Staying Strong During the Holidays!

Hey pretty people!

If you have been following the blog recently, you know that I am struggling with my weight. I was on the right path to losing weight and getting healthier until I broke my ankle back in May of this year. After five months of recovery and a few weeks of therapy, I am finally ready to get back on that horse. I have found lately that I am a little more stressed than usual, so I eat more. My will to do better as far as my weight-loss has sort-of taken a back seat to other major issues in my life. Plus I was discouraged when I found that after working out and eating better for a few weeks, I did not lose one single pound. I think I may have lost some water weight because some of my tighter pants are fitting loosely now, but very little else has happened in that area and I am not happy. I know you are not supposed to get down on yourself, but I am only human. I refuse to give up though!


I know that the holiday season is usually very stressful for many people who celebrate Christmas and other holidays. I know better not to get wrapped up in all the hoop-lah, but this past Monday we were in an apartment fire that displaced us for three days. The details surrounding the fire are very sensitive, but someone did lose their life, unfortunately. Along with the fact that less than two weeks ago I was diagnosed with strep throat coupled with flu-like symptoms. A-whole-lot has been happening and it seems very hard to keep on the right track as far as taking care of myself. I've been looking at other women who inspire me via Instagram and Facebook, but seeing their weight-loss success only makes me feel worse about my lack of progress. I am not sure what to do, but I am beginning to realize that if I don't push myself, no one will. I must do this for my own health and more importantly, to set the proper example for my babies!

How do you cope with stress? Are you extra stressed out during the holidays? Are you currently losing weight? How do you deal with set backs?
Please post below! and THANK YOU :D


                                                                              (a pic of the actual fire my roommate took)

Naturalista ShoutOut: Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer has been warming our hearts with her skills on the silver screen for lil' min now! I first saw her in "Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion", but her big screen debut came back in 2004 in "Barbershop 2" as Queen Latifah's niece. I loved her in "Akeelah and The Bee" personally, I felt that movie really allowed her to show her acting chops as the leading role opposite heavyweights Angela Bassett and Lawrence Fishburne.  Since Keke has blown up she has given her time to many charities and in the last year, or so, debuted her afro via Instagram. I loved it! This young diva has managed to stay in the spotlight without getting a whole-lot of negative press. We just saw her in VH1's "TLC Movie", where she portrayed "Chili" the groups sexy lead singer. It was the biggest TV movie this year to date! Recently she signed on to join legend Cicely Tyson and Blair Underwood in the remake of the iconic TV movie "Trip to Bountiful".

YOU GO GIRL!  

Here's a few of my fave pics of Miss Keke below...

Rocking the 'fro!

Keke (middle) in the "TLC Movie" on VH1

20 years old now!

@ The 44th Image Awards

posted to Instagram 

gettin' her tresses pressed

Latest layered curly style! I ♥ it! 

Health Alert: Your Daughter's Fast Development

Hello Naturalistas,

I was just reading along on MSN when I stumbled upon this headlined article this morning!

"Childhood obesity tied to early puberty in girls"

Well duh! Most of us who are a little informed about the general development prepubescent teens, know that when they are obese it disrupts the regulation of hormones throughout the body. Simply because being overweight is unhealthy and it forces the body to "grow up" faster than they are supposed to.

It is no surprise to me that more and more or our children are developing much quicker. We have known for years that America is the fattest country in the world and although one of the most powerful, our diets do not reflect it. Most of us are indeed malnourished even though we are overweight. I have found that when ever I eat properly and consume the proper amount of vitamins and minerals, I lose weight from that alone coupled with portion control and activity. Your body will regulate itself to a degree once you take steps to cleanse it of all its impurities. Not to mention all the excess radiation from pesticides and fertilizer. Those things definitely do contribute as well.

Also, if you know like I do, organic food is far more expensive than the store brand or unhealthy food. So it is becoming harder and harder to feed your children healthy, filling meals three (or more) times a day. And with everyone on the run and lack of family structure, our kids are left to fend for themselves when it comes to preparing and consuming food. We have not taught them healthy habits and we often fall short of setting an example. As mothers and fathers we have to live it if we expect our children to do the same.

I read this article with a slight smugness until I came upon the part where the consulting doctor mentioned statistics for Asian girls, white girls and black girls. Of course, I found that black little girls develop at a faster rate than most white and Asian girls, but then the article stated that white girls are "catching up" to black girls. I am not sure why that little bit of information was mentioned in the article, but I found it very interesting. Almost as if this was bad! SMH

NEWSFLASH! Look around you. 'NUFF SAID...

Anbyhoo, as a black, single mother I know the odds are stacked against my children. They come from a single parent household and hey live in a city that is known for its violence and drug reputation. I feel though, however, that I feed my children well and by well, I mean fresh veggies, lean cuts of meat, very limited sugar intake and plenty of water and exercise. I feel as long as I continue to monitor those things, they will not have a problem with obesity in the future!

What do you think about the article??? Where you an overweight child??? Are your children overweight??? Lemme know what you think! Post below :)