There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, 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!

​Halloween will be here before you know it, and I was kind of disappointed at how expensive some of Disney's Halloween decor was! So I decided to make some of my own! 

These Mickey Mouse pumpkins were so easy to make and would be a really fun craft project to do with kids (virtual art class, anyone?) if you have children.  

• Pack of multi-size pumpkins (I used this multipack on Amazon)
• Orange acrylic paint (I used a Georgia Clay color)
• Paint brushes (I used these ones)
• Glue (I used ​Gorilla Glue​ but you could easily use any superglue or hot glue).

1. Pop the stems out/off of the smaller pumpkins (in the multipack I got, the stems popped right out). You can remove or just elevate them on the larger ones.
2. Paint all the pumpkins orange if they aren't already. You may need to apply a few coats to make them not look streaky, especially if your pumpkins are white like mine were.
3. Replace the stems on the large pumpkins only once the paint has dried.
4. Place a little glue around the hole where the stems were on the smaller pumpkins - this way, no one will see the hole!
5. Gently press the smaller pumpkins on a diagonal angle by the top of the larger pumpkins to make your Mickey ears. 
6. Let sit for a few minutes, and then you're done!

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These are so easy to make and the multipack I got provided enough for me to make three of these Mickey pumpkins. Plus there were a few smaller pumpkins leftover so I could add a few with the rest of my Halloween decor!
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• Disney Kitchen Gadgets to Make Your Home More Magical
• Walt Disney World Reopening Guide
• Fishing Excursions at Walt Disney World

There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, 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!

Like I shared with you all last month, I'm currently working on improving my running pace in a way that is safe and effective for me so I don't flare up old injuries. My current 5K personal record (PR) was 40 minutes, and I really want to cut that down to 30 minutes. A big part of this is going to be eliminating walk breaks (which I still highly recommend for people to try out, especially if you are new to running and/or nursing some old injuries like me; and I'll probably continue to do run/walk/run on longer distances). 
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This way, I'll be able to feel comfortable and confident when running straight through at a pace that's closer to a 9:50 mile (something I know I can do, but need to work up to doing that for 3 miles in a row!). I'm looking forward to picking up my medal this weekend (it's a drive-through set up, but it'll be my first opportunity for a #MedalMonday in months, haha)!

To train for this 5K, here's what I did: 

• Signed up early so I could slowly increase my mileage a half mile at a time
• Spent at least a week at a set distance before increasing mileage
• Listened to my body. If I wasn't feeling 2 miles one day, then I wouldn't do it so I wouldn't hurt myself
• Didn't force myself to go my fastest mile. Longer distance means slowing it down a bit so I could make sure I wasn't burning out in the first mile or so. To do this, check in with yourself every half mile or so: "Is this pace maintainable?" 

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I recommend you do the same, and if you're going virtual, here are a few things you can do to make your runs more interesting: 

• Have a good playlist! Music truly helps. 
• If you're on the treadmill and get bored easily, look into treadmill videos on YouTube to simulate running through a destination, or watch a new show on your fave streaming service. This can help the time (and miles!) go by more quickly. 
• You can also try something like the app Zombies, Run! which puts you in the heart of a zombie apocalypse story.
• Remember: just because a race is virtual doesn't mean the miles don't count! A lot of people don't really like virtual races, but they can be great to use as incentives for training towards a goal. It gives you something to look forward to, even if it is just a medal. 

When I haven't been listening to LOONA on my runs, I've been listening to a lot of J-Pop and rock. I'm studying Japanese for a future vacation (once COVID madness is over; if you follow me on Instagram, then you already know that Anthony and I were supposed to honeymoon there back in March but the trip had to be cancelled.

​Listening to Japanese music has really helped me familiarize myself with the sounds as I learn a bit more, even if I don't understand what they're saying. My husband and I have also been catching up on a lot of anime in quarantine, so I thought it would be fun to compile some of my favorite high-energy songs from anime intros and outros to feature in a running playlist (which works great for hitting the weights at the gym, too).

A huge thank you to the following people for sending me a few songs to add so it wasn't just all my faves, but hopefully some general fan-faves as well!

• hrhrosemary (and her daughter!) on WW Connect
• empathmeetsanime on WW Connect
• bliztoise on Instagram
• pzzuto on Instagram

You canlisten to this playlist on Spotify.

​There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, 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!
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Whether your gym is closed or you don't feel safe going yet if it's re-opened, working out in a COVID-19 world has shifted largely into our backyards and living rooms. My husband Anthony and I have been determined to not lose our progress - trying to lose weight/burn fat and "tone up" for me (you all know how stubborn the last five pounds can be!), trying to gain more muscle for him - and really found all of these pieces of equipment helpful. 
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Resistance Bands
Getting a set of resistance bands, especially ones that are stackable, are great for both beginners and more experienced fitness enthusiasts. Anthony loves his stackable set because he can get up to 150 lbs of resistance from the bands. This was super helpful before our gym closed due to quarantine so he wouldn't lose his progress! Plus they were great for me since it wasn't just one set resistance, so we could stack them to our needs.

Dumbbells
A set of dumbbells is a must! There's so much you can do with them, for your arms, abs, and even legs. Plus even some heavier ones shouldn't take up too much room in your house. Need more than one set and want something a bit more heavy duty? Check out dumbbell sets with racks! 

Stability Ball
A stability ball is great to include in your home gym since you can use it for so many different workouts. I love my stability ball kit from SoAlpha because in includes some resistance bands and it has a sheet with a bunch of different workouts that you can do with it.
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Yoga Mat
Not all yoga mats are created equal! You want to make sure you can have a good grip on it without necessarily needing special socks. This yoga mat on Amazon is great for non-slip and comes in a variety of colors.

Yoga Blocks
Yoga blocks are so helpful for at-home practices, especially for beginners (like myself!) still working on deepening certain stretches and improving posture in stretches.  They're usually made from foam so they're not super hard on your wrists.

Yoga Bolster
Sometimes, a yoga practice will call for a pillow. I like to use a special pillow (sometimes called a yoga bolster) for this so that way, I don't have to run and grab the ones I use on the couch or my bed and potentially get them dirty on the floor. It's nice to have a pillow with one intention (especially since a big part of yoga is setting intentions for your practice!).
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Punching bag
Having a punching bag at your disposal is a great way to work on both self-defense and cardio with some boxing drills. Anthony loves boxing for a good cardio-meets-core and arm workout. I used to use these a lot in my karate days, too, and you can't go wrong with anything by Everlast. You can shop their products on Amazon. 

Stationary bike
I swear by my stationary bike at home. I have it set up in my bedroom facing my television, so if I still need to get a workout in but I'm feeling kind of lazy, I have no excuse: I can just hop on and pedal while my husband and I watch television. I got mine a few years ago, but here's a link to the newer model version of the exact one I have on Amazon.

Treadmill
A treadmill is also something I swear by, especially in the summer (especially living in Florida) when it's too hot to get a run in once the sun comes up. My parents have a treadmill by Nordic Track that really helped me through my half marathon training (and they're the more affordable treadmill brand out there, in my experience). The ones at my gym are by Precor and I really enjoy their treadmills, too (it may not seem like it, but they're not all created equal!). 

Fitness Watch
Having a fitness watch, especially if you're doing a lot of running or other cardio. If you're into running, biking, and swimming, then a Garmin Forerunner 235 will be a fantastic watch that offers a lot of great features, like built-in interval timers. If you need something for the basics but is still a great watch with great features, I'd recommend this one.

I recently treated myself to a Series 5 Apple Watch and love it for the gym since I can track exercises beyond just biking, running, and swimming - including yoga and weight training. Plus, the Apple Watch gets more specific for what type of indoor cardio activity you're doing, so if you're like me and enjoy trying out different pieces of cardio equipment, you  can really get your stats super accurate on the Apple Watch. 
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Massager
My husband and I got a shiatsu massager like this one as a wedding present and it is one of our favorite things we've ever gotten! We swear by it after a particularly intense gym session. Trust me on this one - treat yourself.

Foam Roller
Foam rollers are great for a few things. Not only is it fantastic for muscle recovery, but also can be a beneficial part of a warm up or cool down routine. It particularly can help with tightness in both your muscles and joints. Similar to foam rollers are stick rollers, for rolling over your muscles after a workout. My mom has a million of these from the various race expos we've been to and she loves them all. This one is her favorite.

Compression Socks
After a great run, I make sure to wear compression socks to help with the blood flow and preventing soreness. I find it really does help! My favorite pairs are my Danish Endurance brand ones from Amazon. They sell sleeves and socks, so if you just need it for your shins you have that option too. They're fairly affordable but still get the job done.
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​I've seen a play on the "freshmen 15" phrase going around this summer - the "quarantine 19" - but please know that it's a stressful time for everyone right now. Don't punish yourself into working out because you put on some pounds during lockdown. Bake that banana bread because you love it, and then try some of these pieces in your next workout because you love it, too. They're not mutually exclusive! ​
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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, 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!
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After being on Weight Watchers for almost five years now, I have a few go-to snacks that I love to have in the house to help me make sure I succeed. Because let's be real... sometimes, you need something other than roasted broccoli or fresh fruit. Here are some of my absolute favorites that I can't go without, many of which that you can order on Amazon!

Protein bars are one of my absolute must have snacks for on-the-go. They're a lifesaver when you're out at about and need a quick boost of protein to fill you up (but also have a sweets craving) until your next meal, but also want to know exactly how many calories you're consuming and not worry about it.

Four protein bar brands you can try that I enjoy, in order of SmartPoints values: 

• Built Bar (SmartPoints typically range from 3-5 per bar)
  • Where to get them: On Built Bar's website. Get 10% off with coupon MagicallyFit
• Quest (SmartPoints typically range from 4-5 per bar)
  • Where to get them: Most grocery stores sell them, or you can get a pack on Amazon
• Pure Protein (SmartPoints typically range from 5-6 per bar)
  • Where to get them: Most grocery stores sell them, or you can get a pack on Amazon
• ONE (SmartPoints typically range from 6-7 per bar)
  • Where to get them: Most grocery stores sell them, or you can get a pack on Amazon

Popcorn is a snack you can have a ton of for a very low amount of calories and SmartPoints. This is great for measuring out a few cups and pouring it into a huge bowl and munching on when you're having a Netflix binge watching session. I personally really like the Angie's BoomChickaPop kind. If you want to level up your popcorn but skip the butter, add some popcorn seasoning to it to help add some flavor but keep the calories low! 

Where to get it: Most grocery stores, or on Amazon

Greek yogurt has been a staple of mine since I started losing weight. Specifically, my favorite is the 80 calorie (2 SmartPoints) Dannon Light & Fit Greek variety. But if you're on myWW Purple or Blue, plain nonfat Greek yogurt is Zero SmartPoints! Add a Zero SP flavoring like Jordan's Skinny Syrups to it for a great 0 SP snack.

Want to make your own yogurt? If you havean InstantPot, check if it has a yogurt setting and then get some ideas from the Instant Pot Yogurt Recipes cookbook!
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If you don't have an Amazon account but want to try out some of these snacks, you can get a 30 day free trial of Amazon Prime when you get started through this link -- this includes unlimited 2-day shipping for free, plus access to all of the Amazon Prime shows and the ability to borrow Kindle books. 

There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, 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!
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I’ve seen countless advertisements for posture correctors on Groupon and Amazon. I recently tweaked my rhomboid muscle - that pesky little dude between your shoulder and spine - from sleeping in a weird position (please tell me I’m not the only who becomes a contortionist in their sleep?), and it’s made me pretty hyper-aware of my posture since I’m trying to sit comfortably despite the rhomboid muscle pain. I did a yoga class on Youtube, and when it had me “roll my shoulders back and relax them,” I realized the relaxed position hurt. My posture was worse off than I realized, and working from home off a laptop/having a desk job probably doesn’t help. 

So, while lying in bed, I bugged my husband with the light from my phone and impulse bought a posture corrector on Amazon. The reviews showed people expressing their delight at seeing results after only two days with the photos to show for it. I can only hope that these reviews are legit and not paid for, but I’m still feeling hopeful nonetheless. I’m writing this while I wait for the posture corrector to arrive, and I’ll be chronicling the next seven days completely honestly to see if this helps.

According to Healthline, there are a few benefits of wearing a posture corrector and having proper posture in general. So some of these are the things I’ll be looking for over the next seven days: 

• Reduced stiffness in your neck and shoulders (this will be my biggest indicator)
• Boosted energy levels
• Helps you breathe better (something I'll be measuring when I run)
• Maintaining proper form while exercising
• Reducing chance of injury when exercising or performing physical activities 
• Make you appear taller (I’m only 5’2” so this would be really nice, haha!)

They warn that you shouldn’t have it too right so that way you don’t mess with your blood circulation. Maybe it’s because I have weak upper body strength, but I didn’t find it possible to make it that tight. I also didn’t feel a need for the armpit pads. 

The brace itself wasn’t uncomfortable but it definitely made me aware of how much I slouched. The way it works is when you start to slouch, it’s uncomfortable so it encourages you to sit up properly. The better posture was a bit uncomfortable but I’m sure I’ll get used to it (the instructional card says this is normal). I wore it for the recommended 15-20 minutes (I landed around 20) for the first day. 

After wearing it, I felt myself more aware of my posture, too, because now those muscles have been activated. So far, so good and very minor discomfort. My back was pretty sore, which goes to show how bad my posture was! I think it’ll be worth it to help reduce my back pain in the long run.

Day 2 calls for another 15 minutes. The back soreness I experienced last night went away with sleep, and the posture corrector is even more comfortable today now that I’m used to it and know what to expect. I already notice a difference in how I’m carrying myself, which probably attributes to my comfort level. 
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Only went for another 15 minutes today since the instruction card doesn’t call for increasing the time worn until after Day 3 or 4. I’m feeling pretty comfortable with it now, so will probably up it tomorrow. The slight discomfort has definitely minimized dramatically over the last three days, and I’ve found myself throughout the day after wearing it checking myself without having it on. 

Something I’ve already noticed despite only being three days in: before I started, I was needing to crack my neck a lot and my shoulders were beyond stiff. I’ve been overall less stiff and haven’t cracked my neck half as much, so that’s a good sign!

I decided to up my wear from 15 minutes to 35 minutes today (as recommended on the instruction sheet to increase it by about 20 minutes at this point) and I barely noticed I was wearing it. This thing is working! I find myself catching myself if I start to slouch, and I feel like I’m slouching much less than before, especially at my work-from-home desk. 

I don’t know that I can speak for my energy levels being any different because of it, but maybe that’s more of a long term effect. I did notice I had an easier time with keeping proper form at the gym today, though.
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I wore it for another 35 minutes today and barely noticed it was on! Nothing really noteworthy beyond it getting easier. It feels much more natural now!
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Today I tried wearing it for 45 minutes. I had been wearing it on my lunch break before but I think I slept funny since I had a crook in my neck when I woke up. I put the posture corrector on as I sat down for breakfast and after a few minutes, felt some relief in my neck as my shoulders rolled back and relaxed.
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I’ve noticed a notable difference in myself and am really glad I got this posture corrector. My back now hurts when I slouch instead of when I relax my shoulders back so I’d say all in all, this was a successful week! I’ve been catching myself if I do slouch, but I’ve noticed today especially that I’m slouching way less even when I don’t have the corrector on.

I also went for a run today and noticed my running form was the best it’s ever been and, as a result, my breathing was better too - something I have been working on since increasing my speed and decreasing walk intervals. 
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I’ll probably wear this for another few days or so to really reinforce these good new habits and make sure I don’t fall back into slouching, especially since I’ll be working from home for the foreseeable future. 

​I was surprised at how quickly this worked and definitely would recommend this to anyone who finds themselves slouched over a laptop more often these days. They make some higher tech ones too in case you want something more discreet and that isn’t like backpack straps and function really similarly (by encouraging you to sit up by making slouching uncomfortable).

​There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, 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!
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A lot of you on Weight Watchers know and love Built Bar because they're one of the lowest SmartPoint options out there for protein bars. I also recognize that a lot of you were introduced to Built Bar through me! They just released their brand new formula of bars and also some new products (including revamped Built Boost and a new flavor, BuiltGo).

As some of you may know, I stepped away from Built Bar for a little while after their big sale this summer because of some mold issues with their old formula. If you saw my Instagram stories then, then you know whats up. But I want to be completely honest and transparent from the get-go instead of sugar-coating anything! If you don't know what happened, feel free to send me a message and I'd be more than happy to explain in more depth, but I don't want to beat a dead horse here. There were also, on top of this, a lot of issues with bars not being the size listed on the label. 

But, I wanted to give Built Bar a fair shot at redemption. With a new product, new formula, and promises to have no more issues with inconsistency - especially in terms of sizing - I thought it would be unfair of me to not at least give them a try and see if they've improved. They offered to send me (as well as other ambassadors) samples of their new products, and I accepted with cautious optimism. So, I'll be providing my honest thoughts and feedback here, even if it isn't all sunshine and rainbows - yes, even as an affiliate!  

So, that all being said, let's get to it, shall we?

Like I said, I went into this cautiously optimistic, but I wasn't disappointed. If anything, I was actually really pleasantly surprised! The new bars have a really nice consistency. They're significantly less chewy than the last ones, so they stick to your teeth less but still have a really soft texture. The best way I can describe it is "almost airy." 

The flavors are still really nice (sweet but not too sweet) and they're still coated with dark chocolate. You'll notice that the calories on these bars have increased, but for the most part, the SmartPoints values should still be pretty low since they increased the protein per bar as well. I've also noticed now with the bars I have had from my mixed box that the sizing has been consistent, and just based on eyeballing them, they all look to be about the same (whereas before, I could visually see which bars were smaller than the last). I've also noticed that the flavors with nuts actually do have little tiny bits of nuts in them like they claimed too (in the past, this was kind of hit or miss for me).

All in all, I'm really grateful that I gave Built another chance. They have some new flavors that are exciting, too, such as cookies-n-cream (a limited flavor that I used to love!), Apple Almond Crisp, and Lemon Almond Cheesecake.

If you're looking to trying the new bar, you can order them on Built's website and get 10% off when you use the coupon code MagicallyFit.

I almost didn't try these (and I'll explain why in a moment) but one thing I will point out is that the flavors have a new naming convention. Other than the Root Beer Float and Tropical Twist, there's really no indication as to what these taste like. Even the new packaging eliminates any pictures to show you what it could have in it (it used to have pictures of the fruit that it was flavored like), and the ingredients list is pretty vague.

​This was a red flag for me since cherry flavoring makes me sick, and it took quite a bit of back and forth via emails to convince the staff that cherry flavoring making me sick is not just me being dramatic with my preferences... but I finally found out the only one with that flavor is Cool Breeze (so I'll be giving those to Anthony to try). Phew! I've cut out soda entirely since I'm trying to reduce my intake of things that make me bloated, so I'm looking forward to trying the new Root Beer Float flavor in case I'm ever craving it. So far, I like the Cloud Nine (grape-y!), Red Ruby (strawberry lemonade-y), and Tropical Twist a lot.

*Update 8/18: Looks like now that the site is live, there's no wondering what the flavors are - they have descriptions on each individual item on the website! 

If you're looking to order these, you can stock up on the Built Bar website and get 10% off with the coupon MagicallyFit.

I haven't tried Built Go yet and honestly am not sure I will any time soon. They included a little card with this saying what it could be used for, and it included "at home" and "gaming" as some of the times you could enjoy it, but this reminds me a lot of Gu Energy Gels. I don't know that I'd have this unless it was to pick on while running a half marathon (which isn't in my future to do another one any time soon! I'm focusing on speed for shorter distances, so don't know that I'll need this). 

However, it does remind me a lot of the energy gels you can get for runners, so I would probably recommend it for that. But, like anything, try it before you're out on your run in case it bothers you! Nothing worse than trying something new on race day and regretting it.

Also, I would not recommend having this and Built Boost at the same time. Both contain 10,000% of your daily recommended intake of B12, and there is such a thing as too much B vitamin in your system. You'd likely be fine (though if you do have concerns for your specific needs, please check with your doctor before taking any supplements), but if you notice your skin start to break out a little bit, that is likely why.

​If you're looking to order these, you can stock up on the Built Bar website and get 10% off with the coupon MagicallyFit.

Overall, I think Built is definitely on the right path. I think the new bars have a great new formula, and I hope that their new processes allow for the issues people had in the past to stay in the past. I'm a little on the fence about Built Go being a great product for everyone, but I do think it has its purpose for athletes putting in a lot of physical exertion who need to fuel up quick and during exercise. I'm looking forward to the future of this product and definitely feel comfortable recommending it again!

There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, 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!

With COVID-19 impacting literally everything, including races, it's been a huge adjustment for me. When I first started my running and weight loss journeys, I always had something on the books. Whether it be a 5K or a half marathon, it was my way of sort of forcing myself to keep up with my training. There was one year where I even ran in an organized race event every single month! However, it's allowed me to shift gears and also shift my goals.

I've run a half marathon... six times. I don't have anything to prove to myself anymore in the regards of knowing I can go the distance (take that, sciatic nerve damage!). However, I do have something to prove to myself... I can go faster. I've been a huge fan of Jeff Galloway's run/walk/run program (it's been a literal lifesaver for my aforementioned nerve damage) and will always recommend it to people starting out or looking to change up their routine. But I want to go beyond my comfort zone and improve my time. 

My ultimate goal is to run a 5K in 30 minutes or less. I'm in absolutely zero rush to get there, and not having a date for that goal is actually refreshing after years of constantly having something on the books. I'll get there when I get there, and likely blog a few more times about it along the way to hold myself accountable, but I want it to feel incredibly natural so I don't hurt myself or get disappointed if I'm not at a certain place by a certain day.

Music has always been such an important part of running for me. It really does make or break the experience! I've done a few different things: when I was first starting, I was really into the "Zombies, Run!" app and later, got really into listening to different soundtracks. I'd listen to the Star Wars OST when training for the inaugural Star Wars 10K or to Disney music when training for the Princess Half Marathon. It was really effective!

But now, I want to just vibe and go, so I've been turning a lot to K-pop and J-pop (music I've enjoyed listening to for years now). I speak only a little Japanese so while I may pick up a word or phrase here in there in songs, I don't really know what they're saying, and I don't speak any Korean at all. Having the music just be really fun songs that I don't know the words to has been a great way of making sure I don't get too distracted by the music.

One Korean girl group I really, really love is LOONA. Each member of the group has a few singles of their own, and there are a few subdivisions within the group. Their vibe is really fun, upbeat, and each girl/subdivision has a unique sound. Most, if not all, of their songs are - as far as my understanding goes - about love and/or girl power, so it makes for a really uplifting running experience. I've compiled a few of my favorite songs by LOONA in order for a warm up, run, and cool down that you can try for yourself whether you love K-Pop or are looking to expand your horizons. I even put them together in a Spotify playlist! Since Spotify is shuffle-only for free accounts, this is a great option if you're looking to go for a run/walk/run and want to let the music decide your intervals for you.

What do you like to listen to when you run or walk (or both)? Let me know in the comments!

I'm always looking for creative ways to add more protein in and curb my sweet tooth - and if I can do both at the same time, it's a win-win. These protein and oat pancake bites do just that and are low in SmartPoints and calories! These make for a fantastic quick, on-the-go breakfast or for a great snack before a run (which is what I made them for). 

The oats are totally optional, but I'll include them in the nutritional information since that's how I made them. I've just been on an oats kick these days!

myWW Purple: 1 SmartPoint for one, 3 SmartPoints for two
myWW Blue & Green: 2 SmartPoints each

Calories: 70
Fat: 0.8 g
Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
Carbohydrates: 11.6
Cholesterol: 15.4 mg
Sodium: 167 mg
Fiber: 0.8 g
Sugar: 1.5 g
Protein: 3.9 g

There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, 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!

Did you know that you can take a fishing charter out at Walt Disney World? There’s plenty of bank and dockside fishing available at a lot of the resorts, but if you want to explore the lakes, Take Me Fishing offers charters! Fishing excursions are available at the following marinas:

• Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney's Contemporary Resort
• Disney's Old Key West Resort
• Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Call (407) 939-BASS or (407) 939-2277 to make a reservation at any of the above spots! You can go for two or four hours. We opted for a two hour excursion at 7 a.m. (the other time option is 10) and it’s worth noting that discounts are available for annual passholders - if you’re a Disney Vacation Club owner or a cast member, I’d check if you also can!

My husband Anthony and I have been dying to go on an excursion - with the parks having been closed for a few months, he explained to me that the fish haven’t been under fishing pressure for a while, so we’d likely have a lot of luck. 

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I’ve taken a fishing charter out of Yacht Club a few years back, and we fished in the World Showcase Lagoon and then headed to the waterways between the Swan & Dolphin and Hollywood Studios. We didn’t catch a ton, but still had a blast and got a few catches - but our experience fishing at Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake was vastly different!  

We launched from the Contemporary Resort, but you can choose to go from the other Magic Kingdom Resorts listed above if you so desire or are staying at one of those locations. The marina at the Contemporary is easy to find — it’s right behind the lobby. 

The beauty of these excursions in my opinion is that the guide will do basically everything for you if you want. They also come fully prepared! You don’t need to bring anything with you. The boat has plenty of drinks so you can stay hydrated, the poles (you can bring your own), and bait. Our guide had artificial with him and Anthony cast two poles out, one with a live shiner (which I used and was recommended for the day) and one with a Gary Yamamoto senko. 

I hate touching live fish (I know, I know, call me a girly wimp all you want), and the guide will default to baiting your hooks for you. But you can do everything yourself if you want! They also help you bring your catches in with a net (this is because some of the larger fish will break your line, so the likelihood of losing one drops). 

We launched off from the Contemporary and went to a spot in Bay Lake that the guide said had a hole where fish liked to hang out. We caught the bulk of our catches here, especially since it was earlier in the morning. Our guide clearly knew the best spot to go!

Once it got a little warmer, we fished under the docks (where fish like to hang out in the morning once the sun comes up) at the Polynesian first, and then the Contemporary before we left. Anthony caught 11 fish total, and I caught 6!

The views were beautiful, and on your way to the Polynesian, you had views of the Magic Kingdom and Grand Floridian! 

All in all, it was a fantastic experience. Anthony is an ex-tournament fisher and I’m just along for the ride to enjoy nature, and we both felt like it was really fun and like we both learned some cool tips for the guide. 

To see more of the fish we caught (and a big one that I lost), plus some of the tips from the guide, check out Anthony’s video of our trip!

*Disclaimer: We did this on July 12, 2020 right after the parks reopened after being closed due to COVID-19. We were on a pontoon so we had plenty of room to spread out with our guide, and all three of us wore masks. I currently don’t recommend traveling to Florida, but hope this can serve as a helpful guide to either

1. locals and/or cast members looking for something outdoors to do while following CDC guidelines, or 
   
2. for your future Disney vacations.
   

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy right now!

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It's been a few months since Walt Disney World was open thanks to the coronavirus, but as of today (July 11), Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom have officially re-opened, with Epcot and Hollywood Studios following suit on the 15th! 

There's a lot to keep in mind before you go to the parks. I went to my annual pass preview on the 10th with very low expectations, but was really pleasantly surprised at how safe I felt. 

Masks are required for when you visit. The neck gaiters that people use for fishing or running won't cut it - it has to have loops that go around your ears. They are required. I walked around the park for about two hours with one on yesterday and the feels like temp was in the low 100 degrees Fahrenheit range - it was really not that bad. I was a little sweaty, but that's the case even without a mask! 

My biggest tip for your comfort levels, especially if you're wearing a mask in the heat, is to stay hydrated. I drank an entire gallon of water before going and continued to drink water throughout my two hours at the park. I felt fine and not once did I feel overwhelmed by the heat, and I'm pretty sensitive to it! I recommend bringing your own water bottle, especially a stainless steel one, because that will help it stay cool. I really like these by Healthy Human (and you can get a 15% off discount by using the coupon JessicaS15) for keeping drinks cold all day.

You can make reservations for a Park Play Pass through My Disney Experience, and you'll need this on top of your ticket in order to get in. Capacity is limited so that way crowds aren't an issue (and we truly thought in our annual pass preview that this made a huge difference - we never felt like we were near anybody).

The trams at Transportation and Ticket Center weren't available, for example, but the walk from our car to the monorail and ferryboat wasn't far. Thanks to that reduced capacity, you'll probably end up parking near the front of the lot anyway! Be sure to check Disney's website for the latest information, since things are ever-changing.

There are tons of social distancing markers at the Transportation and Ticket Center, for example, and there are markers on the ferryboat itself for where each party can stand.

There are markers for pretty much all the rides, restaurants, and other queues, and they just tell you where to stand - it's really easy to follow! There is also hand sanitizer available everywhere, including before and after you get on/off a ride. I still recommend bringing your own, though, as a just in case!

No more Festival of Fantasy Parade or fireworks, sure, but there are some cool new ways to enjoy the characters and some entertainment. Characters will sporadically parade down Main Street on horses or floats, for example, in a sort of miniature processional. Don't crowd it, just enjoy it, and don't worry if you miss one - you'll probably catch another shortly after!

They also had Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto waving to everybody from the train station as we left right as the park closed at 7. You may not get to meet your favorite characters in a staged photo opportunity for a while, but these little random moments are so much better in my opinion because it's such a delightful surprise!

If you desperately need a break from your mask and you aren't having a meal, there are designated relaxation zones throughout the park. We spotted one near Splash Mountain. Please just be courteous of other guests if you do spend time in one of these zones!

Disney is going to be your go-to source for the most up-to-date info. This is such an evolving thing that there's no saying what could change. Be sure to check out Disney's website if you're heading down to Florida!

And she is beautiful!

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