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<channel>
	<title>Ava Cowan's BodyBlog</title>
	<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan</link>
	<description>You are either IN or you are OUT.</description>
	<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:25:03 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=0.32</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>Mitotropin Wrap Up</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/11/07/mitotropin-wrap-up/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/11/07/mitotropin-wrap-up/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:25:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>Supplements</category>
	<category>Nutrition</category>
	<category>competition</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/11/07/mitotropin-wrap-up/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am a week away from my competition and I am ready.  Flat, watery but that is normal and I am definitely lean.  Not crazy stringy lean, but I can tell when I carb up things will be poppin!  And poppin is always good lol.  I wanted to come in fuller than I did this [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I am a week away from my competition and I am ready.  Flat, watery but that is normal and I am definitely lean.  Not crazy stringy lean, but I can tell when I carb up things will be poppin!  And poppin is always good lol.  I wanted to come in fuller than I did this summer and as of now my weight is up a few pounds from then, so right now I am right on track.  I have a feeling that super lean isn&#8217;t being rewarded anymore, and so I am making sure my shape is nice, full, round, and fat free. </p>
<p>I am still taking the Mitotropin 2 times a day, and will continue to do so until I am finished.  No changes in anything I am doing right now.  I have come to believe that taking the Mito has definitely helped me through some rough spots.  This year I was diagoned with hypothyrodism and my metabolism is shot from dieting for the past 10 months.  So I didn&#8217;t come into this contest prep with things in my favor.  I have been plagued with fatique both mentally and physically compounded by a lagging metabolism.  I had to decrease calories, up my cardio and I started the Mitotropin 30 days out hoping for some help getting all the fat off. </p>
<p>I believe it was the combination of it all that helped get me where I am right now.  To be honest, I really needed the extra help and I have faith in the efficacy of Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s products.  I wouldn&#8217;t promote, discuss or use them precontest if I wasn&#8217;t completely convinced that the products could help me acheive my goals.  It is sort of like hiring a trainer, you have to let go and have faith.  Once I have done my research and am satisfied with what I find, I don&#8217;t second guess, I just go. </p>
<p><strong>You are either in or you are out.</strong> </p>
<p>My training, nutrition and supplementation protocols are no different. </p>
<p>I will post pics of my show and you can see for yourself.</p>
<p>One week left!  </p>
<p><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/avacowan/AvaCowan.jpg"  />
</p>
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		<title>Gaspari Nutrition’s Mitotropin week 2 and 3 (week 1 see blog below)</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/10/22/gaspari-nutrition%e2%80%99s-mitotropin-week-2-week-1-see-blog-below/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/10/22/gaspari-nutrition%e2%80%99s-mitotropin-week-2-week-1-see-blog-below/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:41:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>Supplements</category>
	<category>Nutrition</category>
	<category>competition</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/10/22/gaspari-nutrition%e2%80%99s-mitotropin-week-2-week-1-see-blog-below/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As promised I am checking in regarding my experience with using Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s Mitotropin.
As I got a bit more used to using Mitotropin I was not cleaning the house like a mad woman awake, but it helped get me where I needed to be and through my cardio sessions.  That is nice, but here is [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As promised I am checking in regarding my experience with using Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s Mitotropin.</p>
<p>As I got a bit more used to using Mitotropin I was not cleaning the house like a mad woman awake, but it helped get me where I needed to be and through my cardio sessions.  That is nice, but here is the most important fact, I had not been able for the life of me to drop weight in about a month.  From the Olympia up until last Saturday I was stuck between <strong>120-119 lbs,</strong> and just was at a plateau.  I did drop my carb intake slightly each week, but the scale wasn&#8217;t moving.  I am always ahead of schedule when I prep for a show, but I have to admit I was getting nervous.   And a bit of panic was setting in.  This past Tuesday morning I stepped on the scale and was <strong>116.5 lbs!  </strong>I think I screamed in Publix.  That meant I was only a couple of pounds off of my contest weight with 3.5 weeks to go. </p>
<p>So, I am going to have to say that the variable I added in here was Mitotropin.  Like I said in the previous post&#8230;numbers don&#8217;t lie.</p>
<p>I am pretty tired right now, 3 weeks out&#8230;so I am going to keep this post short and sweet. </p>
<p>I may be tired&#8230;.but I am HAPPY!  yay!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ok <strong>Week 3</strong> is going to be thrown in here with week 2&#8230;.I for the life of me cannot even think of moving right now.  I am 2 weeks out from my show and am forcing myself to stay up until at least 10:30 PM so that I don&#8217;t get up at 5:30 AM tomorrow.  It is too hard stretching all of my meals across the day when I am up at the crack of dawn from hunger. </p>
<p>I still take 2 MitoTabs 30 minutes pre breakfast, and go lay back down until I feel my heart race then i get up as I know there is no going back to sleep at this point.  I just lay there looking up at the ceiling at this point in the game.  I am getting leaner though, just tired.  Is it the diet, the 9 months of continious dieting, the Mito?  Not even sure and don&#8217;t really care, I just want to get the last bit of fat off&#8230;..and it will come off if I kill myself doing it. </p>
<p>Speaking of which, I am quite sure from the outside looking it at my HIIT that I am doing daily is not too pretty&#8230;I swear I am surely going to have a heart attack right there on that bike&#8230;.I am like look, just let me get through the show and then let me die lol My favorite is the lady that I don&#8217;t know that comes up to ask me about HER right after a bout of hell, looking for advice how she can get into shape&#8230;and oh I look pretty good she says lol&#8230;.satan has nothing on my thoughts right now. Ha!  I politely tell her that no words are coming from my mouth because I almost lost my life on the  bike sitting out there&#8230;.and maybe we can talk about HER &#8230;..another time. </p>
<p>So you can see where my mood is right now.  Funny, when I have a high carb day, I am good&#8230;real good, and without&#8230;well not so much!  Oh well, I never claim to be perfect&#8230;.just diligent.</p>
<p>So, that is all I can tell at this point, I weigh in Saturday, and we will see what is what.</p>
<p>Till then&#8230;
</p>
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		<title>Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s Mitotropin</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/10/15/gaspari-nutritions-mitotropin/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/10/15/gaspari-nutritions-mitotropin/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:34:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>Supplements</category>
	<category>Nutrition</category>
	<category>competition</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/10/15/gaspari-nutritions-mitotropin/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Day 1 
This is going to be a 4 part blog about Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s Mitotropin.  I have been using Cytolean V2 for a few months, starting with one cap working up to 2-3 a day in the early afternoon.  It has been an integral part of my late morning ritual for the better part of this [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><strong>Day 1 </strong></p>
<p align="center">This is going to be a 4 part blog about Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s Mitotropin.  I have been using Cytolean V2 for a few months, starting with one cap working up to 2-3 a day in the early afternoon.  It has been an integral part of my late morning ritual for the better part of this year.  I had a few shows in mind for earlier in the year, but a things came up and I chose to compete in November instead.  So I have been in contest diet mode for <strong>8 months</strong> now, and am running on empty.  Especially right now, I am on the home stretch and am 30 days out from the Eastern USA&#8217;s (see flyer below). My body is tired and requiring more work and less calories to maintain and ultimately get my body fat where it needs to be to step on stage.</p>
<p align="center">I couldn&#8217;t wait to get the second half of my cycle going.  I know that in order for the stack to work, you have to alternate between the two; 4 weeks on Cytolean V2, and then 4 weeks on Mitotropin.  You can alternate indefinitely, but not taking them together.  Yesterday was Day 1 of Mitotropin.  I took two caps 30 minutes before breakfast.  I am ususally starving when I wake up so drank some BCAA&#8217;s to wash down the Mito caps while waiting to eat.  Mornings usually start (panicked from hunger) with breakfast, and coffee (not working anymore&#8230;so just for flavor) and I crawl back to bed or to the computer where I struggle to wake up get things going.  This is because I always take CV2 just before I go to the gym in the afternoon so I can get the most out of it and hit it hard at the gym. With Mitotropin you have to take it twice a day.  Once in the early AM before breakfast, and again about 6 hours later.</p>
<p align="center">I drank my drink and 2 Mito caps and went to lay back down.  About 20 minutes later I was <strong>UP a</strong>nd moving!  I cleaned this house like a maniac..lol..and did the laundry all before 9 AM.  I felt <em>happy and my mood was great!</em>  No anxiety&#8230;which I cannot handle as I am naturally a bit &#8220;anxious&#8221; naturally. (perfectionist!) So I was like of this is GOOD!  Just was awake, and in a good mood.  I took one more 30 minutes before my noon meal, and was off to the gym.  I wanted to access my tolerance, making sure to avoid any possible anxiousness.  I was fine, and realized that with this LOW carb diet, I can definitely tolerate two Mito caps. </p>
<p align="center">I also made sure to take it early enough so I could sleep.  The &#8220;committee&#8221; (my head) doesn&#8217;t need any help with the night time self talk.  I was fine&#8230;.and I just eased into the evening.  I didn&#8217;t have to have my usual late afternoon coffee, I was just cruising.    And was able to go to bed at a decent hour.  So far so good.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>Day 2</strong></p>
<p align="center">Today I was excited to take two Mito Caps in the morning and two 30 minutes before my pre workout meal. </p>
<p align="center">At 3:00 PM, I had a doctor&#8217;s appointment today.  They tested the usual &#8220;vitals&#8221; making sure all was in order.  My weight (119) blood pressure (117/68) and temperature (98.8).  Wait&#8230; isn&#8217;t it supposed to be 98.6??!!  98.8 is a bit above &#8220;normal&#8221; and is called <strong>Thermogenesis </strong>which is EXACTLY what Mito is supposed to do, increase core temperature.  An increase in your core temperature means you burn more calories! </p>
<p align="center">I knew I had to tell you about that&#8230;I didn&#8217;t even think of it until she wrote it down. </p>
<p align="center">It is good to know when a product does what is says it will do&#8230;.and my temperature doesn&#8217;t lie. </p>
<p align="center">I just had to share it with you.  This gave me a new burst of much needed motivation as I prepare for my return to the NPC stage.  It feels good to have some help getting there!</p>
<p align="center">I will check back in next Thursday.</p>
<p align="center">Until then, be well!</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/avacowan/Mito_Ad.jpg"  /></p>
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		<title>2009 NPC Eastern USA</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/10/14/2009-npc-eastern-usa/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/10/14/2009-npc-eastern-usa/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:42:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>competition</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/10/14/2009-npc-eastern-usa/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is my next show!
 

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><strong>This is my next show!</strong></p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/avacowan/2009NPC_EasternUSAflyer.jpg"  /></p>
</font></font>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>My Training, Supplement Protocol, and Bio</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/09/14/my-training-supplement-protocol-and-bio/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/09/14/my-training-supplement-protocol-and-bio/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:41:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>Training</category>
	<category>Supplements</category>
	<category>Other</category>
	<category>competition</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/09/14/my-training-supplement-protocol-and-bio/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Full Name:&#160; Ava Cowan

Place of Birth:&#160; Ridgecrest, California
Date of Birth: October 21
Residence:&#160; Pompano Beach, Florida
Height:&#160; 5&#8242;4
Contest Weight: 114
Off-Season Weight: 125
Bodybuilding Background:
How long have you been into figure?
4 years
How did you get started?
I became certified as a personal training specialist and decided to apply my knowledge by training myself. I had always wanted to get in [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="Normal" id="dnn_ctr926_HtmlModule_HtmlModule_lblContent"><strong>Full Name:</strong>&nbsp; Ava Cowan</div>
<div class="Normal" id="dnn_ctr926_HtmlModule_HtmlModule_lblContent"></div>
<div class="Normal" id="dnn_ctr926_HtmlModule_HtmlModule_lblContent"><strong>Place of Birth:</strong>&nbsp; Ridgecrest, California</div>
<p><strong>Date of Birth:</strong> October 21</p>
<p><strong>Residence:</strong>&nbsp; Pompano Beach, Florida</p>
<p><strong>Height:</strong>&nbsp; 5&#8242;4</p>
<p><strong>Contest Weight:</strong> 114</p>
<p><strong>Off-Season Weight:</strong> 125</p>
<p><strong>Bodybuilding Background:</strong></p>
<p><em>How long have you been into figure?</em></p>
<p>4 years</p>
<p><em>How did you get started?</em></p>
<p>I became certified as a personal training specialist and decided to apply my knowledge by training myself. I had always wanted to get in amazing shape, and once I had a solid knowledge base, it gave me the confidence to pursue my dream.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.gasparinutrition.com/TeamGaspari/AvaCowan/Bio/tabid/409/Default.aspx">FOR THE FULL BIOGRAPHY CLICK HERE </a></strong>
</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Blog Entry</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/08/25/all-me-all-gaspari/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/08/25/all-me-all-gaspari/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:59:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>Training</category>
	<category>Supplements</category>
	<category>Other</category>
	<category>competition</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/08/25/all-me-all-gaspari/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Last weekend at the Europa Super Show in Dallas, Texas was truly a one of a kind experience for me.  I flew out to Dallas, Texas  a few days before I needed to work the expo to shoot with Per Bernal.  The first part of the shoot was my first photo shoot for Gaspari Nutrition [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><a href="http://www.gasparinutrition.com"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/avacowan/gaspari-logo.jpg"  /></a></p>
<p>Last weekend at the Europa Super Show in Dallas, Texas was truly a one of a kind experience for me.  I flew out to Dallas, Texas  a few days before I needed to work the expo to shoot with Per Bernal.  The first part of the shoot was my first photo shoot for <a href="http://www.gasparinutrition.com">Gaspari Nutrition</a> so the location was at the most hardcore gym in the world, Metroflex Gym http://www.metroflexgym.com/ in Arlington, Texas.  Seemed like a fitting location for the Hardcore!  The final images will be apart of Gaspari&#8217;s advertising in the months to come.</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/avacowan/Ava1024.jpg"  /></p>
<p>The second day of the shoot was for Muscular Development entitled &#8220;The Girls of MetroFlex Gym&#8221;.  It was myself, Marzia Prince, and Trish Warren&#8230;.and this layout should be in MD very shortly.  Totally Mid evil&#8230;totally HARDCORE.   I am not sure I have ever seen anything else quite like it!  BTW, none of this could have gone down without Joe Volgey the VP of marketing for <a href="http://www.gasparinutrition.com">Gaspari Nutrition</a>&#8230;he is one of the visionaries behind the scenes&#8230;Marzia and I thought we would cool him off from all of the <em>hard work</em> he has to do while on location for Gaspari shoots lol&#8230;very tough job!</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/avacowan/_H4X4785BW.jpg"  /></p>
<p>After 2 days of intense shooting with Per, it was off to work the Expo.  It was such an amazing feeling being BEHIND the Gaspari Nutrition booth, a spot I have thought about for quite sometime now.   I am also learning the ins and outs of traveling, food shopping while out of town and cooking in my room.  This is the only way I can stay on track as I travel for appearances.  I think I have it down&#8230;and other than a few goodies I desperately needed to fill out for my shoots, I kept it all in check.</p>
<p>That is a good thing because my next appearance for <a href="http://www.gasparinutrition.com">Gaspari Nutrition</a> will be at the <a href="http://www.mrolympia.com/">2009 Olympia Expo</a>, and I will be well into my contest prep mode for the 2009 NPC Eastern USA&#8217;s where I will attempt and qualify for the 2009 NPC Nationals that are only a week later here in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.</p>
<p align="center"><strong><a href="http://www.npcnewsonline.com/new/PDFfiles/082109NPC_ContestListing.pdf">Please check the 2009 NPC Contest Schedule Here for location and details.   </a></strong></p>
<p align="center">
So that is the latest, and I will keep you in the loop as more comes my way.</p>
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		<title>Ava Cowan and Gaspari Nutrition</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/08/11/ava-cowan-and-gaspari-nutrition/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/08/11/ava-cowan-and-gaspari-nutrition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:04:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>Training</category>
	<category>Other</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/08/11/ava-cowan-and-gaspari-nutrition/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Ava Cowan Joins Team Gaspari!

Ava Cowan, one of the most recognizable and inspirational personas in figure today, is now an official member of Team Gaspari. With stunning beauty and perfect lines, the shapely Pompano Beach brunette will return to the NPC in September 2009.
“The Gaspari team has been aware of Ava for quite some time [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div align="center"><img height="417" width="336" src="http://gasparinutrition.com/Portals/0/athletes/images/AvaCowan/AvaCowan.jpg"  /></div>
<div align="center" />
<div align="center" /><span style="font-size: x-large">Ava Cowan Joins Team Gaspari!<br />
</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Ava Cowan, one of the most recognizable and inspirational personas in figure today, is now an official member of Team Gaspari. With stunning beauty and perfect lines, the shapely Pompano Beach brunette will return to the NPC in September 2009.</p>
<p>“The Gaspari team has been aware of Ava for quite some time and that she was a fan of our products” notes Rich. “Her strong following, great personality and willingness to get out and meet the people will be of great value to Gaspari Nutrition. As a true natural figure champion and certified personal trainer, she truly lives the lifestyle and understands how to motivate people, not to mention that her look epitomizes what Gaspari stands for. We couldn’t be happier to have her as a member of Team Gaspari.”</p>
<p>As she sets her sites on the 2009 NPC Nationals, Ava is thrilled to have access to the world’s most respected supplement line and the full support of Gaspari Nutrition. Rest assured they’ll be no stopping Ava in her quest to grace the biggest stages in all of figure for 2009 and beyond. Look for her training series to launch on GASPARI TV this Fall.</p>
<p>Ava is committed to the NPC, the best organization in bodybuilding and fitness. We wish her continued success as she focuses her career on the NPC in hopes of earning her IFBB Pro card.</p>
<p>To quote Ava, “I am absolutely thrilled to be making my way back to the NPC stage.  From the moment I started to train for my first NPC figure competition in 2005, my dream was to become an IFBB figure professional.  I have always used Gaspari&#8217;s products, and now I have the opportunity to take my supplementation protocol to another level. It is really a dream come true to be able to work with Gaspari Nutrition and I look forward to the endless possibilities in the years to come.”</p>
<p>BodySpace: <a target="_blank" href="http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/">http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/</a><br />
MySpace: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.myspace.com/avacowan">http://www.myspace.com/avacowan</a><br />
FaceBook: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ava-Cowan/105191435636">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ava-Cowan/105191435636</a><br />
Twitter: <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/AvaCowan">http://twitter.com/AvaCowan</a><br />
Web: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.avacowan.com/">http://www.avacowan.com/</a></p>
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		<title>Ava&#8217;s Chocolate French Toast</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/07/26/avas-chocolate-french-toast/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/07/26/avas-chocolate-french-toast/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:37:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>Nutrition</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/1969/12/31//</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week I tried a new protein drink and was instantly inspired.
I just tried Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s Milk Chocolate Myofusion and wanted to make more than a typical shake out of it.  Once you make this you will know why.
Ingredients:
3 large egg whites
1/2 scoop Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s Milk Chocolate Myofusion
3 slices Pepperridge Farm&#8217;s Light Style whole wheat [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left">Last week I tried a new protein drink and was instantly inspired.</p>
<p align="left">I just tried<a href="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/gn/myofusion.html"> Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s Milk Chocolate Myofusion</a> and wanted to make more than a typical shake out of it.  Once you make this you will know why.</p>
<p align="left"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>
<p align="left">3 large egg whites</p>
<p align="left">1/2 scoop <a href="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/gn/myofusion.html">Gaspari Nutrition&#8217;s Milk Chocolate Myofusion</a></p>
<p align="left">3 slices Pepperridge Farm&#8217;s Light Style whole wheat bread</p>
<p align="left">1/8 cup sugar free maple syrup (heat for 30 seconds in microwave)</p>
<p align="left">Just a pinch of Cinnamon powder</p>
<p align="left">A dash of Splenda*</p>
<p align="left">3 squirts of Fat Free Butter Spray*</p>
<p align="left">Nonfat Olive Oil cooking spray</p>
<p align="left"><strong>Directions:</strong></p>
<p align="left">Lightly coat skillet with cooking spray</p>
<p align="left">Heat skillet on medium low heat</p>
<p align="left">Mix all ingredients above in a mixing bowl, save the &#8220;*&#8221; ingredients until the end</p>
<p align="left">Dip both sides of the bread into mixture until completely covered, soak bread for a few seconds to insure absorption</p>
<p align="left">Add slices to preheated skillet, and cook each side brown until golden brown</p>
<p align="left">Spray one squirt per slice of Fat Free Butter spray</p>
<p align="left">Light sprinkly with Splenda</p>
<p align="left">Top with Sugar Free Syrup.</p>
<p align="left">Let me know what you think!</p>
<p align="left"><strong>Macronutrient Totals:  </strong></p>
<p align="left">Calories:    280 <strong><br />
</strong>
</p>
<p align="left">Fat:              5 grams</p>
<p align="left">Carbs:      35.5 grams</p>
<p align="left">Protein:     33.5 grams</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Making an amends</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/07/24/making-an-amends/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/07/24/making-an-amends/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:59:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>Other</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/07/24/making-an-amends/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong and just didn’t know how to fix it?  Well, for me that is exactly what happened in the summer of 2006.  I was killing myself getting ready for the 2006 NPC Junior Nationals.  I had trained so hard I would literally make myself pass [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia">Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong and just didn’t know how to fix it?  Well, for me that is exactly what happened in the summer of 2006.  I was killing myself getting ready for the 2006 NPC Junior Nationals.  I had trained so hard I would literally make myself pass out after workouts.  All I could see was my desire to turn pro.  I wouldn’t even entertain the idea of any other outcome.  That is not a very healthy thing to do, because having an unrealistic expectation can really create misery in your life.  My whole life was out of balance and I was too stubborn to see that I was really a mess.  With my relentless drive I not only got in shape, but in retrospect, I realized I overshot the mark.  I came into the show too lean and dehydrated and even had veins on my face.  After the show I was too emotional to be realistic about how I really looked on stage.  As I look back, I realize that I simply looked unattractive.  I know the NPC is looking for healthy, attractive women to represent their organization and the sport.  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia">I am embarrassed by the fact that I was one of those competitors that felt they should have gotten 1<sup>st</sup> when really I shouldn’t have.  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia">I finished the show and was disappointed OK, destroyed by my 8<sup>th</sup> place finish.  I have been known to have a hot temper, something that I have really worked on in the past few years.  But at that time I just simply snapped.  I was overworked, broken emotionally, broke financially, out of work and out of ideas, and briefly out of my mind.  In my anger, and not being mature enough to look at how I really looked on stage, regretfully I made some negative comments about the NPC online. <span />I pointed the finger at everyone except myself.  And I was wrong.  About a week later, and as I began to cool down I realized that I was way out of line and I asked the moderator of the board to please remove the comments I made in haste.  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia">And because I was too afraid to admit my faults, I brushed it under the rug and I started to compete in other organizations and deep down I was heart broken because I knew the best organizations that exist are the NPC and IFBB.  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia">I knew I was out of line, and didn’t know how to fix it.  I believe that since then I have learned and grown and matured and am trying to admit when I am at fault in all areas of my life.  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia">I feel badly for being so selfish, and can only hope that the NPC and IFBB can forgive me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia">I deeply regret my actions, and I hope that one day I may step back on an NPC stage once again.  </span></p>
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		<item>
		<title>I am a natural athlete.</title>
		<link>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/07/18/i-am-a-natural-athlete/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/07/18/i-am-a-natural-athlete/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:11:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AvaCowan</dc:creator>
		
	<category>Other</category>
	<category>competition</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.bodybuilding.com/AvaCowan/2009/07/18/i-am-a-natural-athlete/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last weekend I went to the Southern States pool party and had a blast!  We hung out, danced, I ate my prepared food&#8230;.and generally had a great time.  We also took a couple of pictures and they were posted on Facebook.  I had heard a few comments that there is no way I can get [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center">Last weekend I went to the Southern States pool party and had a blast!  We hung out, danced, I ate my prepared food&#8230;.and generally had a great time.  We also took a couple of pictures and they were posted on Facebook.  I had heard a few comments that there is no way I can get that lean and be natural.  Well, I am not on any steroids, or anything else that can make you lean unnaturally and have the drug test from Figure Universe to prove it. This was taken at registration the Thursday before the Friday show.
</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/avacowan/drug_test_results-1.jpg"  /></p>
<p align="center">To top it off, last week I finally had some bloodwork done, as I just haven&#8217;t felt like myself lately ..extremely tired to the point that existing had a painful undertone to it&#8230;I just couldn&#8217;t wake up or feel good at all.  It turns out that I have hypothyroidism.  Some common side effects of this condition are extreme fatigue and weight gain, to name only a few.  If I can get shredded, naturally AND have low thyroid hormone levels&#8230;.you too can get it done too.:)</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/avacowan/IMG_4734b2.jpg"  /></p>
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