Cleanse & Emotions

Okay, so seriously I think I'm about to be over this liquid cleanse stuff. I have something going on with my throat that has me all in my feeling. I want something comforting and salty to eat. Today was just rough. Suddenly cleansing just doesn't seem that important.

The Perfect Vagina

Cleansing...again

So I decided to do this cleanse for the solstice. Not sure how long I'll do it and I'm not going to stress it. I just have to get over the hump of today I think. So far I've had my water, a mason jar of ginger tea, and I'll be drinking some coconut water in a minute. The reason that I haven't had much so far is, because my money was/is super tight and I couldn't get a case of coconut water in time for today so I'm doing what I can. I have oranges in the house so I'll juice them after the coconut water if my husband isn't back with the coconut water. I am even thinking of doing a couple of day with the MC lemonade (sans the smooth move and salt water). I need to get my body back on track, because I look and feel like shit.

As for Christmas, I am thinking or ordering dinner from Zizi's so that I don't fall all the way off the wagon...again. I'm thinking about it.

That's all for now. ;)

Whelp, here we go again.

So I couldn't get my unlimited yoga pass last month, because funds were low. I was going to get it this month, but I wanted to make sure everything was going to clear first. Big mistake. I should've just paid for it when I had the money. Now I won't have it again, because I have to pay for the kids to take gymnastics and capoeira. I must REALLY love my children.

My other goal is to start the Couch to 5k challenge. I have the app on my phone. The weather has been nice. There is one problem I can't seem to get my ass to move from the couch to the 5k. Just pitiful.

I hit this SAME brick wall every year this time. My body starts yearning from a cleanse, but I know I'm going to gorge myself at Thankgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years. It takes about 15 days to correctly complete a 10 day cleanse, so there just isn't a lot of time in between, especially at this point. Christmas Eve is only 12 days away and we get together to watch movies and eat on that day. I'm still not to the point where I don't enjoy and feel pressured to eat socially. The funny thing is that my family doesn't pressure me anymore. They've gotten used to my dietary differentness. It's me. Sometimes the food is SO good that I'm all YOLO with it. If I don't stop, I'll be shortening my life. I'm not getting any younger.

Can somebody please come drag me off my couch? Thanks.

Thanksgiving Fatgurl Sydrome

I don't agree with Thanksgiving as a holiday, but I refuse to miss ANY opportunity to meet with my family. I just make sure that I teach truth when I'm with them. Now, that being said we can go on to the topic at hand.

I ate ENTIRELY too much. I feel back into my old ways of gluttony. I was so full that I was completely mean and surly. I didn't want to move, talk, or anything else. As soon as I got home I had about 3 cups of ginger tea. I mean REALLY stronger ginger tea. I was so spicy that it made my throat burn, but it settled my stomach and helped move all that food through. I realized that I still have a BIG problem with control. This is the time of year that I always think about doing a cleanse, but it's also the time of year that I always fail.

What do you do this time of year to stay on track? I need help. Eating is social and I am a social butterfly. Right now I am a fat miserable social butterfly. My goal is to at the very least stay vegetarian through Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the New Year. I will go back to vegan after that and work on raw this spring and summer. Maybe that will give me time to figure out what to do during the fall and winter months.

That's all for now, because I feel like I'm all over the place. I hope you get the idea.

Um, I don't think this is going to work.

So, I started my morning off with 2 pears and some water. I found that I was burping and having chest pains. I had to go to yoga so I took some vinegar to help settle all that gas. Long story short it didn't work. Plus I found this other blog, because I was trying to figure out why I was craving salt so much. I have a tendency to go extreme and fail rather than be balanced for the long haul. At the end of the day, my lesson for this journey once again is balance. I like savory/salt. I have to learn now not to over-do it before I can even consider cutting it out. I'm not very good at "cold turkey". I usually ween myself on or off of things.

I have the 80/10/10 book on the way and am look forward to gleaning from that. I also am going to order the book Raw Food Made Easy by Jennifer Corbleet. I have to keep reminding myself that life is a journey and not a destination (singing in my head).

The title of my journey is Balance in All Things. That, after all, is what Spirit blesses. Not too good, and not too bad. Just a little of both at the right times and in the right intervals.

Fruit: Day 2 & Such

Yesterday I had the worst craving for something salty. As I sat in a parking lot, waiting to meet my BIL, I stared at the McDonald's sign. I'm not big on The Gold Arches, but what I am big on is FRIES!!! I love them!!! In all honesty, I will probably NEVER give up fries. So as I sat there trying to act as if it were normal for me to stare longingly at Micky D's, they little ones started saying, "Aunt Kesha, I smell sumpin'. Smell like fwench fwies." Thank kids. You such good helpers. I didn't get any fries. I didn't get them, because I realize that this is just part of the journey for me right now. I was fine all day until the evening. Perhaps I should consider making myself a salad in the evening with a homemade dressing. I would love to make a raw ranch.

Anyhoo. So I got up yesterday and today at 5am. Both days we also cut everything off early. Night before last at 8pm, because my husband pleaded his case so convincingly, and last night at 7pm. My husband was on youtube after 7pm claiming that he had to look up some exercises that he was supposed to do at the gym. Right. I have yoga in a lil bit with my yoga buddy Zee, but I'm kinda sore from yesterday so I'm sure I'll look a mess. By the time you hold downward dog for the 100th time you look like a dying bug and feel like one too.

Yesterday I ate oranges, pears, dragonfruit, cherimoya, tuna (the fruit of a cactus), and water. I ate as much as I wanted throughout the day. So far this morning I've started my water and have eaten 2 pears. I am curious, however, as to why I have indigestion so bad. It's like my chest is full of gas. Speaking of gas...

Warning: This is so immature. 

Yesterday, while I was in yoga class, somebody farted. It was hilarious. I couldn't believe it. They just kept going like nothing happened. No excuse me. No nothing.

Fruit Haul & Taste Test

Updates & Such...

Long time, no "see".

Hi y'all!!! Here's what's going on.

I started yoga. I love it and I am going to stick with it. It is a full body workout, and if it's hot yoga it's a really good detox. I think I've mentioned this, but I go to Yoga One Studio.

I ordered my box from Absolute Organics. This time I ordered a fruit box, because I am experimenting with a fruitarian lifestyle. I am trying to figure out how to do it organically and affordably  I'm sure it's possible, but I just have to figure it out. The other issue that has caused me issues in the past was having to cook. I'm thinking that I may have to leave my food in a box and only eat what's in the box. Another idea is that I'll eat BEFORE I cook. I have to get healthier, because I still have major fails periodically.

Tonight we are beginning again with turning everything off at 7pm. I am going to try to do it Sunday-Thursday as a compromise. I may even start using candles to light the house; a suggestion given by The Iyalosa. That may be too much too fast for these folks around here, but it's something to try in the future. Tonight I will help my Sun practice his lines for a play he is in, read, and then go to bed if my husband hasn't decided to talk. My goal is to get up at 5am to have time to meditate/pray, drink water, and tea prior to yoga class. I need more hours in the day. I'm thinking about waking Babygirl up earlier, because she says she doesn't sleep through the night. Getting up earlier may help that.

I'm also thinking about adding hiking to my routine. I really enjoy walking at the parks, but I don't really enjoy walking around tracks or up and down the street. I guess this will be something we do after out two bonus babies leave, because they don't like to hike and I'm not going to carry anybody.

Squatty Potty-Toilet Stool: squatting for proper toilet posture

You don't need THIS stool, but you do need on in your bathrooms!

Yoga & Zee

So this was day 2 of yoga. I barely made it through, because I was so sore. Y'all yoga is not for wimps. The teachers are great, but it will just take some time before I am able to get into and maintain the poses like the other students.

Zee came with me today. She's a beautiful soul that is ALWAYS full of encouragement and love, so it was so good to have her there. It was so good to have someone to LITERALLY share my pain with. She has been one of my teachers of the true beauty of sisterhood. I KNOW she loves me as much as I love her, and that is comforting in ways that I can't express.

During yoga you are using muscles that you have NEVER used before. You are moving in ways you never thought of, and you go through emotions that you didn't even know where there. While holding downward dog for the 100th time you may feel anger well up from nowhere and a few tears may even mix with the rivers of sweat pouring off your body. When you sigh out that deep breath you will release some things. Like my Godmother says, "Just leave that shit on the mat."

Today toward the end of class. I found myself praying that this happy little blond haired yogi woman would be merciful and stop calling out positions. Finally I heard the sweetest words and found myself in corpse pose which was appropriate, because I was at the point that I thought I was going to die. I reached for my cold white lavender towel and placed it on my eyes.

She said, "Check your body and see if you are still holding onto anything. Anything in your mind or body that may be holding you back from excellence. Take a deep breath and sigh it out." Today I sighed out fear. I smiled as I watched it float away, toward the Buddha, and out the window.

My first yoga class!!! Wanna join me?

Sniffles...and yoga.

Well, this schizophrenic weather got me. I should've had my echinacea  tincture going a long time ago when I saw all the other herbal Mama's doing so, but I didn't. *sniff* I started it yesterday, but of course it won't be ready for 6 weeks. When babygirl finishes the dishes I'm going to get started on making my salve. I'm really excited. If I felt better it would have been done yesterday.

Anyhoo, I did an update video on youtube where I mentioned beginning yoga. Well, first I was trying to wait for my cycle to lighten up, then an old leg injury started flaring, then I got sick, and then my entire leg was hurting yesterday. I just feel old!!! I decided to set the date for October 1st. Hell or high water, sickness or health, rain, sleet, or snow I'm going. Well...not sleet and snow, but I will definitely brave the rain! My daughter told me to blog about it so I won't punk out. She knows me so well.

Wanna join me?

Home Away From Home

A couple of new things...

Yea, so I decided I didn't want to the the Chef Ahki cleanse. No real reason, just didn't want to. I have, however, almost eliminated starch from my diet and that has made quite a difference. I only eat it on the weekend in moderation. I do plan on doing a juice feast for the month of September and I am really excited about that. I might be mason jars so I can have everything ready ahead of time. Well, I won't be juicing, I'll be blending, because I HATE cleaning my juicer. I know that's trifling, but whatever. Don't judge me.

I just received a new bottle of my "Juju Juice" and that stuff tastes worse than it did before. I think that maybe I got used to not having to taste it everyday. Either way, that stuff was rugged! I just looked at the blog and realized that I haven't show you guys our family experience with the Juju Juice.




Now, you have seen for yourself how bad it is, but it is SO good for you. If nothing else, your bowls will be regular and clean. You KNOW that is the most important thing in my opinion. I am of the belief that many diseases start in the bowls because of constipation. Most people have no idea that they are constipated. They will tell you something like, "Oh no honey, I go to the bathroom everyday!" They don't realize that you should go after every meal just like you did when you were a baby, especially a breast feed baby. It should also be easy breezy. It shouldn't be a bunch of straining or anything. It should be as easy urination it, but not necessarily as watery.

I am also going to start a yoga class. A place called Yoga One where they have an introductory offer of 31 days for $31. My goal is to go all 31 days. They have a great schedule so I shouldn't have much of an excuse for not going. I am really excited to see what will happen to my body. I went to visit the studio and the first thing I was struck by was the colors inside. Then as I scanned all of the friendly faces this beautiful scent wrapped itself around my nose. A woman behind the next greeted me warmly and a man offered me some grapes from his bowl. They were really friendly and patient. Y'all know I'm all pro-black and such, but the only person I know of right now works for the YMCA and I don't want to drive across, because as you may have noticed, gas is high as hell. Anyway, I'll keep you updated on how that goes of course. I may even interview some folks at some point.

Until next time. Odabo!

The Real Matrix - 101 Reasons for Taking the Red Pill

The Coconut Revolution (2001, 50min) (480x360)

My slack ass

Yea so...about that working out thing. My workout buddies car has been down for quite a while and I have used this as an excuse to be slack. I didn't really think that it would last as long as it did, but it has. I'm fat and lazy all over again. I am going to be making some dietary changes, which you can read about here. I am also going to make some workout changes. My focus has been on cardio, and I have learned that while cardio does burn calories it DOES NOT help my metabolism. My husband even reminded me last night that when he was my coach, I saw faster results.

*I would like to take a moment to shift blame to him for not working out with me anymore.*

I started using weights before I got slack and boy that was a good workout, PLUS I don't have to worry about hurting my ankle. I will incorporate the jump rope as my cardio most times. I'm thinking that I will work with doing sets rather than timing myself, yoga every other day to stay limber and prevent injury, and focus on arms and belly. I have new tattoos and am getting 2 more. I don't want Joe's work to be on a flabby canvas. lol

Chef Ahki, starch, flotation device bellies

Hello my name is Morenike and I am a starch addict.

I'm almost certain that I have posted on this topic before, but because I have an addiction I have to post about it again. It doesn't seem to matter than I am a pretty healthy eating vegan/vegetarian, I can't seem to lose weight namely around my middle. When your niece asks you why you stomach looks like a float, it's time to make some changes.

Meet Chef Ahki. She is about to change my life with her simple 3 week /21 day cleanse. I know at this point y'all are like, "This chick is so wishy-washy." What can I say? I'm a Gemini with Cancer tendencies. The only difference between you and I is that I'm posting my dirty laundry to help you. lol I will keep at this until I find something that works FOR ME. Anywho, she is the anti-starch sista, who made it crystal clear why some vegans are fat in this video.



Now that you have watched the vid, if you even realized that I was still writing down here, my dawta and I have decided to get rid of our flotation device-like mid sections. We will start back exercising and nix the starch. I write about the slackness with the exercise later. I am also going to order Chef Ahki's detox tonic to assist me when I start the cleanse. I was tempted to do the renew cleanse, but it seems like just another imbalanced cleanse. It just gets rid of parasite, but doesn't deal with all the other stuff. I know I have an issue with yeast because I have these fierce cravings for starch which is the same as craving sugar.

"The best way to detox yeast? That's the key. Most people have no idea how yeast and candida affect their health. The pharmaceutical companies wan to sell us drugs to rid us of yeast. None of their drugs work. Only way to kill yeast is to STOP FEEDING IT. What do yeast eat? Starch/Sugar...As long as you put starch in your body you are going to have yeast. The problem is yeast is a brilliant parasite. When it is starved for sugar it triggers cravings for sugar in its host. It's not YOU that wants a plate full of brown rice under your vegetables. It's the yeast. There is very little useful nutrition in brown rice. The only reason we eat is to satisfy cravings of the yeast parasites. The key to escaping the yeast trap is to reduce the cravings and to starve the yeast." ~Chef Ahki 

I am very excited about trying the detox, although I know my starch cravings are going to be cutting a fool. Idk, how my daughter is going to do since she got jacked eating a freakin' HUGE pork chop Sunday. Yes, I snitched on you publicly! lol Our plan is to begin working out again Monday. I will be focusing on weights rather than cardio. I'll let you all know how everything goes as usual.

How to Store Greens

How to make an herbal Infusion

Raw Foods and Alkaline Diet FULL HD

Hard Head Soft Behind...Bad Food Combining = Indigestion

So, I am a mentor for a girls group at the church we used to attend. Tonight we had a cooking class to show the girls how to make basic dishes, teach sanitation, and oven safety. The food was SO GOOD!!! I also tend to eat more when I'm around other people. I didn't over eat this time, BUT I did do some HORRIBLE food combining. I did not stick to my vegan ways and I am paying for it. I felt nauseous, bloated, was burping, and my bowels were threatening me all the way home.

I am miserable and shame. I am telling you all this so that when the path gets rough you will know that it's not just you. For some reason I am one of those people that doesn't half way do anything. If I am going to be undisciplined I'm going all in. I have gotten lazy because my workout buddy hasn't been around, then I hurt my back gardening, then...hell I just got lazy. My plan is to get back on track Sunday or Monday doing SOMETHING. I have got to put an hour in doing some kind of something. Doesn't matter what it is as long as I de-ass my couch for at least an hour.

Just try to be mindful of what you do while you are doing it. You are going to get paid back whether your decisions are good or bad. I can't even lay down right now, because even after 3 Tsp of vinegar I still have indigestion really bad. It's better than it was, but it's still REALLY bad. I'm going to do better. MY body needs to be vegan and it's won't act right until I comply...

More garden stuff...not so long

My too long garden vid...

Hair update, brief book reviews, and other stuff

Titus's Birthday, randomness, and confessions...

So, we celebrated my husband's birthday late, because we were out of town and he couldn't go because of work. We had a cookout with PLENTY of food and dessert and yes I fell off. I can't NOT resist my brother-in-law's grilled salmon. It is always PERFECT. I am back on the wagon now...I think. I just thought I would come and confess my "sins". Oh, and here's one more. I have had a few drinks here and there. I can't say I feel bad about it, because I'm not drinking every weekend like I was, but I just thought I would put it out there. Here's what I made last night.

Blood Orange Flavored Skyy Vodka, Fresh Strawberries, and Fresh Peaches!!! I'll argue that it was healthy because of the fresh fruit and the Vodka was to ensure that the freshness was maintained. That's my lie story and I'm sticking to it. 

I bought a new weighted jump rope to add to the workout and replace my old one that looks more like jump string. I will be getting up at 6am to workout because our bonus children are coming at 6:45 so that means that I can get most of my workout done before they get here. I really just need to get the treadmill part done so that I can keep an eye on them

Twisty V Situp Vid

I've been slack...don't judge me.

Okay,so I've been a little slack here and there. I got a little lazy with the tabata, because I wasn't doing my best at all. I wasn't really pushing my limits and that caused me see less and less results. I still haven't lost any weight, but I am more toned. I need to take measurements, but I can tell by my clothing. What am I doing now?

 A couple of summers ago, my husband and I were working out together and all of the lessons started flooding back. He had me using weights. EVERYTHING was toned. So, now we have incorporated weights into the routine and we are using the treadmill instead of walking. For now the treadmill is keeping us honest and giving us goals. My new mantra is that you can't cheat on the treadmill. Basically, what that means is that you can't slow down without pushing the button and you can't decrease the the incline without knowing.

When I get off this couch and exercise in a couple of minutes I will be doing this:

1 mile on the treadmill-I will be doing between a 2-3 incline, 3-5 speed during each lap. I am trying to decrease my time.

100 reps for my upper arms to rid myself of the flappy arms

100 reps of ab exercise. My favorite is the twisty v. Maybe I'll remember to make a video of it today.

100 reps for chest to try and help the girls sit up.

100 calf raises because I think it helps to protect my jacked up ankle

100 jump rope jumps. I know that's not a lot, but don't judge me.

So that's what I plan on doing today. I'll take the computer outside and video the sit up things.

Medina Nash

Sugar & Corn Syrup

Randomness

Had a wonderful workout today. The vibe was great and the energy was UP!!! There is a sista that works out with us 3 days a week. I can't remember if I mentioned her before. She is starting to make some life style changes and working out is one of them.

Here are some pics from AFTER the workout:

My daughter asked me to try doing a backbend. I know it ain't the prettiest, but dammit I did it!!! For the record, I held the pose for a few seconds!!!

The of course my daughter had to show me up. lol She taught herself to do this and can even kick over. She is amazing. 

I asked our workout Sista to do her favorite yoga pose. She is doing so well and I am SO PROUD of her. She is sticking with it and I have already seen improvements in flexibility and endurance!!! She makes me feel good about myself so I hope she feels WONDERFUL about herself. 

On another note, a friend of mine bartered a hair do for a vegan cake. I have a strawberry cake with chocolate icing. My two favorite things. You can be proud of me that I shared with my family, because those that know me are fully aware that I am challenged in that area. I think I'll eat some before I go to bed. What? It's vegan. How could that be wrong?

Yoga for Love Handles

I am Trayvon Martin

Coconut Water (short cleanse)

A lil hair & a lil shrankin'

I forgot to post this picture in the video, but this is a new pic of me.

Lunch: Homemade Pizza

Sunshine had a bright idea for lunch. My job was to make it was it healthy. I made their's vegetarian and mine vegan. All of them looked really good. Mine was delicious. I used that oval shaped flat bread that we already had in the fridge. I guess you've noticed by now that I'm no longer on the cleanse. My husband is hanging in there though, but he always does well when it's something that was his idea in the first place.

This lovely creation belongs to my sun. He asked for broccoli, spinach, and jalapeno. 

These are mine. I knew I wasn't going to make another one later so I made both and will just warm the other one later. It has broccoli, spinach, red onion, red, yellow, and green bell pepper, olives, mushrooms, hot peppers, and vegan cheese. 

Sunshine had red, yellow, and green peppers, and spinach. She loved it!

Lil Update

I'm am doing pretty well today. I certainly feel better than I did yesterday. I had 2 smoothies today and raw spaghetti with a salad for dinner. It was REALLY and it got my husband's approval. I think I spent about $22 on everything I needed and I still have plenty leftover for tomorrow. I will probably take it out of the fridge early to allow time for it to warm up. Although I don't mind it being room temperature, I don't like it being ice cold either.

I got on the scale and nothing...I'm still in the same range that I always am, but I'm really starting not to care. I've been eating pretty well, but not exercising as hard. That's going to stop as soon as I can recover from this headache that started Sunday. I'll find some kind of exercise to do tomorrow so that I don't get too lazy.

Be sure to check out my video. I'm not the best with the editing thing yet, but I tried and the information is accurate. ;)

Raw Spaghetti

Overeating + unhealthy eating = pure misery

Y'all, I ate at Mama's today. I ate vegetarian, not vegan. I am literally miserable right now. I drank 3 Tbsp of vinegar to help break this food down and I will be taking a laxative shortly because this is ridiculous. I feel like crap. One day I'm gone learn to just eat raw vegan as often as possible and refuse to put myself in this situation. I have been feeling wonderful all week from drinking smoothies and water, and now I feel like crap.

Just wanted to purge myself of my sin of consumption to hopefully help you all along your way.

Medina Nance-Certified Herbalist

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



Part 4

Cleansing Again...Day 1

Well, here we are. Day1 of the cleanse that my husband proclaimed. I have to admit that this has been REALLY tough. If my husband called it off right now, I would be in the kitchen eating that marvelous meal I made for the kids.

So in the morning it's all about the water and chlorophyll. The goal is to consume at least a gallon of chlorophyll water during the day. I made him 2 green smoothies today. As for me I had a bottled smoothie that had good ingredients with no sugar, because me and Mama took the small humans to the movies. I did sneak my chlorophyll water and 2 smoothie bottles in. By the time lunch time came around I had pissed out all of the smoothies and water, so I was famished. We headed to the food court which I had scoped out earlier, because I knew they were going to want to eat there. I found a place that made smoothies. The variety was VERY limited so I just got bananas and strawberries. I asked that he leave out all dairy and he seemed very happy to be doing something different so I was excited. The bummer came in when I saw him pour my "bananas" from a freakin' carton. What? Whooooooosah....it's fine. I'm going to drink it. I'm not going to pitch a fit. It was good, but I do think it had some kind of sweetener in it. Apparently, my pallet is kind of over the overly sweet stuff.

When we got some, I thought I was going to die from starvation. At some point I said to hubby, "So, you doing 23 days?" He replied that he didn't know and listed various reasons for why. For once, I was praying that he would change his mind. Of course, just my luck, his sticking with it.  *Florida Evans Voice* DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!!!

A cleansing we will go...

Total Fail!

The cleanse was a total fail. Why? Lack of money and emotional roller coasters can be be the undoing of a cleanse...trust me.

I had the best of intentions, but it just seemed cursed from the onset. I was supposed to do a coconut water cleanse right? So, I went to the store that usually has the huge Vitacoco waters, but they didn't have anything except the little tiny ones. I bought another brand that was on sale. I bought a whole case of these tiny containers, only to get in the car and discover that they were DISGUSTING!!! My money was running low because my clients were also running low. I decided to supplement the coconut water with a daily afternoon salad for lunch and regular water in the evening.

At this point life began to happen and stuff just went haywire. It was really tough. To add to it, my husband, the saboteur, kept bring home my favorite "junkfood" treats. Of course, because I was jacked emotionally, my mind said "NOOOOOOOOOO!" but my body said, "Oh yea baby, bring it on!", I'd eat every crumb.

So, after not coming to the cleanse meeting again AND not cleansing with me, he decides he wants to do a cleanse. I will be starting with him so that way I can stay on track myself. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. I guess you could say that I'm re-cleansing. I ordered my Vitacoco this time. I ordered 14 of the 17 oz sizes and I'll order more when I have more money so that way I won't run out before I'm done. When will I be done? I'm not sure. I'm thinking of adding chlorophyll and maybe some spirulina, but I've never had spirulina before so we'll see.

While I'm doing all this, I am going to add walking on the treadmill to my tabata that I do with the chirren. I'm thinking that I'll do the treadmill for 30 minutes and then do yoga for tabata with a little Shake Weight thrown in. Btw, yes I use the Shake Weight and yes, I like it.

That's the end of my true confession. Yes, I am so damn shame it ain't even funny. I had to come clean with y'all because I said I was gone keep it honest so that's what I did.

Hope y'all still love me.

Video: Blending my foods up the right way again.

It's that time again Sugahs!!!

Happy Spring Solstice y'all!!! Things are starting out great so far. I started out with water and a workout. After that I drank coconut water and it really did a job on my bowels. Yay! I had to use another brand because my local healthfood store was out of my favorite (Vitacoco). For lunch I had a MEGA salad! OMG!!! I was overwhelmingly delicious! The rest of my night will be water and coconut water.

My salad before the addictive ginger dressing. SO delish and SO filling!

My daughter's salad. She made a avocado-hummusy kind of thing that was SO good!

3 of the 4 salads...mine was the best! : P

That's pretty much all for right now.

Spring Cleanse-March 20th

It's that time again! Yep time to welcome Sista Spring back with all her loveliness!!! I love the spring! It's a time for newness and redemption. It's also a time that most people cleanse, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. How can you cleanse involuntarily? Easy, fresher foods are available and you tend to eat them more when they are more available.

This is the one cleanse that I NEVER miss. I don't know what I'm going to do this time around though. I can't decide between doing raw food, coconut water, or monodiet. I'm going to do 10 days either way. Maybe I'll do a combination between coconut water and monodieting. What do you think?

What are you going to do to spring back into good health? How will you cleanse? What permanent changes will you make?

BLACK Stay At Home Dad "Man Boobs"

I was feelin bad...I was feelin mighty low...until...

So I was feeling a little down about not being able to stay out of the 150s. My goal is first 140lbs and then 130lbs. Anyhoo, yesterday I pulled this blog up for a friend to show her something and I ran across this post. Somehow, it had slipped my mind that I used to be 180lbs!!! I'm feeling pretty good about myself right now. I'm not at my goal, BUT I can say that I haven't gone back to 180 at any point during this 3 year (?) journey. I know what doesn't sound like a lot, but it means something to me.

Sometimes the health gods are merciful and will give you a little encouragement that you weren't even looking for and didn't even fully realize you needed.

Btw, I ate 4 oranges in one sitting and I felt GREAT!!! That would technically be considered a mono meal. I think I'm falling in love with those. What is my family going to eat? Every man and child for themselves perhaps? lol

Too Much Fruit on a Low Fat Raw Food Diet?

Green breakfast--no smoothies!

Now, first let me say that these are not the most "healthy" breakfasts, but they work pretty well when you are sick of smoothies and fresh fruit. Yes, I do get sick of that sometimes. I still have a starch addiction that I feed periodically. When I do, I try to make it more healthy than I would traditionally eat it.

Yesterday, we ate grits! Yes good ol' grits. I'm southern and will probably never fully give them up. Don't judge me. Shoot, go ahead and judge me. I don't care. lol Anyhoo, here are the pics.

Raw chopped spinach, raw chopped tomatoes, and sauteed onions.

Add you hot grits. I seasoned mine with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. The yellow stuff is my vegan "cheese" or nutritional yeast. While the grits are cooling the spinach is wilting and the tomatoes are warming up. The point is to keep them as close to raw as possible. 

Mix it all up and try not to burn your mouth as you gobble this up!!! It's SOOOO GOOD!!!

My daughter eats hers with everything except the onions and heavy nutritional yeast.

My son eats his with everything except tomatoes.

I really hope you try this if you like grits. It's a healthier way to have an old Southern favorite.

Now, this morning my son asked for potatoes. Of course I couldn't just let the baby eat starch by itself so I tried to figure out a way to to make it healthier. Here's what we came up with.

Potatoes cut on the spiralizer with a lovely miso mayo. Sauteed veggies (onions, tomatoes, and spinach) with seasonings. I topped it with Daiya cheese which is vegan.

Take these ideas and make them your own to improve you meals.

LOOK AT ME!!! I HEALED MYSELF!!!

I am so excited about this, but first some background.

I have, as some of you know, have suffered migraines for years. If I eat the way I should and get a decent amount of rest I don't have them at all. Of course like most of you, I don't always do what I should even when I know what's best. I started having migraines again and started taking migraine medicine. Because it has aspirin and caffeine combined it gives me and a lot of other people stomach ulcers.

 The other day I was reading something (sorry I don't remember what) and it talked about capsaicin healing stomach ulcers. Like most of you I don't really do cayenne, at least not to the point that it would be useful. I remembered a friend of mine, Mushirah, telling me about making your own gel capsules. Thanks Mushirah!!!
Again, this idea came back to me because of lack of funds. I already had more cayenne than I could possibly use. I bought the capsules for about $7 (I'll find them cheaper later) and sat down at the table to pack them with hot smoking magic!!!

BE CAREFUL WHEN PACKING CAPSULES WITH CAYENNE!!! Don't touch your face PERIOD!!! I didn't and it still made me sneeze and the "dust" got in my nose and down my throat. It was bad, but I can only imagine if I forgot and touched my face. Anyhoo, I gave one to my husband. He said his burned going down, but I think he got one of the ones I packed before realizing that they kind of "lock" in place. Mine didn't burn at all. So usually when I'm hungry and once I start eating my stomach begins to hurt really bad. I was bracing myself for it the entire time. Btw, I made some slammin' cauliflower mashed "potatoes". Everybody loved them. Back on topic, my stomach is still pain free and I am SO happy!!!

Hope this helps somebody else along the way. Now, I will say this as a note. Herbal remedies only work or work best when you already have a healthy lifestyle. Otherwise you can take them as much as you want and never reap the benefits.

A friend of mine called today while talking about dietary changes, we ended up talking about how to make it affordable. Well, I thought I would an example with the rest of you. Today I bought some bananas from the clearance section in the produce area. 

These bananas are perfect and ready to eat. See the little brown spots? That means that the sugars are perfect and easy to digest. These will NOT cause constipation. 

Banana smoothie anyone?

Jackfruit and Sweet Lemon

Today we went to a local grocery store that is more like an international food store called Compare Foods. As fast as they are spreading, you probably have one in your area. Anywhoo, the kids and I have been doing mono-dieting when money is short or when we feel like it. They funny thing is that they request it. Mari's fruit of choice is cantaloupe while David's is mango. Today we went to Compare Foods because I knew they would have a wider variety. They did NOT disappoint. The first thing we tried was something called Sweet Lemon.

Sweet Lemon looks like a yellow orange with a little green tinge. When you cut it open it is an extremely pale yellow, almost white. The peel is very thin and easy to pull off and the flesh pulls away from the filmy thin skin on the inside much like a grapefruit does. It taste clean, almost watery with a very slight sweet taste. I can imagine that this would be DELISH on a hot summer day and it also would travel and keep well since it is in the citrus family.

I think the first time I heard about Jackfruit was from an vegan-master blogging-guru-down-to-earth-sistah by the name of Evelyn. Today we tried it for ourselves. First of all this thing is the size and weight of a watermelon, but it has this very prickly skin. To get to the flesh, I took a large knife and cut it like I would a watermelon. You will meet with some resistance in the middle as it does have a type of firm/soft core. Once you cut it into pieces that you can work with you will find something that looks like pods throughout the fruit. This is what you want to eat. They are hollow because the seed is in it. The seeds are surrounded by a stringy flesh. They part you eat has a light sweet taste. It's not a juicy fruit. It has a fleshy rubbery feel to it, but it isn't unpleasant at all. It does take a little work to eat, so it's not something to eat when you are in a rush. It seems like something that would be good to take on a picnic. I really enjoyed it and will be going for another slice when I'm done blogging.

Whole Jackfruit

Sliced in half.

Flesh & fruit pods

This is the part you eat, but be careful of the seed. If you squeeze it, you can feel where it is inside. 

Inside of the fruit pod. 

I'm glad that we enjoyed the fruit that we tried today, but the truth of it is that you should always be willing to give new fruits and veggies a try. Sometimes you will love what you try and sometimes you will hate it. Sometimes you will find that you have to try it again at a later date to give it another shot. Either way variety is indeed the spice of life, so spice up your life and your plate with new foods. Try something new at least once a month and be sure to involve the children. If you have picky eaters make it an event and involve them in the process. Let them pic the new fruit/veggie and help prepare it. Eat and enjoy!!!

Vegetarian Relapse, Food Combining, Big Starchy Mistake, and Mono Dieting

I always seek to be as transparent as possible...even when it is somewhat humiliating. There are lessons in all things.

First of all I at a sandwich from a place called Jimmy Johns that was SO good!!! OMG! It had mayo, Dijon mustard, tomato, onions, sprouts, and cheese all on French bread with a HUGE dill pickle on the side with a large lemonade. *lick lips* I am proud about one thing. I chose the smaller sandwich rather than the one with all the extras. As I reclined in my chair to enjoy the lingering flavor in my mouth a familiar feeling began to resurface. *BUUUUUURRRRRRPPP* Here we go with the burping...again. Bless my husbands heart, he is so understanding because there is NOTHING sexy about the man sized burps. I am finding that I don't do well when I have too many different kinds of foods in one sitting. Hence my entertaining the whole mono-diet idea.

On to a short lil diddy about food combining. See the chart I posted here. I think that I am either becoming more sensitive OR I am becoming more aware of when I have made bad decisions with food combining. I still think that I was just less aware of all the burping, farting, and bloating before because people make it seem like that is a normal part of eating/overeating. I think in near future, as a become more disciplined, I will eat sandwiches with a lot less stuff on them.

About that starch. Today, I found myself again trying to figure out what to eat with less then $20. Well we had some pretty strange combinations in the freezer, but they were mostly starchy. I didn't have a lot of money so I decided to just eat what was in the freezer. Well, after eating it I found my blood sugar ALL out of whack. I haven't felt like this in a VERY long time and I do NOT like it at all. This will not happen again. I should have gone and bought $20 worth of fruits and veggies. Live and learn, and when you learn teach.

I am looking into something called Mono Dieting. It's just like sounds, you eating only one thing. Now, I read one site where the lady ate the same thing for an extended amount of time...like months. I was thinking more like eating one thing all day today and then something else all day tomorrow. I think this will be a really good break for my body. Of course I will post about it when I try it. I also plan to do it according to what's on sale. lol I might even start or finish with a coconut water cleanse.

Edit: I found this site and she did a wonderful job explaining and exploring mono meals.

Sexy Belly...

Tabata & Free Online Interval Timer!!! Brangin' Sexy Back SUGAH!!!

Hey Sexy Sistah Crew!!!

A while back Mari and I discovered a really good workout that only takes 4 minutes! Literally. You WILL feel it, and depending on the type of exercise you choose, you WILL burn fat and/or reach your cardio peak.

It's called Tabata. The way it works is that you can do ANY exercise(s) of your choice. You do the first exercise as hard and fast as you can for 20 seconds and rest for 10 seconds. I know it sounds like a bunch of nothing, but do it first and then lemme know what you think.

One problem we had was that the timer on my phone doesn't do intervals very easily, so that meant I was spending most of my rest period resetting my phone. Here is something cool I found for FREE!!! A TABATA TIMER!!! Click here for the timer!

Here's an example of what we do:

1. Downward Dog to Plank (repeat for 20 seconds)
2. Rest (10 seconds)
3. Jumping Jacks
4. Rest
5. Push Ups
6. Rest
7. Crunches
8. Rest
9. Jump Rope
10. Rest
11. Crab Walk
12. Rest
13. Run with knees high
14. Rest
15. Shake Weight
16. Rest
17. REJOICE BECAUSE YOU MADE IT!!!!!

I really hope you find this helpful as another option to get and stay in shape. I am a bit ADHD when it comes to exercise. I have found that if I just have a lot of options and don't hold myself to specific periods of time I do very well and it works for me. The point is to do more than you used to do. 

My Good/Bad Lunch

Whole wheat pita pockets stuffed with mushrooms, veggie bacon, pickles, and avocado!!! Although the salt is higher than what I should have, it's less than what I normally have. Plus everybody else also had veggie burgers and I didn't.

I ate it with slaw that I learned to make from my friend Mushirah, although I have tweaked it a little bit to my taste. Yes, those are french fries. What can I say, potatoes are my weakness. I didn't add oil this time and normally I would have. I will be eating the slaw tomorrow for lunch...yes, it's that good!

1 Month Update!!!

Greetings Family!!! Today is my 1 month up date and I'm so glad that I don't have to be humiliated by failure! To be honest, I'm not where I thought I'd be, but that's because I didn't starve myself with cleanse after cleanse, but instead am trying to INCOPORATE cleanses as a natural complement to good eating habits.

So a month ago I posted my weights and such so here is the update for this month.
Height
5'2" (I'm 34 so that isn't going to change. lol)

Weight
Last Month: Pre-colon flush 169.4 After flush 166.4
This Month: 157.2 (I do fluctuate between 157 and 160 depending on the time of the day and my discipline that day.)

Chest
Last Month: 39"
This Month: 37"(doesn't matter to me because I hate bras.)

Waist
Last Month: 37"
This Month: 34" (I AM BRANGIN' SEXY BACK SUGAH!!!)

Hips
Last Month: 43"
This Month: 42" (What can I say? I'm a grown ass woman...*shrugs and sashays off*

Before-Notice the chin and stomach specifically

Before-Notice my width. lol

Trying to get a pic of my sweat from walking on the treadmill

Can you see it? Can you see my beautiful sweat?!?!?! Oh wait! I almost forgot. I don't sweat I GLISTEN...

I don't know why I'm leaning like that. I think I was copying my daughter who was taking the picture. lol Not quite so wide this month!!! YAY!

My chin and gut are melting away!!!

I can truly say that I am enjoying this journey for the first time ever. I am learning so much. This time it is about getting healthy and releasing weight is just what happens when you eat like you should. I'm not saying that I always get it right, but I try!!! lol

"Black Gold" Esperanza Spalding ft. Algebra Blessett

Have a Lawn and Eat Too - The Edible Backyard Barrel Garden

Black Schools A Matter of Life and Cultural Death dvd preview

Super-fast Update!

Current Weight: 157.6

This is my green smoothie. I think it had bananas, apples, spinach, and blueberries. I do remember that it was delish!!!

I bought some crystallized aloe under the suggestion of one of my clients. The website is http://www.aloeferoxonline.com/  . You can go check out everything they do on your own. You should and probably do already know that it has something to do with bowel health.   

Just wanted to give you a close up so that you know what to look for. 

This is WONDERFUL!!!. You know I'm a dump cook, but I'll just give you the ingredients. Potatoes, onions that I shredded like noodles with my spiralizer, garlic, curry, kale, vegan bouillon cube, and salt to taste. After everything is cooked and tender take about a 3rd of it out (you decide) and blend it until smooth. Once blend it add it back to the soup pot for a creamy delicious meal that will be both satisfying and healthy.

Now for the highlight of the day. I didn't get to take a picture because my daughter and I were to busy trying to sneak and eat it. My daughter loves kale in any form, but especially kale salad. Well, when we got our delivery today the avocado wasn't ripe. IMPROVISE!!! I cleaned the kale and chopped it rather finely. Put it in a bowl. I added onion and garlic powder, lime juice, horseradish mustard, soy sauce, and nutritional yeast. OMG!!! HONEY!!! That kale had us in the kitchen whispering, chewing, and dancing!!! I thought it could use a little ginger, but baby girl said no to that. Anyway, I really hope this helps you with some meal ideas. 

I'm exhausted btw. I stayed up late fooling with my husband. I only walked a mile on the treadmill this morning. I'm scared I'm going to get bored with it, so I'm going to try and get the weighted hoola hoop sooner rather than later.

Peace, love, and regular bowel movements!!!

What To Do With The Vegetable Pulp From The Juicer, Ep99

Dr. Llaila Afrika: The Path to Holistic Wellness

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6


Part 7


Part 8


Part 9

Sweet Potato Pie & The Treadmill

This will be short. I'm greedy. Sweet potato pie talks. It knows my name. It called. I answered. While my mouth was open to say "huh" it jumped in my mouth. 3 pieces to be exact. I walked 3 miles between 2.0-3.5 per hour at 1-10 incline. My punishment was quite enjoyable and rewarding much to my own surprise. I was listening to RBG Fitclub workout CD. LOVE IT!!!

That is all. Don't judge me. Goodnight.

UGH!!!

I am starting to realize that I get very irritated when people don't take their health seriously, but pretend like they do. If you are sick and know what you should be doing and choose not to do it, don't tell me. It makes me not even WANT to help you. To be honest I'm like that on everything. If you ask for my help and don't do what I suggest, then please stop asking. I am going through my own issues with eating and getting healthy. I'm tired of being overweight, out of shape, and clogged up. If you aren't then that is just fine with me, but just know that I won't beg you to do better. I won't continue to try and teach you if you don't want to learn.

I...WANT...TO...LIVE!!!

I don't want to die from preventable diseases. I don't want to be the person in the casket that people look at my fat ass and lie saying, "Lawd, she was so young. I can't believe she died from *insert preventable disease of choice here*." I have heard that lie so many times and I am SO sick of it.

I watched Paula Dean today on that cooking show "The Chew". She sittin' up there crying and going on about having diabetes, giving up sweet tea, blah, blah, blah. Then she goes on to say that she has always preached moderation! WHEN?!?! THEN she said gave all these reasons that people can be diabetics, including race which is a steaming pile of bullshit, but conveniently left out diet. Really Paula? Really?

It's time for us to stop choosing to buy into these lies. There are so many people out here that are older than Paula Dean and super healthy because they have discipline! I'm trying to learn from them. I don't want to make anymore excuses. I'm not saying that I won't screw up, but I can say that I won't quit. I am back down to the size I was when I did the MC originally and I did it just by changing my diet and 3 days on the treadmill. I have messed up a few times, but I made up for it. My children WILL NOT bury me before my time. I owe it to them to stay around as long as possible and to slip peacefully to the other side.

Oh, btw, I ate a really good salad with hummus instead of dressing and it was better than I could have ever imagined!!! I'll try to remember to take a picture of it tomorrow...if I don't gobble it down again. That's something else I'm working on.

Khepra Coconut Water Detox Lecture

Part 1




Part 2

Meet Khepera...

Please check this brotha out at his website.

Dat Treadmill is da TROOF!

Weight update: 160.8

Got up this morning...later than usual. Listen I practice celebrating my history 365 so don't judge me for picking today to sleep in. Anyway, I got on that treadmills in that freezing garage and worked until I got a nice sweat going!!! I am in love. I even got grown and jogged a VERY short distance. I am proud of myself because I haven't done any cardio in forever. I did a about 1.25+miles, got my heart rate up and burned about 200+ calories. I came inside showered and did my prayers. I even put some perfume on. I was really feeling good about muhself. ;)

My plan is to do this every morning so that I will think about what I eat. I hope that will make me be more thoughtful about what I put in my mouth. I am working on portion control and eating when bored. Today we didn't formally homeschool and I got bored so I was eating things I shouldn't. I really have to work on that. I have plenty to do, but I am so used to my life centering around my chirren I guess I just fell off.

Thanks to Nikale, I'm bringin' sexy back...hopefully.

On another note, my husband bought me the book Raw Foods on a Budget by Brandi Rollins, M.S.. It is REALLY good so far. It's not just a cookbook. She is really showing you how to afford a healthier lifestyle and avoid being a starchitarian. I hope to implement her ideas while on the journey to health.

http://www.rawfoodsonabudget.com/

Lastly, a client of mine let me try her weighted hoola hoop and I fell in love!!! I want one so bad. The one I found locally is $40. It will be totally worth it when I get $40 to spare. Maybe I can get my Mama to buy it for me as a REALLY birthday present. Yea, maybe I'll try that. I don't ask for stuff very often so she might go for it. Let's all join in a word of prayer for me to get a weighted hoola hoop. What? don't you want me to have a slim sexy waistline?

Bartering is the BOMB!!!

So, in case you haven't noticed, this lovely country is in a bit of a financial bind. As is commonly said, "If white America has a cold, Black America has the flu." and this is true in the case of the recession. There is good news for those of us that are smart and humble enough to try it. BARTERING STILL EXISTS!!! Guess what I bartered for...I'll wait...

A TREADMILL!!! THANKS NIKALE!!!

Not a old one either, this thing is nice. I am so excited too. I'm going to try it out in the morning. I hope my experience doesn't morph into one of those America's Funniest Home Videos moments.

Btw, since I can never seem to post a blog lately without mention of my bowels, I'll tell you that I'm up because it took longer than usual for my prune juice to kick in and so I'm sitting up with the bubble guts. Reason #539 why enemas are better!

Breakthrough-An Inspiring Raw Food Documentary

An Enema Saved My LIFE!!!

So yesterday I was is quite a state. My innards were bloated, and I was burpin' and fartin' uncontrollably...aw quit lookin' at me like you ain't neva been in the same situation. I wrote all about it here. Well, I was finally able do my enema. I took it in 3 separate times to empty the bag, but let me tell you, it was worth it!!!

Most times I am a prune juice kinda sista. I mean I really still like it alot because I don't have to set aside private time, which is hard to come by around here, to do it. It can, however, get pretty explosive and can leave your stomach gurgling for quite a while after the major expulsion has taken place. I have learned to just use it as a regulator though. What can I say? I like prune juice.

The difference with the enema is that you are almost immediately relieved from your gastrointestinal discomfort. I can take a while to finish, but still not as long, start to finish, as the prune juice. I told my friend Mushirah that I try to read a chapter of Dick Gregory while I massage my abdomen and let the lemon juice break down the mucus coating my intestines. I noticed such a huge difference!!! I actually felt energetic and light! I took my shower and came out dancing. FYI/TMI I lost about a pound of waist. I'm starting to wander if I can do this every day until I am pretty much all cleanse of old waste. I'll have to find time to ask Mushirah. Bless her heart, I can be such a nag, but her class on enemas literally changed my life!

Master Cleanse?

Okay, so although I am doing better than I was (which isn't saying much) I think I need to suck it up and do MC. I really hate it, I must say. Well honestly what I hate is the constant sweet taste of the lemonade. I don't even bother with the salt water flush. If you checkout www.soulvegfolk.com you'll find a lovely post with a lot of input in the comments. I have used it as a jumping off point in the past and looks like that might just be my "thing". I've also been reading the Dick Gregory book and he is heavy on fasting so I feel hyped up for it.

I am noticing when I have combined foods incorrectly, and can't figure out how I never noticed this before. I'm sure I noticed, but I didn't realize that it wasn't normal. For example, I woke up all slim this morning...well slimmer. I put on my jeans and thought that maybe I'd worn them and hung them back up by mistake, but nope I've lost weight. I sashayed by my husband and he commented *shoulder back, chin up, extra hip sway* and I was really feeling myself. Then I ate lunch. I was SO good and by most people's judgement very healthy. Then for dessert about an hour or two later I made orange sorbet. Delish!!! Some time later I drank some prune juice. Okay, still doing well. Dinner before dark as per the Queen (Queen Afua). Apparently, the prune juice was still there and it mixed with the leftovers and...*burp, fart, bulch, burp, burp, faaaaarrrrt*. My stomach was literally getting bigger by the minute. I've gone from slim and sexy to suffering from Dunlap Syndrome. You know, when you belly dun lapped over your belt. I have to unbutton my formerly sexy jeans for the sake of my children. I mean, if a button pops they could be seriously injured!!! Thank GOD I put vinegar in my water, other wise this gas would set off the smoke alarm and the carbon monoxide detector. All I want at this point is an enema, but no! I can't do it because my husband is writing and is to be undisturbed. As I type this my major organs are being pushed out of position by gas building in my torso. If you don't see a post from me in the next couple of days, just know that I've exploded.

Please learn about food combinations...