TMI Review: I Love U by Kotex

Okay guys stay with me on this. We have to have our flow right? I hate mine and I'm sure a lot of you are with me on that sentiment yet how many of us really discuss all of the things that can make it tolerable? Well recently I've been on a sharing spree letting my girls know that U by Kotex is amazing. Why? Well simply put there is no hit and miss push it in and you get out of there quick all because of the rubberized portion (super grip). I Love it! I'm not getting paid for this just sharing something I love that I know you will too. Happy flowing!

Dishing with the Delicious Diva: Attitude Shrimp

hello Beautiful People,

    I am happy to announce that the Delicious Diva, Vannell Jones will be sharing her wonderful recipes exclusively with Miss Merli in NYC to keep our tummies satisfied and our bodies looking great. So without further delay Here is the Delicious Diva

So....I originally planned to have this blog be a daily thing, but yeeshy. When I get in my moods, I REALLY get in my moods! I don't know if its the heat this week, or the onset of a fierce case of PMS, but I seriously almost snapped at least 10 times in the last few days. I just wanted to say F-you to everybody! First, it was the man at the subway who asks me EVERY single day to sign his petition for City Council. I know he is trying to do something good for himself, but I signed the damn petition a month ago! Leave me the F alone. Then, it was the man in the grocery store who didn't have change and asked me if it was okay for me to pick it up later. Okay? WTF do you mean "is it okay"? HELL NO! It is NOT okay. I don't hear you saying "take the juice and come pay for it later. F-you. Then, it was the lady who was trying to drink her coffee while walking S L O W L Y down the stairs. Hurry the @%%#% up, or MOVE out of the way! F-you. Then, it was the receptionist at the doctor's office who had me on the phone for twenty minutes just to make an appoint. Then, I call back later to reschedule only for her to tell me that she "doesn't have my name in the system". I didn't even respond. My mother always told me to keep my mouth shut if I had nothing nice to say. So, I said "thank you very much, have a nice day". Then I hung up the phone and went to the bathroom to cry. Thank God for tears. Tears keep people from killing other people. I am a firm believer in crying. Receptionist lady. You are an idiot. F-you. Then, it was the girl on the train who was testing out her new weave by flinging it from side to side, and hitting me on the arm in the process. Ummm....excuse me, but I only like to get hit with the best quality human hair. That ain't it. F-you. Then, it was the security guard who told me the fan I was admiring was on sale for $29.99. Mind you, I didn't ask him for the price of said fan. Anyway, I liked $29.99, so I lug it all the way to the cashier for her to tell me that it was $79.99. WTFFFFFF. F-you Mr.Security Guard. And mind your damn business! As you can see, I have an attitude. Its been a week so far of me just staying to myself for fear that I will spit my venom at any innocent person who gets too close. Poor Quincy. The only thing that has worked to alleviate some of my anger and frustration is cooking....last night I made Attitude shrimp (no need to explain the name, right?....hopefully, the rest of the week will fly by because I SO need Footprints Friday to be here already....

LYMI, V

Attitude Shrimp

Ingredients:

1lb of cleaned shrimp

Salt (to taste)

Fresh black pepper

Paprika

Cayenne Pepper

Red pepper flakes

Lawry's Seasoned Salt

Adobo

Worchester Sauce

1/2 an onion, chopped

1 clove of garlic, chopped

4 tablespoons of butter

1 cup of water

1 bundle of asparagus

2 cups of white rice

1 bundle of chives

lemon juice

2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

parmesan cheese

Recipe:

Soak cleaned shrimp in lemon juice and cold water for 20 minutes

Rinse shrimp and season, then place in fridge

In a sautee pan, heat up olive oil. Add chopped onion, garlic, and chives and red pepper flakes. Sautee until onions are soft.

Add shrimp and water. Stir.

Reduce heat to medium and cover.

In another pot, add rice and 4 cups of water along with a 1/4 of onion, a garlic clove, and a teaspoon of butter. Cook on medium for about 20 minutes, or until there is no water left.

Stir shrimp periodically. Reduce heat to low, and allow shrimp to simmer. Add more water if necessary.

In a frying pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Rinse asparagus and add to melted butter. Lower heat and cover pan. Cook until asparagus is soft. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

When shrimp is cooked, remove from heat and set aside.

Plate rice and asparagus, then add shrimp and drizzle with sauce.

Serve with a cold glass of wine, put on Mary J. Blige, relax, and enjoy!

Getting to Healthy... No Loss. Why?

Hello Beautiful People,
         
 It does sadden me to report that the new week has brought about no loss but I'm not surprised a somewhat stressful week at work, some financial struggles did not help in the eating department. I've been also very tired as well as sick physically,

Kirk feeling great after advising me
 what to eat :-) at South West NY

Almost good but only if I didn't add the
extra starch but it was so good

so while my mind was still on my goal, I didn't do a lot of pushing to get any results. My thought if I could just get through this week without gaining any weight that would be great. While I'm a little disappointed in myself I won't let this deter me from continuing on, my friends continue to help me in making better decisions and I'm so blessed and grateful to have them in my life. One friend that helped me just in menu ordering at SouthWest NY in Battery Park City, was my dear friend Kirk who after I ordered fish tacos gave me this look and said is that what you really want. I said ok I'll let you order for me then... I ended up with a fabulous goat cheese, arugula, beets and salmon salad. It was amazing! Sometimes a nudge in the right direction is the best support you can get.

I decided for more support I'd join Dr. Oz's Transformation Nation Million Dollar You where I filled out a survey and was dubbed "Fairly Healthy Lifestyle" Here is what that means....

Lots of Opportunity Ahead!

Merli, you clearly make an effort to live a healthy lifestyle, but it looks like there are some habits you haven’t been able to beat. That’s ok! When it comes to healthy habits, you have a solid foundation to build on, and it IS possible to improve, regardless of what you’ve tried in the past. You can start fresh.

The first step is to believe it. You can improve. You can reach your goals. Take the time to contemplate why you want to change and commit to your decision, to avoid jumping in before you’re ready. Research shows that people who say they believe they can achieve their goal are much more likely to be successful.

Another trick to success is to work on only one or two topics at a time. Taking on more could be overwhelming and cause you to fall short on all your goals.

Your Weight Watchers Verified Initial Weight is 189, and your Body Mass Index is 33.5, which puts you in the above normal weight range for your height.

Make sure you lose 10 % of the body weight or become in the normal range of BMI for the next official date between April 2 and 9.

Alright guys until next week... Gotta get moving!  Gotta get that million dollar body and a chance to win a million dollars. Join me :-) DREAMING! and thank you for the support everyone. 

GETTING TO HEALTHY... 189 Has never felt so good!

Hello Beautiful People,

Chantal and I. Top Armani Exchange Spr 2011. Lips Ruby Woo

        Just got back from Miami last week where I was whining up my waist to the drums and sounds of the Caribbean's best soca and reggae tunes. I had such an amazing time with my best friend Chantal @LilBitNSum and other new found friends. Sometimes I forgot to eat whenever I got  a chance I slept on car rides just so I can get a refresher and continue dressing up and going out with my crazed group on friends. I'm happy to report that I've almost broken my mid-night cravings of sweets and I've been drinking loads of water. My moderations have gotten smaller and I've been cooking up a storm which means I've been eating less outside.  Chantal was also a great support and continues to be my biggest loser helper so thank you girl! While I've been seeing some fabulous clothing in stores I've refrained from purchasing anything not like I need anything else but you know a fashionista never has enough. In terms of physical activity on my vacation I did a whole lot of dancing but since I've been back I haven't really done much... :( I'm working on it. I don't want to do the gym thing since I never keep up with it and it ends up being a big waste of money. I'll continue working on that and keep you updated as to what I find that finally sticks. Here are some pics from Miami carnival I can't wait till next year... I'm finally going to play mass Woo Hoo!

                    

Lace top from Bebe Spr 2010, Skirt from Express Fall 2011, Stripe Clutch Coach 2009

                    

 

                       

My friend Mark and I in a forever 21 top Fall 2011, Leggings from Bebe Spr 2010, Necklace H&M Summer 2011

                    

 

Getting to healthy... Week 1: 3lbs Gone!

Hello Beautiful People,

            Week 1 of my pledge to myself has proven to be quite difficult. Arrrgggh! That job of mines is quite the stressful place in the heart of the Bronx I am a youth advocate in my other life but I have the worse director in the world which makes for the worst kind of culture in the work place since all she cares about is getting her billing and that the binders are always updated. Sadly she could careless about my position or any of the workers well being, so I'm always thinking today could be my last day since for the most part I'm not active there. I am active in other organizations as a youth advocate so they have managed to get a great face for the organization out there. (Smart move people) Either way after a staff meeting of being told that having mice droppings at the computer station is complaining I definitely indulged in juice and comfort food. That's one day the other days I was pretty good but I'm still trying to kick that habit where I have something sweet to go to bed. Like one smart person said slow and steady wins the race... I'll continue on making the small changes. Another issue that has come up is the pain in my back so I went three days with working out but couldn't go on because I was in so much pain. (insert sad face) I making an appointment to see a doc in order to continue on with the physical aspect. Good news is I did lose 3lbs YAY! I'm not throwing any parties yet I've done many times before lets see 10lbs and then I'll start to be impressed with myself (insert LOL)   What do you do when you're dealing with bad situations in life? Do you have some great sweet treats that are amazing and healthy? Do share and I'll be sure to share with the masses. 

      In other news I got these fab shoes... I know I'm not suppose to get anything but I needed it for Miami!  Oh and had to get a fab envelope style clutch ooooh I can't wait!  

Getting to Healthy: Taking care of Beautiful from Inside Out

Hello Beautiful People,
   

April 2011

        So here I am... again making a vow to lose weight. More than that I'm on a journey to find my happy state where I don't have a stressful day and then eat whatever sweet treat I can get my hands on. Every year I've promised myself in the New Year by my birthday I'll lose 25lbs and then my birthday comes and I don't lose anything most of the time I've gained.
 Then I say summertime is coming I'm going to bring sexy back, but sexy seems to stay buried within the folds and then I turn around and its labor day and the holidays come and I'm back at square one. This has been the cycle I've lived for the past 5 years. The only time I seemed like I was on the right track was after the end of a 9 year relationship I was able to focus on me and as a requested Christmas gift get on Weight Watchers and lost 15 lbs and then college got difficult and I gained 15lbs back as well as my degree. (I'd give my degree to lose 30lbs though) Now I'm twenty-seven years old, single, childless and wondering if the reason why I'm still single is because of my size. I remember a time when I used to be the skinny girl in the group now I'm always the fat pretty one as I once was told. I don't want to be skinny but I'd love to be able to be comfortable in my own skin, not worry about having undergarments to pull the rolls in, or going on the beach and not wanting to go in the water or better yet take off my cover up because of what I know is under it.

France 2008 My failed skinny pose

 Why Now? I'm a make up artist and a stylist part of my job is accentuating the best features of a client and other times hiding some flaws but through it all one of the things I say and believe is that everyone I work with is beautiful. I believe that with all my heart and a lot of the reason why I want to lose weight is for esthetic reasons but recently after being diagnosed with Scoliosis ( my spine is curved and two discs are out of place which causes pain for me almost 24/7) as well as being border line diabetic I realized if I don't start making changes now my future as I've imagined it will not be a bright one. I was told that I have to do physical therapy and lose weight but still I haven't made any significant changes. But now I have to listen to a body who feels like 10 years older then it is. I want to be energetic, rested and healthy again and by God's grace and the support of friends and family I'm going to get to healthy.
 My Goal: I've put numbers and sizes on it but there is nothing like getting to healthy, having a good nights sleep all the time rather than seldom. Being able to healthy as a way of life and not just a diet to lose some pounds. Having a healthy relationship with food where I am not using it as a way in which to feel better. ( Sorry cake I'll always love you) What does healthy look like? Healthy is a nice size 8 with hips that don't lie and whose back won't be in pain anymore because the strain will be taken off my back, ankles, and knees. (Hello Heels!) and most of all I won't be borderline diabetic, I'll add years on to my life, and I'll cut my chances of the many diseases that take women out daily.

Vegas 2010

 My Pledge: That one year from now I will be able to look back and see how I finally got to a healthy me through many small changes. The first one adding at least 20 minutes of activity to my daily activities. Making sure I eat at least one serving of fruits and vegetables daily. (would you believe I don't always do that) Continue drinking water as I've been doing (pat on my back) Cut my sweet intake to once a day.
     The Tools: My Wii! I have all these great dance games and workout games, My DVD player along with my palates dvds, hula hoop workout, and Gospel Aerobics. I'm going to finally put all that money to use that I've spent on these dvds and games and start using them. I have awesome looking workout clothing that I don't use and when the summer comes I'm going to start biking again.

The infamous bathing suit picture Panama 2010

Starting Weight: September 26, 2011 195 lbs by October 26, 2011 my goal is to be down to 188! 


A new feature on my blog will be my weight loss diary that I will update weekly with my thoughts, findings and anything related. I'm excited and so happy you can share this new beginning with me.

Live, laugh, love & learn

        Miss Merli