Quitting Dreamer?!

'but somewhere along the way,

we abandon our dreams, forget our dreams".......

                                                                ~Dosage III: Beautiful Dreamer 

So many things have been going thru my mind lately. Namely, if I should retire as a singer /songwriter....retire the artist known as Green Tea. Those thoughts have been circling my mind for months.  If  I should give up the fight of pursuing the dream. I still have no answer. 

One, its truly hard for me to quit anything. People who know me, know that I am one of the most competitive person ever. I have been given the middle finger while playing Taboo and have been curtly excused from a dinner date due to scrabble and injustices lol. I love challenges and they motivate me. My husband knows that if someone's tell me no, then that will fuel me to prove them wrong. In fact, thats how Dosage III, came to be. Someone wanted to give me a bad demo deal and I was like uhh...wait, I can do this myself.  I have been told no several times by many but in the end have succeeded by just putting one foot in front of the other and shaking off the blows that come with the pursuit of the dream.  But in the past couple of months, thoughts circle my head repeatedly about letting go and moving on. I don't know if its because I'm getting older and have a family or what.

I will say as an artist, I feel I have grown year after year since entering the music game, green eyed, in 2004. I feel my music has a purpose and have helped many, but not on the scale that I would like.   I feel like at times there is a wall that permits  me from going forward and I have no idea what it is.  I guess thats the part that hurts me to my core. Knowing that I have this gift of singing and songwriting and not the proper platform to share it. Thats when the thought comes in that maybe this is it. And then I have performances that are golden and highlight that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.

 Then the other thought that Dreams and Purposes are not all fairy tales filled with wispy clouds twirling around, comes in. They take work, dedication, sacrifice, and balance. But when is enough enough is the question? Just sharing my thoughts and feelings... would love to hear your thoughts.

 In  growth, in love, in healing,

Green Tea

Tea Time w/ Green Tea & B.(Empowered) are 1

Its been a while since I blogged, but I'm back. The last time you heard from me, I was at the Grammys. I definitely took in and processed every detail of the experience so I'd be prepared in the future for when I accept my Grammy.  It was definitely an eyeopening experience to see things as they occurred behind the scenes. I definitely will attend again. More than ever, I realize that my mission: to encourage people to grow, love, and heal via music is needed:) So, I'm here to stay:)

Since returning from the Grammy's I've been working hard, performing, songwriting,  solidifying my brand, being active in the grammy association, baking, loving, and everything in between to spread the music :) and you guys have been in my corner cheering me along the way.  I so appreciate you alls support too, it definitely doesn't go unnoticed. It means the world. You, Greenteaslovers, hold me down!

Okay so now that we are semi- caught up (there's so much more but we have time to catch up over the next blog posts).... Guess What?!! Tea Time with Green Tea is Back! Yes, I listen lol! So many people reported in that they missed Tea Time with Green Tea and so we  brought it back! We are combining it with the blog and I'm so excited:) It's here:)  I need you to be active and involved in it too!  Let me know your thoughts, send in your questions to greenteasoul@greenteasoul.com all that:)
Check it out! comment on this here blog & YouTube:) check it out!

Tea Time w/Green Tea: Love

Life after the Grammys

So it's been a little over a week since attending the Grammys and I'm still at a loss for words. I have mixed emotions about the entire experience. On one hand, it was an honor to experience the ceremony & witness the behind the scenes stuff and on the other hand, I questioned why i was I there. Like how do I fit in this world of, who are you?, what do you do?, who do u know ?, how do i make sure I outshine the next just to get new contacts? I saw that everywhere I went. It was like people upon people trying to climb their way up and honestly I was instantly homesick and disappointed with the realization that I didn't fit in. I guess some may call it a weakness but I genuinely want to connect and not just discipher in 5 minutes rather they are worthy of my time (based upon if they can advance my career). But that's just me.

Above all I was left with the question where do I fit in? Where is the spot that is just for me here, in hollywood. I'm still searching: and learning. Overall the Grammys are def an experience and you learn so much about the process. I am def constantly preparing myself and learning how to be the artist I want to be.
Practice makes perfect :)

Dreams, to be or not to be

At the top of every year, I construct an illustrative dream board noting my dreams goals and aspirations. Flashback, to last year's dream board, at the top of the year, I had a word on there that said Grammy. In May 2012, I took a picture with the word Grammy at my album release party (we wrote down our dreams and posed with them). Just so you know, my dream is to be awarded a grammy:). Now, a year later I'm sitting for the flight to Cali to attend the Grammys:) Wowzers! God is truly awesome:) Now, I'm not being a awarded with a Grammy YET, but I am preparing myself to accept the award with this trip. It's all a process... And our process is predicated on the decisions we make or not make.

Faith without works is ... Dead. So in essence, every belief or dream, should have a supportive action.... Without the supportive action steps, dream float away and seem unreachable. I started with a dream and a word. Once I said It was a goal, i took action steps to achieve it (i.e renew my grammy membership, attend more events, connect with like minded folks, etc). No magic wand made it happen, but my actions to support my beliefs made it happen. Now, I haven't received my GRammy yet, and know that its not because I didn't try this year lol (I made the Grammy entry nomination list), . But I'm not afraid (wait I'm lying, sometimes I am) to act on what I believe. I guess it comes down to how bad you want your dream to be or not be.
Welp gotta board the plane ttyl let me know your thoughts

GT

Let's Just B.E.

I am who I am.  I am a person who loves learning, adventure, singing, dancing, baking, writing, reading, loving, motivating others, family time, laughing, working out, exploring, dreaming, creating, etc. I'm all those things, but not necessarily in that order:).  In the past, I'd try to have strict separations between my loves.  For example, I'd try to separate the artist in me, Green Tea, from the Praise & Worship member and leader, Tekeah.  In my mind, they had to be different. More specifically, Tekeah had to be different from Green Tea, especially in the church.  I don't know where that idea or thought came from but it was there.  I can remember ever so vividly trying to be like something I wasn't. But then there was a shift when I realized that Green Tea is me. Green Tea is how I sing in the clubs and also how I sing in church.  The only difference is my attire (as I'm not wearing a church uniform to my singing engagements lol Ever). My heart is the same. 

 But, I remember, as if if was yesterday, when I felt the merge....ha ha when Green Tea accidentally slipped out while leading praise and worship....it was there where I felt, this is you and who I've called you to B.E. Since that moment, I've been learning how to b.e. (be empowered). Slowly but surely, I've realized that I don't have to separate pieces of me. I am who I am. I be who I be. All the things that I enjoy and love are the ingredients that make me.  Hence, the revamping of this blog:)  Welcome! No longer will you get separate components music, health, family, etc....you're going to get it all lumped in one, right here on this blog. As all the parts are intertwined, so its no point in separating them:) 

**aside: I think a lot of artists experience a lot of sadness and or turmoil, because their image does not coincide with the core of who they are and what they believe....and then when they try to actually be who they are, they are generally rejected or experience internal conflict.  Do you know of any artists who have gone thru this? I can name a few.

I wonder, what things are you separating that could/should be together? Let me know your thoughts:)

Talk to ya soon:)

Summer COnfessions 2012

I admit,that over the last couple of days.... (*ahem* clears throat)...I meant the last couple of weeks, the consecutive sunny weather days and smell of barbecue has brought out every crave in my body.  I  salivate just thinking about what summer means to me. LOL. I mean seriously, my thoughts are of crabs, watermelon, Rita's Gelati, McDonald's vanilla cone, barbecue chicken, ribs, crabs, slurpees, fireballs, burnt hot dogs, shrimp, Chick Fila Milk Shakes, cinnamon toast crunch....hmmm and am I forgetting anything...oh yeah crabs and uhhh crabs!!! Lol!

So all  the above has been on my mind...amongst other things (buying a new house, being a mother, pursuing music, coordinating performances, selling albums (*sidebar* my new album, Dosage III: The Time to B.E. is on iTunes get it today http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dosage-iii-the-time-to-b.e./id525731698).  Ha Ha, back to what I was saying. I don't know why summer equals great food to me, but I confess I've been giving in to almost every craving. Then it hit me. I've been a bit overwhelmed by my emotions lately. Honestly, I've been stressed and its easy to fall into old habits when you're stressed. So I craved all the foods that make me do the "happy food dance" to take the focus off of whatever i'm feeling emotionally. I know this isn't the first time that I've written about emotional eating...and this here prob won't be my last.  I'm learning how to master this thing.  I will say that that other night, instead of reaching for my little night time cinnamon toast crunch snack, I put on my workout clothes and walked on the treadmill for an hour.  I didn't walk at a super fast pace, but I just walked and listened to music. I allowed the music to take me down different memories and I laughed and just walked off the blues and stressors. I needed that moment to feel and get moving. So sometimes when you crave all of your favorites...ask yourself, do i really want this or am I using this to make me feel good temporarily. Am I the only one who has been there? Let me know your thoughts:)

You can even see the difference in these before and after workout pics.

What They Don't Tell You About Losing Weight!

This past week, I did an interview to promote my forthcoming album, Dosage III: The Time to B.E. and during the interview I made a comment..."I lost 48 lbs...now when people see me..they are like..hey, you look like? who are you..." Yes....I feel like that is the story my life.  I joke about it during the video, but honestly speaking, it is definitely an adjustment and was quite hurtful in the beginning (and I'm still getting used to it). Yes, it's great to lose weight...but I think...in fact, I know, that I was unprepared for people's responses and the emotions that come along with losing weight.

People don't share that side of it. They don't tell you how to adjust to getting used to a new body or losing some of your prized positions (my boobs lol...which if you know me, you know those were my favorites lol). They don't talk about the adjustment you have to make in your mind when you're used to being a certain way for years. Like your mind has to catch up with your weight-loss so you can begin to see yourself differently.  I don't think I ever talked about it on my blog...only amongst my close friends.

Imagine this, you are out on the music scene, and when people say your name...Green Tea...there are puzzled looks or questionable looks as if you are an imposter of the artist Green Tea. If I could share how many times, I've said, "Yeah it's me, I just lost a little weight,"  I think I'd be rich...or how many times I'd say hello to my fellow artist peers and they don't know who I am. ..the surprised..."oh Hey" (talk about feeling invisible).  It's not only the stares though, its the comments, "ooh your beautiful now, " its the increase in flattery, etc. all that. I was just at a salad bar of a restaurant the other day, and a guy there at the salad bar was like..."girl you tiny, put some pasta on your plate." Believe it or not that was  his attempt to pose flattery or establish small talk to get my phone #.  As my friend Nicole would say, Boy By!  So its stuff like that I laugh off, but they do have a bit of sting here and there. In fact, as an artist I stopped going out as much because I just didn't want to deal with it...the stares, explanations, etc. Afterall, I'm like where y'all been?... I just lost weight, I've been beautiful and all those other things....dang, what was I before, to y'all.  But, what I realize is that people will be people and the show will go on with or without you. So I just wanted to share that the process of losing weight isn't over when you get to your goal...it's still a journey and  a process. I'm adjusting and working towards having my mind and body be on the same page and I think that's something that isn't quite shared or talked about as often. So that's the skinny on what they don't tell you about losing weight.

Let me know your thoughts:) & please encourage others to join the blog:)

I need to see it for myself!

Today is the last day of the month, and I went to go weigh-in at Weight Watchers (WW) just to see where I was...actually, I'm lying..I kinda had an idea as to where I was on the scale, as I get on the scale every morning. **sidebar: I get on the scale every morning because it keeps me accountable to everything that I eat....but that's what works for me..you have to find what keeps you on the straight an narrow.
Anyways I digress... Now, I know I was about a pound above my goal weight (my at home scale). When I got to weight watchers though, I was .8 above my goal weight (yippee for the minus .2). Now, I am a life-time member at WW, and so that means I can only be 2lbs above or under my goal weight...but I wasn't nervous at all. When it comes down to it I know what I need to do to lose the weight if I really want too.  The WW rep was like are you sure you want the print out...and I said yup.  My only response was that...sometimes you just need to see it. I needed to see that I since last month, I had gained 2.6 lbs. I needed to visually see the the plus sign with those numbers behind it. Do I look good...yes...can anyone tell...no...only my husband and I discuss my weight (and its not in that demeaning way)...he's just my bestie and we make it into a game lol.  I needed to see the plus sign as a reminder to not get comfortable or lax.

I've noticed with the planning of my forthcoming album release party, Dosage III: The Time to B.E., I've a been a bit on edge, stressed, restless, and a bit lax as it comes to food. Check out the flyer.

In fact, I've realized that I've been trying to cram so much in the day, in preparation for this album release, that often times I forget to eat. What happens when you forget to eat? You're starving. What happens when you're starving? Your liable to eat anything in sight. I don't need to say what happens when you eat everything in sight lol. So to sum it up, what I'm trying to say is sometimes we get stressed and then we put what we know to the side and go with the feelings. This is an area that I've been constantly working on, battling the feelings and not allowing them to control my decisions. So I weighed in not because I didn't know where I was...but because I wanted the print-out. It let me know that 2.6  gain  in one month can continue to the next month if I let it. Think about it...2.6 every month for the next 6 months month is 15 lbs or so. As for me...that's not an option. I got my anchor my little print-out to catapult to do something about it.

I would love to hear your thoughts:)

By the way...make sure you come out to the party lol:)

I forgot about me!

So much time has passed, since I last wrote here. Please forgive me! I've missed you all! So much has happened and has changed since last year....its amazing. I think whats most amazing tho is that as things have been changing and happening...I, somewhere along the way, forgot some of the most simplest things that bring me joy. 

I didn't realize it until now....as I  was just going with the flow of things...becoming a robot. It wasn't until I had given out a homework assignment about taking a picture of your most colorful plate that I realized what I was missing.

I was missing savoring my most favorite meal of the day, breakfast.  When I sat down to take a picture of my breakfast, it triggered all the happy moments when I would sit down and eat breakfast. I know it may seem trivial to some, but I find pleasure in making breakfast for myself. It was my little me time where I said, Tekeah, I value you soooo much that  I am going to make you breakfast:)...it was my own personal date with myself....and yesterday showed me how much I had been neglecting my little date with myself.  So today, I say I'm recommitting myself to my morning breakfast and taking time out for me. I must remind myself to treat myself well and to be kind to myself.

Whats your favorite meal of the day and are you taking time out to pause and enjoy it?

Its the most wonderful time of the year!!

Wowzers, its been  how many months since I last blogged?!! 3 months!! Geez louise, time does fly. In the last 3 months so much has changed...I've gotten married, am a step mother of 3, amongst other things... whew! So I got married this past November, and now it's that time of year again where we're embarking upon the holidays and festivity seasons.... seems like celebration after celebration!!

Now in speaking about the holidays, one lady asked me how do I stay on target or continue with my healthy living with all the cookies and pies around. She went on to ask me, could I get rid of all the cookies for her. I told her I can't get rid of the cookies but I can tell you how to eat them. She looked at me with a blank stare. LOL. But honestly that's all I can do. I don't believe in denying oneself our guilty pleasures, but I do believe in balance, moderation, and planning for them.

After all, that is how I survived Thanksgiving and Christmas, and New Years. I did indulge in my favorites, but I had a plan as to how to indulge and not feel guilty. It dawned on me that the same holidays come around the same time every year....and....i generally like the same stuff every year...not that much has changed...lol..so knowing that, I can plan accordingly.  So here are my little tidbits that have been helpful and that I'm going to use again.

Question to ask: What things am I looking forward to eating during these occasions? How can I spread the love? (meaning how can I have them but maybe not have them all in one day). *sidebar*And if your doing weight watchers (like I am), I would find out the point plus value for each and already subtract them from my target:) I would use the remaining pointplus values to eat:)

So for me...what I do is I make up in mind...is today going to be a treat myself day...if that is the case then I'm going to go with the more filling foods for that day until I get to my treat surprise. Let's use a celebration that I am looking forward to....Christmas Eve @ Mom Montgomery's!! Wee hee!! (mouth has begun to salivate already)

My highlight for that day is the sweet potato cheesecake:) ooh yum and some other sweets. lol
So on the day of Christmas eve....I'mma do a light breakfast (maybe some yogurt, a banana,  and some tea,) lunch I'll do either a filling soup and salad with fruit and water, snacks in between maybe some string cheese,  fruit, and water....  (when you eat light little things before the throw down you can make better choices...because you arent' starved lol...meaning your stomach isn't eating its lining lol)

MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE:  
not eating the entire day before you go to the shindig...that will set you up and your most likely to overeat...and its not good for you anyway.
not drinking water  (throughout day..keeps your stomach feeling full and ensures you don't get dehydrated)

Okay back  to the food plan...after I eat light..then its Mom Montgomery's house oh yeah. My plan is strategic:)
1st. plate:) veggies first (why, because they are a good foundation for the tummy and they fill you up)....and drink some water.
2nd. plate little bit of turkey, lil ham
3rd. plate  desssert wee hee...a lil slither of this. a that not a full slice...then my glory sweet potato cheese cake.  *side bar* and the thing is because i had that foundation of veggies..i won't eat as much of the cakes and pies...i will still have some but not as much.
4th plate (desserts to go)...and freeze them for later:)....that way i can always have the holiday treats even after the holidays

Last years' goal was to not gain 20 lbs (that's how much I would normally gain from Thanksgiving to new years)...and i gained 3lbs (a drastic improvement)
This year's goal is to maintain...and I've already started to prepare by doing some extra workouts lol....cuz that sweet potato cheesecake is getting in my belly lol!

I said this all to say find a plan that works for you!! Also, remember this, what you don't have this year, will be there year after year!! This will not be the last time you eat during these holidays!
If others have plans that they've used post em up!

Miles and Miles for fresh food?!! Are you crazy!!

So it was two weeks a ago, a  dreary  Thurday  evening in DC, and I was on my way to meet up with the girls to attend my first Mystics b ball game (shouts out to Jeree). While I was walking thru 8th street NW to get to my destination,  I noticed that there was a crowd of people with stands and food. Did someone say food?!! Lol..of course I had to do a quick check of the viddle situations before going to the Verizon center...and what did I find?!! Fresh fruit and vegetables, and cheese, and meat...and a whole bunch of other home grown things.  I was like a kid in a candy shop as I 'm always willing to try different things. So I went to my go to foods (the fruits)...I knew there were going to be chips and other tempations at the basketball game...and I had already set in my mind to not get involved in those fiascos lol...so I got some fruit. I brought some peaches from a farm and some asian pears (which I Love asian pears lol)....and let me tell you...this was the best fruit I've even had in my life. Grant it, I've only be alive for 30 years (31 years tomorrow) lol...but still. My tastebuds were doing a little jig after having a peach.  Then, I made the mistake of sharing my fruit fortune with the kiddies...who took the fruit down without any second thought..lol..I guess its best that they love fruit rather than candy lol. Not only did the kiddies take the remaining fruit down...they pressed me almost everyday..where are the asian pears?..did you get anymore?...when you going back?...where is the farmer's market? Can you go there today?...and so on and so on. Needless to say, that next week, I was back at the farmer's market coming home with more fruit lol ( I found out that they are there every thursday).  I traveled from White Plains, Md to NW DC, just to experience that sensation again...to awaken my tastebuds so they could do that jig again...and also to shut the kiddies mouths up for a little while lol. 

Now this farmer's market is a bit far from me...but there are homegrown products and farmer's markets within the vincity of our homes.  I encourage you to test them out:) some are less expensive then the produce at the actual grocery stores. Have you ever tried a farmer's market and their produce before...let me know your thoughts!!

Afterall, The FOOD thats ALIVE (literally causing your taste buds to do a jig) is worth the DRIVE:)

Bored with food?!! Challenge!!

So this past Monday, I was able to catch up on  some of the show Criminal minds ( i really like that show)....and the episode I was watching was about this serial killer who started a routine of toruturing one female to death...but then became bored with killing one female a day...so he doubled up and killed two a day. I was like wow...he became that bored and challenged himself to see if he could get away with 2 a day...and he got away with it (until he wanted to give himself away). So I started thinking ...hmmm i should do that too!! Not kill people of course lol...but when things get boring..challenge myself and try something different to keep me interested.

So I thought...hey I often get bored with foods sometimes...so let me try something different. For some reason challenges keep me engaged and keep me striving towards something.  So for the next couple of days...i'mma challenge myself to do the simply filling technique (a technique from Weight Watchers) where you eat mainly power foods. (fruits, veggies, low-fat milk/ cheese, beans, etc). I'mma try it for the next couple of days and see how it works out. I have realized thru this process that I am goal oriented....and that it helps me to set weekly goals so I can strive towards them. When I write down a goal and set my aim towards I find that I am most successful.  I'll let you know how it goes...or you can join with me:)

Experiment with different foods:)

So I regretfully say this (as I know this increases my geek status)...but I read cookbooks for fun lol. I'll read anything...even when I was younger i'd sit on the toilet and read all the ingredients to every bottle under the sink lol... I know I know TMI (too much info)... but you get my drift, LOL.  Anyways, becaues I read cook books for fun, I don't remember half the time if  I came up with recipes myself or if its a combo of something I read....nonetheless here it goes.

So last week...I decided I was going to try to do something different with food. I mean last week I was in a slump and was just finding food to be boring. So I decided that I'd create something to stimulate my tastes buds:0) and it worked. Okay, so I made a pizza using a portabella mushroom (no bread) :) wee hee. So this is what I did...you can try it too or dock it up for your liking:).

I got a Portabella mushroom from Sam's (its huge) and it served as my pizza circle (ha ha the foundation of my pizza) and then I sauteed some spinach, mini sweet peppers, and onions. I cut off the stem of the portabella, added the topping, and then added some low-fat mixed cheese and put in the broiler for a few and voila:) home-made goodness:)


Oh and I liked it so much that I made it again a second time (in fact the next day lol)..adding a little bit of prego spaghetti sauce before I added the toppings:) Delicious!! So I encourage you to switch it up!! Ooh you could prob add some baccon bits, or chicken lol!Try this or try something new to keep it fun and interesting:) Experiment and or get some cook books!! wee hee!!

Meatless Day?!

Eggplant Parmesean from Clydes:)  I give it a happy stomach:)

Last week, I tried going meatless for a day.... it was Thursday of last week to be exact. Initially, I thought it was going to be a challenge, but it turned out that it wasn't so bad. In fact, I enjoyed it and found that I was so satisfied & even had more energy that day. It was a great experience:).

What's funny is that when I was in college, I went meatless for 2 years and was thick as a snickers (aka overweight) and was unsatisfied with food.

Now, after trying a day, I realize my errors while going meatless in college, in that I wasn't building a satisfying and delicious meal, but was filling my meals with high calorie empty foods. But now, I know that I can:) go meatless for a day, a week, however, long I want and be satisfied and enjoy it:) by trying different protein sources and pairing them with veggies, grains, fruit, etc Have you ever gone meatless?!! What was your experience and what are your fav meatless dishes?

Check out what I had on my meatless Thursday:):

Oatmeal w/ wildberries
Almond bar
Tangerine
Plum
Arugla salad w/peanuts, cheese crumbles, fruit
Water
Eggplant Parmesean (from Clydes:) so delicious)
Peach Cobbler w/ a scoop of ice-cream

I think I just might try another meatless meal!!

Forget ME Not!

Family and friends, the thought just occurred to me (well its been recoccuring actually).....that I 've been neglecting my blogging about the journey  and transiton to healthy living....Please forgive me....life has defintiely gotten in the way....with planning a wedding (oh yeah....I'm getting married  November 19, 2011),
See Proposal here------------------------------->






recording a new album (Dosage III: The Time to B.E), and working for weight watchers amongst other things...some pieces of me that I love, got lost in the sauce. So I'm here to revive my simple joys and take those moments out for me.

I found that even on this journey to healthy living how important it is to remember the simple things that you love. I find that as a woman its easy to go into neglect mode and forget the things that sparked your light...made you that fire work....afterall, most of us are natural nurturers (always doing stuff for others).

So I ask you, what is your simple  joy thats getting overcrowded by other stuff... that deserves you shaking the dust off it, so you can experience that beauty again...is it you writing a book, dancing, reading, etc. What is it?!! Healthy living isn't just about physcial health, but its also about your mental healthy too:)

Share your thoughts on this post:)

Committment Issues...

So I confess, I may have some committment issues. I just may have some. Idk. This epiphany came to me a couple of weeks ago while I was attending a training for people who are enthusiastic about helping others lose weight.  We were like a cult--lol--all lovers of helping others maximize their potential. It was really funny to see so many other people who had  hearts like you to see others grow, develop, and most of all, be happy with their bodies and themselves as a whole. It was during a discussion amongst this group about maintaining goal weights that jarred my thinking.

You see, my initial goal was 130 (October of 2010) and since then I've lost an additional 13 or so pounds.  Yet, I have kept my goal weight as 130. Normally, you readjust your goals as you begin to feel more comfortable with where you are. But me, I knew I was not returning to 130lbs but  yet I feared adjusting my goal to 120 or something else.  I noticed that when I thought about changing it...the what ifs creeped in or the thought that I would be unable to stick with one thing for a lifetime.    I feared failure and so I did nothing. I didn't commit...because of fear.

It's amazing how fear can just creep in when you aren't even paying attention. I realize during this transition to healthy living that its important to nip things in the bud before they take root and lead to other issues. So here is my uprooting of this fear plant that is trying subtly choke my beautiful flowers. I have decided that I will readjust my goal and stick with it. I know you may be thinking whats the big deal. The big deal is that decisions you make in one area of life often mirror other areas in your life.

Like many, I have been in the situation as it relates to transitioning to healthy living, that I would not commit to anything because of fear. I would let things just happen with no focus because of the fear of committment leading to a failure that I could not handle emotionally. So I did nothing.  Thinking that at least if I did  nothing, I'd really couldn't pin point the blame on me, right?! Well no more!The time is now to uproot those fears and go for the gusto!! Who's with me!! What is keeping you from committing to certain things in your life? Lets get it ! The time is now!:)

I'm so Angry right now---I wanna eat!!

You ever hear something said about you or have an incident happen where it just burns you up?!! The best way I can describe this feeling is the picture of  the cartoon where the character literally has steam and fire coming from its ears...yes, I had one of those moments today. I was uber angry and frustrated.  Nothing like trying to do your best and instead of it going noticed, it is ignored and or criticized. Well anyways that moment happened to me today and on the ride home....wanna know what I thought about?!!

I thought about how to make myself feel better. I know just the thing!...I'll make myself  a peppermint ice-cream cone (i love peppermint ice-cream)....maybe 2...that sweet sensation will make me feel better and melt away this anger. I know your thinking, you thought that? ...not you...yes me!! I thought that and was even planning to do it too. Then I stopped and really thought about what i was thinking about doing lol.. funny....sometimes i actually do mental talk and play out the situation in my mind before doing it...i said sometimes lol

Could I have the ice-cream cone yes.  Could I have 2 ice-cream cones yes. But really was I eating because I wanted to treat myself, was hungry, or angry? I wanted the ice cream cones because I was emotionally triggered. I was upset. I wasn't hungry I was upset. I decided then that even though I love that ice-cream,   I did not want to start a pattern of eating to satisfy my emotions. I didn't want to start eating to satisfy being angry and so I didn't. I thought of another alternative I had in the house....like watermelon...that I could eat it if I truly wanted to eat something. The end result was I didn't eat the ice-cream or the watermelon at all. I ended up venting my feelings, taking a hot shower, and journaling my feelings  instead of eating my problems away. I realized that even after I would've eaten the ice-cream that would have not have satisfied the problem.

I shared my experience to shed light that its important that we are cognizant of the reasons we are eating.....and that we aren't satifying our feelings with comfort food...because when we do, we end up with a much bigger problem both literally and figuratively.

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to eat your anger, your sadness, happiness? How'd you handle it:) or in hindsight how would you handle it now:)

April Showers Come May Flowers!!

Wee hee the seasons are changing, the seasons are changing...can you feel it?! I know it has its ups and downs...cold rain here, and sun here and there, etc, but I don't care tho, cause I know whats a coming lol!! Soon it will be summer and with summer comes my favorite fruits!!

I hereby confess that I am a fruit-a-holic.

Check out this uber sexy asian pear!! Am I the only one who gets turned on by this lol!!

Okay back to the subject at hand....alas the seasons are a changing and I realize that for some reason, I tend to want to eat lighter as the seasons change. Anybody else feel that way? So here's a simple fruit roll call for ya.  What are your favorite fruits and veggies and how do you dress them up (you know, make eating them fun)?

Like for me, I love my blueberries in a cup of cottage cheese or in plain greek yogurt (sweetened with splenda).  Oh...and dipping bananas in chocolate and freezing them!!
Sometimes I make a pine-apple and banana smoothie ....
Or I eat little fresh apricots...

Tell me some of your fruit or veggie concoctions!! Lets get it!

Oh side-bar, this past weekend I went to Weight Watcher BLS training (the training to become a fabulous and dynamic Weigh Watchers LEADER) in Boston...hung out with some cool peeps (incorparted them into lifelong buddies) but most of all I learned how to continue to encourage and empower people on this journey to healthy living tee hee!! So watch out world!! Meet the Boston's Best BLS Group eva coming to a meeting room in your neck of the woods!!

Anchor UP!!!

I know its been a while...almost two weeks lol! But I'm back with a bunch of thoughts and ideas.  I will say that recharging and taking time for self to re-evaluate is so necessary...but I digress (but do try it some time:). Ok back to the blog lol!

On the heels of achieving the goal of getting my Group Exercise Certification (thats right, I passed:),  I've been thinking about how my support system has been a staple  in anchoring me towards success. Take for instance, the success of  passing the test for my group exercise certification. I registered and paid for my test in December of 2010, tho the test did not take place until February 14, 2011. However, I sought out support from my closest friends (Shelley B and Tron) as well as my instructors. I found that when I made myself accountable to them that I wanted to stay on track, work harder, and succeed; they were my anchors. Not only that, but I gained a wealth of information from using my instructor as a part of my support system and my anchor.

Now here is the translation that can be applied to healthy living. Sometimes we find that taking the journey alone can be overwhelming at times, easily frustrated and so we may drift/wonder away from our journeys.  I've found that when we choose to be accountable to others, the accountablilty  helps to keep you on track and keep you on your toes. Not only is the accountabilty a great help to keep you on track, but the support from your peers helps push you past those low points becoming an anchor to keep you on task.   So do anchor up and tell someone what your working on so you can find the support you need so you don't drift  away from your goals.You don't have to do everything all alone...and as someone may be the anchor you need, you in turn, can be the anchor for someone else.

I researched this word anchor and here are my favorite highlights of the defnition (ha ha mainly all of them):

1. a heavy object, usually a shaped iron weight with flukes, lowered by cable or chain to the bottom of a body of water to keep a vessel from drifting
2. any device that holds something else secure
3. anything that gives or seems to give stability or security
4. a person who anchors a team, newscast, etc.
5. to keep from drifting, giving way, etc., by or as by an anchor

intransitive verb

1. to lower the anchor overboard so as to keep from drifting
2. to be or become fixed

Who is your anchor?!! and how does  your anchor help:)  you post your comments

See me in my Birthday SUit!! Happy Anniversary:)

Here is its...my birthday suit  lol..
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! KUDOS to a HEALTHY TRANSITION TO HEALTHY LIVING!!