Divas, MPH

Someday… Maybe. I hope this doesn’t scare the dudes that think I’m cute away. With my recent birthday and edging closer to the age of 30, I’ve been thinking a lot about my short and long-term goals. One of the long-term goals is eventually having a family. Please note that I have used the terms “long-term” and “eventually.” This is definitely NOT on this week/month/year’s To-Do List. However, if you’re like me and think that you EVER want to have a baby, there are some things that you should think about even at the preconception stage. Please understand, I am in no way suggesting you do anything crazy like shopping for nursery items, asking dudes for their genetic profile on a first date, or looking at pre-schools. You just have to start taking better care of yourself. Your body is where all of your future children will have to live for about 9 months. The better shape body is in, the better chance your future babies will have of developing properly. Plus, over half of pregnancies that happen in the U.S. are unplanned. Most women don’t realize they’re pregnant until after a month and the baby’s organs have already started developing. So don’t you want to be ready just incase?! Here are some things you can start doing in your pre-baby years to get ready:

•  Take folic acid*- This is the most important thing you can take to help with your baby’s growth and development. But it’s only if you take it BEFORE and during the first weeks of your pregnancy too. The recommended dose is 400 micrograms/day.
• Have a healthy weight/diet*- This is just good advice in general. And when you’re ready, women at healthier weights tend to get pregnant more easily. Plus, being at a healthy weight before pregnancy makes it a lot easier to lose the baby weight. And don’t we all secretly want to be a MILF?
• Cut back on the sex/drugs/alcohol/smoking- Ok don’t cut back on sex if you’re ready for a baby (that’s just counterproductive), but do cut back on risky behaviors that could put you at risk for STDs. All of these things can make it harder to get pregnant or cause life-long problems in your baby.
• Get your money right- Babies are small, but they aren’t cheap. Realistically think about the costs and ask yourself how you’ll cover them. If your answers include your momma or “baby daddy,” You might want to think a little longer.
• Get your mind right- A kid will wear you out and push you to your limit. Be as emotionally well as possible BEFORE having a baby. And if you need therapy for your “issues,” get it now. Do you want your kid to be known at school as the one with the crazy momma?

I’m definitely in no rush to have a baby, but I do think it’s important to be ready if and when I do. Plus a lot of these tips are great for just being well in general. To take care of others, we have to remember to take care of ourselves first. You can find lots more info on being a healthy mom and having a healthy baby at www.marchofdimes.com.

Be happy. Be healthy. Be prepared.

- Leslie

Follow me on Twitter @MsPubHealth or @BlackGirlHealth

*Consult your physician before making any changes to your diet or physical activity.

Did you know that September is National Yoga Month???

Well, I definitely did not know. 

The purpose of this observance is to bring awareness and educate the community about the many benefits of yoga and inspire people to live healthier, happier lives. 

Yoga is a scientific system of physical and mental practices that includes various exercises that involve deep breathing, body movement, meditation and relaxation. Its purpose is to improve physical, emotional and mental health, thereby enhancing the holistic quality of our lives.

Yoga promotes a connection between the mind, body and spirit and is said to have many benefits for the body, mind, and spirit including:

• Lower blood pressure
• Decreased stress
• Greater flexibility
• Enhanced brain function
• Lower cholesterol
• Strengthened bones/joints
• Improved respiration
• Weight Loss
• Enhanced circulation

Throughout the month of September, many yoga studios are offering free yoga instruction.  To get more information about free yoga classes and events, visit http://www.yogamonth.org/.

Day 1….Complete!

I made it through the first day of my Power to Prosper: 21 Days to Financial Freedom Fast based on Michelle Singletary’s book by the same name.  So what did I learn on my very first day?  Surprisingly enough, some very interesting things…

• My Financial Example – Not that I did not realize this already, but my parents play a significant role in way that I manage my finances.  My mom and I were sitting down watching TV and she blurts out, “What Time Is It? I gotta purchase my Groupon!”  I say to her Mom do you really need to buy this $20 fruit basket to which her response was “It’s Just $20.”  I realized that a majority of the time I have the same attitude towards money, as if $20 is a trivial amount that you can throw away or spend frivolously just because.  I had to tell her “Mom, you have to stop that, this is where I picked up my financial habits….Do you know what you can do with $20?”  This showed me the fact that I am participating in the fast is making me more aware of the activities that I and those around me participate in on a daily basis.
• My Mind Will Wander – As I was driving home last night and even I got in the house and there wasn’t anything I particularly wanted to eat, I begin to think of the things I could get if I wasn’t on the fast.  I had to tell myself to get a grip.  It made me realize how my mind is trained to spend.  This is a huge realization and one that  requires an immediate change in my mindset.

Start of Day 2: 

I woke this morning was making breakfast and realized I wanted a COLD bottle of water.  Now, we had water out in the garage but it wasn’t COLD.  Then I begin to play this game, is COLD water an essential (which you can buy during the fast) or a want?  I decided that it was a want and that I would find something else to drink that didnt require me to spend any money even it is was $1.29. This is progress….

The last thing I want to share with you was something that I read in the Day 2 chapter of the book.  It resonated with me so much that I was like OMG.  This section of the chapter is called BROKEN COMMANDMENTS.  The question for the day was  ”Which of God’s commandments have you broken that have literally left you broke?”  Michelle then proceeds to list some of the commandments and examples of how they have been broken. She called me out! 

Commandment — “Honor your mother and your father” (Ex. 20:12)

Here is My Story:  At 24 y/o, I purchased my first home.  It was brand new townhouse that I affectionately call “Fairbrook”.  Well after living in Fairbrook for about 3 years, I was tired of being far away from my family and friends (I lived about an hour away) and I was considering going back to school full-time.  I decided that I would rent out Fairbrook and go home to pay off some debts and save up to go to school full-time since I would not have a job as a full-time MBA student.  I rent out the townhouse and go home, rent free so I can SAVE some money.  Well guess what I did?  I started spending more than I was saving.  I was doing alot of traveling, eating out, and shopping.  After a year of being a home, I looked around and what had I saved — let’s just say not much at all.  The school thing did not work out as I had planned (maybe God had a different plan) and there I was left to evaluate whether or not I was really accomplishing any of the goals I set when I made the decision to come back home.

Michelle calls people like me — The Boomerang Generation — young adults who leave home and come back for whatever reason.  She says that the Boomerang Generation dishonors their parents by continuing to manage their finances recklessly.  With no rent, utilities, or even food bills to pay, they feel free to spend wildly.  *I Confess, I Have Sinned*

Early Morning Lesson for Day 2:  I Gotta Do Better!  Well at least now I can say I am making an effort!

As always feel free to comment, send me encouragement, share your financial management tips…With discipline, help from God, and you — I will be Financially Free on Independence Day!

Be Happy. Be Healthy. Be Financially Responsible.

~Diva T

It’s September 1, 2010 and as I shared with you all last week, today I will be starting The Power to Prosper: 21 Days to Financial Freedom Fast.  I first heard about the book and the fast from Miss.Madie earlier in the year and decided to make reading the book and completing the fast part of my 29th Year Plan (all the things I need to accomplish before I turn 30 on 4/3/11). 

So here we are, Day 1…Day 1 in the book talks about some experiences of people that have completed the fast (some more than once) and how to conduct yourself and your finances during the 21 days.  At the end of the chapter, there is a Daily Assignment and I decided to share with you my responses to the assignment as today’s post.

Today’s Assignment: List obstacles that may prevent you from fast and decide how you plan to eliminate/overcome these obstacles.

1. My Past Dealings with Money — I am so used to shopping, eating out, just spending that I have this mindset that my past dictates my future.  I plan to overcome this obstacle by claiming success during the fast and making sure that I ask God for strength and discipline during this time.
2. Being A Busy Bee — Over the next 21 days, my calendar is packed with events for work, Divas, etc. and I am afraid that being busy will be my excuse for relapse.  I plan to overcome this obstacle by making sure I plan each day out so that I am successful as possible with not spending any money no matter how busy I am.  Preparation is Key!
3. Fear — Just plain how am I going to survive the next 21 days without spending except on the essentials.  I plan to overcome this obstacle by confronting my fear with faith.

Do you have money tips for me?  Have you completed a financial fast before?  Send me your tips for success.  Each day I will be chronicle my experience with the fast.  Wish me luck

Be Happy. Be Healthy. Be Financially Independent.

~Diva T

For the past year or so, I’ve been driving around town with my Service Engine light on.  Sounds crazy right?  I figured since I knew what the problem was and it didn’t affect my ability to drive, why bother?  *kanye shrug* Well the other day I decided to drive to work in silence…no radio…no phone…just me and God.  During my drive, it became apparent to me that I’ve been treating God like my car.  I’ve been ignoring my “Check Spiritual” light and have let the busyness of life overcome my relationship with God. I figured since I go to church on Sunday, say some quick prayers in the morning and at night, or tweet a spiritual message here and there, my spiritual life was good. Plus, God knows my heart.  I’ve been going throughout the day prioritizing tasks, but never prioritizing my time with God. At the end of the day I may clear my to-do list, but my spiritual life ends up suffering.  I realized it was time for a Spiritual Tune-Up!  Just as my vehicle and health need regular maintenance, the same goes for my spiritual life. I found it necessary to take a break from my hectic schedule and just spend some quiet time with my Mechanic and see what areas I need to work on to be spiritually healthy. Here is a list of the things I had checked out:

• Low Battery- Am I spending enough time with God to be fully charged?
• Fuel Level- Am I filled with the Holy Spirit or just running on fumes?
• Air Filter- What am I taking into my Spirit…junk or the Word of God?
• Oil Change- Is my spirit filled with bitterness and resentment or the Love of God?
• Spark Plugs- Do I think negative or positive thoughts?
• Alignment- Am I drifting towards “My Will” or God’s Will?

I may not have had a clean bill of health, but I have a renewed strength and I am aware of the areas I need to work on to be spiritually fit. What I love about my Mechanic is that He is available 24/7 and He doesn’t charge me because His Son already paid the price!  He was just waiting on me to service my “Check Spiritual” light!  What do you do when you your light comes on?

Be Happy. Be Healthy. Be Spiritually Fit.

Diva EJ