Yoga for FREE

Hello Loves!

This will be quick. I have decided not to return to my yoga class at the local YMCA. I just couldn't keep up and I didn't know if I was doing it right or not. Also, I wanted to practice my yoga as the sun rises and the commute to the gym just wasn't on my side. I am also not the type to enjoy exercising so yoga & weight lifting is my goal to shed some pounds, get balanced & toned.

So, I found this app..

I had been looking for a good app that would allow me to take my time and catch on while also feeling like I was doing it right. Let's just say 60 minutes in and I was soak and wet but feeling so good. My husband said he could feel the stretchiness in my legs later that night..if you know what I mean.. lol..

Sharing this app with you hoping you love it and use it just as much as I do! Enjoy!

It's called Simply Yoga and it's FREE!!

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INTO what you CAN'T GET INTO

Good Day Loves! Namaste

Just here running my mouth and I hope you always get excited about reading my posts as I am about writing.

So busy INTO what you CAN'T GET INTO that you lose sight of what's really INTO YOU!  

this post is about you...

I am seeing this type of person too much. I guess because I am so far from the commotion of many people always around me that I can see the different types of people there is. Hopefully this post can help you pick them out too. Before I start running my thoughts I also want you to think about the energy you allow around you. All is so different but all is not for you. So allow the energy that isn't for you to let go. 

Yes, I said, Allow the energy that isn't for you to let go of you. 

By going through my own trials of life and also observing the lives of others I have realized that people are not allowing other people's energy to let go. Some people have this image in their head of "perfection" but they don't want things to change. Do you know the definition of "perfection"? Not what the dictionary says but what your definition of perfection is??


Check it! Perfection to me is What You Want. It's all about you right? So what you want and what you want to deal with is your perfection. We looking into self right? On the other side of thinking people would say the image one portrays is perfection. How other people lust and want you the most is some people's perfection??  This is an energy that people hold within them. This energy can change so know that it's not the people you let go it's an energy. Seeing it this way will make people coming and going easier for you. Which it should. We don't own anyone right? Just checking..

Live out your own perfection and your own perfection will surround you. 

I can see so much of wanting perfection but not creating it in people on social media claiming to be lonely or looking for someone. Yup, not owning your responsibility will make you feel alone. Huh you say? "You aren't even claiming what you really are but you want the perfect individual to notice you?" Call it how you see it. Moving along...

Assumptions will make you look over the truth..

Good ol assumptions. Assuming she's OK when she's really hurting. Assuming she's not hurting because her cries are not loud. But overlooking that her cries aren't loud because she can't make loud  noises while hurting. Oh, the cycle keeps going. . Then assuming she doesn't need you because when you noticed her hurting, you demanded a response but she didn't give you one. A response she couldn't give you because she's hurting. Assumption made you walk away because your attention needs and demands weren't fulfilled by her at that time. You assumed saying, "f*ck it" was the right move but indeed you've just looked past The Truth.

She's hurting and during a time of hurt people want to feel loved and noticed. They want reassurance that in the time of pain there is the perfect person understanding and actually caring about her next move. Whether her pain is physical or mental it is indeed pain and the person she shows compassion for during their pain should be returning the energy..right? Seems right until the tables turn. What do you think?

assumptions man..I hate 'em. . they are make-believe, they are in one's head and they kill. 

Well that's just a little mid-day tea. I see so many people paying attention to things that have no intention on being perfect for them. It's aggy if you ask me, because there are actual people willing to share their Pure & True thoughts and findings for the better of people. But people want the "best creature" in the world to walk beside them while they energize negativity within them just to be INTO what they CAN'T GET INTO!

Thanks for your moments in time..I appreciate you! #LeBlu 
www.NicoBluMiami.com

*All quotes are my own. All thoughts are my own. I am not currently reading anything but instead writing my own. I am here for people. I am a teacher & I love all!! Pure & True #LeBlu 

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Eat What You Find

Hello Loves!!! Namaste

The prices of food is still rising making it so hard to eat clean on a budget. I have found a way that helps my family out and I would like to share it with you. My motto is "Eat What You Find"or eat what's on sale.

Today in my local market Hass Avocado were on sale 4 for $5. Still expensive to me but I'll take it.

They were very ripe so I only got 3 of them. I already had 2 at home from my last grocery shop. Well let me tell you what I do with these good boys:

1.  Put 1/2 of 1 in a smoothie. I either go chocolate almond milk, frozen & ripe strawberries & avocado or I put it in with my berry smoothie (orange juice, avocado, frozen blueberries, raspberries, and kiwi).
2.  Spread Hass Avocado on toast, for a rich and velvety, cholesterol-free topping.
3.  Even one avocado can make a great snack with chips or veggie sticks. Diced or mashed Hass Avocados make one fantastic dip.
4. Make hair conditioner. Mash up an avocado and add your favorite oil and blend/mix until there are no lumps. Put on hair and cover with shower cap. This natural protein treatment will strengthen, as well as moisturize your hair.  

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Kale sprouts on sale at our local market. Sprouts are never on sale, I guess people here don't eat much sprouts. Sprouts are excellent and I cant say excellent loud enough. I add them to my lunch sandwiches, my salads and soups and fried rice. Broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, kale sprouts and anything sprouted is wonderful for your body. Adding sprouts to your daily diet will be the best thing ever!!! 

 They contain less calories compared to other snacks, and are excellent sources of vitamin K, C, fiber, and other essential minerals. Sprouts are considered to be very healthy, as they have a rich source of protein, anti-oxidants and other vitamins. Sprouting can be done with various vegetables and legumes. They are extremely easy to make them at home, as we just add some water to soak the sprouts for at least 6 hours. As sprouts are nutrient-dense, they provide various health benefits.
Also know like most foods there are risks when eating raw:

• Buy only fresh sprouts that have been kept properly refrigerated. 
• Do not buy sprouts that have a musty smell or slimy appearance. 
• At home, refrigerate sprouts at 40° F or below—in a clean refrigerator.
• Wash your hands properly before handling raw sprouts.
• Rinse sprouts thoroughly under running water before use. 
• If you decide to cook sprouts, it can help reduce the risk of food poisoning. Toss them into soups, stews or stir fries near the end of the cooking process—or oven roast until crisp and browned. 

Now for a drink that has been satisfying to our home lately (I do not allow sodas in the house). Once in a while, and I mean once in a long while I'll let my girls get a soda but Barely.. So when I picked these Sparkling Flavored Waters up, the house went wild!!!

In the picture above are the brands we like. The ICE to the right we have been drinking on a regular basis, the one on the left is new so I cant tell you how it taste but this month the Fruit2O was on sale and not the ICE. If you have decided to give up soda then this is a better substitute. Remember we substitute we don't just go without. This drink has 0 calories, 0 sugar but it gives that fizz like a soda and it comes in all flavors like peach, strawberry and even orange mango. I was so happy to discover these little drinks and they were only $1.00

...and lastly but not least I got this little baby for only .99 cents. Primrose Plant.

We all should have fresh herbs and plants around us. Especially with food being so expensive we all should be growing something we eat if not everything. Start off somewhere. I have garlic already that I grow and aloe and now primrose.  

• Eating the flowers, seeds, leaves, or roots of Evening Primrose provides the same health benefits as taking commercial oil preparations, and as such, if you have Evening Primrose in the garden, you should definitely come up with creative ways to serve it at mealtime!

• Externally, the leaves, stems,  and roots can be boiled in water for a tea that is very nourishing for the skin and is effective for use in treatment of acne, dry skin, rashes, itchiness, and for overall skin health in general.

• Without becoming too technical, the common Evening Primrose plant contains a high concentration of a fatty acid called GLA, and this fatty acid is largely responsible for the remarkable healing properties of the plant. In fact, Evening Primrose contains one of the highest concentrations known of this important substance and only a few other plants contain it at all.  This makes Evening Primrose an important medicinal herb.

*As everything compare new things to your own health and see if its best for you.



So that's it for today. I hope I have inspired you to think different about shopping and eating clean. It is extremely important that we control how we eat for the better. What if all the stores ran out of food?? Can you still eat & feed your family? What's in your cabinets and what are you growing? Love ya'll

#LeBlu

My morning breakfast smoothie!!! I went chocolate almond milk, strawberry and avocado. I always add chia seeds and cocoa powder to my smoothies. Today I put some maca powder to balance my hormones after my menstrual cycle. I also used chocolate almond milk that wholefoods had on sale for $1.99 a carton. I bought 20 cartons and they are great because they store in the cabinet easily. Enjoy eating clean!!!

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Where Have You Been Le Blu??...

For as long as I could remember I use to feel that complicated things and intense work was winning. If my drink had many ingredients then it was good.. If the steps were long and high than when reached "I won!" Seems accurate until you meet other winners. Who win from just being happy and simple. Simplicity..

I bet there are many people out here feeling the same way. . No sleep will equal success or sacrifice will get you closer but I had a change of mind.. But what changes this thought process?

Well for me it was when I gave everything I was given away. I  moved away from everything I knew and decided it was best to earn everything back through my Self. I gave everything that we owned in our 3 bedroom home to Goodwill and relatives within a week. Crazy huh?? Don't get me wrong, something's we kept, like our sacred treasures but whatever couldn't fit in our 2013 Ford Taurus was not going on the journey. #TOUGH

The hard part for me was when I rented a car and packed a bag and got on the road to "I don't know where" alone. I left the girls with my mother, gave my hugs and kisses just in case I couldn't make a return and I got on the road. 

To where you ask? I didn't have a clue but I started to drive North.

First stop was Orlando. Good 'ol House of Mickey Mouse. I looked at a few town homes and schools. I wasn't sold so I kept driving. Next stop, Georgia. 

Here I am alone in the car, just my fruits, veggies & water driving across state boarders. God had my back because that was one of the most scariest time of my life. Stopping at rest stops because my eyes were just too tired to keep driving and waking up alive. I sighed in relief every time I woke back up. "God is Good!"

Now, when I made it to Georgia I stopped in Perry. I ate at Captain D's (best freaking fast food that's seafood ever...& them rolls. "Gawd!!") ..but I just didn't feel a pull towards the city. I wasn't home. Next stop was, The A!!

"Welcome to Atlanta" to me sounded like, "Welcome to all these high rises, traffic and cars" WTF?

To be honest Atlanta reminded me of Miami and I just didn't feel at ease there. 

So, I waited a few hours then I bounced. See, I didn't want our new home town to have to grow on us, I wanted to feel at home the moment I touched it. Abiding by this law of mine kept me on the road moving through cities like the flow of water. 

Georgia just wasn't it for me. So I kept driving. 

I'll say I drove a total of 14 to 15 hours before I landed in this one city. I'm not going to reveal what state it's in but this city grabbed my attention like non-other. The people embraced me within 5 minutes of me stopping and everything was so darn cheap. Can somebody say HEAVEN!?! 

I found it. The city that we would make our own. I went down the list of possibilities and opportunities for the 5 of us and I found many. Felt like an empty canvas and #TheMcGowans were coming to paint the town. I checked in one of their 3 hotels and took a nap. It was a long way coming..Z Z Z Z z z z z..

Did I mention gas was $1.98 even before gas prices started to drop? and property taxes didn't exceed $400 a year for acres of land? 

God, you knew exactly what I wanted and you made me feel at ease and at home when I reached it. All I had to do was bust a move. #ThankFul

Things start to happen when you get moving..I am a living testimony of that. I deserved everything good but I wasn't receiving it because I wasn't in my right position. So I moved around until I felt the ease in my gut. Like God was talking to me and directing me the whole way.

Simplicity at the end of my journey.

#CleanLiving #CleanLoving #SabbathReflecting

#LeBlu 

Picture of me and our youngest Skylar at the farm exactly 1 week after our move.

www.NicoBluMiami.com

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My homework..check out my poem, We Love!

    My Professor sent out assignments and I completed this in less than 30 minutes. I received so many comments about the feelings my words made them feel..what do you think? No one has really read my thoughts and I am sharing them with you! (Make sure to read the poem, I wrote it a day before our 10 year/ 5 year anniversary)

Generate a list reflecting the categories with which you identify. Complete the statement: “I am a(n) ___,” rather quickly 20 times in the spaces provided below. Do not think too long about your responses as no answers are right or wrong.  
  
1. I am a(n) mother.
2. I am a(n) wife.  

3. I am a(n) great human being.  

4. I am a(n) animal lover.  

5. I am a(n) teacher

6. I am a(n) listener.  

7. I am a(n) daughter.  

8. I am a(n) independent learner.  

9. I am a(n) Rastafari. 

10. I am a(n) open mind. 

11. I am a(n) wombman. 

12. I am a(n) kind heart. 

13. I am a(n) woman of the Universe. 

14. I am a(n) aspiring writer. 

15. I am a(n) beautiful creation. 

16. I am a(n) goal achiever.           

17. I am a(n) example for society. 

18. I am a(n) giver. 

19. I am a(n) granddaughter. 

20. I am a(n) guided light. 

When you have finished, divide your responses according to the underlying categories you are able to recognize. This strategy can help you gain a picture of the image you have of yourself.       

1. Human Being

2. Lover

3. Goodness

2) Write a poem or song about your diversity and/or culture:



 There is a whisper in the wind, I can recognize a sound like mine
A tingle from within, I still recognize the sound like mine
My daughters just won’t know, until I enlighten their awareness and show,
Them the greatness within themselves, just like mine.

Clean your room and do your best in school is my favorite line,
Brush your teeth and make your bed one more time.
"I love you Honey, you being the best husband is far too kind"
The gratefulness I unleash because I know these things are far more than just mine.

And then we Love, we realize that mine is not mine but that we are we, and then we love.
Love is really all we need in this lifetime, and then we love!

Dominique Cuff-McGowan

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