Did you know that September was cholesterol awareness month?
Do you know your cholesterol profile?
How about your cardiac risk?
Well, I’ve decided to embark on a 30-day journey to improve my cholesterol ratio naturally. First, I thought I’d exercise every day. Well, ask me how that is going. I need to get back on my feet. Second, I thought I’d eat right. For a start, I had one of the Kashi whole grain cereals for breakfast yesterday. For the rest of the day, I ate some fruits, veggies and fish. Don’t think for a minute that my carbs didn’t sneak in there. Of course, I had some rice. Oh, and I’ve been eating oranges ‘cos I remember hearing Dr. Oz talk about the benefits of oranges in relation to one’s cholesterol numbers. I better start cranking up my research 'cos if Dr. Oz tells a lie, I'll find myself in the ditch.
Anyways, this morning, I had a serving of oatmeal. I was thinking that maybe if I ate oatmeal for the next 22 days, I’d post better numbers at my physical. That reminds me, I need to make an appointment with the Doc's office for this October (which is health literacy month).
My friends, please join me in telling our friends and family about the importance of a good cholesterol profile. For your perusal, find some interesting cholesterol-related links below:
Tools to lower your cholesterol
Alternative therapies for cholesterol control
What comes to mind when you hear the term 'new normal'? Do you think about the digital age, social media, the acronyms in text messages, the Wii, PSP, etc.? If you do, then we are not far apart in thought. However, my 'new normal' revolves around the financial uncertainty within the average household. Unemployment numbers are disappointing, families continue losing their homes, people cannot afford to pay for healthcare... the list goes on and on. The American dream that we pictured, seems to be slipping through our fingers.
Last night, as I looked at my budget and huge stack of bills, I wished for a jackpot. It hit me... my biggest fear is the possibility that I may be unable to cater for my family someday. As I reflect on my 'new normal', I pray for sustainability within my household. I don't know about you, but the current U.S. economy scares me. However, I refuse to believe that my new normal is here to stay. Just as we conquered the great depression, we will make it out of this slump. Perhaps a positive outlook coupled with strategic planning may help.
Thanks to South Africa for hosting a great tournament! I am a sports fan who doesn't go over the top when my team loses. However, in the most recent World Cup days, I have learned of traits that I did not know I possessed - (Heartbreak mixed with anger, sadness, disappointment, disgust, pride, joy, patriotism and love).
I have been following the 2010 World Cup keenly. Thus, I was pretty ecstatic when the Ghana Black Stars made it to the round of 16. However, there was a downside to my enthusiasm. A part of me desperately wanted Ghana to advance to the Quarters, but then another part of me was so proud of Team USA's soccer strides and wished that our team would advance further. Therefore, when my Meineke person asked me which team I would support during the
Well, that was what I thought then... I had no idea the sense of pride I will feel when I saw the Ghana Boys play. I thought about the exposure, economic benefit and positive impact that the boys were having on the Nation. I thought about the joy that their team spirit was delivering into all households in
Then, came the Quarters with
In my books, when
But you know what, I'm no longer mad at
Was this World Cup the time for
Now, we live to see who will take that coveted trophy home. A part of me wants to give
It's been a great tournament. Without doubt, this Cup has had its share of upsets.
When my friend Liz commented on the effect of food on one's weight, I thought to myself that she really had no clue... I wondered, how about all the big boned people who were predisposed to being overweight? Newsflash: although I'm still overweight, I've seen some improvement in my waist size since I started monitoring my food intake. See, in January my cousin introduced me to the 411fitt website. On the 411 website, I am able to track my calorie intake while entering my physical activity for the day. Guess what. I have lost 4 inches on my waist and I didn't even have to try hard. I just had to increase my physical activity and watch the amount of calories I ate daily. For physical activity, I didn't have to use any fancy equipment. I mostly walked or danced. I used the Leslie Sansone walk at home DVDs, walked the neighborhood or danced to some Zumba or good old hip-hop. See, I did not have to spend a fortune on food, equipment or the like. So for all of you out there, trying to lose a few, check out www.411fit.com
Let's get healthy people!!!
As I watched Nicole and Derek dance the Viennese waltz on dancing with the stars tonight, I couldn’t help but to compare those exquisite moves with my zumba steps. In an attempt to improve my cholesterol numbers, I started dancing to 50-minute zumba (cardio) two weeks ago. Prior to my zumba experience, I thought I was a pretty good dancer. In my mind, I was one of those folks who could shake it up on the dance floor. However, Salsa has taught me different. I can’t seem to move my waist, feet and hands the way I’m supposed to. Maybe I’m just not that coordinated. My waist moving attempts are pathetic. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to learn these dance moves. Well, maybe I’ll get better with practice.
This past Sunday, I visited a racially diverse Church in the Upstate of South Carolina. The praise and worship was phenomenal. As we joined hands to sing I am free, I couldn’t help but to notice the tears that were streaming down the faces of members of the congregation. In my experience, Sundays tend to be quite segregated in the South. In most of our Churches, people of different races don’t worship together. Thus, it was a blessing to see the members of Restoration
Our prayers go to the natives and residents of
· Action Against Hunger, 877-777-1420
· Agape Flights, 941-584-8078
· American Red Cross, 800-733-2767
· American Refugee Committee, 800-875-7060
· American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, 212-687-6200
· American Jewish World Service, 212-792-2900
· AmeriCares, 800-486-4357
· Beyond Borders, 866-424-8403
· B'nai B'rith International, 202-857-6600
· CARE, 800-521-2273
· Catholic Relief Services, 800-736-3467
· Childcare Worldwide, 800-553-2328
· Church World Services, 800-297-1516
· Clinton Foundation, 501-748-0471
Text "
· Concern Worldwide, 212-557-8000
· Convoy of Hope, 417-823-8998
· Cross International, 800-391-8545
· CRUDEM Foundation, 413-642-0450
· CRWRC, 800-55-CRWRC
· Direct Relief International, 805-964-4767
· Doctors Without Borders, 888-392-0392
· Episcopal Relief and Development, 800-334-7626
· Feed My Starving Children, 763-504-2919
· Food for the Poor, 800-427-9104
· Friends of WFP, 866-929-1694
· Friends of the Orphans, 312-386-7499
· Habitat for Humanity, 1-800-422-4828
· Haiti Children, 877-424-8454
· Haiti Foundation Against Poverty
· Haiti Marycare, 203-675-4770
· Haitian Health Foundation, 860-886-4357
· Healing Hands for Haiti, 651-769-5846
· Hope for Haiti, 239-434-7183
· International Child Care, 800-722-4453
· International Medical Corps, 800-481-4462
· International Rescue Committee, 877-733-8433
· International Relief Teams, 619-284-7979
· Islamic Relief USA, 888-479-4968
· Lions Club International Foundation, 630-203-3836
· Lutheran World Relief, 800-597-5972
· Medical Benevolence Foundation, 800-547-7627
· Medical Teams International, 800-959-4325
· Meds and Food for Kids, 314-420-1634
· Mennonite Central Committee, 888-563-4676
· Mercy Corps, 888-256-1900
· Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 800-306-9950
· New Life for Haiti, 815-436-7633
· Operation Blessing, 800-730-2537
· Operation USA, 800-678-7255
· Oxfam, 800-776-9326
· Partners in Health, 617-432-5298
· RHEMA International, 248-652-9894
· Rural Haiti Project, 347-405-5552
· The Salvation Army, 800-725-2769
· Samaritan's Purse, 828-262-1980
· Save the Children, 800-728-3843
· UN Central Emergency Response Fund
· UNICEF, 800-367-5437
· United Methodist Committee on Relief, 800-554-8583
· World Concern, 800-755-5022
· World Hope International, 888-466-4673
· World Relief, 800-535-5433
· World Vision, 888-511-6548
· Yele Haiti, 212-352-0552
Wyclef Jean's grassroots org
Text Yele to 501501 to donate $5 via cellphone
Mr. Reid’s choice of words regarding POTUS’ accent (dialect) and complexion were in poor taste. However, truth be told, how many of us have commented on POTUS’ African American traits? Is POTUS your average African American? I was just wondering.
Happy New Year to you my friends. Thank you for the personal get-well messages during my bout with the flu. As I considered my New Year’s resolutions, I couldn’t help but to wonder about my legacy. Am I doing anything that will have a positive impact on my family, friends’ community or country’s life? Last year, my friend Maame shared a testimony with me after attending her mother-in-law’s life celebration. Maame was impressed and touched by the good deeds and commitment espoused by her dearly departed. Shortly after Maame shared her story, I read about the gruesome killing of Major Mefful, a UN staff, Light House Chapel Pastor and Learned Fellow in
Well, my friends, it’s about time that I resolve to give more of myself to my loved ones. I may not be able to have as huge of an impact as our celebrities, but I should be able to shine in my corner. Therefore, please join with me, in my quest to be a better person. Happy New Year to us all.
It’s been a month since my last post. I trust that you’ve been keeping well. I know that Christmas is near and that I should be spreading cheer but I can’t seem to shake off the effect of the racist remarks that I have heard in recent days. This morning as my little one clung to me, I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of not being able to protect him from the racial uncertainties that I have begun to fear. Growing up in a predominantly Black Nation, I did not experience the woes of racial discrimination during my formative years. However, in these past months, I continue to marvel at the extent of hatred, based on the color of one’s skin. It breaks my heart, when people that I know continue to utter unwarranted racially biased statements. I want my child to grow up knowing the fear of the Lord and to love his neighbor. Fortunately, he attends a great school, where discrimination has not been a factor. Nevertheless, I am so afraid of the unknown.
As I write, I have tears streaming down my face. Thanks to the social media, I have been reading the venom that some of our ‘colleagues’ have been spewing about people of color. I know that life is not a fairy tale, but I am repulsed that individuals who proclaim to be God-fearing and people-loving are constantly uttering derogatory statements about people of my race. I am sorry, but I cannot shake the disgust at the pit of my stomach. My friends don’t be fooled into thinking that racism and discrimination is from the non-enlightened. No, the culprit could easily be your college friend, that pious person in your Church group, your friendly muffin-baking neighbor... The list goes on.
In the land of the brave and the free, I wish for great opportunities for my child. I know there are several successful Blacks in the