Afro Power!!!

Greetings Family! I just wanted to remind everyone that I am 8 months and counting of being perm free!! I am very proud of myself. I admit that any change is not always easy, so I am trying to find my style in this new natural world. I must share a story that has helped me to know that I am on the right track. I travel by NYC subway on my way to work each day. Last week as a walked through the station I saw the familiar newspaper men. They greet the commuters every morning with “Good Morning sir!” “Have a blessed day miss!” “The paper is free. Don’t be afraid to take it!!” I can always count on them, even when I can’t count on the subway. Well this particular morning I saw two or three of my newspaper friends huddled together. What was happening this morning? Was one man trying to take another’s spot? Did they run out of papers? Who is that new guy? Family, I was all in it lol! Well because I was staring so hard one of the newspaper men caught my eye. When I realized I was busted I quickly turned my head and kept on my way to work. Well family, it doesn’t pay to be nosy. All of a sudden, from behind me I hear yelling through the NYC subway……I SEE YA FOXY BROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Family……………OMG!!! Ok, maybe he is not talking to me. Maybe there are other sisters on their way to work with big afros! But no, I knew he was talking to me!! I slowly turned around and Jerome (probably not his real name) screams…..YEAH YOU!!!!!! I SEE YA FOXY BROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Extra big cheese burger smile included) Well family, I couldn’t help but crack up and smile right back at Jerome. He made my day and I have been telling this story ever since. He appreciated my afro and I appreciated him. So I dedicate my blog to all the Jerome’s getting their hustle on in the subway every day. Keep doing your thing. Power to the people Jerome!!

Love Foxy Brown

Becoming a healthier me - Part II

Hey Pooka Family! So it's been about a month since I challenged myself to reduce my "white" intake and loose 10 inches of belly fat. I have to say, this is no easy challenge! My favorite foods include white rice as their staple i.e. sushi (love those spicy tuna hand rolls), Chinese food (PF Chang's is my favorite), Spanish food (arroz con pollo is my family's favorite dish that I cook)! Nevertheless, I did make some strides towards my goal. Instead of cooking arroz con pollo 5 times a week, I reduced it to 3 times. Also, it's been about a month since we've been to PF Chang's (although now I've seen commercials that they are selling their entrees in the grocery stores). No worries there, I like the experience of going to the restaurant..one less day I have to cook. But I have been keeping up with my exercise. Dawn joined the gym with me and now we take Hip-Hop class 2-3 times a week. So although I have not reached my goal of getting my waist to 31.5" by May 31st my determination still continues! I am going to reach that number! I am happy to say that I am getting close. I measured my waist this morning and I am at...(drum roll please)..38.5" I've lost 3" of belly fat off my waist! I am very proud of myself. I still have a ways to go but I know if I commit myself a little more this month, then I know I will see even more of a reduction! So stick with me Seania, I know we can do it. Anyone else out there up for the challenge? It's more fun when we work towards our goals together! Be inspired to be a healthier you!

I'm....a DONC-ER!!

As you all know by reading Tricia’s earlier Blog, she has begun taking hip hop class. She has been trying to get me to come and finally I went. My first class I was HOOKED! Now I’m not saying I was good, I’m saying I was hooked. Tricia used to tell me how hard it was, but I just thought to myself, “Tricia, hip hop is my middle name, JayZ stays on my ipod.” I humored her knowing that everyone can’t be down with Jayz! As I waited for the music to begin in class, I stretched a little and sized up the rest of the ladies, “Oh, it’s on” I thought. As the music started, I took a deep breath and began to channel my inner Beyonce…”Inner beyonce, ACTIVATE!!” and who came out? My innerBetty White! Hey I went with it though Betty White still has some moves in her!!! As I battled my way through my first class, I was disgusted with myself. When I got to my car, my radio came on and I knew that I deserved no good tunes, so I turned on an easy listening station and drove out with my head hangin low! When I got home I was determined to go to class next time and do better so I figured If I wanted to be good I had to LIVE the part! We all remember FAME and the beginning where Debbie Allen says, “You want fame, well right here is where you start payin” I knew what I had to do! If you’re going to be a “Dancer” then you must look the part. Now I wear leg warmers and ripped sweatshirts hanging off of one shoulder!(Very 80’s dancer but still….DANCER!!!) I went to the mall and purchased sparkly sneakers, when I talk to people I tell them that I’m……A DONC-ER (You have to pronounce it that way for more effect!) My mother will ask me if I’m going to the gym for class and I quickly tell her it’s not class it’s “REHEARSAL”! Once you truly become a DONC-ER people will ask you to perform at the drop of a hat! During our memorial day BBQ the family asked me and Tricia to do our routine. ARE THEY CRAZY!!! WE COULD GET HURT!!! As a DONC-ER you can’t just perform whenever someone asks, don’t take any unnecessary chances of twisting an ankle(or getting laughed at, LOL). I have to say that it’s been at least 9 classes and now when I channel my inner Beyonce, she still doesn’t show up but neither does Betty White! When I enter class and look at the other ladies, there’s a dancer respect, they nod at me and I nod back, then I pull up my leg warmers and get to work!(Caution: you can lose consciousness from wearing leg warmers in the summer!!) If you really want to check me and Tricia out, our class will be doing a live performance on June____ at _____in ________, NJ!!!! Yeah, you fill in the blanks cause we won’t, LOL!!!!!!

Good Times!!

Hey Family, this past weekend I was able to go away, Yes (without the kids, thank you mommy!) to Atlanta! Now I haven't been to Atlanta in years so it was a real treat to hang out with family there. It was my friend Teri's birthday a couple of days after mine and we planned to party like its 1999! (because in 1999 we were a little younger!)
First things first when you go somewhere you haven't been in a long time ask questions. I walked about 10 miles to get to bagagge claim at the airport, only to be told when I was a few feet away. "Oh you could have taken the tram, it would have gotten you there in 5 minutes. Okay. Teri picked me up and explained to me that no one lives IN Atlanta everyone stays in the suburbs Around Atlanta. Oh. We stayed with Teri's grandmother who is 92 years young! Hollar! She is sassy and hip not your average grandma at 92, she still drives,and gets her nails done! Well the weekend consisted of a lot of eating, drinking and hanging out: Atlantic Station, The Hawks game (NOT the game itself, the best part was seeing people I used to work with) and dancing until dawn. Needless to say I was tired when I got back, but there is no rest for the weary! My kids tackled me down but it was worth it! Shout out to my people from Jersey, Hillary, Kyle and Will it was great seeing all of you and I'll be back!

A Day at the Spa!

Greetings Family! I am heading out of town (Denise are you packed?) for a girls weekend in Charlotte (See you soon Andrea!!) We were trying to decide what to do this weekend when the spa was suggested. The spa gives me instant happiness! Saying the word spa just calms my nerves and spirit. I even have to write the word spa differently than I write any other words. I have never met a spa I didn’t like. All spas are not created equal but really how bad can any place be, that lets you walk around in a bath robe! If I can’t take a vacation then I go to the spa. Everyone speaks softly at the spa, it always smells of lavender and other yummy fragrances, they have healthy snacks and the water has fresh lemon and lime slices. The sound of the babbling brook that is coming out of the speakers in the waiting room is so soothing. The technicians that give me a hot stone massage, aromatherapy facial or rub my feet seem to know exactly what kind of week I had. Their job is to take me away on a wonderful spa journey even if it is only for a few hours. I sometimes dream of living at the spa. I realize that dream can not come true so I savor each spa experience until I can go on the next one. Pooka family, if you have never been to the spa please make an appointment. If you can’t remember the last time you have been go today!! We all work hard and need to be pampered every once in a while. When you go, make sure to tell them that Donna sent you. Remember to speak softly. We don't want to disturb those on their spa vacations!

Organic is not a Bad Word!

Hey everyone, me again!

Since I started my healthy living journey I’ve been trying to eat “organic”. I know many of you just rolled your eyes. :) I see you. When some of you come by our warehouse in New Jersey and I offer organic turkey or organic cookies or soy milk you look at me like I’m crazy [I am, but that’s not the point]. I think the problem “organic” has is marketing… somehow it doesn’t sound tasty or good for you but, it’s the exact opposite! I’m going to start my own “Go Organic” campaign to help!




Organic means the food has no pesticides or chemicals added… that’s it [See! Good for you!] It’s not food made in a test tube or cloned or some other man-made thing! So, if you drink organic milk it just means the cow was allowed to graze on grass that had not been treated with pesticides and that the cow hadn't been given steroids or hormones [not good for athletes or Elsie!] The cow was allowed to eat and grow naturally, which means that any milk or beef that you get is chemical free and better for you! Organic cookies… all of the good stuff minus the chemicals!


So… I think we all want to be a bit healthier and the next time I offer you something organic, EAT IT!!!! LOL!! It will probably taste better and be better for you. Now, on the other hand, if you declined my organic recipes because I'm just not the best cook yet then forget this whole post, hahahahah!

The Husband Car Co-Op!

Well family, I’m back again and as usual, thinking too much! Last week I joined Tricia and Taiye and her Hubby for dinner at her favorite place, PF Changs! I was prepared to drive and meet them there but they picked me up and drove, "fabulous"! I was able to sit in the back seat, relax and play with Taiye. When we got to the restaurant Hubs(as I’ll call him going forward) said he would drop us off in the front of the restaurant and park, unfortunately(for me) someone pulled out of a spot and he pulled in! “I guess I’m walking!” but the thought of being dropped off in the front was nice. It got me to thinking you married gals have it good! The only way I get dropped off in the front of a restaurant is if I drop myself off and just leave my car running in front! Once we got in the restaurant Hubs carried all the baby stuff in and ordered and then he walked the baby around before and after dinner and PAID while tricia and I relaxed! This is kind of nice, I had a borrowed Hubs for the day and that’s when the idea was born the “HUSBAND CAR CO-OP” now stay with me cause this could work out for all of us. As a single woman what do I really need a husband for(keep it clean people)MY CAR!!! Most of my single anguish comes from my car! Who will drive it when I want to sleep? Who will wash all the bird poop off? Who will park it when I want to go right in to the mall and the infamous who will change it’s oil when the light comes on(i've tried putting tape over the light so it doesn't bother me but that's not a good idea)?! Thinking back Donna’s hubbie, my dad and brother do lots of these things for me! So if you married ladies, donate your husbands automotive time to us single gals, just one week a year, we’d all be a lot happier! If I can find 47(I’ve already got 5!) women to donate one week a year I’m set for life!! What’s in it for you, you might ask? I promise to nag and annoy your husbands so much that they will come running back to you ready to work plus you ladies get a stress free week with no dirty laundry or cooking! I promise to show your husbands where the laundromat is and give them $5 a day for fast food! Come on all of your Mrs. out there find a single friend and donate a week! Single girls all over would be grateful and the world and our cars would be a happier place!