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The Strong Belles Lenten Challenge
Feb 21, 2012 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Football, Southern Gentlemen, Southern Women, Strong Belles Challenge
Thanks for the love, but this doesn't help me!
Valentine’s day was last Tuesday. I spent the weekend in NYC ordering from seamless.com, indulging in wonderful Cuban food, and sipping on celebratory drinks. Fat Tuesday is today. I tend to take this fake holiday too seriously and eat as if I simply must put every senseless calorie in my mouth. TODAY.
Thankfully, Lent begins tomorrow. Yes, I’ll go so far as to say I need a power bigger than myself to get me back on track!
How convenient that Lent comes just a few months after our big self-improving New Year declarations. Lent, thankfully, is only 46 days and that feels a little easier to manage than 365 days of commitment.
My personal Lenten promises tend to be more about enhancing my life rather than depriving myself. I would rather volunteer more, have lunch once a week with a new friend, or add more yoga to my day. That’s partially because I hope that whatever I do add will take hold as habit after 46 days. And don’t they say habits are hard to break?
So how does all of this relate to Gridiron Belles and football?
The purpose of me writing Gridiron Belles was not only to promote the gentility and class of Southern Belles and Gents but to empower women with knowledge about an ever so popular game that nearly every Southerner obsesses over. I wanted to provide women with knowledge. Knowledge is power.
What was once accepted and expected of Belles, to just be pretty and quiet, is no longer what makes a Belle a Belle. Belles are not frail creatures waiting to be told who or how to be. We don’t need to wait for direction from a man or suggestions from our families. In my mind, a Belle is a woman who is strong, proud, capable, motivated, respectful of herself and others, goal driven, and eager to take on the challenges of life to achieve her dreams. All while being a lady.
A Belle is nothing if she is not well-rounded and her own biggest cheerleader.
Still looking for the connection?
I have found over the years that how physically fit I am directly influences how emotionally fit I am. If I’m emotionally unfit, I begin to doubt myself, my work, my purpose, etc. One quick, exhausting workout remedies the situation. SO… in an effort to further empower and encourage women to be the greatest version of themselves they can be, I am inviting you to join my Lenten promise.
I am vowing to do 100 push-ups and 100 sit ups each day of Lent. To make sure that my body is in as great of shape as my mind is. I want to live everyday not only as a Gridiron Belle but a strong and beautiful belle.
Here is how it’s going to work:
Each day, I will post on facebook when I complete my push-ups and sit-ups. When you complete yours, just “Like” the status or comment about your sets to motivate others. At the end of lent, there will be a Gridiron Belle prize for the Belle who completed the most days of being a strong belle.
I”ll be posting a picture of my arms/shoulders at the beginning and at the end.(Feel free to send in pictures of you as well, but please keep them belle appropriate!) Not only am I projecting that I will be more productive and happier but that my arms will be ready for a strapless KY Derby dress and for the upcoming season of tailgating! Yes, I’ll still let the Gents carry the coolers and tents, but that’s not because I wont be strong enough to do it myself…
Brandi Chastain, one of the strongest Belles out there! I want that feeling of success everyday...
So go ahead and have that extra slice of king cake today–tomorrow we start a new challenge of making a habit out of being fabulous –everyday–inside and out!
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
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Bean Dip Delight(s)
Feb 2, 2012 CATEGORIES: Georgia Football, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Football, Super Bowl Dip Recipes
Finally, something fresh at a watch party!
Use your pageant wave to say goodbye to fruit and vegetable trays (at least for today). The recipes below are healthy alternatives for anyone watching their belle and gent figures. Exchange Fritos for whole wheat or baked chips and you’re all set for feeling great before, during and after the big game!
Don’t forget to tell me what you think or send in some of your own–
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
Cat Snack Kentucky fans Lynne and Abigail
2 cans(15 oz) black beans drained
1 can (15 oz) white sweet corn drained
2 cans (15 oz) diced tomatoes drained
1 teaspoon (approx 4 pods) chopped garlic
¼ medium red onion
1 teaspoon salt
½ bunch cilantro
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Sprinkle of red pepper flakes
Juice of half of lime.
Drain beans, tomatoes and corn. Pull cilantro off of stems. Combine all ingredients into large bowl and mix thoroughly. Continue to add salt, pepper and seasonings until taste is to your liking! Serve chilled with chips of choice.
Go DAWGS Bean Dip Sent in by UGA fan
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can white corn (drained)
2 bunches green onions chopped
6 oz crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
Salt, pepper & garlic powder to taste
Combine all ingredients into large bowl. Mix well. Serve with Tostitos ”Scoops” for ease of eating….
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What’s a dip without sausage and cream cheese?
Feb 1, 2012 CATEGORIES: Food, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Football, Super Bowl Dip Recipes
There seems to be no shortage of cream cheese or sausage on game days in Dixie. Us Southerners are nothing if we don’t know how to get things to stick to the ribs of our beloveds. Here are two recipes where cream cheese and sausage marry once again. You tell me if they are crowd pleasers!
I want to hate it, but I love it...
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
O-Line Sausage Dip Sent in by: Arkansas fan Matthew
1 package Jimmy Dean Extra Sage sausage
8 oz cream cheese
1 can extra chunky Rotel
Directions:
Brown sausage in a frying pan. Drain grease from skillet. Drain Rotel can, add to skillet. With heat still on, add cream cheese and stir thoroughly. Once melted, pour into dish, serve warm with Tostitos or Fritos. Really, people will eat this with a spoon.
Tennessee Crack Dip Sent in by Tennessee fan Lindsay
2 blocks of Philadelphia cream cheese
1 lb of maple flavored sausage
1 can of hot Rotel
Directions:
Brown the sausage and strain grease. Drain can of Rotel. In a crockpot, combine cream cheese, Rotel and browned sausage. Stir together. Serve with Frito Scoops when warm.
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Looking for Spring Gridiron Belles Interns!
Jan 24, 2012 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles Internship, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Football, Southern Gentlemen, Uncategorized
If you are a sophomore or junior at an SEC school, a member of a Greek organization and interested in an internship revolving around SEC football, Gridiron Belles has the opportunity for you!
The next Gridiron Belles project is underway and it needs the expertise of literary, marketing and entrepreneurial SEC co-eds. Interns will work on a team of 6 students (three belles and three gents) per SEC school to write football related articles, conduct SEC fan interviews, photograph SEC traditions, create SEC fashion, contact local business,provide market research analysis pertaining to SEC students and fans, and serve as a Gridiron Belles ambassador.
The 5-15 hr per week internship will begin March 6 and conclude August 15, 2012 with a performance-based option to continue through the 2012 Gridiron Belles Fall Tour.
Applicant must be:
- Well versed in campus game day traditions
- A talented writer
- Able to connect with local businesses
- Team oriented
- Organized
- Responsible
- Savvy with social media
To apply, please answer the following questions and submit your answers along with a copy of your resume to info@GridironBelles.com by 8pmET on Wednesday February 8, 2012.
1. Please describe your favorite SEC game day tradition.
2. What is your favorite SEC match up?
3. What are the most important characteristics of being a Southern Belle and a Southern Gentleman?
4. What are 10 local businesses near your campus that are “must-haves” for game day? Restaurants, clothing stores, local grocery, etc.?
5. What are the latest fashion trends for Belles and Gents on SEC game day?
6. Have you read Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie?
7. Who do you most identify with, Warren St. John, Chad Gibbs or Clay Travis? Why?
8. If you had to promote a new Gridiron Belles project, what would your social media plan be?
9. Please describe in detail, a project you have worked on start to finish. What did you learn about yourself during this process? What lessons will you take from that project and apply to the next Gridiron Belles project?
10. What quote best describes you?
Thank you for your interest in Gridiron Belles. Selected interns will be posted on Tuesday, February 28. Good luck!
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
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At Least She’s Going to Look Like Scarlett
Jan 19, 2012 CATEGORIES: Football weddings, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Football, Southern Women
What do you do when your best friend gets engaged? You let out a girly scream, throw your hands to your face, jump up and down and pop open the bubbly!
The HUGE bottle of Korbel we used to celebrate the big day!
What do you do when said best friend calls to tell you that her wedding date is set for September 15th??? Let out a Gridiron Belle scream, throw your hands to your face in disbelief, stomp on the ground and open a bottle. (Bubbles not required for this one).
At least, I’m pretty sure that’s how it went down when the Belle-I’ve-called-my-best-friend-since-we-were-12 told me she picked the third week of football season to tie the knot…
Beautiful ring... but do you have to get married during football season???
Before she put the date in stone I was already booking my schedule for next fall. Having a sneaky suspicion that I wasn’t going to have my (wedding) cake and eat it too, I needed to triple check. Here is how the text conversation went down:
Christie Leigh: Did you pick a date yet? Trying to lock down my tour schedule for next season…And I’m willing to give you a football weekend, I’m just not sure which one I’m willing to give up…
Non-Football-Loving-Best-Friend: Haha, thanks, that’s awfully big of you. Yes, September 15th!!!!
Christie Leigh: And you are SURE????
NFLBF: Yep, pretty positive…
Christie Leigh: I love you more than football. I love you more than football. I love you more than football. I love you more than football.
NFLBF: Haha—be nice! What game is Sept 15th?
Christie Leigh: BAMA at Ark. (She has no idea about the upset possibilities of that game)
Christie Leigh: OMG, and the TX at Ole Miss game!!! (She probably thinks that is normal conference play…)
NFLBF: Ohhhh, u love me!
Christie Leigh: Yes, I do. But, I’m going to curse this date for a verrrrry long time. Know that whatever you hear me complain about, I still love you. And I think I’ll still come.
NFLBF: You’re crazy! Please don’t curse my date! Please…
(No response. I didn’t have the heart to make a promise I can’t keep.)
Three days later, this is the picture I receive from the NFLBF in LA trying on dresses.
A Southern Belle after all... looks like she's getting married at Tara
My response?
Christie Leigh: I may be peeved that you’re getting married during football season, but at least you’re going to look like Scarlett!
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
PS- If you’re a belle that is getting married during football season, please don’t take offense to this. My NFLBF knows how much football means to me. She also knows that I wouldn’t miss her wedding or actually damn her wedding date even if it was during another LSU v BAMA match up. But, she WILL be implementing the suggestions from my book about how to make a fall wedding enjoyable for the football-loving and the football-loathing guests alike! Congratulations, Mars– can’t wait to stand by your side as you marry the gent of your dreams!
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Sweet Home Alabama
Jan 9, 2012 CATEGORIES: Alabama, Alabama SEC Football, BCS Championship Game, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, LSU v ALABAMA football, SEC Football, Southern Football, Uncategorized
The Tide Sisters
SEC fans are the most loyal and energetic in the nation. I’m convinced, however, that Alabama fans are what most people mean when they use the term “Fanatical.” It’s expected of BAMA fans to be fanatical—it’s part of the oath they take as new borns: Wear Crimson, despise Auburn, name a child (or at least a dog, boat, or RV ) “Bear” and above all, be the most fanatical football fan you can imagine day in and day out. This is one vow that is unforgivable to break. And I love it.
Mr. C and Ms. Tide, two of the greatest BAMA fans I know!
On a level understood only in the SEC—perhaps only in Alabama– eating, breathing and decorating your home in the only logical theme of Crimson Tide, team dedication has reached a new level in Tuscaloosa.
Look closely and count how many places you find houndstooth!
My trip across the South has introduced me to more than my fair share of Tide fans. I stayed with one of the sweetest Bama Belles at her Bay house outside of Mobile and was welcomed into her home with open arms… just as soon as I changed out of navy and orange… in the driveway.
All fans who enter, MUST match the decor!
The Bama fan of the season, however, required a family. The “Tide Family” (I’ve kept their name to myself as to not have them inundated with calls and e-mails asking for ideas of how to be a better BAMA fan once this is released) has set a new bar for BAMA fans . They are as kind as they are loyal. They are as generous as they are dedicated.
Yes, a larger than life replica of The Bear's hat serving as window treatments in the bathroom!
Decorated by the eldest daughter of the “Tide Family,” this second home, located a first down away from the entrance to Bryant-Denny Stadium, epitomizes the phrase “Sweet Home Alabama.”
Lucky monogram she has, isn't it?! This is the beautiful creative brain behind the "wow."
I’d likely get some of the details mixed up if I tried to tell you how long the “Tide Family” has been a part of the BAMA community. I’d tell you that there are 12 grandchildren who went to, or are currently enrolled at, the University of Alabama when really there are something like 26. And I’d tell you that it was MR. Tide that spearheads the “fanaticism” and game day excursions on their party buses and boats when really it’s MRS. Tide. So I’m going to keep the details to myself and just let pictures speak 13 words. Because, 13, is exactly how many national championships this Tide Family has been around to celebrate the Crimson spirit.
These curtains speak from themself
No detail, large or small, went un-dedicated to Alabama. I was in awe. I was impressed beyond words and knew immediately that there may be a lot of families that are Tide fans, but there is only ONE “Tide Family.”
Meet the lovely Tide Family
Thanks for the hospitality Mr. and Mrs. Tide! And good luck getting your 14th national championship tonight!
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
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It’s going to take TWO Honey Badgers for an LSU win
Jan 6, 2012 CATEGORIES: BCS Championship Game, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, Honey Badger, LSU, LSU Fans, LSU Football, LSU v ALABAMA football, Ole Miss Football, SEC Football, Southern Football
Gods gift to the LSU defense. And offense come to think about his returns...
HBII. You'll be introduced to him momentarily. Don't you see the resemblance?
It’s been over a month since I’ve last seen LSU play football in person. Which is a long time… considering I managed to see the Fighting Tigers play five times this season alone.
No, LSU is not “my team,” but my purple dress sure did get a lot of Ware (see what I did there?) this season as I was lucky enough to be a distant part of the Tiger’s perfect season and impressive display of gridiron talent.
Take for instance, Honey Badger. This highly inappropriate, and not Gridiron Belles endorsed, video shows you how Tyrann Mathieu, the mind-blowing-five-foot-nine-almost-the-Heisman-winner-who-leads-the-world-in-tackles-as-the-most-intimidating-cornerback-in-college-football, easily personifies a honey badger found in the wild.
It’s safe to say that, yes, Honey Badger takes what he wants. Did I mention that Honey Badger, the player, ranks No.1 Nationally in fumble recoveries and No. 1 in the SEC for forced fumbles? He does.
So let’s call a spade a spade. If you’re an LSU fan, having a honey badger on your team (among many other talented players) going into the greatest game of college football history, is a good thing. Going into the most anticipated National Championship ever played with TWO honey badgers is even better. Allow me to introduce you to “Honey Badger II.”
THE Honey Badger II
What I’ve learned from 5 games with the purple and gold is the importance of having a Honey Badger in the stands. Having a tiger’s eye at midfield in Death Valley is all fine and good. What’s more intimidating is forcing the other team to actually look into the eyes of Mike the Tiger as they tip toe into Tiger stadium. The same goes with Honey Badger Number Two (HBII). It’s great to have Honey Badger on the field, but HBII really shows his teeth and tenacity to opposing fans at the tailgates and in the stands.
It's all fun and games until HBII shows up in the Grove
There is no record of existence of this honey badger prior to his 2011 debut season. There is no explanation of how HBII and the Honey Badger on the field are able to coordinate their gameday outfits so well. The only obvious connection is the mutual respect and obsession with winning. And, of course having their pictures taken by fans across the land and, taking with they want.
Honey Badger II is true to his cause even during away games
HBII unites two fan bases in the Grove
An early start to his Heisman campaign
LSU fans smile much bigger when HBII is among them in the stands
I think that's HBII and Coach Les...
I'm not sure who is happier
One last photo-op before HBII took what he wanted and hopped the fence. Who was going to stop the Honey Badger? Exactly...
All smiles after a perfect season.
Thanks for all of your hard work this season, Honey Badger (II). What a fan!
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
p.s.– Bama fans, don’t worry, your super fan is coming on Monday!
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Georgia Football-A Southern Experience
Nov 15, 2011 CATEGORIES: Auburn v Georgia, GA, Georgia Football, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, Southern Football, Southern Women, UGA, Uncategorized
Here is what I found as tailgating must haves during my second trip to Athens:
Russ the bulldog and Ms. Seiler in the "Uga Suite"
A bulldog. If tents are a tailgate staple at every other SEC tailgate, bulldogs are the staple at a University of Georgia tailgate. “Russ” is the interim bulldog mascot and nearly every tailgate on campus had a cousin, friend, or distant relative of “Russ” or “Uga” to help entertain fans before the game. (A Full story about “Uga’s Suite” will be out Thursday)
I'm more of a yellow lab lover, but this Russ was pretty darn irresistible!
Chick-Fil-A. Why make fried chicken from scratch when the delicious Chick-fil-a is a hometown staple? UGA fans need not worry that they can’t order a chicken biscuit on Sunday, they’ve had more than their fill from tailgating in Athens on Saturday.
The ever so hospitable UGA coeds
Black and red wardrobe. I haven’t decided which team has the best team colors for successful fashionable game day outfits, but black and red is certainly at the top of the list. The belles and gents in Athens are something to write home about. Or at least a reason for me to consider going to grad school with gentlemen DAWGS fans and for Georgia belles to contend for The Belles of the SEC.
Talented leaders of spirit: After chatting with the Mama’s club of the cheerleading teams and some of the Dawgettes, I realized that leading the school and UGA fans in spirit is a full time job! Between appearances, game performances and in general looking like the perfect UGA ambassador, these students earn my respect of loving the game and their school!
Goooo DAWGS! Sic'em!
Ambitious KD ladies: If I had half of the gumption in college that the UGA KDs do, I would be running the White House right now! I was so impressed by Christie E., a journalism major, who works for the local UGA news channel and is giving up her Christmas break to get more time in a studio in Tampa. She interviewed me Friday and then brought a camera crew to follow me around on Saturday. Additionally, Ashlee Nicole, the VP of Operations, who so generously invited to attend the game with her family, knows every bit of UGA history from being an Admissions Office Orientation Leader and is a biological science major. To top it off, there was a line of brilliant women waiting to talk to me at the house on Monday—all motivated, all dedicated to their dreams, all big fans of their DAWGS!
Christie was all business as she captured the UGA game day traditions and happenings pre and post kickoff!
Battle Hymn of the Republic. Perhaps the biggest pre-game concern for a Georgia fan is making it into Sanford stadium in time to hear the lone trumpeter play the opening notes of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Of course, the hedges add a generous dose of Southern nostalgia, but there is no feeling more bone chilling and pride filling than the sound of that trumpeter on Saturdays in Dixie.
The perfect bark. I would be remiss if I directed you toward Athens for a football game and forgot to instruct you to practice your bark! Georgia fans’ barks are much bigger than their bites—but with 90, 000 plus barking at once, it’s enough to scare a tiger!
Thank you for your hospitality, Athens!
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
