New Year Healthier Choices

It’s the end of 2014 and people are planning their New Year’s Resolutions. On the top of many peoples list is losing weight. Of course many of you know, losing weight is the top broken New Year’s Resolution. We all start off with the best intentions but by the time Valentines rolls around and someone that has a little more will power than us leaves their yummy box of chocolates with undefinable fillings in the office lunch room, we feel the only right thing to do is have 2 or 3 pieces to make sure we got a good one. Well the chocolate was only the beginning. We now say to ourselves well today is shot why not go for the gusto and have that yummy food I haven’t tasted since last year.  Yea cause last year was so long ago lol.  Well as we all know one cheat day goes to two cheat days and one week goes to 2 weeks. Before we know it it’s the beginning of summer and the 5 pounds we lost in January have come back and decided to bring their friend 5 more pounds. So 6 months into the New Year the only thing you lost were those cute jeans you wore last summer because they are too tight this year. Even when I didn’t officially call it a New Year’s Resolution my subconscious was still focused on weight loss, and every year I lost the fight. In 14 years I have put on 75 pounds which equals out to about 5.36 pounds a year. Which may not sound too bad and is easy for me to see why I didn’t really wake up one morning and say to myself what is going on? I love food it’s so yummy. But if we are honest food is not our problem. It’s how much we consume. If you are like me you thought yeah I’ve gone up a few sizes but it’s not a big deal I still have clothes in my closet that fit, I’m fine. Well let me tell you that is not the truth and if you really want to know how you look go see a friend or a family member that you haven’t seen in a while. Watch their reactions it will tell you all you need to know. Before you know it they will say something to you that will let you know the 75 lbs. you have put on is very noticeable and not so cute.

Losing weight and becoming healthy is something you have to want to do for yourself. You may not want to lose weight and that is fine, just make sure you are happy. Having my dad tell me the weight I put on wasn’t healthy for me at first hurt but then I had to realize one he wasn’t doing it to hurt me and second the final decision was mine to make. So I asked myself a few questions:

1)   Does the size you are make you happy? NO

2)  With the health problems you have in your family, are you making smart choices with your health? NO

3)  Are you willing to work at making better choices when it comes to your health? YES

So here we are, ready to make this life change for ourselves and no one else. We will have good days and a few bad days, but the goal is to not quit and when we do fall encourage each other to get back up and start again. This is about a life style change not a quick start to weight loss.  I don’t know about you but I don’t plan to put this hard work in to lose weight and gain it back once I stop with a quick fix weight loss plan.

We will share our tips, meal plans, exercise regimen and our journey with you. Follow our blog and leave us messages with your journey and we will be here to support you.

Good Luck & Happy New Year

It’s time to change my story, tired of repeating the same Chapter… Done… Let the Journey begin.

My best bud (aka business partner, bka sister) and I have decided to get our body, mind, and spirits in shape come 2015! We will be posting our grocery list for each week so if you would like to join we would be elated to embark on this journey with others!

I want to lose 50 lbs this year. It is a lot but I know I can do it! I accredit my weight gain to a lack of self control, a desk job, and a lack of motivation. My husband and I have decided we are ready to become parents in 2015 (or at least start the process), and I made a decision on my own to lose at least 50 pounds prior to conceiving. I know I am just going to put weight on by getting pregnant, but for me it is not just about the weight. I want to teach my  future children healthy habits...how can I not practice what I preach? Below are a few things I am restricting myself from doing.

1. No new clothing until I hit my goal of losing 50 lbs 

My reason for no new clothes! I have sizes ranging from 8-20. These are just the hanging clothes in my master closet. I keep my suits/other hanging clothes in the guest closet.

2. Walk or jog at least 20 miles each month. I am shooting for at least 2 miles of walking or jogging 3 times a week.
3. Must complete at least 30 mins of physical activity each day..ie weight lifting, cardio, etc
4. Little to NO CARBS
5. No soda

Weekly Grocery List 

loaf of bread

eggs

2 lemons (must have)

fresh fruit (grapes, blackberries, raspberries, banana, blueberries, grapefruit, cherries, pear, strawberries)

green tea or hibiscus tea

water

diet soda (none for me but if you must only one soda a day) or unsweetened ice tea

low fat, reduced fat or fat free milk

coffee (two cups a day max! one tablespoon of sugar and a little half and half..no creamer! )

oatmeal or cream of wheat

enough lettuce to make 4 large fresh green salads

green bell peppers

cilantro

enough vegetables for 12 servings - remember 1 serving is the size of your fist

fish (swai, cod, or any other non-fatty white flesh fish)

4 cans of low sodium soup

frozen strawberries (fruit smoothies)

pasta (any shape or kind)

marinara sauce

chicken breast 

4 cucumbers

low fat salsa

plain yogurt

plain animal crackers 

cashews

peanut butter

ritz crackers 

black olives

Day 1 Meal Plan

You can follow it to the T or you can modify it for your wants/needs

Breakfast - 3 cups of uncooked oats = 1 cup of oatmeal 

1 banana

1 cup of tea

Snack 1 - 5 ritz crackers smeared with peanut butter 

Snack 2 - 30 grapes

Lunch - 1 cup of low sodium chicken noodle soup 

1 cup of green tea

3rd Meal- 1 large green salad (4 cups of greens) couple of olives, 1/2 sliced tomato with vinegar as dressing

water 

Dinner- 1 cup of water before eating 8 fl oz

2 servings of vegetables (remember fist size)

1 piece of fish

1 cup of unsweetened ice tea 

40 minutes of exercise! Challenge yourself! You can do your exercise at anytime of day! 

Created Protective Style

About maybe one week into my natural hair journey I knew this was going to a learning process! Boy was I right!!! Although it is a learning process it is a fun process that I genuinely enjoy.

Let us first discuss what I have been doing wrong! I was shampooing my hair as if it was still relaxed. I would just shampoo all my hair at once and I would exit the shower with an afro. A bangin afro but still an afro ha ha! This would confuse me because  when I would comb it there was not that much volume!

My usual shampoo results

I figured out that I was creating this volume by my improper shampoo method. Yesterday was the first time I sectioned off my hair and shampooed/conditioned in sections. Let me tell you this has made a world of difference! I cannot believe the retention of texture by just making this one change!

Also I have jumped on the coconut oil band wagon. I love it for conditioning my hair but do not...I repeat do not use it to seal in your moisture. All the bloggers spoke of how much it will add moisture to your hair but no one said it would grease up my darn pillow case! I swear to you I only used a very small amount! I sleep with a satin bonnet on too, but the next morning coconut oil was on my pillow case and on my neck lol! So I suggest using the coconut oil as a conditioner. Even after you rinse your hair you can still feel the moisture/oil on your tresses.



Okay back on topic. This protective style I created is pretty simple and not very time consuming. I basically created three flat twist in the back portion of my head. One flat twist on each side of my head and two strand twist for the center.

Flat twist on right side of head. I am still learning to perfect my flat twist.

Flat twist on left side. Importance of putting them on best sides was for versatility. I wanted to make sure that I could switch sides if one side started to look raggedy. I like to stretch my protective styles to last.

This picture was taken today. Never trust your husband to take a picture of your hair lol. Love him but he is no photographer. You can see two things in this picture. 1. I am no perfectionist he he 2. My texture is really starting to come into its own! I love you hair!!! 

This  one is a tad blurry, but gives you an overall view of what can be done. You do not have to do yours exactly like mine. Play with your hair! Learn every inch of it. Modify hairstyles to accentuate your assets! Make it YOU! 

The end result! 

Leave your creations in the comments! I love to see new and different hair manipulations. 

Holiday Traveling

With the holidays comes travel, what is your travel style? When I fly I dress different than if I am traveling in the car and fall/ winter wear is much different then spring/ summer wear. Since we are in winter weather and I am in the midst of traveling. Winter style will be our topic of the day . When I fly I never want to look like I just rolled out of bed, which I saw a lot off during my travels. Slippers and pajamas  are never okay to wear out in public and that includes the airport. I don't like to wear jeans or heels when I fly. Cute and comfortable is the way to go. So my 2 go to outfits are:

1)Cute velour suits, scarves and lightweight pull on boots.

2) leggings, oversized shrug or oversized sweaters, scarves and lightweight pull on boots.

Velour suits are always a great choice because it gives you a jacket with a hood to keep you warm, they are so comfortable and offer a little extra cushion when you want to take a lil nap on the plane. If you are traveling to a really cold state, add a long sleeve shirt, leggings and a scarf underneath and now you are warm and cute.

Leggings/Jeggings are one of my favorite things to wear even when I am not traveling. When I travel and wear leggings I always wear flats or lightweight flat boots. Something that is  easy to take off when going through security check. Oversized shrugs and sweaters are great because they are stylish and also keep you warm. I usually add scarves to my traveling wardrobe instead of adding jewelry because sometimes you have to take off the jewelry or they have to use the wand to check the metal. If you need to dress up your outfit a little when you get off the plane pack a cute belt  and belt your sweater or shrug once you have made it to your destination. Always add a pop of color to your lips with a lipgloss or a lipstick and you are good to go.

Happy travel and Happy New Year.

Bantu Knot Results

I finally have enough hair to try Bantu knots! It is all very exciting. I was not overjoyed with the results but I was able to look presentable. I believe I created too many smaller knots. Moving forward I will try larger knots to get more volume/definition. We all have to start somewhere!

I want to also share a quick style I had to create while in a hurry. As I am exiting the shower hubby yells come with me to the gun store....I hate to tell him no when it comes to spending time together but my hair is dripping wet! I ask for 20 minutes and this what I come up with.

As my hair grows it has become increasingly fun to develop new ways of adapting to my new texture! I love it and would not change a thing! Happy Sunday all! 

Holiday Etiquette

My favorite time of year is here!! I have such a busy month...from birthday parties, to holiday parties...I love it! I decided to come up with a few tips for making a lasting impression at your next holiday gathering.


1. RSVP - I am totally guilty of NOT doing this. I allow the date to pass and forget all about it. Set a reminder for yourself because frankly it is rude to not RSVP and simply show up! I have hosted plenty of parties and there is nothing worse than not knowing how many people you need to plan on feeding! Send a simple text if you do not feel like calling the person to RSVP. Something is better than nothing!

2. "The Outfit" - I only have to dress myself and the hubby, but that can be a task! DO NOT wait until the last minute! There is nothing worse than running around on the day of looking for black tights because you thought you had a pair. Get your outfits pressed and ready at a least a week in advance. This way everything runs smoothly!

3. Do not walk through my door empty handed! - It is sad I have to touch on this one..but I must. Don't feel too bad because I had to teach my husband this one. When you visit someones home a gift is in order. It does not have to be anything extravagant, but bring something other than your empty stomach. A snack tray, bottle of wine, the list is endless... be creative! Another pet peeve....wait for it... The snack tray was not consumed....oh I will take that back since no one ate it! Are you freaking kidding me? I do not care if the person is going to toss it in the trash..don't ever try to take a gift back! 

4.  Do you need help with anything? - That simple question will make you the couple everyone wants at their party. Most of the time the host will turn you down, but the thought of you offering warms their heart. I know the ones that strategically leave the party early hoping that no one will ask them for help tidying up. I learned this from my wonderful mother. She will never leave a person's home in disarray. So just know that if you invite me to your home plan on me offering to help wash those dishes.

Have fun and make lasting impressions! 

Natural Journey Update

I just realized I have not given an update on my hair! I guess I have been too busy loving it! I urge everyone who has chemically altered their hair to try it.

The evening I did my big chop I could my husband say"there you go with those damn scissors again"

I was previously trying to slowly trim off the chemically processed hair. Hubby had no idea this time was different. I just hacked it all off...no lie I was in a trance. I was just tired of being so afraid of the unknown. Whether I would like it or if I would want to relax my hair again. Looking back now...my thoughts/fears were crazy, but what can I say we all have doubts. Honestly when It was all gone I wanted to cry...silly I know it is just hair... but all I could do was laugh. In that moment I thought it is done now so how are we going to fix it?

I do not even know what type hair I have and frankly I do not care. All I know is that it is beautiful and it grows naturally out of my follicles. That is all that matters to me! I have fallen in love with two strand twist. That is the only protective style I have tried so far. The biggest change I notice is my growth has tripled! My hair grows so fast now! I faithfully shampoo and  deep condition every week. Detangling is not an issue for me. When sectioning I can now gather my hair in little afro puffs! I honestly do not have one negative thing to say about my hair! When I previously chemically relaxed my hair the negative list was quite long.


This picture was taken last night after I unbraided the two strand twist. (this will buy me another two days before I have to wash and deep condition)

These pictures were taken on wash day during the process:

I like to section off my hair without using a comb. 

One of these curls does not belong... I promise you every time I style my hair I see something different!

completed the back section first. 

started my twist on the right side of my head and curled the ends with a bone roller. 

finished product! I am still learning...that is the fun part! 

This is a style i saw on Pinterest. I am thinking about giving it a try. Not sure if I have enough hair yet....we shall see! 

To the female bloggers who have "Made It"

I was not going to say anything about it...but the more I think about it...that just would not be ME! So I follow several bloggers and admire their clothing selections, and how some of them really put it out there to be judged. I am speaking of plus size bloggers (to narrow it down for you). What I do not admire is their lack of tack/manners.

As you know my business partner and I have an online boutique. To help get our name out there we  reached out to four bloggers (initially thought I would only need to contact one) to see if they would be interested in pairing a purse of their choice (to keep) from our boutique with an outfit they plan to feature on their personal blog. In addition to that offer I also asked how much the blogger would charge for this type of business transaction (for lack of better word). First off 3 out of 4 messages were sent using Facebook....so I know the person viewed the message because it is time stamped and features a check mark. The 4th person i email did reply with "what is your website address?"

I thanked this woman and forwarded the address because she was the only woman to respond. After that no follow up email....It really does not bother me if the women are not interested in the stuff we sell. What bothers me is the whole I am bigger and better so you are not worth my time or response. A simple thank you for thinking of me, but the stuff you sell does not interest me. Or better yet maybe give advice or constructive criticism as to what is wrong with the product. That would have been the polite thing to do. I get it you are busy...but do not ever get so caught up in what you currently have going that you cannot help someone. It can all be gone in a split second.

I am just saying that you all had to start from the bottom I am sure someone gave you a leg up...if not then kudos to you because you are truly one of a kind.

Not if... but when we do "make it" we will not be so full of ourselves that we cannot help someone. I still follow you ladies, but I will never forget how you made me feel.

Pinterest Pins

Good Afternoon All!


I decided that we are going to start trying out some of these pins and see if they actually work! I am trying to clean up my diet so I went with a couple of healthy recipes from the "Food & Drink" section. The two recipes I selected were pretty simple.

I do not know one person who does not love avocados (except my husband...weirdo). So I decided to try a simple recipe with avocado, english muffin and egg. That is it! Why didn't I think of that? Let me tell you it was heaven in my mouth. It was gone so fast I forgot to snap a picture!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/303289356130151802/

Second recipe was a healthier version of fried banana. Sliced banana, honey and cinnamon...it had really great flavor, but mine did not look anything like the picture! I need my food to not only taste great but look great! I am going to say this is one I will not try again...but some people may like their banana mushy. If that is you have at it!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/400609329328541410/

Pinterest picture....sneaky! 

Before going into the oven 

Out of the oven... :(

Thought I would close with this picture. Today I am thankful for witnessing this tree while on my 4 mile walk! I live in Vegas, and we do not have a lot of deciduous trees! If you have any pins you would like me to try send them my way. I will do my best to provide you with a review!