Where in the World is Mrs. Colorado America?

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I'm sorry I've been so bad with blogging lately, life has been a little hectic. So get ready, this is a lengthy post! Since returning from Mrs. America I have been able to support some wonderful organizations.

In September I attended the Champagne and Diamonds event benefitting Sense of Security, a nonprofit that provides financial assistant to women fighting breast cancer. It was a great night, supporting a great cause. I thoroughly enjoyed wearing the star auction item of the night, a diamond necklace!

In September we also shot the Mrs. Colorado America 2015 program cover with the very talented Megan Anderson of Graphique Fine Art Photography. No sneak peaks, you'll just have to wait until April!

October was a super busy month. I made my second appearance on Colorado's Best, this time to promote the Couture for Confidence Fashion Show benefitting Bella Boutique, a nonprofit committed to ensuring that each and every teenager is able to attend their high school dance, no matter what their economic conditions may be. This fashion show itself was such a unique event and I was even able to share it with several 2015 city titleholders. 

Another fun event in October was the Parker Wine Walk. We partnered with Bonne Bella Boutique, an official Mrs. Colorado America sponsor. That same weekend, I showed my support for our troops by helping collect food donations for Operation Homefront and their Fill the Mayflower event. Right after that event I shot over to Waxing the City Lakewood, another Mrs. Colorado America sponsor, as they hosted a breast cancer awareness event. By the end of the weekend I was exhausted!

The final weekend of October brought me to Arizona to attend my alma mater, Arizona State University's, homecoming festivities. I rode in the parade (in an AWESOME ride), attended an ASU luncheon where I had the opportunity to meet three NFL legends, Darren Woodson, Randall McDaniel, and Eric Allen. And attended the homecoming football game. It was quite an honor! P.S. The hand gesture is ASU's pitchfork. :)

I think this post is officially too long, so I'll catch you all up on November and December next month. Until then, be happy, be healthy, be you!

Pangea Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Are you wrestling with stocking stuffing ideas?  Are you looking for something that feeds your skin something healthy and non-toxic?  Pangea is a company that people have grown to trust for safe and effective skin care.  Here are a few ideas:

Give the gift of organic skin care this holiday season.  To order go to:  www.pangeaorganics.com/jeffandlori

Mrs. World Pageant 2014

Ultimately, Mrs. Belarus won the title of Mrs. World 2014.    

Gobble, Gobble and Gobble

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!  Not only is this what a turkey says, but it is the American motto during the holiday season!

What are we gobbling?  Food, food and more food, stress, and possibly finding the perfect gifts, as the speed of our life gears up over the next month let me share 3 tips with you to help you through this Thanksgiving season feeling healthy and alive:

1 - Plan your meals

Planning your meals ahead of time saves time and money.  Have you ever ventured to the grocery store with no clue what you were going to buy?  I know I have!  In this situation the shopping cart seems to fill up with just about everything that   your taste buds enjoy. To avoid overspending, write out your grocery list before heading to the store.  Aside from saving you money, having your meals for the week planned out alleviates the daily question of “what am I cooking for dinner tonight?”   Putting the weekly menu on your refrigerator.

2 - Be Mindful

Practicing mindfulness in each area of your life will bring lasting and bountiful results. This practice can be used with your food, the ones you love, and every decision in your life.  Mindfully choosing and consuming your food will assist you in tuning into your body and hearing its signals.  Eat slowly and with gratitude.  Chew each bite thoroughly, enjoying every flavor that fills your palate.  You will find yourself enjoying your meals at a much higher level, and being mindful during the eating process helps to avoid overeating.  Use mindful principles in every area of your life to experience more delight and a deeper connection with everything surrounding you.

3 - Stress Relief

I certainly don’t have to tell you that stress causes a number of health issues.  Equip yourself with some stress relief tools that you can use at a moment’s notice — combating stress as it comes at you. Reducing your tendency to worry about things you cannot control, learning a few breathing exercises, journaling your feelings daily, and releasing control are a few fabulous tools to keep you as stress free as possible. Just as important as doing things to reduce stress, avoiding negative influences in life that cause stress

If you loved these suggestions and want to read about 7 more steps to having a Happy and Healthy Fall, PLUS have a guide to walk you through step by step to making this happen, then sign up now for your Free eBook! (see below for website to eBook)

May this thanksgiving season be filled with gratitude and abundance!  

Blessings,

Sheri Engstrom-Rickard CHHC  Mrs. CO 2004

www.beautifullydesignedwellness.com

PS.  Are you gearing up for Christmas but maybe feeling like you need a little extra support to get through to the New Year without any weight gain while maintaining your sanity?  Then check out my 21 Day Happy and Healthy Holiday Challenge.  Ring in the New Year with excitement!

Mrs. World is underway

The countdown is on as the Mrs. World Pageant is this Wednesday in Soloman Islands.  Here are a few photos of the ladies (Thank you to Kaley Sparling, Mrs. World and Austen Williams, Mrs. America/North America for the photos)  More photos top come this week.

Did you know...

it's National Dessert Day! I think we all know by now there is a day for everything, including desserts! If you are preparing for a pageant or just trying to stay healthy, desserts probably seem few and far between. It can be tough if you have a sweet tooth, but here are some great options when you just need a little something.

I am an ice cream fanatic! I can't get enough, unfortunately dairy is one of the big culprits of belly fat, so when I'm training I skip the dairy and go for bananas.

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

This famous quote from the movie Shrek sums up our  next dessert, "You know what ELSE everybody likes? Parfaits! Have you ever met a person, you say, 'Let's get some parfait,' they say, 'Hell no, I don't like no parfait.'? Parfaits are delicious!" 

Parfaits can be a healthy dessert option if you go for non-fat and use greek yogurt to make it even more packed with protein.

Pineapple Raspberry Parfaits

Dates are loaded with fiber. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, just one pitted date contains 1.6 g of fiber, or 6 percent of the recommended daily intake. Fiber is known for its ability to help lower cholesterol and fight and prevent obesity, heart disease and colorectal cancer. The November 2008 issue of "Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition" reports that the fiber in dates is primarily insoluble fiber, which binds to fat and cholesterol and carries it out of the body. (livestrong.com) 

I love dates, they're sweet and chewy, and are delicious in these Pecan Date Bars.

Pecan Date Bars

Enjoy! In moderation of course. :)

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