Archive for the ‘The Garanimal Girl’ Category

Fighting Cancer With Calendars & Water Bottles

26
Oct
2012

The first batch of the Women & Bikes (TM) calendars have arrived and are ready to ship to those that pre-ordered and to sell at Gran Fondo this weekend in South Carolina.  I cannot thank all of those that participated enough!  This project was meant to be fun AND raise money for cancer research.  This was my second year participating in the Challenge to Conquer Cancer Ride to Austin and it makes me even more passionate about doing all I can to raise money to fight this disease with big boxing gloves on!!  This year we met so many people on the way to Austin that are currently battling cancer or just lost a loved one to it.  We listened to their stories and added the In Memory or In Honor of magnets to let them know we are doing our part in the fight.  The photography community just lost an amazing woman and mother to ovarian cancer.  Jen Burgess Thompson was very open about all she went through and managed to fight it beautifully.   Her fight only lasted one short year.  To many, it seemed like a lifetime.  Our thoughts are with her family and young boys.  Here is the link to the blog she created during that time.  Also, here is THE most beautiful tribute to Jen…she touched SO many!  HERE.

 

Shortly after the calendar preview was shared on Twitter, Sarah Plasky, the owner and creator of Aquavation contacted me and was interested in doing her part in raising money.  Sarah loved the calendars and wanted to put the photos on her water bottles and a portion of the sales would go to The Challenge to Conquer Cancer.  She also created a storefront just for the Challenge to Conquer Cancer logo and various designs around that.  Sarah’s husband will be riding in Gran Fondo this weekend and she will be here with big bags of bottles to sell!

There are so many ideas brewing in my head about where to take this and how it can help continue to raise money.  But in the meantime, I just wanted to thank EVERYONE!!

Thank you to Pedal Chic for providing some of the gorgeous bikes and clothing.

Thank you to Katie Cotton of Cotton Rouge Makeup & Hair for making each and every one of these girls look even more amazing.

Thank you to Todd Williams for bringing out the big lights, reflectors and fans!!

Nate Grahek of Sticky Albums for creating the most AH-mazing app for photographers so we can share photos via smart phones and iPads with ease and they look great.  Nate thought that Sticky Albums could be used as a fundraising tool and he was right.  So everyone that purchases a printed copy gets a full digital set of images as well!!  He also did a blog post about this very thing.  Thank you Nate!

And another thank you to Copy Craft printers!!  I have to extend a huge thank you for keeping the cost down to help us be able to provide even more money to The Challenge to Conquer Cancer and for getting them here fast AND making them look great too!

So come on out to Gran Fondo this weekend….we would love to see you!  If you would like to purchase your 18-month calendar you may do so HERE.  The donation is $25.

To purchase a Challenge to Conquer Cancer water bottle click HERE.

To purchase a Women & Bikes (TM) water bottle click HERE.  They can be designed with just the photo or with the art & photo.

They arrived —-

 

Have a great day everyone!!

Eat Your Way To Glowing Skin

04
Oct
2012

It has been awhile since I have posted about fitness, beauty, fashion or other things that I am passionate about.  I have always read articles, books & blogs about these topics as well as using much of what I learn in my own life.  I do not profess to be an expert, just a passionate learner and sharer.  I have been sharing a lot lately on my Facebook pages, and since I am getting more and more questions about the things posted I thought it might be good to do blog posts about them.  Please feel free to share your thoughts and tips in the comments 🙂  Some of you might wonder..why share on your photography blog right?  Well the way I see it is this… if you feel a bit better about yourself and your appearance, you will enjoy the photo sessions even more.

About 3 months or so ago, I decided it was time to change a few things in my diet.  While I eat my veggies and drink loads of water, I still LOVED having Cheez-Its on a regular basis.  Apparently my body did not like that at all and was retaliating in its own ways.  One of those ways was bad belly aches and yucks.  My friend and ex-trainer that lives in Colorado where I lived previously, saw my Facebook status and called me.  He pretty much told me to cut out the crap. LOL.  It was tough at first but WOW what a difference when I stopped the processed and packaged goodies.  Oh and I lost 6 pounds which was a pleasant side effect.   Could I cut back on my Starbucks intake?  yes.  Maybe only enjoy a glass of wine here and there?  yes.  But I figure a couple BIG javas and a nice glass of vino is pretty ok if that is really my only vice.  Enough about me.  Here are some things I have found to work for getting that outer glow.

I asked on my Facebook page about this very thing.  I thought most everyone knew to drink water.  Well the comments came back with “yes we know…but don’t follow it like we should”.  So, you probably don’t need to be told to drink it and drink lots.  Keeps your skin hydrated.  OH and add some lemon too.

Walnuts.  They contain omega-3 essential fatty acids, which can improve skin’s elasticity.  Walnuts also have copper which is a mineral that boosts collagen production.

   Green Tea – It helps fight inflammation and it’s very high in antioxidants, particularly one named EGCG, which is proved to reduce redness.

Cucumbers.  They are loaded with the mineral silica which is an essential component for healthy connective tissue (muscles, ligaments, cartilage, bone, & skin). It is also full of ionic potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C which give it a powerful alkalizing effect within the body. Additionally, cucumbers are particularly rich in fluids that hydrate the skin, joints, and tissues.  Be sure to try and buy organic.  (This was found on Natural News)

Avocados.  They are a great source of biotin which is great for hair, skin and nails.  They also help prevent dry skin.

Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, lake trout, and herring have the highest quantity of skin enhancing omega-3 fatty acids.  I need to eat more myself.  It’s good for your heart too.

Oranges.  These yummy things are packed with Vitamin C which increases the production of collagen and elastin in our body, which serves to reduce wrinkles and prevent skin aging.  When I finally find a good batch, I eat them like crazy.
Colorful veggies.  Packed with all sorts of vitamins, minerals and water.
Share any tips you have.  We would love to hear them 🙂
~lisa
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »