Showing posts with label hockey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hockey. Show all posts

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Middleton for Kraft Hockeyville 2015!

I am so excited! My hometown Middleton, Nova Scotia is in the running for Kraft Hockeyville 2015! Here is a little video from Valley Credit Union’s Head Office of myself, and a couple others doing the “Kraft Faceoff” Challenge with Oreos. I am pretty pumped that I won; I was horrible at it during the practice round.

I am so happy to be living close to home during this exciting time for one of the most special places to me. More on that to come…











Here is the Youtube video:


To support Middleton’s bid check out the Kraft Hockeyville nomination page and use #MiddletonNSforKraftHockeyville and #khv_middletonnsforhockeyville.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

What Have You Done For Your Body Today?

Happy National Women’s Health & Fitness Day!


I do not normally blog about fitness because lets face it, these days everyone who lifts up a dumbbell occasionally feels the need to tweet, blog and Instagram their fitness exploits.

Honestly I try not to, it is just not me. If it keeps you in the gym and on the right track, right on! Keep it up! To each their own.

Today I celebrated National Women’s Health and Fitness Day by kicking it off with a big Canadian Protein order. It has been a long time coming and I am so excited for the Quest bars that I have treated myself to.

I woke up pretty sore and since we are being honest here I really did not want to go to the gym. Yesterday morning I worked back and biceps and then had my first ice time for hockey in well over a year so my body’s muscles were sore from all the skating.  I could have made excuses; my boyfriend stayed in bed (still sore from hockey) and I worked late last night and was on my feet until 9:30pm. But, I exercised my willpower and chugged my pre-workout and got in my car to head to the gym as quickly as possible. Sometimes as strong as our bodies are from working out our lazy minds can still win the battle to be active.

Today I pushed it. I trained legs and shoulders with intervals of intense cardio between supersets. To adjust to my soreness I cut my heavy lifts by one set and during my cardio intervals listened to my favourite gym tracks. I treated myself to half an infrared sauna session after to sweat a little more and relax with my book after my solid gym session.

Someone once told me that you will never regret getting up and going to the gym; you will regret not going. I really took that message to heart. It may sound silly buy my cookies and cream protein shake tastes better when I know I have had a successful workout.

I am now off to throw together a great reward lunch, a spicy chicken salad (you can see that below) with a FOLDit Chicken club sandwich.


Remember: Crap in, crap out! If you are expecting your body to perform physically fuel it properly! Just like at the gym you only get out what you put in!

Today marked my 28th week since I returned back to my training plan, today specifically was workout 156. 

Friday, February 7, 2014

Viral Video: Friday Roundup

Ooops.

Two blogs in a row talking about the Calgary Flames, this one is unintentional it just happened to pop up on my Twitter feed and I thought I would reflect on it. At the Flames game on Saturday night my boyfriend and I dished about which player we would not like to meet in a fight. We talk about random things all the time, this was not as odd to us as it may seem to you; his answer? Jiri Hudler.

Now, I have no desire to fight anyone. I am as soft as a marshmallow. So my answer was that any of them would beat me. Now, I am not sure the same could be said about basketball. I am pretty bad but Mr. Hudler takes it to a new level in this viral video from NBC Sportsnet. The Lakers and the Flames are both visitingPhilly and have to share the venue, as the 700 level details in this article.

Hockey gear is like second skin to anyone who plays the game, so I am not accepting that his gear made him that much worse than he would have been without it. My favourite part was the high-five, Jiri don’t care… I think he’d even high-five Tom Brady if he was around.


On second thought, I would not want to fight or play anyone in basketball. One v. one, I would get wrecked. I am horrible at both things. Especially when I get laughing, onto the next viral video from the Toronto Zoo; it is adorable.

I am a sucka. I love this panda’s response to the snow. It was the icing on the cake of my Friday. Jenny Fines and I both had a giggle and “awwweeee” moment when this popped up on our screen today.


There you are… two fresh viral videos and one not so fresh video of Tom Brady that is still good for a laugh.


Oh, almost forgot the latest round of Jimmy Kimmel's 'Celebrities Read Mean Tweets', it is not as funny as some of the others but it is still worth a watch! 


Happy Friday!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

My First Real NHL Game

Last weekend I got my first real dose of NHL hockey. From paying big $$$ to have a casual drink at the game, to paying more $$$ to eat Saddledome favourites like ‘Pocketdogs’ and mini-donuts; I truly experienced and NHL game for the first time.


I will admit, I have seen a pre-season game; an exhibition match between the then Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadians in Halifax. But it wasn’t the true NHL experience. We had great seats, we decked ourselves out in team apparel but it was not the real deal. It was a great night, but not quite and NHL game.

Last winter I took in a Ducks game in Anaheim, Nashville was in town and I was in awe. It was closer to what I had expected an NHL game to be like, the Honda Center was incredible. Again, we had great seats; but something about it was still lacking. The rink wasn't even close to full. It was quieter than the Metro Centre’s pre-season exhibition game (where there was no home team). People were more concerned with taking selfies than watching the game.

Other things seemed off too, the lines were WAY longer for food than drinks. Something my boyfriend (a guy who grew up with Flames season tickets) said was the opposite in Canada.


But, I got to have a moment with Wild Wing (the Ducks mascot). This was a great moment because as a kid, before I ever even thought about playing hockey I was a fan of the short-lived Disney animated Mighty Duck series.

So, last Saturday night I was ecstatic to finally be seeing a game in Canada. I had always thought it would be a Canucks game, I have been a fan of the Canucks for ages and it had been a goal to see my first NHL game in Vancouver. But, then life happened and I found myself calling Calgary home and things changed a bit. I could no longer avoid popping on Flames merch and smiling at the dream of playoffs.

I don’t think we could have picked a better night to see the Flames. It was Western Night at the Dome, Paul Brandt made both national anthems sound incredible and the Flames pushed their home winning streak to five games. Minnesota was in town and made a comeback after pissing away the first part of the game, pushing it to overtime.

Things I loved about this game:
-Dany Heatley, scored his tenth of the year at the Dome. I know this is counter-intuitive, I was totally cheering for the Flames but when the All-star himself is in town you want to see him put something on the board.

-Mikael Backlund achieved redemption after a horrible pass (that led to a Wild goal) with not one, but two goals; including the game-winner in OT.

-It was Western Night. I love how hokey Calgary becomes during the Stampede and that kitchy environment was part of the Flames Western Night. Gunfire after the national anthems, the ice cleaning girls in plaid and denim, white Stetsons in abundance and LOTS of Stampede talk; Western Night recreated the feeling of Stampede at a hockey game.

-No matter how big the crowd is, you can always find a friend. Without knowing where our buddy was sitting (he didn't know where we were either) we ran into him during the first intermission. No barn is to big to keep friends apart!

My first NHL game in Canada was not what I expected. The fact that it was Western Night was a delightful surprise that made my trip Calgary complete.




Friday, January 3, 2014

All He Wants To Do Is Dansk, Dansk, Dansk

A couple ofweeks ago I brought you some great on-ice moves by a hockey player in Norway, I don’t think this Swedish goaltender’s moves are really comparable. Let’s be serious he has a whole lot more gear weighing Oscar Dansk down, but he definitely has the best moves I have seen around for a net-minder lately. Much like our friend in Norway he gets the crowd into it and it looks like everyone is enjoying his antics at home in Malmo during the World Juniors.  This victory dance came after Sweden’s 3-2 win over Russia New Year’s Eve, giving home-team Sweden the top spot in their round-robin group at the World Juniors.

Get it goalie.


Friday, December 27, 2013

The Mystery Days Between Christmas and New Years

I started writing a blog the other day (before Christmas), when I was trying to get into the festive mood about my family's Christmas traditions (I need to finish it, it was getting pretty long). 

This being my first Christmas away from home there is a lot I miss, some of the things would be happening now, not necessarily during the lead up to Christmas. Neighbors dropping in for a drink to share some baked goods or sweets and see everyone's haul of presents. Boxing Day in my home town is a huge deal, we don't do Boxing Day shopping in my neck of the woods; we spend the day in the rink. Everyone who has played hockey for my High School's Hockey teams is invited to take part in grad games that make up a mini tournament and then everyone over 19 heads to the only bar in town and drinks all the eggnog they have.  

I am a staying in girl for New Year’s Eve, I have had my share of nights out but I have learned the most fun is when my siblings, cousins and my boyfriend all do a group activity like skating and then set some fireworks off in then the youngins go to sleep and us older kids settle in for board games and unhealthy food. 

To top it all off, New Year’s Day we wake to the icing on the cake presents-wise. Santa visits the children/big kids in the MacDonald and Bruce households with stockings full of his "leftovers" from the North Pole. 


Yes, to me it is all magical. I love the mysterious days between Christmas and New Year’s. 

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Love It: The Greatest Hockey Celebration of All Time?!

Now, I am no showboat but I love to watch a good hockey celebration… even if it is part of an 8-3 win and in Norway. I have never done anything like this, but believe me if I had this guy’s moves I would have to break them out and be the cockiest person on the ice every once and a while. With all of the videos of the Stamkos injury circulating right now, this is a nice little distraction.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Adulting With Kate: An Unexpected Stop Over

I set really high expectations for pretty much everything in life. I personally think it all stems from learning
how to read those stupid classroom signs with inspirational quotes on them. I may have taken them to heart a little too much.

It is kind of strange. I had never really thought about it until right now. When I was a child I thought I would be a world travelling professional (specifically a lawyer or a journalist) that would not have to settle down and still manage to wrangle my four or five kids into bed every night after a lovely homemade supper. I have grown out of that fantasy, the one where I was a serious adult with very serious career and demanding personal life. That being said I do take my career very seriously, I absolutely am in love with my job and my adventure working in radio so far, but I still expect to take the world by storm some day when I have gotten the practice and developed the patience it takes to be a real adult. I love my career tract enough to let my personal life suffer a bit, moving across the country away from any friends and family I have ever had to start my career off working independently was a choice I made and that until recently had not really bothered me.

The real adult part is the struggle. Sometimes I set the bar so high on my expectations that I end up a little heartbroken when they don’t work out the way I see them in my head. I am a very visual person and have always embraced visualizing and willing myself to win. I was the kid who always cried on Christmas Day when the magic had worn off and the sugar had set in (and DisneyWorld was still not in the card for the upcoming year). My parents were thrilled when I became able to drive myself to hockey games, I never thought I had played very well and usually was a huge ball of nerves before and after every game. 

I could continue this list of setting relatively high bars to hurdle and uber competitiveness mashed with a side of temper flare ups but I think two examples is enough. I never really was a very whimsical child, I obsessed over music and sports until I went to university and then went on to obsess about getting out of university on time and onto something I would enjoy a lot more. If you haven’t read my previous blogs I was not the best student at university, I freely admit it.

I have always been super passionate about the things I have become involved in, from cutting carbs to travelling there are things that are always on my mind. My attention span may dwindle, but the passion never really has been drained. Let’s just say I can be a little intense.

But, as being part of an adult today’s lesson is that I need to stop reading those damn quotes and taking them so seriously. It is amazing to have aspirations, huge plans, and incredible dreams and to live the fantasy but at some point you have got to get your head out of the clouds and take a breath. Yes, shoot for the stars, but be okay with an extended stopover flight. Sometimes that is what life is, life is a massive journey full of experiences that won’t wait for you to experience them yourself sometimes. These situations thrust themselves on you and though they may not be welcome, or what you expected they are a reality that should be greeted with warmth or at least curiosity.

Sidenote: When I was twenty-one I did end up going to Disneyland (I know it’s not quite Disneyworld) with my boyfriend and I must say it was a trip beyond all of my expectations, even though everyone had informed me after a lifetime of dreaming of a Disney vacation that I would be disappointed, I was not. 

Monday, September 30, 2013

Kate the Hater: Running

If you are crazy about running you may want to stop reading this blog right here.

If you are super excited to get a run in just to update the world on Facebook or Twitter about your commitment to fitness, you definitely want to stop reading this blog right now.

I have really tried to like running, for a really long time. I have always wanted the long lean body I thought running would give me if I just committed some breathless gasping moments to putting one foot in front of the other at a heightened pace while jamming to my iPod way too loud. Alas, I am coming to the conclusion that it is just not for me. As much as I loved sports and embraced being an athlete early in life, I would always try to find reasons to skip running at my rugby, soccer and tennis practices. I’m not even sure that I was ever ashamed of my laziness; I don’t think I ever really tried to hide it. It was a little different at hockey, because let’s face it skating is awesome.

This is half a new revelation, half an old embarrassing admission I have been harboring for a while. Not so long ago I was in a phase where I thought life would not complete until I crossed running at least a half marathon off my bucket list, I even wrote a blog about it (if you want you can search it out). But, as I turn nearly twenty-four and a half I am completely fine with my lack of ambition to pant in public while looking as unattractive as possible. I have even lost a little luster to chase after people who have the rubber toy I want in this very docile stage of life I am in. Life used to be a battle of chase or be chased, score and stop them from scoring;  but right now I am content to just being warm and not overly hungry (because let’s face it, I am always a little hungry)*.

Now, if you nay-sayers are still reading 1. I told you to stop and 2. I get your to each their own nonsense. I have no problem with people who love running. It is some people’s hockey or soccer or rugby. It is your jam and enjoy it, I doubt any of you will stop your pass time just because of this little ole blog and I would hate to contribute to our general lack of fitness as adults.

Nothing made me happier than a vent tweet about this and getting an instant response from my sister who feels the same way about running that I do. I don’t consider 5k a real run (that is why I am so uppity about this, it is in response to way too many people sharing their minor achievements over social media all the time) and ‘Run or Dye’ is actually one of the few runs I would ever take part in (I like bright colors).  To be honest, ‘Run or Dye’ is the only run that doesn't involve Disney that I would ever consider doing.

Anyways, in conclusion the point I have been scrambling to make here is that I really don’t care if you can run 5k. Like every human being who hasn't run a marathon (or maybe even the ones who have) I will be astonished and marvel at your athleticism if you run anything over 10k, because that will just never happen for me.

I am now going to eat some candy and complete my soft, sloth mood today.


*Reading this back I am realizing I have turned pretty soft, even though I have never been thinner or happier (ever). 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Morning Rocks Chats with Selkirk Saints Captain Logan Proulx

Just in case you missed it this morning, we spoke with the Selkirk Saints (newly named) Captain Logan Proulx about the upcoming season. Not only did we chat about last seasons big win, we talked about what is to come tomorrow night when the Saints square off with the Trail Smoke Eaters. All just 12 hours after the Saints opened up Training Camp 2013.

The excitement starts tomorrow night when the Trail Smoke Eaters host the Selkirk Saints at Cominco Arena. The puck will drop for this nail biter at 7pm. 


Saints fans unite at http://www.gosaints.ca for more info on this years squad. 

And all you Smoke Eaters fans you can find the latest on your team at http://www.trailsmokeeaters.com


Thursday, August 22, 2013

WIN TICKETS TO A YOUNG CANUCKS GAME!

Just over 40 Days and 3 Hours until the NHL season begins (I am really excited, the 2013-2014 NHL season will be the first season I live in a province with a NHL team) . If you want a sneak peak at the Canucks Young Stars, be listening tomorrow morning to Morning Rocks. Derek did this morning and won 2 tickets to see the Young Canucks play against the Alumni!

It is going to be a great weekend full of the top talent from the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and the San Jose Sharks in Penticton at the South Okanagan Events Centre. 

Make sure your listening to 'Morning Rocks' from 6am to 10am weekdays for your shot at the next set of tickets to see the Young Stars Classic. 


I was pretty excited, this was my first day on Mountain FM's Morning Rocks and my first call-in winner! 

Monday, August 19, 2013

Preseason Interview with the Grand Fork's Border Bruin's Head Coach Nick Deschenes

Here is a clip from my show Tuesday, August 20th 2013.


I had a great little chat with the Grand Forks Border Bruins Head Coach Nick Deschenes about the up coming hockey season in the KIJHL. In this little audio tidbit we talk about the upcoming Main Camp, the Preseason Exhibition Games and the beginning of the regular season. The Border Bruins are a Junior B hockey team that plays out of Grand Forks in the Kootenay International Hockey League.



Saturday, July 20, 2013

NHL Players Will Play in Sochi

http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/hockey/2013/07/01/sochi_olympics_nhliihf_deal_close/sochi_olympics.jpg.size.xxlarge.letterbox.jpg
Photo credit: www.TheStar.com
I know I can't start every blog saying, "I am pretty excited."
But, that is how I feel this morning hearing the news that NHL players will be allowed to play in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. 
Honestly, I will be watching regardless of who is playing. Seriously, TIMBITS could be on the ice and I would be sitting in my red and white cheering. 
I think we need to pursue the idea of a International TIMBIT tournament, it would be adorable. 
Back to the serious stuff, I like seeing the best represent our country. I like seeing NHL teammates square-off and rivals join forces. To me, that is part of the spirit of the Olympics. 
And, this announcement means that the NHL can now move forward with the schedule for the 2013-2014 season.
Double win.