Confessions of A St Louis Cardinals Fan

I'm a native Missourian, and I'm just so excited for St Louis today! The Cardinals baseball team rallied to win in the 11th inning of game 6 in the World Series, forcing a game 7 playoff, which will be played tonight in St. Louis. They'll be playing the 2010 World Series 2nd place team the Texas Rangers.

Many people know that I lived in St. Louis and was a cheerleader for the Rams NFL Football Team. St. Louis is the most beautiful sports city, and it thrills me to see such excitement coming to the city where I lived.

... but I have some confessions.

1) I grew up in Kansas City and am more of a Royals fan, who in 1985 beat the St Louis Cardinals to win the World Series. We haven't been very good since then, but fair weather fan I certainly am not! Have you seen my KC Royals first pitch from September this year? 

2) Just about 3 weeks ago I was whining about my boyfriend wanting to watch the MLB playoffs on TV. I think my exact quote was, "Baseball is soooooo booooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrringggggg." The truth is that I LOVE going to baseball games, but can't we all admit that watching the game on TV is dreadfully painful at times?

3) I only lived in St Louis for 10 months.

4) I've never been to a Cardinals game although have gotten lost driving past Busch Stadium many times (it's a beautiful stadium!). I think I have been to a Royals game when they played the Cardinals, but I'm sure I was wearing blue.

5) I do own ONE piece of Cardinals apparel - a red logo tank top. It's about 45 degrees outside today in Richmond, Virginia, but I'm wearing it proudly.

6) I am really afraid of squirrels but for some reason love this rally squirrel. Kinda looks like me in this photo, do you think?? If you haven't heard of Buschie the Cardinals Rally Squirrel, check out this Newsy.com video (which, on a side note, is produced out of University of Missouri - Columbia award-winning journalism department, and I developed their online marketing while I lived in St. Louis. Love me some Newsy.com!)

Whew, I feel much better. I was feeling somewhat like a bandwagon Cardinals fan, so I had to get that off my chest!

What I'm learning about the 2011 MLB World Series is that we can all benefit from a resurgence of energy, no matter where it roots - you just have to open yourself up to let it happen. And if it comes from a city 2,000 miles away from you, who cares!?! If it comes from sharing in the happiness of your friends who are TRUE Cardinals fans, well that is just as exciting. Celebrate. Take time off from work. Watch the game, eat a hamburger, and enjoy the journey - win or lose.

Good luck tonight Cards!

Let's Move is Coming to Richmond VA!

Let's Move is coming to Richmond, VA - hometown of Ms. United States 2011 Laura Eilers. Stay tuned to learn more about initiatives in 2012!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Mayor Jones Announces Healthy Richmond Campaign

Mayor Dwight C. Jones introduced the Healthy Richmond Campaign today during the City’s Employee Health and Safety Fair at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The Healthy Richmond Campaign is a new City initiative designed to promote the improved health of City employees and residents by addressing the disparities affecting access to health care and health resources in the city of Richmond.

Mayor Jones stated that, “Launching the Healthy Richmond Campaign internally during the City’s Employee Health and Safety Fair presented an excellent opportunity to promote this initiative which includes a comprehensive workplace health promotion program. A public kick-off event is currently being scheduled for next spring. The goal of the Healthy Richmond Campaign is to promote healthier lifestyles and behaviors that will improve individual health and help prevent many of the chronic diseases and illnesses that affect far too many youth and adults in our city.”

The Healthy Richmond Campaign was proposed by the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Policy, which was established in 2010, to address Mayor Jones’ concerns of the disparity in health outcomes across the Richmond community. The Blue Ribbon Commission researched many factors affecting health in Richmond, and proposed five focus areas to help improve the health and well-being of City residents: Healthy Richmond Campaign to promote healthy lifestyles to the community; health and social equity; behavioral health; medical homes for uninsured; and support for healthcare providers.

Members of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Policy are working on strategies to impact the identified focus areas. At the same time, several departments within the City’s Human Services division are moving forward in implementing the Healthy Richmond Campaign by engaging the community and encouraging the public to proactively embrace the Healthy Richmond concept by improving and maintaining their health.

The Healthy Richmond Campaign is preparing to conduct various activities and to participate with community events. The campaign involves current City initiatives, commissions, and task forces consisting of: Pedestrian, Bicycling and Trails Commission; Breast Feeding Commission; Active Seniors and Special Populations; Food Policy Task Force; and the Richmond Lets Move! Initiative.

For more information or to find out how to get involved in the Healthy Richmond Campaign, please call (804) 646-5823.

 

My Love for Peanut Butter at 8am

Guess what! You can have your peanut butter and eat it too!!

I'm a certified personal trainer, fitness instructor, choreographer and dance team coach. These passions led me to choose "Let's Move" as my platform as Ms. United States. Helping kids make healthy choices is important to me, so I try to follow my own advice and share it with others! Here's a wonderful recipe that will start your day off right.

Typically I choose low-carb, low-fat recipes, especially when training for pageants, shoots and performances. In recent years I've been forced to stray from the peanut butter aisle at the grocery store because I love it so much, I will eat the whole jar! This fall I came across an amazing recipe to start my day off right, and now I'm able to bring home the PB again. Check it out!

Oxygen Magazine, August 2011: 
High Energy Cinnamon Peanut Butter Pancake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup eggwhites
• 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup oatmeal

Instructions Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Heat a skillet to medium and spray with cooking spray. Add mixture. Flip and cook other side. Makes 2 Servings, each with 220 calories 4g fat 11g carbs 3g sugars 36g protein. Top with light butter, honey and/or another swipe of peanut butter. To add more carbs, chop up a banana and add on top!

I'm certainly no chef, so this is a simple, quick, delicious recipe that makes me look forward to breakfast!

In November, I'll be visiting Kansas City and Philadelphia to talk to kids about health & fitness, to dance and meet new people! Contact msunitedstates2011@gmail.com to request an appearance.

Upcoming Appearances

ABOUT MS. UNITED STATES 2011

Ms. United States Laura Eilers will dedicate her year to promote healthy, active lifestyles through the "Let's Move" initiative. She is a former NFL Cheerleader, current certified personal trainer and fitness/dance instructor. She has a degree in public communication, is a small business owner and believes strongly in women's empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Invite Ms. United States Laura Eilers to appear at your event, present to your group or school, or endorse your organization. Email Ms. United States

UPCOMING APPEARANCES

Sunday, October 16, 2011, 12:00pm
Richmond Folk Festival
Judge - Joey's Hot Dogs Eating Contest

Times Dispatch / Folklife Stage, Brown's Island, Richmond, Va. 

 

 

Friday, November 11, 2011

Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Convention 

"Let's Move" featured presenter

Hyatt Regency, Reston, Va.

 

Sunday, November 13, 2011, 8:00-9:00am

NBC - Kansas City Morning Show

Kansas City, Mo.

 

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Kansas City Chiefs Game / Cheerleader Reunion
Throwing the ceremonial first pass!

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Nieman Elementary School Fitness Pep Rally

Shawnee, Kan.

 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Delta Zeta Sorority - Zeta Rho Chapter
William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 5:30-7:30pm
Mosaic Bar & Grill, Richmond, Va.
Celebrity Bartender to raise contributions for Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN)

 

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Going Pro Cheer & Dance Workshop
Teach the "Let's Move" dance to current and former professional cheerleaders 
Philadelphia, Pa.

 

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving Family Workout

Westwood Club, Richmond, Va.

 

Thursday, November 24, 2011

The Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast

Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, Va.

 

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Richmond Holiday Parade

West Broad Street, Science Museum to Downtown, Richmond, Va.


Saturday, December 10, 2011
Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City, Okl.
Judge - Oklahoma State High School Dance Team Championship

Ms United States Instructs "Move Your Body" at Zumbathon to Benefit Pancreatic Cancer Research

On October 8, 2011, Ms. United States Laura Eilers appeared in Frederick, Md. to support the Let's Move platform. Created by First Lady Michele Obama, Let's Move strives to educate Americans on the importance of nutrition and daily [hysical activity.

The Zumbathon in Frederick, Maryland brought together women and children to have fun and get fit! Ms. United States instructed the group for 15 minutes, learning the "Move Your Body" routine created by Beyonce.

Kids love the Move Your Body routine because it is a combination of fun and challenging moves including the "running man" and the "dougie." Contact Ms. United States to teach the dance to your organization or event.

Ms. United States Laura Eilers warms up the Zumbathon attendees
with Beyonce's "Move Your Body" routine.

Over 60 participants unite to fight pancreatic cancer in Frederick, Maryland
during the Zumbathon sponsored by Get Heidi Fit.

NFL Cheerleaders Reunion, November Kansas City Chiefs Appearance

Anyone who knows me can attribute to the importance of my time as an NFL Cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams organizations. These honors allowed me to realize the importance of service, teamwork, and empowerment within a group of successful women. These women have shown me what it means to be well rounded in career and social lives, to enjoy life, sports and friendship. I truly attribute my success today to my experience within the NFL and the opportunities these organizations have extended to me.

In September 2011, I was honored to be involved in the inaugural NFL Cheerleaders Reunion in Las Vegas, where I emceed the event and met many women from across the country, including cheerleaders from the Buccaneers, Colts, Falcons, Raiders, Cardinals, Cowboys, Jaguars, Panthers and more.

In November 2011, I will return to Kansas City to throw the first pass at the Kansas City Chiefs game vs the Denver Broncos, also in association with the annual Chiefs Cheerleaders Reunion. Stay tuned to many other appearances associated with this visit to the Midwest.

More Photos from Ms United States Pageant

These photos are from the national pageant in July 2011 in Las Vegas. A big thanks to photographer Joe Pier and to New Contours for all your work with me to prepare for the swimsuit division!