Tunes!!

Here are two songs that I love to listen to. I hope you enjoy.

Mary,Mary- Go Get It

Whitney Houston- I Look to You

Beauty!

I absolutely love this photograph. It is breathtaking and elegant! I keep a copy at my desk,occasionally I'll look over  and  get lost in its beauty !!  Be inspired!!

Positive over Negative!!

Negativity can engulf you up and swallow you whole if you allow it to. You do not have to let negativity take over, you have control and the power to think positive. It does not take a whole lot to complain and moan. If you think about how you feel before and after, you realize nothing changes or maybe you  feel worst. We must be mindful of the words that come out our mouths, the thoughts we allow in our mind and the people we surrounded ourselves with. This quote describe it best:

"Your beliefs become your thoughts,

Your thoughts become your words,

Your words become you actions,

Your actions become your habits,

Your habits become your values,

Your values become your destiny."- Gandhi

Therapy

November: 13

Is seeking therapy a sign of weakness or taboo even in some cultures ? Many are still resistant to seeking professional help,it may be an absolute last resort for some, if an option at all. Maybe people have a distorted view and understanding of the purpose of therapy. Therapy can be supportive and even lead to a most fulfilled and independent life, sometime it might even be challenging. Let's explore some of the taboo surrounding seeking therapy.

  1. I'm not crazy, I do not need to see a shrink!

  2. I can talk to my family or friends about my problem(s).

  3. I can handle this on my own, I am not weak.

  4. It will just be a waste of time and money.

  5. What will my family or friends think.

Any of these sound familiar. There are many reasons people seek therapy and each individuals' experience is unique.Here are a few of the reasons one might reach out to a therapist or psychologist.




1. Experiences a major crisis in their life. ( Lost of a love one, serious issues at home or work,a traumatic experience,  suicidal or homicidal thoughts ) Or major conflict, whether it be martial,couple , family or any other relationship.

2. Anxiety, feeling anxious, having emotions effective your mood. Mild to severe mood swings,depression,or  feelings of hopelessness effecting how you function in your day to day life.

3. Having a significant change in your life. Divorce, break-ups,marriage, giving birth,loss of a job,etc.

4.Unresolved issues or experiences from the past. ( Abusive relationship, neglect from parent or hard times)  Many unresolved issues can show up in as irrational, reckless behavior or lead to destructive actions such as gambling, abusing alcohol and/or drugs, sexual promiscuity, self inflicting pain or hurting others.

As you can see there are many reason one might seek therapy. Therapist, Psychologist and counselors have more to offer than we think. There may be hesitation in seeking professional help, but it could potentially  lead resolution,  breakthroughs and many could benefit from change(s). If you or someone you know may be experiencing problems or  an issue they can not resolve on there own, encourage them to seek help. It is absolutely courageous for us to admit when we can not handle it all and get support . So many things were once considered taboo, rap music, inter-racial dating, getting tattooed or body piercings, the list could go on and on , now all of these things are considered normal or accepted.

There are many resources available for support. Research and contact local therapist, psychologist or counselors in your area, many providers accept insurance and other you pay out-of pocket. There are even free resources available, you just have to do your research. Below are a list of a few hot line and websites.

Resources:
USA National Suicide & Crisis Hotlines
Call 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
Veterans hot line: 1-800-273-8255
Postpartum Depression (help for moms): 1-800-773-6667
Y.A.H. (Youth America Hot line) : 1-877-968-8454 or visit: Youth line
The TREVOR project (for lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender): 1-866-488-7386 or  Visit: The TREVOR project

Grateful, Thankful & Blessed!!!

November 5:

I have so much to be thankful and grateful for today and everyday. There are many things that we overlook or take for granted. In the wake of recent events along the east coast, with Super-storm Sandy and a Nor'easter shortly thereafter we have witnessed devastation of among family, friends and others. In times of crisis and tragedy, we come together to support each other and move forward. My wish is that we would all remember to support, give and be there for others whenever we can. Here is a small list of some things i am grateful for today.

1. I am thankful for waking up this morning in my home. There are many people who have lost their homes, cars and all the things that have worked for. There are many people who still do not have power or lights.

2. Family and Friends. Words can only began to describe how blessed i am to have so many wonderful people in my life. My family and friends are there to support me through everything. I do not take any of my relationships for granted. I hope that I am as good to them as they are to me.

3. Last but certainly not less,I am thankful for being able to share my experiences, thoughts and everything in between with you all through my blog, Facebook and other social outlets.

It is easy to complain about what we do not have or how unfair things may be. We all have a lot to be thankful for and we just need to take the time to remember and appreciate all that we do have. It may lift your spirits to take the time out, look at all the things there are to be grateful for.------>

2 Sunday Post

 November 4: What's in your bag/purse/ backpack every day

My bag aka bags, I carry multiple bags on any given day. In my purse, you will find a bunch of things, the main things are:
1. My Ipad: I carry my iPad which has all of my school modules for IIN. In addition to the school work, my Ipad keeps me connected to devotional plans on this amazing app, which is helping with my spiritually and connection to God.
2.My Chargers: In this day and age, there are so many technological gadgets. So i make sure i have my chargers for my iPad and my phone in my bag no matter where i go.
3.Beauty Products: I carry quite a few things, vasoline, lip gloss, lotion, a tide stick just in case. I mean you never know, when you might need any of these things, so i always keep them handy.
4.  Misc.: The rest of my bag is wallet, keys and way to many receipts and other crap i accumulate over the course of weeks. I make a habit of cleaning out my bag to try and stay organized and so how, after a few days or week or so it back to being messy.

As I was sitting here writing this it has brought some awareness to things i would like to change about what i carry with me everyday . I realize that i have the need to carry things , in the event that myself or someone i know might need. I carry at least three bags a day sometime more, my purse, my computer bag and a bag with books and other things. I do not want to be a bag lady,  i need to prioritize and only carry what i will use. SO i am going to make a conscious effort carry only what i will use or need, and realize it is not the end of the world if i do not have everything i own with me. Wish me luck.

What are you carrying in your purse/bag/backpack everyday?

November 11:Vitamin L (aka Love)

   Something I know I can not live without is the affection and love.  I have always been an affectionate person as long as i can remember. I'm a hugger, when most people would simply say bye to a friend, I'm going in for a hug. I think showing people you care about affection is SO important. WE all want and need to be loved and feel love. This can improve your life drastically. Simply smiling or complementing someone can make all the difference.  A small gesture can go a long way.
     I heard a story once about a young man  (we will call him Mike) who was walking home from school one day. He saw another young man( we will call him Larry) who had dropped all his books and some other items he was carrying on the sidewalk. Mike ran up to Larry, helping him pick up his possessions and began walking and talking with him. It was later that Mike would find out, Larry had cleaned out his locker and was planning to go home and commit suicide, but  because Mike stopped and helped him he did not go through with his plan. These two began very good friends. Moral of this story is we do not know what people are going through or have gone through. Live is short, we should love as much as we can while we are here. We all need/want love and to be loved!!Love definitely improves life and  makes the world a better place.

Check out this tune from Rihanna: "We all need love "

Ketch -UP

EEEE-eeeh. I signed up for a Wego Health challenge for the month of November, which is to blog everyday in November for National Health blog post month. In the beginning of the month I started off with great intentions and high hopes.The first two days were great and then I fell off the wagon.This is something I really want and need to do!!!! So, I will be posting all the blogs I missed and all those going forward. Here's to getting back on track, It's never too late.


November 3.  Conversation with My Doctor

   I can think back to the first time I met Dr. Peter Sayegh, my chiropractor. I was referred to him, by my lovely mother. I walked in his office, I remember thinking to myself this is different from other doctors' offices I have visited. The office was warm and inviting, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist. There were fruit, water and tea available for patients. I filled out some paperwork and shortly after, I was able to meet with Dr.Peter. Now keep in mind I had never been to a chiropractor and had little to no clue what they did.
   Dr. Sayegh was very personable and informative, he explained how our nervous system controls everything. He spoke in a way that I could understand. He allowed me to ask questions and he actually  listened to my concerns. He asked me a question that would eventually change the way I  looked at my health and life, he said,"What are you willing to do to obtain optimal wellness/health?" Hmm, What I am I going to do?, Wait a minute aren't you the doctor, shouldn't you be fixing my issues ( This is what I am thinking to myself). Through this conversation and visits to Dr.Sayegh, I realized that I would need to take responsibility for my health and do what was/is necessary for me to feel good. My health is NO ONE else's responsibility but MINES.
   It is easy to get caught up in the day to day grind and easy to forget to do what we need to do. No matter where you are, whether you starting a exercise regimen, starting to change your eating habits or just starting to thinking about making changes, YOU can do it. We all get off track from time to time and we can all make a conscious decision to make a fresh start Today.

Can you remember a conversation you had with a doctor that changed your thoughts, views or life about your health?

Feelings

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.- Maya Angelou


 As I began to build my health coaching practice and in my future endeavors I want this to be my motto. I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. I hope to leave a lasting impression and impact in the lives of my clients and other individuals. As I sit here writing this thinking of the people who left an impression, i smile because i think of those who have positively impacted my life. Although there have been and will be those who were not positive I will continue to follow my dreams. I encourage you to follow your dreams and the desires of your heart, you may be inspiring others along your journey.
 

Just Do It

 

 Let me start off by saying that, I use to be terrified and (sometimes I still am) to write. Worried if people will say, What do you know or if they will listen ? The truth is, someone is always going to have something to say, so I decided to "Just Do It".  I write about my health/ health in general because as much as I’d like to think my experiences are unique to me, I know there are plenty of people who can relate with me. Through sharing my challenges, success and anything in between,I feel connected to others.There are so many times where I find myself  at the computer, watching TV,or on my cellphone shaking my head in agreement with post I've just read on Facebook or a blog. Or with information I have seen or heard on informative documentaries or shows. I feel compelled to share what I know and I am grateful for others who do the same.

Antoine Dove Testimonial about Amscan Wellness Program

This month we were fortunate to have Antoine Dove ( from the TV series Biggest Loser) for a "Corporate Fit" seminar at Amscan.  This seminar was not like many others where you sit and listen to someone lecture for an hour. After a brief talk, employees were encouraged to work with one another to develop a mini-work session in a limited space with a limited amount of time. It was really nice to see employees smiling and working together towards a common goal. In the clip above, Antoine takes a moment to talk about the Amscan Wellness Program and all that Lauren ( my wellness director) and I have done to build and run our successful corporate wellness program.

                                                    Thank you, Antoine and Lauren!

GMOs ( Genetically Modified Organisms), What You NEED To Know!

WHAT are GMOs?

GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

WHY are GMOs dangerous?

In 2009, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) stated that, "Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with genetically modified (GM) food," including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. The AAEM has asked physicians to advise all patients to avoid GM foods.

The genetic engineering process creates massive collateral damage, causing mutations in hundreds or thousands of locations throughout the plant's DNA. Natural genes can be deleted or permanently turned on or off, and hundreds may change their behavior. Even the inserted gene can be damaged or rearranged, and may create proteins that can trigger allergies or promote disease.

GMOs have been associated with health risks including allergies, infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, changes in major organs and gastrointestinal system.  They increase antibiotic resistance and the genese from GM foods invade our digestive tract and breed there. 

How common are GMOs?
According to the USDA, in 2009, 93% of soy, 93% of cotton, and 86% of corn grown in the U.S. were GMO. It is estimated that over 90% of canola grown is GMO, and there are also commercially produced GM varieties of sugar beets, squash and Hawaiian Papaya. As a result, it is estimated that GMOs are now present in more than 80% of packaged products in the average U.S. or Canadian grocery store.

What crops contain GMOs?
There are eight GM food crops. The five major varieties—soy, corn, canola, cotton, and sugar beets—have bacterial genes inserted, which allow the plants to survive an otherwise deadly dose of weed killer. Farmers use considerably more herbicides on these GM crops and so the food has higher herbicide residues. About 68% of GM crops are herbicide tolerant.


The second GM trait is a built-in pesticide, found in GM corn and cotton. A gene from the soil bacterium called Bt (for Bacillus thuringiensis) is inserted into the plant’s DNA, where it secretes the insect-killing Bt-toxin in every cell. About 19% of GM crops produce their own pesticide. Another 13% produce a pesticide and are herbicide tolerant.There is also Hawaiian papaya and a small amount of zucchini and yellow crookneck squash, which are engineered to resist a plant virus.

Code for GM produce:
Genetically modified produce have five digit PLU numbers that begin with an 8. Example: a GM Granny Smith Apple will have a PLU of 84017.  Beware: That lovely green Granny Smith apple is a Frankenfood! 

Information adapted from the Institute for Responsible Technology

What YOU can do:
1. Buy certified organic foods.  They are our single best bet for avoiding GMO ingredients, synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics and hormones. 

2. Be a label detective.  Read ingredient labels and vote with your food dollars.  Reject products likely to contain GMOs, such as dextrose, corn starch, corn syrup or corn sugar, soy lecithin, canola and cottonseed oils, and sugar from sugar beets. Dairy products may come from cows injected wtih GM bovine growth hormone. Look for labels stating No rBGH or rBST.  Some foods carry a Non GMO seal.Check out the downloaded guide here. They even have an app for your phone.

3. Avoid certain ingredients.  Avoid at risk ingredients such as corn, soybeans, canola, cottonseed, sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya and small amount of zucchini and yellow crookneck squash, etc.

4. Be active. Call or write the President, your state representatives and food manufacturers.  Voice opposition to GMO crops and demand GMO-food labeling. 

5. Stay conscious, yet calm.  Do the best that you can to avoid GM foods, but try not to stress so hard.  Worrying will NOT help the problem.  Vote with your dollar and avoid GM foods whenever you can for the health of yourself and your family.  Download free materials such as the Non-GMOShopping Guide or the Center for Food Safety’s True Food Shopper’s Guide.  There are plenty of helpful resources, downloads and apps out there to help you stay informed and safe!

6. Spread the word.  Share this information with family, friends and anyone willing to listen. 

Great websites to stay informed:

Non-GMO Project

Institute for Responsible Technology

Center for Food Safety

 Check out a new NON GMO documentary by Jeffrey Smith: Genetic Roulette

What Makes Me Happy Right Now- Friends, Social Networking, Music & More!

This is a concept that I've adopted from my manager and friend Lauren, finding the positive in negative thoughts or situations. It is so easy to get caught up in negative thinking and let it take over our minds. I have been stressed, sick and moods all over the place, a lot going on in my personal life. It is important for me to remember that I am blessed and have so much to be thankful for. Here are a few blessings today.

Ladies Night!

     1.  Friends. (Near and far)  I am blessed to have amazing friends, who are more like family. I have a great connection with my friends.  Some live close so we are able to meet up for dinner or drinks on occasion. Then there are my friends that live not so close or in other states.  What I can say is that no matter the distance between us, our conversations pick up right where we left off. I sometime have a sixth sense for when things are going on with my friends, as they do with me, I will send a text or give a call, and it always seems to be right on time. I am thankful to have friends who love me with all my flaws and always make time for me. Love you guys!

    2. Social Networking.  (Facebook, Instagram,ect) I have a love/dislike relationship with social media. Sometimes I am off and right now I am loving it! It is a great way to stay and get connected with old classmates, long lost friends from elementary and so much more. Now more than ever it is a place where we can express ourselves and support each other. Although I am censored on a lot of my post, I think it is important to share our triumphant and challenges of our stories. A lot of times we get caught up in our own heads/lives, but we have to realize we are not alone. What we are going through, how we deal with it, may give someone else inspiration. I enjoy the positive side of social media and feeling connected to people.

    3.  Good Music- Oh-la-la. I love music so much, there are so many songs and tunes that make me feel good. Music has the ability to transcend across borders. Makes me want to sing along or get up and dance. Right now my favorite song is Miguel-Adorn. Click and check it out!

Lauren & I with the author David Singer.After
a great presentation at Amscan.

   4.  Great Books- Last week, we had David Singer, author of Six Simple Rules for a Better Life, come to give an inspirational talk as Amscan. I thoroughly enjoyed reading David’s book, my manager and I set a goal to read the whole book before David’s presentation. I am so glad I did, David and I have the same Alma Mater, SUNY-Albany. Reading his book was refreshing; he shared personal stories and good advice which was practical and achievable. By the way this was one of our most attended events to date. Pick up a copy of David’s book today and take a look at his website. One book down and three more to go, nothing like getting lost in a good book whether business or pleasure.

   5.  Water (Rivers, Ocean & etc.)  Something about being by a body of water is so relaxing to me. ( I am very careful not to fall in because I can’t swim.-ha) I think clearly, I am calmer and I feel so at home. Whenever I need to be alone or get clarity I make sure to take a short drive to a special spot in the Bronx, not far from where I live. I just sit, and watch the water, the cars crossing the bridge and the city lights in the distance.

Inspire Change

" We can't change the World. Unless we change ourselves."
     - C. Wallace

Welcome Gorgeous!!!

Hi and welcome! I am excited to get started blogging about food, health, and all things that I am passionate about. Be sure to share with your family, friends and anyone else who might enjoy. I thought it would be fitting to open my first blog with a quote, since I love them.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”- Marianne Williamson

Does this sound familiar? The first time that I heard this was in a scene from the movie Coach Carter, inspiration can be found anywhere. I love this quote and reading it inspires me - so I keep a copy at my desk at work. Occasionally, when I am having a rough day or need a pick me up, I read it to myself twice and remember I AM BRILLIANT, I AM GORGEOUS, I AM TALENTED AND FABULOUS!!!!! It truly warms my heart and makes me smile. By embracing and embodying this I believe I can achieve all my hearts desires.

Life throws tons of curve balls and obstacles, none which we cannot overcome. At times you may want to give up or give in, but I am here to tell you DON’T. In times of despair know that you too are BRILLIANT, GORGEOUS, TALENTED AND FABULOUS.       

Go let your light shine!!!

 photo by M.McMillan

JP