I DID IT!!!! 110lbs Down, 70 More To Go!
Filed under: licious, Milestones, My Life Keys, Stephanie Alva, Success Stories, TheNewLicious.com, Weight Loss Journies Author: Licious
*Drum roll please*
Effective April 17, 2010, I, Stephanie Alva, have OFFICIALLY lost 110lbs!!!
*Cue applause*
Effective April 17, 2010, I, Stephanie Alva, have OFFICIALLY lost 110lbs!!!
*Cue applause*
It was a lot of work, tons of UP's and down's, but I DID IT!!! And if I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!!! On March 30, 2010, I celebrated the one year anniversary of my LapBand surgery. I was in Atlanta, GA on a business trip so it was a quiet celebration. However, I took the time to remember vividly each detail of that day. Waking up that morning and walking into the hospital, back hurting, blood pressure still high. I remember laying on the gurney with my Best Friend, Alicia sitting next to me, and I was fighting back the tears. I knew that after I woke up from this surgery, my life would be changed forever... and it was.
I just did an interview on BrownSugaRadio a few days ago and when she asked me to talk about the one thing that I learned from having LapBand surgery and I answered WITHOUT HESITATION. The most important lesson I learned was that weight loss surgery is NOT a miracle cure. I lost the first 50lbs effortlessly. I didn't workout or anything. I just ate what I was supossed to eat and the weight melted off. IT WAS FANTASTIC!!!! But then, it happened. My body adjusted to the new stomach and my new eating habits and the weight loss immediately haulted. After 5 months of eating well, I decided to test out my new tummy. I started eating burgers, fries, cake, ice cream, etc. A miracle had occurred: I was one of the "lucky" weight loss surgery patients that was able to eat anything I wanted without vomiting, dumping, or feeling sick. IT WAS ON!!! I quickly gained 30lbs ... in a month. It was at this moment that I realized that the surgery wasn't going to save me... I had to save myself. I went on a week long liquid fast to clean out my system and drop a few pounds quickly, and then I went back to basics. I ate every 3 hours, I only ate healthy foods, I drank over a gallon of water per day, and I began working out twice a day, 7 days a week. I also began hiking three times per week and jogging every day. I worked my way up to jogging 6 miles per day, mostly UPHILL!! (check out the video footage below!) I began to lose the weight again and my energy increased. I felt better, I looked better, I WAS better!
I just did an interview on BrownSugaRadio a few days ago and when she asked me to talk about the one thing that I learned from having LapBand surgery and I answered WITHOUT HESITATION. The most important lesson I learned was that weight loss surgery is NOT a miracle cure. I lost the first 50lbs effortlessly. I didn't workout or anything. I just ate what I was supossed to eat and the weight melted off. IT WAS FANTASTIC!!!! But then, it happened. My body adjusted to the new stomach and my new eating habits and the weight loss immediately haulted. After 5 months of eating well, I decided to test out my new tummy. I started eating burgers, fries, cake, ice cream, etc. A miracle had occurred: I was one of the "lucky" weight loss surgery patients that was able to eat anything I wanted without vomiting, dumping, or feeling sick. IT WAS ON!!! I quickly gained 30lbs ... in a month. It was at this moment that I realized that the surgery wasn't going to save me... I had to save myself. I went on a week long liquid fast to clean out my system and drop a few pounds quickly, and then I went back to basics. I ate every 3 hours, I only ate healthy foods, I drank over a gallon of water per day, and I began working out twice a day, 7 days a week. I also began hiking three times per week and jogging every day. I worked my way up to jogging 6 miles per day, mostly UPHILL!! (check out the video footage below!) I began to lose the weight again and my energy increased. I felt better, I looked better, I WAS better!
Don't get me wrong, I had weeks when I would weigh in and after burning close to 4000 calories per day, I only lost 1lb and in a few cases, I lost NO WEIGHT AT ALL!! I wanted to throw the scale out the window and jump out right behind it LOL!! Weight Loss surgery is NOT a miracle cure. It is a TOOL. In order to lose the weight, you're going to have to work at it, each and every day. I have begun to change my thinking about my weight loss and about my health. I enjoy working out and taking care of myself. I have found new ways of exercising that I really enjoy, including skating, bike riding, swimming, hiking, and power walking. I have 70lbs left to lose in order to reach my goal weight. To say that I have laser-like focus on that goal is an understatement. But instead of worrying about it, I visualize myself already at my goal weight. I see myself healthy, happy, and whole. The weight is coming off and my body is responding well. I am happier now than I have been in years. I am alive! The important thing to remember is to work on yourself from the inside out. Love yourself JUST AS YOU ARE, RIGHT NOW in this moment!
To the 110lbs that I've lost,
Thank you for what you taught me while you were a part of my life and body. Thank you for the strength that blossomed inside of me because of you. Thank you for forcing my inner beauty to shine through the painful veil that you had cast over me. Most importantly, enjoy the nothingness that you have returned to. I release you to your higher good and I walk forward into my future filled with joy, happiness, abundance, health, life, and love.
To the 110lbs that I've lost,
Thank you for what you taught me while you were a part of my life and body. Thank you for the strength that blossomed inside of me because of you. Thank you for forcing my inner beauty to shine through the painful veil that you had cast over me. Most importantly, enjoy the nothingness that you have returned to. I release you to your higher good and I walk forward into my future filled with joy, happiness, abundance, health, life, and love.
Good-bye... FOREVER!
EXCLUSIVE Interview With JustB.BBreezy.Com
Filed under: B. Breezy, Celebrity Interviews, licious, My Life Keys, Stephanie Alva, The New Licious, The Studio Concept, You Tube Author: Licious
HEY LOVE BUGGS!!
I went out to Atlanta, GA to do a photo shoot with the incomparable, B. Breezy of The Studio Concept. The pictures came out BEAUTIFULLY!!!! I'll be sharing shots from the shoot with you shortly. After the shoot was over, Breezy interviewed me for her blog, www.JustB.BBreezy.Com!
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING BREEZY ON TWITTER @_BBreezy
Dear Breezy,
There are no words to describe how your presence in my life has affected me. I am more convinced than EVER that God puts people into our lives at the EXACT right time. I will be forever grateful for our professional connection as well as our ever-growing friendship. You inspire me to be the HIGHER me. I love you UNCONDITIONALY! Many blessings and success to you, G14, and The Studio Concept.
There are no words to describe how your presence in my life has affected me. I am more convinced than EVER that God puts people into our lives at the EXACT right time. I will be forever grateful for our professional connection as well as our ever-growing friendship. You inspire me to be the HIGHER me. I love you UNCONDITIONALY! Many blessings and success to you, G14, and The Studio Concept.
*VIDEO CREDIT* You Tube and JustB.BBreezy.Com
*PHOTO CREDIT* B. Breezy and The Studio Concept
*PHOTO CREDIT* B. Breezy and The Studio Concept
This Too Shall Pass... BE ENCOURAGED!!!
Filed under: Encouragement, Law of Attraction, licious, My Life Keys, Stephanie Alva, TheNewLicious.com, Weight Loss Journies Author: Licious
Teaser Video Diary: Happy Valentine's Day
Filed under: licious, My Life Keys, Stephanie Alva, The New Licious, Weight Loss video Author: Licious
Hey guys!!!! My Publicists over at Wise Owl Public Relations started leaking "teaser" videos out today. They'll be doing this once a week leading up to the BIG REVEAL and Birthday/Launch Parties next month. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
One Milestone Accomplished; Two More To Go
Filed under: B. Breezy, licious, Milestones, My Life Keys, Stephanie Alva, The Studio Concept, TheNewLicious.com, Weight Loss Journies Author: Licious
Hey Loved Ones!!!
It's been awhile since I've updated you guys on my weight loss progress. I've been extremely busy getting prepared for the launch of my new company, My Life Keys. I've also been working out non-stop in preparation for my photo shoot with the incomparable, B. Breezy, from The Studio Concept. They are based out of Atlanta, GA. She is an amazing photographer, amongst other things. Feel free to take a look at her work by clicking HERE and you can visit The Studio Concept by clicking HERE.
As I said earlier, I've been going through some very intensive work out's in preparation for the photo shoot and the launch party so I've lost quite a bit of weight. At my last weigh-in, I was only 10lbs away from losing 100lbs. I'm excited to hit that goal, as I'm sure you can imagine! Anyway, my clothes have gotten quite loose on me so I bought a few pairs of new jeans. I bought them small, (or so I thought) because I knew I'd quickly be able to fit into them. I had a lunch date yesterday with a good friend of mine and as I was getting ready, I thought, "Just go ahead and try on the jeans!" You see, I was scared that if they didn't fit, it would upset me and derail all of the positive work I've been doing. But something told me to go ahead and try on the jeans.... I'm SO glad that I did.
THE JEANS FIT PERFECTLY!!!! They made my legs look INCREDIBLE! Then I thought to myself, "Well shoot, if the new jeans fit, let's try on the new shirts that were too small last month." So I go into my closet and grab this cute, chocolate brown baby tee and IT FITS TOO.... I take that back... it's actually a little loose! I felt SO sexy in my new clothes. I could FINALLY tell by looking in the mirror, that I was in fact losing weight and accomplishing my goals. I have a tendency to see myself differently than other people see me. When people say, "OMG you've lost so much weight!!", I always think to myself, "Are they BLIND?!? Because I dont see it!" NUMBERS DON'T LIE!!! Yes, the number on the scale is going down, but my inches are going down as well. Everything is shrinking and THAT is a FACT I cannot deny. Everywhere I went yesterday, I received compliments: "Look how tiny your legs are!!", "You are GLOWING! What are you doing?", "Your skin looks INCREDIBLE!!!", "You are RADIANT!!". I was overwhelmed and humbled by it all.
The milestone that I reached was the fact that the new jeans I wore yesterday are TEN SIZES SMALLER than the jeans I was wearing 11 months ago. I feel healthy, sexy, beautiful, capable, AMAZING, radiant, and UNSTOPPABLE!! Not only am I working my body out, but I'm working my mind out as well. I am repeating my affirmations EVERY DAY, I am finally seeing myself through eyes of LOVE. I want to post a pic of me in my new jeans but my Publicist wants me to remain "low key" until the BIG REVEAL at my birthday/launch party on March 20th. I'll make sure to keep you guys posted.
Next milestone: To lose 100lbs. Here I come...
It's been awhile since I've updated you guys on my weight loss progress. I've been extremely busy getting prepared for the launch of my new company, My Life Keys. I've also been working out non-stop in preparation for my photo shoot with the incomparable, B. Breezy, from The Studio Concept. They are based out of Atlanta, GA. She is an amazing photographer, amongst other things. Feel free to take a look at her work by clicking HERE and you can visit The Studio Concept by clicking HERE.
As I said earlier, I've been going through some very intensive work out's in preparation for the photo shoot and the launch party so I've lost quite a bit of weight. At my last weigh-in, I was only 10lbs away from losing 100lbs. I'm excited to hit that goal, as I'm sure you can imagine! Anyway, my clothes have gotten quite loose on me so I bought a few pairs of new jeans. I bought them small, (or so I thought) because I knew I'd quickly be able to fit into them. I had a lunch date yesterday with a good friend of mine and as I was getting ready, I thought, "Just go ahead and try on the jeans!" You see, I was scared that if they didn't fit, it would upset me and derail all of the positive work I've been doing. But something told me to go ahead and try on the jeans.... I'm SO glad that I did.
THE JEANS FIT PERFECTLY!!!! They made my legs look INCREDIBLE! Then I thought to myself, "Well shoot, if the new jeans fit, let's try on the new shirts that were too small last month." So I go into my closet and grab this cute, chocolate brown baby tee and IT FITS TOO.... I take that back... it's actually a little loose! I felt SO sexy in my new clothes. I could FINALLY tell by looking in the mirror, that I was in fact losing weight and accomplishing my goals. I have a tendency to see myself differently than other people see me. When people say, "OMG you've lost so much weight!!", I always think to myself, "Are they BLIND?!? Because I dont see it!" NUMBERS DON'T LIE!!! Yes, the number on the scale is going down, but my inches are going down as well. Everything is shrinking and THAT is a FACT I cannot deny. Everywhere I went yesterday, I received compliments: "Look how tiny your legs are!!", "You are GLOWING! What are you doing?", "Your skin looks INCREDIBLE!!!", "You are RADIANT!!". I was overwhelmed and humbled by it all.
The milestone that I reached was the fact that the new jeans I wore yesterday are TEN SIZES SMALLER than the jeans I was wearing 11 months ago. I feel healthy, sexy, beautiful, capable, AMAZING, radiant, and UNSTOPPABLE!! Not only am I working my body out, but I'm working my mind out as well. I am repeating my affirmations EVERY DAY, I am finally seeing myself through eyes of LOVE. I want to post a pic of me in my new jeans but my Publicist wants me to remain "low key" until the BIG REVEAL at my birthday/launch party on March 20th. I'll make sure to keep you guys posted.
Next milestone: To lose 100lbs. Here I come...
Smothered Lamb Chops With Caramelized Onions and Sofrito Black Beans and Mixed Squash
Filed under: Black Beans, Lamb, licious, My recipes, Squash, Stephanie Alva, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
Stuffed Tilapia With Asparagus
Filed under: Asparagus, licious, My recipes, Stephanie Alva, TheNewLicious.com, Tilapia Author: LiciousHey Lovey's!!!
I know its been FOREVER since I've updated here and I'M SORRY!! I'm working round the clock to launch my new company, My Life Keys, LLC. I'll be writing an article about it within the next couple of days to fill you in. I'm really excited!! But, for now, you're looking at Tilapia stuffed with crab, scallops, & shrimp and a side of steamed asaparagus. It was YUMMMMMY!!!!
I know its been FOREVER since I've updated here and I'M SORRY!! I'm working round the clock to launch my new company, My Life Keys, LLC. I'll be writing an article about it within the next couple of days to fill you in. I'm really excited!! But, for now, you're looking at Tilapia stuffed with crab, scallops, & shrimp and a side of steamed asaparagus. It was YUMMMMMY!!!!
Hiking On Lake Gregory
Filed under: Lake Gregory Fitness Trail, licious, Stephanie Alva, TheNewLicious.com, Work Outs, You Tube Author: LiciousThis is a short video we took today of me and my Best Friend, Alicia, hiking in the mountains at the Lake Gregory Fitness Trail. NOTE: I'm breathing that hard because it's the end of our workout and we we're hiking uphill LOL!!! ENJOY!
Beef Stir Fry Over White Rice
Filed under: Beef, licious, My recipes, Stir Fry, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
It's Time To Make A Change
Filed under: 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse, 7 Day Mental Cleanse, Change, Debbie Ford, Inspirations, Kevin Bracy, Law of Attraction, licious, Stephanie Alva, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
I have reached a point in my life where it is time for a monumental, drastic change. I have begun to fall into old eating habits and have gained about 15lbs over the last 2 months, I am uninspired, and I have this deep-seeded feeling of laziness and restlessness. As my surgeon, Dr. Johnsrud so accurately described, I am a "big ball of angst."
I have been extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with my "regular" daytime job for years now, which is partially what prompted me to start Wise Owl Management, yet I find myself disillusioned with my position as a Personal Manager as well. I firmly believe that part of the reason why I feel such immense dissatisfaction with my jobs is because neither of them are what I was put on this earth to do... neither are my Purpose in this life. I recently quit my daytime job after almost 13 years of service and have given the majority of my clients over to other Managers. I now have A LOT of time on my hands to try and figure out how to live in my purpose. I won't lie, I was PETRIFIED after I quit my job. My brain kept screaming, "WHY would you quit your GOOD PAYING job in THIS economy?? You have no college degree, you are 36 years old, you will NEVER find another job as good as the one you just walked away from!" For the first time in my life, I don't have health insurance. Yet, at the core of my being, I believe I did the right thing. I wholeheartedly believe that this is exactly where I am supossed to be during this season of my life.
My purpose in life is to be a Motivational Speaker and Author; a Life Coach, if you will. I have always known that my dharma, or purpose, in this life was to help other people. That is why I have survived all of the experiences that I have in my life: abuse, growing up in a single parent household, near death experiences, addiction, homelessness, etc. I have been given knowledge and hands-on experience that is PRICELESS, and will one day be used to help others and to encourage people to live their best life and to persevere through the seemingly hopeless seasons of their lives. There is light at the end of the tunnel. YOU are that light. We ALL come from the SAME place... the SAME God. No matter what you call Him, He is OUR source of life. We come from Greatness, therefore we ARE Greatness. I have studied different religions and life affirming authors over the last several years and I have ALL of the knowledge that I need in order to change my life for the better. Yet, each year, I have failed to apply ANY of that knowledge to completion.
God has set before me Life and Death... the choice is up to ME. I can choose to fall into my old ways of living which would be to speak as much DEATH as humanly possible and then watch it happen. Or, I can choose the road less traveled and speak LIFE. I can believe that the BEST part of my life has finally begun. I can create miracles with my mind and mouth just as easily as I have created death and destruction. ALL religions believe the same thing: You are what you believe you are. My entire life, I have spoken and planted seeds of death into my life and have reaped the crops of each and every one of those seeds. It is time for me to practice what I preach to all of you. This is the greatest experiment of my life. I am about to put God's promises to the ultimate "test". I plan on doing the complete opposite of what I have always done in my life.
I WILL SPEAK LIFE.
I WILL BELIEVE THE BEST FOR AND OF MYSELF.
I WILL CREATE POSITIVE MIRACLES IN MY LIFE.
I WILL SOW SEEDS OF LOVE, PEACE, FAITH, AND SUCCESS.
I WILL BEGIN LIVING THE LIFE I HAVE ALWAYS LONGED FOR, YET RUN FROM.
I WILL COMPLETE WHAT I START THIS TIME...
To help me begin my new journey, I am going to do the 7 Day Mental Cleanse to Jump Start The Law Of Attraction by Kevin Bracy and I am also going to read the "21-Day Consciousness Cleanse" by Debbie Ford.(You can purchase the book on Amazon.com by clicking HERE). I will be posting the 7 Day Mental Cleanse for you right after this article so that you can see how it works. My goal is to be an inspiration not only to you all, but to myself. I will be writing a lot now that I have all of this time on my hands. I look forward to taking you all along with me on this journey.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle
I have been extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with my "regular" daytime job for years now, which is partially what prompted me to start Wise Owl Management, yet I find myself disillusioned with my position as a Personal Manager as well. I firmly believe that part of the reason why I feel such immense dissatisfaction with my jobs is because neither of them are what I was put on this earth to do... neither are my Purpose in this life. I recently quit my daytime job after almost 13 years of service and have given the majority of my clients over to other Managers. I now have A LOT of time on my hands to try and figure out how to live in my purpose. I won't lie, I was PETRIFIED after I quit my job. My brain kept screaming, "WHY would you quit your GOOD PAYING job in THIS economy?? You have no college degree, you are 36 years old, you will NEVER find another job as good as the one you just walked away from!" For the first time in my life, I don't have health insurance. Yet, at the core of my being, I believe I did the right thing. I wholeheartedly believe that this is exactly where I am supossed to be during this season of my life.
My purpose in life is to be a Motivational Speaker and Author; a Life Coach, if you will. I have always known that my dharma, or purpose, in this life was to help other people. That is why I have survived all of the experiences that I have in my life: abuse, growing up in a single parent household, near death experiences, addiction, homelessness, etc. I have been given knowledge and hands-on experience that is PRICELESS, and will one day be used to help others and to encourage people to live their best life and to persevere through the seemingly hopeless seasons of their lives. There is light at the end of the tunnel. YOU are that light. We ALL come from the SAME place... the SAME God. No matter what you call Him, He is OUR source of life. We come from Greatness, therefore we ARE Greatness. I have studied different religions and life affirming authors over the last several years and I have ALL of the knowledge that I need in order to change my life for the better. Yet, each year, I have failed to apply ANY of that knowledge to completion.
God has set before me Life and Death... the choice is up to ME. I can choose to fall into my old ways of living which would be to speak as much DEATH as humanly possible and then watch it happen. Or, I can choose the road less traveled and speak LIFE. I can believe that the BEST part of my life has finally begun. I can create miracles with my mind and mouth just as easily as I have created death and destruction. ALL religions believe the same thing: You are what you believe you are. My entire life, I have spoken and planted seeds of death into my life and have reaped the crops of each and every one of those seeds. It is time for me to practice what I preach to all of you. This is the greatest experiment of my life. I am about to put God's promises to the ultimate "test". I plan on doing the complete opposite of what I have always done in my life.
I WILL SPEAK LIFE.
I WILL BELIEVE THE BEST FOR AND OF MYSELF.
I WILL CREATE POSITIVE MIRACLES IN MY LIFE.
I WILL SOW SEEDS OF LOVE, PEACE, FAITH, AND SUCCESS.
I WILL BEGIN LIVING THE LIFE I HAVE ALWAYS LONGED FOR, YET RUN FROM.
I WILL COMPLETE WHAT I START THIS TIME...
To help me begin my new journey, I am going to do the 7 Day Mental Cleanse to Jump Start The Law Of Attraction by Kevin Bracy and I am also going to read the "21-Day Consciousness Cleanse" by Debbie Ford.(You can purchase the book on Amazon.com by clicking HERE). I will be posting the 7 Day Mental Cleanse for you right after this article so that you can see how it works. My goal is to be an inspiration not only to you all, but to myself. I will be writing a lot now that I have all of this time on my hands. I look forward to taking you all along with me on this journey.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle
Salmon With Chipotle Sauce And Butternut Squash
Filed under: Butternut Squash, Chipotle, licious, My recipes, Salmon, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
Don't Let Fear Stop You From Living
Filed under: Fear, Inspirations, licious, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
I am known for being an extremely strong woman. A woman who has withstood many a tumultuous situation. A woman who is fearless. But I'm about to share a little secret with you guys... I have not been fearless when it comes to anything pertaining to myself. When I was a kid, I begged my Mom to let me go to Summer camp. She worked extra shifts to save the money to buy my supplies and to pay for the camp. She gets me all packed up, takes me to the bus stop with all the other kids and I say, "Mommie, I'm scared. I don't wanna go." Then, when I was a Junior in high school, I was accepted into the Who's Who Among American High School Students Exchange Educational Program. I was going to head to Norway to study abroad for a semester. My Mom and my Uncle Michael worked together to plan my trip, made all of the arrangements, and at the last minute, I said, "I'm scared. I don' wanna go you guys." When I was a Senior in high school, I was granted a FULL RIDE scholarship to San Diego State University. I was the first person in my family to ever be accepted into college. My Mom and Uncle Michael went with me to the orientation, I picked out all of my classes, bought all the necessary t-shirts and bumper stickers, visited my dorm room, got all packed up, and 2 weeks before I was supossed to leave I said... you guessed it, "I'm scared. I don't wanna go." On NONE of those occassions did anyone force me to face my fears and go live my life and grow. So I learned that when I was afraid of something, I could just walk away from it. Now when it comes to my loved ones, I will push past any fears that I may have and I will get the job done. But when it is something that pertains to me, that is for my own good, I won't do it.
Let's flashback to 2005.I took my God-Daughter, Dejoney, and my Niece, Arianna, to Knott's Berry Farm, which is an amusement park here in California. We were having a great time running around the park and riding the rides all day long. Towards the end of the day, they wanted to get on this one particular ride. I kept looking at the size of the people who were getting on the ride to see if any of them looked like they might weigh as much as I did. I studied the size of the car to see if it appeared to be able to fit me. The girls got onto the ride and I tried to get on with them. I didn't fit. They asked me to get off of the ride. And of course there were people who were making disrespectful jokes about me being too fat to fit on the ride. I was humiliated. My God-Daughter and Niece were embarrased and hurt that people were making fun of me. After that incident, I gained A LOT more weight. I have since lost 90lbs.
Let's flashback to 2005.I took my God-Daughter, Dejoney, and my Niece, Arianna, to Knott's Berry Farm, which is an amusement park here in California. We were having a great time running around the park and riding the rides all day long. Towards the end of the day, they wanted to get on this one particular ride. I kept looking at the size of the people who were getting on the ride to see if any of them looked like they might weigh as much as I did. I studied the size of the car to see if it appeared to be able to fit me. The girls got onto the ride and I tried to get on with them. I didn't fit. They asked me to get off of the ride. And of course there were people who were making disrespectful jokes about me being too fat to fit on the ride. I was humiliated. My God-Daughter and Niece were embarrased and hurt that people were making fun of me. After that incident, I gained A LOT more weight. I have since lost 90lbs.
Flash forward to 2009. Around Halloween time, Knott's Berry Farm turns into Knott's Scary Farm. I've never been. Next weekend, I'll be taking my little Brother, Nolan and little Sister, Kathryn to Knott's Scary Farm, along with our Cousin, Lonnie. I am petrified that I am not going to fit onto the rides. I'm afraid that I will experience that humiliation and embarrass my siblings. I almost cancelled the trip altogether, just to avoid the possibility of facing such a hurtful situation again. Then I decided: I CANNOT and WILL NOT allow fear to dictact my life ever again. I refuse to live a fear-based existence and I will not put my life on PAUSE while I lose the rest of this weight. So, I am facing my fears, and taking my family to enjoy an evening at Knott's Scary Farm. I shared this personal story with you to encourage you to do the same. Accept where you are in your life RIGHT NOW. Stop saying, "I'll go horseback riding once I lose 50 more pounds." or "I'll go to the beach when I'm bikini ready." Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE NOW!!!
Stay tuned for pictures of our adventures at the amusement park....
Derrion Albert Fund
Filed under: Derrion Albert, licious, Memorial Fund, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
As most of you have heard by now, teenager Derrion Albert lost his life in a brutal beating last week. His family needs help paying for his funeral expenses. PLEASE send any amount that you can, (NO amount is TOO small! Even $1.00 will help).If you would like to donate via Pay Pal please use the following e-mail address: derrionjalbert@yahoo.com
If you would like send your donation via U.S. mail:
Derrion Albert Memorial Fund
10126 S. Aberdeen Street
Chicago, IL 60643
If you would like send your donation via U.S. mail:
Derrion Albert Memorial Fund
10126 S. Aberdeen Street
Chicago, IL 60643
We need to pull together and help this family with our prayers & any financial support we can provide. Blessings and Peace to the family and friends.
Derrion, Rest In Peace
An Offer From Cooking Light Magazine
Filed under: Cooking Light Magazine, licious, Special Offer, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
Cooking Light Magazine e-mailed me a special offer to share with all of my readers! If you subsribe to Cooking Light Magazine (or any of your other favorite Mags,) then you will recieve up to 94% off of the cover price! Click HERE to use the special link for New Licious readers. All orders must be placed before November 20th so hurry!!*Until Next Time, LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!*
Whole Wheat Turkey Burrito With Black Beans & Pico de Gallo
Filed under: Burrito, licious, My recipes, TheNewLicious.com, Turkey, Whole Wheat Tortilla Author: Licious
Introducing Keke Karlyle
Filed under: KeKe Karlyle, licious, New Writer Intros, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
Hello my beautiful readers!!! I am SO excited to introduce you to another talented new writer. Her name is KeKe Karlyle.
I have known KeKe for 11 years and she is one of the most beautiful, vibrant, talented, loving, giving, and phenomenal women I've met in my life. She will be writing several articles with a NEW, fresh perspective on beauty, spirituality, and Vegan and Vegetarian cuisine,(I can't wait to try out her recipes!). She has written an amazing introduction for you all. By the way, each article may be written by several different Author's here at TheNewLicious. If you didn't know, all you have to do is look at the top of each article and it will tell you who it was written by.
With no further adieu, I introduce you to, KeKe Karlyle
I have known KeKe for 11 years and she is one of the most beautiful, vibrant, talented, loving, giving, and phenomenal women I've met in my life. She will be writing several articles with a NEW, fresh perspective on beauty, spirituality, and Vegan and Vegetarian cuisine,(I can't wait to try out her recipes!). She has written an amazing introduction for you all. By the way, each article may be written by several different Author's here at TheNewLicious. If you didn't know, all you have to do is look at the top of each article and it will tell you who it was written by.
With no further adieu, I introduce you to, KeKe Karlyle
A Prelude To Progress...
Filed under: Change Your Thinking Change Your Life, licious, Life, TheNewLicious.com Author: LiciousGhandi once said, "Healthy discontent is the prelude to progress." I couldn't agree more, Sir. The other day, I received a phone call from my Mother telling me that her Primary Care Physician called and told her that she needed to check herself into an emergency room as soon as possible. I quickly picked her up and took her to the local E.R. where we proceeded to wait for hours, as they poked and prodded my Mother, searching for the reason that her potassium was so dangerously high.
As we waited, they brought in another patient who was drunk beyond belief. Apparently she had just found out that her father had passed away, and she ingested four 40oz bottles of beer... within a 3 hour period. The woman, who we will call, Lupita, was crying in agony, "Please... I want my Daddy. Just let me go be with my Daddy. Daddy... Daddyyyy!!" It ripped my heart apart to hear the pain in her voice because I am familiar with it. That pain that nobody and nothing can console. That pain that stays with you the remainder of your days here on earth. That pain that you somehow just learn to live with. I prayed for her and sent positive, healing energy her way, as I sat next to my Mom waiting for the results of her many tests... grateful that I still had her here with me.
As the hours went by, Lupita went through several stages: sorrow, hysteria, anger, then finally, sleep. During one of her hysterical moments, she, in the best George Lopez impersonation I have ever heard, started to scream: "My chess! My chess! I have a pain in my chess and I cant breeefe!" Anyone who is familiar with George Lopez's comedy, this line has you rolling on the floor clutching your stomach! Then, as suddenly and destructively as she entered the room, she was knocked out cold... finally experiencing some peace from the wretched pain she had been feeling moments earlier.
Sorry, I had to provide that bit of comic relief. Anyway, the doctor finally came in and told us that what my Mother was experiencing was stage 4 kidney failure. My Mom was diagnosed with Diabetes a few months after my Grandma died back in 2002. She took NO precautions with her health and continued to eat and live as if she didn't have Diabetes. The results of that behavior is stage 4 kidney failure. Recently, my Mom confessed to me that she was so depressed that she didn't care whether she lived or died and that she was in fact trying to speed up the process of death by eating and living poorly. Upon hearing what the doctor had to say, my immediate reaction was anger. "How could she do this to me? How could she waste what's left of the life God gave her? How could she WANT to die and leave me here alone? How could she watch me bury another parent??" Yesterday, as the doctor explained to her what kidney failure entailed, I could see in her aging face that she was no longer ready to die.
Along with my Mother's poor health, I have been going through my own personal battles: my recent weight gain, the disappointment in myself for falling back into old eating habits, my TWO negative checking accounts, bills piling up every day, a lingering feeling of depression, sleep deprivation, insomnia... you name it, I've been going through it. But yesterday, as I was drowning in my feelings of Whoa-Is-Me and anger, it hit me: NOW... RIGHT NOW is the time for you to walk the talk. It's time for me to put to the test the lessons I've been learning over the past several months. You see, it's easy to spout positive affirmations and to walk around smiling and hopeful when everything in your life is seemingly in order. But when the trials begin... when the tribulations start to roar their ugly heads, you have two choices: You either fall or fly. I have chosen to FLY! To soar with the Eagles.
Yes, it would be EASY for me to just give into the feeling of depression and frustration and anger; To allow my problems to overtake me. OR I can CHOOSE to speak LIFE to all of my situations!! To believe that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD!! To KNOW that I come from an ABUNDANT AND LIMITLESS GOD!! I am wrapped, cloaked, and surrounded by His Favor like a shield!! This situation with my Mom is an eye opener for her AND for me. Instead of being scared of her kidney's failing, I choose to look at this as an opportunity for my Mom to start taking care of herself and to start LIVING her life, just like her Mother would want her to do. This is an opportunity for me to start cooking her meals and exercising with her and encouraging her that SHE CAN DO THIS! This is an opportunity for me to GIVE. It's also a chance for me to KNOW that ALL of my needs are ALWAYS met! EVERYTHING I need ALWAYS comes to me and it arrives RIGHT on time!
All of the storms going on around me are my opportunities to put to use the skills that God has blessed me with. To choose PEACE instead of turmoil. In all of this madness, God blessed me with the chance to pray for Lupita and to send SERENITY her way in the midst of her loss; To support my Mother through the lesson that God is trying to teach her; To believe that my financial outlook will improve if I re-direct my focus. They are ALL around me. Some might call them problems... I call them OPPORTUNITIES! You are surrounded by opportunities and blessings too. If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change, right before your eyes. As Qui-Gon Jinn says, "Your focus determines your reality."
As we waited, they brought in another patient who was drunk beyond belief. Apparently she had just found out that her father had passed away, and she ingested four 40oz bottles of beer... within a 3 hour period. The woman, who we will call, Lupita, was crying in agony, "Please... I want my Daddy. Just let me go be with my Daddy. Daddy... Daddyyyy!!" It ripped my heart apart to hear the pain in her voice because I am familiar with it. That pain that nobody and nothing can console. That pain that stays with you the remainder of your days here on earth. That pain that you somehow just learn to live with. I prayed for her and sent positive, healing energy her way, as I sat next to my Mom waiting for the results of her many tests... grateful that I still had her here with me.
As the hours went by, Lupita went through several stages: sorrow, hysteria, anger, then finally, sleep. During one of her hysterical moments, she, in the best George Lopez impersonation I have ever heard, started to scream: "My chess! My chess! I have a pain in my chess and I cant breeefe!" Anyone who is familiar with George Lopez's comedy, this line has you rolling on the floor clutching your stomach! Then, as suddenly and destructively as she entered the room, she was knocked out cold... finally experiencing some peace from the wretched pain she had been feeling moments earlier.
Sorry, I had to provide that bit of comic relief. Anyway, the doctor finally came in and told us that what my Mother was experiencing was stage 4 kidney failure. My Mom was diagnosed with Diabetes a few months after my Grandma died back in 2002. She took NO precautions with her health and continued to eat and live as if she didn't have Diabetes. The results of that behavior is stage 4 kidney failure. Recently, my Mom confessed to me that she was so depressed that she didn't care whether she lived or died and that she was in fact trying to speed up the process of death by eating and living poorly. Upon hearing what the doctor had to say, my immediate reaction was anger. "How could she do this to me? How could she waste what's left of the life God gave her? How could she WANT to die and leave me here alone? How could she watch me bury another parent??" Yesterday, as the doctor explained to her what kidney failure entailed, I could see in her aging face that she was no longer ready to die.
Along with my Mother's poor health, I have been going through my own personal battles: my recent weight gain, the disappointment in myself for falling back into old eating habits, my TWO negative checking accounts, bills piling up every day, a lingering feeling of depression, sleep deprivation, insomnia... you name it, I've been going through it. But yesterday, as I was drowning in my feelings of Whoa-Is-Me and anger, it hit me: NOW... RIGHT NOW is the time for you to walk the talk. It's time for me to put to the test the lessons I've been learning over the past several months. You see, it's easy to spout positive affirmations and to walk around smiling and hopeful when everything in your life is seemingly in order. But when the trials begin... when the tribulations start to roar their ugly heads, you have two choices: You either fall or fly. I have chosen to FLY! To soar with the Eagles.
Yes, it would be EASY for me to just give into the feeling of depression and frustration and anger; To allow my problems to overtake me. OR I can CHOOSE to speak LIFE to all of my situations!! To believe that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD!! To KNOW that I come from an ABUNDANT AND LIMITLESS GOD!! I am wrapped, cloaked, and surrounded by His Favor like a shield!! This situation with my Mom is an eye opener for her AND for me. Instead of being scared of her kidney's failing, I choose to look at this as an opportunity for my Mom to start taking care of herself and to start LIVING her life, just like her Mother would want her to do. This is an opportunity for me to start cooking her meals and exercising with her and encouraging her that SHE CAN DO THIS! This is an opportunity for me to GIVE. It's also a chance for me to KNOW that ALL of my needs are ALWAYS met! EVERYTHING I need ALWAYS comes to me and it arrives RIGHT on time!
All of the storms going on around me are my opportunities to put to use the skills that God has blessed me with. To choose PEACE instead of turmoil. In all of this madness, God blessed me with the chance to pray for Lupita and to send SERENITY her way in the midst of her loss; To support my Mother through the lesson that God is trying to teach her; To believe that my financial outlook will improve if I re-direct my focus. They are ALL around me. Some might call them problems... I call them OPPORTUNITIES! You are surrounded by opportunities and blessings too. If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change, right before your eyes. As Qui-Gon Jinn says, "Your focus determines your reality."
I guarantee you, that shortly, I will be writing an article sharing ALL of the GOOD that will assuredly come out of all of this.
*Until Next Time, LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!!!*
*Until Next Time, LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!!!*
Beer Can Chicken, Lyonnaise Potatoes, And Asparagus Spears
Filed under: Asparagus, Chicken, licious, My recipes, Potatoes, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
I've been wanting to try out a recipe for Beer Can Chicken since I've been hearing so much about it. And then the other day an eFriend of mine mentioned something about Lyonnaise Potatoes. I just couldn't take it anymore so I cooked up some deliciousness tonight. Now, there is NOTHING healthy about this meal (there's tons of butter and bacon involved in the recipe) but ALL THINGS IN MODERATION is the key here, people. It's OK to indulge once in awhile, just don't overdo it. So here's what it looked like after I plated it. YUMM-O!
Recipe Credit: Emeril Lagasse (Lyonnaise Potatoes) & Guy Fieri (Big Bud's Beer Can Chicken)
Skinless Oven-Fried Chicken, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, & Mixed Veggies
Filed under: Chicken, licious, My recipes, Oven-Fried Chicken, Sweet Potato, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
Burgers, Cake, & Nutella: OH MY!
Filed under: Confessions, licious, TheNewLicious.com Author: Licious
As you will soon realize, The Q (AKA my Spiritual Twin), and I are connected in a way that only God could have perfected. She knows my heart and soul like no other. And she loves me enough to BUST ME OUT when I stay from the path... and I love her for that. I had been planning on writing an article to share my recent struggles with you guys. Partly because I want to show people that surgery is NOT the "easy way out" and partly to pour my soul out onto the paper in the hopes that purging my emotions would alleviate some of the pressure that has been building up. So, here's the truth and nothing but the truth.
As I shared with you all, I was released from ALL dietary restrictions 4 weeks ago.I started off saying, "I've been craving pizza and cake so I'm going to eat some and then go back onto my regular diet plan." So, I ate me some delicious whole wheat pizza and enjoyed a slice of chocolate cake. Then, a few days later, I was craving a burger so I went Jack In The Box and got a Sourdough Burger meal and a Mango Iced Tea. I figured since I had already messed up and eaten the burger, I might as well get myself some Nutella since I had been craving that as well. I bought a jar of my beloved Nutella and a container of pound cake. Within 24 hours, I had eaten the entire jar of Nutella and the complete container of pound cake.
To make a long story short, over the last 3 weeks, I have devoured any and every thing that I have been craving post-surgery: Burgers, Bacon Potato Cheddar Wedges, cake, Nutella, pound cake, pizza, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, chinese food... You name it, I've eaten it. And contrary to popular belief, not everyone gets sick from eating fatty foods. I haven't gotten sick ONCE in the last 3 weeks. Also contrary to popular belief, one DOES NOT lose their addiction to food after having weight loss surgery. I, like The Q, am an emotional eater. I eat when I'm happy, and when I'm sad; I eat to celebrate things and to mourn things; I eat when I'm stressed and I eat when I'm bored. I have succeeded in derailing ALL of my hard work over the past 5 months, in THREE WEEKS.
Yes, I am disappointed in myself and my lack of focus and self-control. And in the past, I would've beaten myself up endlessly about having gained 6lbs and that would've resulted in me gaining another 30lbs because I would've eaten everything that wasn't nailed down. But things are different now. I'M different now. I will not allow this SLIP to destroy all of my hard work, both Spiritually and Physically. Tomorrow is a new day! Tomorrow is my opportunity to get back on track and re-focus my energy and effort to LIVE MY BEST LIFE!! If I can do it, SO CAN YOU! We're in this TOGETHER. I am going to go back to weighing in each week and posting my results here on The New Licious.
I am so close to my goal... I WON'T GIVE UP... I WILL DO THIS.
As I shared with you all, I was released from ALL dietary restrictions 4 weeks ago.I started off saying, "I've been craving pizza and cake so I'm going to eat some and then go back onto my regular diet plan." So, I ate me some delicious whole wheat pizza and enjoyed a slice of chocolate cake. Then, a few days later, I was craving a burger so I went Jack In The Box and got a Sourdough Burger meal and a Mango Iced Tea. I figured since I had already messed up and eaten the burger, I might as well get myself some Nutella since I had been craving that as well. I bought a jar of my beloved Nutella and a container of pound cake. Within 24 hours, I had eaten the entire jar of Nutella and the complete container of pound cake.
To make a long story short, over the last 3 weeks, I have devoured any and every thing that I have been craving post-surgery: Burgers, Bacon Potato Cheddar Wedges, cake, Nutella, pound cake, pizza, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, chinese food... You name it, I've eaten it. And contrary to popular belief, not everyone gets sick from eating fatty foods. I haven't gotten sick ONCE in the last 3 weeks. Also contrary to popular belief, one DOES NOT lose their addiction to food after having weight loss surgery. I, like The Q, am an emotional eater. I eat when I'm happy, and when I'm sad; I eat to celebrate things and to mourn things; I eat when I'm stressed and I eat when I'm bored. I have succeeded in derailing ALL of my hard work over the past 5 months, in THREE WEEKS.
Yes, I am disappointed in myself and my lack of focus and self-control. And in the past, I would've beaten myself up endlessly about having gained 6lbs and that would've resulted in me gaining another 30lbs because I would've eaten everything that wasn't nailed down. But things are different now. I'M different now. I will not allow this SLIP to destroy all of my hard work, both Spiritually and Physically. Tomorrow is a new day! Tomorrow is my opportunity to get back on track and re-focus my energy and effort to LIVE MY BEST LIFE!! If I can do it, SO CAN YOU! We're in this TOGETHER. I am going to go back to weighing in each week and posting my results here on The New Licious.
I am so close to my goal... I WON'T GIVE UP... I WILL DO THIS.
