My favorite Trader Joe's dip...1 point WW

I love this dip and this is why:  It's 1 point per serving (2tbsp), it so tasty I can't believe it's Greek yogurt, and it's 30 calories!!!  My girlfriends love it too.  I serve it with carrots or Reduced Guilt Wheat Crisps from TJ's.   So next time you have a craving for Spinach dip try this instead and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Getting my sexy back!

I joined Weight Watchers on March 1st and thus far I have lost 13 lbs!  This is my first time ever joining a weight loss program. I must admit that I was hesitant but now I'm like, "Why didn't I join before?"  I totally recommend  www.weightwatchers.com to anyone who is looking for a gradual change and doesn't want to pay for food and lose extreme weight and gain it back.  I started off with 29 points a day and since i've lost weight I am currently at 27 points a day.   You also get 49 extra weekly points and when I meet my work out goals I can use those points too.  I know this point thing sounds crazy but it works!!!  I've decided to post some of my favorite snacks and foods that work for me so keep posted if you are considering joining or are a weight watchers member.   Cheers to getting in shape, being healthy,and embracing life!! 

So far...

The last couple of months have been hard emotionally.  I lost a cousin to stomach cancer and a dear friend to uterus cancer.  I must say that this time when death came around I was prepared and I didn't fear it as much as I did before.  The last time when death was around I was 15 years old and I didn't have faith or spirituality.  I am so blessed to have had these beautiful people in my life.  I pray that they guide me in this journey called life. I promise to write more often from now on.

    I'd like to take this time to say good bye to Whitney Houston.  When I started singing Whitney was one of the artist that I looked up to.  I can't stop playing her songs and looking at her pictures.  May God and the Universe lead you Whitney Houston to your forever resting place.  I hope with your loss everyone facing a struggle with pills, coke, meth, or whatever poison sees this as a caution tale.   I myself faced a struggle with drugs.  I guess i'm one of the lucky ones who was able to walk away...it sure wasn't easy but I did it for myself.  I know a lot of people will talk shit because they have not walked in your shoes and sometimes it's easy to judge than to understand.   We all take things for granted.  I'm tired of people blaming Bobbi Brown for her usage.  Yes... she did at one point consume drugs with her ex husband but she had free will.  It's sad for me to wrap my mind around her death because I really really thought  she'd come back, clean up her act, and grace us with her beautiful voice like she once did.  Her death to me is the equivalent to Elvis Presley's death although i'm pretty sure she's six feet under and is not in an island chilling.   Please take the time to take care of yourself.  You can walk away from drugs if YOU want to.  Ask for help, seek help, and if your inner circle is fueling this habit believe me you'll find a healthier inner circle that will embrace your struggle and will inspire you to change.  Good bye's are more like see you later's.  Whitney i'll catch you in the other side hopefully when I'm a grandmother and it's my time to go.   

                             

Nawlin's

I went to Louisiana for the 1st time in May of last year and thanks to Groupon I was able to indulge in food at great price!   When I bought my flight in February the hunt began with deals for restaurants, bars, and of course some pampering.  Groupon is an easy way to find deals in your neighborhood and  around the world.   The picture above is restaurantdesfamilles.com and what a treat it was!!!  I bought the groupon for $20 worth $40 for food and this is what my friend and I ate: For starters Oysters Lafitte (I can still savor the Parmesan cheese with baked oysters) while we waited for our entrees we had the Caeser salad with their homemade anchovy dressing  my entree above was the Crawfish Etouffee (very generous with the crawfish.)  My friend had the Shrimp Diane and really loved it.  Last but not least we had to have dessert and what a better way to end our lunch with their Creme Brulee.  All of this cost $41!!!!  We left a very generous tip for the waitress.  I would have never been to Restaurant Des Familles had it not been for Groupon and thanks to my friend Kristin Guillory for being my guide in Louisiana.

I love Nick's

My boo and I went on our first 2012 outing for breakfast to our favorite spot in China Town : Nick's cafe. We ordered our usual EGGS BENEDICT with crispy cottage potatoes and without a doubt they were so so delicious!!  It was nice to see Kim (holding it down on her own) and Rob (the executive chef) rocking out dishes left and right.  We met two couples that were dropping by for the first time thanks to yelp reviews.   I was really happy chatting with them about the food quality, taste, and my Nick favorites.  If you're ever in the neighborhood for breakfast the Eggs Benedict are my 1st recommendation, the waffle combo is a crispy Belgium waffle with eggs and sausage/bacon/ham (they also make a strawberry jelly to pair with),  their Famous Ham is prepared with brown sugar and cloves (from what I can taste),  and on weekends coffee is FREE.  Check 'em out www.nickscafela.com 

Thrift finds

I know sometimes thrift stores can be overwhelming but if you take the time and look you'll find something really cute and affordable!  Like the ring I found and bought at Goodwill for ...... *drum roll please*   

$3!!!  My rule of thumb when I thrift shop is to always look at the jewelry counter 1st (usually next to the register) and 2nd is to have an hour or more to really look around at the women's department and housewares.  

These vintage pumps were another find of mine :)  Thrift stores are FUN.  Don't hesitate to shop!!!