Fresh Out of the Oven

I could not wait to get back home from my last competition so I could get in to the kitchen and start on some healthy recipes for you all!! Well... Actually... for my fiance, but I was excited to share them!
Last night's dinner was a healthy take on one of my favorite meals and one of my favorite indulgences...
Meatloaf Cupcakes with Cauliflower Mashed-'tatoes Frosting!!

Cute, right?!
The recipe for both came from Danielle Walker's newest cookbook, Against All Grain!!! Completely grain free, dairy-free, and gluten free. I made my own ketchup (meatloaf topping) and almond milk (in my cauliflower mash)!!! Recipes are also in the cookbook!

The recipe made 12 meatloaf cupcakes and plenty of Cauliflower Mashed-'tatoes which left me with a few leftovers to send to work with Nick today for lunch!

If you haven't tried Cauliflower Mashed-'tatoes, I suggest you try it out!! They are the perfect substitution for starchy mashed potatoes! You will be surprised how a few simple ingredients can make such a tasty dish. I added rosemary infused olive oil instead of standard extra virgin olive oil. I find the best selection of infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars at the local Farmer's Market. I had to change a couple things from the recipe in the book because I forgot a whole garlic at the grocery store! Recipe for Cauliflower Frosting is below!! Let me know what you think and pick up Danielle's book Against All Grain for other AMAZING recipes!

 

I find my asparagus is best steamed using a steamer rack in a pan of boiling water. I put the asparagus on the steamer rack, put the lid on the pot, and let the water at the bottom of the pain boil creating enough steam to steam my veggies. I steam my asparagus for about 10-15 minutes. Just enough for them to cook slightly, leaving them with a little crunch. I don't like mushy asparagus!!

 

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Mashed Cauliflower (Cauliflower Frosting)

Adapted from Danielle Walker's Recipe in Against All Grain Cookbook

2 Crushed Garlic Cloves

1 Tablespoon Rosemary Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Head of Cauliflower, trimmed in to florets

1/4 cup almond milk, warmed (I made my own from the recipe in Against All Grain)

3 Tablespoons Soy-Free, Dairy-Free Butter Alternative (Found at Sprouts Farmer's Market)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (Recipe in book calls for 1 1/2 teaspoon)

Dash of Cracked Black Pepper (I added more than a dash!)

 

-Put cauliflower in a sauce pan with 1/2 inch of water. Cover and steam about 10 minutes.

-Drain water and put cauliflower in food processor

-mix in olive oil, crushed fresh garlic, almond milk, butter alternative, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth and fluffy.

 

I let the cauliflower frosting cool about 10-15 minutes, put in a quart size Ziploc, and snipped a small hole in the corner. I topped the Meatloaf Cupcakes as if I were frosting a cupcake with a pastry bag. Simple, easy, and my fiance LOVED it!

 

Thank you Danielle for such an amazing book!!

 



Stay Tuned

Just days away from WBFF LA Fitness and Fashion Weekend and I cannot wait to step on stage. My physique is coming in better than I expected and I am so excited to join the rest of the ladies on stage to celebrate our hard work over these past few months. It takes much dedication and sacrifice to get on stage and I cannot wait to celebrate all of the work that has been put in.

My goals for the day of competition is to enjoy every moment of it! I am really focused on have great stage presence so I can walk away with beautiful stage shots that will document yet another great moment in my fitness career. I look forward to sharing lots of pictures on social media, so don't forget to head over and like my Facebook Page and Instagram, @anna_lavonne.

I have been working on my post show goals so I have a plan stepping off stage. The day of competition is such a remarkable feeling and feeling of accomplishment. When I step off from stage I want to be able to use the momentum from competing to make significant progress in my career. I sat down and set goals for myself so I already have a plan when the lights go down on the WBFF stage.

I plan to expand my blogs in to a website and offer my followers more healthy recipes, information
on living a healthy lifestyle, and new tips and tools to help everyone accomplish their goals. I will be working on new, flavor filled recipes that are not only healthy, but nourish the body. I also plan to research more natural healing and natural food options. If you know of any helpful resources, I would love to hear from you.

in addition, I plan to research better options for purchasing whole and natural foods. I have found a couple local Farmer's Markets and I cannot wait to really dive in and see what they have to offers.

I am currently training locally at Xclusive's Fitness and I look forward to creating new workouts and routines for clients. I love giving back, sharing knowledge, and watching people change their lives. I look forward to working on the craft of fitness and lifestyle training.

Define Fitness

My physical goals are to gain more muscle and continue to build the body of my dreams. I plan on staying approximately 2 weeks out from being able to shoot in front of the camera. One of my goals this year is to become published. I feel like if I stay within 2 weeks out from out from being able to stand in front of camera, I will be reminding myself daily of my goal for publishing. Not to mention, I love setting the example and showing that a healthy, fit body is attainable while still enjoying treats and yummy food.

Health and wellness is my passion and I love to share that with everyone. My goal from here on out is to constantly learn and better my skills. I love sharing what I learn, my experiences, and helping people accomplish their health and wellness goals. I plan on putting in the work in the gym, the kitchen, and in my spiritual life so I can motivate others to become their best.

On several occasions I have asked if any one has any topics or questions they would like me to answer in blog posts or social. Please feel free to reach out to me, I love hearing from you all!

Wish me luck!!

Post Show Plan

It is no secret I am approaching my third WBFF Competition in just a couple days!

Leading up to a show my diet becomes more restrictive in order to obtain the stage body and leanness that is necessary. People have asked on a couple occassions what I will "cheat" on or what I look forward to following the show. I love this question mainly because it gives me the opportunity to share my love and passion for health and wellness.



Anna Lavonne Richardson WBFF Diva Bikini Model

I have never and will never condone a post-show binge... in other words... I personally don't believe in eating everything in sight (pop tarts, cupcakes, Oreos, etc.) immediately following a show. I think it is terrible for the body's metabolism and borh physical and mental health. Not to mention I have worked countless hours and months on my body, throwing a bunch of crap in my body hours following a show makes me feel like food has more control over me than I would like to allow. I know there are other competitors that believe differently and that is okay, however I want to set a good example for any woman following me on my fitness journey. Health, wellness, and being fit is a lifestyle to me, not just a special occasion. There is nothing that cannot be enjoyed through moderation and balance.

Besides, who really wants to feel stuffed full of sugar and bloated following any special event?

With that said, my plan is to enjoy certain splurges in moderation and (key word) over a period of a month or more post-show. Spacing out my splurges/cheats over time will allow for my body to come back from the restrictive diet that I had leading up to my show. Since stuffing my body full of a bunch of indulgent food post-show isn't in my plan, I have come up with a few things I look forward to and that I plan to enjoy over time.

First, I look forward to a steak. It can have a baked potato or just plain old veggies, but a great steak is the first thing I have my eye on. To most people this doesn't sound like much of a splurge, so I will continue.

Another thing I have my eyes on is a few pieces of french toast! I do enjoy carbohydrates, especially when they are sweet. So it is possible the week following my show I will enjoy a wonderful breakfast with my fiance. My breakfast to include eggs, turkey sausage, and french toast.


Temecula Valley Wine Country- Wilson Creek Manor

In June we have another vacation scheduled for Temecula Wine Country here in Southern California. I am excited to taste a few wines, enjoy a weekend of relaxation, and enjoy a glass of champagne. What I love most about living a consistent healthy lifestyle is that special occasions and vacations are enjoyable when it comes to enjoying tasty splurges. We might even be looking at wedding venues while we are on vacation. That's exciting!

I snagged a few pieces of clearance Easter candies the Monday following the show and since I am a sucker for chocolate, I will be enjoying a few pieces a week or two after show. I am also on the hunt for a dairy free, dark chocolate to enjoy post show.



Against All Grain

Finally, I am really looking forward to getting in to the kitchen and creating healthy alternative recipes to share with you all. I recently picked up Against all Grain by Danielle Walker. It is a cook book packed full with Paleo recipes. Over the last few months I discovered I have an intolerance to dairy and I am especially looking forward to getting in to the kitchen and finding a few healthy, dairy-free recipes to share. In particular, Danielle's book includes a recipe for mini-meatloaf muffins with cauliflower mashed "potatoes" on top. I love creating yummy meals for both my fiance and I to enjoy at home. A healthy home and healthy recipes make me feel empowered and excited. I cannot wait to share!

I am excited to step on stage and showcase all of the work I put in over the last few months. I also look forward to coming home and getting creative with healthy foods. Health and wellness will always be my passion. I look forward to sharing with you all recipes that are still healthy, but taste just like our favorite comfort foods.

Thank you all for your love and support. I have been very blessed to have great followers and such positive feedback. I have goals for these next few months and I can't wait to share my plans with you all. Stay tuned... in the next couple days I will share with you all what is on the horizon!

Your feedback is much appreciated and I would love to hear from you. Email me, message me, and/or follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Cardio Takes a Beating

If you know me at all, you know that I have always hated cardio. Whenever cardio made its way on my plan I tend to fight it. Cardio to me is dreaded, until now.

Just recently I had to find a way to get through the cardio sessions that faced me leading up to my next competition. I knew that if I wanted to become better, I was going to have to get through each cardio session without any skipping.

Leading up to a cardio session I would negotiate with myself, "maybe just 10 minutes less" or "maybe I can cut the sessions in half". Knowing that I couldn't make excuses for myself, I sought out ways to make the dreaded cardio tolerable.


YouTube- Search Motivational Speech

First, Lindsay Messina suggested that I listen to motivational or self improvement speeches. IMMEDIATELY I noticed a difference. I think it was because my mind was focused on the words and not the time left on the read out. Also, I love self improvement and finding ways to improve myself or impact the lives of others. Listening to motivational speeches through YouTube was proving to be an excellent way to fight back and take cardio head on. Jump on to YouTube and search "motivational speech".

Second, I started to associate a reward or positive outcome with finishing cardio. During cardio when I was ready to give up, I reminded myself of the feeling of accomplishment that came from completing cardio. I focus on controlling the feelings associated with activities I don't necessarily enjoy.

Believe in Yourself

Finally, I took the time to have comfortable clothes and shoes. Good shoes for cardio really work wonders. For running, I invested in a great pair of Asics that were meant for running. It immediately helped with any discomfort I was getting in my legs, mainly my shins. It is important to wear the right clothing. If you don't already wear a sports bra to the gym, you should stop and get one ASAP. Comfortable workout clothes really help you get in your workout and maximize your efforts. The right top, I prefer a tank top and the right bottoms will make all the difference.

Some of my favorite places to pick up workout clothes are Target, Marshall's, and TJ Maxx. They have great quality workout clothes, fun colors, and they won't break your bank. I always find fun sports bras and sports tops for the gym. A little tip for when you are picking out your bottoms, stretch the fabric (while they are on the hanger) in the booty and see if you can see through it. If you can, chances are they are going to be see through in the gym. I am a stickler and very picky when it comes to picking out great bottoms. My absolute favorite crops are from Lululemon, but they are a little bit of an investment for me.

Hopefully these tips not only help you conquer cardio in the gym, but every workout in the gym. Full effort in the gym is very important and it is fully possible when you have the right tools.

What things help you maximize your time in the gym?

To, Too, Two, and 2

To, Too, Two, and 2... although I know they all mean something different, they all sound the same to me and at this point the sound of TWO makes me think of only one thing...

We are TWO weeks out from WBFF LA, April 26th

Countless hours of meal prep, gym time, posing practice, and self-empowerment all to improve myself for this stage. I would honestly be completely fibbing you if I told you it was an easy road to this point. My mental and physical strength have been tested, shifted, and downright challenged in this process. The most rewarding part of this journey is the fact that I am still standing.

When life comes at us in all kinds of directions, when life challenges us beyond what we think we are capable of handling, it is up to us to persevere. I promise you, there is no greater feeling than coming out on the other side of your challenges, looking back with pride when you see what you have overcome, and looking forward for the next challenge.

My story is probably no different than a lot of people's. When I was a young girl and growing up through high school, I had some of the biggest insecurities and an overwhelming fear of judgment and failure. I never felt comfortable in my own skin, I never felt like I fit in, and I was constantly looking for some one's acceptance or approval. Looking back now at my story I am proud of where I was and where I am, but at the time it meant terrible heartache, depression, and sadness.

A year ago I had amazing mentors and friends that started to enter my life and change me from the inside out. If there has been one thing I have discovered in this journey, it is that the INSIDE is more important than the OUTSIDE. There is nothing you can do on the outside to make you feel confident, strong, or empowered if you are not CONFIDENT, STRONG, or EMPOWERED on the INSIDE!

For six months I have trained and worked hard to get to this point... TWO WEEKS OUT!
I still train 6 days, I am hustling cardio, I meal prep, and I practice my posing until my feet give up. I have turned myself inward, I listen to my heart, and I strengthen my mind daily. At this point... that is the plan...

With two weeks out from the stage I have already started to map out my post-show goals. I have put pen to paper and I am developing some of my STRONGEST goals and plans I have ever had. My POWER GOAL is to give back, empower other women, and impact the lives of other women. Men are great too, but I just have a desire to see women change and grow the same way I have over the last year or more. The world is bound to be a better place with stronger, empowered, more confident women!!

Stay tuned for big announcements on what is next! As always, I appreciate any and all of the support I get from all of you! Your thoughts, sharing my posts, supporting me on social media or in person... it all adds up and it doesn't go unnoticed!

Follow my Instagram (@anna_lavonne) for daily posts and updates!! See you soon!! TWO WEEKS OUT!!

3 Weeks Out- WBFF LA

Today marks exactly three weeks until my feet hit the stage in Los Angeles for my next WBFF competition. 

I decided yesterday to document my journey in writing hoping that I can later look back and see exactly where I have improved. Often times I forget that the journey to the stage is not just about how physically fit you are. My mind has completely taken a 180 degree turn and improved tremendously since my last show. I truly believe my decision to invest in great mentors and the time I have invested in improving my own thoughts has been the reason for my success.
If you would have talked to me 6 months ago when I stepped off stage at my last competition, I would have told you my biggest focus would be improving my glutes or improving my abs. Along the way in the last 6 months I realized that no matter how physically fit I became... no matter how much I grew or how lean I became, I knew it would not be enough for my next strut on the stage.

My mind is what has improved and when I sit down and start to think about it, there is not greater improvement I would want to have up on that stage. When I learned to let go of negative self-talk and when I stopped placing importance on the opinions of others, I began to grow faster than I could have ever hoped for. It became more about what I could do as an individual to impress myself rather than impressing someone else.
I do not know what the outcome of April 26th will be, but I know my #1 goal is to beat myself when I am up on that stage. I know the last time I was on stage I was not confident, I was slightly unsure and insecure. This time I have taken any and every step possibly to improve the way I feel about MYSELF! I journal every day documenting my progress... I stop myself when I begin to think I CAN'T or maybe my dream is unrealistic. I have set my mind up to think

WHY NOT ME?

The dream of holding a pro card with the WBFF...
WHY NOT ME?
The dream of becoming a mentor and inspiration to other women...
WHY NOT ME?
The dream of being on the cover of a magazine...
WHY NOT ME?
When I start to ponder my dreams and think they may not be possible, I immediately think WHY NOT ME?!

Along with strengthening my mind, I have invested in improving my walk. We hear it all the time as competitors... your walk will make or break you... right?! So I made the decision to improve my walk as best I could. I have made it my goal... by the time my feet hit that stage on April 26th, my walk will have improved so much that the judges think "is that the same girl from the October show?". That is honestly my goal! My goal is to step out from the old me and be the new me! I am determined to WOW my judges!

With 3 weeks left I know there are going to still be quite a few improvements and I am so excited to see what happens. I started writing in my journal about 3 weeks ago and I am already impressed with my own improvements... I can't imagine what is going to happen these next 3 weeks when all of my effort is strategically planned out! The plan is to give 10% more than what I gave before (thank you Lindsay Messina for that goal)... 10% more than what I gave in the past.... 10% more than what my body or mind feels like giving... 10% more than normal for 21 days! Let's see what's possible!!!!
Thank you to everyone who supports me on this journey!