Last Day of 2010!

Today is the last day of 2010. I've had an incredible year. I continued eating raw for a bit, went back to being a vegetarian briefly, back to raw, and now am finally happy having combined the two. I am still involved with my wonderful partner. He seems to love me no matter what I do. He loves me when I am happy, moody, cranky (this one is still out for thought), but most of all he loves me because I am me. After being together for three years, we decided to take it to the next level...no not marriage. We are now partners in business. We work together six days a week. You must have a very strong relationship for this. Trust me! There are days when I want to just tape his mouth shut with duct tape but another thing I have learned this year is meditation. I have used this quite a bit and believe me it works. Meditation is something I look forward to each morning after my workout. It brings me to a place that sets my day. Yes, there are days when my meditation doesn't seem to work, but most days it seems to set me just right. During 2010 I have learned that I am not the person that I try to be. I try to be confident. I try to be strong. I try to be understanding. I try to be loving. I try to be a lot of things, but find that the best thing I have learned to be is me. I plan on taking "me" into 2011 and developing her into an amazing woman. Sitting at work today, I had a few moments to think about all the things I want to achieve during 2011 and have come up with the following list:
I want to stick to my nutrition plan. I do eat healthy but there are moments when I slip, no fall off the wagon hard. No I don't stray off the vegan or raw foods, I just add things I know I can't eat - sugar. Trust me, I pay for this mistake!
I want to stick to my workout plan. I do really well with one. I make it to the gym at least three to four times a week but I would like to be consistent.
I want to be more understanding.
I want to be more loving.
I want to be non-judgemental.
I want to be happy.
I want to be confident and strong.
I want to be ME.
As I look over this list, I have so many other things I could add, but I don't want to bore you with the details. Each and every day I am given in the new year, I want to make it the best day it can be.
In 2011 I want to do something fun with this blog. I have decide to try and enter something once a week. I want to write about my week and possibly add a picture and reciepe that corresponds with my rant. Okay, with that said I would like wish everyone a wonderful, happy, learning, New Year!!!

Beauty and the Meat Eating Beast

As I look at the title of this post, I must laugh. I am referring to myself and my life partner. We are two different people that blend well together even though we follow different paths. I, Beauty, follow the vegetarian/raw food path. I believe this path works for me as it lets me see and experience things I didn't when I did eat meat. My life is more pleasant. I begin each day with meditation and a hearty bowl of raw oatmeal. Beginning my days this way allow me to feed my belly and my inner being. I even add yoga to my mornings when I do not make it to the gym. Being the "Beauty" has enable me to grow physically and spiritually. I like the way things are developing and changing for me. I find that I am more aware of myself, my needs, my wants, and so many other things. I am a better person.
Now for the "Beast"...okay he's not a beast. My partner is such a beautiful person. I have never met someone who is so caring, honest, confident, and well grounded. He is my balance. Now for the meat...he believes eating meat is how man is suppose to be. Just as I use meditation for my inner peace and growth, he uses hunting for the same purpose. He hunts a deer, kills it, feeds his belly and his inner being with the enjoyment of the hunt. He says hunting makes him a better person. Did I mention he is funny, too.
As we continue our life together, I see so many things about the two of us that are different but similar. This, corny as it is, completes the two of us.
Who or what completes you?

Away, Away, I Returned Today

It feels so good to be back. So many things have happened since my last post in March. I don't know where to begin. I am going to keep this short until I have something to write about...probably tomorrow. I have new recipes, a new job, a new kitten (my little girl's), and an injury that will keep me out off the competition stage until March. At the moment, I am completely tired. Long day at work. Come back on Thursday. I will have my a new post with pictures. Keep in touch!

Lazy Raw Foodist

Wondering about the title of this blog...it is what I am, and have been for the past several weeks. A lazy raw foodist. With my busy schedule (preparing for my first 2010competition)I haven't had time to prepare a raw meal like I would like. In the mornings and mostly afternoons, I have been surviving on fruits (apples, bananas) and green hemp protein shakes. Which also include fruits. When dinner time comes, I am either helping my daughter with her homework or fixing dinner for the family (they have decided to eat raw or mostly raw when it gets warmer). While there food is cooking, I throw together a quick salad I can eat. I must be doing something right. I'm never hungry and my body functions normally.
This past weekend I changed a few things and decided it was time to step out of the "salad" box. I made two raw soups. They were delicious. I figured since I was making soup for the family, I would make some for me. My soups took less than fifteen minutes to make. The soups I made for the family took several hours. I truly believe in cooking foods from scratch. It is better for you. And since they do eat raw yet, I still want them to have natural foods in their meals. Just like a mom, huh?


This is my tomato soup topped with purple cabbage!






Raw Tomato Soup

1 pint cherry tomatoes (I used 4-6 Roma tomatoes)
1/2 cup soaked sundried tomatoes
1 tbs. agave nectar, optional
1 cup water
2 tbs. olive oil
1-2 clove garlic
1/2 tsp of dried basil, oregano, and thyme
2 tbs. lemon juice
Sea salt to taste
Dash of nutmeg

Put everything in a high speed blender and blend till thick and smooth. Serve at room temp.



This is my hearty "chicken" soup!






"Chicken" Soup

Broth:
2 cups warm water (100 degrees F.)
1/2 cup almonds (soaked for 6 hrs.)
1 tsp. freshly ground celery seeds
1-2 whole black peppercorns
1/2 tsp. sea salt or to taste
1 sprig of fresh or dried thyme
1 tsp. fresh dill
1 tbs. olive oil
1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Place in blender and blend until smooth, let this mixture sit for 5-10 mins. Warm it back up if you want and enjoy!

I also added the following:

2-3 carrots, cut in chunks
1-2 tbs. sweet red onion
1 clove garlic (fine dice)
4 shitake mushrooms (julienne)
brussel sprouts, handful if you like
1/2 cup of corn

Add the vegetables to the broth. For a different taste, scatter the veggies on teflex sheets and dehydrate for 4-6 hrs. (dehydrating will concentrate the flavors and remove some of the bitterness) Add this mixture to the broth and enjoy!

Enjoy the soups!

Three Weeks Until Ohio

Less than a month until my first competition of 2010. I'm excited, anxious, and ready to have this competition over and done with. I have been practicing my walk, poses, and smiles. This is not easy considering I am trying to walk in five inch heels on a carpet. Thank goodness the stage will not be carpeted.



I received my latest bathing suit. Now I have three to choose from. I am focusing my workouts to hit the trouble spots (booty) and am applying my tanning lotion so that I may have an even complexion for the show. Funny, you wouldn't think a girl like me would need to be darker. My hair is done. My nails will probably get a last minute touch-up before I leave for the competition. And my toes. These are a few of the fun things I do before my competitions.



Another thing I have to worry about is food. Being a raw foodie, I know I will have to bring most of my own foods. There will be an abundance of healthy foods available for the competitors, but nothing in its natural state. Its a good thing that fruit is easier to pack and carry. I am now looking for a personal blender so I can make my green smoothies in the hotel room. Since the show is one day, I will probably not eat as much so I can maintain my abs and lean muscles. I wouldn't want to look bloated on stage.
Time for some more sleep, then off to the gym!


Thanks for reading my blog!

Busy Week with a Happy Ending

This is my younger son, Syeed. He needs a haircut!

This past week was extremely busy. Besides my work schedule, picking up my two girls from school, and completing my usual mommy tasks, I went to see my youngest son's track meet on my only day off. It was good to see him. The last time I saw him was last month. Time sure flies when you get older.
He did well. He won his first race - 100 yard dash and placed last in his second race - 200 meter run. Despite the disappointment he felt for letting his team down, he was happy that he had done his best.


After his first race

In between my son's track meet and my daughter's charity event today, I lived the celebrity life in my not so small town. My business and lifestyle was a cover page feature in the local paper. Here's the link - http://www.centredaily.com/2010/02/13/1790895/made-with-love.html It was nice to get the word out about my business and lifestyle. The fact that I am a bodybuilder and eat raw was very amazing to many people.


This is my daughter, Kiki handing out soup

Sunday I spent the day handing out soup samples for a special group of kids called "The Wild Dream Team". This group of college students decided to forgo their trip to the Bahamas and donate whatever money they raise for this trip to the earthquake victims in Haiti. Did I mention - all of these tudents have mental or physical disabilities!


Me and Kiki working together

The event I attended was called the Soup-er Bowl. Attendees paid a small fee to spend the afternoon tasting soups graciously donated by local restaurants. There was also a silent and live auction. The entire afternoon was fun. I don't know how much money they raised, but all of them were happy with the turnout.
What a week. Time to take a breath. Breathe in, breathe out. Until next time, thanks for reading my ramblings.

Snowy Days, Lazy Nights

"This is my youngest daughter, Ayanna - photographer"

Winter has definitely let all of us know that she is here. Everywhere I look, I see the beautiful blanket of snow covering the ground. Although I love, love, love the snow, it has made me lazy. With five weeks to go until my first competition of 2010, I have not gone to the gym in the past week. I have just been lazy. Yes I work, but that is not a good excuse. I wish it was.
So, I've decided to get back on track. Today after work I am headed to the gym. I will hang my head in shame as I pass the front desk and make my way to the elliptical room, then the weight room. I have promised my body an amazing workout as it is way overdue. I can't wait until tomorrow when I will feel the results of this session. I can actually hear my body thanking me. This will make my trainer happy.
As I write this blog, I am enjoying yummy raw oatmeal with fruit and granola. Sorry, there aren't any pictures. I ate it before I could thought about pictures. I will make it again tomorrow, it is my daily indulgence in the morning, take pictures and post the recipe.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. I enjoyed mine with my sweetie. We slept in late (shame on us) and enjoyed a late breakfast - an omelet with cheese, onions and mushrooms for him (he does not eat raw) and fruit with lemon zinger tea for me. Dinner for him was turkey meatloaf, wild rice and a baked sweet potato and for me a delicious Caesar Salad. I will post pictures and the recipe at a later date.
Since I began this blog with talk about snow, I believe I should end it with pictures my youngest daughter took last week. More snow is coming out way tonight!
"Snowy picture outside my window"

"Icicles on our bushes"

Until the next time,
Keep Peace in Your Heart!

Winter in Central Pennsylvania

I moved to Central Pennsylvania sixteen years ago with four children, one was a nine-month old, in a blizzard. I was enlightened by the beautiful, white blanket covering my new home, but overwhelmed at how much blanket was covering my new home.
Many years have passed since that amazing event. We've had snow in our area since that blizzard, but nothing to match that amazing year. Now, 2010 seems to be threatening with another fabulous snow storm! Yes, let it snow.
Although I am excited about the snow, I am not excited about having to come up with new recipes to eat because produce is limited. Since I started eating raw, I have found many amazing recipes, but must wait until the weather gets warm because Central Pennsylvania just doesn't have what I need. I can't wait for Spring and the Farmer's Markets. So, since I have to make due, I have eaten many salads, but the one I love the most is Gretchen's Color Salad. That's the name my youngest daughter gave it. The recipe is under the picture. Enjoy!


Gretchen's Color Salad
(there's really no exact measurements how much and how little is your choice)

Handful of mixed greens
Four slices of cucumbers, julienned
Four slices of zucchini, julienned
One carrot, chopped
1/2 cup of chick peas
1/2 cup of black beans
1/2 cup of sunflower seeds
One cup of tofu
(yes, some of this isn't exactly raw, but remember what I said about winters in Central Pennsylvania)

Put everything decoratively on a plate. Add a dash of pepper to taste.

About Me

Hi and welcom to my Blog! I am the amazing Raw Bikini Girl. I designed this blog to show non-believers that vegans, vegetarians, and raw foodist can be athletes without the "traditional" way of eating. I hope to show you how you can eat living foods and continue to be an amazing athlete or regular person.

Having been involved with living a healthy lifestyle for many years, I still managed to have days where I did not eat as healthy as I should. And over time I realized I was doing harm to my body trying to lose weight and being in the best shape possible with supplements and over training. I still had my health problems and many food allergies to boot. My body was not functioning as I knew it should and it was time to do something about it.

Then I found raw. It was exciting to find a whole new way to prepare and eat food. Eating raw foods is fun. I learn something new every day. Preparing raw foods is so much easier than measuring out portions and counting calories like I use to. Reading about raw, the wonderful benefits, and the principles behind this way of eating is so exciting for me.

I am loving raw. It is amazing. I've lost weight, have more energy than I have ever had and the best part - I am a much happier person. My health issues are no longer a problem and my food allergies have disappeared. I feel better amazing!

Eating well is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves. Did you know, sixty percent of our illness in this country is caused by the SAD (Standard American Diet). Our current way of eating is making us sick. Help me spread the word about eating raw. My blog will cover my adventures, recipes, and other rantings as I show non-believers ways to a more nutritional way of eating that doesn’t require giving up the flavor and beauty of food!