Tag Archives: Lifestyle

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.

 

Transit Needs To Stop!🚍

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Here today in New York it was announced that the MTA Metropolitan Transit Authority has planned to raise the fair again.

This goes for Buses, Subways, Toll fares and Long Island Railroad travel.

 

 

If anything, transportation fares should be reduced. They need to be going down instead of up!

Prices on everything as it is are already sky-high, exceeding the limits of people’s pocket books.

Soon the entire cost of living will be too expensive for any of us to live by.

 

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.

 

 

 

Enough For What Is Needed

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I remember as a kid when my mother used the expression “You have a Champaign taste with a Kool-Aid pocketbook”.

We were not poor, but we were not rich either. We had our temporary normal days of drought from time to time, yet we always had what we needed to live comfortably.

We never went without thanks to God I know my mother would say.

My family ate good.

I do not currently eat expensively, but food can add up to be expensive when it comes to price. I know how to budget.

Just because I can afford something does not mean I will waste money on what I do not feel is necessary. I am not one who is into foolish splurge, though I do have elegant taste and choose nice, quality things.

I enjoy the pleasant dinners I prepare at home that are suitable to me. I do not put garbage into my body.

Cozy evenings, in front of the television set at peace while I eat.

 

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!

 

 

Scrunchies (Hair Care)

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I have been wearing scrunchies since the 90’s.

They are the best hair-ties as far as I am concerned. They are flexible within their elasticity; they are durable without wearing out too soon- even while they continuously get wet.

Scrunchies do not pull-out strands of hair by getting tangled up as rubber bands and regular elastic barrettes do.

They come in a variety of fabrics/textures and colors.

However, I do not like the shiny/glossy velvet-type scrunchies. The satin ones are okay though I prefer the cottons ones only.

I currently keep my ponytail of natural hair that is growing fast and healthy  in two comfortable scrunchies- one secured at the top of the tail and the other secured near the bottom.

I always keep a supply of these lovely hair adornments on hand at home for later use.

 

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.

 

Chit-Chat

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An associate gave me a ride home this evening.

As we rode in her car, she brought up UFOs and how if they are up there in space somewhere to have peeked down here on us that they probably think us humans to be crazy.

I told her I believe in the “possibility” of aliens or extraterrestrial life on other planets.

I laughed and told her if they do think that we are crazy I understand. I also mentioned that we probably look weird to them the way they appear to us.

I concluded that they may not go around killing one another and other violent or negative things of the such that are done here on earth.

She added that the aliens do not want to come to live down here with us as they are perfectly at peace where they are at.

Well, if they truly exist they need to stay right there in space where they are at!

We both laughed then moved on with our chat.

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.

 

Raisins

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I always loved grapes, but I hated raisins as a kid.

It was not until I reached my late teens that I started to like and love raisins. My tastebuds changed.

Raisins are high in fiber and aid the digestive system. They promote bowel movements as sufficiently as prunes do if not better.

I love raisins plain, I love them in oatmeal cookies, and I loved them in my Uncle Sam’s Raisin Bran before the cereal went out of the market.

 

Roasted Rainbow Carrots

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An Italian lady that I work with fixed me a plate of organic multicolored carrots roasted in olive oil earlier in the week.

She knows that I am vegan and took it upon herself to fix me lunch.

The carrots that were in their natural shades of golden-yellow, creamy white, deep burgundy and jeweled orange tasted pretty good.

I liked the yellow carrots cooked the most.

They had a flavor like a cross between potatoes and yellow squash.

I have always been fond of fresh orange carrots. So, I am a carrot-eater in general.

It feels good to enjoy a healthy meal.

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.

 

 

Too Much Of A “Sweet/Tasty” Thing!

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Many of us get a taste for something sweet once in a while if not too often.

I fall into the occasional category. I get the urge for a cookie every now and then with long intervals in between.

I even want a piece of cake once in a while but yet to have found one on the market desirable to my choice of ingredients.

Either there is too much sugar, grams of fat, the wrong types of fat, or the product is not vegan suitable, and so on.

Of course, I could make my own cake, however, I am not interested in baking desserts like I used to years ago.

I do not mind baking some delicious cornbread though!

There is nothing wrong with indulging in the pleasure of succulent pastries.

The problem is that we tend to overeat the foods we enjoy the most or that we cannot get enough of once we start to consume them.

Everything should be in moderation we are constantly told, nevertheless, the idea of moderation is disregarded when what tastes good overpowers the portions that are within our limits for the moment.

All it really takes is discipline for those who find it difficult to refrain.

 

 

 

 

Soymilk And Cookies

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I have been drinking vanilla soymilk as well as cooking plain soymilk with my oat bran when I get into the mood.

What I love about the vanilla soymilk is that it tastes like a health shake. Delicious, clean, and refreshing.

A lady I work with thought about me and brought me back a box of vegan coconut/oatmeal cookies the other day.

I had mentioned the item to her- how I had not had any of the cookies in a while- and when she returned from shopping at the grocery, she handed me the box of Steve and Andy’s organic coconut oatmeal cookies!

Onions And Garlic

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I love onions. They are so strong within smell and taste. Powerful enough to literally bring tears to our eyes while we slice and handle them.

This pungent vegetable has always been a favorite of mine whether eaten raw or cooked. Onions bring out a distinct flavor along with garlic.

I love red onions in my salad. Biting into the crunchiness of the flesh causes a natural tingle and sting that indicates how potent the onions are.

When I swallow red onions a burning sensation flows through my nostrils, sometimes so bad that I have to pause before continuing to eat them.

Garlic burns too, and I love it!

The harsh tingles are nature’s release of inherent nutrients, purifiers, and restoration properties in action. They stimulate to take affect within the body.

Onions and garlic contribute highly to good health and well-being.

My grandfather used to make natural tonics- from onions that worked to knock out the common cold virus quickly. He grew up in the south, learning how to use herbs, spices, and vegetables as healing remedies from his grandmother.

Onion rings were an appetizer I once enjoyed but cut out due to it not being wise to make a habit out of eating fried foods.

When it comes to the spicy vegetable garlic, I use the contents of the bulb on just about everything!

Garlic also works as a beneficial antibiotic. I substituted garlic capsules for one of my dogs years ago until I was able to bring her to the vet to get her some amoxicillin. The garlic had really helped my dog out a lot.

 

 

My Dollars Worth

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While I am not interested or motivated by the inspired events of Black Friday, I do appreciate a good sale when it comes to grocery shopping.

Yesterday, I happened to check one of my local supermarket’s weekly online circulars as I do periodically to see if any of my favorite or useful household products were on sale, and I was in luck!

My local Stop and Shop was having a major blowout that began on Friday and will end this coming Thursday.

After work, I went and picked up some vegetables, fruits and other essential items at very affordable prices.

 

Lentils: A High Fiber Meal

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Lentils are delicious and incredibly nutritious. I absolutely love lentils.

In fact, I had a bowl of lentil soup for lunch yesterday afternoon.

I cook and eat these legumes on a regular basis.

I sometimes prepare them with rice, vegetables or other types of beans.

Lentils are also a satisfying dish to create all by themselves without anything extra being added to them.

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lemons 🍋

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There is nothing sweet about lemons, they leave a sour taste in one’s mouth.

This fact in no way makes me bitter. I could never resent the lingering zest of flavor that lemons leave behind.

Nothing can duplicate the distinct taste of a lemon.

The citrus burst of tanginess is soothing and refreshing to the body.

Lemon in water, lemon drizzled over food, lemon brewed in tea, lemon transformed into my favorite drink- lemonade!

 

Berrylicious

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Thank goodness for the Berry family. They all contribute vital benefits that help sustain us naturally.

I am not crazy about raspberries though I can tolerate the taste of them when I eat them. They are not one of my favorites as far as taste, but I love them extracted in juice or recipes.

I absolutely love the raw taste of blackberries as well as Blueberries and strawberries.

Cranberries are too tart for me to eat within their natural state, I prefer the pure bitter juice.

These exceptional berries, including the ones I have not mentioned, have an array of wholesome healing purposes.

 

Strawberry Delight

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I did not care for strawberries as a youngster. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I came to love them.

Strawberries are delicious, they are extremely healthy.

The fruit carries properties that boost our cardiovascular health and that stimulate our immune systems.

Strawberries are a powerful antioxidant that works as an anti-inflammatory.

I prefer to eat strawberries within their natural state instead of in desserts except for in non-dairy yogurt alternatives and fruit drinks or smoothies.

 

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.

Black Friday

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It is good to take advantage of a sale or bargain when the opportunity presents itself.

Nevertheless, I was never one into the craze over Black Friday.

I never intentionally went shopping on that day, I never understood the impulse the draw had on many.

I worked at quite a few department stores and still was not tempted to hunt for a deal.

 

 

I hated how our managers instructed us employees who had certain major positions to be at the stores by 5am to get the sales floor ready to prepare for the surge of customers before the doors to our retail outlets opened.

People literally tore the store up in their haste and disorder.

I used to hear on the news how some people were killed during stampedes caused by those who were in a rush, carelessly bombarding their ways through the crowds of other impetuous people.

I remember standing out in the cold while it was still dark outside one November, the day after Thanksgiving. I was waiting early that morning for a bus to catch, all for the sake of a job needing me to be there to help line up things for Black Friday- it was so ridiculous.

 

My Tidbits

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This past Saturday morning I had some cold, tasty, nutritious apple juice without any added sugar.

In the afternoon, I drank three cups of hot delicious tea back-to-back.

Later, during the evening, I made quite a few pieces of toast from whole wheat bread.

I lightly covered my toast with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Vegan spread that I had not purchased in almost two years.

And that is all I ate and drank for that entire day.

Wait A Minute! What Was In My Box Of Rice?!

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On my way home from work earlier in the week, I stopped off at a grocery store that I frequent on rare occasions while I am within the area.

I purchased a box of instant Minute brown rice.

I have been a rice eater since childhood, always loved me some rice- whether yellow rice, red rice, beans and rice, peas and rice, rice pilaf or plain rice.

I cut out eating white rice unless colored with the benefits of Turmeric two years ago.

I have been eating mainly brown rice when I get the taste for it mixed in with lentils or various type of beans that I prepare.

When I got home later in the evening to pour the rice into a pot to boil an object of some sort fell out through the box along with the rice.

It was dark brown in color, had a sharp point on one side and broke in half like some dirty piece of matter possibly found in ground or soil.

Whatever the article was it was a turn off to me.

I immediately poured the contents of the rice out of my pot into the garbage. I took a photo of the Minute rice box proof of purchase, date, and time stamp.

Afterwards, I wrapped the box of remaining rice in a plastic bag and placed it inside the trash.

The next day I phoned up the company that manufactures the rice and was disappointed at the representative’s way of operating, so I hung up on her.

The representative wanted me to send a picture of what I found inside the box. I explained how it broke up and as I did not know what it was, I quickly discarded it

I proceeded to fill out a contact form located on the Minute Rice website. Now I am waiting to see if I will receive a response from them.

 

Cheerios

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There are not too many healthy cold boxed cereals out on the market. In fact, it is very rare to find some that really are nutritious without unnecessary ingredients.

One of my favorites, Uncle Sam’s Raisin Bran which was high in fiber without any added sugars and only had four simple ingredients was unfortunately taken off the market due to low customer sales.

I phoned up the company myself to find out this information after I could no longer find the item in the stores I use to purchase them from a year and a half ago.

Grape-Nuts is still on the market and is another healthy four- ingredient vegan friendly cereal, however, I do not have a taste for them as I did during my teenage years.

Cheerios was a cereal I loved while growing up and healthy compared to the other leading cereals.

I stopped eating them because of the Cheerios being fortified with vitamin D3 derived from lanolin (grease/oil from sheep’s wool).

Since nowadays General Mills made Cheerios gluten-free and non-gmo maybe they will eventually take out the animal sourced Vitamin D3 and replace it with a plant-based option for us vegans to consume.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkins

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I like pumpkins. I think they are so cute.

They make attractive, unique decoration to enhance the essence of the environment, whether during the autumn, for Halloween, or for Thanksgiving.

I used to buy pumpkins years ago for display in my home.

I tasted the inside of one as a youngster. I did not like the taste of it. I used to eat pumpkin seeds now and then, though.

I never had anything with pumpkin as a main ingredient that I recall.

I used to eat sweet potato pie. I have not had that dessert in years.

I purchased my mother a pumpkin pie once when there was not any sweet potato pie available at a restaurant.

Long ago were the days of my mom preparing homemade sweet potato pies as she was tired of big holiday cooking year after year.

My mother had acknowledged to me that the pumpkin pie tasted better than sweet potato pie if not similar.

 

 

A Lack Of Vitamin D

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I had a routine visit to my doctor a week ago.

Everything was good, all the bloodwork came back normal as usual. I am just getting over my cough from my bronchitis acting up.

The only problem the doctor informed me about is that my vitamin D levels are low.

This is nothing new for me and many others. Most of us have vitamin D deficiency.

Years ago, one of my other primary care doctors prescribed vitamin D for me but I did not take it because it was animal derived.

There was a time when I did take Vitamin D2, which is the vegan kind, ergocalciferol.
I used to buy Country Life brand.

It was hard for me to find Vitamin D2 with ingredients that I preferred. Country Life have made changes to quite a few of their supplements, so I do not use them anymore.

I have seen Vitamin D3 advertised on the market in vegan form. However, I will stick with D2 because I know for sure it is plant-form and not animal derived.

Since us vegans do not consume dairy, we may not get enough calcium and vitamin D.

I do not take calcium supplements as some can be dangerous and lead to atherosclerosis due to the calcium not properly being absorbed, etc….

I love spinach and other leafy-green vegetables.

In fact, I gobbled down on some kale, collard greens, chopped spinach, and broccoli a week and a half ago as I ate a helping of each for dinner, evening after evening.

Certain vegetables do contain sufficient amounts of calcium, although it may not be enough if not eaten on a regular basis, or not adequate due to other factors in regard to an individual.

 

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.

 

 

My Pomegranate And Blueberry Juice

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Two weeks ago, was the first time I ever tasted Pomegranate and Blueberry juice combined together.

The beverage was deliciously refreshing. I had another two bottles today!

 

 

Both highly nutritious- Pomegranate and Blueberries deliver extreme health benefits.

Imagine the properties of these two antioxidants together! A complete powerhouse of goodness.

 

 

 

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.

 

Fresh Delicious Pineapples!

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The Lord knows that I love watermelon. I love biting into a firm, crunchy apple, and I love a cold, juicy orange.

I love cherries, grapes, plums, pears, peaches, honeydew melon- and more!

Nevertheless, my all-time favorite fruit are fresh pineapples!  I love to drink pineapple juice too but my favorite fruit juice of all time is lemonade!

I eat every part of the pineapple flesh, including the hard middle which is the core.

I ate fresh pineapples constantly as a teen. I still eat them now when they are properly ripe.

I would eat chunks of cut-out pineapple while my lips and tongue were sometimes cut and bled by the inside sharp parts of the pineapple. I did not care one bit. I kept on eating away!

Not only are pineapples delicious they are extremely nutritious with fiber and bromelain.

Of course, fiber keeps our digestive system healthy and bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme mixture that digests protein. It is derived from the juice, stem, and fruit of the pineapple.

Bromelain properties are that of an anticoagulant as it helps to clot our blood.

Pineapples are also high in vitamin C. They have vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and vitamin A

All Fried Out

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Shit! Excuse my language- or should I say excuse my “French?”

My mouth waters in memory just to think about it. Those crispy fried potatoes- golden, steaming hot, salty or unsalted

I use to be a French fry-acholic during my teenage and early adulthood.

I was hooked on French fries.

I stopped a long while back as I cut down on fried foods period. I never ate too much fried food frequently to begin with, though I would sometimes indulge heavily at times on certain things that I enjoyed to eat.

I was informed during early adulthood how fried foods could harden arteries yet that did not stop me from consuming those yummy fries. I took the warning seriously I just was not able to resist my favorite so-called junk food.

I was already limited in what I ate as I was a vegan/vegetarian.

A day came when the desire for French fries subsided. Then once in a while I would get the urge to peel, cut and fry my own, or go buy a frozen bag from the supermarket.

Nowadays, even though I may sometimes hunger for a fry, I do not even try.

Luckily, I am within good health, far from any heart disease and I would like to keep it that way.

I have always eaten pretty healthy and nutritiously but there are always specific foods we should be careful of and eat within moderation if not at all after a while.

Watch the fried foods, refined sugars, saturated fats and other harmful, no-good additives and ingredients.

 

 

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.

 

 

Infectious Disease Amongst The Young

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This topic is nothing new yet something still going on. And, it will continue to take place.

It just no longer is startling anymore after years and a decade or two.

Now it is common or expected depending on particular behaviors and lifestyle choices.

Of course, age does not exclude one from contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

There are many people, younger and younger walking around with curable or incurable sexually transmitted infections.

I am talking about from the ages of nine on up.

 

Aside from youngsters who are responsible, who learn from their errors, who attempt to be more careful in the long run- there are the unscrupulous ones.

Those who have accepted their conditions yet are bitter, full of despair, and do not care.

Some are even nonchalant without resentment, but with the attitude of indecency.

People of any age can have the frame of mind where they feel they have a disease that they will freely give away to as many people as they can, especially if it is a deadly disease.

They figure they are dying so they will take others with them.

Some even think or believe if they infect another person that they can be with them or always go back to them in a relationship.

Then, there are the plain crazy ones who are low, dirty, and crude as an everyday part of life.

 

 

Womb Care: A Personal Inspiration

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My mother and I had a very close relationship.

She could share almost anything with me and I could share just about everything with her.

One thing she revealed to me years ago when I was a teen or in my early twenties is that she never had sex while she was pregnant with me.

My mother said anything like that was out of the question. She explained her feelings and reasons why. None of which had to do with religion or anything of that nature.

I felt my mother gave me the “ultimate respect” within the womb.

I even feel the exact same way for personal reasons of my own.

If I was sexually active and got pregnant, I would not let a man touch me either.

I am in no way judging or criticizing women who do have sex while they are pregnant.

It is purely a natural preference, a trait within our own distinction my mother and I had.

I know there are definitely other females out there in the world who are similar.

We are a people of all kinds, and uniqueness.

Sweet Indulgence

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I try not to make a habit out of this, however:

About three weeks ago my favorite non-dairy tasting ice cream was on sale for $2.50 each.

I scooped up two half (now it’s a 1.5 quarts) a gallon.

Last week they were on sale again. I purchased two more.

They are all finished now. I ate them all without guilt!

I had not had any of the vanilla peanut butter swirl in a while and I just could not resist the urge.

I used to constantly make the most delicious milkshakes with this Breyers nondairy delight two years ago!

The product is sourced with Non Gmo ingredients, Gluten free, RFA certified vanilla, and it’s completely dairy free- made with real Almond Milk.

I always read the labels!

Masks

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I am fully vaccinated yet I still continue to wear a mask at all times when I am out and at work.

It doesn’t bother me if others choose not to wear a mask.

To each his or her own.

In the beginning of the covid crisis when everyone was panicking, I hated wearing a mask. I only started to wear them when it became mandatory.

Now that everything has calmed down, and masks are no longer a requirement within all places as they once were, I have gotten used to wearing them since it’s been so long.

I, of course, still hang the mask down to my chin regularly to breath clear air. The masks can be rather suffocating at times.

I have never had Covid (thank goodness), hopefully, one day there will be no more mask-wearing at all in regard to Covid precautions, and no more susceptibility to it.

Predators

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Last Sunday, on August 21, 2022, I was on my way to work.

A black guy who sat in a parked white-colored style jeep asked me for directions to a restaurant (a place called “Top Romain”) within the area that I had never heard of.

He asked me about three times, I told him “Never heard of the place. If I did, I would let you know”.

This guy thanked me, and I walked about my way.

Afterwards I had a funny feeling about him. At first, I wasn’t going to respond to him, and I should not have.

Yet, what is the harm in helping someone find their way unless one gets a bad vibe from them.

Some people do play games.

Three or four blocks down ahead, this same black guy was parked on the street by the curb. He uttered to me, “I don’t know where it is”.

Obviously, this guy circled the block and drove ahead to catch up to me.

I completely ignored him as I kept on walking.

This could have been a sicko randomly looking for someone to rape, kidnap or who knows what else.

Or he could have even been sent. If so, I could definitely pinpoint from where since I have no enemies around and have not had any problems with anyone except for a few jealous people at my last Amazon job.

I had never seen this guy before. I called the police right away and gave a description. I don’t play that nonsense.

He could be a danger to others just in case he already committed some vile crime already within the distant past or present.

A Fruit And Vegetable A Day

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I know that everyone who may want to eat healthy cannot always afford to.

Prices for everything is sky high these days. It is hard to just get by sometimes.

There are fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts that are priced reasonably when sales aren’t being advertised.

It is beneficial, necessary and even vital in some circumstances for one to eat at least one or more fruits and vegetables a day every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How We Consume Does A Body Good Or Bad

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Everything that may smell good, look good, or taste good may not be good for one to consume.

The same goes for in dealing with people but, that is another story.

One may be busy on the run, get hungry, or need to eat.

It may be too hot to cook, one may be tired, or even just a bit lazy.

Whatever the reason it is perfectly normal.

One may just want to order out, desire some fast food or stick some packaged frozen cuisine in a microwave, saucepan, or conventional oven and eat.

 

The only thing is these foods whether from a restaurant or our local supermarket may not offer the best ingredients or are prepared in ways that are not suitable to our health.

There may be excess sugar, sodium, fat, artificial flavorings, chemicals and so on.

One just has to be careful in deciding on what to purchase and consume when it comes to eat-out and take out.

There are healthier options out there nowadays, although these type of stores or restaurants may not always be within a location near to us.

Nevertheless, if we’re going to eat certain fast foods do it in moderation and with precaution.

What we may take for granted early on with our health and body could affect us later on in the long run.

No one wants that.

 

Oral Care

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I am sure that most people would like to keep all of their teeth intact and in their mouths for as long as possible.

Truth is, as we age some of our teeth may decay, need to be pulled or may need reconstruction.

Everyone is different, an individual’s dental health can depend on other factors besides simple oral care.

Some people’s dental conditions are a result of genetics.

Of course, brushing one’s teeth regularly at least twice a day with a good toothpaste containing stannous fluoride (I use Colgate Total), flossing, and visiting the dentist on a regular basis helps to keep our teeth and gums in shape.

 

Some have to beware, though. There are dentists out there who will mess up one’s teeth and cause problems with one’s mouth just to keep an individual coming back to their offices for them to do unnecessary dental work and make extra money.

I had not been to the dentists since I was nine years of age (I am in my forties now) before I returned to one last year to get a cleaning and some plaque removed.

And, my teeth are still within good shape.

I just went back two weeks ago to get another cleaning with the dental hygienist and I will return in another six months.

I took care of my teeth as best I could on my own- and eating habits have a lot to do with our oral health also.

The way for us to keep our teeth and gums strong, healthy, and the teeth in our mouths for as long as we can is to get plenty of natural vitamin C.

 

Pomegranate And Pomegranate Juice

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The first time I ate Pomegranate was in the early 90’s, either the year of ninety-one or ninety-two.

For two and a half years now, I have been drinking cold-pressed Pomegranate juice regularly.

The brand of beverage that I purchase is quite expensive because it is pure, however, it is worth it.

I enjoyed two ice-cold bottles of Pomegranate juice today in fact!

Fresh Pomegranate fruit is very delicious to suck on and is highly packed with vitamin C.

The only thing I dislike about Pomegranate is how messy the juice can be upon cutting into the fruit.

Pomegranate is very good for the arteries, blood pressure, and circulation- which is extremely beneficial to one’s heart.

Cherry Tomatoes

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I used to pick tomatoes from my grandmother’s garden along with other vegetables that my grandmother grew in our backyard when I was a kid.

I always loved tomatoes. All things tomato suits me just fine- whether it is tomato sauce, tomato soup, cherry tomato or regular size tomato.

Cherry tomatoes are what I currently eat on a regular basis.

When I was a child, I thought tomatoes were a vegetable. I learned later in life that tomatoes were actually fruit.

I love lettuce, cucumbers and red onions, but nothing brings out a salad for me than the zest of fresh delicious tomatoes mixed in together!

I even love a big fat ripe tomato by itself.

Not only are tomatoes great in taste they are extremely nutritious as well!

Tomatoes, especially cherry tomatoes are abundant in vitamin C and lycopene.

A bonus is that cherry tomatoes are also a good source of potassium and the vitamins A and E.

Tomatoes contribute significant health benefits to the body.

I purchased myself two large containers of fresh cherry tomatoes a few days ago from the supermarket.

I cannot wait to sink my teeth into some of them once I am ready for them!

Carrots And Carrot Juice

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I love fresh carrots! I always have, they are just so darn tasty and a great snack to crunch and chew on. Not only are they delicious, but highly nutritious!

I keep carrots in the house. Every time I go grocery shopping, I purchase this healthy vegetable and I eat them practically every day.

I remember during my teens when I juiced carrots for the very first time. The taste of the beverage was unbelievable. My mother and I gulped down our carrot juice with such pleasure.

Be sure to incorporate a generous serving of carrots or carrot juice into your diet or daily routine and get plenty of that vital beta carotene along with a heap of other vitamins and minerals to fill up your body with.

If one can afford to, buy and eat organic carrots and other vegetables and fruits as well!

Relief In The Bathroom

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You do not have to spend an eternity or eventually die on the toilet from a strenuous or relentless effort to relieve yourself of fecal elimination.

Bowel movements can be very difficult at times with constipation and bowels that sometimes feel confined within the intestines, refusing to come out. It often makes one feel bloated or uncomfortable.

I cured my occasional constipation issues a long time ago with Turmeric.

When I was in my twenties, I pooped three times a day with no problem. If I would eat too much starch here and there, I had to deal with the strain of emptying my bowels. From time to time or once in a while I would get a high level of constraint or restriction with a pronounced lack of ease or no ease at all. It is then that I had to take serious action. I was in my thirties when this circumstance had taken place.

Constipation is usually associated with hardened feces or large ones with softness in texture unable to thoroughly pass through the rectum completely.

When I had my severe constipation years ago where I had to literally take my finger and hand to dig out the doo-doo, I put an end to the condition by fortunately coming across Turmeric. Even after I had stopped consuming the curcuma longa supplements, I didn’t have a problem with excretion until once more years following.

Aside from Turmeric, the second most simple solution is to just consume more high fiber foods into your diet. At least that was and is the other remedy for me.
A lot of my favorite foods happen to be fiber-rich and I go to the bathroom very frequently and with total ease and relaxation.

The fact that I have been a vegan/vegetarian for thirty-three years may contribute to my healthy digestive system, although fiber and/or Tumeric can and will do great wonders for anyone who properly balances them within their daily lifestyle.

So, gulp down copiously on healthy fruits, vegetables, seeds, beans/legumes and grains that are heavily loaded with beneficial fiber. Your body not only will be producing comfort in the bathroom, but satisfactory within overall health as well.

Fiber and Turmeric both do a body well.

You can safely and naturally choose one or the other, or both, according to one’s own different personal need, preference, and/or bodily toleration.

Junk Food Diet And Childhood Obesity

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When I was a very young child, before I became a vegan, junk food was not a regular part of my household diet. Yes, I had Burger King, Mc Donald’s, pizza, ice cream, sweets, and potato chips from time to time, but a steady habit was never made out of eating those particular foods.

I was a well-fed child raised on home-cooked vegetables, fruit, meats, poultry and seafood such as lamb chops, cube steak, meat loaf, stew beef and potatoes, chicken, turkey and certain types of fish.

My mother kept me healthy and I was slim in size within proportion, and within accordance to my age and specific nutritional needs.

To each his or her own, however, it is not wise for parents or guardians over young children to allow them to constantly indulge within the routine of consuming unhealthy junk foods on a regular basis.

Lifestyle behaviors as these promote overall ill-health, including serious ailments like heart disease and diabetes early on or later in life. Some may even be prone to eventual premature death.

A diet poor in nutritional value and high in fat will also contribute to obesity.

No child should lay around to constantly spend all or most of their day lazy and inactive from exercise to just desire a continuous appetite for food.

Healthy Fats

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I love peanuts, sunflower seeds, cashews, pecans, and walnuts. The only thing about the walnuts is that I was kind of allergic to them.

Nuts are very nutritious and good for health the only drawback is that they all have to be eaten in moderation. Too much of these fats eaten too often can raise unhealthy cholesterol levels due to their high calorie density although they are a naturally vegan food and rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

Nuts are a great source of unsaturated fat but they are also high in fats altogether. A well-proportioned diet of nuts occasionally or in a small daily amount depending on the individual can lower or control blood cholesterol levels and support a healthy heart among other things. Like I said, though, be careful not to overdo it.

Nuts are delicious and we can get carried away eating them.

 

Fresh Pears

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I had some fresh organic pears yesterday. I bought them last week. Six came in a bag. I ate five since one had fell to the floor.

They were firm, crunchy, and delicious. I had not eaten any pears in a very long time. So long I can’t even remember. I love pears, they were the brown ones with tint of green.

I always buy and keep fresh fruit, especially apples, cherry tomatoes, oranges, tangerines, carrots and bananas.

Pears are highly nutritious they are rich in dietary fiber, plant compounds, and essential nutrients! This favorite snack of mine is also said to be able to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes when consumed regularly in a well-balanced diet.

Most fresh fruit and vegetables are excellent at combating and preventing many health issues anyhow.

 

 

Air-Popped

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For years, I had always popped popcorn kernels with oil.

I read about air-popping corn kernels over the stove yet didn’t think it was actually possible as I tried once and failed. All that had resulted was burnt kernels.

Something recently inspired me to give this oil-free popping a try once again because after reading another article I realized where I went wrong.

I didn’t shake the pot of kernels every one to two minutes like I should have.

So I gathered my stick-free (non-stick) pot, heated it on medium to high flame, then poured in some corn kernels and covered the pot with the top.

I frequently shook the kernels around and before I knew it they started to pop!

Ever since, I’ve been air-popping popcorn like a professional.

It is so much healthier to pop our own popcorn. To pop it without the use of oils and without adding salt which make the grain the ultimate healthy snack that it actually is.

Purely natural popcorn is packed with nutritional value (including fiber) and it tastes good too!

Corn is just all around delicious period!

Delicious Healthy Oats!

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Above is an actual camera photo I took earlier today of my delicious steel cut oats!

They came out so perfect within taste. As usual, I mixed in some extra thick whole grain rolled oats without any sugar, milk (vegan) or fruit.

I only use and eat Bob’s Red Mill oat products. “Nature’s Path” original instant oatmeal and “Mom’s Best Cereals” quick oats are also both high quality non gmo brands I purchase for my aunt who loves and eats the instant version of oatmeal.

When I purchase oats I look for only natural 100% whole grain oats without any fortified vitamins or sugar added into the product.

I’d rather add my own extra ingredients that I choose to if preferred than to have over-processed unhealthy amounts of derivatives sneaked or placed into my food.

Oatmeal

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Ever since childhood I’ve been a fan of oats/oatmeal ingredients. I loved oatmeal cookies and oatmeal granola.

Now as an adult I’ve developed the taste for hot oatmeal cereal. I didn’t like oatmeal for breakfast growing up. When a lady where I worked at offered and made me a bowl months ago I was hooked.

Wheat farina is what I was raised up on and loved. Then, once I had gotten older and experimented with hot oat bran cereal I no longer desired the farina, and now that I have sampled hot oatmeal again in my latter years I don’t really want anymore of the oat bran cereal too often.

One of my aunts loves oat meal too, she’s always been a fan of the breakfast cereal, though. I fix her a bowl or two just about every day. She eats the instant. I don’t care for the instant oatmeal I eat steel cut oats and mix it in with extra thick rolled oats when I cook them, and those steel cut oats make the cereal all so delicious.

I don’t need or eat my oatmeal with any additives. I boil the oats with water without the use of sugar, milk (vegan) or fruit as the choice is just my preference.

 

 

Well-Rested

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I stayed up late last night up into the wee hours of the morning watching some of my old favorite television shows as I frequently do here and there. Last night I viewed the Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock, Mannix, Cannon, Barnaby Jones, Highway Patrol and then Dragnet.

I love old shows and movies, there are so many on my list that it would be impossible to name all within a day.

I don’t stay up nearly as much as I use to watching television or doing anything else as nowadays a sleepiness creeps upon me that I do not try to fight. It is very important to get a good night’s rest or afternoon nap. We should never deprive our body of the sleep it needs. Rest keeps us additionally healthy and helps our minds to function better.

I sleep very well normally and It feels so good to be secured within the comforts of a welcoming bed.

Water

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Juice is wonderful and delicious to drink and all so soothing and satisfying when drunk ice-cold.

Sometimes I get full from drinking juice while other times the sugar within the juice will cause me to thirst for water. At times when I drink water, I will get full, on other occasions, drinking water will make me hungry for food.

It’s intriguing how the body works; our bodies are a remarkable constitution within the fashions in which they function.

We all know that water is essential and beneficial in all ways and for all types of use and drinking adequate amounts of water to our preference and needs are a contribution to a healthy state of hydration and overall well-being.

So, include water within a daily or frequent time of the week and enjoy the refreshing taste as well as the nutritional value that this purely natural beverage has to offer.

 

Rice And Beans

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Whether it’s kidney, pinto, white, navy, lima (green in particular), green (string beans), peas (black-eyed) or green (string beans) beans are a wonderful tasting high-protein food. They taste great alone or enhanced by other combined meals.

The most complimenting dish, of course, is the many variety of rice and bean preparations.

White, yellow, brown or red (mixed with tomato sauce) rice specifically dressed and spiced up in numerous flavorings set those beans and peas off fantastically, especially when beans and peas create a saucy textured gravy/infusion to additional combination foods when cooked to an extended tender.

 

 

Vegan Pasta With Broccoli

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Broccoli has always been one of my all-time favorite’s food. I love broccoli with rice, broccoli with shrimp, and broccoli with spaghetti noodles dressed in garlic, olive oil and oregano.

When I first tasted vegetarian lasagna many years ago, I loved every bite of it. As a pasta lover, having the dish prepared with broccoli just added a further appeal to me. The broccoli had taken the place of the meat usually included within traditional lasagna.

Ziti is another favorite pasta dish of mine and the noodles covered, packed, and melted in vegan cheese is just a wonderful satisfaction to my taste-buds.

Pickles Delicious!

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I never liked pickle chips in any type of burger or sandwich or alone for that matter, but I always loved kosher dill pickle spears by themselves.

They were also so good to eat on the side while eating a hero sandwich; crispy potato chips always went well with a sandwich too.

Anyhow, over the weekend, my mother opened up a jar of pickles that I had bought from my local stop & shop a few weeks ago. They’d been inside the refrigerator all of this time nice and cold.

I found these particular pickles in the vegan/organic aisle of the supermarket and I could tell by the packaging and by the look of the pickles that they were of good quality. I wanted to pick up a jar for my mother also, yet there was only one jar of spears left. The others on the shelf were the pickle chips and my mother liked pickle chips but not to eat alone as a snack, so I was only able to purchase one jar of this specific brand. I just decided that my mother and I would share them.

This was my very first time ever buying these organic Woodstock brand and I must say that these kosher dill pickle spears were extremely delicious. I couldn’t stop eating them. I love them! These pickles are on the expensive side $6.99; however, they were well worth the money!

Since I was a child, I had always loved raw cucumbers. I use to go and pick our own home grown ripe cumbers from our backyard that my grandmother had planted, peel them, and sprinkle a little salt on them. Cucumbers/pickles are such a naturally healthy treat.

Here are the list of contents within the Woodstock brand:

Ingredients: Organic cucumbers, water, organic distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, organic garlic chips, organic dill weed oil, organic gum arabic, organic natural spice flavors, xanthan gum.

 

 

Corona Virus

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misslatoya's avatar"My Voice" Weblog By Miss LaToya Lawrence

It’s sad that it took this Covid-19 virus to wake people up about being clean and thoroughly hygienic amongst themselves as well as in social settings.

Buses and trains should have already been getting disinfected on a regular basis.

I had practiced handwashing and cautious social contact within my natural daily living all throughout my early childhood on up. When I worked in retail, I use to wear gloves as a rule and as a method of common sense.

Ignorant people use to laugh at me for my so called “germophobic” ways; smart people use to praise me. Now many are trying to adapt to a mode of hygienic precaution.

Eventually this will all come to pass just like everything else in life. The universe speaks within so many ways and particular occurrences happen for a reason. I haven’t been worried at all about this Covid-19. It is a sign of the…

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Reading

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Isn’t it wonderful to have a mother or parent who loves their child so much and who invests the time and effort into the ultimate welfare of providing for their child?

One of the most beautiful things to share with a child at an early age besides care and attention is a book.

Early learning and development is one of the most important bestowments that a parent can offer to their child along with it being another way to enhance a familial bond.

My mother always had books around me as she was an avid reader and she taught me how to read by the time I was two and a half years of age.

Reading is so conducive as it takes one’s mind on a journey to discovery, contemplation, imagination, adventure, and communication.

I loved the numerous types of books that my mother had purchased for me and I’d read them over and over again. One of my favorite childhood literary anthologies was the Bank Street Readers series of books.

My mother often took me to the library to borrow books that held my interest, and for the study of autobiographical book reports that I had to turn in during my elementary school years. It was both fun as well as educational.

Till this very day one of my favorite hobbies is to read. I was even presented a gold pen when I was eight years of age for being one of the best readers within the entire school.

All is owed to having a parent who prepared me for the world ahead of time.