Green Tea Protein Shake

This is coming to you from the April edition of Oxygen Magazine. I thought it sounded yummy and wanted to share with my readers.



Green Tea Protein Shake:
1 large cup Green Tea, steeped from two tea bags
2/3 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1 tbsp ground Flaxseed
1 scoop Vanilla Whey Protein Powder (name brand of choice)
Pinch of cinnamon
Ice cubes

Place all ingredients into blender and blend till smooth. Oxygen suggests drinking half before your workout and half after for recovery. Sounds like a great idea to me.

( Ingredient information will vary depending on the type of whey protein powder you use. )

ASF- Expo Booth #4 - Monica Brant

As we walked through the Arnold Expo, I spotted a large poster with pictures of several of my favorite cover models. I noticed one to be Monica Brant. I quickly turned to my friends saying "Is Monica here?" So we ventured to where the poster was and saw on the sign she would be there between a certain time which was almost two hours away. We continued on and then I got a glimpse at another booth farther down the row. "That's her. She's over there."

As we approached the booth, so did a nicely dressed business man. He stepped up into Monica's booth and they started talking. I asked one of her assistants about the photos on the booth table and looked over the selection of awesome glossies. I decided Monica was someone I had to hang in my home gym. So for $10, I picked out a photo of Monica with all her medals. As soon as she saw me standing there waiting with my photo, she quickly stopped her conversation with the business man and turned to me. (I love when they actually seem to care and not snub you off). She shook my hand and I told her it was great to meet her. She then signed my photo and said "Would you like this one too?" And signed another one. I asked if she would mind taking her picture with me and she said sure and invited me back into her booth. She was so pretty up close.

Monica had great skin, a perfect smile, and had a personality that was so genuine. I told Monica I have read Oxygen for quite a while and she was one of the first fitness models I started to follow and take a liking to. She asked me a few more questions which honestly, I was a little star struck, and don't really remember. But when I started to walk away, I turned back and said, "You are more beautiful in person." She got a big smile and said Thank You. Then as I turned away again she called me by name (nice that she remembered) and said "Angie, here take one of these." It was a flier for her Venice Nutrition Program. It's a computer program with online coaching, meal plans, workout routines, and more. (For more details check out MoJo Wellness Pros.com. They call her MoJo for short).

Next year I want to go to all the competitions and see these amazing women in action. But I am not disappointed one bit for getting the opportunity to only go for the one day, as I met so many of my fitness inspirations. I will remember this day for a long time. (See Monica in action. Start at 1 minute.)

For those of you who are not familiar with Monica Brant, I would love to fill you in. But that would take about 3-4 posts in itself. She is one of the most awarded, photographed, more ad campaigns, and more magazine covers than any other fitness model of our time (or so I have been told.)

Check out Monica's site for all her stats and get to know Monica Brant.

Do you really want to look like Monica? On her site you can also purchase clothes from her closet. Check it out! I know I am. "From Monica's closet to yours."

She has a Fem Camp where you can go train with her for a few days, do a photo shoot, and learn about modeling and posing. Check out Fem Camp and register today.

I will leave you with this story which I read quite some time back (If I remember correctly, it was a reader's letter to Oxygen. Of course rewritten to what I remember. But sure of the last line!).

Two soccer moms, one fit, one not so much. The not fit mom notices the fit mom reading Oxygen Magazine. The next day she goes out to buy one. She brings her magazine to the next game and sits by the fit mom and says, "I got this magazine as I saw you reading it last week." She flips to a supplement ad and says "I want to look like her." The fit mom smiles and says "Honey, that's Monica Brant. Everyone wants to look like her."

ASF- Expo Booth #3: Tosca Reno and Robert Kennedy

The third booth (or should I say three and four) put a lot into perspective for me, and is something I will remember for a long time.

My friend and I went right to the Oxygen Magazine booth as it was not crowded at all. This turned out to be very lucky for us. I purchased the Oxygen No Pain No Gain daily workout journal. I used it Monday for the first time and it's great! My friend subscribed to Oxygen as she was not previously. As we were making our purchases, I glanced over to the next booth. And there she was.....

Alright, so this isn't the best picture, but it tells the story. I looked over and saw Tosca Reno. Oxygen columnist, Fitness model, Oxygen cover model (several times), an inspiration for women who are not in their 20's, and the author of the famous best seller book The Eat-Clean Diet! (which I own). I decided to snap this picture while there was no crowd. Just in case I didn't get a chance to move in closer. She looked right at me as I did. Then I was thought, bummer, I had left her cover magazine back in my car or she could have signed it for me. (To learn more about Tosca, read her biography by clicking here.)

When we left the Oxygen booth and made our way to the Eat-Clean Diet booth, we saw they were selling her cover magazine for only $1 and you received an Eat Clean Diet shopper bag, to now comfortably carry your expo collection.

After reading Oxygen mag for four years, I have seen Tosca's career change dramatically. I have also noticed frequent pics of her and Publisher Robert Kennedy, at different events, posted throughout the magazine. With what I believe to be only one or two small mentions of the two of them officially being husband and wife, I thought everyone knew. If you read your Oxygen front cover to back, you were sure to know!

Tosca took a moment to sign my magazine while I told her how I loved my Oxygen. At that moment, I was thinking how all this time, I have believed maybe her husband pushed her career along so easily for her and wasn't she "lucky." (Just being real here). Realizing this was not a nice judgment on my part, as she seemed so sweet and friendly, I looked down at a gorgeous wedding ring and decided to just be real with her. I touched her hand and said "Congratulations on the wedding." She looked up from the autograph and with a smile said "You figured it out huh?" She then proceeded, without prompting from me, to tell me her story. She explained how Robert didn't want people to assume he just gave her the Oxygen column and covers, but that she worked really hard for all she had. Robert doesn't want to take away from her hard work and they keep their marriage on the down low in the magazine. I could also see how much she admired him when she talked of him. I guess as in any marriage, he encourages her.

We actually talked a moment or two more and then she said "Would you like to meet him?" She turned to one of her booth staff and asked them to find Robert. Moments later, there he was and here I am....

Robert Kennedy, the Publisher of Oxygen Magazine, Tosca Reno and me! They could not have been nicer. I told him I was only missing one magazine from a four year subscription. He shook my hand and expressed his thanks and was glad I liked the magazine. He then asked if I wanted a picture with them and they invited me into the booth.

I can honestly say I have a new found respect and admiration for these two people. They could have easily blown fans by their booth, acted tired and irritated after three days of expo, but they didn't. They could not have more down to earth and I was seriously impressed!

Thanks for the time Robert and Tosca. I hope to see you again next year at the 2011 Expo.

If you have not gotten your copy of The Eat-Clean Diet, do it today. There are several to chose from. Tosca even wrote one for men. I will soon be purchasing my "Recharged" version as it's loaded with new information and over 100 more pages and 50 more recipes. It's much bigger than the first print. I can't wait to read through this one as well!

ASF- Expo Booth #2 -NFPT

Also at the Arnold Sports Festival was my school, National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT). They answered questions and provided information to anyone who may be interested in turning their love of fitness into a career. The study materials were on display so one could breeze through them and see first hand what NFPT is all about.

Here I am with Billie who ran the booth for NFPT. He was very nice and seemed to be having a good time at the expo. He was also glad to see I was happy with the on-line school so far. I explained to him some days I feel overwhelmed and wonder if I can possibly do the exam on my scheduled date. He informed me as several breeze through the program, due to a fitness background, not everyone makes their exam date in the 8 weeks outlined by the program. He instructed me to go the speed I was comfortable with, but encouraged me to go for it.

As much as I want to take the test as scheduled, I also want to pass. I am continuing on the 8 week course and we will cross the exam bridge when we get there!

It was really reassuring to see NFPT represented in a booth at the Expo. It gives one comfort in making a decision to receive their education from NFPT, as they involve themselves in these types of events. NFPT does not hide behind the "on-line" program. They take time to meet and greet their current and future students.

As you see here in this pile of expo "stuff" I was blessed with a NFPT gym towel. I don't think I will be dirtying this towel in the gym, but better yet, hanging it up on the "wall of fame."

After this weekend, I really have to make an official Wall of Fame!

ASF- Expo Booth #1 - Gym Gems

The first booth I came to was someone who I had hoped to run into and finally meet.

Gym Gems has been a part of YHH for quite some time. I spotted an ad in the Oxygen Magazine over a year ago and quickly found them on line. Instantly falling in love with the jewelry I contacted the company.

Fran takes great pride in her jewelry and we are happy she is part of the YHH family. She has even been kind enough, in the past, to do two giveaways. An awesome chain link necklace with dumbbell charm and a bracelet with charm as well. I sport her toggle necklace and bracelet all the time, and of course wore it to the Expo. And now I am a proud owner of a Gym Gems bling T. (as Fran is wearing here.)


Gym Gems also has a charm in honor of "The Arnold". Each item is something you can wear on special occasions or every day. Let everyone know about your love of fitness with choosing a piece which represents your passion.



So if you chose to go to the Arnold next year I am sure you will see Fran and Gym Gems with all their fabulous pieces. They even had great jewelry, not fitness related, for those those of you who don't pump iron! Or check out Gym Gems on line at www.gymgems.com.

Home from "The Arnold".

So what was the Arnold Sports Festival Expo really like? Here's your inside look into the craziness they call "The Arnold."

I was only there for Sunday, so all I experienced was the Expo. I am hoping next year to go for the full weekend. Head out Thursday and experience all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It's much like a mini-Olympics. With everything you can imagine in kids' sports to adult arm wrestling competitions. The competition schedules are non-stop. There was a center stage in the Expo so I did get to see some entertaining things going on while we walked around grabbing free samples.

The center stage was full of young ladies with jump ropes. They did some pretty amazing things and the routine was pretty cool. As we only watched for a few minutes, because of time restraints, I can see how you could sit and enjoy all these events if you were there for the full three days. But let me tell you, if you don't like crowds or lots of people in a tiny space than this is NOT for you.

I was told that on Saturday there were about 170,000 people who had come in and out of the expo. With only 170,000 sq. feet, that's 1 sq. foot for you and your expo bag full of goodies. Sunday was for sure the better option. I believe I had about 2 1/2 sq. feet to myself at all times. Sometimes more. When we first got in we were able to rush to some booths and meet some amazing people and not be pushed off so the next person could get in to talk or get an autograph. Who did I meet? That's all coming soon!

It would not be "The Arnold" without a Terminator booth. Of course, after taking the pic, I noticed the sign that said no pictures. Oops. So here, you get an exclusive shot!

Here is a photo of all the items I brought home. Of course I ate a lot while I was there. I was high on protein powders & shakes, fat burners, chicken & rice with protein packed pizza, and juices galore. I did spend around $30 for some things that were only for sale and not free but each item was worth the $1, $5, or $10.

If you would like to see all of the photos from the Sports Festival - ask to be my friend on FB (Angie Happy-Hearts) and you can see my complete album.

But don't worry, more photos to come with who I met and what they were really like. I feel the models, authors, publishers, and some businesses, deserve their own post.

Arnold Sports Festival 2010

How crazy am I to drive 5 1/2 hours, spend the night in a very expensive hotel, shuttle to the Arnold Expo to stay for six hours, then shuttle back to my car and drive another 5 1/2 hours home? Pretty dog-gone crazy. But hoping this is going to be one of those amazing experiences.

I started following the Arnold Sports Festival on Facebook some time ago when I saw a fellow Phat Camper join the fan page. It's been amazing with updates and photos galore. It's like I am there already and I am so not. It really kicked my backside into gear to figure out how I could make it work. With a crazy girlfriend agreeing to join me we are off. I will be there Saturday night and at the Expo on Sunday. Maybe next year I can plan better and go to some of the competitions. But this will be a good first glance at this amazing event.

From what I am told over 170,000 fans of fitness will be in and out of the doors of this convention center in a matter of three days. There are said to be over 700 booths on fitness items and companies galore.

One of the draws for me to go, is hopefully to meet some people and see some companies I have had contact with through YHH.

NFPT (my amazing school) has a booth and I can't wait to see them in person. Gym Gems, my beloved jewelry company will be hosting a booth as well. Oxygen Magazine's booth should be loaded with models from past magazines. Tosca Reno from Eat Clean Diet with Oxygen Mag will be there as well. And who could forget Arnold Schwarzenegger and his friend "Rambo" Sylvester Stallone? My number one person or group to see? I must say it's my Phat Camp girls. Jen Hendershott and her team and hopefully hooking up with some last years workout partners. I am for sure sporting my bling Phat Camp shirt. This is the perfect day to do it!

I hope to take lots of pictures and let you know how it's all going. I will post these as soon as I am home. I can't wait to see what the chatter is all about.

Ohio or Bust!