Screams from a Car - What's Really Going On?

It was a cold sunny Tuesday morning and I was dropping my son off at school - as we were chit chatting about things that really didn't matter (he's 14 so I was doing most of the talking) my phone chimed- a text message my Love. This one I must answer - the message  "OUR SONG IS PLAYING ON THE RADIO 88.3. OMG... Excitement swept through my body -  the big smile I wear everyday got even bigger.  Scrambling for the radio dial - - - -

The teacher opens the door to the car to let my son out and she hears me screaming - "Is that your song playing on the radio?" she ask - "YES, YES that's my song"! I replied with true joy. "Wow that must be some song." she responds. "OH YES IT IS.. IT IS MY SONG--- LITERALLY - IT IS MY SONG- IT IS OUR SONG- IT IS THE LEVITICUS SINGERS SONG - WE ARE ON THE RADIO OMG!!!" I couldn't hold back the laughter the happiness. "That must be exciting" she replied. My response, " YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT BY HAVE A GREAT DAY!"

What I didn't notice was the other parents looking at me with big eyes and opened mouths. I believe my screams penetrated the windows of my car. My car probably was rocking too with just as much enthusiasm as I. As i began to pull off, others waved and smiled along with me. They didn't know what the screams from the car was about.... I- AND only I - knew what was REALLY GOING ON IN MY CAR!

As I shared with a friend this morning, it is so important to celebrate every moment in your life, no matter how small. Yes, we are looking forward to bigger and better things, but it is only the NOW we have. So why miss what the excitement of "NOW" has - looking for the excitement of tomorrow -which hasn't come.

This weeks lesson: Let your SCREAMS of JOY be heard - let the world know how Good God is to you. After all, if you don't celebrate you, who else will.

Remember to:
Find Peace Within
Be Blessed,
Ms. Lisa

If You Are a Story to be Told - Don't let me figure it out - Let it be known

Social media is a platform for people to post pictures and videos of what they have done, what they are doing, or hope to do. What I find interesting is many of them are not really telling the truth in their story. I've posted several blogs about being authentic and being true to who you really are. question for you, When you do not feel like telling your story, will I still be able to open your book and know what your story is?

It is no secret to my readers what my story is. a church girl, a teenage mother, married three times, bulimic survivor, singer, former body builder, educator, motivational speaker, life coach, child of God, woman of faith, one who smiles everyday, shows up everyday and succeeds everyday. This is my story. -  I teach people how to be fit through health and fitness and how to develop a deeper spiritual relationship with God in order to Find Peace Within. There is no trying to figure out what my story is - I live it every day.

I'm not saying there aren't days when I am not feeling 100%. Just this past week, my co-workers kept asking me if I was okay. They all thought I would be on cloud 9 after the release of our CD and music video, but what they didn't know was I had a very, very bad sinus headache and smiling or even laughing made it hurt even more. One even told me to be 'PLEASE BE LOUD - PLEASE".!!!!YOU KNOW WHY - Because at the job, .I make others smile and laugh, Sometimes they have to tell me to bring it down because I bring so much joy and laughter in the office... now she want me to be loud!!!... WHY? -  because I was feeling bad - the story that I tell everyday, did not show up  - now this did not change my story- it just let me know that people look forward to listening  to and or reading my story everyday.

What is your story? Do people have to figure it out, or are you making it known even when you're not talking?

This weeks lesson: Even when you don't feel like telling your story, someone is always reading your book. Just make sure the message in the book is the same message you're giving outside of the book.

Be Blessed
Ms. Lisa
Find Peace Within

I'm behind the Drivers Seat of My Life- So Why are You in My Lane?

So, I had this amazing experience a few weeks ago. I participated in a women's conference called Brave Heart Women's Conclave hosted by my dear friend Toni Emehel.  Awesome time! But what was so awesome about it was how so many women came out to hear what it meant to be brave and how does it line-up with what God has for their lives. During the altar call, I prayed with one of the ladies and what she wanted from God was for Him to show her what her purpose was. We prayed and I encouraged her and gave her some guidance on how to discover what it is God has designed for her to do.

What I've learned over the years, is this - God created each and everyone of us with a purpose. We all have gifts that others do not possess. They may have the ability to do something that you do. For example, I am a personal fitness trainer, but I do not train like Jillian Michaels or some of my dear friends her in Charlotte. I have my own unique way of training. I am also a motivational, transformational life coach. I do not motivate people the same way Les Brown or Iyanla Vanzant does. Even though we share the same title (for the lack of a better word). I am also a singer, however I do not sing like Yolonda Adams, or some of my close friends her in Charlotte such as Lisa McClendon. However, we all have the title as singers. But what I do have is the ability to do what God has given me to do and only in the way He's given it to me to do.

I am in the drivers seat of my life  so I do not need anyone else in my lane. If you are in my lane, then what's going on in your lane?

This weeks lesson - get behind the drivers seat of your life and stay there. Of course God is always first, but He will not move the mountain for you, he's going to give you the strength to climb so you will know that He is carrying you through it all and when the victory manifest,  He will get all the glory!

Take time to watch this awesome video as it is a good example of what happens when you seek God first and get behind the drivers seat of your life.

Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa
Find Peace Within.

The Body Speaks - Respect - The Vehicle For Life

"Your body is your vehicle for life. as long as you are here, live in it. Love, honor, respect and cherish it, treat it well, and it will serve you in kind." Suzy Prudden

When you respect your body, you are in partnership with it. Respect carries reciprocal energy. Your body will honor you when you honor it. Treat your body as a structure worthy of respect and it will respond in kind.

Recently I had a really scare with my vehicle. As many of you know I am right smack in the middle of menopause... OMG. what an experience -hot one minute, cold the next minute. Dressed one minute and undressed the next minute. This certainly is not what I thought menopause was going to be like. Even working out didn't help. So in desperation I researched what I could take that I thought wouldn't be harmful to my vehicle. I found that Black Kohosh was a natural herb that many women used for menopause. I bought it and began using it along with Omega 3 oil. It worked like a champ. No more hot flashes... what a relief. Maybe three weeks into taking Black Kohosh) I noticed I was having chest pains. they came from no where. I thought it was because I was lifting heavy or from the push-ups I had done 2 days prior- but the pain wasn't going away. When I coughed my chest hurt, when I laughed hard, my chest hurt, singing hard made my chest hurt. I could be sitting down and all of a sudden I'll feel a pain on the left side of my chest, even taking a deep breath would cause my chest to hurt.

So I asked myself the question, what am I doing differently to my body - the answer - TAKING BLACK KOHOSH. I looked up the side-effects from Black Kohosh and low and behold, CHEST PAIN was one of the first side-effects it list. Fear immediately came in my mind. I began looking for signs of an heart-attack, a stroke and Lord what else could go wrong. I started looking up signs of strokes and heart-attacks. Then it clicked... Respect the body - I stopped using the Black Kohosh and began praying. I began to speak healing over my body. I have the energy to heal my body. I aligned my thoughts with my words and the energy I allowed to go in and out of my body. Everyday I spoke to my spirit " I am healed in Jesus Name". Even though my vehicle was still responding with pain - I still spoke "I am healed in Jesus Name".

Three weeks later my vehicle is free -  No chest pain!

In an effort to take care of my vehicle I developed chest pain. I had no idea what I was actually doing was hurting my vehicle. But it was my vehicle that helped me to heal. My faith and belief in the power of words helped me to channel my pain into positive affirmations of faith and healing. Today my vehicle is operating at optimum capacity!

Today's lesson: Even though we make every effort to take care of our vehicle, things still occur, the important thing to remember is "There is power in words and Faith above all will help us through any crisis life may bring."

Ms. Lisa
Find Peace Within

Big Shoes - Small Feet- A Walk of Faith

As I think about what the word "Faith" means I often think about my dream of being a teacher. I was the one who was always telling my classmates what to do, or giving instructions on how to do something, or the one who was always helping my classmate and co-workers. When we played school at home, I was the one teaching the class. I remember my brother Byron and my friend Teresa Farmer being my students in my mom's living room. Get your books out class, and turn to page ... LOL. I was so bossy then. But what I didn't realize was that I had big shoes but small feet.

I always wanted to be a teacher but I never felt I was smart enough since I didn't make really good grades in high school and I didn't go to college (then). I remember flunking typing in the 11th grade.. a straight "F". I just didn't get it. Of course now I can type like wiz.

I've been the choir teacher, the team peer council teacher, the process and procedure educator, the professional system trainer,Sunday School Teacher, YPWW teacher, and personal fitness trainer. But what I never dreamed of was teaching and or speaking before a group of college students, or CEO's of multi-million dollar company's. WOW - me, Yes You... That I never saw coming. But how many of you believe it is possible? I'm a believer!

Many years ago, I was standing in BIG Shoes with SMALL Feet. There were big plans for me, even as a child. My shoes were always BIG, I just had to GROW into them. I'm still growing....God prepares our feet for greatness, but He want let us walk into it until we;re prepared.

What I know for sure: we are being made everyday - even as a child. As a child we speak things into existence even when we don't know what we're speaking. We walk with BIG dreams not knowing that one day those DREAMS will COME True. As long as we continue to grow into the shoes we were destined to walk in God will continue to prepare the places for us to walk into.

Today's lesson: Keep Walking and Your Feet will Continue to Grow. Never stop walking and never stop growing.

Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa

If Life is a Game, These are the Rules - Rule #1 You will Receive A Body

#1 You Will Receive A Body

Have you ever been asked-  "How's Life Treating You"... some of us may say, "Life is Great", some may say, "Life is tough," some may even say, "Life Sucks". however your response to life is, we all have a response to the thing we call, "Life". I looked up the word  "Life" in the Readers Digest Greatest Encyclopedia Dictionary - Readers Digest defines "Life" as The form of existence that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic substances and dead organisms, characterized by the properties and functions of protoplasm as manifested in metabolism, growth, reproduction, irritability, and internally initiated adaptations of individual organisms to the environment. What a lot of words to describe the word "Life". So I asked the Holy Spirit to help me define the word "Life" and this is how the Holy Spirit defined life to me, "Life is an interactive way of existing, being, and living."  Real simple..

When we're asked how is life treating us, that means LIFE, must be doing something, being, existing, living and interactive. "Life" is an action word, nothing dead has LIFE... there is no action in death. We were told to LIVE But what we were not given were the rules for living LIFE. And when I say LIVING LIFE, I mean LIVING! What we were given were instructions on the does and don'ts from our parents or guardians, but what were we given the rules on handling our LIFE our BEING our EXISTING?

While I was out enjoying one of my favorite pass times, bargain shopping at The Goodwill, I ran across this little book, "If Life is a Game, These are the Rules - Ten Rules for Being Human as introduced in Chicken Soup for the Soul by Cherie Carter-Scott, Ph.D.  And I had to get it - since I'm on MY living MY authentic life journey - I thought I would share with you what I am learning from her writing. Take this walk with me as I learn and share with you how to make "Life" and interactive way of existing, being, and living.

Rule #1"You Will Receive A Body" I'll be quoting from some of her  writing.

The moment you arrived here on this Earth, you were given a body in which to house your spiritual essence. the real "you" is stored inside this body-all hopes, dreams, fears, thoughts, expectations, and beliefs that make you the unique human that you are. One thing is for sure your body will travel with you throughout your entire life- you and your body will always remain two separate and distinct entities. I guess you maybe asking yourself  "how can me and my body remain two separate and distinct entities?" have you ever heard this saying, "the mind is willing, but the body is weak?" there you have it... the mind (the spirit) and the body (the natural) is always fighting against each other.

Our body stands as a buffer between us and the outside world and to transport us through this game we call life. If we are open to all the lessons and gifts our body has to offer us, it can impart to us valuable bits of wisdom and grace that will guide us along our path of spiritual growth. Love it or hate it, accept it or reject it, it is the only one you will receive in this lifetime. That's why my fitness business is called "1Body2Build" because we will only get 1body in this lifetime.

Since there is no refund policy, no exchange policy, no rain check policy with our body, I recommend to us all - to embrace what God has given us, It is vital that we learn to transform our bodies from a mere vessel into a beloved partner and lifelong ally, as the relationship between us and our bodies as the most important relationship of our lifetime.

No matter what you may feel about your body, it is yours and the relationship you establish with it will have a great deal to do with the quality of your life experience.

We may find Rule One to be challenging as we begin to make peace with our body, so that it can effectively serve our purpose and share its valuable lessons of acceptance, self-esteem, respect, and pleasure. We all must learn these basic principles before we are able to journey successfully through life.

My relationship with my body -  I've learned to embrace my freckles, my big legs, my big noses and my big rear. :) Thanks Mom.

Remember, we will only get one body and it's the only relationship we are required to nurture before you began nurturing others.

Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa

My Daughter Cried Last Night

I remember as a child sitting by the window at my parents house waiting for my grandma to come pick me up after she got off third shift.----- 11:15, 11:30, 11:45 - "Is she coming"? I would ask myself.... "Did she forget about me?" My brother Byron would stay up with me so I wouldn't be alone. He would say, "Lisa she's coming, I promise, she's coming." Then not long after that I would see her headlights coming around the corner. I was so happy to see her, Yea! grandma has finally come to get me and take me home. Not that I didn't like being at my parents house, but I just didn't have a space there-no room to call my own.

There were many nights where I sat beside the window waiting for grandma to pick me up and for a very long time I often wondered why was I the one to live with grandma. Did my parents not want me, was I different from the others? Why didn't they give one of the other ones to live with grandma, why did it have to be me? I often questioned that - to myself that is- and of course I never got a real answer. It has been the cry of that little girl inside of me that has control many of the decisions I've made as an adult. I was always questioning why someone didn't want me or why I wasn't good enough just the way I was.

This weekend I attended the "Matters of the Heart" women's conference with Pastor J. Nicole Goodson and the Restoration COGIC church family. Evangelist Roscoe talked about the little girl in us not being able to get well because the adult woman want get healed. I was like WOW.... that is powerful! How many of us let the little hurt girl inside of us control what we do?

After we finished working the altar, it was time for the intercessors to get prayer, my heart was open to receive what God had for me. As the woman of God began to pray for me there were many, many, many tears built up inside of me.  I didn't know I needed to cry as I am always in good spirits and am always praying and interceding for others. But what I had to remember, as a prayer warrior- I take on the burdens of others and stand in the gap for them. This weekend I needed to be poured back into and restored.

This weeks lesson: it is often the little girl inside of us that controls how we respond to life. It is only when the adult woman is healed the little girl will get well and live.

This in itself will help you find peace within.
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa

"The Voice"

Two years ago October 10, 2012 my life changed as I knew it. After 23 years of being employed at one place - getting up in the mornings brought new meaning to my life. I always said the only way I would leave is if they pushed me out... thank God for the push. You know why? Because it was that push that gave me my "VOICE"

Fast forward to 2014 - WOW... what a journey. I jumped all into my education - I found my voice through writing - and now I'm helping leaders transform their lives through my experience. "All things are lessons God would have us learn ("Iyanla Vanzant"). Yes I learned my lessons and am still learning.

This weeks blog is to just say "THANK YOU"  first to God for giving me a voice that needed to be heard through my writing and speaking to the nations and secondly to you my followers. This past week Lisa's Finding Peace Within Blog hit a milestone... When I started writing I really didn't think people would even interested in what I had to say, little did I know I was making an impact on people whom I will never meet. As of today, 1505 people in 10 countries around the world have viewed my blog. WOW! What an accomplishment. And I could not have done it with out you all clicking on the link below and reading.

I pray that each blog you've read helped you either get healthy through eating right and exercising or through finding peace within by developing a stronger spiritual relationship with God and being your authentic self.

Today I am humbled to be the "Voice" for those of you who might be afraid to "Speak" out.

What I know for sure: We all have a voice that needs to be heard. Don't be afraid to share your journey - someone is waiting to take that walk just as you did.

Find Peace Within,
Be blessed, Ms. Lisa

Fatherless Mothers - It's not your son's fault

I['m not sure how many of you have been watching this season of Iyanla Vanzant's Fix My Life episodes - but I have managed to fit it into my busy schedule. This is one TV show I will not miss. She has been sharing with us the life of one young man with 34 children by 17 different woman. Now, I am not here to judge or make light of the situation, but what I am here to do is shed some light on what has been happening.

Last night's episode was about the father's and talking with them and trying to figure out what is their thought process when it come to having children with multiple women. I'm not a man so I can't speak to that. But what did touch my heart as one young man who is 27 years old with 4 children and 1 on the way and all from different women. His mother broke down in the audience - Iyanla stopped and went to the aide of the mother. She told the mother that she couldn't just be crying, she had to put reason to the tears.

The mother shared with the audience how she be littled her son, she spoke death into his life and those words manifested through the young man's life,  and she took her anger and rage against his father out on him. I was like "WOW" this is powerful. It was like a spiritual encounter was happening right be for my very eyes on national TV. That young man broke down in tears as the stronger men held his back. AMAZING!.!

I was a single mother as well. Even though I've been married a couple of times, but I still operated as a single mom. But what I did not do was take out my rage against his father on him. You know why... well I didn't have any rage against his father. We were kids when I was pregnant - 16 to be exact and he is a year younger than me... so you do the math. Who was I suppose to be mad at? Really... there was no one to be mad at. Not once did he provide for me nor did her pay child support, never bought a gift nor paid for pampers. I believe that's why I ended up marrying twice - looking for a daddy for my son. " I never found him - at least not on earth" I give all glory to God that Adrian has turned out to be a fine young man, a great husband and provider. "I'm still waiting on grands"... lol. But seriously, I know it was through the grace and favor of God he is the man he is today.

My message to you mother's who may have or are currently mis-treating your sons because of what his father did to you. STOP IT NOW! - It is not his fault. You have a responsibility to your sons. You may not have had your father in your life _ I had mine but I didn't live in the house with him. My grandmother raised me - so sometimes I felt like I was an only child being raised my a single mom.

You have a responsibility to:

1. Tell him the truth about his father and apologize for the part you played in the situation. (Adrian may have seen his father 4 or 5 times in 33 years - ) and you know what - he has accepted the fact that they may never have a relationship - he will always be his father, that we can't change.

2. Show him how to love - show your sons how to treat a woman by showing him how to treat you, teach him how to cook (he just might marry someone that doesn't know how). Show him how to do the laundry, clean the house, and show him how to BUY YOU GIFTS. He will do these things once he does get married.

2. Teach him how to care for himself. - Let him know he is special and loved. Let him know he is a winner and there is nothing he can't do that he puts his mind to. I remember when Adrian was 20 - he asked me if he could go to New York and chase his dream of singing - I said yes - why - because I loved him enough to let him go -experience life - HE WAS BACK HOME IN 4 MONTHS - :). Why because he realized that was not the life for him.

3. Let him breath - don't pat his back when he's hurting - lean an ear - he's a big guy - he can handle it. Don't bother him when he's in his room alone - most men think better when left alone - and let him talk when he's ready - all you need to do is listen.

So mothers - be the example of what a lady should be to your sons and I promise you - he'll be careful who he bring home to meet you. And if you are hurting because of what his father did to you - FORGIVE HIM and live. You've done pretty good so far... :)

Find Peace Within
Ms. Lisa
Be blessed

Don't Make Me Come Out of Myself: How to Stay Centered in the Mist of Chaos

I had a chance to watch James Brown this weekend- the best movie ever... OMG. I absolutely loved it. There are many lessons in that movie. What we know about James Brown is not what I learned this weekend. You see -  James Brown was a man that knew how to find good in bad situations. He took advantage of opportunities that was presented to him and made them work in his favor. He did not let people know he was afraid, as he said, "I'm afraid, but I'm strong." I believe it was his faith in God that kept him moving and going forward. Not only that his "Mantra" was "I Am James Brown"... he put a meaning to his name even before his name had meaning. (God Father of Soul!)

Not only that, he knew when he was being pushed outside of his character. Man - I didn't know James Brown was so in-touch with himself that he knew when he was out of character. There is one part in the movie where he told one of his band member's, "Don't make me come outside of myself." That meant, don't take me out of my CENTER - Don't make me come out of my place of peace.. That really touched me and sparked this weeks topic. How to Stay Centered in Chaos.

I, just like you, have been challenged in situations where I felt like I was coming out of myself. Some of us have tools to use to help us first find our center and tools that will help us stay in our center and  get back there when we find ourselves pushed outside ourselves.

I was faced with this challenge just 2 weeks ago. I had to ask myself "What in the world is going on that is causing you to get out of your center." I realized what it was - someone had come into my space and caused what was normal for me to change-- my EGO didn't like that at all - why - because what was normal and comfortable for me was being challenged. Needless to say, I recognized it and so did a few of my co-workers - So what did I do? I had to get back in my place of peace and get CENTERED.

Today, I am sharing with you 4 steps to staying centered in the mist of chaos. Take time to listen to this weeks video blog, I promise the next 9 minutes will make a difference in how you deal with chaos and those uncomfortable situations.

Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa D.

9 Steps to Forgiving For Good

Why is it so hard to forgive but yet easy to seek forgiveness? I've asked myself that same question. There was a time in my life when I didn't understand what forgiveness was or why it was so important to ME. Today I can honestly say, I understand what forgiveness is and why it is so important to do and give. 

Iyanla Vanzant says "Forgive everyone, for everything, everytime." This has helped me in my practice of forgiveness. It so much easier to walk in forgiveness. 

The bible says that we should find peace with all men - That is not always easy to do- not even with your PARENTS. I had to do this 3 years ago... and boy was it challenging, but I'm glad I did. Through submission, surrender, and silence - I found myself back to that place of peace and I found myself asking for forgiveness and forgiving. 

This week, as I often do, I researched what steps I could leave with you that I believe would be helpful in your journey of forgiveness and steps to forgive for ever.

Take time to listen to this weeks blog video and get the 9 steps to Forgiving For Good.

I believe,  as many of you may agree, Forgiveness is a gift from God. He sent His Son - Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins and because of His death, our sins have been forgiven. So, if He can do it for us, surely we can do it for ourselves and those we say we love.

This weeks lesson... Peace only comes when we tell ourselves the truth, and be truthful with others. Then and only then can you find Peace Within and Walk in Forgiveness for Good.

Be blessed,

Ms. Lisa 

3 Steps to help you deal with Worry.

Have you ever found yourself worrying about something that hasn't happened yet? What story did you tell yourself about the outcome of your situation? How many times have you stopped living because of worry? How many illnesses (diseases -dis-ease - worry) has taken over your body because of worry.  What is worry - according to Webster, worry is : give way to anxiety or unease; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.

I believe we all have at some point in our lives worried about something we had no control of or at least felt like we had no control of. Some of us are worrying even now. 

Have you ever thought just maybe there is a way to stop worrying? I certainly didn't- not until I figured out, "worrying wasn't changing anything for me". Then I knew I had to find a way to get myself out of the situation I was in and get back in the game. 

My story:

After being employed in one place for 23 years, I found myself unemployed, scared, without a resume', and no clear direction. Of course worry found it's ugly head in my pretty head and made things bigger than what they really were.

Today, I am free from worry- why - because I now have the tools I need to handle those unforeseen things life often brings my way. I use these 3 steps to help me pray, plan, and prepare for that which doesn't exist.

Click on the video to get the 3 steps that you can apply to your life when worry lifts up its ugly head in your pretty head. This will help you think clearer, get direction and find peace within.

Find Peace Within

Ms. Lisa

Finding Your Authentic Self

I've been on this life journey of trying to be true to myself and not be like someone else for 3 years now. I can remember growing up wanting long hair like Carla Pate. I think I was a little jealous of her long hair. I also wanted be have breast like my friend Teresa Farmer... well that never happened. I even remember putting tissue in my training bras just to have the appearance of having big breast and then they created the silicone inserts...oh my goodness had those too. Crazy me! I even cut my cousin's hair because it was very long, all the way down her back and it was thick too. I got in some real trouble for cutting her hair. :(.

As I got older I wanted to be thin, that was the beginning of my eating disorder, People would pick at my big butt,They would say, "Lisa got a big old butt, oh yell." You'll remember the song. - Well I refused to be fat so I did what others did to not be fat.... laxatives, and throwing up. Needless to say, I developed an eating disorder and I never got fat, but it wasn't because of that, it just wasn't in my future.

I remember wearing certain glasses to look older because of who I was dating or married to at the time. I remember wearing long skirts to my ankle because that's the way my husband wanted me to wear it. I remember NEVER cutting my long hair because that's the way someone else wanted it.

Now today, I have short hair...I did by the way have long hair until I was 38. I don't throw-up anymore of take laxatives and there isn't anyone in the world I want to be like other than Lisa Dalton. I found 5 steps to help me become authentic and those 5 steps have helped me to remain to myself to this day. It has taken me about 3 years to get here but I am here and there isn't much that can shake me from being my AUTHENTIC SELF.

Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa D.

Click on the link below to find out the steps I used to becoming the Authentic Lisa you know today. 5 Steps to Being Authentic

Who Are You Anyway???

How many times have you been asked who are you? How many times have you been introduced and people describe you based on what you do and not who you are? I know this is probably pretty deep and many may not feel this is a topic worth discussing, but I do.

So many time we identify ourselves based on what we do. On my bio it says, Lisa is personal trainer, transformational coach, missionary, wife, mother, medical biller, and the list goes on. But none of these accomplishments speak to the person I am. This only speaks to the things I do and or have accomplished in my life.

Have you ever thought about Who you are outside of What you do? If you woke up one day and you no longer could write, would that mean you are no longer who you thought you were? What if you broke your legs and could no longer play sports, does that mean the person you are stopped to exist because you can no longer play ball? I certainly hope not.

The "I AM', came to be before any of  the "What I Do came to be."

I Am...... a kind, loving, gentle, high energy, enthusiastic, peaceful, joyful, happy, gitty, trusting, whole Being. I was this person at the age of 1 and today at 50, I am still that same person.

Take time to find some adjectives to describe who you are and let the world know that you've been hiding behind something that does not speak to the core of your character.

This weeks lesson:  I am not what I do. I am not a personal trainer, medical biller, or a manager. That is what I do...who I am, is who God created  me to be when he created my Spirit, my Soul, and my Body.

He knew me before I was formed...He knew I would be the one found smiling all the time, excited and laughing......  he knew you too.... :)

Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa

What Are You Feeding Me?

Many of us have had those moments when we were soooo hungry that we picked up anything to eat, anything to satisfy the hunger. One Snickers Bar and a Pepsi, One bag of Funyuns and a Cheer Wine, One bag of peanuts and a Coca Cola. Or you just got something from McDonald's or Wendy's. Even though all of these items are considered food, but these items have no healthy nutritional value. In the fitness world, these food items are considered empty calorie fillers.

Well guess what... this blog is not about foods that have no nutritional value. Sorry for those of you who are looking for another article about how to lose weight and eat healthier... this is not the article you're looking for.

Here's the real story:

What are you allowing people to feed you?

How many times have you had someone come to you at work or even on your personal time talking about someone or something that happened that you have absolutely nothing to do with and has no value? Well I have, and sometimes I have found myself getting involved with the gossip or the mess of others. This type of behavior is not healthy for our spirit and it doesn't speak well of those of us that say we are children of God.

Recently I found a way to get people to stop feeding me with empty calories. I was listening to my Online Mentor, Iyanla Vanzant, and this is what she does to stop people from feeding her empty calories... She ask them this question, "What is it you want me to do with that piece of information?" she waits for a response... (most of the time they are shocked at her question) She then ask them, "Are you looking for a response from me or are you just venting?" (again silence...) after a brief moment of SHOCK..I'm sure. That response alone stopped people from bringing her empty calories.

I tried it at work (several times)... and Lord it works... someone emailed me some empty calories, and my question was, "What is it you want me to do with this piece of information?" I didn't get a response and and still haven't. Guess what... I get no more emails and people don't come to my desk with gossip....

What I know to be true: When you let people know where you are coming from, what you will and will not tolerate in your space, they will respect you more and pass right by you when they want to feed someone some empty calories. Gossip is just like eating a snickers bar.... it has no nutritional value and in the end, it hurts your spirit and takes you out of your peaceful place.

This weeks lesson: Be honest with people and do not allow people to feed you empty calories.... Keep your spirit free from idle talk, think of these things, what so ever things are true, what so ever things are honest, what so ever things are just, what so ever things are pure, what so ever things are lovely, what so ever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things. Phil. 4:8


Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa

Lost in a Vision

Do you remember when you were in the third grade and you told your teacher that you wanted to be a teacher just like her? Do you remember when you were the lead singer for the Junior Choir, and you told Sis. Cleo that one day you were going to be a lead singer just like her? Do you remember watching Mrs. Jones fix your moms hair at the beauty parlor and you told her that one day you were going to fix hair just like that? I'm sure all of us have a moment where we saw someone who we wanted to be like. I wonder what ever happened to that vision ......well here is what happened....

You went to college, met a handsome man or beautiful woman, then you got married, had three children, and two dogs. In an effort to make sure everyone is okay and living their vision, you invest all your energy into making that happen for them. Now, 20 years later and your youngest child doesn't want you around much, your middle child has locked himself or herself in the room with the do not disturb sign on the door knob, and your 18 year old is off to college. Oh yell, the Husband and or Wife... well their vision is full blown and everything is moving forward for them.

But guess what..you still have your vision.. This week I was listening to Robert Wesley Branch, the producer of Iyanla Fix My Life,as he talked about how he has always wanted to write a book, he even went as far as going into the library and asked for his book, the Liberian said she had not heard of that author nor the book, but she kept looking... lol. He said that he supports Ms. Iyanla in her vision but he has not forgotten about his own vision of being an author.

I too like Mr. Robert have not forgotten my vision of being a teacher and author. Even though I am in with my husband 100% with our Music Ministry, however that is my husband's vision. I've often felt lost in his vision and wondered if I still had my own. There have been days when I just didn't want to sing or go to rehearsal. Even though I love singing and am pretty good at it, I know that is not my vision that's my husbands vision and because I believe in the vision, I support the vision.

Today, I know I do have my own vision and I am NOT LOST in his VISION. We've learned to support each other's vision and encourage each other along the way. Things are really moving for me in my vision and I'm no longer Lost in a Vision.

This weeks lesson, What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. Don't forget your dreams and aspirations. Don't forget the "What I want to be when I grow up" conversation you had as a child. It is still possible. The Vision is just sitting waiting for you to Show Up...

Ms.Lisa,
Find Peace Within

But What Will They Say???????

This week has sparked a question in my mind. But What Will People Say? You're probably wondering what I'm talking about. In the past three weeks I've gone to the home going celebrations of two amazing women of God Dawn Mayfield and Ms. Dot Cromwell. It kinda hit me Friday as I was witnessing the home going celebration of Ms. Dot. The church was filled with all those who loved her and cared about her and probably some that wished they had done more for her.They all came to celebrate pay homage to an amazing lady.

My friend Michelle and her mother were former clients of mine. Maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Ms. Dot would come to the gym and try her best to walk on the treadmill, she would try to do her leg curls and sit-ups. There were many days when she wasn't able to perform any of the exercises, so we would just talk about her joy of teaching math and how much excitement it brought her when the light bulb came on for her students. She often talked about the days she had left before retiring from the school system and the things she was going to do afterward. She loved the Lord and wanted everyone else to Love Him too.

You see Ms. Dot didn't care that she was paying me for a service in which in my mind I wasn't giving her. She hired me to help her lose weight and I didn't think that was happening. But what was happening was a friendship that I will always remember. What she was doing was imparting something in me that I didn't pay for. She let me know that in this life you must find that thing that you're passionate about and enjoy doing it. Look for the little accomplishments in life even when the big ones are what you really would like to accomplish. You see, Ms. Dot didn't stop coming to the gym twice a week even with a bad back and two knee replacements. She and Michelle would still come and give it all they had. Some days, Michelle would be in the weight room and Ms. Dot would be in the cardio room. She would come with her make-up on and her church t-shirt... lol. She would say, "What are we doing today Ms. Lisa"... and I'll respond by saying, "What ever you feel like doing Ms. Dot.".... lol. Many days it was a day of DO NOTHING! My grandmother taught me to respect my elders, so we did just that NOTHING.

So, my question for you today is, What will they say about YOU? I told my Love (husband) that when they have my home going celebration I want it to be said, "She Smiled Everyday, She Showed up Everyday, and She Succeeded Everyday". He said, well Love you better go ahead and put it on paper... LOL. Those that know me well know that a SMILE is something I will always carry... so make sure I have on my face....

What I know for sure.... Don't leave what people say about you at your life celebration up to chance. Go ahead and get it out there and let people know what to say about you by the way you live your life and demonstrate the Love that you have within.We all will have a time when THEY will have something to say... the question is WHAT WILL THEY SAY?

Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa

He's a Big Boy You Know????? A Message to the Help Meet

This message is short and sweet.

For all the married women and for those who wish or desire to be married. You did not marry boy (at least I pray you didn't)  nor are you raising your son. With that being said... All I have to say is this." HE'S A BIG BOY AND IS CAPABLE OF FIGURING IT OUT ALL ON HIS OWN...  LOL. 

This weeks lesson: There are many times we as wives want to offer our opinion of help our husbands when he did not ask or does not need our help. What I  learned this week, When I don't make his problem my problem it becomes less of a problem for me.  My stress level remains in tact when I don't offer my help to someone who is capable of helping himself.

So wives, only help when he ask..and trust me... he will ask... and when he does... just be ready to help meet the need.... and do it with a SMILE... :)

Find peace within,
Ms. Lisa

A Walk Down the Hall..

For the past 3.5 years I've walked the halls of the University of Phoenix increasing my knowledge and getting a higher education. Now 18 credits from graduating, I am being mistaken for one of the instructors. 

This Thursday I walked down the hall to get a cup of coffee, (my first of 2 cups before 10:00 pm) one of UOP's professors stopped me in the hall and asked me what class was I teaching. I responded by telling him I wasn't teaching a class. He didn't believe me and asked me again in a different way. He said, "so, you're a new instructor sitting in a class tonight"? I said, "No, I'm not a teacher, I'm a student." He said, well I've never seen you here before and you sure look like you could be one of our instructors. NOTE: I am always representing the Dalton Brand... always dress for success, you never know who you might run into. I told him I was a student and I shared with him how many more credits I had left before graduating. He told me not to stop once I graduated and to continue on in my education. (that would mean go and get my masters) I told him I didn't have plans on continuing with another business degree and that I was leaning toward a more spiritual walk. He said, "you know Livingstone has a great Theology Program." I said,  "how did you know that's what I was referring to"? he said, "because a sinner like me can see the Jesus in you." I responded and said, "I believe it's the Jesus in you that sees the Jesus in me." We both laughed and I told him that there are a lot of hurting people in this world that need love, spiritual guidance and healing. He said, "God bless you on your journey."

I received that smiled and walked away. :).

What I know for sure, - You'll never know what could happen while walking the hall.. It could be at work, at the mall, or even at school but someone is watching you and your Brand (your personal message). Always remember, your presentation to the world will be that of whom you serve. Your heart must be pure and genuine. 

This weeks lesson.... Always be a good representation of Holiness...that is if your Father is Holy.  How you carry yourself in the hallways of life  will be a good mirror of the way you carry yourself throughout your life.

Live the same in and out of the hallways 

Find peace within,
Ms. Lisa

The Love of a Hurting Mother

The summer after 10th grade (1980) I became pregnant. I was 15 that summer.  I went back to school as a pregnant teen. I turned 16 that November 1980. My baby came 4 weeks early March 24 1981. I was now a teenage mother. I graduated high school June 1982. I didn't go to college...I'm there now... :). 

I guess you're trying to figure out where I'm going with this story. Well let me tell you. All things are lessons God would have us learn. Now, at 50, I understand the lesson.

You know in the word of God, Paul reminds us that we must make our calling and election sure. 34 years ago God knew the day would come when I would be ministering to hurting mothers. This is why God had me DO MY WORK. I did my work, now I am ready to work.

This week God allowed me to minister to the hurt of hurting mother's and daughters. One adult child's
desire from the Lord was that her mother would  accepted her as she was and love her instead of criticizing her. The next young lady was (14) she wanted the Lord to help her to stop lying. You know children only lie to their parents when they don't trust their parents with their truth. However the real issue was not with the lies or desire of the child, but the truth was the lies and lack of truthfulness and love from the mother. You see in both situations the children was only looking for the love and acceptance from their mothers.

What has happened here was the mother's were trapped in their own hunger for love and acceptance from their own mothers. We only know how to do what we do with the information we have at the time. It's hard to show love or even give love when we ourselves are looking for the same love and acceptance our little girls or adult daughters are looking for. So as a result, mothers get mad and upset with the child because they cannot give the child what she needs. The Love of a hurting mother is often hurtful, unforgiving, and absent.  We only give what we have to give. The pathology continues when healing and acceptance doesn't take place.

So what does the adult child do who wants her mother to love her and accept her as she is when her mother does not know how to love or even accept herself? The daughter teaches her mother how to love through the eyes of Jesus Christ. She accepts her mother and loves her for who she is and not for who she wants her to be. How does a teenage child stop lying to her mother? She stops when the mother makes her heart a safe place for the child.

How's does a hurting mother learn how to love? First, have the love of Jesus, forgive herself for not loving herself enough to be honest about her own hurt. Tell the daughter she's sorry for not loving her because she too was hurting. Shed tears together, hug each other and grow from where they are.

What I know for sure.. It always helps to be honest with our children even when they become adults. We only can do what we do with the information we have at the time. Our children will love and respect us for our honesty. My son Adrian and I have a very close relationship. He's been through every journey of my life with me. It was his voice that helped me make the decision to LIVE AND NOT DIE!

Mother's trust your heart with your daughters and they will trust you with theirs THAT I KNOW
NOW FOR SURE. :). 

Find peace within,
Ms. Lisa

Know He Didn't Call Me Out.. College... WHY?

This week has been filled with some exciting events. Last week I shared with you about the incident with my toe on my right foot. Well the toe has gotten a little but not enough for me to go back to my normal high impact workouts. What I realized this week, was this... I was using my sore toe as an excuse not to work out hard. It was hard for me to do any of the DVD workouts because I cannot do any plyometric moves, I can't do planks or jump up and down. I can't do lunges and squats hurt my knees. So I just basically was doing upper body workouts, which did not help me with burning a lot of calories. Then to top it off, my dear Loving Husband called me out. You see, I was preparing to settle down Wednesday night and my Love asked me if I was going to do the Wrap Thing from Angie. Angie is my sister-n-law. I told him that I was thinking about. He said, yell, I think you should try it. The wrap is this thing that you put on your belly to help it go down. I have this little muffin top on my lower ab and for the life of me I can't get it to go away. Many days I think it's because of me going through menopause.  He asked me if I was still doing my crunches... I laughed and said ahhh yell...My Love told me that I was getting slack...and I gave him the sad face... 

I didn't get mad about it, I thought about what he said and said okay Love. I know the intent of his hurt, that's why I didn't get mad. He likes what He likes... and I'm the wife to make sure he gets what he likes... lol.  You want believe what I did next.... LOL. I immediately got in my car and went to Blast Fitness and joined for $12.00 and $10.00 a month. I have been there every day since I joined. My Love's comment pushed me into getting back in the gym. I miss working out at the gym, I call it my studio, my second home. DVD's are good when you just can't make it to the gym, but there no place like the gym.... Surprised I didn't say church was my second home. I really love the gym. I jumped in just like I never left. Man, it's been at least 2 years since I've been inside a REAL gym and it's only 5 minutes from my house. LOVING IT!  So I'm back in training mode... and back to eating CHICKEN... I don't know how to be in training mode without CHICKEN... :).

Then the most amazing thing happened  in my career. Tuesday I had the amazing opportunity to speak to a group of future leaders at ITT Technical College. My friend Marjorie invited me to speak to her Business class. She asked me to speak on Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility. It was an awesome time of sharing with the students. You just don't know where or when God is going to use you. After the class, Dean Walker told me I had to come back and of course I said yes. Many of the students thank me for sharing my story and encouraged me to continue sharing. On the way home from the school, I began asking myself WHY DID I GO TO COLLEGE AND WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY BUSINESS DEGREE...??? I didn't get an answer on the way home but I did have this conversation with myself. 

Who was I to be speaking on a college platform? I don't have a college degree, I am not a college instructor, I am not a professor, nor am I a preacher. What I am is just a person who enjoys sharing my story and am committed to helping people transform their lives by educating, empowering, and encouraging people to CHANGE their lives for the better. During my Thursday morning meditation, I asked the Lord, Why did I go to College? He said, "You went to college because you got promoted on your job, but the college degree is going to open doors for you and allow your gift to be on platforms where you will share my experience." Now I know why I am in college. It's not to open my own gym, or manage a team of people for someone that does not value my gift, but it is for me to get the knowledge I need to help others succeed at life.

This weeks lesson has taught me two things, there are no-excuses for not working out. The gym has many options available regardless of your limitations. Second, I learned that we may start out doing a thing for one reason and God will turn it around and show us the REAL reason. 

What I know for sure: It doesn't matter what situation you're end, there is always another way to get it done and it is important to first believe and trust in God and second  believe and trust in yourself. 

Find peace within,

Ms. Lisa

Tell A Different Story - My Vegan Life

This past week has been one filled with revelation and dealing with the truth. I have not shared this in my previous post but I jammed 3 of my toes on my right foot on Memorial Day and because of that I have not been able to workout the way I normally do. I did not stop working out until 3 weeks ago when I noticed my toe was not healing. I did not go to the doctor because I knew they couldn't fix it, so I just diagnosed myself by looking up my symptoms on the internet and it said to wrap the toes together, so that is what I did and it has been 2 months now and I am still wrapped. SMH do you think I need to go to the doctor? Not...

This past week I decided not to go to a new company with my former co-workers because I knew where God positioned me. So, I decided to stay with CDHA and be a helper. Sometimes you just have to say NO to the crowd. With that decision I have been responsible for training three new people and making sure the day to day operations continue even though I am not in charge. This is called being a Servant Leader.

During this time I had to deal with a real issue I was having of my own. You know sometimes you will tell yourself a story that just isn't true. I was doing that this week, well actually for two weeks. But this week more than any other. You see, I was telling myself because my Love was not reading ALL my blog post, he was not in support of my dreams and my vision. I even found myself getting into a funk about it. Boy was I wrong. Did you know you could tell your story to yourself so many times that you actually begin to live that story out and you get anxious with the person who is in the story with you and on top of that, they have NO CLUE why you're acting special.

Because I am ALL about PEACE, I thought it would be best to address the issue. My Love and I are studying a book about marriage, it's called, "The Covenant Marriage" by Gary Chapman. On Friday we sat down as we always do at the end of the month to study our chapter. It was during this time I expressed to my Love what I was telling myself about him and him not reading all my post. He just smiled and said "Love I am your biggest support even if I don't  read all your post".  I smiled back and said, "Thank You Love".

What I know for sure.: There is a difference between the Fact and the Truth: You see the FACT is: He doesn't read all my post, but the TRUTH is he IS my biggest supporter. The lesson learned for me this week: stop making up stories in your head about stuff that is not true. Tell yourself a different story. Stop repeating the same story over an over in your head and to others. Get a different story. Often times we tell the SAME story because we want sympathy from others and sometimes it's because we do not want to take responsibility for the part we are playing in what is going on in our lives. I began to tell myself a different story. The Fact is He does not read them ALL but the TRUTH is He does support me. This I can live with.  :)

Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa

Put Some Berries on Those Thighs

Summer is here and I don't know about you but I am trying not to stay in the kitchen much this summer. So I started looking for some good cool recipes to cook on the grill and here is what I found. I love fruit, apples, oranges, nectarines, grapes, and strawberries, pineapple, and peaches that's about it for me... lol  But I do like a good fruit salad and since Friday is the 4th of July, I thought I would share some good recipes I found on line. Actually they were sent to me through Fitnessmagazine.com. You'll find Chicken Thighs with Blueberry sauce, Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato, Grilled Shrimp with Mango Couscous. (Couscous is cheap at Aldi). Chili-Rubbed Flank Steak with Watermelon-Jimama Salad (not sure what that is) Strawberry-Bacon Pizza ( this one has to be easy) and Nectarine Sundaes, just to name a few.

So pull out the grill and create some awesome new dishes for the 4th of July and this summer. The link is below:.

What I know for sure: God has placed me in a place where I can make a difference in the lives of others. When I walk in a room I expect for the atmosphere to change. I expect for a light of hope to show up when I walk in the room. I expect for the atmosphere to adjust to the energy that I am giving when I arrive. One of my new co-workers told me yesterday that I set the atmosphere in the office. Granted our office is small, maybe 17 people, but it only takes one to change the atmosphere. The change can be HOT or COLD, but there will be a change. I take no credit for it, but I did acknowledge her kind words and said thank you. She asked me what makes me that way, I told her I walk in peace, love and joy. That is what people feel from me when I enter the room. This also happened to me a few weeks ago when I was at the Buy Here-Fry Here store on the Plaza getting some fish for my Love. This stranger walked up to me a I was waiting and said, "there is just something so pleasant about you and I can tell you are a woman of God". Now, I ain't one to go to church and I drink a lot, but I do know what a woman of God looks like and you are it." I kindly said thank you Sir and God loves you too. He said "God bless you" and I said, "May God bless you too."

Have you ever been in a room and this one person entered the room and changed the atmosphere? I am sure we all have experienced that at some point in our lives. What type of energy are you putting out into the atmosphere? I once heard this saying, " You are either the thermostat, where you control the temperature in the room, or you are the thermometer, where you adjust to the temperature in the room." Which one are you, the Thermostat or the Thermometer?

Find peace within
Ms. Lisa

Enjoy your 4th of July -
link to recipes
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/healthy-summer-barbecue/easy-fruit-recipes/o

Why Can't I Lose This last 10 pounds - Super Charge Your Slimdown

So many times people ask me about losing weight and what they need to do to get rid of their belly. I usually said, STOP RIGHT THERE. Why... because I believe it is about taking care of the heart and not about getting a quick fix. I ask the question, "What happens if you never lose your stomach, will you you stop your journey?" Often times this question stops them in their tracks. Why? Because most people do not have the answer to this heart wrenching question.

We should always try to deal with what caused the weight gain to begin with and not look for a quick fix. But because I do understand everyone may not be ready to deal with the TRUTH about themselves, I will GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT. I subscribe to the online Fitness Magazine (Fitnessmagazine.com) where I get daily tips on health and fitness. I received this tip last week and wanted to share it with those of you who want a quick fix.This is the SUPERCHARGE YOUR SLIMDOWN. This link provides a weekly meal plan for breakfast, lunch,dinner, and snacks. I'll say most of the recipes are Vegetarian recipes but I do not see any harm in you trying a few of what I would call HEALTHY RECIPES FOR THE HEART. For breakfast you can choose from: Banana-Walnut Pancakes, Mango-Oat Smoothie (sounds good doesn't it?) Avocado Eggs Benedict. For lunch there are recipes for Kale Grilled Cheese, Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Dressing, Chicken, Feta, and Strawberry Salad. And let's top it off with some great recipes for dinner: Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, Turkey Chili Fries (now this I will try). The link provides healthy snacks as well.

As an added bonus there is a workout routine included in the meal plan. These exercises are designed to target your Abs, Shoulders, Back, Butt, Thighs and Legs. There is Pilates Workouts, Yoga, and it even provides music for you to stay motivated and keep you moving. WOW WHAT AN AWESOME FREE GIFT!

I hope you find this website useful in your lifestyle journey. :) The link is below:

What I know for sure:  Many of us are looking for something called LOVE. Not many of us understand what Love really is. We know God is Love and with God all things are possible. He is our Father, our Mother, our Sister, and our Brother. He can be a husband to you if that is what you want Him to be. However, God did say, " it is not good for man to be alone".  But what we have to remember, we may have the desire to have Love, have a partner, or even be married. But what we have to be mindful of is this. We all have a picture of what we think Love is and what we think Love should look like. What we have to be ready for is the reality of what Love is with the person you decide to partner with. The "Love" I share with my "Love" may not be the same type of "Love" you share with your "Love". With that being said, be very careful not to compare your Love to the Love of another. Everyone has their own way of Loving... the question is, Are you willing to Love that person the way they are and the WAY they LOVE..... What picture are you painting of Love?

Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/you-can-do-it/better-body-plan/energy-boosting-recipes/?

What's in Your Lunch Box - My Vegan Life

How many of you carry your lunch to work or school? Are you the one that eats out every day? I am not one to eats out a lot, maybe once a week and that's usually on Wednesdays when I have to go to class. But did you know that if you're trying to change your lifestyle, eating out could actually sabotage your efforts. If you are not ordering your food from a sit down restaurant where you have control of how the food is prepared you may be eating more sodium that you need or you could be eating food cooked in saturated cooking oil, and even covered with butter.

The only way to know what is actually in your food is to cook it yourself. It is easy to prepare your meals for the week on Sunday evening or which ever evening you have more time to prepare multiple meals. Tupperware is always a good way to store your foods, freezer bags are great as well. Preparing your food ahead of time will guarantee good healthy food in your lunch box. Not only will you have good healthy food in your lunch box, but you'll have some extra money in the bank or backyard. The average lunch meal will cost you between $7.00 to $10.00 a day depending on where you go. If you're spending $5.00 a day on lunch for 5 days that's $25 and that x 4 is $100. That's a pretty nice piece of change to put away in a month.

I personally carry my lunch to work and when I do not I regret it. Why, because I have to think about where I'm going to eat and that's when I find myself looking in the work refrigerator for the COMMUNITY FOOD....LOL. Usually that sweet tea and a piece of cake, which I refuse to eat. The safest place for me to eat out is Subway. I'll be like Jared and stick to Subway because I know the meal is healthy and I can control what is on it. Usually it's just bread with my salad... it's really called a Veggie Sandwich. All there is to it is vegetables between a bun with vinegar and sweet onion sauce... yummy to my tummy. But that's what works for me and it's $5.00 for a foot long. It's my modern day Now-N-Later.

I was surfing the internet for some new dishes to prepare as I continue in my Vegan Lifestyle change I cam across this link so I think I would share it with you. It is 27 different ideas for lunch box lunches. The food selections look really good, easy to prepare, and affordable.... stay tune and I'll let you know how some of my lunch box meals turn out.

Here's What I Know For Sure.... Think about this.....Are you driving your life or Is your life being driven. When you drive your life you are in control of your life, when you are being driven, your life is controlled by others. Be the driver or your life. Do not allow other people to define you or you feel you need to be validated by others. Know from way deep in your being that you deserve the best life has to offer. Know that not everyone wants to use you, take your gift and then throw you away. There are some people that are really in your corner and will be your biggest cheerleader. And when those that do not agree have good things to say, you let them know that you are the CEO of your decisions and you are on your way to success. Everyday do something that is taking you closer and closer to your dreams. Do not let a day go by that you don't look your dreams in the mirror and say, "Hold on, I'm Coming."



Find Peace Within,
Ms. Lisa

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/awesome-easy-work-lunches

The Why Not Philosophy

I guess you're asking yourself, what is Lisa talking about the "Why Not"  Philosophy". The Why Not Philosophy is - Asking your self the WHY NOT QUESTION TO FIND OUT WHY YOU'RE NOT..."

1.  You want to move to a new city or state? Why Not?

2.  Wanna be a mechanic? Why Not?

3.  Wanna climb a mountain to the top? Why Not?

4.  You want to drive your car at 100 MPH? Why Not? Be sure the cops aren't around and you know how to handle the wheels... :)

5.  You want to write a book? Why Not? This would be me

Just to name a few things....

Ask yourself this question, what's stopping me from doing my "WHY NOT"? I find myself stopping myself from doing my "WHY NOT ". Why, because I don't like to fail. I am an over achiever in most of the things I do. I work hard to learn a task and I try to perfect it. If I don't understand, I want stop until I've figured it out. I wake up determined to complete every task I assign myself to do. But what I've learned from my years doing my "WHY NOT, is, it's okay to try and fail. The Why Not Philosophy tells me that either I will or I won't, either I can or I can't. There is no trying...When you start something you start to complete the task! 

I am good at organizing, I am good at making people feel good about themselves, I am good at listening, I am good at paying attention to detail, I am good at bringing people together to complete a task, I am good at writing and I am good at yard work... had to throw that one in

Now there are some things I just don't do well and I'm okay with that. for instance, I cannot cook for a large group of people. Five is about as many as I can cook for. I don't even have pots in my kitchen that can hold that much food. SMH -  Shameful I know, right? Why, because I have never had more than 6 people to cook for at one time. I'm  not good at asking for money, so, I don't need a position that's going to require me to do so. And finally, I don't look good with long hair anymore, so I wont be growing my hair out even though I like long hair and it's easier to manage. 

So, What's the "Why Not Philosophy?" The gifts are in the questions. You'll learn what you're good at when you go through the "Why Not" - You will not spend time doing things that don't work for you.  Doing the "Why Not" gets you closer to what does work and what is good for you.

What I know for sure:  When you ask the "Why Not" question you'll find out the "Why Not" answer. That's when you find out what's good for you and you won't spend time doing what isn't. Then and only then will you begin to make an impact on the world.

Find Peace Within
Lisa

Sometimes It Just Doesn't Happen - My Vegan Life

What a week....wheeeee.. Can you say thank God for the weekend. :). This week brought about many challenges for me in the eating department. So what does a Vegan do when there is no time to go to the grocery store to pick up ALL the items needed to prepare any new recipes? Well you just have to learn how to work with what you have. My week--- Sunday ministering at Independence Park, Monday choirc rehearsal, Tuesday tutoring, Wednesday school, Thursday late night at the office, Friday spent more time at Home Depot than I planned. (Yes shopping for my Saturday yard work was more important than shopping for grocery). So, what did I do for food.  For breakfast I had Tofu veggie wraps, Kale and Shakeology Smoothies,  Raising Brains, Vegetable sandwiches from Subway, Peanut Butter sandwiches on Ezekiel Bread, and even some Veggie Pizza , Fish and Broccoli, finally Stir Fry Vegetables, and Oatmeal from McDonald's.

What was my lesson for this week?, "Sometimes it just doesn't happen" and you know what??? IT'S OKAY. :). I am a creature of habit and not often do I try new things, but this journey of being a Vegan has helped me get out of what I know. I'm not sure if I can credit my journey to living a Vegan lifestyle to the excitement I have with eating and cooking, but what I do know, my grocery bill has gone down because I am not buying high price salmon and chicken breast every week. Tofu cost close to $2.50, I usually takes me 3 days to finish one box of Tofu, then there is the fish, I get 5 individual packets in one bag, and the vegetables... well the Asian store has all the vegetables I need and at a very affordable price. Big bags of Kale, Cabbage, Onions, Red Peppers, Green Peppers, Yellow Peppers and Broccoli. I hear all the time the stories about how expensive it cost to eat healthy, no, not really. It is about finding the right place to shop and knowing how to prepare your meals. Trader Joe's is a great place to shop but not all of us can afford to shop at Trader Joe's... it is a specialty shop and I'm not knocking it, but I pretty much stick to places where my money can stretch and I still can maintain my healthy lifestyle journey, feed my family and save.

What I know for sure: Sometimes it just doesn't happen because "LIFE HAPPENS". So what do you do, you learn to walk where you are and work with what you have until you have time and resources to get where you want to be and what you need to continue in your journey.

Find Peace Within,
Lisa

Mashed Kidney Beans Turned Vegan Burger - My Vegan Life

This Vegan Journey has taken me on many excursion and discoveries, many I didn't enjoy and some I will visit again. Last week I shared  how I had to make a change in my Vegan journey as I discovered I was not as strong as I was prior to going Vegan. Sometimes you just have to go back to what you know. With that in mind, I added one day where I eat fish. I think it's called Pescatarian...Never heard of it... have you? I was talking with one of my many fitness friends Charleszetta, and she mentioned Pescatarian, that's what she practices. Where the only meat they eat is fish. Now I must say, cooking the fish was easier because it didn't require a lot of time, Mrs Dash and 8 minutes in the skillet for both sides and you're done. The 5 oz.'s of fish had 21 grams of protein in it. Just what I needed and I worked out that day and l could tell the difference in my performance. I didn't give out after my 3rd set of 15's. I even increased it to 15 pounds on the last set and was able to complete the entire circuit without dropping my weights. So, what was the lesson here... Do what works for your body.

So my next discovery was Vegan Burgers. I have been looking for a recipe for Vegan Burgers that didn't require a lot of ingredients and guess what I have it. I didn't find it though. One of my dear friends Michelle Coleman saw the link and hit me on face book with the link. I told her I would try it this weekend and I did. A WINNER for sure!!! :). And it wasn't hard to mix nor expensive to buy. I am one of those persons that don't think too hard about stuff...my motto "Analyzes Paralyzes"  I just dive in. So, that's what I did here. On Saturday I stopped by Food Lion and got my ingredients: 2 cans of Kidney Beans (I got the light skinned ones) 1 can of Hunt's Tomato Paste. I already had the other ingredients. I was soooo excited about preparing the meal. Now I look forward to cooking. This is what you'll need:

1.  2 cans of Kidney Beans
2.  1 cup Brown Rice (cooked)
3.  1 cup rolled oats (I used Whole Grain Steel Cut Oats -Aldi Bran)
4   1/4 cup Tomato Paste (spaghetti sauce)
5/  1/2 tsp garlic powder
6.  1/2 tsp onion powder
7.  1/2 tsp Mrs. Dash

If you don't like getting your hands dirty in the kitchen then I recommend you put on gloves. First you will cook your rice. Drain the Kidney Beans ( I rinsed mine to get the sodium off). Place the beans in a bowl and mash the beans like you do mash potatoes or sweet potatoes for your sweet potato pie. Leave a few chunks of beans just because... then add in your brown rice, oats, tomato paste and seasonings. Pat the burgers into hamburger patties and let them sit in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. I let mine stay in for about 2.5 hours while I worked in the yard. I cooked mine in olive oil. You'll need a little oil since the ingredients do not contain oil To prepare them, grill them or cook on the stove. I topped mine with some BBQ sauce for flavor. I also put some red peppers on top because I like spicy stuff. There you have it my Vegan Burger Steak..I call it a steak since I didn't eat it with any bread. I must say it was really good. I will certainly put this one in rotation.

My Vegan Life- this new life has not only changed the way I eat but it's changed the way I look at food I never thought of eating Kidney Beans differently. As a child, my grandmother cooked Kidney Beans all the time but never did she mash them up to make burgers. Innovative thinking is what we would call today... but grandma would call it stretching a dollar....$$$$$

 I am coping the link to the original poster. Can't be caught plagiarizing. http://en.paperblog.com/jeff-novick-bean-burgers-917190

What I know for sure: Food that has been around for years has taken on a new form. There are many new foods on the market but some foods you will have with you always... Mashed Kidney Beans turned Vegan Burger.. who would have thunk it. Maybe it was someone just STRETCHING A DOLLAR.


Be blessed
Remember Life is about Living and Giving
Find yourself something doing it.
Ms. Lisa

A Lesson in the Change - My Vegan Life

As I transition from eating meat and dairy products to eating Vegan, I discovered something very important this week. There are lessons in the changes we make. Yes, change is good and it keeps the brain fresh and the feet moving but sometimes, that change will stop you in your tracks and cause you to PAUSE and take notice. My Pastor often says, "Inspect what you expect" (Michael A.Stevens). I had to do that this week.

There have been some really nice discoveries such as Plantains, Tofu scrambled eggs, even Tofu Smoothie, but I wasn't prepared for what I found out Thursday while in an ABS class. Many of you know that I love to lift weights and as a former body builder weight lifting and muscle mass is so important to our physic. Well this past Thursday I was challenged with lifting 10 pounds... yes, 10 pounds. Now, I'm the chic that can curl press 25 pounds 3 sets of 10 with no problems while squatting, but Thursday it was a challenge for me to squat, jump and press those 10 pounds for 60 seconds. Yes, Jillian Michaels has been kicking my butt with those 4 am Kettle Bell workouts and the 1 hour No More Trouble Spots workouts in the afternoons but those workouts didn't require me to lift anything over 5-8 lbs. And being the competitive one that I am, I wanted to hang with the class.. but what I found out was... I couldn't hang...I had lost muscle mass while going through the CHANGE. and not just menopause... through my VEGAN lifestyle CHANGE.

That workout caused me to INSPECT WHAT I EXPECT. You see I expected to continue to lift heavy like I did when I was eating 4 to 6 oz's. of grilled chicken or salmon and 6 eggs whites and whole grain toast but what I found out was I could not lift the same way I did when I was eating grilled chicken and salmon and eggs. No, No, No, I have not gone back to eating meat... well not today, I did eat a bowl of spaghetti Friday because I was tooo tired to cook and it was 7:30 when I got home. And YES, it had ground beef in it... :(. it wasn't that much that it set me back. What I had to do was research not just meals for VEGANS but for meals for VEGAN Body Builders... and guess what I FOUND IT... YES I DID. yea!... I am serious about my new life style so I made it a priority to find out how I could continue with this new lifestyle and remain a Vegan. The website is http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/mahler53.htm  GET BIG AND STRONG You can Get Strong And Have a Muscular Body on a Vegan Diet... This website has great information for anyone that workouts and is interested in going VEGAN.I realized I cannot live off TOFU alone..:). I have to put some healthy fats in my diet, things like flax-seed oil, olive oil, almonds, and avocado's and a variety of proteins like black beans, quinoa, almond butter, green peas, and rice protein/soy milk shakes.

What I know for sure: RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. When ever you decide to make a change, inspect what you expect and be ready for the lessons in the change. Be ready to change paths while taking your journey. Don't be afraid to admit you messed up and need some extra guidance. Vegan diets are not made equal, so find out what works for you... I DID and now I'm back on my journey.

Sending Smiles,
Ms. Lisa

My Vegan Life

This week I discovered Plantains were not Bananas and that Plantains could be frozen and used in my smoothies. I saw a bag of frozen Plantains at the Atlantic Market on Eastway Drive for $4.89 and I almost purchased them. But I said to myself, "self why pay $5.00 for a bag when you can buy 3 for $1.99 and freeze them yourself ." So that's what I did..... good idea! There are sweet just like bananas, get black just like bananas. They are thicker than bananas and can be cooked many ways, including fried and boiled. My Jamaican friends have given me some tips on how to prepare Plantains. Take the good take the bad. Nutritional Info for Plantains - 232 calories, 62g carbs :( 23g sugar :(, 2g protein. This delicious fruit should only be eaten in the AM so you can burn off ALLLLLL that sugar....

I went out to eat last night with some of my dear friends and they asked me what was I going to eat at K&W Cafeteria, since I'm Vegan now, well I got a bowl of navy beans, brown rice, green beans, and a bowl of fruit. After that we went to McDonald's to get coffee and I ate 2 apple pies... okay, okay, okay, I feel off but who doesn't from time to time. Then headed to Starbucks to talk about what matters to us.   FAMILY. The thing is this...I cannot tell you the last time I had an apple pie from McDonald's. It was good though.... LOL.

Now to answer the question I've been asked many times since going Vegan How Do I Get My Protein...

The answer is simple, FOOD... LOL. Nah, seriously the answer is simple. The internet has everything to help you understand what you need to do and how to do it to get the recommended daily intake of protein. Here is a link I found on line that has helped me tremendously. It has everything on here you need to know to help you make the right protein food choices as a Vegan.  http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.php.
I'm using this to make sure I get the right amount of protein for my body.

Now, I have fallen in love with Tofu, which makes it one of my main sources of protein. I try to get at least one serving of Tofu in everyday. I drink Almond Soy Milk with my Kale, Frozen Plantains or Strawberries and Shakeology smoothie, I also put some Fax Seed Oil in my smoothie. I eat trail mix throughout the day which consist of Almonds, Cashews, Pecans and I throw some dried Raisins and Pomegranate in the mix to give me some fiber. You know it helps to keep things regular... very important...

I like beans, however, I have not tried any of the bean recipes, but it's coming. I think I'll make a black bean and sweet potato wrap with corn and of course Tofu... :). I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks Oneika for the recipe.

What I know for sure: Since changing to a Vegan lifestyle, I have broaden my food repertoire the way I have the songs I sing and I sing many songs. Never say you don't like a particular food until you've taste it at least once. I know for sure I don't like beats... yuck..... You'll be surprised at the hidden flavors that come from the ground.  :).


Ms. Lisa

My Vegan Life

I started my Vegan Life Style Journey 6 weeks ago and I must say I am very surprised at the way I feel. When I first started this journey it was because of my classmate Michael. Michael and his wife started living a Vegan Lifestyle 2 months prior to me starting. He would share how he felt, how much weight he lost, and the many creative ways he and his wife learned to cook. The information he shared was very interesting so I thought, why not try it. And I did. The first thing I had to do was look up what it meant to be Vegan. Well to be Vegan means you give up food that is not produced from the ground. That means, no animal or meat products. No meat and no dairy.... no milk no chicken, no fish, no eggs... Oh my what was I about to get into. As I often do when I start new things, I go head first, I don't think about what I have to give up, all I think about are the benefits I will get from doing what it is I'm about to do.

So, I looked on line and found this website, 53 Healthy Tofu Recipes. Tofu... yes Tofu... Tofu is a great source of protein and since I'm a weight lifter it is very important that I get my protein. I headed to Harris-Teeter looking for Tofu, I didn't know where it was as I don't shop at Harris-Teeter nor have I ever purchased Tofu....but I found it after asking for assistance. Ezekiel Bread ($5.00 a loaf) Tofu (Firm, Extra Firm, Silk, Medium ... I didn't know there were so many choices), Cilantro, Tomato, Bean Sprouts, Cabbage, and Onion was all I knew to get from Harris Teeter. So I headed to the Asian store, Atlantic Farmers Market. Talking about being in another country in your own country. I couldn't read the labels because most of the writing was in Japanese or some other foreign language I couldn't understand. Most of the people working there didn't speak English, so I was on my own.  But some how, I knew what Soy Sauce was, Ginger Root, Noodles, Garlic, Hot Chili Sauce and Black Beans. I walked out of that store with 2 bags of WHAT.... foreign food that I had to use recipes to prepare. I've had to go back to the Atlantic Farmers Market to get seasonings I couldn't pronounce, I took pictures to be sure I got the right thing. Once you get your seasonings, you have everything you need to prepare Vegan meals. Frozen Stir Fry, Noodles, Cilantro's and of course Tofu, sweet potato, oh yell, you know that thing that looks like a Banana but its no and it starts with a "P"... yelp bought some of those too and avocado.. never had that before.... 

After 5 weeks of preparing Vegan meals I must confess that I am now a Vegan. I have not had one piece of meat in my mouth. I drink Soy Milk instead of 1% or Skim. I have not had eggs nor bacon... and I love bacon. No fish, no chicken. I now get Veggie Burgers from Subway on flat bread instead of the Black Forest Ham I so loved every Wednesday before class. The biggest thing that has changed for me is how I prepare my food. I never used recipes for cooking anything other than my grandma's pound cake. Now, I use recipes to cook everything. And the flavors are amazing. All the seasonings I love, hot and spicy and sweet. and Wasabi (that green stuff that opens your sinuses) with everything...

My family has not converted to the Vegan lifestyle and probably want, but I'm okay with that. Eating healthy is a choice and you don't want to force people into doing anything they aren't ready to do. And my family doesn't talk about me because I choose to eat this way. This is my BRAND. People that know me knows I'm all about health and fitness. Living my best life and taking care of myself. 

You only get 1 Body 2 Build. So take care of that body. Do everything you know to do to be better in your body. Live life with smiles, Live life by showing up everyday, Live life by showing Love everyday,  Live life by succeeding at something everyday. Even if that means you succeed at failing today at least you succeeded at learning a lesson. Our lives are filled with many challenges, take those challenges and apply them to the places in your life that will make you better. Recognize when you've had enough and shut it off. Since starting my Vegan journey I may have watched TV a total of 3 hours and I have not watched the news in 2 months. What I realize from shouting myself off from technology is... I'VE NOT MISSED A THING... THE WORLD WENT ON WITHOUT ME... AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT.

What I know for sure, Today will never come, tomorrow isn't promise and the future is not ours to see... so live in the moment, it's the only that that's present.

Ms. Lisa D.