6STR • Feb 13 – 19, 2012 • AUSTRALIAN OPEN OF SURFING
Manly Beach, Australia
Bethany will be starting in the Round of 60 (AOS Women Rd 1) – View Daily Competition Schedule

UPCOMING EVENTS 2012:

Rating • Dates (Waiting Period) • Site/Location • Event • Prize Purse
1STR • Mar 1 – 9, 2012 • Pipeline,Oahu, Hawaii • Sea Hawaii Pipeline Women’s Pro • $10,000

6STR • Mar 12 – 17, 2012 • Merewether, Newcastle, NSW, Australia• Hunter Ports Womens Classic • $40,000

6STR • Mar 19 – 25, 2012 • Margaret River, Australia • Telstra Drug Aware Pro • $50,000

6STR • May 30 – Jun 3, 2012 • Hossegor,Landes, France • Swatch Girls Pro France (Tentative) • $40,000

6STR • Aug 2 – 5, 2012 • Lobitos, Piura, Peru • Lobitos Pro Surfing (Tentative) • $40,000

6STR • Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2012 • Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka • SriLankan Airlines Pro (Tentative) • $40,000

6STR • Sep 12 – 16, 2012 • Pantin, Spain Cabreiroa • Pantin Classic Pro (Tentative) • $40,000

6STR • Sep 20 – 23, 2012 • Bafureira,Estoril, Portugal • Estoril Surf and Music Billabong Girls 2012 (Tentative) • $40,000

ASP Women’s World Ranking (CURRENT)

Broccoli is my favorite veggie! I’ve probably given you a broccoli recipe before, but in my opinion, you can’t have too many! I can eat broccoli all day!

This recipe is simple and you can modify it based on what you have in the pantry or how much time you have to cook.

STEAM: Take a head of organic Broccoli florets. Lightly* steam (4-5min, until crisp-tender).

While steaming, toss crushed/minced Garlic in a small skillet with Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Sesame Oil (1 1/2 tbsp) and a pinch of Sea Salt! On medium heat, cook til garlic is fragrant.

Then mix together in a bowl with the steamed broccoli… and enjoy!

ROAST: you can oven bake it by mixing all the ingredients together and spreading it onto a baking tray. Cook at 425 degrees F for about 10 mins*.

I usually steam it cause that’s the quickest. Also try adding some fresh lemon juice (1 1/2 tbsp).

*Note: Don’t overcook it or your killing the nutrients! Just keep an eye on it as times may vary.

When: Jan. 22 at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Where: VantagePoint Church (Eleanor Roosevelt High School Performing Arts Center), 7447 Scholar Way (Cleveland Ave.), in Eastvale, California
Information: 909-465-9700

You are invited to come watch her speak at each of the 3 church services listed above!

Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton, “Soul Surfer”, who lost an arm in a 2003 shark attack, will visit Eastvale. – Read Article by The Press-Enterprise.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

The way we think and what we think about definitely affects our health, mentally & physically. Dillberg Integrated Healthcare notes that, “Our thoughts, memories, attitudes, anxiety, fears, frustrations, and over thinking all make a direct impact on the way every organ in our body functions. Physical symptoms of mental or emotional stress can include: headaches, muscle pain or fatigue, digestive disorders, inflammatory reactions, ulcers, allergies, etc.”

So when God’s word tells us to think about the things in Philippians 4:8, we can trust that by doing so we will grow in character and our mental & physical health will improve!

Scroll up and Read it again. Then put it into practice.

Enter to Win one of 12 giveaway prize packs from my sponsors! Sony Pictures and Simon & Schuster have also donated a SOUL SURFER book and DVD for every winner.

Starting today – December 14, and ending on Christmas Day!

Prizes & Winners will be posted here:

Day 1- Sticky Bumps Prize Pack for Katie Rhee from Farmington, Connecticut

Sticky Bumps Wax Prize pack
Surfer & Non-Surfer’s alike can enjoy this 12 Days of Christmas prize pack from Sticky Bumps Wax. Includes: t-shirt, candle, car freshener, sticker, lip balm, & a bar of wax. Winner will also receive a Soul Surfer book & DVD.

Day 2- Rip Curl Clothing Prize Pack for Rebecca Stiffe from Galway, Ireland.

Day 3- Futures Fins AM1 Blackstix & XTR Board Bag for Cierra Bellisomi from Santa Cruz, California. Winner will also receive a Soul Surfer book from Simon & Schuester & DVD from Sony Pictures.

Futures Fins & XTR are part of Bethany’s surfboard setup. Now Cierra will be able to ride with the speed, power, and control of the Futures Fins System.

XTR Epoxy Pro provides Bethany with XTR foam surfboard blanks. This unique foam can be beneficial because it is slightly more buoyant and light weight.

Day 4- Damon System Braces life-size standee for Jessica Venick from Burlington, Ontario.

Damon Systems make the best braces on the planet, after being treated with Damon Braces I couldn’t be happier. The results of having braces not only improved my smile, it boosted my confidence.

Day 5- Channel Islands Surfboards Prize pack (Hoodie, Shirt, Hat, stickers, & leash) for Amber Rice of Huntington Beach, California. Amber will also receive a Soul Surfer book from Simon & Schuster and DVD from Sony Pictures.

Channel Islands makes the magical surfboards that allow me to surf at the highest level. 11 time world champ Kelly Slater and many of the top 10 surfers in the world ride CI Surfboards. I’m blessed to be sponsored by them.

Day 6- Futures Fins will be sending Bethany Green of Tasmania, Australia a pair of Fins and Cheri Hamilton will be sending a signed copy of her book “Raising a Soul Surfer”. Ms. Green will also receive a Soul Surfer book from Simon & Schuester & DVD from Sony Pictures.

Futures Fins manufacture the best fins on the planet. Good fins are so important to my performance when surfing.

Raising a Soul Surfer invites readers to journey with the Hamiltons to the lush islands of Hawaii, to experience a worldwide news event, Bethany’s shark attack, from her parents’ point of view. Witness the many small steps of faith and how God stepped in and gave them a higher purpose.

Day 7- Sambazon Açaí prize pack (shirt, cd, necklace, & gift certificates for free açaí!) for Bernadette Gundrum from Waukesha, Wisconsin! Plus she’ll get a Soul Surfer DVD & Book from Sony Pictures and Simon & Schuster!

Say hello to açaí (ah-sigh-ee), the fruit that’s making believers out of world-class athletes and health-conscious people everywhere. It’s packed with powerful antioxidants and healthy omegas, AND it’s delicious! Sambazon has been sponsoring Bethany for several years now and is committed to real deal açaí, organic products and rainforest sustainability. We like them Locate a Store Near You.

Day 8- Sticky Bumps Prize Pack for Zoe Nicholson from Chicago, IL. (Prize Pack photo & description above) Zoe will also receive a Raising a Soul Surfer Book!

Day 9- Sambazon Açaí prize pack (shirt, cd, necklace, & gift certificates for free açaí!) for Brittany Meyer of Pipersville, Pennsylvania! Plus she’ll get a Soul Surfer DVD & Book from Sony Pictures and Simon & Schuster!

We like them Locate a Store Near You.

Day 10- Walking on Water Prize Pack for that includes (WOW T-shirt. Promised Land T-shirt, WOW DVD, HSS DVD, & $100 gift certificate towards a summer 2012 Walking On Water Surf Camp.

Walking On Water Summer Surf Camp

Day 11- Damon System Braces gifted a life-size Bethany standee for Renee Taylor from Glade Spring, Virginia.

Like Damon Braces on Facebook for more standee/pop-outs giveaways starting next month.

Day 12- It’s Christmas celebrating Christ’s Birth! Today’s final winner is Ethel Johnson from San Diego, California. Ethel will receive an HP Touchpad, a Rip Curl Prize pack, a copy of my mom’s book “Raising of a Soul Surfer” and my new Inspirational poster. And along with all the other 11 winners Ethel will receive a Soul Surfer book from Simon & Schuester & DVD from Sony Pictures.

I’m going to make a donation to each one, and you can too! We’ll start today, December 14, & end on Christmas Day!

Also don’t forget most of these organizations will be 501(c)(3), so any donation goes towards a tax right off.

Day 1- Spectrum Ministries is a small Christian missions organization located in San Diego, California dedicated to working with the very poor across our border in Tijuana, Mexico. My church youth group has gone here year after year to help reach out to the orphanages. And i’ve personally gone twice. Donate Here at the bottom of page

Day 2- Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) provides opportunities & support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness & competitive athletics. Staying active is a huge part of the health awareness I aim to spread. Donate Here

Day 3- Friends of Bethany Hamilton is dedicated to sharing the hope and love of Jesus Christ by supporting and inspiring people through the life stories of Bethany Hamilton and others. The foundation was started by my family & friends. The primary focus is reaching out to SHARK ATTACK SURVIVORS and AMPUTEES in the midst of their trauma and encouraging them to overcome. Donate Here

Day 4- KORE Kauai (Kauai Ocean Recreation Experience) -Enabling people with disabilities to enjoy Kauai’s beautiful ocean and SURF! Donate here

Day 5- World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. With so many ways to give though world vision I choose to donate towards Hope for Sexually Exploited Girls. There is still a huge need in the drought-ravaged Horn of Africa (Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia).

Day 6- Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social & physical poverty & enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Traveling the world i’ve learned how precious clean water is, it’s something we all take for granted. 1 in 7 people in the world don’t have access to clean water. I’ve chosen to give to Compassion’s Clean Water Initiative.

Day 7- Walking On Water is a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with this generation’s global surfing community. They do summer surf camps, make surf film documentaries, and host free movie outreach events around the world! Their passion for surfing and for Jesus is making a difference in so many people’s lives! Donate Here.

Day 8- Mercy Corps turns the challenges of disaster, poverty, conflict and instability into opportunity for millions of people in some of the world’s toughest places. You can send a gift, like a Treadle Pump, to a farmer family to help irrigate their fields, and get a good workout! Or choose another gift, or simply make a donation to support the overall mission.

Day 9- Life Without Limbs – Born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic exemplifies the slogan “From No Limbs, To No Limits!” LWOL’s mission is to cross boundaries and break down barriers, to build bridges that bring people to the love and hope found in Jesus Christ. Nick travels the world sharing his story & inspiring millions. Support Here.

Day 10- Invisible Children uses the power of media to inspire young people to help end the longest running war in Africa. We make documentaries, tour them around the world, & lobby our nation’s leaders to make ending this war a priority.
We implement and maintain education programs and economic initiatives on the ground in Central Africa. Our initiatives attempt to meet the region’s need for stability and flexibility. Support Here.

Day 11- FAIR Girls (formerly FAIR Fund) is a girls empowerment & anti human trafficking organization working to prevent exploitation with education and empowerment. Get Involved.

Day 12- Amputee Coalition of America – To reach out to and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential through education, support and advocacy, and to promote limb loss prevention. Over 507 amputations are performed each day in the US.
Donate here.

Let your smile shine and pass it on!

Found this beautiful poem and thought I would share it with you; I hope you love it as much as I do!
Have a Smiley day…

Smiles

Smile a little, smile a little,
As you go along,
Not alone when life is pleasant,
But when things go wrong.
Care delights to see you frowning,
Loves to hear you sigh;
Turn a smiling face upon her –
Quick the dame will fly.

Smile a little, smile a little,
All along the road;
Every life must have its burden,
Every heart its load.
Why sit down in gloom and darkness
With your grief to sup?
As you drink Fate’s bitter tonic,
Smile across the cup.

Smile upon the troubled pilgrims
Whom you pass and meet;
Frowns are thorns, and smiles are blossoms
Oft for weary feet.
Do not make the way seem harder
By a sullen face;
Smile a little, smile a little,
Brighten up the place.

Smile upon your undone labour;
Not for one who grieves
O’er his task waits wealth or glory;
He who smiles achieves.
Though you meet with loss and sorrow
In the passing years,
Smile a little, smile a little,
Even through your tears.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton
Get inspired by our interview with the shark-attack survivor, author and professional surfer.
by Katie D. Neal, SPRY Magazine

The first time 13-year-old Bethany Hamilton got back on her surfboard after a shark severed her left arm, she had one big fear. And it’s not what you’d think.

“My only real fear was that I would not be able to surf again because I was concerned that I would not physically be able to do it,” she says. “I knew that if I wasn’t able to surf then my life would really change.”

But with a lot of practice and sheer force of will, Bethany did surf again — and just a few short years later, in 2007, she achieved her lifelong dream of going pro. This year, Soul Surfer, a film adaptation of Bethany’s 2006 memoir directed by Sean McNamara, inspired millions of moviegoers. (Unlike some Hollywood reenactments, it’s remarkably accurate, as the filmmakers actively sought her input. “My family and I practically lived on the set during filming!” she says.)

We talked to the now 21-year-old surfer about staying in shape, playing herself in a movie (sort of) and how she kept smiling through the darkest of days. [READ THE INTERVIEW]

Take a few sticks of Cinnamon Bark, place into a pot of Water. Boil 5 mins or so, Turn off & cool to a drinkable temperature. Squeeze in fresh Lemon juice. Drink warm, or chilled!

It’s so yummy and you don’t need sweetener. But if you do, use Raw Honey or a little organic Apple Juice.