The health of our kids is a very serious thing. Today’s kids don’t eat or do the things that I used to do as a child. Despite not eating as healthy as I should when I was a child at least I was very active in some kind of sports activity. Recently I spoke at Lee Elementary School in Atlanta. This was an invitation that received from one of the 21 Day students.Sonya thank you I really enjoyed talking to the faculty. I spoke to the faculty    about setting an example for the kids. Often times children look up to their teachers, especially in elementary school.  Kids will learn almost everything they need to learn in school; from elementary to college. I honestly feel that elementary is where the root is planted and from the root grows the fruit. Teaching a child what the purpose and function of food is...

Recently I realized that just because a person says they eat healthy isn't always true. Women all over the world are body image conscious. From the smallest of women to the largest, women are forever looking at ways to enhance or change their look. What you look like on the outside is dependent on what you put on the inside. True beauty starts from within. For instance what did you have for breakfast this morning? What about lunch yesterday? Was it healthy? Or shall I say health conscious? You know that saying "You are what you eat?” It’s true! But how can you know what you are (healthy or unhealthy) if you don't know what you're eating? Starting today I would like for you to keep a food diary for 1 week of all the food you put in your mouth. Everything. From a handful of peanuts to a bottle of...

Having a healthy body on the outside is good but what about the inside? We all want to do whatever we can to live longer; healthy heart, lungs, and brain. While all those organs are vital for life, how healthy is your colon? That’s something we hardly ever think about when it comes to get healthy. The GI (gastrointestinal) tract begins with the mouth, leads to the esophagus and extends through the stomach, small and large intestine, to end at the anus. Everything you out into your mouth has to go through this chain of events. Meaning nothing that you eat can bypass this section and skip to the next, unless you have had a surgery that alters your anatomy. Complete digestion depends on the kind of food you eat. It normally takes anywhere form 12 -72 hours to digest food.  Certain foods like meat take longer to digest than vegetables. Fiber...

Burr! It's been a cold winter in Georgia. I can't recall it ever being this cold. But you’re talking to a person that keeps the portable heaters all at all times plus the central heat. I'm always cold! When you think about the winter do you envision your self-exercising in or outside and eating healthy? Probably not. Matter of fact your excuse is "It's too cold to exercise." So now that we've established that you don't like exercising in the winter what about the food you eat? Cold, dark winter nights lead many women to over eat, crave fattening comfort foods and let's not get started with the Holidays. I won't revisit that lecture, but I will say that the average holiday plate has 3000 calories! Did you know that a lot of the foods we eat, we eat them because of the season? Here is a list of some of the foods that are...

Are you getting enough fat in your diet? That may be a confusing question for some. Getting the right kind of fat is important when it comes to being healthy. The EFA’s (Essential fatty acids) “good fats” are not made by made the body and therefore must come from your diet. There are two families of EFAs: Omega-3 and Omega-6. EFA’s are vital for cardiovascular, reproductive, immune and nervous systems. EFA’s also regulate body functions like heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, conceptions and immune function. The benefits of consuming Omega 3’s: Reducing the risk of heart disease Decreasing blood pressure in the prevention of stroke Depression Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Joint pain and other rheumatoid problems, as well as certain Skin issues. Alzheimer's disease. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon) at least 2 times a week. While Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation,...

Congratulation to The New Orleans Saints... WHO DAT!!!!! February is Black History month not to mention my birthday month as well. :-) But seriously with all that African Americans have contributed to this nation I think it's an honor that America has set aside 1 month to recognize and honor African Americans that have been an asset to this country. Many people not just African Americans are not recognized for their accomplishments until after they’re gone. Why is it that? Did we not notice all they achieved while they were alive? Or is it we (as a nation) really didn't see the value in them until AFTER they died. What good is honor once you're gone? I want to really ponder that question today. Think about the legacy you're leaving for your family. Are you making a mark that cannot be erased? Are you making the necessary changes to your life to ensure...

21 and Done, If the Pain is Real the Results are Real! These are 2 of the slogans that I use for the 21 Day challenge and the I Love MY Body fitness class. They really don’t need much explanation, they speak for themselves. If you’re a student or have been a student of the 21 Day Challenge then you know why I say "21 and DONE". "If the Pain is Real the Results are Real" is one that my brother came up with for the ladies in the fitness class. LOL they know it all too well. Don't you ladies? :-) This week as very busy for me, I had a long, busy day promoting the challenge on Tuesday at a local corporation here in Atlanta, and then did 2 fitness classes with a small break between classes. These were not just any fitness class but a total body weight...

Congratulation to the New Orleans Saints for fighting a good fight and making it to the super bowl! “Who Dat”. That was an awesome game on Sunday, too bad I sent to sleep as it went into overtime. Just to wake up to loud clapping and yelling from my husband and brother. It’s really hard to believe that the Saints as a franchise have NEVER been to the super bowl.  I learned that 4 other NFL teams haven't been either, so that just goes to show you that there's a first time for everything. I've been a Cowboy fan since birth, always have been, always will be. Sorry Cowboys maybe next year :-(. Now that I’m married into a Saints family, the Saints have become my second favorite team. Being that the super bowl is in 2 weeks (Feb 7, 2010). I wanted to prepare you now on how to handle yourself....

Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he's older he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) That is so true. As parents you have the hardest job in the world; raising children. With that job come a lot of responsibilities. Teaching your children how to make healthy food choices is included. Obesity in children is growing at a very fast rate with 1 out of 3 kids considered obese or overweight. Today’s kids don't get enough exercise. They spend too much time in front of the TV with console games like XBOX, Play station and Wii. Not to mention the computer. Our society has gotten away from the basics of home cooking, family meals and playing outside. It's up to the parents to lead by example. We've got to show our children that eating and being healthy is a good thing. Even though I don't...

Have you ever been hungry right before going to bed but was afraid to eat because you "heard" that eating after 7 or right before bed caused weight gain? Well, you're not alone. I use to be the same way. Notice I said use to. Now if I'm hungry I eat something, no matter what time it is. It's not the time that matters it's what you eat that causes the damage. While  not eating 2 hours before bed is a good practice, something called life happens and you can't always follow this practice. Sometimes you may have trouble sleeping because you're hungry. You lay in bed and toss and turn trying to fight the hunger pains just to end up staying awake half the night or worst you go to the refrigerator and eat whatever your hands can find. Well after reading today's blog you can stop inflicting pain on yourself. The body is so unique. Did...