Take Control of Your Life

Stop Dieting...Start Eating...and Start Living!

2016-01-16T13:41:00.000-05:00

The first step in getting healthy or losing weight is in the foods we eat. Most of us are accustomed to the idea that we have to starve ourselves in order to lose weight. Not only is this notion wrong, but it is unhealthy.

Making sure we are getting enough nutrition through the foods we eat is a big step towards getting healthy. There are many diet programs out there that tell us in order to lose weight, we have to diet, count calories and eat as little as possible. There aren't many health programs that teach us how to eat more and still promote health and weight management. The Diet Solution is a an example of a great program that not only shows us how to stop dieting and start eating right, but it also provides us with delicious healthy recipes that help burn fat and promote weight loss.

Choosing to get fit & healthy is a mental and physical commitment that should be taken seriously. Although it may be difficult at first, it becomes easier the more we practice making the right eating habits. The earlier we start, the sooner we can start to see results and prevent many food related health problems, such as Diabetes and Heart Disease.

To learn more about how to start eating without dieting, watch the Stop Dieting...Start Eating...and Start Living! video.

Good luck and happy eating!

Eating in Color

2015-09-24T23:54:00.000-04:00

Dieting and exercise can be a challenge for many people during their weight loss journey. It's one thing to lose the weight, but it's another thing to maintain that weight loss. In addition to taking a multivitamin supplement daily, here is a great tip to becoming healthy and staying there.

Get your daily dose of color!

Include each color of fruits and vegetables in your diet daily. Each color contains a different phytonutrient (plant concentrate) that targets specific health needs. By varying your fruits and veggies, you will be sure to include all the antioxidants your body needs to protect your cells and keep you healthy.

When trying to remember which fruits and vegetables to eat, think of a rainbow. Red, yellow, green, blue and purple, plus white. Each food color serves a purpose in your health.

RED: Prostate Health and DNA Health

INCLUDES:
red apples, tomatoes, strawberries, pomegranates, red raspberries, acerola cherries, cranberries, watermelon, grapefruit, sweet red peppers, radishes

New Blog Goal

2015-05-16T13:34:00.003-04:00

Hello world, I'm back again. So I've come to realize that I'm horrible at keeping a consistent blog. I post here on average of 2-3 times a year, which is sucks. I guess I need to up my game and take this blog page more seriously. I stared it out as a way for me to write down my thoughts and ideas, kind of like a personal diary, but also as a way to practice and improve on my writing. But as I began to do this, I got sidetracked by so many other things on the internet that my blog got put so far in the back of my mind that I keep forgetting it even exists. I've decided to really change that and make a serious effort into maintaining this blog. To do so, I have created a goal for myself. I will make at least 2 posts on here per month for the rest of the year. I know that seems like a little bit, but I have to start small first and work my way up. Besides that, I don't even know if I have any readers since no one really comments on this, so I have no reason to make a post, except for my own personal inspirations. Regardless, I think 2 times a month is a great start for someone who usually makes a post 2-3 times a year. Well...wish me luck on my journey.

A New Year...Fresh Start

2014-01-06T04:04:00.000-05:00

I always love celebrating the new year because of what it represents. To me, a new year is a new beginning, an opportunity to right your mistakes, get rid of your bad habits and set new goals. I get another chance from God to make my life matter. Another chance to impact someone else's life. Living to see the new year is a blessing that not everyone receives and should not be taken for granted. If you are reading this, then you've obviously made it to the new year, but what will you do differently to make this year better than last year? Have you set any new goals or challenges for yourself?

For me, I'm taking this opportunity to hit the refresh button on life and really take the bull by the horns to live a more positive lifestyle. I'm setting some new goals for myself and really working to achieve those goals. I've learned so much in 2013 and feel that it's time for me to really put my knowledge to use and take advantage of everything that I've learned. I know, I know, it's a new year and everybody makes new resolutions that they forget about in 2 months, so what is the point of trying, right? Wrong. Like the saying says "if at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again." The same goes for our goals and resolutions. Just because you didn't honor your resolutions last year, doesn't mean that you shouldn't set new ones this year. In fact, that is the reason why you should. You have to keep trying to make yourself better by setting goals and working actively to achieve them.
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Back Again After A Long Break

2014-01-06T03:14:00.001-05:00

So I found this post that I drafted but never posted a few months ago...hmm I guess I must've been too excited. Anyway, I'll post it now, even though it references to summer...

Wow, has it really been that long since I've written on here? I guess I had a very busy summer. I'm not even sure if people read my rantings online since no one really comments. This blog feels more like a diary. Anyway, if anyone out there is reading this, here's a quick recap of the last few months:

I wrote, produced and directed my first non school affiliated video project. It was great. Unfortunately, I
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Gun Violence Crisis: My Thoughts

2013-02-05T02:06:00.001-05:00

Hey cyber world, I know it's been a while since my last real entry but I've been a little preoccupied with work and getting ready to launch my company. My hands are extremely full but it's nothing I can't handle.

Anyway, today I'd really like to address the gun violence issue that's going on this country. It really saddens my heart when I hear news stories and read articles about all these young people shooting each other. Week after week, that is all I hear on the news. School shooting here and school massacre there. It's becoming a serious epidemic that gets worse by the week. It's really scary to think what this country will become in the next few years if things continue the way they do.
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WOMEN IN MEDIA "THIS IS YOU"

2013-01-17T05:54:00.000-05:00

Support women in media and vote for this empowering video that brings to light the impact that we can have in the media.

" THIS IS YOU" is a public service announcement geared towards girls and women that encourages them to pursue a career in the film industry behind the scenes.

http://www.connecther.org/gitw/galleryview/id/183

The Power of Faith

2012-10-08T04:03:00.002-04:00

It's been several days since I've been on here so I wanted to write something. I'm extremely tired right now but I wanted to make sure I write something before my schedule gets hectic again. I want to talk about keeping the faith and always believing no matter what challenges we are faced with.

I recently started a new gig on another feature a few days ago. This time I received a bump up in position and in pay. It's crazy because the week before that I had finished my last job with no idea what I was going to do next. A few of my friends were extremely worried and concerned for me and what I was going to do. I was not worried because I was at peace with myself and knew that I had done everything I can and whatever happens, happens. I even had to stay away from some of my friends because their constant worrying and pressure was bringing my positive energy down. Then less than a week later, out of nowhere, I get calls for several really great job offers to start immediately.

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Criticizing Others Without Looking at Yourself?

2012-09-26T00:20:00.002-04:00

Today was definitely an interesting day at work. One of my co-workers (let’s call her Nancy) decided to go to our supervisor (who works on a different floor by the way) and report a fellow co-worker (let’s call her Emily) because she’s coming to work sick. Now coming from any other person, this would have been a gesture of sincere concern. However, knowing Nancy's complete dislike for Emily, I know there were deeper, shadier reasons behind her gesture of "concern". Needless to say,
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Failing to Success

2012-09-23T17:20:00.001-04:00

For the longest I've wanted to run my own business. Working for other people in an industry that's so insecure and unsteady is so frightening and eye-opening, especially when you see other people struggling to make ends meet. What an economy we live in.

This is why I've decided to really put all of my ideas into action and take that step forward towards my business goals. I've been putting it off for so long and for no good reason. All because of fear of failure. The thing is, you can't succeed in anything if you are afraid to take a risk. Life and success is all about risk. Many of those successful people you read about in books and see on TV all took risks and failed many times, but they kept getting back up and trying again. That is why they are so successful today...they allowed themselves to fail many times and eventually turned those failures into success.

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Faithfulness and Understanding the Law of Attraction

2012-09-21T01:42:00.000-04:00

I feel amazing right now. I feel so peaceful and light as if a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Glory be to God!

I think I might've already mentioned this in a previous post but for the past 10 months or so I've been having feelings of depression, anxiety and extreme loneliness. I don't really know why. It was affecting me in such a big way that I've even distanced myself from a lot of my family and friends. I just stopped caring about myself, everybody else and life in general. I had no motivation to do anything but stay home in my bed. It was really bad! The worst part is, I didn't even realize I was clinically depressed until about a month ago when I somehow landed on a website about depression and realized I had all
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Saving my Health: Groupon to Fitness

2012-09-20T05:41:00.001-04:00

In keeping with my new found inspiration, I decided to go to the gym yesterday for the first time in about 2 years! (I can't believe I let it get that long). I had purchased a LivingSocial groupon deal for 20 group fitness classes for $20. I think that's a steal considering I live in NYC and one group fitness class alone usually runs about $20 or more. I just love knowing that I saved lots of money on something. A shoe could cost $150, for example, but if I know I saved $200 from its original price, then I go out of my way to try to come up with money to buy it. Smh, I'm a hopeless sucker when it comes to shopping deals.

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The Power of the Mind

2012-09-19T02:55:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone. I know it's been a long time since I've been on here. I've had so much going on in my life that I let myself get distracted and consumed by all the negative that is around me. So the other day I came across this amazing quote that really inspired me to get back on track to a positive mindset and peaceful person. I've heard something similar in the past but for some reason, it never really sunk in until today.

"Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits for they become your character. And watch your character for it becomes your destiny. What we think, we become." ---Margaret Thatcher

From Good News to Great News!

2011-05-19T23:39:00.008-04:00

Hello cyberworld. I just submitted my very first article for Suite 101. Now I have to wait for some feedback from my editor before it can fully be posted online. Hopefully she doesn't find too many errors and rips my piece apart...but then again, isn't that what's expected from editors? Anywho, I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

On another note, I got some fantastic news today. Most of you may already know that I work freelance production in film and television. Well, I was asked to work on a very big name project, with one of my favorite huge name celebrities! It's for several days and I start at the end of the week next week. I can't
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Suite 101 Writer

2011-05-16T16:05:00.006-04:00

I am so excited! Yours truly just got hired as a contributing writer for Suite 101! I applied a couple hours ago, and literally got a response within 30 minutes! This means I can actually start making money with my writings. Things are definitely looking up now. Now you can read my articles at Suite 101. As soon as I am situated and have completed the registration process, I will provide more info and links to my Suite page. Well, just wanted to share the good news. That's all for now, tootles!

Discrimination and Disrespect

2011-05-16T13:34:00.004-04:00

Hello world....just checking in again to keep you up to date on my latest experience...

Last week I had the unfortunate opportunity to experience something that was both hurtful and enraging. I worked on a production where my supervisor, the Production Manager, was extremely disrespectful and discriminatory. What person in his or her right mind thinks it is okay to lay his/her hands on another person in a professional environment? Yes that's right...this woman had the nerve to GRAB me and then proceed to SHAKE me, in addition to speaking to me in a disrespectful tone! I was so LIVID, it took all of my strength to subdue my anger and keep from knocking this woman upside her head. Not only was this out of line, but it goes beyond all policies.

In addition to that event, she made some very inappropriate racist remarks to myself and 2 other people. Unbelievable! It is 2011 not the 1950s...she needs to wake up and recognize that she lives in a city that has become the melting pot of America. If she wants to be discriminatory, disrespectful and rude, she better find another place to do it because any other person in my circumstance would NOT have been as civil.

....Needless to say, I will NOT be working with her again and I reported her to the EP and a few other people.

Hair-versary

2011-03-18T09:48:00.021-04:00

It is now a little over a year since I've had my BC and stayed natural. I am so proud of myself that I was able to accomplish this. And I've seen a lot of positive changes in my hair throughout this process. Not only did it grow longer, but now it is as long as it was before I cut it :) I cannot believe it only took one year to grow back! Also, in dumping the hair crack and letting my hair grow freely, I was reintroduced to my natural hair texture and found a head of curls. I think I will wear protective hairstyles for another year to give my hair some more growth and then I will leave it out more.

Here's a look at some of my hair styles throughout this past year. I wore protective styles a lot to keep me from being tempted to go back to the hair crack.

Protective style wig

Natural hair style - wash and go with hair pinned up

Natural style - fro hawk with the sides braided

Protective hairstyle - Full head straight weave

Protective hairstyle - Full head wet 'n wavy weave

Natural hairstyle - bantu knotted then picked out, with a braided front

Protective hairstyle - full head straight weave again

Protective hairstyle - red full head weave

Protective hairstyle - short full head weave

Natural hair slightly blown out 1 year after BC

Nappy-versary length test one year after BC - Not bad...

New protective style - full head long weave

Ready for another year of protective styles, another year of growth, and another year of perm free coils!

Been Gone for Too Long

2011-03-03T14:29:00.003-05:00

Wow! So it's been almost a year since my last post, and I must say a lot has changed since then.

First of all I no longer live in Albany and have moved back down to the city -- one of the best decisions I ever made. Ever since I moved down to the city, I have accomplished so much more towards my career that I would've never done in upstate. In addition to finishing college, I also graduated from the Made in New York PA Training Program and have been freelancing in production ever since. I LOVE it! I was blessed to work with and meet some of the most amazing people, including my bf. We have been dating for almost 9 months now and he is just amazing and treats me like a queen. He embraces my natural hair and loves me for who I am. I have learned a lot about life, love and God through him.

I've also experienced some harsh realities of this world that I feel need to be addressed. Although we tend to look the other way, most of us are aware of the appearance discrimination that constantly occurs in the work force. For most companies, it is subtly implied that you need to maintain a certain "image" or act a certain way in order to work for that organization. Don't believe me? Walk into Holister and Abercrombie and what do you see? Most - if not all - the employees are blond and blue eyed. Although truly disappointing, this reality came to me last year when I was let go from my job because of my natural hair. Disgraced, appalled, and disappointed, I was saddened for a few weeks. However, after getting myself together with the support of my friends, I realized that it was the best thing to happen to me because it gave me incentive to move and pursue my interests and while still being me. I was able to embrace my natural beauty and love who I am. So for that, I have to say "thank you".

This Stops Now

2010-04-03T11:51:00.003-04:00

It's a new day and what a beautiful day it is! I am feeling great! Although I am still a little sick, I am more positive about life. I've been baptized, I'm alive and well, I have my family and friends and I am blessed. Can't complain. Next on my list is getting healthy and fit. I've had a membership to the gym for 2 months now and I have not taken advantage of all its benefits. How many people spend hundreds of dollars on gym membership each year and then never go? And yet they complain about not being able to lose weight or stay fit. I refuse to be another statistics. I will take advantage of my gym membership and I will see results. It's not that I don't like going, because when I am there, I have fun in the classes. It's just that it is too easy to get comfortable skipping the gym, convincing myself that I'll go the next day or another time. This stops now!

Have Faith

2010-03-29T20:30:00.009-04:00

Hello again...

Sorry I was gone for a little bit. I've been feeling a little under the weather. I think I have bronchitis, or at least that is what I have diagnosed myself with. Here's the recap on everything that is going on currently. Yesterday I got baptized! Yes, it's official. After the long anticipated day, I have re-established my relationship with the Lord and have made a commitment to serve Him. One thing I've learned throughout my years is that God is forgiving. No matter what we do and how far we drift away, He still forgives us if we repent. If you love Him and put your trust in Him, He will carry you throughout your most trying times. I know sometimes many of us, including me, tend to forget that and lose faith. That is why I decided to re-evaluate my relationship with God and have done everything I can to strengthen that bond. Aside from letting the world know my position, this baptism has really allowed me a second chance (or third or however many this is) at life. Just wanted to thank all my friends for coming out and supporting me in this journey.

Message of the week:

"When the celebration ends, the dance begins!" -Minister Young

Hello!

2010-03-27T02:38:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone. This is my first blog post ever so please bear with me as I get the hang of this thing. (I'm not sure yet how long these entries are supposed to be so I apologize in advance if this gets too long). I originally started this blog as an attempt to "find myself" and get some answers by addressing different areas of my life that I have the power to change or control. For the past couple months I've been feeling trapped and lost and engulfed with anxiety. Maybe it's the fact that I will be turning 25 in less than 2 months or maybe it's because I am now finished with school and now have to start thinking about getting a real job and paying off school loans. Or perhaps its because I am entering a whole new chapter in my life and still have no accomplishments to show for this last chapter.

It's time for a change. I've decided to take back control of my life and make moves. In this blog, I hope to discuss a variety of different topics from health, career, beauty, religion, entertainment and so forth; basically anything that has to do with taking control of your life. Out of this, I hope to get answers and advice to some of the challenging questions that life may offer, a deeper appreciation for myself, family and friends, and an understanding of how to live a healthier and more rewarding lifestyle. I hope you find my thoughts interesting, helpful in whatever similar situation you might be facing and somewhat entertaining.

I would like to start off my first entry by addressing the issue of hair - natural hair to be exact. Why? Because that's the first area of my life that I would like to take control. I have been perming my hair since I was 10 years old and have hated every moment of it. As a result, my hair has become, dry, damaged and broken. From the smell of the chemicals, to the burns it left on my scalp, to the dry damaged feel it made my hair, everything about perms turned me off. I would find myself avoiding the hair salons so I can stretch out my perm as long as possible. Then one day an old classmate brought up the subject of natural hair. Natural hair? I didn't even know what that was really, but it got my interest. No perms? The thought never even crossed my mind. Now all of a sudden everywhere I looked, someone had a natural hairstyle. When did this become a trend and why was I finding out about this now?

This natural hair explosion definitely caught my interest, so I had to evaluate my hair and its current state. I became consumed by my own fears and apprehensions. Could this natural hair possibly work for me? What if I didn't like it? What if it came out all wrong and looked horrible? How would I style it? Millions of questions flooded my mind as I contemplated this new notion. For months I researched, read blogs, and watched Youtube videos, all the while wearing my hair in braids the whole time. After 6 months of research and not perming my hair, I made the decision to cut my hair and fully go natural. I did my first BC March 5, 2010...

...and thus embarks the beginning of my natural hair journey....