Vegan Derby Girl

CNY Roller Derby Devistated By Fire

2012-02-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

The first thing I read upon waking up yesterday is that a fire ripped through Central New York Roller Derby's and The Quadfathers new practice space, the space they have been pining over from the beginning. This is my first league, the league that taught me how to skate, how to pick up both feet and let go of the wall.

So of course this news is heartbreaking.....

The derby community and local community has been amazing at spreading the word and really backing up the men and women who lost everything. It's something that I dont think I could ever find in another sport, derby love is real and it comes on strong and without begging.

What can you do to help? If you are in the CNY area, there is a DOUGH RAISER scheduled at a local pizza place, if you print the coupon and bring it in with you 20% of your bill will go to CNY Roller Derby!

There is also a relief fund set up to raise money for new gear and other items lost to the fire.

Direct gear and monetary donations can be sent to:
CNY Roller Derby
PO Box 8827
Utica NY 13505

Wheels and Gears is offer a 15% discount that can be used to purchase items for CNY Roller Derby, these items can be shipped or choose "Local Pickup" and the owner of Wheels and Gears will foot the shipping costs to get supplies to CNY Roller Derby- Use the code SMORES

Some items they lost and are in desperate need of are as follows:

mouth guards
wrist guards
elbow pads
knee pads
helmets
skates in various sizes (they lost all of their newbie loaner skates to the fire)
clipboards
dry erase boards
helmet panty covers for all teams
stop watches
whistles

these are only a few things that I know off the top of my head, they need so much more...they even lost their nice customized score board and their entire med bin, with ice packs bandages etc

I am also working on putting together a care package to either send to NY or bring with me when I go for a visit. The day before the fire I was posting on facebook, seriously considering going back to CNY Roller Derby, and its still a thought in the back of my mind.....we will see where the wind takes me this summer!

Please support these folks, they have worked their booty short clad hineys off and have an action packed season ahead of them, with no practice space and no gear.

If you have a business and would like to offer a discount or anything to help these folks and would like it posted on this blog, please email derbygrrrrl@yahoo.com

Roller Derby Workout Challenge

2012-02-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

This week marked the end of the Vegan Body Building New Year New You Challenge and the beginning of the Roller Derby Workout Challenge!

I wanted to post a before picture, all funny in my workout clothes, but alas I have no cellphone or camera....and I am at a cafe using free internet....so stripping down to workout clothing is just not going to happen. But, I assure you, I look super fly! I also assure you that I will look just as goofy and dorky after the challenge is over.

I am not one for dieting, so I dont intend on doing the diet that goes along with the workouts, but I intend to go full throttle with the workouts and kick some major derby ass this year!

Todays workout for me:

1 minute of jumping jacks (gonna need a sports bra for this one, folks)

30 second rest

10 push ups

DO THIS 5 TIMES!

I am down for the challenge, and very excited, as I have been getting rather bored at the gym recently.
I just finished with a Vegan Body Building challenge, where I just journaled my workouts 5 days a week, and journaling them really helped me and I fully intend on keeping up with my journal on Vegan Body Building forum! Looking back over the last month at my workout journal, I realized that being held accountable makes me push myself harder and want to impress myself with what I can write down.

Who out there is doing the Roller Derby Workout Challenge? What do you think the hardest part will be?

What CAN vegans eat?

2012-01-20T08:08:00.000-08:00

I get asked this question just about as much as I get asked how I get my protein.....here is a list I found via Vegan Body Building that I want to share with everyone...

Foods to eat on a vegan diet:

Acorn Squash Adzuki Beans Alfalfa Sprouts Almonds Almond Milk Apples Apricots Artichokes Asparagus Avacados Bagels Bamboo Shoots Bananas Banana Squash Barley Beans Beets Bell Peppers Black Beans Blackberries Black-eyed Peas Blueberries Bok Choy Bran Brazil Nuts Bread Broccoli Brown Rice Brussels Sprouts Buckwheat Cabbage Canola Oil Cantaloupe Carrots Cashews Cauliflower Celery Cereal Cherries Chestnuts Chick-Peas Chiles Chives Chocolate Coconuts Corn Corn Oil Corn Tortilla Cranberries Cucumbers Currants Dates Dried Beans Dried Fruit Eggplant Fava Beans Figs Filberts Fruit Juice Garlic Grains Granola Grapefruit Grapes Green Beans Green Lettuce Grits Guava Hazelnuts Honeydew Hot Peppers Hummus Iceberg Lettuce Jalapeno Peppers Juan Canary Melons Kale Kidney Beans Kiwi Fruit Kumquat Leeks Legumes Lemons Lentils Lima Beans Limes Macadamias Mangoes Melons Miso Mushrooms Navel Oranges Navy Beans Nectarines Nuts and Seeds Oat Bran Oat Flour Oats Olive Oil Onions Oranges Papayas Parsley Passion Fruit Pasta Peaches Peanut Butter Peanuts Pears Peas Pecans Peppers Persian Melons Pineapple Pine Nuts Pinto Beans Pistachios Pita Bread Plums Popcorn Portabello Mushrooms Potatoes Potato Flour Prunes Pumpkin Pumpkin Seeds Radishes Raisins Raspberries Red Beans Red Bell Peppers Red Cabbage Red Pepper Rhubarb Rice Rice Bran Rice Noodles Rice Milk Romaine Lettuce Roots Rutabagas Rye Rye Bread Rye Flour Safflower Oil Salad Greens Salsa Salt Savoy Cabbage Scallions Seaweed Seeds Serrano Peppers Sesame Seed Oil Sesame Seeds Shiitake Mushrooms Snow Peas Soybean Oil Soybeans Soy Milk Spaghetti Spanish Onions Spinach Split Peas Sprouts Squash Strawberries Sugar (Raw) Sun-Dried Tomatoes Sweet Peppers Sweet Potatoes Swiss Chard Tangerines Tempeh Tofu Tomatoes Tomato Sauce Tortillas Turnip Greens Turnips Vegetable Oils Vegetables Walnuts Water Water Chestnuts Watermelon Wheat Wheat Flour Wheat Noodles Whole Wheat Wild Mushrooms Wild Rice Yams Zucchini

***THIS IS BY NO MEANS EVERYTHING VEGANS CAN EAT, JUST THINK-DOES IT COME FROM AN ANIMAL AT ALL? ***
Nutrition Guide to common foods

High-Protein Foods

Soybeans
Chick peas
Kidney beans
Adzuki beans
Other beans
Tofu
Lentils
Almonds

Other nuts and seeds
Kamut and spelt
Other whole grains

High-Calcium Foods

Black beans
Chick peas
Soybeans
Pinto beans
Tofu
Cashews
Almonds
Sesame seeds
Molasses
Dark leafy green vegetables
Brazil nuts
Hazelnuts (filberts)
Sunflower seeds
Globe artichokes

High-Magnesium Foods

Pumpkin and squash seeds
Bran
Almonds
Sesame seeds
Other nuts and seeds
Peanuts
Millet
Whole grains
Dried figs
Molasses
Black-eyed peas

High-Iron Foods

Dried fruit
Molasses
Chick peas
Black-eyed peas
Pinto beans
Whole grains
Sesame seeds
Other seeds
Prune juice
Dark leafy green vegetables
Jerusalem artichokes

High-Zinc Foods

Brazil nuts
Bran
Almonds
Walnuts
Lentils
Lima beans
Black-eyed peas
Other dried peas
Chick peas
Cashews
Pecans
Whole wheat flour
Corn and cornmeal
Spinach
Asparagus

High-Iodine Foods

Seaweeds
Sea Kelp
Iodized sea salt
Dark leafy green vegetables

High-Mineral and Enzyme Foods

Miso
Vegetable juices
Barley green
Wheat grass
Papayas
Seaweeds
Citrus fruit
Tomato juice

High B-12 Foods

Wheat grass
Barley green
Spirulina
Cholorella
Blue-green algae
B-12 fortified foods like texturized vegetable protein (TVP)
Vitamin supplements

Vitamin D

Alfalfa
Chlorella
Blue-green algae
Fenugreek
Sunflower seeds
Coconut
Papaya
Rosehips

Essential Oils

Flax seed/flax seed oil
Olives
Olive oil
Other natural oils
Nuts and seeds
Vegetables
Avocados
Whole grains

Herbs

Parsley
Herb seasonings
Herb teas
Garlic
Onions

If you look at me you will surely know that I am not going without, and my body is strong and healthy.
I have been juicing organic fresh fruits, vegetables, and roots every morning for 2 months straight and I feel amazing. I am in the process of buying a house with some friends and started the collective living space I have always dreamed of, and finally growing all of our own organic fruits and vegetables! The possibilities are limitless for growing, even if you think your space is too small....container growing, vertical growing...easy as 1-2-3!

Sourdough French Toast?

2012-01-09T08:01:00.000-08:00

Before you say eww, or what the heck...give it a minute to sink into your brain....french toast made with sourdough bread!

The only reason I know that sourdough makes great french toast is because I am poor and the sourdough was on sale almost 2$ cheaper than other loaves of bread. We were weary at first, but now I am hooked and its my go to lazy dinner, usually showing up on Sunday evenings.

Super simple, get yourself a loaf of sourdough bread, if its a little stale thats fine because you want it a bit hard. If it isnt stale put it in your toaster oven (however many slices you want to make) on 350 degrees for a few minutes to harden up the bread. Dont toast it, but harden it.

Your dipping mixture is as follows:

1 c. your choice of non dairy milk- coconut milk is great for this recipe since its a bit thicker
2 Tblsp. organic flour or other thickener
2 Tblsp. garbanzo flour
cinnamon to taste

Use a wide shallow dish (think of a dish that you can easily dip your breads in) and whisk the milk and organic flour together...then add in the garbanzo bean flour and mix. If you love cinnamon mix it in there, its good for you and tastes super sexy. Heat up a frying pan with the bottom coated in oil, on medium heat. Dip each piece of bread in your mixture, making sure to soak on each side briefly then place in the frying pan. A couple minutes on first side, then flip and brown the other side. Serve with local organic maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, jam...whatever you like on your french toast. It is delicious and just typing this is making me want more, even though it was my dinner last night!

Enjoy!

Quiche me Beautiful!

2011-12-20T09:25:00.001-08:00

What is your favorite part of the holiday season? Mine is of course the vegan food that I wouldnt normally spend the time making.....What's your favorite holiday food?

I love cooking and sharing food with those that I love, and this holiday season is no different. I am 500 miles from home and I have made my own little family here in Michigan. I fully intend on eating some delcious foods this weekend, and wowing my friends family with our cooking skills!

We are making vegan quiche!
Vegan QUICHE? What the BEEP, how do you even attempt such a thing?

EASY

you will need:

1 vegan pie crust (or 2 if you intend on sharing with many people)
1 package of xtra firm tofu, drained and pressed
1 cup nutritional yeast
1 package of organic frozen spinach
dash nutmeg
1 medium onion, diced
3-6 cloves of garlic, minced depending on your taste
a few dashes of paprika
salt
pepper
1 package of vegan cheese slices (recently we tried vegan rice milk cheese, but generally I use tofutti...)
splash olive oil

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, can also be done in the toaster oven, for those of us who don't have ovens. Saute your chopped onions and minced garlic in a splash of olive oil over low heat until the onions are translucent. Crumble and add your tofu, mix in half the nutritional yeast (add a splash of water if necessary) add a couple of dashes of nutmeg (be sure to spread out where you dash it, so it isn't concentrated all in one area) Mix this up well, and keep cooking on low heat, sprinkle paprika all over the top of the tofu in the pan, a light coat, then mix it in.
While that continues to cook on low heat, line the bottom of the pie crust with slices of vegan cheese. Add the spinach to the tofu mixture, allow the spinach to mix in and heat up, if you are using fresh cook the mixture until the spinach is just wilted. Then add the other half of the nutritional yeast, if the mixture is super dry add a TINY amount of water to make it easier to stir. Spoon this mixture into the pie crust, sprinkle top lightly with paprika then use remaining cheese slices to cover top of your quiche. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted. (If you have some slices and some daiya, use slices in bottom of pie crust and use daiya on top! Daiya melts nicely and adds a gooey touch)

This is one of my favorite winter comfort foods, and I cant wait to share it Sunday morning. There is no feeling greater than wowing people with vegan food that is surprisingly delicious!

Tis the Season

2011-12-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

Tis the season to eat way more than you need to and be lazier than any other time of year......if you must indulge here are some great workouts to keep your heart pumping!

Rodney Yee makes awesome yoga videos for the beginner up to the bendy yoga masters. I absolutely love doing a bit of yoga before a practice or a bout, and with winter depression yoga really helps me relieve some tension. This video is very simple and a great workout to work off some of those big holiday meals and not feel so full and slow for 2 weeks straight. I am personally not a fan of the entire holiday overeat and over consume thing, but if you love it...love your body too and keep it moving!

Some fast feet with Quadzilla is sure to get your heart pumping and it does so much for your legs and booty....and makes you feel great afterwards.

Before I end up posting 25 different videos of Quadzilla doing bad ass derby exercises, just check out the channel on youtube.

There is an entire workout dvd made specifically for working on your derby muscles, Roller Derby Workout, you can enter to win your own copy of the dvd HERE!

Roller Derby Calendar Giveaway

2011-12-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

Finally, a calendar for derby peeps with great action shots from 25 of the top women's flat track and banked track leagues.

Derby Calendar is pretty sweet, and its super rad seeing skaters from all over in some of their finer moments. First thing I do when I get a new calendar, I flip to September and check out the photo for my birthday month! I know you all do the same, or am I alone in this one?

My absolute favorite part of this calendar is that it includes a calendar of December 2011, there is nothing that bums me out more than when I buy a calendar and I have to stare at January of the next year for 2 months impatiently waiting for the calendar year to begin! Besides, who doesn't want an extra month of roller derby action?

I was going to wait to do this giveaway, but I would definitely say that calendars are time sensitive and I am so excited about this calendar I want to share it ASAP!

To enter, all you have to do is answer one tiny little question:

What month stands out in your mind as the busiest derby month of the year for you?

Want extra entries? Leave separate comments for each entry!

+1

Tweet about the giveaway with this link: http://veganderbygirl.blogspot.com/2011/12/roller-derby-calendar-giveaway.html
Post a link to this blog post on your facebook http://veganderbygirl.blogspot.com/2011/12/roller-derby-calendar-giveaway.html
Invite friends to follow Vegan Derby Girl on facebook
Follow Vegan Derby Girl on facebook
Post the following as your facebook status: I entered the @vegan derby girl contest the winner will receive a @rollerderbycalendar enter here: http://veganderbygirl.blogspot.com/2011/12/roller-derby-calendar-giveaway.html
Post a comment with your roller derby name, number, league and location
Post the following to your twitter: I entered a contest by #veganderbygirl at http://veganderbygirl.blogspot.com/2011/12/roller-derby-calendar-giveaway.html the winner will receive a #Rollerderbycalendar
Follow this blog

Roller Derby Workout DVD giveaway!

2011-12-08T13:12:00.001-08:00

Yep, its that time again! Roller Derby Workout has sent me another dvd for a giveaway!!!
*****You do not to be a roller derby player to reap the rewards of this video workout!*****

I have done a few giveaways of this Roller Derby Workout DVD and I cant say enough good things about it. When I first started skating I had never even had wheels on my feet, and though I rode a bicycle everywhere derby uses its own set of muscles. This DVD helped me get into shape to even start skating, and the great thing about the DVD is you dont need skates or to be a derby player to get great benefits!

This dvd is broke up into different sections, you can work on one part of your body or do the whole DVD workout for full effects.

To enter, follow Vegan Derby Girl's blog and facebook! (If you are already following both, please leave a comment stating that, one entry for following both!)

You will receive 1 extra entry for each of the following things you do.....
(please seperate comment for each, so i can just do a random number to choose a winner!)

Tweet about the giveaway with a link
Post a link to this blog post on your facebook
Invite friends to follow Vegan Derby Girl on facebook
Follow/ like Roller Derby Workout on facebook
Post the following as your facebook status: I entered the @vegan derby girl contest sponsored by @rollerderbyworkout the winner will receive a Roller Derby Workout DVD Enter here: http://www.veganderbygirl.blogspot.com
Post a comment with your roller derby name, number, league and location
Post the following to your twitter: I entered a contest by @veganderbygirl at http://www.veganderbygirl.blogspot.com the winner will receive a Roller Derby Workout DVD!

There are plenty of ways to get your entries in for this AWESOME workout dvd!

A winner will be chosen December 23, just in time for the next Roller Derby Workout Challenge to begin!

Roller Derby Holiday

2011-12-06T07:29:00.001-08:00

I am not huge on the consumerist nightmare the holidays have become, but that doesn't mean I don't like window shopping and always love new derby swag! Here are some of my favorites this year, hint hint.....

After some clarification about the "separate" detail of these shorts, though I am still confused, I am down for a challenge! These shorts seem to be super popular and look cute, I just wonder if the separation leaves you "open" for a wheel to the taint. Either way, I would love a pair from Wicked Skatewear
If you didn't know, using code VEGANDERBYGIRL will get you 10% off at Wicked Skatewear!

I check back to RudeChix rather often and this is the first time I have seen this shirt, so perfect, you don't even know...

Yeah, that's right...Antik has come out with a VEGAN skate! Mouthwatering glorious and sexy, these are a Vegan Derby Girls wet dream! I went to an event last fall hosted by Albany All Stars Roller Derby, where Wicked Skatewear and Antik were there to try on gear and buy some goodies....it was a blast but I was broke....someday, someday these skates WILL be mine! Heck, by then maybe there will be more vegan color options!

A lot of folks have asked me where I got my bad ass roller derby wallet/clutch....well here she is, she opened an etsy shop! I used to skate with KraftyKimmer back in NY with CNYRD. When I left the league presented me with a beautiful roller derby themed clutch that goes EVERYWHERE with me! This particular wallet is of The Quadfathers, the mens roller derby team from Central New York, great group of guys and super rad wallet.....message kimmer if you want your very own roller derby wallet or clutch!

I NEED new elbow and knee pads, and knee gaskets are ideal as well, since I do have a pesky ole knee injury from a few years back (not derby related, not even a cool story, unless you are a weirdo) Wheels and Gears has a combo of elbow and knee pads from SCAB which is one of the brands I have been seriously considering and have heard amazing things about!

Another great looking wheel is here from Atom, and you bet your behind I want to try them. My current wheels are pretty haggard and the bearings are downright embarrassing! These look nice and grippy for the polished cement floor I have been skating on since moving to Michigan.

I have had the Roller Derby Workout DVD for about a year now and I absolutely love it, whether you are a hopeful derby girl in the works, a couch potato, or a full blown derby dominator...this dvd will help kick your ass into roller derby shape! Sure, I dont need another copy...but they are always a nice last minute gift for your derby wives.

Obviously this is a very small list of the derby sexiness I dream of, but at the risk of having a photo and sexiness overload on my blog, and boring you to death as I drool on these items.....I will end the post here.

Juicin' Aint Easy

2011-12-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

OK, that's a lie...juicing is super easy and makes you feel like you are high on life!

I have juiced in the past, but it's awfully hard to juice everyday and stay motivated when you are doing it alone. I'm super thrilled that my newest roommate is down with the juice, and keeps me motivated every morning...even when I rather lay in bed and keep dreaming. We have been experimenting with all different ingredients in our juice, but I feel the best when we make a basic green juice. Think of all the chewing and time it would take to eat the following...throw it in the juicer, gulp it down, and you are The Incredible Hulk!

1 entire head of celery (or you can use a head of romaine lettuce)
5-6 pieces of kale (which is usually one entire head, if that's what kale is called)
1-2 apples (use carrots to mix it up at times, its up to you)
1 lemon
1-2" of ginger root

The lemon really cuts the overpowering flavor of the greens, and it is good for you, the carrots or apples help by sweetening up the juice just a bit, taking the edge off.
I try to buy organic and local as much as brutally possible.....but there are some fruits and veggies I absolutely wont eat unless organic. They are....bum bum bum

THE DIRTY DOZEN
1. apples
2. celery
3. strawberries
4. peaches
5. spinach
6. nectarines, imported
7. grapes, imported
8. sweet bell peppers
9. potatoes
10. blueberries, domestic
11. lettuce
12. kale collard greens

The dirty dozen consists of the fruits and vegetables that have been tested and found to have the highest pesticide residue, therefore these are the really chemical ridden ickies when not organic.
Organic food can be expensive, but so can doctors and treatments for whatever ales you...I choose to take care of my body from the inside out before the bad news comes. Don't fret, not everything is totally pesticide laden, while still having pesticides in them these fruits and veggies and fungi have lower levels...I introduce:

THE CLEAN 15

1. onions
2. sweet corn
3. pineapples
4. avocado
5. asparagus
6. sweet peas
7. mangoes
8. eggplant
9. cantaloupe, domestic
10. kiwi
11. cabbage
12. watermelon
13. sweet potatoes
14. grapefruit
15. mushrooms

The combinations and options for juicing are limitless....here are some things we have recently tried!

Beets (greens and all) golden and red

carrots

apples

kale

spinach

lettuce

collard greens

broccoli (needs a sweet added or you will say, eww)

garlic (go easy killer)

celery

grapes

ginger

I have tried many different juicers, and I am finally happy with the one I have, the Omega 8005....it also makes nut butters and hummus...you cant go wrong. Its super easy to clean and isn't super loud either.

Getting in the groove of juicing is the hardest part!

You shouldn't eat anything for 30 minutes before or after juicing...

this is my daily routine:

Wake up- make some juice, relax at the kitchen table drinking the juice

30 minutes later a piece of fruit or a veggie, something raw...

get in some yoga or another workout

lunch time- eat either a nice raw salad or start with your cooked foods, my goal everyday is to make it to noon without eating anything cooked or heavy

After the lunch part is where the chaos begins for me, I would ideally like to have several snacks and small meals but life gets in the way, I might even start adding another green juice around 3 or 4 before I workout or go to roller derby practice.

Protech Dent Mouthguard Review and Giveaway

2011-12-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

I contacted Protech about a giveaway and it seemed like I received the items instantly...with a little research I realized they are based about 30 minutes from where I live, in Ann Arbor, MI.

I have been dreaming of these mouth guards since the first time I saw someone using one. They could drink water, communicate in the pack and actually be understood and their mouth guard didn't look half as nasty as mine.

Some background, my mouth guard is the same one I bought that first week of derby. That first week back in January 2010, when I skated once and was absolutely madly in love and needed all my own gear ASAP! It has been gnawed on, dropped on dirty floors, left in my bag of stinky pads...you name something nasty, I'm sure it has happened. At a bout last weekend someone else even noticed the pure nastiness that was my mouth guard, good thing I'm not the type to get embarrassed.

Upon opening the glorious package from Protech Dent, I was so excited but really wanted to wait for my derby pal to get home from work and share the joy and love....so I waited impatiently and we finally got our new mouth guards all fit to our teeth. It is super easy, you just heat it up and mold it to your teeth, wait a minute and you are ready to roll.

I chose the white mouth guard, thinking it would look cool to smile and look like they are just my teeth...which I still think, but it just made me realize my teeth are looking a bit yellow...oops!

First thing I did when I put my newly fitted mouth guard in, OK OK after I looked in the mirror, was I spoke to my roommate.....and I was easily understood! 2nd mouth guard test, chugging water with it in, something I never even attempted with my other mouth guard, I think its that whole drowning thing that turned me off. SUCCESS!!!!
Ok, enough of my gushing about my new mouth guard, lets get to the fun...the giveaway!

*For your first original entry, since I am in the market for new pads, suggest your favorite knee pads to me (keep in mind i am 200+ pounds of pure sexy!)

You may do each of these things as extra entries for this giveaway, once you have done it, post in a comment that you did the deed! Already follow my blog and facebook, etc? That's bad ass, leave a comment stating that for your extra entries.

***Follow Vegan Derby Girl Blog
***Follow Vegan Derby Girl Facebook
***Follow Vegan Derby Girl on Twitter
***Post this entire message as a status on facebook: I entered the @vegan derby girl contest sponsored by @protechdent the winner will receive a Protech Dent mouth guard Enter here: http://www.veganderbygirl.blogspot.com
***Post this to your twitter: I entered a contest by @fortheloveofveg at http://www.veganderbygirl.blogspot.com the winner will receive a Protech Dent Mouth guard!

2 winners will be chosen on December 23! Good luck, in the meantime, skate fast....skate hard!

Dont want to wait for the giveaway to end.....
use coupon code SAFESMILE for a 10% discount on the Protech Dent website! Offer Ends 12/31.

Roller Derby World Cup

2011-12-01T07:48:00.000-08:00

As many, most or all of you know...this weekend marks the first Roller Derby World Cup! Which is exciting in a non nationalistic sort of way.

To me, its exciting because so many different countries in the world are coming together at a big ole bout and, Im sure, an even bigger after party. I think of the fact that I could have gone and watched and had an amazing weekend and I get angry, angry that Detroit has done nothing but suck every last penny out of me! Well, there's always next time, and hell...who knows, maybe someone I know will be skating for team USA by then.

So, what will I be doing instead of going to the Roller Derby World Cup? I will either be going skating tonight, or I will plop my booty down at a cafe and watch the team USA vs. team USA little teaser bout.....this is a hard decision to make, as both options are pretty dreamy.

Are you watching the Roller Derby World Cup this weekend? Have plans with friends around a big ole bowl of popcorn? I have to work this weekend, but I have been known to choose fun and passion over work, anyday!

First Bout- Bath City Roller Derby

2011-11-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

Ugh Internet has been down....but that doesn't mean there isn't copious amounts of derby action to catch up on!

Had my first bout with Bath City a couple of Saturdays ago, it was a league bout, purple vs. black. The teams had cutesy names, but I have a horrible memory. I was drafted to the black team, and my good pal Mrlyn was drafted to purple....the teams change for every bout, so we very well could be on the same team next time!

When I got to the center where the bouts are held I got a bit nervous, some old and new friends were coming to watch and I had only ever scrimmaged with my new league once before this bout. I took a Valerian root to calm my nerves, making note that next time I will take a lower dose, as I was nodding off at the bench a bit.

I was so wrapped up in hydrating and making sure I ate something healthy before the bout that I forgot to make my goals. I like to take a scrap piece of paper and make goals for that specific practice or bout and work on those things while I am skating. I realize I am not the best derby player out there, but I find if I set goals to work on for myself, a lot of learning and growing can be accomplished. During half time I realized the lack of goals, and lack of concentration, probably from the Valerian.

With no paper and a fuzzy head I decided my main goal was to be aggressive. Sounds good on paper, or in my head..but its really something I need to work on. Sure, I can hit, I can block, but I don't have that killer wanna win attitude in my mind.....which is what my game play is lacking. I go out on the track with the mission to have fun and improve my game, for once Id like to go out there and want blood! We can all hug and snuggle after the bout, but I need to really want to win. I have never been a competitive person, which is odd because I am so aggressive in so many other aspects of my life....it is, what it is.

Was I satisfied with my playing? No, I wasn't, but I did get in some good hits, a few good assists and some booty blocking. Roller Derby is one of those things you get out what you put in, and I am stubborn as hell...so I figure if I keep skating and pushing myself I will be decent someday!

wear your knee pads******EVERY time you skate!

2011-11-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

Went to an open skate last night, this is the first time since I started roller derby a year ago that I have slacked on wearing knee pads. I learned a valuable lesson..........wear protection!

This open skate was a bit wilder than any other open skate I have encountered, kids zooming in and out, people speed skating and weaving in and out. It was, quite frankly, a cluster fuck of skating chaos. Which was super fun.....until........
A kid swerved into me, hit my skates and it was a split second decision...do I fall on this small child and smother them with my large curvaceous body, or.....take a knee and hope for the least amount of damage. I hope this small child appreciates that he didn't need to be excised from my fluffy body, because damn do my knees hurt. The floor hurts without knee pads, like, more than I would have ever expected!

Please all derby players, take a moment to snuggle your knee pads and give them due praise, appreciate them for all their soft cushiony goodness...and DAMMIT wear your knee pads at open skates!
I am a stickler for safety, often yelling at friends to wear their pads..what the hell was I thinking? Well, I had just washed my tights, and being out of work and broke decided it was best to not wear knee pads because I didn't want to sweat on my knee pads. That doesn't even make a lick of sense as I am typing this, I am always dirty, barely showering...and I care about my tights getting sweaty? Sounds like I had a momentary loss of my brain and intelligence. It's like this creature took over my brain and made bad decisions for me.

Wear your knee pads, watch for unruly children, and most of all....have fun!
SKATE FAST, SKATE HARD...as long as you have your knee pads on!

The Crazy Life Of A Transfer Skater

2011-11-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I lost my job...which is really not that bad since now I can make it to derby all 3 times a week! I NEED to skate as often as possible with the impending doom of seasonal depression on my back.

Being a transfer skater is a very odd thing, it hasn't been bad at all. Honestly with the level of anxiety I have on a daily basis I thought it would be a much harsher transition. I still get a little bit of a weird feeling in my stomach when I drag my gear into practice, but nowhere near what I expected of myself from the beginning.

Transferring is interesting because things are likely going to be very different in the new league from what you are used to in your original league. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but its definitely the case with my transfer situation. It's hard going from a league where you know everyone and are FINALLY comfortable in your own skates, to starting fresh with a bunch of people who don't know you from Madonna. Here are some little tips I can give to those who might be considering a move (which leads to an inevitable transfer)

TRY TRY TRY not to compare every little thing to your old league, and if you do......try to keep that in check. I often feel like people I skate with now are probably getting sick of hearing "on my last league we did this or that" I am not saying it in a bad way, or saying my last league was better, just trying to give ideas and insight from halfway across the country.....but sometimes I annoy myself with it. Mainly I am just super excited to be skating with a newer league and trying to give insight and help in any way I can, but I am really trying to not step on toes at the same time.
You will never find another Lady Dimentia so dont even try! If you had a bestie in your old league, dont compare everyone to them...or try to find someone similar. My first night of practice I was looking around and finding people and wondering "I wonder who they will remind me of from my last league" BUT I will admit there are some similar characters here.......its very interesting....so I guess this isnt a dont do, more so something I noticed I have been doing!
Dont be so nervous, IT'S ROLLER DERBY DAMMIT! The new league is just as excited to have you as you are excited to get started. Show up, strap on your skates and skate around and introduce yourself.....but do this slowly or there's no way you will remember every ones names! I am still learning peoples names on my new league. Everyone has been super sweet and super excited to skate with me, and it has felt like home almost instantly!
Dont be a show off, I havnt done this because really....you need SKILLZ to show them off.....but noone likes a show off... show up, skate, and figure out where your place is within the league....dont go zooming around acting like a jerk to try to prove yourself. THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING, or the skating in this case.
Offer to help with league doings on and off skates...is there a bake sale coming up? A bout coming up that you arent drafted for? Buck up and sign up! The first bout I watched here at my new league I was an NSO, which is the BEST thing to do to get an idea of how your new league plays and skates together. Front row seats to all the hard hitting ACTION! Help out, pull your weight, and observe!

I am sure I will think of more tips as I go during this whole transfer process....

WORK SUCKS, does speed skating also suck?

2011-10-11T08:04:00.000-07:00

Work has been seriously interfering in my derby schedule, I simply cannot have Wednesdays off.....GRRRR

I want to be skating like 5 times a week but sadly I cant make it to one of the advanced practices every week so that means one newbie and one advanced a week will have to cut it....or will it? Last night at derby I was talking to some folks about a speed skating class nearby, and it just so happens to be a night that I dont work...HECK YES! But as I think of me and speed skating, sounds like a recipe for disaster...Im not what you would call a graceful or fast skater....think of an ape in quadskates with a big booty....you get the idea.

Has anyone done a speed skating class? Has it helped? I will likely be doing this class no matter what, as any extra time on skates is helpful...but some opinions would be rad. Between work and derby I dont have much time for anything else, but I do really want to go to yoga or atleast make time to do it at home. It has been super hard for me to get to practice the last couple of weeks, between working too much and trying to adjust in my new life.....its just been wild. I finally got to derby again last night and everyone was so welcoming and made me realize I need to push myself to leave the house and strap those skates on. I think winter depression has started early this year, and Im gonna kick its ass with a lot of skating and hard workouts.
What kind of workouts do you have planned for the upcoming snowy season?

Vegan Chickun Wings

2011-10-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

As I said, I am on a mission to try many vegan foods that I normally wouldn't bother with....because hey, why the heck not! This time I tried to Chicken Legs by May Wah

I was particularly excited when I got these because they absolutely reminded me of the delicious wings Jessi and I had in Long Island last year that I just had to blog about! When I opened the bag, sure enough these are definitely the same ones we had last summer, SCORE! Though, I will say go easy on these they seem to have a lot of salt, at least for my liking.

So, how did I make these? I tried my darnedest to reenact our enchanted meal in Long Island, so I took about a quarter cup of vegan buttery stuff and melted that down on the stove, adding just enough Red Hot for the color to be pinkish red...really add the hot sauce to your liking, I'm pretty spicy! Then I found a dish small enough to fit in our toaster oven for baking (yes that's still how I roll) put some of the chicken legs in there and drizzled and coated them with the hot sauce butter mixture. So simple, I cooked on 350 for 30 minutes, every 10 minutes or so I poured more juices on top of the chicken legs so they wouldn't dry out. These are fan-friggin-tastic, I served them over some pasta that i just put olive oil, garlic and sprinkled some nutritional yeast on. VIOLA, absolutely yummy, but again, don't eat this all the time, maybe once a year....not on the healthier side of vegan foods!

A Whole New League

2011-09-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

I have been emailing my ass off trying to find a league to skate with here in Michigan. I got pretty darn spoiled skating with CNY Roller Derby, so I have a laundry list of things I am looking for. Last night I skated with a local league for the first time.....

I skated with Bath City Roller Derby, it was about a 40 minute drive from my house, so I hydrated, took some anxiety herbs and headed out. Naturally things weren't as easy as they should have been, getting there, on the way, not even 2 blocks from my house some guy hit my truck and then got out and proceeded to come at me in a threatening way. He calmed down a bit when I got out and he saw that I am pretty big, no dainty cutie here. He swore at me, blamed me, then drove off. I went home and calmed down a minute before driving, safety first.

After all the insanity trying to get there, I finally arrived. Thank you valerian root for calming my anxiety enough to walk in alone and start gearing up. Almost instantly I was greeted by the skater I had been exchanging emails with, and I knew almost immediately that this is my new home. Everyone was super friendly, asking me questions about NY and just trying to feel me out. Someone even asked me how I like their floor, its cement with some rough patches...I just laughed and explained that my other league skated on slippery as ice cement for the longest and I was well versed in the crappy floor!

It was really refreshing to skate with another small friendly league, but at the same time I felt a tremendous amount of homesick. Judging by the open arms I received, these ladies will soon have a space in my derby heart.

Sadly I have to miss a practice each week because of my crummy minimum wage job, I am going to call and see if I can switch up my schedule......SKATING > WORK!

Vegan Scallops, say what?

2011-09-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

I was recently looking for new and different vegan foods to try and happened upon vegan scallops. YUCK, I said out loud when I found them, then I was determined to buy some and try them!

I was having a huge fatass day and looking through all of the food on Vegan Essentials and came across these scallops. While I knew there was no way they would be healthy, I just had to try them....Sadly, I didnt take a photo of the finished product...but you can use your imagination like its kindergarten all over again!

Rod is my cooking partner in crime lately, and let me tell you...its a good thing I have been going to the gym because he is an AMAZING cook! Especially since all we have to cook on right now is a 1 burner camp stove that's on our front porch. When we opened the can of vegan scallops they looked like what I would imagine a dead persons toes to look like....white, lifeless and a bit creepy. So....of course we both popped one into our mouths....tasted like nothing, chewy wheat gluten before flavor...basically, a blank canvas.
Rod had the genius idea to concoct a sauce/marinade to soak them in so they could suck up the flavor, as follows.
Hot water, and various sea vegetables (kelp, dulse) carrots, celery and garlic......boiled down and made into a lovely broth that had a slight fishy type taste. We then soaked these lifeless nips in the concoction for about 45 minutes while preparing the rest of the meal.

You will need: (in addition to can of vegan scallops)

We used the toaster oven to make about 1/2 c. bread crumbs, feel free to cheat if you want/need to!
4 Tblsp. vegan butter
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. parsley (dried)
1/2 tsp. paprika
3 cloves of garlic, minced ( adjust to your taste)
1/4 c. vegan parmasean (we ground almonds, garlic powder and nutritional yeast, AMAZING)
Pasta, we used spaghetti (cook the pasta and strain it, you can do it without instructions, I have faith!)

PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 DEGREES
Once the scallops have marinated, put them in an oven safe dish (you should see the pan we rigged up to put it in the toaster oven!) Melt the butter and drizzle all over this dish and the scallops. Combine bread crumbs, spices and your vegan parmasean cheese, sprinkle this all over the scallops. Bake for 20 minutes on 400 degrees, you can either toss the scallop mixture with the pasta, or add more butter to pasta and put the scallops on top. YOU DO YOU!

After all the complaining and weird faces we made upon opening the scallops, this meal came out absolutely delicious....the scallops arent the healthiest thing, neither is the load of butter and breadcrumbs....but once a year this meal would be absolutely delightful! ENJOY!

Dont forget to check out the sidebar of this blog and enter out latest blog giveaway sponsored by Rude Chix

I like it Derby!

2011-09-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Holy Hiatus BATMAN! Things have been incredibly insane as I prepared to move and then did in fact move.....I am all settled in Michigan and because you are all waiting at the edges of your seats for an update......a giveaway just for you!!!

I recently got the privilege of choosing a pair of booty shorts from Rude Chix and giving them the ole spin around the track. I really do like the way these shorts are cut, not that I need any help from a fabric to accentuate the 2 hams in my shorts...but these booty shorts give the ole booty a lil extra something. And besides, they are cute as all hell!

Want to win your very own pair of booty shorts from Rude Chix? All you have to do is post a comment that says your favorite pair of booty shorts on their site, and you are entered to win! Dont let my choices influence you...but how can you go wrong with a pair of shorts with a mustache on them that says "I like it derby"?

Please be sure to include a way to get ahold of you if you win, so I dont spend time hunting you down when I could be skating!

Sad day for this derby girl

2011-07-27T06:45:00.000-07:00

Recently I made the decision that it's time to move on and out of Central New York, and the hardest part of that decision is deciding to leave my league, CNY Roller Derby.

Central NY simply doesnt have anything for me other than roller derby and the few close friends I have made because of roller derby, so it's time to move back to Michigan where my friends and lovers are...and start anew.

So, what does that mean for me as far as roller derby? Am I hanging up my skates?

HELL NO!

I have already contacted a few nearby leagues, and received a response last night within 2 hours of contacting a league...things are looking good...seems like I will begin skating with them immediately after I relocate September 1.
This is an emotionally charged decision but I realized that I will never be truly happy in a town full of depressing memories and depressed people. Im not gonna talk crap about Utica, since I know so many people worship it....it's just not the place for me.....I need bike rides, radical spaces, radical empowered friends, adventures, people who dont work their lives away, collective living.......and most of all I need to be surrounded by caring people everyday...not just at derby.

I recently went to Michigan to visit for 2 weeks (yes thats where the hell Ive been!) and before I left you could say I was technically "on the fence" about leaving....but in reality I just wanted to get in a couple fun weeks of summer before heading back here to work 40+ hours a week so I can have insurance and get much needed dental work done. After not skating for almost 3 weeks...holy toledo!

Who strapped these wheels to my feet? How do I stop? You want me to hit who? Oops there she goes.

My first practice back was um....not so impressive, as I felt like a fish out of water. But I did have my first derby blood shed on our new skate court floor.....lemme tell you when you slide on your shin on that stuff, its like a cheese grater for your flesh! BATTLE WOUNDS!

All jokes and fun vegan cheese grater stories aside...I am really going to miss CNY Roller Derby, the league I suckled the teet of for the first year of my derby life....the league where I met so many amazing women from a zillion different backgrounds and lifestyles...and most of all.....
Im gonna miss coming home from a super hard week at work to a mudwrestling pit in my front yard and a blazing fire pit in my back yard........
GOTTA LOVE ROLLER DERBY!

This weekend is our home team tournament, The Blue Collar Betties vs. The Utica Clubbers....and if you ask me who I am rooting for.....I wont tell you. Im rooting for it to be a super tight, nail biter type of bout where I am sitting at the edge of my seat and cheering for all the wonderful ladies busting their asses on the track no matter what color their uniforms are! At the same bout I will watch our local man-derby-ers The Quadfathers rematch with the Capital District Trauma Authority, and with Slay West as a bench coach....lets just say, its gonna be a good one!

Everyone loves a giveaway!!!!

2011-07-06T07:17:00.000-07:00

I am leaving town for 2 weeks and heading to Michigan to see old friends, so I am doing a quick little giveaway with goodies from Pourin Mags!

I received a package from Pourin Mags last week, with so many cute little goodies for me, so I decided to share. When you enter this giveaway you will win a Pourin Mags sticker and a cute bottle cap necklace that says BI TRAXUAL, which is a perfect lead up to the next big blog post I am working on!

How do you enter? Check out the Pourin Mags website and post a link to your favorite item here in the comments. (please be sure to leave you email address, so I can get ahold of you if you win!

Asparagus with cheezey quinoa

2011-06-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

LUNCH TIME!
This is the last of my fresh local asparagus for the year, it comes and it goes so fast that you really need to overdose on it for a couple of weeks so you dont miss out!

This lunch is super easy, I used red and white quinoa because I didnt have enough of either alone.

1 c. quinoa
2 c. water
1/2 c. nutritional yeast
garlic, pepper, onion powder
2-3 Tblsp. coconut oil

Bring water and quinoa to a boil, turn the heat off on the stove and cover quinoa, it will finish cooking itself and you wont be wasting electricity/gas you dont have to waste.....
While the quinoa is cooking, chunk the asparagus, and bring to a boil or steam.

When your asparagus is finished cooking, toss the quinoa with spices, nut. yeast and coconut oil....plop it on a plate and garnish with sprigs of asparagus! Enjoy!

dear person who called roller derby worst subculture since skinheads

2011-06-21T18:39:00.000-07:00

YOU SUCK! No but seriously though, I dont even know where to go with this, or what to say other than you suck. I guess the comment has left me speechless, which is a rarity!

Recently on my Facebook page, someone posted that "roller derby is the worst sub culture since skinheads" and I didnt even know how to respond or what to say or what to think. Isnt that generalization of something no different than that which you are so against with "skinheads"? I wont get all political or whatever people like to call it when you have an opinion, but I just wanted to share the quote....maybe Ill look back in 20 years and think thats the best quote ever....but its doubtful!

Roller derby is a sub culture that I think is barely sub at this point, everyone from the school nurse to the molotov cocktail throwing anarchist is playing roller derby. Roller derby is an outlet for people from all backgrounds and its a great way to get together, form bonds, then kick the crap out of each other. I write all of this as my fellow league members are at practice.

Why am I not at practice? Because I work ridiculous hours now and I get out at 8pm on Tuesday, then add the half hour drive to derby....by the time I get there I have missed 2 hours of practice....moral of this story?

WORK LESS, DERBY MORE!

Maybe the person who coined that lovely quote needs to work less and derby more..........

and the winner is.....Lea!!!

2011-06-15T08:31:00.001-07:00

please email derbygrrrrl@yahoo.com with your mailing address lea!!!!

your winning comment, chosen by random.org is

Blogger Lea said...

Sport court! I love Atom G-rod slims!

June 2, 2011 5:28 PM