Recap: Expedition Everest Challenge

Better late than never. We've been so busy with multi-sport training all summer that this recap has been sitting around in draft form since May.  oops! 

The Expedition Everest Challenge was one of the runDisney events we had been planning to do for years and just hadn't gotten around to actually doing.  For 2015 it was announced, would be the last year of this event, and we just had to make sure that we made that final trek.  The event is different from all other runDisney races.  You run your 5k race, and that is immediately followed by a scavenger hunt. Yeah! Cool, right? 

On to race weekend. 

Friday 

We loaded up the car that morning and headed down to the "Expo".  We arrived in the Animal Kingdom parking lot at about 11:30am and took the photo of the #tinyexpo.  I understand that runDisney never advertised an expo, only a packet pick-up.  However, this is runDisney and this is a destination race. We feel they could have done better.  Most of the weekend had the feel that the race was only being done because they needed to check a box.  I hope this wasn't anyone's first runDisney race, if it was, please don't use this as a yardstick for other race weekends.

#tinyexpo   Seriously, this was the WHOLE THING!

Since we were already at the Animal Kingdom, we decide to take the afternoon and enjoy the park.  We always seem to enjoy cheesy games and experiences, and in keeping with the weekend's Expedition theme, we played the "Wilderness Explorer" Game.

Rocking the Wilderness Explorer book

We also made sure to run around Asia and check out some Everest merchandise, since the only merchandise at the #TinyExpo was the pin and a t-shirt.  

Creepy

Neat Cap, probably should have picked one up

Yeti!

DisneyBride will always find a Dole Whip, even when they try to be sneaky and just call it a 'Pineapple Whip' (Tamu Tamu Refreshments)

Following our trip to the park and a quick bite for dinner, we headed back to the hotel to put together our "flat runners".  I will say that a night race does have the benefit of being able to sleep in.  So putting the flat runner together the night before was more of following a habit than needing to do so to get a few more minutes of sleep.

Race Day

Ahhh sleeping in is sweet.  Since we had never been to the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, we decided to spend some time at EPCOT.  It's a lot like the Food and Wine Festival, just with more flowers and less food.  I really enjoyed the gardening displays, I don't think DisneyBride was as impressed. 

Beautiful arrangements were everywhere

Can't go to EPCOT without a picture with SpaceShip Earth.

I'm having a lot more fun that I appear to be. Really I promise.

  

Lunch in Morocco (vegan)

EPCOT had the coolest topiaries. 

'Frushi" dessert in Japan

 

While in the art store near the front of the park, I happened to ask the artist if they still had the Marathon Weekend art cells.  They did!  So I was able to get my Dopey drawing that I missed out on during Marathon Weekend.  I think it turned out great. 



Race Evening

I really enjoy the night races.  I'm not quite sure why, but normally at home, I would be in bed by the time the runDisney night races start.  There is just something about running in a large group of people at a time where the rest of the world won't judge you for a post-run beer.



DJ @Disney_Bride rocking the house for Carissa Bealart

I was not disappointed in the costumes this year.  I think my favorite may have gone to the woman dressed as Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons.  I told her I was the one destined to sit on the Iron Throne. She was not amused, but she didn't sic her dragons on me at least.  

And we're off!

The 5k portion of the race was pretty similar to any other runDisney race. I believe it is the same course as the Jingle Jungle 5K during Wine and  Dine Half weekend.  However, it felt different, since we got to run through Animal Kingdom at night.  Unfortunately, there was construction that seemed to block many of the good views within the park.  However, the darkness added a cool something extra to the race. 

Unlike other runDisney races, this one has a few obstacles.  Pretty timid by Spartan and Tough Mudder standards, but an interesting touch.  Perhaps runDisney will require Dopey participants to actually mine some precious stones in January before awarding finishers medals.

Enjoy the view!

I'm convinced that they used trailer tires, my size 13 feet couldn't fit in most of them.

The scavenger hunt was  more challenging than I had expected.  We can debate the meaning of digital vs. analog all day, but just know that the scavenger hunt was not for the ill-prepared.   

Sunday

 

Keeping with runDisney customs, we spent Sunday running around the parks wearing our medals.  The Fairy Godmother spent some time enjoying our running/scavenger hunt success.  It was odd only seeing a few people wearing medals, it's nothing like the larger race weekends where 1/2 the park guests are wearing their medals.  

Pretty neat medal!  We heard there were many that broke. Both of ours managed to stay in one piece.

Following our day in the park, and getting ready to make the drive back to Tallahassee we decide to try and get a meal from the world famous Chef TJ at the Trails End restaurant.  Chef TJ prepared us a very tasty 5 course vegan meal. 

Pre-meal

Post meal! My "food baby" is huge!

We stole one of Mickey's shoes for Magnus! Just kidding, there is a new line of pet accessories and we picked up several items to bring home to our spoiled puppy.

Final Thoughts

While I am very glad we made the trip down to run this 5K,  I now understand why runDisney is no longer hosting this race.  It appeared that this race was an afterthought, from the "tiny expo" to the lack of interaction in social media.  The premise of the weekend is a good one: both a physical and mental challenge.  Would like to see this pairing return in some way for a future event.   

What did you think of this race? 

Did you run it this year or a previous year?

See you at Wine and Dine in November! 

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#EatMighty Mighty Nut Giveaway! {CLOSED}

This Giveaway has closed.  

Check our most recent posts to see if we are hosting any giveaways.

 

What is Mighty Nut?

Mighty Nut is a very tasty powdered peanut butter.

Each batch of Mighty Nut is created from quality USA grown peanuts. The peanuts are roasted, then pressed, to remove most of the fat.  What remains is protein, fiber and delicious peanut buttery taste.  Mighty Nut powdered peanut butter can be rehydrated and used as a spread or dip, or as an ingredient in baking, cooking or smoothies.

Through my partnership with Fit Approach, I got a chance to try two of the flavors: Original and Flax & Chia.  As a big fan of peanut butter, I really enjoyed them!  As someone who is watching her weight, the "85% less calories than regular peanut butter" allows me to enjoy these guilt-free! Only 1 gram of fat per serving and 5-6 grams of protein. Bonus: it is all natural, non-gmo, gluten-free, and vegan.

If you would like to try Mighty Nut, it is available at several major grocers and available for purchase online.

How do I use Mighty Nut?

There are several recipes on the Mighty Nut website. And I am really looking forward to making the noodles and the brownies! In the meantime, I decided to mix it up a bit with my morning smoothie.

• 1 frozen banana
• 5 large frozen cherries
• 8 oz of almond milk
• 1 scoop of Mighty Nut
• 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder (I used Vega Vanilla)
• Blend and enjoy. 

The Mighty Nut adds a bit more protein and that peanut butter flavor I love, but with less calories.

Now for the Giveaway! 

Mighty Nut is allowing us to give away one bottle to a reader. The winner can choose any of the following flavors:

• Original
• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Flax and Chia

Review the terms below and then enter via the rafflecopter widget. 

Terms of the Giveaway

1) No Purchase Necessary.

2) This giveaway begins Thursday October 29, 2015 and ends Wednesday November 4, 2015 at midnight. Winner will be announced on the Facebook page and this blog post. He or she will be notified Thursday, November 5, 2015.

3) Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must be a U.S. resident.

4) One (1) winner will be selected.  One prize per person. If you win this giveaway, and have already won another prize from Mighty Nut through another blog, please disclose that you have already won so we can choose another winner. 

5) Sign in through Rafflecopter below to enter. With your first entry, the app will capture your e-mail or facebook name. This is so we can reach you if you win, in accordance with sweepstakes terms. Your contact info will ONLY be used to contact you if you win.

6) There are additional opportunities for multiple entries.

7) The winner will be chosen at random using the rafflecopter app below. Odds of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries received.

8) In the event winner does not respond to contact attempts via e-mail or facebook name provided, another winner will be selected at random.

9) Void where prohibited.


Giveaway
Disclosure of Material Connection: No financial compensation was received. We received product from Mighty Nut (through our partnership with Sweat Pink / Fit Approach) in exchange for this review. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will be good for our readers. All opinions stated on this blog are our own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For more great giveaways, click the image below

 

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Freekeh Foods Review & Giveaway {CLOSED}

Freekeh Foods Review and Giveaway

This Giveaway has closed.  Check our most recent posts to see if we are running any giveaways.

Have you heard of Freekeh Foods?  Yep, it is a crazy name.

Freekeh is an ancient Green Wheat.  Freekeh is a process which means “to rub” in Arabic. Freekeh was created by accident nearly 2,000 years ago when a Middle Eastern village was attacked and their crop of young green wheat was set ablaze. Most folks would sulk over their misfortune, but the crafty villagers rubbed off the chaff, cooked it up and “Eureka!” Freekeh was created.

But what is it?  This is toasted green wheat.  Similar in texture and taste to bulgur wheat. If you are conscious of where your food comes from, you will be pleased to discover this is a USDA Organic product, and Non GMO certified. All of the flavors currently available do not contain any animal products or flavorings, so it is safe for vegans and plant-based eaters.

Cooking instructions are similar to rice, so I prepared a batch in my rice cooker.  DisneyGroom and I really enjoyed it. 

He preferred it to eat it hot - like rice, with some stir fry veggies and tofu.  The tamari flavor was perfect for this.
I actually preferred it cold - add some diced parsley, cherry tomatoes, and a bit of lemon juice to make a tasty tabbouleh salad.  Either the original or rosemary sage would work beautifully in a salad.

Much like quinoa, couscous, or wheat berries - you get a slight nutty flavor.  I think this might be even more versatile than those three other foods though.

If you would like to try Freekeh, it is available at several major grocers.  I have found it at my local Whole Foods, Earth Fare, and Fresh Market.

Try it out in some of your favorite dishes, and if you run out of ideas, there is a recipe library on the Freekeh Foods page.

Now - it's time for the Giveaway 

Freekeh Foods is allowing us to give away a package of Freekeh to a reader. The winner can choose any of the following three flavors: original, rosemary sage, or tamari. Review the terms below and then enter via the rafflecopter widget. 

Terms of the Giveaway

1) No Purchase Necessary.

2) This Flash Giveaway begins Sunday Sept 27, 2015 and ends Monday Sept 28, 2015 at midnight. Winner will be announced on the Facebook page and this blog post. He or she will be notified Tuesday, Sept 29, 2015.

3) Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must be a U.S. resident.

4) One (1) winner will be selected. 

5) Sign in through Rafflecopter below to enter. With your first entry, the app will capture your e-mail or facebook name. This is so we can reach you if you win, in accordance with sweepstakes terms. Your contact info will ONLY be used to contact you if you win.

6) There are additional opportunities for multiple entries.

7) The winner will be chosen at random using the rafflecopter app below. Odds of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries received.

8) In the event winner does not respond to contact attempts via e-mail or facebook name provided, another winner will be selected at random.

9) Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Disclosure of Material Connection: No financial compensation was received. We received product from Freekeh Foods (through our partnership with Sweat Pink / Fit Approach) in exchange for this review. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will be good for our readers. All opinions stated on this blog are our own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For more great giveaways, click the image below

 

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"Someday" is today

Ever say to yourself, "Someday I will ___________"?

Yeah, me too.

So I did something crazy today.

I registered for an Ironman 70.3.

While this registration seemingly came out of the blue, this isn't just a whim. I've actually been wanting to do this for many years.

But today, I surprised even myself when I actually hit that REGISTER button.

What finally gave me that push?

It was a combination of things.

1)  I NEED a new big goal to work toward.  I've gotten complacent, nay.. I've gotten lazy. In the upcoming year, I have a few races on the calendar that are all repeat events with generous pace requirements. They were fun and will be fun again, but I've done them before. 

I need something fresh. Something with very strict time limits to get my butt into gear. 

Preparing for this event should give me the jump-start to push forward.

2) I've been following ultrarunner Scott Jurek as he set out to break the Appalachian Trail course record. Yes - he succeeded this past week and broke the old record. He ran from Georgia to Maine in 46 days, 8 hours, and 7 minutes. That's 2,189 miles, through 14 states. Pretty amazing, right? One memorable quote from the very humble Scott stuck with me these past few days.  So much so, that I made a meme. This is a favorite photo I took during this year's Gasparilla 8K in Tampa.



I think it is time for me to attempt something I'm not sure I can actually do.   

Call it madness, call it stupidity, call it what you will. But I'm doing it.

3) If not now, when? In record numbers, people my age are drawn to these tri events as sort of a pre-mid life crisis thing. I totally get it. It is no accident that the largest fields in triathlon tend to be the 35-39, and 40-44 age groups. Yeah, that would be me.  

Aging is inevitable. Sure, you read about runners and triathletes in their 90s and 100s still out there, kicking butt and taking names.  But there aren't a lot of them. 

If I want a shot at being one of those butt-kicking active seniors, I need to start stepping up my game now. 

So that's it in a nutshell.  I have several additional motives for wanting to do this event - but these three are the big ones that gave me the final push today. 

I've been telling myself for the past few years, "Someday, I will train for an Ironman."  I got tired of hearing myself say that.

Finally, that "someday" was today.



I've registered for the relay option.  Yep, that means a team.  So I won't be going it alone. More on that in an upcoming post.  I look forward to sharing this journey on the blog and through social media.

• Finish this sentence:  "Someday I will _________"
• What has to happen for you to make that 'someday' today?

Run Happy!
Disney Bride

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Review & Giveaway: Vegan1 Protein

Recently, Nutrition 53 reached out to us to try out some of their protein mixes.  They offer a wide selection of nutritional supplements and we opted to sample their vegan products.

The company itself has an interesting origin.

For Nutrition53's founder and CEO Bill Romanowski, performance isn't just a passion; it's a way of life. In his NFL career that included an unprecedented 243 consecutive games highlighted by five Super Bowls, he learned firsthand the power of nutrition from the leaders in the field. In his 16th NFL season, Bill's quest took an urgent new turn: the concussions on the football field had robbed him of his memory. Bill brought together the world's best doctors, scientists, and nutritionists to arrive at a formulation that would fully restore his mental function. The result was Neuro1, Nutrition53's first formula. 

So unlike your typical nutrition shake company - this one isn't just about just fat loss or muscle gains.  Their products are geared towards a range of health and fitness areas, including brain performance and sleep.

From staying lean to sleeping well, feeling energized and thinking clearly, Nutrition53 provides real tools and answers to help you achieve your very best and "live like you mean it."

The rundown on Vegan1

• 20g of plant-based protein
• 10 fruits and vegetables
• 22 vitamins and minerals
• Active Enzymes
• Antioxidant protection
• Probiotics
• 5g of dietary fiber
• 100% all natural 

Pros

• Can be used as meal replacements. I've enjoyed them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (on different days). These shakes are nutritionally complete. So, if you aren't able to sit down for a meal - just mix up a scoop with your liquid of choice and you are all set.
• Conveniently available in single serve packets or tubs.
• You can go to this link and request a free sample: http://www.nutrition53.com/collections/free-sample-vegan1
• I'd rate the taste as Very Good. I always mix my protein shakes with vanilla flavored rice milk or almond milk - because I like some sweetness.  You can mix with juice or water, and add sweetener or fruit to customize the taste to your liking.
• 4 flavors to choose from. The universal Vanilla and Chocolate of course, but also Chai and Banana. Chocolate is my fave, and I also really liked the Chai!
 

Cons

• I've yet to see Nutrition 53 products in brick and mortar stores, at least near me in North Florida.  You can easily find them online though.

~

Beyond the 'shake'
If you are someone who doesn't like having traditional shakes all the time, try being a little creative in the kitchen. You can add Vegan1 to your brownies, cookies, cereal, oatmeal, and more.

Chia pudding is something I make often, and this time I added a bit of banana Vegan1.

My go to Protein Powerhouse Pudding Recipe:

• 1 scoop of Vegan1 (any flavor)
• 5 or 6 tablespoons of chia seeds
• 10 oz of non-dairy milk (I used chocolate almond milk)
• Optional: 1 banana, handful of berries, 2 tablespoons flax , a natural sweetener of your choice (I don't add sweetener to mine, as any added fruit is sweet enough for me.  You might like it a bit sweeter though - my husband does, as do my coworkers who have tried it.)

Blend all ingredients until fruit is no longer chunky. (Mixture may be a bit thick and will get thicker as it sits.) Pour into small pudding cups or jars. Don't fill all the way to the top because the chia seeds will expand. Store in fridge for at least 2 hours; overnight  is better.  I like to grab one in the morning for my breakfast, or take one to work to have with my lunch.

Now - it's time for the Giveaway!  

Nutrition53 is allowing me to give away prizes to TWO lucky winners. The winners will each receive one tub of Vegan1 (1.5 lb.) and a shaker bottle. Review the terms below and then enter via the rafflecopter widget. 

Terms of the Giveaway

1) No Purchase Necessary.

2) Giveaway begins Wednesday June 3, 2015 and ends Tuesday June 9, 2015 at midnight. Winner will be announced on the Facebook page and this blog post. He or she will be notified Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

3) Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must be a U.S. resident.

4) Two (2) winners will be selected. Approximate retail value is $46.98 each prize pack. 

5) Sign in through Rafflecopter below to enter. With your first entry, the app will capture your e-mail or facebook name. This is so we can reach you if you win, in accordance with sweepstakes terms. Your contact info will ONLY be used to contact you if you win.

6) There are additional opportunities for multiple entries.

7) The winner will be chosen at random using the rafflecopter app below. Odds of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries received.

8) In the event winner does not respond to contact attempts via e-mail or facebook name provided within a one week period, another winner will be selected at random.

9) Void where prohibited.

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection: No financial compensation was received. We received product from Nutrition53 in exchange for this review. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will be good for our readers. All opinions stated on this blog are our own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For more great giveaways:click the image below

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