Canuck Corner-Installment #3
Hi Everyone!
December is here and we all know what that means - tonnes of holiday shopping, traveling and eating! Normally I would point out the differences between our Canuck holidays and those in the USA, but this time around we all have the same days off, and celebrate in similar ways, so no need :-) The holidays are a time for family, food and fun, and of course this month also marks the time when the Arnold International invitations are sent out! Getting an invitation to the Arnold pro show is right up there on any IFBB pro's wish list, so all of the athletes who have submitted applications will be waiting with bated breath for the third week of December. Kim Tilden was the last Canadian IFBB Figure Pro to get an invitation to the Figure International (in 2010), and with no Canadians on the roster in 2011, I'm curious to see if one of us makes the cut for 2012! I am confident that Canadian athletes will do us proud again this year --so I am hoping to see some names like Justine Munro, Jodi Boam, Mindi O'Brien and Myriam Capes on the lists, just to name a few :-)
So despite the misconception that all Canadians live in igloos and take canoes to work, I personally am not a huge fan of winter and had my first bout with some massive snowfall last week - not pretty! The grocery store across the street even closed early so staff could get home, but luckily I was able to sneak in there for a roasted chicken and some veggies before they closed their doors. My yorkie Oscar was also a little hesitant to venture out into the white wonderland, but once he got into the swing of things (and the fact that his 3 lb frame could virtually 'hover' on top of the snow), he was happy to be outside.
This weekend I plan on doing some great things in the gym (by great things I mean tearing up some muscle fibres, just to build them up again bigger and stronger!). My coach Tad Inoue and I worked really hard this year to get a conditioning formula down pat, so now that we have gotten that one figured out, I am making some refinements to my physique. I am also enlisting the help of a friend/local trainer to help me with some spot 'activation' for my mid back and rear delts - areas I need to work on, but that are hard to target without assistance. Outside of the gym, I am playing a volleyball tournament, and will probably finish off my holiday shopping well ahead of schedule - whohoo!
Also my supplement sponsor Nutrabolics has been nominated in the Canadian Supplement Awards!!! Please check out the link and show your Nutra love!!! http://muscle-insider.com/2011-canadian-supplement-awards
Since this is my last blog before the holidays, I also wanted to share with you a recipe that my friend/fellow IFBB Pro Ann Titone shared with me this week - talk about a crowd pleasing dessert without the guilt -- thanks Ann!
Protein Pumpkin Cupcakes
1 ½ scoop vanilla protein powder
4 packets stevia
3 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 tsp pumpkin spice
½ tsp baking powder
¾ cup egg whites
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla extract
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and pour into cupcake tin (spray tin with non-fat cooking spray).
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes
3. Allow to cool for 5 minutes
In closing have an absolutely wonderful holiday and fantastic December! Remember to start plotting your New Year's Resolutions (if you haven't already) and think about what you want for yourself in 2012 -- even the small goals count so don't forget to write them down!
See you next year :-)
Yours in health,
Natalie
Natalie Waples
IFBB Figure Pro
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