Tuesday 29 July 2014

Summer Time!

What a Summer we are already having?! I am loving it so far - and the countdown is on for my holiday....!

I went Bikini shopping not long ago (females will understand, new year, new bikinis!) and which three colours do you think I inadvertently picked?!



An excuse to buy a few more, right?!



Yes - Black, Red and White.....I wasn't trying to keep in touch with work! Most people go on holiday to get away from it...!

In keeping with holiday prep, I must pre tan as I am the palest Half Italian you've probably ever met!

Now, I am no stranger to a sunbed (Slap wrist I know) but this year I have avoided them as much as possible, instead, opting for a gradual tanning moisturiser.

*No Biscuit Smell*
 
*No Streaks*
 
*Even Application*
 
*Only £2.50 when on offer!*
 
*From the High Street!*
 
*Paraben Free!*
 
Good Old Superdrug!
 
 Simply put, this is an amazing product - and this comes from someone who looks at a bottle of fake tan and turns orange...

Why am I so excited about it being Paraben Free?

Well for a while now, I have been using Paraben Free cosmetics as much as I can - including Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Make up, Face Creams, Moisturisers, Body Washes and the like - and they are surprisingly easy to find.

The reason for this is that parabens can mimic the effects that Oestrogen has on the body -  although this is a natural hormone, I have discovered that my body overproduces it, which in turn has caused me a great deal of other issues which I am trying to manage.

I will do as much as I can to reduce my Oestrogen levels, as they can be effected by environmental factors as well as hormonal ones. Here are just a few things I do to help keep my levels managed;

*Drink bottled / filtered water

* Avoiding the use of a microwave to heat food

* Avoid unnecessary consumption of alcohol

* Use paraben free products as much as they are available

Like I said, they are getting a lot easier to find now too! A few of my favourites include;
 
 




The Nivea Pure and Natural Range - Creams / Face Wipes / Lip Balms etc
http://www.nivea.co.uk/products/sets/pure-and-natural









 
 
Sainsburys Body Wash Range - Cheap and smell AMAZING!! Available in Lemon, Mint, Lime, Coconut and Cranberry









 
 



Timotei Shampoo and Conditioner, Dry Shampoo
http://www.timotei.com/#/range/stunning-repair
 
 
Just a few ranges I would recommend :)
 





I am yet to find / use a good PF sun-cream...anyone recommend a brand they have used?


The other great thing about reducing my Oestrogen levels are the effects it has had on my body fat loss - I have seen significant reductions in the fat reading on my upper arms and legs - so would say it is certainly something to consider trying / looking into!

What preparation are you doing for the summer? Training Hard and Eating Well? Feeling good, or still dreading the thought of bearing flesh?

I'm still in competition mode so I am covered in rather fetching bruises and scratches (still!) which I am hoping will fade by the time I go away....! By then, I'm sure I will be feeling bikini body ready!!
The Life of a Strongwoman!

Expect a few more posts from me over the next two weeks in the run up to Britain's Strongest Woman - hoping to not only give you an insight from my point of view, but from the two other EBW Athletes Morgan and Sara too!

Until then....keep focused, work hard, and on top of all else - believe you can achieve!



Franki xx

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Tuesday 15 July 2014

All Systems Go!

Can you quite believe little old me is now running her own business?! Me neither...it was a hectic first weekend, I won't lie - but I loved every minute of it! Sunday night was the best nights' sleep I'd had for along time...and the latest bedtime for a while too!



Chicken Fajitas and Slow Cooked Chilli
All Ready to GO!!!


















Thank you so much to those who placed their first orders, and I am happy to report that all the feedback so far as been very positive.....!

"The soup is best I have ever tasted. Not usually a soup man and
think it will never satisfy me. This did and so tasty. Great work.
Next week might be a full 5 day order I think."
Matt P
 
~
 
"(Your) Fajitas are Scrummy!" Ciara H
 
~
 
"Just had the soup. AMAZING!!! more please Also the roulades are SO good!! top work. I thoroughly recommend to anyone. Cant wait for lunch!" Adam W
 
~
 
"Yea, the chilli was great" James S (can't be seen to be giving too much praise ;-) )
 
 
 
Wow!!! Thanks Guys!

 
Here's to the next one!


Speaking of the next one, be sure to check my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/FrankiNapolitano2 for this weeks menu, ready for your orders to be placed!


If you're in the gym over the next week or so, keep an eye out for my brand new Business Cards too! Feel free to take a few and hand them out!

So what else is going on?

Training is well underway for The BNSF Britain's Strongest Woman competition on August 10th! (Yes, a week before I go on holiday - just what I need - BRUISES!) 

Morgan Holmes




Glad to say I also have a new training partner, Morgan, who is also competing in this competition having placed 4th in Basingstoke's Strongest Novice last month....So expect a few videos and pictures over the coming weeks!

Sara Smith

A third EBW Strongwoman is also competing - Sara who placed 1st in the aforementioned novice comp - so there will be a great EBW Presence on the day! Can't wait ladies, looks to be a great comp!













The Event list for my weight category in this comp is pretty good too - take a look!


Gutted I missed both practice sessions that were held, so I'm hoping I will be ok on the day! Feeling pretty good about this one, despite only making my final decision to compete last week!

A few weeks ago EBW held one of their Events session which I love! This time I was joined by Polly, another Strongwoman competitor who was also at the qualifier I did in April. Sadly, she didn't manage to qualify this year, but we have big hopes for next year!

This is what I love about Strongman / Strongwoman - everyone is so supportive and friendly - it doesn't matter how you do, everyone respects the time, effort and determination you put into training - being especially supportive on competition days - even cheering on their rivals. How great is that?!


Polly from WHS down for an Events Session


And what's EVEN better is that more and more women are slowly getting into the support which is amazing! The Final I'm competing in in September (England's Strongwoman Championships) looks to be quite a spectacle - The organiser, Aaron, wants us all to be introduced to the crowd one by one - to our own piece of chosen music...and with a commentary on out training and a weird fact about us...plus the local press and sponsors being there - talk about added pressure! But I think that's great - what a way to feel like a celeb hey?!











Once the summer months creep in, most people go into panic mode about looking as good as possible with minimal clothes on - stripping body fat, fighting the bloat and pumping up their arms...I'm just trying to keep from getting injured and keeping my strength up - hoping this will carry over into my bikini body look too! Which reminds me...I need to bikini shop!

Franki the PT...!

As you may have seen from my FB Page, two of my clients have recently been through a bit of a ''detox' - basically two weeks of meat and green veg, no booze, sugar, dairy or caffeine in a bid to reduce body fat and really accelerate their results. Glad to report that both ladies managed to hit their short term target before their holiday / break away - one even losing an incredible 7cms from her waist and hips in a few weeks! Very proud of all my clients, well done to you all!

Lastly.....

On a Wednesday morning at 7am, you'll find me in the gym with an incredible group of ladies being put through their paces in my Elite Female class. Over the last 4 months, I have had amazing feedback on the class and I really enjoy leading these women on their quest for a healthier, leaner body. It has proven rather popular with people asking if I will run another....

Well I am pleased to announce, that from August, I Will Be! We are in the process of turning the first floor of our new premises into our Body Composition area and so from August, Monday Evenings at 8pm will belong to me and a second group of ELITE FEMALES! The class already has 5 of 8 spaces filled from ladies on a waiting list - so if you would like to snap up one of the remaining 3 spaces, contact me to arrange!

Safe to say it's All Systems Go with me right now - I love to be busy - gives me a sense of purpose and drive...lets hope it keeps up!

I hope you are all well and on track with your goals and focuses for this year!


Until Next Time!

Franki xx


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Monday 7 July 2014

It's Nearly Time!

The wait is nearly over!

After a hectic few weeks of name changing, branding design, picking the packaging and finalising my menu, I'm glad to say that I will be taking my first orders this week!


 
 
Mia Cucina is open for Business!


I wanted a simple, yet memorable name for this - and what better than My Kitchen in Italian!

So....Remind me how this will work again?!

After my last post I received many questions on how the food will be available and in what capacity...

Each Thursday Morning, I will put up a menu for the following week which will consist of;

*Two Main Meals
*1 Side / Snack
*1 Soup

I will take orders until Friday at 3pm, and then the food will be ready for collection on Monday morning.

The Collection Point will be Elite-Bodyworks* and your dishes will be labelled with your name for easy pick up.

There will be 3 Collection Slots Available throughout Monday;

7:30am - 9am

12pm - 1pm

8pm - 9pm

As I may not always be there when you do collect, there will be an 'I Contain' list to accompany each dish - just so you have sight of what's in your food!

*Apologies, at this point in time, I am unable to do deliveries - watch this space though! For their address, visit their website http://www.elite-bodyworks.com/

The idea being that you can purchase as many of the four options as you like, knowing you have something to fall back on should you not get to do the food shopping on time - or just fancy someone else to do the hard work for you  ;-)

The dishes will be suitable for home refrigeration and freezing where stated, so you can buy as you go, or stock up!

Dishes will be provided in foil containers and the mains will come in two sizes to suit different appetites. These will be suitable for home cooking (either in the oven or the pan) and cooking instructions will be provided.

The soups will be one size and provided in an Eco Friendly pot - although I would still recommend heating through on the hob ;-)

I may have not been totally 100% clear on my first announcement, But to start with, I won't be able to provide 'days' worth of food' - although this is the long term goal - this is a little venture I am setting out on in line with everything else going on, but I am hoping this will grow into the flourishing business I want it to!

Anyway, thought I would keep this short and sweet as I will probably be bombarding you over the next week with posts! But I hope this has made things a bit clearer and I hope to receive an order from you soon! Keep an eye out on Thursday for my first menu and details on how to order!

*Oh yes, of course...Thank you to everyone who has supported me during this quest, be it with Name Suggestions, Meal Ideas, Marketing Advice and Good Old Encouragement.

A special Thanks goes to James for giving me the initial push into this and to my friend and colleague Rich Kearsey, Creative Director of New Media Group who has designed my logos and created my branding!* http://www.new-media-group.co.uk/

Just to end, I promised my Facebook Followers I would provide the recipe for the Coconut Chicken and Aubergine Tapenade .... so here it is;





Crunchy Coconut Chicken

2 Chicken Legs
1 Tbsp of Mild Curry Powder
Sprinkle of Salt
2 Tsps of Smoked Paprika
Sprinkle of Coconut Flakes
2 Tbsps of Coconut Oil

Preheat Oven to 180'

Scour the Chicken skin and drizzle some oil over the top. Then rub the Paprika, Salt, Curry Powder and Coconut Flakes into the skin, ensuring both legs are covered and drizzle a little more oil over the top.

Place in the oven and roast for 40 minutes. Meanwhile....

Chunky Aubergine and Mixed Pepper Tapenade
Well...Kind of!

250g of Mixed Olives
1 Aubergine
1 Green Pepper
1 Yellow Pepper
2 Tbsps of Tomato Puree
2 Garlic Cloves
2 Tsps of Paprika
2 Tsps of Mixed Herbs
Pinch of Salt
Coconut Oil
Juice of half a Lime

Dice the Olives, Peppers and Aubergine into small chunks and finely chop the Garlic Cloves and add them to a mixing bowl. Drizzle in oil and stir to coat the veg.

Then Add the Puree, Paprika and Mixed Herbs and stir again - ensuring all the veg is covered. Then add to a saucepan on a medium heat.

Cook for 10 minutes until the veg starts to soften, and then add the lime juice.

Continue to cook for a further 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Delicious served hot or cold!

Think this may be my last recipe for a while....I won't have anything to serve soon... ;-)

Franki x

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