Laura Bailey

Muy Importante!

The importance of food journals is often underestimated. They are frequently dismissed as time consuming and pointless. Most effective trainers and nutritionists require clients to keep them for documentation purposes and to better assist in meeting desired goals. I think food journals are the best way to keep us accountable for the things we put into our bodies. This is the first line of defense whether you use a trainer or nutritionist because it is what you see first and must often show as verification of your discipline or lack of. Additional benefits include:

1)Providing a Record of What Does/Doesn’t Work. It serves as a notation for how well you did or did not look. This can be beneficial because if you ate certain foods for 4 weeks and were happy with your appearance, you know exactly what to do to get that same look next time. It takes the guessing out of tweaking your physique, which is especially important for competitors.

2)Works on Conscience. Many times, if you know you shouldn’t eat that doughnut, having to record it and potentially show it to your trainer or seeing it as a reminder may occasionally work to deter you from consuming it. It’s just good old fashion guilt!

I have kept a food journal since I began competing in ’04. Also though there are some gaps in my journals, I can almost tell you everything I have eaten over the past 5 years. It has made it so much easier to make adjustments to my nutrition even for non-competitive purposes.  I initially started by using a regular writing journal and recording the date, times, meals, calories, and my workouts. For the past 2 years I have since found that an Appointment Daytimer works best for me, as it has the dates written and times preprinted in 15 minutes increments. I simply circle the time and write in the food in blue ink, followed by my workouts in red ink. If I am weighing, I use black ink and print it right next to the date. What I like the best is that I can view the entire week on one page.

Once you know what works, I’m sure you can loosen up on how much you choose to record in your journal, but for me, I have found through trial and error that it keeps me fully accountable and also helps me remember what I have eaten throughout the day.   

Sweet Decadence!

OMG!

This is a different variation of the peanut butter yogurt recipe I posted last week. Super simple. Sooooo good! I made it in the morning , put it in the freezer, and waited impatiently until the evening to eat it……kind of like a kid waiting impatiently to open presents on Christmas morning….LOL. Ahhhh Sweet Decadence!   Enjoy. 

 1 tub fat free Cool Whip 

2tbs peanut butter 

2 ½ single servings of International Delight Mint Chocolate Truffle flavored coffee creamer 

Mix all ingredients. Let sit in freezer about 30 minutes. It gets solid and has the consistency of frozen yogurt….guilt free! 

1)How many of you knew that Hello Kitty originated in Japan 35 years ago?

2)Am I the only person who thinks it’s amazing that Sesame Street is still going strong after 40 years?

3)Why do all these new young teenage actors all look the same: like skinny, pale, sick boys? (they need to eat some protein and go to the gym)

4)Have they ever heard of self-tanners?

5)How many of you look forward to “Black Friday” just so you can watch the evening news and see how many people got trampled in the stores?

6)Why doesn’t Obama’s Secret Service team hire the couple who snuck into the state dinner to teach them how to do their job more effectively?

7)How many of you still have sore stomachs from overeating on Thanksgiving Day?

8Who was at the gym at the crack of dawn Friday morning trying to work off those calories?

9)What are Ju-Ju Pets? (I don’t even know if I spelled it right? Those are suppose to be one of the hot ticket items this year).

10)How many of you remember the fights people got into back in ’98 over Tickle Me Elmo?

11)How many of you still get excited for the ol’ skool Rudolph and Frosty The Snowman to come on TV?

12)That’s not even animation….does anyone know what it’s called?

13)How about that Auburn and Alabama game? (Oooo!!)

14)I missed the AMA’s last weekend. Was the Adam Lambert stage incident as bad as the media is making it out to be? (No pun intended).

15)How did Tiger Woods hit a fire hydrant and then a tree at 2:30am? Hmmmm. Wonder what was going on? (Hopefully he was just tired or texting or something.)

16)Why do people complain about stereotypes and then engage in behaviors that perpetuate them?

17)Why do people think “the holidays” make it acceptable to wear those gaudy festive sweaters?

18)How many of you have family members who show up at family functions with those sweaters?

19)How many of you are the family member who wears the sweater?

20)What do you think?

Kellgg's Corn Pops....BUT preservative free!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL! I hope you didn’t indulge too much. I came across this sometime ago while in the grocery store, but it was one of those items that I always bypassed until earlier this week. This “Yellow Corn Cereal” looks rather bland, but it’s great! Think of the cereal Corn Pops…..it is the same thing without the preservatives. It’s puffed corn. That’s it! I’ve eaten it plain, with salt like popcorn, or salt and Splenda like kettle corn, or just with Splenda like Corn Pops cereal. I tried eating it with milk, but it got soggy too quick. Either way, it’s an alternative to the typical “carbs” we tend to eat, it’s very light in your stomach, and best of all, it’s only $1.00 per bag with 11 servings. Try it and see how you like it. Here is the nutritional content:

Alf’s Natural Nutrition Ready to Eat Yellow Corn Cereal

Ingredients: whole yellow corn

Serving Size: 1cup (16g)

Calories: 60

Fat: 0

Cholesterol: 0

Sodium: 0

Potassium: 50mg

Carbs: 12g, Fiber 1g, Sugars 0g

Protein: 2g  

1) Are we all really going to die on December 21, 2012?

2)Why don’t they just let Sarah Palin and Katie Couric go toe to toe? (May the best woman win.)

3)Do you think she’ll want to take on Levi Johnston when she’s finished?

4)How many people are in disbelief over the statement that woman should wait until age 50 before having a mammogram?

5)What really happened to Sammy Sosa’s face?

6)Do you think MJ was his dermatology mentor?  

7)Is there any punishment great enough for the couple involved in the human trafficking and murder of the 5-year old girl?

So what are we going to set our DVRs to record at 4pm daily after Oprah goes off the air?

9) Do you think they’ll bring back Phil Donahue, Sally Jessie Rafael, or Ricki Lake?

10)How disheartening are the obesity related health care costs predicted for 2018 ?

 11)Forget healthcare reform….obesity is public enemy #1…….how about the government mandate that EVERYONE create a Bodyspace profile to get motivated and inspired to live healthier?

12)How wrong were those 2 guys who knocked the elderly lady down for her purse?

13)How beneficial to the public was the government developed  “cash for clunkers” plan? (Check out the real numbers behind the program…..when tax time rolls around, consumers may not have gotten as great a deal as they think)

14)If humans only use a very small percentage of their brains, how much more of our environment and society could we destroy if we used all of it? (How about we give mother earth a break—go green!)

15)Why don’t men just shave their hair off when they start going bald?

16)Why do they do the thin patches or comb overs? (bald heads are sexy!)

17)At the request of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is anyone planning on trying meatless “Tofurkey” for Thanksgiving and giving up the traditional turkey? (please let me know how it tastes)  

 18)Is Windows 7 everything it is advertised to be?                 

19)If there are over 10,000 “Apps” for IPhones, why do people get so excited when they find a new?

20)What do you think?

This is for all you peanut butter junkies out there. I don’t know if I have already posted these or not but either way….they are dang delish!

(1)Peanut Butter Yogurt

1 tub fat free Cool Whip

4tbs peanut butter

Mix all ingredients. Let sit in freezer about 5-10 minutes. It gets solid and has the consistency of frozen yogurt….guilt free!

(2)Peanut Butter Protein Mix

1-2tbs peanut butter

2tbs honey

1 banana

1 scoop EFX NF Pro vanilla protein powder

Mash banana in bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Can be eaten by itself, with crackers, or on rye, Ezekiel, or whole wheat pita bread. The mix is very sweet so you may want to make adjustments to the honey or bananas.

Coach Atherton

While in DC for a figure competition over the weekend, I had the opportunity to work with photographer John Atherton, aka Coach A or Dr. Atherton. I thought I was going there simply for a photoshoot and an interview for a future issue of Natural Muscle Magazine, but what I left with superseded any expectations I had. Prior to shooting, Coach A and I chatted and looked through his portfolio in his office. It was then I found out he was a retired preacher and had a Doctor of Philosophy in theology and several thousand hours in counseling. He has also been responsible for training many ladies in “tri fitness” competitions such as Mocha Lee, Sha’nay Norvell (from American Gladiators). He has worked as a high school educator and athletic coach as well. During our discussion I asked coach to pray for certain areas in my life in which I am struggling, learning, and growing. I left it at that and we went to shoot.

Coach A has the name “coach” for that very reason. He not only shot images, but assisted, commented, and critiqued the entire shoot on body position, lighting, shadows, facial expressions, contours, and almost anything else that can help a model bring out her best features. So as I smiled, leaped, posed, and contorted my body, coach showed me the

More than just a photoshoot

images as we went and I was highly impressed. I told him, “Dang, you’re good. You really bring out the best in me. I’ve never had so many good facial expressions!” Six outfits later we were done and reviewing some of the images. Coach keeps a well worn Bible on his desk in visible sight. The entire time we spoke before and after the shoot he fiddled with the Bible on his desk, moving it, and thumbing its edges. He then picks up his Bible, thumps it in front of me, and says, “Read 1John 1: 1-10…..outloud!”  I must have had a look of surprise on my face because he stated, “When you asked me to pray for you in specific areas of your life, I started thinking…..so read the verses.” As we discussed the verses, and chatted further I could see that my photoshoot had turned into an opportunity for learning, growth, and fellowship.

When I initially began emailing Coach A back in January I told him about a series my pastor was preaching on in Bible Study and Coach gladly asked for more details about the series. I should have known then. This weekend was never about a photo shoot or a competition. It was about opportunity…..God’s opportunity. In my opinion God places us in the exact situations and circumstances that we need to be in for that moment of our lives. Good or bad comfortable or uncomfortable, that’s what He does. I’ll spare you all the details, but I walked away from that experience with so much more than a portfolio of pictures. I walked away with more knowledge, encouragement, and a new friend in Christ…….and that was worth more than any photoshoot or show placing could ever be! 

Below is one of the images from the shoot….I call it “Jumping for Joy!”    Check out more of Coach A’s work at: www.jwathertonphotography.com

Every few weeks I’ve decided to post my “20 Questions” about life, the week’s events, fitness, and anything else that’s on my mind. Giving credit where it is due, I borrowed this idea from my college newspaper “The Panther” printed at Prairie View A&M University. (Go PV!!) It’s just for fun, so don’t get your panties or boxers all in a bunch!

1) What in the world was the soccer player from New Mexico State thinking when she was engaging in all kinds of delinquent misconduct on the field?

2)Why hasn’t the university put her out…..permanently?

3)Why did I over hear a lady in the store tell her daughter, “I am offended that they have Christmas decorations out and Halloween has not passed yet!” (If that is the most serious issue going on in her life…then I want that life!)

4)Why are the sending Lil’ Wayne to jail? (Leave Weezie alone!)

5)Did anyone see the football player from Kansas last weekend take dive into the end zone on his neck…..ouch? (He’s ok though.)

6)Why did a lady fake having breast cancer so she could get donations for breast implants?

7)Can someone say go straight to hell, do not pass go, do not collect $200…….I’m praying for her about that?

Ladies, since leg warmers and patterned stockings (aka fishnets) are back in style, should we break ours out from the ‘80’s?

9)How many of you still have yours…..I know I do?

10)How many of you remember Aqua Net hair spray? (I saw some at the nail shop this week. Didn’t know they still made it That’s hurricane proof hair spray..LOL.)

11)Why do people blame “carbs” for their weight gain?

12)Why don’t people blame themselves rather than the carbs? (Last time I checked “carbs” were inanimate objects and pretty helpless.)

13)Does EVERYONE use P90X now?

14)How many of you dressed your animals up for Halloween and made them look silly?

15)How many of you plan to do the same thing for Christmas….(ME!)?

16)Why does it seems so hard for people to keep their marriages together? (I’m not married, so those who are please give feedback. It just seems like everyone is getting divorced now and it’s so sad….)

17)Why was there a man in the audience at tonight’s IFPA Yorton Cup with a microphone that was speaking over the judges at the front table during the figure judging?

18)Why do people endorse products they know absolutely nothing about?

19)Why am I so excited for Thanksgiving in 2 weeks? (Peach cobbler and pecan pie baby!)

20)What do you think?

This is an ode to all my friends that I have had since elementary and even preschool.

Thank you for shoulders to cry on and ears to listen. Thank you for telling me to shut up when I was digging the whole deeper, and thank you for telling me what I “needed” to hear rather than what I “wanted” to hear. (Thank you for the Ken Barbie doll and Matchbox BMW). Thank you for having a 24hr revolving phone line just to say hello or to make me laugh. Thank you for the late night chats and midnight junk food runs. Thank you for introducing me to Jesus, when I didn’t know him and making me go to church when I didn’t want to. Thank you for the road trips and shopping frenzies. Thanks for supporting me at my shows. And to those of you who “tied that knot”….thanks for getting married and having good wedding cake! LOL. If I can ever be half of what you are to me I will be thankful. I feel truly blessed. Love you all so much! 

I’m taking a different spin on “20 Questions” this Saturday. Instead, I’m sharing true news headlines that were actually printed in various papers. I apologize in advance if anyone finds these offensive. I thought most were funny and I just needed a good laugh today! Enjoy.

• Grandmother of eight makes hole in one
• Deaf mute gets new hearing in killing
• Police begin campaign to run down jaywalkers
• House passes gas tax onto senate
• Two convicts evade noose, jury hung
• Safety experts say school bus passengers should be belted
• Quarter of a million Chinese live on water
• Farmer bill dies in house
• Iraqi head seeks arms
• Queen Mary having bottom scraped
• Is there a ring of debris around Uranus?
• Prostitutes appeal to Pope
• Panda mating fails – veterinarian takes over
• NJ judge to rule on nude beach
• Child’s stool great for use in garden
• Soviet virgin lands short of goal again
• Organ festival ends in smashing climax
• Eye drops off shelf
• Squad helps dog bite victim
• Dealers will hear car talk at noon
• Enraged cow injures farmer with ax
• Lawmen from Mexico barbecue guests
• Miners refuse to work after death
• Two Soviet ships collide – one dies
• Never withhold herpes from loved one
• Nicaragua sets goal to wipe out literacy
• Two sisters reunite after eighteen years at checkout counter  
• Child’s death ruins couple’s holiday
• Blind woman gets new kidney from dad she hasn’t seen in years
• Man is fatally slain
• Something went wrong in jet crash, experts say

Source: http://funnies.paco.to/Headlines.html