Battle Won!

OK, so lately I have given up, sugar, cheese, eggs, and other milk based products from my diet. I was already a vegetarian, but I wasn't eating as healthy as I should. I took my diet as a license to eat whatever I wanted. And I haven't told my mom and sisters, because they already think I am insane for not eating meat.

That being said, yesterday I spent the day at my mom's house. We were going to watch Twilight together (yes, i know, this was not my choice). Mom looks over at me and says, "do you want to get some hot glazed doughnuts". Oh my God if you knew me and how much I loved hot doughnuts, then you would understand the significance of my response. "Can we get a more healthy alternative." My mom looks at me with disdain and goes, "well there's nothing wrong with eating like this occasionally." I could tell I offended her. "It is for me, because once I get started I cannot seem to stop," I told her. She nodded, "oh yes you are right, if you cant stop then you shouldn't have any." Yep, always try to make it seem as if there is something off with you and most people won't think you are being stuck up!

When the doughnuts arrived, the smell was intoxicating. Oh how I wanted to taste the delightful sugary lumps. I smiled as I sat there in the room watching others eat them, happy for their enjoyment, but elated that I didn't loose my battle, this time!

What's Left?

It amazes me how we all want to leave this huge mark on the world. We never stop to think, what mark the world is suppose to leave on us. What have we learned? Who have we loved? What did we see? We at times feel like we need to do something spectacular before our time here is cut short. We can literally see this huge clock ticking our time away. Then depression sets in, because we feel like we will never get there and we will probably be this utter waste of energy.

I think about my children, my husband, and my life and I know I have missed out on some wonderful memories and opportunities because I have let that all fall behind me, chasing something that never existed for me - "A Master Plan". The plan that tells you everything you are supposed to do when you get here, who you will meet,what you will do, where you will go. The plan that got messed up when your life got in the way!

It is my experience that life is supposed to be lived for your sake and that any mark you leave on the world should include your peace, love, and happiness - I know its pretty cliche, but cliches are real too.

My Best -
Afrikaisi

African Autumn

This tea is heaven! It's a blend of Redbush from Africa, Cranberry and Oranges. Just the aroma alone will get you.

A New Mom's Best Friend

Ladies, the Brazilian Waist Cincher is the stuff! I got this after I had my daughter in 2007, it actually took three inches off my waist! I had my son this past December and I was feeling like I still looked 4 months pregnant, then I remembered that I had this tucked away in my drawer. Yep, I am going to use it again! Yes, it is uncomfortable to wear, but I, like most women don't care about pain when it comes to looking good.

I will let you guys see the results from day one. Just let me find my camera, lol.

Until next time,

Afrikaisi

The Baby Whisperer

Ok, so I have been reading everything baby related for the past couple of months. My newest read is Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg with Melinda Blau. This has got to be one the best baby books that I have read so far! Not only have I been referring back to this book on a regular, it is a very easy and quick read for mothers of new babies. In the book, Hogg uses her numerous years working with infants to show parents how to communicate with their babies. As a new mother again, I can't tell you how difficult it was with my first child to identify what was ailing him when he cried, while my daughter who was more of an Angel type, (Hogg explains this in the book) was an easier baby to care for.

The best thing about the book is the numerous charts and illustrations she gives you. The chart I refer back to most often translates the newborn's body language. I am so impressed with her common sense approach. Hogg's E.A.S.Y. program helps the baby adjust to life outside of the womb, while helping parents become more aware of their new baby. The E.A.S.Y. programs places the newborn on a loose structured schedule. I know, how can a structured schedule be loose? Believe me it can be - read the book!

All Lies!

What is truth? Is it something that someone else tells us is so? If it is then how can we know it is the truth, who is there to rebut it? In many religious traditions the truth is almost always harped on by their devotees as only belonging to their particular belief system.

I say no one has the truth. All words are lies. Even the words that I write here are not truth. Truth is possessed by One. One that no one can ever be on first name basis with while here. So we get snippets, snippets of truth, if that's what you want to call it. Things that came from the One True Source that has been funneled by many, only to be funneled some more. Yes we all need something. But we should all know that we all know absolutely nothing. If anyone tells you any different - run in the opposite direction!

XO
Afrikaisi

I love black

Nothing much new, just wanted to show my new color. I dyed my locks black a couple of weeks before I had Zahir. I am really feeling the color! My husband didn't like it in the beginning, but he has warmed up to the color. (Hmmm, wondering how long I will last with this color.)

Peace for now....

A heavenly gift...

Today I went into a Sephora store. When I walked into the store, I took a deep breath inhaling the sweet fragrances of mineral makeup and Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes. I was in heaven. I walked over to the Urban Decay display, looking through the eye shadow palettes to find a gift for my sister. The sales lady showed me the most beautiful Urban Decay palette colors I had ever seen. I thought quickly to myself - I could get something for myself and skip the gift for my sis! Knowing how much my sister loves eye shadow, I looked around some more to make sure I was getting something that she would truly love. In the end I found a palette by Sephora. She will get more use out of it than the Urban Decay palette, because it has more eye shadow colors to choose from and an added bonus of lip and cheek colors as well.