and juice. Add the cilantro and blend.
2. In a small sauce pan brown your diced bacon. Add the black beans and enough water to cover. Sprinkle or add 1 tsp of the jalapeno powder or some of the diced. simmer until the beans are tender.
3. Cover one side of the tilapia liberally with the cajun seasoning.
4. Heat a nonstick skillet with a little vegetable oil. Add the tilapia seasoned side down and leave until it creates a crust. Flip and cook until fish is done.

To Plate:

• Heat the tortillas either in the microwave or in a pan.
• Put the shredded iceberg lettuce, shredded fish, crumbled queso fresco, pineapple sauce, and a dollop of sour cream.
• Squeeze some fresh lime juice on top right before you eat them.

I hope you enjoy these the whole meal shown in the picture was 390 calories. Please let me know what you thought of this meal. I also love hearing how you change it up and make it your own.

 

 

#TripleD- You vs.Your Stomach: Round 1

So every time I start to watch what I eat I go into it like a prize fight. My stomach is my mortal enemy and I must beat it into submission. After fighting the same opponent over and over like playing Punch Out I wanted to try a new approach.

This time I am getting into the ring with food instead of my stomach . Now the trick with this fight is knowing your opponent. Being a chef I am very familiar with many varieties of food and how to cook them. Problem is I didn’t know how to use food to my advantage. Luckily for me I have a friend who has been in the ring much longer than I have and helped me learn. So If I can pass anything along to you I will be honoring her.

The first round for me was allowing my stomach to shrink without feeling starved and grabbing food I shouldn’t. For me I don’t have a lot of time during the day to sit down to enjoy a meal while at work. Therefore, I needed to find things I can have quickly but are healthy. Before work I will either have a bowl of cereal (and not Lucky Charms) or a yogurt. Then for lunch I always have a shake. I purchased a Nutri Bullet that I keep at my desk. I pack chocolate whey powder, PB2 peanut butter powder, half of a banana, and skim milk. The shake is only 311 calories and helps me feel full during that downtime in the middle of the day. I also keep snacks on hand as well. I have raw unsalted almonds, raisins, dried cranberries, sesame sticks, etc.

For dinner I have had to completely change my routine. I have always been a big meat and potatoes guy. The vegetables have always been an afterthought or just an extra side. I would always have Gaston sized portions and even go for seconds. Now I make the protein the side and the vegetables the star. I have also found that its not always what you eat but how you eat as well. So here are some tips I have found.

• Eat a salad first. I have found that at dinner time I am very hungry. So I treat it like a two course meal. While my main course is finishing I will enjoy a small tossed salad. This way I am not as hungry when I enjoy my main course.
• Only cook one portion per person. As a chef it is very hard for me to cook for only two people. However, if you only have one portion per person you can’t go for seconds.
• Plan your meals. I use my Sunday’s to plan at least three or four days worth of meals and begin to prep them. Even if you are tired after a long day of work you have meals that need minimal attention to finish. It helps you not stop for a quick fast food dinner on your way home.
• Try new things. Now that I am eating less meat and more vegetables I have been trying to branch out. There has been many trendy vegetables lately. Most of which has been kale. The leafy green vegetable not only adds bulk to soups and stews, but has tons of nutrients.

If you have downloaded a calorie tracking app on your smartphone it is fun to see how eating these nutrient rich foods will not only help you punch out your gut, but you’ll feel much healthier overall.

#TripleD Recipe Friday

Tags

Dining, Disney, food, recipe, Walt Disney World

As many of you know I am a chef in real life. However, as many chefs will tell you after cooking all day the last thing we like to do is cook at home. Problem is fast food and eating out has got me into this situation. I am not saying to never eat out, but make it a treat and not the norm. So I have been coming up with new things to eat that are both satisfying and healthy.

One thing I love is Caribbean food. I love the spicy sweet mixture. There is nothing I like more than making my own jerk marinade and letting chicken swim in it for a day and grilling it outside. Well, problem with that is it was 5pm and 15 degrees outside so I took a few shortcuts.  I came up with a jerk marinated chicken breast on a bed of rice pilaf and a carrot pineapple slaw.

What you’ll need:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
• Maragaritaville (or another brand) Jerk Marinade
• Long Grain Rice (1/4 cup dry rice per serving)
• Shredded Carrots
• Fresh Diced Pineapple (get the peeled at the store it’s much easier)
• Fresh Lime Juice (1 lime)
• 1 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro roughly chopped (dried will work just use half as much)
• Olive Oil (not extra virgin)

1. Marinate the chicken breast with the store bought marinade
2. In a bowl combine the diced pineapple, lime juice, and cilantro
3. while whisking slowly drizzle enough olive oil to thicken the liquid probably around 3 Tbsp.
4. Add carrots to the slaw mixture, cover and leave in fridge until serving.
5. Make the rice according to instructions. Put some of the bottled marinade or pineapple juice into the rice water for more flavor.
6. I used a grill pan on top of the stove to cook the chicken, but you can use a skillet, or bake in the oven. Make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees F
7. Plate by putting the chicken breast on the bed of rice. Stir slaw in the bowl and put on top of the Chicken.

I really liked the cold slaw on the hot chicken it gave it nice balance. I would have liked a little more heat from spice. When I make my jerk I add habenero peppers to it. Next time I would add some red pepper flakes or diced chiles to the marinade. This whole meal per serving according to my app was 341 calories. I was very full and satisfied after this as well.

I hope you enjoy this and if you try it let me know if you liked it, didn’t like it, or added anything to enhance it. Keith@enchantedtikitalk.com

 

 

 

Jessica’s Very Merry Trip Report

I got back a couple of weeks ago from a long-awaited trip to Walt Disney World! This trip was different from most. This time, we had the opportunity to travel with great friends, one of which is a Disney veteran and another who was visiting for the first time. It was one of those go-go-go trips where we fit as many experiences as possible in five days, including some new ones for my husband Michael and me! We packed a lot into our days because it was a shorter trip than usual. I’m talking 2-3 parks in a day and 15-18 hour days! I’d love to share some of those experiences and lessons learned with you.

DAY ONE – CHECK IN, MAGIC KINGDOM, BE OUR GUEST:

We arrived at noon, checked into the Contemporary Resort and headed straight to Magic Kingdom. To me, walking Main Street the first day you arrive is the best way to say “I’M AT WALT DISNEY WORLD”!! Despite the park being crazy crowded, it was one of those perfect first days. We went to Be Our Guest for dinner and wow, it was amazing. For the last two years, I have read review after review of this place and heard how beautiful it is. But still, when I walked in, I was blown away. I was transported and the table service dinner felt like a special experience. We had an outstanding Cast Member serving us who really played up the experience. I was excited to sit in the Main Ballroom. The West Wing is really cool and the Rose Garden is beautiful, but I wanted the experience of being in the room that the restaurant is known for. I highlight recommend the French Onion soup. It basically had an inch of broiled cheese which screamed “VACATION” to me! In the garlands, there were small stained glass-like ornaments of the film’s characters; a perfect example of Disney’s attention to detail!

The park was open until 1:00am that night. That’s such a great time to be in the Magic Kingdom. The crowds really dwindled down around 11:00pm and waits were minimal after a busy afternoon. And after a long day, it was nice to just walk back to the Contemporary instead of trying to board a bus or the Monorail. It was the main reason we decided to stay there and was well worth it. The proximity allowed us to maximize park time on a quick trip.

DAY TWO – EPCOT, DISNEY SPRINGS, HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS, OSBORNE:

For Day Two, we decided to book Fastpasses for Hollywood Studios in the late afternoon before the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. That meant a very early morning at Epcot’s Future World the next day! We were able to get on Soarin’ and Test Track with only a 20-minute wait each. You’ve heard it a million times…but get there for rope drop and it will always pay off!

Next, we headed to Disney Springs for lunch. I am a huge fan of the new Disney Springs! Again, totally packed being a weekend but it was a beautiful place with some interesting shops and restaurants. Joffrey’s Tea Traders was a highlight. If you love tea, this is the place for you. For lunch, we tried the food truck park next to D-Street for the first time. There, you’ll find four food trucks, each serving some of the best dishes from each of the parks. We were a little disappointed to find that only two of the trucks were open for lunch. The others opened around 4:30pm. It was actual Disney chefs cooking and serving the food and the trucks had that cool food truck vibe. I had the hand-dipped corn dog and waffle fries at the “Best of Magic Kingdom” truck. The corn dog is an icon at Disneyland, and this version lived up to the hype! The waffle fries were extra crunchy thanks to a dusting of cornmeal. You could stand and eat at little cocktail tables they had set up throughout the area or find a bench to take a seat. This is definitely a fun option if you are at Disney Springs. I mean, seriously look at this delicious batter!!

Another highlight for me was seeing the presence of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. at the Marvel Super Hero Headquarters shop next to D-Street. I am a huge Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. fan and I’ve found there isn’t a strong S.H.I.E.L.D. presence compared to the rest of Marvel at retail stores. Still, there was very little S.H.I.E.L.D. merch at the shop, but seeing the place decked out in the logo was really exciting!

We stopped by Jock’s Lindsey’s Hanger Bar for a drink. This is a must do if you want to sit back, relax and enjoy the afternoon. We grabbed a primo spot on the patio (the entire place is open seating) and watched the water while sipping on some delicious, refreshing cocktails. I had the Cool-Headed Monkey and my husband Michael had The Scottish Professor. Both were two thumbs up!

Hollywood Studios was next! I was immediately hit with the huge Star Wars presence at the park. Storm Troopers were walking around the courtyard outside of the Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Wars merch was everywhere and basically every fifth person had a BB-8 stein! It was exciting! After Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror and Star Tours, we went over to Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Like most people, I am pretty heartbroken about this being the last year. Knowing this, I tried to soak in every minute I could. We were out there in the rain for about two hours and even then, it wasn’t enough time! I was surprised with how emotional I was that night. This event is one of those experiences that is truly joyful. There’s no waiting in line, no stressing over Fastpasses….just celebrating with friends and family. But, good things are on the way!

If you are a fan of Once Upon a Time, you have to check out Mr. Gold’s shop window! I have anticipated visiting this display for a long time and kinda freaked out when I saw it. The attention to detail in the display and the props was so fun for Oncers like me. My guess is this is probably going away with the rest of the Streets of America, but here’s hoping it’s relocated elsewhere in the park!

DAY THREE: ANIMAL KINGDOM, MAGIC KINGDOM AND POLYNESIAN FUN

Animal Kingdom is now my second favorite park. I continue to be amazed at and appreciate the detail in this park and at the Lodge. We had one of those perfect mornings at the park. Saving our Fastpasses for that afternoon at Magic Kingdom, we were at Animal Kingdom at rope drop to go straight to Everest and the Kilimanjaro Safaris. We literally walked on both attractions! For lunch, we went straight to the new Harambe Market. The food here is amazing!!! We had the Ground Beef Kabob Flatbread with a fresh broccoli, cherry tomato and red onion salad in a light vinaigrette. My friend had the spiced ribs and slaw pictured below and loved the dish. This place takes quick service at Disney World to a different level. I finished the delicious meal with a refreshing Dole Whip with coconut rum. It’s sold just around the corner from the Market. This is another winner, but beware, bees swarmed us at the outdoor seating at Harambe! Not sure if this was due to the sweet Dole Whip, but you may want to take this treat to go.

That afternoon, we spent just a few hours at Magic Kingdom. We experienced Seven Dwarves Mine Train again, which was fun, and hung out at Gaston’s for a bit. That’s a cool spot to relax, regroup and share a cinnamon roll. That night, it was all about the Polynesian Village! This was our first time to check out the resort after the renovations and it was beautiful! I introduced my friends to the tried-and-true Lapu Lapu at Tambu Lounge followed by dinner at Kona Cafe (try the crab rangoon sushi roll!) and checked out Trader Sam’s. Trust me and try to carve out a night at the Polynesian for your next trip if you haven’t already checked out the resort post renovations.

DAY FOUR: EPCOT AND MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY

Today was the day for the Epcot World Showcase. Our first-time Disney guest had this at the top of her list and we had a blast! It was surprisingly very crowded but still a great time. Probably the best dessert we had the entire trip was the Caramel Kiss at Germany. It’s like hot chocolate but melted caramel. It hit me like a ton of bricks. So much richness and unlike anything I’ve had before.  GET THIS!

One of our fails for the trip was trying to snack around World Showcase. We knew it wasn’t Food and Wine Festival, but we figured we could still make a meal out of snacking at the permanent kiosks in each country. We were mistaken! Most of the snacks at the kiosks were desserts and the quick service options were full meals. We ate an egg roll in China and with growling stomachs, we ultimately grabbed a sandwich at the new-to-us expanded cafe in the France pavilion. The sandwiches tasted like what I had in Paris years ago; simple with great bread, fresh herbs and lots of cheese. However, seating is limited and potentially a tough place for large parties to sit together. You may want to instead take the food to-go and find a nice place to sit along the fountain outside.

On night two we had a situation at our resort that I had to call to the attention of the hotel manager. Disney made it right and then some! Mistakes can happy, but it’s how you handle them that matters most. Among other things, he gave us a couple of Fastpasses each so we were able to experience Soarin’ and Test Track again. It was Disney customer service at it’s finest!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was our final night and it was perfect! We walked on every ride, especially after it got dark. Since Fastpasses are not distributed for the event and park attendance is capped low, it was so easy to navigate the park and experience a lot of attractions in a short amount of time. This alone is worth the price of admission! We ate at Pecos Bill for dinner because we wanted to try their new burrito bowls. This is another great value and a much needed break from fried food! We didn’t realize the Christmas parade starts outside the restaurant next to Splash Mountain, so we were surprised to find that when we walked out a few minutes before the parade started we got great viewing spots. I highly recommend considering forgoing the 1-2 hour wait for a spot to view the parade on Main Street and instead consider viewing the parade from a less crowded spot in Frontierland. Another tip is to ride Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during the first parade if you can get across the parade path in time and then catch the second parade. Those rides were so empty during the parade that they were literally sending boats down with 2-3 people on them. You may get stuck in that area while the parade goes by but you could probably do those attractions 2-3 times during the parade.

I highly recommend the Very Merry Christmas Party. It is such a special night. Seeing Celebrate the Magic, Wishes and then the snow coming down is like nothing else. No dry eyes here 🙂

DAY FIVE: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS AND SEE YA REAL SOON

Hollywood Studios was our final park of the trip. It was finally time for the Star Wars Launch Bay! This is another MUST DO! They have a 10-15 minute film with an overview of the work being done at Lucasfilm. Interviews with people leading the different groups and media outlets (films, video games, television animation, story) showed you how passionate and talented this team is and gave me a greater appreciation of what’s coming for Star Wars. It’s in good hands! When we walked out of the film, we saw two lines: one to meet Darth Vader and one to meet a Wookie. We opted for Vader and this was an unexpected highlight of the trip. The queue was full but moved quickly. This was my first taste of the immersive experience coming to Star Wars land and I was speechless. I thought this would be just a photo op but it was so much more! I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say that when you meet Vader, be ready for more than just a simple photo! Also, when we walked out, Jawas were running around! You could walk right up to them, take photos, and they were playing tricks on a few folks. It was such a surprise and icing on the cake for this Star Wars experience!

Overall, this was another great trip. Traveling with friends was a blast! Next up, I’ll share some of my favorite merch I found in the parks and hotels with lots of pictures. Disney merch is on point right now and there is a lot to be excited about! Anyways, until next time…

Jess

Follow me on Twitter @MerchMouse

 

 

 

 

 

Disney Dude Diet : Pop Goes The Soda

Day one of finally deciding I was going to embark on this journey to health. I had to take a look at what I was doing wrong so I could change. Turns out that was pretty much everything. I first began looking at my calories. I downloaded a free app on my phone called “My Fitness Pal”. It is a great tool to help keep track of your calories. It even has a bar code scanner. So you can just scan something and it knows all about the product.

As mentioned in my introduction I was/am a soda-holic. I don’t drink coffee and being a caffeine junkie, soda was my drink of choice. I would have around six cans of soda a day. If you take a normal can, which is 180-200 calories each, that was quite a big chunk of my “daily allowance”.

From my many attempts to kick the soda habit before. I knew that there would be withdrawals. I would get headaches and most people around me would say I was very grumpy. So I needed something to replace the caffeine. I don’t enjoy hot tea very much (pinkie down), and the only kind of iced tea I enjoy is southern sweet so that was out.

As I was walking around the grocery store I found Crystal Light that has caffeine in it. The packets are only ten calories and have as much caffeine as a half can of soda….Perfect! That kills two birds. I get the caffeine I need so I don’t kill anyone and I needed to drink more water anyway to keep my stomach full to curb the hunger.

Now comes the next problem that was what do I do with all this soda I have in the house. I literally brought back an SUV full of delicious Cheerwine from North Carolina. Well when I established I was going to start this journey I promised myself I would have one “cheat day” a week. So I can still enjoy the things I love as a treat rather than punishing myself. I will write another post about my first cheat day another time. That was an adventure!

I will tell you some things that I experienced cutting out the soda so you will know what your in for. The first few days were hard. I wasn’t consuming nearly the same amount of caffeine. It was very hard to get moving in the morning and stay focused. I was grumpy for about a day or two (or so I was told I didn’t notice a difference Ha Ha). I really had to change my morning routine. Instead of grabbing a can of soda as I walked out of the house I had premixed bottles of water in the fridge.

Now for the benefits of my change. The calorie intake is obviously way down. I have been fighting with insomnia for years. I have found it easier to fall asleep at night. I don’t find I am as thirsty as I used to be. Although soda is a liquid it will make you feel thirsty. Drinking more water helps that tremendously. I have tried and been enjoying different drinks since changing as well.

I have started drinking flavored unsweetened iced tea. However, instead of flavoring it with sugar I use different kinds of diced fruit. Using that same idea to just flavor water is a great too. I always drink milk with dinner too. I use 1% because I don’t like the bland taste of skim, but if you don’t mind the taste it does help cut some calories there too.

If you have any drink tips please pass them along to Keith@enchantedtikitalk.com and I will share them at the beginning of the next post.

The hardest part is jumping in the pool. Once your in the water…..Just keep swimming!!

 

 

 

 

 

Disney Dude Diet: The Introduction

As most guys I have always loved food. So much that I made it my career. Although my love for food hasn’t always been the healthiest. I have struggled with my weight as long as I can remember. I played high school football and was in the best “shape” of my life during those four years. After the coaches stopped yelling at me I decided to go to culinary school. A little tip….being a chef is not the healthiest of professions nutritionally. I was working crazy hours, tasting and eating whatever I could scarf down the fastest. Which included many cans of pop (or soda depending on where you live). A few years ago I was at my highest weight ever 340 pounds. I was unhealthy, felt terrible, and had severe back problems. Because of the back pain I lost 60 pounds because I was in constant pain and not eating properly. Which turned out great for my back because I dropped the weight. However, once my back was feeling better I started eating again.

Which brings us around the Spaceship Earth of my life to now. I have gained back 40 of the 60 pounds I lost and have that terrible feeling again. I came across the Maelstrom t-shirt I had bought because I was upset the attraction was closing and wanted to have something as a memento. Problem was for some strange reason Disney seems to only make most of their shirts up to 2xl in size. Coming up on a Walt Disney World vacation in three months I decided it was time to do something.

I started  my journey to health a week ago and decided to put my story on here to maybe help other guys who might not know how to begin their own journey.

I am not an expert nor do I play one on TV. However, I have been experimenting with recipes, counting calories, and started going back to the gym. I will be posting my recipes, triumphs, failures, and tips. Hopefully this blog will not only be informative but fun and if nothing else you’ll get some good recipes out of it. If you have any questions or suggestions please email them to me at keith@enchantedtikitalk.com