For several years now, my family has been feeding the homeless at St. John's Church every 4th Friday of the month as part of PADS. This has been very rewarding and humbling at the same time for all of us.
Rewarding because we are being of service and helping people that need help, a warm bed and good food. Most importantly they need someone to listen to them, treat them kindly and not feel repulsed by them.
Humbling because, in this day and age, who knows what may be next for any of us. For most of the PADS attendees, it has been a crippling illness, loss of job, addiction to alcohol or drugs, or just bad luck that has sent them on this downward journey.
Now, I am known as the Beverage Lady. I am the second point of contact for them as they arrive. Oftentimes, they are thirsty or cold and want milk or coffee. As usual, I great them with a cheerful hello, how was your day. Many are just happy that someone has acknowledged them, is speaking to them and even asking them about themselves. For others, it takes time to warm up to a do-gooder that they see once a month. I take no offense, but I do give it my all as I serve graciously and without judgement.
Because of my friendliness, caring and concern, I have had my fair share of proposals and date requests. My family finds this quite amusing and my niece and daughter are quite appalled and often lets them know that "She's Married" in their loudest voices. However, I have to explain to them, that they are reacting to kindness. This is something that we really want to instill in our children. It doesn't hurt to be kind for one night. People deserve kindness, no matter their station in life. God expects us to look out for our neighbors in a kind and concerned manner.
To my point, this past Friday, I met a woman who was previously a PADS resident. She has been clean (jail, alcohol, drugs, etc) for 1 year and came back to serve as part of her community service. She had a fascinating story and I of course listened. Because at the end of the night, we go home to our warm house and beds. The residents sleep on cots in a gymnasium. As we were cleaning up and packing to leave, the woman wanted to take the leftover ice cream for her children and grandchildren, but she didn't have a ride. At that moment and before I knew where she lived I offered to take her home. Now had my sister been there, she would be calling me a bleeding heart and soft touch. My sister is cordial and serves gratefully, but she doesn't want to hear any stories, nor would she have let me take the woman home. I was not concerned for my safety, so much as I was concerned for her waiting outside in the cold on a Friday, late at night.
As we drove her and the ice cream home, more of her story unfolded and I was fascinated and saddened. Here was a woman who really wanted to get off the streets and wanted to give back. Who are we, not to help her on her upward journey. Don't get me wrong, I was concerned when she first told me where she lived, but I have faith and that kept me mindful of the task I was about to embark on. This was a woman at night that needed a ride and I had a car.
I am a true believer in connections and trying to learn something from each and everyone. Friday night I learned that it did not cost me anything to listen to this woman's story or take her home. However, I was happy that I kept the faith and served someone else.
Please let me know how a chance meeting or connection helped you or helped someone else.
Peace and love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk , Real Women
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Following a dream.....
For years I've thought about training to become an aerobics instructor. Finally I have gained enough courage to go for it. I begin training next month and I already have a sponsor who believes in me more than I believe in myself. People like that are great to have in your corner!
Ladies follow your dreams. They may not happen when you think they should but if you keep believing and doing everything you need to do your dreams will come alive!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Ladies follow your dreams. They may not happen when you think they should but if you keep believing and doing everything you need to do your dreams will come alive!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, February 26, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
Ideas for Saving Money on Eating Out courtesy of The Bargainist
Eating out can be tough on anyone's budget, and in general it's best to shop for yourself and eat at home. You can save half or more by cooking for yourself instead of eating out. However, it's always nice to relax, treat yourself (and your family), and eat a meal at a restaurant. Here are some ways to do that without breaking your budget.
Don't order two dinners.
If you go to a restaurant with your partner, order one dinner and an appetizer and split it. Restaurants typically serve way too much, which is costly and unhealthy (if you try to finish it).
Make a second dinner on leftovers. Start by eating the veggies and fries or bread, then eat the actual meat item last. You might be so full from the warmup stuff that you don't eat much meat. Then take the meat home and use it for a second dinner the next night. Two dinners for the price of one!
Go for lunch specials.
Lunch specials will be cheaper than dinners, and breakfasts are even cheaper, generally. Always ask about the daily special, as it can often be a good deal.
Get a discount.
There are lots of ways to find discount coupons for restaurants online. Try Restaurant.com: enter your zip code and see what restaurants offer coupons or discounted gift certificates.
Just order side items.
A salad and an appetizer can often make for a delicious but affordable meal for one.
Special days.
Many restaurants will offer special family days, or will allow kids to eat for free, or have special discount days. Call ahead and take advantage of them.
Choose an affordable restaurant.
While fast food is invariably bad for you, there are medium-priced restaurants that can offer a decent meal without breaking your budget. While there are many ways to save on eating out, one of the best is to start with a restaurant that doesn't charge an arm or a leg.
New restaurants.
Often a restaurant that has just opened for business will want to attract new customers with discounts and specials. These are often advertised in the newspaper or in advertising mailings. Keep an eye out and take advantage.
Drink water.
You go to a restaurant for the good food, not the soda or alcohol. You can get those for much cheaper at a grocery store. Drink water, perhaps adding a slice of lemon for taste.
Fast food.
The cheapest options, of course, are fast food restaurants, and you can find some fairly healthy options at some of them. Subway, Wendy's salads or new healthier sandwiches, vegetarian options at many restaurants these days. Go to a burrito place and order a vegetarian burrito — cheap, fairly healthy, and delicious.
Skip dessert.
If you're eating at a sit-down restaurant, dessert is often a rip-off. Pick up a carton of ice cream on the way home, and save a bunch.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Eating out can be tough on anyone's budget, and in general it's best to shop for yourself and eat at home. You can save half or more by cooking for yourself instead of eating out. However, it's always nice to relax, treat yourself (and your family), and eat a meal at a restaurant. Here are some ways to do that without breaking your budget.
Don't order two dinners.
If you go to a restaurant with your partner, order one dinner and an appetizer and split it. Restaurants typically serve way too much, which is costly and unhealthy (if you try to finish it).
Make a second dinner on leftovers. Start by eating the veggies and fries or bread, then eat the actual meat item last. You might be so full from the warmup stuff that you don't eat much meat. Then take the meat home and use it for a second dinner the next night. Two dinners for the price of one!
Go for lunch specials.
Lunch specials will be cheaper than dinners, and breakfasts are even cheaper, generally. Always ask about the daily special, as it can often be a good deal.
Get a discount.
There are lots of ways to find discount coupons for restaurants online. Try Restaurant.com: enter your zip code and see what restaurants offer coupons or discounted gift certificates.
Just order side items.
A salad and an appetizer can often make for a delicious but affordable meal for one.
Special days.
Many restaurants will offer special family days, or will allow kids to eat for free, or have special discount days. Call ahead and take advantage of them.
Choose an affordable restaurant.
While fast food is invariably bad for you, there are medium-priced restaurants that can offer a decent meal without breaking your budget. While there are many ways to save on eating out, one of the best is to start with a restaurant that doesn't charge an arm or a leg.
New restaurants.
Often a restaurant that has just opened for business will want to attract new customers with discounts and specials. These are often advertised in the newspaper or in advertising mailings. Keep an eye out and take advantage.
Drink water.
You go to a restaurant for the good food, not the soda or alcohol. You can get those for much cheaper at a grocery store. Drink water, perhaps adding a slice of lemon for taste.
Fast food.
The cheapest options, of course, are fast food restaurants, and you can find some fairly healthy options at some of them. Subway, Wendy's salads or new healthier sandwiches, vegetarian options at many restaurants these days. Go to a burrito place and order a vegetarian burrito — cheap, fairly healthy, and delicious.
Skip dessert.
If you're eating at a sit-down restaurant, dessert is often a rip-off. Pick up a carton of ice cream on the way home, and save a bunch.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, February 25, 2011
What are the hot colors for Spring 2011?
Fashion's Hottest (And Coolest) Colors for Spring 2011
by McKenzie O'Brien courtesy of
Are you looking for the hottest new trends in color this spring? Look no further, Pantone's color experts find out what's hot for the Spring 2011 season!
by McKenzie O'Brien courtesy of
Are you looking for the hottest new trends in color this spring? Look no further, Pantone's color experts find out what's hot for the Spring 2011 season!
Pantone LCC is an internationally renowned color expert. For over 45 years they have worked side by side with the fashion, plastics, home décor, digital technology, architecture, and paint industries to communicate color in a profitable and appealing way to consumers. Pantone has developed the world’s most popular and widely used color standards system, called PANTONE FASHION + HOME Color System to create, match, and coordinate colors.
Representatives from Pantone attend New York Fashion Week and other fashion events to observe designers’ colors- which ones appear and reappear frequently in their collections, how the colors inspire their line, and their philosophy on how their colors are used. Based on the color trends found by Pantone representatives, their finding are used to create the annual PANTONE Fashion Color Report, that helps fashion gurus, reporters, and retailers stay up to date on the hottest and coolest colors of the year.
At New York Fall Fashion Week (September 9-16, 2010), Pantone’s color forecast was revealed for Spring 2011. There were 20 it-colors in total-10 for women’s fashion and 10 for men’s. The theme of the season is exotic lands, where there’s “an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones,” says Pantone Color Institute’s executive director.
South American, South Asian, and African Color Inspirations
The colors reflect vibrant cultures and colors found in Peru, Africa, Turkey, India, and other far off lands. For women we have:
- Honeysuckle- a warm reddish pink
- Coral Rose- a dark orange with pink undertones
- Beeswax- a honey colored yellow
- Regatta- a bright turquoise blue
- Lavender- a pale purple with pink undertones
- Blue Caracao- a technicolor aqua
- Peapod- a pale green with yellow undertones
- Silver Peony- a nude, beige color with silver undertones
- Russet- a deep brown with dark orange undertones
Men's Colors Include Rich Earth Tones
The men’s spring 2011 list shares five of the women’s colors- Honeysuckle, Beeswax, Regatta, Lavender, Blue Caracao, and Russet. The remaining five colors are:
- Barberry- a deep pink, purple color
- Firecracker- a medium orange with fiery, red tones
- Turf Green- dark green with blue undertones
- Linen- a nude color with pink and beige undertones
- Flint Gray- a light gray
Pantone also asked fashion designers, ranging from Betsey Johnson and Badgley Mischka to Charlotte Ronson and Monique Lhuillier what places these colors reminded the designers of. Responses ranged from Istanbul, Spain, the Mediterranean Sea, Brazil, Southern France, to Lima, Peru with emphasis on “gem tones,” “vibrant mosaics” and “a mix of Old World meets New World” found in all of these exotic and gorgeous locations across the globe.
Consumers take heed, this spring your wardrobe is going to need an update to keep up with Spring 2011’s jetsetter hues.
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Kitten Heels Recommends.....
Eating! Who doesn’t enjoy eating? In my continuous search for tips on eating healthy, I ran across another great book. Here is info from the back cover of EAT THIS AND LIVE! by Don Colbert, M.D., New York Times Bestselling author of THE SEVEN PILLARS OF HEALTH:
Improve your health and extend your days with simple food choicesToday we have an abundance of options when it comes to the food we eat. But all foods are not created equal. In fact, some food should not even be labeled food but rather “consumable product” or “edible, but void of nourishment.”
In Eat This and Live! Dr. Don Colbert provides a road map to help you navigate this often treacherous territory. Based on the key principles for healthy eating in Dr. Colbert’s New York Times best seller, The Seven Pillars of Health, this practical guidebook to food includes “Dr. Colbert Approved” foods and restaurant menu choices, along with helpful tips, charts, and nutrition information that will make it easier for you to stay healthy and lose weight.
Now is the time to build the rest of your life on this wonderful pillar of health—living food!
Some of the chapters include, Living Food vs. Dead Food, Your Body is a Temple, Tips for Healthy Children, and What to Eat With Caution. I especially liked the chapter, On the Go? – Smart Choices for Dining Out. In this chapter eating in all kinds of restaurants is covered, Fast Food, Italian and Mexican and even Buffet-Style. This was helpful as an Asian buffet restaurant recently opened nearby and I wanted to try it. I did eat a little more than usual, but fortunately, this buffet restaurant has many fresh and healthy options, and with the guidelines from the book, it was really up to me how “good” or “bad” I ate.
This book is informative and easy to follow with charts and tips that can be implemented immediately. Check it out!
Kitten Heels
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
The Link Between Weight and Heart Disease
By Jennifer R. Scott, courtesy of About.com
This month isn't just about valentines and flowers. February is also "American Heart Month" and in light of that, take a look at weight's connection to heart disease.
Weight and heart disease are connected, but that doesn't mean being overweight guarantees you'll have heart problems. There are ways to reduce your risk. This article will help you understand the link between weight and heart disease.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. Types of heart disease include coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease, a narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries, which is the major reason people have heart attacks.
How Prevalent is Heart Disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. In 2002, almost 700,000 people died of heart disease, just over half of which were women. These statistics mean that nearly 30% all U.S. deaths were due to heart disease.
Heart disease has been the deadliest health condition for women for 100 years. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease has been the leading killer of adult females since 1908.
How is Weight Connected to Heart Disease?
Overweight is considered a major risk factor for both coronary heart disease and heart attack. Being 20% overweight or more significantly increases your risk for developing heart disease, especially if you have a lot of abdominal fat. The American Heart Association has found that even if you have no other related health conditions, obesity itself increases risk of heart disease.
Being sedentary causes heart disease risk to increase, possibly even more so for women -– inactive females are more likely to become diabetic, have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. All three of these conditions increase the chance of developing heart disease.
Apples vs. Pears
Your risk of developing heart disease may be heightened even more by the way your weight is distributed on your body. Being overweight and “apple-shaped” -- meaning you carry most of your excess weight in your abdominal area -- is considered riskier than being overweight and “pear-shaped.” Apple-shaped individuals also have many other increased health risks including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, and stroke.
To find out if your waistline increases your risk of heart disease, you can measure yourself with a measuring tape. You may need a partner to help you measure accurately. The measurement should be taken at the narrowest part of your waist. A high-risk waistline is 35 inches or higher for women and 40 inches or higher for men.
What You Can Do
The good news is, reducing your weight by just 10% can begin to lower your risk of developing heart disease and other obesity-related health problems. Heart disease can often be connected to “known risk factors” with being overweight considered a “modifiable” risk factor (a risk you can do something to prevent). Age and race, on the other hand, are “nonmodifiable” risk factors.
In addition to managing your weight, you can reduce your chances of developing heart disease by controlling other related risk factors such as: controlling your blood pressure, lowering your cholesterol, quitting smoking and getting enough exercise.
A healthy diet is also an important part of lowering your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends a diet that contains no more than 30% of daily calories from fat. For example, if you eat a diet of 2,000 calories per day, no more than 600 calories should come from fat.
To learn more about heart disease, visit The American Heart Association or About.com's Heart Disease site.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
By Jennifer R. Scott, courtesy of About.com
This month isn't just about valentines and flowers. February is also "American Heart Month" and in light of that, take a look at weight's connection to heart disease.
Weight and heart disease are connected, but that doesn't mean being overweight guarantees you'll have heart problems. There are ways to reduce your risk. This article will help you understand the link between weight and heart disease.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. Types of heart disease include coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease, a narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries, which is the major reason people have heart attacks.
How Prevalent is Heart Disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. In 2002, almost 700,000 people died of heart disease, just over half of which were women. These statistics mean that nearly 30% all U.S. deaths were due to heart disease.
Heart disease has been the deadliest health condition for women for 100 years. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease has been the leading killer of adult females since 1908.
How is Weight Connected to Heart Disease?
Overweight is considered a major risk factor for both coronary heart disease and heart attack. Being 20% overweight or more significantly increases your risk for developing heart disease, especially if you have a lot of abdominal fat. The American Heart Association has found that even if you have no other related health conditions, obesity itself increases risk of heart disease.
Being sedentary causes heart disease risk to increase, possibly even more so for women -– inactive females are more likely to become diabetic, have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. All three of these conditions increase the chance of developing heart disease.
Apples vs. Pears
Your risk of developing heart disease may be heightened even more by the way your weight is distributed on your body. Being overweight and “apple-shaped” -- meaning you carry most of your excess weight in your abdominal area -- is considered riskier than being overweight and “pear-shaped.” Apple-shaped individuals also have many other increased health risks including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, and stroke.
To find out if your waistline increases your risk of heart disease, you can measure yourself with a measuring tape. You may need a partner to help you measure accurately. The measurement should be taken at the narrowest part of your waist. A high-risk waistline is 35 inches or higher for women and 40 inches or higher for men.
What You Can Do
The good news is, reducing your weight by just 10% can begin to lower your risk of developing heart disease and other obesity-related health problems. Heart disease can often be connected to “known risk factors” with being overweight considered a “modifiable” risk factor (a risk you can do something to prevent). Age and race, on the other hand, are “nonmodifiable” risk factors.
In addition to managing your weight, you can reduce your chances of developing heart disease by controlling other related risk factors such as: controlling your blood pressure, lowering your cholesterol, quitting smoking and getting enough exercise.
A healthy diet is also an important part of lowering your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends a diet that contains no more than 30% of daily calories from fat. For example, if you eat a diet of 2,000 calories per day, no more than 600 calories should come from fat.
To learn more about heart disease, visit The American Heart Association or About.com's Heart Disease site.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
WOOOOOO HOOOOO!
I said WOOOOOO HOOOOOO! That is what I’ll be saying and hearing as I train to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2011. As you train to do WHAT? That’s right, I AM A MARATHON FINISHER! This past Saturday was the first meeting for the Kingdom Running Club (KRC). KRC offers a 9-month program that educates and prepares members to run a marathon. The KRC purpose is – To teach individuals how to effectively prepare and to run a Marathon God’s way, solely relying on direction received from the Holy Spirit. Participants will be empowered to take methods and teachings endowed from God and to apply them to other areas of their lives.
Considering where I am with my health and where I want to go in life, how could I not take this next step? Running the marathon is not something that I want to do it is something that I have to do.
Our first homework assignment was to indicate why we want to run a marathon. Here’s my statement:
I’m running the marathon to take control of my physical health and to also make exercising and possibly running a permanent lifestyle change. For a number of years I’ve dealt with a chronic condition that can be controlled with diet and exercise. I’ve had ups and downs with controlling it but am now at a critical point in how the doctor would like to treat the disease. I know that God has healed me completely from this condition, so I run and change my eating habits as an act of faith.
Several years ago, I attempted to train for and run the marathon, but did not follow all of the natural as well as spiritual directions and ended up dropping out half way through. I’m in a different place now in the natural and in the spirit and do not expect to encounter the same issues.
I’m also running as a dedicated member of the Project Eden team. I’ve sowed my time and talents to the PE team, and have also traveled to Haiti on both trips. Now I will also run to raise funds for the work of rebuilding Haiti.
It begins! WOOOOOO HOOOOO!
Kitten Heels
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Monday, February 21, 2011
President's Day
Presidents' Day: A Brief History By Alex JohnstonEpoch Times Staff Created: Feb 21, 2011
Presidents' Day, the federal holiday celebrated this year on Monday, Feb. 21, is known mostly as a day off from work and school for most Americans, a day when the post office is closed, as well as a day where numerous advertisers, such as car dealerships, have deals.
Presidents’ Day, as a national holiday, is known as the birthday of first president George Washington, but later in the 1960s, also began to honor former president Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday also fell in February. Some say that the day honors all presidents.
Years before Congress declared Presidents’ Day an actual holiday, people used to celebrate Washington’s birthday separately. For example, the 100th anniversary of his birth drew national celebrations and Congress attempted to make arrangements to make the day a national holiday. In 1832, Congress said they would adjourn on Feb. 22 to commemorate Washington’s birth.
Lincoln was born on Feb. 12 and his birthday was formally observed in 1866, months after he was assassinated. His birthday was never made into a national holiday but some states have observed it.In 1971, President Richard Nixon decided to combine Lincoln’s birthday and Washington’s birthday, creating the Presidents’ Day holiday. The day is now celebrated on the third Monday in February.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Presidents' Day, the federal holiday celebrated this year on Monday, Feb. 21, is known mostly as a day off from work and school for most Americans, a day when the post office is closed, as well as a day where numerous advertisers, such as car dealerships, have deals.
Presidents’ Day, as a national holiday, is known as the birthday of first president George Washington, but later in the 1960s, also began to honor former president Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday also fell in February. Some say that the day honors all presidents.
Years before Congress declared Presidents’ Day an actual holiday, people used to celebrate Washington’s birthday separately. For example, the 100th anniversary of his birth drew national celebrations and Congress attempted to make arrangements to make the day a national holiday. In 1832, Congress said they would adjourn on Feb. 22 to commemorate Washington’s birth.
Lincoln was born on Feb. 12 and his birthday was formally observed in 1866, months after he was assassinated. His birthday was never made into a national holiday but some states have observed it.In 1971, President Richard Nixon decided to combine Lincoln’s birthday and Washington’s birthday, creating the Presidents’ Day holiday. The day is now celebrated on the third Monday in February.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Sunday, February 20, 2011
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
As some of you may know, I love Lauryn Hill. I found this video that I wanted to share.....
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Saturday, February 19, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
Great Diet Tips for Women Over Fifty By SuzannaH, courtesy of eHow
Maintaining a healthy diet can have many advantages for women who are aged 50 years or older. The list includes greatly reduced health risks (such as high cholesterol and heart problems), reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight, feeling energized, and vitally strengthening bones. There are a number of foods that are highly beneficial to women aged 50 or older.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Women age 50 or older require a greater amount of calcium than do younger women to keep bones strong and healthy. This means including at least three daily 8-oz. servings of dairy products, such as milk and yogurt. Vitamin D intake is also vital for women 50 and older, as it allows bones to absorb the calcium. Foods containing Vitamin D include salmon, fortified cereals, and egg yolk.
Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Women 50 or older should always eat breakfast. A healthy meal such as whole-grain toast and eggs will provide the body with more energy for the day ahead. Eating a healthy breakfast gives you more energy for exercise, which is also a key element of keeping fit. Eating foods high in iron, such as lean meat, liver, and beans, can also improve energy levels, since a high-iron diet prevents anemia, which is a common cause of fatigue in women, according to professional health website WebMD.com.
Antioxidants
Incorporating antioxidants into the diet can help to slow down and even reverse the effects of aging in women 50 or older. Foods rich in antioxidants include fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Dark chocolate is also rich in antioxidants.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Maintaining a healthy diet can have many advantages for women who are aged 50 years or older. The list includes greatly reduced health risks (such as high cholesterol and heart problems), reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight, feeling energized, and vitally strengthening bones. There are a number of foods that are highly beneficial to women aged 50 or older.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Women age 50 or older require a greater amount of calcium than do younger women to keep bones strong and healthy. This means including at least three daily 8-oz. servings of dairy products, such as milk and yogurt. Vitamin D intake is also vital for women 50 and older, as it allows bones to absorb the calcium. Foods containing Vitamin D include salmon, fortified cereals, and egg yolk.
Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Women 50 or older should always eat breakfast. A healthy meal such as whole-grain toast and eggs will provide the body with more energy for the day ahead. Eating a healthy breakfast gives you more energy for exercise, which is also a key element of keeping fit. Eating foods high in iron, such as lean meat, liver, and beans, can also improve energy levels, since a high-iron diet prevents anemia, which is a common cause of fatigue in women, according to professional health website WebMD.com.
Antioxidants
Incorporating antioxidants into the diet can help to slow down and even reverse the effects of aging in women 50 or older. Foods rich in antioxidants include fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Dark chocolate is also rich in antioxidants.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Why You Are Not Married
I came across a very interesting article on huffingtonpost.com. Please take a read and comment with your thoughts.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tracy-mcmillan/why-youre-not-married_b_822088.html
Happy Friday,
Clutch
Real Life. Real Talk. Real Women.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tracy-mcmillan/why-youre-not-married_b_822088.html
Happy Friday,
Clutch
Real Life. Real Talk. Real Women.
Books vs. Electronic Readers
With the announcement that Borders will be filing bankruptcy and closing over 300 stores, I got to wondering if I was part of the problem that may send books the way of the dodo.
I love to read and hold a hardcover book, flip pages and just fill its weight. However, when I travel via train or on a plane, I have found my Nook (from Barnes and Noble) ereader http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp to come in very handy. Now that airlines are charging for every piece of luggage, the electronic reader allows me to save space in my carry on that would normally be devoted to magazines and one or two books (depending on length of travel). So, now I have the best of both worlds, but am afraid for the written form.
Whichever ereader you choose, you will find it to be addictive. However, when I am curled up on the couch sipping cocoa or tea, I like the snuggling down and flipping pages in a good old hardcover. Being a visual person, I have chosen the color Nook and am very pleased with all of it's capabilities and compactness, along with a bit o color.
If you have chosen to mix the world of hardcover and ereader, let me know. Or if you are a diehard, and love the smell of a new book, let me know, too. Also, please pass along any interesting reads.
Peace and love,
Sandals,
Real Life, Real Talk and Real Women
I love to read and hold a hardcover book, flip pages and just fill its weight. However, when I travel via train or on a plane, I have found my Nook (from Barnes and Noble) ereader http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp to come in very handy. Now that airlines are charging for every piece of luggage, the electronic reader allows me to save space in my carry on that would normally be devoted to magazines and one or two books (depending on length of travel). So, now I have the best of both worlds, but am afraid for the written form.
Whichever ereader you choose, you will find it to be addictive. However, when I am curled up on the couch sipping cocoa or tea, I like the snuggling down and flipping pages in a good old hardcover. Being a visual person, I have chosen the color Nook and am very pleased with all of it's capabilities and compactness, along with a bit o color.
If you have chosen to mix the world of hardcover and ereader, let me know. Or if you are a diehard, and love the smell of a new book, let me know, too. Also, please pass along any interesting reads.
Peace and love,
Sandals,
Real Life, Real Talk and Real Women
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
TRX Suspension Training
So I'm always looking for a new workout so that I don't get bored. TRX is my new favorite thing! I'm building good solid muscle and I'm toning like never before! Here is some info about TRX and a video to check out. It's not so new anymore so there are several gyms that are offering classes and some community centers as well.
TRX started as a few lengths of parachute webbing and has developed into an entirely new and original category of functional exercise: Suspension Training. This ground-breaking fitness regiment was born in wharf-side warehouses, ships and submarines when Navy SEALS wanted to stay in peak condition but had limited space and equipment. TRX is an innovative and contemporary training method to safely and rapidly improve fitness.
Check out the video.....
Summer is coming...so step up your workout and get results!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
So I'm always looking for a new workout so that I don't get bored. TRX is my new favorite thing! I'm building good solid muscle and I'm toning like never before! Here is some info about TRX and a video to check out. It's not so new anymore so there are several gyms that are offering classes and some community centers as well.
TRX started as a few lengths of parachute webbing and has developed into an entirely new and original category of functional exercise: Suspension Training. This ground-breaking fitness regiment was born in wharf-side warehouses, ships and submarines when Navy SEALS wanted to stay in peak condition but had limited space and equipment. TRX is an innovative and contemporary training method to safely and rapidly improve fitness.
Check out the video.....
Summer is coming...so step up your workout and get results!
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Restaurant Week
Restaurant week is coming to a city near you! That's when normally expensive restaurants are 1/3 to 1/2 off! It's the time to experiment without feeling like you have spent a fortune.
Click here for Boston
Click here for Chicago
Click here for Minneapolis
To find your city google Restaurant Week with your city name to find out more info!
Enjoy!!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Click here for Boston
Click here for Chicago
Click here for Minneapolis
To find your city google Restaurant Week with your city name to find out more info!
Enjoy!!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Monday, February 14, 2011
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
For many, today will be filled by countless professions of love with flowers, candy, proposals, loving and grand gestures. If you are fortunate to be in a situation where you are loved and are giving love in return, be very thankful.
I have been married for 24 years and count myself as very blessed to have a loving mate and being able to love in return. However,Valentine's Day is more than man/woman love to me. I am also very blessed, thankful and grateful for the many other loving relationships in my life. It gives me immense pleasure to bewhat I consider to be an amazing wife, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, friend, mentor, etc. These relationships give me so much return on my investment and so I use this day as a reminder to be thankful for more than the ability to love and appreciate my husband, but to cherish all the relationships in my life.
If you have someone in your life that brings you joy, send them a valentine's card, shout out or email. If they are close, call them or give them a big hug. Most of all, thank them for being a special person in your life. Don't wait for one special day to tell someone how much they mean to you. Tell them today and every day.
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk and Real Women
I have been married for 24 years and count myself as very blessed to have a loving mate and being able to love in return. However,Valentine's Day is more than man/woman love to me. I am also very blessed, thankful and grateful for the many other loving relationships in my life. It gives me immense pleasure to bewhat I consider to be an amazing wife, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, friend, mentor, etc. These relationships give me so much return on my investment and so I use this day as a reminder to be thankful for more than the ability to love and appreciate my husband, but to cherish all the relationships in my life.
If you have someone in your life that brings you joy, send them a valentine's card, shout out or email. If they are close, call them or give them a big hug. Most of all, thank them for being a special person in your life. Don't wait for one special day to tell someone how much they mean to you. Tell them today and every day.
Peace and Love,
Sandals
Real Life, Real Talk and Real Women
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
10 Tips For Better Sleep courtesy of Mayo Clinic
If you're having trouble sleeping, change your sleep habits for a better night's rest. By Mayo Clinic staff
Feeling crabby lately? It could be you aren't getting enough sleep. Work, household responsibilities and child care can make sleep difficult to come by. Factor in other unexpected challenges, such as financial worries, layoffs, relationship issues or an illness, and quality sleep may be even more elusive.
You may not be able to control or eliminate all of the factors that interfere with your sleep, but you can create an environment and adopt habits that encourage a more restful night. Try these suggestions if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep:
1. Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, even on the weekends. Sticking to a schedule helps reinforce your body's sleep-wake cycle and can help you fall asleep more easily at night.
2. Don't eat or drink large amounts before bedtime. Eat a light dinner at least two hours before sleeping. If you're prone to heartburn, avoid spicy or fatty foods, which can make your heartburn flare and prevent a restful sleep. Also, limit how much you drink before bed. Too much liquid can cause you to wake up repeatedly during the night for trips to the toilet.
3. Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol in the evening. These are stimulants that can keep you awake. Smokers often experience withdrawal symptoms at night, and smoking in bed is dangerous. Avoid caffeine for eight hours before your planned bedtime. Your body doesn't store caffeine, but it takes many hours to eliminate the stimulant and its effects. And although often believed to be a sedative, alcohol actually disrupts sleep.
4. Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, can help you fall asleep faster and make your sleep more restful. However, for some people, exercising right before bed may make getting to sleep more difficult.
5. Make your bedroom cool, dark, quiet and comfortable. Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Adjust the lighting, temperature, humidity and noise level to your preferences. Use blackout curtains, eye covers, earplugs, extra blankets, a fan or white-noise generator, a humidifier or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.
6. Sleep primarily at night. Daytime naps may steal hours from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to about a half-hour and make it during midafternoon. If you work nights, keep your window coverings closed so that sunlight, which adjusts the body's internal clock, doesn't interrupt your sleep. If you have a day job and sleep at night, but still have trouble waking up, leave the window coverings open and let the sunlight help awaken you.
7. Choose a comfortable mattress and pillow. Features of a good bed are subjective and differ for each person. But make sure you have a bed that's comfortable. If you share your bed, make sure there's enough room for two. Children and pets are often disruptive, so you may need to set limits on how often they sleep in bed with you.
8. Start a relaxing bedtime routine. Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This may include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music. Relaxing activities done with lowered lights can help ease the transition between wakefulness and sleepiness.
9. Go to bed when you're tired and turn out the lights. If you don't fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes, get up and do something else. Go back to bed when you're tired. Don't agonize over falling asleep. The stress will only prevent sleep.
10. Use sleeping pills only as a last resort. Check with your doctor before taking any sleep medications. He or she can make sure the pills won't interact with your other medications or with an existing medical condition. Your doctor can also help you determine the best dosage. If you do take a sleep medication, reduce the dosage gradually when you want to quit, and never mix alcohol and sleeping pills. If you feel sleepy or dizzy during the day, talk to your doctor about changing the dosage or discontinuing the pills.
Nearly everyone has occasional sleepless nights. But if you have trouble sleeping on a regular or frequent basis, see your doctor. You could have a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. Identifying and treating the cause of your sleep disturbance can help get you back on the road to a good night's sleep.
Sweet Dreams
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
If you're having trouble sleeping, change your sleep habits for a better night's rest. By Mayo Clinic staff
Feeling crabby lately? It could be you aren't getting enough sleep. Work, household responsibilities and child care can make sleep difficult to come by. Factor in other unexpected challenges, such as financial worries, layoffs, relationship issues or an illness, and quality sleep may be even more elusive.
You may not be able to control or eliminate all of the factors that interfere with your sleep, but you can create an environment and adopt habits that encourage a more restful night. Try these suggestions if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep:
1. Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, even on the weekends. Sticking to a schedule helps reinforce your body's sleep-wake cycle and can help you fall asleep more easily at night.
2. Don't eat or drink large amounts before bedtime. Eat a light dinner at least two hours before sleeping. If you're prone to heartburn, avoid spicy or fatty foods, which can make your heartburn flare and prevent a restful sleep. Also, limit how much you drink before bed. Too much liquid can cause you to wake up repeatedly during the night for trips to the toilet.
3. Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol in the evening. These are stimulants that can keep you awake. Smokers often experience withdrawal symptoms at night, and smoking in bed is dangerous. Avoid caffeine for eight hours before your planned bedtime. Your body doesn't store caffeine, but it takes many hours to eliminate the stimulant and its effects. And although often believed to be a sedative, alcohol actually disrupts sleep.
4. Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, can help you fall asleep faster and make your sleep more restful. However, for some people, exercising right before bed may make getting to sleep more difficult.
5. Make your bedroom cool, dark, quiet and comfortable. Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Adjust the lighting, temperature, humidity and noise level to your preferences. Use blackout curtains, eye covers, earplugs, extra blankets, a fan or white-noise generator, a humidifier or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.
6. Sleep primarily at night. Daytime naps may steal hours from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to about a half-hour and make it during midafternoon. If you work nights, keep your window coverings closed so that sunlight, which adjusts the body's internal clock, doesn't interrupt your sleep. If you have a day job and sleep at night, but still have trouble waking up, leave the window coverings open and let the sunlight help awaken you.
7. Choose a comfortable mattress and pillow. Features of a good bed are subjective and differ for each person. But make sure you have a bed that's comfortable. If you share your bed, make sure there's enough room for two. Children and pets are often disruptive, so you may need to set limits on how often they sleep in bed with you.
8. Start a relaxing bedtime routine. Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This may include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music. Relaxing activities done with lowered lights can help ease the transition between wakefulness and sleepiness.
9. Go to bed when you're tired and turn out the lights. If you don't fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes, get up and do something else. Go back to bed when you're tired. Don't agonize over falling asleep. The stress will only prevent sleep.
10. Use sleeping pills only as a last resort. Check with your doctor before taking any sleep medications. He or she can make sure the pills won't interact with your other medications or with an existing medical condition. Your doctor can also help you determine the best dosage. If you do take a sleep medication, reduce the dosage gradually when you want to quit, and never mix alcohol and sleeping pills. If you feel sleepy or dizzy during the day, talk to your doctor about changing the dosage or discontinuing the pills.
Nearly everyone has occasional sleepless nights. But if you have trouble sleeping on a regular or frequent basis, see your doctor. You could have a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. Identifying and treating the cause of your sleep disturbance can help get you back on the road to a good night's sleep.
Sweet Dreams
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, February 11, 2011
You Go Girl!!
Jennifer Hudson
I saw Jennifer Hudson on Oprah yesterday and she looked absolutely amazing. She has dropped a total of 80 pounds with Weight Watchers and exercise. How awesome is that??!! I too use Weight Watchers and I’ve lost 20 pounds to date.
I also love how well she has persevered based on the unbelievable tragedy she has had to deal with. She was honest with Oprah and said that she is not quite sure that she has actually begun a healing process yet but that she is taking it one day at a time. I can’t even imagine losing so many loved ones at the same time.
Jennifer is an inspiration, a survivor, a strong, beautiful black woman that isn’t letting anything or anyone get in the way of achieving her goals. For this, Jennifer gets my “You Go Girl” award and I hope she is able to experience longevity in the entertainment business if that’s what her heart desires!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
I saw Jennifer Hudson on Oprah yesterday and she looked absolutely amazing. She has dropped a total of 80 pounds with Weight Watchers and exercise. How awesome is that??!! I too use Weight Watchers and I’ve lost 20 pounds to date.
I also love how well she has persevered based on the unbelievable tragedy she has had to deal with. She was honest with Oprah and said that she is not quite sure that she has actually begun a healing process yet but that she is taking it one day at a time. I can’t even imagine losing so many loved ones at the same time.
Jennifer is an inspiration, a survivor, a strong, beautiful black woman that isn’t letting anything or anyone get in the way of achieving her goals. For this, Jennifer gets my “You Go Girl” award and I hope she is able to experience longevity in the entertainment business if that’s what her heart desires!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Love - Part 2
Phileo, or brotherly love is the second type of love that I’ve been mulling over. It is very different from divine love or romantic love. It means to have an affection (sentiment, passion or feeling) for. A fondness based in the heart. This Greek word forms the basis for words such as Philadelphia, which is known as the city of brotherly love.
As I consider this type of love, three different areas come to mind. First I think of my siblings, three brothers, and how I love them…now. :) I still remember that as children, there were times when they were the opposite of loving towards me. Today though, we are closer than ever. Secondly, I think of all of the friends and acquaintances that I have this type of love for. Some, I don’t even know that well, nor have I known some for a long time. But when I’m around them or think of them, I get a wonderful feeling. I’m sure that they feel the same way about me too. Lastly, my thoughts are on some of the things that I have phileo love for such as a good book, good live music, or Godiva truffles.
As Valentine’s Day 2011 approaches, if you won’t be spending it with a spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend, spend it with one of the people or things that you have a sentiment, passion or feeling for. If you do so, I’m certain that your heart will be satisfied. After all love is love!
Kitten Heels
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Weight Loss Wednesday
10 Foods to Always Have on Hand by Lisa Taddeo courtesy of Weight Watchers.com
Knowing you have a stocked kitchen at home can be one more reason for you not to hit up the local drive-through. These staples will help you get a meal on the table in minutes.
"There's nothing to eat."That has to be one of the most disheartening assessments you can make after examining the contents of your refrigerator. Of course, it opens the door to takeout or a restaurant meal and, very often, a far bigger portion of a much unhealthier food than you would have eaten at home.The solution? Keep an intelligently stocked kitchen so you're never more than 10 minutes of cooking time away from a healthy meal.
Thanks to Christopher Mohr, PhD, RD, a dietician and exercise physiologist in Louisville, Kentucky, we've compiled a list of 10 foods that will help you create simple meals at a moment's notice. Plus, "they'll give you a variety of nutrients without an abundance of calories," Mohr says.
1. Boneless, skinless chicken breast "Chicken can be prepared with almost anything you have in the house," says Mohr. Grill it for a sandwich, spice it up with curry and cumin for Thai-style satays, or just throw it in a salad. There are thousands of choices. Frozen chicken will last up to six months in your freezer (well sealed) and will quickly add low-fat protein to any meal.
Serving size: 3 oz of cooked boneless, skinless breast meat PointsPlus™ value: 3
2. Unsalted dry-roasted nuts Choose the roasted, unsalted version you can find in most supermarket produce sections, not the oily snack mix kind. "They're loaded with healthy fats, plus you can use good mixed nuts as toppings for stir-fry and salads," says Mohr.
Instead of breadcrumbs, crush the nuts and use them to coat chicken-breast strips for a tasty, protein-packed "breaded" cutlet.
Serving size: 1/4 cupPointsPlus value: 6
3. Frozen vegetables A no-brainer, and no one's freezer should be without them. Stock your favorites, from broccoli to spinach (which can improve everything from soup to pasta). Frozen vegetables can last up to one year, so it's no sweat to keep all the ingredients necessary for an instant, colorful stir-fry. Or, add them to a quick vegetable soup, like minestrone.
Serving size: 1/2 cupPointsPlus value: 1
4. Fat-free soup broth No cook would ever be caught without soup broth (vegetable, chicken or beef). You can use it to flavor meat, thin sauces, make gravy — and a million other options.
Throw raw vegetables into broth and they'll last up to three days longer, says Mohr. "They'll not only stay more crisp, but they'll be more flavorful because they'll absorb the flavor of the stock," he adds. Set the pot over a flame and you have an instant healthy soup. Toss in a chicken breast for a tasty meal.
Serving size: 1 cupPointsPlus value: 0
Throw raw vegetables into broth and they'll last up to three days longer, says Mohr. "They'll not only stay more crisp, but they'll be more flavorful because they'll absorb the flavor of the stock," he adds. Set the pot over a flame and you have an instant healthy soup. Toss in a chicken breast for a tasty meal.
Serving size: 1 cupPointsPlus value: 0
5. Lean ground beef "Ground beef is loaded with iron, zinc and protein; it's always good to have some on hand to add nutrients to meals," says Mohr. You could grill it into a burger or crumble it into any conceivable dish.
Serving size: 3-ounce cooked pattyPointsPlus value: 3
6. Basil leaves When you need a touch of class — and perhaps to create the illusion that you put more effort into cooking the meal than you really did — add a few whole, fresh basil leaves. It's a flavorful spice and garnish that's visually appealing. You can use it in numerous ways: to make pesto, to flavor fish and meats, or to liven up fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.
Serving size: Almost anyPointsPlus value: 0
7. Extra virgin olive oil Sure, it's high in PointsPlus values, but it's one of the most versatile sources of good fat — and a little goes a long way. It's important to purchase "extra virgin" olive oil for a flavor boost. When a recipe demands an oil or fat, it's the best choice.
Serving size: 1 teaspoon PointsPlus value: 1
8. Canned, crushed or whole TomatoesChili, pasta sauce, soup — sooner or later, a recipe will call for it, so keep a can in the pantry. It's a great source of potential cancer-fighting lycopene and vitamin C.
Serving size: 1 cupPointsPlus value: 0
9. Chicken sausage"It comes frozen and is lower in fat than regular pork sausage," says Mohr. It'll add spicy flavor to otherwise drab meals. With spaghetti sauce, create a sausage version of Bolognese or eat it on a roll hot dog-style. Grill two links for a Cuban sandwich. Give yourself an extra five minutes in the morning, and you might even eat it for breakfast.
Serving size: 1 1/2 ounces cookedPointsPlus value: 1
10. Dried whole-wheat pasta A fail-safe anytime you crave a quick, filling dinner. Whole-wheat pasta has more fiber than white flour pasta, so a smaller serving fills you up more. You can add penne to soups, or eat angel hair with a low-calorie marinara sauce or a dash of olive oil, garlic cloves (which you should also keep on hand) and red pepper flakes.
Whole-wheat pasta:Serving size: 1 cup cookedPointsPlus value: 4
Store-bought marinara sauce:Serving size: 1/2 cupPointsPlus value: 2
About the Writer Lisa Taddeo is an associate editor at GOLF Magazine and has written for New Jersey Monthly and Travel Savvy.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Kitten Heels Recommends.....
Yolanda Adams! That name is synonymous with Spirit-filled, award-winning Gospel music. She has made songs that encourage, sustain and move you right into the presence of the Lord. Some of my favorites are Just a Prayer Away, Victory, Open My Heart, Be Blessed, and who doesn’t enjoy The Battle is the Lord’s. What many may not know is that Yolanda, is the host of her own radio show. The website for the show is theyolandaadamsmorningshow.com and it airs on Urban Gospel stations owned by Radio One which is owned by Cathy Hughes. A very successful segment on the show is her Points of Power. The points are inspirational and applies biblical truths to real-life situations, On the website you can actually listen to the segments if you missed them live. The segment is so popular that a book of thirty-seven of the gems was published in 2010 by Yolanda along with author Lavaille Lavette. Here is a synopsis of POINTS OF POWER – DISCOVER A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE OF JOY AND PURPOSE.:
Over five million listeners tune in to hear Yolanda Adams's Points of Power, a segment in her daily radio show that inspires people by applying biblical truths to present-day realities. In her first book, Yolanda Adams transfers that winning segment into a reader's delight. In this highly accessible manual for daily living, she shares stories from her and others's personal experiences, showing readers how to access God's love and grace in their modern world and troubles. By revealing how Yolanda and other human beings have transcended the world's difficulties, POINTS OF POWER empowers readers to face trouble with confidence in the God who never fails.
I had heard of, but don’t listen to the radio show, but found the book in…you guessed it, the library. The thirty-seven points are organized into ten chapters. Each chapter focuses on a specific theme and includes Power of Prayer, Power of Confession, Power of Love, and Power of Forgiveness. One or several points are in each chapter and include the Point, two Power Passages, Point of Practice, Point of Prayer and Ten Pensive Points.
Filled throughout with messages of success, victory and happiness, this is one for the personal library.
Kitten Heels
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Monday, February 7, 2011
Congratulations to Green Bay Packer fans!
Green Bay Packers earn their 13th championship with the Super Bowl win against Pittsburgh.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
PPP's Tip of the Week
Vacation Travel On A Budget - courtesy of Finance Tips 101
Have you ever stopped to wonder why tourist traps exist? It’s because tourists are known for wasting money. You can be an exception to the rule; you can travel on a budget.
Touristy areas count on tourists wasting their money. They provide the tourist with all kinds of ways to waste their money. It’s true, when you’re on vacation, money seems to mean less. It’s like funny money. You’ve already spent so much to get there, and you’ve been looking forward to it for so long, and you don’t even want to think about life when you get back, so you drop your bills like they’re nothing.
Then, when you get back home, you are filled with regrets. Don’t waste your money. Before you go on vacation you should form a budget. If you travel on a budget you will save a lot of money. Beyond travel expenses, hotel costs, and food money, there should be little else spent on a vacation. Souvenirs are usually always a waste of money.
Since you know what you’ll have to spend money on, you can form a budget rather easily. The hard part is sticking to your budget. They call tourist traps a trap for a reason. Don’t get fooled. Don’t become their prey. If you stick to your budget you will be so much happier when you get home from vacation.
The best way to travel on a budget is to remember that your money is real. If you spend money on vacation like you would at home, then you’ll be much more likely to stick to your budget. People worry that they will not have as much fun on vacation if they do this. Well, that’s kind of true. We like to pretend we’re rich when we’re on vacation. Reality can be a drag. Face the facts, you need to budget. If you waste your money pretending you’re somebody else, then you’ll just have to be yourself for longer.
We don’t always travel because we’re going on vacation. Sometimes we have to travel for work. We should be even thriftier during these times. A lot of the time your work will provide you with the essentials. They’ll pay your airfare, and put you up in a hotel. Sometimes they’ll even give you meal vouchers. In these situations your travel budget should be zero dollars and zero cents.
Now, sometimes your work sends you somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. In these cases it can almost feel like a vacation. You want to go out and do something while you’re there. It is in these situations that it can be very hard to remember that you want to travel on a budget. I don’t want to tell you not to have fun. Instead, I’ll tell you to remember to live within your means.
In the end you will have more fun if you travel on a budget. Vacations don’t last forever, but the memories do. If you make good memories they won’t be tarnished by the money you wasted.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Have you ever stopped to wonder why tourist traps exist? It’s because tourists are known for wasting money. You can be an exception to the rule; you can travel on a budget.
Touristy areas count on tourists wasting their money. They provide the tourist with all kinds of ways to waste their money. It’s true, when you’re on vacation, money seems to mean less. It’s like funny money. You’ve already spent so much to get there, and you’ve been looking forward to it for so long, and you don’t even want to think about life when you get back, so you drop your bills like they’re nothing.
Then, when you get back home, you are filled with regrets. Don’t waste your money. Before you go on vacation you should form a budget. If you travel on a budget you will save a lot of money. Beyond travel expenses, hotel costs, and food money, there should be little else spent on a vacation. Souvenirs are usually always a waste of money.
Since you know what you’ll have to spend money on, you can form a budget rather easily. The hard part is sticking to your budget. They call tourist traps a trap for a reason. Don’t get fooled. Don’t become their prey. If you stick to your budget you will be so much happier when you get home from vacation.
The best way to travel on a budget is to remember that your money is real. If you spend money on vacation like you would at home, then you’ll be much more likely to stick to your budget. People worry that they will not have as much fun on vacation if they do this. Well, that’s kind of true. We like to pretend we’re rich when we’re on vacation. Reality can be a drag. Face the facts, you need to budget. If you waste your money pretending you’re somebody else, then you’ll just have to be yourself for longer.
We don’t always travel because we’re going on vacation. Sometimes we have to travel for work. We should be even thriftier during these times. A lot of the time your work will provide you with the essentials. They’ll pay your airfare, and put you up in a hotel. Sometimes they’ll even give you meal vouchers. In these situations your travel budget should be zero dollars and zero cents.
Now, sometimes your work sends you somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. In these cases it can almost feel like a vacation. You want to go out and do something while you’re there. It is in these situations that it can be very hard to remember that you want to travel on a budget. I don’t want to tell you not to have fun. Instead, I’ll tell you to remember to live within your means.
In the end you will have more fun if you travel on a budget. Vacations don’t last forever, but the memories do. If you make good memories they won’t be tarnished by the money you wasted.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Friday, February 4, 2011
Are You Ready For Some Football!
The big game is upon us. Yes, I am talking about the superbowl! Though my Chicago Bears will not be playing, I am still cheering for the Steelers and pumped up about the game. Also, having The Black Eyed Peas as halftime entertainment is icing on the cake.Enjoy your Superbowl celebration responsibly!
Happy Friday,
Clutch
Real Life. Real Talk. Real Women.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Does your city look like this?
Should Chicagoans be allowed to use furniture to save their shoveled-out parking spots in the winter? Opposing sides weigh in on the dibs debate.
Jake Malooley, Time Out Chicago Courtesy of Yahoo!
After the season's first major snowfall in early December, digital marketing company Proximity Chicago launched the Chair-Free Chicago campaign. Opposing the local winter tradition of calling dibs on a shoveled-out parking spot with household miscellany, the company began encouraging residents to declare their street a "Chair-Free Zone" using signs available on Chairfreechicago.org. Chicago native Andrew Kasprzycki, 37, Proximity's senior vice president/managing director and CFC's cofounder, offered his thoughts on why furniture belongs in your house, not on the street.
Why is dibs a bad thing? While snowfall can be a magical thing, snow doesn't magically turn public spaces into private property. It's a very un-Chicagolike tradition: When snow falls, all of a sudden neighbors become vehement and territorial.
If someone puts in the effort to shovel a spot, they don't deserve a claim on that space? If you push someone's car out of the snow, you don't say you own their car, do you? I also question how much sweat people put in. The snow that fell [in mid-December] was not enough that people had to dig their cars out, yet there are chairs all over.
Is there evidence that dibs is a problem? There's a thinly veiled threat of violence associated with dibs. People who've violated dibs have gotten their cars keyed. I once heard a story about someone breaking the back window of someone's car and putting a hose in there and turning it on.
Doesn't tradition carry some weight? Not all traditions are good. Political corruption is another Chicago tradition.
If you could make the rules of winter shoveling, how would things be run? Everyone would shovel their own spot but not feel a sense of entitlement. That's the kind of community-minded approach we should take in dealing with a Chicago winter.
***********************************************************************
I remember growing up in Boston and dibs was an unspoken rule so you saw all kinds of furniture out in the street. Let us know what you think!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Is it spring yet???
Wow, Mother Nature has given most of the country a powerful punch this winter!! States that normally get snow are getting pummeled and states that don’t normally get much or none at all are experiencing winter wonderland! It’s really winter overload and it’s only February 2nd!
Well there are exactly 46 days until the calendar tells us that it’s spring. So for those of you, like me, who don’t have a “winter getaway” scheduled maybe, these pictures will help you through the next 46 days!!
Be safe out there and try to stay warm!!
Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Black History Month
Celebrate Black History not just in the month of February but every day. Below is a cool website that has videos, games, timelines, bios and so much more that you can share with your family and friends and find out just how much you know about black history.
Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women
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