Thursday, February 19, 2009

My First Product Review And Product Reveal...

Thirsty Thursday is here! (J/K, I don't really drink, but BRING 0N THE VAMPIRE BLOOD! (Who watches True Blood ? Anyone? That show is scary as $%*#.) And while I'm on the subject of amazing shows, IS ANYONE ELSE OBSESSED WITH THE BRILLIANCE THAT IS SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH ? OH MY GAWD. I DIE, Y'ALL!)


*** And if you don't watch it, GO TO THAT LINK RIGHT AFTER YOU READ THIS POST (ha) AND WATCH THE CLIP AND READ ABOUT THE CAST. You will be blown away.***


"Public School is so Random." - Ja'mie


"Welcome to Mr. G's room, G's room, G's room, Welcome to Mr. G's room, Come Inside." - Mr. G


(That's all I'm gonna say... And I may be randomly inserting lines on my posts... Just to entertain myself brighten you're day, of course.)


OKAY, now onto my product reveal. The FIRST is one that I use ALL THE TIME. It is a so-called "Weight Management" Vitamin, but I have never used it for that purpose, and I guarantee you, it won't do shit to your weight. PLZ. That's such Bullsh. Anyways, I use it as a Thickening Agent, be it for Oatbran, Cheesecake like Greek Yo (yes it can be SO much thicker!!!), Sauces, thickening up plain yogurt, smoothies, etc... The possibilities are endless. (But I'm SO sorry Veg*ns, this product does contain Gelatin... Sorry!!!)


And... ***DRUMROLL PLIZZLE***




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Glucomannan Powder




They come in little capsules, which you empty into whatever you are using it with.






















































































Supplement Facts



Serving Size  3



Servings Per Container  33



Amount Per Serving



% Daily Value



  Calories



10



N/A*



  Total Carbohydrate



2 Gm



1%



  Dietary Fiber



1.5 Gm



6%



  Glucomannan (AMORPHOPHALLUS KONJAC)(TUBER)



1.99 Gm



N/A*




Directions:   


As a dietary supplement, take three (3) capsules before meals with a full glass of water.






Other Ingredients:   


Gelatin, rice flour.










Now, I have NEVER taken them with water (umm ew, thick water, wtf?), so I suppose I can't really give a correct product review, but, to shoutout to MA PEEPS WITH THE BILLS,


I AIN'T NO PUNK.






I will be featuring more recipes with Glucomannan in upcoming posts, so stay tuned and get excited, kiddies! But for now, I bring you one of my FAAAAVES: Greek Yogurt Cheesecake! (Individual servings and no mess, ow Oww!)






Julz's Greek-Yo Chizzlecake






1 indiv. ~ 6oz container of Greek Yogurt (Be it Fage, Oikos, Chobani, Voskos, TJ's 3/4 cup, TJ's indiv. flavored Greeks, whatevskii.)


Cinnamon (I use Organic Saigon... SO INCREDIBLE!)... As much as you likery


About 1/2-3/4 cap full Pure Vanilla Extract (Or you can use a cap full of Vanilla Coffee Syrup)


A pinch of Stevia (-PS- Trader Joe's Stevia is the best tasting eva. Whoops! Another reveal!)


Mix that all together and taste it to see if it fits for you. You can also add in some Maple, SF Maple, or ANY other syrups you so desire!! Have fun with it y'all!


And lastly, take two capsules of your Glucomannan powder (It's tasteless, Yeah!).






*** Be Careful when mixing in the powder that it doesn't come out... Be gentle at first, when incorporating, and then whip it quickly to get air into it. Give it a minute to sit and VOILA! You can also store it in the Fridge for lata***






And Enjoy! And if you hate it, you didn't get it from me! Yeah!






(PS) I know I do this on like every post now, but I have to thank you all again for your support. It's so RANDOM (SummerHeightsReppin.) when the grief hits me. Like last night, I was getting into bed and literally, I just LOST IT. I didn't even make it to the bed. I umm, woke up on the floor. And my heart hurt this morning. *Sigh. Your help has been SO AMAZING for me, AND my family. They have read your comments and were all brought to tears by how much y'all have been here for me, especially during this time. ***ONE DAY AT A TIME, RIGHT? Riiiighhtt??? This WILL get easier? YES, IT WILL. TIME TO GET MYSELF GOIN. ***






Until We Meet Again,


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Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavanthu, "May All Beings, Everywhere, Be Blessed with Happiness."






Namaste,






Julzie




Wednesday, February 18, 2009

How did I EVER stay away so long?

Y'all... Your comments from my last post were EFFING UNREAL. There is no other way to put it. They were so PERFECT, each and every one, and I feel so honored that anyone reads my blog, let alone THE SWEETEST LIL LOVERBUNNIES, EVER! I have felt every single prayer, thought, wish, *hug,* and blessing. I don't know what the hell I was thinking staying away from this community. But I feel so blessed to be a part of it again, and I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for welcoming me back with such warmth and such grace.


I am taking each and every day, one at a time, to keep my face in the direction of the horizon. Yes, that IS a choice. Yes, that IS a choice. Yes, that IS a choice. And one that I have decided to take on FULL-SPEED. Even if I have to take it hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, in the words of the BLOGGAH,


WHATEVA, I DO WHAT I WANT.




Now... Here's what I want from y'all. And get ready for some OVERKILL ON THE WORD FRONT: I want to know what you want from yo homegirl, S+D (not to be confused with the so ovah sugar-sub S+L). What do you want to see on my blizzlegizz (ew.)? Recipes? Grocery Pics? Animal Pics? Hawaii stories/pics? Product Reviews (I have so many secret faves, y'all... Well, not anymore I guess...)? Yoga talk? Buddha talk? Booty talk? Let me hear it! I want my blog to satisfy ALL Y'ALL PIMPS N HOES!




***Please note: I really have no interest and am not comfortable with making this a FOOD-DIARY-BLOG, though let's be REAL, it's SO MUCH FUN to read them!!! Come on... Who popped their cherry with Eat Like Me ??? ANYWAYS, I'm sorry if you want that. But I'm just not at that level yet. Who knows, perhaps someday I will be, but for now... That'll be a negative. Thanks ferplayin.***




I'm off to hit up some SUPER GIANT for some SUPER GROCERIES! I hear y'all on the Whole Foods front, but I must admit: Any type of drug emporium Food store is cool with me! I love them all and have found the BEST products at every one. I love the diversity of each of the chains, and seriously, little health food stores? I LURRRVE. {purrrr.}




So until we meet again, my pearls, here are some pictures of my PARADISE... The Magical Island of Kona (The Big Island) of Hawaii:




n1465350033_30051878_9435.jpg232323232fp65=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>2323936988-46ot1lsi.jpegn1465350033_30051863_2484.jpg   232323232fp66=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>232393698;888ot1lsi.jpeg232323232fp64=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>2323936999265ot1lsi.jpeg232323232fp6-=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>2323936998;62ot1lsi.jpeg232323232fp68=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>2323936995-<;ot1lsi.jpeg   232323232fp6<=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>232393699886;ot1lsi.jpeg 232323232fp64=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>2323936996;-5ot1lsi.jpeg 232323232fp68=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>2323936987686ot1lsi.jpeg 232323232fp6<=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>2323936986537ot1lsi.jpeg n1465350033_30051866_5347.jpg





Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavanthu, "May All Beings, Everywhere, Be Blessed with Happiness."









Namaste,









Julzie



Sunday, February 15, 2009

A very special tagging...

Today was okay... I felt itchy all day, a lil anxious, but nothing a powerful flow and brisk walk outside with the Momma (and the babies) didn't ease. I apologize if I have been so negative, recently. I am sorry if this past week was annoying for my readers-- Actually, I'm not. It's somewhat surprising how much one's "audience" depletes, when the mood is down. I guess at the time, I didn't think about it, and I'm sorry IF it turned you off; however, I am not sorry for posting about it. It was a tribute that I definitely needed to put it into words, and for those who lent me their hearts and prayers, I thank you so. It meant the W0RLD to me, and was so therapeutic. I love you girls, so.



Anyways, someone who has been A.MAZING this past week (among so many others, <3 ) is the effervescent Synthia . I was tagged and given an Award, and a very dear one at that



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This was such an honor. I feel like I've been such a bad blogger, such an UNRELIABLE blogger, and it really makes me feel bad to receive such an award. There are S0 many incredible bloggers out there, I feel like I'm so inadequate and undeserving. But regardless, it feels so comforting to know that there is someone out there that finds my blog worthwhile. THank you so much Synth... It means so much.



In honor of this award, I am to list Seven Things that I Love:



(1) My Parents



I don't even know where to begin. My Dad has always been my protector and my shield, and he is the type of Dad that ALWAYS thinks he can save me. Suffering through Ed was extremely hard on my Father. He shut down and became so concerned and so sad, that he completely lost touch with himself and his pleasures in life. I will always be my Daddy's Girl and I adore him so.n1465350033_30051876_5362.jpgn1465350033_30050723_5118.jpg



My Momma. What is there N0T to say about her? She is my redeemer, my guardian, my everything. My Mom makes me feel like EVERYTHING will be okay, no matter what it be that frightens my heart. She is the most Beautiful, most Perfect being, in my eyes, and has the most incredible heart of anyone I have ever known. I am so honored to have her as my Mommy and my Best Friend. My mom stuck by my side during Ed, and never ever judged me by my illness. She is my Angel. n1465350033_30051884_5693.jpgn1465350033_30051800_195.jpg



I believe, without a doubt in my mind or heart, that I was meant to be My Parent's Child. I am so connected to them, so hopelessly adoring of them both. Ed almost broke my family apart, and my parent's struggled so much within their marriage, because of Ed. I am so thankful for their strength, their love, and their unending support. n1465350033_30065341_9950.jpgn1465350033_30065511_7521.jpg n1465350033_30065508_6239.jpg



(2) My Brother, James



Something else that really suffered with Ed was my relationship with my brother. It was horrible. Before Ed, my relationship with Jimmy was Beautiful. His way of coping was to ostracize and humiliate me. To reject me, in front of others, to make me feel ashamed. I couldn't be around him without being brought to hysterics and it was so hard. Jimmy cried in front of me, telling me he was so scared to lose me. I had never seen him cry before, and it was a wake up call for me. It made me realize that Ed brings out the absolute Worst in EVERY0NE, not just it's active sufferers. We are working towards rebuilding this relationship, and I pray that it will be like it was, before Ed. That someday we can have that Beautiful Bond, once again. All with time...







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(3) My Beautiful Grandmother, Grammy



My Maternal Grandmother is someone who has been through S0 much grief, so much heartache, and so much emotional burden that it AMAZES me how positive, hopeful, and loving she still is. She lost my Grandfather to Liver Cancer when he was 60. My Grandfather, Poppy, was an absolute Angel, one whom I have never met in person, but still feel as if I know him. It's very difficult to explain. Anyways, he was the first and only man that my Grammy has ever loved. He saw her at a dance at their country club when she was 16 and walked up to his parents and said, "Do you see that girl? I'm going to marry her, someday." TRUE ST0RY. My Grammy has lost so many of her loved ones and bestest friends to Cancer, and instead of being victimized by her losses, she formed a Support Group for Cancer patients, and their families. She shared with me her passion for Opera, taking me to the MET to see he greatest in the world ever since I can remember. She is an exquisite artist, as well. I just adore her. The most precious thing ever.n1465350033_30102698_5848.jpg







n9308378_53521576_7213.jpg n514844619_95995_2662.jpg



4) My Grandfather, Pop



It's so upsetting that I don't actually have a picture of my Pop[sicle] on my Laptop, but I will have you know he is so very special to me. He was raised in a VERY tight shift, and was never shown much love from his father. Going to fight in Vietnam also heightened his tendency to shut out the world, and left him with post traumatic stress. The most difficult thing for him to do? Say the words: I Love You. But her gave me a card for my 18th Birthday that read those words and those words only. I love him so much for that.



5) My Animals



Buddha and Mylo (My Standard Pure Bred Poodle and My Tabby Cat) are my babies. I found Mylo when he was about 4-5 weeks old... Actually HE found US and from the get-go was the sweetest cat I'd ever known. He is so precious and has such a loving personality, he's seriously like a puppy. He is always wanting to snuggle and love <3 . Buddha is the baby in the family. He has been such a light in my life, and for me, reminds me of my life beyond Ed. This is because we got Buddha about three weeks after my first attempt at treatment/recovery ended. I was S0 happy to have a Puppy again and adore him so... And how do the two of them get along, you might ask? See for yourself...n1465350033_30116923_3747.jpg



(6) My Friends



They have been there through it all with me. Ed, familial problems, losses, Ed, ED. My friends and I have been through so much and have lost some of our bestest through various tragedies, our most recent loss, of course, being My Bestie, Jilli. My friends stayed in my life during the depths of Ed, when all I did was push them away. They are STILL here... I feel so proud to call them mine.







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n9378688_32327074_3148.jpgn9376881_32975116_8357.jpg  n1465350033_30006314_7815.jpg n1465350033_30006336_6634.jpg n1465350033_30006322_923.jpg n1465350033_30006853_1647.jpg n1465350079_30094635_9527.jpg n9308378_40581598_2513.jpg n1465350033_30077963_7742.jpgn1465350033_30039850_9089.jpg232323232fp6-=ot>233-=828=;-7=XROQDF>232393699;43;ot1lsi.jpegn9308378_53521593_46.jpgn1465350033_30110031_637.jpgMy friends bring me back to ME, Pre-Ed, and for that, I could NEVER be more thankful.



(7) My Yoga



Despite what some may think, I have only been into Yoga for a little less than a year. Some of my bloggies do know this, but for those of you who don't I used to have BIG TIME exercise problemos. I never considered it to be Exercise Bulimia, but my doctors did, and I guess that's where my perception was/is skewed. I did not binge before I exercised, though. I was severely restricting, WHILE in a zone of Insanity and Obsession. I cannot count the amount of times I missed classes, because I was working out. Would miss an entire DAY of classes because I would be sitting the whole time. It was horrible. For the sake of my readers, I will not reveal WHAT I did, but I will say that it led me to having three fractures in my right foot, as well as bone deformations, and severe blood flow irregularities. When I was casted (for almost four months), all before starting treatment round dos, I was suddenly forced to do N0THING. I'll admit that I was SCARED SHITLESS. Not about my foot and what I did to it, but about gaining weight. My already raging anxiety became even worse, and, thanks to the recommendation of my Mommabear, I turned to Yoga. I will never forget my first practice: I didn't even own a Yogamat, so I rolled out a towel, and checked out Yogadownload (thanks to Jenna ). I ended up partaking in the 20-minute Solar Flow and found myself calmed by the instructor's voice, instantaneously. ANNNDDD I found it to be REALLY challenging! I had NEVER done weights during my Ed, so carrying my body weight through a flow was totally a wake-up call. Most importantly, however, I found that my anxiety had quieted down, tremendously, even after a mere 20 minutes.



IT BROUGHT ME BACK TO LIFE:n1465350033_30051870_8780.jpg



Ever since then, I have been hooked. Yoga has been a constant in my life, one at one point, I almost abused, but was able to snap back and remind myself of why I come to my mat each and everyday: BECAUSE I AM W0RTH PEACE AND SERENITY. We all are. Especially within ourselves. And to this day, during my practice, during the time on my mat, regardless of the length of time--- It is the only SINGLE solitary time when I feel beautiful. Where I feel powerful and strong and full of life. It is a time that I am thankful to be alive AS ME, rather than wishing I could be someone else.n1465350033_30050725_7671.jpg



And lastly, I can close my eyes, and imagine my life as this:n1465350033_30051849_4632.jpg



And honestly, who wouldn't want THAT?



Thank you so much for tagging me, Synth... This was really wonderful, especially during a time when I must realize that there still ARE things to Love, things to Cherish, things to Persue. That Life Does Go On.



And now to tag and pass the award onto Seven Bloggettes:



(1) Chandra



(2) Gina



(3) Erin and Andrea



(4) Miss Gliding Calm



(5) Heather



(6) Jenn



(7) Erica



I love you all! I just chose the first names that popped into my mind...



Have a loverly night and a wonderful holiday tomorrow...



Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavanthu, "May All Beings, Everywhere, Be Blessed with Happiness."





Namaste,





Julzie