Paleo Challenge and Chai Pumpkin Bread

For several weeks, I don't know why, but I had been wanting to clean up my eating some more.  I tend to eat what I considering a pretty clean diet already, but there is always room for more improvement.  Being in the CrossFit industry, working as a coach and it being a major love of mine, the Paleo diet is something that I constantly hear about.
I have never been an advocate of it just for the simple fact that it really cuts out carbs in the diet.  I have always been very strong on sticking to basic nutrition; whole grains, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and some dairy.  So by cleaning up my diet a little bit it meant taking out all of the processed foods that I eat; I love my fiber one bars and my pepper jack cheese.  I rarely eat out and most of the time when I do it is healthy choices, but I did have my cheat days on Sunday which would involve a lot of bread :)
I have always been again Paleo because it took away my bread, mostly for the whole grain factor, and those whole grains are good for people with high cholesterol, which I have inherited.
So I finally decided that I kind of wanted to try the Paleo diet and had for about 2-3 weeks.  I didn't really have anyone to push to do it and wasn't just willing going to throw away my food that I loved; i.e. my favorite Sunday lunch sandwich haha.  So when I had a friend mention he wanted to lose some weight, so I decided well here is a reason not only to support a friend who is a fellow CrossFitter but also to clean up my diet.  I told a friend that we were doing it and she was all on board to jump in.  We decided to start our "Paleo Challenge" on November 1st so we have been going for 14 days now.  
I have made tons of chicken in the crockpot (haha my favorite has become Embarrassingly Easy Crockpot Salsa Chicken from skinnytaste.com), Paleo chili, and version of Paleo bread (chai pumpkin bread and banana bread).

I posted a picture earlier last week of myself mixing the ingredients for Paleo Chai Pumpkin Bread.  I have made 3 loaves now and the people I have given some to have not complained that's for sure.  I got the recipe from paleOMG.com

Chai Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond butter (or other nut butter or seed butter)
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 banana, mashed
• ¼ cup honey (optional- i like it sweeter)
• 2 eggs, whisked
• 2 chai tea packets (tea spices removed from packets)
• 3 tablespoons coconut flour
• ½ tablespoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together almond butter, pumpkin, banana, and eggs.
3. Cut open the two tea bags and remove all the tea spices from the tea bags and add to almond butter mixture.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined.
5. Grease a bread pan and then line it with parchment paper.
6. Pour batter in pan and place in oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Let rest before slicing.

The only thing I did different from the recipe is I used maple almond butter, and did between 40-45min in the oven.  It stays super moist just wrap it and put it in the refrigerator. 

So I have been going strong on this Paleo thing for the past 14 days, but still feel like I'm not doing it correctly.  As most people struggle with their weight, I do as well, but not as most people think.  I struggle more mentally with gaining weight.  I have actually had a couple times where I have lost weight from where I have gotten myself comfortable and been upset about it.  I currently weight 116lb, and for me to be upset about losing a pound or so was rare back when I was in college.  

Getting to 116lb has been a struggle for me mentally and being able to feel comfortable with how it makes my body look, one extra lb or even a fraction thereof at a time.  I want to get stronger and that involves gaining weight, but I seem to be fluctuating a lot between 116lb and 114lb.  I'm and trying to at least stay at 116 and maybe even gain just a little more to gain some strength.  It's always going to be a stubble, but this Paleo thing hasn't really helped me with being comfortable.

So whether you are on a weight loss journey or a weight gain journey (for me to gain strength), we all struggle and have our mental battles along the way.  I don't want people to think that it is just those that are trying to lose weight are the ones that struggle mentally with weight as well.  

Upping the Anti

I have been promising everyone a blog last week, and I apologize for not getting it done.  

I have had some major ups for me in my life lately and I'm loving every minute of it.  But this new part of my life has made me a whole lot busier.  I have gone from only working maybe 15-20 hours a week to 30+.  And that 30 hours is at the box I work at, the other + is what I end up doing while I am at home.  I am no longer doing personal training unless they are a hybrid client with NUCO  The never ending task of helping get this place officially up and running.  

So my new boxes name is CrossFit Ferus. 

Ferus is Latin for "fierce, wild, savage, untamed," and I love every bit of the name.  It was a big debate a first because they way it was being pronounced sounded like fairy or ferret.  

I look at the being of the word as our passion, drive, and determination for the sport of CrossFit and how much we love it.  I wouldn't give up CrossFit for anything in the world, well one thing anyway.  

But since we have gotten our name I have become the Assistant Manager at my box, and I am helping with programming and it feels great to hear people say they like the workouts I have come up with. I can only say is I have tended to bring my work home with me every day since, and I do need to learn how to separate those back out, but I'm sure that will happen a little bit once everything is going like it should.  

Sundays are always my rest day, from everything except for the occasional run with FRC. So no matter what, no work that day.

God's Destination for Me

I know back when I moved to the Fort Bragg area I had said that God had answered my prayers about letting me work with the military.  I still would love to be directly involved with them one day, and when I first moved here I honestly thought that my job on base would require me to train them.  I learned that I was basically becoming a teacher and being what felt like a broken record telling the same thing to every individual that came through the door.  I've learned that I love coaching people, and I can't stand when people have crappy form when lifting.

So yes, my dream is to work with the military but maybe God has a plan for me to work with the military in a different way.  To be involved with them through CrossFit, and at some point this all could change again in the future and I think God has another and better plan for me then as well.  

But life is a journey and you just have to see where it takes you, whether it be in work or relationships in your life.

My Deadline Feels Like Tomorrow

Right now I am currently searching for a place to rent, whether it be an apartment or a house to rent.  I need to be out of my current place by the end of January and I have been looking a lot lately, but I still feel like I have to find a place tomorrow.  I have found an apartment complex that I love that is on special right now.  I am looking at houses tomorrow so if I don't see anything  like I might just go ahead and hold the apartment.  But I would love to have a house and plenty of room.

I am so confused on where I want to settle in my life.  Maybe I'll just end up being the traveling CF coach?

Barbells for Boobs...Blooper

Behind the Barbell

Each year the CrossFit community comes together to do an event called Barbells for Boobs.  It's our Susan G. Komen 5k for breast cancer.  We all sign up for different heat times, and deck ourselves out in as much pink as we possibly can or own.  Yes, even the guys deck themselves out in pink.  From pink shorts, socks, headbands, and even tutus; you name it we will wear it!

The workout is the same every year and it is one of the CrossFit benchmark workouts named "Grace."

"Grace"

30 C&J for time 135/95

"Grace," is 30 Clean & Jerks (C&J) for time (as fast as you can) with the weight at 135lb for men and 95lb for women.

Okay, okay, even though we might get a little bit competitive and get the best time out there.  This is by no means a competition for any of us, it's all about the fun and the community.  Now don't worry if you can't lift the 95lb if you're a lady or 135lb if you a dude, we make the weight so that you are able to do the workout.  From the beginners to the elite of CrossFit.  There is always a donation made to help a breast cancer foundation.

CrossFit Ferus

This is the name of my new box that I not only train at but am currently a coach at.  Two of our athletes, Holly and Taye, both came out and participated in the event.  Myself and Randy were the two coaches from our box that participated.  Randy's wife, Angela, and son, Coyle, also participated in the event.  It was nice to see some people from our box be there to help such a great cause. 

Holly did amazing and her form was great.  She kept an amazing pace and could have definitely done more weight.

Our athlete Taye.

I believe Taye just got nervous, so some weren't perfect but that's okay.  I am by no means calling anyone out because I know myself that my form is not perfect and could use some improvement!  But as all CrossFitters do, we coach each other throughout the workouts and cheer each other on.

Holly, CrossFit Ferus athlete, and I

Big Wigs and Crazy Outfits

There are usually some local big CrossFitters that come to local competitions or benefits.  We have a couple of those.  They were set up in the premier heat, which was set at a sub 3 minutes completeion, which was not problem for these guys trust me! 

Nate Schrader, local Games competitor

One is Nate Schrader.  He owns is own box in downtown called Iron Forged Athletics/CrossFit.  He has been to the Regionals and Games several times.  Watching that man complete "Grace" is basically a blink of an eye.  You look away for one second and he is done.  How he did that was just amazing to me.  Wondering what is time for 30 C&J was?

1:07

Another one of our local celebs is probably one of my favorites, and partly because I don't know Nate.

We call him by the name of Juice, which when I asked him he nicknamed himself that when he was young and it just stuck.

I met Juice doing the 2013 CrossFit Open WODs at Anderson Creek CF.  I believe it was C&J and toes to bar.  I had no idea who he was just a big guy with a full head of dreads.  But the biggest sweetheart.  He was in the lane right beside Nate, and is always fun to watch.  He was decked out in his pink headband that CrossFit Sanford was passing out, keeping the dreads out of the way and ready to go!

Juice

Will some of use only wear slights amounts of pink in support of breast cancer awareness, you have others that break out the tutus (men and women) and some that are just covered from head to toe, as much as they can be at least.  This is a picture of a fellow friend, David, who rocked this full pink outfit for the event.  An outfit he agreed to break out once a year!

David all decked out in his pink!

"Grace" Blooper

How on earth do you blooper "Grace?"

Well just leave it to me to come up with that one!  I had signed up to go in Heat 2, 10:35 am, because the longer I wait the more I get nervous.  Also, when I'm out on the floor about to or, whether it is a podium or anything else, I stand around and dance and just move back and forth to work out my jitters.  Yes, believe it or not I get nervous and quiet at times before competing even though this wasn't a competition.

I was set up in lane 3 for my heat and walked out onto the floor after taking a picture with my fellow CrossFitters I was in the same heat with.

Heat 2

I should have known better is how this is going to start.  I was all jittery before hand and they had good dancing music playing so I was dancing around while waiting for my heat to start.  Nothing like busting out some moves in the process right.  I had taken my own weightlifting collars with me so I wouldn't have to worry about adjusting them during the WOD.  

3...2...1....GO!!

I was flying through this WOD like it was light weight! What the heck was up.  All of a sudden I'm on rep 10 was I imagining things or did this just become really light weight from all of the adrenaline pumping through me?  So while I was in the middle of my reps, which I luckily had my friend Cortney counting, I asked, "Is this really the right weight?"

I started to slow down a little bit after rep 15, which I had gotten through in under a minute?  How in the world was I pulling that off with what I thought was 95lbs! She started counting the weight while I was in the middle of my reps, all the while keeping track of my reps.  That's talent!

Mid "Grace"

After finished in a blazing 3:20, and breathing hard because I realized I was starting to get a little bit of a cold.  I went to cheer everyone else one and also to talk to the people who were cheering me on as well.  After socializing for a little bit Samantha and Cortney came over to tell me my bar was only 75lb.  I knew something felt wrong!

So this was my blooper and I should have known better considering I had made the same mistake on the CrossFit Open 13.1 WOD.  The bar was already set up from the heat before me.  I didn't pay attention to the weight of the barbell when I walked out there, and just assumed it was 95lb. 

The Real "Grace"

I was completely irritated that I had done the wrong weight the first time around.  Why had I not bothered to check the weight?  I was more concerned with getting my collars on the bar so that my plates wouldn't move around during the WOD, petty I know.  So after being told that I had done "Grace" once at the wrong what, they gave me the option of doing it again Rx weight.  You better believe that I was doing it again.  I could have either signed up for the heat right after I had just gone, or wait for Heat 4.  

I waited for Heat 4!

Heat 4 aka Round 2

My buddy Chris was my counter this go around and he was nice enough to set up my bar while I was in the athlete's gathering area, and that of course meant putting my collars on the bar.  

Okay so yes, I will admit I have my own personal collars because they gym I used to train at had crappy ones that would always move around on the bar while in the middle of a workout.  Who in the world wants to have to adjust their weights on the bar while working out because the collars don't stop coming loose.  And yes those things are my babies.

My plates were right, my collars were on the bar, now just to wait for the 3...2...1...Go!  I got set at my bar and waited.  I knew this time around it was going to take me longer, and probably longer than it would if I had just come into it fresh.  One thing everyone told me when I told them I was going it again was that my first time around was a good warm-up. 

My real "Grace" had finally started.  I did one Clean & Jerk at a time, dropping the bar from overhead every time.  I had gone over technique earlier in the week to try and make things a little easier for me that day.  Things like getting under the bar quicker so it would be a little faster to do, and trying to hit closer to my hips so that I wouldn't basically swing the bar around my body to get it up every time. My technique is always a work in progress, not only as an athlete but as a coach as well.  What I learn from people coaching me I teach others as well.

I had friends cheering me on, Chris yelling my number rep by rep, Randy helping me with my technique during the whole thing and me trying to fix it also.  Trying to have fast feet to get under the bar so I wouldn't use my upper body a lot to get the weight up.  I finished the WOD in 7:04.  I sat down at my bar when finished and helped cheer on the guy that was next to me.  I can't believe I just did that twice, but on the other hand I can because I'm so stubborn haha.

My CF Family and Fellow Athletes

My head coach from the box and his family came out to the event, and they were nice enough to show up for my heat so they could watch, cheer me on, and take pictures.  It was great to have them there and their support.

It was great to two of our athletes out there becoming a bigger part of the CrossFit community.  I'm glad they got out there and did this event.  It gave them a great first time experience to what CrossFit events are all about.  

Head Coach Randy (3rd from L), son Coyle (2nd from
L), and wife Angela (4th from L)

CrossFit Ferus athlete Holly

CrossFit Ferus athlete Taye

I'm glad we all got to have this experience, and it was great to see old friends.

Rest Day Don'ts and Twilight Tower of Tower 10 Miler

Rest Day

Rest days are strictly what is says it is for.  My rest day was certainly not spend doing the right thing walking around the Disney parks all day long.  Now I will not justify it by saying that we get to sit down on occasion because we get on rides, but the majority of the time you are on you feet walking around whether you are walking around the park or waiting in line to get on a ride.  

Proper pre-race nutrition is hard to consume as well when walking through an amusement park.  I would suggest if anything to park some healthy pre race snacks to take with you. I had packed some banana chips and some cashews, as well as, a emerald bag of nut mix.  I also packed my own water bottle so I could just refill it throughout the park and not have to worry about buying another one. 
We didn't pack any lunch so when we ate I tried to eat the healthiest things possible. First stop was lunch in Asia.  I had a chicken salad sandwich, which was huge so I cut it in half and got apple slices with it.  I wasn't that excited about the apple slices cause I have never been a fan of apples.  I tried them and I actually liked them.

We used most of Saturday as a rest day.  We got up and picked up our race packets around 10:30am.  It included out bib number, a event guide for race day, last minute tips, our race shirt, and tons of mini shops to look at at the expo.  After the expo we met Cass' friend at the Lululemon Outlet, one place I should always avoid!  From there it was some much needed relaxing by the pool and then back in for dinner and race preparation.  While by the pool we had to make sure we kept taking in some water, after all the sun does drain you.

*Rest Day Don'ts
1) don't spend the whole day prior to your race on your feet
2) don't eat unhealthy food
3) don't to workouts that are back and leg heavy (hamstrings, quads, etc.)

Twilight Tower of Terror 10-Miler

We were both super excited to run this race, and I was also really really nervous.  It was really humid out last year when we ran and yes we ran in a sports bra and shorts last year. We were all ready to go and started to head out the door only to make a Uie right at the gate because of a forgotten ID.  

One thing I like about the Disney races is that you get your name put on your Bib, even if you want a nickname on there.  They also place your Corral in the top right hand corner.

I was placed in Corral B and Cass was in Corral F, I believe.  Our corrals were based off of a previous 10k race time, with proof from that race.  My corral was 10 miles in under 1:30.00.

Once we headed out to the race after turning around to get Cass' ID and I think I ran upstairs to grab mine as well, we went to ESPN Wide World of Sports to park the car and hop on the bus over to Hollywood Studios.

```Pre-race Party and Running Jitters```

Once you get to where the corrals are there is a pre-race party going on with tons of fun music to dance to, and places to take pictures beside a Twilight Tower of Terror sign.  Stitch always seems to be the main character featured for the race, but throughout the race is almost all of the Disney villains.  When you are at packet pickup they give you a clear bag and a sticker to put on your bag in that you can use to put stuff in and pick up after the race.  We dropped of our bags at the bag drop to be claimed post race.  I just wanted to be comfortable post race since we would be in the park until 4am.

My bag contained:

All the people in my heat and the 2 before mine
on the way to the starting line.

towelette wipes (to get some of the sweat off), my sandals, deodorant, clif bar for recovery fuel, money, ID and much more.

I was super nervous for this race.  The previous week I couldn't run at all because my ankle was swollen, so the week of I ran 2 miles that Monday and 2.5 miles Tuesday, so my running wasn't where it needed to be.  I was truly scared about getting an ankle injury during the run.  I can't tell you how many times I prayed that I would do well and not get injured.  We hung out with some of Cass' friend before and then I headed to my corral around 9:30pm.  I stretched a little bit and next thing I know they were letting my corral out to make our, just about, .5 mile journey to the starting line.  They had music playing but the speakers were acting up. 

Standing there waiting was cool because you get to see the fireworks shoot off for the heats in front of you.

Fireworks for Corral A...
I'm next!

Once those fireworks shot off I only had 2 minutes before my corral started.  I last minute remember that one of my friends had come back from SUT and texted him to tell him welcome home and then quickly turned my Map My Run app on so I could track my pace, and then hit place on my music.  

We moved up closer to the starting line and my nerves started to go away.  I knew I wouldn't be able to start out too fast because of all the people that were going to be in the heat with me, but I was closer to the front of my corral.  

3...2...1....gun shot!

Thru the Miles...
Mile 1 was all uphill.  We run right out under the entrance of Hollywood Studios and onto the highway and take a sharp left turn going up on of the onramps, and over the highway.  Each mile is marked by a timing clock, which is one of the things I love about Disney, and a mile marker with a poster of a Disney villain.  My pace was little under 9min, which I was surprised by but also kind of please with just hoping I didn't drop off too much from that pace.

And yes I grabbed something during each water/gatorade stop.  I alternated between gatorade and water at each station.  Water for my face and of course gatorade to drink.

At mile 2 there were people dressed in tribal and animal costumes because we were running into the entrance of the Animal Kingdom.  Went around the large U-turn and headed back out and back on the main highway.  On the way to mile 3 we passed the character Queen of Hearts.  It's really cool how they have some of the Disney villains out on the run.  Tons of people stop off and take pictures with the characters.  

I can't remember all the other characters that were out, but there was some characters from Haunted Masion, The Princess and the Frog, and one of the hyenas from The Lion King. O and right toward the end the two sidekicks of Hades from Hercules.

All I remember is the first 2 miles feeling like the longest 2 miles I had ever ran.  My legs were already hurting like crazy; my quads were pushing as hard as they could go but every stride felt like my legs were sore and I had done a thousand squats the day prior.  I could feel the pounding on my lower back and knew that deadlifts on Thursday had been a bad idea, even before I actually decided to do them.  And to think, my main concern had been how my ankles would hold up.

I mentally pushed myself to run until mile 5, I knew this would be the halfway point in the race, and heck if I could run 5 miles, I could run 5 more.  Mile 5 went through ESPN Wide World of Sports alternating between gravel, track, pavement, and ball field dirt.

I wanted to stop running so bad, but just remember that I had only 3 weeks beforehand had run 13.1 miles without stopping, so I could definitely run this whole 10 miles.  I had to push through the pain that my body kept reminding me of every step and mile I took.  Now most of you are probably asking, why didn't you stop running?  Well, I know what my body is capable of and how far I can push myself.  That and I'm just plain stubborn.  Knowing my body can do something only a couple weeks before I hold myself to those standards and most of the time higher.

I had finally made it back into Hollywood Studios and was passing the magic hat, where every time the DJ says on .1 mile to go, and he's wrong EVERY time.  I remember running through the part of where you run through the costume shop and see where they make and store the character costumes and on my way through this there was a guy with two people helping him that was ghostly white and looked like he was going to pass out.  I wanted to stop and help him, but two others were already there and I would have just been in the way.  Still my concern for his health didn't go unnoticed in my mind.  And lastly, just about three tenths to two tenths away from the finish line I started to feel it a little hard to breath.  I was breathing deep every step that I took, and was wondering if it was just because I had almost started to cry the closer I got to the finish line.  No, I wouldn't have been crying out of joy because I had completed this race, I would be crying because my back was in so much pain.  And my bad knee hurt also, but no where close to how my back was feeling at that point.  But I'm too headstrong and stubborn and don't allow myself to cry over things like that and sucked up what tears wanted to seep through and kept running.  I was almost at the finish and just concentrated on keeping on taking those deep breaths that I was struggling to get and reminded myself in my head to remain calm and not become overwhelmed with the fact that I felt like I couldn't get air in my lungs.  Calm, slow, and steady breaths.  I don't remember how far I was but as soon as I saw the finish line I knew I was almost done, obviously.  I didn't pick up my speed like I typically do at the end of a race.  Everything inside of me was just screaming to make it to the finish line.  I made sure I ran over both pads and then walked to get my finishers medal and then to the medical tent to grab some ice to be saran wrapped to my knee and back for a few minutes.

Cass and me post race with our medals.  This will be an
 annual trip for us.

After that I walked to clam my back and then to the family reunion area to meet with Lauren and wait for Cass to finish.  She had seen my on my way to mile 3 and yelled my name.  How I even noticed her I have know idea, but threw up a quick wave and kept on going.  

After finding Cass we went and got her bag and then headed back over to family reunion area to meet up with Lauren, get food and went to have our fun on the rides until 4am.  Once you're done with that race you forget that you just pounded away on the pavement for 10 miles and are walking around getting pictures with characters and having fun on the rides!  It's only when you are having to stand in line for about 45 minutes that you realize what your feet and body have been through. Only ready and excited to figure out what Disney races you want to add to the list next year and when the Terror 10 Miler registration opens up for 2014!

Who knocked 16min off her time from
lastyear...this girl!  So proud of
her!

Showing off our muscles like Gaston.

Finisher Medal, race t-shirt, and race bib

Yeti's, Lions, and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (What's a Rest Day Anyway?)

By Far The Best Road Trip Partners,

Even for the Guys! 

(Day 1)

 The morning started out bright and early, at about 6:45am.  I one woke up super happy because I had actually slept through my normal 0330 (3:30am) wake up time, yes I said normal.  But was woken up by a text message from a co-worker who was covering me at work.
My friend Cass and I woke up and eat, finished some extra packing we needed to do and actually made it out the door by our goal time of 0800.   So why exactly are we the best road trip partners, even for the guys?...  
The less stops the better with us.  We had packed our lunch so we could just eat on the road, and we only stopped about half way for a bathroom break and some gas.  Our 8 hour trip turned into a 7.5 hour trip.  Along the way we jammed to all kinds of music between her ipod and mine.  Talked about guys, as most girls do, started talking about what parks I wanted to go to since she would be staying a whole week and myself only the weekend.  I also helped her study for her return to her restaurant gig...o you Thai salad dressing.

The trip had begun.  Fastest road trip girls!

*I may be out of town but I WON'T miss a workout*

Once we arrived at the condo the first thing on the agenda was to get our stuff somewhat unpacked and for me to head over to get my CrossFit workout in.  
I was in Orlando last year for this same race, and had visited a CrossFit box, CrossFit MouseTrap, close to where Cass lived when she was living down there last year.  The owner Joe was really nice and I kept in touch with him after dropping in that one day.  We arrived at our condo at 4:30 and I was at CF by 5:30pm.  While I did my thing, Cass and her friend Jesus when and got some food and drinks and caught up.
I did dL, yes I know.  Great idea right before a race.  Yes, I too, the fitness junkie and certified trainer and sometimes stubborn and don't program accordingly. 
Long story short, their workout was too quad dominant so I did a modified "Jackie"
Theirs...                                                                       Mine...
100m                                                                           5x5 dL @ #185
100m walking lunges                                               1000m row
100m run                                                                   50 push press #45
100 burpee broadjumps                                          30 pull ups
100 kb swings                                                          8:48

After that I worked on double unders and then told Cass to come pick my hungry butt up.  We went to Raglan Road, an Irish Pub in downtown Disney, and had dinner.  I was craving the soda bread.  They bring you a olive oil and honey dipping sauce.

Dinner at Raglan Road

A Disney Filled Day, aka Rest Day

(Day 2)

So, Friday was a full day of Disney, and let me tell you it was such a hard decision of deciding which park to visit.  We were getting guest passes from a park cast member, we could get in for free, but weren't positive on if we would be able to park hop with the new passes....but we were able to.

I had decided to do Animal Kingdom since it is one of the parks I had not been to.  I went to Epcot last year for Taste of the Nations, which was going on this year too.  We finally got everything about our passes figured out and off through Animal Kingdom we went.  The first thing we saw walking through the park is the Vine Lady.  And O man was she hard to see if you didn't notice outside of the bushes.

We walked around for a few minutes and then headed straight to get some lunch, Cass was starving and didn't have any food for breakfast.  The chicken salad sandwich I got was awesome.  I only ate half and Cass wasn't a fan of her pulled pork "taco" and finished off my sandwich.  After that our first top was "It's Tough to be a Bug," and interactive show where your seat at the end feels like their are bugs running underneath your butt on the eat leaving.  This was in the roots of the tree of life.  I couldn't believe how much they expanded the roots from how far that tree was away.

The Tree of Life is that far away and we went
right around the corner for "It's Tough to Be
A Bug"

After that it was off to Expedition Everest.  Such a fun coaster.  I highly recommend it if you haven't been on it.  I had no idea that it went backwards, sorry if this is a spoiler alert.  And the Yetti doesn't move anymore either.  Apparently it reached so far it would hit the other side and was constantly breaking things.  We walked around Asia for a bit, saw some monkeys and then headed back to Africa to do the Safari Adventure.  This is the one thing in there Cass had never done and the park she had spent the least amount of time in.  Well yay for me for having taken her on something she's never been on!

The safari was so much fun and the best part was we got to see the lionesses and lion out, which our guide says is very very rare.  

After the Safari we headed over to Hollywood Studios.  Our race would take us through Hollywood Studios, but there would be parts/rides that would be closed while we would be there.  I wanted to see the Indiana Jones show, and Cass had mentioned the animations studio where you could learn how to draw a Disney character.  How often do you learn how to draw a Disney character.  We drew Chip from Chip 'N Dale. Those were the two ?chipmunks? that would stock up on all the produce in the fields.  I was impressed, I actually did a good job on mine and it looked like Chip.  While we were waiting outside the class, Mr. Incredible and the blue guy came out.  I will admit I have never seen that movie.  

The class was only 30min long, but because out class started late it was only about 20min.  After that we went and watched the "Beauty and the Beast," musical show.  It was really neat to watch and all the costumes and dancing.  I would recommend going to see this show if it is still playing when you visit.  We stopped by to see one of her friends that works as one of the restaurants, and then headed off to get some dinner in Epcot.  We were both starving and have both figured out that we are both not very nice people when we get hungry.  Especially me!  I find nothing funny at that point and don't even want to talk.

We took the park bus over to Epcot versus walking, that would have probably made my mood worse at that point and headed into some food.  We went to, I believe it was called seasons, quick serve restaurant and I got a caesar salad with chicken.  Yes, not the healthiest thing in the world, but it was the only thing that really made my brain think because I wanted to some good chicken.

After that because Taste of Nations was going on we decided to go get something really quick and share it.  Scotland was new this year so we got seared salmon with pureed cauliflower and a chocolate banana tort.  It was soo good!

~Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party~

This was a hard decision for me to decide to do.  I can go buy a ticket for this and it was a hard decision to make on buying the extra ticket because of my current financial situation.  But boy o boy and I glad I decided to do this.  We got to the Magic Kingdom around 6:45pm and the park was closed down for those who only had a ticket for the party.  We got special wristbands so that we were the only ones in the park, and were given a small bag upon entry into the park.

The bag was for nothing else but to trick or treat through the park.  I was completely excited to get to do this.  I haven't been trick or treating since I was 11 years old, nor have I done anything remotely Halloween related except for carving a pumpkin every year.  No cute or creative costumes, no collecting candy, no going to Halloween parties.  I wasn't dressed in any costume, but were some of the costumes we saw really impressive.  You could have mistaken them for actual characters in the park, those that play the princesses.

The best part of the Halloween party is the Villains come out because what would Halloween be if you saw all the princesses.

I was literally a kid this night.  Running around all the different rides in the park and getting excited about areas I had not seen, like Pirates of the Caribbean ride and seeing the guy who was Cpt. Jack Sparrow.  

A Disney Halloween.  This is by far the best Halloween
I have had in 13 years!

Cass

It's a good night to have some fun with one of the
monkeys from Tarzan.

Cass and I got so excited every time we saw a huge Mickey lantern, which meant candy was near by.  We went through our first line, at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, 3 times we were so excited and we were waiting for Cpt. Jack to come back out to get a picture with him.  I love how Cass is still so excited about Disney at almost 26 years old.

We hit some other rides and candy spots in the park and then headed for the Villain parade and then off to the castle we went to watch the projection show and fireworks.  Some of the villains were out on the parade and you could get photos with them before the first works started.

Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven
Dwarves

From there we went to the Haunted Masion, and walked through the new Fantasy Land.  They are building a roller coaster in the Snow White area that is like your riding in a coal mine, and the 7 dwarves were out also.  I wish I would have gotten a picture with them.  We went on The Little Mermaid ride which as a similar concept to the Haunted Masion.  And of course scavenged for more candy.  After that....Space Mountain.  From there we were both worn out and ready to go.  We had officially been on our feet for a good 12+ hours walking around the parks.