Dream Live Thrive; Friday Taco Flasdhback

Entering the Forest

Lush, misty and lavish gardens strummed with vines of the most decadent of fruits.  Oh, the sweetest in sight that I’ve ever seen!  The dim warm tropical trees bore only the best nature has to offer.  Lets see! There was the nacho tree, the vines of fried chicken, oh and the giant soul food oaks.  The streams of my favorite soda pop and grass made of spaghetti, with sauce.  Clouds of soft doughy potato bread and at the center of this amazing forest was a tree like none other- with leaves of chocolate brownies and a trunk of ice cream that when you dipped your brownie in the flavor became whatever you like.  I loved my chocolate brownie covered with pecan praline ice cream!  Yesssss, it was Death Heaven!!!!

Laaawd I’m so glad I woke up from that dream.  Lol.   I felt like sugar diabetes was inching my soul away as I dipped and dived all up and through that place.  Swinging like a monkey on red-vines from tree to tree.  Let me tell you something.  Getting passed the 1^st stage of your weight loss journey is definitely a milestone, but what happens after that is complete temptation.

Since when do I have such vivid dreams that won’t let me escape?  I never have dreams about winning the lottery, but here I am in Willy Wonka’s Soul-food Extravaganza.  What the hell! Lol.   Oh the battle of the mind.  It’s such a tumultuous road as it is, but now my minds begun playing some serious tricks on me.   Good thing I recognize an attack when I see one.  You’ve heard me talk about preparation- making your meals the night before, cutting up that wonderful fruit and freezing it so its smoothie ready, keeping an arsenal of nuts and seeds for snacking and keeping a few ready-made packaged items.  But now lets talk about how to make it good.

What I got from my dream is this “I Miss Flavor!  That does not mean I don’t appreciate the wonderful tastiness of every vegetable I’ve been eating, and I damn sure love the fruit.  But there is nothing like a fat taco with cheese and guacamole.  So, I went and learned how to make “Raw Tacos.  It’s simple, we don’t have to sacrifice flavor because we’ve cut the fatty meat, high calorie cheese and corn tortilla.   And it’s easier than you think.  All you need is a blender, a bag of raw almonds; yes I said almonds, a bag of cashews and all of the regular trimmings that garnish.  

What you’ll need: Makes Twelve Tacos… and no you don’t need to eat all twelve. Damn! Share… lol.

Blender or food processor

Spatula or wooden spoon

Knife

2 bowls

The Meat:

1 cup of Organic Almonds

3 tablespoons of water

2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Half a clove of garlic

Pink or Sea Salt to taset

1 teaspoon Cumin

1 whole leaf Oregano

1 teaspoon Paprika

Pepper to taste

And a little Red Pepper flake for heat

In your blender:

Pour your almonds in the blender; press the chop or crunch setting until the almonds have been refined a bit. Not powdery.  Nobody wants a soupy taco! Lol.  Add the olive oil while on blend then add two tablespoons of water.  You’ll only add the third tablespoon in the mixture is too thick, which more than likely it will be, ha!Once the mixture is the desired texture, add your spices one at a time.  Feel free to add scallions if you like also.  You don’t want the spices to knock you down however.Blend it all up then use the spatula to scrape into a bowl.

The Cheese:

1 cup of raw Organic Cashews

2 tablespoons of water

1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Half of one lemon

1 clove of garlic

Pink or Sea Salt to taste

After cleaning that blender!  Drop your cashews in and begin that wind and grind again, add you oil and then a bit of water… You want this mixture to be creamy.  After the desired texture is on point, add your lemon juice and that mmmm garlic and keep that blend going until it’s thick and creamy. Salt to taste and you’re ready to go.  Spatula that mixture right into a bowl.

Taco time:

Quarter of an Avocado

Pico de Gallo (store bought fresh is fine)

Hearts of romaine (Your taco shell)

Grab a plate and lay three romaine hearts out, cleaned and dried.

Spoon and spread some of your creamy cashew cheese on the lettuce first, then add your meat (almond mixture). Be sure to chunk it on like you would beef or turkey tacos, not too much but enough to see its there.  Top with a few avocado slice and then garnish with that Pico de Gallo and if you want, squeeze just a bit of that lemon juice atop.  Mmmmm, bon appetite!

This is one of the many simple recipes’ I use to curve those cravings I’ve had along the way.  I also have a decadent dessert I’ll be posting soon; it’s as simple as a hand full of cashews’ and some sliced berries.  And it is delicious!

Photos: Me and Chef/Life Coach Tanjareen

Dream Live Thrive the Dherbs Battlefield; No Choice

I had to take a break from the cleanse for a few weeks, I started working with a trainer so I switched up my program just to see what kind of results I could get.  Things have been interesting on my journey with both Dherbs and now working with a trainer I’m learning so much about the body and how it works and how we often work against ourselves when we’re uninformed. 

When I started with my trainer I assumed that I could lay back on both the treadmill and the cleanse, I actually took three weeks off to see what my results would be.  I did gain muscle, balance and a stronger core, a good thing however the fact that my weight didn’t decrease made it clear that high intensity cardio  plays a significant difference in my weight loss.

I’ve returned to my normal schedule in addition to my three mile walk adding an hour a day with the trainer has been helping me lean out, strengthening my ankles along with helping my body believe the weight is leaving.  My trainer said to me one day “your body doesn’t believe you” huh? I thought. ” Your body doesn’t believe you” simply means that what you are doing now is so new that until it becomes your lifestyle, your daily just because; until then your body will want to believe that it knows you better than you know it and it is waiting for you to return to your old habits.   I cannot tell a lie, I have been guilty of sitting on the benches of my past wading which way I’ll go.

Its never an easy choice until you’ve taken the “choice” away.

Dream Live Thrive the Dherbs Battlefield: Get Free

On carpet

I heard a man say that the best thing he’s ever done is decide to “Get Free”, telling on yourself beats and cancels any plans the adversary would have in play to throw you off track. Getting Free slows you to put the past behind you. You’ve lived it, dealt with it, and experienced it. It’s Old now so let it go, Get Free and then go Smile!

As I listened to his message I was challenged, incredibly. I haven’t been smiling and I haven’t been free. As a matter of fact even how I communicate for the most part is governed by what I think you may think if I say that! Hearing that message from an openly gay man who’d freed himself from the holds of religiosity, societal expectations, family constraints and self imposed mental jailing allowed me to see just how locked up id been.

So where do we go from here? We go up, we begin the shedding process from the inside. See, this man wasn’t speaking about some trivial small part and passing in your life. He was talking about disturbances in the foundation of how we’re made. Things, words we’ve kept hidden in our hearts as if they were treasures. I challenge you today to stand in the mirror and shout allowed every discrepancy that you have with your character; even if it’s a memory that fades in and out under particular circumstances. Let it out. Anything you think about yourself that you don’t want to be your personal truth anymore. Press. You have to press and not allow the distances to close in.

In the lab

You have every right to be free, happy, full rich and compliant with the fact of who your creator has deemed you to be. You see, most often when the vision for whom you will become is cast, you are nowhere near that fullness in fruition. And guess what? That’s ok because that’s exactly where you need to be. Remember, the vision He gave you is a finished product. You Aren’t Finished Yet. Get Free so that you can continue in the fight so that you can continue to lift your hands and heart. Becoming free isn’t simply about you; there are people, hearts that will live stringer because they’ve seen you live forward.

I cannot and will not ever pretend to be pristine; I know that I’m not. I have skeletons in my closet that may still have flesh on them they’re that fresh. But what an amazing gift we have in the freedom of Christ and the path that He took so that we could be Free. Free to live, make mistakes, try things, find out who and what we are without the lingering price point of death at hand as a constant governing. I am grateful that even in my hardest of times, darkest of times, the times I know the least and understand even less than that I have the comfort of getting Free. The ability to let it go is a gift. Why harbor the ugly, even when times are at their most turmoil put on your best self and lift your own head to the hills form which commeth your help.

On the Trail

I’m living this medicine Right Now and It’s Good Stuff. Get Free

Thanks Andrew Anderson for such a strong word.

Dream Live Thrive the Dherbs Battlefield: Freezing My Nuts Off Has Never Been So Fun

Waldorf Astoria an entire city block

Honorable Shimon Peres, former President of Israel

And when I saw the picture in W magazine I felt it

Dressed for Carpet and Gala. Robert Graham jacket, Blair Dooley pant, Mezlan shoe, Fendi handkerchief, Vintage Glasses, Stacy Adams shirt, Charlie Lapson watch. Chocolate by AB

instantly and then said it out loud “Lord, I’d like to spend my birthday in New York this year … and I’d like for someone else to pay for it. Lol” And with that it was done. I didn’t think about it twice, in my mind it was decided. It was the Mark hotel that inspired such an audacious request of the Maker. But I was certain that It would be Boss and Grand. The experience I mean, and that is an understatement of what I actually experienced. There were Commanders and Heroes, Super Models and Actresses, Super Star Singers and get this… a former President and wait for it… Me!

The truth is I did like most suffer a bit of doubt the first time I recollect hearing the voice of God for my own life. It was a dream, one that seemed far too real, so much so that I chose to scoff at it – not doubting God but more or less discrediting myself. So there I was, strolling along life when LIFE happened to me. I say most often, “Make Life Happen or Life will Happen to You!!! I believe this incredibly; I’m grateful that what happened to me was on the up side of things.

All Star Breakfast

This leads me to that ever present scripture to some cliché to others “your gift will make room for you” I can attest that it can and it will if you are in alignment and present. I had gotten a call form a producer I worked with several years ago. We did a show at the Ford Amphitheater; Me, MC Lyte and Macy Gray, we were supporting the Keshet Chaim Dance Team and Lula Washington Dance Theater. I had such an amazing time on that show. Well, on the other end of the line was my angel inviting me to New York City to Perform at the 1^st Annual Times of Israel Gala being hosted at the Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue.

I asked her when was the event, she told me February 15, 2015. I told her of the conversation I’d had with God, she agreed that her call was a sign – without much negotiation we came to an agreement and the contract was signed. 

Sometimes you have to put your blindfold on and trust that God the universe intends good for you. Trust that there is a plan much bigger willed fulfill the dreams you’ve had. The Waldorf Astoria, Grand Ball Room… an even Bigger Dream than staying at the Mark Hotel for my birthday. God can and will out do anything you’ve done well. The A List line up included supermodel Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Multo Platinum sellig Miri Miseka, Robert Kraft (Owner NE Patriots), Actress Noah Tishby and American Born Israeli Basketball Star Derrick Sharp and on the top of the sundae is of course the Honorable Shimon Peres, former President of Israel.

And if it weren’t enough that I would be experiencing their presence I was elated to accept the invitation to both open and close the event. The 1^st Annual Times of Israel Gala in the Grand Ball Room of the Waldorf Astoria; are you kidding me, hell yeah I said Yes!

The flight was cool, I experienced a first on it that was priceless, would have thought I won the lottery when that seatbelt closed without a hitch. After a seamless flight I arrived to JFK International Airport in one solid very cold piece. Though my car was late I still had a chilly glow. I was feeling optimistic, hopeful even-just down right good. Yeah, I was feeling good. That seatbelt started it all off well for me. Once I made it to the hotel it was off to the 2015 All Star Breakfast, which was help at my hotel, thankfully. The wind-chill made the not so bothersome snow a major iceberg concern when I was outside. But I was welcomed with Top service not quite White Glove but very close to it.

Jicama – Avocado Tartare

My room was gorgeous and I was ready for a damn good time. So here’s my first Food alert… Who goes to New York and doesn’t eat Pizza is a prude. And I’m no prude so a eaten I had to do. I won’t lie, because my birthday was in tow I did take liberties I wouldn’t advise anyone else to take. I am in need of a Dherbs.com Full Body Cleanse like never before. Baby if it was cooked I ate it! Pizza, Chicken, Lamb and it was good too. However I’d be remised to no t also talk about the incredible Candle 79 on Lexington and 79^th street http://www.candle79.com. Vegan and Raw- I’ll share those pics after I talk about Slyvia’s in Harlem. Yes baby, the World Famous Sylvia’s of Harlem http://sylviasrestaurant.com. Help your life one time and almost kill ya self. Lol. I mean really, the food was Incredible and good and everything I had no business eating. Again the Birthday pass strikes again.

Never fear however its clear that working is awesome, the key to weight loss management is all in what you choose to eat. I of course worked out and even conquered new goals. I won’t lie however; I spent most of this trip enjoying the fact that I’m alive and ready to Live. I saw the difference in my clothing and my confidence. It all felt empowering and steadying, I needed the win to know that its ok to keep going and that sometimes you gotta lay back and live a little. God took care of me using the hands and hearts of some amazing people over the past few days. Ahh, what joy it is to know that I’m his and he loves me.

But yeah, while I was there I played in the snow, met Thee Alan Menken (http://www.alanmenken.com writer of my entire childhood songbook), sang for a President Hon Shimon Peres, Sang a Duet with an International Pop Star Miri Miseka, Sold Out the Grand Ball Room at the Waldorf Astoria and wait for it…  Put on a seatbelt on an airplane in coach. Child Yes, that seatbelt was the one tho. Lol.

Dream Live Thrive the Dherbs Battlefield; Snap Shot

A few days ago I took pictures in the mirror.  “Selfies” or what not.  It was interesting to me that my outer shell is beginning to change but what was I gonna do about the inside, a question I’m not certain we think about enough while pursing our “Adonis” moment in time.

I recounted experiences that shaped my opinion of

Its Wednesday!!! Less than 7 days till ya boys birthday. Grateful to be in health and smiling. Even if no one else celebrates your day, you do it! Hell, nobody’s gonna love you more than you cept fa Jesus. #CelebrateYourself You already know! #PushTheLimits #Baby #LeaveAllDoubtBehind
#MrMotivation #GoGetIt #Drive #Motivation

what I look like the very make up of the walls of my flesh.  I could feel the shame and disgust, the humiliation and the torment; words that woven together revealed a tapestry of hurt, dissatisfaction and unapologetic fear.  I was afraid that if I turned down the “lamp light” I’d lose what bit of acceptance I’d lobbied for.  A cycular undertaking that would exhaust me and shape the now opinion of my self.  What was I gonna do about that.  See, the Mask; the Mask allows for the most seamless of performances, able to put on a show of strength and certainty, dominance and assured confidence but none of it had been real.  If I’m bold, the truth is the only time I’ve been buck ball honest with myself is before my Maker.  Worship.  Worship is the only time that I’ve felt fully accepted, understood, cared for and cultivated.  

But now here we are, no longer behind the scars, the depth of the once ocean of discontent has dried up and I’m fully present to my gifts, talents and my Calling.  You know, I remember the day I awakened from the slumber of nonexistence; God was kind enough to plan a disaster for me.  I believe God relentlessly pursued what He believed was a willing heart and for this reason He had to break it.  Not so that I’d fall but truly so that I could be replanted in soil that He’s been tilling for some time awaiting my arrival.  God was consistent and with no puttering began to show me the panels that make up the tapestry of me, Now existence.  God showed me that we are predestined and woven into the very making of the earth.

That His love for us runs so deep that just up until the very moment your conception has been ordained He’s had his angels working in the fields of glory on your behalf.  I had to get to the point where I was sick and tired of being able to see what I was sick and tired of.  What was revealed to me continues to shake my knees at the thought.  To know that there are plans already rooted in the earth and being watered by a God who happily shares His “Platinum Experience” with us?  He’s been eager to whisper in our ear. Yearning to breathe the very essence of the waters that flow from the thrown room on our very being.

Nothing you’ve experienced is a flaw however its what you make of those raw materials; the hurts, wrongs, non acceptance, bullied, spat on, called names, run hard, beaten low, verbally assaulted… It’s up to you to use the tools as assets.  Count them all joy, you’ve seen the low now lets live in the high.  They say that once you’ve had the chicken pocks its highly unlikely that you’ll ever see them again; I’d like to believe that those symptoms were there so that I’d be able to sniff out a tool.  What was meant to tear me down has now built me up.  You’ve got to be determined to see the other side of the mountain.  Mentally if you don’t affix your mind on a goal while living this journey you will fail.

Again, If you Do Not Set Goals On This Particular Journey… You Will Fail.  Yes, that’s right I said it! There’s no time for dwelling in the past, haven’t you looked in the mirror lately? You don’t even look the same so how can you afford to think the same.  You’ve been awarded a pass that states that you’ve already won.  Pick up your feet, put on some fly gear and get your camera Ready, its time to take your Snap Shot!

Look, I tell folks all the time, “You’d better know who you are, less they’ll tell you… and 9 times out of 10 … they’ll Get It Wrong ` AB McDonald

Even the energy you have now is a gift from God.  Don’t get it twisted.  We have amazing tools in Dherbs, Eating Well, and Exercising for Life.  But none of that is possible without that 1st Breath in the morning. We give thanks and continue forward knowing that the goals we set are markers in time to help us know to share our better selves, lifting other people.

Dream Live Thrive the Dherbs Battlefield: The Weekend Round Up

Dream Live Thrive the Dherbs Battlefield: The Weekend Round Up

Yooooooo! America! Hope your weekend was good because mine took the cake. Well, the flax seed cake, nevertheless some damn cake was had! I don’t have much to report other than I had an astounding kind of weekend due mostly to my hang with my moms for her 61^st birthday. She came over to my place and just hung out. I made a few of her favorites like my fresh pico de gallo salsa, a fresh green garden salad, sweet potato spicy dip and of course my famous baked vegetable mix.

Most of this was for her, but of course I did get my taste on. I spent most of the weekend drinking green shakes though, I don’t know… out of nowhere I not only like making them I love drinking them, tasty. Well, mine are tasty.

Half a cup of Spinach

Half cup of Kale

1 whole Banana

Teaspoon of Chia Seeds

1 cup of Water

Half of a Green Apple

1 Celery stick diced

Half a Teaspoon of Agave and we are in bidness!!!

Blend until super smooth.

I chill mine and then take it down. Usually makes two servings, Breakfast and Lunch.

I also walked a lot over the weekend. I taught a voice class and walked there too. The only place I did not walk to is Church…. Baby I was Not gonna make it. Would have had to start that walk at 5a.m. to make it. Lol.

I spent of my weekend indoors, relaxed and waiting for Monday. Why Monday… Because Today, Monday is the day of the great Labrea hike. Ok ok, that’s not a real thing, but it is a real street and a long ass walk from my house to Kenneth Haan Park. Yeah man, Had to do it. Video coming soon. My tail almost didn’t make it. Lol.

Lets get into this week with a smile on our faces and a few new goals in set.

My goals: Visit a New Raw restaurant this week

Walk the Labrea Hill and THEN Hit the KH Hiking park on the same day

Create a New homemade vinaigrette

And learn how to use my phone camera better.

Once my phone is back up…waiting on a new one. I’ll be back on IG etc. Its funny to not have a phone I feel handicapped all of a sudden.

Anyway wonderful people. Lets get up and Get At It!

#FFL baby! I choose Life.

Dream Live Thrive the Dherbs Battlefield; Thursday – When All Hell Breaks Loose

Woke up this morning to my neighbor baming extremely hard on my door “hurry up, their towing our car!!! Of course without fail I was up and outside before my truck was rolled onto a flatbed. “Hello, hello, what’s going on here, I was not parked in the red” I exclaimed. “Well you have $1,100.00 worth of parking tickets” the attendant said to me and continued to proceed with moving my car onto the bed.

I came to find out that the DMV, which we all hail, as the “land of the unnecessary attitude” is only a collection agency and in fact had not forwarded my “PAID” monies to the City of LA in turn causing the City of LA to move forward with confiscating my vehicle. A bill I had paid back in October of 2014, October 7^th, 2014 to be exact. Needless to say a wrench was thrown into f my day effecting all I had planned including my trip to the gym.

Well, what was I to do? I spent 3 hours at the DMV in Inglewood for what literally took 3 whole minutes then traveled to the LA City parking bureau to catch them in their final 10 minutes of service. The young lady explained to me that though the DMV made the mistake I was yet responsible for their action or lack of. While she was talking all I could think about was three things, “man! Moms birthday is coming up, how was I gonna get to the gym and wow, once I give them this dough how will I tithe? First of all I was disillusioned I could not believe this was happening and even with my having paid the bill months ago there was enough bureaucratic bullshit in place that I still had to come up with $1,375.00 to take care of the bill including a tow.

Surprisingly I did not pass out yall. I mean really! I thought I’d lose it in a situation like this but not at all. Instead, the funny part is all I could think about was working out. So what did I do? I walked my ass off. Yup. No complaining just walking. And I felt better too. I walked to work at LulaWashingtonDance.com with my kids, I walked to the grocery store, I walked to the bank. I mean my ass walked everywhere and felt like a straight New Yorker getting it in.

I was worried about getting my workout in so I made my daily schedule the workout! Not saying that I prefer it ALL this way, but it was a good thing in a funny kind of way. Remember I always say “Set New Goals” I had no choice but to rock with new goals. By the way, my walk to work was about 25 minutes power walking too. When I came through the door by chance Ms. Lula was standing at the front desk she turned and immediately asked with a sly smirk “Did you run here? I quickly replied, “Not quite a run, but a brotha power-walked his but off to get here. I was proud and excited that I accomplished the goal. I had said a week or so before that I wanted to walk one day and well, it happened! Good stuff.

Oh, also, my phone had gone down so I don’t have one photo of all of the beautiful sights seen as I strolled my community. I really did have an awesome time.

Dream Live Thrive the Dherbs Battlefield: The Weekend Roundup

What it do America! Yes, you guessed it, I’m a happy guy today I’ve been having a ball, feeling good and making life happen! And before I make this next week happen, I need to tell on myself. Yes. Your fearless leader got smacked in the face by a fried chicken thigh, a piece of chocolate cake and a few pieces of bacon. Now of course this didn’t all happen on the same day…but that s#*t did happen. And in case you’re wondering, I did enjoy it. It was mmm, mmm, mmmmmmmmm, good. Lol.

Let Talk About It

The New Year brought great hope and cheer, along with an unbearable craving; I mean I felt it deep in my gut, lol. It was a strong calling that I just couldn’t get away from no matter what I tried to eat to “trick” the craving. Look! I know I sound crazy lol, but that’s beside the point. I’d just cleared my cleanse-free-week from the Dherbs Full Body Cleanse. Breaking: working out and eating clean while not taking Dherbs supplements. You do eventually run out and have to refill. 

So, as I was saying, I had just cleared my cleanse-free-week and I wanted to prove to myself that I could push right through and make it buuuut I failed. Not miserably though because I enjoyed the break. Now, I didn’t break the bank, I partnered two chicken thighs with a side salad and watermelon. Choices help us make the race. Admittedly I definitely took a few liberties but that all ended today. After mom Mom’s B-day brunch at Hamburger Mary’s http://hamburgermarys.com/longbeach/, which was an absolute ball. I mean they were a lively show with lots of surprises. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I looked down to see two older white gentlemen blushing at the sight and not amused at all by the parade of Drag Queen’s adorning the stage. Moms was a glow the entire afternoon, I’m sure the three mimosas helped.

Believe it or not, this weekend was a rather quiet one. I did the gym, drank some beat juice (fresh pressed) ate some bacon, ya know. I kept it light. Oh! But my New Year’s evening was absolutely amazing. I worked with my friend Raqual on our annual church watch night service. This year’s theme, “On The Mark” an All White event. We’re a bit extra’d out but it was all to the good J. Our resident thespian Lady S. wrote a two-act monologue based original piece, the Praise team sang, the Dancers danced and Family Feud almost stole the night. We had breakfast prepared for after the church hang from Ms. Silvi but of course the highlight of the night was prayer.

Lead by our gir’ Pastor C, we joined hands around the church on our knees. Young and old, locked in arm. If someone needed to lean, they had a shoulder to lean on. It was beautiful to see and to experience. I remember what my New Year celebrations once were but this was a new height on my life-list. Grateful to share my Holiday Season with my Mom’s sister and brother, I’ve been very reflective during this time and I realize that we may not always get along, live in the same city or state, we will have differences and arguments too, but what ties us together is stronger, more real and ironclad, family love is irreplaceable and I’m glad that though they asses wear me out sometimes, I always have them. My family.

Dream, Thrive, LIVE; The Dherbs Battlefield

There’s nothing like “deciding” to Live. It’s been some kind of year for me…but we’ll get into that some other time. As for now, it’s Focus Forward and Move. Nothing can or will stop me. Determination has become a part of my DNA, my make up. My dirt as I respectfully refer to it. That “down to the last drop” and ya gotta get up again type stuff. Yes, I said, “type stuff” You just can’t put a finger on it at times but its there, inside waiting to breathe in new life and accomplishment. Your DNA knows your Destiny.

You know what you want, you know its attainable, you thought you had the juice but found yourself back in the dust. Back at the beginning! And just what does that mean for you, “Back at the beginning? Well I can’t tell you what it means to or for you, I only know that the “Beginning” is a wonderful place. The Beginning is where belief, faith, hope, they all live at the beginning and we fight, push, pull, press, scratch most of our lives for this exact position. There is no doubt. Only Hope and the inner fight that says to you over and over again, “Oh Yeah, we got this one buddy!

It’s when you decide to not only live your life, but also believe that you play the part, the most important part…you play… You!!! In this movie called “Your” life, and though you don’t get to direct it or write the end of the flick, you have full privilege and right to re-script, re-cast, and develop your Best story lines based on the decisions you make.

I heard a man say … “You are the sum of the decisions you’ve made for your life”

Its solely my responsibility to protect my ear and eye gates, and to build my best Health.  I have full autonomy of my person and revel in the freedom of letting go to move forward. So I made a decision to Live My Life, giving myself over to my wildest dreams and aspirations. I give myself away, fully manifesting my Best self, my clearest decisions, and my most potent ideas, clearing the debris of my life, Refocused, Reloaded and Thriving in my “True Life.

Assessment and re-direction, re-potting and uprooting are important, sometimes we have to check and see what kind of soil we’ve given ourselves over to.

Embarking on a New Life Order …

Dream, Thrive, LIVE

#Refocused #Reloaded

Dherbs.com

100 Pounds and Down; The Weekend Warrior

Floyd Mayweather Celebrity Basketball game 2010; Abraham McDonald sings the National Anthem

Weekend Warrior! 100 Pounds and Down!

S a t u r d a Y

Travel Bag:

• Oranges √
• Plum √
• Nuts √
• Dried fruit √
• Distilled Water √
• Good attitude √

Schedule:

• Merge Summit 2012 with Niecy Nash and the cast of TV Lands The Soul Man,
• Guest performer for the 2012 She Cares Foundation Celebrity Basketball Game
• Song Writing Session with Wendy Parr
• Jam Session with John Morayniss

A good attitude and keeping busy is unquestionably what kept me afloat this weekend as I balanced my new diet plan.  Having a support system, whether its one or two people is going to be a saving grace for you also…trust me, it has definitely been that for me.

I woke up Saturday morning excited because I’d made it to Saturday without compromising my decision to change.  I thought to myself this Type II Diabetes is gonna get its tail whooped one way or another!  I’m armed with my DHERBS cleanse, exercise and a support team around me.  Winning isn’t easy and it sure as hell feels like something in the process, ya know?  I had put things in order and felt victorious, hopeful that I could do this, that I can win therefore making the difference in my life and adding years to it.  Again, there I go sounding all profound, right?

Well, It was some weekend and it did have its ups and downs.

Wrote a song `bout it, like ta hear it, here it go!  What the “bleep” was I thinking, going cold turkey with no damn turkey?  Where were the angels of all that is rich and fattening, tasty and fried when I made this decision to uhm, “better my life”.  I mean, who in the hell left the gate open so they could escape?

Saturday held a lot of inspiring moments and anecdotes from some of my favorite friends and people; however none of those things, stories, people or pushes satisfied the hunger pain I was having.  When it was said, “man shall not live by bread alone” I most definitely thought he was saying that I should partake in all things ham, fried and creamy!  And now I have to go through an entire LA day with a bag of nuts and packed fruit to survive?  I mean really!?

And really, that’s what I did :).  This figuring it out as you go plan is something of a headache.  I’ve never cooked raw food, damn-it, raw food has never been cooked!  Lol.  But, the mere thought of caving now is more than disheartening.  It’s Not An Option.  You see?  I’m a firm believer that it took a lot to get it on, so it’s going to take something New in me to get it off and defeat this disease that takes so many lives unexpectedly.

I guess when you hear the term “raw food” there’s an automatic dislike emblem that stamps itself across your forehead.  Lol.  I’m still battling with my “old” taste buds and I’ve found out the hard way, their ass aren’t going anywhere without a fight!

Something inside of me all weekend has nudged… “if you don’t get me a piece of chicken there may be some kind of spontaneous combustion that will eventually take course inside of me”.  Well, needless to say, that didn’t happen. But I do want to talk about the discomforts that come as you’re transitioning into a new space and way of living.

Being uncomfortable will become the least of your worries.  The discomfort is your body naturally acting out just as a child would.  It wants what it wants and that’s just it.  But you, me, we have to be the masters of what thinking we ascribe to.  I will not get chin checked by my belly or my taste buds!  I recall a friend saying to me, “we need to eat for energy, not taste”, of course I thought, “Shut D hell up!”  But how many times have you eaten something and instead of wanting to get a move on it; you decide to sit down on it instead.

I had my “eureka or ah ha” moment as Oprah would say on Sunday while dining with friends.  I was sitting at the table whilst people piled gobs of ranch dressing on their salads, eating bread and filling themselves with iced tea, lobster, steak and chicken.  Granted, I thought, ”I could have just one piece of bread, right?  No sooner the thought came the evidence that I had the wrong idea.   It wasn’t about what I could eat because truly I can eat what I want, it became about what I should eat.  Not much of an epiphany, but it did give me the strength to do none of what I’d originally wanted.

If I have to pack a bag, I’d rather that than wrap up and amputated leg.  It boils down to making the decision.

This weekend was a rough one but a victorious one.  It was me finally becoming ok with what I’ve decided to do…again.  I say again because there are constant reminders all around the city that say stop and taste this.  Today, I’ll just have another taste…of life.

See y’all Monday.  God only knows what obstacles will be there waiting for me.

A photo I took while doing the Oprah show.