Love - Part 3

I wrote about eros or romantic love, and phileo or brotherly love. Let’s look at agape love. I looked up a few definitions and here are a few that I found interesting:

• Agape love is unconditional love. It is love by "choice" even if you are not pleased. A good example is "God loves us with our faults."
• Agape love is selfless love of one person for another without sexual implications (especially love that is spiritual in nature).
• Agape love is represented by God's love for us. It is a non-partial, sacrificial love

This has been an interesting year full of triumphs and trials. Lately, I’ve had disagreements and or arguments with family and non-family alike and have not been feeling so loving towards them. Once I step away from the emotion of the situation, though, I remind myself that I do love these people selflessly as I desire them to love me.
As I was considering agape love and all that has been going on, I gravitated toward a beautiful song by JJ Heller entitled, “What Love Really Means”. It is simple and the poignant chorus sings “Who will love me for me? Not for what I have done, or what I will become. Who will love me for me? ‘Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means. What love really means.” I do recall someone loving me for me. It was my mother Mae Frances Thomas. I especially know that this was true, because once she died, my heart was empty. On my way to finding the love of God through my Savior Jesus, I tried filling that void with all kinds of stuff. It’s pretty full now, but not overflowing. I’m still working on getting to the overflow, because I figured out that that is how we will be able to spread that love to everyone. We need to have more than enough in our own hearts.

Take a listen to the song and if the chorus is the question in your heart, know that He Loves You For You!

Kitten Heels

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

JJ Heller - What Love Really Means

Summer Begins

It has finally arrived after all the snow, storms and natural disaters. It is now the start of Summer in Chicago. I love Chicago but the summers here are like no other. I am going to share with you the calendar for the start of the events to hit Chicago this year.

Chicago Summer Neighborhood Festivals
May-September

www.chicagoneighborhoodfestivals.us
The office Special Events assists community organizations in producing more than 400 neighborhood festivals that showcase ethnic customs, music and food.

Bike Chicago 2011
May-September

www.bikechicago.us
Bike Chicago 2011 is back with more reasons than ever to bike around the city. Making the choice to bike is one way to a healthier you and a greener city and planet.

Farmers Markets
May-October

www.chicagofarmersmarkets.us
Chicago's Farmers Markets bring more than 70 vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers to over 20 neighborhoods throughout the City of Chicago.

Chicago's Memorial Day Parade
May 28
State Street

More Information The Chicago parade is considered one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the nation. Since 1870, Memorial Day parades have graced the streets of Chicago. In 1997, Mayor Richard M. Daley made it an annual tradition as a day to be thankful that we live in a country where freedom, justice and democracy are proudly defended.

Chicago Blues Festival
June 10 - 12
Grant Park

www.chicagobluesfestival.us
The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago's Music Festivals.

Bike To Work Day Rally
June 17
Daley Plaza

More Information Hosted at Daley Plaza – 50 W. Washington, the event celebrates the City’s commitment to make Chicago the best big city for bicycling.

Chicago Air and Water Show
August 20 & 21
North Avenue Beach

www.chicagoairandwatershow.us
The Chicago Air & Water Show is the largest spectator event in the United States and the longest ongoing show of its kind in North America.

Chicago Jazz Festival
September 1 - 4
Cultural Center & Millennium Park (Sept. 1)

Millennium Park (Sept. 2)

Grant Park (Sept. 3 & 4)

www.chicagojazzfestival.us
The longest running of the city's lakefront music festivals. For the past 30 year's, the Chicago Jazz Festival has been a Labor Day weekend tradition.

Please view the list and start enjoying your summer. Live each day as it is your last.

Much Love

Chanel

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Choose you

This song is so beautiful and so real. Please listen to the words Choose You by Stan Walker courtesy of YouTube & StanWalkerVideos. It is a favorite for me!!



Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

PPP's Tip of the Week

Today I just want to share something that Oprah said on her final show that rings so true for me and I think it's the best tip ever....

"What I knew for sure from this experience with you is that we are all called. Everybody has a calling, and your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it. Every time we have seen a person on this stage who is a success in their life, they spoke of the job, and they spoke of the juice that they receive from doing what they knew they were meant to be doing. We saw it in the volunteers who rocked abandoned babies in Atlanta. We saw it with those lovely pie ladies from Cape Cod making those delicious potpies. ... We saw it every time Tina Turner, Celine, Bocelli or Lady Gaga lit up the stage with their passion. Because that is what a calling is. It lights you up and it lets you know that you are exactly where you're supposed to be, doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing. And that is what I want for all of you and hope that you will take from this show. To live from the heart of yourself. You have to make a living; I understand that. But you also have to know what sparks the light in you so that you, in your own way, can illuminate the world." ~Oprah Winfrey

Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Memorial Day Weekend

Have a Wonderful and Safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Happy Friday,

Clutch

Real Life. Real Talk. Real Women.

Once a man/woman.... twice or six times a child

Have you ever heard that saying before? The concept is very real especially now a days due to the economic structure of the world.

Seems like the decisions we made as grown-ups have been shot to hell....

This makes returning to our parents, not a shameless or trifling act but one out of necessity.

Thus we revert to being a child again….We turn to our parents and grand's to ask how are we expected to survive with the little we are now blessed with?

We scratch our heads and wonder how they survived without modern technology and excess of things that we are accustomed to having.

Unfortunately, it makes you feel like a child again, having to return home to your parents, grandparents roof and rules. For some of us we may have to do this several times until we get it right.

Fortunately, all I can say is that you are blessed if you have parents, a village or friends to help you through these trying and uncertain economic times that continue to cause some of us to revert back to being a child!!!!!!

Exotic Chocolate Sling Back,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Weight Loss Wednesday

Fitness Routines: Choosing One That Suits Your Lifestyle
courtesy of How to be Healthy & Fit.org

Hearing that word “exercise” can frighten a lot of people and turn them off the idea of physical fitness. Don’t panic, because the road to good health doesn’t have to be unpleasant! Starting off slow and getting to know what exercise is all about could change your life and be possibly life saving. A few things may be holding you back from a regular exercise routine so take a look at your lifestyle and figure out what you can change to make fitness a part of your life.

Time
In this day and age, most people are too busy to take enough time for themselves. A lot of people are always on the go so trying to add a regular exercise routine into their lives may seem out of the question. Well your personal health is not worth that sacrifice! Taking a walk on your lunch break at work can get you at least 2 and a half hours of exercise a week. Spending time with your family can be turned into that gets everyone out of the house and off the couch for an hour a few times a week. Once you change your routine and get into new habits you’ll discover how easy it is to get in even just a quick workout everyday.

Money
A good work out routine definitely doesn’t have to be costly. Gym memberships can be expensive and buying a whole bunch of new exercise equipment may not be something you want to invest in immediately. You also don’t need to buy yourself a bunch of new supplement and vitamins to get started adding a fitness routine into your schedule. Going for a hike or jog is free and there are strength training exercises you can do from the comfort of your own home with no equipment. You can eat healthy buy just choosing the right food when preparing your meals. Especially when you’re starting off, there isn’t much you’ll need. You may decide to invest in a yoga mat or a few weights down road, but you can decide what you’ll need once you figure out what kind of workout routine works best for you.

Health and Wellbeing
The benefits you’ll get from a healthier lifestyle aren’t limited to just looking better or losing weight. Being in better shape can have a huge affect on your mood and can battle depression. Having a regular exercise routine can also greatly impact your ability to deal with stress. If you’re already feeling down about yourself or need a lifestyle change, make a commitment to get started today! If you haven’t been active much (or at all) in a long while, then it might seem a bit rough at first, but it does not take long to get over that initial hurdle to a place where exercise becomes purely pleasurable. Give physical fitness a chance and you will be opening a door to an invaluable experience.

Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Hobo's Poem of the Day

Virtuous Women


Good Women
like Jewels Gems and Rubies
Rare and Distinguished and Unique
Virtuous Full Of The Spirit women
Kind Loving and Sweet.

Powerful Serving Women
Discerning Compassionate
and Pure
Sincere Holy Women
Biblical and Crystal Clear

Godly Dedicated Women
Committed Faithful and True
Praying, Praising, Fasting Women
Denying themselves too.

Obedient Wise Women
Who know the Voice of the Lord
Quiet Teachable Women
Who are United in One Accord.

Submissive, Honorable, Reverent Women
Who teach Daughters how to pray
Sensitive, Spirit-led Women
Who follow in God's Way

A Virtuous Women who can Find?
Where does this queen Reside
Virtuous Women are Made
and it starts from the Inside.
(By Debbie Bennett)


Hobo Bag,
Real Women,Real Talk,Real Life

American Cancer Society Walk and Roll

We made it.

A special thanks to my sister Miriam Moore, daughter, Malaika Shuck and niece Camille Moore for sticking it out on a miserable, wet Chicago Sunday to bike for Cancer Patients around the world.

The weather was brutal, we started out in the rain and persevered in 22 mph winds to bike 15.50 miles in deplorable conditions. Our husbands and families thought we were crazy and really, who takes 12 year-old children with them in these conditions. Did I mention that it was cold, as well. Everyone knows how I hate, hate, hate the cold.

Well for one thing, we raised over $1,000 and secondly, Cancer patients don't get a break because it is cold and raining.

So, we dug deep and rode for 1 hour and 40 minutes, not always happily. There was some moaning and complaining and lots of "Te-Te, I'm never doing this again..." or "Mommy, I should never get in trouble again..." and finally, my twin sister gave me the "You know this is nuts look and why are we here again".

In the end, we made it and it felt great. Well, not the soaked to your underwear part, but it felt good that we accomplished this as mothers and daughters. Miriam and I never had the experience of riding a bike with our mother for joy or persevering through something and being able to laugh, want to cry and then feel the sheer joy of accomplishment at the finish line.

Our "girl power" was totally evident and I am proud to have completed this adventure with my sister, daughter and niece. I thank them from the bottom of my heart, as we biked for Cynthia and Letitia Reed. Letitia will never be able to bike, walk or run with her mother again. Cynthia died in 2009 and it was my pleasure to participate and raise funds for Letitia, so that a cure is found for all cancers, so that no other daughter has to bike or walk alone.

When it was all said and done, the four of us found the strength, we bonded and then we had a great breakfast......I relish giving my daughter the power to have this type of accomplishment and knowing that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to, even brutal Chicago weather.

So, a special thanks to all of our sponsors and donators. An especially great thanks to Letitia Reed for putting the Cancer Fighters for Life Team together and may her mother know that she raised an incredibly strong and courageous daughter, that I am proud to bike, walk or roll with.

Peace and Love,

Sandals,

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Schwarzenegger

Okay is anyone else tired of this story? I don't understand why so many find this so hard to believe. I understand and agree that the way all of this went down was totally bogus on so mnay levels but lets face it...he is HUMAN and not the character he portrayed in any of his feature films.

I guess America is so surprised because he had the audcaity to do something like this to Ms. Shiver. When we look at that big picture they are a married couple just like any other that have their issues. It is crazy to have to deal with crap like this in the public eye though.

Hollywood never ceases to amaze me. Men and women have affairs everyday some even under the spouse's nose. Out of those affairs lots of times children are conceived. I think that all marriages have there ups and down but I think the worse thing that he did was to continue to live in that house with is wife and mistress as if life was normal. You have to try and fugure out what was going through his mind at that time. How could someone in good conscious continue a lie like that for 14 years! That in itself speaks volumes about his character.

Did he think that it would never come out? Did he think that he is Arnold and no one can deny him? Or did he figure however and whenever it comes out that the blow would be less painful now that everyone was older?

I think that Arnold was only thinking of himself and what he could accomplish with Ms. Shriver at his side and he had to keep it that way until he had no more use for her. In my opinion that was the biggest betrayal of all...keeping her around for self gain.

Much Love

Chanel

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Oprah's Farewell!

If you haven't heard, which I'm sure everyone has, Oprah's final episode is due to air on Wednesday, 5/25. On Monday & Tuesday her surprise farewell star studded extravaganza will air.

I don't get to watch Oprah as often as I'd like and I'm not a fan of the DVR because I don't want to be tied to watching a ton of television. But you can bet I am going to do everything in my power to make sure I watch her last three episodes.

Here is a list of just a few of the stars that will be on Monday & Tuesday bidding their farewells....

Tom Hanks, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce, Will & Jada, Jamie Foxx, Haley Berry, Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes, Dakota Fanning, Rascal Flatts, Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle and Tom Cruise just to name a few!!!

25 years is quite a run and she is going out with a bang....So yes I'm going to tune in because even if you don't particularly care for Oprah Winfrey there is no denying her power and influence. Oprah is the queen of daytime talk shows and she did it her way!!

Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

PPP's Tip of the Week

How To Have Pretty Feet courtesy of About.com
From Terence Vanderheiden, D.P.M., former About.com Guide

To have pretty feet, you do not always have to go to the salon. With a small amount of time and effort, you can give yourself a fabulous foot makeover.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 30-45 Minutes
Here's How:

1.Remove Toenail Polish
This will allow you to inspect your toenails and look for any problems. It is best to use a non-acetone polish remover. Polish removers that contain acetone are very harsh on your toenails. You should give your toenails a break from polish every now and then. Keeping your toenails constantly painted may cause your toenails to become discolored.

2.Soak Your Feet
A relaxing foot soak for 15-20 minutes will do wonders. You may add aromatherapy salts or oils to the water. Do not use water that is too hot. This will cause your skin to dry out more. Use a toenail brush to gently scrub your toenails at the end of your soak. If you have an open sore on your foot, check with your podiatrist before soaking.

3.Trim Callouses and Corns
Use a pumice stone, emery board or callous file. It may take a few trimmings before you are able to remove all of the hard skin. Removing callouses will help prevent cracks from forming in your skin. You should trim your corns and callouses after soaking because they will be softer and easier to trim.

4.Trim Toenails
Use a stainless steel nail nipper. You should try and cut your toenails straight across and then gently round the corners with an emery board. You can push your cuticles back, but you should not cut them. You should trim your toenails after soaking because they will be softer and easier to trim.

5.Paraffin Wax Treatment
The paraffin wax will make your feet feel incredibly soft. The warmth of the wax helps to increase blood flow and opens up the pores in your skin. When your pores are open, they are able to absorb more moisture. When you feel the wax begin to cool down, wrap your feet in a towel to make the warm feeling last a little longer.

6.Apply Lotion and Massage
Lotion is needed to moisturize your skin. Apply the lotion after soaking or waxing because this will help the lotion soak in better. Take the time to massage your feet as you apply the lotion. Your feet will thank you. Put on socks or wrap your feet in saran wrap after you apply the lotion. This will help the lotion absorb better.

Tips:
1.Treat Athlete’s Foot
If you have itchy, red, peeling skin in between your toes or on the bottom of your feet, you may have athlete’s foot. Try an over the counter antifungal ointment, cream or powder. Ointments and creams seem to be more effective than powders because they are better absorbed by the skin.

2.Treat Fungus in the Toenails
If you start to see discoloration in your toenails, this may be a sign of fungus. Try using over the counter antifungals such as ointments, creams, lacquers or tea tree oil to prevent spreading. Before applying a topical treatment, rough up the toenail with an emery board. This will allow the topical treatment to soak in better.

3.Stop the Sweating
Excessive sweating (perspiration) can be a breeding ground for fungus and odor. Try an over the counter anti-perspirant (like you use on your underarms). Make sure it is an anti-perspirant and not a deodorant. If odor is a problem, get a shoe insert that has charcoal as an ingredient. Charcoal helps absorb odors.

4.Choose Your Shoes Wisely
Sometimes the shoes you wear to make your feet look pretty end up doing the opposite. Certain shoes may cause blisters, corns or callouses. Shoes that are too tight can aggravate bunions, neuromas and hammer toes. Even though your feet look the same, one is usually slightly larger than the other. Buy the shoe size that fits the larger foot.

What You Need:
•non-acetone polish remover
•aromatherapy oil
•toenail scrub brush
•pumice stone
•emery board
•nail nipper
•cuticle pusher
•paraffin wax

Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Is It Sunday Yet?

Why, do you ask? For many reasons. However, the main reason being that it will be time for the Bulls to Cool of the Miami Heat and get one step closer to a series win. Game 2 wasn't their best performance. The Heat are good enough to not get swept, but I do believe that the Bulls will defeat them.

Let's GO BULLS!!!!!!!!


Happy Friday,

Clutch

Real Life. Real Talk. Real Women.

Kitten Heels Recommends......

I had to renew my antivirus software the other day. I had seen the warning for a week or so and kept trying to tell myself that it couldn’t have been a year already. I also didn’t want to pay for it. I went ahead and clicked on the renew button and found that for $10 more I could get more protection. So I selected the higher priced product and proceeded to the checkout screen. Before entering my credit card information, I happened to notice the promotion code box. I clicked over to another tab and did a quick search on promotion codes for the software and POW, up popped results from one of my favorite websites, www.retailmenot.com. I clicked on the link and saw several options for the software. I clicked back over and entered the code on the checkout page and saved 25%. It was great because I ended up with MORE coverage for LESS THAN the cost of my former subscription, yea!!!! One of the things that I like about Retail Me Not is that users can indicate whether or not a code is any good and the success rate is right there. This site includes Coupon Codes, Grocery Coupons, and Printable Coupons. They have a newsletter and a Community section where you can sign in with an existing email account from Google, Yahoo, or Facebook. Once logged in you can share coupons and comments. The Community is described as, …a place for like-minded bargain hunters to share and discuss the latest and greatest online shopping deals. You guys know me by now, I enjoy finding deals. If you do too, check out Retail Me Not!

Kitten Heels

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Weight Loss Wednesday

Wellness Notes:Your Abs & Your Health

courtesy of

You don't need six-pack abs to be healthy. But excess weight - especially around your mid-section - may indicate health risks down the road. Let's look at those risks and at how to shed pounds from your belly, whether it's for your health or your bathing suit.

What are the Abdominals?
The abdominal muscles are actually comprised of four muscle groups. What you think of as the 'six-pack' area is only the front. On either side of that area are the obliques, plus there are two internal groups of ab muscles behind those.
The abs help stabilize your spine. If you have lower-back pain, then weak abdominals could be part of the problem. The shape of your abs can also point out potential health risks; if you already knew that, well, the latest research shows that what you heard might be wrong.

Apples and Pears
The old wisdom told us that the shape of your body indicated your heart risks. Being pear-shaped (more weight around your hips and legs) meant a lower heart disease risk, while being apple-shaped (more weight around the middle) meant a higher risk. But it seems that's not quite right.

New analysis shows that any excess fat is bad for your heart. Researchers reviewed 58studies with a total of nearly 222,000 adults tracked for a decade or longer. The results, published in the journal Lancet this March, found that, when it comes to fat, it's not where, but how much, that raises your heart risk.

Still, belly fat is different than other fat. Your body stores and processes it differently. As a result, belly fat still indicates a higher risk of type-2 diabetes, an accompanying Lancet article noted. So apples do have greater health risks.

The Myth of Spot Reduction
Even though belly fat is different, you can't lose just belly fat - not with crunches, not with the latest infomercial abs gadget.

A toned mid-section requires ab exercises, yes; it also requires proper nutrition and a balance of cardio and strength training. Exercise builds muscle, but if you're carrying extra weight at your mid-section, you won't see that muscle.

These three steps can get the job done:
1. Cardio - Work up a sweat in a vigorous group-fitness class or on the treadmill, bicycle or tennis court. If you're trying to lose weight, plan to work your way up to a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio on most days of the week. You can do less, but your progress will slow.

2. Core work - Perform multi-joint exercises to work your core (i.e. your abs plus your lower back and pelvis). For example, push-ups - which work your chest directly, but engage your abs for balance - give you a twofer.

3. Eat well - For a flat stomach, you need a healthy, portion-controlled diet that emphasizes fresh veggies and fruit, lean protein and whole grains. A beer belly isn't just from beer; sweets, fatty meats and other low-nutrient foods also help pack on the pounds.

To read the article in it's entirety please click below:
Go - Your Healthy Living Newsletter

Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Equipment

I was recently browsing through one of many unread books to determine if I was going to read it. It is a book about success in life. In one section it talks about George Washington Carver who was an outstanding scientist, educator, humanitarian and also a man of faith. In the book, a poem that he often recited was included. The poem is by Edgar A. Guest and it was recited by George Washington Carver during a commencement address in Selma, Alabama, May 27, 1942, as reported by Tuskegee Institute. I found it to be inspiring. Here it is.

Equipment

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You’ve all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, “I can.”

Look them over, the wise and great
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world considers them brave and smart,
But you’ve all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You’re well equipped for what fight you choose,
You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began,
Get a hold of yourself and say: “I can.”
---Edgar A. Guest

Kitten Heels

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

I can check off another step!!

It has been an eye opening challenging weekend for me but I can put another check mark in the box on my list of steps that I have to go through to become a certified group fitness instructor.

This weekend I went through 18 hours of some really grueling training that I did not think I was going to be able to complete. But it is amazing what our bodies can do when we just push and when we REALLY want something!!

I want to share a quote that was shared with us over the weekend because it's this very quote that has me on this extraordinary journey......

"A lot of people have gone further than they
thought they could because someone else
thought they could" ~Zig Ziglar

Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real People

PPP's Tip of the Week

4 Diet mistakes that age you
by The Editors of Prevention courtesy of Shine from Yahoo!

What if the fountain of youth were in your own kitchen? While we’ve come to expect certain physical and mental changes as an inevitable part of getting older, the fact is that the foods we eat—or don’t—may speed those processes along, aging us before our time. The reason is simple: “We eat too many processed foods,” says David Katz, MD, director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center. “They’re often high in calories and low in nutrients such as vitamin B12 and omega-3s, so we end up with islands of deficiencies in a sea of excess.” These inadequacies can result in symptoms we tend to assume are due to aging, such as the four below. Work with your doctor to determine whether adjusting your diet or adding a supplement can help you look—and feel—younger.

Mistake #1: You avoid all animal protein.Why it’s aging you: You may lack of vitamin B12. which is essential for energy.
Found only in foods that are derived from animals, this nutrient helps regulate your metabolism and energy production and is key to maintaining a healthy brain and nervous system. “Fatigue is a classic sign of B12 deficiency, which usually occurs in people who don’t eat very much animal protein,” says Danine Fruge, MD, associate medical director of the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Miami. Chewing a lot of antacids to relieve heartburn can also lead to B12 deficiency because antacids interfere with B12 absorption.

Food Fix: Have two servings of nonfat dairy foods, such as fat-free milk or nonfat yogurt, and 3 to 4 ounces of lean protein daily. Good sources of B12 include seafood such as fish, clams, oysters, and mussels, as well as lean beef and pork, chicken, and fortified cereal.

Supplement Solution
Take 500 to 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12 in tablet form every day to raise and maintain your B12 levels.

Mistake #2: You avoid supplements.Why it’s aging you: You miss manganese and copper, which help prevent joint pain.
Because manganese and copper are both essential for maintaining joint cartilage and flexibility, “in most cases, supplementing these nutrients reverses the joint deterioration and eliminates the pain,” says Dale Peterson, MD, director of the Comprehensive Wellness Center in Sapulpa, OK. “The body can actually repair a significant amount of damage if it’s given the proper support.”

Food Fix: Nuts, beef, and spinach are good sources of these nutrients, but you won’t be able to eat enough to get all your copper and manganese, so opt for a supplement, Dr. Peterson advises. Take 2 mg of copper and 5 mg of manganese each day. Within 2 to 3 months, your joints should feel less painful.

Mistake #3: You avoid fish and fat.Why it’s aging you: Fish and healthy oils (like olive) offer the best source of omega-3 essential fatty acids ,which help prevent memory loss.
“These fatty acids are part of the brain’s building blocks,” explains Andrew Weil, MD, director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. “If you’re not getting enough in your diet, the architecture of the brain becomes weak, and brain function, including memory, suffers.” But it’s not only the amount of omega-3s that’s important; the balance between omega-3s and omega-6s is equally crucial. “Our diets are flooded with omega-6 fatty acids, mostly from processed foods,” says Dr. Weil. “The more omega-6s you eat, the more omega-3s you need to balance your levels. Most of us aren’t eating enough omega-3s and are eating too many omega-6s.”

Food Fix: First, reduce your consumption of refined and processed foods much as possible, and cook with olive or canola oil. Then, eat 3 1⁄2 ounces of wild salmon and 3 1⁄2 ounces of herring, sardines, or halibut each week. Add 2 tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed to cereal, whole grain side dishes, or shakes daily, and garnish salads or cereal with 1 tablespoon of walnuts 5 days a week. Finally, enjoy 9 to 12 almonds 4 times a week.

Supplement Solution
Take at least 2,000 mg of fish oil daily.Look for 1,000 mg capsules of combined docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Mistake #4: You favor packaged foods over whole.Why it’s aging you: Packaged foods are high in blood pressure–spiking sodium—and fresh fruits and veggies contain blood pressure–lowering potassium.
“Having too little potassium in your diet magnifies the toxic effects of excessive salt intake,” Dr. Fruge says. Most processed foods have added sodium but no extra potassium, so if your meals come from boxes, you’re likely at risk. Worsening the situation, when your kidneys try to flush out the salt, you lose even more potassium. “The imbalance damages blood vessels, driving up blood pressure,” Dr. Fruge notes. “Eating better can correct the problem—I’ve seen people drop thirty points in three days.”

Food Fix: Cut your sodium consumption to no more than 1,500 mg per day, and eat seven to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

Here's to your health!!

Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

What Year Are We In???

To my recollection, I thought we were living in the 21st Century, but after the events of last week, apparently not.

In past history and/or uncivilized times, men fought each other for either fun or sometimes sport to entertain pharaohs, kings, etc. Usually this was against their will.

Recently, there has been rejoicing in the street due to the death of another human being. While in America, many people believe that person DESERVED to die. Do we need to celebrate in the street? This person was possibly beloved by his family and they will miss him. We on the other hand can be relieved and happy that this person is no longer walking the earth, but we can do it with a certain level of decorum. Yes, justice is necessary, not rejoicing until it feels like a national holiday.

Here’s hoping for peace and kindness for all men, women and children.

But this is just one's person's opinion and not the view of the majority...

Exotic Chocolate Sling Back,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Weight Loss Wednesdays

5 Reasons to Skip Your Workout
By Lucy Danziger and the staff at SELF courtesy of Yahoo! Health

I dedicate this section to give weight loss tips and workout tips but the below article, in my opinion, is very important so I want to share. In our quest to be healthier, look better & feel better we still have to take it easy and listen to our bodies!!

Sometimes a good sweat session is just what the doctor ordered: Exercise has been shown to help ease menstrual cramps, joint pain, headaches, stress and depression, for starters. But if you’re not feeling up to your workout, your body might be trying to tell you that it needs a break. Here are five science-backed reasons to throw in the towel (for today).

Something hurts
There’s the good, normal kind of postworkout pain—the achy soreness you feel for a day or two after you’ve pushed your muscles a little harder than usual or tried something new—and the bad kind that feels like more of an ouch and lingers, explains SELF contributing expert Lisa Callahan, M.D., codirector of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. If a pain persists longer than 72 hours, causes swelling at the site, keeps you up at night or hurts more when you exercise, it’s time to sit on the sidelines and call your doc.

You’re sleep-deprived
Insufficient zzz’s could be as devastating to your well-being as lack of exercise, says James B. Maas, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. “Your body uses sleep to restore itself both physically and mentally, yet people continue to put it off as if it’s optional,” says Maas. If you’ve been falling short of the seven to eight hours of nightly shut-eye experts recommend and feel downright exhausted when your alarm goes off in the morning, hit snooze and leave your workout for another day. Bonus: The extra rest will give you more energy to punch through that last mile or set of reps when you do hit the gym again.

You feel dizzy, thirsty or clammy
These are signs of warm weather injuries like heatstroke and exhaustion, cases of which are up 133 percent in the past decade, a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine warns. Heatstroke can happen even on mild days, so always keep water handy, and if you start to feel the above symptoms, rest, drink up and call it quits for the day. Better safe than sorry!

Your stomach’s been feeling queasy
A little bit of indigestion is no biggie, but if you’re throwing up or experiencing severe diarrhea, you’re already on your way to dehydration and exercise will only make it worse. A 12-hour bug causes most upset stomachs, so you should be fine after a day in bed (or in the bathroom). Just be sure to drink plenty of clear fluids in the meantime.

You have a fever
If the thermometer reads above 100 and you feel exhausted or achy all over, you could have the flu, so trade your gym clothes for your PJ’s and get thee to bed! You’ll likely be too zonked to work up a non-fever-induced sweat anyway. Plus, you’re contagious a full day before you have any symptoms and for the first few days after symptoms strike, and I’m betting your fellow gymgoers don’t want the flu any more than you do. So rest up, drink plenty of fluids and don’t even think about those sneakers until your fever breaks and you’re feeling normal again.

Here's to your health!!

Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Hobo's Poem of the Day

A Time To Believe
by B.J. Morbitzer


To believe is to know that
every day is a new beginning.
Is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.


To believe is to see angels
dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky
and the wisdom of the man in the moon.


To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes
and the beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.


To believe is to find the strength
and courage that lies within us
When it's time to pick up
the pieces and begin again.


To believe is to know
we are not alone,
That life is a gift
and this is our time to cherish it.


To believe is to know
that wonderful surprises are just
waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.

If only we believe.


Hobo Bag,
Real Women, Real talk,Real Life

Let's Not Forget.....

As we look forward to warmer weather, sunshine, flowers blooming, kids getting out of school and inching closer to summer, there are some other things to celebrate. We all know May is for the celebration of Cinco de May, Mother's Day and Memorial Day, but did you know a lot of other things are celebrated or there are a lot of other fun facts. May happens to be my favorite month of the year, as my twin and I were born in May and my wedding anniversary is in May. I still don't know how I got a January baby. Alas, there are a lot of other things to celebrate in the wonderful month of May. Enjoy the rest of May!!!!

May 10 - Clean Up Your Room Day - for all children and I think some adults...
May 12 - National Nurses Day - Especially to my favorite nurse, my sister Felicia
May 13 - Tulip Day - They signal Spring
May 14 - National Dance Like a Chicken Day - could be fun with the kids....
May 15 - National Chocolate Chip Day - Mmmmm
May 18 - Visit Your Relatives Day -
May 21 - Armed Forces Day, American Red Cross Founded
May 22 - Buy a Musical Instrument Day
May 25 - National Missing Children's Day, National Tap Dance Day
May 27 - Golden Gate Bridge Opened
May 29 - John F. Kennedy was born
May 30 - Memorial Day - celebrate all of our veterans
May 31 - World No Tobacco Day

May is also, American Bike Month, Asparagus Month, Healthy Vision Month, Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month, Better Hearing and Speech Month just to name a few.

Enjoy your May and wish me luck as I participate in two major bike-a-thons, Amercian Cancer Society Walk and Roll (15 miles) and Bike The Drive (32 miles).

Peace and Love,

Sandals,

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Happy Mother's Day

Pumps, Purses & Positivity is wishing a very Happy Mother's Day to all!!

The History
(AKA Her-story)
of Mother's Day courtesy of Mother's Day Central

Celebrating motherhood is a historical tradition dating back almost as far as mothers themselves. A number of ancient cultures paid tribute to mothers as goddesses, including the ancient Greeks, who celebrated Rhea, the mother of all gods. The ancient Romans also honored their mother goddess, Cybele, in a notoriously rowdy springtime celebration and the Celtic Pagans marked the coming of spring with a fertility celebration linking their goddess Brigid together with the first milk of the ewes.

During the 17th century, those living on the British isles initiated a religious celebration of motherhood, called Mothering Sunday, which was held on the forth Sunday during the Lenten season. This holiday featured the reunification of mothers and their children, separated when working class families had to send off their young children to be employed as house servants. On Mothering Sunday, the child servants were allowed to return home for the day to visit with their parents. The holiday's popularity faded in the 19th century, only to be reincarnated during World War II when U.S. servicemen reintroduced the sentimental (and commercial) aspects of the celebration American counterpart.

Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

PPP's Tip of the Week

Forget Frugality: Focus on Earning More
by Ramit Sethi courtesy of Yahoo! Finance Provided by

Think of the last 10 pieces of personal finance advice you've read. Do any of these sound familiar?
• Cut back on lattes!
• The world's top 10 coupons
• Don't go on vacation this year!

If you boil all the advice down, there are just two ways to improve your financial situation: earn more or cut costs. So why don't more personal finance experts talk about earning more? Because most of them don't know how.

And so we get lectures on frugality, giving us obscure advice like how to save on paper towels. With each tip, we get diminishing returns. And we start to believe that personal finance is about "No, No, No!" No, you can't spend money on lattes. No, you can't go on vacation. No, you can't buy those ans.

It's no wonder that most Americans simply ignore their finances. We don't want someone constantly lecturing us on what we can't do.

I believe personal finance should be about saying "Yes."
Yes, you can afford that extravagant coat, or iPhone or even a trip to the Bahamas. In fact, I believe in conscious spending, or spending extravagantly on the things you love -- as long as you cut costs mercilessly on the things you don't.

Once you've cut on the basics, the single best way to live a rich life is to earn more money.

How to Earn More Money

The simplest way to earn money on the side is to turn your existing skills into side income. Nearly everyone has skills that others would pay for. Can you play an instrument? Consider being a music instructor. Are you obsessed with personal organizing? Hire your services out as a personal organizer. Do you have expertise in Excel, Web analytics or even free-lance writing? Many employers would love to hire you as a free-lancer.

This is a new way of thinking, and it makes many people uncomfortable. "That's ridiculous," they say. "Nobody would pay me $25 per hour."

To them, I say two things:

1. You already pay service providers for things you could do yourself. Have you ever eaten at a restaurant? Changed oil? Gotten your hair cut? We all pay others for their services. Now, I want you to flip this around and charge for your own services. People will pay -- as you already pay others.

2. You don't know if your offer of services will work until you test it.

Twelve months ago, I declared it the year of earning more money and wrote a series of posts on the topic. I then launched an online course on earning money, in which I took hundreds of people from around the world and taught them how to turn their skills into side income.

Dean Soto was one of them. He has a wife, two children and a demanding full-time job. How could he find enough time to earn money on the side? Dean went through several exercises to determine which of his skills would be profitable. He realized that the information technology skills he used at his day job could also earn him money on the side -- if he found the right clients. But his side income needed to be worth giving up his scarce time with his family.

Once he figured out a potential idea, he used his network to meet people and ask what their needs were. He found his first client by accident. When he heard Dean's asking rate -- $30/hour -- he scoffed and insisted Dean charge more.

To account for his busy schedule, Dean used a clever retainer technique, which lets him work flexibly as long as he gets the work done. "I come home from work around 5 p.m.," he said. "Then I spend time with my family until about 9 p.m. and spend about an hour a day on my side work."

"I never thought I could do something like this," he said. "Now I'm like a boxer, looking to take little jabs and see where there's an opening."

Last year, Dean earned $22,700 on the side. He raised his hourly rate from $30 to $60 and then $150 per hour. The best part? "My wife loves it," he said. "She's able to stay home, which is her dream, and my kids have their mother all day."

There's nothing unique about Dean. But he is remarkable for taking action instead of being blinded by the frugality brigade that so permeates personal finance.

Frugality is important -- to a point. But after we cut back to a reasonable level, our biggest win will come from earning more money.

To read this complete article click here.

Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Something to make you say hmmmmm.........

For as long as I can remember, there has been a statement/saying that is often used at one point in people’s lives when they are experiencing pain, mental anguish, grief, or some other devastating life experience.

Oftentimes, people will mention it to help the other person feel better and give encouragement of a brighter day.

What is it you ask....? It is “This too shall pass”. Now you recognize it and have probably had it said to you or said it to someone else.

Now my question for the day is: “Suppose whatever you are going through does not pass?
Suppose it stays with you and no matter how hard you try to dispose of it from your system, life, etc. it stays. Suppose you get medical assistance, church guidance, prayer, counseling, etc. and it still does not pass.

How does that make you feel? What do you say to the person that continues to experience despair and bad times?

Does that make you say hmmmmm or do you still revert to the saying...... This too shall pass?

Think about this and let me know your thoughts.

Exotic Chocolate Sling Back
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Social Media Nightmares

I have long been a strong advocate against "TMI" too much information. With advent of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc., people feel the need to share every minute detail of their lives, their unsolicited opinions and just make inane comments that lead to problems, quickly penned apologies and in some cases, backlash.

With the recent events of the past few weeks, I hold strongly to my belief that these social media forums have gone long past their wanting to keep people connected, send photographs of the grandkids, getting back in touch with people you miss, etc. Now, people are tweeting their opinions about politics, elections, people's choices of names for their kids, etc.

Famous people, politicians are being ridiculed on the social media outlets for their choices, as well as, they are setting themselves up for unpopular opinion by commenting openly on issues that should better be left to conversations among family and friends.

No matter what my opinion on President Obama's execution of the Osama Bin Laden strategy, I do not feel comfortable openly ridiculing our leader's choice of action, nor do I feel like two billion people need to know whether I agree with him or not. I named my daughter what I wanted and Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon should be able to name their children what they want. As long as, it is not your name, why should the tweeters care. If you are in a position of leadership, famous or live by popular opinion, please don't say anything that can cause backlash. Several sports stars are in trouble for making perceived Anti-Semitic comments, comments about President Obama not releasing pictures of the executed body, suggesting that Mariah Carey's choices for names are not right. Who cares..... But, obviously lots of people care and these comments go viral and what seemed like an innocent comment to your fellow tweeters, is now major fodder for the news outlets, people are being fined, losing jobs. Look at Gilbert Gottfried. There is a new AFLAC Duck in town.

I live in Chicago, Illinois and I don't want to see pictures of the countless number of people that have been shot, stabbed or murdered. Why is this one so different, dead is dead. The partially decomposed body of a 12 year-old that has been missing for two years, was found today. Does anyone really want to see that?

For now, I will hold onto my tweetless, facebookless, myspaceless life and go on interacting face to face with my family, friends, co-workers and ladies at the beauty shop.....


Just my two cents.....

Peace and Love,

Sandals

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Weight Loss Wednesday

Fitness 101:
The Skinny on Toning Shoes by Molly courtesy of

We're constantly bombarded by gimmicks that promise abs of steel or no-effort weight loss. But every now and then, one of these "gimmicks" stays around for a while. So, I took a leap of faith (and a chunk out of my wallet) and bought a pair of Sketchers Shape-Ups®.

Background on the Brands

The first toning shoe, the MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology), became popular for relieving pain in the back, knees, hips and other joints. It was not marketed as a toning shoe but as physiologic footwear that improved posture and health.

After rave reviews for MBT, Sketchers developed their very similar Shape-Ups, sold with the slogan "Get in Shape without Stepping Foot in a Gym" (which really bothered me). They claimed their shoes would promote weight loss, tone muscles, reduce cellulite, and much more.

MBT's and Sketcher Shape-Ups feature a soft wedge insert meant to cause a rolling motion, similar to walking barefoot in the sand. This wedge is intended to correctly align your spine, eliminating forward head posture and other bad habits that may, over time, lead to orthopedic issues.

Reebok entered the scene and took a slightly different approach with their EasyTones. Their shoes have two air pods that cause instability (like standing on a BOSU® Balance Ball), which supposedly makes your muscles work harder.

The Latest Research

According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), none of these shoes live up to their claims of burning more calories or strengthening and toning your muscles.

ACE's Chief Science Officer, Cedric Bryant, PhD, cited a recent study from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse that compared the three types of toning shoes with traditional running shoes.

The verdict? The new shoes work no better than traditional running shoes at engaging the muscles of your legs and core. For the number of calories burned, the study again showed no significant difference between the four types of shoes.

The Comfort & the Dangers

While these shoes may not provide any additional toning or strengthening, they seem to be getting more people walking! Nearly every user I interviewed - especially healthcare workers who are on their feet all day long - loved her toning shoes because they are comfortable.

From my own experience, they are comfortable ... eventually. They're very awkward at first, partly because they're so bulky and partly because you do walk differently. But honestly, it didn't take long to get the hang of them.

I do feel like my posture is better when I wear them. My hips, which give me trouble from time to time, have been quiet. I'm not sure if it's from the shoes or just pure coincidence, but either way, I'm happy about it.

But beware! Toning shoes can also be dangerous. I've spoken to a few people who have fallen while wearing them. I've tripped a few times myself (but haven't fallen, thank goodness!). The instability that supposedly makes them unique can also backfire.

Which brings me back to my frustration with Sketchers' anti-gym slogan: when you use a BOSU or do any other balance-exercise at the gym, you can safely focus on just that. But if you're unstable when you walk - and while you walk, you also text, talk, window-shop, herd your kids, etc. - you put yourself at risk!

The Bottom Line

If toning shoes will motivate you to walk more, and you love the way they feel, go out and buy a pair. Just walk carefully and don't count on them to tone your legs like the girls in the commercials.

Step lively,
Molly

Molly Napolitano has over 20 years of experience in developing medically based fitness and rehabilitation programs. She earned her master's degree in Exercise & Sports Science at the University of Florida in 1989 and went on to specialize in exercise prescription for the elderly.

In 1991, Molly became the Director of ReQuest Physical Therapy, where she was able to oversee the treatment of thousands of patients. ReQuest was one of the first physical therapy centers to be located inside a fitness club. During that time, she taught many fitness club owners how to open and operate rehabilitation centers inside their facilities. She has presented nationally and internationally at various health and fitness conferences including IHRSA, Club Industry East & West, Athletic Business, and Can-Fit-Pro.

Molly loves teaching women how easy it is to get fit, improve their health, and unleash their true inner confidence. She is the President and CEO of Just You, Only Better - a 30 Day Fitness & Confidence Makeover for women. She writes a weekly blog for women focusing on fitness, confidence, fashion, beauty and health issues. She also hosts free self-esteem workshops for young girls and their mentors through the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty.


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To see the full article click below:
Go - Your Healthy Living Newsletter

Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Death of Osama Bin Laden

Now that Bin Laden is dead, how do you feel? Do you have mixed feelings? Has your concern for our country's safety elevated? Well I will say I for sure have mixed feelings. I'm very happy that he has finally been caught and I do hope it brings some closure to those who lost loved ones on 911. But I also feel a little nervous about the "what next" factor. I feel like it's a drive by that just went down and the retaliation is going to be even worse.....

Share your thoughts with us.

Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

First certification done deal!!

WOOOHOOO!! As some of you may know I have been on a mission to become an instructor at my local YMCA. It's something that I've wanted to do for a long time but I have let "things" get in the way. This year I decided it's time to put my foot down and do what I really want to do and even if I don't make it at least I know I tried my best!! Well I am truly on my way. I've gone through two sets of training sessions and have passed. I have one left to conquer and it is the hardest of them all of course.

So for anyone reading this post please go for your dreams, it's worth it and you won't be happy until you do. I will keep you posted on how I do.

Have a great week!

Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz Spreads Her Wings in 'X-Men: First Class'
by: Matt McDaniel courtesy of Yahoo!Movies

When you're lucky enough to inherit talents from both of your famous parents, which path do you choose for your career?

It's a question 22-year-old Zoë Kravitz finds herself having to answer. She's the daughter of Grammy-winning rocker Lenny Kravitz and former "Cosby Show" star Lisa Bonet. And while she did get musical chops from her dad, she's chosen to follow her mother into the acting biz. This summer, she'll be seen in the highest-profile film of her young career as a mutant in "X-Men First Class".

Click here to see the trailer

Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women