My Single Story - Diamond Ring

A few people have asked me about my story. Why I am single. I found a song today that perfectly describes a time in my life when I was at a crossroad and found myself ultimately walking the path alone. 

Diamond Ring, Sheryl Crow - Detours, 2008

I felt pressured to take my relationship with my long time boyfriend to the next step. We had been and lived together for multiple years and I loved him. We were comfortable. 

I thought I wanted a ring. A diamond ring. 

That Christmas morning when I opened my gift from him and saw a beautiful diamond ring staring back at me, I was in shock. It was a promise ring, not an engagement ring, but it was still a promise. 

We've all heard about those "near death" stories where your life supposedly flashes before your eyes. Well, that was happening as I was entranced with those diamonds. I saw good times and bad times. Then I flash-forward to all those life experiences that I was not going to have because of my commitment. 

As hard as it was, that ring woke me up. Brought me back to reality. 

I loved him but I needed to completely love myself before I was ready to give my all.

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Diamond Ring 

We made love all day
In our little hide away

But I blew up our love nest
By making one little request

Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Don't mean anything
Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Should not mean a thing

You could say I do
Hide your negative reviews
You love me you say
But you can't even face the day

Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Don't mean anything
Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Should not change,

Some say love is blind
But I say love is only in the mind

Diamonds may be sweet
But to me they just bring on cold feet

Someday you'll be like me
With someone who just wants to be free


Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Fucks up everything
Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Should not mean a thing.

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I am BLESSED to say we are still good friends but for right now, just friends. I love him. I would do anything for him and I know he would do the same for me. We are living separate but happy lives. Separating was the right decision. We found ourselves again and we found our own independence. 

(fun times, just friends) 

If I told you I didn't think about that diamond ring, I would be lying. 

If I told you I didn't put it on my finger once and a awhile, I would be lying. 

...But perfectly lonely is where it and I will stay... 

The Violence Against Woman Act - Time to Rejoice!

AMERICAN WOMAN SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THEIR VAGINA'S TODAY! 

Their vagina's, their President and their Congressional leaders. 

Today, March 7, 2013, marks the day that President Obama signed a law expanding protection for woman's rights, The Violence Against Woman Act (VAWA). This bill not only had the support of President Obama but also bipartisanship in Congress, meaning both Democrats and Republicans came together and supported this bill. THAT IS HUGE! 

This bill was originally written by our now Vice President and then Senator, Joe Biden WAYYY back in 1994 and today, it was renewed and rights were extended. This new bill extends coverage to woman of Native tribes, immigrants and gays & lesbians. I'm feeling the love here ladies! 

President Obama said at the signing ceremony, "All women deserve the right to live free from fear...that's what today is about". 

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SO WHAT DOES THIS NEW LAW DO?

This new law improved the criminal justice response to violence against women by: 

• holding rapists accountable for their crimes by strengthening federal penalties and creating a "rape shield act" to better represent the victim
• mandating that victims are not forced to bear the expense of their own rape exams or for protection
• keeping victims safe by requiring protection - this was extended to all state, tribal and territorial jurisdictions within the U.S. 
• increased rates of prosecution  conviction and sentencing of offenders by helping communities develop dedicated law enforcement and prosecution units and domestic violence dockets;
• ensuring that police respond to crisis calls and judges better understand the realities of domestic and sexual violence through training -- VAWA funds train over 500,000 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and other personnel every year 
• providing additional tools for protecting women in Indian country by creating a new federal habitual offender crime

This new law ensures that victims and their families have access to the services they need to achieve safety and rebuild their lives by: 

• responding to urgent calls for help by establishing the National Domestic violence Hotline -- this hotline answers over 3 million calls and receives over 22,000 calls for help EVERY MONTH! 
• improving safety and reducing recidivism by developing community responses that work together to prevent and respond to violence against women
• focusing attention to the needs of undeserved communities - this was extended to include immigrants and supporting tribal governments; American Indian and Alaska Natives

(All of this information was found at the White House website -- learn more by clicking the following link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/vawa_factsheet.pdf

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I haven't been more proud to write a blog post than this one. I consider it an HONOR to be a female. We have fought for our rights in this great country time and time again. This is another milestone to add to the history books. 

Remember your self worth. We are strong. We are deserving of equal rights and protection. We are women & we won't back down! 

Guess I'll be putting those bras away I was going to burn :) 

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Oh & if you want to know the 22 Republican ASSHOLE men in the Senate that deserve hate mail for voting AGAINST the VAWA -- here is a picture below :) Send away ladies. You can find their e-mail addresses on their Congressional websites - just google. Most notable votes against the bill were Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) who has potential for running for President in 2016... Can you imagine. 

Quote of the Week - HELL

I don't think I even have to say anything....Ms. Albright pretty much wrapped this one up for me. 

Quote of the Week - Blue

Everyone has those, terrible - horrible - no good - very bad, days. 

If you continue your negative way of thinking, you will continue to have those bad days. 

So, cheer up buttercup! The sun WILL come out tomorrow.

I found this little gem on a girlfriends Facebook page & could not help but repost it! 

I think little Hannah has the right idea. Sometimes, you need to simplify your life to make yourself happy. 

So, like she says, if you're feeling blue, try painting yourself a different color :) 

Happy days are here again! 

Cajun Veggie Jambalaya

OH MY GOSH. One word - DELICIOUS.

 

 

Let me just say first, this is the first time I have ever made jambalaya & I'm hooked!

Like most of my recipes, I did my research...looked up probably 20-25 recipes and combinded some to make my own creation. I can credit Emeril Lagasse as the main contributor. Usually, my recipes are 100% vegetarian but I had dinner guests so I made a special veggie version for myself and added shrimp and sausage to theirs.

 

Let's just say, there were no leftovers so I had to share this with you.

 

Ingredients:

 

1 tblsp creole seasoning - recipe follows

2 tblsp EVOO

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 large red pepper, chopped

3-4 celery stalks, chopped

6 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 tomatoes, chopped

2 tsp worechestershire sauce

2 tsp hot sauce

1 cup quinoa (or rice)

3 cups chicken stock

1 lbs shrimp, deribbed & cleaned

1 sausage, decased

 

Creole Seasoning: - Please note, you will have extra, you will not use all of this seasoning.

 

2 tblsp paprika

2 tblsp garlic salt

1 tblsp black pepper

1 tblsp onion powder

1 tblsp cayenne pepper

1 tblsp dried oregano

1 tblsp dried thyme

 

Directions:

 

1. Mix all seasonings together in a bowl thoroughly.
2. In a bowl, combine shrimp and enough seasoning as you wish. Note it is spicy.
3. In a large saucepan, heat EVOO on medium heat. Add onion, pepper and celery; cook until soft.
4. Add garlic and tomatoes and liquids.
5. Stir in quinoa and slowly add broth. Reduce heat to medium and cook until the broth is mostly absorbed, stirring occasionally.
6. If you are to add meat, add it now.
7. Season with the creole seasoning to taste. Again, spicy, add slow and taste!
 

I served this meal with jalepeno chedder jiffy cornbread muffins and a green salad of arugula. I added both on top of my bowl of jambalaya :)

 

ENJOY!

MEAN GIRLS

I don't know about you people...but I am a nice freakin person! 

I mean, unless you do something to deserve the mean-ness, cause then the claws come out. No seriously, I'm a Leo, I have claws. But 99.9%, I'm a good person - HELL, I'll even go as far as say I'm a good stranger! 

I usually like to think that other people have the same attitude. Why put so much effort into disliking a stranger or acquaintance when you could just be nice or at least civil. DAMN! 

Well lately, I've been introduced to more asshole girls than not. 

GIRL ON GIRL HATE HAS GOT TO STOP!

You assholes are giving us a bad name. You wonder why girls are called bitchy and jealous. Isn't it easier to just be friends with someone. Likely, you will never see that other person again, why leave a bad taste in their mouths. Once you are a bitch, no matter how many times you may apologize later, you will still be labeled, that bitch. 

It makes you look dumb, petty and insecure. 

Just be nice. Pass the positive vibes around. Who knows, you may end up being really good friends with that person?! 

People are just humans. Humans make mistakes. If you have "good" reason to dislike a person before you meet them, remember that point. Also...don't you remember high school? Rumors are made by humans. Don't believe everything you hear people! And most of all, don't judge someone by another's opinion! Are you really that naive to not go out of your way to make your own judgement?

Bullying isn't just in schools, it carries it's ugly ways into adulthood. And I'm pretty damn sure that if you're a bully still, you will be lonely and miserable your entire life. 

Take a chance. Believe in the greater good of people. Go out of your way to be nice or befriend someone. 

Remember, everyone is human. If you realize that you were bitchy to someone, simply apologize and try to start over. Or at least next time, be nice, cause MEAN PEOPLE SUCK! I bet you 100x that people will respect you so much more to admit you were wrong than if you kept being an ugly person.

Whether you are positive or negative, nice or mean, a bitch or all smiles...it is contagious. Make sure you're spreading the right thing. 

Or next time, you might get bitch-slapped and well that's just embarrassing. 

Smoothie Recipe

It's been awhile since I have blogged because I have been traveling for business. Blah. Thought I would jump-start my blog just like I jump-started my fitness again. 

This is what I call paradise! A smoothie that is super quick to make, delicious to drink, HEALTHY and a machine that is easy to clean. What more can you ask for? 

BERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana 

1/2 cup of frozen blueberries

1/2 cup of Greek yogurt

1/2 cup of orange juice - I use sugar free, natural, organic

1 tbsp of Chia seeds

1 tbsp of flax seed

(optional: other berries of your choice) 

Machine: I use the Hamilton Beach Personal Travel Blender. My brother got it for me for a Christmas gift, sweet boy, but I looked it up on Amazon and found it for as little as $13.00. I highly recommend it! Super easy to use & super easy to clean. But of course, you can use anything you have. 

Directions:

1. I put the juice in first so the blade has something to stir. 
2. Then, dump all the other ingredients in and hold the button until your desired consistency.
3. Take the blender off and go! OR Pour in another glass and go! 
4. To clean...here is my little trick. Rinse, add a bit of dish soap and then blend again!! You are blending the hot water and cleaner! Rinse again with hot water & boom! You're done. #pinterestproblems 

No, seriously. GO! Go to the gym! Work your butt off. And come home and make another smoothie!