tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73500617523435736502024-03-13T20:11:51.267-07:00Behind the BikiniEver wonder what it’s like in the day-to-day life of a fitness competitor? Find out! Follow me as I plan, prep and rep for photoshoots, two competitions and life! Everyone's journey to the stage is different- and this is mine! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-1521411708347335482014-05-25T19:10:00.001-07:002014-05-25T19:10:35.892-07:00Time to Reflect and Reset
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Soooooo, Roatan is awesome! I had such a great trip and can’t
wait to go back (tentative plans are already set for early next year). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The trip started with us fitness gals getting into the cab at the
airport and the cabby asking us, “Are you here for Spring Break??” “Uh, no.”
Apparently, the week before Easter is a holiday in Honduras so the beaches were
packed (packed!) with people and parties. Such a cool scene, but not the most conducive
for photo and video shoots. Also a challenge? The sun. It was hot!! But, it was
awesome! We all definitely got some great shots in, were able to get done what
we needed to do, and then spent the rest of the time resting and relaxing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here’s a sneak peek of what we got up to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/94862352"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://vimeo.com/94862352</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also got to shoot a beach workout spread for STRONG magazine.
It took some good timing and a little patience (we had to wait out a couple
boats and a few tour groups), but Paul scoped out an awesome location for the
shots. From the quick preview I saw, the pictures turned out amazing! It was such a
surreal experience- a vision I pinned on my board last year coming true. I can’t wait to see it all in print. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, while the first half of the trip was all photo and
video shoots (which meant early mornings, no drinking and limited buffet
options), after everyone done and everything was wrapped up, it was game on!
Pina coladas and banana donuts all around!! It was great to be able to relax a
little, have a few (read: many) treats, and really have the opportunity to get
to know my teammates and coach a little better.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-isSNyTlXySo/U4KeG9vJVJI/AAAAAAAAAkE/prBaIo6IZTc/s1600/IMG_8588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-isSNyTlXySo/U4KeG9vJVJI/AAAAAAAAAkE/prBaIo6IZTc/s1600/IMG_8588.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting our smile ready for the shoot... <br />
and getting caught taking a selfie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honduras at 6:30 am</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paradise at sunset :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stormy skies and some pretty awesome ladies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the ladies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djy-AOnK-4M/U4KeW15iGeI/AAAAAAAAAkc/NOvQK8wO53U/s1600/IMG_8922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djy-AOnK-4M/U4KeW15iGeI/AAAAAAAAAkc/NOvQK8wO53U/s1600/IMG_8922.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Honduras... but I will be back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleep deprived and happy to be home.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Up next?? It’s show time! And not just any show, but the
WBFF Vancouver!! I have wanted to compete in a WBFF show since watching the <a href="http://behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/09/tbb-does-vegas.html" target="_blank">Worlds show in Las Vegas last year</a>. It was over-the-top
spectacular! So much glitz and glamour (there’s even an evening gown round). While
that’s not the spotlight I usually seek, sitting in the audience made me want
to be a part of it, and here’s my chance! This is something that will really
push me out of my comfort zone <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The WBFF means business!! Look at all those fabulous ladies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best of the best!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As of today, I am <strong><span style="font-size: large;">62 days out</span></strong> (not that I am counting). That
means 372 more meals and 54 more workouts to give it my all - day in and day
out. With competing, there is no off time. You have to be on. All. Of. The.
Time. This is when every meal, every workout, and every day really does count. And, if I don't do it, nobody will do it for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While I thought it would be easy to flip from photoshoot
prep mode to competition prep mode after Honduras, I have struggled a bit. Too
many treats (all very yummy and worth it of course!), too many distractions and
just too much going on in general. It has taken a few weeks to really ‘reset’
and get ready to devote my all to this prep, but I’m on board now. I’ve got a
new meal plan, an awesome training plan for the month, and finally a clear and
focused mindset. Nine weeks out! Let’s see what we can do! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-58053698361355693092014-03-24T20:49:00.000-07:002014-04-07T19:39:19.577-07:00On Season and On the Road… to Roatan!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even though I haven’t been blogging on here as much lately,
I have been posting somewhat frequently on Instagram (@jencordeiro if you wanna
follow me). And in those posts I had been hinting that I was prepping for
something big and exciting… and something that I wasn’t allowed to share until
recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here’s the official announcement!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><a href="http://vimeo.com/88693966" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://vimeo.com/88693966</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Soooo crazy, right?!? If anyone had
told me a year ago I would be prepping for something like this today, I would have
never have believed it. I started training because I wanted to compete. I
wanted to compete to challenge myself… and once I started, I didn’t want to
stop. I do what I do because I love it. Being rewarded with an opportunity like
this seems too good to be true. All of it. Too good to be true.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMNcfQjGgLg/UzD73i9vW1I/AAAAAAAAAjk/blpcvfnD7ts/s1600/STRONG+announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMNcfQjGgLg/UzD73i9vW1I/AAAAAAAAAjk/blpcvfnD7ts/s1600/STRONG+announcement.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This pic was shared on the Team Blessed Bodies Facebook page and Lori Harder (one of my idols and on the current cover of STRONG) commented on it! How cool is that?!?</span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, how does one prep for a magazine
spread and shoot? I dunno! Lemme know. For me, my food plan and training have
pretty much stayed the same. I am so, so, so lucky to have a <a href="http://www.fatimaleitekusch.com/index.php" target="_blank">coach</a> and <a href="http://www.fitnessprint.com/" target="_blank">training program</a> that properly paces me so there are no crazy/ stressful/ desperate
measures in the final few weeks. <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Consistency pays off</strong></span>. Minor, minor tweaks have
been made to my food plan. My focus this week is to really balance all my meals
and time them evenly throughout the day. Training wise, I just need to keep up
with my 5 days weights/ 4 days per week cardio plan. Easy peasy. I have even
been scheduling it to make Saturdays my rest days- how delightful! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On top of that, there is a lot to prep
for the trip. As I have shared in <a href="http://behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/07/wiawa-what-i-ate-while-away.html" target="_blank">past posts</a> I always plan out my meals and pack what I can to help stay on track while
away. This trip poses significant challenges. Long flights. International
borders. Unknown hotel room. I won’t be able to bring any fresh fruits or
proteins. And I am pretty sure that Roatan doesn’t have a Whole Foods just
around the corner like there was in Vegas. A little more thought will need to
go into this…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The other daunting task at hand is
wardrobe! Tell me to only eat 147 flakes of oats 10 times a day, I could do it.
Tell me to do 500 hours of cardio a day, I would do it. Tell me to go shop and
pick out outfits for the shoot- no way!! I’m not a shopper. Don’t get me wrong,
I love a good deal, but I do not like shopping for specific items of clothes. I
don’t know what goes together. I don’t know how to make an “outfit”. And I
really don’t know how to accessorize. I foresee some agonizing shopping trips
in my immediate future. I spent the shopping trip before the TBB Vegas trip
repeatedly calling my sister in a panic (Leanne, prepare yourself for another
round).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, 3 weeks out tomorrow! Can’t
wait for that sun and sand!!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWMVfpyyTrw/UzD7PK0UqDI/AAAAAAAAAjc/kQJbhuRwL-g/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWMVfpyyTrw/UzD7PK0UqDI/AAAAAAAAAjc/kQJbhuRwL-g/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Planking it out to build up those abs!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span class="usercontent">XOXO<br />
Jen</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-3988785514813554422014-02-17T20:40:00.002-08:002014-02-17T20:40:37.916-08:00New Year, New Post (Finally!)
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Absence makes the heart grow fonder?? Right? Right? Ha ha
ha. I hope so. While consistency has found a place in my daily fitness and food
routine (yay for 365!), it certainly hasn’t found a place here yet. Yikes! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s now the middle of February (!!) and I find myself back
ON SEASON! Whoo hoo! Not that I was taking it easy during my “off season.” Over
the past few months, since my last post, I have moved (I absolutely loooooathe packing
and unpacking- but love where I am living!), kept up with all my training, did
a photo shoot with Mark Bradfield (love him and Sarah!), created an athlete Facebook page (come join!), and filmed a fitness DVD (fun!). My
birthday, Christmas and New Year’s Eve also happened somewhere in there too.
And, while I kept up with my program for the most part, there were definitely a
lot of treats, rest and relaxation as well. I pretty much just hibernated
during the Christmas holidays and it was fabulous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The past few months in pictures :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The new hood!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrkQg356oVY/UwLf0VAg6WI/AAAAAAAAAiM/_QxXDq4NnwU/s1600/image%5B5%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrkQg356oVY/UwLf0VAg6WI/AAAAAAAAAiM/_QxXDq4NnwU/s1600/image%5B5%5D.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The new hood!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Me with Sarah Shea Smith and Mark Bradfield after a long and fun shoot!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My new Facebook page :) Check in out for meal plans, recipes, music and motivation!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PybCwrwxKiw/UwLhJhG2GeI/AAAAAAAAAis/cW32qcafDtU/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PybCwrwxKiw/UwLhJhG2GeI/AAAAAAAAAis/cW32qcafDtU/s1600/image.png" height="320" width="306" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On set of the filming the fitness DVD to be released this Spring!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh, and I also appeared in a fitness magazine for the first
time too!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nBIWCl3wtPE/UwLh1E3LtCI/AAAAAAAAAjE/NaLmEt6KRos/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nBIWCl3wtPE/UwLh1E3LtCI/AAAAAAAAAjE/NaLmEt6KRos/s1600/image%5B2%5D.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My mini-profile in the Feb/ Mar 2014 issue of Inside Fitness.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAH32I3Kz8M/UwLhz5TgZoI/AAAAAAAAAi8/QEeWZ7rOJ-c/s1600/NPAA+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And on a poster!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy to promote such a great organization!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So that pretty much brings me to today. As of February 16
(yes, conveniently selected to be just after Valentine’s Day and all the
chocolate!) I am back on-season and training for an upcoming shoot and show.
So, what does that mean? On season? For me, that means sticking to my food plan
100% (that is keeping it clean, keeping it within my macros (that is making
sure I meet and don’t exceed all my calories, fats, proteins and carbs each
day) and balancing each meal to keep my metabolism revved), getting all my
training in exactly as my coach lays out (no short cuts- every rep counts!), drinking all my water, and NO
alcohol and NO “treats.” Sounds tough, but I am so EXCITED! So excited! Excited
to do it and excited for what’s to come. The countdown starts now! Eight weeks
out!! #beastmodeon</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-62612345911775531892013-10-24T08:22:00.001-07:002013-10-24T08:26:52.943-07:00Early Thursday Morning Motivation<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">While sometimes just the thought of coffee and food can get me out of bed in the mornings, other times I need a little bit more to keep me going, especially while I am banging out 30 deep walking lunges with 25 dumbbells across the gym floor at 6:00 am in the morning. Enter Britney Spears :) I pretty much have her new song Work B**ch! on loop for my entire workout... and I thought I'd spread the love this morning. If you haven't already, add this song to your playlist. Truer words have never never been spoken (yes, I did just say that). </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">P.S. I did have to look up what a Bugatti is... you learn something everyday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kIiI9CYQZL0/Umk6eJimDII/AAAAAAAAAhQ/1cN1Jmyn5OE/s640/blogger-image-1482468832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kIiI9CYQZL0/Umk6eJimDII/AAAAAAAAAhQ/1cN1Jmyn5OE/s320/blogger-image-1482468832.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful fall mornings make it<br />
much easier to get out of bed and go.<br />
Loving this sunshine :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Work B**ch!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You want a hot body?</b> </span>You want a
Bugatti?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You want a Maserati? You better
work bitch</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You want a Lamborghini? Sip
martinis?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">L<b>ook hot in a bikini? You better
work bitch</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You wanna live fancy? Live in a
big mansion?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Party in France?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You better work bitch, you better
work bitch</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You better work bitch, you better
work bitch</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now get to work bitch!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now get to work bitch!</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bring it on, ring the alarm</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Don't stop now, just be the
champion</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Work it hard, like it's your
profession</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Watch out now</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cause here it comes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Here comes the smasher</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Here comes the master</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Here comes the big beat</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Big beat to blast ya</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>No time to quit now</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Just time to get it now</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Pick up what I'm layin down</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Pick up what I'm puttin down</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hold your head high, fingers to
the sky</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">They gon' try and try ya', but
they can't deny ya'</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Keep it moving higher, and higher</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Keep it moving higher, and higher</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So hold your head high, fingers
to the sky</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now they don't believe ya', but
they gonna need ya'</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Keep it moving higher and higher</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Keep it moving higher and higher
and higher</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">[Outro]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Work, work, work, work</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Work, work, work, work</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Work, work, work, work</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Work, work, work, work</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Work it out, work it out, work it
out, work it out</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Work it out, work it out, work it
out, work it out</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Work it out, work it out, work it
out, work it out</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Work it out, work it out</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You better work bitch</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You better work bitch</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You're welcome :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">XOXO<br />Jen</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-74586481191284104382013-10-06T15:02:00.000-07:002013-10-06T15:02:33.596-07:00Pumpkin Pancakes and Greek Quinoa Recipes :)
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s the weekend! And it’s fall! That means two things: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is menu planning and meal prep time, and<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pumpkin flavored everything is everywhere... including my pancakes <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In terms of weekend food prep, I’ve got a pretty good Saturday
routine down. Sleep in, eat, gym with my mom, eat, grocery shop, eat, food prep, and then,
obviously, eat again. This weekend, however, I switched it up a bit and
included a couple new recipes in my menu, so it required a little extra
shopping time. I also had to prep all my food around a kitchen window renovation,
so things were a little slower than usual. I had to leave a couple things until
today, but finally have got it all prepped and packed, and done! Whoot whoot! All ready for the week.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This weekend I also made two different kinds of post-workout
pumpkin pancakes. And both were yummy! Pumpkin puree just has a way of making baking
rich, lush and delicious. And, even though it's available all year, it just seems to fit the best with fall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The first was based on my basic </span><a href="http://behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/04/after-crazy-busy-long-weekend-last.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cinnamon Zucchini Protein Pancake with Vanilla Icing</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, but
with a ¼ cup of canned pumpkin puree added to the batter, and a tablespoon of
pumpkin added to the icing. The second creation was adding a ¼ cup of canned
pumpkin puree to my </span><a href="http://behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/04/after-crazy-busy-long-weekend-last.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chocolate Zucchini Protein Pancake with Chocolate Icing</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.
Mmmmm, the additional moisture added from the pumpkin made the pancake very
dense, and in the absence of cinnamon, the pumpkin flavor really came out, and
paired well with the peanut butter and bananas on top. What a delicious way to
get in those post-workout carbs and protein! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTt6tTX5eg4/UlHZuGdPvYI/AAAAAAAAAgk/SXNEHFhZOj8/s1600/IMG_6926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTt6tTX5eg4/UlHZuGdPvYI/AAAAAAAAAgk/SXNEHFhZOj8/s1600/IMG_6926.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After opening up a big can of pumpkin and only using ¼ cup at a time, it lasts awhile, so I have been trying it out in different things. Pumpkin works really well in yogurt with some oats,
walnuts, bananas, cinnamon and maple syrup. Pretty much autumn in a bowl <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> This has been my new bedtime
snack for the past week. I also tried it out in an oatmeal cookie. While
the execution of baking the cookie went a little awry (I tried frying it like a
pancake because I didn’t want to wait for it to bake in the oven), it still tasted really
good- especially with some chunky peanut butter on top! I based this creation on this recipe from the <a href="http://www.powercakes.net/single-serve-cherry-chocolate-chunk-cookie/" target="_blank">Powercakes website</a>, but
I used a chopped up Brownie Questbar as chocolate chips instead. It all came together quite nicely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4_sJ3bNZD4/UlHauOdi32I/AAAAAAAAAgs/CyopYuioEaU/s1600/IMG_6829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4_sJ3bNZD4/UlHauOdi32I/AAAAAAAAAgs/CyopYuioEaU/s1600/IMG_6829.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mI08FzXh-pU/UlHauI5lYVI/AAAAAAAAAgw/fZSgqsXUVKc/s1600/IMG_6831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mI08FzXh-pU/UlHauI5lYVI/AAAAAAAAAgw/fZSgqsXUVKc/s1600/IMG_6831.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am always looking for new ways to use pumpkin in baking or
recipes, so let me know if you have other ideas <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have also been using the fall weekends to build and
experiment with other recipes as well. One of my new go-tos for a weekday meal
has been a spanakopita/ Greek inspired quinoa bake. I based this recipe off of
a side dish my girlfriend Leanna used to make, but made a couple changes to
make sure that it included the right amount of carbs and protein I needed for a
mid-morning snack. I also started baking it as a casserole so I could easily
slice and package up individual servings to heat and eat at work. It’s a pretty
simple recipe with only a few ingredients, but is full of flavor and can be
adapted to suit any macros or particular tastes. Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spanakopita Quinoa Bake</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Ingredients (for 6 servings):<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 38.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->240g uncooked quinoa <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 38.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->1 bunch (about 6) green onions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 38.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->3-4 cloves of raw garlic (or to taste- I like a
little bit more)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 38.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->300g raw spinach (about one of the big boxes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 38.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->½ bunch of fresh dill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 38.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->½-1 lemon, juiced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 38.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->1 ½ cups egg whites<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 38.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->To taste- black pepper and garlic powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 38.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->1 ½ cup dry cottage cheese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Instructions:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cook quinoa according to package directions.</span></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dice up green onions and garlic. Sautee in a pan sprayed with Pam.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once onions and green onions are soft, add in spinach to wilt. Remove from heat. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stir fresh dill and lemon juice into onion, garlic and spinach mixture. Set aside.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In a large bowl, mix egg whites, pepper, and garlic powder together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add cooked quinoa to egg mixture. Mix well. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add spinach mixture to quinoa and egg mixture.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pour into sprayed baking dish. </span></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sprinkle cottage cheese on top.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 5-10 minutes or until egg is set and cottage cheese is melted.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Remove from oven. Let cool. Slice and serve or slice and store for an easy, re-heatable meal later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FxpSxek--U8/UlHdayF6bxI/AAAAAAAAAhA/ZdKvPmbLxgc/s1600/IMG_6927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FxpSxek--U8/UlHdayF6bxI/AAAAAAAAAhA/ZdKvPmbLxgc/s1600/IMG_6927.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This dish turned out really good! The combo of the garlic,
onions, fresh dill and lemon really gives it that Greek-inspired flavor, while
the quinoa and cottage cheese provide the carbs and protein to make it a
satisfying meal. Options to switch it up a bit include using feta with (or
instead of) the cottage cheese, swapping the quinoa with another grain for
variety (I’m sure rice would work well!), add different vegetables (like
peppers or sundried tomatoes) or change the herb (maybe some oregano?). Endless
clean possibilities. Try it out and lemme know what you come up with!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Jen</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-14081963120172445082013-10-01T21:26:00.000-07:002013-10-01T21:26:08.993-07:00Why Am I Doing This?? Good Question! I Ask Myself That Sometimes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In <a href="http://www.behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/09/its-wiaw-its-also-what-ive-been-up-to.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, I mentioned that I currently don’t have any
concrete fitness goals set. Yes, there are things that I want to do and
achieve, but nothing specific that has a deadline. This has put me in a bit of
a precarious and unfamiliar territory. Since signing up with Fitness Print in
July 2012, I have always had something, some goal, some deadline, to focus on. At
first it was my bikini competition in November 2012. As soon as I said it out
loud (and paid the sign up fees), the countdown to November 10 was on. Then
after that it was to make it through Christmas without undoing 4 months of hard
work. Then it was a trip to Mexico in January 2013. Then it was my first show
of the season this year in May, quickly followed by my second show in June. And
then, the biggest one of all, it was my Vegas photo shoot with Paul Buceta in
August. There has always been something set or something coming up that has
pushed me to keep at it day in and day out. I respond well to dates and
deadlines <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And now, without anything coming up, and nothing set, I
still find myself keeping at it day in and day out. Part of it is definitely
routine. Over the past year I have slowly started to rearrange my life to make
fitness a part of it. It just fits now. It’s just what I do. But, every once in
a while, I do (mentally) step back (usually when I’m on the stepmill- that’s
where I do most of my thinking, write blog posts in my head and generally solve
the world’s problems) and ask myself, why am I doing this? What’s driving me to
keep it up? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fOqlm_AAVw/UkufLO8HUpI/AAAAAAAAAgM/GzfDokOXuKg/s1600/Why+I+work+out.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fOqlm_AAVw/UkufLO8HUpI/AAAAAAAAAgM/GzfDokOXuKg/s1600/Why+I+work+out.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, yes. This may or may not be partially true</span>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On the surface, there’s the investment. If I am paying a
coach (a fabulous coach, by the way) to give me workout and food plans, why wouldn’t I be putting my best in
to be getting the best out? Or there’s the ‘look and feel’ aspect of it. I like
the way eating well and working out makes me look and feel. Pretty simple
there. And there’s also the curiosity part of it. How far can I actually push this?
How much can I change my body? What am I mentally and physically capable of
doing? All of these reasons are some of the mini-motivations that I use daily
to help me keep focus. But, then there’s the big one that dawned on me the
other day: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Because what if I couldn’t??</b>
What if someone or something wouldn’t let me do what I am doing?? Then what? The
thought of that terrifies me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This came to me after three recent incidents <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gently</i> reminded me that all of this
could change in an instant. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">That what I
choose to do might not be my choice anymore.</b> The first, and by far the
closest call, happened a week ago when the car I was in was hit by someone driving
through a red light. By all accounts, the accident was minor considering how
serious it could have been, but it was a definitely a reminder of how quickly
things could change in an instant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The second, a few days later, was a minor injury I sustained
while out running. I rolled my ankle, not once, but twice, in one run. At
first, it was fine, I ran it off, and was able to walk around after no problem.
However, by the time I went to bed that night, it was sore and swollen. I woke
up in the middle of the night in more pain than I can remember experiencing in
recent history. Immediately, my thoughts went to visions of crutches and casts,
bed rest and no running or gym for months. I began to make contingency plans in
my head- well, if I couldn’t work out my lower body, I could still do my upper
body. I could keep my food plan super tight. I could find other things to do to
get my cardio in. Fortunately, after taking two extra strength Advils, I woke
up the next morning, and aside from it being a little stiff, my ankle was fine
(and has been since).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finally, two days after that I was told that I need surgery…
in my mouth. After shuddering at the thought of that (like seriously, ewwww), again,
obviously, the first things that pop into my mind were, “What will I be able to
eat? How will I get all my protein and carbs in?” and then “How long will I not
be able to work out for?? What if this is scheduled for when I am training for
a show?” Luckily, while I had thoughts of (and yummy recipe ideas forming for)
weeks of protein shakes, I was assured that I could eat fairly normally and even
work out the day after the surgery. Phew. Crisis diverted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In any case, all of these small, little reminders have lit
something bigger in me. Reignited a drive, a passion and a determination to
keep on going. They have reaffirmed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MY
CHOICE to choose to do what I am doing. To do what I can do, while I can do it.
Because I can. </b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And for that, I am grateful <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfItoYPZvQk/Ukufmmwaa5I/AAAAAAAAAgU/Fa8K3M-3X6I/s1600/2013_09_15+Watershed+and+Gym.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfItoYPZvQk/Ukufmmwaa5I/AAAAAAAAAgU/Fa8K3M-3X6I/s1600/2013_09_15+Watershed+and+Gym.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My happy places- out for a run or in the gym :)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BSfZK9uiFI/UkuYbtwhA3I/AAAAAAAAAfs/HDaCkQQ7wok/s1600/2013_09_15+Watershed+and+Gym.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jen<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-59809538108527374362013-09-25T20:56:00.000-07:002013-09-25T20:56:51.886-07:00It's WIAW! It's Also What I've Been Up To
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Waaaaahooo! It’s Wednesday. I’ve been eating. This is what I
ate today (and Monday and Tuesday, and will again Thursday and Friday- I’m a
creature of habit. I also prep and portion all of my meals at the beginning of
the week and it’s sooooo much easier to keep them the same).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8OcAtCua3o/UkOs8fFlA6I/AAAAAAAAAeo/9BegpYzBKAw/s1600/IMG_6731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8OcAtCua3o/UkOs8fFlA6I/AAAAAAAAAeo/9BegpYzBKAw/s1600/IMG_6731.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All my meals (pre-workout muffin not shown)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meal 1: Steel cut oats and eggs with coconut oil melted over
top. This will never not be tasty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meal 2: Spanakopita quinoa bake. OMG so good! Recipe coming!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meal 3: Pre-workout chocolate protein muffin. This one gets
a lot of comments in the office. Smells (and tastes) like chocolate cake.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meal 4: Post-workout tuna and barley salad with broccoli slaw
and avocado… and a whole lotta sriacha sauce. This too will never get old. I’ve
been eating it for lunch for months now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meal 5: Egg whites, cottage cheese and oats baked with green
beans and coconut oil. A whole lotta cheesy goodness. Mmmmm.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meal 6: Veg and shrimp or chicken stir fry with quinoa and
bulgar. A little different each time I make it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meal 7: Yogurt and vanilla casein (usually eaten with either
a piece of a Quest bar or banana) and a blob of peanut butter. Oh peanut butter,
how I looooooove you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As you can see, I am slowly starting to vary the foods that
I am eating. I get stuck in (and enjoy!) such a routine, that sometimes it is
hard to try something different or new. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Speaking of routines, that’s all I have really been about since
getting back from Vegas. I have finally had a chance stay settled in one spot
for more than two weeks, and it has been glorious. And, even without a specific
fitness goal or deadline set (no fall shows or photo shoots planned… yet), I
have actually been able to stick with my training and food plan! Training wise,
I am in such a routine (weights during my lunch break and 30 minutes of cardio
after work), that it’s a struggle to actually break that routine to take a rest
day. It’s a weird feeling. It’s like I don’t want to lose momentum. I am also,
as evidenced by the repetitiveness of my meal plans and comments above, a
creature of habit. I don’t like when things change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have also gotten into a great little Sunday morning routine. The day starts off with a run through the watershed with my dad, then the gym with my mom for a weights workout, and finally home for a big ol' protein pancake (some things never change). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LahKNCeabL0/UkOu4k9V2II/AAAAAAAAAe4/TwGUyVS6AoM/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aECfxut5HuY/UkOu4nk21FI/AAAAAAAAAe0/4b82J5nSAfw/s1600/IMG_6483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aECfxut5HuY/UkOu4nk21FI/AAAAAAAAAe0/4b82J5nSAfw/s1600/IMG_6483.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LahKNCeabL0/UkOu4k9V2II/AAAAAAAAAe8/M0Xl1-Zp3qI/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LahKNCeabL0/UkOu4k9V2II/AAAAAAAAAe8/M0Xl1-Zp3qI/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Food plan wise, even though I am still trying to build on and
maintain where I have gotten so far, I do now have a little bit more latitude and
can even incorporate a few “off-plan” meals into my diet. I loathe using the
word “treat” or “cheat” to describe these off-plan indulgences, because I truly
believe I am already treating my body by fueling it right all of the time. And,
it’s not a cheat, because I am not doing anything wrong or bad. I am just
occasionally, and with purpose, choosing to indulge in foods that would
normally be off-plan. For me, this has pretty much consisted of red wine,
cheese and crackers, and some Menchies. I love me some Menchies. Haha. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ObaYyR-iyQ/UkOvZFMS5LI/AAAAAAAAAfI/_oqecdhb2hc/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ObaYyR-iyQ/UkOvZFMS5LI/AAAAAAAAAfI/_oqecdhb2hc/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ObaYyR-iyQ/UkOvZFMS5LI/AAAAAAAAAfE/YqI1XXX3Lz8/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, I
usually choose to consume them when I have the time to relax and enjoy the
moment. I have also, on occasion, used my off-plan treat to just eat more of my
regular clean food- like a larger serving of banana with peanut butter with a melted
Quest bar on top. Or an extra scoop of peanut butter on my yogurt. Or (dare I
even go here!), a large, unmeasured spoonful of peanut butter- hahaha. See a
theme forming? In any case, I am certainly enjoying trying out different foods
and appreciate the flexibility I have in my training and food plan to
incorporate changes like this while still making progress. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of the best
treats I have had recently was an Indian buffet dinner and my friend’s wedding.
It was a beautiful wedding and the food was so delicious. It was nice to be able
to relax and just be a part of the day and enjoy (and not have to whip out my Tupperware
of food at the dinner table because I was training for a show and on a feeding schedule).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z1NMmkZDqLc/UkOvyZIQ9jI/AAAAAAAAAfU/OmNNPP1__EI/s1600/IMG_6644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4-CEF6TNn4/UkOvq4ZeKDI/AAAAAAAAAfM/L9xHF_Ssf0w/s1600/IMG_6640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4-CEF6TNn4/UkOvq4ZeKDI/AAAAAAAAAfM/L9xHF_Ssf0w/s1600/IMG_6640.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></o:p> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1NMmkZDqLc/UkOvyZIQ9jI/AAAAAAAAAfY/YrgEqA4mBxw/s1600/IMG_6644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1NMmkZDqLc/UkOvyZIQ9jI/AAAAAAAAAfY/YrgEqA4mBxw/s1600/IMG_6644.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The funny thing was, after stuffing my face with butter chicken
and naan, drinking a few glasses of wine and scarfing down a cupcake and
cookies, when I ran into a pub at the end of the night to use the ATM, a man
actually approached me to say I had awesome arms and asked if I did “those
fitness competition shows.” And, while it was 12:30am on a Friday night in the
back of a bar in the middle of Pitt Meadows, and while I am sure it was some drunken
pick up attempt, I was, in fact, quite flattered. Aside from comments at the
gym, or from people who know I am training, I have never been approached by
randoms who notice my development. It was a milestone of sorts for me. So, thank
you, drunk, stumbling man at the back of the bar- you made me feel better about
myself after eating my body weight in Indian food. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-32097764856541381692013-09-08T13:04:00.000-07:002013-09-08T13:04:46.390-07:00Plums, Pancakes and Pizza Recipes (No, Not All Together)
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you have been following my (currently non-existent) WIAW
posts over the past few months, you would have noticed that I have been keeping
it pretty basic with minimal changes week to week. While I usually love mixing
it up, because the summer was so busy, I just didn’t have time to think about
it and kept it simple by doing what I already knew. From week to week I knew
what I needed to buy, how to prep it and what all the macro (fats, carbs and
protein) counts would be. It didn’t require much thinking which is how I needed
it to be. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But finally (finally!!) things are slowing down a bit and I
was inspired to try something new in the kitchen. This week it resulted in two
really yummy recipes <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
Both provide a good balance between protein and carbs, and both can be modified
to fit different macros, tastes and preferences. One is sweet and one is more
savoury. Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Plum and Zucchini Protein Pancake with Vanilla Icing</span> <o:p></o:p></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This recipe is a small twist in my basic <a href="http://behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/04/after-crazy-busy-long-weekend-last.html" target="_blank">Cinnamon Zucchini Protein Pancake</a>. My parents have a plum tree in their backyard. It grows those
delicious sweet and sour prune plums. At this time of year, my mom often makes
a plum cake, which I love, so I wanted to find a way to recreate those flavours
in a cleaner cake. The answer was a plum pancake <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Ingredients (for 1 large pancake):<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pancake:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/3 cup oats<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">20g vanilla whey protein powder<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">¼ cup egg whites<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">40g (about ¼ cup) shredded zucchini<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">60g (about 2) soft prune plums <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5g walnut pieces<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Icing:<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 TBSP fat free Greek yogurt<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 TBSP vanilla protein powder<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Directions:<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pit and chop up plums. Pre-heat and spray small frying pan. Add plums and sauté on low heat until soft and slightly caramelized.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In a small bowl, mix the oats, protein powder and cinnamon together.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add in egg whites. Mix well. Add in zucchini, plum and walnuts.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pour into the pre-heated, (re)sprayed frying pan. Cook for about 3 minutes, flip, and cook other side for 2 minutes (or until done).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To make the icing, stir together yogurt and protein powder.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ice the protein pancake with the icing and serve warm.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
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</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7BBpYQzvrJs/UizXusQQfbI/AAAAAAAAAeY/5YFtXPd748M/s1600/IMG_6343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hhm7HP2Tnrg/UizXtxHxNcI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/uK8lZonW4-U/s1600/IMG_6344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hhm7HP2Tnrg/UizXtxHxNcI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/uK8lZonW4-U/s1600/IMG_6344.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also topped mine with some chia prune jam. It turned out
exactly as I expected. The pieces of plum in the cake really tart it up, which
goes well with the sweet yogurt icing. I’m thinking of tripling this recipe and
trying it out in a loaf pan to see how it slices up. A perfect portable,
pre-portioned and prepped high protein and carb snack! It could even be used as
a pre- or quick post-gym meal.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Quinoa Pizza Bites/ Casserole<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This recipe started out as a way to satisfy a pizza craving
(while meeting my carb and protein counts for the day). While sometimes nothing
but a slice will do, other times, it’s really just the flavors I want. This
recipe was a way to combine those flavors (tomato sauce, cheese, garlic and oregano)
in an easy to prepare and package way for one of my meals during the week. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Ingredients (for 6 servings):<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">180g (1 cup) uncooked quinoa<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">300g spinach<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6 TBSP tomato paste <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 ½ cup egg whites<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">125g (about ½ cup) dry cottage cheese curds<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">garlic powder, oregano and black pepper (to taste)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Directions:<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cook quinoa according to package directions. When in doubt, I follow these instructions for quinoa.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wilt spinach in a pan and set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In a bowl, mix the egg whites, tomato paste and seasoning together. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add in cottage cheese, cooked quinoa and spinach. Mix well. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Drop mixture into sprayed muffin tins or pour into sprayed 9X9 pan.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If making muffins, bake for 20-25. If baking in a pan, bake, covered, for about 20-25, then remove cover and bake for another 10 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let cool and individually portion and package for an easy grab-and-go protein and carb filled meal.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7BBpYQzvrJs/UizXusQQfbI/AAAAAAAAAec/m0GSKIdtdoY/s1600/IMG_6343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7BBpYQzvrJs/UizXusQQfbI/AAAAAAAAAec/m0GSKIdtdoY/s1600/IMG_6343.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This recipe turned out great! My first batch, made into muffins,
were a little under seasoned, so I made sure to add more into my second batch,
which I baked in a pan. This was delicious and very satisfying as a morning
snack throughout the week. Depending on macros and personal tastes and
preferences, parmesan cheese can be added to the mixture or melted on top for
more flavor. Other “toppings” (like peppers and onions) can also be added into
the mixture for different flavors and textures. The variations are endless! I
might try a “Greek” inspired mix next time with feta and fresh dill!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And finally, even though I didn’t create this recipe, I had
to share! I recently tried this <a href="http://stuftmama.com/2013/03/15/still-playing-favorites-tea-and-the-120-calorie-dark-chocolate-muffin/" target="_blank">protein and chocolate chip cookie dough brownie</a>
and almost died. It was amazing!! It uses a Quest bar, which I have heard a lot
about, but haven’t tried out that much. This was a delicious way to eat it
though! Mmmm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jen</span> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-46955914376172005022013-09-01T21:32:00.001-07:002013-09-01T21:32:30.873-07:00TBB Does Vegas!!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last week I
went on a trip of a lifetime! Yes, I’ve been to Vegas many times before (for my
stagette, with the hubby, with my sister, etc), but this time was different.
This I went with my coach and over 20 other beautiful TBB ladies! We came from
everywhere! BC, Alberta, Ontario, Rhode Island, and Florida! Some came to
compete at the WBFF Worlds show, some came for photo shoots and we all came to
support each other. What an amazing team <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
I may have come home with one less pair of pants (I lost them somewhere out in
the desert), one less curling iron, and a couple more pounds, but what a fun/
exciting/ nerve-wracking/ tiring/ once-in-a-lifetime trip! Here’s the
breakdown...</span></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tuesday: Travel
day</span></h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A week in
Vegas requires a lot of prep. In the weeks leading up to the trip, I spent
quite a bit of time not only planning out all my outfits (a couple for going
out, some for photo shoots, something to wear (and sleep in) post-spray tan,
workout gear, bathing suits, etc), but also putting together a meal plan that I
could easily prep, execute and transport around Vegas. This meant figuring out
what I could (and couldn’t pack) and what I would need to buy there. This also
meant figuring out how to get everything into one suitcase. The verdict? Two
suitcases. In any case, after paying more ridiculous “extra fees” on top of my
“cheap” Allegiant flight, we were off!! I travelled down with two of my lovely
teammate, Brandi and Ami <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
Once we got to Vegas and settled into the hotel room, we took a cab over to
Whole Foods, which, conveniently, is just past the end of the strip, and picked
up some fresh produce and protein for the week. Back in the room, we all did some
food prep, went to the gym to get our cardio in, and then all passed out by 10.
I know, crazy night in Vegas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSO7ZT2QLzI/UiQN6L7EAoI/AAAAAAAAAdA/XUtwKty9dKE/s1600/IMG_5898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSO7ZT2QLzI/UiQN6L7EAoI/AAAAAAAAAdA/XUtwKty9dKE/s1600/IMG_5898.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tuesday: Travel day! Food is always the top priority!</span></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wednesday:
Settling in<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I pretty
much had Wednesday to myself since, unlike many of the other ladies, I wasn’t
doing any shoots that day. It was nice to sleep in a bit, hit the gym for some
weights and cardio, prep more food, and then spend some time down at the pool.
It gave me a chance just to slow down, rest up and prepare for a busy Thursday.</span>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YMSJVm5cwg/UiQN_zYp-RI/AAAAAAAAAdk/OPIF83lf_wo/s1600/IMG_6238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YMSJVm5cwg/UiQN_zYp-RI/AAAAAAAAAdk/OPIF83lf_wo/s1600/IMG_6238.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wednesday- Settling in. Gym, food and sun-- everything I need in life :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </h4>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thursday:
What this has all been about<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This was it!
This is what I had been working toward. This was the ultimate goal! A shoot with Paul Buceta. Paul. Buceta. Open any
issue of Oxygen magazine and you’ll see his name and pictures on every page. He
is, without a doubt, one of the best fitness photographers in the world… and I
got to shoot with him <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thursday was
a crazy day though! First, it was over to the Aria to get hair and makeup done
by the fabulous ladies of 2 Chicks and Some Lipstick. Lori and Valeria were so
much fun! It was such a pleasure just to meet them both, let alone get my hair
and makeup done by them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then, it was
out to the desert for a group shoot. Despite being to Vegas countless times, I
realized I had never even been too far off the strip before. This was such a
great opportunity to really get out there and see the desert. It was stunning.
And, with storm clouds and lightening in the background (luckily we didn’t get
rained on), the landscape was breath taking. After getting in a few different
shots, it was time to load up and get back to the hotel for the shoot with
Paul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I didn’t
know what to expect, but it all unfolded nicely <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
First off, he’s awesome. It was really easy to feel comfortable in front of the
camera with him behind it. The time went by fast and I got some really great
shots. I also definitely had the, Is this seriously my life right now?? Never
in my wildest dream would I have thought I would have had this opportunity to
shoot with Paul. It has inspired and motivated me to keep pushing, to keep at
it, and to keep dreaming. I will shoot with him again, and next time I will
come back bigger and better. I told him so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvQlIeYIW5M/UiQN6JkQ2SI/AAAAAAAAAdE/5bWJbaK59VU/s1600/IMG_6033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvQlIeYIW5M/UiQN6JkQ2SI/AAAAAAAAAdE/5bWJbaK59VU/s1600/IMG_6033.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thursday: Photo shoot shots!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After the
shoot, Ami and I celebrated by going out for a couple delectable little treats-
champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, and chocolate covered pretzels. Damn
you, Jean Philippe Patisserie, you will be the end of me. I also celebrated with a protein pancake covered in an unmeasured amount of Nuttzo and bananas. Cray cray!! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then, that
night, all the ladies (who weren’t competing the next day) went out for a night
out on the town! Whoo hoo hoo! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbm3cMAxcXQ/UiQOBZwrBeI/AAAAAAAAAds/CyWeN-Vuxt0/s1600/IMG_6239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbm3cMAxcXQ/UiQOBZwrBeI/AAAAAAAAAds/CyWeN-Vuxt0/s1600/IMG_6239.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thursday: Post-photo shoot treats :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </h4>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Friday:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rest and recovery<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With all the
scheduled shoots out of the way, Friday was a bit of a rest and recovery day
for me. Again, I spent it sleeping in, hitting the gym and then laying by the
pool. In essence, the perfect vacation day for me.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Yv_D3m5b-U/UiQN9A9ukII/AAAAAAAAAdQ/d0TQix1qznk/s1600/IMG_6064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Yv_D3m5b-U/UiQN9A9ukII/AAAAAAAAAdQ/d0TQix1qznk/s1600/IMG_6064.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Friday: Rest and recovery</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Friday was
also awesome because the hubby was coming down to join me <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> Yay! I was so happy to
see him. He support me so much and we have both been so crazy and busy with
just everything that has been going on this summer that it was nice to have a
little time out and spend some time together. Obviously this time together
involved a couple of treats. Upon his arrival we had crab cakes, pizza, wine
and, for be, a nice big bowl of frozen yogurt and candy <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> Hahaha, some things never
change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saturday:
Show day!<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of the
original reasons behind the trip in the first place was the WBFF Worlds show.
This is one of the biggest shows of its kind with competitors from all around
the world! I was excited to not only cheer on my teammates competing, but also
to see all of the other fitness models that I have been following in the
magazines and online over the years. I watched the show in amazement. The guys
(omg, the guys!) and the girls!! Wow. Just the dedication and hard work
represented on that stage was inspiring. And this isn’t just any old show, this
is one of the biggest and the best. There’s the glitziest of the glitzy bikinis,
sparkly evening gowns and even theme wear. Wow! Everything over the top and
spectacular. Watching the show made me start thinking about my own competition
plans… Hmmm…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLzUB0XXT8E/UiQN-5DKO9I/AAAAAAAAAdc/RB_UXS5hTww/s1600/IMG_6168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLzUB0XXT8E/UiQN-5DKO9I/AAAAAAAAAdc/RB_UXS5hTww/s1600/IMG_6168.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saturday: Show day! Pics from the WBFF Worlds</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also got to meet Andreia Brazier. She has been one of my biggest fit-spirations over the year. And, there she was. She also placed first :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DAdZjYOdB4g/UiQODhEu9rI/AAAAAAAAAeA/oeO_g-K0YSg/s1600/DSC02352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DAdZjYOdB4g/UiQODhEu9rI/AAAAAAAAAeA/oeO_g-K0YSg/s1600/DSC02352.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sunday: Pool
party!<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sunday was
spent poolside (and in the pool) at Wet Republic. After months of prepping, and
food plans and training, it was time party it up VIP style! The afternoon was
filled with a little drinking, some dancing and a lot of fun. I love these
ladies!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3-hItWur_s/UiQOC0pOeeI/AAAAAAAAAd8/PG07SDcRLoM/s1600/IMG_6248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3-hItWur_s/UiQOC0pOeeI/AAAAAAAAAd8/PG07SDcRLoM/s1600/IMG_6248.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sunday: Funday!! Me with the hubby, my coach, a big bottle of vodka and some teammates</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnIvZC49YOM/UiQOD_INSLI/AAAAAAAAAeE/nEsWEJ-oaNU/s1600/IMG_6249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnIvZC49YOM/UiQOD_INSLI/AAAAAAAAAeE/nEsWEJ-oaNU/s1600/IMG_6249.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More Sunday Funday! Me with Paul Buceta, and teammates Heather and Ami. I heart these ladies!!</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After a nap
and cleaning ourselves up a little, the hubby and I went out for a very nice
dinner at Gordon Ramsay’s Steakhouse. That Gordon Ramsay, I’ll tell ya, he
knows a thing or two about running a nice restaurant. He should think about
getting his own show (or four). Seriously, I cannot say enough great things
about the amazing experience we had at the restaurant. Every detail, every
morsel of food, everything, was just divine! I even ordered off menu (I’m not a
meat person), and had a “vegetarian wellington.” It was superb!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw6vG_W27A0/UiQN9MMMrHI/AAAAAAAAAdU/MdB1H_M94q4/s1600/IMG_6159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw6vG_W27A0/UiQN9MMMrHI/AAAAAAAAAdU/MdB1H_M94q4/s1600/IMG_6159.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sunday Dinner: Sooooo good!</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Monday:
Leaving Las Vegas<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After
stocking up on a couple more off-plan treats (in the form of candy) for the
plane ride, Monday was spent traveling home. We ended the vacation with one
more dinner out, sushi, and then got right back at it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Up next!<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tuesday I
fell right back into my routine, prepped all my meals and got back to the gym.
Vegas was fun, but I am happy to be back at it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Competition
wise, I am still figuring it out. I’m probably, <em>probably</em>, done for this year.
When I compete again, I was to come with something different. I want to come
back with something bigger and better. I’m learning that this takes time. Time
I’ve got. I am committed to keep at it and see where I end up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Training and
diet wise, I’m keeping up with that too. Some people have asked me if I’m
“taking a break” or “easing up a bit.” Breaking from what? I love what I am
doing and how it makes me feel. Yep, it can be a lot of work planning and
preparing and sometimes it’s nice to have a break from all of that, but a break
from training and eating clean?? No way! My body and my mind are craving it.
Putting in this time and effort to properly fuel and condition my body <em>is</em>
treating it. I want to keep at it. I need to keep at it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Other plans?
This summer has just been so busy. From moving, to Napa, to Chicago and then
Vegas, the past couple of months have been a whirlwind! Moving into the fall
things should start to calm down a bit more and I really want to focus on
building a bigger and better me. What does that mean? Well, a couple different
things, but nothing that I am ready to reveal yet. Something has started, and
this is only the beginning. I can’t wait to see what’s up next! If anyone had
told me what this past year was going to be like 12 months ago, I wouldn’t have
believed it. That makes me excited to see what will happen next!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-64301717549281892232013-08-10T17:59:00.000-07:002013-08-10T17:59:29.726-07:00Bad Habits
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As hard as I try to be good (I’m a people pleaser by nature,
which I am desperately trying to overcome), sometimes I’m bad. As pointed out in
a comment on <a href="http://www.behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/08/wiaw-what-i-have-not-only-been-eating.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, I have a bad habit. A very bad habit. A habit that
is unhealthy and even dangerous. I microwave my food in plastic containers- a
lot. Often a few times a day. The worst part, I know this is bad. I know all
about BPAs and that chemicals can seep into my food. I’ve seen the Facebook
posts and rants and links about how horrible plastic containers and drinking
from plastic bottles can be (I do that too- eek!). So why do I do it? Convenience
(read: laziness), I guess. And that’s not a good excuse. #noexcuses, right? So
what am I going to do about it?? Well, as a start, I am certainly going to make
a better effort to microwave my food on glass dishes. That seems easy enough.
And, I might also look into investing in a set of glass containers that I can
use to pack and store all my meals in... Although that would mean even more heavy
stuff to lug around <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span>
See?? Laziness, again. That’s not an excuse. In any case, if anyone has any
suggestions of what brands are good or where to buy some glass containers,
lemme know. And thank you, Mrs. Anonymous, for making me aware of this bad habit :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, while we are on the topic, I thought I’d share another
one of my bad habits… (and, clearly, I have many others, but let's not get carried away here). I have noticed lately I have become fairly addicted
coffee. Actually, that’s not even it. I’m not ‘addicted’ per se, more just
obsessed (although, how can you not be when there’s a Starbucks in your face
around every corner… literally?). I can function without it (well, I am
definitely dependent on that first cup in the morning – I do need that – but for
the rest of the day I am fine and usually just get a decaf anyway), but for
some reason, I always want it. And I think, aside from it being a delicious and
dreamy beverage (mmmm, coffee), I’m using it as either a distraction (i.e. “I need a break,
let’s go get a cup of coffee”) or as a replacement for other treats since
coffee is so satisfying and fits easily into my meal plan (I drink it black
with no sweetener). Sure, it’s not the worst thing in the world (aside from the
expense- $4 for a grande (of course it would have to be a grande) Americano??
That adds up fast!), but it is a mindless (bad) habit. Something I do without
even thinking about. I could also be replacing that habit with something
healthier, like just drinking water and saving money. Huh, what a novel
concept. Ha!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YeAtGjLm3Y0/UgbhLOJ6FJI/AAAAAAAAAck/uA5MKjSf8VM/s1600/IMG_2697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YeAtGjLm3Y0/UgbhLOJ6FJI/AAAAAAAAAck/uA5MKjSf8VM/s1600/IMG_2697.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How can something this nice be bad for me??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The good news is, however, good habits can form just like
bad habits <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> There
are many things that I have started doing over the past year that took a little
while to get into, but now are just things I do mindlessly. For example,
packing my gym clothes with me, every day, no matter where I go. It just makes
it easier. Or taking my food with me, every day, no matter where I go. It used
to be one of those things that made me feel a little awkward, but now I’m whipping
containers (damn it, those plastic containers) where ever I go. On
the bus, on the ferry, at the gym, at family dinners, and even at the baseball game (true story, see
the pic below… it was actually a whole purse of food). </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_EvJ4Au9_M/UgbgNoIlaqI/AAAAAAAAAcE/Q6qFl8qe6Lo/s1600/IMG_5176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_EvJ4Au9_M/UgbgNoIlaqI/AAAAAAAAAcE/Q6qFl8qe6Lo/s1600/IMG_5176.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On the ferry</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZlYQQsLWqM/UgbgUZUQlZI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Nzt6r8hQrMk/s1600/IMG_2703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZlYQQsLWqM/UgbgUZUQlZI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Nzt6r8hQrMk/s1600/IMG_2703.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">At the gym</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_hl0Lt-g68/Ugbgzb1BHoI/AAAAAAAAAcc/wu8WYDRFnnw/s1600/IMG_5411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_hl0Lt-g68/Ugbgzb1BHoI/AAAAAAAAAcc/wu8WYDRFnnw/s1600/IMG_5411.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In my purse</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don’t even care.
#whateverittakes I do it without even thinking about it now. Just like those
small bad habits, these repetitive small good habits will make a difference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What
kind of difference are you making?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jen<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-6303553629950109712013-08-07T22:27:00.001-07:002013-08-07T22:27:13.667-07:00WIAW: What I Have Not Only Been Eating, But Also What I Have Been Doing Wednesday
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whoooo hooo! After a brief hiatus, I’m finally back for What
I Ate Wednesday, but let’s make it, What I Have Not Only Been Eating, But Also
What I Have Been Doing Wednesday. With so much going on, life has just been a
little bit cray, cray lately. But first, the food!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is what this week’s daily menu is looking like. I’m
eating so much/ so often, that I couldn’t fit it all into one collage. Hahaha.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Morning meals and lunch:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rDO8e77mGog/UgMn-E9mWiI/AAAAAAAAAbA/xkNXfhI1sNg/s1600/IMG_5684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rDO8e77mGog/UgMn-E9mWiI/AAAAAAAAAbA/xkNXfhI1sNg/s1600/IMG_5684.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M1: The same ol’ porridge and eggs with coconut oil. Nope,
not sick of this yet. Still a delicious way to start off the mornings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M2: I like to call this one "frittata in a cup". It’s a new
guy on the menu this week. I essentially pack a 2 cup sized Ziploc container full of
veggies (well, yams, oats and spinach with some hot chili flakes), then pour
a ½ cup egg whites over it all and pop it all into the microwave for a minute. It comes
out so yummy. I also top it with a little more coconut oil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M3: Pre-workout snack. Since I have been going to the gym at
lunch to do my weights workout, I eat my pre-workout protein and oat muffin
before I go. So easy. Just oats and protein powder mixed with egg whites and
baked in the microwave for 54 seconds (exactly). It comes out smelling and
tasting like a dreamy piece of chocolate cake. Such a great carb and protein combo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M4: Tilapia, rice and broccoli salad topped with avocado and
lemon juice (and more hot chili flakes). This is a slight modification of what I
was previously eating for lunch. I get my post-weights carbs and protein in the
most delicious (and fast) way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Afternoon and evening meals:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFhKpqwv2gw/UgMopPpueeI/AAAAAAAAAbI/21nZP5bvcLA/s1600/IMG_5686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFhKpqwv2gw/UgMopPpueeI/AAAAAAAAAbI/21nZP5bvcLA/s1600/IMG_5686.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></o:p> </div>
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</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M5: Chicken, beans and oats. Exactly what it sounds like,
but really satisfying for some reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M6: Quinoa with chicken and stir fried vegetables. Tonight I
topped it with some avocado, but I have also used Udo’s oil.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M7: Chocolate blueberry “ice cream.” One of the best
summertime treats. Frozen blueberries blended with chocolate casein and cocoa
powder. That’s it. That’s all. But so delicious and a perfect bedtime snack.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, that’s what’s been going on with my food. As you can see, I
have been trying to switch it up a bit, but am still keeping it pretty basic
and simple. I like simple. Whatever is easiest for my Sunday prep. Here’s a
couple of pics what that looked like on the weekend.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmRqN_Ua6uM/UgMpOuyB7UI/AAAAAAAAAbY/Eze2MHF1ljE/s1600/IMG_5639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmRqN_Ua6uM/UgMpOuyB7UI/AAAAAAAAAbY/Eze2MHF1ljE/s1600/IMG_5639.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy_ML6qkD34/UgMpOYsdT_I/AAAAAAAAAbc/Ics7ImrcUpg/s1600/IMG_5506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy_ML6qkD34/UgMpOYsdT_I/AAAAAAAAAbc/Ics7ImrcUpg/s1600/IMG_5506.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Training-wise, I have just been keeping at it, doing
whatever I can do to get it all in. Right now I am on a 6 day a week weight and
cardio plan. As I mentioned above, most days I am able to get into the gym on
my lunch break to do my weights workout (it’s legs day tomorrow), and then head
right back there after work to get my 30 minutes of cardio in. It may seem a
little crazy/ obsessive/ too much to get going to the gym twice in one day (and
I do sometimes get strange looks from the staff- haha), but it’s really the
best for many reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It gets me off my butt and out of the office at lunch which is a nice physical and mental break from sitting and staring at a computer for hours on end;<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Instead of one long workout, it’s two smaller work outs which, scheduling and timing wise makes it much easier to fit in; and<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It splits my weights workout from my cardio workout and allows me to properly refuel and recover in between sessions which helps with muscle growth <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">See, all good things. I have definitely seen some changes in my muscles. Here's a sneaky shot at the gym. Check out the bicep vein <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">NBD.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGraJt6DLrY/UgMrXv9iMII/AAAAAAAAAbs/agUrXFk0ZSg/s1600/IMG_5679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLvEN-m1VIo/UgMrYFt0MRI/AAAAAAAAAb0/4LzJu9UgEAY/s1600/IMG_5687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLvEN-m1VIo/UgMrYFt0MRI/AAAAAAAAAb0/4LzJu9UgEAY/s1600/IMG_5687.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The downside to the new gym plan- I have to
get on public transit after sweating my face off in the gym. I’m still not sure
how I feel about this. On one hand I think, “Whatever it takes, no excuses” and
“I am still, by far, not the worst smelling person on the skytrain.” And, on
the other hand, I am slightly embarrassed and aware that I may just be the
second worst smelling person on the train. But, you know what, after years of
taking public transit, and tolerating the weird smells and disgusting
behaviours of others, maybe it’s my turn to be that person on the train,
right?? Thoughts?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today for cardio, however, I went for a run in the watershed
with my dad <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
Nothing, no treadmill or stepmill or whatever can compare to that. Pure bliss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGraJt6DLrY/UgMrXv9iMII/AAAAAAAAAbw/lgXbuAzL5kM/s1600/IMG_5679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGraJt6DLrY/UgMrXv9iMII/AAAAAAAAAbw/lgXbuAzL5kM/s1600/IMG_5679.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In other news, since I posted last, I have also been to
Chicago and back. Yay Chicago, I love that city!! We had an amazing trip, and
the food (we’re talking pizza, deep dish cookie pizzas, and lobster macaroni and
cheese) and fun deserves a post of it’s own. I will however, quickly point out
that although I may have indulged a little too much, I also kept up with all my
training <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
Our hotel was actually located in an athletic club. #noexcuses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, the countdown to Vegas is on!! Only 13 more sleeps
until I leave. Things are getting real! Photoshoots are booked, tickets to the
WBFF Pro Show are purchased (I cannot wait to cheer all the Team Blessed Bodies
ladies on plus see all the girls I follow online!! It'll be a who's who of the fitness industry) and pool party is booked! A lot more prep and planning to go, but it
is all coming together. More deets soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO</span><div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Jen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-42011321143824798662013-07-15T21:26:00.001-07:002013-07-15T21:30:10.408-07:00Happy Anniversary- To Me!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today, July 15, marks my one year anniversary with <a href="http://www.fitnessprint.com/" target="_blank">FitnessPrint</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeamBlessedBodies" target="_blank">Team Blessed Bodies</a>. It has been a year of change, of dedication and
self-discovery. Reflecting on from where I started – too scared/ embarrassed/
nervous/ unsure to even say “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I want to do
a fitness competition</i>” out loud (seriously, even writing it in an email
made me feel sick and ridiculous) – to competing in 3 shows, I know I have
grown in more ways than I can even recognize. I’ve found and followed a passion
for food and fitness, trained hard and heavy, pushed my mind and body beyond its
limits, learned to support and encourage without feeling threatened, discovered
a disturbing affinity to Enrique Iglesias and Justin Bieber lyrics, and became
hungry for more! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, when I think of all the things that I have done and
achieved, I know I couldn’t have done it alone. I have been surrounded by the
most supportive and encouraging people. First and foremost, my hubby Bryan. I
cannot even count all the ways in which he has been there for me. From spending
Friday nights grocery shopping, to calling friends hosting dinner parties ahead
of time to let them know of “my situation” (i.e. I’ll be bringing and eating
out of my own Tupperware), to driving me to tanning appointments (I stress
while driving and cannot be sweating when sprayed), to not complaining when I
say “5 more minutes” when it’s actually 20 (okay 30) more minutes, to being
neglected for 12 hours straight when I hit the gym right after work. He has been nothing but encouraging and supportive.
I could not ask for anything more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjbGgWsBVSU/UeTKET66hDI/AAAAAAAAAag/EjXTiP_ZrB4/s1600/DSC01923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjbGgWsBVSU/UeTKET66hDI/AAAAAAAAAag/EjXTiP_ZrB4/s1600/DSC01923.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bryan supporting me at the NPAA show in May :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have also been blessed beyond belief to have found such an
amazing coach, Fatima Leite Kusch and the team she has created. I haven’t written
about them much here, but seriously, the all the Blessed Bodies ladies are so amazing
and each of them in their own way have inspired and motivated me to keep on
going. When I am struggling to get out that last rep, or talking myself out of
doing cardio, I think of all the other girls on the team getting it done with
whatever they have going on in their lives. There are moms (one with 5 kids!!),
college students (even a girl in med school!), older women, younger women, some
women with weight to gain and others with weight to lose, women who are
training for their first competition, for their pro card or their first pro
show and women who just do to do it. It’s truly awe inspiring. Every day I am so
thankful and honoured to be a part of this team. They have strengthened me in
more ways than one.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If the past year is any indication of what’s to come, then
the sky truly is the limit. Never could I have imagined a year with so much
strength, so much growth, and so many opportunities. It has truly changed the
way I see the world (ugh, see?? This is the <a href="http://www.behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/05/things-i-thought-id-never-say-do-or-hear.html" target="_blank">cheesy inspirational quote/ cliché thing</a>
I was talking about). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mn4i2JLxss/UeTKoJ6JjuI/AAAAAAAAAas/2ptSB0o07vA/s1600/Team+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mn4i2JLxss/UeTKoJ6JjuI/AAAAAAAAAas/2ptSB0o07vA/s1600/Team+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mn4i2JLxss/UeTKoJ6JjuI/AAAAAAAAAas/2ptSB0o07vA/s1600/Team+Picture.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mn4i2JLxss/UeTKoJ6JjuI/AAAAAAAAAao/P3LYn2JeUAI/s1600/Team+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Team Blessed Bodies at the Bust a Move fundraiser. Big muscles and big hearts.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here’s to wishing for many, many more!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMXpbRIN2-4/UeTJIxLoWJI/AAAAAAAAAaU/7KwRfOxKyi8/s1600/DSC01932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-91871466612271346182013-07-10T21:23:00.001-07:002013-07-11T07:42:28.123-07:00WIAWA: What I Ate… While Away :)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Whoa, life has been busy lately. Since moving two
weeks ago, I have been to 7 different gyms (I felt like Goldilocks- needed to
find one just right); to Napa and back, to Thetis Island and back; planning,
preparing and prepping all my meals; working fulltime; and, in the middle of
all of this, I have started taking an online course with the University of
California on nutrition and disease (which is super interesting). I also have a
couple of other things up my sleeve, but can’t reveal anything quite yet. So
much is going on, but the sun is out which makes everything just that much
easier :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s Wednesday. Usually I would do a quick check in
to post what I ate, but there really hasn’t been too much of a change since my </span><a href="http://www.behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/06/wiaw-and-waaaaaaa-thats-me-crying.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">last
WIAW post</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> mainly because I have just been keeping the menu the same to make
planning and prepping easier. I know what I am making, what I have to buy and
how it all totals up. Not too much thinking is involved, which is exactly what
I need right now. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So, instead, this Wednesday, I thought that I would
share what I have been eating while away. One of hardest things to do when away
from home (for either business or pleasure) is to stay on track with the food
plan. First, there’s the mentality of “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
am on vacation, I should eat whatever I want</i>,” which can be troublesome. Of
course, vacations do usually mean a time for some indulgences and treats, but
why hurt your body and undo all your progress just because you’re away? That
doesn’t seem like a vacation. Taking the time to properly feed your body is a
treat and what your body wants- and makes you feel good </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">J</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Secondly, food is not always immediately available
on vacation. Depending on where you are, where you are staying, and the time of
day, grabbing a snack (healthy or not) may be difficult, if not impossible.
And, eating out all the time gets expensive! Finally, going in with a plan and
being prepared makes is so much easier to stay on track and avoid temptations.
If you have put the time and effort into bringing your own food, it’s just that
much easier to stay committed. #noexcuses.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since May, I have been to Vegas with my sister,
Napa Valley with girlfriends for a stagette, and Thetis Island with the hubby
for a wedding. For each of these trips, I planned a menu ahead, prepped meals
and packed snacks. Even when faced with various restrictions, such as crossing
international boarders, flying, or not having refrigeration, it is possible.
You can do it- I did! Below are the details from each trip with examples of
what I ate while away. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Vegas: Keeping it Clean in Sin City</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When planning any meal plan, I always start with
the same questions. First, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">what do I need? I need proteins, carbs and healthy fats. Next, what am I
working with? What are my constraints?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Well, this trip included crossing the US border (so no fresh fruits or
vegetables) and flying (so no liquids- which, to note, apparently includes
yogurt </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">L</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> I learned that the hard way while in the security line up). Also, once
arriving at the hotel, I may or may not have access to a fridge and I
definitely won’t have a stove.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So, what am I left with?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, for carb sources, oats is an easy one. Delicious, nutritious and
portable. I can even pre-portion out bags, and mix with some protein powder for
an on-the-go meal (as long as I have access to hot water, which, you’d think be
easy enough). I can also bake a batch of my protein muffins to pack as well.
You can also buy these handy dandy </span><a href="http://sallyscereal.ca/our-products/plain-grain/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">pre-portioned and packed
bags</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> that even come with a measuring pouch so you know how much water to
add. Someone was thinking. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For proteins, the obvious is protein powder. Again, delicious, nutrition
and versatile. I can pre-portion out servings or even just bring a tub to scoop
out of. I can mix it with water (or coffee!), stir into my oats or mix it with
yogurt. Enough said. Beyond that, however, proteins get a little trickier. My
usual choices, chicken, fish, and eggs don’t travel well (for obvious reasons)
and probably won’t make it through the boarder, or on a plane. This one
requires a little more creativity…</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Healthy fats are easy to pack, with lots of options. There are nuts
(almonds, walnuts, mixed nuts), flax seeds and chia seeds. All can also be
mixed with oats (and protein powder!) to make a balanced, travel friendly meal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Once figuring out the basics, I realized I probably wouldn’t want to
live on oatmeal, protein shakes and nuts for four days, so started to look into
grocery store options in Vegas. Guess what!? There’s a Whole Foods a couple
miles from the airport. Easy peasy. That opens up a whole new host of options-
like fresh fruits and vegetables, egg whites and yogurt. After confirming there
would be a microwave in the room (which seems fairly standard nowadays), I
started planning my meals. Here is what I came up with:</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Meal 1 (pre-workout): Protein muffins (packed in my luggage frozen)</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">eal 2 (post-workout): Oatmeal with protein powder and flax seeds with a side of egg whites </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">M</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">eal 3: Salad with avocado and tuna</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Meal 4: Yogurt and berries</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Meal 5: Apple and almonds</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Prep-wise, I brought the oatmeal, flax seeds, nuts and protein powder
from home and bought a carton of egg whites, salad mix, avocados, tuna, yogurt
and fruit at Whole Foods on the way to the hotel from the airport. Sure that
added a little bit of time and expense onto the taxi ride, but the extra $20
was well worth it and would have easily been spent of food if I was buying my
breakfast, lunches and snacks poolside at the hotel. I did also have to plan
ahead and brought a couple containers and plastic utensils to make sure I had
something to eat with in the room, although, it is easy enough to find around
the hotel too. Forget the minibar, here’s what our well stocked room looked like:</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8f4RQjdH9gM/Ud4tBo8IONI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/dRsZFGsPYek/s1600/IMG_3790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8f4RQjdH9gM/Ud4tBo8IONI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/dRsZFGsPYek/s320/IMG_3790.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I also left room in the menu to enjoy a few dinners out (with a couple
glasses of wine) which was nice :)</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEL1WsmR7IY/Ud4tYd1L0nI/AAAAAAAAAYY/rG-RJbSTzD8/s1600/DSC01945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEL1WsmR7IY/Ud4tYd1L0nI/AAAAAAAAAYY/rG-RJbSTzD8/s320/DSC01945.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And, it was all worth it. Not only did I have an enjoyable, relaxing and
memorable vacation, I was also able to keep up with my training and stay on
track which was very important as I was only 4 weeks out from my second
competition of the season. </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U63LXLVUA_k/Ud4trOST1fI/AAAAAAAAAYg/vcf3BvhL9Tw/s1600/IMG_3896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U63LXLVUA_k/Ud4trOST1fI/AAAAAAAAAYg/vcf3BvhL9Tw/s320/IMG_3896.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yay for eating clean and training mean in Vegas!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Napa Valley: Oatmeal and rice cakes with a side of wine?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A couple of weekend ago, I got to visit Napa Valley on a
stagette with my beautiful friend Katherine :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vt-1l-bGQQQ/Ud4x3RxfEII/AAAAAAAAAZ0/m9w9DEdhsSY/s1600/DSC02042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vt-1l-bGQQQ/Ud4x3RxfEII/AAAAAAAAAZ0/m9w9DEdhsSY/s320/DSC02042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Obviously, Napa Valley = wine. And I may be known to love a
glass, or two, of red, so I was stoked for this trip. I’m not currently “on
season” and training for a show, but I want to keep up with my training and
food plan because (a) I am working on Operation Bigger, Better, Stronger; (b) I
am prepping for some MAJOR opportunities coming up (more of the stuff I can’t
reveal quite yet) and I want to bring my best, and (c) for all the other reasons
listed above. I demand a lot from my body and it feels better when I treat it
right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The tricky aspect of this trip, in addition to crossing
international borders and airport security, was the lack of control. I didn’t
plan this trip, it wasn’t my stagette, and there were 10 other ladies. Who knows
what we’d get up to (and we got up to a lot :P) or where we would end up (over
the four nights away we stayed in 3 different hotels). The good news is that I
could control what I ate by bringing my food with me. So, I packed up a little
bag of goodies:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rT8UQYErHZY/Ud4yLftHllI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/qOc8wSZCbug/s1600/IMG_4805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rT8UQYErHZY/Ud4yLftHllI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/qOc8wSZCbug/s320/IMG_4805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In addition to the protein powder and oatmeal I took to
Vegas, I also brought whole grain crackers and rice cakes for carbs, flax seeds
and nut butters for fats, and some Vega and veggie-based bars to help round out
the nutrition since I couldn’t bring fresh fruit with me (although, I was able
to find apples and bananas along the way- either in airports, at Starbucks, or
in the hotel). Having all of this on hand was awesome, as I was able to eat
something immediately after my morning workouts and have things in my purse to
eat throughout the day when we were out and about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Of course, when in Rome… I did also allow some room in my
food plan for wine and some tasty meals out, one of the best being at this
Italian place Ca'Momi Enoteca. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
soooo delicious that I had two appys (to myself) and a whole pizza. Hahaha. I’m
still dreaming about all of this:</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhXi0ykMwmg/Ud4ymPud8OI/AAAAAAAAAaE/KCGqzQBQwIw/s1600/IMG_4960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhXi0ykMwmg/Ud4ymPud8OI/AAAAAAAAAaE/KCGqzQBQwIw/s320/IMG_4960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mmmmm. All, so good. And yes, while a little (okay, a lot)
indulgent, overall, I was able to keep it on track most of the time, but still
fit in a few treats- the best of both worlds :)</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Thetis Island: Back to the Basics<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This was a trip I was really looking forward to (although, I
was really looking forward to all of them). But this trip was more like a
little retreat. We were going for a wedding, but made a weekend out of it.
Thetis Island is one of the southern gulf islands just off the west coast of
B.C. and it. Was. Beautiful! Luckily, we had found a nice little cottage to
rent that had a full kitchen, and we weren’t crossing any borders, or taking a
plane (just two ferries and a bit of a drive), which meant I could take
anything I wanted to eat!! Yay! This made things much easier. I created a menu
and packed up a whole box and cooler with fresh veggies and fruit, nut butters,
eggs, and yogurt. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seTLYJyGvJs/Ud4ujKbBbwI/AAAAAAAAAYw/AbOOp7r57p8/s1600/IMG_4983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seTLYJyGvJs/Ud4ujKbBbwI/AAAAAAAAAYw/AbOOp7r57p8/s320/IMG_4983.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also had prepped some of the meals at home the night
before to have them grab and go so I could eat them anywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On the ferry:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eypzinwgrIU/Ud4uupfskBI/AAAAAAAAAY4/fTfGttCVdB4/s1600/IMG_5004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eypzinwgrIU/Ud4uupfskBI/AAAAAAAAAY4/fTfGttCVdB4/s320/IMG_5004.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the car:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsoYxI7H2v8/Ud4vjX6JdcI/AAAAAAAAAZE/BORLGsZ70oY/s1600/IMG_5015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsoYxI7H2v8/Ud4vjX6JdcI/AAAAAAAAAZE/BORLGsZ70oY/s320/IMG_5015.JPG" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the picnic table:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ff66dzchjeM/Ud4vs1e-i9I/AAAAAAAAAZM/9NjeG9LryT8/s1600/IMG_5103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ff66dzchjeM/Ud4vs1e-i9I/AAAAAAAAAZM/9NjeG9LryT8/s320/IMG_5103.JPG" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anywhere. This made it so easy. #noexcuses and lots of time
to enjoy the scenery. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUFhcoVvfjk/Ud4v2JNT4LI/AAAAAAAAAZU/vFdA1JsBRhE/s1600/IMG_5070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUFhcoVvfjk/Ud4v2JNT4LI/AAAAAAAAAZU/vFdA1JsBRhE/s320/IMG_5070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, even though I had planned and prepped all of that, I
still couldn’t resist the fresh berries at the produce stand and bought some blueberries,
cherries and peppers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyYdwsAWea0/Ud4wB6E1jHI/AAAAAAAAAZc/-YwPJOe81L8/s1600/IMG_4997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyYdwsAWea0/Ud4wB6E1jHI/AAAAAAAAAZc/-YwPJOe81L8/s320/IMG_4997.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Again, I also allowed for some treats at the wedding. No
alcohol, but a little bit of cheese and crackers, and a chocolate covered
strawberry… or 5 of them. I couldn’t help it. They’re my favs :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBZf9vOgMvs/Ud4wIIS5V1I/AAAAAAAAAZk/Bqpr7rtcuIY/s1600/IMG_5169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBZf9vOgMvs/Ud4wIIS5V1I/AAAAAAAAAZk/Bqpr7rtcuIY/s320/IMG_5169.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, the point of this WIAWA post is to share some ideas
for keeping on track while travelling. It’s funny, even though I have
now been through this a few times, it is still a little daunting and takes a
little figuring when a new trip comes up. Next week I’ll be heading to Chicago
(yay! I looooove Chicago) for a few nights. So, again, I’ll be faced with crossing international borders
and airport security and I am already stressing about what to bring. BUT, I
know it can be done, and I will do it. Sure, it’s not always easy, but it’s
worth it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">J<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-60827843046136774282013-06-26T22:29:00.002-07:002013-06-26T22:29:34.373-07:00WIAW and Waaaaaaa (That's Me, Crying)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's Wednesday. Life has been <strong><em>cray-z</em></strong> for me lately, but I've been making the time to make some good eats. Here is some of what was on the menu for today:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4z_e5OUq9mo/UcvDT9i7MbI/AAAAAAAAAYA/TQOgqX4lclI/s1600/2013_06_26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4z_e5OUq9mo/UcvDT9i7MbI/AAAAAAAAAYA/TQOgqX4lclI/s1600/2013_06_26.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M1: Porridge and egg whites topped with melted coconut oil... even though I've been eating this for weeks, I still look forward to it every morning. Every morning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M2: Spinach, green bean, oat and egg bake. This was a little experiment based on a pancake recipe I made up during my last peak week. To make a lot all at once, I just threw all the ingredients in a pan and baked in the oven for 20 minutes. It turned out really good! Especially when warmed up in the toaster oven for a crispy top and then served with coconut oil on top. Seriously, good stuff. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M3: Warm spinach and tilapia salad with green beans and yams. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M4: Mixed bean and tuna salad with avocado, lemon juice and sriacha sauce. Similar to my what I was eating last week, but with the added beans for a bit more carbs :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M5: Chicken and rice stir fry with mushrooms and green beans and some Braggs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M6: Yogurt, vanilla casein and bananas. There is also a scoop of crunchy peanut butter underneath that all. I am seriously in love. Crunchy peanut butter!?! Have you tried it lately. I had forgotten how good it can be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, for my pre-workout snacks, I am been making a little protein mug cake to eat on the way to the gym, but forget it at home today :( So, instead, I had to improvise and bought a Vega One Nutritional Shake which I mixed with coffee and water and had a couple of rice cakes to round it out. It was good, but I missed my chocolate cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, that's the WIA, this is the waaaaaaa.... I hate change. I like structure, I like schedules and I like to know what's going on. And nothing, <em>nothing</em>, has been remotely like that this week. Over the weekend we moved out of our condo. The good news is that we sold it (yay!). The bad news is we haven't bought anything else (booooo). So, we moved in with my parents while we figure out what to buy. My only concern in all of this has been, <strong><em>but what about the gym??</em></strong> I had a pretty good set up where I used to live. The gym was literally a block away and right next to the bus stop I got off at on my way home from work. It was easy and convenient. It was familiar. No excuses not to go. And, while I have complained time to time about the gym (like the TVs not working on all the cardio equipment, or the smell of old lady perfume, or the lack of some machines), I had it pretty good there. But, nothing lasts forever, and obviously, there are other options. One of those options was a temporary pass to another gym in my new neighborhood. Location wise it works out perfect (again, right near my (new) bus stop) and it is a big name, well known gym, so I was sure it would be filled with everything I could possibly want and need... and I am sure it is filled with everything I could possibly want and need- not that I would know. Walking into the new gym was actually quite intimidating. I was surprised at how nervous and awkward I felt in the new setting. I mean, I like the gym. I loooove the gym and I was excited to get at it in a new "play ground," but once in there, I was lost. Even with a little orientation, I still couldn't find what I was looking for (and a Smith machine can't hide) and I couldn't figure out the process for jumping on to machines. There were people (mostly men, which is unfamiliar for me) <em>everywhere</em>. Everywhere. Doing everything. Nothing was free. As much as I am ashamed to admit it, I scurried back over to the ladies only section and did what I could of my training program, improvising where I had to. I was shocked at my reaction and disappointed in myself for feeling this way. The gym had always been my sanctuary, my me time, and now I am not finding that at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fortunately, my husband felt the same way, so on Tuesday we tried a different location. While it was a little better (and a little, a little, less crowded), it was still so overwhelming and slightly terrifying. I was able to find the pull up machine, and rep out 3 sets of 10 (whoo hoo!), but after that I couldn't find a bench for the life of me, let alone get on the cable machine, so, again, I scurried away- this time to the cardio area. After mulling it through over a 30 minutes serious sweat session, I pulled up my big girl panties and went back out there to get done what I came to do. I wasn't able to superset what I needed to, and I didn't follow the exact order of exercises I was supposed to, but I got it done. I got the space I needed, found the machines I was looking for, and was able to get through my routine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tonight, I was back at my old gym (yay!) surrounded by familiar faces and friends. It was awesome! It felt luxurious to have as much space as I did, and I didn't have to fight or stare down anyone to get it. I was back in my comfort zone. Unfortunately, this was only a one (but hopefully more) time fix. I'm going to have to get over myself and just make it happen in the other gyms. I'm out of my comfort zone, but I guess that's what this is all about, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In any case, up first is a trip to Napa!! Yay! Tomorrow I leave for a weekend filled with friends, fun, sun and wine :) It'll be a nice little reprieve and a chance to distress and relax- for once, a change that I like :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">J</span><br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-26343303183645446692013-06-16T12:12:00.001-07:002013-06-16T12:12:39.307-07:00Flipping Pancakes and Packing Up
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hey-oh! It’s the weekend! Time for some rest and relaxation,
the gym, and pancakes of course! For me, however, this weekend, I only get two
out of those three things.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next weekend I’m moving out of my condo, so this weekend has
been spent making arrangements and packing. Ugh. Feels like a never ending
process. In the span of a week, we went from spending our Saturday night living
(and eating) the </span><a href="http://www.behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/06/wiaw-with-weekend-hangover.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">high life in the city</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> to shopping at Walmart in
Surrey. Ha. How things got real- fast. Oh moving, I hate you so much. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Despite all the packing, the organizing, the cleaning and
doing everything else that goes into moving, I’m still making it to the gym,
and even started a brand new training program this today (which, as a side note, was insane!
During my leg work out I was seriously sweating through my eyeballs and am
pretty sure I will not be able to walk tomorrow… or even tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can already feel the soreness/ stiffness
coming on- which I love. I know I did something right). Whoot whoot!
#makingithappen <strong>Operation Bigger, Better, Stronger</strong> is now into full effect. The
countdown is on. I have 65 days (9 weeks) until Vegas and I will be using each
and every one of those days, hours, and minutes building my body so I can bring
my best. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Every second, minute, </strong></span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>hour, bigger, better, stronger, power</strong></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>!
#thatpower</strong></span> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3o1jtIyofI/Ub4Klw4CKTI/AAAAAAAAAXo/TySTGSPcPWU/s1600/IMG_4716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3o1jtIyofI/Ub4Klw4CKTI/AAAAAAAAAXo/TySTGSPcPWU/s1600/IMG_4716.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Repping it out at (well, resting between sets when I took the picture) </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">on the Smith machine</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes, I am now following the creed of Will.I.Am and Justin
Bieber... not sure if that’s better or worse that </span><a href="http://www.behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/04/its-my-time-its-my-life.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Enrique</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. You tell
me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As of last night (after a final trip to Menchies), I am back
into competition prep mode. No, I’m not training for a show, but am preparing
for a photo shoot and the look I want to create will take my complete focus and
dedication over the next two months. But that’s okay, I do well in crunch
times. I will confess, I will be taking two breaks or ‘off times’ during this
prep. The first break will be when I go to Napa at the end of month for my dear
friend Katherine’s stagette. While I can keep up with my training and eat (fairly)
clean while away, I simply cannot go to Napa and not do a wine tour, right? I
am pretty sure I’d be banned from ever returning if I didn’t drink at least
some wine while there <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
And then the second break will be when the hubs and I hit Chicago in the middle
of July (one month out from Vegas). Again, I can’t go to Chicago and not eat
pizza. I’d be run out of the town for sure!! Plus, we have already bought
tickets for a pizza and cocktails tour which will undoubtedly be amazing!! I
heart Chicago. It’s really one of the best cities. Here’s a pic from our last
trip there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hUcYvHMRTo/Ub4LtRBQVZI/AAAAAAAAAX0/64JIhuJQE2I/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hUcYvHMRTo/Ub4LtRBQVZI/AAAAAAAAAX0/64JIhuJQE2I/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our reflection in the Bean</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1hUcYvHMRTo/Ub4LtRBQVZI/AAAAAAAAAXw/rivcSliNEdo/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Other than that though, no excuses. I’ve already scoped out
post-move gym options in the new ‘hood, I’ll be prepping all of my meals for
the weekend of the move, and I will do what it takes to keep up with my
training schedule. I’m making it happen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Somehow within all the chaos going on because of the move, I
created and tried out a new pancake recipe yesterday morning. After being
phased out of my competition prep food plan in March, bananas are (temporarily) back on the
menu. And, in homage to the Chunky Monkey cupcake I inhaled/ ate
last weekend, I wanted to try to make a banana pancake. It turned out yummy.
Here’s the recipe:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></h4>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chunky Monkey Banana Pancakes<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<strong>Ingredients (for 1 serving)</strong></span><br />
<strong></strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pancake:</span></em></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/3 cup/ 30g oats</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tsp baking powder</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">17g vanilla protein powder (I used a whey based powder, but you can use whatever you like. Be aware, however, each powder and brand had different absorption so you may need to adjust the amount)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">50g/ half a banana</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">¼ egg whites <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<em><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Vanilla Icing:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 TBSP non-fat Greek yogurt</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 TBSP/ 7g vanilla casein<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Directions</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<ol>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mix the three dry pancake ingredients today until well blended.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mush the banana into the egg whites (you can keep the banana chunky or puree it right in- your preference).</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pour batter into a pre-heated sprayed pan.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cook for 4-5 minutes on one side. Flip. Cook 2-3 minutes on the other side. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While the pancake in cooking, make the icing by mixing the yogurt and casein together.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once the pancake is cooked through, top with the icing while still warm. </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLcCbSWMJPk/Ub4KlH49zzI/AAAAAAAAAXg/ThFd7EGN6oQ/s1600/IMG_4707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLcCbSWMJPk/Ub4KlH49zzI/AAAAAAAAAXg/ThFd7EGN6oQ/s1600/IMG_4707.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PtgB1C5I-0/Ub4KkgtohXI/AAAAAAAAAXc/Ei9pT1yUSU8/s1600/IMG_4712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PtgB1C5I-0/Ub4KkgtohXI/AAAAAAAAAXc/Ei9pT1yUSU8/s1600/IMG_4712.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also added some chunky peanut butter (which I just
rediscovered- OMG, amazing!) on the top of mine with the icing. While it was a
little dry (next time I might add a couple of tablespoons of milk to the batter),
it was still really yummy with the peanut butter and bananas- one of my
favorite combos. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also want to try it with a little chocolate next time. I
thought about it for this recipe (and seriously spent way too long debating
whether or not to add it in), but in the end wanted the vanilla flavoring more. If I were
to add in the chocolate, I would either add a tablespoon of cocoa to the batter
or make chocolate icing instead of the vanilla. Or, if your diet permits it,
you could also add in a couple chocolate chips, or make a chocolate sauce. The
possibilities are endless. See, I told you I thought about it for a long time).</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, enough about pancakes and back to the packing. Ugh.
Seriously, how do I have so much junk??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO</span><div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Jen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-17474592084469133222013-06-12T22:26:00.000-07:002013-06-12T22:26:12.899-07:00WIAW... With a Weekend Hangover :(<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s WIAW! Here’s what I ate today:</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OcsINppzz4I/UblT_QqHlVI/AAAAAAAAAWM/Bj_zqkJa6KA/s1600/2013_06_12+WIAW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OcsINppzz4I/UblT_QqHlVI/AAAAAAAAAWM/Bj_zqkJa6KA/s1600/2013_06_12+WIAW.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M1: Zucchini cake porridge with coconut oil and cottage cheese</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M2: Yam, oat and egg bake topped with coconut oil</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M3: Chicken chili with melted cottage cheese</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M4: Broccoli salad with tuna, avocado and cucumber and some (okay, a lot of) sriracha (I like it hot!) </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M5: Chicken with rice, veggies and Bragg's soy seasoning (it's like soy sauce without all the added junk)</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M6: Apple with almond butter and yogurt mixed with casein </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All good, and all easy to pull together. I had the porridge from last weekend's batch, meals 2 and 3 came from the freezer, and I had prepped and portioned out everything for meals 4 and 5 at the beginning of the week. Everyday it's just grab and go. #noexcuses</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This Wednesday comes after what can only be described as a weekend "food bender." In the same way a drug addict relapses, for a 24 hour period over the weekend I went a little (okay, a lot) off the rails- all the while knowing what I was doing wasn’t right, but not being able to do anything about it. </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It all started out innocently enough. The hubby and I had planned a little weekend “away” in the city to celebrate some recent (and not so recent) milestones. First, since my birthday falls on the shortest day of the year (December 21), he had planned a summer birthday weekend for me on the longest day of the year (June 21). But, after unexpectedly and suddenly selling our condo and having to be out within a couple weeks, we bumped up our weekend away, and combined it with his birthday dinner since we didn't celebrate it too much back in May while I was in between competitions (and dinners out were out of the question). Anyway, lots to celebrate!! Yay! Plans included a night in a downtown hotel and a dinner at Gotham, one of Vancouver's best (if not the best) steakhouses. After starting with a bottle of wine at the hotel, all (food) bets were off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Enjoying a glass (cup?) of wine 36 floors above the city</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvJ-Tqm_bfg/UblUupm1KiI/AAAAAAAAAWg/lDpSqF_BgTU/s1600/DSC01962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvJ-Tqm_bfg/UblUupm1KiI/AAAAAAAAAWg/lDpSqF_BgTU/s1600/DSC01962.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Enjoying a rather cloudy view</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By the time we got to the restaurant, we were in full on indulgence mode. No extravagance was spared... and it was all worth it. It was martini (after martini), savoury appetizers, saucy entrees and cheesy sides. All so delicious, but way too much. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hUXSalHuJY/UblVV-V9gPI/AAAAAAAAAWs/TApAfrwysjo/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vOzEK0wW1_U/UblVZtV3xDI/AAAAAAAAAW0/V18H0RDp2XM/s1600/IMG_4628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vOzEK0wW1_U/UblVZtV3xDI/AAAAAAAAAW0/V18H0RDp2XM/s1600/IMG_4628.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The whole dining experience was everything that I miss while in competition prep and a great way to take some time out and celebrate with the hubby. Life is good :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On Sunday, with slight food hangovers, we woke up ready to explore the city. Coffees in hand, we ignored the rain and took a walk around Coal Harbour. Such a beautiful part of the city, even on a dull, dark morning. We ended up at a café for a yummy brunch, then headed down to English Bay once the sun came out. Before reaching the beach, however, we made one more stop- at the Cupcake store- and this is when things really started to go sideways. Even with the intention to go in a just buy one little treat to share, we (actually, I will take full responsibility), walked out with SIX (6!!) cupcakes. Once down at the beach, while sitting in the sun, we got our cupcake on... and when I say we, I mean, Bryan took a bite of one, and I ate two others. Ugh. So out of control. And so delicious. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hUXSalHuJY/UblVV-V9gPI/AAAAAAAAAWw/TRcgo_Zic3Y/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hUXSalHuJY/UblVV-V9gPI/AAAAAAAAAWw/TRcgo_Zic3Y/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MP4t2H3nAHM/UblWylW9LDI/AAAAAAAAAXE/tzc_GDsqvLQ/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MP4t2H3nAHM/UblWylW9LDI/AAAAAAAAAXE/tzc_GDsqvLQ/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After eating two cupcakes, I didn't think I would be able to eat another ever again, but obviously I ate a third later that afternoon :( But that was it. The rest went to the in-laws for dessert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Monday morning, in a pool of self-loathing and suffering from severe sugar withdrawal, I did what I had to do and got my @$$ back into the gym at 6am to sweat out all the excess and indulgence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The good news is I am back on track and focused. In between work, going to showings (that's right, we're moving out of our place in two weeks and still haven't bought anything), and packing, I've been making to the gym and keeping up with my training schedule. Sometimes that means getting up at 5:30 to get it in before work, sometimes that means hitting the gym before and after work to get it all in, and sometimes that means going to showings with my hair slicked back in a sweaty bun (great first impression, I know). My food for the week has been planned, prepped and portioned and I'm sticking with it. I feel like I hit my rock bottom and am now back on top. I have some really amazing opportunities coming up and nothing, nothing, not even a cupcake, will get in my way of me bringing my best. There'll be a couple planned treats (like a wine tour in Napa in June and a pizza tour in Chicago in July), but my eyes are on the prize. What's the prize?? Ha, that's a secret for now, but watch out, BIG dreams are coming true!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jen</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-88673017120387249422013-06-05T20:52:00.001-07:002013-06-05T20:53:03.759-07:00Post-competition WIAW :)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's What I Ate Wednesday again and now that competition prep and post-show treats are over (bye, bye Mr. Menchies), I'm back on my regular food plan. The menu planning has been a little all over the place this week as I had limited time to prep and am trying to use up things in the freezer in anticipation of the move at the end of the month. The good thing is is that over the past couple of months, I have prepped and then froze a lot of different meals, so now I can just grab and go :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's what the menu is looking like:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvisfR64P74/UbAHCKWqRhI/AAAAAAAAAV4/qj3BZMMLHwc/s1600/2013_06_05+WIAW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvisfR64P74/UbAHCKWqRhI/AAAAAAAAAV4/qj3BZMMLHwc/s1600/2013_06_05+WIAW.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M1: Zucchini cake porridge and eggs (the porridge turned out delicious! I just need to figure out a way to add the 'icing' to the cake... oh! I think I have an idea. I'll try it out tomorrow to see how it works)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M2: Greek yogurt with fruit (today it was a half a banana) and topped with a chia/ flax/ pumpkin seed and gogi berry mix.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M3: Chicken and kale soup (pulled this one from the freezer)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M4: Tuna and broccoli salad with avocado and siracha sauce (yay, siracha is back!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pre-work out (not shown): A slice of my zucchini cake loaf (same recipe as the pancake, baked into a load and also pulled from the freezer)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M5: Mexican omelette stuffed with sauteed peppers, onions and spinach and topped with a spicy yogurt sauce</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M6: Frozen strawberries mixed with chocolate casein and a side of coconut butter (mmmm, no description necessary- it's like ice cream)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also had half a Vega bar as an afternoon snack as I was hungry and craving something sweet. So far it's been an okay transition from comp prep to the everyday/ 365 lifestyle. Even though I definitely over indulged on treats on Monday, there are still a couple chocolates hanging around the house and I've caught myself trying to rationalize why it'd be okay to keep eating them. For me, I know it's a slippery slope. One chocolate is never just one chocolate, and one day is never just a day. Habits (both harmful and healthy) can form quickly and that's one I don't need to break again. I'm keeping my resolved. I've done it once, I can do it again. You will not be the end of me, Purdy's chocolate Easter eggs!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In any case, now that I'm "off-season" I do have more latitude in my food plan, and pretty much anything real and unprocessed is game. I'm excited to start getting creative again and have a couple of recipe ideas I want to try out. I'll also have a few more treat meals on the menu, so am looking forward to those as well. We shall meet again Mr. Menchies :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO<br />Jen</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-54955695741540229012013-06-04T21:22:00.001-07:002013-06-04T21:22:44.258-07:00IDFA Show Recap
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This past weekend was the IDFA BC Classic, my second show of
the season. I was pumped, prepped and all in pink! Here are a couple post-hair
and make-up back stage pics:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls7fOokX0vs/Ua0VLg72fzI/AAAAAAAAATM/arb6_LwjwRE/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls7fOokX0vs/Ua0VLg72fzI/AAAAAAAAATM/arb6_LwjwRE/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tK0MVdFVbQI/Ua0VSvqYg5I/AAAAAAAAATU/9G3lqxm1q-Q/s1600/IMG_4451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tK0MVdFVbQI/Ua0VSvqYg5I/AAAAAAAAATU/9G3lqxm1q-Q/s1600/IMG_4451.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This time there were 5 Team Blessed Bodies girls competing.
Yay Team Blessed Bodies! I heart these girls. Here are a few shots of us
hanging out throughout the day. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rxOLMFBA8w/Ua0WFzW5JGI/AAAAAAAAATg/uNo2LgB6y38/s1600/IMG_4443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rxOLMFBA8w/Ua0WFzW5JGI/AAAAAAAAATg/uNo2LgB6y38/s1600/IMG_4443.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1-giivZaeU/Ua0WIQItmJI/AAAAAAAAATo/yFrn0iXM3zk/s1600/IMG_4455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i1-giivZaeU/Ua0WIQItmJI/AAAAAAAAATo/yFrn0iXM3zk/s1600/IMG_4455.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In this show, I was entered into only one category- Novice Fitness
Model. So, when it was my time, I went out, posed and did my T-walk and quarter
turns like nobody’s business. Here are some professional stage shots:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zSVaCI-8KE/Ua0YCg0FG3I/AAAAAAAAAT8/tuldskVWAfM/s1600/Stage+BACK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zSVaCI-8KE/Ua0YCg0FG3I/AAAAAAAAAT8/tuldskVWAfM/s1600/Stage+BACK.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3-3Gt8KEpO4/Ua0YEXCxsHI/AAAAAAAAAUE/dz_1xmUE5cE/s1600/Stage+FRONT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3-3Gt8KEpO4/Ua0YEXCxsHI/AAAAAAAAAUE/dz_1xmUE5cE/s1600/Stage+FRONT.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KOk7lPJI30/Ua0YFW52O7I/AAAAAAAAAUM/6B8LzJT16Yo/s1600/Stage+SIDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KOk7lPJI30/Ua0YFW52O7I/AAAAAAAAAUM/6B8LzJT16Yo/s1600/Stage+SIDE.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did I feel nervous? Yes! Between the nerves and adrenaline, I
was shaking the pretty much the entire time but tried my best to stay focused
and kept on smiling, and posing, and smiling and posing. During the judging
round I got first call out (which usually means top 5) and felt good when I
left the stage. It all happened so fast. Then it’s a waiting game. After a few
more hours (spent backstage, chatting, sipping water and eating our clean
meals- no treats yet!), it was the awards round. After one more time on stage
to do a couple poses, the top five of my group was announced. I made the cut!
From there, the placings are announced, and I received… fourth, and a medal <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> A pink medal that
matched my bikini :) </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixZX5hQKQjU/Ua67O_jA48I/AAAAAAAAAVg/1KwTgjKmGfY/s1600/IMG_4586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixZX5hQKQjU/Ua67O_jA48I/AAAAAAAAAVg/1KwTgjKmGfY/s1600/IMG_4586.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did I expect to do better? Yes. Did I want to do better?
Yes. Did I still ‘win’? Yes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course
placing first would be a ‘win,’ but there is sooooo much more to get out of all
of this and whether or not I walk off stage with first place or last place, I
am still leaving a winner (ugh, this is the cliché/ quote things I was talking
about in <a href="http://www.behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/05/things-i-thought-id-never-say-do-or-hear.html" target="_blank">my other post</a>). Throughout this competition prep process I have
learned more about training and nutrition and what works best for me, I have
made new friends at the gym, I have been inspired and have inspired others, and
I have learned to prioritize, set goals and work towards while balancing work
and the rest of life. Most importantly I have awakened a passion for health and
fitness and am excited to see where it takes me. Speaking of which…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Plans for the next few months do not include any more
competitions. I flirted with the idea of doing the WBFF show in Vancouver on
July 13, but just don’t have the time and focus to work toward that right now.
When I step on to the WBFF stage for the first time, I want to bring my BEST and
nothing less. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between a bachelorette party
in Napa, a weekend wedding away and a big move all before the end of this
month, I just cannot commit to and enjoy prepping for this show. Instead, I
will be focusing on maintaining where I am at, building some more muscle, and
finding some balance. I will also be heading to Vegas in August for a photo shoot
and to watch my teammates compete in the WBFF Worlds, which also give me a
little incentive to keep at it every day. Beyond that, I’m considering my
options. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But, in the meantime, I am starting my post-competition
journey with many treats. Post-show treats have included lots of chocolate
(candy, cookies and cakes- no joke- all three!), pizza and a trip to Menchies
(I may have started a post-show tradition). All of it shared with some of my
biggest suporters- my husband and mom and dad <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Despite overdosing on treats for the first 24 hours
post-competition, I did get right back into my training schedule Monday
morning, hitting the gym first thing and going for a run down to the beach… and
then to the sushi restaurant for a delicious lunch… and then to Cielo’s for
dinner where I was reunited with my lover- the bruschetta.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJF1t2Xf2Ug/Ua0lud4lBqI/AAAAAAAAAVI/dsJw9g_0T40/s1600/IMG_4529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJF1t2Xf2Ug/Ua0lud4lBqI/AAAAAAAAAVI/dsJw9g_0T40/s1600/IMG_4529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sg-HiHQOLo/Ua675ovHS_I/AAAAAAAAAVo/70Wv98rFaDI/s1600/IMG_4546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sg-HiHQOLo/Ua675ovHS_I/AAAAAAAAAVo/70Wv98rFaDI/s1600/IMG_4546.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today, it was right back on the food plan. I have already
planned and prepped my meals for the week and am excited by what I’ve made for my
breakfasts! It’s a combo of two of my favorite recipes- the crockpot porridge
and the zucchini pancakes cakes. Um, yep, it’s the best of both worlds <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So here’s to kicking off maintenance season and living the
365 lifestyle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO<br />
Jen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-39981094033788789272013-05-30T18:12:00.002-07:002013-05-30T18:12:59.769-07:00WIA-Thursday
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s not Wednesday, but this is was I ate on Wednesday… and
Monday, and Tuesday and today, and pretty much every day until after the show
on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uE-AsXSkrXc/UafvxEWJ9fI/AAAAAAAAAR0/DZGFTICqgew/s1600/2013_05_30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uE-AsXSkrXc/UafvxEWJ9fI/AAAAAAAAAR0/DZGFTICqgew/s1600/2013_05_30.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meal plan for the week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Meal 1:</strong> Egg whites, protein powder, oats and flax seeds microwave into a cookie/ cakey thingy, served with a side of aspagus and coconut butter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Meal 2:</strong> Egg whites, protein powder, oats and flax seeds microwave into a cookie/ cakey thingy, served with a side of aspagus and coconut oil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Meal 3:</strong> Tilapia, yams, and asparagus with coconut butter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Meal 4:</strong> Tilapia, beans and coconut oil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Meal 5:</strong> Chicken, yams, crushed almonds and green beans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Meal 6:</strong> Egg whites, casein, almonds and green beans (not pictured).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, that’s pretty much my food for the week. Not shown in
the pictures is a grapefruit. One glorious sweet, but sour grapefruit a day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This
time around, my food options have been quite limited during peak week. That
being said, it (a) makes things much easier (less to buy and less to plan) and
(b) it has still been really tasty. The options still include choices for
proteins (eggs, chicken and tilapia), starchy carbs (yams and oats) and fats
(coconut oil/ butter, almonds and flax). No food group has been eliminated. I
need a balance of each to stay strong and really build up the muscle in the
next few days. When I can, I have been switching it up either by changing the combos
or the way the food is prepared. Here are a couple more dishes of things I put
together today.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMAo4jyVimY/UafwEePpHMI/AAAAAAAAAR8/I26_MYMlbks/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMAo4jyVimY/UafwEePpHMI/AAAAAAAAAR8/I26_MYMlbks/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Egg white frittata with flax seeds, yams and green beans</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMAo4jyVimY/UafwEePpHMI/AAAAAAAAAR8/I26_MYMlbks/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ztbj0y_2RSg/UafwHJdnSNI/AAAAAAAAASE/amLTnyaLVWI/s1600/IMG_4346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ztbj0y_2RSg/UafwHJdnSNI/AAAAAAAAASE/amLTnyaLVWI/s1600/IMG_4346.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Tilapia, yams and green beans and coconut butter on top</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IbLjO-94M7E/UafwHlFCIMI/AAAAAAAAASI/UwRWDDBZF0U/s1600/IMG_4348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IbLjO-94M7E/UafwHlFCIMI/AAAAAAAAASI/UwRWDDBZF0U/s1600/IMG_4348.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tilapia, yams and green beans sauteed together with coconut butter on top</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBFMG8eVsqk/Uaf31fyXtQI/AAAAAAAAAS0/D9-ks_URtso/s1600/IMG_4350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBFMG8eVsqk/Uaf31fyXtQI/AAAAAAAAAS0/D9-ks_URtso/s1600/IMG_4350.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Chicken, green beans tossed with toasted oats and almonds</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Right now, I am right in the middle of peak week (and
chugging water like nobody’s business). Yesterday was really the tipping point
since it was my last day of work until after the show (yay!) and my training is
done! After one last punishing leg, ab and cardio session last night, I’m done.
All done. And to get it done, I really had to dig deep. I also had to use the
glute kickback machine… and apparently I transported back to the 1980s.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EN5jYVGoYGE/UafwLOY4a8I/AAAAAAAAASU/a3VqJYlTU7g/s1600/IMG_4028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EN5jYVGoYGE/UafwLOY4a8I/AAAAAAAAASU/a3VqJYlTU7g/s1600/IMG_4028.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Hopefully the machine works just as well even when I'm not wearing my bodysuit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was, mentally, one of the hardest workouts I have had to
get through. It’s like that week before vacation at work when you don’t know
how you’d make it through if you didn’t know you had a break coming up. I think
between many early morning wake ups (even on the past few weekends), work, and
other life things, I was just getting tired and overwhelmed. But from here on
out, it’s all rest and relaxation - and posing practice! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Only 3 more sleeps (and hopefully a couple more naps) until
show day!! Whoo hoo! Let’s do this!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">K, time to go eat some more <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">XOXO<br />
J<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-33040533901195379042013-05-25T13:12:00.001-07:002013-05-25T16:58:19.680-07:00Things I Thought I'd Never Say, Do or Hear<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s the weekend (insert multiple smiley faces here). This
weekend marks one week out from my next competition- the IDFA BC Classic on
June 2. Here I am again facing peak week, excited to see what’s in store. So
far, for my past two shows, things have been different each time. For the first
show, I was given a pretty detailed list of food options for the week leading
up to the show, with different things eliminated each day. For example, protein
powder was dropped a few days before the show, then certain vegetables, then
oats. On the day of the show, I was pretty much only eating yams, tilapia and
asparagus, and an assortment of healthy fats (all of which I was still really
enjoying). My water consumption also changed throughout the week and then was
eventually cut off the day before the show. And training stopped four days
before the show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the last show I did in May, my food options remained the
same and my carbs and fats increased in the days leading up to the show. Weight
training went right up to two days before the show, but cardio was cut almost
at a week out. Who knows what it will be like this time? I’ve already been
given a couple changes- one being cardio every day… and splitting cardio from
weights… which means hitting the gym twice a day. I never thought I’d be doing
that, but I am and I will. Let’s see what happens.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All these changes, trying new things and learning as a go
has been interesting. Without even realizing it, I’ve been taking little steps,
tweaking things here and there, which has slowly, but surely, led to a major
lifestyle change. Sometimes, I’ll do or say something, catch myself, and
realize how far I’ve come (or how crazy I’ve gotten). For example, in one of my
last posts, I mentioned that after taking a bite of chocolate backstage at the
NPAA show I said, “Oh my god! I forgot how good chocolate tasted!” Seriously,
those words from my mouth?? I’m a chocolate-holic! Which, I thought I kept
under wraps pretty good, but I guess the secret is out!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4INvkUCsOr0/UaEVrU5Y68I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/k3KnIPdbhdU/s1600/Crossword.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4INvkUCsOr0/UaEVrU5Y68I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/k3KnIPdbhdU/s1600/Crossword.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crossword someone at work put together. <br />
The clue for 5 Down: Chocolateholic, but you would never know it.<br />
The answer: Jen </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Other things I have started doing that I never thought I
would is lugging all my workout gear to work every day so I can hit the gym on
the way home and waking up early on the weekends (and enjoying it!) to get to the
gym. Here are some other examples of things I never thought I would say, do or
hear:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1.<strong> Me: “Mmmm, that bowl of peppers and cucumbers is making
my mouth water.”</strong> Ha ha ha. Seriously, who says this?? But I did and it does.
Now even the thought of biting into a nice crisp and crunchy veggie just makes
my mouth water. It’s like nature’s candy <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>2. Me: “No thanks, I’m good” said to a bowl full of
Purdy’s chocolates at Easter</strong>- and I actually felt fine about it. It would have
been easy enough to sneak one, but I know from my past behavior one would have
definitely led to two, which would have led to three, which would have led to
the whole bowl. I’m an addict. I can’t stop. I know that. Thank god I never did
drugs. I seriously believe I would have had a problem. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>3. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">M</span></span></span>e: “Hmmm, when was my last rest day?”</strong> I have
caught myself wondering this out loud. Rest days are extremely important in any
training schedule, especially when you are trying to build muscle. Your muscle
actually grows when it’s repairing itself, which means it needs rest (and fuel)
to do so. It’s not that I don’t want rest days (I love having that little extra
time), it’s just that I get into my routine (work, gym, eat, sleep) and forget
to stop. It’s just become habit and I have to remind myself to stop and schedule
in the rest days. If I don’t think about it, I will just keep going.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>4. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">M</span></span></span>e, at the gym: “I’m at the end of the weight
rack… I can’t go heavier.”</strong> First, let me qualify this statement by saying (a) I
go to an all ladies gym, and (b) that gym is in White Rock. The average age at
the gym is probably about 65. It’s not like I’m maxing out at Gold’s or something.
As I have progressed in my training, and started lifting heavier, I have
reached the end of the barbell weight rack though. Well it may be a bit of a
milestone, it’s also been a bit of an annoyance because I have had to figure
out alternatives, which usually requires me to run to opposite sides of the gym
to get in everything I need. Ugh. #weightliftingproblems <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>5. </strong></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Me: “Wow, that Facebook post/ quote/ picture
really speaks to me. I want to share.”</strong> Ha ha ha. This one gets me every time. In
general, I don’t post too much on Facebook (I mainly use it to stalk/ snoop on
people- don’t judge, I know you do too) and I am certainly not one to post
motivational quotes or share other people’s posts, and used to be annoyed at
all the cheesy, clichéd sayings and pictures that would fill up my feed. However,
since embarking on this fitness journey, I find myself really inspired by these
quotes. All of the sudden they make sense to me. I get it… and I feel the urge
to share it. Wha??? What’s happened to me? Where did my cynical, sarcastic self
go?? Wait until I start making up my own quotes. Oh god! Here’s a couple
samples of ones I like and have the urge to share…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQdad8H21ow/UaEY4Dk6sFI/AAAAAAAAARU/C9srwwFjn9o/s1600/Food+and+Exercise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQdad8H21ow/UaEY4Dk6sFI/AAAAAAAAARU/C9srwwFjn9o/s1600/Food+and+Exercise.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3cRevq8Tm3w/UaEY5a90DBI/AAAAAAAAARc/6vGtuodJ9Wk/s1600/I+work+out+because+I+can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3cRevq8Tm3w/UaEY5a90DBI/AAAAAAAAARc/6vGtuodJ9Wk/s1600/I+work+out+because+I+can.jpg" height="320" width="305" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02pWlL7tOc0/UaEY69lah7I/AAAAAAAAARk/m5ia6L242xs/s1600/Your+body+hears....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02pWlL7tOc0/UaEY69lah7I/AAAAAAAAARk/m5ia6L242xs/s1600/Your+body+hears....jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>6. My husband: “I started cleaning up the house and
the realized, most the mess is yours.”</strong> Ha. Yeah, there’s a first time for
everything. To say my priorities have changed is an understatement. As I wrote
about in a previous post, as things get more intense or closer to a show, other
things start to slide- and tidiness is one of those things. For the most part,
I can keep up, but lately there have been times when I just need to let some
expectations and chores go, and do my best not to let it bother me. This next
week will be a bit of a challenge, but so far so good. At last count, there are
only <a href="http://behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/04/wiaw-and-downward-spiral-in-good-way-to.html" target="_blank">8 yogurt containers in the recycling box</a> waiting to go down, so we’re not
at the critical tipping point- yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>7. Being called an “athlete.” </strong>This one is a mind bender.
I have never considered myself athletic or fit. As a kid, I wasn’t active (and
had no desire to be) and didn’t play sports (I just didn’t get them). Sure, I
took dance lessons, and they were fun (mainly for the cool music and fun
costumes), but I never, ever considered myself sporty. Even as an adult, I have
shied away from playing any sort of sport- competitive or not. No co-ed
softball, no beach volleyball, nothing. Since I have started competing however,
I have realized that, yes, I am an athlete (although, that took attending my
first pre-show “Athletes’ Meeting,” but now I get it). I have a coach and I
have team mates. This is a sport. I train and I compete. I am an athlete. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
So, who knows what I might say or do next? Maybe start
eating only organic (something that I don’t quite buy into at this point)?
Maybe I will start going to the gym 3 times a day (highly unlikely and
completely unnecessary)? Or maybe I will start eating red meat (this would
astound my friends and family)? If I start eating meat, you’ll know this $#!T
is real!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-39917047658715140312013-05-22T22:13:00.001-07:002013-05-22T22:13:19.367-07:00WIAW :)
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s Wednesday! Let’s see what’s on the menu this week:</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBs1ecVtZDo/UZ2lWVksj-I/AAAAAAAAAQo/XwNuvXRK9Yc/s1600/IMG_4176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBs1ecVtZDo/UZ2lWVksj-I/AAAAAAAAAQo/XwNuvXRK9Yc/s1600/IMG_4176.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Much of the same from last week, but a few minor tweaks here
and there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
M1: Buckwheat and barley porridge with some coconut oil
melted on top <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
Still loooooving this. Each and every morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M2: Yam, oats and egg bake, again with coconut oil melted on
top. Also very, very yummy. Recipe to be posted soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M3: Tilapia and spinach salad with yams, asparagus and beans
and hemp hearts on top. This week I have also been dressing it was some raw
apple cider vinegar for an extra kick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M4: Apple and almond butter. Sweet and simple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M5: Tilapia, brown rice and veggies. My post workout fuel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M6: Yogurt, casein and fruit. I’ve been doing all sorts of
combos on this. Tonight it was with vanilla casein and the other half of my
apple (with some egg white “chocolate sauce”). Such a delicious late night
snack packed full of protein.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Only eleven more sleeps to the next show (!!). I have really
been pushing myself through my workouts, increasing weights, and really repping
it out. My energy is high, and the motivation is there. I’m feeling strong both
physically and mentally, and I am super excited for what’s up next. Peak week
in 3, 2, 1…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-55283064311199817472013-05-17T22:04:00.001-07:002013-05-17T22:04:21.332-07:00What Happened, What's Up and What's Next<div style="font-family: Noteworthy;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, very belated (like by almost two weeks), but here's what has been going on since my last (non WIAW) post: </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Noteworthy;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>1. The Show!!</strong></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">First, before getting into the details, I have to throw out a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who wished me luck. I was overwhelmed by the support and the really touching messages I received - both pre- and post-show -from friends, family, coworkers and even people I haven't talked to in years. I love and am excited by what I do and knowing that it is inspiring or exciting for other people is just sooooo rewarding. Words cannot describe it. I just feel so blessed. Thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Anyway, back to the deets. Show day was awesome... Despite a ridiculously early start! I was up and <u>at</u> the salon for hair and makeup at 5 am. Ugh. Also, to note, no coffee on show day :( Rough start.</span> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, in 1.5 hours, I got my hair did, make up on and went from this...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJijj9HSg2Y/UZb4G2qAhPI/AAAAAAAAANw/r4MDfuCL5qI/s1600/IMG_4020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJijj9HSg2Y/UZb4G2qAhPI/AAAAAAAAANw/r4MDfuCL5qI/s1600/IMG_4020.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<div style="font-family: Noteworthy;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...to this...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FK9ugqmj7A4/UZb4ICZKmdI/AAAAAAAAAN4/POn07dp7UnI/s1600/IMG_4022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FK9ugqmj7A4/UZb4ICZKmdI/AAAAAAAAAN4/POn07dp7UnI/s1600/IMG_4022.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="font-family: Noteworthy;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was excited I see how the show would go after the awesome check in meeting the day before. NPAA did a really great job creating such a warm and welcoming environment for the competitors. Things were so calm and chill, but still organized and efficient, backstage. So different than my first show where I was fighting for a sliver of counter space and surrounded by hundreds of other competitors (who, were all nice, but were just always in my space). Plus, 6 other girls from Team Blessed Bodies were there too- and we tore up the stage!! We took trophies is each category- figure, fitness and bikini!- and our coach won an award too (cause she is the bestest)! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some shots from backstage, with the other ladies, and of my coach:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDU3bdWrJOI/UZb59GZ41WI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Em2E7LevvgA/s1600/IMG_3732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDU3bdWrJOI/UZb59GZ41WI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Em2E7LevvgA/s1600/IMG_3732.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The bikini girls lined backstage and ready to go out</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVAp6qAIO4Q/UZb6Azh9VqI/AAAAAAAAAOg/EPur5ptWOsw/s1600/IMG_3733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVAp6qAIO4Q/UZb6Azh9VqI/AAAAAAAAAOg/EPur5ptWOsw/s1600/IMG_3733.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bikini booty shot! Can you spot me?? Nope? Good, because I'm not there.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LC1wieg2Q_0/UZb6SslA0xI/AAAAAAAAAOo/FubGBVHHZ5o/s1600/DSC01936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LC1wieg2Q_0/UZb6SslA0xI/AAAAAAAAAOo/FubGBVHHZ5o/s1600/DSC01936.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Note that everything is covered in plastic in the dressing rooms so tans don't rub off and ruin </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">anything.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dnu5Wh9KnE/UZb5ietlnrI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/yDg0tKH0wc0/s1600/DSC01916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dnu5Wh9KnE/UZb5ietlnrI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/yDg0tKH0wc0/s1600/DSC01916.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">All the TBB ladies with our coach, Fatima!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">I personally place 3rd in novice fitness and 2nd in open bikini. Whoot whoot! Not that it's all about the trophies or the placings, but I did have a goal (to do better than last time) in my mind and I achieved it :)</span> <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lzTc4pOO5RA/UZb68SG9sEI/AAAAAAAAAPA/IPD3rr249EE/s1600/IMG_3741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lzTc4pOO5RA/UZb68SG9sEI/AAAAAAAAAPA/IPD3rr249EE/s1600/IMG_3741.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And on that note, again, while placing is great, the real reward for me was standing on stage and feeling good. I felt excited, I felt confident, and I felt like I belonged there. It's funny, because by nature I'm not someone who seeks the spotlight. I'm actually really introverted, fairly shy and quite quiet and I usually don't feel comfortable in a bathing suit at the beach. However, for some reason, I felt good standing on stage, in a teeny tiny bikini while being <em>judged.</em> It's kinda hard to wrap my mind around that.<em> </em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">And finally, a couple of shots with two of my BIGGEST supporters- my husband and my sister. Seriously, I could not do this is if weren't for them.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_ANdgC4rK8/UZb5ekeR0DI/AAAAAAAAAOI/i7DirfxDd9A/s1600/DSC01923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_ANdgC4rK8/UZb5ekeR0DI/AAAAAAAAAOI/i7DirfxDd9A/s1600/DSC01923.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Me and the hubby</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AQ3JkZNrGE/UZb7tFoyiDI/AAAAAAAAAPM/h3sn7Mf-NRA/s1600/DSC01919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AQ3JkZNrGE/UZb7tFoyiDI/AAAAAAAAAPM/h3sn7Mf-NRA/s1600/DSC01919.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Me and my sister :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>2. Post-show treats :)</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">As I discussed in a </span><a href="http://www.behindthebikini.blogspot.ca/2013/05/this-is-it-peak-week-show-prep-and-post.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">previous post</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"> the power of the post-show treat. It becomes the carrot at the end of the stick and that first bite is like indulging all your cravings from the past 3 months at the same time. I chose chocolate again, and it was delicious:</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2XjAe1xGS48/UZcDGlXNnGI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Ln0W8Ne2V5s/s1600/DSC01942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2XjAe1xGS48/UZcDGlXNnGI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Ln0W8Ne2V5s/s1600/DSC01942.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">I think my exact words were, "Omg, I forgot how good chocolate is!" #thingsineverthoughidsay</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">I then had the evening to enjoy a nice dinner out. I chose Cielos on the White Rock strip, which was perfect on such a sunny evening :) Here are some shots of the delicious food (and drinks) we enjoyed.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VviZ-Hc3rYM/UZcD8JF2O8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/AiXYrUFxjME/s1600/IMG_3771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VviZ-Hc3rYM/UZcD8JF2O8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/AiXYrUFxjME/s1600/IMG_3771.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nothing, nothing, in this world compares to this bruschetta... we ordered two... and I ate most of each!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eacGipaFK2o/UZcEDnp5UCI/AAAAAAAAAPw/M4aCExj60IM/s1600/IMG_3774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eacGipaFK2o/UZcEDnp5UCI/AAAAAAAAAPw/M4aCExj60IM/s1600/IMG_3774.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTcv4AwnVsE/UZcEu9SHwyI/AAAAAAAAAQA/iXB7mR-50-A/s1600/IMG_3768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTcv4AwnVsE/UZcEu9SHwyI/AAAAAAAAAQA/iXB7mR-50-A/s1600/IMG_3768.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Followed by a trip to Menchies where I pretty much paid (well, actually Leanne paid) for a bowl of Oreos and peanutbutter cups :) I was in heaven.</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJH1me65myc/UZcEaqF2QyI/AAAAAAAAAP4/U1zu_MRvOPk/s1600/IMG_3781.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>3. Post-show plans</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">As I have mentioned previously, I have another show on June 2 that I am training for. But, to keep things interesting and to keep me on my toes, when presented with the opportunity for a quick post-show trip to Vegas with my sister, I said, "Why not?" With another show 4 weeks out, could I keep it clean in Sin City? Quick answer: yes! But, that deserves a post of it's own... more on that later.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QI5H7plE8kw/UZcLQuI7MII/AAAAAAAAAQQ/nbcMNIRkq8g/s1600/DSC01953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QI5H7plE8kw/UZcLQuI7MII/AAAAAAAAAQQ/nbcMNIRkq8g/s1600/DSC01953.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>4. Future show plans</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong></strong><br />The original plan at the beginning of the year was to do NPAA May 5 and then the IDFA show on June 2. Both awesome, but smaller, associations. Good stages to get experience and learn the what's what and then target the bigger shows next season... but then the coach causually mentions that I should consider doing bikini at the WBFF... the WBFF! One of the biggest, most glamourous and most theatrical shows in the industry. To say that stage scares me is an understatement, but to say I won't do it because it scares me is unacceptable. Truth is, I think I can do it, and I think I want to do it. While I may be faced with some challenges leading up to the show (like a stagette in Napa :)) I want to take them on! This will be a whole new prep and will require me to really dig deep to find more of that confidence, that sass and that toughness to really bring it to this stage. And I am ready :)<br /> </span><br />XOXO<br /><br />Jen</span><br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-23983096529209826652013-05-15T21:03:00.001-07:002013-05-15T21:03:25.025-07:00I'm Back! And, it's WIAW!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I’m back and it’s already Wednesday. There is a lot to catch up on (like a recap of the show (and post-show treats), a quick trip to Vegas, the countdown to the next show, and potential plans for another show), but for now, it’s WIAW :)<br /><br />With so much going on and little time to prep and prepare, my meal plan this week has been pretty simple, but really delicious! Here it is in pictures:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zjD2_igjX64/UZRYVNszOrI/AAAAAAAAANI/qsQFZHl9CDw/s1600/IMG_4006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zjD2_igjX64/UZRYVNszOrI/AAAAAAAAANI/qsQFZHl9CDw/s1600/IMG_4006.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div>
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A description of each from left to right, top to bottom:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-patqwYhSvSw/UZRZDKN4fuI/AAAAAAAAANQ/1Cvp0Hwg3D4/s1600/IMG_4009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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M1: Buckwheat and barley crockpot porridge topped with coconut butter</div>
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M2: Yam, oats and spinach baked with egg whites and topped with coconut butter</div>
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M3: Spinach salad with tilapia, yams, veggies and hemp hearts</div>
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M4: Broccoli slaw salad with avocado and sriracha sauce</div>
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M5: Chicken and brown rice with Greek salad and lemon dill yogurt sauce and Udo’s oil</div>
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</div>
<div>
M6: Greek yogurt mixed with chocolate casein and topped with raspberries and a “chocolate sauce” made of (pasteurized) egg whites and cocoa powder</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The only thing not pictured are my pre-work out chocolate muffins which I eat out of my purse, on the bus, with my dirty bus fingers :(, on my way to the gym in between meals 4 and 5. Fine dining at it’s best.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-patqwYhSvSw/UZRZDKN4fuI/AAAAAAAAANQ/1Cvp0Hwg3D4/s1600/IMG_4009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-patqwYhSvSw/UZRZDKN4fuI/AAAAAAAAANQ/1Cvp0Hwg3D4/s1600/IMG_4009.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Even though the overall components are quite basic, I tried to vary the proteins, carbs and healthy fats across the day while also balancing each macro within each meal (although some meals are more carb heavy while others are more protein heavy). What I eat and when is really dictated by my training schedule and needs. As I have only 18 more days before the next show (!!), and want to build and fill out my muscles, I am really focusing on getting the right amount of protein and carbs throughout the day, especially pre- and post-workout. I need these babies to grow!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
And just because it is sooooo amazing, and raspberries are so delicious right now, here’s the recipe for the yogurt and raspberry snack:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Chocolate Covered Raspberries and Yogurt</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong>Ingredients (for 1 serving):</strong></div>
<ul>
<li>15g (half a scoop) chocolate casein protein powder</li>
<li>1 TBSP cocoa powder</li>
<li>2 TBSP pasteurized egg whites </li>
<li>½ cup non-fat Greek yogurt</li>
<li>Raspberries (or any other fruit or nut topping)</li>
</ul>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Directions:</strong></div>
<ol>
<li>Combine the protein powder with the cocoa powder.</li>
<li>To make the chocolate sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of the protein powder and cocoa powder with the egg whites in a small bowl. Set aside.</li>
<li>In a serving bowl, combine the remaining protein powder and cocoa powder with the yogurt.</li>
<li>Top yogurt mixture with the raspberries and drizzle chocolate sauce on top. Note: If the chocolate sauce gets too thick, add a little bit of water to thin out.</li>
<li>Enjoy :)</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-doVvELBLsQ4/UZRaGAcX63I/AAAAAAAAANg/gRVcAQSjsRw/s1600/IMG_3997%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-doVvELBLsQ4/UZRaGAcX63I/AAAAAAAAANg/gRVcAQSjsRw/s1600/IMG_3997%5B1%5D.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
XOXO</div>
<div>
J</div>
<br />
<br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-43360703419969201672013-05-04T19:53:00.001-07:002013-05-04T19:53:29.395-07:00This. Is. It. Peak Week, Show Prep and Post-Show Treats
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is it. Peak week has flown by— fast! I can’t believe
that it’s only one more sleep away. While there were some modifications with my
training and diet, they probably weren’t what you’d expect (I was surprised!)
and they weren’t that bad. Training wise, the only changes were no more cardio
after Tuesday (whoo hoo!) and reordering the days of my workouts, all of which resulted
in a final legs and abs workout Friday morning. Easy peasy. Knowing it was the
final workout, I curled, squatted, and pressed the $#!% out of my legs- and it
felt good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NI9-LN6jn3s/UYXHqAAZzfI/AAAAAAAAALo/xW3PQWhE_Oc/s1600/IMG_3646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NI9-LN6jn3s/UYXHqAAZzfI/AAAAAAAAALo/xW3PQWhE_Oc/s1600/IMG_3646.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Food plan wise, there were very minimal changes to my diet. The
biggest difference was the <strong>INCREASE</strong> in my calories consumed (mainly carbs and
fats). An increase!! And, not just once, but twice. Of course, this wasn’t a
dramatic addition, and pretty much amounted to an extra wedge of yam, but
still, more is more and I’ll take it. The only other alterations I have made have
been keeping food choices simple (think yams, tilapia, and asparagus),
balancing every meal (with carbs, fats and protein) and making a real effort to
eat every 2 hours (to keep that metabolism up). I have also been super diligent about keeping hydrated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
While I am keeping my food choices simple (which mainly just
helps me plan, buy and prep what I need), I am also trying to be creative where
I can and using the healthy fats to switch things up. Here’s what I have been
able to come up with so far:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For my Friday workout:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSopCSH58Ec/UYXHyX-y-tI/AAAAAAAAALw/YPcRxy32j04/s1600/IMG_3662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSopCSH58Ec/UYXHyX-y-tI/AAAAAAAAALw/YPcRxy32j04/s1600/IMG_3662.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pre-workout: Oats, protein powder and egg white pancake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Post-workout: Oat, yam, egg, spinach and protein powder pancake
topped with coconut oil (this, was delicious!)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Other meals throughout the day:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JgeM4wZvFY/UYXH7Y2b-zI/AAAAAAAAAL4/Kug7vOYZ_Uo/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JgeM4wZvFY/UYXH7Y2b-zI/AAAAAAAAAL4/Kug7vOYZ_Uo/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZRpJadSdHo/UYXIH5kXmTI/AAAAAAAAAMA/2ugVVIY7lFs/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZRpJadSdHo/UYXIH5kXmTI/AAAAAAAAAMA/2ugVVIY7lFs/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yam and egg white pancake with green beans and chili flakes
topped with avocado (again, delicious!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Spinach and cucumber salad with tilapia and hemp hearts and
Udo’s oil dressing<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Egg whites with asparagus and yams, topped with coconut
butter (which is seriously amazing)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>Pretty much, everything since then has been some sort of
combination of the core foods: yams, tilapia and asparagus with different
healthy fats (I have many to choose from- avocado, almonds, hemp hearts, Udo’s
oil, coconut butter… the list just keeps on going and each can be used to add
such a different twist to the dish).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today was the NPAA Athletes meeting. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsH2pfgJ4aw/UYXIgSoroWI/AAAAAAAAAMY/36AVwB6AF8o/s1600/IMG_3676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsH2pfgJ4aw/UYXIgSoroWI/AAAAAAAAAMY/36AVwB6AF8o/s1600/IMG_3676.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s an opportunity for all the athletes competing in the
show to check-in (I’m #9!), get more detailed information about the show and
pick up some cool swag. For me, it was also an opportunity to meet up with the
other girls on the team competing in the show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCZ_-HGbMDU/UYXIWdzAmvI/AAAAAAAAAMI/s3e4YSKzfOI/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCZ_-HGbMDU/UYXIWdzAmvI/AAAAAAAAAMI/s3e4YSKzfOI/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’m so excited to be sharing this experience with these amazing
ladies. Seriously, to be standing on stage next to each of them is such an
honour. I can’t wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the meeting today, I also learned more about the NPAA
(Natural Physiques and Athletics Association). What a great organization! I am
so happy I decided to compete in this show. Not only did they create an association
with an all-natural and holistic approach to competing and healthy living, but
Kevin and Wendy are very just endearing individuals. You could tell they really
care about the athletes and creating an enjoyable experience for everyone. I am
really looking forward to the show tomorrow, and am even excited for my husband
and sister who will be watching as it seems there are even some special treats
in store for the audience! NPAA has really created such a positive and warm environment
to compete in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After the meeting, we had some extra time, so the Mr. and I
headed over the Steveston for some lunch and just to spend some time together.
What a beautiful day down at the water and what a great opportunity to sit back
and enjoy some quality time together. Things have been pretty intense and busy
lately, so having this break was nice <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eip8NjhlMwA/UYXIm6w61rI/AAAAAAAAAMg/SVd7L9wG0fY/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eip8NjhlMwA/UYXIm6w61rI/AAAAAAAAAMg/SVd7L9wG0fY/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then it was on to tanning. After going through all of this
(the training, the sweating, the check in pictures, and now the tanning) I have
no modesty left. Hahaha. I can assure you that every square inch, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every square inch</i>, of my body was
sprayed (my coach even had to left up my bum cheeks to get under there!). The
colour is ridiculous (too ridiculous for pictures), but does look good and does
make the muscles pop just that much more. I also know that once on stage and
under all the lights it won’t look as crazy. In person though, it’s crazy. I’ve
already smudged my chest a bit (stupid seat belt) and sleeping tonight should
be interesting. Hahaha. These are the things that make me step back and laugh.
Never, in a million years did I think this is something I would be a part of,
not that there is anything wrong with it, just not something I’d be doing.
These are also the things that make me realize how far I have come and how much
I love what I am doing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
I know tomorrow will be a blur. Early morning wakeup call (hair
starts at 5:00 am!) and show starts at 9:00am. Once the show starts everything
will move quickly… and then it’ll be done… and then it will be time for a treat
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> Ah, yes, the post-show
treat. This is the carrot at the end of the stick that keeps you on track when
you wanna fall off. Clearly, for those that know me well, my treat will be
chocolate. The last show I had a box of Purdy’s chocolate, and they were
delightful!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QstDGto3bVM/UYXIzyKScMI/AAAAAAAAAMo/vka8j7jz25U/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QstDGto3bVM/UYXIzyKScMI/AAAAAAAAAMo/vka8j7jz25U/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></o:p> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
For this show, I have a little stockpile of chocolate I have
collected since Christmas and will definitely be breaking into that stash. And
for dinner, I have made reservations at one of my all-time favorite White Rock restaurants,
Cielos, and will be eating like a queen. Another round of bruschetta, anyone?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s been interesting this time around. I can honestly say
that throughout my whole prep I was never really tempted by anything and never
had any strong cravings. I had my eye on the prize and was able to shut out
everything else. Sure, there were times it was tricky to stick to it (like
family gatherings or birthday dinners) but mostly because of the social
awkwardness of it, not because of the the temptation. The only time I found
myself wistfully staring at something was at Easter dinner. My mom puts
together an amazing spread with all the dishes and her stuffing is the best,
hands down, the best. That was the only moment I really felt like I was missing
out on something, but she promised to make me a full dinner post-show <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> Problem solved. Now,
however, so close to the end, is when it gets a little bit tougher. Those post
show treats are so close, I can taste it… and it makes me want more. LOL. See,
that’s my problem. I won’t be able to have just one. Like last time, it’ll be
the whole box. Hahaha. But each piece will be deliciously deserved. I’ll be
sure to post pics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7350061752343573650.post-20271687791775713802013-05-02T12:30:00.000-07:002013-05-02T12:58:29.970-07:00WIAW and Final Prep Push<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s What IAte Wednesday! Yay! Well, actually, yesterday was Wednesday. Today is Thursday.I just didn’t have the time to post this sooner. Yesterday was also May 1,which, was also my 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> wedding anniversary. Here’s one of my favoritepictures from 3 years ago: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmVSV89aw4s/UYKEvpVSuXI/AAAAAAAAAKw/9exDmRm2R_Y/s1600/30556_392231562419_7254660_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmVSV89aw4s/UYKEvpVSuXI/AAAAAAAAAKw/9exDmRm2R_Y/s1600/30556_392231562419_7254660_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I ammarried to one of the most supportive and understanding partners. I am truly blessedto have such an amazing person in my corner, cheering me on as I go. Love youBryan!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay,enough with the mushy crap, let’s eat! Here’s what was on the menu for meyesterday:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iea08VV9DF0/UYKFdIzXKDI/AAAAAAAAAK4/DXgD-rJdDKw/s1600/2013_05_02+WIAW.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iea08VV9DF0/UYKFdIzXKDI/AAAAAAAAAK4/DXgD-rJdDKw/s1600/2013_05_02+WIAW.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is asdescription of each (from left to right, top to bottom):<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M1: Oatmealand flax seed with eggs and strawberry chia “jam” topped with melted coconutoil <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M2: Yam andoat “pancake” (it kinda fell apart in the pan so I just stuffed it all into acontainer) with egg whites and broccoli. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M3: Spinachsalad topped with tilapia and veggies with an Udo’s oil dressing<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M4: Broccolisalad with tilapia, avocado and almonds<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M5:Chicken, yams (sautéed in coconut oil- yummy!), broccoli and asparagus<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">M6: Frozenstrawberries blended with chocolate casein- like ice cream!<o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also had2 of my pre-workout muffins on the way to the gym (which falls between Meals 4and 5). </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In my lastpost, I mentioned that my food options will slowly be limited up until theshow. This does not mean I am eating less (as you can see). In fact, yesterdayI was told to INCREASE what I was eating. I actually had to add MORE calories(in the form of carbs) to my meals. That was a pleasant surprise, but makessense. The idea is for me to look healthy with full, strong muscles on Sunday.Not skinny and depleted. I know there are many theories/ methods/ plans/approaches people follow in their final week of prep (or even for their wholecompetition prep- like only eating broccoli and fish for 12 weeks, which by theway, just blows my mind- who could do that? Why would you want to?) and I amfortunate to have a coach that believes in eating and proper nutrition. Yes, ifyou saw me eating just one of my meals you may think it’s just a small servingor not enough to fill me up, but I am also eating 7 times through out the day (roughlyevery 2 hours). This is key to increasing your metabolism and feeding yourmuscles. You will also notice that pretty much each meal contains some protein,carbs and healthy fats. Again, balance and nutrients from various sources arekey to nourishing your body. Plus, they all taste delicious </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (Seriously, if you have never triedcoconut oil or butter, try it- it tastes amazing and I am not even a bigcoconut fan).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The rest ofmy prep is also going well. Three more sleeps to go (actually, it’s more like2.5 since I will be getting up sooooo early on Sunday)! Only 2 more workoutsleft (one upper body and one lower body), no more cardio (whoo hoo!), allappointments are booked, and the weekend schedule is set. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cray, cray!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I alsowanted to give a shout out to my coach, Fatima Leite Kusch, who has been<a href="http://www.fatimaleitekusch.com/index.php" target="_blank">nominated for the Coach of the Year Award</a> to be presented at the NPAA show onSunday. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Signing upto train with Fatima has impacted my life in both predictable and unintendedways. With her coaching, I have taken my body and my mind waaaay past what I everthought was possible. I know that this would not have been possible without heror without the amazing team of ladies she has built. In both big and littleways Fatima and every girl on Team Blessed Bodies has helped me achieve my goalof competing- a goal that I was nervous even saying out loud before. I havechanged. I have become more confident, more passionate and more energetic inevery area of my life. I am so proud to be a part of Fatima’s team and can onlyaspire to give back everything that I have received from her and the team. Iknow my future is full of amazing opportunities and possibilities because ofher. As an athlete competing in the show on Sunday, I get my chance to shine onstage (and I can assure you that on Sunday, all the ladies from our team shine!).Fatima deserves that recognition too. She has undoubtedly worked tirelessly forand has earned, at least in my heart, the Coach of the Year Award. Seeing herwork acknowledge on Sunday by receiving the Award would feel like a win for theteam. My fingers are crossed for her!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here’s apic of me and Fati at the Bust A Move fundraiser (yeah, she's that awesome):</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DP942sy0Sjo/UYKG1ZA618I/AAAAAAAAALM/__NhP7BSyKY/s1600/2013_05_02+Fati+and+Jen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DP942sy0Sjo/UYKG1ZA618I/AAAAAAAAALM/__NhP7BSyKY/s1600/2013_05_02+Fati+and+Jen.jpeg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XOXO<br />
Jen</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02712437322441166829noreply@blogger.com0