Author Archives: urbanoutdoorgirl

Can You Weather The Storm??

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As Hurricane Sandy prepares to blast through the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) people seem to be going frantic. My mom came with me to Whole Foods Saturday bc it’s my grocery weekend and it was crazy crowded.. Now this is not uncommon behavior. Big storm warnings always warrant crazy food shopping. The irony and funny part about it is, if your power is out for a long period, your food will spoil. So why are you buying things like meat and milk?? haha.. Anyway, we didnt get much like we usually do, just some fruits, veggies, and nonperishables.

 

Today, we chilled. Our Sandy prep consisted of taking my mother to get her nails done, and me picking up toothpaste I forgot to get yesterday. So much for prep right? lol. We’re pretty much all set for Sandy. This storm has got me thinking about life preparations though…

If you went out and did anything today as a direct result of knowledge of “Sandy”, you were not prepared.. and if youre not in the DMV currently, if there has ever been a storm and you had to go out and “buy” stuff then its the same thing. Now.. I know youre thinking, well get to the point if you have one.. I am.. give me a sec. Ok… Life

 

It made me think, doesnt it say something about how prepared you are for the (metaphoric) storm in your life if every time something unexpected happens you have to “prep” for it. Why aren’t you already prepped for valleys? Your valleys should be just as manageable as your peaks. Yes.. you have to manage your highs as well. Sometimes you may get with rewarded with something and you cant manage the magnitude of the opportunity bc you didnt “prep” for it until you got it.. but let me stay on point.. Make yourself weather proof so that when the storm comes you dont get wiped out and drown in your “I didn’t knows” and “I wasn’t prepared” and “help me’s”.

 

The bread was at the store days ago.. Why didnt people buy bread then? The batteries were there days ago. why didnt people buy any then knowing they were out? Anything people buy for storms, a day or two before the storm was already there… My point? It would behoove of ALL of us to make it a daily goal to implement total preparedness in our lives. Are there things we may not be able to prepare for or see coming? Of course, were all gonna get caught in the rain umbrellaless at least once.. but the purpose is to focus on what you can foresee. Do you keep bandaids just in case your child gets hurt? Any parent would say yes. If you ask them why.. the answer will be along the lines of, “because you just never know”

When you live a prepared life, not too much can knock you down.. and its not about waiting for dooms day.. Its more a point of accepting “hey sometimes things take a different path and if they do, im prepared to roll with it whether im enthused about it or not.” Are you prepared to weather your life’s storms?? Your life’s flow of abundance?? I sure am…and being prepared sometimes just means being grounded and assured in yourself and your maker.

SN: Everyone in the DMV please be safe tomorrow and take precaution… just in case 😛

EASY HEALTHY EATING TIP: Anyone Can Do It

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Here is something quick and easy you can do to improve your diet. Once a week, commit to removing ONE bad thing from your diet… Yep just once a week.

 

Now this can extend to many different levels. If removing one thing a week is to tough you can start even easier. Lets say you eat out 5 times a week… Every week, take that number down by 1. Week 1, only eat out 4 times…week 2, 3 times a week… week 3, 2 times a week etc…. Essentially, limit the consumption of a particular food or bad habit but be specific. Another example, soda… You drink it everyday? same concept.. Pick a day/s where you wont have soda. Call it soda free Mondays or however many days you can do. The key is… COMMITMENT.

 

The regular way example would be biweekly. So, Monday through Friday, no chips.. Saturday or Sunday youre allowed a small bag as a reward, but don’t go out and buy the huge family style bag haha. The next week you can stick with chips or do no chips AND no soda… every week add on. Eventually, you can even cut off the weekend cheats. Weekend cheats are really just to appease those who really struggle and need a little motivation to keep going so dont do it if you dont have to. Now your vice may not be chips but whatever it is commit to removing it and be serious. After all, your health is on the line.

 

How is this a healthy eating tip? Simple.. The less bad foods you put in your body, the easier it is for your body to do its job properly. Improvements always = benefits. No one has to go from 0-100. Try it. Let me know how it works 🙂

PS: There are more ways to make this more challenging so if you need help on this, what to remove, or still dont know how to get started just let me know. Ill be glad to help.

FORD: BEST COMMERCIAL EVER

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Ok so I saw the best commercial ever and i’m gonna let you watch it before I give my comments..

 

 

Ok. So I know you’re thinking, what was so great about that commercial?? Sorry if you think I swindled you lol but let me explain.

 

Do you know what spelunking is? No? Well it’s essentially exploring caves for fun.. I know? Yes, there’s a word for that haha. I’ll keep this short until I write an extended piece… I love this commercial because it does not portray “African-Americans” in the stereotypical fashion. You see people of color hiking, kayaking, spelunking, and being an active on the go family. I was so tickled bc i’m finally glad to see that they believe there’s a market for this. That there are active people who do “outdoorsy” things that have been typically accepted as “white” activities. Im starting to believe there’s hope. You may not think this is major but think about the last McDonalds commercial you’ve seen or heard marketed to people of color… They’re playing soul music, the mom usually is portrayed as soulful, and in some cases overtly urban. Never mind that im anti- McDs, the point is, these companies go out of their way to appeal to what has been deemed as “black culture.” So though this commercial seems like no biggie it is major…

BLACK PEOPLE SPELUNK!!!!

I plan on going into this deeper but I’d like to thank Ford for doing something different and realizing even within subcultures there are a multitude of interests. This isn’t a “black” commercial but they’ve hit two birds with one stone on this one.. active families and minorities. Makes me one happy camper!! ( no pun intended) 🙂

Thoughts?

Finally Fall Baby!!

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Fall is by far one of my favorite seasons. I mean, who can deny its gloriousness. Beautiful leaves, bug hibernation, cool weather, sweaters and cowboy boots,non humidified hair… The benefits are really endless. Its also a sad season for me as well, a reminder that warm days are gone and freezing days are soon to come albeit I live in Maryland. Boooo Lol. I was really boohooing on twitter and a friend swiftly reminded, fall just started. So guess I need to enjoy it for what its worth. My favorite activity to do in the fall is hike. I love the leaves. But even more, I love the weather… Did I mention my hair? But seriously, my hair after hikes could be described as the porcupine effect. This is a great season to get out and get active especially before all your activities are forcibly delegated indoors. Maybe even get in some last minute, just because cookouts. What are your favorite aspects of fall? Do you spend anytime outdoors? Whats your fall fitness activities?

Photo below was taken two years ago… Dear Fall, I missed you. 🙂

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Long Summer, No?

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Wow. Its been a while since I posted on this thing… I must say, its been a long summer, or perhaps a short one is a better fitting description. Can you believe we are at the onsets of fall? Did I mention fall is my favorite season? Like really.. what a perfect transition. Leaves changing, weather cooling ( I LOVE sweaters), bugs going into hibernation, rich warm clothing tones, less humidity equaling perfect hair, seriously, what is not to love?

 

Quick update, ive done a lot of hiking this summer and it has all been very fun.. one small complaint however is none of the hiking trips have been what I would consider a perfect trip for me. While I have yet to hike alone yet, i feel as though that would be perfect bc I could control the conditions. I love spending time in nature so when I reach the peak I like to spend some time there and absorb it all in and just be for a while. No time constraints or rush. My time. I also like to maintain a walking pace conducive for me, I love a challenge but not a slow down. Only if im hiking with my favorite goddaughter. Anyway I cant wait to get some good hikes in this fall… Im looking forward to it.

 

SN: tonite I asked my mother was I fat just to garner her opinion and you know what this woman said? ” You are pleasantly plump”… wow haha… Really mom? Way to make your daughter feel great lol. I guess that was get back after I told her her arms were starting to expand and she should get back into the gym.. touche. Anyway.. looking forward to getting back in the swing of things, me and all my plumpness.. How was your summer?? Did you increase or reduce your fitness? Spend anytime in nature, dancing, shopping, concerts?