Welcome to The New Naturalista!

I hope you stick around for a while, maybe even bookmark us.   NewNaturalista is here for you, providing the scoop on all those wonderful things out there that are good for US.  Among other hot topics and trends you’ll find:

Beauty trends that compliment all of the wonderful shades we come in

The best for our families

Eco friendly fashion

Food and nutrition that feed the mind and body

The quest to keep  spirituality grounded

Workouts that work our figures

The sight was founded by me, Tonya – a television reporter, wife and mother.   The reasons are simple.

I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting at 8 years old.  I remember it well, the overweight ladies glancing at me as I sat next to my mother — sad smiles and looks of pity.   Back then I liked to call myself “chubby” – the playground bullies called me FAT.

When we weren’t on a diet my mom and I were eating fast food.  McDonald’s was our poison, I graduated from a Happy Meal to a Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal before I hit 10.  It was almost a rite of passage, I was growing up.  The first time I asked for the full meal deal I said, “Mommy I can eat the whole thing!”  And I did.

I’ve been on a pendulum of weight loss for most of my life.  I love all things fresh, but deep down I’ve always associated “good” foods, fruits and veggies…with deprivation and emptiness.  Cheese, pizza, burgers, fries, ice cream…indulgence and fulfillment.  This lasted well into adulthood.  I’d go on a diet and declare, “This is IT!”  The weight would go away and then slowly my “bad” habits would creep back up, late night take out calling my name.

Well – welcome 2010.  No more resolutions about losing weight. Instead serious self reflection and action.  Why do I have these feelings about food?   Why do many minorities find eating at the bottom of the barrel so fulfilling?   It recently hit me – way back when, we didn’t have a choice. We literally DID eat from the bottom of the barrel…making it palatable with a nice helping of fat and grease — and a dash of salt.  Today major corporations are getting rich off our taste buds, serving it up hot — while our waistlines get thicker and our health declines.

This year I’m looking forward to experiencing the journey to becoming a healthier me, for myself and my family.   No more scales.  No more “diet” foods. Good wholesome foods — and along with them, lessons on how to cook them.  New ways to get in exercise that’s not only challenging but fun!  I’m doing away with products with ingredients I can’t pronounce, instead using what is made from the earth.  I’m sharing what I’ve discovered, with you. We really have no more excuses right?   It’s a new year, a new me – The New Naturalista.