Blushblog

ADVENTURES IN SPINNING + FISH AND VEGGIES DIET FOR LIFE

ADVENTURES IN SPINNING 

Saturday, a girlfriend of mine and I decided to embark on a spinning class.  Now, I have tried spinning in the past.  I was still in my pre-two babies body and was only concerned with toning.  Oh, those days.  Anyway, I lasted all of fifteen minutes.  Clearly, I knew I could not keep up with the fake ass Lance Armstrong's but I must say I was a bit surprised that I could not hang with the 50 year old woman spinning in her boat shoes and fanny pack.  Under these circumstances, I believed my exit was well warranted.

Back to Saturday.  So we get to class, get set up on the bike, drink some water, breathe deeply and wait for the house music to begin.  I observed the fulled mirrored wall and saw very quickly why I needed to be in this class.  Baby pooch and all.  As expected, the spinning elite enter the class and the instructor announces that the class will be an intermediate endurance class.  Ok, endurance and intermediate sound doable.  I can hang, right?  I start off well.  The class is full and I am keeping up with the spin count.  I guess the Zumba, kickboxing, walking, and yoga are paying off.  A few minutes in and my posterior begins to hurt like none other.  The seat is not comfortable, so you would think when the instructor calls for standing spinning that I would jump at the chance to ease my behind. Not so much.  I am not sure which is worse - the pain from the seat or the pain in my thighs from the standing.

The instructor is cool.  She is giving guidance and encouragement but one of the spinning elite was not impressed.  He was a well built man who looked in the face to be in his early 40's.  He took it upon himself to be the class cheerleader.  Here are some of his words of encouragement...

"Shut your haters down.  Shut your haters down."

"If you don't love you who will?  I said, who will?"

"Look in the mirror. Do you like what you see?"

"Your haters are at home on the couch right now.  At home on the couch."

"You gonna have some more haters after this."

"Hi haters. Hi haters."

"Don't look down.  Look in the mirror.  Don't look down."

"Ah yes. Move. Move. Move"

"Push through.  Push through."

Yes, he was obnoxious but I'll be damn if I didn't stay till the end.  I'll be back for more pain.  I need more haters.

FISH AND VEGGIES FOR LIFE

So in case you missed Halle Berry at the Golden Globes last night, here she is reminding me of why I should only have carbs once a week and why I should only be eating fish and vegetable (and maybe a banana, for the potassium, of course).  She also reminds me of why I love my hair short.  Thanks for getting me back on track Halle and reinforcing why Peanut Brittle should not be part of my daily diet.  Sorry See's Candies.

What do I need to do for a back like this?

Lazy Lovers and New Sex - Part I

Let's face it, sexual adventure is necessary to keep from boring your partner and yourself to death and from hurting your relationship.  Sometimes simply switching the stroke is not enough.  Just because you shift focus from the right wall to the left does not mean that the sensation for you or your partner has improved.  Enter full on fantasy exploration.  At some point, every sexual being considers exploring a sexual fantasy.  There are those, of course, who are in full fetish swing, those who dip and dabble in kinkiness and those who teeter on the edge.  What causes the hesitation?  Is it fear of abandon?  Is it over confidence in your performance?  Is it lack of imagination? 

Part I - Change Your Identity.

I have a mission for you.  For each week for the next four weeks assume a different identity.  Perhaps you want to be the freaky secretary, the vixen villein, the delivery girl, the naughty chef, or someone your sexy mind conjures up.  Be creative and explore a few fantasies.  

I have found that stripper heels always help me get in character.  Here are a few I found at my fave grown and sexy site, www.ohlounge.com

The Barbara

The Coop

The Faye

The Robyn

Unleash your inner freak ladies!  

Product of the week-Say Goodbye to Holiday Pounds + Another Holiday Video

I am not even going to attempt to watch the calories this holiday season.  And because of that, I have to exercise.  As with many people I am extremely busy, especially during this part of the year.  Mix that with a little laziness and tivo and you have the makings of a non-exercising woman.  There was a time that i'd really gotten back into the gym, but I've slacked off recently.

I had a conversation about this with a friend of mine and she suggested Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred.  She said that it was only 20 minutes.  So i'm thinking, 20 minutes, I can do that.  Don't sleep on it people, it was a serious 20 minutes. 

 

One of the things that I really like about it is that she has 2 people doing the routine in the background.  One does the moves for more experienced people and the other performs alternate moves for couch potatoes like me. 

I've tried a few of the other Biggest Loser DVD's and I've loved all of them.  They offer progressive exercises so that you're not doing the same routine forever and you don't have to buy a new DVD to move up to the next level.

One thing that I don't like is the music.  So I listened to the DVD the first few times, then I just started playing my own workout list.  One of my most recent list are below.  I usually put it on shuffle so that I don't get used to the sequence.

Playlist

Boom Boom Pow--Black Eyed Peas
I gotta feeling--Black Eyed Peas
I know you want me (Calle Ocho)-Pitbull
She wants to move-N.E.R.D
Candy-Cameo
Wanna be startin somethin-Michael Jackson
One thing-Amerie
The one--Mary J Blige
Get me bodied-Beyonce
Crazy in love- Beyonce
Caught up-Usher
Rising Up- The Roots
Toxic -Britney Spears
Womanizer-Britney Spears
If you seek amy-Britney Spears
The Anthem-Pitbull
Poison-BBD
Pocketbook-Jennifer Hudson
Get right--Jennifer Lopez
99 problems-Jay z
Touch It Remix-Busta Rhymes, Mary J Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliot
Just Fine-Mary J Blige
I thought it was me-BBD

Blushing ladies, what's on your exercise playlist?  I like to change mine up and would love suggestions.

Also, It's still Holiday Time. I had a friend send this to me the other day.  I always felt that Alexander O'Neal took a few too many sips throughout the day, but man did he make great music.  Here's a holiday classic from him.  If you're reading this on email, you'll have to go to the site to check it out.

Alexander O'Neal~ My Gift To You

~Rae

It's World Aids Day

Respect.....Protect

Today is World Aids Day 

Your blushing ladies have always been strong supporters of the fight against HIV and AIDS and today we'd like to bring you on board.  Today is World Aids Day.  So go get tested, wear a red ribbon today to show your support, and donate to the cause.  Let's work together to get informed about the disease and fight the stigma that goes along with it. 

Need to know where to get tested?  Click Here

Want to find a testing center via cell.  Here ya go!

The below is from the World Aids Day website.  There's a ton of info on the site including personal stories.  Take a look here  Get Informed.  If not for you, do it for those you love.  Who knows who you may help to inform in the future.

AIDS is not a game, but we can all come out winners 

Respect & protect

By respecting and protecting ourselves and others we can stop the spread of HIV and end HIV prejudice.

5 things you can do to Respect & Protect:

• Find out the facts about HIV and talk to your friends, family and colleagues about HIV – make sure they know the reality, not the myths.
• Know your HIV status: get tested if you have put yourself at risk.
• Talk to all new sexual partners about using condoms. Using a condom during sex (especially vaginal or anal sex) is the best way to protect yourself and your partner from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• If someone tells you they are HIV positive, treat them with respect and don’t tell others without their agreement.
• Wear a red ribbon as a symbol of your support for everyone affected by HIV, and to raise awareness.

What does Respect & Protect mean?

Respecting yourself and those around you by protecting yourself, both by using condoms and by educating yourself about the dangers of HIV.

What does Respect & Protect mean to you?

 

Living with Layoffs, Signs of Depression + My Fantasy Look of the Day

Image: Storm of X-Men from Fan Pop

Life brings adversity.  At some point or points during your days on this earth you will be faced with misfortune, and as misfortune would have it, that tribulation will manifest when you are not prepared for it.

Budget cuts, poor sales, loss of clients, reorganization, restructuring and/or any other factor that results in employee layoffs have touched every industry.  Many believe that only the private sector has contributed to the jobless numbers but the local governments have contributed to those numbers as well.  IT professionals, consultants, lawyers, and teachers are just a few of those who have been laid off at the private and government sectors. In both sectors, I have friends who have been bequeathed with the henchman-like duty of laying off coworkers.  They have felt guilt at being the one that handed down the bad news and relief that they survived another round of the companies lay offs.  Now they work with one eye on their backs to be on the other end of those job cuts.  As would be expected, the anxiety and panic of hoping to keep their jobs and hustling to send out resumes is taking its toll.

As for my friends who have been laid off, stress does not begin to describe their emotions.  As a contract employee who has had significant employment obstacles this year, I share that stress.  Once abundant contract opportunities have become scarce.  While life has dealt much tougher realities, lay offs can be uniquely daunting when you have a mortgage and kids who rely on your to provide.  So, now what?  What do you do when you have been laid off?  Easy.  You look for another job.  What do you do when jobs are few and far between or you are just one of hundreds or thousands applying for a single position?  What do you do when employers are offering salaries that are significantly less than your skill set previously demanded?  Well, you take it or try your luck and hold out for another opportunity. However, there are many that have not had the fortune of being offered a position. 

Whether you are the designated henchman who now waits for your own ax to fall or a laid off employee, perhaps the time has come for you to reinvent yours.  This, like most things, is easier said than done.  First and foremost, you have to determine your goals, access your skills, and evaluate the means you have to reinvent.  Are you going to go back to school?  Are you going to switch professions?  Do you need to rework your resume?  Are you going to start your own business?  Are you going to downsize your lifestyle and start again?  No matter what you choose make the choice because it is something that you are legitimately interested in and not something that you think you should do.  Success should always include happiness.  This is an opportunity to do some soul searching.  Whatever your situation, try not to internalize and be too critical of yourself.  Sometimes things are what they are.  There will be times when you are on top of the world and other times when the world is on top of you.  Regroup and push forward.  To keep things in perspective, be sure to continue to engage in the things that bring you joy.

Because these are stressful times, please be aware of symptoms of depression.  The symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following...

• Loss of energy
• Loss of pleasure in almost all activities
• Insomnia or Hypersomnia
• Significant loss weight loss or weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Loss of sex drive
• Irritability
• Difficulty Concentrating

On a lighter note... Here is my Fashion Fantasy Look of the Day

Today, in my parallel universe I am a bouncer at a Hollywood Awards Show.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Product of the Week

In honor and support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and those fighting the good fight, Blushblog endorses Save The TaTas and all things pink.  

At www.savethetatas.com, you can purchase T-shirts, hoodies, and shorts to show your support for breasts around the world.  A portion of all sales goes to the fight against Breast Cancer.  Men, there are Ts for you too!

     

     

Looking for something a little more subtle...

Needham Lane pink pajamas are $58 at www.needhamlane.com.  10% of every sale goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

This White and Warren pink scarf is $150.  50% of all proceeds will be donated to the Women at Risk program.

Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Makeup is available at BobbiBrown.com.  The company has pledged $35k to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This bracelet is just one of the jewelry items in Pandora Jewelry Breast Cancer Awareness line.  Pandora has pledged $100k of sales to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Visit PandoraJewelry.com

Kitchen Aid offers a beautiful pink knife set for $50 at shopkitchenaid.com.  The Susan G. Komen Foundation will benefit from sales.

The Tumi Pouch, Hobo and Jewelry can be found at Tumi.com.  20% of sales go to The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

These are just a few things that designers are offering to raise money for a cure for Breast Cancer.  The options are endless so find what you like and support the cure.

Blushing Ladies:

Let us know what else you find.  

  
  
  

Wilms Tumor, Cancer, and You

Money, success, and possessions come and go.  There is nothing more important than your health and the health of your loved ones.  I do not believe anything is more frightening for a parent than the thought or reality of being told your child has a disease.

A friend of mine recently learned that her 3 year old daughter has a Wilms Tumor (Nephroblastoma). I had never heard of a Wilms Tumor prior to her daughter's illness but as a mom my heart sank at "tumor". Immediately, I began researching Wilms Tumor.  I learned that it is a type of Kidney Cancer that develops in children and is the most common form of Kidney Cancer in children.  It typically appears at age 3 but it rarely develops after the age of 6.  The Mayo Clinic says health professionals believe that it begins to manifest during fetal develop with immature kidney cells and tends to just affect one kidney.

The Mayo Clinic has posted this list of symptoms to include...

Abdominal swelling

A mass in the abdominal that is detectable by touch

Fever

Blood in urine

Reduction in appetite

High Blood Pressure

Constipation

Stomach pain

Nausea

If you notice notice abdominal swelling and/or blood in urine in your child alert your Pediatrician.  The Pediatrician will complete a physical examination, blood and urine testing, and imaging testing to determine the existence of Wilms Tumor.  Because Wilms Tumor is a form of cancer it can spread so please take immedicate action if you notice these symptoms.

Treatment includes surgical removal the kidney tissue (Nephrectomy), chemotherapy, and/or radiation.  I know all of this information is alarming but Wilms Tumor treatments are very successful. According to the National Library of Medicine, among children whose cancer has not spread there is a 90% cure rate when properly treated.

Next batter up!  Breast Cancer.  Yesterday, the NFL showed its support for the fight against Breast Cancer.  During the games, many players donned pink game gloves and pink cleats.  As fate would have it, I went for my yearly physical this morning and my physician emphasized the need for my to get screened for cancer annually including breast cancer.  This is largely due to my significant history of cancer in my family.  So although I am not 35 he said I need to go get a sonogram to ensure that I am cancer free.  So ladies, do not get stuck on mammogram 35.  Ask your doctor is sonogram screening is appropriate for you.  No one wants the big C.

My doctor also reminded me (like I needed it) that I need to drop this weight I gained and have not lost from my pregnancies.  He stressed that weight management is integral to good health and longevity. So eat right and stay on top of your screenings and physicals.  Also, take the time to find out your body fat percentage.  From what I have read, Hydrostatic testing is the most accurate.  Go to www.getdunked.com to find a testing center near you.

Lets try  to get as close to immortal as non-vampires can get!

The Hair God Gave Me

As many of you are aware, Chris Rock is coming out with a new movie, Good Hair, which I cannot not wait to see.  He is presenting a light-hearted documentary about the treatment and perception of black hair.  The trailer looks quite funny but there is truth in every joke.  

    Whether you call it a relaxer, a process, or a conk, a chemical hair straightener has been used by black women (and some men) for decades.  It consists of strong chemical ingredients designed to take the natural curl out of hair.  I have used a relaxer for years.  At different times in my adult life, I have considered "going natural" and for one reason or another have talked myself out of it.  The excuses are many..."I don't have time to deal with my natural hair...",  "Natural hair is too hard to maintain..."  etc.  Perhaps the truth of it all is that I am not comfortable with my natural hair.  I am rather ashamed to admit that I don't remember what my natural hair looks like.  I have had a chemical relaxer in my hair since childhood.  My mother took me to the hair salon for a relaxer when I was in elementary school because I think with three active kids it was just easier for her to deal with my hair if it was relaxed.  She always taught me to take good care of my hair and I have followed that example.  I have always gone to the hair salon pretty regularly.  I spend the money on good products.  I get it trimmed regularly.  Despite the care I give my hair, perhaps the best thing to do for my hair would be to just stop relaxing it and just let it be what God gave me.  There are a zillion ways to wear natural hair.

     For umpteen years, black women have been told that their beauty, including hair, skin, physique and features, is less than and that the standard of beauty does not include us, so we shuffle and hustle trying to obtain what beauty dictates.  Unfortunately, many of us have bought into that over the span of these many decades.  I admire those women who do not internalize that madness.  I need to be one of them.  At the end of the day, you alone are responsible for how you perceive yourself.  A young lady in the movie trailer said that she is addicted to the "creamy crack."  I couldn't help but think that "damn that's me".  Every three to four months like clockwork I walk into the salon and endure the smell and burn while the stylist "touches up my roots".  Common sense should tell you that if if stinks and burns then you should not be using it.  Another segment of the movie trailer shows an Asian wig vendor who is appauled by the thought of selling black hair.  Chris Rock then replies, "So my nappy hair is not worth anything?"  I suppose the lesson here is that if we do not treasure our hair (ourselves) why would anyone else.

     Aside from the obvious implications on perceptions of beauty, relaxers contain chemicals that may have health ramifications.  While a recent study said that breast cancer is not linked to chemical relaxers, the FDA does not fully monitor relaxer products and manufactures are not required to list all ingredients.  (See Hair Relaxers: No Link to Breast Cancer by Jennifer Warner, WebMd Health News)  So, who the hell knows what else is being used.  This alone should  be enough for you to give your natural hair the consideration it deserves.

Are you thinking of going natural?  Here are a few things to consider...

1. Consider slowing growing out the relaxer by decreasing the strength of the relaxer.  For example, if you use a regular strength relaxer consider going to a mild or a texturizer while you adjust to a more natural look.

2.  Find a hair stylist that specializes in natural hair.

3. Consider the look you think best fits you  etc. dreads, short fro, or simply blowing your hair out.

4. Trim your hair regularly.

5. Use quality products

Blushing Ladies Speak:  What are your beauty or hair issues/insecurities/revelations?  Have you gone natural?  Are you thinking about going natural?

Weekend Happenings - Atlanta

Well, it is the first weekend of fall.  How are you going to spend it?  Will you be trying to cling to some remaining summer heat or will you be seeking out an early fall breeze?  If you are going to be in the Atlanta area this weekend, here are a few things popping off in this peachy city.

Love your Organ...

Free Kidney Health Screening

Georgia World Congress Center

285 Andrew Young International Blvd, NW

Atlanta, GA  30313

Friday, September 25th, 10:00am to 4:00pm

Looking for a good home show?

2009 Fall Atlanta Home Show

Cobb Galleria Centre

2 Galleria Parkway

Atlanta, GA  30339

Friday, September 25th, 10:00am to 8:00pm

For business owners...

New Media Atlanta:  Social Media for Business

Georgia Tech Research Institute

250 14th Street, NW

Atlanta, GA  30332

Friday, September 25th, 8:00am to 5:00pm

Ladies, get your empowerment and makeover on at...

A Day of Reinvention

Saks Fifth Avenue

3440 Peachtree Road, NE

Atlanta, GA  30326

Saturday, September 26th, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sweat, Flirt, and/or Laugh (in that order)

Body Design Flag Football Tournament

Piedmont Park Conservancy Community Center

1071 Piedmont Avenue, NE

Atlanta, GA  30309

Saturday, September 26th, 1:00pm to 3:00pm

(Register by today to be guaranteed a spot)

Have a happy Saturday at...

WestFest

Home Park

455 14th Street, NW

Atlanta, GA  30318

Saturday, September 26th, 1:00pm to 10:00pm 

Celebrate the power of dance (for free)

Project Dance

Centennial Olympic Park

265 Park Avenue West, NW

Atlanta, GA  30313

Saturday, September 26th, 10:00am to 7:00pm

End the weekend with a great Sunday brunch

Loca Luna

550C Amsterdam Avenue

Atlanta, GA  30306

Product of the Week - MX Puring Leave in Conditioner

I have fallen in love with a leave in conditioner.  Previously, I avoided leave in conditioners because the brands I tried made my hair feel heavy.  Recently, I asked my hair stylist about good hair care products for my toddler.  She recommened a leave in conditioner called MX Puring by Maxima Hair and Body Technology.  It was a bit pricey, as in $15 pricey, but I am glad I bought it.  It is working great on my daughters hair.  In fact, it worked so well that I began using it on my hair.  Love it and love it.

www.maximacosmetics.com

Maxima Cosmetics is an Italian company and the website does not offer a "shop" feature but ask your stlyist about it.  If you are in the DC metro area, go to Sintia's Dominican Hair Salon and ask for it.  If you are a hair stylist, the website has printable catalogues.