Major Noms

So I promised myself (and the people I presume read my blog) that I would be more consistent with my blogging...
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, on to today's post...

(I used a ton of ellipses in just the two first lines, this is clearly going to be one heck of a post)
I am absolutely in love with the blog pure2raw. It's written by two women, twins, health gurus, general all around amazing women with an inspiring blog.  They recently did a post dedicated to their "diet," and what they're personal philosophy on food is. And I was super inspired by that particular post and thought I would do my own version:

People often want to know what a beauty queen, marathon runner, triathlete, gym rat, and just busy person eats to stay healthy and fit, or maybe people don't want to know and I'm just addressing my own personal musings, but who really knows.

First and foremost, I am in no way a nutritional guru like the P2R girls, but I do know what I'm doing.  Like Malcolm Gladwell  says you need 10,000 hours to be an expert at something, and after years of swim coaches, athletic trainers, nutritionists, sports nutritionists, and research of my own, I know a lot.

About a year and a half ago, or maybe two years, when I was the reigning Miss DC USA I was a vegan.  Being a vegan was fantastic and I learned so much about nutrition and farm to table eating.  Then around the time I was preparing for my 2nd marathon (which was after my reign and my college graduation), I noticed I was craving eggs.  It was at that moment I realized what the ideal diet was for me.

I LISTEN TO WHAT MY BODY WANTS.

So I don't know whether I'm a vegan, pesceterian, vegetarian, locally grown eater, or whatever.  All I know is that I listen to the signals my body gives me on what it's craving.
Now does that mean that I chow down on a large deep dish pizza because my soul tells me that's the nurturing it needs... ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Are you insane, of course part of me wants that, but I know better.  Besides diabetes runs in my family, and I am battling PCOS, so something like that can shoot my blood sugar through the roof, instantly turn to fat, and have my stomach in knots.
What I mean by listening to my body is that I just go with it.  There are days I wake up and all I want are raw vegan foods, there are moments where my day naturally pans out to be more plant based.  Then there are other days where all I want are green smoothies, or salmon as every meal.
As I prepare for Miss DC I will be sharing recipes, typical eating days, and everything else related to my preparation (never fear a style post will come soon), but I wanted to get this post out of the way so you will know where I stand nutritionally.

So I urge you dear reader (I use the singular because I just assume I'm the only person that reads this, for my own narcissistic cathartic experience [I felt instantly smarter typing that sentence, I mean look at all those SAT words]), that you find your own ideal eating.  Go with what's right for your body, lifestyle, goals, whatever.  You do not have to follow one particular plan or another.  Your body is unique, and the fuel it needs is going to be very specific to your needs.

Hopefully I offered some help like the Pure2Raw girls did for me...if not, bear with me, there's a lot more in store on this blog.

XOXO,
MacKenzie

Back Down The Rabbit Hole

When I first start this blog it was to chronicle what I felt was my unlikely journey to Miss USA as Miss District of Columbia USA 2010 (it's still weird that I can attach that title to my name, I keep thinking that year was a dream haha).
In the months leading up to passing on my crown and for a few months afterward I swore to anyone that would listen, and I mean anyone including the barista at Starbucks, that I would not do another pageant.  And believe me that lie worked for a while until my heart finally caught up with my misinformed brain.
I loved every nano second as my job as Miss DC USA.  I loved meeting all of the new people, touching people in the city and beyond, and acting as an ambassador to the city that made me the woman I am.  The perfect storm of wanting to pursue an MBA (which is expensive), falling back in love with playing bassoon (more on that later), and wanting to make my city proud, led to me submitting a form to compete for a finalist spot at Miss District of Columbia 2012.
I performed The Toreadors' Song from Bizet's Carmen on bassoon, which is difficult when you are turning an aria in to a bassoon piece, and had to do a short interview.  Long story short (my favorite obnoxious phrase of all time...thanks South Park), I am a finalist for Miss District of Columbia 2012.
So let's recap quickly...
My first pageant EVER was Miss DC USA,
My second pageant EVER was Miss USA,
Now my third pageant ever in life is going to be for a state title to potentially make my fourth pageant ever Miss America. (I just laughed at myself for how insane and awesome that sounds)
I apologize for abandoning this blog, but I promise that I will take you with me on this wacky sequel of preparation in the weeks leading up to Miss DC 2012.
So now I ask you to picture some awesome kind of Lethal Weapon explosion happening behind me as I walk down a desolate street with Vin Diesel and The Rock on either side.  I pass a glance to each, put sunglasses on, and say  in my best Horatio Cane voice...
Here We Go Again...

FitBitch: A FitBitch For Every Day Of The Week

I love this girl, and I love her blog...I highly recommend everyone take a look at it.

And I also promise to get back on my blogging J.O.B. in the new year, because being an accidental beauty queen isn't a one time job.

XOXO,

MacKenzie

FitBitch: A FitBitch For Every Day Of The Week: I've come up with these sayings for each day of the week to guide you on your fitness journey. If you follow me on Twitter, you'll see I nam...

Miss DC USA 2010 Interviews NBA Champ John Salley on His Passion for a Healthier America | PCRM.org

Miss DC USA 2010 Interviews NBA Champ John Salley on His Passion for a Healthier America | PCRM.org

This was an interview I did with John Salley for PCRM. This was the second time I had a chance to work with John Salley (the first time was for the Tampa Bay Veg Fest where we were both speakers). Hope ya'll like it...

XOXO,

MacKenzie