Breaking Up is Hard to Do

I’m at that age where I’m choosier about my inner circle and who I allow in the front row of my life. I truly believe not everyone belongs there and you should always surround yourself with like, positive energies and those who help you fulfill your true potential. This understanding comes from trial and error and requires maturity in order to recognize toxicities and the energies that can stray you from your path. In my desire to live a salubrious lifestyle, it is time to move anyone who opposes this goal to the back of the building if not all the way out. Starting today, my new journey begins, but I must first say “goodbye” to some old friends.

Dear Sugar,

Wow, we’ve had such a long relationship and boy does it show. There’ve been times over the years where I’ve even felt completely addicted to you. You are sweet and I recognize that all you’ve given me over the years is nothing short of fantastic, but our involvement isn’t healthy for me. I can no longer blame my desire for you on a sweet tooth or because I’m depressed or “that time of the month”. We will see each other here and there. I’m not leaving you for good; I just need to handle my business. I prefer to see you in fruit from here on out and not in all those other yummy forms I enjoy so much. I wish you all the best.

Dear Dairy,

You confuse me so much. On one hand, I feel like I need you. You provide some valuable things to my life, but I think we just need not spend so much time together. I think my bones would benefit better by a supplement and not the cheese filled Porto pastries or the sour cream all over my cheese enchiladas. Until I can learn to make better choices, I don’t want you coming over for awhile. I know I’ll see you during the holidays, so until then…take care.

Dear Carbs,

You’re a straight up whore. You get together with everyone else and completely mess with my life. You’ve been hanging around sugar and dairy and plotting to move me to a new size bracket. Well, I said my goodbyes to them and now to you too. I prefer the other side of your family anyway. The Browns treat me better… brown rice, whole wheat, etc. It’s hard to believe you’re even involved with the fruits and veggies. You usually only come around in the form of fries, donuts, chips, etc. Well, I rebuke thee in the name of Jesus. I have NO time for you. I’m spending more time with Gym now because of the damage you’ve done to me. He treats me better anyway. Peace out.


Dear Salt,

I know you make life tastier, but you also make my heart beat too fast. I can’t have you around that much anymore. You keep water trapped and contribute to bloating. I can’t completely cut you off, but I’m not introducing you to everybody the way I used to. Goodbye.


These old friends will be missed, but I have so many other positive people in my life. Deelicious fun is still the goal, but honestly, these people are like freeloaders or house guests that over stay their welcome. They needed to be checked. I will gladly let them move on and find others to make miserable. I'm not at my best with them around, most especially when they would all gang up on me. There are others on the cusp of getting a "dear john" letter, but for now, I'm just keeping them at bay.

Until next time...live young, live strong, live healthy.

Peace

Fight

I've won some battles, but I'm still very much in a war with Fear. I've looked this bastard straight in the eye and told him to fuck off plenty of times, but somehow the jerk pops up on me like a yeast infection and wreaks havoc on my life. There are times when I've caught myself cuddling right up to him and mistaking him for Security until someone exposes him and makes me feel foolish for showing him some love. Like today, a very good friend of mine asked me, "What are you afraid of? Losing something you perceived you had?" Oooo weee...harsh blow straight to the chest, but it was right on time and just what I needed.

My friend challenged me to have an honest conversation with a woman I don't open up to very often. I respect her, love her, don't always do right by her and often times even lie to her, but tonight she deserved my attention. I listened to her wants and needs, cried for her, laughed with her and even dug up some unhappy memories with her. We connected on a very spiritual and honest level. The thing is I often brag about her, but truthfully didn't really believe in her. Tonight, I remembered just how amazing she truly is. She is complex and simple, kind and hard, physically and mentally in two different places, Ms. Understood and misunderstood. At the end of the day, Deanne is my best friend and someone I need to look out for more often. She's someone you might have to take time to really get to know, but the long haul is worth it. :)

I am challenging myself to pursue Joy. I can choose to be "happy", but I want to pursue Joy in all aspects of my life, career, relationships, and experiences. If it's anything less, then it's just a "filler" there to deceive you into feeling complete. The pursuit will require honesty, confidence, drive, process and patience, but the prize is well worth working over time, facing the fears, sacrificing and all of the challenges.

God willing tomorrow I will be given a new day. Life is all about delicious fun. Make sure you get out there and taste it or else I'll eat it all.

Peace!

Come and Eat!

Growing up my family would gather together to celebrate all the events of our lives. This included holidays, promotions, new babies, divorces, health issues, you name it...we gathered. During holidays our gatherings included not just immediate family, but friends, neighbors, ex-boyfriends and their families and who ever else wanted to join in. At the center of our gatherings was always FOOD. I'm not talking one main dish and a couple of sides. I'm talking about a serious spread of food. No matter what your palate craved, you left my grandparents' house full, happy and carrying a "to go" plate. I'm proud to say that although life is so different now this family tradition has not changed and it has totally influenced the way I entertain and spread love to my friends and catering clients.

Society today is so divided. We don't gather together anymore. Everyone is on a budget of time and money. Some people believe better food is found at a restaurant. While there are incredible chefs and delicious food available out there, I find the tastiest creations are made with love and come from the kitchens of the people we adore. I am grateful for the praise my friends and loved ones give me with every dish I prepare for them, but honestly I could make toast and they would think it was the best. The reason is because my passion and heart's joy is to feed the people I care about. If you're feeling down because you lost your job, I show love by making you a gourmet meal or something as simple as the best taco you've ever had. A broken heart always hurts a little less with a sweet ice cream dessert to counter the salty tears. Yummy cheese and crackers always pair well with champagne to celebrate that promotion and make you feel accomplished and grown. I open my heart, lend an ear and provide food for the soul and that is what I wish we experienced more often.

I encourage everyone to get together more to share stories, lend and ear, give hugs and kisses and be there for one another. When you marry all the flavors of life you will taste PEACE.