Herbalife Nutrition Makes the YMCA Best Choice Center Safer with Large Donation

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It takes a village to raise a child, and that's just what’s happening at the Gateway YMCA in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After school programs and summer camps in the YMCA's Best Choice Center greatly enriches the lives of many local children and their families. These programs are funded on a sliding scale by the United Way, so family income is not a barrier to participation. The Herbalife Nutrition Foundation (HNF), a non-profit funded by Herbalife Nutrition, has a "Casa Herbalife" program at the Best Choice Center to help meet the nutritional needs of the children, but often times, the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation goes much further than this in providing assistance to the center.

On December 14, 2018, a photo was taken with eight grinning children from the Best Choice Center holding a giant check for $30,000! Herbalife Nutrition Foundation's mega donation was to help repair the center’s hurricane damaged roof and deck. The donation will make the center a safe environment for the kids, staff, and volunteers. Standing with them was Mark Evans, the general manager of Herbalife Nutrition's Innovation and Manufacturing Facility located in Winston-Salem, along with Annie Tyson Jett, the Senior Manager of Human Resources at the same Herbalife Nutrition facility.



Giving away giant checks has to be the most enjoyable part of their jobs for both Mark Evans and Annie Tyson Jett. They get to play "Santa Claus" for such a good cause, and it's evidently not the first time. In an interview about the center, Herbalife Nutrition's Mark Evans praised the center's impact on the community, "The Best Choice Center is a key contributor to the transformative health and wellness of the community, and we are proud to be a partner in that positive change."

Christy Respess, the President and CEO of the YMCA of Winston-Salem, seemed very grateful for Herbalife Nutrition's assistance and partnership. She expressed it this way, "They seem to anticipate our needs, and this challenge grant for the roof could not be more important after the hurricanes this past fall. We are so fortunate to be an Herbalife Casa." Everything Herbalife Nutrition does is centered around being a positive force in the communities where they operate. It's something they're known for in every country they're in, and they're in more than thirty countries!

The name for the "Herbalife Casa" programs, aimed directly at supporting local community projects, came from the name the founder of Herbalife Nutrition gave to an orphanage he opened in Brazil. He actually established several orphanages, but Casa Herbalife in Brazil was his first and is close to his heart. In Portuguese, "casa" means home, so it's fitting that the Best Choice Center's website makes it clear that they want their center to be a second home to the children and their families. It's a safe place to learn, have fun, socialize with others, and get nutritious snacks from Casa Herbalife. Although their aquatics center is still closed for repairs, the kids will soon get swimming lessons!

Herbalife Nutrition started running their modern Herbalife Innovation Manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem in 2013, with an official opening on January 16, 2015. They give back to the community by employing about five hundred residents. Odds are good that the parents of some of the children who enjoy the programs at the Gateway YWCA's Best Choice Center work at the Herbalife plant. The Winston-Salem plant manufactures some of Herbalife Nutrition's most famous products, including their flagship product, the Herbalife Nutrition Formula 1 Shake powder mixes, the Aloe Vera Concentrate, and the world-famous Herbalife Nutrition Herbal Tea. The plant also houses a research and development center for Herbalife Nutrition products.



Christy Respess continued to speak highly about Herbalife Nutrition, saying "Since the company moved to Winston-Salem, Herbalife Nutrition has been a steady partner to the YMCA, especially the Best Choice Center." Herbalife Nutrition was practicing corporate social responsibility long before anyone was talking about it and before anyone had ever coined the term. It was just a natural outgrowth of the founder's philosophy on life and those he recruited to build the company. It's been passed down in the genetics of the company.

Herbalife Nutrition doesn't just give money to Gateway YMCA's Best Choice Center. They give their time too. Sometimes, this time turns into beautiful gifts. Just a few months ago, in September 2018, Herbalife Nutrition donated a 12-foot graffiti style mural to the center. It took a week for Hugo Garcia, a designer with Herbalife Nutrition, to paint the mural and it was inspired by the kids who participate in the center's programs. The mural features two African American children, a girl and a boy, with the words, "BEST CHOICE." Now the kids at the center can truly feel at home in their Casa Herbalife as they will recognize their own faces in the mural and the community support they have from those who put it there.

Hugo Garcia explained why he painted it this way, "We wanted to make sure that the children in the painting reflected the children who come to the center. We wanted to make sure we represented their community and put their ideas into the mural." Marilyn Odom, the Director of the Best Choice Center, calls the center's partnership with Herbalife "nothing short of amazing." 

The feeling seems to be mutual! Jenny Perez, the Executive Director of the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation, talks about the partnership they have with the Best Choice Center as an opportunity to give back to the community, one of their core missions. The people who work at non-profits with a social mission must be among the luckiest people.

Herbalife Nutrition is obviously proud of their partnership at the Winston-Salem YMCA's Best Choice Center. The culture at Herbalife Nutrition includes a spirit of giving back to the communities in which they operate. It's been this way since the 1980s when the company was taking its first baby steps toward becoming the largest health company in the world. Yes, it takes a village to raise a child, and Herbalife Nutrition is obviously proud to be part of this village.



Connect with Herbalife on social media:

Why Walt Disney World is not just for kids

Whenever anyone mentions Walt Disney World I'm sure people think it's a place just for the kids, and of course, because kids love Disney it is - in part. But it is also a place where adults can have amazing fun and enjoy their days as much as the kids do. That's why I believe Walt Disney World is not just for kids - adults can have an amazing time too.


Why Walt Disney World Is Not Just For Kids | Alcohol everywhere, rides to love, and you can be a kid again - what's not to like?
Margarita anyone?



Get into the Disney spirit


Okay, so in order to enjoy Walt Disney World you have to at least like Disney a little bit. But here's the key thing to enjoy yourself, you have to get into the Disney spirit and believe in the magic. Magic does exist and it's around every corner - you just have to know where to look. Like the smile of your kids when they meet their favourite character, or catching a glimpse of Mr. Incredible walking through the park. Accept that magic is real and you're well on your way to having a wonderful time.





When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. 

Walt Disney





Rides


While there are plenty of rides for all the family, there are also rides that thrill-seekers will enjoy. From roller-coasters in the dark like Space Mountain to amazing 3D effects in Avatar: Flight of Passage you're sure to find more than one ride you love. And if you're not into the thrill rides not to worry, like I said there are plenty of gentler rides for you to enjoy. My favourites include Carousel of Progress, Na'vi River Journey, and Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.

Why Walt Disney World Is Not Just For Kids | Thrill rides in all the parks means there's something for the adults too!
Will you brave the mountain?


No matter what your preference you'll find a ride to love.



Entertainment


Of course Walt Disney World isn't just about the rides, there's amazing entertainment wherever you look. Firework shows, actors performing on stage, even parties, are waiting for you. A few I would recommend are Hoop De Doo Musical Revue, Fantasmic! and Finding Nemo the Musical. There's all sorts of different shows to choose from too, some Hawaiian themed, some funny, some full of fun, but they are all fantastic. You are sure to find something you like, and it'll give you a rest from all the rides!

Why Walt Disney World Is Not Just For Kids | The Hoop De Doo Musical Revue will have you in stitches!
Enjoy a show at Fort Wilderness Camp Ground - Hoop De Doo Musical Revue - while you eat your meal!



Restaurants


If there's one thing the Hubby and I love it's the number of restaurants. There's no shortage of places to try out and once you find ones you love you'll be stuck trying to decide between going to those again or trying somewhere new. Want to try out a new cuisine? Head to World Showcase in Epcot where you can try foods from Mexico, Japan, China, and many more. We love Tepan Edo in Japan, where the chef cooks your meal at the table right in front of you.

Why Walt Disney World Is Not Just For Kids | Watch talented chefs cook your meal right in front of you!
Steak, prawns, and chicken are on the menu - which would you choose?


Outside of Epcot there's plenty more to choose from, and don't forget to check out the restaurants in the Disney hotels too. Like California Grill at the top of the Contemporary Resort - an amazing restaurant with delicious food, one not to miss in our opinion. 



Alcohol


For a long time Disney didn't have alcohol in the parks but in 2018 they introduced alcoholic drinks in all of the parks. You can now buy alcohol whenever you like, not just in Germany in Epcot. Find fruity cocktails, alcoholic slush (brilliant in the summer!), or just regular bourbon - and it's right there waiting for you!

Why Walt Disney World Is Not Just For Kids | You can buy alcohol in the parks as well as the restaurants now - WIN!
Me, enjoying a lovely cocktail at Tepan Edo. 


Why Walt Disney World Is Not Just For Kids | Smoked Turkey, one of the best bourbon cocktails available!
A Smoked Turkey - our favourite bourbon cocktail of all time!


Don't forget to drink responsibly though, I'm certainly not advocating going crazy with the alcohol - after all you'll have kids with you. But it is nice to know it's there if you want it.



Be a child again


The point of Walt Disney World is not to entertain just kids, but to make you feel like a kid again. Yes, the most Disney movies are for kids and the majority of the rides and such are aimed at kids, but if you allow yourself to remember what it was like to be a kid you'll find you love Walt Disney World too. 





You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway. 

Walt Disney





It is a chance for you to reconnect with the child within you, to let go of being responsible all the time and simply enjoy life. And the best bit? You get to enjoy it with your kids!

Why Walt Disney World is Not Just For Kids | There are so many reasons to love Walt Disney World as an adult - why not find out!


These are just a few reasons why Walt Disney World is not just for kids, but there are so many more!



What would you enjoy most?




If you liked this post you'll enjoy How to make your trip to Walt Disney World more magical, or if you'd like to learn more about the place check out 17 must dos for your first visit to Walt Disney World.

Stop by Facebook and ask any questions you might have about enjoying Walt Disney World as an adult.

And grab this Wonderful Winter Activity Book to keep the kids busy while you plan your next holiday!

Valentine's Gifts you won't find in the shops

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and this year, rather than trawling the internet trying to find just the right gift why not give your partner something they can't find in the shops? Instead of buying the usual pamper kit or aftershave set really think about your partner and give them the thing that really means something - here's a few ideas for you.



Go for a walk


If you can try to grab time away from the kids to go for a walk together. Even if it's only a short 5 minute walk where you can hold hands and simply be together it can make a huge difference. 

Valentine's Gifts You Won't Find In The Shops | Hold hands and go for a walk - it can help you reconnect.
Get outdoors, hold hands, reconnect.


Hubby and I like to go for walks, in fact we went for a short one on Sunday and it was lovely despite the cold weather. We held hands and connected, without the kids constantly asking questions and distracting us from each other. We were able to concentrate on each other for a change.



Eat together


A lot of the time it can be so easy to grab a quick meal, sit in front of the TV, and eat while watching. But this Valentine's Day why not make a special effort to sit at the table together and eat a meal. It doesn't even have to be a special meal, but sitting at the table to eat will make it feel different and you can connect. 

If the kids could be a problem give them some food they'll love and that they can eat while sitting watching TV, giving you time to enjoy a meal together. 





You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.


Dr. Seuss





Massage


Taking the time to make sure your partner is comfortable can make them feel really special. If they've had a tough day at the office it could be a shoulder massage is just what they need, or if they've been on their feet all day then a foot massage would go down really well. Again it's taking the time to focus on your partner that is important and even if it's just a few minutes trying to make them feel better after a tough day at work you're making them happy.



Watch a movie


Make it your (both of you) favourite romantic movie and sit together to watch. You could snuggle under a blanket, grab your snack/drink of choice and enjoy the peaceful time. Hold hands while watching, lean on his shoulder, be together. Getting that peaceful time together can make a huge difference to your relationship and you're able to connect again.

Valentine's Gifts You Won't Find In The Shops | Movies are a great way to spend time together and snuggle.
Be together, just the two of you.


I love watching P.S. I Love You and while it's sad it is one that will make me snuggle up to the Hubby every time. I cling to him while watching the movie and he knows how much he means to me.



Your time


As mums we often spend all of our time taking care of the kids. We make sure they have everything ready for school every day, we make sure they're fed, we make sure homework is done, and at the end of every day we spend a little time with them reading stories. But do we ever spend as much time thinking about our partner?





There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.

George Sand





This Valentine's Day why not try to carve out some time just for them. Whether it's cooking them a fantastic meal and sitting down to eat together or simply watching a movie together make a special effort to spend time together. 

Day-to-day stuff often takes over, so spending a little time focussing on your partner can make them feel special - and isn't that what Valentine's Day is all about?

Valentine's Gifts You Won't Find In The Shops | Give each other time so you can reconnect - it's not all about spending money!


You don't need to spend a fortune in the shops to make your partner feel loved, you can do it at home without spending a penny. This year, instead of buying the usual gifts, why not give them something a little different?



What Valentine's Gifts will you be getting this year?




If you liked this post you'll like A Valentine's Meal for 2 - at home! or if you're looking for gifts you can buy in the shops here's a Valentine's Gift Guide.

Stop by Facebook and let me know how you'll be spending Valentine's Day together.

And don't forget to grab a Wonderful Winter Activity Book to keep your kids busy so you can get a little time together uninterrupted.

Post Comment Love 25th - 27th January

Welcome back to another week of Post Comment Love with Stephanie and me. We welcome all bloggers, all topics, and we can't wait to see what you've got in store for us this week. It's always lovely reading your posts and learning about what you've been up to.

Again it's been a quiet week, nothing much to report. I've been getting on with writing and a new project that I'm hoping will turn into something real. Look out for something new on the blog, I'm not sure when I'll be ready to share it but it's definitely coming! It's the first thing I've been excited about in a long time and I really think I can do it, which is refreshing.

The boys are back into a good routine with school and are even doing chores every day, which is new. Of course I expect this will change soon, they don't usually get into a routine with chores and I end up nagging them so I've no doubt it will be back to normal soon!

Like I said, not much to report this week. We are going to see Macbeth in Nottingham this evening which I'm looking forward to. 

Do you have a fun weekend planned?




Blogger Showcase April from aprilalyce.com




Who are you? 


Hey. I'm April Alyce and I'm new to the blogging and freelance writing world, but loving it!



How did you discover blogs/blogging?


Honestly, I discovered blogging on Pinterest. While I've known about blogging for years I never realized that it was a possibility to do it full time. 



What do you find most challenging?


What I've found to be most challenging is keeping track of it all and finding time to dedicate to my blog. I'm a high school during the day, attend graduate school part time in addition to blogging. 



Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?


As much fun as blogging is, I hope to make it a full time gig. I've fallen in love with writing and have a million ideas swirling in my head of topics to write about. 



What are your 3 best posts?


I would say my three best posts are the 3 posts I have on my blog currently. I just published my blog this weekend so that's all I have ha! 



Describe yourself in three words!


Three words to describe myself would be fun, determined, and caring. 



Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?


As a native New Yorker, I'm definitely a coffee and cake kind of girl. We are always running around and need coffee to keep is energized. 



What's your idea of a perfect night out?


For me the best night out would be exploring my new home, Charlotte, NC. I love going to new restaurants, bars, festivals, etc. 



Your perfect night in?


For a night in, a nice glass of wine and Netflix does the trick. 



What would your best friend/OH/mum or kids say is your best quality?


I think of best friend would say my greatest quality is being there for everyone and coming through for others when they're in need. 


Connect with April

Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest


Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions April and feel free to grab our featured badge and display it ever-so-proudly on your blog.


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Pocolo


Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked.

The rules; Link up your best post written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, as well as the hosts. 

Help us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

Please do pop over and say hi to this week's Blogger Showcase. It's always nice to get a comment or two. 

If you'd like to be featured in our Blogger Showcase please do check out the questions and email your answers to us at postcommentlove@gmail.com.

Thank you for popping by.


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The best family rides in Walt Disney World

Making your first trip to Walt Disney World can be overwhelming, and knowing which rides you can all go on together (even if you have little ones with you) can be tough. But that's why I'm here, having visited many times I know the great family rides and I always enjoy them because we can enjoy them as a family. So below you'll find the BEST family rides in Walt Disney World



Animal Kingdom




Kilimanjaro Safaris

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | See Zebras and Rhinos for real on the Kilimanjaro Safaris!
Close enough that you can almost touch them, check out these beautiful Zebras!


In Animal Kingdom is Kilimanjaro Safaris where you ride in a big truck that takes you around the Savannah to spot animals. You can take little ones into the truck, and they can sit on your knee as long as that's where they stay. You'll spot animals like Giraffes (a baby has just been born there!), elephants, hippos, and even lions. The truck ride gets quite bumpy, so not great for those with back issues, but otherwise it's a great ride and definitely one you can enjoy together. You could even use it to teach your children about the animals, the driver is always well informed about the animals.



Kali River Rapids


Not one you would take babies on (it has a height restriction of 38 inches or taller) but Kali River Rapids is lots of fun for families with older children. You absolutely will get wet on this ride, but you may get soaked! I've got off this ride without any part of me being dry. It's a fast moving raft ride that will spin as it floats over the rapids and under waterfalls. You will laugh the entire time you ride and if you're a family of four you may even make new friends as the rafts hold 8.






It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. 



Ralph Waldo Emerson





Dinosaur



Again not one for babies, Dinosaur is quite a rough ride on a rover type car. It races through time as you try to find a dinosaur before the meteor hits the earth. There are sudden turns and small drops but it's nothing like a roller-coaster. Look out for meat eating dinosaurs such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex though, it's hungry!



TriceraTop Spin

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | LP loved Triceratop Spin when he was younger!
I lost count of the number of times we rode this back in 2015!


Here's a ride anyone can ride. Take your very own Triceratop up into the air as it spins around, you'll see some great views from high above the park. You control the tip and the height of the dinosaur so if your little ones (or you) are afraid of heights you don't need to go up high. This is great for the little ones, it's themed just like other rides but is very gentle.



It's Tough to be a Bug


It's Tough to be a Bug is a short 3D movie where you sit in seats that are "interactive". I would say that little ones (under 6) might be a little distressed by some of the things in the show, it goes dark at one point and there are spiders that drop down from the ceiling (they don't get close touching you). However it is an entertaining show with a happy ending and it features some of your favourite characters from A Bug's Life, like Flik. It's a fun little show.



Navi River Adventure

The Best Family Rides in Walt Disney World | Walk around Pandora to see some beautiful sights!
Walking around Pandora in Animal Kingdom you'll see some beautiful sights!


This is a great ride for everyone, no sudden drops, no scary sights. You enter a boat and float along the river looking around Pandora. There are some truly beautiful sights and you'll be surprised by some of the things you'll see. And right at the end there's a character at the end, who is very impressive.



Magic Kingdom




Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | The peoplemover is a great way to see around the park while sitting down!
The boys enjoyed waving to all the people below when we were on the PeopleMover.


If you want a way to look around while sitting down and speeding along then the PeopleMover is for you. Big enough for the family you can all sit in your little cart and point out the interesting things you see as you ride. You'll see Cinderella's Castle, ride above Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (and even see inside!),  and whizz past Space Mountain. It's a great way to see lots of things, and even better when you're looking for a rest after rushing around the park.



Carousel of Progress

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | Carousel of Progress is a great way to sit down and a fab ride.
Listen to the man talk about history and technology - learning for you and your kids!


Another great way of grabbing a rest is Carousel of Progress, a rotating theatre that takes you through the years of progress in the 20th century. See how a family deals with changing technology and how it has improved (or not) our lives. You sit in comfortable seats in this 21-minute animatronics show so it's a good opportunity to sit and the family will love it.

We always ride Carousel of Progress at least once, and we can't help but sing along with the theme song - and you will too!



Walt Disney World Railroad

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | Ride the train around the park and get a rest!
It's fun to watch, but great to ride!


Take a ride around Magic Kingdom aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad and you'll get to see bits of the park while you enjoy sitting and getting a breeze as the train travels along its tracks. With no height restrictions it's great for the entire family and gives you all a little rest, or whisks you to your next stop quicker than walking through the park!



It's a Small World

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | A great little boat ride everyone will love...
You will get off this ride singing the song!


One of my mother-in-law's favourite rides It's a Small World is a boat ride that shows you the world's children dressed in the traditional clothing of their country. They sing about friendship and it's a happy little ride.

No matter how many times I ride It's a Small World I still smile, even when I get the song stuck in my head, because it is just so lovely!



Pirates of the Caribbean


Another boat ride, you'll take a cruise through the world of Jack Sparrow as he evades capture. Listen to the pirates sing their song and avoid being hit as two ships battle. Pirates of the Caribbean can get busy so I'd recommend booking a Fastpass+ at least once. This is another ride the family will love.



Epcot




The Seas with Nemo & Friends

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | Look out for Nemo in The Seas!
LP loves looking out for Nemo and having a competition with his dad...


If your kids like Finding Nemo and Finding Dory they'll love The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Climb aboard a clam and travel below the waves to discover Nemo's friends are searching for him again. Say hello to Bruce, speed along the EAC (East Australian Current) with Crush, and listen to the brilliant song. And maybe get your kids to see if they can spot Nemo.

We love playing the "spot Nemo" game when we ride, LP counts the number of times he spots Nemo and he and the Hubby have a competition to see who saw him the most!



Living with the Land

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | The Land is full of great things but Living with the Land is a fab boat ride.
Head into The Land to find Living with the Land.


Walt Disney World is full of boat rides and Living with the Land is no different in that respect, however this time you get to learn about our world and how making changes to how we grow crops and treat them can help sustain our planet. See the greenhouses where Cast Members grow plants that are used in the restaurants at Epcot. Maybe it will inspire you to make changes to your lifestyle, but more importantly it will help teach your kids about our world!



Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros


And here we are again, another boat ride. Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros is a brilliantly funny cruise around Mexico as you follow Donald Duck. His friends, Panchito and José, search for him while singing a fantastic song. You'll be singing along before the end of the boat ride!






Singing provides a true sense of lightheartedness. If I sing when I am alone, I feel wonderful. It's freedom. 

Andrea Bocelli





Frozen Ever After


The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | Head into Norway to find Frozen Ever After.
You'll find Frozen Ever After in Norway, in Epcot's World Showcase.


As you step into a small boat prepare yourself to be transported to Arundel. Watch as Olaf dances as he tells you which way to go to meet Elsa, who is waiting just for you. She will sing and use her magic to send you on your way past some of her friends and then finally meet you at the end of the boat ride, singing with her sister Anna.

Any frozen fan will love this boat ride, there are one or two small drops but nothing too drastic. I love the ride and I hate roller-coasters. 



Journey Into Imagination with Figment

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | Journey Into Imagination with Figment is full of nostalgic memories for me.
Find figment here... And create your own wonderful memories.


This has to be my favourite ride in all of Walt Disney World. It brings back so many wonderful memories of my boys when they were younger and loved Figment. LP even has a little magnetic teddy bear from the days when he loved Figment so much he needed to take him everywhere!

Dr. Channing takes you on a tour through his labs before Figment hijacks the tour and takes you on a tour of his own. Enjoy the craziness of Figment's imagination and watch as he takes you to his home too! Your kids will love, and you will love the memories it will give you, and of course there's a song.



Hollywood Studios




Star Tours


If you're taller than 40 inches (102cm) then step on board the Starspeeder 1000 and enjoy a tour through the stars. Meet Darth Vader, Boba Fett, or Kylo Ren, as you travel through alien worlds. Each time you ride Star Tours it's different, and you may find out they're trying to protect you! One to book a Fastpass+ for just in case it's busy but you can usually ride early in the morning without much of a wait.



Toy Story Mania

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | Find Toy Story Mania in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios.
Head into Toy Story Land where you'll find lots of fun... Look out for Andy's footsteps!


While this isn't a ride babies can ride it's definitely a fun one for older kids. It doesn't have a height restriction, but you do need to be able to aim and shoot by pulling on a pull string. On this fun ride you have to shoot various toys and things in order to get a high score. Woody, Buzz, and their pals are on hand to help and give you encouragement and if it's high enough your score will be displayed at the end. 

Toy Story Mania is a fun ride that we always leave smiling, but it's definitely one that you'll need a Fastpass+ for - with Toy Story Land opening in summer 2018 it is still very busy and the Fastpass+ will help you beat hours-long lines.



Muppet Vision 3D

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | The fountain stands just outside Muppet Vision 3D - and the boys loved it.
Look out for this fountain near Muppet Vision 3D.


Muppet Vision 3D is another great way to get a rest because you sit in a large theatre while the Muppets put on a show for you. See Kermit, Miss Piggy, and others entertain you while craziness goes on behind the scenes - as is classic with the Muppets. It's a fun show that the whole family can enjoy.


At the time of writing this post Star Wars Land is not yet open. It is coming soon!
Expect attendance to be high if you're visiting when they're planning to open - I believe it's Autumn (Fall for my American friends) 2019.

The Best Family Rides In Walt Disney World | From boat rides to theatres that spin here are the best family rides in Walt Disney World.


So there you have it, a list of the best family rides in Walt Disney World. Of course there are many more rides for you to enjoy, some have height restrictions and some don't but they're all fun in one way or another.



Which ride sounds the most fun?




If you liked this post you might enjoy How to make your trip to Walt Disney World more magical, or if you're looking for more information check out Everything you need to know about Fastpass+.

Stop by Facebook and let me know when you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World.

And to help you grab a coffee and plan your holiday a little better I've got a Wonderful Winter Activity Book for your kids - they'll be busy and you can plan away!

How being diagnosed with cervical cancer taught me to be kinder to myself

The attendance rates for cervical screening is in decline. Specialists are warning of an increase in Cervical Cancer diagnosis and urging all women who are eligible to attend their screening appointments. And today I am here to tell you about how being diagnosed with cervical cancer taught me to be kinder to myself.



Cervical Screening


Whether it's cervical screening, smear tests, or pap smear, it's all the same, an appointment with the doctor that I'm sure no woman looks forward to. Having a metal thing poked inside your vagina to open it up and then a stick looking thing poked in so they can collect cell samples and send them off to be checked. It all sounds a bit scary doesn't it?

How Being Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer Taught Me To Be Kinder To Myself | Seeing the doctor with the speculum fills me with dread.


Add to that the utter embarrassment of the whole thing - the indecision about whether to put your pants on the floor or the chair. Lying there with your legs open while a nurse tries to chat to you about whatever she can think of to take your mind off what is really happening.

The embarrassment and the metal utensils aren't the worst of it for some though. If you're like me the test is often painful, more than once I've had the doctor decide to change the size of the speculum because it hurt so much. It always hurts, some times more than others.

Believe me, I know it's not a test you look forward to, but despite all of the reasons it's a horrible experience you should go for your appointment as soon as that reminder comes through.



Know your body


As women we get used to our changing body, from the moment we hit puberty our bodies are constantly changing. Every month we get various pains and start bleeding from our genitals - just your every day period. But sometimes we notice something out of the ordinary - or perhaps not even that, just something that is a little different. Maybe you notice bleeding between periods or pain when you have sex. These are the changes you need to pay attention to.

A couple of years ago I was experiencing a few of these changes. I had noticed a little spotting between periods, I would occasionally experience pain when having sex, and every month before my period I would have one day of pain - but it was pain like no other. This pain seemed like regular period pain at first, until it got so bad that I could do nothing but double over. It would come and go, and usually only lasted a day, but it was enough to get me a little concerned.

How Being Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer Taught Me To Be Kinder To Myself | Pay attention to the changes in your body - they could be telling you something.


Despite all these changes I ignored my cervical screening letter when it arrived. I put it on the kitchen counter and pretended I hadn't seen it. More than a month later the Hubby found my reminder letter on the counter and went mad, he stood over me while I phoned the doctor to book my appointment. He couldn't understand why I would delay the appointment when I had been complaining about various ailments in that region. He said it was the perfect opportunity to get a check and make sure everything was okay. I responded like a wounded teenager and stomped about the house. I didn't want to go!



5 minutes can save your life


I went to my appointment, suffered through the pain of the examination and they told me to wait for my results. At that point I had no idea I had started on a journey towards Cervical Cancer diagnosis.

Three weeks to the day after my cervical screening I received the letter that I was expecting - my results. I expected the letter would be the same as every other time - everything is fine, come back in 3 years.

Everything was NOT fine.

My cervical screening had showed some "abnormal cells" which I needed to get checked further.

Because of the state of the abnormal cells (they'd been described as "high-grade dyskariosis") the further checks I needed actually turned out to be surgery. The consultant decided to cut away some of my cervix as a precaution and the cells that were cut away were sent off to be checked - this is the way things usually go, it's so they could check there wasn't any cancerous cells. At the time I was told the likelihood of there being cancerous cells was very low, and everything should be fine from then on.

How Being Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer Taught Me To Be Kinder To Myself | the doctors had to examine the results.


Again everything was NOT fine.

Another letter in the post told me I had to go and discuss my results with the consultant. And that's when I heard the words I never thought I would hear - "cancer". To be honest I sat there with a smile on my face pretending everything was okay when really inside I was screaming.





I knew I heard the doctor correctly. I didn't think he said something else, I didn't think for a second, 'Well maybe he didn't say it.' No, I knew I heard him! But I still couldn't comprehend... in my mind... in my soul... he just said, 'cancer.' 

Stuart Scott





What did this mean?
Was everything going to be okay?
What about my boys?

The discovery of cancer meant I had to have further surgery to be sure they'd got all the cancerous cells out. The last thing they wanted was to leave any cells behind because they would then spread. So, more surgery, more recovery time. And I was now on the list for more regular cervical screening.



Be kind to yourself


That first cervical screening appointment, while embarrassing and uncomfortable, only took 5 minutes and it saved my life. If I hadn't gone for that appointment, or had delayed it further, I may not be here to tell you my story.

How Being Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer Taught Me To Be Kinder To Myself | I'm still here thanks to cervical screening - when did you go for yours?
I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for cervical screening.


Like I said, it all happened back in 2017 - my diagnosis was in May - and since then I've had 6-monthly screening checks that have all been clear. I'm now on yearly checks, and as long as they continue to be clear I'll soon be back to the usual 3-year checks.

One of the things that the whole experience has taught me, as well as making sure to go to my cervical screening appointment, is that I need to take care of myself as well as my family. Before my diagnosis I spent all of my time doing things for others - breakfast, lunch, and dinner for my boys, cleaning, ironing, it was all for everyone else and I had restricted time for myself. And even when I did get time for me I usually spent it doing something for someone else.

Since my diagnosis I've made a conscious choice to be more selfish, to be kinder to myself. And most importantly to listen to my body. If I am tired and achy I need to spend time focussing on why that might be. Am I getting enough sleep? Have I overdone it the last couple of days? Every day I make time to enjoy a hot coffee by myself (it's my morning treat), and I'm focussing on the things I enjoy when I get a little me time.





You can be a victim of cancer, or a survivor of cancer. It's a mindset. 

Dave Pelzer





I can't spend all of my time on others because I will burn out.

And so will you.

You can't spread yourself too thin, trying to do everything for everyone except yourself. Ignoring your own needs is not good for you. You'll end up worn out, unable to continue, or worse still you'll be ill.

This week is Cervical Cancer Awareness Week and it inspired this post, I wanted to share my story with you to encourage you to go for your cervical screening. But I also wanted to use this week to encourage you to take care of yourself. Listen to your body.

How Being Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer Taught Me To Be Kinder To Myself | Take time for you - even if it's only 5 minutes.


Take time for you. As well as going for your cervical screening (which takes about 5 minutes) take 5 minutes for yourself too. Life is tough and when we take a little time to be kind to ourselves it makes life that little bit easier.

How Being Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer Taught Me To Be Kinder To Myself | Go for your cervical screening and take time for you - even if it's just 5 minutes.


Be kind to yourself, because life is tough enough.



When did you last attend cervical screening?




If you enjoyed this post you'll like Cervical Cancer - my story, where I talk about my entire experience. Or if you're looking for something more light-hearted check out 10 signs you're (finally) a grown up.

Stop by Facebook and ask any questions you have about cervical screening or ask me for tips on how to be kinder to yourself.

I'm on hand to help you to be kinder to yourself - grab this Wonderful Winter Activity Book for your kids and you'll be able to enjoy a hot coffee while they're doing puzzles!