The Road Less Travelled

It is HARD to keep up sometimes in the social media/digital age. I am only 20, but I am an old soul who forgets to scroll through my Instagram or Facebook feed and have to write it down sometimes. Its great to have the newspaper on your phone and to be aware of the latest happenings and trends. It keeps you current, hip and up to date, and you possible won't look like a fool when trying to have a conversation with others.

But I love the mountains. I like to think and be at peace. I am constantly conversing with myself and blank out too often when others are talking to me. This contradicts with the life I hope to start in New York city, as the location would be good for business. But there is always the need to be somewhere rural, to hide behind the green curtains and feel the rhythmic sway of cool country breeze pressing against your skin and then caressing lightly, leaving its breath stains. oh sweet nostalgia!

All this only sounds like a resort visit, but it is the road less travelled. The world has become a noisy place. People have isolated friends and family for their computers, I do it sometimes, ashamed?  yes. But It seems as though to be a different person is a criminal offence. Unique personalities, tastes and attributes are frowned on, cast away while the ideal looks and common tastes are embraced. 

I go through HELL sometimes because I don't like what everyone else indulge in.Sometimes I want to cave and please others just to get their approval, but it would not be my life, and instead of living, I would be merely breathing. 

I love how odd people think I am. Its a hard road to travel on and no one may want to walk with you. But how would you feel, what would you be if you lived only for the world and the flash, which I believe has no substance or very little.

To me, if you love it, live it. If your're the only one dancing, dance harder. If you are the only christian or whatever religion, praise harder. If your clothes are different, wear it even more. The road less travelled often yields the greatest fruits.

I believe that every person has uniqueness - something that nobody else has.

Michael Schenker

Vegetarian Business

WHAT I EAT IN A DAY:

BREAKFAST:

Holy Crap Cereal
Banana
a mango
a glass of water


LUNCH:

Pasta (whole grain)
Try for low sodium or organic pasta sauce
**I don't eat dairy products, so no cheese

MID-AFTERNOON SNACK:

Any fruit of choice or salt free crackers
a glass of water

DINNER:

Steamed Green vegetables
Brown/White Rice
a glass of water

**I drink about 8-10 glasses of water per day. I drink a glass every hour or 2

A LIL VEGGIE STORY :)

I transitioned to a vegetarian diet in October 2013. I did my research and was pumped to begin this new lifestyle. It was rocky at first and it still isn't smooth sailing, but I would not give it up for anything.

I experienced headaches when I first started and often felt exhausted and sometimes nauseous. My body was new to this new diet and the smaller portions.It took about a week to master the diet and know exactly what to do. I must tell you that the scent of chicken and other meats had me salivating for awhile, but I kicked that away and have gotten use to the smell of beans and vegetable goodness.

Knowing what to eat and how much to eat really confused me at first, but with a little research I was able to understand how and what to eat.

Most people think they will be restricted if they transition to a vegetarian diet, but I often ask my friends: what do you eat on a daily? Turns out its only chicken and rice. I had more variety in my diet, but most persons believe that chicken is enough because of the different ways it can be cooked, but the same goes for tofu and vegetables.

Warning: Do research before you start a vegetarian diet and be careful of junk food. I've seen where newbie vegans and vegetarians live on french fries because they don't know what to eat. There are many fun and easy recipes to try. My favorite sources for meal plans and recipes are:

Essena Oneill on Youtube

&

Oh My Veggies

My 12 year old self

I read my 7th grade diary and thought I might share and compare the findings to now. Boy have I changed.


Crush: Blake from Kid Nation (what?!)
Now: That's a secret I'll never tell:P


Favourite colour: Blue (like every other 12 year old)
Now: Maroon


BFF: Too many to list 
Now: 0


Favourite clothing brand: Baby Phat (seriously?!)
Now: I'm more into bohemian pieces these days.


Shoe brand: Apple Bottoms and Echo Red (Where are they now?)
Now: Dolce Vita, Yves Saint Laurent and Nike


Hobbies: Reading, Watching TV and writing (that hasn't changed)


Career goals: Family Lawyer (uhhh NAH)
Now: Author and Social Marketer


Favourite car: Honda (LUXURY lol)
Now: I really like the BMW X5


Favourite TV shows: Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place
Now: Pretty Little Liars and +itsJudysLife +AprilJustinTV and +Zoella vlogs.



Favourite singer: Alicia Keys (:D)
Now: Adele and Ed Sheeran


Favourite store: Claire's
Now: Brandy Melville and Free People


Where i want to visit: New York (check!)
Now: Paris, Africa and Italy


Favourite foods: Burger King, Curried Chicken (ohhhh Helll nahhh)
Now: Tofu and Veggie pasta


Make your comparison in the comments below or on my PROFILE. I would love to read them.

What If.....

Hello Everyone,

We often ask what if  and ponder if things have turned out differently. How would you react you woke up and your life was different. If you are poor, then you might fantasize being rich, and in your mind you would be happy. That's because it is not your life, and as humans we want the best for ourselves in this jungle of a world.

Look at it this way:

What if your life stays the same, what would you you do? would you be happy? Instead of thinking how I want my life to be sometimes, I think of how I would NOT want it to be, which motivates me to do better instead of daydreaming all the time.

Most times we want success to live a flashy life:

I am not the flashy sort of girl, not only because I can't afford the lifestyle but how some people with the life act, especially if they didnt have it before. Many say they are humble and justify the reasons by talking about quality and quantity or how hard they worked for it. But helping others always seem secondary.

I can't lie, I think of myself before I think of others majority of the time, but always feel guilty afterwards. We work to better ourselves, but seem to forget others in the process and just throw the extra change in the donation bucket. We also feel as though we must let the world know that we've helped someone,sometimes  for likeability, especially as a public figure.

Be level headed

Its great to have dreams, ambition, drive and determination. But what if your life never changes, and your dreams get washed down the drain. Would you feel good? content? and try to live with it? or would you sink in a deep, dark hole feeling hopeless and desperate for change. While you work on your dreams remember to always be thoughtful of others and to be content. Personally, I believe it keeps your grounded. How you react to small things can be a test to guide you when the bigger disappointments surface. Its those who persevere and  don't get too caught up in the whims and fancy have the wealth: economically and in mind and body.

Don't worry, be happy. Live in the moment, work hard and stop concerning yourself about what if this  happens or nothing changes. Live in the now, not way up in the clouds where you might get lost.

I think if you just look at life in a positive way, positive things will happen.

Jake Owen

Never say these things

1. I'm ugly

Too often we look in the mirror and judge ourselves harshly. I remember when I started getting acne and thought I would die. When I look back I laugh. I still have acne, and moaning and hating myself did not make them go away. Its time to start holding your head high and smile! How would you have lived? crying? Don't weep as those who have no hope.

2. I am a failure

I was taught that whatever we say to ourselves, we will become just that. I understand when you try sooo hard and it does not work at first, but it is always at the point of giving up that it works out. Instead of saying its not going to work, think of where you want to be, not where you are. Think of what you don't want. Works for me!

3. Why her/him and not me

We see results and judge others based on their success which is natural especially if we don't know the person. We get jealous to see others with material luxuries and awards and drown ourselves in sorrow. What we don't think about is the sleepless nights, rejections and the pain a person sometimes endure to gain achievements.

4. You're not good enough

I remember when Selena Gomez was told that she would never make it, and look at her now. Power is an interesting thing. Those above think they are doing others a favour by stifling their dreams, but we ought to be careful as we don't know if that might be the last thing we say to the persons, some are sensitive than others and need the extra push.

5.Why do you like that?!
Why would they use/possess if they didn't like it?  We say it about people's clothes, car and their lifestyle. It is not okay, ask a different way or keep it to yourself.

6. Are you stupid?!

well teach!

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1 Day Juice Fast: My experience

I was feeling sluggish and didn't have much of an appetite for a few days, so I researched the possible reasons for my forehead acne and why I was feeling so clogged up. Most of the websites stated that it could be my digestive system. I decided to give my system a break for a day from pollutants, fatty tissues and tissues that build up the body.

It is recommend that you consult with a physician before you try a juice fast and to gradually ease into the diet. I did this by drinking light soups and consumed enough water/ fluids the days before. Also it would be best to do this while at home

8 oz (1 glass) Green juice: 

Cucumber

Ginger

Carrot

Water

Upon rising: Drink a glass of warm/hot lemon water (I did not do this, but it is HIGHLY recommended)

6:00 am- workout

8:00- Breakfast

I felt energetic and my usual self after having my first glass of juice.

12:00 pm- Lunch

At about 11 am I felt tired and moody, and a bit weak, nothing alarming. After lunch I could only rest because I  had no motivation or energy to do anything.

2:00- Mid-Afternoon snack

Around this time I was full on weak. Its a good thing is that I had no headaches or stomach cramps, neither was I hungry, just that my energy was low.

6:00 pm- Dinner

About 4 pm I wanted to give up because my mother was cooking and the scent was driving me CRAZY. But I persevered since I love challenging myself and knew how beneficial this would be for my body.

7:00 - Ginger tea

It is recommended to have something warm to soothe the stomach before you retire. However, you can do this throughout the day in between the three square meals. Remember to drink water also, it prevents headaches.

I drank the same mixture throughout the day, simply because I did not want anything too thick, especially since it has been so hot at my home. I would recommend that you switch it up, especially if the variety is available in your local supermarkets.I also did my workout before starting the day because I knew that I would not feel strong during the fast, as I have done this type of detox before.

Update (Friday, May 8 2015)

I woke up feeling weak and hungry, but light on my feet. I didnt feel so clogged up any more. 

Don't go back to oil and salt or anything artificial for 2 days after the fast. You may be tempted to eat the house down, but continue the cleansing process by consuming vegetable salads and drink more green juice. By the third day after your cleanse, you can eat healthy nuts, grains, starch and protein. Below is a sample of what I had. (I broke the rules, don't copy me.)

Breakfast

Fruit Bowl

Lunch

Brown Rice and Cabbage

Mid-Afternoon snack

Mango

Dinner

Brown Rice with Green leafy vegetables

80z Glass Carrot Juice

 Benefits of a 1 day cleanse

Visit superfoods for superhealth for detailed information 

http://www.superfoods-for-superhealth.com/day-juice-fast.html

**I am not a physician, I have done this before and reaped the benefits so I decided to share it. Please don't do it if you have any serious illnesses like Diabetes, consult your doctor first.

To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.

Buddha

Favourite Books (top 4)

TGIF! thought I might share books I have fallen in love with and have read over and over again.



 Annie John
Author: Jamaica Kincaid

(Image courtesy of bookrags.com) 

I have mentioned this novel in more than one blog posts. My love affair with this novel began in 4th form (grade ten) and the interest has not died. It was a prescribed text for literature and as usual I read all my texts before school even resumed for the Autumn term. It tells the story of Annie John and her childhood in Antigua, her fall out with the mother, friendships and the trials and joys of being a teenager. Jamaica Kincaid explores the theme of growing up in such a relatable way that you can't help to stop reading  until you reach the last punctuation mark ( then start all over again.)


Crick Crack Monkey

Author: Merle Hodge

(Image courtesy of barnesandnoble.com)

Thanks to mama for loaning me this novel. Like Annie John it explores growing up. Readers experience a change of personality in the protagonist Cynthia. She goes from a bold, adventurous child to an isolated, sad teenager. This occurred when Cynthia was taken from her precious "Tantie" after receiving a scholarship to a prominent high school. She is taken by her Aunt Beatrice, an aspiring elite. Cynthia has a difficult time adjusting as she endures scorn and teasing from her cousins because of her poor and "uncultured" background.


The Humming Bird Tree

Author: Ian McDonald

(Image courtesy of Macmillan-caribbean.com)

                                       
Now I might seem bias choosing West Indian novels, but what can I do? I live in the West Indies after all. Another prescribed literature that also explores adolescence and friendship. Alan is a white Trinidadian who often explores the village with his poor Indian friends Jaillin (whom he claims to be in love with) and Kaiser, who are in fact illiterate and work for his parents. He narrates his experience as a privileged white boy among dirt poor Indians in a time of racial segregation. However,  Alan grows and becomes knowledgeable about his status versus theirs, and begins questioning the friendship.


 Hunger
Author: Lan Samantha Chang

(Image courtesy of Amazon.com)

A mother narrates the tale of two Asian immigrants who met and fell in love while living in New York. She speaks extensively of the tragic marriage, one daughter's rebellion, while the other keeps her loyalty to the home and her mother even after her mother's death. The novella reveals how the the father's love for the violin and his desperate attempts to live his dreams through his daughters cost them their happiness.