“The other white meat.”

It could be my own personal motto, but the National Pork Board thought of it before I could. It’s a good thing I like eating the delicious meat of the pig, or we’d have a problem with our shared motto.

As part of a four-week-long sponsored partnership with Publix, The Motherhood, and the National Pork Board, I was invited to try out different cuts of pork with new recipes. Seeing as I’m not a girl who loves being in the kitchen, I recruited Patrick to make all of the recipes I’ll be sharing. The world is a better place for that.

This week’s cut is pork tenderloin, and with that cut of meat, we decided on trying a recipe that was suggested.

Pork Tenderloin Sliders With Three* Sauces Recipe

1 1lb pork tenderloin, trimmed
your choice of seasoning
2 T olive oil
12 mini rolls (We used King’s Hawaiian)
baby greens
sliced plum tomato

Cut tenderloin into 1/2 inch thick slices.
Sprinkle pork with seasoning.
Heat skillet with oil over medium-high heat.
Add pork to oil to brown, turning once, about 1-1/2 minute for each side.

Note: Pork should be heated to an internal temperature of 145ºF.

Yogurt-Lime Sauce Recipe

Mix together:

1/2 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon lime zest, grated
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (We used dry)

Goat Cheese-Basil Sauce Recipe

Mix together:

4 ounces soft goat cheese, at room temperature (1/2 cup) (Pro-tip: don’t use crumbles)
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (We used dry)
1 small clove garlic , minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Pinch black pepper

*This recipe calls for making three different sauces, but Patrick isn’t an avocado fan, and since he was making the whole deal, I wasn’t going to push him on making something he didn’t like. That’s called: Picking My Battles.

Take one King’s Hawaiian roll, careful not to shove it in your mouth because you know of its sweet, buttery goodness, schmear it with your choice of sauce, slap on a pork slab, top with tomato and greens.

Shove that homemade pork goodness in your mouth.

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Seriously, it’s crazy delicious. And seriously, it took Patrick all of about 20 minutes from start to finish to make the entire thing.

This week at Publix, pork tenderloin is on special for $4.99/pound. It’s my personal recommendation that you try these pork sliders because my kids even ate them. And if my kids eat something new and like it, the Earth shifts.

Check the National Pork Board website for current Publix pork specials and other recipes to try out. Like the Pork Be Inspired page on Facebook for updates on the new Love Me Tenderloin Giveaway. Follow @allaboutpork for additional information and specials. 

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing | Your Favorite Blog, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: easy recipe, pork tenderloin, sauce recipe, sliders recipe, Sponsored

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I believe that positivity begets positivity and all that shit.

When things start to go wrong around me, I blame my lack of attention to positive thinking.

Which, I guess me blaming me for a negative attitude is kind of the opposite of the point.

While I was sleeping last night, I must have been extra hard on myself because after waking up 15 minutes late, forgetting to hit the “on” switch for my coffee, DirecTV being shut off for non-payment, and then finally my credit card number being stolen that ended in my whole account being drained, I now need the entire mother fucking chorus of The Sound of Music to bring me up to a pleasing disposition.

That whole Golden Rule thing works on yourself, too, yo.

And this is when I thank the Baby Jeebus, Oprah, and Zoloft for working their magic on my happy and keeping me from quitting today. If I’d quit on today, I wouldn’t have signed a new work client, seen the blue sky, been kissed by my wiener, and found these books that I ordered.

Also, thank Baby Jeebus and Oprah for Amazon Affiliate money ’cause mama ain’t got no money in the bank now thanks to some jackhole buying a train ticket in England with my debit card.

I’m a super non-artsy person. The only creative part of me involves thinking of excuses for not cleaning and coming up with topical Tweets during a live broadcast.

I’ve seen these books before and admired the person who can keep up with them, and today I made the commitment to actually use them for me. Rarely do I buy things for myself, unless it’s a bowl of nachos or a “Yay Cleavage” shirt, so I figured after the day I’ve had, I deserve Keri Smith’s Wreck This Box books for me.

To some, it may seem like a small feat to set a goal and keep up with it. But for me, the girl who has no idea what lives at the bottom of the laundry pile, sticking with a personal goal will be triumphant.

I’m setting the goal to open my Lady Flower creative mind.

It’s time to color outside the lines and teach myself that creativity is not about perfection. Not everyone is an artist, especially not me.

If I stick with it, I want you all to pat me on the back and tell me how pretty I’ve become since completing a goal.

If I don’t stick with it, just like me cleaning the shower, this never happened.

And if you’re super lucky, I’ll scan some of what I do in the books and show off my hard-earned Lady Flower creative mind openings.

artwork via Wicket Paper on etsy

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing | Your Favorite Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: creative mind, keri smith, wreck this book

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President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address
compared to
Republican response from Governor Mitch Daniels

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screen-capped from The Maddow Blog, Jan 24, 2012, 11:45pm EST

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing | Your Favorite Blog, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: barack obama, maddow, mitch daniels, sotu, state of the union, transcript, word cloud

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Unfortunately, the spam comment here isn’t someone trying to pick a fight. However much I wish to be involved in the latest butthurt-for-pageviews, it’s not happening today.

The following time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I imply, I do know it was my choice to read, however I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you may repair should you werent too busy searching for attention.

I do whine and I am often too busy searching for attention.

Maybe this isn’t a spam comment after all.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing | Your Favorite Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: butthurt, spam comment

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The only reason to have kids is to create clone humans to take your place when you kick off.

Any other reason to breed pales in comparison to nature’s need to reproduce your genes. Unconditional love, feelings of worthiness, premature ejaculation, and one-upping your sister all fall into a distant 2nd place for reasons to spawn.

Patrick and I are raising our girls for us to each have our own Mini Me, as you can see in this photo I took this past weekend at Star Tours.

We’re successfully raising goofball, Star Wars-loving, Disney World-going nerds who will do pretty much anything for a laugh to replace us when we die.

You’re welcome, universe.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing | Your Favorite Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: anna, claire, Disney World, hollywood studios, instagram, star tours, star wars, walker

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In the weirdest, most Awesome twist of how the world’s energy works, while I was writing this post, I received an email about Susan Niebur, Why Mommy, of Toddler Planet, who has been suffering from metastatic breast cancers and is currently going through an extremely hard bout.She’s written about how she sees strength in LEGO mini-figures, and her friends around the interwebs are sending virtual mini-figs to help her with her fight.

…and leave you with the image of a very tiny and very strong lego girl inside me, fighting the cancer with her minature sword, side-by-side with the new medicines that at once starve the cancer cells of estrogen and deprive them of their ability to grow and divide.  She is fighting, and I will fight, and my little ones will not crumble, but cheer me on in this new trial. Susan Niebur, Us Lucky

My sister works for LEGOLAND, but seeing as I get anxiety attacks when I try to build anything from my imagination or from a manual, that has no bearing on this post. And really, the fact that she works at LEGOLAND has nothing to do with this either. It really just means that we get to go to LEGOLAND for free. Neener.

Over at Curvy Girl Guide, my super Awesome friend, Nanette, wrote about the new LEGOs for girls. LEGO Friends, as they’re known, has just been released to the masses after a 4-year study conducted by LEGO to try to market to the 50% of the kid population that happens to be female.

Having two girls of my own, I make every effort to guide them into choosing what they want to play with, not what is being marketed to them to want to play with.

Being the socially liberal girl that I am, I was at first miffed at LEGO for making a “girl” line of LEGOs. I read the blog posts and news articles and saw the protests and petitions to get LEGO to stop “marketing to girls.” At first, I was with the angry mom mob.

But when we went to the store and actually looked at them, my girls flipped over getting a set of “Friends” that was both pink and pretty but also challenging for them to build. They spent their Christmas gift cards on getting two sets that they’re dying to put together that they can play together with their already-built Buzz Lightyear ship.

With Anna, my eldest, she has always steered towards more “boy” toys like Toy Story and Star Wars, but Claire has always steered towards more “girl” toys like Barbie and princesses. They’re all of 18 months aparts, so I know there’s no gender bias in how we’re raising them, but they are who they are and they like what they like.

They both love All Things LEGOs, and while I’d love for them to want all of the LEGOs despite the theme of the box, as long as they’re using their brains to build figures, I don’t care what color the bricks are.

There’s nothing made for both girls and boys that is perfect and 100% without any bias.

And when is someone going to get all peeved off at boys not wanting to build a LEGO Pet Care Center or a Friends Salon?

While my girls are busy building houses and dog show sets, I’ll be keeping my distance from the anxiety-causing build-a-thon and thanking LEGO for making a mini-figure with chest hair.

For Susan.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing | Your Favorite Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: lego friends, lego mini figures, why mommy

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Luckily for me, I have a sister.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing | Your Favorite Blog, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: what friends say, what sisters say

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I’m not a lawyer*, but I play one on the internet.

Since pretty much my whole life online is spent in a perpetual state of snarkasm, I figured it was time for me to actually read some laws about what I do.

This also proves that I’m in a perpetual state of procrastination.

And what with all of this SOPA/PIPA/LMNOP juggernaut happening around my workplace, I figured I could use my wee brain to actually learn something. I read up on the bill going before Congress, tried to understand what it would mean for the internet, and put together a list of resources for which you can learn, too. I’m a giver.

Basically what I’m pretty sure SOPA/PIPA says is that if you or your website or any of your comments include a link to or an actual something with a copyright, your internet service provider can put a blockade on your website. With just an accusation by the copyright holder of fault on your part, your ISP prevents your site from being reached. No cease & desist, no court order, no investigation. BOOM. DONE. Your site is blocked.

But Pangie, what about Fair Use? 

Friends, until this week, I had only heard a whiff of what Fair Use really is and how it affects me. Being the investigative journalist I am not, I looked it up.

I don’t think there’s a more vague addendum to a law than that of Fair Use.

Granted, I haven’t spent much time reading actual laws. Just like any Terms & Conditions to which I sign my name, I assume my peachy personality will get me out of being held liable for anything I say and do.

I earn my meager contribution to the family budget with my peachy personality, using images I find on the internet to enhance my hilarity.

According to Fair Use, I’m all good. It’s OK to use images and video in a satirical manner (phrases bolded to draw attention to my point).

The 1961 Report of the Register of Copyrights on the General Revision of the U.S. Copyright Law cites examples of activities that courts have regarded as fair use: “quotation of excerpts in a review or criticism for purposes of illustration or comment; quotation of short passages in a scholarly or technical work, for illustration or clarification of the author’s observations; use in a parody of some of the content of the work parodied; summary of an address or article, with brief quotations, in a news report; reproduction by a library of a portion of a work to replace part of a damaged copy; reproduction by a teacher or student of a small part of a work to illustrate a lesson; reproduction of a work in legislative or judicial proceedings or reports; incidental and fortuitous reproduction, in a newsreel or broadcast, of a work located in the scene of an event being reported.”

Well well well. It looks to me like, as long as I’m using an image in parody to parody the “work,” no trouble for this girl.

But wait.

The distinction between fair use and infringement may be unclear and not easily defined. There is no specific number of words, lines, or notes that may safely be taken without permission. Acknowledging the source of the copyrighted material does not substitute for obtaining permission.

So, there’s no specific rule on what exactly can be used or not used or be legal or illegal?

What the crap, U.S. Government? Where’s the examples of what’s cool and what’s not? I need pictures and illustrations, lawmakers!

Thank Baby Jeebus and Oprah for Stanford University and Google because I found a better explanation:

A parody is a work that ridicules another, usually well-known work, by imitating it in a comic way. Judges understand that, by its nature, parody demands some taking from the original work being parodied. Unlike other forms of fair use, a fairly extensive use of the original work is permitted in a parody in order to “conjure up” the original.

… a fair use is any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner. In other words, fair use is a defense against a claim of copyright infringement. If your use qualifies as a fair use, then it would not be considered an illegal infringement.

But what, pray tel, is the definition of parody?

A parody is a work that ridicules another, usually well-known work, by imitating it in a comic way.

Ridicule while using the original work is permitted.

I play a lawyer on the internet, so I’m thinking, Pangie, you’re all good in the hood doing what you do. You CAN use images to make a comedic point, as long as I’m ridiculing the original work.

As long as I’m making fun of something to make what I post funnier, it’s legal?

HALLELUJAH!

My life on the interwebs is saved.

For now.

dun dun dunnnnnn…

*I’m really not a lawyer, so take everything I said here with some question in your head that I could be 99% wrong. What you read here cannot be held up in court as any sort of evidence for anything. Except if you need to prove I’m a badass, and then, and only then, can you use this information in any scientifical or lawyerly ways to prove I’m Awesome.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing | Your Favorite Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Blogging, copyright, fair use, oprah, pipa, sopa

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This site has been blocked

The web page you are trying to access has been blocked as the content contains prohibited materials.

If you feel this is an error then please send an email to help@isp.qa

Since I’m not smart enough to summarize the whole SOPA/PIPA/LMNOP deal happening, I put together a list of links on Curvy Girl Guide where you can educate yourself.

Cause LORDY KNOWS, I don’t want to get some facts wrong and get people pissed off at me on the internet.

If the bills pass, we Americans could be seeing “BLOCKED” messages like the one above seen in Qatar and like those seen in countries like China and Turkey.

And who around here wants to look at those cartoon guys instead of scrapped videos off of Skinemax?

UPDATED:

Today, we’re keeping the Senate server admins fed.

© Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] for A Whole Lot of Nothing | Your Favorite Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: pipa, sopa

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image via 9GAG

For more information on Cat Facts, visit Cat Facts.

If you want to do this to your most unsuspecting gullible friend or family member, try the TextPlus app. Note: We Know Awesome is not responsible for any inflated text messaging fees, broken phones in frustration, or excommunication from a family.  

image via Facebook

Hey Girl,
I appreciate a woman who can wear the same yoga pants 3 days in a row.

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image via Wiki Commons

Dear Guy With The Circle Beard Bangs Shaved Head,

What the what?

Sincerely,

Society

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image via Daily Picks & Flicks

I got a dig bick.

You that read wrong.

You read that wrong too.

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credit unknown

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meme creator unknown; Gingrich image credit Univ West GA; Schrute image via NBC

Fraggle Rock was a Jim Henson-created show.

Doozers were in Fraggle Rock shows.

Yoda was a Jim Henson puppet.

Mind. Blown.

The circle of life continues.

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art by James Hance

If you watch Teen Mom (and if you don’t, what’s wrong with you?), you’ll say this in your head with its proper New England accent.

And now it will be stuck on rotation in your brain for the next 15 hours. You’re welcome.

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I SEE YOU WIFF KEIFFAH

via memegenerator

Wild things have wild babies.

Even clowns have babies.

I imagine him singing the “*WIGGLE*WIGGLE*WIGGLE*WIGGLE* YEAH” part of LMFAO’s, I’m Sexy & I Know It.

She’s a baaaad motha… shut your mouth.

All images shared via Pinterest.

Around my house lasagna night is everyone’s favorite.

It is the meal I make when it is truly awful outside, it is the dish I take to friend’s house after they have had a baby or are feeling under the weather, and my guests have been known to request it. Lasagna has a bad reputation for being dry, tasteless or time consuming. The truth of the matter is with a few tips anyone can make awesome, flavorful (not dry!) lasagna. And for all the ricotta haters? I promise the ricotta in this lasagna tastes great.

It is the perfect dish to put together on a Sunday evening and bake on a Monday or Tuesday night, and it will give you plenty of delicious leftovers. Just be warned…homemade lasagna isn’t a pretty dish, no matter how well you serve it! I like to pair it up with a crisp green salad and garlic bread!

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Hey, it’s no secret that beautiful people gravitate toward other beautiful people, marry (or don’t) said beautiful people, and spew forth potentially beautiful little people. Add to the mix the fact that they are celebrities, and we’re hooked.

We can’t help it, we love celebrity babies! We love their names, we love their fashion…and hey, we love their smooshy cheeks.

Of course, we respect their privacy as families, but that doesn’t mean we can’t admire their gorgeous families…from a court approved distance.

Image source

Willow Sage. Pink & Corey Hart’s daughter is about as adorable as they come. We love seeing the softer side of hard-ass Pink, although we’re sure she wouldn’t hesitate to cut you for messing with her gorgeous family.

Image source

Aleph Portman-Millepied. Natalie Portman’s sweet little guy is a bundle of cuteness. Will he take after his dancer dad or find himself thanking the Academy for his Oscar like his mom? We’d nominate him for Best Performance in Chubby Cheekness.

Image source

Violet & Seraphina. The Garner-Afflecks and their daughters, Violet, 6, and Seraphina, 3, might just be the most down-to-earth family in Hollywood. You just know that those girls would not break your valuables and hit your kids on a playdate.

Image source

Louis. Sandra Bullock’s 2-year-old is not only is he out-of-this-world adorable, but he’s surely been a bright spot during some dark moments for Sandra. Keep on keeping on, Louis.

Image source

Kingston & Zuma. Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale’s brood have got bad-boy style you have to admire. In fact, there’s an entire blog dedicated to their fashion.

Image source

Tabitha & Loretta. Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick’s 2-year-old twin darlings are an adorable set in the city.

Image source

Shiloh. The entire Jolie-Pitt brood are gorgeous, but 5-year-old Shiloh Jolie-Pitt can rock the short ‘do and cause an uproar in “tomboy” clothes. We love her for it.

Who are your favorite celebrity babies and kids?

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I’ve recently gone back to college at 42 years old. To say I’ve been a little overwhelmed may be an understatement.

The Why

After leaving law enforcement, I stayed home and worked part-time while taking care of my husband and step kids, which is what I thought I’d be doing forever. When Gregory had the nerve to up and die on me, I lost my family altogether and it was just me. Me and my little tiny paycheck. Until I get out of probate hell and start getting some extra income from that, I’m working two jobs and have gone back to school to get another degree.

Going back to school as an adult is rather intimidating. You have to plan your classes around your work schedule, factor in time for studying, and is it just me, or was college a lot cheaper when our parents were paying for it?

The How

If you’re thinking about going back to school as a “non-traditional student” or a “displaced homemaker,” there are many different ways you can receive assistance with everything from tuition and books to childcare. The declining economy has many people rethinking their career paths, and there are a myriad of ways to head back to the classroom. You can take traditional classes, online classes, or a mixture of both called a “hybrid education.”

I chose to go the hybrid route, taking the courses I am strongest in online–while others such as algebra and biology  in a traditional classroom setting. I’m doing my basic classes at a community college close to my home and work, and I’ll finish out my bachelor’s and possibly graduate work at another school. I was also lucky enough to qualify for a federal Pell grant, which covered the cost of my spring tuition except for one class, but wasn’t enough to help me with books or supplies.

The Costs

Oh, the books. I am taking 16 hours this semester, including one lab, and the cost of the books, including the ones I’m just renting, is over $800. You read that right, $800. And that’s cheap compared to the books I’ll need for next semester. Researching online for the best deals is definitely the way to go, and I found that option was less expensive than buying books from my university bookstore. There are several websites to track down good deals,  such as Chegg and Amazon Student , and you can even rent books and download them to your iPad, Android device or Kindle.

Speaking of mobile devices, there are even apps to help you with your studies, like CourseSmart, as well as science, medical and study apps that will give you a boost.

It’s important to note, at many schools, financial aid recipients aren’t allowed to rent books, only buy, so often this will be an out-of-pocket expense for you that will be reimbursed once you get your loan. There are also programs at most institutions to assist you with getting your books, including a program called New Options that assists adults who have decided to continue their education.

Dealing with financial aid is stressful. You need to make sure you have copies of your most recent tax returns, proof of income (or not), and it’s always good to take copies of your driver’s license and Social Security card with you to the financial aid office of your university. Most of the time you can do the majority of your paperwork online, and the easiest way to start is by filling out the Federal Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). A Pell grant is simply that–not a loan, and it doesn’t have to be paid back. A student loan does have to be paid back, usually after you graduate, and interest rates vary depending on the loan and amount. The government provides student loans, as well as companies like Sallie Mae and banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo and many credit unions. Usually the interest rate is fixed, and the loans have varying repayment plans. You can find information on federal interest rates and a payment plan calculator here.

So far, the Pell grant has taken care of the bulk of my tuition, and I’ve not yet applied for any student loans, choosing instead to rent my books and try to keep looming loan payments away for as long as I possibly can.

Don’t discount available local grants and scholarships. The American Legion, Rotary Club, and local Jaycee’s organizations often provide grants to adult students. Check in your area to see what might be available. Don’t be discouraged if the wording on an application says “for high school graduates” and you graduated 15 years ago. Many organizations also have programs designed to help adults get back in school. Check with your school’s counselors/admissions officers and scour the Internet for help. Also check with your local high school guidance counselor. They are privy to all sorts of information and can often be a valuable contact.

In truth, I was totally afraid I’d be the “old lady” at my school, but was pleasantly surprised when I was wrong. The median age at the university I attend is around 30 years old. However, it was a bit awkward when the bagboy at Publix said loudly, “Hey, you’re in my English Lit class!” as he was bagging my Nutter Butters, box o’wine and a 12-pack of PBR.

However you decide to do it, going back to school can be challenging and also incredibly rewarding, as I found out last semester when I got A’s across the board and pulled out a 4.0.

Here’s hoping this time,  being a “grown-up” by technicality means acting like one in college.

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Along with everyone else right now, my husband has said he’d like to ”get back in shape.” I estimate this to be the 32,234th time he’s said this to me.  I responded by rolling my eyes at him.

I wasn’t trying to be mean, I was merely pointing out that those glory days he talks about; the days when he could run a triathlon and curl 50s and blah, blah, blah…were over seven years ago.

He’s been talking about getting “back in shape” ever since.

I hate that phrase, because honestly, I don’t think any of us really knows what it means.

Does it refer to a number or a size? Does it refer to overall health?  In that case, shouldn’t we be saying things like, “I’d sure like to exercise more” or “I’m going to eat less processed foods” or better yet, specific things like, “I’m going to run an eight minute mile” or “I’m going to fit back into my favorite pants again.”

Being “in shape” is such a relative, subjective term that, left undefined, is ultimately unobtainable because it doesn’t actually mean anything.

I speak from personal experience.  Most people would call me “in shape.” I am at the gym every morning at 5:30 for at least an hour, sometimes more, and I run, bike, and hike on the weekends.  I am very physically active.  And yet, when I tried out a class at my new gym, I thought I was going to die.

“And I thought I was in such good shape!”  I panted. My trainer, a former professional athlete, just smiled and told me there is always room for improvement.  Indeed.

That being said, if we’re being honest, I have a confession to make.  The other reason I despise people saying they want to “get back in shape,”  is because I often wonder if they were ever “in shape” to begin with.

I’ve come to the personal belief that someone who is “in shape” is someone who has developed healthy exercise habits and built them into their daily lives for a long period of time (sidenote:  long periods of time refer to years, not months).

I am not talking about someone who goes to the gym three months out of the year, gets back to their desired weight/size and then continues a sedentary lifestyle until the cycle repeats itself.  I am talking about someone who consistently and constantly works at physical health, no matter what.

Notice I am not talking about how fat, skinny, or muscular someone looks.  It’s naive to think that someone who works out every day of their life looks like they belong on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.  I am living proof of that.

The bottom line is this:  When it comes to setting goals for yourself, define your specific intentions, say them out loud.

Better yet, live them.

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I grew up as the daughter of an Air Force Captain who retired when I was eight years old, after twenty years of service. He went on to work for a couple big-name companies, and eventually started two of his own businesses. He and my mother had one master’s degree each by the time I was born.

I went to a private (read: expensive) school from sixth grade until I graduated from high school. I had classes with the children of authors, lawyers, doctors, and CEOs. We were very far from being the one percent, but, with very few exceptions, we all came from families of means.

I specifically remember one day in my Civics class senior year, we got into a discussion about the “new” idea of socializing healthcare in the United States. I was sitting next to the son of a very well-known, well-respected doctor, who informed me that there was no way it would go through. The American Medical Association had too big a lobby in Congress, and it would be detrimental for them. Doctors would fight it hard enough to get it thrown out, because it would mean they would get paid less.

I’m not proud to say that I remember well what it felt like to look down on anyone who needed Medicaid. I remember when just saying “food stamps” would have earned me looks of disgust from my classmates.

Almost exactly two years after I had the conversation with the doctor’s son, I gave birth to my son. I was nineteen years old, I had completed only one year of college, and I was unmarried. After my Tricare-allotted postpartum check- up and his single newborn check-up, we were officially uninsured. And thus began my family’s experience with government assistance.

I went back to work as a home health aide when my son was eight weeks old. The only position I could get did not offer any kind of insurance. My son’s father, who is now my husband, worked for two different restaurants before our son was a year old. Both of them promised healthcare after ninety days, but when the ninety-day mark hit, his hours got shuffled around so that he worked about two hours less per week than the minimum required for insurance.

Financially, we had no choice but to apply for Medicaid.

In the last two years, we’ve needed WIC to help keep our son fed, Medicaid to keep us healthy, LEAP to keep us all warm, food stamps to help free up enough money for rent, phone bills, car payments, and other essentials, and
unemployment to help get us by after my husband’s workplace was seized by the IRS (when I was thirty-eight weeks pregnant), due to the owner’s failure to pay tens of thousands of dollars in taxes.

Seven months ago, we moved to a new city, where my husband goes to school full-time, pursuing his engineering degree, and works at a nearby restaurant. The company does not offer health insurance.

After applying to over one hundred nurse assistant positions in our area, I finally got a job. I couldn’t possibly be more thankful to be employed, but my employment is on a “per requested need” basis, meaning I don’t get to work unless someone else is sick or on vacation. Because of that title, I will never be offered health insurance. I am also waiting to get into a local nursing program.

Letting so many people in our country go uninsured or severely under-insured is lunacy to me, and since I began working at a community hospital, I’ve seen it get to the point of being deadly.

I have seen MRSA patients leave, against medical advice, without the only medication that will save their lives. I have seen heart attack patients leave without pacemakers that would have kept them alive an extra ten years. I have seen stroke victims leave without any rehabilitative therapy. Every one of them says the same thing: they just can’t afford to stay long enough to get the help they need to maintain their health.

There is no doubt that countless people abuse the system, doing everything from getting pregnant to purposely getting fired to abusing drugs in order to continue receiving aid, but by no means should this many people be so
afraid of hospital bills or being denied any help that they forego all medical treatment, even to the point of disease and death. There are far too many people out there who simply need help through a season in their lives in which they are unable to live healthfully otherwise, to write off every recipient of government assistance as “a waste of tax dollars” or “lazy, jobless, drug-addicted leeches on society.”

I am completely in favor of closer monitoring and more accountability for those who need to be on these programs. Personally, I am so thankful for the help that these programs have given my family over the last two years that I would gladly take any drug test and attend any income-check appointment to keep them warm, fed, and insured.

I knew before my pregnancy was even over that I had very quickly become, and would for several years continue to be, the very same “type” of girl that I used to whisper about and judge at the mall or the doctor’s office. I don’t believe I’ve ever been in a situation so humbling and eye-opening. I was so wrong about government assistance (and those who need it) in every way.

I used to debate this issue from a far-right-wing, elitist standpoint, but there’s no way I can do that anymore. In fact, I can’t debate this from a political standpoint at all anymore. Though politics now run the entire healthcare system, this is not a political issue. This is about people’s lives.

My family’s experiences over the last two years have taught me so much, and my career goals are now very different from what they were when I was in that Civics class at seventeen. I no longer aspire to be a nurse at a private hospital. More than anything now, what I want is to work with, care for, and be an advocate for those who need some help to better their situations. There is not a single person out there who deserves to go without food, heat, or healthcare because they genuinely cannot obtain or are too embarrassed of the stigma and judgment that can come with the use of government assistance.

I will not lose sight of or change my goals. Every person deserves access to food, electricity, and healthcare.

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Pretty much anywhere in the Disney World parks is fun to visit without kids. You may not need to ride through it’s a small world at Magic Kingdom or see all of the Kidcot stops at Epcot, but there are lots of attractions, things to do, and most importantly, good places to eat without kids.

Most trips we take to the Disney World theme parks is with our kids. The past few years of going to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival with the kids in tow, however, has drawn out “WE DON’T WANT TO GO” protests from the girls. One of the only times they don’t want to go to Disney World is when we spend the majority of the day in line waiting to try different food and drinks.

It seems little kids don’t have the foodie palates we have as adults and don’t want to try new foods. Silly kids.

We adults love trying new foods, new drinks, and eating our way around the world at Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival.

The kids? Not so much.

My suggestion is to leave the kids with grandma, and take the day (and night) to spend with adults at Epcot during the International Food and Wine Festival. You’ll appreciate the quiet time waiting in line (and yes, you will wait, but it’s worth it) and not having to carry 3 plates of food, a sippy cup, and someone else’s napkins.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival takes place daily from September 30 – November 13, 2011. Dates change every year, so check the Disney website for future dates.

image credit: Angie Lynch

Thanks to Mouse Genius reader, Anna, for this submitted question!

Every year, the Magic Kingdom at Disney World host special after-hours parties for Halloween and Christmas. These parties are for party ticket holders only and the ticket prices can be high compared to other special events at Disney World. Even if you have a park ticket or pass, you may not enter the park for the party without a special party-only ticket.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom are special events to which you can take your kids for special attention.

The “worth it” aspect of these parties is really subjective. If you have the money to spend on the extra special parties, I say go for it. If the cost is prohibitive and it will prevent you from doing other things, I’d say skip the parties and do something else. Past guests to the parties have differing opinions on the “worth” of the parties, but they cite “shorter lines” and “special attention” as reasons to visit.

September through November, the Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party from 7pm-12am. Dates for 2011 are listed on the Disney World website, along with ticket prices that range from $47.95 + tax to $67.95 + tax each.

In addition to many favorite Disney attractions, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is filled with special entertainment, including:
Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade—including Disney Characters and the stars of the Haunted Mansion attraction. The parade begins with a spook-tacular ride by the Headless Horseman.
Happy HalloWishes—a spectacular fireworks show where the Disney Villains go trick-or-treating in the sky.
Many favorite Disney Characters and Disney Villains in special Halloween costumes.
Special lighting, music and theming effects transforms special areas of Magic Kingdom theme park into happy haunted hollows.
The tone of the event is, well, “Not-So-Scary”, and is appropriate for children of all ages.

Select nights for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are listed on Disney’s website and are subject to change. Tickets vary in price depending on the date you’re attending and range from $51.95 + tax to $62.95 + tax each.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party features:
The enchanted Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus himself
An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza — Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season
Live entertainment featuring Disney Characters
Meet and greet opportunities throughout Magic Kingdom theme park with some of your favorite Disney Characters
Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
A magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Many of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions

photo credit: angie lynch

The AMC Downtown Disney 24 movie theater at Disney’s Westside is a great place to get away from the constant on-the-go traveling you tend to do on a vacation to Disney World.

Take the time to relax and enjoy a first-run movie at one of the well-appointed theaters at Downtown Disney before a dinner date. Tickets run about the same price as any other typical first-run movie theater, but as Disney is known, the theater is clean, well-lit where it needs to be, and updated.

Starting May 16th, enjoy table service dining at one of several Dine-In Theatres® where larger, comfortable seats equipped with tables for food. Six of the 24 auditoriums are outfitted for table-service with a discreet personal call button for food service. Guests have a menu from which to choose that includes appetizers, entrees, and a wide selection of alcoholic beverages. Adults and children accompanied by adults are welcomed to enjoy first- and second-run movies with the luxury of seat-side service.

Along with the Dine-In Theatre auditoriums, MacGuffins, a full-service bar is opening inside the AMC Downtown Disney 24 to service all 21+ theater guests.

LIMITED TIME: Catch a preview of the Dine-In Theatres this Friday, May 13th. For more information on how to reserve tickets, click over to Allied Media.

image credit: Disney

In the outskirts of Kissimmee (the town next door to Disney World) Green Meadows Farm is a petting zoo that’s been in the Orlando area for generations. The nature-friendly petting zoo is a great way to get away from the non-stop business of being a tourist. Young children love interacting with the zoo animals and learning about their environment, and Green Meadows Farm is one of the best places in Florida to experience that.

If you’re planning to visit the Orlando, Kissimmee, or Disney World area any time before September 28, 2011, you can purchase 50% off passes to Green Meadows Farm now through May 8th.

photo credit: angie lynch

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is known for high quality rooms and easy access to all of the theme parks at Disney World. Boys and girls who are in love with everything pirate dream of spending the night in a room meant for them and their pirate ways.

Naturally, the Caribbean Beach Resort is a perfect location for a pirate-themed guest room.

The decor in the room is all pirate, including the bathroom shower, bed headboards, and clothes dressers. Room rates are only a few dollars higher for a night in the pirate-themed hotel rooms, and if you have a pirate kid, it’s worth the upgrade.

Make sure you plan some time to spend at the enormous pirate ship pool on the resort property. While you’re there, slide down the many slides and order up a very adult drink by the pool.

photo credit: angie lynch

If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, you can park your car and leave it for the duration of your stay if you so desire. Disney Transportation offers complimentary transportation to its resort guests.  You have three different options of transportation:  buses, the monorail and boats.

Most areas throughout Walt Disney World Resort, including Disney Theme Parks, Disney Water Parks, Resort hotels and the Downtown Disney Area, are accessible by bus. Some bus routes may require transfer from one bus to another.

If you prefer to travel by boat, the Magic Kingdomis accessible by boat from:

• The Grand Floridian
• The Polynesian
• Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
• Wilderness Lodge

Ferryboats connect Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center

Epcot and Hollywood studios are accessible by boat from:

• Boardwalk Inn and Villas Resort
• Beach Club Resort
• Yacht Club Resort
• Swan Hotel
• Dolphin Hotel

Downtown Disney area is accessible by ferryboat from:

• Port Orleans – French Quarter
• Port Orleans – Riverside
• Old Key West Resort
• Saratoga Springs Resort

If the monorail is more your style then you can get to the following:

• Magic Kingdom
• Contemporary Resort
• Grand Floridian Resort
• Polynesian Resort
• Transportation and Ticket Center

Additionally, there are express round-trip services to Epcot and Magic Kingdom that originate from the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Walt Disney World is working directly with Gowalla to encourage guests to check in around the parks to earn stamps for virtual passports. Share your check-ins with friends on Twitter and Facebook as well as friends using Gowalla.

Guests can check in using Gowalla on your smart phone at each one of the attractions, eateries, and shows in order to earn your own virtual stamps.

Disney Parks has even developed “Trips” within Gowalla to enhance your experience and earn extra virtual pins and stickers for your passport. You can use the Trips as a mini guide around the parks to get the most of your actual trip.

image credit gowalla, wdw

Every year during a select weekends in May and June, Hollywood Studios hosts Star Wars Weekend. Basically, Star Wars characters take over most of the park with meet and greets, parades, and special Star Wars shows. Check the WDW website for actual dates for the year you’re interested in visting and for specific event dates and times.

If you or anyone you know loves anything to do with Star Wars, this is the perfect opportunity to have fun and see a lot of your favorite characters. Wear your favorite Star Wars clothes and you won’t be left out or stand out in the crowd. MANY guests come dressed up as characters. Just be careful with whom you’re taking your picture – it may not be an official character!

This year, Star Tours reopens with a brand new ride experience just in time for Star Wars Weekends. The ride has been out of commission for several months, and the reopening will be a huge draw for anyone who loved the old ride.

image credit: angie lynch

One of the most technologically-advanced and just-plain-cool attractions at all of Disney World is Turtle Talk With Crush at Epcot.

Located next to The Land is The Seas with Nemo & Friends where you can ride through Nemo’s underwater world and by Disney’s aquarium. Inside the attraction is Turtle Talk With Crush where guests sit in a room with Crush and have true, interactive conversations with the most famous turtle in the sea.

Kids are asked to sit up front to get the best views of Crush and are welcomed to ask questions of the old guy. Crush comes out to the Peoplequarium to chat with guests and answer off-the-cuff questions as only kids can ask.

The technology used in this attraction is mind-boggling, even to this seasoned Disney veteran. There’s never a long wait for the attraction, and it’s a great place to escape from the heat, cold, or rain. Prepare your kids with questions for Crush in hopes that they are picked to interview him inside. Though, you never know what’s going to come out of either the kids’ mouth or Crush’s.

photo credit: angie lynch

Boutique hotels are not usually what I look for when searching for a place to stay in Las Vegas. I had the opportunity to change my opinion of staying off the strip and in a small, boutique hotel when I was there for a friend’s wedding. The wedding took place at Rumor Vegas, an off-the-strip, all-suite hotel with 150 newly-renovated rooms. Rumor Hotel opened in mid-2010 after completely renovating from the old St. Tropez Hotel directly across the street from the main casino entrance of the Hard Rock Hotel.

Staying at this boutique hotel in Las Vegas means no casino, no selection of restaurants, and no mega-spa attached. But trust me when I say you won’t miss it those amenities. Truly. What the hotel lacks in mega-hotel features, it makes up for in the size of the suites, the low room rates, and the personalized service by the staff. The pool is lined with outdoor couches and cabanas as well as ample outside seating for the onsite boutique restaurant.

Each room is sleek, minimalistic, and made to make you feel sexy when you’re inside. The dark floors and dark walls with white trim and decorations are designed to make guests feel like they’ve entered a romantic hideaway. The indoor lighting design is meant for limited sensuous lighting, but it makes for a guessing game challenge when looking through my suitcase at night. The suite housed a comfortable modern white sofa and additional seating for guests as well as two televisions. (Channel 69 shows free 24/7 adult films if you’re into that kind of thing.) The bed was beyond comfortable, and coupled with the quietness of being at a boutique hotel, I could have stayed in bed all day.

Select rooms have in-room spa tubs in which to relax and all of the bathrooms feature modern decor and large showers. Oddly, the bathrooms did not have a place to place the bar of soap provided, which is a strange feature to over-look. Thought it seems like a small detail when designing a bathroom, it’s one of those things that you notice is weird when you can’t find a place to put the soap. I would have also liked a convenient place from which to hang my toiletry bag, but with the minimalistic decor, the walls were bare of any hooks.

Addictions, the onsite restaurant, lacks nothing when it comes to food. Celebrity chef, Vic Vegas, is in the kitchen preparing some of the best food I’ve ever eaten at a wedding. I imagine siting down to a meal at Addictions would be even more delectable. I still dream about the sirloin sliders Vic Vegas made for the wedding reception; they were THAT good.

The center courtyard is dotted with mature palm trees, manicured lawn, rock garden, relaxing seating with tables, and several hammocks for guests to relax. The hammocks called my name for two days until I finally succumbed to the pressure of the calling and climbed in. I have to say, it’s not a bad place to be, being suspended between two palm trees being rocked by a purple hammock in the middle of Las Vegas.

From my perspective, I’d be more than happy to stay at Rumor again and suggest it as a place to check out while in Las Vegas. If you’ve had your fill of the mega-resorts and constant noise from the casinos, Rumor Vegas is a must-visit.

Visit Rumor Vegas’ Facebook page for up-to-date specials and discounts.

RUMOR Las Vegas
455 East Harmon Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89169
1-877-99-RUMOR

Photo credit: Angie Lynch

Visiting Orlando during the Christmas-to-New Year’s holiday week can be extremely rewarding if you plan ahead. Part of planning your vacation ahead of your trip is deciding where to have your special Christmas Day 2010 dinner where you can be comfortable while eating  your way through the day. Many of Orlando-area hotels are hosting amazing special buffets and dinners for Christmas. Locals can also get in on the themed dinners and lunch-time meals by calling ahead to reserve your Christmas dinner.

Orlando isn’t just Disney World and theme parks. Downtown Orlando hosts the Grand Bohemian where dining at The Boheme. The four-diamond hotel is offering both a special Christmas Eve dinner and a Christmas Day celebration.
The special Christmas Eve dinner highlights the chef’s special multi-course meal with appetizer choices, Intermezzo, 2nd course options, completing the meal with delicious desserts.
$59.95 per person
Seating Times: 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Seating times subject to availability Tax and service charges are not included.
Christmas Day, The Boheme offers an unlimited Champagne Brunch complete with oysters, poached eggs benedict, maple whipped yams, and clove-studded Virginia ham at the carving station.
$59.95 per person
(Children 4 to 12 – $29.95)
Children under the age of 4 are complimentary
Seating Times: Parties 5 or less: 10:30 am – 8:00 pm
Parties 6 or more: 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm
For reservations and more information: (407) 313-9000

A short, scenic drive from the Orlando attractions is a step back into history Florida in Mount Dora. Lakeside Inn welcomes guests to their special Christmas Day champagne brunch on the lake. Christmas Eve dining will be a la carte served from 5-7:30 p.m. $34.95 Adults, $9.50 (2-12 years).
$34.95 Adults, $18.95 (6-12 years) & complimentary (0-5 years), prices are plus tax and gratuity.

Loews Hotels and Universal Orlando offers an amazing array of Christmas dinner and holiday celebrations. Holiday dinners aren’t limited to the hotels at the resort as restaurants inside the Universal theme parks are hosting special dinners for the holiday. Contact Universal Orlando at (407) 224-4012 for more information on all dining options and availability.

Loews Portofino Hotel, one of Orlando’s best-rated hotels, hosts a Christmas Day Champagne Buffet with rotating meal options from risotto to pasta to fresh fish.
Christmas Day Champagne Buffet: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Children’s Holiday Craft Table: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Universal Orlando character dining: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Strolling Musicians: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Face-painter & Balloonist: 12:00pm to 7:00pm
Adults: $46.00 – Children: $23.00 (12 & under) Children under 3 complimentary.

Kids are welcomed to see Dr. Seuss comes to life with the Grinch and “friends” for a family Christmas dinner at Confisco Grille in Islands of Adventure.
Select dates (reservations recommended): Dec. 3-5, 9-12, 16-21, 23-30 and Jan. 1-2
Children (ages 3-9): $13.95 plus tax & gratuity, per person
Adults: $19.95 plus tax & gratuity, per person

Photo courtesy The Standard Newspaper, Hong Kong

Watching the Waterford Crystal Ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve is a drop in the bucket list for people from all over the world. The dream-come-true event should be celebrated in luxury as only The Plaza hotel can provide. Ring in the New Year staying at one of New York’s best 5-star hotels.

Situated in the heart of Manhattan on the southern end of Central park and just blocks from Times Square, The Plaza and its timeless elegance welcomes guests into opulence at the entrance.

A New Year’s weekend set in luxury is available at one of a select room types from the Plaza King with a street view or inside courtyard view, but even with this quaint room, none of the splendor is spared. As with all of the guest rooms a The Plaza, even the Sherle Wagner faucets are plated in 24-carat gold. It is extravagance at its finest in New York City near Times Square.

If you’re seeking the epitome of leisure and extravagance for your Times Square New Year’s Eve vacation, staying in the Edwardian Suite exceeds your expectations. Opulently decorated in the Louis XV style, the suite includes a powder room, a kitchenette, and separate sitting room for entertaining guests.  As a guest in the Edwardian Suite, you are treated to the full Butler’s service for which The Plaza hotel is known.

Together with The Plaza’s impeccable concierge services, a romantic night in Times Square for New Year’s Eve is in your future.

Room nights vary from $1100/night up to $1750/night for the New Year’s Eve weekend.

Fifth Avenue at Central Park South
New York, New York 10019

Author’s note: Special thanks to Molly for the suggestion of The Plaza as the subject of this article.

Photos courtesy: The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Build a Better Lunchbox event at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. Luckily for us, the weather was perfect for an outdoor brunch on the patio of Portofino’s Trattoria del Porto.

As the parents, we were allowed to eat from the brunch buffet inside the restaurant for the purchase price of the Lunchbox event. While my personal opinion is that the price of the event was a bit high, my girls did receive a full buffet, and they learned some things about good foods. Universal characters where there as well, but at other Loews locations, I’m sure the characters would not be a part of the event. In addition to the characters, there was a clown painting faces for free and each kid left with a gift bag of some coupons and a few “healthy option” goodies.

The Build a Better Lunchbox event will be in the following cities in upcoming months:

Photos courtesy: Angie Lynch

Disclosure: Our event tickets were provided in exchange for my articles on the events. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Teaching your kids to pack their own lunchbox? Awesome.

This Sunday, my family and I are going to Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando to participate in the Build a Better Lunchbox event where my girls will participate in a hands-on experience with food. My girls are notorious for being “stuck in a rut” of what they like to eat for lunch, so I’m hoping these kind people will be able to coax them into trying some new lunch foods.

The Build a Better Lunchbox event is making its way around the US, so if you’re not lucky enough to be in Orlando this weekend (Hello, Fall weather!), check out the Loews website for more information.

“Loews Hotels is helping families “Build a Better Lunchbox” to promote healthy eating habits and raise funds to support projects in local schools. Starting in October, Loews Hotels across the U.S. will host fundraising events where children and parents will have the opportunity to learn how to build a healthier lunch together, and at the same time support community schools through DonorsChoose.org, Loews’ newest charity partner, a web-based not-for-profit that supports local school projects for individual sponsorship.”

The Build a Better Lunchbox Event will be at the following Loews Hotels in the upcoming weeks:

Loews New Orleans Hotel (New Orleans, LA) – November 12, 2010
Loews Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) – November 13, 2010
Loews Coronado Bay (Coronado, CA) – November 13, 2010
Loews Philadelphia Hotel (Philadelphia, PA) – November 13, 2010
Loews Miami Beach Hotel (Miami Beach, FL) – November 13, 2010
Loews Ventana Canyon (Tucson, Arizona) – November 13, 2010
The Don Cesar, a Loews Hotel (St. Pete Beach, FL) – November 14, 2010
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (Santa Monica, CA) – November 21, 2010
Loews Vanderbilt Hotel (Nashville, TN) – November 28, 2010
Loews Annapolis Hotel (Annapolis, MD) – December 11, 2010

The Orlando event will take place at Portofino Bay Hotel on Sunday, November 7th, from 10am-1pm. Cost per person is $25 and includes gift bags for children.

Photo courtesy: Loews Hotels

Disclaimer: I was provided gratis entry to the event for myself and my family. The information provided in this post is a combination of my experiences, ideas, opinions, and information provided to me by the event.

Whether you’re in Orlando on vacation for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend or you’re a local wanting to enjoy the holiday without the hassle of cooking and cleaning, Orlando hotels are hosting amazing Thanksgiving dinners and buffets.

Some of last year’s list of the best Thanksgiving dinners at Orlando-area hotels make a return visit to 2010′s list:

Norman’s – Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando
Three-course served Thanksgiving dinner highlighting the best cuisine offered at one of the best restaurants in Orlando.
Reservations required.
5pm – 9pm
$85 Adults, $35 Children

Rosen Plaza – Grand Ballroom
Thanksgiving buffet dinner like your grandmother never made. Offerings include King Crab Bisque, Oysters-on-the-Half-Shell, Corish Game Hens, and Jack Daniel’s Chocolate Cake.
Thanksgiving Day Grand Buffet
11:00am – 5pm
$31.95 Adults, $15.95 Children 4-12, under 4 free

Garden Grove – Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin
Florida-traditional Thanksgiving dinner buffet featuring Herb-Crusted Grouper, Glazed Ham Florida with Orange Chutney, and a variety of Homemade Cakes and Pastries. Disney World characters will be popping in to visit!
1pm – 9pm
$35.95 Adults,$15.95 Children 3-9, under 3 free

Champagne Brunch – Peabody Orlando
A high-class Champagne Brunch with traditional Thanksgiving fare paired with award-winning stations cooking some of the best food in Orlando.
10:30am – 4pm
$59.50 Adults, $25.00 Children 6-12, under 5 free

Café Gauguin – Rosen Centre
In addition to 39 different dining options and unlimited mimosas, the Thanksgiving Holiday Brunch at Rosen Centre on International Drive is serving up the best of traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a mix of southern holiday foods.
11am – 5pm
$34.95 Adults, $16.95 Children 4-12

Photo courtesy: Walt Disney Company

Boston, Massachusetts is a city every traveler will visit at one time during their lifetime. It’s full of American history landmarks, great food, and some of the best hotels in the world. The Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf is arguably one of the best hotels in Boston. In a city known for its architecture, the Boston Harbor Hotel blends itself into the landscape of the skyline with grace and definable distinction.

Every guest room in this Forbes Five Star hotel boasts downtown Boston or harbor views out its picture windows. As a guest relishing in luxury would expect, every room is furnished with quality furniture, a full-size umbrella at your disposal, top-notch turn-down service, and high-tech audio/visual equipment. In-room babysitting and specialized children’s amenities are available upon request. Suites at the Boston Harbor Hotel are over-sized and include everything the polished traveler expects.

Being a Five Star hotel requires Five Star dining, and Meritage, The Restaurant does not disappoint as it is recognized as one of Zagat’s “Five Best Restaurants in Boston.” 24-hour in-room dining is available within the hotel with service from the notable Rowes Wharf restaurant.

Just because the Boston Harbor Hotel is Five Star in every detail doesn’t mean they aren’t offering specials and deals for their guests. Seasonal packages can be found on the Boston Harbor Hotel website.

Typical room rates begin around $300/night for a standard room and suites at $550/night.

Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf
70 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110

As with several other posts I’ve written, the Boston Harbor Hotel was suggested to me by a friend on Twitter. Thanks to @hamletsmistress for this one!

Photos courtesy: Boston Harbor Hotel

Affordable hotels along Orlando’s International Drive are abundant and many have been on the tourist road for decades. The newly-renovated Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando (formerly the Quality Inn Plaza) is open and ready for guests in its over 1,000 rooms. Rated a 3-Diamond hotel, the Rosen 9000 (as it’s affectionately called) got an all-over face-lift with new playgrounds, new furniture, a fresh coat of paint, and renovated heated pools.

The Plaza Garden Restaurant is on-site and with breakfast and dinner buffets as well as the Lite Bite Mini-Market & Deli for quick meals. Just for adults, Zebra’s Sports Bar welcomes sports fanatics and Karaoke singers for a night away from the kids. Just for kids, the Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando has a brand new on-property playground and video arcade play room.

Complimentary wireless internet access is available in all guest rooms as well as a secure gated access into the hotel. As a Universal Partner Hotel, the Rosen Inn offers free shuttle service to Universal Orlando, Sea World, Aquatica, and Wet n’Wild. Shuttles to Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport are available for a small fee.

Room rates start at $49/night and specials and promotions are available on the hotel website.

9000 International Dr.
Orlando, FL 32819

Photos courtesy: Rosen Inn

I’ve been asking around Twitter for my friends’ favorite hotels they’ve ever stayed in, and I have a nice variety of hotels from which to choose. I saw The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, come up as a suggestion, and just by the name, I knew it was going to be fancy.

I didn’t think it would be jaw-droppingly amazing. Breath-taking. Dream vacation-making. Five star everything.

WOW.

It’s not just the magnificence of the historic buildings that makes it amazing, it’s the location. The Broadmoor is plucked straight from a child’s fantasy storybook. So beautiful, you think it’s in your imagination.

But it’s real.

774 rooms and suites with six new cottage buildings all up to the highest standards of the best five star hotels in the world. Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards recently named The Broadmoor for the 50th consecutive year as one of the best of the best in hotels and resorts worldwide.

Set in the foothills of Cheyenne Mountain, the backdrop invites guests to explore the 3000 acres of lush, manicured grounds including Championship quality golf courses. Guests can bike, mountain climb, swim, ski nearby, play golf, learn to fly fish, and nearly every other outdoor activity you can imagine doing outside in Colorado.

The Broadmoor is one of those places you imagine yourself visiting “one day” or “when I win the lottery” or “when my Sugar Daddy calls,” but I’d like to think of it as that place I’m putting on my “Must Visit List” because I WILL be there one day.

I can’t even imagine what a Christmas holiday vacation would be like at The Broadmoor: Winter Wonderland is coming to mind. Even though The Broadmoor is a Five Star Hotel, they don’t charge an arm, a leg, and a car payment to stay for a night. The upcoming Classic Broadmoor Christmas 2010 special includes the following details:

The BROADMOOR is proud to present “A Classic Broadmoor Christmas”.  Join us for this magnificent, heart-warming holiday show for the entire family. The show features Colorado favorites, the Broadmoor Pops Band, and a special presentation of dancing, singing and fun. Doors will open for cocktails at 6pm, dinner is served at 7pm and the entertainment will begin at 8pm.

* Accommodations for one night
* Incidental service fee
* Dinner show tickets for each person on the package
* 30% discount off of published Suite rates

Package prices starting at $158 per person, per night based on double occupancy. Limited availability. Not applicable to groups. Rates do not include applicable taxes and fees. Package available December 17, 18, 19 and 22, 23, 24, 2010

Stay at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs in December for Christmas? *adding to my To Do List*

Thanks to @TroutTowers for the Favorite Hotels suggestion!

Photos courtesy: The Broadmoor