It’s all good. I must say though, that class did teach me a few tricks. But with my senior moments I seem to forget them and every now and then something will spark a flashback and I will remember a lesson point.  One of those lessons is removing clutter. If you have not handled something for the last three months it needs to be filed in the archives. Enough of this boring work related chit chat.  Lets’ get down to business- How’s my journey going?

Can you believe it? Spring is here and it is so beautiful, walking/driving/strolling through the neighborhood and seeing all those beautiful flowers and the green, green, green grass of home.  Yes, it is a breath of fresh air, even our own little office garden (front of building) is blooming.  Well let me tell you about my journey to a Healthier Me!

This journey which I have embarked on is a journey of necessity. As I shared in my last posting, this journey was forged because of events that have occurred in the last two years of my life. So not to be repetitive, I will just say the Journey to a Healthier Me is a journey for longevity - life longevity.

The journey began on a very positive note or should I say a very strong and determined note.  Please don’t get me wrong, I am still determined on losing all this transcended fat, I am just not as disciplined.  I was doing so well, then, came my birthday, the one year anniversary of my sister’s death, and my nephews farewell brunch. Need I say more? I lost the battle of will power.  I dove in and I have been drowning every since.

I have tried to restart my regime of oatmeal and toast in the morning, salad with some kind of red meat, poultry or fish for lunch and then a light dinner.  Remember: tried is the operative word here. I have had some good beginnings, but unfortunately it did not last a week. I would always falter mid-way, some weeks my only good and successful day, would be the first day.

So that I am still accountable to you all, here is my roller coaster of a ride on the tide of fluctuation.  As you are all aware the “Journey to a Healthier Me” began at 304 pounds in January, in February the scale read 299 and now the Ides of March say we are back to the beginning - 304 pounds.  Don’t lose heart, my trusted companions, we shall survive this tide of fluctuation and waves of uncertainty.

Join me next quarter at the half way mark. I will post photos then, the before and after. Happy trails and don’t sweat the small stuff. God says we shall not be given more then we can handle.  So handle your business. TTFN!

NOTE:  Please enjoy the writings of a colleague, straight from the heart - “Where I’m From” by Laushonda Barquet, Family Connections Program Assistant.

- - -

“Where I am From”

I am from a home in Holly Park with a mother, who used to smoke this thing that had a funny smell
A mother who used to get beat up on a daily and nightly basis.

I am from a Native Indian grandmother who used to come to get me when my mom would leave me,
and tell me stories of her mother and say that my mother didn’t mean it.

I am from a father from New Orleans, Louisiana.
I am from a father that took me under his wing,
more then I could say for a lot of men in this world today.

I’m from a man that couldn’t put up with the abuse
or should I say Neglect
that my mother imposed on me.

I’m from an airplane from Cincinnati to Seattle,
at last - stability.

I wanted this all my life, a place to call home.

I am from working on cars, Playing basketball, and football.
I am from wearing overalls and no make or you will get it.

I am from “boys don’t cry”, but daddy I’m a girl,
who cares go get that screw driver.
And stop pouting we’re not in no damn soap opera.

I am from down home cooking!!! Oh the smell of the
greens, chitlins, fried chicken,
hams with the good ol’ glaze on it.

I come from a grandmother that is so good to everyone,
she thinks of everyone but herself.

I come from staying the night on grandma’s couch
’cause daddy had to go to work 18hours a day
to keep food in his mouth and mine,
roof over our heads
and to keep clothes on my back,
‘cause all he wore was overalls all day and every day,

Still do till this day.

I come from a place where my daddy would do anything for his baby girl,
“THE ONLY GIRL”.

I come from jealousy, you aint bringing that lady in my house,
who is she and why you kissing her?

I come from a place that only I matter.

I come from a place where we made our own games,
We played “Down Town Baby down buy the rollercoaster,
sweet sweet baby I’ll never let you go” - Patty Cake Bakers Man,
all that and dance competitions with all the lil ones.

I came from a place where my dad says the white man is a bad man,

I come from a place where the white man say’s the black man aint a good man.

I come from a place where you talk back you get put back,

All knows what that means, “I BROUGHT YOU HERE I CAN TAKE YOU OUT OF HERE.”

Know that all so well, I come from a place where you can’t talk about it you just have to be about it.

I come from a place where you can roll your eyes
but make sure no-one see those eyes
or they will get set back into place.

I come from a place of hate,
Yes I hated the world because I
would see little girls with their mommies and their daddies
walking around like the world is a great place,

And if you remember I come from a place of jealousy and
I was jealous of those little girls with their parents,

Why couldn’t I be like that.

But I come from a place that is strong,
and now that mommies are gone
I come to realize that mommies weren’t strong.

I come from a place of forgiveness
and that is where I want to be!!!!!

The year 2009 had been a struggle for my family and me. We started the year with a loss of a beloved sister and then again in the fall suffered another unexpected loss. The end month of the year, December, seemed promising with the birth of my great nephew, but as luck may have it I ended up in the hospital with a serious case of appendicitis. There is nothing more alarming than an encounter with a near death experience to change one’s perspective on health, family and life in general.

After a week in the hospital, I was ready to go home, even if I was still in pain. “Home is where I’d rather be” as Jed Clampett sang on the Beverly Hillbillies. As I recuperated at home it gave me time to think and reevaluate my life, my habits, but most importantly my health. During my recuperation time I watched a lot of movies both free and On Demand at $4.99 a pop. One of the movies I watched was Julie and Julia. I loved the movie! I loved it so much that I am going to model my Journey to a Healthier Me after it (not the daily blogging, but the concept of being accountable to someone else other than myself).

My journey of a healthier me begins today, and you my readers will be my source of inspiration and also serve as my critics. You will be the force that propels me forward on the days when I am too weak to move, and the light at the end of my tunnel that beckons me on. So come and follow my progress.

As part of working at the White Center CDA, our organization is committed to seeing a healthier White Center community too, not just me! Here are some health facts about White Center. Did you know that White Center has higher diabetes-related mortality, adult obesity and preterm birth rates compared to King County as a whole? An equitable community is one where your health isn’t determined by where you live. True, personal care is important, but just as important is what access a neighborhood has to healthy produce, safe sidewalks, public transportation, trees, open space and healthy restaurants (and not just fast food!).

The White Center CDA is part of a King County Food and Fitness Initiative and I’ll make it a point to let you know about the great work we’re doing in this area too. For example, have you seen White Center Heights Park at the corner of 8th Avenue SW and SW 102nd? There is a great walking trail and a newly built bridge overlooking the wetlands. Our organization, along with Starbucks and others helped to design and build the park with the community in 2007. And the wetland restoration was recently completed in January of 2010. We should all take advantage of its beauty.

So with that being said, I would like to invite one and all to join me in my JOURNEY TO A HEALTHIER ME. Any advice, suggestions and healthy recipes will be greatly appreciated. If you just want to share your weekly stories of struggles, recipes that worked or just victories of battles you have overcome, hit me up, and we will be cyberspace partners on our quest of a Healthier Us.

My journey begins at 304 pounds - yes I am well rounded!!!

THANK GOD my mind was not the producer of the scenes that would follow or it would have been a more horrific aftermath. As more info was relayed over the media broadcasts, my mind rested and my heart returned to a normal beat-all is not lost, we will rebuild, we will survive for we have “MANA MAI LE ATUA,” Power from God!

Condolences and prayers for our beloved families that have lost a loved one; our thoughts and heart are with you as you walk through the “valley of death.” “Blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted.” Our hope and prayer is, “may God’s presence bring you peace and may His spirit comfort you through your journey.”

The emotions varied from disbelief, shock, anger, adoration and back to disbelief that the King of Pop is gone. In the discussion of their favorite songs, much was revealed when the choices were made. Knowing my colleagues likes and dislikes, the song choices were not surprising at all.

So what is your favorite Michael Jackson song? Hit me up and see if your song choice reveals who you are. Till we meet again, Rest in Peace Michael Jackson, you will be forever missed by your faithful fans.

Here are the White Center CDA selections:

• ABC
• I’ll Be There
• Man in the Mirror
• Sunset Driver
• Black or White / Billie Jean
• We’re Almost There
• Rock with You
• Don’t Stop Til you Get Enough
• Heal the World

• 1 -12 oz can of New Zealand Crown canned corn beef (other brands will work – but if you want the best-use the NZC brand)
• ¼ cup of cooking oil
• 1 whole onion sliced
• ½ head of cabbage shredded (medium size cut in half-store the other side for later use.

Prep

Open can of corn beef
Slice onions
Shred cabbage

Cooking

1. Heat pan (vision is very important – use pan that will hold all of the ingredients-keep in mind cabbage will shrink during cooking) Best to use non-stick
2. Once pan is heated, pour in oil, when oil is heated, put in onions and cook onion till brown around the edges
3. Now add in corn beef (scrape sides of can and get every piece of that corn beef)
4. Cook corn beef and onions together till corn beef is well blended with the heat (it will turn a maroon red)
5. Now fold cabbage into corn beef mixture
6. Turn heat down, cover and simmer for 5 minutes with an occasional stir)

Directions:

First pour in half bag of ice, then the cans of condensed milk (make sure you scrape the sides of the cans)

Next pour in 1/2 gallon of water, stir and make sure milk is mixed well, add remaining 1/2 gallon. If a thinner drink is desired, add up to one more gallon of water as desired.

Once the condensed milk is fully mixed  with water, add in your sugar a cup at a time, stir and make sure all sugar is dissoved ( you may use sugared water - make sure milk solution is not watered down)

Now add in your pineapple, stir and pour into 12 oz glasses, garnish with mint leaves or a pinapple slice.