Friends for a Season

People are in our lives for different reasons. Some people are only in our lives for a season. It's natural for us to want to hold on to people, long after the relationship has proven to be dead. Some people remind us of fun times - childhood, college, being young and carefree. It is the nostalgia that makes us want to keep them around. It is healthy to let go of people who add toxic elements to our lives. It's like pruning a tree to get rid of the dead branches. Trimming the tree stimulates growth. And sometimes we have to cut certain people out of our lives for the sake of our own personal growth.

Through social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace I have "connected" with some long, lost friends. I was excited to be back in in touch with a few people I thought were missing from my life. Some of these reunions have proven to be worthwhile. For example, Tiffany and I attended high school together. We had a lot in common and participated in some of the same extra-curricular activities. Unfortunately, we didn't get to hang out much in school because she was shy and I was in somewhat of a clique. Today, as mature self-assured women, we have become friends and now enjoy a flourishing friendship. And as for my high school "clique", I am no longer friends with any of them. I have also reunited with Anika, a creative soul, who inspires me and helps me to reach deep into myself to find untapped creativity. Most of my other cyber reunions have not been as successful. Instead, they have forced me to recall why I fell out of touch with certain people. But I have discovered that it is ok to let go of people in order to grow.

I am in a happy place in my life with a wonderful supportive family, a beautiful daughter, a great circle of friends that is expanding. I don't need to reach back to resurrect old memories. Instead, I will cherish the the memories of simpler times.

Spinach is Not Just for Popeye

Go green this spring with delicious and nutritious spinach recipes. Buying fresh produce in season is one of the easiest ways to go environmentally "green". Produce available in-season is more likely to be locally-grown and tends to be cheaper than food purchased out of season.

Spinach is rich in vitamin A, a vitamin that is important for maintaining healthy vision, and vitamin K, an important component for blood clotting and healthy bones. It also contains health promoting antioxidants and fiber. The versatility and health benefits of spinach make it perfect for any meal!

Click here to check out a few delicious spinach recipes.

High Blood Pressure - A.K.A The Silent Killer

This post is for someone very near and dear to my heart who was diagnosed with high blood pressure a few months back. Her doctor put her on blood pressure medication and advised her of ways to change her lifestyle to reduce her blood pressure. Well, she didn't listen to the doctor's advice or the advice of the people who love her. She went on slathering butter on her biscuits and enjoying her favorite foods - macaroni and cheese, anything fried etc. She thought this 'miracle pill' would cure her high blood pressure and that no action was needed on her part. Contrarily, when she went to her follow up appointment her blood pressure was an alarming 160/75.A normal range is less than 120/80. A pill is not going to reverse her high blood pressure, a lifestyle change is the only cure.

High blood pressure increases your risk of getting heart disease and/or kidney disease, and for having a stroke. It is especially dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. I love this person very much and want her to stick around for a while. It seems like she just doesn't know how to make healthy food choices or where to begin with an active lifestyle. Rather, than constantly preaching to her - which has proven to be ineffective - myself and other loved ones have vowed to lead by example and show her the right ways to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. We will attend cooking classes, go walking and exercising, and share our personal experiences with her.

Here are some ways to help reduce high blood pressure:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Incorporate exercise/physically activity into your lifestyle
• Follow a healthy eating plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods
• Prepare foods with less salt and sodium
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, drink in moderation

I will keep you updated on her progress and perhaps I will reveal this person to you. For more information, check out the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) "Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure".

Books for the Brain

I remember the days when I would fall asleep reading a good book. The days when I would become so engulfed in a book that I would lose all sense of space and time. For all of my childhood and most of my adult life, I could devour a good Toni Morison book in one day. Most recently, the internet (mainly my beloved Facebook) has taken the place of one of my most cherished pasttimes. And slowly, I am feeling my brain turn into mush. :-(


For the sake of my mental health and mental stimulation, I vow to read more and spend less time on the internet. There's not much that can replace the pages of a good book. For me, books have always been a mental vacation. They have taken me to far away places and helped me to learn and grow beyond the influences of my immediate surroundings. So my current step towards being the best person that I can be mentally is to spend less of my free time in cyberspace and more time curled up with a good book.

Welcome to Loving Me 360°

I am on a quest to be the best person I can be - mentally, physically and spiritually. Using my blog, Loving Me 360°, I will share with you information and knowledge that I gain on this journey. I welcome you to join me by becoming of member of Loving Me 360°.

For me, being fulfilled mentally, physically and spiritually means continuing the life long process of learning. It means developing and using my god-given gifts and talents. It means being content in my own skin. Being well-rounded, having healthy and loving relationships, finding my spiritual center and being in excellent physical condition are things that make me whole.

I want to share with my friends and family, the tools that I unmask, that will help them love themselves more. Whether it's developing better eating habits or sharing information about the Body Mass Index (BMI). Thank you for joining me on my journey ... you are in for a fantastic ride. Let's learn to love ourselves - Mind, Body and Soul - 360°.