::Loving Life::

Good Morning Everyone!!!!!!

Sorry I have not written in a while I have been very busy and life has been pretty uneventful for the most part. I am home for the summer and I am car less it has been a little stressful. I am lucky enough that my mom is willing to share with me all summer (so that I can work) until I have enough money to buy one of my own. I am enjoying my nanny job this summer again for 2 kids that I also watched last summer. The weather has not been cooperating for any swimming or fishing yet, but we have still had lots of fun doing arts and crafts, bowling, going to movies, and playing games. The summers I get to nanny are always a lot of fun!

It is a very different feeling for me to be in an "off season"....off season, what's that? :) I feel like I spent my entire spring semester prepping for the competitions I did, and now I have a little more freedom. After MN State I took sometime to enjoy foods that I have not had in months. My favorites were bananas, milk, and yes some homemade treats from mom too! It is scary once you let yourself enjoy other foods for a while because it is amazing the damage some of them can do to you. Granted I am aware that I cannot look stage ready year round, but it is still sad to see some of it fill in. Another problem I have encountered are food allergies. Since I deprived my body from certain things such as dairy, gluten, and fruit for so many months my body did not know what to do with them once I put them back in. I find out Friday, but I either have some or all of the above allergies. Keep your fingers crossed that it is nothing serious.

My training has been going exceptionally well this summer. I am very lucky that I do not have to be to work until 11am, so after I drop my mom off at work the morning is mine. I head straight to the gym and I have been getting some really good workouts in. It feels great to be strong again with the mindset of building more muscle. I miss working out at the gym at school, but I am really lucky to have a nice gym back home to use also. There is more variety of machines at this gym so I can mix up my workouts and try new things as well. So far it is going amazing :) I am still doing cardio right now because I know the success it has given me in my leg and glute development. I am still walking on an incline of 15 for 30 minutes after my lifts, and in the evening I go for an hour power walk with my mom.

My diet is going well. Until I find out what I am allergic to, I am keeping my diet similar to how I had it for contest prep, except the amounts are greater since I am trying to build. I am going to gauge it week by week because if I start getting too lean (which always seems to happen) then I will increase calories.

I have a few ideas for my next goals but until I fine tune them, and decide which direction to take I am going to make you wait to find out what they are.

It is really great to be home for the summer and spend lots of time with my family and friends. I missed them all this past school year, and its great to make more memories again.
I hope you all have an amazing day!!! Never give up on your dreams...you are in charge of the outcome :)

XO SJ <3

Bikini Barbie

Shirt design Ken at MissFit clothing made me...he promised me a shirt this time if I took top 3 :) Thanks Ken!!!

Hello Everyone!!!

I hope that you are all doing well! Sorry I have not posted anything yet from the show...things have been a little hectic for me.

June 4th 2011 was NPC Army National Guard MN State Championships hosted at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, MN. It was my third show that I competed in the bikini class. I was very excited about this show because a lot of my friends were competing in it with me.

A big THANK YOU to LORI SCHOPF for doing my hair and make up!!!!
{this picture was taken before pre-judging}

My friend Lori came over Friday evening to practice doing my hair and make up. She did a wonderful job and I was excited to see the final product in the morning. I also got my spray tan done Friday night by Jacque Combs: Muscle Glam Custom Spray Tanning {who also blinged my bikini and back-stage flip flops}. She did an amazing job and I will definitely go to her again for all of my competition spray tan needs.



Lori and I at the night Show



The competition was held at Mystic Lake Casino. The venue was beautiful and it was very convenient because the hotel and the competition location were all in one building so we did not have to travel anywhere. It was a very neat experience competing here. Pre-judging started by 9:00 and the men went on stage first. I was so excited to see all of my friends and make new ones as well.

My good friend Jerome and I. This was our third show together. CONGRATS ON TAKING YOUR CLASS JD!!!!

After pre-judging I came out into the lobby and saw my good friend Diana Kersten and her daughter, Maria. I was SOOOOO excited and happy to see them. They are like family to me, and it meant the world they came to support me. They were both wearing pink shirts to match my bikini and show their support. It was wonderful. Maria gave me a tiara and said the Bikini Queen must have one. :) What a sweetheart!! I love you both very much!!!! Thank you for all you have done for me and continue to do.

 REMINDER: CHECK OUT DIANA MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY!! Diana captured all of the amazing competitors from the weekend from pre-judging and the night show :)






Maria, me, and Diana after pre-judging
<3 you both very much! Thank you for your never-ending support and kindness <3

Here are some more pictures of friends from the show:



Laura, Me, Nick
Congrats to both of you! You looked amazing!



My buddy Christie Mader :)
CONGRATS ON FIGURE OVERALL!! I am SO proud of you!!!



Me, Julie, and Heidi!!
Heidi: Congrats on placing at your first show!!!
Julie: Thank you for all of your support!!



Me and Maria
::My Mini-Me::
<3

I ended  up taking 2nd place again. I am very proud the results. I had a very competitive class, and everyone looked beautiful. You ladies are all winners to me and I am so proud of all of you!!!



Christine Bongiovanni (MN show promoter) and Me
This was right before she send me out on stage for the night show. I love this part :)
Thank you for putting on an amazing show!!!



TOP 5: Bikini B
We are all winners!





SO PROUD of you, Tasha!!!!

2nd and 3rd place Bikini B

Celebrating with our delicious cupcakes!!!!!!!!!! :-)



Just a side note..as I am sure many of you heard several stories which may have been true or not, Lee and I have decided to go our separate ways, and I wish him the best.

Well, another show is in the book. I am very proud of myself, and how far I have come. Looking, back a year ago, I never imagined myself setting foot on stage, and I have not only done it once, but three times since April. I have put my heart and passion into my training every single day, waking up at 5am every day to do fasted cardio, setting aside my friends and family to get my training in, and spending countless hours in the kitchen cooking and prepping my meals. This is only the beginning of my journey...watch for me in the future. I will be back for more!!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me on my journey!!!!

<3 SJ xo

Photos by Diana Marie: Fitness and Glamour

Hello Everyone!!!

My amazing friend Diana and I at 2011 Fox Cities Showdown. I am so thankful to have her in my life. She did an amazing job with the photos today!! Thanks again Diana Marie Photography!!!! <3

I hope you all having an amazing week. Today I had a very busy, and exciting day! My friend Diana Kersten drove all the way to visit me at college for a photo-shoot. I always wanted to do a photo-shoot in the gym on campus because that is was the magic happened for me. I was in there every day, often 2-3 times day and it is where my life was changed. I am so thankful she was able to do my shoot in there because they are memories I will ALWAYS have and want to remember :)

Diana did my hair and makeup and surprised me with a few fun things to wear for the shoot. She is an amazing photographer and the whole experience was unforgettable. We arrived at the gym and there were just a few regulars working out there so we had a lot of freedom to be creative and take our time with the shoot. The UWSP Strength Center student manager Andrew Booth was very accommodating to our needs.

My roomie Tyler and I

My roomie, Tyler who sometimes works out with me was there for the warm up part of the shoot and I got a few pics with him just for memory sake. He always has to spot me on my shoulder exercises because I dislocated my shoulder over winter break so I wanted to get a few shots of him spotting me...just like old time sake :)

After I was all warmed up, Diana followed me around to various machines and the free weight area where I went through some basic exercises I normally do when I lift so we could capture what exactly I do when I am working out. It was really nice how she let me do my own thing, and then gave suggestions and fun ideas too. We were a great team!! We did several outfit changes in the weight room, and after being there for a few hours we decided it was time to move on to something new.

We went back to my apartment to look over some of the pictures, and so I could get my meals in...all that posing makes a girl hungry! :) When we got back, a pink package was waiting for me in my mailbox...I knew exactly what it was. I ripped it open and inside was my hot pink sparkly bikini that Jacque Combs custom bling-ed for me!!! I tried it on right away and it looked amazing!! The bikini is the most beautiful thing I have ever worn, and I cannot wait to rock it Saturday at MN State Championships!!!!! (Thank you Diana and Jacque for the most beautiful bikini EVER!!) After prancing around with the biggest smile on my face in my new barbie bikini, It was time to take more pictures. Diana touched up my hair and then we headed down town so I could get some glamour shots to add to the portfolio in a fun  black dress I purchased from Victoria's Secret last fall.

There was a ton of photo opportunities downtown for us to take advantage of and we were lucky to have such amazing weather :) The sun was shining, and the wind was blowing perfectly. As we were taking some pictures, two gentlemen came up to us and were very excited {go figure haha}. They were asking about the shoot and didn't believe that I was a competitor until I stood up and he saw my legs and was in shock! haha It was quite the reaction. They were so excited they had to get their picture with me and joined my fan page right away. It was really neat that they were so supportive and excited about my journey. I love inspiring others.

We ended our shoot around 6:45 pm and then headed back to my apartment to pack up my life to move me back home to live with my mom for the summer and continue my nanny job. It was sad leaving my apartment, my roomie, and the strength center. So many memories were made this year, but I know great things are to come.

I got home around 9pm and I was greeted by my mom with open arms. She was SO happy to have me home again. I have not seen her since I competed in the Fox Cities Showdown so it was so wonderful to see her. 

Tomorrow will be another busy day. I have to make sure I have everything packed for the weekend and I need to cook all of my chicken and tilapia as well. I am going to spend a lot of the day with my mom and sister which will be very nice. We are going to spend a lot of time outside and in the evening we all have hair appointments so that will be a nice bonding time as well. I am so excited to get my hair highlighted and trimmed again :

Friday morning Lee is picking me up bright and early :-) I am VERY excited to be him...5 weeks is too long!! We are going to have our 5 hour adventure to MN where the greatest weekend of all will begin!!! I am looking forward to it!!! :-) I cannot believe I am almost there. Show number three...I am so proud. I cannot believe how much I have accomplished in this past year. I have so much to be thankful for. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me!!!

I hope everyone has an amazing night!
<3 SJ xo

::SJ's Southwest Shrimp 'n 'Shroom Specialty::

::SJ's Southwest Shrimp 'n 'Shroom Specialty::

Ok Everyone...another recipe using Mrs Dash: Southwest Chipotle. I spent the weekend alone so aside from training, I did have much to do at school so in between doing lunges in my apartment all weekend I decided to do some creative clean cooking :-)

You will need:
1 George Foreman grill
1 small frying pan
Olive Oil
Mrs. Dash: Southwest Chipotle
Sliced Mushrooms
Pre-cooked Shrimp

Make sure shrimp is thawed out. Brush olive oil onto the grill and place shrimp on it. Sprinkle seasoning on the shrimp. Close grill and cook 4-5 minutes

While the shrimp is cooking, put sliced mushrooms in the frying pan with just a drizzle of olive oil. Add water to help steam the mushrooms faster. If you like things spicy, add some more seasoning to the mushrooms as well.

Combine the shrimp and 'shrooms together for a few minutes.

ENJOY! Note: This was so amazing that I made it 4x already since Saturday for my roomie and I!

~*~ For the Birthday Girl!! !~*~

Hello Everyone!


::HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!!::



 I would like to dedicate this post to my #1 girl, Angel Sigman. Tomorrow is her ***Birthday*** and I want to wish her the most amazing day ever <3

I was introduced to Angel  last fall through our mutual friend JD, and I am so thankful to have her in my life. She is an amazing woman who will blow the world away with her accomplishments. She is one of the hardest working people I know and she is striving to achieve the same goals as me.

Angel: You are exceptional. Every single day you make me laugh and smile and you give me a good kick in the butt when I need one :+) I have never had a friend like you before, and I am so blessed to have you in my life. Each day our friendship becomes stronger as we push each other past our limits and excel above our expectations. You keep me going, and together I know we will be an unstoppable team. I know you are a far away from me now, but God has a plan. He gave me a wonderful friend, and someday we will get to take on the world together :) I cannot wait for you to move here so we can go to the gym every day together, take Freckles the dog for walks, I can cook you all the amazing meals I send you pictures of, and we can prepare for future shows knowing we have each others support.

I cannot wait to compete in the 2011 NPC Army National Guard MN Northstar with you. It is going to be awesome standing next to my best friend with our hot pink blinged-out bikinis :)

Counting down for you to come visit me this summer!!! <3

Have the most beautiful birthday ever, girl!! You deserve it!! Thank you for being the wonderful you!!!!!

::Having a friend like you is the greatest gift of all::

<3 Always- SJ Xo

Southwest Chipotle Shrimp Salad

Southwest Chipotle Shrimp Salad

You will need:

1 George Foreman Grill

Olive Oil with a brush

Mrs Dash: Southwest Chipotle seasoning

Shrimp

Spinach

Sliced cherry tomatoes

Turn on grill until it warms up and is ready for use

Brush olive oil on the grill

Place shrimp on the grill and season

Close grill and cook 4-5 minutes

Make saladThis meal is quick, easy, and something I can enjoy even when getting ready for a show. Who said cutting had to be bad? :)

ENJOY!!!



1 WEEK TO GO: Blinged and Ready!

Hello Everyone!!!!!

Happy Saturday to YOU! I hope everyone is having a wonderful memorial day weekend! I am spending the weekend working, training, packing up my college apartment, and catching up on some much needed rest. It is amazing the things you can accomplish when you do not have TV or Internet :)

This past week was very productive. I was able to work 40 hours at my campus job, get all of my lifts and two-a-day cardio sessions in, and do a wonderful job staying on track with my diet. Thank you to everyone at the Cardio Center for covering shifts for me so I could get my lifts in! I really appreciate it!!!!! {Allie Bean, Matt, and Steph!}




Dr. Ryce and I made Grilled Salmon on the :Foreman:....brush some olive oil on, sprinkle on MRS DASH: Southwest Chipotle...cook about 5 MIN and ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D




My friend Tyler moved in my apartment for the summer to sub-lease for me so I could hopefully have enough money to buy a car at some point {thank you DR. RYCE!!!!}. It is nice having someone else around for a change. He joins me for a.m. cardio, lifting, and we have been making some delicious meals...grilled salmon....egg white omelets....coco oats...shrimp...just to name a few :) Cutting is all what you make of it! :) Thanks for being a great pal. I know I can always count on you and it means a lot that you are looking out for me!!!



The bikini I am wearing for MN State! My iron sister Diana bought it for me, and my girl Jacque bling-ed it up for me!!!! TEAM EFFORT!! THANK YOU SO MUCH LADIES!!! I am VERY appreciative <3



I am VERY excited for 2011 NPC Army National Guard MN State Championships! Everything is coming together nicely :) Thank you everyone who has been a part of my journey and making everything a success for me!!!





Jacque surprised me with these beautiful flip flops that she whipped up for me last night :) Thanks for taking care of me girl!! Can't wait to rock these! :) <3



 I am so blessed to everyone who has been there for me. Sometimes it is hard doing so much on my own so when people reach out to me to make my life a little easier it makes a huge impact. Going to college, working multiple jobs, and training consumes my life {and isn't cheap!}. I like being a hard worker knowing I am earning the outcome of the actions, but it means a lot when I get a break and someone reaches out a helping hand. I am so grateful and appreciative of all the little things {and BIG things} people are doing for me. Thank you for believing in me <3  Someday I will repay all of you back :) You have my word! ,<3





<3 You Bree!!! PROUD OF YOU COMBAT BARBIE!



 With it being Memorial Day weekend I also wanted to thank those who are serving our country. I would like to personally thank my cousin, Jesse Metko, and my best friend {Combat Barbie} Bree Brooks. Thank you for what you have done, and continue to do! Jesse I hope I get to see you this weekend while you are visiting WI, and Bree I am counting down for you to come home safely so we can have an amazing summer!!!

My Cousin Jesse and I when he visited WI last August. Thank you for serving our country!

Enjoy the weekend!!! Be safe!!!!

Xo SJ <3