Following in Ginny's footsteps..."My Competition Diet"

I recently attended a seminar in Florida that had a portion about foods and healthy eating. It's amazing to learn what actually goes into processing foods that we then put into our mouths to fuel our bodies. Everyone hears and knows the essentials...4 servings of fruits and vegetables, 8 glasses of water, etc. But has anyone actually looked into if that is accurate? Is it true for everyone? For example, 8 glasses of water each day -- that's 64 ounces. For someone who is 120 to 125 pounds, this is accurate, but what about someone who is 190 pounds? Good rule of thumb... body weight #/2 = ounces to drink each day. (200 pounds/2 - 100 ounces).

It's important to first know what your nutritional goals are. Then, do your research! When you read something, ask yourself, does this make sense? Is it useful for me? By doing so, you will be able to make a sound decision on which pieces of vital information you can utilize in your daily routines. Everything in moderation, and of course, remember to save yourself a "cheat" time so that you don't get crazy cravings for foods you love (like chocolate cake!!).

For me, my goal is to have more energy without giving up my favorites. For me, following a low acid, high alkaline nutrition plan was the way to go. By making minor changes to my specific food choices, I was able to swap out alternatives so that I can still enjoy the foods I like without as much acidic foods that can have a negative impact on your overall health. For example, I eat spelt pasta or rice pasta instead of regular pasta, and almond butter instead of peanut butter.

So here is a one day of food for me...

Breakfast: Oatmeal, with a touch of honey (or sometimes brown sugar for special occassions)
Snack: Apple, orange, or grapes
Lunch: Veggie Wrap -- spinach wrap with hummus, spinach, avocado slices, cucumbers, tomato slices, and brussel sprouts.
Snack: Cucumber with apple cidar vinegar or hummus for dipping.
Dinner: Eggplant parm -- sliced eggplant dipped in banana and flaxmeal*, sauteed in olive oil, placed in a baking dish, covered with diced tomatoes and oregano/basil, topped with rice cheese and baked. Rice pasta on the side. (*Banana and flaxmeal replace the egg and bread crumbs)
Dessert: whole wheat wrap, almond butter, and a banana...yummy!! :)


I have several meals I make (eggplant, tilapia, rice, pasta salad, spaghetti, mac and cheese) that all use cleaner food choices, and there are always leftovers. My energy level has sky rocketed, my skin is always clear, my hair and nails are stronger, and I feel stronger. It's been wonderful!! :)

SIDE NOTE: For those of you who know me, I still LOVE LOVE LOVE macaroni and cheese, and it is the hardest thing in the world for me to give up. So....I do eat it with my son about once a week...it's my cheat day! lol

Some simple things I now eat that are easy replacements for your current food choices...no extra steps, no major changes or giving up your favorites, just cleaner choices:

• almond butter or soynut butter (replaces peanut butter)
• spelt or rice pasta (replaces regular pasta)
• at least one cucumber a day
• broccoli every day
• apple cidar vinegar (replaces any other vinegar)...use on salads with olive oil.
• rice cheese
• plain oatmeal
• water, water, water!! with lemon!! :)

So....who wants to know more? Email me! :) I challenge everyone I know to try it 100% for 30 days, and see what it can do for you!!!

Until next time....

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!

SUMMERTIME....

Hey All!!

Don't you just love summertime??? The warm sunshine on your face, light breezes in the morning, lots of yummy barbeques with hot dogs, burgers, and snacks?? Totally not on my nutrition plan, so what's a pageant girl to do??

Working out AND eating right are part of the plan to look my best come July 15 and 16, but it's tough to pass up some of those favorites!!

Well, I'll tell you my secret...foods in moderation, and a new boot camp work out at the gym that is just kicking my butt into shape really quick! But it's great! I am learning all sorts of good tricks in my workouts that I can use just about anywhere! A playground, a curb, my front step... all things I can use to my advantage during this last month before nationals. And I'm taking advantage! :) And I have this whole little bathroom workout that I do in the mornings when I'm getting ready for work...the sink, side of the tub, and the wall are all a part of my secret weapon workout -- 15 minutes every day. Just in case I don't make it to the gym! lol

Well, off to the gym this afternoon for some cardio and abs...

Until next time....
VIVA LAS VEGAS!!! xoxo

Congrats to.......

HEATHER LEHMAN!! MISS DELAWARE 2009


What a great show, and what a great group of young women that were competing for last night's crown! Congrats to the ladies who made the top 5 -- You are all beautiful and amazing women, and you should be proud of your accomplishment!

My Platform -- Healthy Today, Healthy Forever

I know, I know....it sounds so vague right?? Well, let me give you some background information on it....

I was married for 3 years to a man who turned out to be a great father, but just wasn't in a position at the time to be a great husband. The marriage was rough, and it was emotionally exhausting. The decision to walk away was one that I struggled with for some time. I didn't want to be considered a failure. It was hard for me to face myself where this was concerned...and it was a tough position for me when I left. For about 8 months I stayed single, and kind of fell into a slump, so to speak. I was very unmotivated, not wanting to go out or get involved. I did the same routine every day...got up, went to work, went home. I wasn't spending much quality time with Aidan, and I wasn't doing anything for myself.

One day Aidan looked at me, and asked if we could do something fun. He was probably 2 1/2, and that was it for me. Right then I realized that he didn't deserve to get the blunt of my misery, and I didn't really need to sit swallowed in this state of sadness. It literally was the flip of the switch for me. I had enough!! So out we went, Aidan and I. In the next few months, I joined a gym, got involved in church, volunteered more, and set some major life altering goals, specifically getting out of debt and buying a house, with enough motivating passion behind each one that they became a MUST for me!! Within one year, I had taken my new position and made it work for me. I paid off all the debts from my marriage, put myself in a great position to not only purchase a home but afford to do renovations and still have some savings. I have taken more vacations with my son, and try to get involved in new sports with him as often as I can.

Making those changes has made me a better person, a stronger woman, and a more attentive mom. Financial stability, having a home, and becoming physically active have created an emotional force that I can survive! Being healthy isn't just about eating right or working out...it's about enjoying life and taking everything it throws at you.

So this year, I'm focusing on other women who may be in similar situations. I want to be an example that changing your life starts with a decision that without fail is a MUST! I MUST change! I WILL NOT live like this anymore! Once you take that step, the rest is a given! :)

Until next time.... VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!

Busy, Busy...

So....since last time, I have been busy!! Besides the shopping (which I still hate!!) and a few interviews, I spent some time with Habitat for Humanity at the All Women Build site. Wow!!! what an experience! To work with so many women to build a house....A HOUSE!! I got to build part of the fire wall that went between the townhouse units. I have never used a circular saw before...those little things have some power behind them! And a nail gun...woo hoo!! Talk about a kick! lol Plus, I got a little sun that day, which is always a good thing! :) It was tiring, for sure, but well worth the time! And I just know that the families that will live there are going to appreciate it so much because they were a part of it too! And what's more, it will help those individuals become emotionally and financially stable, providing them with peace of mind which goes a long way with your mental health! It is so important...I learned that after my divorce...and I got to be a part of that for someone else!

Oh -- I just got done taping the Tim Qualls Show!! Channel 28 I believe....airs all next week starting Sunday! Tune in and check me out. Feel free to give me some pointers back, too. And what's next? I'm throwing out the first pitch at the Blue Rocks on June 10!! Come out and see me....I'll be there all evening!

Next month starts my solid workouts too....I think I'll try something new in June. The Y is trying this bootcamp once a week. Should be fun! I think I'll sign up!

Okay, off to work! Hey -- if you have bugs, give me a call! Look up Ehrlich in the phone book, tell them I sent you! :)

Until next time..... VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!

Shopping, Shopping, and More Shopping....

I have unpacked another box in my house!! YAY!! For those who don't know, I purchased my house in August of last year, had tons of renovations to do, and moved in through the month of December. It's now May, and I'm still trying to unpack! I know...procrastination at it's best. Don't remind me....

So only 2 months until Las Vegas, and I must say that I never realized how much I actually dislike the art of shopping. I mean, I've always liked window shopping, and I do love to buy for others...it's always fun to find the perfect gift for someone special. But now that I have a purpose in shopping, and it is for me, I really am easily frustrated going from store to store trying to find the perfect mix my personality with pageant worthiness. A daunty task indeed!

And women always say that bathing suit shopping is aweful! Evening gowns have been a nightmare, and trying to find a modern professional look for an interview, but not a suit?? Yeah -- good luck with that!! Suggestions are welcome!! :)

Anyway... off to dream land this evening! Until next time....

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!

Okay.....

So we finally get our date set for the photo shoot, and what a CRAZY day it was!! My photo shoot followed a day of crawling in and out of attics and basements in search of bats and rats, and a few roaches too! For those of you who don't know, I'm a Commercial Sales Rep for JC Ehrlich, America's Finest Pest Control Company! I do what most people don't dare to do....I get to think like the insects, and figure out how to combat some of our worst fears....bugs, spiders, mice, and snakes.

So after a few long hours of bats, insects, and rats, I set out for the photo shoot. I figured 2 hours to VA and all is well...I'd be arriving between 230 and 300....YEAH RIGHT!! Bumper to bumper traffic almost the entire way down!! And on top of that, I get rear ended on 95! No kidding!! It's nearly 5 by the time I arrive to Charles Martin's place! But it was a fun shoot anyway...hair and make up, dresses and girlie stuff. Things turned out okay, but what a day it was!!!



I did come up with a slogan for myself.....Bugs by day; Beauty by night!! :) Tammy, Stephanie and I were laughing as Marci was getting her first shot done, and that's what we came up with! I think it suits me! lol

Now on to bigger things right??

Until next time....VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!