Sunday, March 11, 2012

Getting It Together

It’s been quite a while since I asked you all to challenge me.  I have not forgotten about the challenge, trust me.  It’s been on my mind everyday. On my mind as I sat eating leftover super bowl cupcakes.  On my mind when I made runs to Moe’s, for super fat burritos and chips.  On my mind as I used up free time that I should have spent at the food store buying healthy things.  Since my post, I’ve signed up for daily diet tip emails, read each of your advice filled messages and emails to me and filed all of this information in the back of my head under “I’ll take care of this tomorrow”.  As you can see, tomorrow turned into the next day and the next and the next.  Needless to say, the challenge has now gone from trying to eat healthy to trying to eat healthy AND lose weight.  I was screaming in my head on a daily basis, “Get it together Etta”! 

A few weeks ago, I decided to start my first attempt of ‘getting it together'.  I did this by taking a week to write down all of the things I was eating and drinking (not keeping track of my meals is one of my problems).  With just 3 days in I can truly say that I was horrified!  At first my eating habits could have used some improvement, but after realizing exactly what I was eating, I realized they needed a complete overhaul!  YIKES!! 

I’m about to share one of my worst days with you, but must preface it by saying, it was a fun filled day on which I was off from work.  Ok, maybe that’s not an excuse, but it helps get rid of some of my embarrassment.  Loosen your belts, here goes!
                                                                                      
Breakfast
2 pancakes
2 egg omelet with spinach and cheese
2 pieces of toast
1 glass of pomegranate limeade

Lunch
Doritos – no, that is not a typo.  This was my lunch.
1 glass of Low cal lemonade

Dinner
½ order of shrimp with broccoli and white rice
1 glass of Low cal lemonade

Dessert
1 homemade S’more

Exercise
3 mile speed walk

Are you as appalled as I was when I read this?  I think my stomach must have been when I consumed it all.  My insides must have been screaming.  My outsides were too.  My skin looked awful! 

I figured a food diary would be a good start and, thankfully, it was.  I've since taken a hold on my consumption.  Replaced bad with good and fat with fruit.  It's working out nicely and I feel a difference in my body.  Are there days when I'm not so good, absolutely.  But now I am ok with it as most of the days I am on course. 

Thanks again to all of you who sent me your advice.  I read it all and incorporated a lot of the ideas into my diet plan.  I'll be back with a sample day while on my road to healthy eating.

-The Very Full Etta Jams

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Olympics

I am a little behind finding out about this news, so many of you may already know, but roller derby is being considered for the 2020 Olympics!  For more information click here.

What are your thoughts on this? 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

Roller girls, we all know who your true love is.  Skate your hearts out!

And speaking of true love, congratulations to Cyanide Kisses & Dave, #2 & Pete and Butterscotch Cripple & Jesse on their recent engagements!

Monday, February 13, 2012

25 Random Facts

It's time for our fans to start to get to know our new roller girls.  No better way to do that then by reading 25 random facts about them.  So today (on her birthday) I am happy to introduce one of our newest league members.  Read on as this enthusiastic native New Yorker takes you through her life starting with the early years.  Then get ready to see her on the track this season with determination and maybe some apple sauce on the side.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you Spork Chop!!

1.  I totally rocked Barbie roller skates when I was 6. 


2.  When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a fashion designer. While I didn't fulfill that career aspiration, I do own a sewing machine and hope to someday (soon) sew myself a pair of awesome derby booty shorts.

3.  My second passion after roller derby is horseback riding. I was a competitive show jumper for over 15 years, taught riding lessons, and even owned a horse named Go-Go.


4.  I am a total New Yorker at heart - born in NYC, grew up on LI, went to college in the Hudson Valley, and now have come full-circle, living back in NYC.



5.  I'm a huge NY Jets & Yankees fan

6.  I've always loved performing - acting, singing, dancing, you name it. In high school, I was in numerous theater productions and sang in an all-girls barbershop a cappella group.

7.  I really enjoy crafting and am obsessed with ETSY.

8.  I broke my jaw getting my wisdom teeth out and was on a liquid diet for 6 weeks.

9.  I majored in Political Science and minored in economics in college.

10.  After college, I chopped off all my hair and donated it to charity.


11.  In my professional life, I work at an advertising agency. It's like Mad Men, but without all the smoking and drinking and gender inequalities.

12.  Speaking of Mad Men, I was once in a bar with a number of the show's cast members... including Jon Hamm! I would say it was my best celebrity sighting. That, or the time I was in a yoga class with an Olsen twin (not sure which one).

13.  I played several years of co-ed softball with my company team. I even went to the Advertising Softball World Championship!



14.  I'm a compulsive list-maker and carry a Moleskin notebook with me wherever I go.

15.  I don't care what people think - I love bad reality television, my Ugg boots, and Facebook.

16.  My friends call me the "cruise director" because I'm always the one coordinating and organizing our plans together.

17.  While I enjoy getting dressed-up, if it was socially acceptable, I would probably wear pajamas all the time.

18.  I hate tuna fish

19.  I love photobooths

20.  Last year I went to Disney World - and it was just as awesome as when I went as a child (plus, now there is also the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!)



21.  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Past costumes have included a Girl Scout, Barbie, a Unicorn, and Justin Bieber.


22.  I drive an hour, each-way, to and from derby practice. The drive (and the LIE traffic) would be unbearable if it wasn't for the carload of derby girls that carpool with me and keep me company!

23.  My favorite part of roller derby is hitting people!

24.  I think the most difficult part of the fresh blood process wass choosing just the right derby name.


25.  Sporks are the greatest utensils in the world!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Keep A Breast

Breast Cancer has unfortunately touched one too many people and The Roller Rebels are so happy to do their part by contributing to The Keep A Breast Foundation.  This coming Saturday, February 4th, The Roller Rebels along with Long Ireland Brewery will be hosting a Keep A Breast Fundraiser.  No cover charge and $1 of each growler sold goes towards the foundation.  In addition, you will be able to check out the breast casts that some of your favorite roller girls made.  The casts will be auctioned off at our February 11th bout.  So come and take a look and pick out your favorite! 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Congratulations!

To all of our Fresh Bloods who passed their skills test:

Ashlee C.
Danielle S.
Eileen
Erica P.
Farrah
Hannah
Hayley
Jenn
Justine
Katie F.
Lil e Von Schtupp
Natalie
Roxy
Spicy

Congratulations! 

To all of the girls who didn't make it this time, keep practicing and stay strong and focused.  You'll be ready next time around!

Friday, January 20, 2012

The Legendary Etta James


Today we lost a legend and my idol, the lovely Etta James.  The soulful, six-time Grammy winner passed away due to complications from a long time battle with Leukemia and dementia. 

On a personal note, I've listened to Etta James' music for as long as I can remember.  When choosing my derby name, I picked Etta Jams for a few reasons.  The first being that I love her music and I knew I wanted something that represented an older time era.  I also loved the fact that although she was able to pour out her heart through her music, she possessed a tough side.  Often outspoken and a fighter through life struggles including drug addiction and health problems, the singer persevered and continued to wow audiences with her powerful voice.

I am saddened by her passing, but know that her music will live on forever!  Here is one of my favorites from the singer.  Jamesetta Hawkins aka Miss Peaches aka Etta James you will be missed!