Healthy Food Chart

I had to use up some shrimp and broccoli or they were going to spoil, so I decided to whip up a simple pasta dish for dinner. I use Barilla Plus spaghetti, a little garlic and olive oil, broccoli and shrimp. This dish could not be easier to make and it is also very satisfying. For dessert, I was down to my last peanut butter cup!

Inside the Sony Ericsson Women’s Tennis Championships in Doha

Hello from Doha!  The 2008 season is winding down and I am here for the last tournament of the year, the Sony Ericsson Championships – Doha 2008.   This has been one of the best years in my career with lots of great results, winning the gold at the Olympics being the most memorable experience of my life.  Being a part of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has been such a fantastic experience for me.  The last few weeks alone have taken me to Germany, Russia, Japan and Luxemburg, where I was thrilled to win my eleventh tournament just a few weeks ago. 

Since arriving in Doha a few days ago, my jam-packed schedule has included press conferences, photo shoots, a few sponsor activities, and most importantly getting ready for this very challenging event, which I have been fortunate to come to for the eighth time.   Only the top eight players compete in the Sony Ericsson Championships, so I am very proud of being here once again.  The tournament will definitely be exciting as I am playing the best of the best.  This is my first time in Doha and I really love this city so far. 

A few days ago, Ana Ivanovic, a tennis player from Serbia, and I shared a very memorable experience.  We took a dhow, an ancient Arabian boat, to Palm Island, a deserted island in the middle of Doha Bay in the Arabian Gulf.  There is nothing on the island other than one tree (which I think is a palm tree), and Sony Ericsson built a replica tennis court just for us.  Ana and I played a tennis match while a helicopter circled around us filming footage that is being used to promote the Sony Ericsson Championships.  The whole experience was thrilling and the views of Doha stunning.  It was a great way to kick off the Championships and a very unusual way to play a tennis match.  Doha is a beautiful city, but seeing it from such a remote location was phenomenal. 

I also participated in a fashion photo shoot, always a fun experience to dress up and pose in the most beautiful designer gowns, a nice break from the practices and the matches. 

My fellow tennis players and I participated in the Draw Ceremony, the always fun part of the tournament during which we find out our opponents and schedule of play.  During the ceremony all the players were announced to the media and we got a chance to meet the folks that worked really hard to make this tournament happen.  I also participated in the All Access Hour which gave me a chance to speak with the international media during a press conference and tape a few television interviews. 

 Now that the off-court activities are over, I am concentrating on my matches, playing my best tennis and staying focused.  I try to relax between my matches and get a massage in order to stay fit and healthy.   So far, I am feeling great and excited for the upcoming week, which I hope will be successful.  Thank you to Self.com and to everyone who has been cheering me on this season.   I am off for now, but will speak with you soon!

Elena Dementieva

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

For my snack today I had some popcorn. Popcorn is one of those foods that I can easily overeat, so I like to get the 100-calorie packs. I find them quite filling and this way I don’t eat the entire “regular sized” bag. I also like to get the 94% fat free version so that it’s not as much saturated fat as regular “buttery” popcorn. About a half hour after the popcorn I decided I wanted something more so I had a pear. Yum!

“A recent large study found that 5,200 fifth-grade students who ate more fruits and vegetables (and less saturated fat) performed better when asked to read materials and answer written questions.” Eating well does more than just make your kids healthier,…

I loved loved loved the gymnastics class! I haven’t had so much fun in a long time. There was bars, rings, vault, trampolines, rope swings, hula hoops, cartwheels, and so much more all in one FABULOUS one hour class (taught by an incredible instructor, Mr. Shields). My body was worked HARD, but the fun factor never even let me notice. And by the end of the night we were all amazed by what we could do…..including my round off back handspring which I hadn’t done since I was a kid and my friend Karli’s front handspring over the vault.You rock ladies! Gymnastics is definitely still as much fun as I remembered….a perfect 10!