FOOD IS MY MEDICINE

Food is my medicine. Food is my fuel. I can even stretch it to say that food is becoming my religion. Call me crazy but the more I experience what a profound impact the food I eat and what I drink has on my health, the more I want to fuel my body with only good stuff

“I want to use my platform as an athlete to showcase these companies and people, who are committed to providing us with products that are good for us and for the environment.”

So much of our food has/ is getting depleted and altered, and it is getting harder to find pure, fresh, non-chemical food. Our soil used to have over 52 trace minerals, compared to now when it's reduced to only 3 in most conventional agriculture. I started waking up to this (harsh) reality about 8-9 years ago, and it's important for me to keep educating myself. Knowledge is power and when I go to the store I want to be able to make choices I can really stand behind. I want to understand who and what system I am supporting with my purchases. There are many companies and people out there who are serving a purpose for the greater good. I want to use my platform as an athlete to showcase these companies and people, who are committed to providing us with products that are good for us and for the environment. If you are curious about this delicious superfood smoothie bowl in this picture please visit www.purps.com/blogs (see link in my bio) to find the recipe - It's made by myself as a pre-workout meal, with fresh ingredients and lots of intention to support good health. It provides me with clean every that enables me to adventure and use my body all day long

INSIDE LOOKI X GAMES FROM AN ATHLETE PERSPECTIVE

“The past year I’ve started putting my words into action and I feel like I’m now reaping the benefits of that work”

I love being a part of the progression and development of snowboarding and I hope we get to celebrate action sports on a world stage in Norway again next year!!! Congrats to all the athletes for giving everyone a show they will never forget. Each and everyone put their own unique stamp on it. Big ups to the people behind the scenes working 24/7 to get this X GAMES one to remember and look back at for good memories. Thank you to the crowds for being so passionate and uplifting. It genuinely makes a big difference to ride when you feel the energy of so many people cheering you on. Special thanks to EUREKA and my family coming out to watch me play. I am leaving here inspired to become a better human and take my snowboarding to the next level 

First glance from the top of the drop in ramp for the Big Air

Never forget to play like a child - Candid Moment Captured By Cato Ingebrigtsen

Captured by Cato Ingebrigtsen

This moment was captured right after the ladies Big Air finals on Saturday; My team mate @siljenorendal has just won the gold medal and the crowds are going crazy. I am genuinely happy for her, as I know how determined she works towards her goals. I have just fallen on my last run, meaning I have not landed any of my tricks. Yet, I don't feel a strong sense of disappointment, regret or frustration. I wonder why, as I I'm deeply immersed in the hug. I can feel my team mate shaking, in tears of happiness over winning the gold. As I take a deep breath, it quickly becomes clear to me that I am feeling spiritual happiness. The kind of happiness that is available to you at any moment, once you become aware of it. While emotional happiness is depending on external factors, outside of your own control, spiritual happiness depends solely on yourself.  Off course my thoughts are drifting towards how much I wanted to land my tricks and how much I wanted to finish on the podium in front of my family... Yet, I felt very happy. I know it's because I have done a lot of "inside work" and learned that I can still access happiness in situations where I didn't think I could in the past. Despite the outcome and result. The past year I've started putting my words into action and I feel like I'm now reaping the benefits of that work. I fell but I still feel successful 

YUMMY & HEALTHY BREAKFAST BOWL

Here is a favorite breakfast bowl of ours that came to life by just having a good time in the kitchen. We are such big fans of eating clean and healthy, meaning using ingredients that are grown in pure soil, without all the chemicals and GMO's 🌱

Our bodies are depending on us to take care of them and through our food we can create a healthy environment. This will show both on the inside and outside of ourselves. We also believe that the food has to taste good, so by using high quality ingredients like this is also a ticket to successful, simple and delicious meals. 

This breakfast bowl involves organic fresh greens at the bottom, sourdough artisan whole grain bread, avocado and eggs from pasture- raised chickens. Drizzle organic, cold pressed olive oil over the whole bowl and sprinkle with raw hemp seeds. Top it with sea salt of good quality and fresh cracked pepper. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and jalapeños for spice. We assure you this bowl will inspire some loud sounds and make you wanna go dance

Rawness going down in Iceland!

This fall I will be competing against 11 other amazing athletes in the Norwegian TV show called "Råskap" meaning Rawness - the contest is about finding who is the toughest athlete of all! For me this was a great opportunity to show that a yogi-loving snowboarder could be just as RAW as these other crazy humans. Watch out for the show dropping this fall

3 CORE WORKOUTS FOR BETTER SELF ESTEEM

A strong core is fundamental to perform your best in any activity. It's also linked to good self-esteem and and can help prevent injuries and bad posture. Make sure you switch between your core exercises for your lower back and your stomach muscles to create balance. 

PHOTOS: Nikol Herec

Plank to pull ins.

PIKES

The Mountain Climber.

Downward Phase: 

Inhale and slowly lower your body back to a plank position. Keep the torso rigid and head and spine aligned. Do not allow the low back or ribcage to sag. The intensity of this exercise can be increased by lengthening the straps and positioning your body further away from the anchor point of the bands.

Upward Phase: 

On an exhale, engage your abdominals. Bring your hips toward the ceiling and pull your legs toward your chest. Keep the legs straight and strong and toes pointed. Your feet should be glued together throughout the exercise. Continue the movement until your hips move directly over your shoulders in somewhat of a handstand position. Keep the torso rigid. Do not allow the spine to arch or bow.  

PIKE Description credit: www.acefitness.org/exercise-library-details/1/88/

PIKES

“Before using bands you should be able to effectively stabilize your low back with your core muscles, because these exercises are advanced.”

GLUTES & CORE WARM UP

In all seriousness of exercising and training, it's important to remember to have fun and get a little weird. These are warm up exercises are great because they can be done literally anywhere. They require little to no equipment and you even get to go upside down and see the world from a different perspective. Any bands can be used, but we recommend you choose a band with medium resistance, that is completed so you don't have to tie it. Your "glutes " will thank you for the warm welcome!

PHOTOS: Nikol Herec

Wrap the band around your shoulder and leg and move your leg up and down.Squeeze your butt when leg is in the straight position. Repeat 10 times on each side.

Position 1: Push your leg backwards and slightly up and squeeze your butt (Gluteus Maximus) in the end position. Do 5 sec holds in this position to make the exersice harder.

Position 2: Take your leg forward and bend the knee. Then move your leg back to position 1 immediately. 

 

Same exercise seen from back. Great way to warm up your "glutes" before any activity where legs are involved. Repeat 10 times.

Plank to single leg / single arm reach. Squeeze your butt at end position. Hold for more challenge. Alternate legs. Repeat 20 times (10 on each leg) 

Attention: Advanced exercise! Make sure you can do a head stand before attempting this. Go from the head stand upright position and slowly move your legs down towards the ground. Make sure to not go any farther than you can control. Stop no later than right before your feet touches the ground. Move your legs back to upright headstand position. repeat as many as you feel in control of

NUTS FOR NUT MILK VOL. 2

During Xgames in Oslo this year Chanelle Sladics and I hosted a workshop and yoga class at High Yoga studio, in collaboration with LuLu Lemon. I am very passionate about health and how important it is to understand what all the different foods/ drinks and ingredients do to our bodies. Being a professional athlete for over 18 years has sought me that in order to perform my best I need to stay on top of my health. About 8 years ago I took this perspective to a new level and started eating organic, local, pure food that gives me energy and supports my health. In Oslo I decided to do a little nut milk workshop because it's sooooo simple to make and incredibly delicious!! I want people to see how easy and cheap it is to make at home, with very few ingredients. The milk I am making in this photo is a cashew, hemp milk made with hemp seeds provided by the raw chocolate company. Check out their other products on their website by clicking on this photo. 

PHOTO BY NIKOL HEREC - @nikaherec

RECIPE: I am not a recipe follower, I kind of freestyle everything. So when it comes to ratio of nuts to water etc. I just eyeball it depending on how thick I want my milk to be. Usually you dont need many tries till you get your milk just perfect! 

A handful of raw cashew nuts (unsalted), drizzle of hemp seeds + cold water and any sweetener of your choice. I like pure, raw honey and coconut sugar or dates. Soak the cashews in water a couple of hour prior to making, this will mak them softer and milk smoother. Drain water and blend everything together.If you don;t like pulp, then drain in a but bag or strainer. AND VOILA - Enjoy chilled, over home made granola or in your favorite coffee or tea.

PHOTO BY Malgorzata Aulejtner - @yoginigosia 

PHOTO BY Malgorzata Aulejtner - @yoginigosia 

PRSNT CAMP IN COLORADO!!

PRSNT Performance Retreat launches their first Womens Snowboard + Ski Self Development Camp in USA at Loveland Ski Area, CO.

Adventure. Avalanche Awareness. Yoga. Nutrition. Meditation. Digital Disconnect.

PRSNT PERFORMANCE connects female snowboard+ ski enthusiasts with nutrition and health through a weekend camp at Loveland Ski Area, Colorado.

April 5th, 2016 – Loveland Ski Area, Colorado— PRSNT PERFORMANCE, founded by professional snowboarders Kjersti Buaas and Chanelle Sladics announces the launch of their first camp in the US. This camp will encompass nutrition, yoga, and meditation with on-hill adventures complemented by an avalanche awareness workshop. This weekend will be a massive opportunity to embrace a digital disconnect and reconnect without the noise of technology.

“We are excited to add some new elements to the experience and extend it to a full weekend offering. As more enthusiasts continue to be inspired to adventure into the mountains, we feel it is really important to learn about avalanche awareness and we want to empower our campers with this knowledge, says Chanelle Sladics, Co-Founder of PRSNT.  I also look forward to opportunities to put my technology away as a group, rest my eyes from the screens and my mind from the noise to reconnect.”

The weekend will have special guests from snowboard legend Tara Dakides testing campers antioxidant levels and teaching them about having a strong defense system. “As we all know, great health takes time, effort and knowledge and not everyone has that dedication. Chanelle and Kjersti have very busy lives, but they dedicate every lifestyle choice to living and eating well and educating others on how to get started the right way,” says Tara. Followed by Olympian skier Keri Herman’s essential oils workshop.  The weekend will be completed by nutritious vegan masterpieces, prepared by Rachel Turiel, an ex-professional snowboarder and now a holistic private chef. 

“Your body is always present, it’s the mind who wanders and gets lost. We want to get women of all ages and levels together to do yoga, snowboard, ski, meditate, learn about health and nutrition, while practicing awareness of the #PRSNT moment. Being professional athletes has thought us that it is in this state that we perform our best. We want to help facilitate an environment that will stimulate the participants to get to this special place, because we know how powerful it is! We believe that whether it is on the mountain, at work or in anything you are passionate about, this state of mind is the key to performing to your fullest potential. For us the goal is for the campers to go home with tools that they didn’t have prior to the camp and to know how to utilize these in their daily life," says four time Olympian and co-founder of camp, Kjersti Buaas. 

For more details on the agenda, activities go to www.prsntperformance.com/loveland.     

PHOTOS BY NIKOL HEREC    

Vegan Strawberry Milk

This delicious vegan strawberry milk is so easy to make. It's great to use with cereals, as a smoothie base or just drink chilled with a glass straw :) You can add anything you like to make it even more powerful, like spirulina, chlorella or maca root.

Recipe:

• Coconut shavings
• Hemp seeds
• Water
• Strawberries
• Sweetener of Choice
• Blend everything together. Amount depending on how much you want to make but generally I just eyeball it to get the right consistency :)

Work Out in the Garage

Working out can be hard to fit into a packed schedule, between work and other obligations. It can get costly too. That's why I have set up a creative little gym in the garage, so I can easily access "the gym" whenever I want. You don't need tons of equipment, just a few staple items will get you started out fine. I like the TRX ropes because you can do many different exercises using just that one tool. A yoga ball and an Indo board is perfect add on's and great for stability exercises . Other items I keep in my garage "cubby" is a coupe of dumbbells and a yoga mat + a regular basketball or soccer ball. Check back for tips on specific exercises for core and back.