Changing Your Relationships

The relationships that I've had with other people have sustained me in my life because the people who's company I kept was all that I knew. All I knew was negativity and strong willed individuals who chose harshness over compassion. Myself included. I give myself some credit however, I'm not the worst person in the world. lol

I have had some very toxic relationships with friends and loved ones. So much so that I believe it has shaped a good bit of my life. I didn't realize it however until maybe the last two years. I draw a lot of negativity because maybe I give/gave it off. You are just like a magnet in what you attract. However, I have forgiven myself and that huge part of my past. Growing up and into my 20's, I didn't really know any better. I'm almost 31 now and I am just simply uncomfortable now around those who are negative and those who are not uplifting. Whether it has been intentional or unintentional on their end, I've been there. I don't want to be there anymore, however. The hardest part of it all is letting people go when they don't understand why you are pulling away. You begin to be the one that is blamed when just a dose of self-awareness would show them why they aren't the best people to be around. :) But they aren't to totally blame for being themselves. We all have to come to a point of realization on how what we say and do affect the lives of other people.

So for the first time in my life, I'm overcoming the need for friendship in the same way. Relationships should feel good 99% of the time. No one should take that inner peace and gladness from you that God has given. My relationship with God is so much better than anyone on this earth. I deserve the love of God and who I share my space with should be that same peace.

Re-evaluate your surroundings. Who lifts you up? Who is headed in the same direction in better life and living as you are? Be careful though not to rid of people who just may not be where you are. But know the difference between that and those who just don't want to go. lol

Re-claim the birth right of love and peace in your relationships!

Getting to the "Bottom of It"

Ok. Eating healthy has not always been a "piece of cake" for me. No pun intended, but well that's exactly what has been, pieces of cake and a lot of other things. :)

I have begun a life long dedication to healthy living and eating is high on the list. I grew up eating a lot of processed and junk food. I never really knew about what was really in food, I just knew from Sesame Street that fruit and vegetables were "good for you". I knew it probably wasn't a good idea to eat alot of cookies or fried foods, but I was just never really aware about how food was made and how many bad items are in there.

So on a quest to renew this very important part of my life, I became curious about what was in the food that I was eating. I actually don't even remember when it became so specific that I wanted to really know the details about what I was eating. However, it became more and more interesting to me over time. A good friend of mine who has a blog entitled Chubby Vegan sparked my interest possibly about 5 years ago. He was overweight for many years and decided to give up meat. He completely changed his habits and later transformed from a vegetarian to a vegan. His consciousness is admiring. However, I haven't crossed that path yet into no meat, but you never know, maybe one day. :) Cheers to you John for "Getting to The Bottom of It"!

So, I look at food differently now and consider it to be medicine and something that gives me the energy I need. Fast food and junk food only slow me down. So the concept of Getting to the Bottom of It is all about success. Getting to the Bottom Of It is a literal concept when it comes to healthy eating. Think of your healthy food items like salads, bananas and a healthy plate of dinner. At the bottom of these foods, completing them, eating it all up, is success, joy, happiness and good health. Getting to The Bottom of that water bottle is one more step towards healthy living. Getting to the bottom of that banana (literally), eating it all means one step closer to stronger muscles/joints with the potassium that it provides! Getting to the bottom of a snicker bar only adds weight and fat and sometimes sadness for some.Getting to the bottom of that big bag of chips does the same thing. :(

Get to the bottom of these foods, keep eating until its all gone. Success is at the bottom of these foods! When that last bite is taken, you've succeeded!! Remember, literally get to the BOTTOM of healthy foods!

Don't Hate on Kate!

Don't Hate on KATE (Spade)

Ok, so I must express my love for my girl Kate. Kate gets played sometimes, hated on and mistreated! :)

Kate, I'm coming to save you girl, you and I have been home girls for a minute now so I'm gonna set the record straight about your stuff.

Kate Spade is a classic designer that gives you a taste of J.Crew, Banana Republic and Michelle Obama meets Laura Bush. Now, you may say, who wants to dress like a first lady, who's typically a middle aged woman. Well, I do! And here is why I don't hate on Kate.

These items are classic and so classy. I wear Kate Spade bags as my everyday bag and my glasses are Kate. I have thrown my Kate items around and they've been beat up pretty bad. However, you'd never know. These are the best quality items I've ever owned or carried. The quality of the items are incomparable. Now don't get it confused.. I buy KATE on KLEARANCE! (I just wanted to use the K again for the purpose of creative flow, ignore me lol)

Here is why people hate on Kate. Kate's items have a Liz Claiborne/Etienne Aigner look sometimes. And I am not trying to look like Barbara Walters (no hate on Ms. Barbara she does her thing). I think people are right, Kate does make some 55 yr old or better items. lol

BUT have you seen all of the other things she makes that gorgeous!!! OMG her dinnerware,wallets, jewlery and shoes are sooo beautiful! Not everything that she makes looks like Nancy Reagan should be sporting it. :) If you are looking for some classy housewares,simple jewlery for a nice suit, invitations for a party, flat simple work shoes or anything of the like, then don't hate on Kate. Give my girl a shot! :)

The Best Turkey Burger Yet!

So I'm looking for tasty alternatives. Changing my diet has been well, not extremely difficult, but definitely not easy. I believe Al Roker said this once, "If it doesn't taste good, I'm not eating it". Well I'm with Al. I'm not just going to munch on raw brocolli because it is good for me. That also goes for everything else as well. If it doesn't taste good, no need to put it in front of me, healthy or not. So I'm eating turkey/chicken burgers instead of eating beef. Beef takes a long time to process in your body and stores a great deal of fat in your system as well. In other words, it sits in your body and builds fat pretty much. It takes much longer to process in your body than chicken or turkey which has at minimum 50% less fat than beef.

So, I've tried over and over to cook turkey burgers and with no luck, it never tasted very good. Well, others said, well that's because you aren't seasoning it well. I thought I was seasoning the heck out of it! lol So I've recently run into these prime rib seasonings. In addition to that "grilling seasonings". I prefer to use the ones that are for steaks and hamburgers. This way, it gives off that flavor we all enjoy when eating a hamburger.

BUT Here is a ANOTHER TIP. Use Ground Turkey Sausage!!!!!

Ground Turkey Sausage is usually already seasoned. When I say ground turkey sausage, I mean the kind that comes in a roll made for breakfast. It comes in a roll so you can just make your own patty out of it, just like a hamburger. Make sure the label says Breakfast Sausage. I don't use regular ground turkey for hamburgers now, only ground turkey sausage. Look for the brand name HoneySuckle. You can find it at Wal-Mart. It's inexpensive and the only way to make turkey burgers for me now. :)

Enjoy!

Organic Root Stimulator Replenshing Pak

So, I accidently stumbled upon this product because I bought a relaxer and this was included in it. Well come to find out, it was excellent and I loved it! I'm working on testing my hair to see how dry it gets so I'm going to put this on tonight and see by next week how dry my hair is. I'm working on letting my relaxer grow out,not to wear it kinky or natural, but just to not use a relaxer on my hair. I want it to be more healthy. I have found this to be a great conditioner and for a low price. It smells like oranges too! ;) You can find this product at Wal-Mart and I believe it is sold at target as well. Great product!

No Need to Drink Calories

There's no need to drink Calories! Not when there are so many tasty options. If you are like me, water gets dull and boring and just doesn't hit the spot sometimes. I have the best recommendation. I recently discovered Ocean Spray, White Cran Peach On the Go Sticks... Sooo Good! It doesn't have that odd sugar free taste. Now, this is coming from a person that almost never drinks calorie beverages, so maybe I am used to artificial sweetners, but this to me seems to be quite the tasty drink! Give it a try! The Cran Cherry Limeade is excellent too. It tastes like Ocean Spray's Cran Grape, although there is no grape in it. :) Give it a try its a delicious alternative to drinking sugary drinks and has the same amount of flavor.

Enjoy!

Nina Ultra Pro Nail Polish

Nina Ultra Pro Nail Polish

This is one of the best nail polishes I have ever used. I don't like when I paint my nails and they begin to chip or peel. The thin peeling is irritating. lol.

I find that the color is heavy and goes on smoothly. Heavy meaning, it isn't thin and there is a nice, colorful coat that covers the nail. It costs around $4.50 at Sally's. For the summer, I just purchased the color Punki Pink.. Very cute and bright!

Highly recommend Nina Ultra Pro Nail Polish.