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Whether you've been running for years or just picked it up, there's one thing that gets a really bad reputation: the treadmill. I've even heard it referred to as "the dreadmill" since it can be fairly boring compared to running outside. And for those who think it is boring, they have a fair point: you likely don't have as many surroundings to look at if your treadmill isn't near a window. I started running more on the treadmill when I'd go to the gym to start weight lifting. It was an easy way to incorporate HIIT cardio. Plus, you have a flat surface that is completely in your control. But I didn't want to ever look at it as the "dreadmill." So I experimented and now, I actually prefer treadmill running over running outside! Here are seven ways to make the treadmill less boring and indoor running more fun. 1. Watch a First Person POV video
First person POV videos are a fantastic way to make the treadmill less boring.
The treadmills at my gym offer a service called RunTV, where you can pick an interactive workout. These will show a specific scenery and match the incline to simulate running the beach or mountains. You don't need a fancy treadmill for this, though - a tablet or phone will do just fine! There are tons of YouTube channels out there that offer first person POV videos designed for running on the treadmill or pedaling on a stationary bike. Just look up "treadmill videos" and you'll find a bunch. This one is one of my favorites from World Nature Video:
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The Verdict
For ease of replication, definitely a 10/10. Agar agar is super easy to work with, even more so than standard gelatin in my opinion.
Have a food from an anime that you want me to try to recreate? Let me know in the comments below! Plus, follow me on TikTok to see the behind the scenes of how this was made.
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Tsuyu's favorite food is jelly, which is really fitting since her Quirk (aka superpower for those of you unfamiliar with the show) is that she's part-frog!
Since Tsuyu is Japanese, we'll be making a Japanese fruit jelly, which is a bit different than your standard Jell-O. But since her costume and character design is heavily centered around the color green, we'll be giving this a little bit of a twist that breaks away from the traditional way of making the dessert. Don't worry, it's super easy and won't impact the taste.
If you're trying to eat in a calorie deficit like me or if you're concerned about your sugar intake for dietary reasons, I'll include some easy swaps you can make to keep the sugar content low.
Also, this dish is accidentally vegetarian! If you get a plant-based food coloring (you can get this at Whole Foods) then this will even be vegan-friendly.
Ingredients
- Optional (for the Froppy twist!): Green food coloring
- Fruit of choice (I recommend strawberry slices, kiwi slices, or berries!)
- Agar agar aka kanten powder (this is different from Jell-O because its clear, flavorless, and it doesn't melt at room temp like Jell-O can!)
- To taste: sugar or Stevia
- Water
- Optional: flavored syrup or fruit juice for flavor
See instructions for ratio of water and agar agar.
Instructions
- Dissolve agar agar into water. If using 1 cup of water, start with 1 tsp agar agar.
- Bring water to boil after dissolving agar agar to prevent clumping. Once your water is at a rolling boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add sweetener and one or two drops of food coloring. Stir until well-blended.
- Take off heat and pour half of the agar agar mixture into a mold
- If you don't have a square mold for Jell-O, you can use a brownie pan
- If you have ice cube trays or specific Jell-O molds, that works too!
- Let cool in the fridge or at room temp for a few minutes while you cut your fruit into slices. Mine only took about 3 minutes in the fridge to reach the next stage.
- Once your jelly has just begun to set (it shouldn't be completely set yet), add fruit slices, then top with the remaining half.
- If it's completely set, then the top layer won't be able to bind with the bottom. Make sure your jelly is still really soft, but has started to form.
- Let set in the fridge until the jelly has completely set. Use a knife to cut around the fruit and then serve.
The Verdict
Tips:
- Make thicker squares by using 2 cups of water and 2 tsp of agar agar
- Make sure all of your fruit is sliced evenly. If your fruit slices are thick, I recommend making a thicker jelly.
- Since agar agar is flavorless, if you'd prefer a flavored jelly, you can try this with Jell-O.
- In that case, you wouldn't need to use sweetener or food coloring.
- If you're trying to keep the sugar low, you can use a sugar-free Jell-O.
- If you still want to use the agar agar but also want to add flavoring, I recommend using a flavor syrup or fruit juice.
- If you're trying to keep this low sugar, I recommend Jordan's Skinny Syrups. Most of their products are for coffee, but their cocktail mixes would work great here to add some flavor.
- Another low sugar option is finding a sugar free fruit juice of your choice at your grocery store.
Nutritional info (if using Stevia)
Have a food from an anime that you want me to try to recreate? Let me know in the comments below! Plus, follow me on TikTok to see the behind the scenes of how this was made.
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- How to easily make takoyaki at home
- All recipes from My Hero Academia Week
- Two Ingredient Dole Whip (Zero SmartPoints)
This is featured in My Hero Academia with Fat Gum’s introduction, since takoyaki is a classic Osaka street food and that’s where he lives. It’s also where Amajiki got his tentacles from when he converted his food for his Quirk, Manifest.
Everything you need, you can get on Amazon. You can order a takoyaki maker if you want to make more at a time, but I wanted to give this a try before I committed to a larger kitchen appliance (especially since we don't have much room in our small galley kitchen). So, I ordered this small cake pop maker that the reviews said work great for takoyaki as well. Plus, with the cake pop maker, I don't have to turn the takoyaki over since it functions similarly to a waffle iron.
Ingredients
- 4 oz. Otafuku takoyaki kit (this comes with the takoyaki sauce and takoyaki flour)
- 1 Green onion
- 4 oz. octopus, grilled and chopped
- 12 oz. Water
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tbsp Pickled ginger
- Bonito flakes to taste
-
2 tbsp mayonnaise (preferably Japanese kewpie mayo, but you can use regular mayo)
- If you're following Weight Watchers or are on a calorie deficit, you can use a light mayo instead
Instructions
- Grill and chop octopus tentacles and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix the takoyaki flour, water, and two eggs.
- Fill your takoyaki maker with batter about halfway. Evenly distribute fillings (except bonito flakes) in each hole, then fill to the brim with more batter.
- If you are using a traditional takoyaki maker (not the cake pop maker I bought), once the takoyaki is cooked halfway, flip them halfway with a toothpick.
- Once your takoyaki is golden brown, top with the takoyaki sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes and enjoy!
The verdict
The taste, though? Excellent! The fillings I selected were based off of what I’ve had at two separate Japanese restaurants here in Orlando, and these tasted really similar to the ones we had there. 10/10 on taste!
Nutritional information
- 40 calories
- 1 g fat
- 15.7 mg cholesterol
- 140 mg sodium
- 5 g carbs
- 0.1 g fiber
- 5 g sugar
- 2 g protein
Have a food from an anime that you want me to try to recreate? Let me know in the comments below! Plus, follow me on TikTok to see the behind the scenes of how this was made.
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- All recipes from My Hero Academia Week
- How to make "Brock's Jelly Donuts" aka Onigiri from Pokemon
- Gotcha Roast Pork from Food Wars with vegan alternatives
In the past, I've included the entire menu for Flower and Garden. But to keep things more simple for you, I'll just include some highlights of things that I think are easily adaptable to any Weight Watchers plan.
Beyond a ton of beautiful topiaries throughout the park and yummy food samplings, there are also a bunch of photo opportunities and fun things to check out. The Butterfly Garden is back this year with a socially distanced queue (we saw Pooh frolicking nearby while we waited). Plus, there are butterfly wings you can pose in front of that jazz up some of the construction walls around the park.
General Tips
- Remember that most of the food options at EPCOT's festivals are bite-sized. They're meant for sampling! So if you really want to try something but are nervous about the SmartPoints budget or calorie intake, don't stress it too much.
- If you are watching your SmartPoints budget but still want to try something around the world, look out for foods that typically have higher SmartPoints values.
- For example, things that are heavy in cheeses or sugar will likely be more calorie dense than something that is more protein-based.
- If you are interested in beverages but worried about your SmartPoints or calorie intake, there are many non-alcoholic options this year. Either way, be sure to balance it with plenty of water so you stay hydrated.
- You can get free cups of water from Starbucks on your way into the World Showcase (the new Starbucks location is at the front of the World Showcase entrance, on the side closer to Canada).
- Don't feel limited to just this list. If you really want something - have it! Every diet should be sustainable and focus on a healthy relationship with food. Do not punish yourself if you want to have something that is a dessert. Everything in moderation - not just at Disney, but all the time.
My favorite menu picks for Weight Watchers and Calorie Counters
Flavor Full Kitchen (Future World West)
The two entree options here are fantastic for any Weight Watchers program. They are:
- Grilled Baby Vegetables with Hummus Cream and Red Pepper Coulis (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based; Garden Graze).
- Seared Verlasso Salmon with Farro Risotto and Micro Herbs.
I would love to try this Avocado Toast as a brunch option when starting my way around the World Showcase. It has marinated toybox tomatoes and a small amount of goat cheese on top. Its on a slice of toasted ciabatta bread, and its beautiful presentation will help your eyes feel as satisfied as your stomach.
The Honey Bee-stro (Showcase Plaza)
Everything here has either a lot of cheese, honey (aka sugar), or both, which is something to watch out for in abundance on Weight Watchers. However, the Lavender Honey Mustard-marinated Chicken Flatbread with Whipped Honey-Ricotta Cheese, Marinated Vegetables, and Purple Haze Lavender Goat Cheese is great for sampling and sharing a bite with your family.
The Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza)
I am excited to try the Meyer Lemon-poached Lobster Salad with Grapefruit-Rosé Vinaigrette, Yuzu-marinated Hearts of Palm, and Avocado-Yuzu Panna Cotta! It's new this year, friendly to those with gluten or wheat allergies, and sounds super refreshing - perfect for a warm Florida day.
While there are other plant-based options throughout the festival, I want to call this out for those of you who are on a plant-based diet. You can get a plant-based Italian sausage and peppers poutine here which is great for sampling with your family or having as a hearty snack.
Pineapple Promenade (Showcase Plaza)
If you've been here before, you already know what I'm about to say. Dole Whip is a great sweet treat for Weight Watchers! It's only 5 SmartPoints and 90 calories per half cup, so it's not going to break your Weight Watchers budget.
Trowel & Trellis (Showcase Plaza)
This entire stand is plant-based! While plant-based doesn't necessarily mean it's lower in calories, fat, or SmartPoints, I've found in my personal experience that I feel less bloated after eating plant-based foods, so I enjoy recommending these dishes for those looking to try something different.
I'm really excited to try the Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread as a snack. I also think the Boneless Impossible Korean Short Rib with Cilantro-Lime Rice, Danmuji Slaw, and Kimchee Mayonnaise is a great base for a light meal before snacking around the world.
Refreshment Outpost
The only thing served here is a pineapple skewer, but it's got tajin seasoning on it. This is a great snack option to try for Zero SmartPoints and is low in calories.
I would recommend going for the options that have ham included. This extra protein will help you feel more satisfied with these heavier dishes.
Magnolia Terrace (America)
Oysters are Zero SmartPoints on myWW Blue and myWW Purple! The Cajun-style Roasted Oysters are a great protein-packed choice.
Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco)
Both entree choices are actually great since they both have lean protein sources as their base. Those are:
- Moroccan Seafood Couscous with Shrimp, Mussels, Olives, Preserved Lemons, and Anchovy Breadcrumbs (new).
- Shakshuka: Moroccan Baked Eggs in a Spiced Eggplant and Tomato Stew (new).
I would opt for the Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut-Lime Sauce, which sounds like a refreshing and light option in the Florida heat!
Festival Favorites (World Showplace; this is the building over near the Canadian Joffrey's coffee stand)
The lightest option here sounds like the Watermelon Salad with Pickled Onions, Feta, and Balsamic Reduction!
EPCOT Farmers Feast (World Showplace)
The Duck Confit with Carrot Purée, Roasted Root Vegetables, Rainbow Chard, and Duck Jus packs some protein and has plenty of vegetables, so I'd say this is a great option.
If you like beets (often labeled a superfood), the Off the “Beet”en Path: Profiteroles with Red Beet Mousse, Golden Beet Pastry Cream, Whipped Goat Cheese Cream, and Candied Walnuts sounds like a sweet way to sneak in some veggies.
Northern Bloom (Canada)
A fantastic and delicious way to get in your protein is with the Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Apple-wood-smoked Bacon. I'm looking forward to trying this!
Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico)
All of these options are probably fairly equal to one another as far as nutritional value goes. However, the plant-based or pork options would be my go-to since you're looking at an option without cheeses, which will help keep the SmartPoints lower.
Lotus House (China)
Most of your options here are fried. However, of the three:
- Papa Cakes: Potato Cakes filled with Shrimp and Water Chestnuts served with House-made Strawberry Sauce (new).
- Bon Bon Chicken Skewer with Sesame and Peanut Sauce.
- House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons.
Anthony and I tried all three of these and have to say they were all excellent. You only get three wontons, so it's great to split if you want to try it but are watching your calories and don't want to have too many fried options.
Because its not fried, the skewers are definitely the most healthyish of the bunch (and was actually Anthony's favorite thing that we tried all day). We got two cakes when ordering the Papas Cakes, so we each one one cake. The flavor combo was surprisingly delightful!
I would definitely recommend the Margherita Pizza here over the Arancini, since Arancini is fried. Also, if you want a little something sweet, their cannolis are pretty small. You get two miniature ones.
Hanami (Japan)
I absolutely love these two menu items both in terms of flavor and being great options for the calorie conscious:
- Frushi: Strawberry, Pineapple, and Cantaloupe wrapped in Sweet Rice and Pink Soy Wrap served with Whipped Cream, Drizzled Berry Sauce, and Toasted Coconut.
- Shrimp and Crab with Spicy Mayonnaise and Cucumber Slices finished with Creamy Avocado and Violet Sauce (new).
Everything here is either pretty cheesy or sugary. That being said, I'd look to the Braised Duck Confit à l’Orange with Parisian Gnocchi since its packed with more protein. If you want dessert here, you can enjoy in moderation with the chocolate macaron - they come on a stick!
We've already made Itadori Yuji's ginger chicken meatball recipe from the show, but today we're making a forbidden food from the show...
That's right! We're making Sukuna's fingers. Spoiler alert if you haven't sarted the show yet, but Itadori ate Sukuna's finger to save his friends despite the odds of it hurting him being high. So today, we're going to craft our own with hot dogs, honey glazed almonds, and bacon. This is fun to make for when you watch the show on Friday nights or to save for Halloween to creep out your friends.
ingredients
- Honey glazed almonds
- Pack of hot dogs
- If you're following Weight Watchers, you can use a turkey hot dog to lower the SmartPoints value
- Bacon
- If you're following Weight Watchers, you can use a turkey bacon to lower the SmartPoints value
instructions
- Fully cook your hot dogs and set aside.
- Cook your bacon, but remove from heat before it crisps.
- Wrap your bacon around the hot dog and add back to heat. Let bacon finish cooking so it can get a similar appearance as the finger.
- Cut a slight notch in the top to add in your almond as the nail.
the verdict
Have a food from an anime that you want me to try to recreate? Let me know in the comments below! Plus, follow me on TikTok to see the behind the scenes of how this was made.
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Jessica is a huge Disney, anime, and Star Wars nerd who channeled that love into motivation to lose 75 lbs.
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