We wanted to share with you a great new networking event here in Seattle.

Sherell Dorsey of Organic Beauty Vixen media is hosting “Beauty & Brunch: Inspire.Connect.Grow”

Here’s a description:

“This haute new networking and community event will feature enriching discussions that focus on transforming the ideals of beauty, empowering each other through the building of positive relationships and career development led by Sherrell Dorsey, creator of Organic Beauty Vixen Media. Please come dressed to impress and ready to share! This event is hosted at Salty’s on Alki in the private Stateroom.”

*Eco-Glam Gift Bags Provided by Our Amazing Sponsors*

BRUNCH MENU DETAILS:

*Mixed Field Greens Salad
*Crab and Prawn Bisque
*Wild Alaskan Salmon
*Washington Dungeness Crab
*Free Range Chicken Saltimboca
*Seasonal Fresh Fruit Tart
*White Chocolate Mousse Cake

Purchase tickets in advance here: http://beautyandbrunchobv.eventbrite.com

TV Personality Shon Gables chronicles her weight loss journey for NewNaturalista. Check out previous posts here!

I know, I know…I shoud be posting my weight loss.

BUT I am most proud of the inches that are going bye-bye!  My size 8 jeans, which I was forced to purchase out of sheer desperation because nothing else fit after Thanksgiving.. I can now pull on like sweats without unbuttoning or unzipping them!

I certainly am not where I want to be, but I am closer.  The weight continues to come off at  a very healthy pace. But to improve my waistline and torso…I am going to have to eat much healthier, lift weights and work on my core.

And quite frankly, right now, that is not my focus.

My focus is running.

I am currently training for my first 1/2 marathon of 2011.  March 25th I’ll be running 13.1 miles in the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Dallas.  Last week,  I ran a total of 29 miles, with my longest jog being 8 miles.  This week I hope to get in 32, with my longest run being 10.

Co-Workers Alexis S., Amy K. and yours truly training for the BIG DAY!

My temptation right now is frosted flakes after a good run…I FLAT OUT DON’T CARE… I’M EATING A BOWL.

It tastes good, just like the sweet small success of sliding into my old pair of 8′s.  The 6′s are still tight… BUT I CAN GET IN ‘EM!

Amen!

TV reporter/anchors Shon Gables and Tonya Mosley are chronicling their weight journey for NewNaturalista. Check out last week’s results here

Okay – I gave up fried chicken and practically everything cooked to a crisp in oil…

But I have a confession…nixing vegetable tempura AIN’T that easy!!

After all a woman’s gotta find happiness somewhere!

And my joyride slid me straight into a Thai restaurant that makes veggies taste like steak.

It was a great idea until I got on the scale.

I lost only 1 pound this week.

#REALITYCHECK

Even veggies dumped in a bucket of grease – will bloat you up!!

Note to self… tempura twice a week only.

I’m increasing water consumption…

I’m training for a half marathon starting next week (yes, running a race with my colleagues in March) and throwing caution to the wind

Life is short and I am going to enjoy the benefits of a life fearlessly lived thru faith and discipline - AT LAST!!!

Television Anchor/Reporter Shon Gables and Tonya Mosley are chronicling their weight loss journey for NewNaturalista – click here for last week’s results.

Shon Week 3

I lost 12 pounds!

Losing it is hard, and the 30 I still have to shed, is clinging like a bad habit. (Yes, I’ve upped the amount I want to lose.)

It takes discipline to get it off,
It takes discipline to keep it off,
And it will require discipline to maintain the goal.

CHANGE MY FRIENDS WILL COST YOU…

All I can ask is “How bad do you want it”?

When you want something lbad enough you will shed ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING that impedes your success.

I am shedding fried food, empty calories, outrageous portions and stupid thinking.

It has cost me too much… and I will no longer pay for it.

Tonya Week 3:

More Than A Pretty Face

Shon’s goals make me think hard about my own success. I have a secret. I’ve never REALLY worked hard at losing weight. I’ve always maintained the idea that moderation and balance will lead to balance in my weight. And yes, I’ve balanced my weight – BUT I haven’t lost significant amounts of weight with this philosophy.

Shon is right – if I want to be the best me I can be I’ve got to up the ante.

My “clicking” moment came last week when someone said to me, “You have such a pretty face.” I mean seriously? Yes it’s a compliment – I hear it all the time – but it’s not lost on me that it’s a compliment you give to FAT girls.

That comment got me into gear – and so far this week I lost 5 pounds. Yay!

Let’s get it!

Check back next week for an update on Shon and Tonya’s journey!

Shon

No, I'M NOT PREGNANT

I am not going to fool myself, the 4 days I took off for New Year’s Eve and my hubby’s birthday celebration has me feeling bloated.

I didn’t stop working out and neither did my mouth!

I had German chocolate cupcakes, a Brazilian red meat fest, a good 10 pieces of French toast and countless baked chocolate chip cookies and garlic bread. Somebody just slap me.

I was bad…real bad. And now I am forgiving myself by adding a new element to my journey.

Seeking deliverance from gluttony.

I eat in excess.

I eat to pass time.

I eat to celebrate.

I eat to mourn.

I eat to pacify stress.

Food is fuel for your body… Not a freaking counselor.

And in my life-faith journey… I am a witness that some things come only through fasting and prayer.

I want God to be my source when I am unsure, anxious, curious and impatient… And trust me, no matter your gender, your race or your socio-economic status… You are coping somehow… But is it productive?

I have not been!

And now I am challenging all, to join me, and consider a short season of fasting and prayer. I need some divine help! I’m ready to destroy one of my many stumbling blocks that has manifested itself in food… But quite frankly could be impacting other areas of my life… I just can’t see it YET!!

#IT’SONANDPOPPIN!!

Be strong!

Weigh in next week!

Tonya

Go Shon!

For me, I chose this week to focus on balance. I’ve learned over the years that extreme diets, workout sessions etc. don’t work for me in the long run. So this week I focused on eating based on the new food pyramid guidelines.

The balance paid off – I shed 2 pounds!

Lately I’ve also been focusing on how foods make me feel. Dairy does a real number on me. White breads and sugar literally put me in a food coma. I can feel it coming on after the first bite. It’s not normal to feel like you need to take a nap after a meal – I hate that feeling!

My goals for Week 3:

1. I’m going to go to bed earlier and wake up an hour earlier to run/workout. Working out in the morning has always worked out better for me.

2. Finish up my hot yoga pass. With my natural hair I have no excuse!

What are your goals this week?

Originally from thekitchn.com:

This is the time of year when strawberries, blueberries and other spring/summer fruits can get expensive. Here are some ways to make fresh, creamy smoothies in the bleak months ahead. NewNaturalista especially likes the idea of adding peanut butter  - just keep in mind the caloric content!

• Bananas, bananas, bananas. They’re good (and cheap) any time of year, but in winter, they’re essential. Here’s the thing: FREEZE THEM. We think this is the key to making thick, creamy smoothies without having to add ice. Do you have a blender that won’t chop ice very well? Frozen bananas are your friend. Peel them before you freeze them.

• Use all frozen fruit—not just berries. The frozen rule goes for all of your fruit. If you aren’t using a banana, frozen mixed berries will also add thickness (we just really hate blending ice). If your blender has a hard time with big, chunky, frozen strawberries, let them thaw for a couple of minutes and chop them into smaller pieces. And use other fruits; frozen peaches are great, as are frozen tropical fruits like pineapple and mango.

• Add peanut butter or nuts. We like the idea of something heartier and less summer-in-a-glass when it’s frigid outside. This Frozen Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Milkshake is more of a dessert, but you could omit the chocolate chips and call it breakfast. Or add some chopped almonds or walnuts.

• Use tofu. This is another good year-round tip, but in the winter, it’s nice to have alternative ingredients when fruit runs low. Tofu adds a good protein and texture. Try thisLow-Sugar, High-Protein, Dairy-Free Smoothie.

• Add ground-up oatmeal. Just another way to give a smoothie some heft and warmth (can we call it warmth?), especially if you’re limited on fresh ingredients. Here’s a post all about it. We’re imagining a banana, oatmeal, yogurt smoothie with some honey or maybe flax seeds.

• Freeze some yogurt and add oranges. Citrus is plentiful right now, but it doesn’t exactly give you a soft, creamy texture. Try freezing some vanilla yogurt (almost like adding ice cream!) and making a creamsicle-ish smoothie.

What are some of your favorite smoothie ingredients? Share them with us!

Originally from the Daily Beast

Courtesy: The Daily Beast

Few in black Hollywood would have suggested or predicted Jennifer Hudson’s 2010 decision to use her full-figured frame, powerful voice, and sweet-faced charm to pitch the not-so-novel idea of weight loss. But Hudson had her own thoughts on how to pave and maintain a path to fame and fortune.

Although Hudson isn’t the first woman of color to star in weight-loss ads—Queen Latifah kicked off the trend on Weight Watchers several years ago—Hudson has perfected the art. And she may have singlehandedly provided a new and highly lucrative blueprint for others yearning to earn top dollar and gain maximum exposure while reigniting a waning fan base. Weight-loss companies often pay seven figures to have major names promote their products.

Now Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson have joined the bunch. Read the rest of this article here

Are these ads inspiring to you?

Shon Gables

I’ve lost 7 pounds! (See original story here)

Shon Gables

I consider this a major feat, considering I wanted to eat everything in sight Christmas Day.  I did not workout because of toe surgery, but skipped all desserts.  I had 3 chocolate chip cookies, because my (ever-so-supportive-hubby) shoved them in my face… and at that point I could not say NO!

I wanted to kickbox today, but reason PREVAILED OVER desperation.  I am going to jog 3 miles and see how my toe does.  The swelling has gone down, but I don’t need to re-injure… and to be honest, I don’t feel like 2 hours of straight hard core cardio after 2 days of mac-n-cheese, yams, collard greens, corn muffins and yes, I had a bowl of frosted flakes.  I even drank soda… good grief, no wonder I blew up.

Back to the grind… get these 3 miles over, P90X sit-up session and Nutrisystem.

Tonya Mosley

I did NOT lose 7 pounds.

Tonya Mosley

I reported on the odds of keeping New Year resolutions a few years ago for KING 5:

The most popular ones? Eating better, quitting smoking and exercising – but researchers found by January 7th most people have already given up!

Do you want to make 2012 different? Here are some simple ways to make your odds a little better:

1. Make Realistic Resolutions

Losing 30 pounds in 3 months, or quitting smoking cold turkey can be challenging – and unrealistic. Take baby steps, realistic steps, and you’ll have better success.

2. Start Earlier

Want to work out more in the New Year? Add a day or two to your workout routine now – and by the new year you’ll have no problem adding more days.

3. Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself

Ok so you vowed to cut out sugar in the New Year but by January 2nd you’ve slipped up and had a sweet treat with your coffee. Don’t throw in the towel, pick yourself up and try again. Most smokers can’t quit cold turkey, on average it takes 7 tries to finally kick the habit. You’re only human after all!

How successful are you in keeping New Year resolutions? What are some ways you keep yourself on track?

NewNaturalista Rewind

One of my favorite childhood memories is enjoying a warm bowl of my grandma’s greens. I’d tediously help her clean each leaf before stirring them in that bottomless pot we’d let simmer for hours.

Today I keep up the tradition, adding a few other “green” favorites to the list. You’ll be happy to know that (sans the neckbones or pork) – greens are one of healthiest foods out there. Chock-full of folate, vitamin K (which helps prevent blood clotting) and a host of other vitamins and minerals – you’d do your body good to incorporate them in your diet! (I typically simmer in a pot with a tiny bit of salt, water and olive oil.)

Note: Avoid cooking greens at high heat – you want to preserve all the good stuff!

Mild Greens

Beet Greens: Mild flavor, very similar to spinach. Generates a pink liquid

Chard: The sweetest of greens, it can be used like spinach. Stem requires a little more cooking time than other greens

Spinach: Great raw or gently steamed

Bitter greens

Kale: I love lacinata kale the best, but green (above) and red bore kale are also yummy

Collard: Chop and simmer in water until leaves turn bright green or braise. Yum!

Mustard: Peppery, very assertive flavor. Strip leaves from stem and braise.

Other greats:

Rapini (also called broccoli rabe): One of the milder bitter greens, with tiny broccoli-like flowerettes amidst delicate leaves. If you use just the leaves, stripped from the stems, they’re hardly bitter at all. Braise quickly.

Watercress: Tear from stems and use leaves whole on salads for a powerhouse of nutrients and spunky flavor.

Partial Source: PCC Natural Market

What are your favorites?