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EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays 2019 Menu & Weight Watchers Survival Guide

11/24/2019

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*Disclaimer: There are affiliate links throughout this blog post where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
It's the most wonderful time of the year... unless you're dreading having to go to countless holiday parties between work and families and you know that holiday deserts threaten your healthy lifestyle and weight loss goals. Just when you think Epcot is safe territory because the Food and Wine Festival is over, in rolls the International Festival of the Holidays, which used to showcase just different cultures' wintertime traditions... but now is just as loaded with food and drink as Food and Wine is. 

Have no fear - the menu is out so we can peruse in advance! As I always say with the Epcot festivals, what's great about these seasonal events is that most of the options are in a smaller, sample-sized portion - that means you shouldn't worry too much about food guilt if you do indulge. I've snagged the menu right from Disney so that way you can see what's what and I'm also highlighting some of my recommendations if you're still trying to count your calories or Weight Watchers SmartPoints.

GF = Gluten/wheat friendly  |  KA = kid-approved
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Photos in this graphic are from DisneyParksBlog!

Feast of the Three Kings (Near the Mexico Pavilion):

Food Items:
  • Pastelón: Sofrito-marinated Beef with Sweet Plantains and Olives (GF)  
  • Queso Fresco-stuffed Arepa topped with Shrimp, Crushed Avocado Aji and Tomato Sauce (GF) 
  • Arepas topped with Melted Queso Fresco (GF, KA)  
  • Tres Leches Rice Pudding with Pumpkin Seeds (GF)  
  • Chocolate Crinkle Cookie 
Beverages:
  • Coquito: Tropical Eggnog (non-alcoholic, KA)
  • M.I.A. Beer Company Tres Reyes Mango Golden, Doral, FL
  • Coquito: Tropical Eggnog with a Bacardi Gold Dark Rum Floater  ​

Magically Fit's recommendation: Despite the queso, I'd actually reach for the Arepa with Shrimp - you've got a little protein from the shrimp, and it's a leaner protein than the beef option.

Holiday Sweets & Treats (Promenade Refreshments):

Food Items:
  • Peppermint Sundae: Chocolate Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, and Peppermint Candy (GF, KA)
  • Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie 
Beverages:
  • Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic, KA)
  • Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings Peppermint Cheer Tea (non-alcoholic) 
  • Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL
  • Hot Cocoa with Assorted Cordials (Baileys Irish Cream, Frangelico Liqueur or Fireball Cinnamon Whisky) 
  • Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings Peppermint Cheer Tea and Whipped Cream Vodka

Magically Fit's recommendation: This is a tricky one because it's all sweets - definitely know your food triggers before hitting up this food stand! If you're worried about calories, the sugar cookie is probably the lesser of two evils here. And while I'm not saying not to have any alcoholic beverages, option for the hot cocoa without any booze will help cut back on some calories too.

Want something sweet but don't want to set off any food triggers! I always like to bring a 3 SmartPoint Built Bar! Flavors range from 110-130 calories (except for the 4 SmartPoint, 170 calorie peanut butter flavor) and they're coated in real chocolate. It's a great way to curb your sweet tooth but since it's a protein bar, it'll be much more filling! Plus the coupon magicallyfit gets you 10% off. Pro tip: I like 'em refrigerated! 
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L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (Between Morocco and France):

Food Items:
  • Pastrami on Rye with House-made Pickles and Deli Mustard 
  • Smoked Salmon Potato Latke 
  • Potato Latkes with Sour Cream (KA)
  • Sufganiyot: Mini Jelly-filled Donuts
  • Black and White Cookie 
Beverages:
  • Egg Cream: Milk, Chocolate Syrup and Seltzer (non-alcoholic) 
  • Shmaltz Brewing Company Chanukah Hanukkah Pass the Beer, Clifton Park, NY 
  • Blue Cosmo Cocktail ​

Magically Fit's recommendations: Latkes - especially sample-sized ones - probably won't be too much of a heavy hitter, so I'd reach for one of those to feel more festive. Shoutout to the smoked salmon one for packing some extra protein and a healthier fat than the sour cream! 

Refreshment Port (Near the Canada Pavilion):

Food Items:
  • Turkey Poutine: French Fries with Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Relish, and Crispy Onions 
Beverage Items:
  • T.G. Lee Eggnog (non-alcoholic) 
  • T.G. Lee Eggnog with Spiced Rum ​
Magically Fit's recommendations: Not really many options here - just your eggnog, really, and the turkey poutine which I'd personally stay away from. If you really want these things, it would be much more satisfying to just have a Thanksgiving-style meal instead of a copycat version of it on French fries!

Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada Pavilion)

Food Items:
  • Seared Verlasso Salmon with Crown Royal Maple Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant 
  • Canadian Wild Rice and Ham Soup with Almonds served with a Pretzel Roll 
  • Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake with Cranberry Sauce and Pecan Crumble 
  • Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie 
Beverages:
  • Frozen Coffee (non-alcoholic)
  • Unibroue Éphémère Cassis
  • Inniskillin Riesling Icewine
  • Inniskillin Pearl Vidal Icewine
  • Inniskillin Gold Oak Icewine
  • Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky
  • Icewine Flight also available

Magically Fit's recommendations: I'd go for the Canadian Wild Rice and just be cautious of the size of the pretzel roll due to everything that comes on the salmon! Plus there are other healthier salmon options at different stands.

Canada Popcorn Cart (Canada Pavilion):

  • Pecan Maple Bark with Maple Sugar

UK Beer Cart (United Kingdom Pavilion):

  • Mulled Cider: Strongbow Apple Cider, Twinings Orange and Cinnamon Herbal Tea, Pimms No. 1, and Apple Juice with Star Anise (served warm) ​

UK Tea Caddy (United Kingdom Pavilion):

  • Twinings Iced Christmas Toddy: Twinings Iced Christmas Tea with Honey (non-alcoholic, KA) 
  • Twinings Iced Christmas Toddy: Twinings Iced Christmas Tea with Honey and Drambuie  ​

Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France Pavilion):

Food Items:
  • Rillette de Saumon: Salmon Spread with House-made bread
  • Bouchée à la Reine Traditionnelle: Turkey and Mushrooms in a Veloute Cream Sauce served in a Light Puff Pastry
  • Bûche de Noël au Chocolat: Christmas Log with Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Caramel Ganache (KA)
Beverage Items:
  • Sparkling Rosé Veuve Dubarry Cuvée Prestige
  • Syrah, Grand Vallon, Charles Brotte
  • Kir Imperial: Sparkling Wine and Chambord Liqueur
  • Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini: Grey Goose Vanilla, Vodka, and Chocolate Milk

Magically Fit's recommendation: I'd go for the Turkey and Mushrooms - even though it's in a cream sauce, you can push some of that out of the puff pastry if you've got a lot of it that you're worried about. 

L’Artisan des Glaces (France Pavilion):

  • Glace au Pain d’Epices: Gingerbread Ice Cream with Gingerbread Pieces (KA)

Boulangerie Patisserie Les Halles (France Pavilion):

  • Bûche de Noël au Chocolat: Chocolate Christmas Log with Chocolate Orange Cream Mousse and Chocolate Crunch Biscuit (KA)

Sapphire Holiday Kitchen (Morocco Pavilion):

Food Items:
  • Grilled Lamb Kefta Kebab and Grapes with Euro Cucumber, Red Pepper, Pickled Pearl Onions, and Harissa-Cilantro Dressing
  • Confit of Chermoula Chicken Drum with Cinnamon Granny Smith Apple, Toasted Almonds, Brussels Sprouts and Pinot Noir Glaze
  • “Sfenj”: Warm Beignets with Cream, Cinnamon-Sugar and Chocolate Sauce
Beverage Items:
  • Casa Beer
  • Bonassia Red Wine
  • The Andalusian “Poinsettia” Cocktail: Sparking Wine, Orange Liqueur and Cranberry Juice topped with Orange Blossom Water
  • Walnut Spiced Coffee with Walnut Liqueur and topped with Cinnamon and Whipped Cream

Magically Fit's recommendation: This is another good pavilion to visit if you're set on sampling around the world showcase! Your Lamb Kebab is grilled, and the Chicken Drum comes with mostly-healthyish (for a theme park, anyway) options. I'd probably lean towards the lamb, though - less sugar!

Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan Pavilion):

Food Items:
  • Year Celebration Soba: Buckwheat Soba Noodles in Hot Dashi Soup with Kakiage (Vegetable Tempura) and Chopped Green Onion
  • Chirashi Sushi Tree: Sashimi-grade Tuna, Salmon, Ikura, and Yellowtail with Vegetables decorated on a bed of Rice
  • Matcha Crème Brûlée: Creamy Green Tea Custard with a Caramelized Sugar Crust topped with Mochi, Strawberry, and Red Bean Jam
Beverages:
  • Ichigo Milk Boba (non-alcoholic): Strawberry Cream Drink with Japanese Calpico and popping Strawberry Boba Pearls
  • Sapporo Draft Beer
  • Tsubaki Whiskey Sour: Plum Wine with Whiskey, Cranberry Juice, and Lemon ​

Magically Fit's recommendation: Japan always offers up some of my favorites, and for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, it's no exception! Buckwheat soba noodles are Zero SmartPoints on the MyWW Purple Plan, so even though there's some vegetable tempura going on, it makes for a good option. The sushi Christmas tree is also adorable and a great option! 

However, don't be fooled by the matcha creme brulee - even though matcha is packed full of health benefits, this is a sugar-loaded dessert! However, if you're looking for something sweet that won't necessarily trigger a chocolate craving and don't want to bring your own dessert or aforementioned Built Bar, then this may be a good choice of indulgence. 

American Holiday Table (The American Adventure):

Food Items:
  • Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce (KA)
  • Hand-carved Smoked Ham with Green Beans and Sweet Potato Casserole (GF, KA)
  • Chocolate Pecan Tart with Whipped Cream and Whisky-Caramel Sauce 
  • Gingerbread Cookie 
Beverages:
  • Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic, KA)
  • 81Bay Brewing Company Cinnamon Cranberry Orange Wheat Ale, Tampa, FL 
  • Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL 
  • Playalinda Brewing Co. Peppermint Chocolate Porter, Titusville, FL 
  • Cocoa Candy Cane: Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps
  • Holiday Beer Flight also available ​

Magically Fit's recommendations: Either of your options here probably are comparable, so you're looking at two options with decent protein! The cranberry sauce with the turkey and the sweet potato casserole are probably a trade-off as far as a sugary side dish goes. However, if you are worried about having more sides, I'd go for the ham. If you're here for something sweet, the gingerbread cookie will probably pack some similar flavors to the tart without as many calories from the whipped cream and sauce! 
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Funnel Cake (The American Adventure):

  • Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake

Fife & Drum (The American Adventure):

Food Items:
  • Holiday Apple Pie Sundae with Soft-serve Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce and Crunchy Streusel Topping (KA)

Block & Hans (The American Adventure):

Beverage Items:
  • Orlando Brewing Blonde Ale, Orlando, FL
  • Lexington Brewing Company Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, Lexington, KY
  • Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Milton, DE
  • Spiked Frozen Apple Pie: Minute Maid Apple Juice, Monin Cinnamon Syrup and Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine ​

Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy Pavilion):

Food Items:
  • Bianca Neve: Italian Flatbread, Mozzarella, and Parmesan (KA)
  • La Genovese: Rustic Flatbread, Vidalia Onions, White Wine Braised Beef Tenderloin Tips, Mozzarella
  • Collezione Barilla: Pennette Pasta, Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onions, Creamy Sauce (KA)
  • Crespelle di Mele: Cinnamon Apple Fritters with a Vanilla Sauce Drizzle and Confectioner’s Sugar
  • Bacio al Cioccolato: Warm Hazelnut Chocolate Cake with Caramelized Berry Sauce
  • Panettone Mignon: Miniature Traditional Italian Christmas Fruitcake
Beverage Items:
  • Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner
  • Pinot Grigio, Santa Marina
  • Chianti, Gabbiano
  • Prosecco, Villa Sandi
  • Corbinello, Montegrande
  • Moscato Fior D’Arancio, Montegrande
  • Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila

Magically Fit's recommendation: I'd go for the Bianca Neve flatbread; beef is protein, but it's white-wine braised and not the leanest of protein options. You're also getting to skip out on "caramelized" and "creamy" aka dressings that are high in SmartPoints even in tiny amounts.

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany Pavilion):

Food Items:
  • Potato Dumpling with Mushroom Sauce (KA)
  • Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Sauce and Spätzle 
  • Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl with Steamed Baby Vegetables and Marble Potatoes (KA)
  • Black Forest Roulade with Cherry Whipped Cream  
  • Linzer Cookie 
Beverages:
  • Possmann Pure Hard Apple Cider, Frankfurt, Germany 
  • Possmann Pure Hard Black Currant Apple Cider, Frankfurt, Germany 
  • Schöfferhofer Pomegranate Hefeweizen, Frankfurt, Germany
  • Regional Riesling
  • Glühwein: House-made Hot Spiced Wine
  • Cider Flight also available

Magically Fit's recommendation: I'd split the cheese fondue in the bread bowl with a friend and hog the baby vegetables! 

Prost! (Germany Pavilion):

Beverages:
  • M.I.A. Beer Company White Christmas IPA, Doral, FL
  • 3 Daughters Brewing 70 Degree Winter Weizen, St. Petersburg, FL
  • Shipyard Candy Cane Coffee Porter, Clearwater, FL
  • Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale, San Francisco, CA 
  • Barrel of Monks Brewing Figgy Terno, Boca Raton, FL 
  • Castle Church Brewing Here I Stand Stout, Orlando, FL 
  • Beer Flights also available

Refreshment Outpost (African Outpost): ​

Food Items:
  • Warm Caramel Stuffed Salted Pretzel with Soft-serve Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce (KA)
Beverage Items:
  • Coca-Cola Cinnamon Float (non-alcoholic, KA) 
  • Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL

Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China Pavilion):

Food Items:
  • Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls (KA)
  • Mongolian Beef Bao Bun and a Fortune Cookie 
  • Celebration Barbecue Pork with Steamed Rice and a Fortune Cookie
  • Chengdu Spicy Street Fries 
Beverage Items:
  • Tsingtao Beer 
  • Firework: Jose Cuervo Tequila Gold, Vodka, Mango Syrup, Orange Juice and Soda Water 
  • Marco Boba: Amaretto, Iced Coffee, Milk and Boba 
  • The Lucky Mo: Peach Schnapps, Peach Syrup, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice and Coconut Milk ​

Magically Fit's recommendation: I'd opt for the barbecue pork with steamed rice - easier to control your carb count than a bao bun! 

Norway- Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway Pavilion):

  • Traditional Holiday Rice Cream

Magically Fit's notes: In case you aren't sure what this is, typically a Norweigen holiday rice cream is essentially a leftover rice porridge refresher with whipped cream, vanilla, and/or sugar added. It's usually topped with a red berry or fruit sauce. Similar to my Matcha Creme Brulee note on the Japan Pavilion's offerings, this might be a good dessert option for someone who doesn't want to bring their own sweets but would rather indulge in Disney's without triggering a chocolate craving, and would likely be a lighter sweets option than a Christmas Yule log cake or a pumpkin spice funnel cake.

Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico Pavilion):

Food Items:
  • Giant Tostada de Puerco: Braised Pork served on a Giant Tostada with Chipotle Black Bean Spread, Guajillo Sauce, Queso Fresco, Crema Mexicana, Pickled Onion, and topped with Chicharrón Dust (GF) 
  • Tamal de Pollo: Braised Chipotle Chicken served in a Corn Masa with Yellow Mole and topped with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Queso Cotija and Crema Mexicana (GF, KA) 
  • Horchata Cheesecake: Creamy Rice Cheesecake served with Cajeta Sauce 
Beverages:
  • Holiday Cider: Hard Apple Cider with Cinnamon-infused Tequila
  • Mexican Fruit Punch: Mezcal, Red Wine, and Blackcurrant Liqueur infused with Star Anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger and Orange Peel (served warm)
  • Horchata Margarita: Tequila, Horchata Rum, Cinnamon Whisky, and Agua de Horchata served on the rocks

Magically Fit's recommendation: Because it's a leaner protein, my vote goes to the Tamal de Pollo. However if you're watching your carb intake, the Tostada de Puerco might be easier since you can just opt to not eat the tostada it's served on.

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company:

Future World East: Choco-Latte: Latte with Chocolate Sauce and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur 
Canada: Ginger Chai Madness: Chai Latte with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Gingerbread Syrup 
Showcase Plaza: Coconut Snowstorm: Latte with RumChata and Coconut Syrup 
The American Adventure: Toffee Coffee: Latte with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Sea Salt Caramel Toffee Sauce 
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays starts on November 29th and runs through December 30th! What are you most looking forward to trying? Let me know in the comments, on Instagram or on Facebook!
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New Weight Watchers plan coming this November! What we know about myWW...

11/4/2019

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Feb 2020 Update: What we thought we knew about myWW turned out to hold true! This plan is an exciting way for members to customize their experience. I personally have been swapping between Green and Purple depending on where life takes me (and avoiding Blue because it does not work for me personally, but I'm glad knowing it is there for those who love and need it!). This makes it something sustainable in the long term, and in research, WW (Weight Watchers Reimagined) was actually found to be the best long-term diet plan by Consumers Advocate! For more info on that research, you can check it out on their website. 

On to the article!

There’s a new Weight Watchers plan coming around, and I’m so excited about it! As many of you know, I lost the bulk of my weight with Weight Watchers during their Beyond the Scale program that launched in 2015 and introduced SmartPoints. But I struggled immensely when they updated to Freestyle, and have switched to a third party knock-off WW app to continue using my 30 points per day program that actually worked for me. Many of us wished to Return to 30, but many did see success with Freestyle because one size does not fit all with weight loss programs.
This post contains some affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Read more here!
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This is why I am so excited for the new WW program launching, myWW. MyWW launched in Australia already, so we have a sneak peek at what it will look like for those of us in other parts of the world, and it launches here in the United States on Monday, November 11. 

myWW is being advertised as their most ground-breaking program ever because it’ll be, to a degree, customizable. Here’s what we know so far…
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There are three plans offered

  • If you’re a Freestyle fan, have no fear - you don’t have to change anything! The Blue Plan is the Freestyle program that features a minimum of 23 SmartPoints per day with over 200 Zero Point foods. This program is great if you don’t sweat portion control, and don’t want to have to track all your zero point foods. This includes lean proteins, chicken, corn, and beans. 
  • Miss the Beyond the Scale program where your minimum daily allowance was 30 SmartPoints? Then you’ll want to check out the Green Plan! The Green Plan seems to be essentially the original SmartPoints program where the only foods with zero points are fruits and most vegetables. If you like tracking everything and/or need portion control assistance, this is a great plan.
  • If you’re familiar with Simply Filling and like that route, then you’ll want to try the Purple Plan! Purple Plan is basically Core/Simply Filling in the regards that it has the most foods for zero points - over 300 including some whole grains! - but you also have a minimum point allowance of 16 SmartPoints. Similarly to Freestyle/Blue, if you don’t feel you have an issue with portion control, this plan may be a good fit for you. ​
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Which one is right for me?

  • You can swap between the plans if you find that one doesn’t work for you, but WW recommends waiting it out for two weeks before making that decision. 
  • Before you make a decision, however, you can take an assessment that will focus on your unique needs and lifestyle so you can be matched with the plan best suited for you.
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This is all so exciting because I’ve so desperately tried to make Freestyle work for me, but it hasn’t. I think giving users the option to try different things that all have similar cores is a great idea and will help people find success without feeling trapped!

​Are you looking forward to myWW? Let's discuss! 

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    Jessica is a huge Disney and Star Wars nerd who channeled that love into motivation to lose 75 lbs.

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