Are All Carbs Created Equal?

NO!  Not all carbs are created equal!  You DO need carbs to function, but you need the right carbs to function properly. If your focus is on burning excess belly fat, then certain carbs can help to increase your metabolic rate and assist with burning stubborn belly fat.  If you've followed most fad diets, they encourage you to cut carbs completely, but as I previously mentioned, you need carbs for energy- the key is choosing the right carbs!
If you are trying to reduce belly fat and become lean, cut out whole wheat breads, whole wheat pasta and whole wheat crackers. While these are better for you then enriched white breads, pastas and crackers, they still cause an increase in insulin in your body and can cause your body to store fat.  There is a huge debate in the health world, and my conclusion is based on my experience and the reuslts I've personally seen.  (As always, create your own truth- I am just sharing mine.) So, what carbs to choose?

Carbs that help you burn fat and stubborn belly fat:

• Sprouted grain bread
• Sweet potatoes
• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Spelt
• Millet
• Fresh Fruit  (Organic)
• Fresh Veggies (Organic)

Notice a trend?  None of these foods are processed foods.  The  more "process" or "enriched" the food is, the harder it is for your body to break it down, use it for energy and release its excess.

When grocery shopping, Read the Labels!  Look for foods that say 100% Whole Grains.  Multigrain does not always indicate 100% whole grains.  It just indicates that "multiple"grains were used.  Look for this Stamp used by the Whole Grain Council for authentic whole grain foods:

***Remember, Balance is Key!  anything in excess is exactly that... excess". ***

Today I will seek balance is all aspects of my life, Spiritual, Mental, Physical and Emotional.

Nameste.. xoxo

Goodbye Sweatpants, Hello Jogging Shorts and Tanks!

You can run but you can't hide from the revealing outdoor warm weather workout gear!  As the temperature rises the layers of winter clothes must slowly come off if you plan on surviving the outdoor elements.   Don't fret, its not necessarily a bad thing!  As the warmer weather approaches, wearing less bulky workout gear outdoors can motivate you to commit to exercising more--- Getting rid of the bulk can inspire you to get rid of the extra pounds.

There are tons of outdoor activities that you can do now that the days are getting longer and warmer.  Use those couple extra hours of evening sunlight to get some vitamin D, take in nature, increase your cardiovascular strength and and spend time staying in shape with family and friends!

What's your favorite outdoor activity for the Springtime? 

Happy First Day of Spring! 5 Tips for Spring!

 fSpring has sprung my dears!  Can you believe it?  Its Springtime in the northern hemisphere!  Yes, the Vernal Equinox is in the building which begins the days of 12 hours of sunlight!  I am so excited.. I'm a sun girl!  I love Springtime.  Spring is a time for new beginnings.  Most people make resolutions and dedication in the beginning of the year, in January, which to me is a awkward time to start something new.  Winter months tend to bread hibernation, deep thought and preperation for new seasons.  In nature, Spring is commensurate with New Beginnings!  Flowers start budding, tress will begin to bloom, animals are coming out of their winter hiding places so it makes sense that you should be aligned with nature as well! 

If you have planned on starting a new project in winter that you didn't quite get to, don't fret! I'm sure you are not alone!  Re-start your systems and get moving now that spring is here.  Here are some tips to get you going:

5 Tips for Spring 2011:

1.  Do spring cleaning!  This gives you a chance to rid your home of all of the clutter or whatever you accumulated during the short winter days!  Cleaning your living space is one of the best ways to jumpstart spring!  Don't forget to clean up your outdoor space as well!  If you have a family, get everyone involved in Spring Cleaning.  New beginnings for the whole family! 

2. Start a new activity!  If you "planned" to start training for a marathon, "planned" to start a daily fitness routine, or "planned" to start incorporating green smoothies into your daily routine, start them now!  Spring means new beginnings in nature, so why not in your life?

3. Visit a Local Garden!  If you are a nature lover like me, you are probably all giddy inside at the thought of seeing nature come alive!  This past Friday, I hit the biking trail and was estatic at the first sign of budding tulips.  I am super excited to visit some local Gardens in my area!  In addition, I am super excited to go to Washington, DC for the Cherry Blossoms!  What's in store for you?

4.  Take your workout outdoors!  If you've been in the gym all winter, by now, I'm sure you are bored of the mundane treadmil, elliptical and stationary bike routine.  Take your workout outdoors and hit your local trail!  Not only is it a great way to get fresh air and Vitamin D, you can also transform your workout into a nature walk/run/hike/bike as you take in the beauty of nature as it "births" itself for a new year!

5.  Last but not least...Brighten up Your Surroundings!  Spring is usually associated with beautiful bright, floral colors.  Swap out your winter warms for spring cools!  Try repainting a wall in your home or swapping out some of your decor to recreate your space. 

What will spring bring for you!?

Feather Hair Extensions by Fine Featherheads: UPDATE!

So, the lovely owner at Fine Featherheads, Dakota, sent me a sample of the Feathers to try out!  (Check out my previous post on this trend by clicking here.) I was really excited when I relieved them in the mail.   I must say, that I have not put them in my hair yet because I think it goes better with my late spring and summer bohemian vibe.  I will try this out in the next couple of weeks now that spring is here and will have a post/review pretty soon. 

As a side note, there was a lot of feedback on the previous post regarding the nature of the feathers etc.  Feathers have been used for centuries by various cultures for various reasons.  In any situation, its always best to do your own research and make an informed decision based on your truth. 

Nameste.... xoxo 

Straight from Paris: Black Up Cosmetics for Women of Color

Hi Dolls~

Have you heard of black|Up? BlackUp Cosmetics, straight from Paris,  is a Luxury Cosmetic line and was founded in 1999.  Its an artist brand created especially for women of color and is France's #1 Ethnic makeup brand.  I plan to venture to Paris before the year is out so I want to get my hands on this make-up and fast!  Black Up Cosmetics proclaims that all of its products are "specially formulated to meet the unique needs of women with deeper skin tones." They pledge dedication to all women with a focus on ethnic women of color.  The products are the brain child of its makeup artist as well as several renowned French and Italian research labs and manufactures. Some great ingredients that jumped out at me are Jojoba Oil, Almond Oil and Vitamin E. The foundations are oil-free, alcohol-free and fragrance-free.

I am SUPER interested in the mascara, the highly pigmented eye shadows, the intense blush, the lipstick, the lip gloss.. oh... and lets not forget the shimmering golden goddess body oil!  OK, who am I fooling?!?!  I want to try them all :) 

Here are a few of my choice picks: 

Mono Shadow

                            

black|UP Pearl Powder in PP12

Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara

                  
                                                  
   


Gold Shimmer Body Oil for the Goddess in you!



Blush to accentuate cheeks

 ... And yes, they ship to the US! If you are a make-up enthusiast like me, you should give it a try! Also, if you have tried it, what do you think?   To check out the line, click here. I'll post soon once I reveiw it!

Organic Collard Greens and Pico de Gallo Recipe

When we think of collard greens, most of us probably think of the good ol' southern tradition of cooking them down, with a turkey neck bone and lots of salt and butter.   While they taste good, unfortunately, cooking down your greens negates the majority its nutritional value.   

Tonight for dinner, as a side dish, I whipped up some Collard Greens and topped with some Pico de Gallo.... Yummie!  I only cooked the greens for 3-6 minutes/or until bright and tender.  Here is what I did:

What you need:
one bunch, Organic Collard Greens
Pepper
Sea salt
Vegetable stock or Better than Bouillon, organic base

What to do:

• Clean greens by Soaking in cold water with 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar  (click here for directions)
• In a pan on medium heat, add 2/3 cup of water and a 1/2 teaspoon of Better than Boullion
• Once nice and warm, add freshly cleaned greens and pepper and sea salt to taste.  Cover for 3 minutes. 
• Flip and move the greens around.   
• Add pico de gallo and cover for 2 more minutes.
• When greens are tender and at their brightest color, remove from heat and serve immediately.

Collard greens are packed with nutrients! They are an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B6, A, C and E, carotene, chlorophyll, and manganese. Collard greens are also a very good source of fiber, and several minerals, including iron, copper,calcium, manganese, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and omega 3 fatty acids. 

Vegetables help to move "stuff" through your digestive track and are so ridiculously good for you. Not only should you eat your veggies everyday, but you should also ensure that you are eating them in a way so they will retain the most nutrients. 

Hope you enjoy!

Fishtail Braid

With spring on the horizon, I have a feeling that fishtail braids are going to be on the rise, again! This trend was all over the runways the last couple of seasons.  I love this look, but am soooo not good at it! :/  Any suggestions on How to do a Fishtail Braid?  If you have a good regiment, please let me know and please post!

Here are some pics of some FAB fishtail braids:

Do you like this look?  Will you rock it this spring?

Secret of Successful Leaders

Would you agree that successful leaders walk, talk and look different then the average business professional?  I think so! What is their Secret?  In addition to all the great qualities that leaders hold, they all know that the SECRET behind the success is physical well being/being physically fit.  Look at Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Major Cory Booker, President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Scott Binder- CEO of Comcast, Bill Beyer- CEO Deloitte and Touche....just to name a few.  They each pride themselves in lifestyle that incorporates daily physical exercise.

If you can take care of your physical self you are aiding in your overall cardiovascular health and overall health of  your Spirit, Mind and Body!  Remember-- fitness does not always equal a rock hard super-toned body, by rather shows dedication to the perseverance of your temple, which houses your Spirit and Mind.  so-- The Secret is Out!  There IS an extra layer of "attractiveness" that leaders have and now you know what it is! 

If the President of the United States can do it with his busy schedule, so can you!  Fitness Trainer to the White House, Cornell McClellan does a great job with keeping our Pres in good health.

Check out this article from Forbes.com which touches on this topic in detail. 

 

What are you dedicated to today?