Create what you envision "sometimes"!!!

Creativity is personal in every sense; when things you desire are not within reach, I say create it. I was sick and tired of the cold weather before the official day of winter arrived. I longed for some sunshine and warmth being a native of the Caribbean so something had to give. The Charlotte weather dipped below freezing several times this autumn season so I had to get creative quickly. With plenty of vacation days hoarded throughout the year, I just needed to find the right warm location to expel of them. Due to the cost of travels during the holiday season and finding a last minute ticket at a reasonable price, I settled with driving to South Florida for at least a week. The drive down wasn't too bad as my novel on disk kept my company wee into the morning hours. 

My youngest sister lives here so I love these kinds of vacations. With my car in tote, I'm able to explore any and everywhere while constantly recreating what I envisioned before beginning my vacation. So far it has gone great, swimming at Ft. Lauderdale beach, spa pedicure, napping on the beach, two hour massage, great food and company at a few restaurants, warm outdoor workouts, water shows and the list goes on....

It's official; creating what I desire and need is up to me. 

~~~What have you created for yourself lately?

Spreading goodwill--KINDNESS

~that can return to you~

 This quote can be read in a few ways, and all of them are worth thinking about. First, complimenting and encouraging others is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to be a positive force in someone's life. As long as you're sincere, repeating that encouragement as often as possible can have effects that far outweigh the effort. Countless people have exceeded their own expectations just because others believed in them. Second, giving positive feedback works even better if done publicly. Take those kind words and repeat them until everyone knows the great things that this person is doing. Third, we've all had kindnesses bestowed on us in word and deed. In return for that favor, it's up to us to repeat that generosity for someone else's benefit. However you read this quote, the point is that there's a kindness out there to be performed. And you're just the person to do it!
-www.sparkpeople.com


I tossed in bed earlier this week with the urge to write a post about kindness; as I was about to delete a Healthy Reflections note from Sparkpeople.com without reading it (which I never do), I realized it said nicely what was placed on my heart to share.


Blessed is he who speaks a kindness; thrice blessed is he who repeats it.
- Arabian proverb

Appreciation via the Art of Action

I find it imperative for everyone to perfect the "Art of Action". There is no little black book that we can loan from the library electronically and read on our Kindle Fire or purchase from Amazon.com. Currently, it is not in publication with any specific author (s). Instead it has to come from within us and can only become an actual Art when we execute via action. 

These actions are found in us being plain 'ole considerate and thoughtful to each other; especially towards those who cannot do anything for us, and the ones who do but really does not have to. 

If someone does something kind for us, we should say THANK YOU. Naturally, if they continue to assist without asking for anything in return, we should go beyond saying thank you and provide a thoughtful gift of appreciation (personal thank you note, gift or gas card,   favorite food etc). In the end, having that special person know they are appreciated is priceless.  

After our Christmas luncheon today, we were paid to enjoy the afternoon and of course relaxing on the sofa came to mind. Instead of speeding to the house, I used a few hours to buy a few deserving people appreciative gifts. It took a few weeks to decide on the perfect gift, but I am glad it is completed.   

Is there anyone in your life deserving of the Art of Action? Is so, will you consider letting them know you appreciate them in your own special way? 

Tis the holidays...are you minding your priorities??

This should be obvious, but in case it is not, I will explain below.

"I should mind my priorities" 

1. Finances~ I'm praying adults are keeping this near the top. During the holiday season and beyond, we are still responsible for paying our recurring expenses; hence, it is a great idea not to accumulate many unnecessary financial expenses. You know the many gifts that are quickly increasing your credit card (s). Question: Will you be content that you made all those purchases when your January credit card bill shows up? 

2. Stress~ The unrealistic belief that you can be everything to everyone at the same time. The 411 on the street is...stress kills so say no more often than not. It is perfectly okay since we all receive 24 hours to expel accordingly; so please use yours efficiently. Organized time management will get you through the season with less gray hair (smile-no one likes them).

3. Food~ The ability to mind what you put in your mouth can go a long way. Parties, socials, gatherings, traditions etc, etc...”hint, hint “everything in moderation, right”? If not, studies believe it will take you all of 2012 and/or beyond to get off those extra pounds. So, think about your extra servings before consuming them “every time”. 

4. Exercise~ The ability to stay active will help keep your stress level and food moderation in an acceptable zone. How? Exercise is known to help reduce stress in more ways than one. Also, anyone that is able to stick with their exercise routine will certainly mind the additional servings readily available to them. They may not exercise as much, but I'm sure it will still occur.

With all the redundant holiday advertisements out there, and so many folks racking up ridiculous amounts of debt etc, I had an epitome that needed to be shared.

Look out for MSG..and avoid it!!!

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that's "generally recognized as safe," the use of MSG remains controversial. For this reason, when MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that it be listed on the label.

MSG has been used as a food additive for decades. Over the years, the FDA has received many anecdotal reports of adverse reactions to foods containing MSG. These reactions — known as MSG symptom complex — include:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Sweating
• Facial pressure or tightness
• Numbness, tingling or burning in face, neck and other areas
• Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Weakness

However, researchers have found no definitive evidence of a link between MSG and these symptoms. Researchers acknowledge, though, that a small percentage of people may have short-term reactions to MSG. Symptoms are usually mild and don't require treatment. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid foods containing MSG.

A few seasoning companies, like Mrs.Dash, does not use it..wonder why? 

Take it a step further and ask your restaurants if they cook with MSG; if they do, find out if your meal can be cooked without it. Many are opting out and you should also=)! The FDA is too relaxed on things even our Canadian neighbors refuse to accept O_o! 

Restaurants & Fast food joints?? Aren't ready=)

BBQ TOFU FLG:

Naan bread sliced in half with pickles, tomato, cucumbers & vegenaise

*concocting my own creations are infinite*

What have you created lately?? 

LOL

Thanksgiving reunion=)

I love, love having guest come and visit me here in Charlotte. It's always an awesome reason to take time off, have LOTs of fun and stay up super late laughing about everything. My sister, closest in age, is visiting me from the British Virgin Islands for three weeks, and it's as though we both have won the lottery. We're not only separated by hundreds of sky miles, but also by US vs. British soil which makes the visits extra special. We have been looking forward to our reunion since I last visited home 20 months ago; yes, we have counted the weeks and months to our reunion. 

She got in last evening and it was as though no time had passed by. Her birthday is on Monday and I have taken off all but three days from work; she has no clue and will be ecstatic. Right now, she has been sleeping for five hours since we ate our Thanksgiving meal and I’m grateful my dwelling provides ample guest space so she can recoup from traveling all day on Wednesday.

Quality time is priceless; hence I hold certain blood and non blood relationships very close to my heart as these bonds continue to blossom beautifully. Such connections are rare so I'm forever grateful for the ongoing memories and experiences wholeheartedly.  

My sister eats poultry and I am vegan so we had a reflective menu; we had a great day thus far. Plenty of laughter, catching up and relaxation. To me, this is what quality time should be about; doing what you want with the ones you truly value.

I got in a 5 am workout, two naps and a good sample of my favorite foods. 

Happy Thanksgiving and veggie love~

Hidden Sugars~What we need to know~TODAY!!

Nutrition 101:

Sliced bread, salad dressing, soup - we don't typically think of these foods as being sweet. But the versions on your grocer's shelves probably have added sugar. For November, American Diabetes Month, let's reveal the sugars that are hiding out in our food supply. 
The Sweet and the Sour 
Glucose is vital to human health. When we talk about 'blood sugar,' we're talking about glucose. A simple sugar, it is our bodies' main energy source. In fact, the brain runs exclusively on glucose.
When found naturally in grains, vegetables and fruits, glucose and other sugars come into the body with a horde of vitamins, minerals and fiber. But it's refined, or processed, sugars that too many Americans are over-consuming, and that's associated with at least two health issues: cavities in children and soaring obesity rates. 
Hiding in Plain Sight
The best way to decrease the amount of refined sugar that we consume is to read the Nutrition Labels and Ingredient Lists on packaged foods. Even foods that we don't think of as sweet - from crackers to frozen dinners to spaghetti sauce - can have high amounts of hidden sugar. 
The Nutrition Label will list the total carbohydrates, often breaking that total down into dietary fiber, complex carbs and simple sugars. Overall, the Label lets you see not just how much sugar you're getting, but how much protein, vitamins and more; and that lets you judge which calories are 'empty' and which are nutritious.
Finding Hidden Sugars 
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," Juliet told Romeo. Well, sugar has many different names; all taste sweet, but not all are created equal. Below are some of the different names for sugar that you'll find when you check the Ingredients List. 
▪ Sucrose is table sugar. A refined sugar derived from beets or sugar cane, it contains two sugar molecules: glucose and fructose. (Note: ingredients ending in -ose are usually some type of sugar.)
▪ Fructose is the sugar found naturally in fruits. Often used to sweeten foods, it is absorbed by the body more slowly than other sugars, so it does not spike blood-sugar levels. Fructose is recommended for diabetics in limited amounts.
▪ Evaporated cane juice is popular in natural/organic packaged foods. It's still cane sugar, but it's less processed so it contains more minerals. The health benefit over regular sugar would be slight.
▪ Fruit juice concentrate is touted as being a natural, healthier sweetener. It may still have traces of minerals, but it's still primarily sugar; and to your body, glucose is glucose, no matter where it's from.
▪ Dextrose, Maltodextrin, and Corn syrup are all refined sugars derived from corn starch.
▪ High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is made by chemically processing corn syrup.  Many are concerned about its effect on the human body, but no studies have conclusively proven that this substance is any more harmful to humans than other sugars.
Because corn is subsidized by our tax dollars, HFCS is much cheaper than cane or beet sugar, so it is more widely used by the food industry.  Look for it on the labels of ketchup, salad dressing, baked goods and, of course, soda.
▪ Xylitol, Sorbitol and Mannitol are called sugar alcohols. They taste like sugar, but your body treats them like alcohol - that is, your body absorbs them only partially or so slowly that they do not spike your blood sugar.
With only half the calories of regular sugars, sugar alcohols are used in many low-calorie, low-sugar foods and diabetic products.  With overconsumption, though, they can still provide a significant source of calories. 
Front-of-Package Claims 
Before you get to the fine print, you'll see some brightly colored text on front about sugar. And though the phrases may seem clear, they do need a little interpretation.
▪ No added sugar - Products with this label may not be 100% sugar-free; they may still contain natural sugars. Be sure to check the Nutrition Label to see how many grams of sugar it really has.
▪ Sugar-free - This only means that the product contains no sucrose, but it can contain other types of sugars and carbohydrates. Again, read the labels to fully understand what this product contains.

Whole Grains - for Weight Loss & More

Whole Grains - for Weight Loss & More
Whole grains can help you lose weight, keep it off, and avoid a host of diseases. But few of us get enough (even though most of us think we do). To sort out the confusion, let's look at what they are, how they're labeled, and how to make them a delicious part of your daily diet.
But first, what exactly are whole grains? They're just what the name promises: the whole thing - bran, germ and endosperm - with all of their natural fiber, vitamins and minerals intact. By contrast, refined grains usually have the bran and germ (and most nutrients) removed.
Are You Getting Enough? 
The latest USDA recommendations advise that you "make at least half your grains whole."
And in a recent survey, 61% of adults claimed that they're getting enough. But really, only 5% of us do, USDA statistics show. And that points to a dangerous disconnect.
Why They're Good for You
Before we get to the chronic ailments that whole grains can help you avoid, let's start with their sex appeal. Numerous studies link whole grains with a healthy weight. If you eat them, you're more likely to be trim; start eating them, and you're more likely to lose excess weight.
Beyond that, a diet high in whole grains has been shown to lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. That's according to a large-scale 2004 review, surveying dozens of existing studies, out of the University of Minnesota.
Since then, researchers have also linked regularly eating whole grains with a lower incidence of asthma in kids, and with better digestion and a stronger immune system in adults.
A Shopper's Guide to Whole Grains
The labels on breads and cereals can be confusing. In particular, watch out for these terms:

• 'Enriched' or 'bromated' flours, common in white bread and other baked goods, are not whole grains. (Enriched means some of the nutrients lost in refining the flour were added back; bromated means potassium bromate was added to help it rise.)
• 'Wheat flour' is not a whole grain. Wheat flour is what white bread is made from; it's 'whole wheat flour' that's used (at least partially) for whole wheat bread.
• '100% wheat' usually means 100% refined wheat - no bran, no germ.
• 'Multigrain' means you get various kinds, but they're not all necessarily whole; a loaf with multiple types of refined grains would still count as 'multigrain.'

To confirm that you're getting whole-grain bread or cereal, the ingredient list should have 'whole wheat,' 'whole rye' or 'whole some other grain' among the first listed.
To make shopping easier, look for the gold and black "Whole Grain" stamp from the Whole Grains Council.
Deliciously Whole
Whole grains have rich flavors, and there are so many to explore. Besides switching to whole wheat pasta and bread, try these ways to make healthy eating delicious and fun:
▪ Replace your dinner's white rice with brown rice. Or step up to aromatic brown jasmine rice; common in Thai cooking, its sweet floral taste works with other dishes as well.
▪ Try light, fluffy quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) instead of rice. It has a deliciously nutty flavor, is packed with protein, and cooks in about 10 minutes; just follow the instructions on the package.
▪ Make your pancakes healthier and bolder with buckwheat flour. For the healthiest, most affordable pancake mix, make it yourself in bulk; then measure out what you need and add your liquids, just like you would with a store-bought mix.
▪ Try amaranth cereals and crackers, available in the whole-foods section of your supermarket. It's rich in protein with a peppery flavor. (Note: Like quinoa and buckwheat, amaranth is technically a seed, not a grain. But we use them like grains, and they count as grains in your diet.)

*www.globalfit.com~source

Comparison! should we compare apples to oranges?

Thunder Road Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K: Nov. 12~

Roctoberfest on Oct. 22, was my first 5K with little consistent running prior to race day. At the end of that race, a buddy urged me to run Thunder Road but I quickly turned down the idea of doing another race so soon. Heck, I was running for less than  two months at that moment. Well, with so many of my new running buddies via BGR! "Black Girls Runs registered to run this race, I finally signed up before the price increased again.

  Rocktoberfest's course did not bother me too much, it did have an incline or two but the race course was tolerable overall. My challenges came from me (see My First Race post). I finished 29:18.

 Thunder Road's course was hilly and very challenging; it went downhill then uphill within the first five  minutes and ended with two hills within five minutes of the finish line. We talked about beating our last time as we anxiously waited to hit the pavement. Kristin, our 7:05/mile runner, ran solely to be a cheerleader  and pacesetter to help a few brave souls attempt an impressive 9:30/mile pace. My original pace was not too off from that; however, I was very worried since I heard the race ended on a hill. Finally, I give in and agreed to run at or above that pace in order to beat my PR. Once the race started, I took off on my own and stayed ahead of the group until I saw the pacer who asked me to run ten seconds faster so I sped up accordingly. As I came within two minutes of reaching my PR time, it sunk in that finishing the current hill, conquering the next hill yards away and reaching the finish line was very unlikely. Reality kicked in once I faintly saw the timer in the distance, it was already passed my PR. My disappointment quickly elevated but I temporarily defused it by encouraging my running buddy whom I met minutes before to push on…it was hard but we sped up…I recall saying "keep running…go faster..do not slow down…..run...we're almost there" (all within the last ten seconds of our challenging race). Those few seconds are my most memorable moments of the race along with scoping out strangers who needed an extra push and shouted: "you can do it, keep going" and seeing their lovely faces come back to life as they regained their confidence.  

  Finish line dilemma: well, I said over and over: I did not beat my time....even though I was the first of my group to cross the finish line, this was an "internal race" and I was disappointed being the result driven person I am. As the ladies crossed the finished line the same words were echoed, I did not beat my PR and those darn hills were tough. We failed to immediately acknowledge that we FINISHED and we were not the last to do so (lol). Also, we overlooked how speed training and hill repeats helped us get through such a grueling course, regardless of our race time. As I spoke with our 7:05/miler runner and personal trainer, she broke it down for all of us (specifically me). She explained we cannot compare one race to another because everyone is unique and this race course was not only challenging but very hilly. We all finished within seconds or at least two minutes of our best race time, hence we did very well.

 Personal conclusion: Comparing our times to the last race is not fair to us; it is GREAT to work towards beating our last time; however, comparing apples to oranges is ineffective and pointless on every level. After reflecting on today's race experience, I'm very proud to say, I won even though my feet crossed the finish line 50 seconds later than my first and only race =)!  



30:08



Meat-free cooking class

As I ran with a buddy (Black Girls Run) on Monday afternoon, the topic of food came up and before I knew it, the conversation moved to our Facebook page; when I logged back on there was a specific post noting “Shonda will have a meat free cooking class”. The original location had to be moved since interest grew; however, it was kept under ten attendees so it was very intimate and hands on. One of the lady's opted to (perhaps temporarily) remove animal protein from her diet recently so it was with great pleasure for me to show her and others in the class a few ways to still have meat free protein substitutes that were inexpensive, easy to prepare and satisfying for even meat lovers. No attendee fell in the vegan/vegetarian category; however, they were all interested in eating healthier and curious about plant based substitutes’ they could occasionally incorporated. I’m known to share samples of my vegan dishes with coworkers’ and friends’ alike but, frankly I was pleasantly surprised how they really liked the sampled items. My class was hands on and questions were asked throughout the class. I was a bit nervous prior to the class since my cooking instructions has been on a “one on one” basis no pun intended. Naturally, my passion for cooking suppressed those emotions shortly entering the kitchen.

Seconds were enjoyed and attendees quickly pulled out their containers to take home any leftovers which were split amongst them. During a follow up conversation, I found out one lady ate all her leftovers without offering any to her hubby (lol). It was tasty; so how could I blame her??? On Sunday, she got the necessary ingredients to duplicate a few items. 

Falafel patties & veggie burgers were prepared and served on spinach wraps; vegan chik-free bites and creamy spaghetti were made; scrambled tofu topped with nutritional yeast etc. 

I enjoyed the opportunity to share some of my vegan dishes with curious ladies on the path of clean eating as they “run for optimal health”.

 I look forward to another cooking class soon. 

I have an AP; and so should you =)

An AP!!!!
What is an AP? Who should have one? How should you pick yours?

An accountability partner is coined an AP; they are someone you share a lot in common with but more importantly, a person that are at or beyond your level. Huh, in what way? Well, let us use the area of wellness for this post.

If you have some wellness goals and need help staying on track, this is where your cautiously selected AP comes into play. They should currently be accomplishing their goals with little distractions and or external assistance. Your AP will be of no assistance to you if they cannot keep themselves on track. An AP's track record should at least be consistent in other areas even if they are not currently working on any goals in the same area that you're working on. Their main responsibilities will include knowing what your current goal is and holding you accountable. Pun intended as they call you out for slipping on "your goals". It is super fun and rewarding when both of you are working on similar goals; i.e paying off credit card debt, building an emergency account, eating healthier, exercising consistently etc. If not, you can still set up a check-in schedule to your progress. Accountability partner's not only hold each other accountable for accomplishing their designated goals, but they also encourage you, lend an ear when frustration sets in, provide a reality check if necessary and also be your biggest cheerleader in all ways possible.

I have an AP and would not trade her for the world. She gets a daily snapshot of my workouts and make sure am fulfilling my goals. If not, she calls me out on it and I have to provide a reason. Example: at one point, I was drinking at least 70 oz of water by the time my early morning workout was over and she nicely noted my consumption had fallen significantly; so an explanation was warranted ASAP. Naturally, an AP can easily rub off on their AP in a positive way by simply sharing progress updates. It has happened quite often with us and we're actually accountability partners in other areas as well. It's priceless to have someone on such a journey.

Hence, make sure your AP can be trusted with their lives and freely agrees to be yours. After that, get in the groove of accomplishing your goals together. Finally, it is not a competition amongst you all; rather it is a journey that may lead you all on varying paths.

Good luck~

FREE Arts & Cultural Experiences for All

 





There was something for everyone and the diverse crowd proved that to be true on Saturday, October 29th, 2011 in beautiful Uptown Charlotte. The entertainment included African dancers and various bands with numerous street vendors selling food and their crafts for attendees to frequent as they enjoyed the free Museums’ throughout the Arts center. I urge everyone to tap into their city's arts and culture escapade as often as possible. Being able to explore so many different cultures with such a diverse crowd was indeed priceless. 

Get creative. Find a getaway on any budget this fall season.

 

 

I discovered my new budget friendly getaway in September when a buddy and I decided to meet for an afternoon run. She had been going there for some time now but it was my first time there and I fell in love with its serenity immediately. It is certainly peaceful and beautiful this time of the year as the leaves change. Recently, I suggested it for an early morning run and my new buddy loved it for running but also to unwind away from it all. Thankfully, it is a 10 minute drive for all of us so it's a keeper indeed. Of course there are dozens of nationally recognized state parks and mountains in North Carolina; however, they may not be that budget friendly once fuel, food and entry fees are factored in. Hence, we have settled on this park as our location to getaway from it all any day of the week or run its beautiful grounds.

With the hustle and bustle of our personal lives and country as a whole, I urge you to get creative and find a  backyard getaway. Be certain it is within close proximity, safe, beautiful and refreshing. Go often with friends and enjoy YOUR mini getaway.

With Life's hiccups; figure out which route to take..



You & God strolling along





You & a trusted friend; nothing much needs to be said somtimes. Just their company may be suffice. If not, knowing they are there in confidence is invaluable.





Getting away from it all by joining some good ole buds



Some alone time with your thoughts, a good book, a journal and or your favorite wine in your personal quarters

*In the end~~~it's important that during our life's hiccups~~~we know which direction to go as we get back to living a grateful and meaningful life*

My First 5k Race-ROCKtoberfrest

The night before my first 5K race; no training here. I infrequently jog some afternoons when time permits but that was about it.  The afternoon before the race, I decided to register and show up early the next morning ready to pick up my package. Nervousness had the best of me as I continuously looked at the clock and think of how cold it would be at 7 am. At that moment it was too late since my registration fee was non refundable. Take a chance and go for it!! I said to myself!!!

After waking up at 2 am hungry and eating a small bowl of cereal, this pre-race meal was too much but nervousness didn't stop me from eating what is above and having hot tea as well.

My nervousness turned into excitement as I witnessed the hundreds of people out to run ROCKtoberfest 2011. By now, I had picked up my t-shirt and speed chip then looked on as the half marathon runners were gearing up to take off.

This is a snap shot of everything worn on race day to make sure the cold weather did not get the best of me and it did not. I was comfy :).

Back at home, I tried to wrap my mind around the past hour but could not so I took visual documentation. It was a challenge especially since my legs felt like they weren't moving; too much food in my tummy, ear piece would not stay in place, right genre but wrong tempo songs and the race ended on a hill (why???). Naturally, I refused to stop and walk but instead kept running until my feet crossed the finish line. By the last mile, I was convinced at least 35 minutes had passed since the race began and without a watch, there was no way of knowing so disappointment slowly crept in. Never give up during the midst of any challenge since victory may be "right" around the corner. Official race time: 29:18 :~).

Reward after a GREAT week:)!!

Well for me, on October 10th, my second wellness program started and it was more challenging than the previous one which ended September 30th. Two particular goals were to run 1-3x per week with BGR! Charlotte (Black Girls Run) and begin a different strength training program; ironically, I ran three times and received invaluable tips from a nice guy in the gym so a reward was in order on Friday. 

 Earlier in the week, a friend of mine had store bought leftover sweet potatoes in her fridge and they caught my attention. At that moment, I wanted some but did not (the thought lingered with me every day thereafter). Well, after my 3rd jog on Thursday night, I realized my maximum running quota was met and it was time to celebrate that milestone. The Sunday before I had purchased a bag of sweet potatoes so the idea of making homemade fries hit me on my drive home so that was my reward (first time making them also). In addition, I had never grilled squash or zucchini but heard they were delicious that way so again, I decided to add that to the celebration plans. With making things from scratch, the downside is waiting until it is finished so in the mean time, I snacked on a favorites of mine (almond milk and some newly acquired bran flakes from TJ..pretty good actually).  But wait, no celebration is complete without some wine, right? I pulled out some yearlong aged homemade Muscatine wine from my second daddy in South Carolina...everything was worth it in that moment :).

We all have things we aspire to or need to be doing on a daily basis; whether we acknowledge it or not. For those who write it down, aggressively work at it and get it done, how have you rewarded yourself lately?

Your way...is it working? Read on!!!

From the terrible twos season, we have wanted to do things by ourselves and for ourselves. It got worse the older we became and actually we were trained do so more often. A parent is elated when their baby can hold their own bottle, get their own diaper, use the bathroom and finally bathe themselves. Hence, moving forward into adulthood, those same expectations are molded in our core as it relates to progressing in life. And yes, everybody love to succeed with very little assistance. The stroking of one's ego comes into place and may roll into self centeredness if we are not careful.

But wait!!!! What if "our" way is not working? Well, we've set a goal, written it down and worked on it; and worked on it some more. Months or year have passed and we’re still struggling with the same thing (s) even though 100 percent was given; well by now, frustration has seeped in and everything is regressing. After weeks of pondering it, you're still clueless as to why “it” is not working (our way).

Well, perhaps "our" way is not the best way or "the" way to reach our goal (s). Perhaps it is imperative to seek God's guidance and along the way He has been delaying the progress we have been dreaming about. Why, well God wants to ensure our success is beneficial to others as well. How? Sometimes we must seek out people with expertise and or enlist a mentor to help us get to the next level. Not a handout is suggested; however, creating and maintaining a healthy network is imperative. This should remind us that we cannot thrive without God’s assistance and many times also without help from others whether directly or indirectly. We are here to use our talents and skills to help others and ourselves along the way.

Keeping God in it all and knowing when to recognize a setback as a simple commercial or seeing it as God wishing to lead us somewhere else with bigger rewards; is a skill we all must work on to master. I am currently working on this via one experience at a time (though painful in the moment, faith will suffice until the victory evident).
Will you evaluate your way?

Whats cookn' on Sundays?

 

Anyone that knows me would say my stove is always warm:)!!! I really enjoy preparing my own meals and have been in the kitchen since the tender age of nine fixing full meals for a house of 10. The best part of it all is portioning out my meals, stacking them high, stepping back and  smiling. I absolute love it. For a second, it may be a chore until everything on my impromptu menu is scattered on my counters; then I go into a very creative zone and within less than 60 minutes, the mission is completed with a clean kitchen.

What you see above is soy protein chunks that were soaked, seasoned, breaded, lightly fried and placed in a "special sauce". It is not the healthiest way to eat those chunks but it certainly is my favorite way which is enjoyed perhaps every few months in that manner. By the way, I did give two servings to a friend of mine who loves them (shared the "calories..hehe"). Everything else above is self explanatory:).

So, what is a favorite dish of yours or something you really like but do not cook often since it is not the healthiest thing?

You ARE the boss?

Life’s choices, ultimately, we are the boss of what we do with our daily 24 hours granted to us. God is fair; we are all given the same amount of time everyday. Unfortunately, procrastination is rampant and over rated just like multitasking or busyness in our Western Culture. We all have certain responsibilities that must be done on a daily basis, but in the midst of it all, there is something quietly being overlooked and it is called "YOU", self. Whether you have a family or not, it is imperative for everyone to carve out some time for “themselves” daily to truly be able to live in the moment and give of ourselves freely-intentionally.

Where are you this beautiful fall season? Stagnant!!! Rolling the wheels to no where!!! Progressing!!!
Do you see the cup half full or half empty? If it is half full, you're ahead of 85 percent of everyone else. If not, you're actually within the majority; however, this is not where anyone of us should strive to be. Thankfully, this can be easily turned around with our constant thoughts, attitude, perceptions and appreciation for life.

Don’t allow life's hiccups to be more than a commercial or even an infomercial. If you remain tuned in, avoid finding another program and recognize it as only a temporary setback, everything being attempted will have a better chance of evolving successfully. At the end of the day, the BOSS is who makes the final decision of what will be important for the next day’s agenda and how it will be executed; hence readjust your way of thinking, make the decision today to get back on track, make a list, prioritize your life, set attainable deadlines, get an accountability partner, expect commercials and infomercials along the way and then get moving-productively.

It’s a NEW season. It is a NEW month. It is the RIGHT time to get back on track.
WILL~~YOU?  


Can you relate to this blurry clock photo? Your life can move beyond this point as well.



Colder weather and your immune system

So, the fall season is in FULL session with its Yo-Yo temperature. On Thursday the low was 60 degrees and on Saturday morning the low was in the 40s. For the average person, it is too much to cope with when it comes to what outdoor activities to plan, whether to shift clothing attire and more importantly; what all they should be doing to stay healthy.

I believe we should keep the stress in our lives at a minimum (easier said than done), get quality sleep, daily exercise, frequent hand washing, an abundance of fruits/veggies in conjunctions with healthy meals and sufficient supplements/vitamin.

Now, with all of that on my immediate radar, I decided to request a nutritional panel test on Thursday during my annual physical. This is indeed a comprehensive test that reveals everything from a nutritional standpoint so I am patiently awaiting my results. Naturally, the basis blood work does not check our vitamin D, B12, protein, enzymes, calcium etc and by the time our bodies’ show signs of alignments, it can be severe. Evidently, R & R is great for the body so I decided to get away for a few days to see some special folks; certainly good for the body.

Through it all, we all have certain products, remedies and practices we comply with annually to help us through the upcoming five to six months of winter.

Hence, I pose the questions to everyone out there: what are some products you keep on hand and what are they used for? What remedies do you use in the event of a cold, flu etc? What are some ways you try to stay “sick free”?

 Do you make an extra effort to minimize your stress level, eat healthier, workout often, get more sleep and/or take quality supplements during this time of the year? Or you haven't thought about it until now:)?