Around the world

Nigeria, I love my brothers and sisters and I consider them my family and anytime something is going on there, am sickened and sad.

Boko Haram has been a constant terror in Nigeria and over the last couple of months, the army has been trying all it can to be able to free and rescue their citizens. Latest news from Saturday, May 2, 2015 reports that they were able to rescue 234 women and children. And over the last days, they have rescued 500 women and children.

I have to say am very proud of the Nigerian defence and what they have done to work they have done so far. I keep praying that all goes well and they can rescue the missing girls. It sickens me to see people turn to this acts of violence. Sometimes the world needs more peace than harm. 

Let's build a better world. 

Be Blessed

Neema

The Hottest Shoe Trend

Answer to all my prayers :) Shoes of Prey!

Did you know there is a website where you can just go and design shoes according to your specification?  

Guys when my colleague told me about them, I was like what did you just say? I had to ask her twice. You know me, I had to Google and try what this was and my verdict - Am in love!

Screenshot of Shoes of prey

Their website says “Live your life in shoes you love…Design your own shoes and get exactly what you want”…..Mhhhh good!

So how does it work? Simple, you design, select your size and order.

And in designing, you have everything.  You can choose the shape, color, and height of your heels, then they will custom make and ship anywhere in the world. And you know what I love, you can select from over 12 shoe shapes – open toe, round, oval  - the sky is the limit here. SO those who love booties, flats, sky high, wedges – this is your shoe heaven.

Then you have an opportunity to play with over 170 fabrics to select the shade and texture you want. And the colors, please wake me up from color heaven.  You can customize the heels, insole, peep toe and even back heels and you have an opportunity to add extras such as strap, trim, front decorations (weddings mostly) and back decorations.

You can design shoes for your wedding, bridesmaids, small/narrow/wide/big/odd feet to design theirs and for those professional ballet dances, well you can for your flats.

So far, they have a base $179 for the one am going to design and plus all the exras am going to add, maybe $200-$230? We shall see.

For the sizes and fitting, they recommend your order your normal size and since they have European sizes, am going to go with my normal 8 ½ which is size 39 on their website. And what I love about them, if it doesn’t fit right, they will just remake it for you.

They ship worldwide and U.S is free shipping and it takes about 5 weeks. They had about $50 for 14 days but now that’s closed coz they have so many orders L

So my cousin and I have decided that am going to design the shoes, order for it and when I get it, we can review. So for the next 2 days, am going to spend my time designing my awesome shoes! So excited

And in 5 weeks when I get them, lets review and give our final verdict.

To learn more, go to Shoes of prey

Happy Designing!

Cheers,

Neema

The Art of Detoxing

A couple of weeks ago I spent almost everyday of the week eating out and working a lot. I was also stressed out and blotted that I decided it was time for me to do a cleanse and detoxify my body.

I Googled online for a couple of good cleansing diets that I could implement for 2-4 days without any major side effects and the one that stood out was Dr. Oz 48-Hour cleanse.

It is said that the practice of detoxifying the body to rid it of unhealthy toxins has been around for centuries.  And if you are not careful, you might end up choosing a detox diet that gets to rob the body of important nutrients and place the body in starvation mode, which actually slows your metabolism.  And as you know, other downsides of many detox diets include: dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and even colon damage so make sure you are careful when detoxing and choose diets that will help your body.

The thing I liked and still like about Dr. Oz’s 48-Hour Weekend Cleanse is because it is based upon eating certain “detoxifying” foods that will keep my body systems running smoothly.  It is a simple plan and now I use it monthly just to cleanse my body of all the bad toxins.

Dr. Oz recommends 48-hours and for me, I do 96-Hour cleanse as opposed to the 48 he recommends. I also do it from Sunday night to Thursday night which makes it much more fun and easy.

Below, please find all you need for the Dr. Oz 48-Hour Cleanse.

Breakfast: Fruit Smoothie 

Kale, Pineapple and Ginger Detox Drink(Juicer required)
This purifying beverage contains kale to cleanse the kidneys; pineapple, which has bromelain to aid digestion; and ginger to help stimulate bile flow in your gall bladder.

Ingredients
 

1/2 cup pineapple


2 large cucumbers

1 bunch kale without stems (4 cups chopped)

1/2 lemon, squeezed


1/4 inch of ginger


1 bunch of mint (1/2 cup)

1 cup water

Lunch: Fruit Smoothie(my favorite)


In a blender, whip up a nourishing smoothie that contains blueberries, loaded with quercetin, a flavonoid that boosts immunity and is good for your liver; bananas, full of vitamin B6, an essential vitamin for liver detoxification; and ground flaxseed, packed with brain-nourishing omega-3s and fiber for healthy elimination.

Ingredients
 

1/2 cup almond or hemp milk (plain/unsweetened)
(I used almond milk)

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia


1/4 cup frozen blueberries


1/4 banana


1/2 cup ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.  

Dinner: Vegetable Broth Soup 


This purifying broth contains fennel to help bile flow in your gallbladder; garlic to help with liver and gall bladder function; cabbage, excellent for detoxification in both the liver and kidneys; and shitake mushrooms to boost liver enzymes. Use water and all the good stuff – ingredients from India – Chili, curry or royco.

Vegetable Broth Ingredients
 

2 red onions, roughly chopped


2 stalks celery, roughly chopped


1 fennel bulb, fronds and stalks included, roughly chopped


2 tsp caraway seeds
(I replaced this with green beans)

2 tsp sea salt


Freshly ground pepper


1 cup sliced shitake caps
(any mushroom would do)

4 large cloves garlic, chopped


1 cabbage, roughly chopped


2 quarts water


2 tbsp paprika


2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped


8 springs parsley, chopped stems and leaves


1/2 cup parsley, chopped

Don’t forget to have snacks in between known as Veggie Snack.
Slice and mix together celery, radishes and cucumber, or any assortment of fresh vegetables. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Put this crunchy cleansing treat in plastic baggies or a portable container so you can take it with you on the run. You can have as much of this snack as you want throughout the day.

Enjoy and share with us how it feels when you cleanse. And trust me, you will feel transformed and amazing at the end of it.

A Weekend in Paso Robles

In February I decided to go to the Paso Robles wine country located between two main California metropolises of Los Angeles and San Francisco.  One of the cool things is that Paso Robles is located along California's famed Central Coast and their winegrape growing region’s climate is perfect for the production of award-winning premium wines and my favorite wineries in this region are Justin and Calcareous Vineyards. A long growing season of warm days and cool evenings give rise to vibrantly ripened fruit with dynamic flavor profiles that translate beautifully in your glass of Paso Robles wine. 

The other good thing about Paso is that they can produce Bordeaux, Rhone, Italian and Spanish wines so you have a variety but what they are really known for is Zinfandel.

It takes about 2hours 30 minutes from San Jose to drive Paso Robles and I love the drive. And when you get there besides enjoying the wineries, take time to stroll the historic downtown to shop and dine. Boutique stores, wine country cuisine, and tasting rooms fill the blocks surrounding Paso Robles' Downtown City Park. A scene right out of a Norman Rockwell painting, Paso Robles' downtown completes the picture of Paso Robles Wine Country.

I also had a chance to visit some of the towns close by such as San Simeon – and when you are here, enjoy a trip to Hearts Castle (don’t forget to book an appointment). Also, you can enjoy fishing in Morro Bay and enjoy the beach at Cambria, Harmony and Cayucos.

You can stay at the wineries or even hotels in neighboring towns such as Cambria. If you like a place that has a walking distance and close to everything then find a hotel by downtown Paso Robles around the square. The beauty is that, you can be able to afford living here – on budget or ready to spend money.

Paso Robles is more than the host of the California Mid-State Fair and home to over 170 wineries...whether you plan a day trip or a weekend getaway, experience the fun Paso Robles has to offer!

Don’t forget to enjoy the art galleries, museums, bars, cycling around the square if you have time. Camping if you can be able to make it to, hiking, horseback riding, spas & massage with the girls, olive oil tasting, sight – seeing and if you wish, visit during some of the wine country events.

For a list of all the wineries in Paso Robles, visit http://www.pasowine.com/wineries/

Super Soul Sunday - The Power of Quotes

I follow this popular Blog Marc and Angel and the other day, they shared "40 Quotes that Will Quiet Your Mind". I figured why not share this with you guys. In a world where our mind is in constant turmoil and our life always some noise attached to it? 

They share some practical wisdom's and quotes that you can use as a reminder when you want your anxious thoughts to calm down. I will share with you my favorites:

1. There is absolutely nothing about your present circumstances that prevents you from making progress, one step at a time.
   
2. Worry, and you get what you worry about.  Work, and you get what you work for.  It’s often just that simple.
   
3. You can’t let one bad moment spoil a bunch of good ones.  Don’t let the silly little dramas of each day get you down.
   
4. Happiness is allowing yourself to be perfectly OK with ‘what is,’ rather than wishing for and worrying about ‘what is not.’  ‘What is’ is what’s supposed to be, or it would not be.  The rest is just you, arguing with life.
   
5. Frustration and stress come from the way you react, not the way things are.  Adjust your attitude today, and the frustration and stress is gone.
   
6. Be positive and smile right now, not because everything is good, but because you can see the good side of everything.
   
7.  No book is just one chapter.  No chapter tells the whole story.  No mistake defines who we are.  Keep turning the pages that need to be turned.
   
8. Remember, letting go isn’t about having the courage to release the past; it’s about having the wisdom and strength to embrace the present.
   
9. The past has absolutely no power over the present moment.  
   
10. Feeling stuck is a FEELING, not a fact.  So never assume that you’re stuck with the way things are.  Life changes every second, and so can you.
    
11. In almost every situation, a little more willingness to acknowledge that there may be something you do not know could change everything.  Go somewhere new, and countless opportunities suddenly appear.  Do something differently, and all sorts of great new possibilities spring up.  Keep your mind quiet and peaceful, by keeping it open.
    
12. Be careful about who you give the microphone and stage to in your life.  Don’t just listen to the loudest voice.  Listen to the truest one.
    
13. The unhappiest people in this world are the people who care the most about what everyone else thinks.
    
14. Saying yes to happiness and peace of mind means learning to say no to the people and things that hurt you.  Be wise enough to ignore the needless negativity around you.
    
15. The person you liked, loved or respected in the past, who treated you like dirt again and again, has nothing intellectually or spiritually to offer you in the present moment, but headaches and heartache.
    
16. One of the most freeing things we learn in life is that we don’t have to agree with everyone, everyone doesn’t have to agree with us, and it’s perfectly OK.
    
17. You have to accept that some chapters in our lives have to close without closure.  There’s no point in losing yourself by trying to fix what’s meant to stay broken.
    
18. Everyone you meet can teach you something important.  In fact, the people who are the most difficult to deal with can also be your most valuable teachers.
    
19. Some life changes look negative and painful on the surface, but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new and beautiful to emerge.
    
20. Without letting go of thinking there’s somewhere better to be, or someone better to be, you’ll never relax with where you are and who you are.
    
21. The curious paradox of life is that when you accept yourself just as you are, right where you are, only then can you change and grow.
    
22. Take constructive criticism seriously, but not personally.  Listen, and then operate with your own intuition and wisdom as your guide.
    
23. Sometimes your mind needs more time to accept what your heart already knows.  Breathe.  Be a witness, not a judge.
    
24. Don’t run away from things; run toward them – the best way to move away from something negative is to move toward something positive.  
    
25. Patience is not about waiting; it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while working hard for what you believe in.
    
26. Remember, “I don’t have time,” is really just another, perhaps politer, or perhaps naive, way of saying, “It’s not that important to me.”
    
27. You cannot always wait for the perfect time, because there may be no such thing.  Sometimes you must dare to jump.
    
28. Don’t be afraid of your fears.  They’re not here to scare you.  They’re here to let you know that something is worth your while.
    
29. Don’t let not knowing how it’ll end keep you from beginning.  Uncertainty chases us out into the open where life’s true magic is waiting.
    
30. Look at how far you’ve come.  You have made progress.  And now, imagine how far you can go.
    
31. And finally… Stop worrying so much about what’s in it for you every single second.  If you’re making a positive contribution to others, there’s always something in it for you in the long run.

If you want to read more about tips on practical living,  go to Marcandangel and to read all the 40 quotes,  go to 40 quotes that will quiet your mind.

Share with me what drives you or keeps you calm when your mind and life gets noisy.

Super Soul Sunday!

Happy New Month

Happy New Month!

A couple of months ago, we were ringing in the new year and now we are in May, how time flies. This is my prayer to you as you start the month of May - I pray that God surrounds you with favor as a protection; with glory as an adornment; with wisdom as words of life, with generosity as a gift of goodness and with blessings as a downpour of joy.

Don't forget that we serve a God who answers all prayers and is there when you need him. Always remember to thank him for the blessings in your life. 

And remember the words written in Numbers 6:24-26 - "May the Lord God bless you and keep you from the torments of fear and anxiety. May He cause His face to shine upon you with His power and love, and may He give you a sound mind. Through His perfect love, may God give you grace to cast out fear. May He lift up His countenance upon you with freedom as you tell Him every detail of your need in earnest, thankful prayer, and may He give you His peace that surpasses all understanding as He keeps your heart and mind safe through Jesus Christ."

With love,

Neema

Loosing Friends

“The saddest part of growing old is losing your friends.’

Over the last couple of years, I have learned that no matter how much I want things to be the way they are, life is all about change. And it changes either for the better or for the worse. And losing friends is one of them.

You see, the thing I have learned is that no matter how things change and how fast they move, we need to be able to let go and move on. I learned this the hard way. I learned this through family and friends who were never their for me, relationship breakups, friends leaving and moving on, jobs changing and people betraying me and through all, holding on to pain and resentment towards everything not only held me back but also put in a bad place.

Someone once said, "As we grow up we don't lose friends. We just learn who our real ones are."

So why is it that as we grow into our 30s we loose so many friends? Well, people change and when we change, we start to move towards people who have our similar beliefs and we start cutting friends that don’t work.  In this case, no one is to blame, just two different people growing apart. 

Over the last couple of years, I have moved 4 or 5 times and each time, I left my friends behind. It is sad but sometimes we have to embrace new opportunities, which means lost friendships.

One of the saddest reasons, is loosing friends as a result of unforgiveness. This is mostly when you have fights with friends and you let time pass without asking for forgiveness which causes friendship to deteriorate.

Over the last 5-7 years, I have lost friends that I was so close to that I could not imagine not having them in my life.  And when the friendship bonds started falling apart, I always thought I was the problem then I realized, maybe it’s not me. Our friendships have evolved and I started learning to be okay with us and the distance. Granted, I always tried to reach out but now, I don’t really try anymore especially after reaching out on 3 or more occasions with no response. I have learned to move on and be okay with the changes and loosing friends.

This thinking has helped me so much and has put me on a path that not only has it given me an opportunity to open doors for new friends but to also be okay with the changes in my life. So remember, as you grow older, always re-evaluate your friendships and ask yourself these questions: Are the friends you have helping you be your best you? Are they adding joy, support and love to your life? If not, then its time to make a couple of changes.

When you feel like you are loosing close friends, remember you are not alone. Be encouraged by the words of my friend Steve Maraboli, 

- “The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”

Be Blessed!
Neema