It started when my ex-husband and I had grown this fabulous vegetable garden in our backyard. We had such a variety of vegetables that I bought a vegetable cookbook, not to be confused with a vegetarian cookbook. I wasn’t trying to be a vegetarian, I just thought it was healthier for us to eat more vegetables.

My diet consisted of very little protein and I started to ‘bonk’ in the middle of the day. You know that feeling of being really sleepy and extremely low energy? I lived an active life, but wasn’t able to make it through the entire day with any energy.

I was also running a lot of 10k races back then, though I’d make it through the race, I was tired for the rest of the day and sore for the next couple of days. Months later, I decided to make a protein drink in the morning before a race and noticed after drinking the smoothie for about a week, I had more energy throughout the day and I felt less sore. So it was an “Ah ha” moment that I felt a 100% better by increasing my protein consumption.

So this gets back to the protein superfood smoothies. It is a known fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating only cereals or bagels (high in carbs) just don’t cut it in providing energy throughout the morning. With a high carb breakfast, have you noticed how you are hungry again in only a few hours? How you think you might need another cup of coffee or a sugar snack to get you through until lunch? Yep, a low protein diet will do that.

A healthy breakfast that includes protein is vital to your health. Plus, making a protein smoothie can be done a lot quicker than cooking an egg omelet or meat. Plus, this is the perfect breakfast if you are a vegetarian.

My protein superfood drink consists of:

1. One banana
2. ¼ cup of yogurt (I can’t handle plain, so I buy vanilla or the ones with fruit in them. Go with the low-fat)
3. ¼ cup of frozen fruit. Trader Joes has a great selection of frozen fruit at reasonable prices. All grocery stores have a frozen fruit section.
4. 1/8 cup of oatmeal (uncooked). I add oatmeal because I know it’s good for my digestion tract.
5. Wholebody Green Protein Powder – Follow the serving direction on the packaging. I’ve tried a number of protein powders and this is the best by far. It also incorporates all your daily vitamin and mineral requirements. That way, you don’t need to keep taking the pill form of vitamins, unless your doctor specifies differently. You can buy the Wholebody Green Protein Powder in 2 flavors: Fruit Protein Powder or Green Protein Powder.
6. Liquid – I use either Orange Juice or Almond milk to provide enough liquid so to blend the ingredients into a smooth texture. Just add what works for you. You don’t need much.

There you go! You now have a healthy, nutritional breakfast in only a few minutes. You’ll be surprised how easy that was to make. You can take the smoothie with you on the go.

So what have I achieved from drinking protein smoothies for the last 25 years?

• I’m 53 years old and most people think I’m in my late thirties.
• I have as much energy today as I had in my 20’s.
• I wear the same size clothes (size 4 pants) that I did in college.
• My body fat is in the low teens.
• I rarely get sick any more.
• I have low cholesterol.
• I save a ton of money from not having to go to the doctor or adding additional supplements to my diet.

Of course, exercising and eating healthy foods, plus finding a balance in everything (like stress, drinking alcohol, exercising, quiet time, etc.) , has helped me to achieve all this. I’ll cover these topics more in another article.

Please be responsible in realizing this isn’t a miracle cure and if you have a medical issue that would prevent you from having this drink, be smart and check with your doctor.

Surf Tracking from Surfline.com
Don`t waste your time traveling to a beach with tranquil waters when you can watch live feeds of the waves at thousands of different surfing spots. Download the free app from Surfline and watch up to four high definition camera feeds at one time.

FlightAware
Even multiple layovers and chronic delays won`t stress you out if you track your flights through FlightAware. This free app tracks and gathers real data from the airlines based on your flight number and then updates you on the status of each flight.

TripIt
Keep all of your information in one place with TripIt. The app pulls confirmation numbers from your email account and then provides directions and recommendations once you arrive. You can also access special deals on local attractions or make reservations at your favorite restaurants.

Postagram
Create your own unique postcards by snapping a photo with your smart phone and opening the Postagram app. The program is free to download and the company will charge you just 99 cents to print a custom postcard and mail it to any address you enter.

SitOrSquat
Find a clean and accessible toilet with the push of a button. SitOrSquat includes over 100,000 public restrooms in their database. Users can leave feedback on the condition and cleanliness of each toilet, giving you a guide to which restrooms should be avoided.

EveryTrail
Find an exciting walk no matter where you go with EveryTrail. This free GPS application tracks your steps while providing clear maps and suggestions on where to head next. Other users share their favorite stops and trails to make your hike more enjoyable.

AllSubway
Using public transportation will save you hundreds of dollars each trip, but foreign language signs and announcements can make it hard to navigate. Use the affordable app known as AllSubway to explore the subway systems in 137 major cities around the world.

UrbanSpoon
Watch a slide of new restaurants roll over your screen with one shake of the device. The free UrbanSpoon app sends you details on the closest eating establishments by pinpointing your location with GPS.

Kayak
Kayak can function as a reservations system and a travel planner at the same time. Find great deals on hotels, transportation and attractions while creating packing lists and calculating local currency conversions in one free app.

Wikitude
No other app offers a chance to explore augmented reality as you travel the globe. Hold your phone up to capture a shot of a landmark and the Wikitude app will provide historical information, traveler recommendations and much more information. The GPS and compass help the application pinpoint your precise location, then the app overlays data from websites like privatevilla.co.uk and Wikipedia.

Julian Wilson & Lakey Peterson © IMG / Lallande

Into her first year amongst the women’s elite, Peterson capped off her season on the highest of notes, bettering last year’s Runner-Up finish at the Nike US Open where she competed as a wildcard. “I’ve been staying calm and sticking to my game plan,” Peterson said. “I haven’t been letting anything else faze me and I’ve been staying focused and going out and surfing and having a really good time. I’ve loved every minute of this event and it’s been great.” Peterson finished the 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour season in 7th place.

The 2012 Nike US Open of Surfing provided a window of redemption for Carissa Moore after a relatively lackluster year of results. The 2011 ASP Women’s World Champion came off of last year collecting a slew of wins and Finals appearances, but has struggled to replicate the same form this season. Today’s Runner-Up finish was a step in the right direction for the young Hawaiian and Moore will come back in 2013 re-focused and revitalized.

“It was a good event for me,” Moore said. “Lakey (Peterson) was surfing really well all event and it’s a deserved win. I haven’t have the best year in terms of results so to finish with a Finals berth is a positive place to build on for next year. I’m really looking forward to the break and working hard for next year and this gets me fired up for next year, for sure” Moore finishes the 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour season rated No. 3.

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 21, last year’s event winner, went down in a controversial and extremely-close Semifinal bout against Moore. Having the young Hawaiian on the ropes early, Fitzgibbons watched as Moore chipped away at her significant lead before clinching the win in the final moments of the heat.

“It’s a tough one,” Fitzgibbons said. “No one wants to lose like that. It was a split (judging) panel and I felt like I surfed to the criteria. I had built myself a good momentum through the event and felt like I was ready for the Finals. We’re athletes. We’re here to win and anything less than that is always going to be a disappointment.”

Despite the today’s frustrating loss, Fitzgibbons has had another incredible year, finishing Runner-Up on the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour rankings.

“It was a good year for me,” Fitzgibbons said. “Runner-Up is another great finish for me, but the goal is the World Title. As soon as Steph (Gilmore) clinched in France, my mindset went from challenging to preparing for 2013. This event was the first part of 2013 for me mentally. I win would have been better, but I’ll just focus on the things I can do to get myself ready for next year now.”

Malia Manuel (HAW), 18, was a solid performer this week at Huntington Beach, culminating an impressive maiden year amongst the world’s elite with an Equal 3rd place finish and clinching the highly-coveted ASP Women’s Rookie of the Year Award.

“It’s my second best result, the Semis, and it’s a really good finish to the year,” Manuel said. “The day before yesterday I knew I just had to make the Quarters to win the Rookie of the Year award and that was my goal. It’s a great award to win especially with the past rookies that have won and it’s such an honor. Especially this year, the other rookies are so progressive and women’s surfing is at its highest point.”

While the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour has concluded for 2012, the qualification for next year’s elite ASP Top 17 is still ongoing.

Click here to view images from the 2012 US Open Surf Contest.

NIKE US OPEN OF SURFING FINAL RESULT:
1 – Lakey Peterson (USA) 10.90
2 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 8.64

FINAL 2012 ASP WOMEN’S WCT RATINGS:
1. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 48,400 pts
2. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 43,400 pts
3. Carissa Moore (HAW) 40,700 pts
4. Tyler Wright (AUS) 36,700 pts
5. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 36,000 pts
6. Malia Manuel (HAW) 34,100 pts
7. Lakey Peterson (USA) 33,700 pts
8. Laura Enever (AUS) 32,800 pts
9. Coco Ho (HAW) 31,850 pts
10. Paige Hareb (NZL) 25,450 pts
11. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 22,000 pts
12. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 21,750 pts
13. Pauline Ado (FRA) 16,200 pts
13. Sage Erickson (USA) 16,200 pts
13. Sarah Mason (NZL) 16,200 pts
16. Silvana Lima (BRA) 13,950 pts
17. Justine Dupont (FRA) 12,750 pts
18. Jacqueline Silva (BRA) 10,500 pts

Source: IMG/Nike/ASP
Author: Dave Prodan / Bobby Shadley

The Women’s Champion for 2012 went to Lakey Peterson (USA), 17, who defeated Carissa Moore (HAW), 19, to clinch the final event of the 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour season, the Nike US Open of Surfing, in front of a capacity crowd at Huntington Beach.

Congrats to both Nikki Van Dijk and Lakey Peterson!

WORLD’S TOP FEMALE SURFERS GATHER IN OCEANSIDE FOR THE ONLY ASP STAR EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA

Los Angeles, CA (July 17, 2012) – ASA Entertainment confirmed today that the inaugural Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-Star Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro has been added to the ASP North America schedule for 2012 and will run at the Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, California from August 9 through 11, 2012. Admission to the event is free.

The Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro will serve as the only ASP Star event on the 2012 ASP North America calendar and will immediately follow the US Open of Surfing. The event fills a critical void in the schedule, offering the top surf talent crucial points towards their quest in joining the elite ASP Top 17.

“The Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro is a great addition to the ASP Schedule, and as the only women’s qualifying event in North America this year, the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro will play a big role in deciding the surfers that qualify for the 2013 ASP WCT,” Jessi Miley-Dyer, ASP Women’s Tour Manager said. “The event is an important platform to showcase the world’s best female surfers, and we’d like to thank ASA, Paul Mitchell and Supergirl for their collaborative efforts to bring this event to life.”

Twelve of the top sixteen ranked surfers in the world have already committed to the event, including ASP World Tour stars Tyler Wright (New South Wales, AU), Laura Enever (Sydney, Australia), Carissa Moore (Honolulu, HI), Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), Malia Manuel (Kauai, HI), Coco Ho (Oahu, HI), Rebecca Woods (New South Wales, AU), Paige Hareb (New Plymouth, NZ), Sofia Mulanovich (Lima, Peru), Pauline Ado (Bayonne, France), Justine Dupont (Lacanau, France) and Sage Erickson (Malibu, CA) as well as other favorites such as Alana Blanchard, Bruna Schmitz and Erica Hosseini.

”I can’t begin to explain how excited all of the girls are about this event”, said Malia Manuel, the 7th ranked surfer in the world and a three-time Supergirl Pro Junior Silver medalist. “It’s so amazing to have a contest like this in the US that focuses entirely on women’s surfing. All of the TV coverage that the event provides will be great for our sport.”

While this is the inaugural Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro, the event actually marks the fifth year that Supergirl has supported women’s surfing. Since 2008, the Supergirl Pro Junior has been hailed as one of the world’s biggest Pro Junior competitions, and several of the current WCT pros have previously earned spots on the Supergirl podium, including Courtney Conlogue, Coco Ho, Carissa Moore, Malia Manuel, Lakey Peterson and Sage Erickson.

“As the Supergirl Jam Series has grown in popularity and recognition, we felt that it was important to take a bold step in our support of women’s surfing”, said Rick Bratman, CEO of ASA Entertainment, the event’s management company and one of the leading producers of action sports event and television programming in the US. “The fact that there were no ASP Star events for the girls in North America was a real injustice, and we wanted to provide the opportunity to showcase women’s surfing to an even broader audience in the US. Warner Bros. has been a leader in this support for the past five years and we are pleased that our friends at Paul Mitchell shared in that vision and stepped up to help make this happen.”

The Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro is the first event of the 2012 Supergirl Jam Series, the action sports industry’s largest all-female competition and lifestyle series, featuring more than 150 female pros in surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding.

“The Supergirl S-Shield is a universal symbol of empowerment and strength–and every year we’ve seen the ASP Junior girls embody those traits in and out of the water. We’re pleased to be taking this year’s event to a new level and definitely looking forward to seeing what super powers are going to be needed to take home the coveted Supergirl cape,” said Barry Ziehl, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing and Public Relations for Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

In addition to being the only Women’s Star event in North America, the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro will also be the largest female contest in the world in terms of the numbers of surfers that will compete.

“Paul Mitchell is thrilled to be involved with such an amazing group of women, and we are proud to have the largest field of talent in women’s surfing competing at our event”, said Julie Solwold, Vice President of Global Sports and Events at John Paul Mitchell Systems. “These girls have style, grace, beauty and athleticism that align perfectly with our brand, and we are excited to help them gain much-deserved exposure for their sport.”

The Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and Fuel TV in the fall. Stay tuned to www.SupergirlJam.com and www.asaentertainment.com for show times and dates.

For more detailed information on the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro, please visit www.SupergirlJam.com or www.aspworldtour.com.
# # #

About ASA Entertainment:Founded in 1994, ASA Entertainment Group, LLC is an action sports event, television and content production agency focused on creating and executing customized, turn-key marketing programs that range in scale from grassroots to global. ASA’s events, featuring skateboarding, freestyle BMX, inline skating, freestyle motocross, snowboarding, surfing and music, are broadcast domestically on eight networks (including CBS and Fox Sports Net), and distributed to more than 700 million HH globally via 30 international broadcast partners. ASA’s productions span the spectrum from large, international competitions such as the ASA Action Sports World Tour, the World Championships of Freestyle Motocross, The Supergirl Jam Series and the ASA Big-Air Triples to amateur contests, lifestyle and branded entertainment events, demonstrations, exhibitions, school programs and mobile tours. After 17 years as a leader in action sports, ASA Entertainment regularly connects brands to consumers through its platform of premium action sports and lifestyle content. For more information, visit ASAentertainment.com or ActionSportsTour.com.

About ASP:The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the Foster’s ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products:Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About DC Comics:DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

SUPERGIRL and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.
(s12)

Media Contacts:Megan Schachtebeck Bobby Shadley
ASA Entertainment Group, LLC Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)
916-218-8100 Mobile (949) 290-9135 Mobile
(321) 722-9300 Main (714) 536-3500 Main
Megan@thelimelightpr.com bobby@aspworldtour.com

A good surf camp is a place where people come together to learn and enjoy surfing in a safe, supervised and all inclusive way. It can take the form of a multi day course, with expert tuition, or it can be a more all inclusive experience from an actual `camp` or site with other accommodation and facilities.

With so many surf camps to choose from, here is a run down of the styles that you will encounter.

Sometimes surf camp is an all inclusive holiday, where an agent brings together all of those common attributes of the surfing holiday from separate companies: surf tuition, accommodation, tour guides, transfers and transport; all under one banner, with the agent taking a percentage. Undoubtedly, under good management, this kind of holiday can be successful and reasonably priced. But is there more surf camp gold to be mined?

What about somewhere that captures the imagination? A mini surfer`s paradise, where surf camp is a place to fulfil the surfers needs. These places exist in some of the more tropical, remote and bohemian places in the world. Where surf camp is a way of life.

These kinds of surf camps come purpose built, with accommodation for various budgets and tastes. There will be provision for storage of boards and drying out wetsuits and gear, along with gear rental available. There should also be places to hang out and enjoy the company of friends and strangers, with things such as outdoor fireplaces, lounges, hammocks or volley ball nets. Maybe there are a few conveniences, such as Wi-Fi access. But this kind of establishment does not have to be decked out with the latest luxury facilities. Somewhere that is clean, simple, by the beach, somewhere built for the outdoor lifestyle is ideal for surf worshipers.

You should expect to find an onsite surf school, with a program of instruction for beginner to intermediate abilities, taking place almost every day of the week. There may be the opportunity to check out the best local breaks with local guides and for some extracurricular, such as language lessons or other outdoor sports. These surf camps can also be inexpensive, if you are choosy in where you go and you go off season.

The final kind of surf camp is the dedicated surfing academy, where excellence in teaching is the standard. You may be taught by top surf coaches, including pro or ex pro surfers. They are often sponsored by brands such as Animal clothing and will be kitted out with top notch equipment. They have tailored programmes for all kinds of surfers, from young age group summer schools, through to private parties. It is up to you. The world is our oyster. Choose wisely and have fun!

With so many great surfing destinations to choose from, where do you go to escape the winter cold? There are so many fantastic spots that it may depend on what else you want to gain from your surfing trip. Some destinations offer nightlife and glitz, while others offer peaceful retreats in remote areas.
Southern Europe in winter produces some great surfing conditions and popular surf haunts include the windiest Canary Island, Fuerteventura, Portugal and its numerous surfing spots along the Algarve coastline and the island of Malta with its many reefs, points and beaches. While the weather may not be hot, the climate is temperate and the waves are big.

Heading a little further away are the fabulous surf spots of Cape Verde off the west coast of Africa where the Trade Winds blow across the islands in the winter making this a mecca for windsurfers and surfers alike. Morocco`s west coast is lined with superb surfing beaches and the warm winters make this an attractive winter getaway.

On the other side of the Atlantic is a huge array of surfing destinations with the east coast of Florida attracting those who wish to surf in warmer conditions during the winter months. Whatever the wind and swell conditions there is always a surf spot for you depending on your level of ability and how much of a challenge you wish to have.

Costa Rica in Central America offers not only great winter surf destinations, but the chance to have an exotic holiday at the same time. Explore the incredible volcanoes, rainforests and coastal areas teeming with wildlife, while you`re not catching some waves. The most popular surfing spots are found on the west coast at resorts such as Jaco, with waves rolling in from the Pacific Ocean.

To really experience the surfing lifestyle head to Hawaii, thought to be the birthplace of big wave surfing. Choose from one of the popular surf islands and enjoy the thrill of riding the big waves in the heart of surf-land. The islands of Kauai, Oahu and Maui all have awesome breaks and even if you are a beginner you will find perfect spots to learn with excellent tuition available.

No matter where you choose to go, look out for good hotel offers, Premier Inn vouchers, surfing packages or cheap flights to make your trip affordable and value for money. No matter whether you choose to stay in a five star hotel or a tent, a winter getaway surfing trip will be enjoyable, thrilling, exhausting and most of all fun!

1. It shortens your learning curve. It is quite natural for someone to be frightened when surfing for the first time. This fear is lessened though when a professionally trained instructor breaks down the process in detailed steps. You learn the fundamentals of surfing etiquette and how nature such as the wind, wave formation, and tide could affect your ride. Thus, there is not much second guessing and you get to know how to surf better in a short time.

2. The proper surf gear is introduced to you. Taking into account your physical condition, a surf camp will orient you on the correct surfboard that you should be riding and the appropriate wetsuit to wear.

3. You take your first surfing lessons in a safe environment. With a trained instructor and the right gear, you are able to immediately wrap your head around the idea of you surfing the unpredictable waves of the ocean. The best surf spots are chosen for you based on your ability to surf. Even if you fall, you are confident that the surf camp staff are monitoring your progress and would mentor you on where you can improve on.

4. You get to enjoy surfing with the group. It is more fun to learn a sport when you have others learning the same way as you are. A surf camp is also a good venue to meet other like-minded individuals that you can possibly invite to your surfing activities after the camp.
Having your surfing lessons in surf camps is a good investment. You start on the right note and it makes you look much cooler on that surfboard.

Check out a Surf Camp Destination.

The difficulty is not in knowing that you want to travel, but in figuring out where you want to go. All over the world there are amazing beaches with different waves at different times of year. So, the first question you want to ask yourself is when you want to go. When is an important question as, usually, it will eliminate some of the choices for you and highlight others as likely choices.

Once you have figured out the when, it is time to look at the where and this will depend on a lot of factors such as do you like it hot and what type of waves are you looking for? Although surfing is often seen as a tropical weather sport, some of the best spots in the world are not often sunny and the water can be quite cool. Are you after a calm ocean with gently rolling waves on a sheltered beach somewhere or are you an experienced surfer that wants to seek out the roughest most challenging waves?

After the when and the where comes the how. How do you wish to travel? Although it might seem romantic, it really is not necessary to emulate the surfer movies you have seen and choose to back pack on a shoe string budget. Choosing to take a more luxurious route will not impact on the quality of the surf and you may well find that this type of holiday is more your speed. There are a number of beautiful resorts around the world that cater specifically to surfers and understand the needs you may have and endeavour to meet them as best as possible.

For instance, many resort areas now offer gear hire for those who require it as well as pro shops and classes and courses for beginners. If you are travelling with a group, you can choose a private villa holiday that will give you the privacy you need as well as proximity to the ocean. Many resorts offer specifically situated private apartments and villas that are ideal for surfers. Imagine waking up in a beautiful resort and bounding out of your villa directly into the surf – paradise.