tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80941908662479274162024-03-12T20:25:17.087-04:00The Vegan Mocha AngelSelf-Love + SimplicityAltheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.comBlogger437125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-14332206878507855042019-02-13T22:03:00.001-05:002020-02-05T15:12:46.759-05:00Goodbye to Vegan Mocha Angel<div>
The way I eat is so simple these days: beans, rice, vegetables, fruit, smoothies. I've settled into a routine that works. It's time to say goodbye to The Vegan Mocha Angel after nearly 12 years. Thank you for sticking around all these years reading my stuff. I appreciate all of you for the comments and emails and encouragement over the past decade.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I started a new blog on Wordpress called <i>Ms. Mocha Angel: The Holistic Storyteller. </i><br />
Daily: I write inspirational Mocha Angel messages.<br />
Holistic Saturdays: I share vegetarian/vegan recipes, yoga tips, book reviews, and more.<br />
<br />
www.mochangels.com<br />
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Instagram: @msmochaangel<br />
email: mochaangels@aol.com<br />
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Thank you!</div>
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Love,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Althea</div>
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Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-18013022881674733782018-12-08T20:07:00.001-05:002018-12-08T20:07:49.044-05:00Peanut Butter Smoothie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCevDgWOMyUJb-mvgRA-AAjbt9vnthbiLAkvEmjkiGnQ1yYJe2kYOnAKDRN9H-r4B4capXfnFxpJnzWq-RPFTo4j0tyEhrSvpGA5RUw4H7tzFwZ1Z9RujENYG5JKHpLYKoEQVY_lsn4A/s1600/peanut+butter+smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCevDgWOMyUJb-mvgRA-AAjbt9vnthbiLAkvEmjkiGnQ1yYJe2kYOnAKDRN9H-r4B4capXfnFxpJnzWq-RPFTo4j0tyEhrSvpGA5RUw4H7tzFwZ1Z9RujENYG5JKHpLYKoEQVY_lsn4A/s320/peanut+butter+smoothie.jpg" width="192" /></a><a class="K3JSBVB-dc-a" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" kind="click"></a></div>
<br />If you want a smoothie with more than just fruit/water/leafy greens, try this Peanut Butter Smoothie. The peanut butter and hemp seeds are protein sources, which keep you feeling full longer than a fruit smoothie. At over 400 calories, yes, it could be a meal replacement..<br />
<br />
I did add spinach into mine, but the greens are totally optional. Taste your smoothie without the greens first and see how you like it.<br />
<br />
<b>Peanut Butter Smoothie</b><br />
- 3 frozen bananas<br />
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter<br />
- 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon agave<br />
- 2 cups unsweetened plain almond milk<br />
- a few dashes of powdered cinnamon<br />
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds (optional)<br />
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, if you use plain almond milk. Not necessary if you use<br />
vanilla non-dairy milk)<br />
- 2 cups leafy greens (optional)<br />
<br />
Blend!<br />
<br />
For the frozen bananas, there's two options:<br />
1. Peel and slice ripe bananas, then put them in the freezer inside freezer safe plastic baggies.<br />
2. Put ripe bananas in the freezer. Run them under hot water to peel the skins. Break bananas in half. Then put inside your blender.<br />
<br />
And if you're having chocolate cravings, add 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder. Then you've got a "<b>Reese's Cup Smoothie."</b><br />
<br />
Coming soon: Peanut Butter Smoothie's crazy rich cousin: <b>Tahini Smoothie</b>. :-)<br />
<br />
<br />Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-45546360413242136202018-12-06T19:21:00.001-05:002018-12-06T19:21:14.013-05:00Clementine Smoothie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq9cWEdX3AYl6oEBudfLik9B8nLRQadhNTPpe-iYP9lo9tYxe60n_M3994h-zXViPpotgW8pdfiZRGH0uWKl39yXL67E7JOj7qWgVWF2HP1a-DReEpjzT_2CBVHejFO6_w_3Zk5WEFvg/s1600/Green+smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq9cWEdX3AYl6oEBudfLik9B8nLRQadhNTPpe-iYP9lo9tYxe60n_M3994h-zXViPpotgW8pdfiZRGH0uWKl39yXL67E7JOj7qWgVWF2HP1a-DReEpjzT_2CBVHejFO6_w_3Zk5WEFvg/s320/Green+smoothie.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
Hi Everyone!<br />
<br />
Here's a simple green smoothie for the holidays.<br />
- 4 clementines<br />
- 1 banana<br />
- 2 tablespoons ginger<br />
- 1 celery stalk<br />
- 2 cups raw collard greens<br />
- 1 teaspoon hemp oil<br />
- water<br />
<br />
Blend!<br />
<br />
You can always add more of any fruit or greens, or even use another leafy green. If it's not sweet enough for you, add 1/2 of a peeled lemon and/or 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (the canned pineapple in its juice, not canned pineapple bathed in syrup). To replace hemp oil, use chia seeds, flax seeds, or coconut oil.<br />
<br />
Let me know what you think.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
AltheaAltheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-11972445687286166962018-11-16T22:10:00.002-05:002018-11-16T22:10:55.703-05:00I love and approve of myself videoI apologize to my email subscribers. For some reason, the video didn't come through the RSS feed.<br />
The video is on my blog. The direct link is:<br />
<a href="http://theveganmochaangel.blogspot.com/2018/11/i-love-and-approve-of-myself.html"><span style="color: red;">http://theveganmochaangel.blogspot.com/2018/11/i-love-and-approve-of-myself.html</span></a><br />
<br />Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-63199789766618923732018-11-15T20:16:00.000-05:002018-11-15T20:16:08.376-05:00I Love and Approve of Myself<br />
Saying "I love and approve of myself" in the mirror is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I have been doing this for years. I've been more serious about it for the past six months. Some days I believe it. Some days, I'm like, ::eye-roll:: "whatever."<br />
<br />
Why am I bringing this up? And why is self-love the cornerstone of my belief system? Because what we think of ourselves becomes the truth for us.<br />
<br />
From <i>You Can Heal Your Life </i>by Louise Hay:<br />
Some of the ways we don't love ourselves:<br />
- We scold and criticize ourselves<br />
- We mistreat our bodies with food, alcohol, and drugs<br />
- We choose to believe we are unlovable<br />
- We are afraid to charge a decent price for our services<br />
- We procrastinate on things that would benefit us<br />
- We live in chaos and disorder<br />
- We create debt and burdens<br />
- We attract lovers and mates who belittle us<br />
<br />
If we deny our good in anyway, it is an act of not loving ourselves.<br />
<br />
The clip below is less than three minutes long. It's Louise explaining the power of saying, "I love and approve of myself." If it resonates with you, let me know.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="476" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flouiselhay%2Fvideos%2F2197949890462296%2F&show_text=0&width=346" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="346"></iframe><br />
<br />
Love,<br />
AltheaAltheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-33904753661701478342018-11-15T14:12:00.000-05:002018-11-15T14:12:58.652-05:00Why Can't I Eat Whatever I Want?<b>The not so long answer:</b><br />
<br />
Again, you can absolutely eat whatever you want. You have free will. You may be one of lucky people who can do that and live to be 105 years old. I read about a brother who was over 100 and his secret to long life was drinking Jack Daniels everyday.<br />
<br />
Good for him, I say.<br />
<br />
For the rest of us, even those blessed with the genetics of longevity, pay a heavy price for eating whatever we want. In my family, it's been soul food. I have watched my relatives die from Alzheimer's, diabetes, obesity, and every cancer you can name.<br />
<br />
If you're a subscriber to my blog, then you are already interested in health. You already know that food has the power to slowly kill, as well as the power to quickly heal the body. And that is why, if you want to live your best life, then eating whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you want, is not the best choice.<br />
<br />
Please know that you are not alone. It may seem that everyone else can eat what they want. That's not the case. I hear people's emotional battles with food almost everyday on my job, and in the emails from you all.<br />
<br />
Eat what makes your body, mind, and spirit perform at optimal levels. And seek therapy if the emotional struggle is too much to handle alone.<br />
<br />
Health is holistic. It's:<br />
-good relationships with family and friends<br />
-feeling good about your work<br />
-restful sleep<br />
-spiritual connection<br />
-purpose<br />
-living in alignment with your values<br />
-lots of love, especially for yourself.<br />
<br />
Focus on all of those things, rather than just the food you're eating.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
AltheaAltheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-42577312593304124392018-11-13T22:09:00.001-05:002018-11-13T22:09:49.739-05:00Food Changes: Keeping it RealI got an email from someone who said. "Are you serious? That's not even enough food for me! (She's petite and weighs a buck fifty.) Are you really doing this?"<br />
<br />
Yes and Yes.<br />
<br />
Keeping it all the way real.....What's been the hardest part?<br />
<br />
<b>Cutting calories.</b> Yikes. I had increased my calories originally because I was still hungry. My challenge was, well, challenging. I wanted to eat in a way that:<br />
- doesn't leave me hungry<br />
- doesn't leave me tired<br />
- is not expensive<br />
- doesn't have me in the kitchen three hours a day<br />
- doesn't have me running to the grocery store every other day<br />
- doesn't leave me bloated or constipated<br />
- is vegetarian<br />
- encourages weight loss<br />
- is high in fiber<br />
- doesn't trigger food sensitivities (like grains)<br />
- has little, if any, processed food<br />
<br />
Those are real challenges for a lot of people.<br />
<br />
That sounds like raw food. The challenge with raw food is eating enough food to meet your caloric requirements. It also left me bloated and uncomfortable. Only two of my meals have cooked food in them. The rest of my day, including snacks are all raw vegan.<br />
<br />
Rainbow Eating is as close as I've ever come to eating in a way that works for me. Although I've had:<br />
<br />
<b>Insane SALT cravings. </b>I've spent my adult life battling chocolate cravings. Once I started the food plan I also started taking calcium supplements three times a day. Years ago, on a vegan mailing list, I read a suggestion from Elaine Rice-Fells to take calcium for chocolate cravings. I began eating calcium rich foods like sesame seeds. The cravings went away, but I didn't stick to the plan. Fast forward to now, I remembered what Elaine said. It's easier to take Calcium Magnesium Citrate supplements. Damn if it didn't work. Chocolate is a non-issue now.<br />
<br />
Chocolate got replaced by salt. All I crave is chips and actual sea salt. I took it as a sign of mineral deficiency which is why I ordered Ancient Minerals from Body Ecology. And that's not an advertisement. I haven't taken them yet, so I don't know if they work. I'm just a fan of the philosophy of Body Ecology, which is a healthy and balanced inner ecology, especially the large intestine. <span style="color: red;">(</span><a href="https://bodyecology.com/body-ecology-overview"><span style="color: red;">https://bodyecology.com/body-ecology-overview</span></a><span style="color: red;">)</span><br />
<br />
<b>The Upside</b><br />
<br />
- ZERO PMS. I mean 000000. Nothing. Nada. No chocolate cravings. No mood swings. No nothing. And that is a ginormous big deal.<br />
- No cramping during my menstrual cycle. Again, huge plus.<br />
- Evenness in my mood.<br />
<br />
<b>Next time: </b>My long answer to the question: "How come I can't just eat whatever I want?"<br />
My short answer: "You grown. You can eat whatever you want. You do you."<br />
My long answer: "Well............."<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Althea<br />
Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-30720222033668654632018-11-11T22:18:00.001-05:002018-11-13T22:10:37.274-05:00Quick Update <div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Sorry I have been gone for a moment. I have been recovering from a concussion. I hit my head at work on, believe it or not, the metal frame of a chest press machine I was about to clean. I hit myself square on the forehead. I instantly knew I was hurt. </div>
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Long story short, I was out of work for two weeks. I'd had a concussion before in a car accident in 2011. Because it was a car accident I understood my whole body pain. This time, the pain, fatigue, and nausea were a complete surprise, which I underestimated. </div>
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A concussion is super serious. My immediate symptoms were confusion, shock, dizziness, and I just didn't feel like myself. If you and anyone you know have these symptoms after hitting their head or falling, go straight to the ER to get a CT scan. I am a lot better now, and continuing to move forward with my goals. </div>
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On to better news:</div>
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I have paid off both of my store charge cards. Yea!</div>
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And I have lost 9 pounds. Yea again!</div>
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I came up with this idea of <b>Rainbow Eating</b>. I was inspired by Ann Wigmore who said that disease is the result of toxemia and deficiency. I thought, why not eat all of the colors of the rainbow, plus white, brown, and black to get more nutrients in my body? Even with this plan, I still don't get every mineral and vitamin needed daily just through food alone. I added supplements to reach 95% of my needed daily nutrients. I tweaked the food plan I shared with you all on September 9. I also cut back on the calories for weight loss purposes.</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Rainbow Eating: My Plan</b></div>
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Sunday Breakfast through Saturday Breakfast/Lunch</div>
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I eat what I want Saturday lunch and/or dinner </div>
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<b>Breakfast</b></div>
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-water with Emergen-C</div>
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-1 apple, 1/2 lemon, 3 c. of any green leafy vegetable, 1/2 c. pineapple, fresh ginger, water</div>
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-1/4 cup lentils, 2 eggs, 1 cup cauliflower, 1 tomato, 2 TBSP avocado, cilantro </div>
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<b>Morning Snack</b></div>
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-1 carrot, 1 banana, 2-3 clementines</div>
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<b>Lunch</b></div>
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- 1/2 cup of black beans OR 1/4 cup lentils, 1 cup any green vegetable, 1 tomato, 2 TBSP avocado, cilantro </div>
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<b>Afternoon Snack</b></div>
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-Smoothie: Mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) and/or blackberries, 3 c. leafy green vegetable, 1 banana, water </div>
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<b>Dinner</b></div>
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-1/2 cup soaked gluten free oatmeal, 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 banana, 1 apple, 1 small box raisins.</div>
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<b>Supplements</b>: women's multivitamin once a day, calcium magnesium citrate three times a day, acidophilus twice a day, Ancient Minerals (on order)</div>
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<b>TOTAL</b>: 1648-1660 calories</div>
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<b>The colors:</b></div>
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white: cauliflower</div>
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yellow: pineapple, banana, lemon, ginger, eggs</div>
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orange: carrots, clementines</div>
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red: apple, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes</div>
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green: spinach, kale, broccoli, collards, green beans, etc (I interchange them)</div>
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blue: blueberries</div>
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brown: lentils</div>
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indigo/violet/black: blackberries, black beans, raisins</div>
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Feel free to change the foods to match the colors. For instance, other good orange foods are sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Let me know what you think and if you decide to eat the Rainbow way, also let me know how it's working for you.</div>
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love,</div>
<div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Althea</div>
Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-1299049510682377032018-09-15T12:18:00.001-04:002018-11-13T22:11:26.195-05:00Exercise PlanFirst, I have worked at the same gym for nearly 11 years. Do not waste your money on a gym membership. You can workout at home and outside. My plan is simply to move my body everyday.<br />
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The food is far more important in weight loss. Exercise is good for a hundred things, but weight loss is not one them. Most say weight loss is 80% food, 20% exercise, or 90% food and 10% exercise.<br />
Weight loss is 100% eating less calories than you burn. Exercise helps you burn more calories and shape your body.<br />
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If you are a woman, you need to lift weights. Dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, or your own body weight, whatever works for you. And not pink 2 pound dumbbells!! Humans lose 10% of muscle mass per decade. Women do not have enough testosterone to get bulky. If you see a woman with man-esque bodybuilder muscles, she is taking supplements. Start at once a week. Build up to twice or three times a week.<br />
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Here is what I do via YouTube.<br />
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These first three are playlists I created myself. My YouTube channel is private, so only someone with the link can see it.<br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><b>My favorite dance videos:</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgST2BDAsNFc0mTXKje-wsfbMI9DUBfeV">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgST2BDAsNFc0mTXKje-wsfbMI9DUBfeV</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i>Another favorite dance videos:</i> </b></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgST2BDAsNFflCXb5-H90DYXD08KnsCJG">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgST2BDAsNFflCXb5-H90DYXD08KnsCJG</a></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Yoga with weights:</b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgST2BDAsNFeqHY7LW07ac4j_uwPTqEaJ">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgST2BDAsNFeqHY7LW07ac4j_uwPTqEaJ</a></span><br />
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The rest of these are my favorite dance/fitness/cardio/yoga/movement YouTube channels:<br />
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<b><i>Fit Body by Ashley</i>.</b> A badass dance teacher. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/fitbodybyashley">https://www.youtube.com/user/fitbodybyashley</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Yogea Yoga.</b></i> The most eclectic yoga ever. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/YogeaArtFlowYoga">https://www.youtube.com/user/YogeaArtFlowYoga</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>The Fitness Marshall.</i> </b>Richard Simmons on steroids. You'll laugh while you dance.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TheFitnessMarshall">https://www.youtube.com/user/TheFitnessMarshall</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Popsugar Fitness</b>.</i> Fitness for women. Lift those weights!! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/popsugartvfit">https://www.youtube.com/user/popsugartvfit</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Fitness Blender</i>.</b> A husband and wife team here to whip you into shape. Male and female friendly. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/FitnessBlender">https://www.youtube.com/user/FitnessBlender</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Leilah Issac Bellydance</b>.</i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/liloliloish">https://www.youtube.com/user/liloliloish</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>BollyX</i>.</b> Indian dance fitness. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/BOLLYXFITNESS">https://www.youtube.com/user/BOLLYXFITNESS</a></div>
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<b><i>Movement Parallels Life</i>.</b> Eclectic movement. I love this guy.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/kjmilad">https://www.youtube.com/user/kjmilad</a><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Start here:</b><span style="color: red;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H9KbBM7FmI&list=PLeElSzqPKgixSyfXWL_lYkuNFX6rpyfBA" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H9KbBM7FmI&list=PLeElSzqPKgixSyfXWL_lYkuNFX6rpyfBA</a><br />
<b>And here:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUnqoWVbvmg&list=PLeElSzqPKgiwvf3tlCpP7dAMB9A3BnVYA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUnqoWVbvmg&list=PLeElSzqPKgiwvf3tlCpP7dAMB9A3BnVYA</a><br />
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All of these channels are appropriate for beginners. Feel free add these channels to your YouTube playlist.Also share your favorite fitness channel with me and I'll share with the other subscribers.</div>
Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-13478490481975654772018-09-09T19:41:00.001-04:002018-09-09T19:49:11.223-04:00Vegetarian Meal Plan<i>Quick correction to my last post. </i><br />
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Pay off all consumer debt by October 2020. (I'd wrote 2019.)</div>
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Pay back all people I owe money by March 2021. (I'd wrote 2020.)</div>
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If you want to lose weight, learn what your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is. The BMR is how many calories you burn if you laid in bed for 24 hours without moving. Decide how many pounds a week you'd like to lose: 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2. Determine your activity level: sedentary, lightly active, moderately active, or highly active. Enter all that information into a food journal you trust. </div>
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My recommendation is <a href="http://www.cronometer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Cronometer</span></a>. <span style="color: red;">(<a href="http://www.cronometer.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.cronometer.com</span></a>) </span>It's free. Although you can upgrade for $5.00 a month, don't do it. The free version does the trick. You'll see if you are hitting all of your vitamin and minerals each day. It'll ask for basic information about you. From there, it'll give you a daily calorie recommendation. For me to lose 1 pound a week, it recommended 1661 calories a day, which left me hungry. I chose around 1800 calories a day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0DjmQjH_PlTWX0dQ6OxkQKy8nYc4qaAU6TYdkiJc1_9zdxIxIXiVb3GBKQ9u3ATvOasCRZPvuMSYDf-2OoAgZ9sNtwdxn4VV6xuVgJR_ayjG-JjN-DFWFRkkOL1oqZqE7wkAqHkWyIo/s1600/cronometer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0DjmQjH_PlTWX0dQ6OxkQKy8nYc4qaAU6TYdkiJc1_9zdxIxIXiVb3GBKQ9u3ATvOasCRZPvuMSYDf-2OoAgZ9sNtwdxn4VV6xuVgJR_ayjG-JjN-DFWFRkkOL1oqZqE7wkAqHkWyIo/s320/cronometer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not getting enough fat according to Cronometer, but I feel good about it. I'm hitting 96% of nutrients. That's only because I take a women's multivitamin. </div>
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<b>My Plan</b></div>
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Sunday Lunch through Saturday Breakfast/Lunch</div>
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I eat what I want Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast.</div>
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<b>Breakfast</b></div>
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-Lemon water</div>
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-1/4 cup lentils, 2 eggs, 1 tomato, 1 oz cucumber, 2 TBSP avocado, cilantro (423.25 cal)</div>
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<b>Morning Snack</b></div>
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-2 apples (196.08 cal)</div>
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-Green smoothie: 1 apple, 1 banana, 1/2 lemon, 3 cups greens (any leafy green), 1 tsp chia seeds (231.86 cal)</div>
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<b>Lunch</b></div>
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- 1/2 cup chickpeas, 1/2 cup lentils, 1 tomato, 1 oz cucumber, 2 TBSP avocado, cilantro (340.11 cal)</div>
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<b>Afternoon Snack</b></div>
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-Green smoothie: 1 banana, 1 cup mixed berries, 2.5 cup greens, 1 tsp honey (200.02 cal)</div>
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<b>Dinner</b></div>
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-Sweet or white potato, 1/4 cup lentils, 1 tomato, 1 oz cucumber, 1 TBSP avocado (373.17 cal)</div>
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<b>TOTAL</b>: 1764.49</div>
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Because it's a template, I can cut and paste. For instance, instead of a green smoothie for my afternoon snack, I'll have 2 eggs and 2 carrots, which is approximately 230 calories. </div>
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For dinner, if I'd rather keep it raw vegan, I'll have a smoothie of 2 bananas, 2 cups berries, 1 TBSP chia seed, and 1 TBSP avocado which is approximately 390 calories.</div>
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And today, I had toast with my breakfast, so I skipped my morning snack. This way I'm not eating the exact same thing everyday, which can get boring. I suggest people learn how to count calories and understand macronutrients.</div>
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And yes, for now, I'm eating eggs, which makes me a vegetarian, not a vegan. Any recipe I post here will be vegan.</div>
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It took me MONTHS to figure this out. I wanted a plan that was super easy, quick, doable, flexible, and didn't leave me starving. Frankly, I needed more protein than I realized. That's where the lentils come in. Lentils are my new favorite food. They are easy to cook. I have some super yummy variations on simple boiled lentils, which I'll share soon.</div>
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If you have questions, email me at mochaangels@aol.com. Next up, I'll share my exercise plan.</div>
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Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-31214777825815896592018-09-03T12:36:00.000-04:002018-09-03T20:18:12.065-04:00Self Love + Simplicity<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m still alive
ya’ll </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">😊</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. Thank you to everyone who wrote me to ask how I was doing and if I’d
ever blog again. I haven’t written anything since Prince died in April 2016. The
past five years have been quite challenging, on every level. Grief is a real
thing. I totally fell off. I have fought hard to get back to Althea. As I blog,
I’ll share my experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The biggest
two lessons I learned from that time are 1) love yourself and life flows much
smoother, and 2) a simple life leads to clarity, self-knowledge, and purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My biggest
challenge is that I distract myself with food and over-spending. If I’m emotionally
unbalanced, angry, frustrated, unhappy, etc., I am going to eat or spend money.
I’ve been so out of whack that I didn’t care what I was eating. That has led me
to be 60 pounds overweight. I have lost weight, but I haven’t been consistent.
I’m a stress-eater. No stress, no overeating. Stress = overeating. My biggest
expenditure is food. Wegman’s grocery is my second home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am healing
these dual distractions at the same time. They are not different. They are
same. They are different manifestations of a mind that searches for
distraction. With all the work I have done on me, I realized I wasn’t loving
myself. I wasn’t paying attention. I can’t spend nor eat my way into the life I
want to live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have certain
goals that I want to share with you all, which will help keep me on task. I’ll
get more specific later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">HEALTH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sixty
pound weight loss by March 7, 2019 (my birthday)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">HOUSE/MONEY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Declutter
my apartment. DONE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Create
an emergency fund. DONE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Save
$100 a month until I reach my goal number through October 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Create
a shopping ban.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pay
off all consumer debt by October 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pay
back all people I owe money by March 2021.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Save
six months’ worth of salary (not sure how long that takes.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAREER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Start
Mocha Angels Yoga and Massage YouTube Channel by March 7, 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Resume
daily Mocha Angel messages on Facebook and Twitter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">KIDS</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Clinically
document massage and energy work treatments on my kids to track their progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(In case you
missed it on Facebook, I did manage to graduate from massage therapy school. I
graduated in July. I’ll be a licensed massage therapist by October/November. </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">😊</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ll blog at
least twice a week. On the 1<sup>st</sup> of every month, I’ll report my
progress toward my goals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m learning
to love me. I have cared for and served others personally and professionally for
decades. At 46, I’m finally taking care of me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also, I am
retiring from doing intuitive readings. If you’d like a reading from me, this
is the moment to get it. I’m removing the PayPal buttons from my website on
September 15. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you
for reading. I’m excited about this next phase in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-19154764614338395772016-04-23T21:52:00.002-04:002016-04-24T21:28:00.507-04:00Prince<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLzOSDyo8c5V_O3GC2pBMbjVe-OuCp0HpqRAhqcmqFia86thYe7cCVAQIquR2oFmAeUjNTCGPOclSmwTK0ynHJtDZMWgR-25JcPXAoGvjhQVGlXTVYBrrPrVSbAXX_kuPi0fn8zUJ-7M/s1600/prince-rocknroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLzOSDyo8c5V_O3GC2pBMbjVe-OuCp0HpqRAhqcmqFia86thYe7cCVAQIquR2oFmAeUjNTCGPOclSmwTK0ynHJtDZMWgR-25JcPXAoGvjhQVGlXTVYBrrPrVSbAXX_kuPi0fn8zUJ-7M/s320/prince-rocknroll.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This just can't be/ There's got to be some kind of answer</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Cause everywhere I look/ he's not around</i></div>
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<i>No / This just can't be</i></div>
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<i>How come didn't anyone ever tell me now / I wake up one morning and I realize</i></div>
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<i>No / This just can't be</i></div>
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<i>And who could be foolin' me? / Come, come. come on</i></div>
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<i>Come on and help me now / Please can't you hear me cry?</i></div>
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<i>Lord / This can't be</i></div>
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-- Janis Joplin</div>
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<br /></div>
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My Top 5 favorite Prince songs:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1.<i> anotherloverholeinyohead </i>- Parade</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>2. Forever in My Life</i> - Sign O' the Times</div>
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3. <i>Starfish and Coffee </i>- Sign O' the Times</div>
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4. <i>Erotic City </i>- The Hits/The B-Sides</div>
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5. <i>Another Lonely Christmas</i> - The Hits/The B-Sides</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Favorite Album:</i> Parade. </div>
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<i>Most Fascinating & Intriguing Album:</i> Around the World in a Day</div>
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I was a fan from Day One. </div>
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Prince was always too grown for anyone younger than twenty-five. In 1978 the first time I heard "Soft and Wet" I was six years old. Ya'll know I no idea what he was talking about. But I knew a hit when I heard one, even as a child. And that @$%! was the jam. </div>
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I could say a lot. I am surprised at how hard I am taking Prince's passing. I'll leave it at four things:</div>
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1. Who knows what R&B would sound like without Prince. Not only that, we lost a whole genre of music in one person.</div>
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2. We all are blessed to be alive in the same time and space as him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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3. He was not from this Earth. I heard somewhere, and I paraphrase, "he had the masculinity of Teddy Pendergrass, the dancing of James Brown, and the showmanship of Michael Jackson." He mastered 27 instruments, wrote, produced, arranged, and composed music. He created groups who were simply an extension of his personality: The Time, Vanity Six, Maserati, The Family (who btw had one of the best albums EVER. I'd buy that on vinyl again even though I don't own a record player. <span style="color: #cc0000;">"</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZlzN0Gtpp8" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Nothing Compares 2U?" The Family sang it first as a duet </span></a>though <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auUPqxI1vqg" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Sinead O'Connor made it a megahit.</span></a>) He created 39 albums, changed the way music is distributed and how artists get paid, and his music career lasted 38 years. Anyone know another human being like that?</div>
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<br /></div>
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4. He was fearless. Dude played basketball in high heels. He wore puffy shirts, sequins, and wore mascara. I don't even wear mascara. During his<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT4Tn5ztwdA" target="_blank">Super Bowl Halftime show, he wore a doo-rag</a>. </span></span>A doo-rag people. Doo-rags on grown black men are reserved for brothers nicknamed "Pretty Ricky" or "Delicious." Yet, everybody accepted him. There's women. There's men. There's Prince. The lesson is to be a loving, fearless, limitless human being. Honor your gift.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lawd, I just can't.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good night, Sweet Prince.</div>
Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-65908210120560738242016-04-17T17:38:00.001-04:002016-04-17T17:38:10.465-04:00Annie Lee Lighting 1928-2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.6666px;"><b><i>"Haven’t you ever seen the sacred connection between grandparents and grandchildren? It is simple love, absent the stress of the parent-child connection."</i> -- Steven Barnes</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 18.6666px;">Grandma and me circa 1975</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My favorite memory of me and
my grandma together was when I was around six years old. Of course, it’s a
food memory. Together, we cooked a breakfast of eggs scrambled in
butter-flavored Crisco, bacon fried in the same Crisco, toast slathered in butter,
and my favorite part, coffee. Her coffee was black. Mine was flavored with five
teaspoons of sugar. (I was six…coffee straight, no chaser? Ick.) We sat down
together at the dining room table, just the two of us. The two things I will
never forget is the curious taste of butter flavored Crisco. Was it butter? No. It tasted like butter, but it wasn’t. Six-year-old me was like, “This is
AWESOME!” The second thing I won’t forget is the silent pleasure of eating
breakfast with my grandmother. I can’t remember a thing we said to each other.
I only remember the feeling of love and joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To paraphrase Maya Angelou,
“People may forget what you say, but they will always remember how you made
them feel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My grandmother was Annie Lee
Stewart Lighting. She always made me feel loved. </span></div>
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My mother, grandfather, me, grandma 1976</div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I could always count on
feeling safe, loved, and comforted whenever I was with her. It didn’t matter
what we were doing together. She took me to run errands with her. She took me
when she played her numbers (street numbers before Michigan had a state
lottery.) She took me to church. I remember one year she made me memorize a
poem for Easter. I fell in love with pastel blue dress with pleats that I had
to wear. I wanted to sleep in that dress. I remember Grandma sitting in the
front row mouthing the words to the poem so I wouldn’t forget it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I remember parties at my
grandparent’s house when family would show up. Beer, card playing, and loud
black folks. My parents let me stay up late on those Saturday nights. I remember
crawling into my grandparents’ bed when my grandfather would be at work late.
She never put me back in my bed. I’d always wake up next to her. <span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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John Lighting Sr. and Annie Lighting 1947</div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I can’t remember how old I
was, definitely younger than ten, when I came in her house with a pick in my
hair. The older girls up the street were doing it, so I did it too. Soon as she
saw me, Grandma snatched that pick out of my hair and said, “Girl, don’t you
ever let me see you walking around with a pick in your hair. That’s what them
fast girls up the street do. That is not you. You are not fast. You are smart.
Act like it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">She also had no problem
threatening to beat my butt with one of her house shoes. Or even more classic
black grandma, threatening to beat me with a tree switch. “Now if I whup you,
you gon’ get the switch off the tree yourself.” (I don’t think I ever got
whupped with a switch. The one house shoe whupping set me straight.)<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Grandma and me circa 1996</div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">No matter what was going on,
I could guarantee that whenever I was with her and/or my grandfather, all was
well in my world. The time I spent with them was easy like Sunday morning. All
love, all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">That ease was always there.
When my grandfather died, I was ten years old. My parents shielded me from the
ravages of his cancer. I have a very clear memory of remaining in the lobby of
a hospital while my parents, grandmother, and uncle were upstairs with my dying
grandfather. That was as complicated as it got when it came to my grandparents
until I was thirty-eight years old. <span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Me, grandma, and ma Mother's Day 2001</div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It was in 2010 that I
learned about the complicated relationship and history between my grandparents
and their children. I learned things that I simply could not believe. It was
also the same year that Alzheimer’s disease began to steal Grandma away from
us. I watched a woman I deeply loved deteriorate into helplessness and the vast
majority of her life’s memories erased. She suffered in such a deep and
profound way. It’s hard to explain with words. If you’ve seen Alzheimer’s and
dementia up close, then you know what it does to a person. <span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Me and grandma June 2012</div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It is very difficult for me
to write about either of these things. What I can say is this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The relationship I had with
my grandmother is the complete opposite of the relationship my mother had with
her. Why? I never lived with my grandmother even though we spent an enormous
amount of time together until I moved from Detroit to Atlanta when I was
fourteen years old. Grandma was not responsible for raising me. Because of that
distance, we could simply enjoy each other’s company, and have a blast doing
it. A parent does not have that simple luxury. So the woman I knew only had to
love me. All I had to do was love her. <span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Right up to the end…I saw my
grandma in January, a month before she died. My mom took me to the home grandma was living
at. She had no idea who I was. We were sitting at a table together. Grandma was
trying to feed herself a bowl of Cheerios and milk. Pointing to me, my mother
said, “Ma, you know who this is?” Grandma looked at me. “No, but she seems like
a real nice lady.” My mom said, “She is, Ma. She is.” “Mmmhmm,” Grandma said.
“Real nice.” All I could do was rub her arm and give her a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">That was our last
conversation. The love was still there. The bond between grandparent and
grandchild is indeed a simple, sacred one. I am forever grateful for my
maternal grandmother. <span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Grandma at her favorite spot. May 2010</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rest in Peace, Power, and Freedom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always cherish you, yet I am happy you are free from suffering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">your granddaughter, Althea</span></div>
Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-21848178469833388012016-03-24T11:23:00.000-04:002016-04-07T15:06:26.721-04:00Shedding The Weight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAwIVT4RkY37zV9xkT1v5OvKTxsQ9Onn8S0qYfKuUQ2ZTi1-jihNZdsOOqbZLLp0kk0BoxEytMk0cSyEAFAQ2C60pfb6Mm947aHVDehJL7oQwm_umttKwsrP2YULpf5qoOWFFgX0eKH4/s1600/Oprah-and-Deepak-2-435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAwIVT4RkY37zV9xkT1v5OvKTxsQ9Onn8S0qYfKuUQ2ZTi1-jihNZdsOOqbZLLp0kk0BoxEytMk0cSyEAFAQ2C60pfb6Mm947aHVDehJL7oQwm_umttKwsrP2YULpf5qoOWFFgX0eKH4/s320/Oprah-and-Deepak-2-435.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4); font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeueLTCom55Roman;">I started a 21-day meditation with Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra on Monday called <i>Shedding The Weight: Mind, Body, and Spirit</i>. This is truly dynamite. I can't say enough good things about it. If you are struggling with weight loss, please go to: </span></span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeueLTCom55Roman;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;">https://chopracentermeditation.com/ NOW, right now to sign up. It's free. Each day's meditation is 20 minutes long. This program focuses on the spiritual and emotional reasons why we carry heaviness, in all of it's forms. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: HelveticaNeueLTCom55Roman;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;">From the main page:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4); font-family: HelveticaNeueLTCom55Roman; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; text-align: start;">"Welcome to the 21-Day Meditation Experience, </span><em style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: HelveticaNeueLTCom55Roman; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; text-align: start;">Shedding the Weight: Mind, Body and Spirit</em><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4); font-family: HelveticaNeueLTCom55Roman; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; text-align: start;">! We are honored you’re joining us as we seek our true nature and discover our path to health and happiness. You will discover your soul’s purpose and create a life in which all things are within reach. "</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4); font-family: HelveticaNeueLTCom55Roman; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; text-align: start;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4); font-family: HelveticaNeueLTCom55Roman; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; text-align: start;">This week focuses on "lightness" or "lightening your load." Today is Day 4. Below is the description.</span><br />
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Day 4 - Fulfillment Holds the Key</h2>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”</em> ― Hilaire Belloc</div>
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Everyone can feel the difference between emptiness and fullness, and it is this experience that allows us to feel our way to better lifestyle choices. Today we learn that there are many kinds of hunger, but only one state of fulfillment. When you give yourself what you really want and need, unhealthy habits, such as overeating, cease to be a problem. Instead of fighting against a habit that always fights back, ask yourself, “What am I hungry for right now?” then seek to satisfy that hunger directly.</div>
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If this information resonates with you, go sign up! It's free!! https://chopracentermeditation.com/</div>
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Love,</div>
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Althea</div>
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Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-52183806164079129152016-02-11T08:07:00.000-05:002016-02-11T08:07:36.046-05:00If you need help surviving Valentine's Day, part 2<h2>
If you need help surviving Valentine's Day, part 2 by Steven Barnes</h2>
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start part 2:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">EVERYONE HAS EXPERIENCED LOVE. If you think not, you are lying to yourself. Un-nurtured, human infants die. Period. No argument, no exceptions. You may have to “drill down” to a pre-verbal self to find these memories and emotions, but once you have, you can tap into them every day of your life. That core, once exposed, can burn away the negative emotions, but you have to do the work every day to tap into it. Once you have, it can power the actions that drive your healing/growing process. And there is nothing more attractive than a person who is “becoming”, who loves herself. Who respects herself enough to demand the best of herself...and the world. Such a person can give freely, because she is noticing who gives in return, and surrounds herself with a tribe with the same values: people who enjoy giving. And never lets anyone hurt her twice.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Find a hundred different ways to make yourself smile. Take yourself to the zoo. Write yourself a love letter. Have a mix CD of favorite songs. Take yourself shopping in the 99 cent store for toys...and then give them to the first children you pass. Go see a silly movie. KNOW HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Five times a day, once every three hours, stop and take sixty seconds of deep belly breathing. Connect with your “Ancient Child”--the child within, and the “Ancient” you will one day be. Haven’t you ever seen the sacred connection between grandparents and grandchildren? It is simple love, absent the stress of the parent-child connection. You can experience this for yourself in your morning meditation, and once achieved can trigger it five times a day to remind yourself you are loved, you are loving, you are joyous...that while you are no more than an ant, you are also no less than the stars. Feel that connection between the child just starting the journey, and the Elder nearing completion. Touch your heart, go deep.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Make a study of being happy, remembering that happiness is probably as close to a one-word “meaning of life” that can be spoken aloud. All one then needs do is align happiness with your conscious values: giving, growing, loving, contribution, whatever. Do them to be happy. Give without expectation of receiving. Take your attention off your emotions by giving Valentines at a homeless shelter or a retirement home. Adopt a pet. Remember the good times with a departed love. Embrace the totality of your emotions, even the sadness, with love.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Never, ever, ever forget that sadness and happiness flow in cycles. On Valentine’s Day, commit to at least five moments of joy, faith, and gratitude. Just five. For sixty seconds each. You will have planted seeds that will grow all year.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Make someone smile. And take joy from it. A stranger. A child. A cat’s purr, the wag of a dog’s tail. Find beauty in small things. Remember happy times.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Be kind to yourself. Remember that you have been, are, and will always be loved.</span></div>
Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-38846831333408050542016-02-10T15:17:00.000-05:002016-02-10T15:17:09.820-05:00If you need help surviving Valentine's Day, part 1I didn't write this. Wish I did.<br />
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<h2>
<b>If you need help surviving Valentine's Day, part 1 by Steven Barnes.</b></h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">It is true that not everyone wants or needs love, and connection, and a sensual sexual relationship. But that’s the way to bet, and those who are genuinely disinterested have no emotional reaction to a claim that this is a near-universal desire.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">For those who have the craving, but have yet to find a relationship, or have lost one due to breakup, divorce, or death, holidays can be hell. And Valentine’s Day can be the absolute worst, triggering depression (“what’s wrong with me?”), cynicism (“it’s all about money!”), anger (“what’s wrong with THEM!”) and hopelessness (“things will never change.”)</span><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">The “Soulmate Process” addresses relationships by suggesting that they are mirrors of our inner life, and that they are valuable arenas for growth. But they are NOT to be pursued directly--a healthy relationship is a byproduct of being a healthy human being fully engaged with life, filled with light and “energy” and simply following your path. Along that path, you will meet others traveling in the same direction at the same speed with the same values. But the “a watched pot never boils” idea, the “money comes to those who don’t need it” notion, the “second attention” concept where an artist has to keep her eye on “the ball” of doing the work, without directly paying attention to the results 99% of the time, is critical here. The Zen archery concept to pay attention to form, and mind, and emotions, and clarity, and let the result come as it will.</span></span></span><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">This has to be applied to the heart as well. YOUR job, happily, is to be happy. Relationships are not an end, THEY ARE A MEANS. You want a relationship because you believe (and have experienced) that they bring joy.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">If you have heard the Sufi philosophy that the beginning of evil is treating human beings as means rather than ends, on the other hand, you can see the problem. To have a healthy relationship, you can’t be “trying” to find one.To receive from human beings, you must treat them like ends rather than means. You must give to receive. In “Soulmate” terms, you must BE the mirror of the person you desire...but you cannot “try” to do this “in order to find someone”. That is watching the pot, trying to control the wind.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">All you can do is be the best you you can be, be happy, healthy, and as dynamic and loving as you can be...and then nature takes its course. Some thoughts to this end.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Your first task is to be happy. To feel love. And that means that you have to do this whether anyone else agrees with you, anyone else is there to support the feeling or not. The sense that your happiness flows from others is poisonous in the extreme. Take care of yourself! Practice Heartbeat meditation to connect to love.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Use the<a href="https://stevenbarneslife.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;">Ancient Child</span></a> to touch the most vulnerable and creative part of yourself, and commit to loving and protecting your essence. The critical thing about this is that once you have committed to taking care of yourself, and experience the vast ocean of love available to you, you will automatically begin to expand your realm. THE PROBLEM IS NOT SELFISHNESS. THE PROBLEM IS A LIMITED DEFINITION OF “SELF.” Manipulative people will try to shame you for putting yourself first--but grasp the dishonesty there: they have placed themselves first, and are trying to con you into doing otherwise. Don’t fall for it.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Be so busy “becoming” your best self that you don’t notice your results 99% of the time. Be like a submarine, just poking your periscope up to check your bearings a couple of times a day to make course corrections. Spend so much time in “flow” that you are aligned with your heart and head, just “being”.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Remember the “Secret Formula.” Your GOAL is to be happy. Relationships and accomplishments and money are just means to this. You must have FAITH that you can be happy, love yourself, and grow. If you genuinely love yourself, and are growing, and are engaging with the world, you will meet others doing the same. If you genuinely love yourself, you will find things to love in others who are at your level, moving at your speed. That's the way the world works, and misery comes from NOT loving yourself, and hoping others won’t notice the crap you dislike about your own life and being. Concentrate on healing this, not hoping others will settle for less than you’re willing to settle for. You must take daily ACTION to be happy, and that means engaging with the “who am I?” question, aligning your behaviors to take you closer to your heart, one step at a time, each and every day. And you must feel GRATITUDE for the love you already </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">have </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">within you, and what you have experienced in your life.</span><br />
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part 2 tomorrow.<br />
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<br />Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-24168413461630982702016-02-08T15:47:00.001-05:002016-02-08T15:51:34.333-05:00Self Love Fest - Saturday Feb 13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Jcjo1LpjWGXOoP0D7mCQCO2w6cISJBwodWJ_XTfbUnYG7mFnr6fx5RkGvQsFuFYXsRCthAvYj-mki4YegGs_ok7x-i6xkDmxjtBclDKe9d0JpwgJ68Kzk9Aq-OQ2ZPjTjZ_wGrbG2fk/s1600/Self+Love+Fest+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Jcjo1LpjWGXOoP0D7mCQCO2w6cISJBwodWJ_XTfbUnYG7mFnr6fx5RkGvQsFuFYXsRCthAvYj-mki4YegGs_ok7x-i6xkDmxjtBclDKe9d0JpwgJ68Kzk9Aq-OQ2ZPjTjZ_wGrbG2fk/s320/Self+Love+Fest+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To all my people in DC/MD/VA, I will be vending at the Self Love Fest this Saturday, February 13 from 11am-4pm. It is free to enter.<br />
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Address:<br />
Signature Blue Events<br />
337 Brightseat Road<br />
Landover, MD 20785<br />
event is in the banquet hall in the back<br />
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Get your tickets on Eventbrite:<br />
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/self-love-festival-celebrating-you-tickets-20431279507<br />
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I will be offering Reiki and selling cupcakes: chocolate, vanilla, carrot cake, and lemon. Cupcakes will be $2.00 each. Reiki will be offered in 10 minute ($10), 15 minute ($15) or 20 minute ($20) blocks. This is same way I price my readings whenever I do shows. I am always booked solid from beginning to end, so if you want to come, come early!<br />
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This will be the official launch of Mocha Angels ReiCakes. The design is still under construction. The Mocha Angel herself is ready for her debut:<br />
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She is my logo for my future website, books, T-shirts, etc. I am super excited!<br />
See you Saturday!<br />
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Love,<br />
Althea<br />
<br />Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-11136697465076129072016-01-19T22:45:00.002-05:002016-01-19T22:46:29.838-05:00The Universe Turned My Day Around<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MX9rGODqeI_h0DeSzz4Qu3YmOQ6TyyGG2dPFugcH_PSXeKSxw5JC_jzgOyRIQwCIVNCE4z4D4jzLnwAYPVOhY4p3LKZVlmQFW9ZUtnE4gILII5GQiaJEskBGg853_jgxkvC8TiueArA/s1600/TUT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MX9rGODqeI_h0DeSzz4Qu3YmOQ6TyyGG2dPFugcH_PSXeKSxw5JC_jzgOyRIQwCIVNCE4z4D4jzLnwAYPVOhY4p3LKZVlmQFW9ZUtnE4gILII5GQiaJEskBGg853_jgxkvC8TiueArA/s320/TUT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I went to Atlanta this weekend to see my parents, brothers, and grandma. (Atlanta Peeps, I didn't tell anyone I was coming. I will be back during Spring Break with the boys.) I had an awesome time with my family. I didn't get enough sleep, ate too much of my mama's food, played massive rounds of <i>Scrabble</i>, saw the movie <i>Sisters </i>(super raunchy, btw, like the female version of <i>The Hangover</i>), saw my grandmother (extraordinarily difficult) and went trap shooting with my dad.</div>
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And then I was stuck in Hartsfield-Jackson Airport from 1:30pm to 10:10pm on Sunday. Was greeted in Baltimore by a car frozen in ice at 12:30am. Made it home safely by a) rolling down the windows to allow twenty degree cold air to hit my face, and b) singing Eagles and Glenn Frey songs at the top of my lungs since every radio station except the R&B and Country ones were memorializing Glenn, who had passed way that morning. Got to bed at 2:15 am and was up at 5:07 am. That should be the end of the story, right?</div>
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Oh, no...this is Ms. Mocha Angel so read on for a magical mystery tour....</div>
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I flew standby. My mother worked for an airline so I can fly deeply discounted. Cheap? Yes. Is the flip side of cheap possibly not making it onto a flight? Yes.</div>
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I was bumped of the following flights:</div>
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-the 3:10pm - gate B12</div>
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-the 5:55pm - gate B4</div>
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-the 7:15pm - gate B19</div>
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By 7:15pm I was tired, grumpy, restless, and fairly bitchy. Like, don't nobody talk to me. I just want to get home. The one person I did talk to was Quincy, a brother who works customer service for the airline. When I walked up to him AGAIN around 7:20, he was like, "Really?" "Really..." I said. The last direct flight to Baltimore was 10:10pm. Because of the three hour wait until the next flight, Quincy told me the gate may change. All of the previous flights were on Concourse B. The gate listed for the 10:10 flight was A19. (This is important to the story.) So I dragged my grumpy, tired behind to Concourse A.</div>
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I walk to the escalator, step on, and not five seconds later, I look to my left and I see someone I recognize. Under my breath I said in sheer shock, "Mike Dooley?" I said it again, this time to get his attention, "MIKE DOOLEY??!!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk47YjF7DT92zK5nfO3NFpbMlrqrDurYmu60OHqR9ZAcxZe5cYOOLnxpfnv1fSm9Vr_mFQLt4i8SsTEdR1tMTIEiURlee6THC67KouSNA9kpoeEG0ea7eE5y81MVbFb46YoLcbHp74M_g/s1600/20160117_193958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk47YjF7DT92zK5nfO3NFpbMlrqrDurYmu60OHqR9ZAcxZe5cYOOLnxpfnv1fSm9Vr_mFQLt4i8SsTEdR1tMTIEiURlee6THC67KouSNA9kpoeEG0ea7eE5y81MVbFb46YoLcbHp74M_g/s320/20160117_193958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Me and Mike</div>
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He looked at me and I almost passed out. This man is on the escalator to my immediate left. Not my diagonal left. Not behind me to the left. My IMMEDIATE LEFT. I said, "Mr. <i>Notes from the Universe </i>is standing right next to me?" Still on the escalator I am having a total groupie moment. Goodness only knows how loud my voice went. I said, "Do you remember me? I met you at <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://kripalu.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Kripalu</span></a> </span>in August. You signed my books. You looked at my Mocha Angels manuscript and we talked about publishing." He says, "Yes, I remember you. You looked familiar."</div>
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By this point, we are off the escalator. The next words out of my mouth were. "Do you know what a shitty day I have had?"</div>
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Pause. </div>
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If you don't know why I was having a total <b>"<i>Holy Gratitude, Batman!"</i></b> moment, allow me to explain. Mike Dooley is the founder of <a href="http://www.tut.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">TUT (The Universe Speaks)</span></a>. He is the Beyonce of manifestation. He is the Barack Obama of co-creation. He is the Oprah of inspiration. He is the author of <i>Infinite Possibilities, Manifesting Change, Top 10 Things Dead People Want to Tell You, Leveraging The Universe, and more. </i>He is the guy behind the daily <i>Notes from the Universe</i>. He is the man, who, back in August, looked me straight in the eye, and said, <b>"You are<i> </i>going to publish books. You going to do the exact same thing I do and be super successful at it."</b> Five months later he is standing right next to me at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.</div>
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Do ya'll see why I was having a "standing at the microphone holding an Oscar, deer-in-the-headlights, I have to catch my breath before I speak so I sound fairly intelligent like I got some home training" moment?<br />
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Back to the story...<br />
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We walked to Concourse A together. I explained my day. He said he was headed home from Texas from a <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.tut.com/Humanity/sanantonio-tttconference" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Train the Trainer conference</span></a> </span>that TUT offers. His flight was at gate A9. Mine was at A19. That picture above was taken at my gate. He was sooooooo nice. He even asked me the status of my manuscript. We talked about other personal stuff that was supremely helpful. I hope that my half of the conversation made sense because the whole thing was surreal. If we hadn't taken a photo, I might not have believed it actually happened. My other hope is that I was as helpful to him, in some way, as he was to me. We talked for about 15-20 minutes.<br />
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Once he left, I sat down at my gate in complete disbelief. I looked at the counter and saw that the flight listed is not to Baltimore, but to West Palm Beach at 10:31pm. I walked to the Departures board. My flight was now at gate B18. I nearly passed out again. If the gate for my 10:10pm flight had remained on Concourse B, I never would have ran into Mike Dooley. I would not have had a reason to leave Concourse B. Remember: Mike's flight was at gate A9. Mine was at A19. Now it had changed. Quincy had told me it was likely my gate location would change. And it did.<br />
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I called my mother and my ex-husband to tell them what happened. I ran back to Concourse B, found Quincy, and said, "You are not going to believe what just happened!" I didn't know this brother from Adam, but he was the only person, outside of Mike, I had spoken to in the airport. Turns out Quincy himself had met Dick Gregory that same day. Then he said he was interested in yoga and meditation and is a vegan. I said, "You know I got this blog, right?...." We wind up talking until 8:45pm when he got off from work.<br />
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These were my takeaways/reminders from a stunningly remarkable day:<br />
- I was reminded in stunning fashion that I am a Creator. Everything in my life, good, bad, and ugly, led me to that moment.<br />
- Prayers are answered. They don't come in the way we expect. They do come in a way we can understand.<br />
- Love (God) is everywhere. Love is in the worst of situations. There is nowhere Love cannot be because Love is what we are made from and made of.<br />
- Keep your heart open. The older we get, the harder it is to do because of life's disappointments. Believe me, the past six months have been brutal and extremely challenging. I have fought to keep fear at bay and keep my heart chakra open to love, in all of its forms.<br />
- Keeping your heart open allows you to walk in the magic and miracle of life.<br />
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The Universe manifested itself into physical form (Mike was wearing an <i>Infinite Possibilities</i> sweatshirt... I mean, come on!), talked to me, hugged me, took three selfies with me, and said, "Your life is going to be AWESOMER, BIGGER and GRANDER than you can imagine!"<br />
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The Universe didn't just change my day. It changed my life.<br />
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Love,<br />
AltheaAltheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-53920602779352923842015-12-07T17:42:00.001-05:002015-12-07T20:10:56.256-05:00Perspective<br />
As I mentioned before, me and the kids went to my friend Kristine's house for Thanksgiving. Our celebratory holiday was two weeks after the terror attacks in Paris. After dinner, the adults talked as adults do: about world news. The Paris attacks came up, as well as the 24/7 news coverage. Paul, Kristine's husband, who works for a branch of the American military, gave an interesting perspective. He said, "We live in a 24/7 news cycle which makes it seem like the world is on fire. <b>Three billion people lived in domestic tranquility last night. </b>But you are not going to see that on the news. That would be boring."<br />
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I liked Paul's thinking.<br />
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Then San Bernadino happened.<br />
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I did watch the coverage because I wanted to know what was going on. Somewhere in the midst of watching the news, I had a realization. I said to myself, "<b>Three billion people lived in domestic tranquility last night</b>. <b>And I was one of them</b>."<br />
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Our planet houses 7,386,188,920 people, and counting, according to the World Population Clock. Perhaps four or five billion people lived in domestic tranquility last night. That would leave two billion people, plus or minus a few hundred million, caught up in war, famine, civil unrest, corrupt governments, shootings, both police and domestic, incarceration, gang/territorial turf wars, domestic/physical/sexual abuse, human trafficking, kidnapping, family arguments over <u>insert your disagreements here,</u> flood, fire, foreclosure, natural and environmental disasters, racism, sexism, any-ism that disregards a person's humanity, drug/alcohol addiction, injustice, poverty, homelessness, debt, bankruptcy, accidents, hunger, disability, divorce, and/or grief and anguish over any of these things, including natural causes of death.<br />
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We all have personally lived through some of these things, and may live through worse before our lives come to an end. (And the fact that we did survive trauma is a testament to the human spirit.)<br />
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A 24/7 news cycle bombards the world with bad news. (Anyone remember when TV used to go OFF?? Ya'll remember the static? Can we return to that?) Folks thinking the world is worse than ever. No, it's not. We are now privy to all that badness, all day and all night.<br />
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I say:<br />
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-<b>Choose Oneness</b>. The ego enjoys separating us into groups. Everyone is most comfortable around their family and their "tribe:" the people who share your values. I am most comfortable around Black holistic intuitive women. They speak my language. However, I've learned the most from people who look nothing like me.<br />
-<b>Choose Peace</b>. If you want peace, be peaceful. Handle your childhood shit and your grown-up baggage so you can radiate peace. Chaos within radiates fear, creates chaos, and ruins relationships.<br />
And I am all for speaking truth to power (i.e., <i>Black Lives Matter</i>, etc.). Activism works. Societies evolve because of social movements. I am talking about handling your own personal stuff so you stand inside your power with peace and confidence.<br />
-<b>Choose Love</b>. We are made from Love. Love is what we are born into (hopefully), and love is the last thing on our minds when we leave. In San Bernadino, one of the victims who did survive, called her sister to say she loved her, and asked her to tell their family the same. Same thing happened during 9/11. People on the planes, in the Twin Towers, and in the Pentagon called their loved ones to say, "I love you." When time is short, you realize love is what matters. Love yourself, and love others.<br />
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So the next time fear permeates the airwaves, turn off the TV. Do not read social media comments that spread fear and hate. Remember: "<b>Three billion people lived in domestic tranquility last night</b>. <b>And I was one of them</b>." Then go do something that brings you joy. The world is full of glorious laughter, passion, bliss, creativity, service, and joy.<br />
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Love,<br />
Althea<br />
<br />Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-22308470623648943032015-11-29T21:19:00.000-05:002015-11-29T21:20:07.903-05:00Body Ecology Month 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZZCOTUbQKL6E8ZToH88Wo9hxSHYl-ML-i2imokJ1bDWIeWk_99kf2nCEltPJBZFcWYI-hdd123OvzXlR5VJz_o2ovBTuorLed31iaoZ8qF6Sr0rTqVXzvcelFYORByFgIWKVec5TCwE/s1600/20151127_192901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZZCOTUbQKL6E8ZToH88Wo9hxSHYl-ML-i2imokJ1bDWIeWk_99kf2nCEltPJBZFcWYI-hdd123OvzXlR5VJz_o2ovBTuorLed31iaoZ8qF6Sr0rTqVXzvcelFYORByFgIWKVec5TCwE/s320/20151127_192901.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The boys holding mason jars full of fermented vegetables.</div>
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Here is what I know for sure: food combining works. In short, for proper digestion combine:</div>
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- ocean veggies and/or non-starchy veggies with animal protein</div>
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- ocean veggies and/or non-starchy veggies with starchy veggies</div>
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- ocean veggies and/or non-starchy veggies with grain-like seeds (millet, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat)</div>
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- ocean veggies and/or non-starchy veggies with protein fat</div>
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In other words, steak (animal protein) and potatoes (starchy vegetable) do not mix. Think fish and rice, or a shrimp pasta - bad combination. The original <i>Body Ecology</i> book goes into great depth about this. There is plenty of other books about it too. How do I know this is true? My kids turned back into Gassy Fart Machines when they violated this rule. Raymond had chicken noodle soup when he was briefly sick (I think he and I successfully fought off the flu with energy work, sleep, and essential oils). All he did was fart. He did not with the vegetable soup. </div>
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Thanksgiving was another one. We went to my friend Kristine's house. (I am sorry there are no pictures. I made a chocolate ganache pie and kale salad. I accidentally spilled almond milk on my cell phone, which hurts for more than one reason. It's acting up, as you can imagine. I have to get a new one. Taking photos or anything else is tricky). I let them eat what they wanted. Yikes...Return to Fartland. I have realized this about myself too, so I have been food combining as well. </div>
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I also added homemade fermented vegetables to their program. I use cabbage, carrots, garlic, and ginger along with Body Ecology Culture Starter and Kefir Starter. Raymond actually gave me a compliment when he said, "These fermented vegetables are good. I like them." </div>
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WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? A compliment in the midst of "I hate this diet! It's making me cranky!" I'll take it! I also added beef broth to Raymond's diet. He drinks it without a problem. What's also clear is sugar does not work for them, especially Raymond.</div>
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The biggest news I have is that Jona did something so nice for a girl at his school. His class was walking around the track, when a girl named Lindsey fell down. Jona ran up to her to comfort her. He asked her if she was hurt. Then he said, "It's okay. You are going to be fine. We are going to get you some help." Apparently the girl was appreciative. Jona's teacher gave him a sticker. It's the one in the photo above.<br />
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EMPATHY!!! Yes! My baby showed empathy for someone outside of his family. On to Month 3 for them.<br />
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Their mom has made changes for herself too. If I can photograph my food, that will be next.<br />
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Love,<br />
AltheaAltheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-18826063795915074452015-11-19T06:17:00.000-05:002015-11-21T08:45:27.721-05:008 year blog-anniversary :-)Eight years ago today, I wrote my first post. Thank you to the 310 people who subscribe to my blog for your love, patience, kindness, and feedback. And thank you to anyone who has ever loved me.<br />
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Last night, I talked on the phone with Steven Barnes, writer and teacher extraordinaire. Mr. Barnes took time out of his schedule to answer a question I had about his <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://stevenbarneslife.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Ancient Child meditation, which is the most powerful meditation I've ever done</span>.</a></span> He was open, kind, patient, funny, and charming. Emphasis on <i>patient</i>. This guy is one of my gurus. And he talked to me like we went way back. I am still processing the conversation, but I realized that I've had the extraordinary pleasure of meeting, in person, on the phone, or emailed/messaged directly, one-on-one, people I admire.<br />
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I have met:<br />
Toni Morrison<br />
Tananarive Due<br />
Steve Barnes<br />
Queen Afua<br />
Danny Dreyer (ChiRunning creator)<br />
Victoria Boutenko<br />
Mike Dooley<br />
Mimi Kirk<br />
Matthew Kenney<br />
Sarma Melngailis<br />
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For my anniversary, I want to dedicate my blog to the my most influential teachers in the areas of raw food, fiction, fitness, yoga, and metaphysics.<br />
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<b>Raw Food Teachers:</b><br />
Ann Wigmore<br />
The Boutenko Family<br />
Matthew Kenney<br />
Tonya Zavasta<br />
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<b>Fiction Teachers:</b><br />
Langston Hughes<br />
Toni Morrison<br />
Maya Angelou<br />
James Baldwin<br />
Steve Barnes<br />
Tananarive Due<br />
Alice Walker<br />
<i>Every female novelist in the African Diaspora</i><br />
<i>with a special shoutout to:</i><br />
Leslie Esdaile Banks<br />
Bebe Moore Campbell<br />
J. California Cooper<br />
Toni Cade Bambara<br />
Brenda Wilkinson<br />
Virginia Hamilton<br />
Mildred D. Taylor<br />
Gloria Naylor<br />
Sheree Thomas<br />
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<b>Fitness Teachers</b>:<br />
Jamie Eason<br />
Hollis Leibman<br />
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<b>Yoga Teachers:</b><br />
K. Pattabhi Jois<br />
Betsey Downing<br />
Doug Keller<br />
Shakta Kaur Khalsa<br />
Darshan Kaur Khalsa<br />
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<b>Metaphysical Teachers:</b><br />
Mocha Angels<br />
Queen Afua<br />
Mike Dooley<br />
Louise Hay<br />
Catherine Ponder<br />
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Uber shoutout to: Oprah, Angela Davis, Harriet Tubman, Phyllis Wheatley, Diahann Carroll, Rosalind Cash, Elaine Rice-Fells, Janet Sloane Alexander, Amaadi Coleman, Lori Savko Perdue, Monica Utsey and the entire Southern DC Mocha Moms chapter, Cindy Tawiah, Radhia Jaaber, Shanna Bulluck, and my mama, Ardilia Wesley, for being supremely influential and amazingly fabulous beyond words.<br />
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Love,<br />
Althea<br />
<br />Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-7353161494962171182015-11-14T20:48:00.000-05:002015-11-21T08:43:31.256-05:00Loving Yourself to Great Health Includes.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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me, Thursday, November 12, 2015</div>
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....lifting weights!!!<br />
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Cutting to the chase, before I started culinary school we were told we could gain weight. Since I was making raw food, I didn't believe it. Gain weight I did. Despite me putting up a picture of myself and, in a few paragraphs, sharing my stats, I am not ready to share how much I weigh. I still can't believe it.<br />
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I started eating cleaner because I needed to think more clearly. Food has a huge effect on mood. I let go of processed food and it did benefit me. My summer was pretty shitty. Despite going to Kripalu and blessedly, seeing my family, I had a hard time. And I ate whatever made me feel better. Despite what some people think, my goal is not to make my life or anyone else's life difficult. That has never been my intent. My goal is to learn from my mistakes and make my life and my children's lives the best it can be. I already said before that if chaos is reigning, you need to look deep inside yourself. That is exactly what I have been doing.<br />
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Along with changing my food, I decided to start strength training. I know what kind of body I want. And I want to improve my cardiovascular endurance too. Women, you need to lift weights, especially if you are over 40 years old. You are not going to get bulky like a man. You are going to get leaner. The benefits of strength training are here:<br />
<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/growingstronger/why/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/growingstronger/why/index.html</span></a><br />
<a href="http://therootlife.com/benefits-of-strength-training-for-women.html"><span style="color: red;">http://therootlife.com/benefits-of-strength-training-for-women.html</span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xDxE_qWithc_D4ePoZXq9BwdZeNsErW3K7CJ96tg36f9BoNU6fOCxtxbRlTKRLBWXKlno3cGzSvIB9j1ac3U7YxzU2gEUmyAdurWuQ6QxA8F-01jvFgKbkvtL5rY7ZZE662rzUmjc9Y/s1600/20151112_132052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xDxE_qWithc_D4ePoZXq9BwdZeNsErW3K7CJ96tg36f9BoNU6fOCxtxbRlTKRLBWXKlno3cGzSvIB9j1ac3U7YxzU2gEUmyAdurWuQ6QxA8F-01jvFgKbkvtL5rY7ZZE662rzUmjc9Y/s320/20151112_132052.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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For some reason, lowering the number on the scale has never motivated me. The reason for exercising has to be deeper than that. I got my reason on August 31. That was the day I was sent to the ER from my now-former full-time job. My blood pressure was 170/100. A month ago (October 12) it was 150/100. Seeing those numbers was enough for me. I got to work.<br />
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For the past month, I have done two things: work with my friend Eric who is my personal trainer, and follow <a href="http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-eason-livefit-trainer.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">fitness model Jamie Eason's LiveFit program on Bodybuilding.com</span></a>. I have completed Phase 1, which is one month. I have two more months to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nKVke1rGav5f5VyzSnGqlJXDhe08uYvG4pFzVYZ8mavip9BTbHddsyeQf6TQihOdk3N9mZcw0QIalE30q_uq5lxEyaqfy2vIXCk7BorZTWExDAyP8g3VsvBABpRYzVior39Cl9N43Ws/s1600/20151114_123952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nKVke1rGav5f5VyzSnGqlJXDhe08uYvG4pFzVYZ8mavip9BTbHddsyeQf6TQihOdk3N9mZcw0QIalE30q_uq5lxEyaqfy2vIXCk7BorZTWExDAyP8g3VsvBABpRYzVior39Cl9N43Ws/s320/20151114_123952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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me and Eric</div>
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On October 12, here were my stats:</div>
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Weight: aaaaargh</div>
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Measurements: 42-40-46</div>
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Blood pressure: 150/100</div>
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Body Mass Index (BMI): 35%</div>
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On November 12, my stats are:</div>
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Weight: mmmmmh</div>
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Measurements: 41-39-44 1/2</div>
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Blood pressure: 134/84</div>
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BMI: 33.2%</div>
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My blood pressure goal was 130/90. I made it to 134/84 so I felt great about it.</div>
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My goal for December 12 is 120/80 (normal), BMI: 30%, measurements: 40-37-43. </div>
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Asking for all of your positive thoughts...</div>
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love,</div>
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Althea</div>
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Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-12422123630233805142015-11-04T05:52:00.001-05:002015-11-04T05:52:19.638-05:00Good News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrV0xwsCr5_8qYtjB66Z6tpOnXBOrzK3uVJgvEklqd3o6_FdY0i_ddLX3lAp-g1VnuKuhbJELkBBvWOKPPdcxKsz4jb7yMbezgVYmBb1qH_unA2aI_Jl4_I2Ey8bTkIFwvFqALaOYOBI/s1600/20151102_191339+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrV0xwsCr5_8qYtjB66Z6tpOnXBOrzK3uVJgvEklqd3o6_FdY0i_ddLX3lAp-g1VnuKuhbJELkBBvWOKPPdcxKsz4jb7yMbezgVYmBb1qH_unA2aI_Jl4_I2Ey8bTkIFwvFqALaOYOBI/s320/20151102_191339+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am a Life Wellness Coach now. Yea! Some good news!</div>
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Love,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Althea</div>
Altheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-52719192263317354482015-11-02T21:20:00.002-05:002015-11-02T21:24:12.564-05:00Body Ecology Weeks 3 and 4My update on the Body Ecology Diet for my boys, aka The Raymond BitchFest 2015:<br />
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Wow, that boy can complain. I didn't have to do this, but I did let him know it was coming. He knew on October 1st that his diet was changing. Last night, he was hot. He let me know in no uncertain terms he hated his new diet, when was it going to end, he was mad about it, he cried, etc, etc. We came to an understanding last night.<br />
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-this is my house<br />
-you are my son<br />
-this is my kitchen<br />
-I buy the food with my money<br />
-you do what I say<br />
-this is my decision<br />
-this is the plan<br />
-and we are sticking to it<br />
-do you understand?<br />
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He understands. LOL. (Don't you love saying stuff to your kids that your parents said to you?)<br />
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Jona, on the other hand, loves writing his grocery list. (Notice I said "his.") Instead of complaining, he writes down what he wants. Today's list is:<br />
-bread<br />
-lemonade<br />
-blueberry bars (NutriGrain bars)<br />
-honeynut cheerios<br />
-goldfish crackers, cheddar or parmesan<br />
-pretzels<br />
-smores<br />
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I either say, "Jona, I'm not buying any of that," "You are not getting any of those things," or I ignore the list. He does eat everything I feed him without complaint. I am happy he is open to new foods. He used to be an all-bread kind of kid. He is still a very plain eater. He doesn't like fancy food. No salad dressing, no condiments, no almond milk in his cereal, nothing. I was worried about him more than Raymond. Raymond has been an adventurous eater since he was two-years-old. Now he is the one who is unhappy about the food.<br />
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What I have noticed is processed sugar is a HUGE trigger for Raymond. He and Jona had all of ONE piece of candy for Halloween. One. I hid the bags from them. And I'll be taking them to work tomorrow. All things being the same, when I picked him up on Sunday, I saw Raymond's OCD was stronger. So that one piece of candy will stay at one piece.<br />
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All in all the kids are the same. The only other change I have noticed is sleep. Raymond is sleeping through the night, but that may be for another reason. I started something else, but I want to give it a month (it's a total of a five month protocol) before I write about it.<br />
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Love,<br />
AltheaAltheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8094190866247927416.post-42353234775391651592015-10-26T08:38:00.002-04:002015-10-26T08:38:57.967-04:00Juicing for Autism study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_ccOqUimaZlX9sXi_nwv8Y1xbd7Lbho5URgP5FbmqrMmw26nR7OBJzdyTdlk_w64FTcTCqHIhCcO6uUQny3gmwjmb0ubuFCIr16gpkwVhyphenhyphenYqNdcV7rFRAp4tNpyE8iKNt8mDuuzYewE/s1600/autism.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_ccOqUimaZlX9sXi_nwv8Y1xbd7Lbho5URgP5FbmqrMmw26nR7OBJzdyTdlk_w64FTcTCqHIhCcO6uUQny3gmwjmb0ubuFCIr16gpkwVhyphenhyphenYqNdcV7rFRAp4tNpyE8iKNt8mDuuzYewE/s320/autism.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Registration for Juicing for Autism study is now open at:<span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://juicingforautism.com/start">https://juicingforautism.com/start</a></span>. It is a free study. I signed up Jona and Raymond. Please visit the website for more information. Steve Prussack and Karen Ranzi are running the program. I interviewed Karen when I was Blog Editor at Raw Mom. She is a lovely woman. That is one of the reasons I decided to join.<br />
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Please share with others.<br />
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Love,<br />
AltheaAltheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10311926350061672944noreply@blogger.com0