Healthy Tid-bits To Pay Attention To

The new Heart & Soul Magazine (December edition) has some valuable health articles that I thought were worth sharing.  I advise you to cop the magzine for a full read of all of the articles, but I'll share a few of the health tips that I learned below. Remember, I have not confirmed any of the information below with sources other than the magzine. I'm just sharing.

• Too little sleep might lead to Diabetes! According to a study done at the University of Chicago, volunteers who sleep too little had higher levels of blood sugar and were less sensitive to blood  sugar lowering insulin. Researchers think that unhealthy lifestyles and reduce sleep places people at higher risk of being overweight and developing diabetes!
• African Americans and Latino's are most likely to be hospitalized from life threatening complications from H1N1!! Because African Americans and Latino's are believed to have higher rates of chronic illnesses like asthma and diabetes, it's harder to fight off the virus. I can attest to this. My son was hospitalized in November with H1N1 and the virus triggered complications with sickle cell, which left us hospitalized for 5  days!
• Fall in Love and reduce stress! Studies have linked better health to happy marriages. Therapist, Sally R. Connolly believes that happy couples suffer less depression and have lower stress levels because they don't have to carry burdens alone. Having someone to support during difficult times and share celebrations with helps to support a health mind and body!
• More than 50,000 Americans suffer from winter-related back injuries. Simple tasks such as hanging holiday decorations, shoveling snow and icy spills can cause serious problems to your back. Taking simple precautions such as shoveling snow during the afternoon instead of the morning, lifting small shovefulls of snow, taking frequent breaks and avoid excessive twisting can help prevent painful injuries.

Okay folks, that's all for now. For full reviews of these articles, be sure to pick up your copy of the December issue of Heart & Soul Magazine!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! I hope that you all are enjoying time with the special people in your lives. Take time to enjoy one another and show gratitude for your many blessings.

Thanks to those that contributed to the "Gloves For Guys" initiative. It was a success and I'm sure the men at the Emergency Winter Shelter are grateful for the donations. Thanks to all who donated money, gloves and hats. I delivered at total of  58 pairs of gloves, 39 hats, 20 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of thermal under pants, and 2 packs of t-shirts. As you can see, the initiative began with the idea to donate gloves, yet we were able to donate other items that are definitely needed for the winter. You all made this last-minute initiative possible. You are truly a blessing. Thank you!

I haven't posted in over a week. I've been extremely busy. Work has been work. I've just been taking it for what it is; work for someone else! I've realized that I ultimately control my career. Whom I work for is my choice. So now that I realize that, everything else is up to me! End of that story.

 My message for today is for everyone to make an effort to connect with the people around you. We are so consumed with ourselves and our own lives that we don't take time to connect with someone else. For example, take a minute to call a friend that you haven't heard from in a while. That phone call may be very encouraging to your friend. He or she may be going through a tough time and needed to hear from someone positive. Also, be sure to compliment someone EVERYDAY! Compliments go a long way! Don't just comliment a thing that a person has. Compliment the work of someone or the manner in which someone handled a situation! Compliments prove that you are paying attention to someone and that you recognize a strength or something positive about a person. Many times people just need to hear a good word. Let's be the ones to share them! Have a good day folks.

Be Patient!

Yesterday, I mentioned my fondness for motivator, Ralph Marston and a quote that he shared on Twitter (see yesterday's post). Just recently, he shared this quote "Patience with yourself, with your work and with others is a sure sign that you know you're on the right track."  This quote was right on time for me. I have had a VERY challenging day at work and I know things will become more challenging. Something amazing happened as I left work though. As I walked to my car in tears, (no, I didn't get fired) I felt a number of different emotions; anger, disappointment, frustration and relief. Yes, relief! You see, although I know things will become more complex at work, I also know that my life is turning a new page. Something magnificent is about to happen! I am in the process of tapping into the genius within me. For so long, women have been trained to believe that we are capable of achieving a limited amount of success, but I KNOW that we are capable beyond what we can see or imagine. All we have to do is believe in ourselves and be patient. Being patient doesn't mean that we will sit back and wait for something to happen for us. It simply means that we will continue to work hard and be patient with those who can't yet see our genius and just know that in time, we will be within arms reach of attaining our goals. Thank you Mr. Marston for this awesome reminder! I needed this. Good night!

Ledisi Y'all

So, I'm watching the Monique show tonight and Ledisi performs. I've heard of the Grammy Nominee prior to watching her performance tonight, but I must admit that I have not paid attention to her music. I can't even recall her performance during the Chaka Khan tribute on the Soul Train Music Awarsd. :(  Might you say, "I've slept on Ledisi?" I think so. She sang her heart out tonight. I truly enjoyed her performance. She sang a song titled "Higher Than This"! Wheeeew chile is all I can say! Beautiful song. I will definitley be looking for her new CD, "Turn Me Loose" in Target tomorrow.

If you have not heard "Higher Than This",check it here: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=09E4nExa380!

The Power In Your Passion!

I usually post quotes by a gentleman by the name of Ralph Marston. I love him! He has a great site full of encouraging words and advice at http://www.thedailymotivator.com/ You can follow him on twitter @ralphmarston.

I posted the following quote of Mr. Marston's today in the section of my blog called "Words of Wisdom."

"There's a reason why you love the things you love. That passion can bring incredible power to your efforts. Use it!"

I absolutely love this quote. I have read it over and over today. (Thinking about posting it somewhere in my home.) The message of this quote rings very loud because I believe that I am very close to walking in my purpose. There are just certain things that bring me joy and excitement. I am finding that I truly enjoy helping people. I love it!!! The joy and warmth that I feel from helping others gives me adrenaline to do more and that is exactly what I will do.

I hope that others can understand the message in this quote and begin to identify with those things that you love. So, what do you love to do? Whatever it is, do it and use the power in it to your advantage...as long as it is something positive!

Welcome to Monday

Happy Monday,

Welcome to a new week. Please remember that things aren't always as bad as they seem, but they are as bad as we make them. Let's make it a good week. Fabmom rolling out! :0)

Emotional Spending

Do you constantly spend money that you don't have?

Are your spending habits directly connected to your emotions (ex. do you shop when you're angry, sad, giddy,  etc?)

Do you shop to protect a certain image that you want to uphold or to impress others?

Do you use shopping as a stress reliever?

If you answered yes to at least two of these questions, you may be an emotional spender. Read Valorie Barton's article on how to put an end to your emotional spending. I found these tips interesting, especially since I could use some help with my spending habits. I can definitely relate to some of the comments. Check it out.
http://blogs.essence.com/lifecoah911/2009/11/fine-fabulous-and-broke-to-your-emotional-spending.html

Gloves For Guys

Gloves For Guys

Hello Fabulous readers. I need your help! I am on quest to donate GLOVES to the homeless men in Charlotte, NC. While volunteering at the Emergecy Winter Shelter here in Charlotte, I noticed that the men have coats; yet only a few of them have gloves to keep their hands warm. It's really cold this winter and it's our job as a community to help one another however we can. With the holidays in full effect and Christmas being just 13 days away, I thought it would be great to donate gloves to the men for Christmas!

If you are interested in donating gloves or monetary donations to help purchase gloves, please email me immediately at omarble@gmail.com. or send me a message on twitter to @fabmomclt.

Donations are due by Saturday, December 19th!

 Any and all donations will be accepted! Gloves may be new or used!!

Thanks to everyone in advance for opening their hearts. Please remember that the face of the homeless is not only those people asking for money on our streets to buy beer and wine. Many of the men that arrive at the shelter each night are working individuals that can not afford housing. Everyone deserves a little help!

Thank GOD It's Friday-Seriously

I am seriously thanking GOD for this Friday. I've had a stressful week at work and I am ready to spend time with family this weekend.

I truly believe that when you are approaching new heights in your life, the devil works really hard to intrude. I have never in almost 20 years of working had the urge to walk off of a job like I had this week. The main reason I didn't is because I need the insurance for my son. But the most profound thing that stuck out in my mind was a message from my Pastor, Bishop Kevin L. Long. This past week in church he reminded us that temptation will come in many forms, but the greatest tempation is the urge to quit! The urge to quit is even greater than the urge to smoke, to do drugs or even drink alcohol. God knows I don't quit easily. I'm glad I paid attention Sunday because I could have been an unemployed sister today! Despite my many gripes about corporate america, I will not allow the devil to shift my focus. I will push forward and work hard until it is my time to branch off, which won't be long. I encourage you all to do the same. Keep your mind focused on your goals. Just know that where you are is temporary. At least I know it is for me. Create affirmations of who you are, the goals that you are aiming to reach and the fabulous person that you are becoming. Repeat those everyday and soon enough, you'll reach that goal! Good luck!! Fabulous mom signing off!

Give Thanks For Healthy Children

If you are in a position to GIVE, please consider giving to the St. Jude's Children Hospital. There are many children out there who could benefit from the research afforded by your gift. As many of you know, my son has sickle cell anemia so I urge people to help support  research for sickle cell and other chronic illnesses.  For more information click on the link. http://www.stjude.org/

Remember: "Give thanks for the healthy children in your life and give to those who are not!"

Healthy/Natural Facials

Looking for a good facial? Try an EGG! Yes, an egg!! An egg mask is a useful skin care regimen and it's inexspensive. You probably already have the ingredients at home. Eggs provide protein and vitamin and minerals to nourish the skin. Egg whites are an excellent form of exfoliation and they help tighten the skin. This is very good for those of us with oily skin because it tightens the pores of the skin, which reduces acne and pimples. If you typically have dry skin, then it's best to use the egg yolk because it rehydrates the skin.

I have recently tried the Egg and Honey facial. I have oily skin so I used the egg white. It did tighten my skin and it felt really good the next morning. I guess I would have to use it more often to see if it helps decrease  acne and pimples. I've only tried it once, but I'll be sure to give you guys an update pretty soon.  Here's the recipe so you can try it yourself. Be sure to let me know what you think?

What you Need:

• 1 egg white for oily skin or 1 egg yolk for dry skin
• 1 Teaspoon of Hone

Directions:

• Mix the egg and honey together until you reach a smooth paste.
• Simply apply to your face (can use a cotton ball or face towel).
• Leave on for 20 minutes allowing the mask to dry
• Rinse off with warm water

If you try the egg facial, be sure to share your experience by submitting comments. You can find other recipes for egg mask at http://www.healthy-skincare.com/egg-mask.html

Longer, Healthier Hair

While roaming around on the internet, I came across a cool blog (http://www.crownnglory.blogspot.com/) by a college student sharing her personal experience on her journey to longer, healthier hair. In her post, she speaks of a vitamin regimen called the Bargello Hair Vitamin Regimen. According to her, this regimen has help her achieve longer, healthier hair in just a few short months. Anyone interested in trying the Bargello Regimen? Check out the ingredients below. For more information, check out Crown and Glory's blog as shown above.

Daily Consumption of the following vitamins


-5mg of Biotin
-A woman's multivitamin
-Calcium
-GNC's Ultra Nourishair
-1000 mg of MSM
-Silica
-Flaxseed Oil Capsule

Once In A While
-protein drinks [a banana, 2 cups of milk, and a tbsp of peanut butter]

Think and Grow Rich Update #1

Hello Fabmoms!

So I told you a few days ago that I started reading the book "Think And Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. I promised to provide some useful tips that I find interesting. Well, I'm only on page 16 and the book is starting to get interesting and encouraging. Below are a few tips that you may find interesting and very useful:

• One of the most common causes of failure is when one give up on their goal because of a temporary defeat. Don't give up. We must keep at it!
• One sound idea is all a person needs to achieve success! One idea!! Just act on it!
• When riches come, they come quickly and in great abundance. Riches; not only in financial terms, but also in the state of mind.
• One of the main weaknesses of man is their familiarity with the word "impossible." Get rid of it!!! Don't focus on what WON'T or CAN'T work.
• Success comes to those who become Success Conscious. Failure comes to those who allow themselves to become Failure Conscious. (Like I told you in my post on the book "The Secret", be careful of what you're thinking about!)

Okay, so that's it for now, but I'll be sure to share more tips as I read along, but I encourage you all to check the book out for yourselves.

What's most important to you?

Job with good salary that you hate or job that you love with low salary? I ask this question because so many people stay at a stressful job for the salary and benefits; while the happiest people are those that perform a job that they really enjoy.

I prefer to be happy. Which do you prefer?

World AIDS Day

Today is "World AIDS Day". Two million people die from AIDS every year. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the world and disproportionately affect women (usaid.gov). Please take a moment to reflect on the people who have lost their lives to this disease. Please also reflect on the lives of people who are still living with the disease. When making charitable donations, please support any AIDS awareness charity that you can.

World AIDS Day 2009 Events

Tuesday, December 1 - 12:00 PM

Reading of Names

Polk Park corner of Trade and Tryon St, Charlotte

The public is invited to attend and participate by remembering persons they have known that died of this disease. RAIN will be joined by other local ASOs (AIDS Service Organizations) such as House of Mercy and Rosedale ID Clinic that day.

Sponsored by: RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network)

Thursday, December 3 - 6:00 PM

World AIDS Day Program: Universal Access and Human Rights

New Covenant Bibleway Church 1321 Capps Hill Mine Rd, Charlotte

Saturday, December 5 - 1:00 PM

Respect Yourself, Protect Yourself: A World AIDS Day Forum

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 1900 The Plaza, Charlotte

Discover the real life stories of HIV positive youth. One of the most important things you can do is to find out the facts about HIV.

Sponsored by: Planned Parenthood & Time Out Youth