EnSpired: From Tragedy to Triumph…From Loses to Wins

The photo above and all photos below are courtesy of pexels

When I was 12 years old – I and my family were the victims of a house fire. We stayed in this white 2.5 bedroom house, I say a half because it was actually a two bedroom but the back middle room of the house, in which was supposed to be a dining room; was turned into a room for my two sisters, I shared a back bedroom with my aunt, my mom’s baby sister, and my mom and stepdad at the time had their own room. It wasn’t the best living conditions but it was a home and we had a roof over our head; which is all anyone could ask for.

Continue reading “EnSpired: From Tragedy to Triumph…From Loses to Wins”

The Proper Way to Handle these Pimples

the photo above and below courtesy of bing and pexels

Okay, Okay – I know what you’re thinking. No, this is not Health Class 101 but I thought I would bring up the subject because I’m in my late thirties and have acne prone skin, in which I honestly thought was going to go away when I turned 20 – but sheesh here I am about to hit a century-year-old and I still get occasional pimples and besides – I have a teen and a pre-teen whose bodies are changing like the unpredictable weather we’re having, so in order to keep them from going through the horrors of having a spot-filled face like I did when I was in school, I thought I would write this post to not only help us, adults, but our kids too, so let’s go back to the good ole days…my teen years.

When I was growing up and going through puberty, I had no idea at the time how important acne really was, I knew I would get embarrassed when; out of nowhere, an ugly pimple would pop up and seem to ruin my life. I always thought that when you got a pimple it was okay to pop it, because then it wouldn’t look so bad; but what I ended up getting was a face full of dark spots that took forever to go away; in which made me want to say “SAYONARA” to the rest of my school years.

As I grew older and got wiser on how to handle my acne prone skin, it was a little too late as I felt I had already messed up my “good face” due to my lack of knowledge. But as life would have it, all that knowledge didn’t go to waste as I now have a daughter who’s in high school and experiencing the same issues as I did when I was her age.  While my ‘puberty’ years were not the best for me, I can now make her school years her best years.

Maybe you have a daughter, son, niece, nephew or friend whom may be dealing with the embarrassment of pimples. Listed below are a few simple things that I’ve learned from my own experience that hopefully will lead to a ‘good’ experience for everyone. I even have a picture below of the facial washes I’m using right now to keep my acne prone skin under control.

Clean, Clean, Clean

The best gift you can give your face every day is to keep it clean, it’s a good practice during puberty and beyond to wash your face day and night. This keeps germs at bay and allows all the dirt and/or make-up accumulated from the day to be cleaned off using a light or sensitive skin cleanser. It’s also good practice to wash your hands after you eat or do any other activity that may cause you to get your hands dirty If you’re like me – I have a bad habit of always touching my face, not giving thought to the fact that I had just touched something else.

adult-blur-clean-545014 (2)

Astringents too Harmful? Try this…

I used to love astringents and thought they were the best thing; according to the teen models on the television when I was a teen, but what I came to realize is that astringent is not for every face type and because it contains mostly alcohol, it dried out my face. So I made the switch to witch hazel, it doesn’t contain alcohol and gets the job done without harmful side effects. Neutrogena also has an alcohol free toner in which is great as well.

live strong

When it’s Time for the big POP!

“Don’t use your Fingers!” Most of the germs we accumulate throughout the day are on our hands and under our fingernails. If you pop a pimple then you’re not only getting those germs on your face but will cause dark spots to form later on. So, instead of your fingers, put a little witch hazel on a cotton ball and pop it. This keeps your fingers from touching your face and reduces the risk of unwanted spots.

pimples

Food, Exercise, and Water

Eating right is a major part of our everyday living and while fried, greasy or salty foods are okay sometimes; it’s can be harmful to our bodies, especially our face. As much as possible, opt for healthier choices such as veggies, fruit, and whole grains. Drink plenty of water and stay away from sugary beverages as sugar is a breeding ground for your pores and exercise. If you give your body the right tools; it will definitely do right by you.

active-activity-adult-863926

When all else Fails, See the Dermatologist.

Sometimes you could be doing all the right things and still get out of control acne, that’s when it’s time to see the Dermatologist; they have a way of determining what’s going on and can prescribe you the correct dosage of medication that can help aid in you having the best skin while puberty is moving in. I have to say, this year was my first time seeing a Dermatologist ever and it was a great experience. Seeing a Dermatologist is not just for pimples but if you have moles a.k.a skin tags on your body, you might want to make an appt, just to make sure those skin tags are good and not something serious.

Dermatologist-acne-scars

Here are my two staples in which I love – I use the wash in the morning and the wipes at night before I go to bed. I love the exfoliating beads in the wash as it makes sure that all traces of dirt, makeup and etc are washed away and their not harsh either, which is another reason why I love this duo. Now I know they’re not your name brand, but they do just as good a job as those expensive brands. However, while this set works for me, it may not work for you, so find ones that work for your necessary skin issues.

My Staples

My Name

Author, Creator, Motivational Speaker, Blogger

 

 

Have you placed your order yet?

There are people ordering this book and they don’t even have kids! Let’s take a stand against Bullying and let’s put the power of speaking up back in our kid’s as well as adults hands! #silencekills #speakup #victimnomore

Order your copy today!

12

 

Anyone Up for a Book Club? (Movie Review)

the photo above from Bing/courtesy of movie “Book Club”

‘Book Club’ is the latest movie I saw over the weekend that really surprised me. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about looking at the movie as in the trailer, it looked as if these “seasoned” women were trying to get their groove back by reading “Fifty Shades of Grey” in which we all know (that is if you’ve seen it) is filled with whips, chains, and very exploratory sex scenes. Honestly, I couldn’t enjoy either the first nor the second without turning my head or cringing in my seat, needless to say – Fifty Shades Freed which is part 3 of the series did not make my movie watch list.

So, I honestly was turned off by the movie because if that, but who can pass up a movie with Diane Keaton, who happens to be one of my favorite actresses ever since I seen her in ‘First Wives Club.’ with also starred the incomparable Bette Midler and funny lady Goldie Hawn (both of which I love as well.  Jane Fonda is also a favorite – in which she killed it ‘Monster-in-Law’ – Which happens to be one of my favorite movies of all time. And let’s not forget Candice Bergen (Murphy Brown, Home Again) and Mary Steenburgen (Step Brothers, The Last Man on Earth)

'Book Club' film premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 06 May 2018
From Right: Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda & Mary Steenburgen

As much as I wanted to pass up on this movie – This cast of phenomenal women had me thinking twice about my decision and I’m soooo glad that I didn’t pay attention to my thoughts or skepticism. This movie on a scale of 1-10, I’d give it a full ten. It was liberating, sweet, comical and thought-provoking. I’m not one to believe in Love, mainly because of my horrific experiences with it, but these ladies made me believe that love is not only possible but can still happen no matter what “age” you are. It made me realize that love is not dead and there are people out there who are looking for it, believe in it and want it – just as much as you.

The story follows four friends who’ve been a part of each other’s lives for over 30yrs. One is married, one is wealthy, one is run by her daughter’s who thinks their mom is old, fragile and honestly can’t function in life and the other is a federal judge (Can you guess who is which?). As busy as their lives are, they all come together once a month for their book club meeting and this time it was Vivian’s (played by Jane Fonda) turn to pick a book a boy oh boy did she pick one.

FB-Image-Book-Club-movie
Diane Keaton – Book Club Movie

To little dismay, the hesitantly decide to accept Vivian’s book choice “Fifty Shades of Grey” in hopes that it will help them discover the women they once were all while adding a little spark to their sex lives as well as their love lives. The suttle instances that happen next for each of them is life changing and while the book was a start, these ladies soon find out that a book has a way of shaping your life more than anticipated.

Book Club is a feel-good comedy that’ll make you want to get together with your girlfriends and start your own book club.  It’s a movie, that will make you laugh, maybe cry and if you’re having second thoughts in regards to love, maybe this movie will change your mind.

Book Club is out now and you can rent at your local Redbox or if you have the firestick, look it up tonight and plan a movie night with your closest girlfriends or by yourself – either way, you’ll enjoy it. Do you enjoy movies? Wondering what other movies are good to look at? Check out my girl, Rakkelle – who has a list of other movie reviews that I’m sure you’ll want to add to your movie watch list!

 

My prayers are with everyone who is impending Hurricane Florence! Please be safe and Take Care of yourselves and your family. 

animation (4)

 

Blogger, Motivational Speaker, Author & Encourager

Does an Apple a Day, Really Keep the DOCS Away?

The photo above, courtesy of Bing – All other pics below are from Pexels

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard the old ‘adage’ “An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away!” But does it really? When I was much younger, my stepdad used to tell us eating carrots every day would not only improve our eye health but would also make us have beautiful eyes, however, something must’ve gone wrong in my case as I still ended up wearing glasses and I ate a carrot every day. But a carrot had nothing to do with my DNA or my families Genetics.

So what about Apples? Could they really keep a doctor away? Now before you go out of your way to head to your local neighborhood Market; Harvard Medical School did a study called “Association Between Apple Consumption and Physician Visits” the study was conducted to see if the saying was an old wives tale or actually based on true facts in which was based on actual nutrition data. They collected a total of 8,400 men and women but only 753 of them ate an apple a day. The study not only concluded that the years and years long saying was an old wives tale but found no evidence whatsoever that supported its findings.  But, there’s a little light at the end of this tunnel as it was found that most adults who do follow this simple rule tend to use fewer prescription meds.

As a people, we try to find quick and simple ways to achieve things that take quite a bit of effort. Apples, Carrots or Broccoli while good for the body, is not meant to be lifelong alternatives to keep you from visiting the doctor on the regular and getting checked out; Yes, they are meant to help and give you the sustenance your body needs to move and function correctly but was never meant to be your physician.

But don’t ditch the apple, as there are things you can “add” to it to get your body moving in the right direction:

  1. Schedule Regular Doctor Visits – Now I’m preaching to the choir on this one, I hate visiting the doctor; especially if I’m not ill or sick. But a regular visit to the doctor can assure you that while you may be eating “all the right things” – apples included, a regular visit reassures us that everything is ‘truly functioning’ as it should be on the inside.

arms-care-check-905874

  1. Drink Plenty of Water – Water is the best beverage you can drink, it’s not only refreshing but it’s healthy, contains no calories or artificial sweeteners and/or sugars. Water is a natural body cleanser in which gets rid of nasty toxins and help aid in keeping our digestive system flowing properly, Did you know if you drink a glass of water before bed; it will reduce your risk of a heart attack? So if you haven’t already, make water your BFF; it will not steer you wrong.

citrus-close-up-drink-1320998

  1. Eat Healthy Regularly – Most times when people grab onto a trend; that’s the only trend they do such as an apple a day; they eat the apple a day but the rest of their food intake is one for the records as they don’t follow the ‘eating healthy’ mantra regularly. It takes more than just an apple a day to keep you feeling energized and balanced; if you just have to eat your favorites, then maybe you should try the 80/20 or 70/30 plan. In this plan, you eat clean 80 or 70 percent of the time and eat whatever you want the other time.

background-berries-blueberries-1092730

  1. Take Baby Steps – Let’s face it, Rome wasn’t built overnight, but they were laying bricks every hour. Start Small, don’t rush into anything; because if you do you might stumble and fall, taking small steps will ensure that whatever practice you have set forth for yourself will stick. Do what’s best for you and not what’s trending NOW!

baby-baby-foot-barefoot-1271565

An apple a day may not really keep the doctor totally away, but it’s still a healthy treat that any and every “body” can still enjoy.

My Name

 

It’s a Buy One, Get One FREE!!! Book Giveaway!

In Lieu of my first faith-based book coming out on 9/4 – I’m giving 10 purchasers an opportunity to receive a free book in exchange for their review! (Positive Reviews Only!) The free book will be signed by yours truly and you’ll get a free mini poster! – You can’t go wrong with that! Pick up your copy today, click the link below!

Billy Wolf & The Kids Of Heavenly Hills Elementary 

animation.gif

 

Billy Wolf & The Kids Are Here – School is NOW in Session!

Bullying is something that everyone faces at some point. 

At Heavenly Hills Elementary School there is harmony among the students and the teachers, everyone is friendly and supportive. Until Billy Wolf enrolls into the school. He wasn’t the friendliest person, which was okay, but when your unkindness affects even the happiest kid, then it has a way of affecting everyone. From the day he arrived in the school, Billy caused havoc – every time someone tried to talk to him or befriend him, he’d do something mean to them.

Continue reading “Billy Wolf & The Kids Are Here – School is NOW in Session!”