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Chinese New Year... It was a good day so....

I believe that means it's going to be a good year. 

Gung Hay Fat Choy!  Today is the Chinese Lunar New Year, the new moon is here and the opportunity to have a new beginning.  As women, I believe we always like to have the chance to start over, leave the past behind us and move forward with new hope, courage and conviction that we can do something greater with our time on this Earth.  Women who don't see that chance or possibility, well, all I can say is good luck... that's not much of an existence.  I don't believe in being resigned to any situation or being a victim of your circumstances, you can choose to be master (mistress) of your destiny by appropriately enough... taking the bulls by the horn, this being Year of the Ox and all. 

The ox is a strong, hardworking animal so according to Chinese predictions, that is what each individual will have to follow to make it through the year.  I don't mind this so much since I tend to be a hard worker when I'm ready, and best believe I am ready.  I am so focused on really putting in the work to advance myself and my son forward and I'm predicting that this year will be laying a lot of the ground work for that. 

On another note, today I spent Chinese New Year's at my son's Montessori school and it was a great experience.  I thought I was really going in there just to share some of our culture with the kids, but it actually was a cathartic moment for me.  As I prepared a few Chinese (vegetarian of course) dishes for the class this morning, I was thinking about how my parents never participated in my education in this way.  I came from the old school of teachers teach and parents parent and they do their jobs separately.  They had no idea or desire to know what a PTA was.  I was mostly expected to just go to school, listen to the teachers, hit the books and come back with good grades.  Now as I parent, I get to be involved with my son's education and actually make contributions to his and the other kids in his class and it made me feel really good. Oh and I love, love, love my son's school.  I am so glad I chose Montessori and I am so very glad I chose them.  I love my son's transformation he's gone through in just 5 short months of starting school and how much knowledge he's gained.  It really made me look at him and myself in a different light... like we are doing it.  F a struggle, me and the lil man are accomplishing things and holding it down.  I mean, I guess, not that I didn't think we would.... but it's great to be able to sit back and soak up what's going on around you and feel....accomplished instead of stressed.  Again with the choices... Today I choose to see the good and not get overwhelmed with everything else.

Picture perfect First Family...

I must admit, I'm a little jealous of the First Family or more specifically Michelle Obama... damn if she doesn't just have a picture perfect family (and a damn hot husband/most powerful man in the world).  I joke, I think she is soooo Fabulous and I hope we all can take notes... mainly choosing partners of quality, being independent, passionate, capable and intelligent in our own right, taking our motherhood serious and not for nothing: keeping ourselves together and fashion forward.  There still are and will be a lot of ills in American society, however I look forward to seeing this family hold it down and show us how it's done. Meanwhile, let's hold Obama to pushing universal health care through, a respectful foreign policy, a greener environment, a stronger focus on education, a stimulus package for the economy that works, etc etc.  Also if you're not part of the solution,  you're part of the problem, so let's get out there, get involved, mobilize and activate.  Even if it's a small action, it's better than doing nothing at all.  "Together the ants will conquer the elephant."

A week on lemons and maple syrup....

I don't look anything remotely like Beyonce, however my stomach has definitely gone down.... of course, why wouldn't it. I've been surviving off of the lemon, water, maple syrup, cayenne pepper concoction and peppermint green tea for 7 days.  And let me tell you, it has been no picnic.  Generally in the day I feel fine, like I can do this, but around 5pm, my mind starts screaming 'are you stupid? eat some food!'  It's truly been a test of my will power and dedication.  Still, I really don't think I could do a cleanse like this one ever again, next time it will be a juice fast, at least I will feel like I'm getting some nutrients and fiber.  Meanwhile, I'm closing out this week and turning to juice and soup so I can gradually return to doing what I love best....eating.  Then it's on to the 'Slim in 6' dvd workout series, yeh i'm like a walking infomercial, but if it's worked for other people, I'm willing to try it.  I am absolutely determined to get my best pre-baby body back which I haven't seen in oh say almost a decade? It's part of the Hustlemama Manifesto to stay looking fly inside and out, so as a member and a leader, I'm putting my money where my mouth is.

The Master Cleanse & Other Acts of Insanity...

Let the new year begin...

10 days no food.
10 days just lemons, water, maple syrup, cayenne pepper.
10 days of some serious will power, determination and introspection.

Ummm in 10 days will my body look like Beyonce's? She did it for 14 days allegedly before her role in 'Dreamgirls' and lost 20 lbs.  Well, you can't be mad at a mama for dreaming that she will be able to fight the hands of time, effects of childbirth, gravity, a serious love of good food and good wine and lack of energy to make it to the gym.  While I don't think it's going to make me shed that much weight, I do think it's going to help kickstart the weight loss, detoxify my body and break my cravings.  After the cleanse, it's on to the 'Slim in 6' workout... you better believe I'ma be back to my old midriff bearing self some day soon (ok well maybe in an age appropriate, I'm a mommy kind of way....)

more on the Master Cleanse (click here)