Coming to ears near you...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Whenever, Wherever, Whatever...Oct. 3, 2009, Philadelphia, Music
The bright hues from the blue, yellow and purple lights dimmed and within seconds the excitement from the female-dominated crowd elevated. Seats were taken, drinks were bought and eyes were fixed because it was time. Time for after months of anticipation the Wachovia Spectrum to be packed and anxiously awaiting the return of the sultry, tantalizing, neo-soul star -- Maxwell.
Grown women with their men, without their men, with a gang of girls, or with only two of them were here.
Out of towners, recently married, students, aspiring lovers, and roughly the whole of Philadelphia were present.
Anxious and excited all in one breath because this one man was in attendance. His band, his voice, his music was in Philadelphia, live and in full effect.
I was 7 when his first studio album was released, and while I’m sure I didn’t quite understand what he meant by wanting to “lock us up in love for days,” I was certain that his voice alone represented music; real, classic music.
For my mother’s ears he was a hint of Al Green, a pint of Prince and a tip of Marvin Gaye, but for me he was Maxwell –fresh, authentic and alluring.
Therefore at age 20, in my light teal sheer top, high-wasted brown and black dotted skirt and my black ankle length booties I sat there waiting; with my camera barely leaving my fingertips and my eyes intensely stalking the stage, I sat anticipating the liveliest and most authentic concert that I dreamt of but still had yet to witness.
With in an instant of the last light dimming, the suspense was over.
“Let me grove with you mamaaaa…” were the first words that filled the Spectrum. An explosion of drums, guitars, and trumpets followed, and added to the soft but intense feeling that Maxwell began to offer in the first two minutes that he had been on stage.
If my eyes were bonded shut I would have thought I was front row, up close, smelling his cologne and picking up on each and every note strung out by the guitarist. But I was in section 312, row 12, seat 15, and swearing by the clear, distinct sounds I heard that he was next to me singing in my ear.
Within the next three minutes, “Dancewitme,” a track that Maxwell followers were introduced to on Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite made the already insane Philadelphia crowd go ballistic. In the first couple of moments the fluorescent lights transformed the intimate night into a sensuous one, and the live band instantly made my rather far-away seat feel close.
As the fingers of the musicians maintained their movement and Maxwell’s mouth continued to open I was lost. Lost in the intensity of his soprano, the volumes heard in the bass and the rhythm piercing from the strings.
The music drowned out the screams, the sounds from the unpaid and not very talented backup singers in the bleachers, and the gasps of “I love him” that could even be heard from the men who brought their ladies to the concert as a prelude to the rest of their evening.
A quarter OF THE WAY into the show Maxwell stood still at the edge of the stage, he cued the band with a single finger, lifted the mic to his lips, closed his eyes and then it began almost effortlessly.
He stared to sing AGAIN and we melted. We, as in me and my three companions sitting in section 312.
We, as in me and the two ladies in front who hadn’t sat down since Maxwell took the stage.
We, as in me and everyone else in the packed Wachovia spectrum who felt it in their bones when he sang “all the things we should have done that we never did.” We felt him, and by the passion heard in his falsetto, he felt us too.
I heard “This woman’s worth" many times before on the radio during my evenings driving back from work, as a soundtrack to romantic movie scenes, and from the privacy of my rather small but boisterous mp3 player head phones, but not like this.
I felt it in my bones. The drums, the strings, the organs, and the bass drowned my ears and his voice encompassed me slowly. Without a doubt I thought: If this isn’t love personified it‘s dangerously and unmistakably close.
The live experience was incomparable to any other music form I’ve ever witnessed. It was raw, intense, engulfing and organic.
Thirteen years later, I think I get it. The feeling that I felt but didn’t quite understand at age seven; the feeling that 30-year-olds appreciated and expressed when they experienced real music suddenly made sense.
Having felt the swarm of goose bumps on my arms, the gasps for air, the attention deficit, the instant high and love for the very first time --words still could not do the experience justice.
Maxwell left my ears how he had at age 7 –mesmerized, and floored and undoubtedly “locked in love for days”…to come.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Concert Review: Lupe Fiasco @ Temple University Homecoming 09’
The music blaring out of the overtly loud speakers hushed. The fog rose. The equipment crew that worked as if they were not receiving a Friday pay stub vanished and the lights dimmed. Within seconds the rupture of the crowd could be heard in stadiums all throughout Malaysia. The darkness filled the packed Liacouras stadium and the concert goers anxiously awaited the arrival of Mr. Wasulu Muhammad Jaco, better known to hip-hop lovers as the never dull, nothing short of hype --Lupe Fiasco.
The aviators, black v-neck t-shirt, khakis, and black acid wash jean jacket came out with a distinctiveness that shouted cocky. A walk that sang I’m here, and an energy that by now, after two highly-praised albums, and one Grammy, screamed I’m not going anywhere.
To me he never gets old. Four Lupe Fiasco concerts later and I’m still hooked. I still get a rush that hours later I can’t shake and days after I’m still reminiscing about.
Tonight is no different.
The bright lights flare and the Chicago native opens the show with “The Cool” the 10th track off his 2006 debut Food and Liquor.
He begins to warm up and by the time he spits his verse from the “Everyone Nose (remix)” he as well as the crowd were…well, hype.
In the mist of tracks from Food and Liquor and The Cool he gives us a taste of his new album L.A.S.E.R.S (Love Always Shines Everytime Remember 2 Smile) --“Shining Down” which is already my classic and “Fire,” which he continued to bring.
Tonight, like previous nights I’ve seen him, he lectures much and rambles a bit. Expressing love for Philadelphia, reflections on his success and questions about war.
He sets the stage for “Little Weapon” with Philadelphia resident Nikki Jean.
After the song wraps he goes on with his war lecture, and I’m thinking: play "Streets on Fire," just play it.
“Tonightttttttt……”
I go crazy.
He does as instructed and track 11, my favorite track on The Cool emerges lyrically from his mouth and instrumentally from his Dj, drummer, and guitarist.
I love it.
With his one and I mean only “one,” for the ladies as he too exclaimed, (playing “Paris, Tokyo”) he stayed focused, keeping it real and the crowd hype with an ending of “Superstar” and “Day Dreamin’”.
With the absence of some of his classics and my personal all time anthems (“Real,” “Pressure,” “American Terrorist,” “He Say She Say,” “Sunshine”) his performance was like always: classic. At 27 he has the energy of a 5-year-old and in Philly he fosters the same love as though he were in the Chi.
He can’t stand still, he doesn’t miss a beat, and he gives the crowd even more than they’ve expected.
His fusion of hip-hop and rock is classic. His performances’, priceless. His Fiasco, necessary.
Definitely a must see.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Continuing my adoration...
Review: BLACKsummer'snight --Maxwell
The sun has finally settled. The hot steam outside has emerged into a smooth cool breeze and the fast pace of the day has finally come to a slow and steady jog. It is at this moment I find the time to slip into my car and begin the hour long journey home, my ears anticipating this weeks latest delivery: the rebirth of Maxwell, in his 4th studio album BLACKsummer’s night.
The black disc emerges and not to long after, my drums are filled with real ones: the sound of steady heart beats accompanied by Maxwell’s soft and sensual voice. With “Bad Habits” the opening track of the album, Maxwell explains his addiction to a love that encompasses and controls him in every way but simultaneously drowns him and leaves him lost. The track delivers an intensity from his soul-fused genre that by far hasn’t been heard all summer.
By “Cold” the second track on the disc, I hear an explosion of drums, guitars, and trumpets all adding to the soft but intense feeling that Maxwell begins to offer in this collection . He utilizes every sound imaginable, turning natural sounds into music: heart beats, chimes, organs, horns, and strings; creating a sound that is alluring and distinct.
On my way to “Stop the World” the fifth track on the disc, Maxwell continues to fuse the acoustic sounds of guitars and the funk aspect of blues with his soft serenading voice. Pleading to stop the world in the moment when he resides with his love, leaving nothing to matter -- not even the wretched and chaotic world outside their love struck doors.
When I reach “Love You,” I’m convinced. For the non-believers he has made them believers, for the liars --honest and whole. “If you take this rib don’t let it go/ baby don’t leave or ever go, no,” are the last words to make it out of the 3 minutes and 35 second track, but by far stick the longest. You not only feel the warmth and steady energy of his voice but the passion that is nonetheless exerted through each and every instrument used.
By the end of my journey, Maxwell leaves me with the sounds of his band on “Phoenix Rising.” Using every sound imaginable at it’s finest element.
Maxwell left not to come back snapping, with loads of collaborations, or more thankfully with an impulsive computerized voice. Maxwell comes back with an authenticity that embellishes every song, every ear and every emotion. The tracks are raw and honest. Intense and engulfing. BLACKsummer’snight is real music.
Love your ears with: “Love You”
The sun has finally settled. The hot steam outside has emerged into a smooth cool breeze and the fast pace of the day has finally come to a slow and steady jog. It is at this moment I find the time to slip into my car and begin the hour long journey home, my ears anticipating this weeks latest delivery: the rebirth of Maxwell, in his 4th studio album BLACKsummer’s night.
The black disc emerges and not to long after, my drums are filled with real ones: the sound of steady heart beats accompanied by Maxwell’s soft and sensual voice. With “Bad Habits” the opening track of the album, Maxwell explains his addiction to a love that encompasses and controls him in every way but simultaneously drowns him and leaves him lost. The track delivers an intensity from his soul-fused genre that by far hasn’t been heard all summer.
By “Cold” the second track on the disc, I hear an explosion of drums, guitars, and trumpets all adding to the soft but intense feeling that Maxwell begins to offer in this collection . He utilizes every sound imaginable, turning natural sounds into music: heart beats, chimes, organs, horns, and strings; creating a sound that is alluring and distinct.
On my way to “Stop the World” the fifth track on the disc, Maxwell continues to fuse the acoustic sounds of guitars and the funk aspect of blues with his soft serenading voice. Pleading to stop the world in the moment when he resides with his love, leaving nothing to matter -- not even the wretched and chaotic world outside their love struck doors.
When I reach “Love You,” I’m convinced. For the non-believers he has made them believers, for the liars --honest and whole. “If you take this rib don’t let it go/ baby don’t leave or ever go, no,” are the last words to make it out of the 3 minutes and 35 second track, but by far stick the longest. You not only feel the warmth and steady energy of his voice but the passion that is nonetheless exerted through each and every instrument used.
By the end of my journey, Maxwell leaves me with the sounds of his band on “Phoenix Rising.” Using every sound imaginable at it’s finest element.
Maxwell left not to come back snapping, with loads of collaborations, or more thankfully with an impulsive computerized voice. Maxwell comes back with an authenticity that embellishes every song, every ear and every emotion. The tracks are raw and honest. Intense and engulfing. BLACKsummer’snight is real music.
Love your ears with: “Love You”
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Love in a Box:A love story(The night high hopes led to strange places)
So I'm sitting here, acknowledging the fact that history repeats itself in disclosed and disguised ways. Breezes right by you, and even looks at you and winks. It even blows you a kiss..and strangely, even with the wind doesn't miss.
History only has to be read once, only recited twice.
Still, I sit realizing that history has repeated itself, tonight in a more timely fashion.
It wasn't late, or didn't blow right past me even.
It was bold, assertive and oddly amusing as it crept behind me and tapped me on the shoulder.
I had no other choice but to look back at it, gaze into it's eyes with the expression that asked: "why are you here?"
"I read once, and only repeated it twice, but still you stand before me, just couldn't choose to ignore me."
His story explained the should have and could have apologies that my ears were sore from having heard for half my lifetime. I've read it time and time before but obviously I couldn't get enough.
I laugh.
No.
I sigh, and realize:
That no matter which story I take the time to read. Whether it's his down the street, his down the road, or even his off the corner. The conclusion remains the same.
Different cover same book. Different singer same lyrics. Different sound same message. Different man, but the same little boy.
Him...he...his-story was the same.
Long and lame.
Damn it was a shame.
I guess my past history was to blame.
I laugh again, and just sigh because Lord knows I don't have the time to cry.
I hung up the phone without a single bye.
I closed his story that night.
With my carefully painted face, and lightly scented body. With my perfectly polished nails, and with the outfit that because of a single phone call never made it out into the night. Labeled him, he, and his story as I did the rest. Tired, simple and a mess.
Glad I got his story off my chest.
So I'm sitting here, acknowledging the fact that history repeats itself in disclosed and disguised ways. Breezes right by you, and even looks at you and winks. It even blows you a kiss..and strangely, even with the wind doesn't miss. History only has to be read once, only recited twice.
Still, I sit realizing that history has repeated itself, tonight in a more timely fashion.
It wasn't late, or didn't blow right past me even.
It was bold, assertive and oddly amusing as it crept behind me and tapped me on the shoulder.
I had no other choice but to look back at it, gaze into it's eyes with the expression that asked: "why are you here?"
"I read once, and only repeated it twice, but still you stand before me, just couldn't choose to ignore me."
His story explained the should have and could have apologies that my ears were sore from having heard for half my lifetime. I've read it time and time before but obviously I couldn't get enough.
I laugh.
No.
I sigh, and realize:
That no matter which story I take the time to read. Whether it's his down the street, his down the road, or even his off the corner. The conclusion remains the same.
Different cover same book. Different singer same lyrics. Different sound same message. Different man, but the same little boy.
Him...he...his-story was the same.
Long and lame.
Damn it was a shame.
I guess my past history was to blame.
I laugh again, and just sigh because Lord knows I don't have the time to cry.
I hung up the phone without a single bye.
I closed his story that night.
With my carefully painted face, and lightly scented body. With my perfectly polished nails, and with the outfit that because of a single phone call never made it out into the night. Labeled him, he, and his story as I did the rest. Tired, simple and a mess.
Glad I got his story off my chest.
Friday, June 19, 2009
June 19th
Today:
I wake up wiser.
I wake up out of a dream and into reality.
I wake up less disturbed and more concerned.
I wake up out of one decade and into another.
I wake up admitting my mistakes and nurturing my imperfections.
I wake up out of a long battle with lust and willing to step in a long future with love.
I wake up with a song in my heart and a smile in my mind.
I wake up in the light and out of a daze.
I wake up bold and more defined.
I wake up in control with my body and most importantly my mind.
I wake up strong and prepared to become even stronger.
I wake up a day older and years beyond my means.
I wake up focused, attentive, determined and willing to find what needs to be retrieved.
I wake up admitting what I don't know and acknowledging what I still need to find out.
I wake up encouraged to obtain what's rightfully mine and leave behind what was abused and borrowed.
I wake up free and beautiful.
Today:
I wake up.
I wake up wiser.
I wake up out of a dream and into reality.
I wake up less disturbed and more concerned.
I wake up out of one decade and into another.
I wake up admitting my mistakes and nurturing my imperfections.
I wake up out of a long battle with lust and willing to step in a long future with love.
I wake up with a song in my heart and a smile in my mind.
I wake up in the light and out of a daze.
I wake up bold and more defined.
I wake up in control with my body and most importantly my mind.
I wake up strong and prepared to become even stronger.
I wake up a day older and years beyond my means.
I wake up focused, attentive, determined and willing to find what needs to be retrieved.
I wake up admitting what I don't know and acknowledging what I still need to find out.
I wake up encouraged to obtain what's rightfully mine and leave behind what was abused and borrowed.
I wake up free and beautiful.
Today:
I wake up.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Summer Finds...Thus Far.
Browsing in Lord & Taylor with the moms and what do I come across? Well for one this jean vest by French Connection. Real spicy. Love it with a skirt or dress and with my flower brooch from Macy's that I added. Anyways just added to my summer Must-Have.Top: Lush (Nordstrom)
Skirt: French Connection
Vest: French Connection
Brooch: Macys
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Soul Jones all in my bones: Top Twenty-five Soulful Sounds
Favs from my Favs. Music that should be in your music deck...
(In no particular order)
- "Believe"- Raheem Devaughn
- "Didn't Cha Know"- Erykah Badu
- "You" - Janelle Monae
- "Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe"- Maxwell
- "Alright"- Ledisi
- "Halfway"-Algebra Blessett
- "Sometimes"-Bilal
- "Another Again"-John Legend
- "Nothing Even Matters"- Lauryn Hill
- "Back in Love"-Estelle
- "Dreamworld"-Robin Thicke
- "The Day We Met"-Anthony Hamilton
- "Half Crazy"-Musiq
- "Send it On"-D'Angelo
- "A Long Walk"-Jill Scott
- "Feels Good"-Rahsaan Patterson
- "Get it Together"-India Arie
- "Lay it Down"-Dwele
- "Stars"-Kindred the Family Soul
- "I love Her"-Raphael Saadiq
- "Getting Late"-Floetry
- "Get Up"-Amel Larrieux
- "Breathless"-Corrine Bailey Rae
- "Fanatic"-Vivian Green
- "Hopeless"-Dionne Farris
What's your soulful must-have?
Cute, Short and Sweet...
Gained an interesting message today.
Source: unknown
Truth: Definite
"Ur 2 cute 4 haters, 2 real 2 b fake, 2 sweet 2 b candy & 2 special 2 replace."
Of course it was a chain, but nonetheless an interesting one, so pass it on...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Got Work?
Home watching the timeless Martin and this episode put a smile on my frowning unemployment status.
Extra Funny :)
Today and The Day After...
Today: I laugh at myself.
I have a sudden urge to dust off my abandoned Bible and with no clue where to go, or more accurately what to look for, I turn to the back of the book to find some direction.
Thankful that no one is around I flip the pages back to the front of the Bible, embarrassed by the fact that I've just checked the back of the Bible for an index.
I sigh, laugh, and blush (as best as my chocolate skin knows how) and finally face the reality; the truth unscripted, my life: as I've come to prioritize the first last and the last first.
The truth is:
I honestly haven't held the lightly weighted and simply titled book since my last appearance in Church: April 12th, 2009 and haven't read it before than: since...well...N/A.
Searching for air, I open the book again.
This time to a randomly selected entry. I open up to a name that resonates in my mind, but in the same instance not in my memory.
ISAIAH
I skim the 54th passage and their it is, what I was unconsciously but curiously searching for:
"For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed..."
Now I don't know what this passage means to everyone, and I wont attempt to fully decipher it to the point where its unrecognizable or to generalize it and deem myself as a prominent Theologist.
But to me...at this very moment...it's telling me not to lose myself in troubling times, in times of despair or more often in times of neglect. To keep kindness and peace in my mind and love in my heart. To actually forgive and forget. To stay original, real, unique and true to myself.
(Sigh)
Tomorrow: I will still laugh, and my eyes will smile as well.
My heart will walk in front of me and not lag behind. My mind will stay at ease although I combat clear, troubling, signs. And the depth of my love will grow even deeper and help to free my mind.
Africans at their best: My fellow West African bred brotha repping the DMV extra hard...
Wale: Crisp as he wanna be...check him out: real spicy.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Love Defined: [lu v']; verb, adjective...
What does it mean to love someone? I mean truly love someone?
Does it mean spending every waking moment with that person? Consoling that person when their own heart scatters in shambles? Adoring that person until your own body weakens from neglect? Ensuring that their wound is tended to before their whole body swells up? Or loving that person past love itself?
Past all the pain and regret, and with the up most adoration and respect? Is it created? Debated? Or just simply stated without a gasp or even a breath? Without having time to think or more importantly reflect? On what it means to be loved by the love that comes from loving oneself?
Or is love just love? Undefinable. Defined by ones own intuition? Just a sudden instance or maybe some tragic condition? A word, four letters, an adjective or a verb like no other?
Love defined is simply blank. A definition with no definitive position.
Love is merely what you make it; an incomparable reflection of who you are and who you desire to be.
Love is simply: free.
Kob-Bron
This is by far the funniest Kob-Bron commercial I was faking on them before, but for real lil dez?
Check.
Monday, June 8, 2009
L.A takes the lead...
I know Orlando absolutely did not do all that hustling and bustling to be 0-2 in the Lakers series.
I've been following them by default since they smashed the Sixers, crushed the Celtics and straight canceled out the Cavs, but all that only to lose to the Lakers?...come on Magic make your never-happy coach smile.
Still 5 more games to go, we'll see what happens...
I've been following them by default since they smashed the Sixers, crushed the Celtics and straight canceled out the Cavs, but all that only to lose to the Lakers?...come on Magic make your never-happy coach smile.
Still 5 more games to go, we'll see what happens...
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Ears blazing...
Enjoy!
Love,
Bug
New-Ish
Friday, June 5, 2009
Hotness...ouch!
"Vince Camuta Kimball" Peeped these in Nordstrom Rack a while back...man I should have got them then, they were half the retail price too... anyways real spicy.
Powerful ish: Thoughts translated into visions -- Sapphire's "Push" into Lee Daniel's "Precious." Must See:
Anticipated Release Date: Nov. 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Philadel-five Favs
Nothing like the Lovely presence of L.I.B in Philly-DRoots?
Gotta have em'
"Aint no sunshine when she's gone..." Well aint no silence either.Noise in the name of train tracks right by the window.
Silence?
Not gonna get em'
You're not in Precious Philly if you don't see a mural every block.Art?
Gotta love em'
Number 9 got my eye because he's fly: Andre Iguodala.Philly Sports?
Gotta Six em'
Ms. Tootsies' on a soul food Sunday...
Smothered pork ribs, mac & cheese & the can-diest yams
Philly food?
Gotta eat em'
June's Bug
Changes are timed
No more provoking thoughts
Just mindless answers
From those who don’t mind their business.
Find their business on news after dark,
While their behind the scenes lighting a spark.
Can time be reversed?
Like a heart when it hearts?
Keep my thoughts deserted from reality,
Distant, unable to obtain gravity.
Soundly, watching,
Religiously.
Gasping for air as my mind skips a beat and my heart races.
See now my thoughts are pacing
My actions.
No more provoking thoughts
Just mindless answers
From those who don’t mind their business.
Find their business on news after dark,
While their behind the scenes lighting a spark.
Can time be reversed?
Like a heart when it hearts?
Keep my thoughts deserted from reality,
Distant, unable to obtain gravity.
Soundly, watching,
Religiously.
Gasping for air as my mind skips a beat and my heart races.
See now my thoughts are pacing
My actions.
Never heard it like this before.
Sentimental,
This mood has be miles away from reality
Catching it despairingly, just relaxing.
A rush,
Jazz has become my instant crush.
Feeling quite feverish,
Flushed.
Not trying to stare, but blood makes it clear.
A love I could have felt by just breathing the air.
Yearning for it to be near,
A feeling I can hear.
Deep, steep, deeper than the ground.
This beauty has my world upside down.
I refuse to refuse it,
It’s elusive,
Can’t excuse it.
In love for the very first time.
Jazz you blowing up my mind.
Like music to my ears?
You are the music to my ears.
Different from all the previous.
This love is so devious, quite mischievous.
Real serious…Now finally breathing.
Jazz…you keep me believing.
Sentimental,
This mood has be miles away from reality
Catching it despairingly, just relaxing.
A rush,
Jazz has become my instant crush.
Feeling quite feverish,
Flushed.
Not trying to stare, but blood makes it clear.
A love I could have felt by just breathing the air.
Yearning for it to be near,
A feeling I can hear.
Deep, steep, deeper than the ground.
This beauty has my world upside down.
I refuse to refuse it,
It’s elusive,
Can’t excuse it.
In love for the very first time.
Jazz you blowing up my mind.
Like music to my ears?
You are the music to my ears.
Different from all the previous.
This love is so devious, quite mischievous.
Real serious…Now finally breathing.
Jazz…you keep me believing.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Detox Diary ♥
The heat is unbearable. It’s muggy, the bee’s are out, and the line is unexpectedly long. But none of this --not even the other sweet-crazed customers in front of me -- can or will affect my desire to devour the sweet, gooey taste of Insomnia’s chocolate chip cookies.
The minutes pass by, as well as the customers, and while I’m still standing as the ninth person in line, I take my focus off my sudden dismay, and my eyes wander over to the line to my left, which is undoubtedly competing with that of Insomnia.
It is then I notice that the line, isn’t stretched out for greasy cheeseburgers, or double fudge brownies or even cheesy, greasy Philly cheesesteaks. “The Sexy Green truck’s” line is as long as it is because of its green, organic, and health conscious food.
Today, “going green” has become less of a coined term and more of a movement, that not only involves changing your plastic bag consumption, but also what you feed your body.
And for my generation, “going green” is more than a temporary fashion trend. It’s a lifestyle.
I decide to join the green movement, in hopes of ultimately uncovering the truth about whether giving my body healthier alternatives is in fact the guide to a more prosperous way of living.
With the help of “The Fat Smash Diet” book by acclaimed fitness trainer Dr. Ian K. Smith I begin to prepare for my nine-day detox diet, which strips me of Dominoes pizza, pineapple and coconut Haagen-Dazs ice cream, chicken quesadillas, and Starbucks Strawberries & Crème Frappuccinos.
To start, I skim the book with my roommate Ashley, who has also decided to detox to clear her body of toxins, lose weight and eat healthier.
The introductory chapter of the 160-paged book, is encouraging.
Dr. Ian writes that “The Fat Smash Diet is designed to be a forgiving program that is much about helping people make the necessary lifestyle changes to lead a healthier, happier, and longer life…”
The encouragement and reassurance is good, and as I read on, I begin to feel optimistic about my junk food rehabilitation project.
The second chapter of the book, which introduces phase one of the healthy diet, appropriately bolds the word detox and is filled with haves and have not’s.
Chapter two clearly states the number of meals to be eaten daily: 4-5, food preparation: raw, grilled, or steamed, detox tips: snacking on frozen grapes, never eating within an hour and a half of bedtime, and eating foods high in fiber; and lastly, the list of what is allowed and what is absolutely not.
After subtracting all the foods I couldn’t eat, I’m left with an abundance of fruits, water, and vegetables: excluding avocado and white potatoes. No white rice, no meat, fish, cheese, bread --all types --raisins, nuts, dried or preserved fruits, candy, popcorn, chips, ice cream, juice, soda --regular or diet, coffee, sports drinks, milkshakes, whole eggs, fried food and the obvious, fast food.
Joining the fruits and vegetables that I can have is: brown rice --two cups cooked, beans, low-fat or skim or soy milk, oatmeal --one cup per day, all herbs and spices, four egg whites per day, two cups herbal tea per day, and water.
I finish the chapter, scared, exhausted, and suddenly really hungry, thinking of all the foods that are not allowed.
By the end of reading the list of “Food/Drinks not allowed,” I realize that I would basically be eating nothing for the next nine days, seeing that I have never considered just fruits and vegetables to be “real food."
Ama, another roomate of mine, advises me to explore all the fruits and vegetables that I haven’t tried in order to grant me more options of foods to eat.
Still, with the advice I’m pessimistic.
Dr. Ian, whose “fat smash” dieting plan was used on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club, states in the book that “dieting is 50% mental,” which can be interpreted to mean that dieting is a process that needs full commitment from both your mind and your body in order to be successful.
So by Saturday, the day before I opted to start my detox project, and with full understanding of Dr. Ian’s detox phase, I pre-detoxed, which in my case, meant I gorged my taste buds with all the foods I wouldn’t be eating for the next nine days.
It was raining, but despite the cloudy skies I made my way down to South Street to savor Philadelphia’s famous Ms. Tootsies’ southern fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, candy yams, cornbread and tropical watermelon iced tea, in what I figured would be the last meal.
To top off the foods that were probably well over my proposed calorie consumption for the week, I exerted all the energy I had left into devouring ½ cup of Haagen-Dazs’ strawberry ice cream, which by day one of detox would be the ultimate sin.
As the rain finally let up and after barely being able to walk, I headed off to the vegetarian’s paradise or, as it is properly known, Whole Foods market.
I arrive at what I feel has to be the healthiest place on earth and quickly stock up on all the foods I can eat. I buy: a bag of mixed greens for salad, tomatoes, mangoes, water, kiwi, bananas and raspberry nectar vinaigrette.
I make it back to my North Philadelphia residence exhausted, but fully prepared to take on my health conscious mission.
Finally, I reach day 1 of my detox, and at 5 feet, 6 inches I weigh in at 151 pounds. It’s 11:30 a.m. and while I feel like I’m still digesting my southern fried chicken, I start the day off with 1 cup of Quaker oatmeal and sliced mangoes and strawberries.
By mid-day, I already begin feeling faint, and start to prepare my first vegetarian-based dinner.
Brown rice, sautéed broccoli, green and red peppers, and onions finally fill my stomach, and by the end of the meal all I can say is: “At least I’m full.”
Three hours later, I’m experiencing a feeling of discontent, and long for the flavorful cinnamon pretzels, chicken fettuccini pasta and oven-baked garlic bread that I used to know.
Having no choice I resort to my leftover mango slices and call it a night.
It’s 10 a.m. of day two, and all I can think of is how I’m not looking forward to my meals for the day. By this day, I already deem that detoxing is going to be harder for me than expected.
Keeping up the momentum of day one, I prepare my oatmeal, this time accompanying it with Youplait’s low fat strawberry yogurt mousse and head off to my first and only class of the day.
By lunch time, I head to Temple’s Student Center eatery to use one of my five meal plans.
Trying hard to ignore the smell of freshly baked cinnamon pretzels from Auntie Annie’s and hot French fries from Burger King, I rush straight to the salad bar and create a salad with: spinach leafs, red onions, mushrooms, green peppers, carrots, tomatoes, one teaspoon olive oil and low fat raspberry vinaigrette, I grab an orange, pay for my meal and quickly exit the building.
Hours later after my tasteless lunch, I head off to the Johnson and Hardwick cafeteria to find a more suitable dinner.
The minutes pass by, as well as the customers, and while I’m still standing as the ninth person in line, I take my focus off my sudden dismay, and my eyes wander over to the line to my left, which is undoubtedly competing with that of Insomnia.
It is then I notice that the line, isn’t stretched out for greasy cheeseburgers, or double fudge brownies or even cheesy, greasy Philly cheesesteaks. “The Sexy Green truck’s” line is as long as it is because of its green, organic, and health conscious food.
Today, “going green” has become less of a coined term and more of a movement, that not only involves changing your plastic bag consumption, but also what you feed your body.
And for my generation, “going green” is more than a temporary fashion trend. It’s a lifestyle.
I decide to join the green movement, in hopes of ultimately uncovering the truth about whether giving my body healthier alternatives is in fact the guide to a more prosperous way of living.
With the help of “The Fat Smash Diet” book by acclaimed fitness trainer Dr. Ian K. Smith I begin to prepare for my nine-day detox diet, which strips me of Dominoes pizza, pineapple and coconut Haagen-Dazs ice cream, chicken quesadillas, and Starbucks Strawberries & Crème Frappuccinos.
To start, I skim the book with my roommate Ashley, who has also decided to detox to clear her body of toxins, lose weight and eat healthier.
The introductory chapter of the 160-paged book, is encouraging.
Dr. Ian writes that “The Fat Smash Diet is designed to be a forgiving program that is much about helping people make the necessary lifestyle changes to lead a healthier, happier, and longer life…”
The encouragement and reassurance is good, and as I read on, I begin to feel optimistic about my junk food rehabilitation project.
The second chapter of the book, which introduces phase one of the healthy diet, appropriately bolds the word detox and is filled with haves and have not’s.
Chapter two clearly states the number of meals to be eaten daily: 4-5, food preparation: raw, grilled, or steamed, detox tips: snacking on frozen grapes, never eating within an hour and a half of bedtime, and eating foods high in fiber; and lastly, the list of what is allowed and what is absolutely not.
After subtracting all the foods I couldn’t eat, I’m left with an abundance of fruits, water, and vegetables: excluding avocado and white potatoes. No white rice, no meat, fish, cheese, bread --all types --raisins, nuts, dried or preserved fruits, candy, popcorn, chips, ice cream, juice, soda --regular or diet, coffee, sports drinks, milkshakes, whole eggs, fried food and the obvious, fast food.
Joining the fruits and vegetables that I can have is: brown rice --two cups cooked, beans, low-fat or skim or soy milk, oatmeal --one cup per day, all herbs and spices, four egg whites per day, two cups herbal tea per day, and water.
I finish the chapter, scared, exhausted, and suddenly really hungry, thinking of all the foods that are not allowed.
By the end of reading the list of “Food/Drinks not allowed,” I realize that I would basically be eating nothing for the next nine days, seeing that I have never considered just fruits and vegetables to be “real food."
Ama, another roomate of mine, advises me to explore all the fruits and vegetables that I haven’t tried in order to grant me more options of foods to eat.
Still, with the advice I’m pessimistic.
Dr. Ian, whose “fat smash” dieting plan was used on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club, states in the book that “dieting is 50% mental,” which can be interpreted to mean that dieting is a process that needs full commitment from both your mind and your body in order to be successful.
So by Saturday, the day before I opted to start my detox project, and with full understanding of Dr. Ian’s detox phase, I pre-detoxed, which in my case, meant I gorged my taste buds with all the foods I wouldn’t be eating for the next nine days.
It was raining, but despite the cloudy skies I made my way down to South Street to savor Philadelphia’s famous Ms. Tootsies’ southern fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, candy yams, cornbread and tropical watermelon iced tea, in what I figured would be the last meal.
To top off the foods that were probably well over my proposed calorie consumption for the week, I exerted all the energy I had left into devouring ½ cup of Haagen-Dazs’ strawberry ice cream, which by day one of detox would be the ultimate sin.
As the rain finally let up and after barely being able to walk, I headed off to the vegetarian’s paradise or, as it is properly known, Whole Foods market.
I arrive at what I feel has to be the healthiest place on earth and quickly stock up on all the foods I can eat. I buy: a bag of mixed greens for salad, tomatoes, mangoes, water, kiwi, bananas and raspberry nectar vinaigrette.
I make it back to my North Philadelphia residence exhausted, but fully prepared to take on my health conscious mission.
Finally, I reach day 1 of my detox, and at 5 feet, 6 inches I weigh in at 151 pounds. It’s 11:30 a.m. and while I feel like I’m still digesting my southern fried chicken, I start the day off with 1 cup of Quaker oatmeal and sliced mangoes and strawberries.
By mid-day, I already begin feeling faint, and start to prepare my first vegetarian-based dinner.
Brown rice, sautéed broccoli, green and red peppers, and onions finally fill my stomach, and by the end of the meal all I can say is: “At least I’m full.”
Three hours later, I’m experiencing a feeling of discontent, and long for the flavorful cinnamon pretzels, chicken fettuccini pasta and oven-baked garlic bread that I used to know.
Having no choice I resort to my leftover mango slices and call it a night.
It’s 10 a.m. of day two, and all I can think of is how I’m not looking forward to my meals for the day. By this day, I already deem that detoxing is going to be harder for me than expected.
Keeping up the momentum of day one, I prepare my oatmeal, this time accompanying it with Youplait’s low fat strawberry yogurt mousse and head off to my first and only class of the day.
By lunch time, I head to Temple’s Student Center eatery to use one of my five meal plans.
Trying hard to ignore the smell of freshly baked cinnamon pretzels from Auntie Annie’s and hot French fries from Burger King, I rush straight to the salad bar and create a salad with: spinach leafs, red onions, mushrooms, green peppers, carrots, tomatoes, one teaspoon olive oil and low fat raspberry vinaigrette, I grab an orange, pay for my meal and quickly exit the building.
Hours later after my tasteless lunch, I head off to the Johnson and Hardwick cafeteria to find a more suitable dinner.
After scanning the cafeteria for 5 minutes I come to the conclusion that this is no place for a detoxer, and find myself resorting to the only vegetarian based dish: salad.
Needless to say once again I am happy to be full.
I end the night with 30 minutes on the elliptical and a hot shower. Before going to sleep I weigh myself and find that I am four pounds lighter! Weighing in at 147 pounds. No meat, fast food and sweets in my diet and I’m already losing weight, the unfortunate part is that my mind is losing it too.
I end day two feeling like there are no options that can satisfy my taste buds and resort to sleeping to cope with the lost.
By day three, I surprisingly wake up on my own at 7:30 a.m.
I go on to mirror day two’s breakfast and lunch menu, but the highlight of the day comes when I blend one banana, two slices of pineapple, one slice melon, eight strawberries and one whole mango into a fruit smoothie drink.
I finish the cup and within minutes my body feels healthy.
The sudden boost is unexpected, revitalizing, and boisterous and serves as the sunshine, after two whole days of rain.
I end the day with 30 minutes of exercise, energy to spare, and a new outlook on what I thought to be a death sentence.
By day four, I wake up at 8 a.m. without the help of an alarm clock, and find myself adding banana slices to my oatmeal and accompanying it with sliced apples and oranges.
It’s still early and I find myself on the Internet not only searching for vegetarian dishes to eat, but also to find fruits and vegetables that make a difference outside our bodies as well.
I stumble upon the site carefair.com, which offers news, tips, trends and information about skincare and beauty.
It is there I find skin care cleansers that use cucumbers, tomatoes, lime, yogurt, avocado and carrots all of which provide our skin with needed antioxidants, vitamins and beta-carotene, and can serve as a natural cleansing solution.
Before heading to school, I get the urge to relive the energy and excitement of the previous evening and opt to make another smoothie. This time I go out on a limb and mix 1 half tomato, 6 cucumber slices, melon, cantaloupe and a half banana.
I fill up my glass, and surprisingly the taste is not unbearable. Minutes later I feel the spark I desire and my body feels as though it can run a marathon.
With the added energy I finally head out, completing my day with a salad and orange slices.
It’s day five and not only am I feeling good, but this morning I woke up at 6:30 a.m., no alarm, no fatigue.
By 10:40 a.m. I head downtown with my added energy for some shopping and walking exercise.
On this fifth day, Whole Foods becomes my Ms. Tootsies, Dominoes Pizza, and Ruby Tuesdays’ and I later find myself back at the store on South Street searching for new veggie treats.
I buy two fresh cobs of bi-color corn, French green beans, three red potatoes, kiwi, water and lunch from the side bar, which included: red potatoes, green beans, and red peppers.
Christy, a cashier at the Whole Foods market informs me that customer attendance has increased within the last couple years, which with my own reasoning, I attribute to the increasing desire to be healthy and stay in shape.
By my departure, it begins to rain heavily and I rush off to catch the subway for my 30 minute ride and 15 minute walk back home.
The sudden boost is unexpected, revitalizing, and boisterous and serves as the sunshine, after two whole days of rain.
I end the day with 30 minutes of exercise, energy to spare, and a new outlook on what I thought to be a death sentence.
By day four, I wake up at 8 a.m. without the help of an alarm clock, and find myself adding banana slices to my oatmeal and accompanying it with sliced apples and oranges.
It’s still early and I find myself on the Internet not only searching for vegetarian dishes to eat, but also to find fruits and vegetables that make a difference outside our bodies as well.
I stumble upon the site carefair.com, which offers news, tips, trends and information about skincare and beauty.
It is there I find skin care cleansers that use cucumbers, tomatoes, lime, yogurt, avocado and carrots all of which provide our skin with needed antioxidants, vitamins and beta-carotene, and can serve as a natural cleansing solution.
Before heading to school, I get the urge to relive the energy and excitement of the previous evening and opt to make another smoothie. This time I go out on a limb and mix 1 half tomato, 6 cucumber slices, melon, cantaloupe and a half banana.
I fill up my glass, and surprisingly the taste is not unbearable. Minutes later I feel the spark I desire and my body feels as though it can run a marathon.
With the added energy I finally head out, completing my day with a salad and orange slices.
It’s day five and not only am I feeling good, but this morning I woke up at 6:30 a.m., no alarm, no fatigue.
By 10:40 a.m. I head downtown with my added energy for some shopping and walking exercise.
On this fifth day, Whole Foods becomes my Ms. Tootsies, Dominoes Pizza, and Ruby Tuesdays’ and I later find myself back at the store on South Street searching for new veggie treats.
I buy two fresh cobs of bi-color corn, French green beans, three red potatoes, kiwi, water and lunch from the side bar, which included: red potatoes, green beans, and red peppers.
Christy, a cashier at the Whole Foods market informs me that customer attendance has increased within the last couple years, which with my own reasoning, I attribute to the increasing desire to be healthy and stay in shape.
By my departure, it begins to rain heavily and I rush off to catch the subway for my 30 minute ride and 15 minute walk back home.
By the evening of day five, I not only devour my fruits and vegetables, but use them as natural cleaners for my skin.
I crush tomatoes; and using the tip from carefair.com, apply the pulp to my wet face. I leave it on for an hour as directed and relax in a bath.
I rinse it off later to find my skin feeling clean and cool. I see that the tomato pulp has eliminated the excessive oil off my face, and left it feeling refreshed.
By the end of day five I weigh in at 141 pounds, still have more energy than my 5-year-old nephew and feel relaxed and revived.
Day six starts with a bang, and I’m no longer anxiously awaiting the end of my detox.
My dependency upon junk food has decreased dramatically and I no longer feel the need to turn to such foods, to satisfy my taste buds.
I wake up feeling well rested, and ready to begin my lightly scheduled day.
I come home later, anxious, excited and ready to prepare my dinner --compliments of Whole Foods.
I crush tomatoes; and using the tip from carefair.com, apply the pulp to my wet face. I leave it on for an hour as directed and relax in a bath.
I rinse it off later to find my skin feeling clean and cool. I see that the tomato pulp has eliminated the excessive oil off my face, and left it feeling refreshed.
By the end of day five I weigh in at 141 pounds, still have more energy than my 5-year-old nephew and feel relaxed and revived.
Day six starts with a bang, and I’m no longer anxiously awaiting the end of my detox.
My dependency upon junk food has decreased dramatically and I no longer feel the need to turn to such foods, to satisfy my taste buds.
I wake up feeling well rested, and ready to begin my lightly scheduled day.
I come home later, anxious, excited and ready to prepare my dinner --compliments of Whole Foods.
I take out the groceries bought from the previous day and get to work.
To begin I pull out a medium sized pot, fill it with water, and place it on the stove on high to allow the water to boil. I wash the two cobs of corn, pull the husks off, wash off the strands between the kernels and place both cobs into the boiling water.
From there I wash my three red potatoes, cut them into moon shaped slices, place them in a pan and pop them into the oven. Lastly, I prep my French green beans. I wash, cut, and put them in the pot of corn and wait.
Fifteen minutes later I’m ready to add the finishing touches and begin by draining the water out of the pot, shaving the kernels off each cob with a knife, and taking the potatoes out of the oven.
I proceed to mix the potatoes, corn, and green beans with black pepper, paprika, basil, parsley, and two teaspoons of olive oil.
To accompany my finished meal I make a salad with lettuce and tomato, add some raspberry nectar vinaigrette and end my cooking session.
Half an hour later, I’m full, content and amazed at how delicious my cuisine turned out. No meat nor salt, and the meal was just as fulfilling.
It was then, on day six that I began to fathom life without meat.
I realized that there are thousands of recipes that don’t call for meat and are equally delicious, which I found out on my late night search on the Whole Foods website.
Roasted asparagus with garlic, creamy spring asparagus soup, savory greens stir-fry, and garlic-roasted fingerling potatoes with buttermilk-yogurt herb dressing just to name a few of the alluring meatless cuisines.
By the end of day seven and eight, I weigh a consistent 142 pounds. I realize that I’ve put more fruits in my body in a week than I have in a month, and acknowledge that, that alone has made a difference to my health.
As my detox comes to an end, I reminisce about the last few days, which felt more like a blessing than a burden; and realize how this experiment has truly changed my outlook on food and most importantly my health.
My energy was boosted, I didn’t feel sluggish, my “morning breath” was non existent, my skin was brighter, my mind more focused and my body felt better than it had in months.
Nine days ago I couldn’t imagine not being able to demolish a plate of spicy barbeque pork ribs, or savor a soft sugary cinnamon pretzel, but today, on the final day of my detox, I feel miles away from the foods I love and quite frankly, not in desperate need of them.
I’ve learned nutrition tips from Wholefoods.com that will register in my mind every time I seek a meal. Like: shopping for food on the perimeter of the grocery store because that’s were all the fresh produce, meats, and unpackaged foods are, avoiding packaged, canned, processed and frozen foods -- as they are packed with sodium, preservatives, added sugars, and ingredients that you cant even pronounce, and to always read nutrition and ingredient labels.
Dr. Ian’s detox experiment not only allowed me to cleanse my system, it allowed me to seek ways of bettering my health.
So not only did I “go green,” introduce more fruits and vegetables to my diet, and eliminate the junk and unhealthy foods, I ultimately, bettered my life.
The feeling that I’ve gained in my body is hard to let go and because of that I plan to continue my massive vegetable and fruit intake, kick the soda to the curb, and put the fast and high calorie foods in the backseat.
In the end, I can candidly say that “going green” isn’t just a seasonal fashion trend, or a catchy phrase, or even a environmentalist only club, it’s an ongoing healthy lifestyle that can either shape what you wear, the products use or the food you eat and it’s by far the most prosperous way to live.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Thoughts of a Sound Mind
A breath of fresh air takes me back, then pulls me ahead to where I don't want to be. What I don't want to see and with whom I have no desire to be bothered by. All this comes out with a single sigh. "My, oh my." Why? But my thoughts have no measurement, no direction...just a solid reflection of who I am, and who I'll never be. Come into my sight, and you will see. Something I can share, that will set me free...Loving the inner me. "Oh, I Sigh." My thoughts are Divine, sound, hollow in my mind, creatively defined by: a thousand letters which is intrinsically better...when filled with love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)