Homegirl Quel (kel) in Austin

Daily Fit: Weekly Reflection 14- Time for a "diet" week

No weight loss this week. But, just as important, no weight gain. I had a hard time keeping up with eating 6 times a day and ate way too many ribs and slices of pound cake to lose anybody's weight this week. I had a good talk with the instructor of the Body Pump class I take and am ready to step up my workout game. The past couple of weeks, I've done cardio everyday and Body Pump twice a week. I'm feeling great, but really need to SEE some results from all the work I'm doing. My instructor gave me these exercise guidelines if I want to see results in the next few weeks:

Click <<HERE>> to continue reading this post on the DailyFitGirl blog.

Please,Baby,Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee

I haven't done book reviews in forever. I've been so busy being a stay-at-home mom lately and haven't been able to jump back in the reading saddle just yet. Since kid's books are the only ones I'm able to read from cover to cover these days, I've decided to share some of Zack's (my toddler) and my favorites with you.

I wasn't even thinking about having kids when this book was published, but when I read about it in Essence magazine, it was instantly on the list of books I knew I wanted to get for my little one whenever he or she arrived. It's beautifully illustrated and functions just as well as a look and find book for little ones who enjoy this book before the age of two. Zack is 15 months old and has absolutely loved this book for months now.  When he was about 10 months old, he'd actually crawl over to his bookshelf, find this book saying, "peas, peas, peas", pull it out and hand it to me saying, "Reat! Reat!"  He still does it...walking now instead of crawling. It's the cutest thing ever.

In this book, readers follow a mom with her spirited little toddler throughout a typical day (waking up in the wee hours to play, messy eating, playtime, bathtime and bedtime),as mom pleads with the tot to go to sleep, eat, share, etc., her directions ending with cute variations of the phrase,  "please, baby, please." Zack's favorite part of the book is the end. The last page is mom's answer to the child's question, "Kiss me goodnight?" I really enjoy sharing this book, and that last page with my baby. As if I need any other reason to kiss his cheek. 

It's specified for ages 2-5, but the images in this book are way too sweet not to share with your baby as soon as his eyes can focus.

Flower

This is an old pic of a flower. It was the most vibrant one of three in a small vase I took home from a party.

Deep Conditioning Challenge: Week 1

Shampoo: Creme of Nature Red Clover & Aloe (for dry hair and flaky scalp)
Conditioning Treatment: Creme of Nature Jojoba & Olive Oil Moisture Active Deep Conditioning Treatment (for dehydrated hair)
Post-Conditioning Products: Now Personal Care 100% Natural Coconut Oil (from Whole Foods) and Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Split Ends Mender
New MUST Have Tool: Goody Detangling Brush. Two Words: Life Changing. It's a less expensive version of the famous Denman D4 brush that I found out about over at BrownGirlSpeaks. It looks scary at first, but trust me--if you have textured hair, wavy to kinky (like mine), this brush will make detangling a breeze. While my hair was still damp, I put a little coconut oil on it, sectioned it into four sections and worked my way through each section starting with a handful of ends and working my way up to my scalp. I was brushing my hair all the way down to my scalp in no time. Since I had access to my whole scalp, which hasn't happened in forever, I decided to treat myself to a coconut oil scalp massage. I used the Organix Split Ends Mender on my ends before tucking them into braids before bed.

Note: Don't forget to enter my Monthly Giveaway contest for a chance to win awesome gift sets from Creme of Nature!

Rain Watching

Billy and Zack watching the rainstorm from our porch. Some neighbors were doing the same. Zack loves to watch the rain.

An e-Hair Challenge!

So I was on Facebook the other day and ran across this challenge on Afroniquely You. On her website, Afroqueenshae outlines her suggested method for deep conditioning hair for maximum moisturizing and minimum breakage. This challenge could not have come at a better time for me.

I'm a long way away from my glorious pre-baby hair days when most of the natural hairs on my head where all the same length and back when I actually had a hairline. Mother Nature is a byatch post-baby, like she gotta leave behind proof that "A Baby Was Made Here." She hooked me up with a pudgy belly and "new" boobs after I finished nursing, and tossed in a cakey scalp and disappearing hairline for good measure to one-up any move Spanx and push-up bras might make to cover up her handy work. I just sayin', you guys...not complaining...just sayin'. I feel honored and privileged to have a body capable of growing, nurturing and birthing a whole actual other human, and will happily undo all the reconstructive crunches and ab-work, whenever I am blessed with the chance to do it again. Unfortunately, I don't have a nice round head that would look good shaved, otherwise...

So last week, I accepted the The Challenge to do weekly deep conditioning treatments on my hair through the end of 2009. That's a lot of deep conditioning, but that's how serious I am about getting my hairline back and filling in the potholes from random breakage.

I'll post Challenge Updates as I change deep conditioning treatments. I'll be trying a few to find out what's out there and what works for me. There should be a new product bi-weekly or monthly depending on how much of the product I have. Of course I'll post pics from time to time. I'll also talk about any other cool hair products and gadgets I run across on this little journey back to healthy hair-dom. First update, Monday!

Locker Room Revelation

After my workout today, I went into the ladies locker room to wash my hands and pee...and wash my hands again. I decided to go further into the locker room than I ever had to see what it was like for folks who actually removed and replaced their clothing in there. I was alone, so I felt free to poke around. It's pretty posh. There's even a pretty big lounge area complete with sofas and chairs and a big screen television suspended from the ceiling. Today it was tuned in to Oprah.

On the way out of the lounge area and past the showers, I saw it. A digital scale. I did not hesitate to step on it since I weigh myself everyday at home. I was sure I knew how much I weighed, I just wanted to see if I had lost any weight so far this week--my goal is three pounds. When the numbers stopped moving, I just stood there on the scale and looked down for a good long moment. I weigh myself everyday. And according to that scale, either I had gained 7 pounds since breakfast or my home scale sucks. I was only slightly bummed, because the number doesn't change the fact that I have lost 17 pounds. I'm just not as close to my wedding day weight (not my ultimate goal, but a pretty big milestone) as I thought I was.

I weighed in on my scale when I got back home and confirmed that it was a big fat liar. If my jeans weren't sagging on me, I'd see this as a setback, but fortunately my bathroom mirror and the mirrors at the gym do say the same thing---I'm slimmin' up! And that's my real goal anyway.

Brown Girls, Clinique has your back too!

Obama Hat

This is one of my favorite pictures from my trip back home to Memphis. My dad, who grew up in the 1950's (you know the history), is there in the background. My son, Zack is wearing my dad's hat bearing Obama's name and some stars and stripes. Whatever happens next, Zack will always know that he was born when, for the first time, a black man held the highest office, in the most powerful country in the world.

My First Day Back At The Gym

Yesterday was my first day back in the gym since I got pregnant with Zack. Back then, I was going to a kickboxing gym and absolutely loved it. I actually looked forward to going everyday after work. On the rare occasion I missed a workout, I always made up for it by taking a weekend class. I lost a good amount of weight and saw my body begin to change pretty quickly. Then I got pregnant and my body changed in...other...ways even quicker. When I started thinking about joining a gym again, I looked for the kickboxing place, but they have since closed down.

So yesterday I was officially back in the gym. This time I had my baby with me. I was unsure how he would do in the kid's play area while I worked out, because I don't really leave him with people. He has stayed in the church nursery about 5 times and 4 of those he was a happy camper. Today, after I had signed him in a waved goodbye, I peeked back around the corner just to make sure he was really OK with having just waved goodbye to his mommy, and I was surprised to find him happily totting over towards the first toy monster truck in his path. My ego was a little bruised to see him doing OK without me. When does that feeling ever go away?

I went on over the the circuit training area and did a pretty good job pretending that I did this sort of thing all the time.

Reading

My dad and my son enjoying a good book when I went home to visit last week.

I need more diversity in APD killings

So another brown person was fatally shot by the Austin Police Department. I don't know the details of the killing. Honestly, I really don't care to know the details. I can guess though...the deceased (with a criminal history) was reaching for a weapon and the police officer (with medallions and awards and crap) feared for his life. That's usually how it goes. I'm just saying, that if the Austin Police Department insists on annual killings, which they obviously do, we need more diversity. That's all. White folks don't raise up on police? White folks...in TEXAS...don't reach for firearms in police confrontations? All the White folks in Austin and none of them raisin' up on police? Really. Please. 'Course they do! We just don't hear about it, 'cause regular, actual, by the book arrests don't make the news. APD, do better.

Eat

 

This is my dining room wall. The first thing I see every time I enter my front door. I could have spelled TEA, which is what these letters spelled in the Pottery Barn catalog I ordered them from. But when I got them, it just made more sense to me to spell the word EAT. I eat more than I drink tea anyway. Plus it's my dining room. Plus I LOVE food too, so. it just made more sense.

Mom Bloggers Who Rock! IMHO

So I totally did not win the Momversation.com contest. The grand prize winner is Nap Warden. Congrats to her. Still, it was a complete shock and honor to even have my video nominated. I get why they always say that at the Oscars. Being in the running for a cool prize is super fun. THANK YOU to all of you who voted for me!

The following bloggers where so supportive of my rally for votes. Check out their spots. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do...

FutureMama. Who says you have to be a momma to be a  mom blogger these days? She wants a baby, and then maybe wants a baby, and then definitely sort of wants a baby NOW! Married four years, with an awesome career and a successful blog under her belt, she's already accomplished more than most 23 year-olds. Just no baby...yet. She's an open book when it comes to what's on her mind during her journey towards the inevitable baby bump. Mom or not, I think you'll find her content-rich blog entertaining and surprisingly informative.

BrownGirlSpeaks. She's black. She's green. She's a coupon QUEEN! [Not sure why I rhymed that, but I had a moment and just rolled with it.] This homeschooling momma writes about everything from making her own laundry detergent to the hottest indie music track you probably never heard of. AND she'll show you how she walks out of the grocery store having paid $4 for $60 worth of goods...or something crazy like that. She's definitely a cool mom.

Adiaha. When I read her blog, I feel like I should be sipping tea and burning a patchouli and vanilla scented candle. The vibe over there is so peaceful. I absolutely LOVE her About page and wish I had thought to do something so creative with my own. She's candid and honest about her life as a once working mom/current at home mom and the journey she's on. Sip your morning coffee and click over to adiaha.com to read a mom who does it all with grace.

MyBrownBaby is a place where moms of brown babies go to share their humor, insight and wisdom. Posts range from thought provoking entries like the recent post that asked "Where's the media frenzy when brown babies go missing?" to heartwarming like this recent one about missing the pregnancy just before it's over. Motherhood is universal, but there is something unique about the experiences of brown moms in America. It's refreshing to read so many of their stories...our stories, all in one place.

Firends and Elephants

Zack and his bigbruthafromanuthamutha(and father) took in the elephants at the Memphis Zoo when we were there last week. Honestly, I was pretty amazed to see them too...and all the animals at the zoo. I'm sure I enjoyed it as much as the kids did.

New Clinique Reviews are up!

This time I reviewed Clinique's NEW Even Better Makeup SPF 15 and NEW Even Better Skin Tone Corrector. The liquid makeup is wonderful and surprisingly light even with SPF 15 in it. Jury's still out on the Skin Tone corrector, but it's light, odorless and easy to use and I think I might be seeing some improvement.

Both products are treating my blemishes though, and (MOST importantly) I'm looking right flawless in the meantime. ;)

See these and all my reviews <<HERE>>.

First Haircut

Taken on May 4th at my uncle's barbershop, Lacy's Place, in Memphis. He gave Zack his first official haircut. Both guys did an awesome job.

White Lotus

  

Taken inside the Panda exhibit at The Memphis Zoo.

Mommy Blogger or Blogger/Mommy?

Is there really a difference anyway? If there is, I think blogging for almost five years and then becoming a mom makes me the latter. I blog about my life. And yes, much of my content has been about my current life as a stay at home mom since becoming a mom about 15 months ago, but I still don't consider myself a Mommy Blogger. Maybe I'm a Mommy Blogger in transition? I mean, I don't have plans to ever really return to work until Zack and his future siblings are all at least in preschool part-time. And even then, I hoping to work @ home on my own time. So my life will increasingly become all about my kids, I guess. I use to write more about films and books I've experienced, but my kid has replaced those "experiences" since he showed up. Mom. Blogger. If I'm both, I'm both. I guess the order of titles doesn't really make a difference.

Slowly, I'm carving out more time for myself now that he's a little more independent and playing and "reading" by himself (like he's doing right now, which is why I'm able to write a bit this morning).  However, I'm using most of that time to like, bathe, and drink...you know, the stuff I can't do while with my baby in tow. It seems like finding time shouldn't be so hard, you know? Since I'm at home with Zack, I work really hard to keep him busy and out in nature and the community experiencing life. If I stayed inside with him all the time, his life wouldn't be much more different from than if he were in daycare, I think. So my days are all about him. I've been told that I do a lot, and maybe too much with him sometimes, but what's the point of being a SAHM if I'm not giving him as much of myself --as many experiences as I can? Over the past few months, I've been able to toy with reading again, and am considering catching late shows at the movies every once in a while Billy's on baby duty or after Zack is asleep (Star Trek is out and it's killing me that I haven't seen it yet). I'm accepting all invitations to attend events sans baby as well. I'm rambling. And, at the moment, my son seems to find scratching my legs to see the white marks he leaves behind amusing. So I'm logging off to see if I can interest him in another activity.

Please vote for me.

*Update: Voting has ended. Winners will be announced on the 15th Thanks to all who voted for me! *

Favorite Mom Memory entries. Please watch the video and then vote for me. The grand prize is really cool and I.want.it!

See the awesome grand prize, view my video and VOTE FOR ME! ...