StaywellMA

2013 had more LOWS than highs for me.  And honestly, I don't care to relive those moments. I finally started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel towards the end of the year.  Not the whole thing but just a gleams, a ray ....Hope? Enough to give me a renewed sense of purpose. I feel like there's nothing to show for the year but in my heart I know progress has been made.  Small, invisible progress but its still something. Slow and steady but at least am still on the "path" Am just hoping its the right one. For those reasons my resolutions will not change for 2014.  It will be a continuation of 2013 because its going to take me more than one year to attain those goals.

I can't believe its already December and 15 days to Christmas. Last year I worked all through the holidays but am hoping to take a break this time around.  I'm also proud that in 21 days I can say I was able to maintain my 2013 new year resolution of staying fit without having a gym membership. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it will be.  Boston has a great fitness culture that includes exercise groups and other free fitness activities hosted by the city (Fitness in the city program at city hall plaza, Fanueil Hall, Hyde Park and YMCAs) or organizations/Clubs such as the  Fitness meet up groups, November project, black girls run - Boston and etc.  It was also a great way for me to use city parks and other exercise infrastructures accessible to the public for free.  Being active on social media and taking part in monthly fitness challenges was another way to spice up my work out routines. Some of my favourite challenges this year are #SweatAD...

Africans In Boston played host to African- born author S. A . Abakwue for a discussion of his most recent projects; Heavens at War and Boko Harem. Heavens at War is a fictional religious narrative while Boko Harem is a collection of Poems. I thought it was interesting that he choose to use the name of a northern Nigeria terrorist group. Boko Harem is against western education and is known for attacking schools and christian churches. Some of the discussion topics where - Challenges faced by African authors to get their works published - Africans telling the African narrative and how that perspective differs from the western point of view - Boko Harem and its influence in Nigeria. Who is really behind the terrorist group - Why we need more African Authors. Similar to the lack of good black shows and movies in american TV, African kids should be reading books fictions and non fictions about characters...

Its that time of the year. Where it takes me jogging 1+ mile in gloves and winter hats to get a proper warm up. Coupled with extending your warm up during the cold season, its very important to spend additional time stretching. Our body's natural reaction in winter is to become lethargic + hibernate + conserve energy. Some of us experience seasonal fatigue (Seasonal Affective Disorder) that results in depression, tiredness and constant hunger. Also, our muscles are more tight than warm and loose. Tight muscles lead to tight joints. Whatever time you typically spend stretching, increase it by 2X If you are stretching outdoor, make it an active dynamic stretch. The last thing you want to do is sit down relaxed in 40 degree weather. Use a stretching device if need be ( cord, foam roller, strap ) . Lately I've been using yoga blocks. These props are not only meant for beginners. You can use them in different ways to improve your stretching routine and flexibility. On...

I don't think there's ever been a tag post on this blog. Part of  the reason is, I've never been tagged by anyone.  Here we  go.  1. Favorite candle scent?   I'm not crazy about fruity or food scents. I prefer scents like...Evergreen Forest, Pines, Clean  Laundry, Burning wood  etc 2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Coffee - BLACK but am trying to be good and step down to healthy Tea options 3. What's the best fall memory you have? It isn't so much a  memory but a state of mind. We spend more time indoors in the fall and  winter seasons because of the weather. My indoor time during those months is spent catching  up on books/novels, finding new music artists online, doing Yoga and rediscovering ME. I love  fall for forcing me in a sense to get to that state of mind because its too cold to be outside. Its  also a time for me to spend looking back on the year and accessing my growth or lack off...

I'm pretty sure I've had soup at least 5/7 days of the week for the month of October .  S - Scrumptious  O-  Outrageously U- Unpredictably P- Palatable 

Here's what I've been loving or doing  this fall. 1. Eating well instead of exercising more because am recovering from a whole bunch of injuries + wears/tears 2. Trying to figure out where my money is GOING by reading books about money management and finding apps (MINT) that can help me. 3. Face Masks. I'm now crazy about them after trying the samples I received in my September Ipsy Glam Bag  4.  If FALL was a human and had a middle name, it will be called T.E.A  I've been loving the Earl Grey flavour from the Lipton Brand. Not because it keeps me awake but because it seems to do wonders than sleeping pills in its ability to KNOCK ME OUT and send me to sleep instantly. I've yet to finish a cup because am always asleep half way through. Also a new discovery for me because it was a wedding party favour  Organic Rooibos Tea - The Republic of Tea (South Africa) I use to think summer was my favourite season but...

I am not a fashion guru. I can barely dress myself appropriately for society. But I do know, just like the rest of the general population, that there is a severe shortage of diversity in the high fashion modeling world. Which is why the Rick Owens Spring 2014 show caught my attention. Black girls....not skinny 6 feet tall with weaves black girls....but blacks girls, in all their natural beauty, dominated the show. Dancers. And not just any dancers but step dancers. A talent that requires athleticism, stamina and agility. I'm not sure what kind of statement he was trying to make. Everyone has an opinion on it....and that's what I care about. That at least, now the issue has been brought to the fore front.  Oya discuss.  You cannot ignore it. You will address it irrespective of your opinion about diversity or body image. Some people are mad that he used step dancers...and that they didnt dance well....First of all, this was not a step dancing competit...

T44Z Hair Food is a locally made hair product for natural hair. I met Brenda at the African Boston Festival this summer at the vendors booths . Even though I had braids on at the time, I was attracted to the product because of all the healthy ingredients listed in it. After taking my braids out, I spent the last 3 weeks only using T44Z,  glycerin and water to see how it affects my hair. Am not a product junky. I don't believe in putting 5+ different products on my hair at the same time. Ingredients Aloe, Herbal Extract, Rose Oil,  Chamomile, Menthol, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Castor Oil,  Peppermint, Papaya Extracts, Vitamin A, Carrot Extracts, Shea butter, Essential Oils Label For massive hair growth, volume and thickness. Repairs hair line. Stops balding, dandruff, scalp dryness, itchiness and hair loss. Directions Apply to whole hair once a week For damaged areas such as bald patches and hair line, apply daily. My Review I was mostly interested ...

Recently, I went for a routine yearly physical provided by my insurance with no copay. I usually take advantage of this time to get everything checked out because outside of that, I rarely visit the doctor's office. After all my exams, the physician came in to have a word with me. It wasn't t my regular doctor but someone new. She proceeded to say I was obese and recommended exercise. I was trying really hard to stifle a giggle because as an exercise physiologist, I knew she was wrong. In her attempt to rush in and out, she made no effort to have a conversation with me (very typical of healthcare workers these days). Had she done that she would have realized I was an athlete with really muscular thighs and BMI is not a good indicator for a healthy body weight in my case. Body Mass Index is a number calculation based on your Weight and Height. Its been known to be wrong because it does not take into account several components. 1.Gender 2. Age 3. % Body Fat v...

I don't know why it took 1 year of slips and mishaps for me to purchase these socks. They are amazing. Comfortable.  True to size. And provide the necessary grip especially for yoga newbies who need to rely on the wall. Now that the  to weather is changing and its getting colder, am ready to revive my dying indoor yoga practice.

Eto has been keeping me in a constant state of dumbfounded-ness (is that a word?). First was the news that he will be joining my team CHELSEA! for a one year contract. Am still trying to be comfortable with the idea because even though I think he is a good player, I don't know how this will change the team's dynamic. Fast forward to today. I am still rejoicing Cameroon's win against Libya in its qualifier game. And minutes after that, its reported that Eto has decided to resign/retire from the Indomitable Lions. As much as it saddens me, I support his decision for several reasons. 1. Having played at an international level , one can only handle the childish games of our FECAFOOT for a limited amount of time. The dishonesty, poor management, corruption and disregard for the players's earnings and well being is not something anyone will put  up with especially when you have better options. I think he had good intentions to clean up the team an...

I just realized we have only 4 months till the end of 2013.  I've maintained most of my new year resolutions but looking for a way to end the year on a good note. I'm thinking, maybe sign up and train for another half marathon? Perhaps beat my PR? Or embark on some other fitness related challenge. I'm not  quite  sure yet. I believe there's something rewarding about ending the year on a good note no matter how it may have started. Because as we all know, its not how you start but how you finish...that you finished and never quit, that matters. Fitness Inspiration :  C.J. Senter This kid is amazing. I wonder if there are any side effects for training so hard at such a young age. Will have to research on that because I do believe in moderation in all that you do .

I'm sorry for being MIA for most of the summer. What started up as a quiet season for me turned 180 degrees. It was very difficult for me to blog amidst the insanity of activities and new work schedules. Now that things are finally settling down, I hope I can resume blogging on a regular basis. For daily updates of what antics ^_^ I get into, follow me on twitter @mapetiteniche and on instagram  @laurettaashu I hope you all had a wonderful summer xoxo Lo