The weekend in pics :-)

We had a really good weekend! Lots of fun, too much food! I thought I'd highlight my weekend in pictures today instead of with words!



Friday night..added color to my hair!



Saturday morning I brought the girls to the U of H to participate in the marathon kids kick off event!



Custom shadowbox frame designed by me for my cousin..she LOVED it!
























All of the pics above were taken by Julianni, except for the cake..she's learning how to take pics :-)

Sunday was lazy, I attended church via Steaming Faith (online). Once I woke up I knew I wouldn't make it to services on time, but I did receive the word!

Special announcement post coming a bit later! Happy Monday!!

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Friday...food and foolishness!

It's finally Friday and I hear crickets chirping at my office..nobody is here! Shit why am I here then?? Oh yeah I have menu planning, blogging, web surfing work to do *side eye*

I don't believe I mentioned this but a good friend of mine (known since middle school) relocated from Seattle to Houston at the beginning of September. So we've been shacking..she's got a 12 (almost 13) year old daughter as well. I know she'll read this post so I have to give her a shout out...hey Mo!!

Okay so let's get to the foolishness! The girls have a constant three ring circus going on around us! Between the playing, the constant requests for treats, the hustling of extended bed times..it's a mess! It's complete chaos but on the other hand lots of fun!

I've managed to get workouts done here and there but nothing like I'm used to. We sneak out the house to Jack In The Box for chocolate overload cakes..this shit is getting out of hand!

My friend and I can't allow the girls to sabotage the weight loss efforts! I've gained and lost the same five pounds over the last few months several times. They key to continued success is planning, planning and more planning so that's what we've got to do! I've been saying for months that I need to get back to my menu planning but seriously now more than ever it's imperative that I do.

I've printed a new menu planning template and now it's time to get to work! The kids are not allowed to protest the menu! If they don't like it...TOUGH! One week out of the month will be dedicated to raw dinners. The girls aren't feeling this BUT again they don't have a choice!

Hopefully I'll be able to get a few pics posted from my weekend! Catch y'all in a few days!

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The A-Z of Miesha Roshawn!

Pic taken 10/5/11

I ran across this on Hair Gurl it looked like fun so here goes!!


A. Age: 33.
B. Bed size: King.
C. Chore that you hate: Washing, drying AND folding laundry! It never ends!
D. Dogs: I love dogs! I'll get one in a few months! His name will be Dallas Austin I've decided lol!
E. Essential start of your day: Thanking God for another day.
F. Favorite color: Purple.
G. Gold or Silver: Silver.
H. Height: 5'5.
I. Instruments you play: None! #Fail!
J. Job: Insurance verification..I also side hustle my jewelry!
K. Kids: Julianni Shali and Yasmine Shanel.
L. Live: Houston by way of Seattle 8 months ago today!!
M. Mother's name: Ramona (please don't tell her I told you this...she'll kill me) but everyone calls her Cathy.
N. Nicknames: Boo, Meesh, Eisha Boo, Meesha, Boobie, Cookie Boo AND Eshka Booska! Yes I have lots lol!
O. Overnight hospital stays: Only with my girls' C-Sections.
P. Pet peeves: Someone taking food from my plate without me offering (which I rarely do anyway), burns me up!
Q. Quote from movie: Falling in love ain't shit! Someone please tell me how to stay there? ~ Love Jones (I posted this on Twitter recently)
R. Right or left-handed. Right
S. Siblings: 1 brother, 2 sisters and I lead the pack!
T. Tattoos: One, a cover up of an ex's name.
U. Underwear: My preference is boy shorts.
V. Vegetable you hate: Okra for sure!
W. What makes you run late: Julianni & Mimi on a regular basis! I think this is just a part of being a mom! You learn to accept it!
X. X-rays you've had: Dental, chest, finger.
Y. Yummy food you make: I make an egg white frittata that is delicious!
Z. Zoo animal: Tigers!



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Weigh day..FRESH new look!

October??? Is that you??? Well I'll be damned! It's that time of the month, weigh day!

*I did actually weigh myself on the first*



10/1/11..weight 166.2

Again I wish could say I had a great September but that would be a lie and I'm a terrible liar! In my last post I mentioned my lack of motivation was due to needing a change in my workout routine.

I went to the YMCA twice last week for spinning. Without a doubt it's the change that I needed! This week I plan to spin two times, try a new cardio class and lift weights two times.




I've got a fresh new look! I cut my hair...finally!! I'm not going to bore you with progress pics this month, there hasn't been much change in my body since last month. I'm thinking about only posting progress pics quarterly now? Just a thought?

I can barely contain the excitement I have for an upcoming event next month!!! Details soon to follow :-)!

Plans for October are to schedule my weekly workouts and menus. Nothing more..nothing less!

Let's all work towards a healthy upcoming holiday season!

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Living & Loving Life!

The past couple of weeks has been good, I feel well rested and ready to tackle the rest of the year! Crazy that we are just about in the last quarter of 2011! Where exactly did the time go? Who knows, all I do know is that I've been living & loving life!

This past weekend a couple friends and I took our one and only trip this summer to Galveston beach. Naturally I'm still finding sand all over the place but we had a great time! Weather was perfect and the kids couldn't get enough of that dirty water :-)



Julianni 9/17/11



Enjoying some sand!


Mimi 9/17/11

After the nice long day at the beach, we ate a "snack"...took showers and then headed out for a graduation party/fish fry.

Okay so we really didn't eat a "snack" and when we arrived at the fish fry I had absolutely NO BUSINESS eating again but hell...you only live once on this earth right?! The food was crazy good of course...this is TX and the strawberry daiquiri's were even better!



My friend and I on our way to the party

Basically this post is about how I'm choosing to enjoy my life! This has been a great year for me and I intend to finish it with a bang! Thanks for continuing to kick it with me on my lifestyle transformation!

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The unintentional mini blog break!

I unintentionally ended up taking a mini break from blogging. I felt as though I didn't have much to write about. I haven't been working out, eating right or focusing on my journey. Why? I've had SO many family events going on and I need to restructure and refocus. Since I'm opting not to live my life obsessed with the scale anymore my attitude is changing.

I should be enjoying myself with balance. That is hard to do! My weight is no longer my primary focus, how I look and feel is! I want to live healthily and happily! This summer has been a true test of my strengths and weaknesses.

My mom, brother, nephew and baby sis were here last week for our family reunion. Oh how I'd missed them! We had such a great time and the girls were loving every single spoiled moment they got!

On Saturday I attended the 50th surprise (all white) birthday party for my cousin Nikki. Again, my family loves to party and this was no different! Here's a few pics of me before leaving the house.









This wasn't the white dress I wanted I took too long to order it but it was a $7 STEAL at Marshall's..I couldn't pass that up! I was concerned about looking preggers due to my lack of exercise but I like how the dress ended up working out. I'm not quite sure what it is with me and these one shoulder dresses!?

I'm all over the place right now! School is back in, I'm ready for my house hold to have structure again! Summer has been relaxed and lazy.

That's it for now, I've got ish to do!
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Sexing it up a bit!

Since my relocation to Houston I can admit my wardrobe choices have diminished quite a bit. My weight loss and climate change just about killed my wardrobe!

To make matters worse, I wear a uniform to work. I really only have to concern myself with my clothes on weekends. I like clothes but I'm not a clothes whore. I didn't want to start rebuilding my wardrobe until I was fairly certain I would be staying put in my size 8/10.

Well last weekend while I was in New Orleans my honey told me I need to start "sexing it up a bit!". He's right! He knows me very well and I know that I need to step my wardrobe game up.



This is something that I'd wear!

So yesterday honey tells me that he's going to buy me clothes give me money to buy clothes. This is after I tell him that I'm throwing on leggings and a fitted "T" to go eat lunch.

Okay cool but I really don't like to shop! What's a girl to do?

I follow a few fashion blogs, I admire their style and taste. I know one of the keys to building a successful wardrobe is finding your own style. Hell what exactly is my style??


I'm thinking about buying this dress to wear to an all white birthday party

I strive for comfort above anything! I don't want to continue to romp around Houston in "workout inspired" outfits! I need to find a site that lets me answer questions to help identify my style personality! I definitely don't have a copy cat personality and I'm not trying to mimic anyone else's style!

I plan to hit the Houston thrift scene soon. I've gone a few times with little success.

So again I now have something else to focus on!!

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Weigh Day! Stats!

I can honestly say this month was better than last but I took an entire week of rest. My girls were in Atlanta for two weeks and the first week that they were gone I rested! Mental and physical rest!

I did not complete all of my goals but I did do better. I've had a lot going on and just trying to maintain my sanity is proving to be a test!




Weight 8/1/11, 165

Stats look like this...

Bust: 34
Waist: 29
Hips: 40.5
Thighs: (R) 22.5 (L) 22.5

Total weight lost in July: -0.4

Total inches lost: 1 inch from my thighs



August progress pic...please excuse my appearance!

I go back and forth with the issue of just maintaining where I'm at, and living happily ever after between 160-165. I'm happy with the size of my body. I'm happy with my clothes size. I'm happy with the muscle I feel.

My honey is a big guy, 6'3 and I'm going to estimate about 280 pounds. When we met I weighed 275 at 5'5. We weighed damn near the same amount! Now when I'm hugging him he makes me feel small! If I lose anymore weight I think he just might crush me! That there is for another post though :-)!

So what am I going to do?? I'm going to keep loving myself and my success at weight loss! I still want more muscle tone so that's not going to change. As far as weight loss goes I'm pretty much done! I can't even believe I'm saying this!!

Ironically, this August marks anniversary of where I was two years ago! Two years ago in August I was 275, miserable and unhappy in my skin. Last August I was still fighting to reach my goal. This year I am happily living at my goal!

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Creamy Garlic Grits

Ingredients:

1 cu instant Quaker grits
2 cu water
1 1/2 cu 2% milk
2 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp crushed garlic (jar or tube)
1 Tbsp salted butter
Salt & Pepper to taste



Garlic grits with shrimp & salmon...repost

Cooking instructions:

I follow the cooking instructions on the grits box to begin. Bring the water and 1 cu of milk (reserve the other 1/2 cu) to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and slowly stir in grits. I constantly stir my grits to prevent sticking.

Once grits are in the pot, add butter, garlic powder, and crushed garlic. Continue to stir, grits should begin to thicken. At this point add in the reserved milk. If you'd like them even creamier, add more milk.

Grits should be soft if they are cooked properly. If they taste grainy, keep stirring and let them cook longer.



Garlic grits with cod & peppers...repost

I like to pair my garlic grits with fish and shellfish. I'm sure they'd pair well with chicken, or pork too! Or as an option for vegetarians...topped with sautéd veggies.

Enjoy!

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Veggie Pasta Sauce

After reading the mishap of Mrs. Pancakes spaghetti sauce with broccoli, I decide to post pics of my veggie pasta sauce!

First things first, you want the sauce to be chunky, you're not trying to imitate a smooth tomato sauce. Doing it the "traditional" way won't make sense!






This first photo is the base. Ground turkey, zucchini, cauliflower, roma tomato, onion, bell pepper AND broccoli! If you're going to do it...do it BIG!

I season my sauce according to taste. Typically I'll use garlic powder, onion powder, basil, Italian seasoning, black pepper and salt. It always tastes best if you season the meat while you're browning it.






To my base I add a can of tomato paste and a can of diced tomatoes. I fill the diced tomatoes can twice with water and add it to the skillet. Stir it up and let it simmer! The tomato paste will begin to thicken the sauce.

Choose the veggies you love and get to work! This dish is one of my girl's favorites!

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Look at me now! Fab weekend :-)

The girls and I at my cousin's wedding reception 7/9/11

I had to share this picture because I absolutely love it! We partied hard that night, so much that I ended up sleeping the majority of Sunday afternoon! Good times with family!

Sunday dinner...


Seasoned pan seared cod, creamy garlic grits, onions, cauliflower, sweet peppers and tomatoes

This tasted so damn good, it will most definitely make it into the dinner rotation every couple weeks!

I woke up this morning ready for my workout, Ripped in 30 workout #3. I hadn't previewed workout #3 so I had NO idea what I was getting myself into *sigh*! This shit was difficult!!

I was panting so hard I just knew I was going to pass out!! I had to keep reminding myself to focus on the breath! I managed to make it through the routine with the modifications on some moves and a couple of rest moments.

Nevertheless I'll be up and at it again tomorrow! I have to keep challenging myself!

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Shali Shanel XS...my accessories line!

Until I have my Etsy store up and running I will post photos of my accessories here! My line is named after my daughters, Shali Shanel XS (their middle names) and everything is hand crafted by me! Nothing you see is ever identical, my work is one of a kind!

If you see something you like..don't hesitate! All earrings are priced at $10 through the summer! Thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated!



Lollipop- Rainbow Swirl



Ribbons - Yellow (variation)












Lollipop - Hot Pink



Lollipop - Purple

My stuff is flirty, fun and fly!! Get some :-)

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Weigh day! Stats! Mommy's birthday!

I have to start this post by first giving my mom a happy birthday shout out! Without her, there is no me. She is a huge part of why I am the woman that I am today! Love and miss you mom!



My mom :-)

Okay back to my weigh day and stats! I had to bury my old scale (may she RIP) a few days ago *sigh*...we had a good run together! So on Monday the girl's and I made a run to Target to pick up a new scale! I must admit I am smitten with her lol!!



Weight 6/1/11, 162.2

Stats look like this...

Bust: 33.5
Waist: 28.5
Hips: 39.5
Thighs: (R) 22.75, (L) 23

Total weight lost in May: 0.8 lbs

Total inches lost: 1.25 in



June body shot

I am finally starting to notice the progress in my abs!! Finally!!! I believe having two c-sections is playing a role in the slow journey back to flat abs...smdh!

I set a goal last month to complete four weeks of Jillian Michaels' Ripped in 30, this did not happen! I have yet to even complete weeks 3 & 4 workouts! Throughout my journey I've learned a few things about my body.

My body responds well to constant confusion. Meaning, the intensity and style of my workouts have to vary from week to week for me to see and feel a difference.

I've already noticed change with my current schedule 3 days on, 1 day rest cardio/strength split. Basically I'm doing three days of cardio, and three days of strength training on alternate days. I'm not planning my workouts more than one week out at a time.

Goals for this month:

* Continue my split routine with various workouts
* Start lifting heavier weights
* Bid farewell to the 160's
* Menu planning 1 week out...seriously I've been sloughing on this and I have NO excuses

Thank you all for continuing to follow and support my journey!

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What a difference a year makes!

Last year this time I was quite happy with my weight loss progress. This year I am amazed with it! Although I have witnessed my own transformation through my pictures, I thought it would be fun to do a same style Memorial Day picture since my outfit was easy to repeat!



These are the same tanks but I need to buy a size small, these are getting too long! The skinny jeans aren't the same, I think last year the jeans were a size 16, possibly a size 14?? This year they are a size 10 and are getting too big as well!

Next year I aim to be ecstatic about my progress! Hard work continues to pay off!

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Salad game..recharged!

I had every good intention to eat a salad seven days straight for dinner last week. Last week for me was a total wash! I ate salad three out of the seven days!


Chilled couscous salad with tomato, asian veggie pattie, bell pepper, onion, mushrooms and light soy sauce




Seasoned mango, turkey meatballs, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, mixed field greens and Newman's Own light cranberry walnut dressing



Honey mustard tilapia, blackberries, sugar snap peas, onion, mixed field greens, dark chili powder and balsamic vinegar

*I've got a confession about salad #3. I didn't love the combo! I don't think the sugar peas paired well with the blackberries. I will try it again without the peas and see how it goes?

An attainable goal for my dinner salads is 2-3 days a week. I will post my creations each time! This helps when I want to go back and recreate a particular salad flavor. Watcha think??

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Ripped in 30 review week 1

I successfully completed all six days of workout 1! Days 2-3 my body hurt! I was so damn sore! I took a much needed rest day on Wednesday, so on day 4 I felt rested and the workout was nice!

On Friday, day 5 for some reason I felt weak during the strength combos and ab moves? Not sure why but I struggled through a few of those exercises! Then on Saturday I completed the entire workout without modifications. I then followed up with Turbo Fire 45 class. Needless to say after that I was pooped!!

Here's a progress pic, not sure if there's a difference yet but I'm still working!




Upcoming week- I somehow hurt my right shoulder :-(! It's been bothering me for a few weeks but after pushing through this week I think I made it worse.

I took yesterday as a rest day although I was going to start week 2. I am trying to avoid making it worse so the plan is to do four days of the week 2 workout this week along with two Turbo Fire workouts.

This is a minor setback but I've dealt with worse! I'll be posting another workout update next Monday!

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Can you SEE the difference in the personalities?!

My girls!!!


Mimi...never understated...always exaggerated lmao!

Yes it looks like sidewalk chalk BUT it's not lol! She did this all by herself!



Julianni...the mild, sensitive type...a Virgo like her mommy!

For those of you that needed another good laugh...here you go!

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Step your salad game up!

I've said this before BUT I'm going to say it again..I love salads!! Preferably my own creations! Here are a couple of my recent works, lots of flavor, minus the additional fat and calories!



baked chicken breast, strawberries, sautéed mushrooms & onions, candied walnuts, light feta, tomato, balsamic and salad greens




Lightened up tuna salad & tomato over salad greens

I'm thinking about creating an album of my salads?? Maybe sometime in the near future? So many things, so little time, only one me!

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