April Trip #2: The House of Mouse

Before leaving North Carolina, I spent the previous 12 hours driving all over town, taking care of all the last-minute business every good procrastinator is known for. I made a few pit stops at the house, but all meals were on the run, and that was frustrating: The weekend hadnโ€™t even begun and already I…

Before leaving North Carolina, I spent the previous 12 hours driving all over town, taking care of all the last-minute business every good procrastinator is known for. I made a few pit stops at the house, but all meals were on the run, and that was frustrating: The weekend hadnโ€™t even begun and already I was eating road food.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

This time, though, Iโ€™m determined to keep meals as healthy as possible, and put together this list before leaving for Orlando. You wonโ€™t see many milk-based options, stuff with certain fruits and/or meats, because this list is for things I like and can tolerate. Still, thereโ€™s plenty to choose from:

Breakfast: protein bars; bran muffin; yogurt; fruit and yogurt parfait; hot breakfast sandwich; small breakfast burrito; dry cereal; fresh fruits and juices.

Lunch or dinner: choose sandwich shops like Subway or Quiznos and choose whole grain breads, lean meats and lots of vegetables; salads; grilled chicken, alone or in a sandwich; cup of fresh fruit.

Snacks: Fig Newtons; nuts; seeds; fresh fruits; hard-boiled eggs; yogurt; dry cereal; Triscuits; baked chips; pretzels; health bars.

As it turns out, we didnโ€™t snack at all during the nine-hour drive. We left around 4 a.m. today, and Bobby got some breakfast since he was driving. Skyler spent the night at a teammateโ€™s house, since the whole squad was flying down together. Trey and I had stayed up, so we planned to just sleep.

Weโ€™d rented a minivan, and I created somewhat of a nest on the back bench. I wasnโ€™t very uncomfortable, but if there were less of me, thereโ€™d be more coziness.

We stopped around 8 a.m. to gas up and get some breakfast, then drove on through to Orlando. While waiting to check into the townhouse-style condo, we went to Cracker Barrel for lunch. One great thing about being in Florida is the abundance of fish and seafood options. I had a great meal featuring haddock, which was light yet filling.

My mother, brother and sister-in-law are arriving this evening, and none of them are much interested in eating light. Thatโ€™s fine; weโ€™re located off a major state road with every conceivable restaurant, as well as a few massive grocery stores.

The townhouse has a โ€œsplashโ€ pool โ€“ which Iโ€™d never heard of before โ€“ and itโ€™s inviting, as is the exercise room and pools at the nearby clubhouse.

All in all, this could be my healthiest trip yet. Iโ€™m also looking forward to getting a lot of exercise tomorrow, walking around Disneyโ€™s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, which is where the Cheerleading Worlds are held. Yes, there Iโ€™ll be amid thousands of cheerleaders and yes, 90 percent are quite physically fit.

Itโ€™s hard to want to order stuff like pizza and ice cream when the super-fit have you surrounded.

Hopefully, Iโ€™ll drop another pound or two. If so, Iโ€™ll tell you about it Monday.

A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what youโ€™ve been taking. ~ ย Earl Wilson

Leslie J. Ansley is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who blogs daily for TheRoot. She lives in Raleigh, NC.

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