It's Harvest Time

Harvest Time!!!

It’s HARVEST Time again & time for another Focus! For those of you who’ve just joined the blog, I’ve been gradually working my way through transforming myself into a better person. These past few days have been amazing. I’m blogging as I am in Cali. It’s my first time here. I’m so EXCITED to be here. Being here has allowed me the necessary decompression that I have needed, that ordinarily I wouldn’t have gotten in my hometown. Time off from work and normal day to day is AMAZING. I’m not sure if it’s me, but there’s no place like home!

                                            

I miss the FREEDOM of jumping in my car, whenever and however I choose, My brisk morning jogs and the wind blowing in my face as I feel the sun beating on  my skin..

I miss my sweatheart, He knows who he is . I miss the spark in his eyes when we’re together.

The things we take for granted are the things we can appreciate much more when we are deprived.

 

 

 

Enjoying the View at the Santa Monica Pier in California, Fall 2011

 

 

 

I am gradually learning to let go of thing especially, the things that hold us captive and paralyze us. The biggest one is technology. Let’s just say that in the last 10 days, if it could happen, it did.

First two days before I flew out from Atlanta, my Slim-touchscreen personal phone cracked and shattered after it made its way to the floor. Ordinarily I would SCREAM, be upset, gripe, B**TCH, and lose my cool. But not in this instance.  Nonetheless, what reason need I be upset? I mean, come to think of it. I have another phone to use (my work phone of course). Though uncomfortable, It’s still something I can use.  Next I get to the airport and of course, I had the hardest time finding my battery charger for my camera & worse, I bought one at the airport and guess what!!!!  It didn’t work!

                             In addition, To Extend my phone’s battery life, I, being impatient, decided to purchase a juicepack plus for my iPhone & it too was a LEMON! AHHHH!!!!! , Right?

So here are the Lessons I've learned 

Lesson 1: preparation is Key

Lesson 2: Control your Controllables!

Lesson 3: Learn to appreciate EVERYTHING that you encounter, b/c it too may disappear before you’re able to appreciate it!

I cannot wait to get back in town as it seems. So day one I have to find a protective hairstyle that will allow me to still find the joy in Fitness. It’s been more than a week and I haven’t had a pure sweat moment. It feels so different. I think it provides me with energy. Next, I realize why I Love Fruits and Veggies. They’re Natural & keep you regular ( and I mean that in the most modest way possible). If I’m allowed the time, I will detox & flush out my system , once again. When it comes down to it, It’s the balance in life that keeps us in harmony.

                                    I am finding a better way to defend myself when it comes to being the fitness advocate that I am. Enjoy everything in moderation & don’t take it for granted! At least this way, when it’s gone, you are left with the good memories or able to value its importance.

 So a week before, I left my workplace. I was caught in the act of indulging in one of my weaknesses, LP wings,Lemon Pepper wings. I Love ‘em .  I had gone almost ten weeks in moderation and moreover saw a deficit of 22 lbs…

                                      Come’On!!!!! Gimmee a break!

    I had also lessened the amount of alcohol that had I not been conscious about, wouldn’t have been party to diminish. So at any rate, the news spread like wildfire. It was the talk of the entire breakroom. The statement that was made, was a bit harsh , but I understand how someone would think that way. It was the first time, this particular individual had seen me eat something that wasn’t healthy. He said he didn’t even know I was capable of doing that. My response was, “yea, I eat junk occasionally, but just not on a regular basis”. It’s funny , I laughed about it , b/c it was silly. He couldn’t believe what he saw  that he insisted on taking a picture for future reference.LOL...

Anyway as I am shifting my focus to discovering myself on a deeper level, I hope to inspire many or encourage everyone to harvest themselves in the important things in life.  let's take this journey together....

Best health wishes as always and happy November, it's a NEW dey, new month and NEW YEAR!......

LawinoJ

Something New…..in the Healthy food Corner

Something New…..in the Healthy food Corner

Salad just took an upgrade!

Today’s Lunch Corner: Chicken Salad & ZEN green TEA

· 1 single serving 15- 20grams of protein , or 7 oz grilled chicken sliced into cubes or slices

· Homemade dressing

· Lite Citrus blend

· 1 teaspoon of olive oil

· ¼ orange wedge

· ½ lemon ( squeezed)

· A couple shakes of cayenne or red pepper

· **( salt if desired , but just a little to give it a little taste especially if you didn’t add salt to the chicken)

· 1 cup of baby spinach leafs

· 1 cup of mixed field greens

· ½ tomato sliced

· ¼ onion slices

· ½ cucumber sliced

· 3 optional melba crackers ( any flavor, I like the rosemary olive oil)

1. In a small bowl , mix the baby spinach and field greens, then add the cucumbers , onions and tomatoes and toss,

2. then take one teaspoon of olive oil pour on top of salad, and ¼ orange wedge or even ½ orange wedge to squeeze into the bowl and also ½ lemon. This is for the healthy just about calorie free dressing. It adds a little moisture so that it’s not so dry

3. Add the pepper salt and black pepper to your desire

The cayenne pepper & black pepper are to be added to give kick to your salad, sprinkle as much as desired.

You can still finish off your orange if you don’t want to waste the content and the same with the lemon if you don’t mind the tart.

If you like the crouton-like crumbles, add a few broken down pieces of melba crackers. Those melba crackers are low calorie and give you a healthy way of getting your starches without sabotaging your healthy eating.

1 Tea Bag ( Tazo) (ZEN GREEN TEA)

8-10 oz of H2O (Hot)

Honey, 1 pkt of Splenda, or 1 pkt of Raw Sugar

· More water if you don’t like the strong taste

or

As a compliment , I brewed lemongrass Green tea with a hint of spearmint sans sucre

Once again you can squeeze/squirt ¼ of the orange wedge into your tea cup and if need be just drop the wedge in your cup to give it flavor.

If you would like try one packet of splenda or even better ( one teaspoon of honey to taste.

*Honey has calories, but splenda does not have calories

SERVE & ENJOY