RECIPE: Green Grape Smoothie

I'm always looking for ways to make my smoothies better. As I wean myself from my sugar habit - I'm changing my taste buds to appreciate fruit more. In addition, I'm enjoying veggies more with the help of my smoothies. Here's another green smoothie recipe that will have your taste buds cheering and your tummy feeling nice and full!

RECIPE - Green Grape Smoothie:

1 handful spinach
1 handful kale
1 banana
1/2 cup pineapple (fresh, frozen, or canned in pineapple juice)
1 cup of seedless green grapes
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 cup Water
Ice

In a blender add 1/2 cup of water, kale, and spinach. Blend well to a green purée.

While the blender is going soak your chai seeds in water for 5mins. This will allow the seeds to expand and add greatly to your smoothie.

Now add the rest of your ingredients to the blender. Blend to a smooth consistency. Add chia seed mixture last.

Drink and enjoy!!!

DISCUSSION: 5 Reasons Why I Will Lose Weight

One day, while taking a shower, I was thinking about my day. Lately, I've been hitting the gym five days a week, along with my squat challenge and my new affinity for drinking 1.5 gallons of water per day - I tired myself out just thinking about what I need to do to keep my weight loss journey going strong. That old lethargic feeling started creeping back -  lazy-girl was telling me to skip the gym and take a rest. But then, I caught a glimpse of my naked self in the mirror and was reminded of the reasons why I want to lose weight. I thought it'd make a good blog post so here we go:

1. To ride roller-coasters again - See, I carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs. Although I don't look so big, I'm quite girthy on my lower level. I remember the day when I went to Six Flags in my hometown. My friends and I waited in one of those endless lines to get on the park's newest roller-coaster. We finally go tot the front of the line, sat in the seats,  and I realized the lap bar wouldn't close. I had to make the walk of shame as other park-goers tried to not look at me. I could feel their eyes judging me as I walked away. I want to ride roller-coasters again!

2. To take hip-hop dance classes - Most of my friends think I can't dance but the truth is I DON'T dance. My weight makes me less confident on the dance floor and I feel super awkward. Well, as I get slimmer and slimmer, my goal is to enroll in one of those hip-hop dance classes. I love dancers and I think they are so cool! Can't wait!

3. To impress my godson - I have a lot of little people in my life that look up to me. The most important is my godson, Jhalin. He has this knack of squeezing my arm-fat and saying, "Auntie, I know there's muscle under there." I know he loves me unconditionally, but what a great way to impress him when I lose my desired amount of weight. He'd be pretty impressed.

4. SHOPPING - DUH! I'm a wardrobe stylist who can't fit in most of the clothes I choose for people. I hate going to the mall and only having a handful of stores to choose from. Even though there's way more plus-size stores available than when I was younger, I still want all-access for my shopping adventures. I love SHOPPING so much so I cannot wait as the doors of those stores open up for me. My wallet better watch out!

5. To look better naked  - I don't hate my naked body, but gosh-darnit we all want that lump or bump to get smaller or smooth out. At my current size, my favorite body part are my shoulders - they stay muscular no matter what the scale says. However, my tummy and thighs can use a reduction. I'm working on it!

So, what are you five reasons to lose weight? Be they superficial or deep - let your reasons guide you to your goal.

10 Weeks Til Summer - 'Sundress Workout'

With TEN WEEKS until the official start of summer (June 21), I started getting my mind prepared for summer clothes. If you didn't know, I love to wear dresses. Living in the south has only made this love grow. Something about a flirty little sundress with cute flats just says, "Hey girl, you looking effortlessly fly!"

Sundresses are a staple in my closet but recently I've been hesitant in wearing them. My arms a bit more flabby, my thighs were rubbing a little too much, and the thought of wearing Spanx in 90 degree weather made the idea seem more like a death sentence.

Summer Daze by fabglance featuring giles & brother

Luckily, I came across this great 'Sundress Workout' that targets those areas you want to show off during the warmer months. Remember, you dint have to spend a lot of money to work out. Staying consistent is the most valuable piece of knowledge.

CLICK HERE for the SUNDRESS WORKOUT

Along with my 30 Day Squat Challenge, I'm working to be body confident by summer.

CHALLENGE: 30 Day Squat Challenge

photo source

You know I love a good challenge. I completed the sexy arms challenge that I posted 6 weeks ago. I see a little definition in my arms. The challenge made focus on arm exercises when I go to the gym. So , it was a win-win for me.

Now, I've joined the 30 day squat challenge. I've already started. I've had some issues but I will complete it. To be able to do 250 squats in ONE DAY! Oh my - I can't wait to say I finished. I want to see how strong I can become. I haven't focused on squats since high-school track. I was STRONG back then. I found this qoute when i researched how squats can work for me:

The main reason you need these in your lineup is squats help improve balance, which you need every day. And because they work your quads and hamstrings, squats help protect your knees from injury. (source)

I need this challenge because i have arthritis in my knees and I need to strengthen the muscles in my legs to help keep my knees strong. I actually had to take 3 rest days because of a crazy cramp in my thigh flexor muscles - seriously I thought I'd have to call an ambulance. But that's ok, I'm back on it and I will complete. Remember, anytime you take on any new fitness routine, consult a physician and listen to your body. Don't make excuses, but DO listen to your body. You body is capable of doing SO much - but sometimes you have to make baby steps to get to that point.



So, you want to try it - c'mon! See you in 30 days!

Week 12: That one time when I lost 50lbs

Oh my -  it's been a LONG time. Well actually it's only been about two weeks. I've grown to like this little space and I enjoy sharing my thoughts with you - so I missed it. Anyway I'm on week 12 of my little journey - wow! Three months of trying to get my act together. By my simple calculations (losing 5lbs per month) I should have lost 15 pounds by now. Umm . . . yeah . . . that hasn't happened.

I've pretty much stayed at the same weight, gaining and losing the same 5lbs for the last couple of months. With the foot injury, dealing with my emotions, and general business life, I just haven't tried hard enough. Truth be told, I'm tired of writing that same sentence.  I'm on a journey to impress myself but myself is not impressed. Let me tell you, one time I lost 50lbs, I impressed myself!

2007, I miss that dress!

 Many of my friends are slim or skinny. When I say skinny, I mean - size zero to a size two. There was a time in my life when the majority of my friends didn't know what it's like to go to a mall and only have three stores to choose from. The majority of my friends don't know what it was like to obsess over a scale. Those ladies had ingrained portion control switches and only ate when they were hungry. I loved and loathed those girls because being slim comes natural. For them, skipping two meals bought thier abs right back. Skipping two meals for me meant being RAVENOUS and eating a half box of Captain Crunch when I got home. However, those slim girls longed to have curves, and I understood their struggle. No one wants people to walk up to them always asking, "Why are you so skinny?" The same way I don't people walking up to me asking me, "Why am I so fat?" Face it - women are criticized about their bodies no matter what size we are at (I'll type that essay another day).

Anyway, my best friend, and roommate at the time, got pregnant, I watched her 115 pound body swell to 175 pounds. It was my pleasure to help her fulfill her every pregnant desire. You want home-made quesadillas with EXTRA cheese and sour cream  -YES GIRL! You want peanut butter cookies and ice cold milk? YESSSSS GIRL! Let's go to Papa John's and eat ALL THE PIZZA?! YASSSSS GIRL! Finally, a friend I could eat with. The joy! However, she was eating for two, I was eating for me (and my emotions). In nine months she would drop at least an 8lb baby with about 10 more pounds of blood and guck, then another 14 pounds just for breastfeeding and all that - I would just be fat. Believe me - I had gained.

At the time I worked at a health center. We gotten new digital scales and the employees got to try them out. When i stepped on the scale I was horrified - 338 pounds. Pretty much the weight I am right now. I vowed to get my act together. My room-mate, was ready to get back to her pre-baby weight too. So we got it together. No sugar or sweet treats during the week, no fried foods, eat lots of veggies, and exercise five days a week - that was our plan. I stuck with it.

That time I lost 50lbs

My godson was born in September. By March of the following year people were coming up to me asking me what I had done to lose "ALL THAT WEIGHT!" Seriously, I didn't realize I'd gotten smaller but everyone else realized it. I had to buy new jeans - I was smaller than I had ever been in my adult life. Those were the days and I was IMPRESSED with myself. No matter how many degrees I receive, how many accolades I get for my blogs, or how many gorgeous photographs I style, if I could lose this weight - that would be my greatest personal accomplishment. I know it's sad to say - or maybe not - I don't know. I do know I have struggled with weight since I was 10 years old and I'd like to finally get a handle on the situation.


No matter what, I'm gonna make it - I'm gonna make MYSELF proud. One day I'm going to post the piece that says, I did it, I lost 112 pounds and I impressed myself. And maybe I'll have overcome my emotional ridiculousness and won't quote losing 112 pounds as 'My Greatest Accomplishment'. Pray for me people.