If you’ve been keeping up with me, then you know about my new partnership with The OpenSky Project. I have handpicked some awesome health and fitness related products for you. We are busy sourcing them and will be adding to our storefront frequently. But what’s really amazing about the The Opensky Project is the community of expert shopkeepers in just about every field imaginable. I hope you’ll take the time to browse around and enjoy an online shopping experience like no other. Personal, Real and Unique!

Here’s a recipe from OpenSky’s Carrots and Cake for her
No Bake Granola Almond Butter Balls that I especially loved with all it’s natural ingredients!

How to: Combine 1/4 cup dry oats, 1/4 cup granola, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp agave nectar, 2 tbsp (heaping) almond butter in a small bowl. Mix ingredients well and roll batter into balls. Chill in the refrigerator for about an hour. Enjoy!

If you like this, then you’ll be sure to enjoy Carrots & Cake food blog, Tina Haupert is a certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant though the American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA). She also writes for Health magazine as part of their Feel Great Weight program and the Examiner as the Boston Healthy Living Blogger.

I am off to Lousiville, KY in the morning to compete in the NPC Kentucky Muscle. I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement.  I will carry it with me to the stage on Saturday night!!

Hello everyone!  I’m sitting here one week out from walking on stage again and the thought came to me that it had been awhile since I’ve updated you on what’s been happening with me.  The last time I competed was May of this year.  I took a glorious summer off with the kids.  We spent 3 straight wonderful weeks at the beach together directly after my competition.  When I look back at that time I have wonderful memories of activities with the family, but tough memories of my rock solid mindset fading before me.  For some reason, I felt entitled to relax, and by that I mean…eat.  I can safely say there was no delicacy I did not enjoy this summer..but by August I was nothing short of miserable.

Flash forward…it is November and I am ready to step on stage once again at the NPC Kentucky Muscle in Louisville KY.  I’ve been working hard with my trainer Todd Brown…and if there is one concept that I have set out to grasp during this contest prep it has been the importance of clean eating year round.  My goals after this show will be to stay consistent with my clean eats in order to build more solid muscle and limit my diet time for the next competition in 2010. It is not as important to me to place or come home with a trophy next weekend, because you see…I already have.  My mindset has switched from “I HAVE to eat right…to keep my body running efficently” to “I WANT to eat right…” and that is truly winning, isn’t it?? I know that I will leave this contest prep with a solid foundation with which to build my physique to a new level for next season.

Another exciting venture I have entered into is my partnership with The OpenSky Project.  I am so thrilled to be able to offer my favorite products to you.  These products I have handpicked, that I use everyday to make my life as a homemaker, mother, personal trainer and figure competitor run smoothly.  (Hah! My family might be laughing right now…us smooth? Maybe not, but we are a happy bunch! )

You probably haven’t been introduced to The OpenSky Project just yet, but in due time this will be as recognizable as Amazon, Overstock (or any online shopping site for that matter) for your online shopping needs. While OpenSky bares similarities to these sites with the availability of products you want and need, it differs in its ability to get personal with you (the shopper). How on earth can one e-commerce site get personal with millions of shoppers, each looking for very specific products? Simple. By selecting a diverse group of Shopkeepers who will provide shoppers with those products that they most highly recommend in their area of expertise. Be it bird watching, cooking, parenting, electronics, sporting goods, gardening, and much more. Not only will you find a specific set of products in each category, you will get a detailed description of each product. From product reviews, to video messages, to real-life experiences, there is no [online] shopping like OpenSky shopping.

Come check out the neighborhood of OpenSky Shops to see what the buzz is all about. Need some incentive? ALL of the products, from EVERY OpenSky shop are 10% off until November 15, 2009. Don’t miss out!

NEW PROMOTION – 10% OFF SALE

This sale applies to EVERYTHING in every OpenSky shop, from Yes You Can Grill’s Outdoor Chef City Grill to Cooking With Friends’ Jarden Ball Home Canning Kit to Veggie Gardening Tips’ Composting Accessory Kit.

Here are the details:
- Coupon Code: Candace1009
- Offer: 10% off
- Expiration: November 15, 2009

Please check back often, as I am busy sourcing new products daily, and look forward to having an abundance of health and fitness related products available to you soon.