"FALL" ing

Some things I have "fall"en for....

1.  This bread....

source

Julian Bakery Sourdough bread.  Saved. My. Life.  probably your life too, during prep.  The stats are incredible.  The taste is unbelievable... it is well worth the cost and the wait (unfortunately shipping isn't exactly fast!!!) I order at least 4 loaves at a time and freeze them, when I get down to 2 well then I just place another order.  I have tried a few of the other low carb breads they offer but none had me excited, in fact a couple had me literally gagging and a couple are still in my freezer where they will remain until I am desperate enough to try them again sadly... but this one, is honestly just REALLY good!

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size	1 slice
Servings Per Loaf	Approx. 16
Amount Per Serving
Calories 60	Calories from Fat 0
% Daily Value
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 140mg	2%
Total Carbohydrate 10g	7%
Dietary Fiber 6g	11%
Sugars 0g
Protein 5g
Vitamin A 0%	Vitamin C 0%
Iron 7%	Calcium 4%
Thiamin 8%
**Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie a day diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

I never wear necklaces.  I feel like I am choking.  But this one, I had to have and guess what I wear it almost every day.

2.  Fashletics...

The most adorable, fun, inspiring jewelry ever.  Janetha, Amanda and I each ordered a necklace that we felt inspired us.  This is mine.  It spoke to me.  

Source

For me, THIS little phrase speaks big volumes.  I NEED to be patient with myself.  With my body.  I am SO hard on myself.  I am so MEAN to myself.  I am so impatient with myself.  It is my little reminder for ME to be nicer to me.

3.  SPRINTS... 

Say what?!?

Did I just say that?  

Listen.  I hate to run.  You want me to run far?  Forget you.  Like I really really hate it.  I hate long boring cardio but for some reason I get on a treadmill and I sprint for 30 seconds, then I get to jump off for 30 seconds and it is like... I don't know... the best feeling ever.  I feel like I could do it every day (I don't, but I could).  I crave it.  Its some sort of adrenaline rush for me.  Feels so dang good people!  NEVER thought those words would come out of this mouth.  Like ever.

4.  Breakfast Club

Every morning (or when most of you might be eating lunch), Janetha, Amanda and I are busy making our breakfast!  We decide the day before what we want and we all bring ingredients and whip it up.  We have had some pretty tasty things.  For a better recap visit this post from Janetha.  She is much better at this blogging thing than I am and she even takes pictures (I know!).  It has become a really fun way for us to try new things and to visit at work!  I love our little breakfast club.  Maybe we should start calling it brunch club though since it is usually around 11 by the time we get to eat.  Here are a few of the things we have made so far...

Low carb stuffed french toast (it was to die for and we used the sourdough bread above)

Eggs on toast with creamy spinach sauce

Protein Pancakes
Egg white pizza omelette (not sure if we decided on an official name) it was good though

Whole wheat puff pancakes (these were fun!)

 Hope you are all having a great start to your week!  Let's hope for a speedy work week and a slow weekend!  

BURPEES and SUSHI and ZOMBIES oh my!!!

Summing up the past couple of weeks because we have been so busy!!!!

I was forced into signed up for the Burpee Mile, it was a really great event that was put on by GPP, and had tons of amazing sponsors.  One of which was the company I work for, Advanced Window Products.  It was exactly what it says it is.  One mile of Burpees.  There is no way of sugar coating that.  It was actually more fun than I expected.  Here are some pictures to prove it!

my tattoo..

 we got cute shirts!!!

Last weekend was so busy!  On Friday I went to dinner (sushi) with Janetha and Amanda for a much needed girls night.  Yes I work with them everyday.  Yes I see them everyday.  BUT... seeing them OUTSIDE of work is so much better!!!!  We always have a great time.  We followed that up with a trip to a haunted house.  I haven't been to one in years.  Probably since I was a teenager.  We don't need to do the math on that one.  Its been a while people.  Saturday we all signed up to do a Zombie Chase 5K.  I signed my kids up too knowing that my husband would be out of town for one, and thinking that maybe, just maybe they would actually enjoy it.  Turns out I was right.  They had a blast.  I was so impressed with them.  Did they run the whole time?  Of course not... but they jogged, and laughed and screamed and are still talking about it.  THAT is a success!  When we were nearing the end Peyton took off just so he could beat us all to the finish line and high five us all in!  Stinker!  Janetha, Amanda and I dressed up as Super Heroes and my kids wore little masks that I got for them because they wanted to save their costumes for the big day!!!  Can't blame them!  Here are some fun photos!

 Superman, Batman and Robin... 

 I am pretty sure I got called cat woman a few times... 

 My two little superheroes...

 Let's go girls... 

 Its a bird, its a plane....

 No fear...

  we shot 'em with paint balls

 Flew through the crowds making sure all were safe

 Into the City Sewer System

 We climbed through tunnels...

Finish line... we saved the world!

Pumpkin Guts!

I have more posts that I want to do relating to the competition and my prep but I really need to find more time to actually sit down and use my brain :)  For now, join us for our family night!

Pajha refused, REFUSED to touch the "pumpkin guts" so I had to clean out her pumpkin for her (she is SUCH a princess), but the kids did a great job with them and it was a fun little family night!

Show recap!!!

Friday:

Got up, took the kids to school, and headed to Salt Lake to pick up a few last minute things (jewelry, makeup).  I had to go check in for the competition too. Got my number.  60.

Made a quick stop at work to give Janetha and Amanda their tickets for the night show and to pick up a new piece of jewelry that we ordered (which I will share in a later post) but I was so excited to get it I couldn't wait!  After that, the prep for Saturday began.  It was time to shower, shave, exfoliate and then TAN....

This is what I use and I feel like it gives me the best color.  I do 3-4 coats of the ProTan the night before and Saturday morning I do 1-2 coats of the Ultra 1.  Then... I tried to sleep... which actually went better than it ever has before.  I was able to sleep from about 12:30 am to 6 am.  I am usually up at 3 show days.

Saturday:

I didn't have to be to the venue until 10 am.  I got up and took my time getting ready, which was really nice not to feel like I was in a rush.  Bikini was last in the order for prejudging but first for the night show.  I figured we would probably hit the stage around noon.  I got to the venue saw a few familiar faces and got settled in my little chosen area.  Funny story, this guy I dated in high school is now a bodybuilder.  When we dated he was seriously 100 pounds ;)  He was backstage with his beautiful girlfriend who was also competing.  I haven't seen him in at least 15 years if not more and he is definitely not that 100 pound senior anymore.  It was fun to catch up with him, and joke about how weird it is that we are both into this industry!

I waited for what seemed like an eternity.  Seriously.  My lower back was KILLING me.  I couldn't sit for too long, didn't want to mess up my tan.  I didn't want to be rushing to get ready so I just stood around in my heels waiting, and waiting and waiting, while my lower back kept cramping up on me... finally around 2:30 it was time to go on stage.  Until this point I wasn't that nervous.  And then the nerves hit.  As I was standing there watching all the girls in my class (I was the last one to go out) do their model walks.  They were so cute and so young and so "bouncy".  It was then that I got nervous.  I got insecure with my own "walk" and felt really unsure of myself.  I am not a "bouncy" person.  I feel so weird trying to be.  So I wasn't.  I did my usual walk with posing and hoped that it was enough.  When did it become so "bouncy" anyway?

The judges moved me around a few times.  I had NO clue where I was placed, or IF I even placed after it was over.  

It was 3:00 by the time I got off stage and met up with my sister and niece who were watching for lunch.  Got a few nice texts from friends that had been watching and even still felt really uncertain as to how I did.  Night show started around 6:30.  Bikini was first which was super nice because my back was hurting so bad.   Thank you Janetha for these photos... I will post more as I get them!

 3rd place

Top 5

So I didn't get 1st like I wanted, but I placed.  I am happy with that.  It was the biggest show Utah has ever had, tons of competitors and tough competition.  I am now known around work as the 3rd place girl.  One day... mark my words... I WILL be the 1st place girl!

Ready to EAT!

My newest hardware!

Me and the girls!

Love these two!

I have to say thank you to everyone who reads this blog, for your support, your words of encouragement and advice.  I am so thankful to have family and friends who truly support me in all that I do and thanks to those who were able to make it to the show.  It meant the world to me to have you there!  

Hiking....

Over the weekend my husband and I decided to finish the hike that I started a few weeks ago with Janetha and Amanda. Its called Elephant Rock and it is absolutely STUNNING!  There is just nothing like Utah Mountains.  The hike is about 7 or 7.5 miles round trip.  It was rough, especially after having done 30 minutes of sprints just a few hours before, but so worth it.  The views are breathtaking!  

One more week.....

One week out.... and my new suit....

Front Pose

Back Pose

Model Pose

I feel pretty good.  In fact I feel REALLY good this time around.  I can't wait to talk more about what I have done differently this prep than I did last prep (and basically ANY prep).  It will have to wait until after the show though because it is going to require some thinking and right now... I am not too great at thinking.  My carbs are SUPER low... and my brain function is well... not that great!  Just ask my friends.  I have had a few of those "holy crap what are you talking about" moments at work this week when it was obvious what they were talking about to everyone in the room, except me.  I just can't keep up ha ha ha!  Anyway, I am so excited for the competition.  I really want to place well.  Actually scratch that... I want to WIN!  

Its almost my favorite time of prep.  The time when its a little like Christmas morning each day you see something new... a little leaner, a new muscle pop, etc... I love it.  I can't wait to see what I get come October 13th.  Can't wait to smell the Pro-tan, get all gussied up in my hooker heels and WAY too much makeup, ha ha ha... oh man lets do this!!!!

8... going on 16

My daughter is 8... going on 16 and we have quite a few talks that I leave the room thinking where in the world did she come from??!!??  Since I am competing again I have noticed her little comments concerning me in a bikini, etc.... I get it, it's weird, maybe even a little bit embarrassing for her but I feel like maybe she doesn't fully understand what it is I am doing.  So a couple of weeks ago I sat her down after she had made a few snotty comments to me about competing and had a chat with her.  I explained to her that me competing is in no way something I do to be inappropriate or immodest.  I don't do it so that I can prance around in the tiniest bikini (gah!!!) I can find and get hooted and hollered at.  My friends and family will tell you that I despise wearing bathing suits on any other given day.  I explained to her that for me competing is a sport, a hobby.  I set a goal, and I work REALLY hard to achieve it.  I told her that she should be proud of me for working so hard, not embarrassed.  I had her sit down and look at some pictures from past competitions with me.  I explained to her what the judges are looking at, what they are looking for and what I work so hard for.  I think it helped because last week when my friends were over for dinner I was saying something like "Oh, don't listen to me I'm just a mom" to my son when she piped in and said very proudly "you're not JUST a mom, you're a bikini model!".  LOL!

My suit is finished, and I am SO pleased with it.  I think it is absolutely stunning!  I spent Saturday working on it with my sister.  I finally sent in my registration papers... which means I am officially stepping on stage Oct 13th!  Eeeeks!  I never feel like it is really real until I mail the registration papers in.  I will post pictures of my suit this week!  Love this part of it, getting close to peak week!  Whoop!