Dragonwing Blog
Snack on this: A nutritionist's perspective
As a practicing dietician in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Kenlyn Young has a lot of advice for athletes who depend on good nutritional practices for optimal performance. Snacking is an integral part of an athlete's diet, if done right. Here is some advice from Young for best snacking habits for an athlete.
"The goal of eating pre-exercise is to ensure the body has adequate energy for best performance and also to ensure that blood sugar levels don't fall causing weakness, dizziness, or fatigue. Carbohydrates are the body's main fuel source and provide quick energy for our muscles. Great snacks to serve this purpose include 100% fruit juice, a piece of fruit (best choices bananas, fresh pineapple or dried apricots), pretzels, popcorn, or a granola bar. Avoid snacks high in processed sugar, fat, and protein for your pre-exercise snack. The no-no snacks include chips, cookies, donuts, etc.
After exercise, it is important to replenish and repair our muscles. The best snack for post-exercise contains both a carbohydrate and a protein. Great choices include cheese and crackers, apple with peanut butter, yogurt with granola, carrots with hummus, almonds and raisins, even chocolate milk."
-Kenlyn Young
Girls Really Do Have the Power of the Purse
Girls Really Do Have the Power of the Purse
On the night of International Women’s Day, over 450 guests came together at the Portland Art Museum to raise over $250,000 for Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon, an organization dedicated to the achievements of girls and young women. Headlined by one of a kind purse designed by local purse designers and local notable “purse-o-nalities”, the annual gala was the organization’s most successful fundraiser to date, revealing how just how empowering this movement has become.
In anticipation of the fundraiser an aspiring girl reporter from Girls Inc. interviewed Cindy Parlow Cone head coach of the Portland Thorns. In the interview, Parlow Cone cited some of her most teachable leadership moments came from her mother.
“She always told me that I could do whatever I wanted to do, be whoever I wanted to be,” said Parlow Cone in the interview. Other Girl Inc reporters interviewed Erin Janssens, fire chief for the city of Portland and Tom Manley, president of the Pacific Northwest College of Art.
Parlow auctioned off her own purse at the event, which was filled with goodies including tickets to see the Portland Thorns, a meet and greet with the team and an autographed team jersey.
“We were absolutely thrilled to include Cindy, and the Thorns in the 2013 Power of the Purse,” said Elizabeth Nye, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon. “We can’t wait to continue our partnership with the Thorns as they kick of their first season!”
Dragonwing girlgear shares the same vision and passion for young, female athletes as Girls Inc. and was an in-kind sponsor and attendee at the event.
Since 1998, Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon, formerly known as the Girls Initiative Network, has been serving all types of girls in the greater Portland area as a grassroots organization. In 2005, it became affiliated with Girls Incorporated, a national organization that started in 1864 and has reached over125,000 girls nationwide and in Canada.
The success of organizations like Girls Inc of Northwest Oregon and Girls Incorporated truly shows that women and girls really do have the power of the purse.
To learn more about Girls Inc of Northwest Oregon visit http://girlsincnworegon.org. To learn more about the Portland Thorns, visit, http://www.portlandtimbers.com/thornsfc. To learn more about Dragonwing girlgear, visit dragonwinggirl.com.
December 2: Happy (Belated) Birthday, Monica Seles!
Happy birthday to Monica Seles, the youngest player ever, at age 16, to win the French Open. She followed up that 1990 victory with French Open and U.S. Open wins in 1991 and 1992, in addition to 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1996 Australian Open wins. Besides those nine Grand Slam singles titles, she also won a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics. Seles career was halted when she was stabbed during an on-court attack, and though she returned to the game some years later, she was never able to fully regain her status. The stories of her successes and No. 1 ranking, however, live on.
January 24: Happy Birthday, Mary Lou Retton!
May 8: Happy Birthday, Cindy Parlow!
Happy birthday to Cindy Parlow, three-time NCAA Women's Soccer Champion and founding member of the Women's United Soccer Association. Parlow was a member of the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic, and 1999 and 2003 Women's World Cup, teams. After playing professionally for the Atlanta Beat for three years, she became the Coaching Director of 13-18 year-old girls' programs at the Triangle United soccer league.
July 12: Happy Birthday, Kristi Yamaguchi!
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Happy birthday to figure skating star Kristi Yamaguchi! Yamaguchi began figure skating as physical therapy for her club feet (club feet rotate internally at the ankle), but the sport soon became her passion. Initially skating with her pairs partner, Rudy Galindo, she won the gold at the 1988 World Junior Pairs Championship and the 1989 and 1990 U.S. championships. After placing first in the World Junior Championships in singles in 1988, Yamaguchi decided to focus on singles. This endeavor proved incredibly successful; Yamaguchi won the World Championships, Skate America, and the Nations Cup in 1991 and the U.S. Championships, World Championships, and Winter Olympics in 1992. Since then, the figure skater has won the reality program Dancing with the Stars and established the Always Dream Foundation, which aims to help children's dreams come true. Watch the dramatic performance hereCombating the Cold Weather
As we trudge through the thick of winter, it becomes increasingly difficult to muster our strength and go outside to exercise. Whether it be a walk, run or an evening soccer practice, doing any these activities requires commitment by our bodies to absorb the cold air and crank out sweat. This combination between cold, wind-whipped air and the heat inside of us, causing our muscles to scream, is a tremendous burden to put on our bodies.
But don’t let winter stop you from enjoying your sport. If you can play indoors, then take advantage of that. Look for a local facility where you and a few friends can kick the soccer ball around, hit a few tennis balls, swing a few bats, shoot a few hoops or even run a few miles. Or, if you can’t get to an indoor facility, try doing some small exercises at home to get your muscles working. From core exercises, to pushups, to even some comfortable and relaxing yoga, you can turn your house into your own personal gym.
Sure, it’s tough to stay as active during the winter as you are during the summer. But remember, athletes train every season, including Olympic athletes. The winter is just another challenge to conquer. Also, chances are most of your fellow teammates or opponents aren’t doing that much this winter, so take advantage of that and come out spring season flying!
However, for the brave few that can combat the cold, remember: be smart when the weather dips below freezing; your body can only take so much.
February 2012 Trunk Shows at OMEGA SPORTS
(Chapel Hill, NC; February 2, 2012)— Dragonwing girlgear ™ -- the first line of athletic sport and support wear designed for young sporty girls ages 8-17 -- announced today that North Carolina-based Omega Sports (an athletic apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment retailer) will host Trunk Shows at all 5 of the local retailer’s Triangle Stores (Park West, Crossroads Blvd, New Hope Commons, and North Hills Raleigh).
Omega Sports is pleased to offer customers the opportunity to preview from the entire line of current and new Dragonwing girlgear ™ products at the events, which will also include:
• Raffle Drawings and Giveaways including girlgear cinch bags
• Meet and Greet at the North Hills and Crossroads store with Cindy Parlow Cone. Cindy was a 4-time All-American on the UNC women’s soccer team, which won three national championships during her playing career. She twice won the Hermann Trophy as the top female college player (1997and 1998) and was the ACC female athlete of the year in 1999. She was a starter on the US team which won the 1999 World Cup, scoring two goals. She was also a member of the World Cup team in 2003 and of the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic teams. She is currently director of girls U15-U18 soccer for Triangle United.
• The chance to win lunch with Cindy Parlow and the Omega and Dragonwing staff (at the Q-Shack before the North Hills trunk show. No purchase necessary.)
Created by Soccer Mom and entrepreneur MaryAnne Gucciardi, Dragonwing girlgear ™ is the first performance line designed exclusively for pre-teen and teen girls. With unique sizing, high-tech moisture-wicking fabrics, age appropriate support and comfortable fit, Dragonwing girlgear ™ camis, sliders and sports bras help girls play their very best -- whether they are on the soccer field, lacrosse field, basketball court, volleyball court , or other athletic venue.
Thirty year old Omega Sports, Inc. has 16 locations throughout North Carolina and offers top notch service, highly trained staff, and personal attention. The stores sell year-round athletic apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories for the entire family.
The Trunk Shows will run as follows:
Date Time Location
Feb 24 Friday 7:00 p.m. New Hope Commons
5426-B New Hope Commons Dr.
Durham, NC 27707
919.493.7603
Feb 25 Saturday 10:00 a.m. Renaissance
8200 Renaissance Pkwy.
Durham, NC 27713-6699
919.361.9060
Feb 25 Saturday 2:00 p.m. North Hills
4120 Main @ North Hills St.
Raleigh, NC 27609
919.420.1913
Feb 26 Sunday 1:00 p.m. Park West
3025 Market Center Dr.
Morrisville NC
919.338.3001
Feb 26 Sunday 4:00 p.m. Crossroads
314 Crossroads Blvd
Cary, NC 27518
919.859.2623
RSVP in store or by phone
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About the Dragonwing girlgear Founder/President:
MaryAnne Gucciardi, Soccer mom and Entrepreneur, is on a mission to help girls become confident women! Contact her at Maryanne@dragonwinggirl.com.
About Omega Sports, Inc.:
Phil Bowman and Thom Rock started Omega Sports in 1978 with a vision NOT to be a big box store. They wanted a family atmosphere with a tech trained staff. They have that today!
For more information about Dragonwing girlgear or Omega Sports, Inc.:
Omega Sports, Inc. Website http://www.omegasports.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omegasportsnc
Twitter: @omegasportsnc
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/omegasportsnc
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A great article on concussions from Taylor Twellman.
I want to pass along this article: Taylor Twellman Interview on Concussions and Head Injury Trauma
Olympic and World Cup Soccer Champion, Brandi Chastain, shares her inspirations and advice for young women.
Olympic and World Cup Soccer Champion, Brandi Chastain, shares her inspirations and advice for young women. Brandi Chastain Interview
Also, check out this interview of players Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy & Brandi Chastain on women and sports.
August 2: Happy Birthday, Skylar Diggins!
Happy birthday to Skylar Diggins, star of Notre Dame's Fighting Irish basketball team. As a sophomore, the guard led her team to the 2011 NCAA championship game, where they lost to Texas A&M. However, Diggins' efforts did not go unnoticed; she was named a 2011 All-American by the Associated Press and a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award. She was also selected as a member of the 2011 State Farm Coaches All-Star Team.