Ten Disney Walking Tips: Stay cool, prevent chafing and avoid blisters
1.) Use blister tape to treat and prevent blisters
It's a good practice to apply blister tape to the back of your heels before heading out to face a long day of walking. Just one day at Disney involves more walking than many people do all year. Even your most comfortable shoes can begin to rub and cause sores. Keep blister tape inside your backpack or purse so that it's always on hand when a new sore spot begins to form. You can prevent that painful spot from erupting into a debilitating blister!
2.) Use supportive foam inserts to absorb shock
I can't face a Disney trip without foam inserts! I once suffered from chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis. When I made a commitment to wear durable foam inserts at all times, the pain was greatly reduced before disappearing completely. Even my house slippers are fortified with memory foam! TIP: You can use double sided carpet tape to keep insoles from slipping inside your shoes.
3.) To avoid chafing, try slip shorts with an extra smooth texture
I love slip shorts so much that I made sure to buy a pair for every day of the week. I wear them under jeans, dress pants, pajama bottoms and more. I've never felt so cool and dry!
If you're tall, look into extra long and smooth bicycle shorts
4.) An all natural anti-chafing stick can save the day!
As a steel factory foreman, my husband walks ten miles a day. It was tough convincing him to put my girly anti-chafing products on his thighs, so I found a product in a plain blue bottle with more than 30,000 reviews. He loves the product and doesn't know how he ever lived without it!
5.) Moisture wicking T-shirts keep sweat away from your body
Since I introduced my husband to moisture wicking T-shirts, he won't leave for summer vacations without them! They really do pull sweat away from your body so that it can evaporate, but that's not why I bought three packages. They don't fade or develop fabric balls like regular T-shirts! The slightly shiny material will hold a factory finish for many years to come.
6.) This personal cooling device is worn on the head
My husband loves this head piece with cooling capabilities because it helps keep sweat out of his eyes. I prefer fans that clip to my waistband for reasons described below.
7.) A waste clip fan can blow air up your entire body!
This clip-on portable fan can be attached to your waistband and used to sweep fresh air along your entire body. It comes with a durable strap for those times when you'd rather wear the fan around your neck. You can also use the fan as a charging block for cell phones and small appliances.
8.) This thermos keeps drinks cold for 24 hours
Drinking ice cold water is a great way to lower body temperature and stay hydrated in the sun!
9.) This ice pack straps to your back!
I was just about to drop big money on a cooling vest when I discovered this inexpensive first-aid item. Cold packs like this are used to quickly lower the body temperature of athletes suffering from heat exhaustion. Just freeze the slim insert and slip it into your cold pack before leaving the house. When on vacation, you can store the insert in a cooler between layers of ice.
10.) Make a cooling spray with witch hazel and peppermint
For a quick arctic blast anywhere you go, carry a mixture of witch hazel and peppermint in a tiny spray bottle. Mist your arms, legs, back, neck or shoulders for a deep cooling sensation. If you blow a fan onto your skin after spraying, it's like standing in front of an air conditioner! This solution will also kill germs and eliminate armpit odor when you don't have access to a shower.
Six easy motel meals made with an electric skillet
If frequent restaurant trips are driving you to the poor house, try these tasty meals made with ingredients that require no refrigeration!
Salmon patties made with powdered eggs and breadcrumbs
You don't need fresh salmon and real eggs to make your favorite salmon patty recipe! Just use powdered egg mix to bind your mixture of canned salmon, water and bread crumbs. Season your batter to taste, form the dough into small patties and fry your patties in olive oil. For airplane trips, I bring flat foil packs of salmon, as they're easier to pack and lighter to carry.
Fettuccine Alfredo made with pet milk, dry Parmesan cheese and ghee butter
Most boxed Alfredo mixes call for milk and butter. If you don't have a refrigerator or cooler on hand, bring a few cans of evaporated milk and jar of ghee butter. If you prefer making Alfredo sauce from scratch, just melt a few tablespoons of butter into a mixture of equal parts water and pet milk. Season the liquid with garlic salt and chicken bouillon. As the mixture starts to boil, keep adding generous amounts of dry Parmesan cheese. I generally blow through more than two cups of Parmesan cheese and stir constantly as the mixture thickens.
Stove top stuffing with cranberry raisins and freeze dried chicken chunks
Newsflash: Freeze dried chicken chunks taste better than the limp, soggy chicken packaged in cans and foil packs. I enjoy adding freeze dried chicken to things like Stove Top stuffing, Rice-A-Roni and boxed casserole meals. For a little Thanksgiving flair, add a handful of cranberry raisins to your stuffing!
Stew made with freeze dried beef chunks, gravy packets and boxed scalloped potatoes
Follow the stove top method for making one box of scalloped potatoes, but increase the water to twice the recommended amount. When your dried potatoes have reached the desired level of softness, stir in two cups of freeze dried beef cubes with one can of peas and one can of carrots. Thicken your broth with a packet of brown gravy mix. If you desire a thinner broth, add more water as you move along. For thicker broth, keep simmering on low heat. The extra water in the stew will evaporate as steam.
Spanish rice with beans, corn and salsa
Prepare a box of Spanish Rice-A-Roni according to package directions. Add one cup of your favorite chunky salsa with one can of corn and one can of black beans. Feel free to make adjustments, adding more of this or less of that. Delish!
Tuna casserole with egg noodles and cream of chicken soup
Cream of chicken soup is a staple that can be added to most anything, but it's particularly good with egg noodles! Simply boil four cups of noodles in your electric skillet, drain and set aside. (A collapsible strainer helps for cooking on the go.) Dump two cans of soup into your electric skillet. Add one can of water, stirring as you heat to remove lumps. Add your pasta back to the mix. Toss in a can of peas with two cans of tuna. Mix and serve!
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