Shoppers Dream Mall

Another day of my Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:23:00 +0000

Thank God! I am over the first phase of the 17th day diet and I must say it was very hard in the beginning but I took it this time with a different approach.
As I said before I tried so many times in the past to diet but failed every time, but this time I took it spiritually. I was listening to a radio program and I can't remember the name of the author or the book but she said a few things that made me finally realised that it is okay to ask God for help for my weight loss goals, she also said that it is impossible to be overcome spiritually if we can't overcome naturally also and that got me into a new mode.
I prayed and asked for will power and strength to succeed this time and I would pray over every meal and ask the Lord to help me to keep this new life style change, and I have to say that it worked and I am finally able to overcome this horrible eating habits of the past.
I lost 13lbs in the 1st 17 days and I am ecstatic. I will share some of the recipes form the 17 days diet with you in the recipe corner. If I can do it with God's help then you can too.
I am now on the 2nd phase of the 17 day diet and I am loving the way it is working.

A new day and a new life style change

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:09:00 +0000

I have started my new life style change and to aid me, I have researched and started the 17th day diet. I am so excited because this time I took it a little different. I incorporated my faith into my weight loss. I have committed my weight loss goal to the Lord and I prayed about it, I asked for strength and willpower and this time, I know it is going to work.
I started 17 days ago and I lost 13 pounds, maybe more because I haven't weighted in 3 days, but at day 13, I had loss 13lbs. I have never lost this much weight in my life at once.Did I say I am estactic? I will share my journey with you. Hip Hip Hooray!

Changes Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:03:00 +0000

There has been so many changes in my life. Too many to mention. I was outside the loop for a while. I can't complain, it has been a great journey with many new experiences.
I have to prioritize my time to be able to continue blogging because I really missed blogging.
My husband and I have agreed that I go back to work so I am now a Working at Home and Out of the Home Mom:)

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:37:00 +0000

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope that this new year brings you all the great blessings that you wish for yourself and most of all your wishes granted for your weight loss goals. I know many of us have made New Year Resolutions to drop a few sizes. I hope together we can pick up where we left off last year and this time, be successful for once and for all.
Get ready for a year full of fun and challenges but us reaching our goals in the end.I Can't promise it will be easy but "where there is a will, there is a way".
I have tried and failed umpteen times with my weight loss success but I am not about to give up. I was knocked down but not knocked out. If you were like me we have to get up and fight and we will win this time.

Tips that are helping me

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:59:00 +0000

I am one those that are always hungry. Does that sound familiar? Yes! this had been my dilemma. I have been praying for a while to over come this urge to eat and finally I got an answer to my prayer.
Soup! This idea came to me suddenly therefore I began making soups. I made all kinds of peas soup for example, today, I did yellow peas soup, and it fills me up and gives me that content feelings, so I am not craving food. Maybe it is the peas that has so much protein that it keep me full longer. I will give you my recipe soon. This really works!

Finally Breaking Through

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:46:00 +0000

In my earlier post I confessed that I had fallen off the wagon and was not focusing on my weight loss. As I said I had to refocus and put myself on the priority list and I did and I must say that I am doing great.
I have been keeping up my exercise. I try to do at least an hour on the elliptical machine. It is tough but I know it will be worth it.I will begin sharing my weight loss with you from Monday. I will let you know how I am doing. I believe this is the best time to start and resist the holiday pressure to eat and eat.
Be Strong and keep up the good works.

The Fight Is Still On

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:08:00 +0000

I have been very busy preparing my new business for the holidays. There is so much to learn about an online business that I was blown away. It seems like a never ending process. I was so busy that my weight loss took a back seat, but I am finally coming to my senses and realizing that I need some balance. Most of my days have been more than 10 hours on the computer and between that and a full time mom and wife, Wow! there is no time left for me.
I am beginning to re-prioritize my time now, giving myself an hour a day to exercise. I am logging it on a calendar now. I know it is hard to start a healthy lifestyle around the holiday but I think it is the best time because it is proven that most weight gain comes during the holiday. Therefore lets encourage each other to continue to pick ourselves up and continue the fight. Dont put it off today is just as good a time as any other time of the year.

Back to the Drawing Board

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Well! Well! Well! I am back to the drawing board again. My biggest enemy is me. I am sabotaging my efforts, being inconsistent and putting myself last on the list. I know this is the story of most of our lives. We are busy with the family and the business and every thing else, therefore,we put our selves last on the list. No time for exercise or to eat right etc. etc.
Well I am recommitting my self again to finding some time for myself to do some of the things that contributes to my self fulfillment and happiness which includes,meditating, exercising, eating right and blogging. I have been so busy that I have been neglecting these duties, and the end results is no good.
Though I have succumbed to some of my old ways, I am now taking back my life and I am getting back on the wagon, so lets get ready to rumble!!!!!!!!!

Having Fun while you work out

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:35:00 +0000

I just came back from the park with my kids. I had such a great workout. I played tennis with my husband and kids , I even bought me a jump ropeand I did it, wow! I skipped like my 11 year old (only joking), but I was really sweating.
It was fun, the kids had fun and so did I and best of all, I am sure I lost a few ounces :)
Finding activities where you can have fun with the kids is a great way to get your workout and at the same time, make the kids happy and it is a great opportunity for more bonding. I saw the smiles on my kids faces and could see the satisfaction in their eyes.
I am now going to take a nice long shower and to bed I go. I am also trying to jump into bed early and try to at least get 7 hours snooze. This is very important if I am going to lose the bulge for once and for all. LIGHTS OUT:)

Healthy Hair Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:37:00 +0000

We all admire those models or celebrities with luscious beautiful hair, but did you know that we do not have to spend the money the spend in the most exotic salons? We have many solutions right in our cabinets at home:

Be rid of dandruff- apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, distilled water (2 Tbs each), & 3 pieces of mint sprigs.blend oil, water & vinegar together, then put mint leaves into the mixture and let sit for approximate 20 minutes. Dampen hair and massage thoroughly into scalp. Leave on as a treatment for 20 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual.

Awake lifeless hair- seasalt (2Tbs) & warm water (1Pt). Place in a mist bottle, mix together, by shaking, then spritz on the roots. Then dry with hair dryer (Tip given by celebrity hairstylist Tyler Laswell).

Shine that turns head - Lemon juice, olive oil (1/2 cup ea). Blend two together, massage into scalp and brush through hair. Cover with a warm towel to produce heat which helps oil absorption into hair. Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse out and condition as normal.

Turn dry hair soft- Avocado (1 ripe), sour cream (2Tbs)

Back from Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:28:00 +0000

Well I have been away for a very long time.I will call it my vacation from blogging. I really missed blogging, but I had spend some needed time with the family and with a new website that I just created. Now that I have three sites, I think I will refrain a little and watch them grow. Now I can enjoy my blogging and get back on track.
I havent jumped on the scale yet, but I am getting back into my healthy lifestyle. I have been like a yoyo but now it is time to get back up again and try again.
The key is not to give up but the keep trying even if you fall down a thousand times.Trying not to count:)

New Grace for each new day

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:25:00 +0000

Last week was a challenge, since I had 8 little girls over, including my 3 girls. I had to spoil them a little;movie night and that means snacks, including popcorn, ice cream etc etc. I am ashamed to give you the rest of junk food that I had. Shhhh! The kids had a great time but now I got to get back on the elliptical machine and the tae beo.
I spend an hour exercising yesterday and will do the same in a few, but is very hard since I am working real hard on my new ebay store too.

Healthy Foods reducing Skin Cancer Risks

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:57:00 +0000

We want to become healthy and remain healthy. We know that foods have different purposes and gives our bodies a variety of benefits:
Mustard - gets the yellow color from turmeric, which is an antioxidant that produces a neutralizing precancerous cells enzyme, as reported by UCLA Scientist. The benefits kick in after using 1tbs spoon of Dijon or yellow mustard (it is a great idea to season your meat, also give the flavor a zest).
Marmalade- contains lime, lemon, orange or grapefruit peel and the components in these peel cut the risk of squamous cell skins cancer (found in ears, neck, face and hands) by 70%, according to a study done by The University of Arizona researchers. Cancerous cells are destroyed before turning cancerous.
Tuna - benefits us after eating 12 oz weekly, Its rich omega 3s fats makes our immune system stronger and much more defensive against cancer cells and it also helps with the reduction of sun burns by 30% or more, according to Michigan State researchers. The same benefits can be received from mackerel, trout or salmon, so fish away this summer.
Watermelon - is my favorite, because I love it, and to find out that it contain lycopene plant pigment which give the benefits of reducing sun burns, by becoming absorbed in skin cells and prevents the intake of UV light; made my day. I have yet another reason to get the whole watermelon instead of a piece. I have to still remember my portion size because the calories add up.
I am always intrigued when I find these various studies being done, it gives us more reasons to conclude that food is not our enemy, when used modesty, it actually has its many benefits which gives us reason to eat smart and be healthy.

Weight loss Update

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:24:00 +0000

I know you are all curious as to how I have been doing.I must say that it is getting easier. I stopped fighting with the scale; if there is no fight then there are no winners or losers, therefore I am overcoming that aspect of my weight loss. I haven't gotten on the scale in two weeks, but I see my body has begun changes. I know something is happening. I can finally see some definition. Isn't that great? I am so excited.
Later on, I will share some of the tips that work for me and hope they work for you too. Remember you have to learn your body, what triggers your hunger and which foods gives you energy. The body is so sensitive and I realize that I have to have a close relationship and really finds out my limits. Our bodies are all different but we have to become in tuned to understand the language spoken.

Cleaning tip

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:49:00 +0000

For those of us that have little ones. I find this very helpful, especially when they are in the writing mood and maybe the leather coach seems like a great writing pad. We know what a disaster that can be. Here is a cheap and easy way to clean the ink off the leather coach.
Squirt antibacterial hand gel unto a cotton swan and lightly rub to cover stain. after 10-15 seconds, wipe away what is left with a clean cloth. Why it works? the alcohol in hand sanitizer dissolves the oil in the ink, and the gel has moisturizing elements which keep it from drying out the leather.
I had to share this, found it very helpful. Hope you can use this some too.

Progress Report

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:25:00 +0000

I must say that I am struggling, but I am surviving and more than that thriving. I am keeping a positive attitude and mindset."I keep on keeping on".I am truly blessed and it is great and bearable because my hubby is supporting me and that makes it a lot easier. He even got up early with me on Sunday morning and went into the basement and exercised with me! Yippee! I was so happy since he is slim and trim and does not need it, but he promised to help me and he is holding up that promise.I gives me hope and it is fun doing something doing. It sure does help when you have support, be it a spouse, sister, brother, mother or friend; so thank all of you friends out there who in one way or the other has supported me or each other. I know it is hard and can be rocky sometimes, but don't give up, let see those pounds fall off.
I will test the scale tomorrow and hope it is working :)

Daily tab on me

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:52:00 +0000

Well Proud to announce that I didn't do too bad yesterday. I had a peanut butter sandwich for dinner with a cup of tea, and another banana. I also pushed in a 45minutes work out.
Well today is another day. Didn't do too bad either.Here is what I had thus far:
Breakfast- 1 slice bread, 1 tsp peanut butter, 1 cup of tea,
Snack - 1 banana (I love bananas)
Lunch - 1 small cup rice, I slice fish and 1 chicken drumstick, with gravy (skipped the salad)
Snack - 1 yogurt
Dinner - maybe some cereal with banana of course, I will add flax seed meal to it and will have some almonds too. I will try to push in 1 hr of workout. I will let you know how that went.
I hope you will share your weight loss tactics and let me know what is working for you.

New motivation

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:18:00 +0000

Well, I am in a crunch here. I got a wedding to attend on June 20Th, that is only 20 days away. Wow! I am so nervous because I haven't made any progress on my weight loss lately. I have started again today, as you know I was out of commission for the past 2 weeks so it is time to get back to the drawing board.
I didn't do too bad today. I plan to share my daily intake with you, it will keep me more in check
Breakfast - 1 slice bread, 1slice low fat cheese, 1 egg and 1 cup green tea
Snack -1 banana
I will run an exercise for an hour, and will eat a hearthy lunch.
lunch - 1cup rice, 1piece fish, with salad and 1 cup milk.
Then dinner, I got to think about it. I will keep you posted. I am running now to exercise and will let you know how that went:)

Run Away Blogger found Her Way Home

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:00:00 +0000

BACK TO WORK AND PLAY

Hi everyone,
I want to apologize deeply from my heart for deserting all you wonderful friends out there. I was out of commission for the past two weeks. It is a long, long story and don't want to bore you or depress you with the past. However, I am now proactive and back to sharing my hair raising daily experiences with you. I can tell you how much I missed you all, but there would not be a repeat of this missing in action again. Hope you all can forgive me and come back to my site daily.

Update On My Daily Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:41:00 +0000

Today is Friday and it is the end of the week. I made it thus far and hoped that my gradual change is working. Even though I am changing the way that I think and the way that I look at losing weight, I still have my challenges and so will you. The important thing is finding a way that works for you without hurting you.
Like every WAHM out there it is very hard to stay on track while preparing meals for the family, especially a family like mine, that have a healthy appetite and is spoiled by my cooking. Today I tried making this Caribbean food, named puri and Chicken Curry. I made curry many times but the puri is new for me. It is like a burrito but has split peas inside. It is very tasty but it is made with flour, oil and peas and can be harmful to my change of eating habits, especially since it tasted so good that I forgot about portion size :( Though it did not come out perfect, in my opinion it tasted great and the family confirmed because it is almost gone. I splurged for lunch but try to keep it simple for dinner and had only cereal and milk. I hope it is enough to tilt the scale on Tuesday.
Share your daily blunders and successes. Let us help each other. Over and out since I am beginning to get hungry so off to bed I go.

Shame on Me for Keeping you in suspense

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:02:00 +0000

I apologize for keeping everyone in suspense about my weight loss this week. I was so busy that I was late on getting on the scale, but I did yesterday. I was so nervous and fearful of being disappointed;especially since I gained some of it back last week. Well drum rollllllllllll! here we go.....I lost 3 lbs. Hip hip hooray! :) I am very happy I lost the two pounds that I gained last week and an extra one, so I am still ahead of the game.
I guess writing down what I ate really helped me by making me more conscious and I see it paid off. Please share your weight loss experience with me. We can help each other other those difficult humps!

Missing in Action

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:40:00 +0000

I have been mission in action for one whole day, or it is two? I had two busy days, no time to breathe.I was working very hard fixing things around the house and getting the kids organized while I was also working online upgrading and maintaining my two online
stores.
Are you wondering what else I was doing? I went to observe an ABA at work with an autistic child on Tuesday and it was very heart touching. I think I would like to help in someway with autistic kids. I can maybe volunteer for a few hours a week to work with them. There is such a huge need for ABA to help with these kids. There is so much help that is needed. My heart was very touched, thinking of how Blessed I am have to have four normal kids and to put myself in the shoes of the moms with children that they have to care for many years and maybe a lifetime if the correct therapy, and help is not available which in most cases is the story:( I believe more awareness needs to be in place and a little by little we can all make a difference in these kids lives. They need us. I will definitely have more to say on this topic. It is sad that these kids are not given the thought and love that they need but is treated as a statistic and lack of government funding and many other obstacles prevent them from really excelling to their fullest potential.

Garden Tips - Summer is here so Enjoy!

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:50:00 +0000

Try these simple remedies and keep our environment safe.

Get rid of Slugs - scatter a thick layer of coffee grounded, to the soil around the plants you want to protect, and watch their visitors leave.
Get rid of Ants - Ants and cinnamon are at war, sprinkle some cinnamon around your plants and watch these creature recant.
Bye Deer- Soap's strong odor makes a deer run for it's life. Divide a bar in several pieces, enclose in a piece of fabric, and tie to sticks in garden, deer will retreat. Keep bunnies out- Sprinkle garlic powder and rabbits will treat it as medicine. They hate the smell.
Try seaweed as natural magic growth

Back To the Drawing Board

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:39:00 +0000

It is Monday and it is back to work again. I had a great day yesterday, and of course I had a little more than I should. My husband and kids made me a wonderful breakfast, so I did not count the calories, then at church I had some snacks and pastries, skipped the food but that alone was very rich and high in calories, then of course we came home and had a huge dinner and then watched movies and of course had to have a late night snack, so I know my diet was kind of sabotaged but hey! I had a good time, now it is time to get back on the wagon.
I didn't do too bad today, but guess the scale will tell tomorrow :( I am dreading that now:(

Weekend Blunder

noreply@blogger.com (Shopper's Dream Mall) — Sun, 10 May 2009 02:55:00 +0000

Well today was not a great day for me. I was out most of the day, bad for me because I went to Brooklyn and where I was, the only food readily available was Chinese:(. I tried to hold out but was really hungry, so I try to think healthy, and I know what you are thinking, "how healthy can the Chinese food be?" Well I had the same idea, but ordered chicken broccoli with white rice, think it was better than" french fries and chicken wings". I gave away almost half of it and I guess, I was so guilty that it did not taste like it normally does; so I ate the broccoli , a little of the rice but I threw out the rest with the chicken, just didn't taste right. Yippee! I am proud of me there! I wish it was the end of the day! because I would have won the battle.
Yesterday I baked some luscious pastries, I made turkey patties and cheese roll, kind of a Caribbean pastry (Will share the recipe sometime) . Traditionally instead of turkey, we use ground beef, but I substitute turkey for the meat and I used whole wheat instead of white flour, so think that justified it a little, I didn't stop there, I made a fruit cake, which we call "Black Cake" very tasty but goes straight to the hips.
Of course I came home today and went on a binge eating everything from pastries to cake :( . I am going to bed without eating dinner because I think I overdid it :( so time to say good night before I go looking for something to eat:( Tomorrow being "Mother' day", don't know Hm mm!