Tag Archives: Inspiration

Oh, Back Then!

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I have wonderful memories of back in the day. People were even different than they are today.

Times have changed drastically. Things are nowhere near as they used to be.

I am glad I had a good childhood and grew up during the time/decade that I did.

I was born in the 70’s, came up in the early eighties to being able to leave our doors unlocked in the spring and summertime when us children would and could stay out all day long running/playing around our neighborhood without a care in the world.

Going back and forth to the store to buy goodies, going back and forth in and out of the house for whatever activity or sport we had come up with, or planned. Whether we had to get or take our bikes, hula-hoops, jump ropes, a bathroom break, a drink of water and whatever else tickled our fancy.

And to speak about getting water, us children used to take short cuts just to head to the backyard to splash and drink from the water hose!

Our parents did not constantly have to keep an eye on us- we ran free.

None of us were in danger of violence or any violent act happening, or committed upon us.

We knew to be cautious or careful, in general, but our lives were never in danger as are today with stray bullets flying, assaults, kidnappings, and the such.

All we worried about was not missing out on all our fun, having enough money to catch the ice cream truck on time when he came around, and hoping not to get called in the house too early after nightfall.

We loved to get the chance to stay out until 10pm or a little later enjoying those innocent fun-filled summer nights!

 

Pilaf!

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I really love rice. I have been a rice eater since childhood. I could eat rice everyday along with broccoli and lentils.

During my teenage years in the 90’s I came across Near East brand boxes of rice in a local neighborhood health food store I used to frequent long before the product hit the major supermarkets and other stores.

Since then, I have loved their varieties of rice. Currently I do not eat them very often as I do not cook with salt and limit my salt intake with foods that contain salt. I have never had high blood pressure and would like to keep it that way as I grow older.

We all need an adequate number of salts and sugars in our body, but I try not to overdo it.

Anyway, last week I had two boxes- one box never does it for me the portion is too small I have to cook two boxes of the contents- of Near East brown rice pilaf.

It was delicious as usual.

Yesterday I purchased two boxes of the original rice pilaf then cooked it for dinner in the evening- and, of course my meal was again delicious as usual!

Black Pepper: Spice It Up!

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I never cook by adding salt. I love to add pepper to my preparations, though.

I love spice- yet not too much spice. Just enough to give a satisfying flavor to my tastebuds.

I enjoy the mild hotness of pepper by not over-sprinkling the spice into my various dishes.

Aside from livening up food, pepper offers us a few great benefits that serve our health to the fullest.

 

With A Cherry On Top🍒

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Cherries are expensive at most places where they are purchased but they are a must-have during the times they are in season.

I am sure there are instances where this fruit that is grown under good harvest can be sold reasonably, especially when caught on sale.

Nevertheless, I would rather spend a few extra dollars on quality goods than those manufactured under poorly suited conditions.

Cherries are unique in taste.

Biting into them while sucking on their deliciously, luscious flesh to spit out their seeds is mildly addictive once begun into indulgence.

You cannot just eat one if you are a lover of them. Even though eating Cherries can get messy as their juice will tend to temporarily stain one’s fingertips as well as to permanently stain one’s clothing if one is not careful by spurting into them and spurting the seeds out.

Cherries are one of the many best tasting, beneficial fruits available here on earth.

Not only are they a treat to eat they invitingly decorate other desserts and drinks with their near heart-like shape, deep red color, and thin stem.

 

Mouthwash Antiseptic

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From an adolescent into my mid-teens, I remember using Listerine mouthwash.

The original liquid germ eliminator and breath freshener that contained alcohol burned inside my mouth so bad it would bring tears to my eyes.

I loved the way it tingled- that fresh, clean, medicine-like hygienic taste and feel that Listerine left behind.

The mouthwash is nowhere near the potency of what once was.

Long gone is the Listerine I used to know.

The last time I goggled down Listerine years ago it tasted like a watered-down waste of money that did nothing for the mouth.

There was absolutely no pep to the product at all.

I do not know what happened but if people contacted the company in reference to the alcohol content in the Listerine which burned like hell causing the product to be reduced in ingredients, then that is unfair.

Some always spoil things for others.

I hate when companies change or alter their items on the preferences of the majority.

What about the minority who were satisfied with certain products just the way they were?

Why not make a mild and extra strength to please those on both ends.

Well, that is how it goes.

A lot of companies cater to the majority on account of making a profit.

I have never purchased Listerine again, and I never will if it is not the same Listerine I used to know and love back in the day.

 

 

Breyers New All-Vanilla Non Dairy Ice Cream🍦

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Over the weekend, when I was in New Hyde Park, New York I went looking to purchase a half a gallon of Breyers Non-Dairy Vanilla and Peanut butter Swirl.

To my disappointment there were not any containers of the dessert stocked at all inside of the freezer for me to take on the way home.

Instead- to my surprise- was a load of new completely Vanilla-flavored Breyers Non-Dairy gallons of ice cream located on the shelves.

Breyers finally produced an all-Vanilla dairy-free alternative frozen dessert as I had long hoped for.

Despite the pleasantness I felt after thoroughly checking the ingredient list and nutritional facts on the item I was not too satisfied.

I left the Non-Dairy Breyers in the freezer to freeze by itself.

I am still curious of how the new product taste though.

 

Pine🌲

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Pine is one of nature’s natural delights.

Pine sol was a cleaning agent popular in my home growing up.

 

 

It is especially good for shining and use on wood aside from disinfecting other surfaces.

I enjoy cleaning with pine and I love the fresh smell it gives off, especially the lemon scented fragrance.

 

 

 

Chairs

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There are all kinds of seats to sit in.

 

However, if we had a choice of three- the hot seat, the common everyday routine seat, or the money seat- which would you sit in?

I would sit in the money seat as the money seat would generously aid me in whatever everyday routine that may be common to me while the hot seat could get even hotter when I sit my ass in it.

 

Summertime

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It was the mid 1980’s. The sun shined brightly. The usual two-and-a-half-month summer school recess was in effect.

Kids all around the neighborhood were either having fun or trying to find something to do to occupy themselves.

On my block when the day was a scorcher one of our neighbors would go get the sprinkler that he owned and had obtained through the police precinct.

He placed or screwed the device onto the fire hydrant that was in the middle part of our street near the curb.

All of us children had a delightful time running through the shower of water that heavily sprinkled over and across the center of the street.

Us children were in an environment, carefree- having wet and wild clean fun!

 

 

Sweet Reward

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Do not forget to reward yourself and treat yourself to something sweet for all the effort and hard work toward whatever it is that you love or do. Even if it is just your favorite hobby.

Sit down, relax, and chill!

Give yourself a pat on the back- and look back at the things you have accomplished no matter how big or how small.

As long as you have been fulfilled.

 

Braids

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Braids can be a lovely style of adornment to the head of hair.

I used to like when my hair was put into French braids in my youth- the look is very becoming in adults too.

I learned to bread around nine years of age through observing others then practicing on my doll heads.

Later in life I began to braid hair for others- some even paid me to do their hair.

Someone had recommended I do braiding on the side during my twenties to make extra money but that really was not my thing I would only braid hair for certain people when they asked as a special favor to them while they were nice enough to compensate me for my time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Bean Me Up!”

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Rice is a grain I have loved and never tired from.

Of course, there are times when I take a break from eating rice though I am one who can constantly eat this grain on a routine schedule.

I am a lover of beans too and incorporate these plant-based gems into my diet quite frequently.

I like to mix things up a bit.

For a long time now, I have purchased Bob’s Red Mill 13 Bean Soup mixture of fresh dried beans.

I buy the 13 bean Jack Rabbit brand of beans regularly also.

There are rich, hearty servings of navy beans, black beans, red beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, great northern beans, kidney beans, baby lima beans, large lima beans; black-eyed peas, yellow split peas, green split peas; and brown and red lentil beans.

Altogether they are extremely high sources of fiber and protein in a daily, or weekly meal.

I crave my rice and beans and they satisfy my hunger pains.

 

 

 

Black-Eyed Peas

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If one is from the south, black-eyed peas may be a favorite staple.

I am a born and raised New Yorker, but my mother’s side of the family came from Virginia (My father’s side of the family who I did not grow up around are from South Carolina. My great-grandmother on my mother’s father’s side came from North Carolina).

I had plenty of that delicious variety of hearty southern rooted grub during childhood on up in my household.

I still love and eat black-eyed peas till this day.

These legumes are so quick to prepare compared to other beans and peas and they are very tasty.

Black-eyed peas naturally come with health benefits that impart adequate nutrition toward one’s lifestyle.

One of the downsides of eating peas and beans regularly is that it can cause a build-up of intestinal gas.

Nevertheless, over time some of our bodies learn to adapt and we experience less bloating and other discomfort.

I remember back in the day my mother’s family used to cook neck-bones with black eyed peas, oxtail with black-eyed peas and stew beef with black-eyed peas or potatoes.

I currently love and eat my black-eyed peas seasoned with pepper, onion, garlic, oregano and a little basil over rice.

I never cook with salt.

To me, the flavor of prepared dry black-eyed peas is good enough to go without any herbs or spices added to them.

 

 

 

Skins

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The fleshy parts of fruits and vegetables are extremely healthy, but the edible skins of certain fruits and vegetables are even more beneficial to health.

The skin of potatoes, apples, cucumbers, zucchini and more contain richer amounts of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

I love eating baked potatoes with their peels on.  

Just be sure to know which fruit and vegetable skins are suitable to eat and those that are not.

 

Crunchy Cucumbers

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My goodness!

I am a loyal life-long fan of cucumbers.

During my early youth I would go into our family backyard to where my grandmother planted her own fresh fruit and vegetables.

The cucumbers from her crops used to be large, wide, and crisp!

I would peel them, sprinkle salt on them, and eat them whole holding them inside the palm of my little hands.

Cucumbers are delicious sliced or chopped up in salads and they are super delicious within their pickled state.

The nutritional value of cucumbers is also fantastic. They are excellent for hydration as they naturally contain water as many fruits and vegetables do.

Cucumbers are good for the digestive system and they contain antioxidants.

 

 

Everybody Needs A Break

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I used to be on the go constantly at a time in my life not so long ago.

I have been to and have seen the loveliest places, homes, and attractions.

Pleasant visual outlooks have a positive emotional and mental impact amid the highlight of accounts experienced.

Environment is crucial.

As individuals, atmosphere is very important to the energy that surrounds us- or that can surround us.

Change is beneficial to our health of mind, state of being, and soul or spirit.

There is so much beauty within the serenity of nature.

Taking in scenery- inhaling breaths of fresh air.

It is vital to go places even if not too often- depending on the opportunity or scheduling one has.

Whether taking a trip around the world  (overseas), around the states, or around the areas of local to distant vicinities around and within one’s own hometown- it is always fabulous to get away.

 

 

Slow Down On The Jam: Spread It Wisely

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I, as a lot of us did, grew up eating peanut butter and jelly sometimes.

I loved peanut butter far more than jam or jelly.

I delightfully ate a lot of peanut butter sandwiches on whole wheat bread during my twenties and thirties.

Grape jelly was my favorite out of other flavors when I did indulge.

I do not care for jams or jelly nowadays. I have not eaten any in a long time.

Fruit in their natural state is, of course, extremely healthy and should be eaten on a regular basis. Fruit preserves highly processed and high in sugar are not good to consume regularly.

Cleaning Supplies

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Bending and stretching can seem like a strenuous workout while one is doing household cleaning.

I cleaned my bathroom today.

Nothing comes in handy the way Ajax/Comet and Brillo pads do!

They both get those tough, resistant stains out completely with steady force.

Clorox all purpose, Fantastic with a “k” at the end, Lysol and 409 cleaning and disinfectant sprays additionally help to do a great job too as I also had a few of them on hand!

My family always had Brillo pads and Comet in the house when I was growing up. My mother was fierce when it came to cleaning with these excellent supplies.

Juicy Pineapple Juice!

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I love pineapple juice.

The natural beverage especially tastes so good/delicious when it is icy cold.

If I am not absorbing the nutrient rich juice from the fruit of a fresh pineapple within the walls of my mouth, I am pleasantly drinking it straight.

Not only is the flavor of pineapple juice highly refreshing- but the benefits also carried in the liquid as well as the core and flesh serves as an absolute refresher to the maintenance of optimum health!

So, take a glass or a cup and gulp down to a pineapple delight.

 

A Heart To Heart ❤

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It is so important to take care of the heart and to keep those arteries as clean as possible.

Some people are genetically predisposed to have coronary events and one never knows when a heart attack or stroke may strike.

It does not matter what age we are it all depends on how we treat and care for our bodies by eating the proper foods, doing suitable exercise, getting significant rest, refraining from toxic substances which in the short term or long run cause harm or premature death, and avoiding unnecessary situations that can or will cause stress.

Go to the doctor for regular check-ups, always inquire them to further investigate anything that seems abnormal/out of range where health professionals may overlook or not pick up right away or at all.

Get second opinions on things too if need be.

We cannot afford to let the beats of our lives conk out on us. We must keep that clock ticking for as long as the beat goes on!

 

 

Mind, Body, And Spirit (Water Cleansing)

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A bath is not only good for us physically, the act of bathing is also good for us mentally and spiritually.

It is well-known that baths and showers are therapeutic and serve as a wonderful, healing form of therapy and rejuvenation.

There is also a such thing as a cleansing of the aura and magnetic shield through purifying our bodies on the outside with water, body cleansers, and the right types of clean, detoxifying healthy foods.

We are all made up of body, mind, and spirit.

The same way a bath or a shower makes you feel revived and refreshed is the same way our minds and spirits get revived and refreshed.

I Just Love That Dove!

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My mother taught me early on in life to be clean, especially with my body.

I was one who loved to take baths as a kid. As an adult I have a love for the shower.

My family used a variety of different quality brand name soaps throughout the years, but the one that stood out the most to become my favorite was dove bar soap and bodywash.

I love the sensitive and exfoliating bodywash and beauty bars out of all the varieties. Both have a great light-smelling fragrance that is not harsh and that does not irritate the skin.

Dove is sulfate free and healthy for the skin. It keeps my tone nice, soft, and smooth.

I even wash my hair with dove.

I always feel clean without any left behind residues.

Just fresh, clean, and smelling good!

 

Strive For A Healthy New Year

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Another new year is here!

Everyone should always endeavor to love and respect themselves along with striving to constantly stay in good health.

Eat healthily, live healthily and think positively!

Have a healthy New Year.

 

Merry Christmas!

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Because a savior was born everyone can spiritually be born again to live forever in eternal glory with our heavenly Father.  

While everyone continues to have breath within their body and wake up to see another day here on earth it is not too late for them to accept and receive Jesus if they have not already done so.  

This is the true celebration for a Merry Christmas.

Last Night: The Evening Before Christmas Eve 🎄

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People were active and about last night, crowds in the stores doing last minute shopping for Christmas dinner, Christmas presents, and whatever else.

It was cold and windy out, but I braved through the brutal temperatures to pick up extra food and toiletries to cover me for the weekend.

 

The Best Presents Come Unwrapped

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As children and even adults our parents want us to be happy. They always want the best for us.

Christmas used to be a fun, engaging time.

Back in the day the event was magnetically festive and energetic- exhibiting the true nature or spirit of what Christmas inhabited.

Many adults love to anticipate the receiving of gifts, but it is the children which served the ultimate excitement and joy.

Christmas never went by when I did not receive presents under the tree as a kid.

Despite the fact, my mother acknowledged there may come a time during Christmas when she may not be able to get me anything due to possible unpredictable events.

The day did come once, however, I was old enough where it did not matter.

We had a home that was secure, our bills were paid, we had food to eat, we had love around us, we had good health, we had God watching over us and our family members, and we had a long future to look forward to- those were the greatest gifts of all.

So, even though my mother enjoyed wrapping Christmas presents to surprise me the best presents came unwrapped, already out in the open to never be a lack thereof.

 

The Chimney Gave It Away!

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As a child, and far before my time, parents told their children about Santa Claus as well as the tooth fairy.

The tooth fairy I never believed in as the concept made no sense.

I liked the idea and the impersonations of Santa’s at school or at the mall. The actors on television, the animations that portrayed Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Santa’s elves and Santa’s reindeer- I mean who did not love Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?

But when it came to the story of Santa Claus being real, I had my doubts.

I wanted to believe he was real as a kid; however, things just did not add up for me.

Number one, Santa was too heavy for the reindeer to carry his sleigh- and what was there to keep the reindeers able to fly up into the air?

Number two, we did not have a chimney in my family home so where was Santa Claus going to slide down?

It all sounded good for imaginary fun or entertainment, nevertheless, the notion was not easy for me to agree with even at a young age.

I decided to test what I had been told. On Christmas eve I sat up in the two front attic windows of my home before midnight. When midnight came, I did not see Santa, his sleigh, or reindeers loaded with gifts making their way over my neighbors’ rooftops.

I said to myself, “He’s not coming”, Santa Claus’s not showing up a confirmation to the doubts I already had.

After I made my way from the attic steps outside the door, my youngest aunt had said to me inside the hallway, “Toya- there isn’t any Santa Claus”.

My mother laughed when I informed her about my investigation and ended her humor with “Your nosey little butt up in that window”.

It was better for me to know the truth anyhow because it was more exciting for me as a child to have my own parents buy me gifts than to have some old guy who flew in the sky.

Break The Habit

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Smoking itself is bad enough. It is even worse when a woman smokes while she is pregnant.

Some women do not mean any harm as smoking is a hard habit to break no matter how hard they try.

Nevertheless, smoking can cause serious health problems to unborn babies like heart murmurs, and so on.

Yes, some heart murmurs in young babies naturally close on their own, yet everyone is not always so lucky along with other problems such as chronic asthma and other respiratory problems that may result in life-threatening events.

 

Go Ape For Grapes!

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I purchased a bag of Sun World Midnight Beauty seedless black grapes yesterday evening

They were flawless, firm, juicy and delicious!

I ate the entire bag of grapes all at once in the two bunch portions that were connected to their vines.

Grapes, especially the black (deep dark purple) and red ones are a good source of resveratrol.

Polyphenols are very good for us. They operate as antioxidants which fight against free radicals to protect our cells.

Just like many other fruits, grapes have the power to protect and maintain the health of the cardiovascular and digestive system.

 

Aqua

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Water is a beverage that never gets old, outdated, or played out.

Water is vital we need this natural liquid to survive.

Yes, there is such a fact of having too much water in the bloodstream whereas it can dilute and decrease nutrients.

There are even incidents of death caused by an over-excess of water inside the body.

Most of the time these are extreme cases.

Ordinarily, we need to continue the regular habit of getting enough fluids within our system, especially water.

There are still people who do not drink adequate amounts daily or at all.

Get as much of that mouthwatering water as possible- it is essential!

Fresh And Natural

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Women in general, are not nasty vessels that need to be fumigated.

I remember the commercials back in the day targeting women about “not feeling so fresh”.

The media often exaggerated or skipped over facts in order to sell a product. They never expressed the truth about how a healthy woman’s vagina is naturally cleaner than any human mouth that contains teeth and gums.

While douching is not necessary for all women as the vagina naturally cleanses itself, some women do need a little help down there depending on how their body chemistry is, or the lifestyle they live.

Of course, washing and keeping up personal hygiene is important; however, mild vaginal odors are a natural occurrence in some women at certain times. It is perfectly normal.

There are some women who carry no odor at all sometimes.

Then there are the women with very strong vaginal odors that may signify infection or plain rottenness.

Men have their situations too. A lot of them are quite musky by nature.

They sweat behind the balls (testicles) and do not always properly wipe their anus after taking a dump and reek of feces and funk.

Wholesome Fun With Food

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It is a wise idea for parents to teach their children early the importance of healthy eating.

Let it be a part of bonding or a hobby when it comes to spending quality time with one another.

Whether it is shopping at the grocery, preparing recipes, or cooking meals, make eating a fun and exciting activity that outlines the benefits of what good nutrition has to offer.

 

 

An Herbal Delight: Lemon And Ginger Tea

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I had a hot cup of lemon and ginger tea yesterday at work.

It was the Bigelow Organic Steep Lemon Ginger Tea brand.

The beverage was potent with natural ginger, giving the tea a peppery taste, yielding the pleasant bursts of vibrant lemon flavor.

I love it when my herbal tea literally tingles the tune of tasty nutrition.

So nice to the spice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

In The Mood For Oat Bran

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I had recently gotten back into the habit of eating hot oat bran cereal after getting tired of it a while back.

The cereal tastes so good boiled with plain organic soymilk.

My bowl of oat bran comes out creamy and filling.

It is nice when what we eat can both be satisfying to the taste buds and beneficial to the health.

Oat bran is whole grain and high in fiber, a very wholesome and nutritious meal to enjoy regularly.

 

The Best Times To Feed Our Dogs?

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If we were to directly ask our dogs when is the best time they’d like to eat I am sure their response would be, “Anytime is just fine with me!”- latoya lawrence 

 

I do not want to generalize because dogs all have their own dispositions and distinct preferences just as us people do.

However, I am pretty sure that if most dogs had it their way, they would be ready to eat all day long if we allowed them to.

So, while pet owners have various types of personal relationships with their dogs- some strict, some lenient, some a bit of both, some who just take natural moments of love, care, patience and attentiveness as they come.

Everyone does not tend to feed their dog on a precise day to day schedule, or even three times a day.

Some people feed their dogs throughout the day.

All that matters is what works out best for the pet, their owners, or the family.

If the dogs are being fed a healthy diet with portions suitable to their requirements everything should be fine.

One dog of mine would always get fed regular meals yet still make rounds in the house to other family members for extras.

I remember occasionally her belly would be so full that we could see it, and we would laugh and joke about how she hustled additional food from everybody.

Once she was satisfied, she went and nonchalantly rested her body in total contentment.

This was a healthy dog who ate table food and lived for a long time.

 

 

 

 

Doorbusters And Everyday Deals

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When I regularly worked in retail we had sales advertised just about every day- latoya lawrence 

Well, today, many around different states took, and are still taking advantage of the after- holiday, next-day holiday sales, to lure eager customers into emptying their loads of wallets and pocketbooks.

I am glad to not be a part of that notorious hustle and bustle.

There is nothing wrong with shopping from time to time or shopping frequently if one can afford to spend.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with treating oneself.

I am one into wise shopping when I take part and indulge.

It is good to pick up items ahead of time at a low price to store up things that we need for later use.

This action saves one money and gives way to better convenience and financial budgeting.

Happy Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is a day celebrated once every year.

A time of gathering for family and friends to spend quality time with one another and to enjoy the feast at a table giving thanks for everything that they fortunately have.

I stopped officially celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas around the age of twelve along with certain other holidays.

To me, they were just ordinary days that were commercialized.

Like I have said many times before- every day is a day to be thankful.

Christmas is really in honor of the birth of Jesus, not a day symbolized to give out and to receive presents.

Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus not a day to acknowledge the relation of any “bunny”.

Nevertheless, Thanksgiving serves a purpose.

Not the purpose in the design of false stories of history or for profit, but for the purpose of a reminder.

A reminder to always be grateful and to show gratitude to God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Pain In The Behind!

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Out and about, enjoying your day.

You are your usual outgoing, easy going or carefree self- living it up, doing it up, or just having it up your way!

There is no time for the discomfort and sensation of burning, itchy, painful hemorrhoids that may sometimes rupture and bleed.

Such a bummer to one’s day!

I cannot remember the last time I had or delt with a reoccurring hemorrhoid thanks to the benefits of Turmeric, other supplements, and certain eating habits.

Though, aside from the force of strain within bowel movements during constipation, hemorrhoids can also be triggered by hormonal changes in women during pregnancy or a menstrual cycle.

 

 

I cannot determine that I will never experience another hemorrhoid ever again as our bodies are apt to go through changes regarding particular circumstances, however, I have been doing quite well and the same can be said for others who may have found their own “health magic” due to the trick for whatever agrees with them.

Suppositories suck sometimes as they may initially work then lose their potency only to make the situation worse.

I never tried the medicated cloth wipes yet I would not want to have to continuously apply- instead of just having a natural reliable fix.

Vitamin supplements do indeed work one just has to find the right quality kind. Herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables work as well.

When specific ones are all used within combination the results can be truly amazing!

 

 

Take The Time To Unwind

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Of course, a bath or a shower is soothing, relaxing, rejuvenating, refreshing and therapeutic.

I loved taking bubble-baths as a child. Back then in the early 80’s there was a popular bath product called Calgon with the television commercial slogan “Calgon take me away”.

I was one in my youth who sat back- even playful- in a hot tub full of foamy bubbles having a good time in the water!

 

 

Everyone should take the time out to pamper themselves alone in private, undisturbed in the quiet of the moment, or with calming/easy listening music.

I use to watch television while in the tub during childhood.

My mother sat a small size black and white TV inside the bathroom from time to time to keep us entertained as we took our separate baths.

I have such fond childhood memories.

 

 

Poopy-Poop

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When I arrived home this evening, I took the most relieving and relaxing poop.

I do not understand why some are embarrassed to discuss a bowel movement as it is a very natural and cleansing activity.

 

 

To comfortably excrete waste is therapeutic to the body.

I enjoy taking a dump, it feels so good and refreshing.

 

Choose Your Circle Wisely

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There are people who hide behind their smiles. One never knows what is truly on their mind.

They disguise themselves as friends when they are really strangers.

I heard it said that a stranger is just a friend we have not yet met.

However, if one was to ask me, I would tell them: A friend “unknown” to me is a stranger I would never want to meet. While a stranger who I do “recognize” is one I have already met.  

Don’t judge by the frown turned upside down, judge by the inside turned outside in.– latoya lawrence 

 

 

A Common Mental Illness

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When I was in my twenties, I heard it said that there is a little jealousy within everybody. I highly disagree with that concept.

Those people who feel that way speak for themselves.

Everyone is not envious or jealous, I know this for a fact as I have never been the jealous type. If anything, I have always had others who were envious or jealous of me.

There are too many people in the world for this to apply to all. Everyone does not have a little jealousy within them.

Possibly most, or a great deal do in some way, but definitely not all.

Jealousy makes people crazy. Unhealthy Jealousy is indeed a sickness.

There are people in the world who can be sick without being jealous- and jealous without being sick. It all depends on the individual and the nature of the situation.

For the most part, when people are sick and jealous, they act out. People who are jealous do not want to hear good things about those who they are jealous of. They will either downplay one or make up lies about them for their own purpose and satisfaction.

Some do not want to see the people they are jealous of get ahead in life. They do the best they can to try to hold them back.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with admiration which is a completely different thing, or even a healthy jealousy that may motivate one to want to achieve higher for themselves or do better in whatever they want to improve on.

It is constructive to turn a potentially negative incentive into a positive manifestation.

When it concerns the extreme as we know envy and jealousy can result into murder. One killing another or completely destroying another over their discontentment and resentment for the quality of character- or material items they may possess.

Morbid jealousy has many definitions and it is definitely a form of mental illness.

 

 

Lean And Green: Active And Refreshed

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I would not in general imagine any green liquid to have a pleasant taste.

I remember in the early 90’s when I tried fresh Wheatgrass juice for the very first time at a health food store.

A member of staff had juiced the grass within its raw state right in front of me.

Wheatgrass juice has to be drunk within a certain time frame or else the highly nutritious plant (grass) will lose some of its full potency.

Three or four years ago I tried a green colored smoothie at a fancy high-class restaurant that was located inside of a high-rise building in Manhattan, New York.

 

 

I had ordered fruit along with some food to take home with me.

When I took the first sip of the fresh smoothie that contained raw spinach, celery, apples, carrots, ginger, lemon and other vegetables- I was surprised by how good the beverage tasted.

I was expecting a strong, nasty, sickening flavor.

I was wrong.

The juice of the smoothie was sweet from the apples, and refreshing with all of the spices, vegetables and fruits that were liquefied to perfection.

Smoothies smoothed out right are a great way to incorporate more of the leafy-greens into our diets more often.

 

 

 

 

Mushrooms: A Fantastic Fungi!

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Back in the day, when I was around fourteen, my mother used to buy me this great-tasting yellow-colored vegetable rice from a diner she would frequent.

This vegan dish had tiny cut mushrooms prepared within the variety of vegetables that were intertwined.

Prior to eating this rice, I had only had foods with a mushroom flavor that I enjoyed without the actual particles of mushrooms themselves.

As an adult, I tried certain mushrooms that I just could not tolerate. I didn’t like the taste nor the texture.

 

I don’t know what type of mushrooms that were in the rice years ago or how it was cooked I just know I was able to eat them and chew on them satisfactorily.

Mushrooms are extremely beneficial to one’s health.

They are excellent for brain health, digestive and immune health, heart health, cancer and all-around longevity in general.

I began to take Mushroom supplements years ago. They are wonderful and safe (unless one has a particular allergy)!

If one chooses to incorporate a mushroom supplement into their diet just know to purchase those with the fruiting body extracts instead of mycelium.

 

 

Mushrooms are inherently comprised of mycelium, but supplements made from mushrooms are not equivalent to ones made from mycelium.

The fruiting body of the mushroom contains high concentrations of beta-glucans, triterpenes, and other particular compounds such as cordycepin.

Mycelium is the vegetative bit of the mushroom.

The fruiting body is the bit that grows from the ground. It is able to be harvested.

 

Eat And Run

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Some people are so in a hurry to attend to their daily schedule that they leave the house without eating.

I am guilty of this action myself. Even when I do have the time I may not eat.

If one does not eat or drink something before they leave the home, be sure to pack or grab something nutritious to keep up energy levels.

It is important to fuel the body with nourishment especially when continuously out on the go.

 

 

 

Unbothered By Negativity, Upheld By Peace: Healthy Boundaries

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Be healthy, be free, aware- yet unaffected by any negative energy.- latoya lawrence

 

It is no secret how people will smile in one another’s face then talk behind their back.

I have had people talk about me then come back to me to talk about the ones they talked about me to!

All of this childish shit that many adults do that I never had time for even when I was a child.

I have always been a straight up person. I don’t talk behind people’s back; I will tell them how I feel straight to their face. I have been this way all of my life.

Sure, everybody talks. However, everybody does not backstab each other.

There is a difference between harmless discussion and outright gossip or rumor spreading.

I never cared what anyone said or thought about me. I am a carefree spirit regardless of backlash or anybody’s opinion or attitude toward me.

I do not look for, and I definitely do not need the approval of others or to be accepted by others.

I approve of and accept myself and that is all that matters to me, but most importantly I am sustained by my Lord.

I never hung around a crowd, only dealt with a chosen few.

I know how people are, how many of them can be. I have that gift of insight.

I am a loner who has true friends. Yet a loner who can be alone without truly being lonely.

I always loved and treasured times spent by myself.

Never let the words or actions of others define you or destroy you. No one has any power over one unless one gives others the power over them.

 

 

The Beauty And Power Of Love

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I am not one who loves easily. If I love someone they definitely have to be worth it- latoya lawrence

 

Love is beautiful.

I had a lot of love in my life growing up, true unconditional love.

Real love never dies.

There is strength and confidence within love.

 

 

Love cannot be bought or sold. The price of love is invaluable, immeasurable, and worth more than what anyone could ever be able to afford.

So precious is this life-giving emotion, so wonderful is its essence.

Fortunate is those who have loved, and who know the genuine meaning of love.

 

Mirth

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Laughter is indeed the best medicine. A remedy to many situations.

I am talking about genuine amusement and lightheartedness.

Not an act of charade or a phony display of spiritedness.

I come from a family of naturally humorous people and we never tried to be funny.

Of course, what is comical to one or a few is not comical to all as everyone has their own individuality.

Yet, we were one’s who could see and find the humor within the most so called tragic of situations.

We also viewed the brighter, meaningful side of things realistically.

There was literally never a day that went by where my mother and I never laughed or joked around with one another.

Our family members made us laugh, we even laughed at ourselves.

There is a difference between being silly and having a healthy sense of humor.

Mindless, foolish, stupidity is not my idea of hilarity. It is just pure nonsense.

It is very important to not take things too seriously, but know what to take serious if it applies.

Have fun when one can. Enjoy life in the way that appeals to one.

Never let anyone or anything steal away the joy one has inside.

 

 

 

Allude To The Mood

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Depression is normal. Everyone feels down once in a while about something at some point in life.

There are circumstances that may affect one’s mood and when those trying, or unfavorable situations come to an end or get better their mood usually tends to improve.

For certain others depression is clinical. A chemical imbalance that may need to be stabilized with medication.

Some people who do not have imbalances sometimes require a prescription for anti-depressants.

A lot of these medications do more harm to the body than good turning some people into zombie-like characters.

People should not be experimented on within this manner. Harsh pharmaceutical drugs are not the perfect remedy.

Instead, each person should be evaluated thoroughly on an individual level.

There are nuts, though, walking around on the street who have not been diagnosed who actually do need medicine.

Doctors who are impetuous often assume, generalize, and do not take into consideration the variety of factors as to why one may shift emotionally.

Medication should be a last resort.

Getting down to the underlying issue through communication, understanding, open-mindedness, patience and personal healing (whatever that may be) is what is key.

 

 

 

 

Self-Love, Confidence, And Fulfillment Comes From Within

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Some women need a man, to be in a relationship, or an engagement or wedding ring to feel validated and complete.

I never understood this mentality or mindset. How could one not already feel complete within themself?

I never wanted or needed a man for anything. A man could not do anything for me that I could not do for myself.

 

There are men who also need validation through how many sexual partners they are able to bed.

Certainly, all women and men are not this way and do not even think this way.

For those who do they have self-esteem as well as emotional issues to evaluate then to resolve if possible.

Within any relationship or marriage there should be two complete individuals coming together in an effort to go half and half on a partnership.

One should be a compliment to the other not an over-compensation to the other.

 

 

Fruit For The Spirit: Crucial For Life

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And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. -Philippians 1:6

Just as our bodies need vital nutrients to sustain our physical health we need the essential nourishment of the mind, spirit, and soul as well. But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” -Matthew 4:4

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. -John 15:4-5

Get encouraged and motivated by inspiration that will enrich your daily walk in life with my scripture and faith based self-written devotionals.

God has prompted me through the holy spirit to utilize my talent of writing to share and spread the message of hope, truth, and salvation to all who are called.

I also share my life experiences and encounters through all seven of my websites/blogs through the gifts, wisdom and knowledge bestowed to me as I travel through as a sojourner on this earth.

This world will eventually come to pass. Until then, let us be prepared and ready to store up treasures for ourselves in heaven.

We are not to live for this temporary life here on the present earth, but for the new Kingdom to come.

Read your bible daily, talk/pray to the Lord constantly and maintain an intimate ongoing fulfilling relationship with the creator of all existence.

The two home pages:

(https://dailyinspirationsforyourlife.wordpress.com/)

(https://dailyinspirationandencouragement.wordpress.com/)

The two blog pages:

(https://dailyinspirationsforyourlife.wordpress.com/blog/)

(https://dailyinspirationandencouragement.wordpress.com/blog/)

One of my other blogs:

(https://misslatoya.home.blog/)

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.
Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:19-34