Tips for the Traveler ~ Choosing a Cruise for You (Day 14, Part 1 of 2)

We celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2016 and that trip also included a cruise.  I wrote a post then about choosing a cruise and thought I would update it since we have taken three more cruises since then.  If you have never cruised before, you may have some questions.  If you've cruised before, I'd love for you to share your experience in the comments.  We think of cruising as a "sampler plate" - we see a lot of places in a short amount of time.  We left Ireland and Scotland wishing for more time to explore and our experience with trains has us thinking about a more land based trip in the future.  A helpful site is Cruise Critic.  Here are some of the things to think about when cruising:

 

#1 - Who You Travel With

Les is always my #1 travel companion but we have also cruised once with Lance and Monica and twice with Doug and Lori.  Les and I do almost everything together on cruises, the main exception is the fitness center.  Les is more likely to workout on the ship than I am.  When we have traveled with the other two couples, we did not do everything together and we were all fine with that!  We enjoyed some meals and some excursions together, while others we did on our own.

#2 - Where Will You Go?
This is important when choosing a cruise.  It may be the newest ship in the fleet, but if it's going to be cruising the Hawaiian islands, Les and I will probably pass!  Our ports for this trip were all new to us but we have done repeat ports in the past.  There are so many places to explore that a repeat stop is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

#3 - How Many Days at Sea Will You Have?

This was important to us when we booked this trip.  The cruises we took last year both had 3 days in port and 3 days at sea.  That was way more days at sea than we like.  This time we only had two days at sea and we loved it.

#4 - Work With a Travel Agent
I cannot stress enough how much our travel agent helped us!  We did not pay her a single penny - her income comes from the cruise lines.  If you're looking for a travel agent you don't need to live in Simi Valley - Paula is licensed to work with customers in the entire state of California.  I haven't seen her since the first cruise she helped us with in 2016 - we do everything by phone and email.  Check out Paula's Travel HERE.  Paula also helped us with hotels, transfers, and excursions before and after the cruise.

#5 - Book Early, Really Early
We booked our cruise 9 months in advance, but did not benefit from a price drop this time.  (In 2016 we booked a year in advance and our price dropped about $1,400!)  I'm pretty sure cruise lines aren't discounting as much these days as they continue to recover from the COVID shutdowns.

 

#6 - Does the Cruise Line Matter?
We have cruise a grand total of six times, so we are not experts at all!  We cruised Carnival in 2008 (pre-blogging days) and again in 2011.  We cruised Royal Caribbean in 2016.  We have now cruised Princess three times. There were definitely some differences that I'll get into, but they did not spoil our trip, nor did they make us like any cruise line more or less.  We've all read horror stories about problems on cruise lines, but I think they can happen on any cruise line.  Just like things can go wrong with airlines and hotels chains, it's what happens when things go wrong that can make or break a company.

 

#7 - Your Cabin Location Does Matter!
In 2011, our room was directly above the casino and our balcony overlooked a Jacuzzi.  It was noisy day and night!  I explained that to Paula in 2016 and we looked at the deck plans to choose our room.  Since then Paula has always done a great job getting us a quiet room.  As I mentioned, we had an inside cabin this time and we actually really liked it.  This is when your number of days at sea can really make a difference.

#8 - How Do You Deal with All the People?
Surprisingly, it never seems like there are a lot of people on the cruise ship once you set sail. The first day can be a little busy with everyone getting on board.  The cabins usually aren't available until after 1:00, so everyone heads to the cafeteria.  This trip was a little strange - some days seemed more crowded than others.  Water taxis are definitely when you notice the crowds because they don't want to leave the ship or port without having a full boat.

 

#9 - How Much Should I Pack?
Les and I are pros at packing due to our frequent travels.  We have medium size suitcases that even when packed as full as we can get them, they are never over the allowed weight of 50 pounds.  They usually come in around 35-40 pounds.  We both wore everything we packed at least twice.   And I can't stress enough the importance of comfortable shoes!  You can read my full post about packing here.

#10 - Can I Do My Own Laundry?
This, of course, can make a huge difference in your packing!  There were laundry rooms available on the Carnival Magic, but none on Jewel of the Seas.  Princess had the best option - laundry rooms on each deck that had staterooms.  I did laundry twice.

 

#12 - How Can I Get Rid of Wrinkles?
Sorry, I have no magic face cream for you!  But if you're trying to get rid of travel wrinkles in your clothes I have found the secret - Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus.  I have been using this for years and it really works!  Princess does have irons and ironing boards in their laundry rooms but I never needed them.  Most of my clothes were slightly wrinkled from being in my suitcase.  I lightly sprayed them, pulled on the wrinkles with my hands, then hung the clothes up.  That's all it took!  If you are a frequent traveler, get yourself a bottle of this.  I have a big bottle that I keep at home, but I also have a travel size that goes with me.

#13 - Do I Need Formal Clothes?
This is really up to you.  Les and I have plenty of opportunities to dress up at home, so we really don't like to use suitcase space for fancy clothes and shoes.  For dinnerwear I took four dresses, while Les took a few nice shirts, a couple pairs of slack and two sport coats.  There were two nights on our cruised that were "Formal" dress for dinner.  We did not feel under-dressed at all.  Yes, there were people in very fancy clothes (tuxedos and gowns)  but there were just as many who were not dressed up.

#14 - Should I Pay for International Roaming on My Cell Phone?
In 2011 we turned our phones off before we landed in Barcelona and left them off the entire time.  We loved being unplugged and never felt like we needed them.  In 2016 we did a lot more exploring on our own and could have used our maps.  Of course this time we had MAPS.ME and it worked with our phones on airplane mode.  We used WI-FI on the ship, in our hotels and in cafes/restaurants.  I needed to make a phone call once and I think we both used data a couple of times.  Some carriers charge international fees by the day so as soon as you access your data abroad you are charged a flat fee for the day.  For example, Verizon charges $10 a day for international roaming.  This would have added up quickly.  Our carrier (Spectrum) charges by usage and we spent less than $2.00 for the entire trip.

#15 - When Should I Book Shore Excursions?
I did a ton of research and booked all excursions in advance.  It makes planning and packing easier.  We didn't book excursions for every day.  As I mentioned, I did not book anything through our cruise line.  This saved us a LOT of money.  For example, if I had booked the Giant's Causeway through Princess it would have been $260 a person.  I paid $100 a person booking through Viator!  This was our most expensive excursion, most were considerably less.  I had an entire spreadsheet comparing excursions.  Options are available, just do the work in advance.  Don't arrive in a port without some prior knowledge and at least a little bit of a plan.  Half day tours are great because you can spend some time on your own as well and those are often the best part of your day.

#16 - Do I Need to Buy A Drink Package?
Les and I don't drink any alcohol so those drink packages didn't matter to us.  There are unlimited soda packages, but we have never bought them either.  I think you need to drink about 5 sodas or specialty coffees a day to make them worth it.  I usually get two or three Diet Cokes for the entire cruise, but that's it. Coffee, juice, tea, and water are always included so we don't go thirsty.  

 

#17 - How is the Food?
I previously wrote this: There were some differences in food on the two different cruise lines.   Breakfast was about the same on both ships - a variety of buffet stations.  Lunch was also a buffet, but Carnival had a better variety.  There was a significant difference on the dinners.  On the formal night on Carnival, steak and lobster was one of the menu options.  If you wanted steak and lobster on Royal it was available for an additional charge.  Overall, I think our dinners were better on Royal, it probably helped that we had a table for two so our service seemed better.  Our head waiter, Marvin, was really good.  He also had a helper who brought our drinks.  After the first night, he knew we wouldn't want any alcohol, so he brought us tea right away.

From this trip I will add:  Princess food was much better on this trip than the two we took last year - especially the desserts.  My biggest complaint would be getting enough to drink.  At dinner we would get water and tea, but getting refills was very hit and miss with the exception of Alfredo's.   The specialty restaurants on Princess are definitely better than the dining rooms, but of course they come at an additional cost.  Also, even though we reserved the same time for dinner each night we were not seated at the same table.  This meant different servers each night and service that was inconsistent.

#18 - Will I Get Seasick?
I have only gotten seasick one time on our six cruises.  This was a day at sea in 2011.  I don't really blame it on the sea.  I have gotten carsick in the past and it's usually if I'm reading and the road is winding.  The one time I got seasick, I was reading on our balcony and the sea was a little rough.  I have noticed in the past few years that I do experience more car sickness, so I've started taking Dramamine if I know the road is going to be windy.  I also take a Dramamine everyday while I'm on the ship and that works just fine.

#19 - What About Tipping?
The standard way to take care of tips is to have it added in your bill upfront.  It is a daily amount so you don't have to worry about tipping your room attendant or your server at dinner or anyone else who provides assistance.  This does not include your guides on excursions, it is customary to tip them.  Cruise Critic has a helpful article about that here.

#20 - What is the Deal with Recommended Shopping?
I don't remember hearing this as much on Carnival, but Royal Caribbean really pushed their approved stores.  (I also didn't notice this on Princess.)  Every night in our Cruise Compass a map was included of the next day's port.  Shops and restaurants were named as recommended shopping.  We never bought anything from any of the shops listed!  I have since learned that cruise lines rake in a profit every time you buy something on shore at their recommended stores. 

#21 - Why the Shopping Stops on Excursions?
We have noticed that almost every shore excursion includes a stop in some kind of shop.  A cameo maker, a leather shop, or a pearl factory.  We always feel like these are a waste of our vacation time and not what we paid for!  Again, we've never bought anything at any of these places.  Just like the recommended shopping, most sightseeing excursions include extended stops at souvenir shops chosen primarily for the size of the kickback they provide to the tour operator and cruise line.  Another reason to not book an excursion with the cruise line, but head out on your own when you can.

 

#22 - Can I Leave the Ship A Day Early?

This is a new point but pretty important.  We knew we wanted to leave the ship a day early.  It is not just as simple as checking out of a hotel a day early.  Paula requested a Deviation of Itinerary from Princess and they had to approve it.  Two days before we were going to get off we received a notice in our stateroom cabin of what we needed to do.  Our passports needed to go to Guest Services so they could be presented to French authorities and our luggage needed to be outside our room the night before.  We weren't the only ones who left the ship early, so this is not uncommon, but there are procedures to follow.

#23 - ASK!!

As in many things in life, I think the key to travel is asking.  You may not get the refund or you may not be able to change plans, but you may also get a yes.  You'll never know unless you ask!  If you're uncertain of where you need to go or what you need to do, ASK!  Don't be that person who pretends to know what they're doing, all the while leaving a trail of disaster behind them.

 

Have you ever cruised?  Share your stories in the comments!
If you haven't cruised, have I scared you away or are you thinking about taking one now?

Two Easy Fixes

I had two things that needed fixing this week and wanted to share what I did. 

Fix that drain!

First was the drain in our shower.  It had gotten slow and then to the point we had standing water.  Our plumber had told us to never use Drano (or any other harsh chemical.)  His solution:  baking soda and vinegar.  He didn't say how much, so I turned to Google and found this easy method from Crunchy Betty:

Instructions:

• Pour a pot of boiling hot water down your drain.
• Dump in about 1/2 c. baking soda. Let that sit for a few minutes.
• Then, pour a mixture of 1 c. vinegar and 1. c very hot water down on top of the baking soda.
• Cover with a drain plug (to keep the reaction down below the drain surface) if you have one and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
• Flush one more time with a pot of boiling water.

This worked like a charm!  

Fix that neckline!

I have replaced several of my old casual tops this summer - they were either falling apart or had stains.  I've picked up several cute ones from Amazon for under $20.  I got this one but the neckline on me was lower than what I like. 

I didn't want to wear a t-shirt or tank top underneath.  I found these mock camisoles on Amazon.

I got a pack of 10 for $17.99.  You're not going to find many t-shirts for under $2.00.  They snap to my bra strap and add just enough coverage.  Some of the reviews said they were too small, which I think they would be for someone who is larger.  They are "one size" and a perfect fit for me.   There are other styles available, so if you're in the market and don't think these would be large enough, keep looking!

Tips for the Traveler: Choosing a Cruise for You (Day 6 - A Day at Sea, Part 1)

We had only spent two nights on our cruise ship when our first full day at sea happened.  It was perfect timing for us since we had done so much walking in Rome.  It was also our 25th anniversary!  Our day was leisurely and we had a very special dinner planed that I will blog about next, but for now I wanted to talk about cruising.

If you have never cruised before, you may have some questions.  If you've cruised before, I'd love for you to share your experience in the comments.  A helpful site is Cruise Critic.  Here are some of the things to think about when cruising:

I had finished writing this post and asked Les the #1 priority when choosing a cruise.  His reply, "Your travel companion!"  Oops!  I didn't mean to leave that off my list, but I kinda thought it was a no brainer.  He's always my #1 choice.

#1 - Where Will You Go?
This is our number one priority when choosing a cruise.  It may be the newest ship in the fleet, but if it's going to be cruising the Hawaiian islands, Les and I will probably pass!  Three of the ports on this cruise were places we had been before (Civitavecchia, Sicily and Naples.)  We decided we wanted to go to Greece, with bonus days in Rome, so we were willing to revisit Sicily and Naples.  Our Sicily experiences couldn't have been more different - Ancient Tindari in 2011 and Mountain Biking Mount Etna in 2016.  Repeat ports are not necessarily a bad thing!

#2 - Work With a Travel Agent
I cannot stress enough how much our travel agent helped us!  We did not pay her a single penny - her income comes from the cruise lines.  If you're looking for a travel agent you don't need to live in Simi Valley - Paula is licensed to work with customers in the entire state of California.  I did not see her face to face until the week of our trip - we did everything by phone and email.  Check out Paula's Travel HERE.

#3 - Book Early, Really Early
We booked our cruise 12 months in advance.   We paid about a 10% deposit at the time of booking then watched in amazement as our price dropped, dropped, and dropped.  Almost $1400!  We would not have known this or known how to take advantage of these prices without the help of Paula.

#4 - Does the Cruise Line Matter?
We have cruise a grand total of three times, so we are not experts at all!  We cruised Carnival in 2008 (pre-blogging days) and again in 2011.  This time we cruised Royal Caribbean.  There were definitely some differences that I'll get into, but they did not spoil our trip, nor did they make us like Carnival any less.  We've all read horror stories about problems on cruise lines, but I think they can happen on any cruise line.  Just like things can go wrong with airlines and hotels chains, it's what happens when things go wrong that can make or break a company.

#5 - Your Cabin Location Does Matter!
In 2011, our room was directly above the casino and our balcony overlooked a Jacuzzi.  It was noisy day and night!  I explained that to Paula and we looked at the deck plans to choose our room.  Paula did a great job getting us a quiet room. 

#6 - How Do You Deal with All the People?
Surprisingly, it never seems like there are a lot of people on the cruise ship once you set sail.  The first day can be a little busy with everyone getting on board.  The cabins usually aren't available until after 1:00, so everyone heads to the cafeteria.  It can take a little work to find a table at breakfast or lunch, but it's really not bad.  I was surprised the first time we cruised!

#7 - How Much Should I Pack?
Les and I are pros at packing due to our frequent travels.  We have medium size suitcases that even when packed as full as we can get them, they are never over the allowed weight of 50 pounds.  They usually come in around 35-40 pounds.  We both wore everything we packed at least twice.   And I can't stress enough the importance of comfortable shoes!

#8 - Can I Do My Own Laundry?
This, of course, can make a huge difference in your packing!  There were laundry rooms available on the Carnival Magic, but none on Jewel of the Seas.  Fortunately, I knew this in advance.  Royal Caribbean does have laundry service, which can get very pricey.  On cruises over seven nights, they have "Wash and Fold Laundry" available.  Basically you put as much as you can in a single laundry bag and it gets washed and folded for $30.  There are restrictions on what can go in the bag - basically underwear, t-shirts and pajamas.  So what did we do?  We hand washed a couple of things just about every evening and let them dry on our balcony.  I definitely prefer Carnival's laundry rooms, but we made it work.  A blow dryer works if you need something dry in a hurry, we know from experience!

#9 - How Can I Get Rid of Wrinkles?
Sorry, I have no magic face cream for you!  But if you're trying to get rid of travel wrinkles in your clothes I have found the secret - Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus.  This stuff really works!  There are no irons available on Royal's ships (there were ironing rooms on Carnival) so I needed to figure something out.  I was really impressed with how well this worked.  Most of my clothes were slightly wrinkled from being in my suitcase.  I lightly sprayed them, pulled on the wrinkles with my hands, then hung the clothes up.  That's all it took!  Les even packed a shirt that made it to his closet straight from the dryer - it had major wrinkles.  I sprayed it, then used one of the hangers from our room to "press" out the wrinkles and it looked fine.  If you are a frequent traveler, get yourself a bottle of this.  I only found a 33 ounce bottle, but it can easily be poured into a small spray bottle.

#10 - Do I Need Formal Clothes?
This is really up to you.  Les and I have plenty of opportunities to dress up at home, so we really don't like to use suitcase space for fancy clothes.  For dinner wear, I took two skirts and a few nice tops to mix and match, while Les took a few nice shirts and a couple pairs of slacks.  He didn't pack a tie or sport coat.  There were two nights on our cruised that were "Formal" dress for dinner.  We did not feel under-dressed at all.  Yes, there were people in very fancy clothes (tuxedos and gowns)  but there were just as many who were not dressed up.

#11 - Should I Pay for International Roaming on My Cell Phone?
In 2011 we turned our phones off before we landed in Barcelona and left them off the entire time.  We loved being unplugged and never felt like we needed them.  This time we did a lot more exploring on our own and could have used our maps.  I had my phone with me in Athens - the restaurant had free Wi-Fi, so I was able to use it there.  But paying for a roaming package is something we will do next time.

#12 - When Should I Book Shore Excursions?
We did our research and booked all excursions in advance.  It makes planning and packing easier.  We didn't book excursions for every day and some were just transfers then we spent the day on our own.  I think we've gotten more comfortable exploring foreign cities by ourselves and will probably book even fewer excursions in the future.  If your port is close to the city center then you really don't need to book a tour unless there is something you really want to see with a tour guide.  A woman on our shuttle back to Rome told us she used Cruise Critic to book a private tour guide for her group and the guide was fantastic.  So options are available, just do the work in advance.  Don't arrive in a port without some prior knowledge and at least a little bit of a plan.  Half day tours are great because you can spend some time on your own as well.

#13 - Do I Need to Buy A Drink Package?
Les and I don't drink any alcohol so those drink packages didn't matter to us.  There are unlimited soda packages, but we have never bought them either.  Coffee, juice, tea, and water are always included so you won't go thirsty.  If you need your Diet Coke or fancy coffee, it might be better to just buy them when you want them.  I think you have to drink a lot to make the package worthwhile.

#14 - How is the Food?
There were some differences in food on the two different cruise lines.   Breakfast was about the same on both ships - a variety of buffet stations.  Lunch was also a buffet, but Carnival had a better variety.  There was a significant difference on the dinners.  On the formal night on Carnival, steak and lobster was one of the menu options.  If you wanted steak and lobster on Royal it was available for an additional charge.  Overall, I think our dinners were better on Royal, it probably helped that we had a table for two so our service seemed better.  Our head waiter, Marvin, was really good.  He also had a helper who brought our drinks.  After the first night, he knew we wouldn't want any alcohol, so he brought us tea right away.

#15 - Will I Get Seasick?
I have only gotten seasick one time on our three cruises.  This was a day at sea in 2011.  I don't really blame it on the sea.  I have gotten carsick in the past and it's usually if I'm reading and the road is winding.  The one time I got seasick, I was reading on our balcony and the sea was a little rough.  On our second day at sea, I started to feel a little sick while I was reading, I quickly put my Kindle down and did not get sick.  Dramamine is all I've ever needed.

Les can read and sail without getting seasick!

#16 - What About Tipping?
The standard way to take care of tips is to have it added in your bill upfront.  It is a daily amount so you don't have to worry about tipping your room attendant or your server at dinner or anyone else who provides assistance.  This does not include your guides on excursions, it is customary to tip them.  Cruise Critic has a helpful article about that here.

#17 - What is the Deal with Recommended Shopping?
I don't remember hearing this as much on Carnival, but Royal Caribbean really pushed their approved stores.  Every night in our Cruise Compass a map was included of the next day's port.  Shops and restaurants were named as recommended shopping.  We never bought anything from any of the shops listed!  I have since learned that cruise lines rake in a profit every time you buy something on shore at their recommended stores.

#18 - Why the Shopping Stops on Excursions?
We have noticed that almost every shore excursion includes a stop in some kind of shop.  A cameo maker, a leather shop, or a pearl factory.  We always feel like these are a waste of our vacation time and not what we paid for!  Again, we've never bought anything at any of these places.  Just like the recommended shopping, most sightseeing excursions include extended stops at souvenir shops chosen primarily for the size of the kickback they provide to the tour operator and cruise line.  Another reason to not book a full day excursion, but head out on your own when you can.

Have you ever cruised?  Share your stories in the comments!
If you haven't cruised, have I scared you away or are you thinking about taking one now?

Tip of the Day: Reviving Memory Foam Pillows

Last week while we were in Santa Bararba, we wandered into a Brookstone store.  We were looking at pillows.  Since Les' first neck surgery in 2006, pillows have been problematic.  He needs just the right amount of support.  We both have noticed that after a while, memory foam pillows of any brand start losing their memory and get flatter and flatter.

While we were talking to the salesman, he asked what brand, how long we'd have the pillows, etc.  Then he gave us a simple tip:  Take the pillow and start tightly rolling from one end, then release.  Do the same from the other end.  He said that re-releases the memory.  I was a bit skeptical, but it works!  I've been rolling my pillow each night and it feels like new again.

Ice Cream Survival Guide from Hungry Girl

Five mornings a week I receive emails from Hungry Girl.  Today's was very timely and I wanted to share.  It's HOT everywhere and ice cream, frozen yogurt or gelato are just the ticket for cooling off.  Even if you're watching your caloric intake, you can still enjoy frozen treats!


The Basic DOs & DON'Ts 

DO K.I.S.S. -- keep it simple, silly! Basic flavors are the safe way to go. If it's got hunks of peanut butter and candy pieces in it, chances are the calorie count is higher than the less flashy flavors. And keep your serving small -- even fat-free ice cream typically has at least 100 calories per half cup, which is NOT a lot of ice cream. No need to overdo it...

This is a GIANT cone!  I didn't say I always follow the advice given!

 DON'T go for the big cones. The problem isn't just the amount of ice cream they can hold. (Though that is an issue!) The cones themselves contain a considerable number of calories. Oversized waffle cones typically have around 160 calories and 4g fat each... and that's for the PLAIN ones. The ones that are dipped in chocolate and other goodies tip the scales with 200+ calories and up to 15g fat! And remember, that's before the ice cream...

This is a SMALL cone!

DO indulge in a small cake cone or sugar cone. Just as the too-large cones are dangerous because they can hold too much ice cream, small cones are fantastic because they can only hold so much! Plus, the calorie counts are nice and low. Cake cones, the flat-bottomed ones, generally have 20 - 25 calories, and standard sugar cones have 45 - 60 calories a pop.

DO scope out alternative options. Yes, you're at an ice cream shop, but there may be other treats worth considering! Soft-serve fro yo? Go for it. Sorbet? Sweet! Just check the nutritional stats to make sure your choice is a good bet.

DON'T get crazy with the toppings. Those things can get you into TROUBLE. Just because you got a scoop of super-light ice cream, that doesn't mean that piling on candy, cookies, and gooey syrups won't affect the stats in a big way. Fresh fruit toppings, however, are always a good choice!

DO gather ideas for later. Sure, that hot-fudge brownie sundae on the menu may be a calorie catastrophe, but that doesn't mean you can't re-create it at home... guilt-free, of course!

Mini Survival Guides for Mega-Popular Ice Cream Chains!

Baskin-Robbins
Best Options: The magic words? BRight Choices! There's Fat-Free Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, Caramel Turtle Truffle Reduced-Fat No Sugar Added Ice Cream, and Pineapple Coconut Reduced-Fat No Sugar Added Ice Cream. A small order has only 80 - 120 calories (PointsPlus® value 2 - 4*). And don't discount the Kids Vanilla Soft Serve Cone -- only 130 calories and 4.5g fat (PointsPlus® value 3*)!

Shocker: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sundae -- sharing this with a friend or two does NOT make it an okay selection. It has 990 calories, 43g fat, and over a HUNDRED grams of sugar (PointsPlus® value 27*)!

Friendly's 
Best Options: The lightest options are the no-sugar-added vanilla ice cream, fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt, orange sherbet, and (how good does this sound?) watermelon sherbet. Each of these has 80 - 100 calories per scoop (PointsPlus® value 2 - 3*).

Shocker: While the 5-scoop Super Sundae and 12-scoop Giant Crowd Pleaser are clearly nutritional nightmares, the item that REALLY haunts our dreams? The Hunka Chunka PB Fudge Lava Cake Sundae, with 1,770 calories and 107g fat (PointsPlus® value 48*). Even if you share it with three friends, that's still 440+ calories and more than 25g fat. ACK.

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops 
Best Options: Here we HIGHLY recommend the Vanilla Greek frozen yogurt, which has 150 calories and 4g fat per half-cup scoop (PointsPlus® value 4*). Also great are the sorbets, with 110 calories or less per half-cup scoop (PointsPlus® value 3*).

Shocker: What's most shocking to us is the fact that the sundaes and shakes are NOT listed on the nutritional information page. BOO. But we do know which ice cream flavors to avoid. The What a Cluster flavor has 290 calories and 18g fat (PointsPlus® value 8*) and both the Coconut Seven Layer Bar and New York Super Fudge Chunk have 270 calories and 16g fat (PointsPlus® value 7*) per half-cup scoop. No thank you...

Cold Stone Creamery 
Best Options: The Sinless ice cream -- Cake Batter, Banana, and Sans Fat Sweet Cream. Each "Like it" serving has 170 - 210 calories and 0 - 1g fat (PointsPlus® value 4 - 5*). There's also a fantastic array of fat-free sorbet selections (Pink Lemonade, Watermelon... Strawberry Mango Banana!) with 140 - 240 calories (PointsPlus® value 4 - 6*) per "Like it" serving. Cold Stone also has a BUNCH of fro-yo flavors with impressive stats.

Shocker: If you order a "Like it" portion of regular Cake Batter ice cream with a mix-in of brownies and pecan pralines, that li'l cup will contain about 710 calories and 46g fat (PointsPlus® value 20*)!!! We're not saying that's the worst thing you can order -- we're saying that it's easy to get into trouble, even with the small servings.

And remember, gelato is an even better choice than ice cream ~  a half cup contains 150 calories and four grams of fat versus 200 or more calories and eight grams of fat for ice cream.

A Quick Tip

Before the service speak to God.
During the service let God speak to you.
After the service speak to your neighbor.

Ever notice when you get this out of order, how much less you get out of church?

Friday Foodie - An Old Recipe and a New Tip

I've been in a bit of a food rut lately.  Haven't tried much new and just recycling the same ol' same ol'.  I dug through my Friday Foodie page and found Butternut Squash Pasta with Meat and Veggies.  It was so good!  I love how the sweetness of the butternut squash and the spiciness of the sausage offset each other.

• 1 whole Butternut Squash, Peeled & Cubed
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1-½ cup Chicken Broth
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1 teaspoon Cracked Black Pepper
• 6 cloves Roasted Garlic
• 6 oz. whole wheat penne pasta
• 2 Italian turkey sausages
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 5 white mushrooms, sliced
• 2 oz. sliced turkey pepperoni
• 8 oz. low fat shredded mozzarella cheese

Bake butternut squash at 350 until softened. After baking, cut off the ends of the squash first, and then cut it in half and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds/guts. Peel the skin off with a vegetable peeler–you may need to make more than one swipe to get all of it. Slice crosswise, and then cut up each slice to cube it.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet and when it’s hot, dump in the cubed squash. Salt & pepper the squash to taste and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Start boiling your water to cook your pasta. Cooking the squash is a very fast process. But before you drain the pasta, be sure to reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta’s cooking water and set aside.

Also, start cooking the sausage per package directions. When it is finished, slice and return to skillet, saute with shallot, then add bell peppers, mushrooms, and pepperoni.

After cooking the squash in the oil, add in the chicken broth (which can be replaced with vegetable broth to make it vegetarian-friendly) and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for up to an additional 10 minutes or until the squash cubes are easily split in half with a fork (they should already be somewhat soft due to baking the squash.)

Put the cloves of roasted garlic into a blender or food processor along with the squash and any liquid still left in the skillet. Blend until the squash is smooth with no lumps remaining. Put the puree back into the skillet and put it over very low heat. Expect the puree to be too thick–that’s what the reserved pasta cooking water is for. Add in a little at a time until the puree is thinned to your liking.

Add a little of the sauce to the bottom of a 9" x 13" baking pan. Combine remaining sauce with pasta and meat mixture and add to pan.

Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until bubbling. Uncover; sprinkle evenly with mozzarella. Bake 7-9 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes.

The only thing I did differently this time was with the meat.  I had ground turkey sausage instead of sausage links.  I have found that ground turkey does not crumble as well when cooking as ground beef.  I always end up with larger pieces of meat than I want.  So here's my tip of the day:  After the meat is browned, before adding the veggies, I put the meat in my food processor.  I pulsed it for about 8-10 seconds and it was finely ground.  I think it makes the meat go a little further in the dish as well.  I felt like I got a little bit in every bite!

Diet Blunders to Avoid

I received the following email from Hungry Girl.  She's a Weight Watcher, but these tips are great for anyone trying to do better with the eating habits

We're running down the TOP ATE diet blunders that can derail the unaware -- read on!

1. "On a Diet" or "Off a Diet"
How many times have you heard (or used) the old "I'll start a diet on Monday" excuse? The concept of being either ON or OFF the eating-right wagon can be pretty self-defeating -- there IS a middle ground! Think of eating smart as a lifestyle adjustment, and go into it knowing that celebrations and indulgences are part of life. So give yourself some wiggle room. If you eat sensibly 80 percent of the time and less sensibly the other 20 percent, you'll still be on the right track.

2. Drinking Your Calories
While the occasional caloric beverage won't sink your ship, making sugar-sweetened drinks a regular part of your life can add hundreds of calories to your diet. A 12-oz. can of regular soda has about 150 calories; many fountain drinks contain as many as 32 oz. (We're looking at YOU, movie-theater soda cups!) If you need a flavored drink every now and then, have a low-cal or calorie-free one like Crystal Light or Coke Zero; click here for some naturally sweetened picks.

3. Skipping Meals
It's a vicious cycle. You decide to skip a meal because you want to keep your daily calorie intake in check. Then you get hungry. REALLY hungry. Finally, you give in and wind up overeating, probably taking in more calories than if you'd simply stuck with three sensible meals in the first place. Start the day right -- do NOT skip breakfast! Eat a satisfying morning meal like eggs or oatmeal. Your body actually metabolizes food better when it's properly fueled, so fill 'er up!

4. Buying the Hype
Some things have what's referred to as a health halo around them, meaning that they're perceived as being healthy even if they're not. We at HG often call them food fakers. Notorious food fakers include granola, smoothies, and restaurant salads. Sure, some are OK, but with so many super-caloric versions out there, you NEED to check the stats before you chew. This also goes for items marked "light" or "reduced-fat" -- just because something has fewer calories or less fat than standard fare, that doesn't automatically mean it's a good choice.

5. Thinking Condiments Don't Count
If you monitor most of your calories but still aren't meeting your weight-management goals, consider your condiments. Sure, those numbers on the package are low... but they're usually for a pretty small serving size. If you load up a lean sandwich with lots of light mayo or drown your scrambled Egg Beaters with ketchup, you need to account for those calories. This goes for pancake syrup, salad dressing, and sauces too!

6. Selective Label Reading
There's more to a nutrition label than calories. As we just mentioned, the serving size on a nutritional panel is not always the same as the amount you serve yourself. Another thing to watch out for? Servings per container. If there are two servings in that seemingly single-serving bag of chips, do the math before you devour.

7. Ignoring Daily Activity
Exercise may not be your favorite thing in the world, but it is important, both for weight management and for overall health. While it can be hard to get going, it can get easier if you find an activity that you can stick with. Try different things -- click here for some ideas. Anything is better than nothing. Just because you don't feel ready to commit to a full-on exercise regimen, that doesn't mean you can't add short walks and sporadic stretches to your day. Do it!

8. Setting Unrealistic Goals
If you tell yourself you're gonna lose 20 pounds in a month, there's a good chance you'll get bummed out and quit when things don't go as planned. Set reasonable targets, and make small adjustments to start; then work your way up to bigger goals. Be realistic + make changes + stick with them = success!

Food Rules From Hungry Girl

I have been a fan of Hungry Girl for many years. Before she wrote cookbooks and before she was endorsed by Weight Watchers, Lisa Lillien was sending daily emails with tips and recipes. Last week I received one that I wanted to share. Hungry Girl's Food Rules! (Italicized notes are mine.)

1. Don't drink your calories. There's nothing sadder than realizing you just consumed hundreds of calories by sipping a sweet drink... and you're still hungry! For the most part, I look for drinks with no more than 50 calories per cup, and I always check the labels carefully for the total servings per bottle. I completely agree with this with the exception of my morning shake. 2 cups of light soymilk, 1 cup of frozen berries, 2 scoops of Recoverite blended together = 6 WW Points Plus. This keeps be satisfied until lunch time, is extremely nutritious, plus I get 2 servings of dairy and 2 servings of fruit in one sitting.

2. The 80/20 rule. I live by it. It means that 80 percent of the time, I eat what I know I should be eating. And 20 percent of the time, I allow myself to stray a bit. It's important to indulge every once in a while... like, maybe, 20 percent of the time! I agree with this completely! And live by it and maintain my weight by it. Life would be BORING if I didn't indulge part of the time.

3. Don't turn a bad meal into a bad week. So you made a poor food choice. You're human. Don't give up and throw in the towel just because you overate. Jump right back into things at your next meal. No biggie. Truly. Yep - "Shame off Me" as long as I get right back on track.

4. Identify and avoid your trigger foods. These are the foods you can't be trusted around -- the ones where "just a few" turns into WAY too much; the foods that seem to make you hungrier and hungrier. Don't keep these foods in the house. They're too tempting and not worth the trouble... This is a little trickier... most of the time I don't have trigger foods. Really! But occasionally something will really hit the spot and I can't stop! (See #2 and #3)

5. Don't make excuses -- it's all about being prepared. The Boy Scouts know what they're talking about! If you know you're going out to dinner, check out the menu online so you can plan ahead and make smart choices. And always keep emergency snacks handy -- in your purse, car, desk drawer... wherever you might need them. Then you won't need to make excuses. I definitely check the menu in advance if I know where I'm going out to eat. It can be a downer sometimes, but it can also be a big help! Who knew a salad could be so many points?