Seriously... I haven't had a "real" pizza in years and years.  Sure I've made them at home... but they are "clean" and according to several friends who have tried my concoction "not real pizza".  Today I was in the mood for pizza... and I once had a cashier at WholeFoods tell me they make vegan pizzas.  So, why not?  I stopped in for lunch and ordered a "Cheese" pizza... vegan/dairy-free.  Really?!?! Yep.  Check the photo out.  It was the closest thing I have had to pizza in years (plus it came in a pizza box!). It tasted amazing and really resembled regular pizza - which it is (all of their pizza dough is vegan), except for the cheese (for me they used soy based).  Yummy!  Not healthy, I know, but its Friday and I loved every bite.

Throughout out Central Florida, at periodic events, IDignity provides Florida ID Cards, Birth Certificates and Social Security Cards with assistance from legal counsel.  IDignity was created to help the disadvantaged in Central Florida overcome the difficulties of obtaining the personal identification that is crucial to enabling them to become self-sufficient (such as applying for jobs). This program was created through the collaboration of five local downtown churches. The agencies that IDignity events host are: the Florida Division of Drivers License, Orange County Health Department (birth certificates), Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, legal counsel and others. IDignity provides these services more often and also incorporates the particularly difficult task of obtaining out-of-state birth certificates.

The overwhelming demand for these services has become more difficult after recent law "enhancements" that have made it tougher for even ME to renew my driver's license.  I first learned of this organization through my friend's church at a local fundraiser.  I've spent some time looking into the group and decided to donate to this great cause.  I'm forced to turn people who have homes away from job opportunities if they are unable to provide the appropriate documentation... I can't imagine the struggles if you don't even have that.  I encourage you to check the group out and you are so inclined... make a donation or sign up to volunteer. We are so very fortunate.  Don't ever forget that. www.idignity.org

"It's Christmas Eve, 1944. America's favorite singing cowboy Tex Riley and his troupe are late for a special holiday broadcast at the BBC in London. A frantic young producer grabs whomever he can and shoves them in front of the studio audience. The resulting performance is one that England will never forget! Full of Christmas songs and boy-howdy humor!"

I wanted something different then the typical "Christmas Carol" or "Snoopy's Christmas Special" this season... so I've been checking out the various holiday events in Central Florida.  I came across this musical play at the Shakespeare Theatre and decided to check it out tonight. I must say it's the first Christmas show I've been to where the words "cigareets and whiskey and wild wild women" are sung loud and proud.  Lots of talent in this production, and overall very well done.  But I must say... I think I'm just not a fan of musicals.  I get bored so easily unless they are extremely high energy with snappy numbers and flashy movement.  This had none of that. Again, great play.  Maybe I just need to admit that though a lover of the arts, I'm not a 'musical' type gal.  If you want to check it out, go to www.orlandoshakes.org

So I have a secret to share... come in a little closer... a little more. Perfect. (low whisper)... I've never been on a ropes course. I know! We have installed four of them... I literally find this to be a common theme of most Operations conference calls lately... and its one of the hottest things my attractions now offer. YET I have never been up on one.

Our TN location just premiered the largest indoor RC on Thanksgiving day, so during my recent trip I went prepared. Jeans and rubber soled closed toe shoes... check. The RC in its tallest point is 50 feet with a total of four levels. Most impressive part, aside from the breathtaking view from the top, was my staff. So very impressed with every who we have hired for this role. Very very pleased. The RC is definitely not for the faint of heart or individual who is scared of heights. Its HIGH up there. VERY high. But I loved it. May have had more fun with the various (44 total) challenges if I didn't have my staff staring up at me or on the course chatting me up... but I loved it. Glad I started with the biggest and best.

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The talk has been endless.  The Magic don't sell out seats because the stadium is too old and small.  They don't play as well because the crowd is sparse, which is of course because the stadium is too old and small.  We've heard it for the past decade.  My take?  Sell out the stadium you have THEN build a newer and bigger one.  But then again, I buy new black boots because I want them and they are pretty... even if all of my guy friends would argue that I already have ten other pairs (that they swear look identical but of course are not) and I should wear out the ones I have before buying  a new pair.  So I guess if its like that... I get it.  I live downtown so I see the Amway Center daily but I haven't attended a Magic game this season, so I haven't been inside.  Today I facilitated a retreat that was held inside the Amway Center, so I received a tour of it.  Gotta say... its one NICE pair of black boots.  I can see why they wanted it so badly.  It really is a beautiful facility and hopefully it attracts more guests for the season.  Seems to be working... the first half of the season was sold out and the second half tickets are a hot commodity.  Go Magic!  Let's see how these new boots feel. 

Disney's Mickey's Christmas = check.  Universal's Grinchmas = check.  SeaWorld's Christmas = nope.  How is it that this 12-year resident of Central Florida had not seen the culmination of Sea and Holiday Season?  Well, we had to quickly fix that so that balance could be restored in the world.  I had a few extra tickets so I invited Jeff and Jordan to come along.  Jordan has been a fan of SeaWorld since he was small (though he always thought it was cool when Jeff and/or I worked for Universal or Nickelodeon).  With temperatures in the high 40's, the ambiance of "winter" was definitely present.  But entering the park, that is about all that helped with the holiday spirit. I was disappointed at how sparse the holiday decor was in the first part of the park.  The signage to get to the various holiday shows was non-existent, and made it difficult for us (very seasoned theme park patrons) to maneuver around the holiday calendar.   Overall, we had a nice evening.  The back of the park was nicely lit up in varying shades of the rainbow.  We all agreed that the Sea of Lights was our favorite, and the Winter Wonderland on Ice was a close second.  I wouldn't have purchased tickets to just see the Christmas celebration, but it was a nice thing to check out since I had them.  

Shamu Chirstmas Miracles Show

Sea of Lights 

In front of the LARGE Christmas tree - Jordan and I

Yep.. grabbing the blue balls.  I know, I know... but it made us laugh uncontrollably.

Me and the Big Snowman

Me, Polar Bear, Jordan and Jeff

Normal Kids Menu: Hamburger (and fries), Hot Dog (and fries) and Chicken Fingers (and fries).  Sound familiar?  We don't give kids many healthy options do we?  If you watched Super Size Me, the movie that exposes fast food for what it really is, you vowed to never touch another chicken finger/nugget again.  Well... I have to admit I do love them but try my best never to eat them since seeing that horror flick.  I came across this recipe to make your own CLEAN chicken bites so I had to try it.  Yum!  They are coated with a variety of seasonings and healthy carbs (wheat germ, oat bran, flax seed) and are only made using lean chicken breast meat.  Definitely recommend these if you have little ones.  

Someone who very much inspires me is trying hard this holiday season to identify ways to give back during the "25 days of Christmas" and I just love that.  In reading her blog I saw she donated an old pair of running shoes to a Show Charity called Soles4Souls.  Interesting.  I just purged my closet and donated at least 4 pairs of shoes to the Goodwill last week... I wish I had known about this group!  Well, I went online and read more about the organization.  Amazing.... and something so many of us never think of.  Imagine.  Where do the homeless get their shoes?  We think about jackets when its cold... or even blankets.  But they walk everywhere, and I can only imagine how worn their shoes get.  I noticed yesterday when running around the lake that many of the homeless down here wear crocs.  During the summer that makes sense... but wow how cold during our (few albeit but still) cold splashes.  So I decided to get involved.  Besides... if there is anything I know, its shoes.  I donated to the cause (check out their website - if you donate $1, that will buy a pair of shoes for one person!) and donated some still new shoes to a local drop off location that collects for this charity.  I'm also arranging to get my organization involved for the month of January so guests and team members alike have the opportunity to donate old or new shoes. Be sure to visit their website and learn more about them: www.soles4souls.org.  And just consider... after Christmas and all that new stuff you now have to find a home for.... can you look in your closet and part ways with just one pair of shoes to help someone else out?

I used to LOVE warm chocolate chip cookies.... and its been a long time since I've had them.  I came across this recipe online and decided to make a little treat and see how they taste.  Guess what?!  Yum!  I'm sure everyone in my life who CAN eat dairy/gluten would laugh and spit them out (you know who you are)... but to me, this is as close as I've been to my homemade favorite in a long time.  

Last week's menu turned out fabulous, so I've decided to make a few things for this upcoming week.  This recipe is from Tosa Reno's Clean Eating cookbook and I've been wanting to try it.  Aside from a near miss on the oven coils, it was a fabulous experiment!  I'm quite impressed with my domestic skills these days.  Very yummy and this will be fabulous for my week's lunches.

This is one of Orlando's Holiday Must-Do's.... that I've never done.  So of course it was squeezed in this year since that's my focus... what I've never experienced.  I realized I've never really walked through Leu Gardens either... I think I attended a wedding there once, maybe.  But that's it.  So it was a treat overall.  The Leu House Museum is decorated so beautifully this year... courtesy of the students at Seminole Community College.  And the history of the house (and property) is fascinating.  It's a really nice thing to do for a couple hours on a gorgeous day.  

After the 5K this weekend, getting a massage felt GOOD.  I had a gift certificate for The Beauty Spot (which I've never visited before) so I decided to take advantage and treat myself to a little Swedish rub-down.  Yep... heaven.  That's essentially what that hour feels like.  I soooo needed it, especially in my legs.  It's funny to feel where the stress and tension is located in my body as the massage is taking place... right forearm, right shin, left shoulder, left hamstring... so oddly placed.  Guess I never did claim to be normal.  Anyways, I'd definitely recommend The Beauty Spot in College Park.  Great staff and awesome atmosphere.

Winding through scenic Downtown Orlando and back to beautiful Lake Eola, apparently this is one of the top favorite races Track Shack does.  Who knew?  I've never run it before, so when a friend mentioned it I agreed.  What a fabulous way to start off your Saturday morning!  And bonus is I finished the 5K (you really didn't think I was talking about the half marathon did you!?) under the time I wanted (a good 4 minutes under) and had a really good run despite a really tight and still sore hamstring. I also saw a LOT of people I hadn't seen in years. That was sorta weird. I'm talking people I worked with or knew from 5+ years ago.  Very fun run... and I'm glad I kicked off my weekend with such a healthy start.  Oh... and don't you love my medal?  Everyone got one for finishing, so its really not significant by any means... but it is my first medal from running a 5K so I still love it.

I'm so proud of my friend Billy, a Pastor at Trinity Luthern Church (downtown Orlando)... he and his team did a fabulous job putting on Friday night's "The Gift" Christmas Festival & Show at Lake Eola.  The church dedicated the first ever Lake Eola Park Christmas Tree... what a beautiful addition to the lake!  An added bonus was my brother-in-law was there!  Wow... didn't expect that but what a blessing.  I've always wanted to hear him play the trumpet and I got my chance here.  He was part of the tree lighting ceremony, in addition to the "The Gift" Musical Stage Show.  He is so talented, and I was beaming with pride when several strangers standing near me commented how good he was.  The evening was beautiful and filled with the true spirit of Christmas.  

Each year my company has a management dinner right before the holidays with the focus of fellowship and gratitude.  Without giving too much away regarding some of the people I work with and for... let's just say to get through the night without a glass of wine hasn't been done before.  Well, I'm starting December with a lot going on and a next-day hangover-like-exhaustion falls very low on my "to-do" list.  So I made a decision to get through the night sans the booze.  Believe me.  I thought I was as crazy as everyone else assumed.... and it definitely was a different way to spend the evening.  A new experience for sure. Well, here is what I learned: I've apparently been to Timpano's too much because the waitstaff immediately asked when I entered the room "Can I get you a glass of Pinot Grigio madam?"; I actually like being sober when I leave a party; The staff that has attended in the past apparently learned their lesson and  behaved better than I would expect; I have some staff members that need a good @$$ chewing and will not be promoted anytime soon; It's actually doable sans the booze.  Who knew?!