A Little [BOB MARLEY] for a Saturday Night

On this particular anniversary of 9/11 I think that this week's song for a Saturday Night is fitting. This world is lacking in compassion and it is my hope that everyone that reads these words will play the song... crank that mutha up as high as it will go... and send love, light and compassion to everyone across the globe tonight.

Because we are more and more becoming a world of "Them's" and "Us's", and the reality is that most of us want the same things in life: A chance for a good life, good health for ourselves and our families. If we stopped focusing on our differences and open ourselves to the possibility of similarities, empathy and compassion might be more common. And for real, y'all... it should be!










One Love.... One Heart... and

:::drools::: Amber Riley-style for Plus Size Fashionistas

I just saw 20 minutes of my first episode of "Glee" a few weeks ago. I know, shocking! In the snippet I saw, I knew that Amber Riley is FABULOUS!!!! My good friend Stephanie suggested I recreate one of Amber's looks, and in checking out pictures of her online, I knew that it was a perfect choice!!!



How fantastic is Amber's outfit?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

To recreate this look I paired the Women's Plus Rib-Knit Tanks in Hot Coral Pink Plus ($4.97, Old Navy) with the Crochet Knit Shrug in Rose ($16.99, Avenue).





The colors are not an exact match, but if you notice, Amber's top and whatever she's wearing over it isn't a total match either.

I searched high and low for the skirt Amber is wearing with no luck (I will continue my search - if anyone knows where she got it, let me know!!) but I believe I found a reasonable alternative with the Psychedelic Skirt ($29.99, Alight)



I topped the outfit with the Double Buckle Brown Stretch Belt ($22.00, Torrid)



Torrid is killing me with their belts lately, SO ADORABLE!!!

The shoes I selected were the Bumper Women's Luke 01 Flat ($29.99, Endless) which are definitely on my "To Buy" list.



Amber's swinging crescent earrings I actually own and I bought them from Forever 21. Unfortunately, they do not appear to be available anymore, but I did spot this awesome Crescent Hoop Earring Set ($3.80, Forever 21)



There you have it!!! As always, if there is a celebrity style you'd like to see recreated (For Plus Size Fashionistas, or no), be sure to drop me a line!!!

DOPE: "Barbie and Ken 101" Rafael Casal

This poem sho nuff gave me the vapor's y'all! Enjoy!!





Barbie And Ken 101
Poem by Rafael Casal

sometimes I feel like I'm sittin' in the back row of Barbie and Ken 101
a class we are all in, but never seem to learn from
Some general ed requirement for
Students of American culture
One that convinces even the brightest
of young women that sex is survival of the thinnest
and I'm sick of this education that doesn't serve our best interests
my teacher has no face
she is every Revelon model women have ever chased
her lectures come through magazines in beauty shops & add campaigns,
shit
just turn on your tv
this just in, a skewed perspective for todays youth y'all ladies aint thin enough, fellas aint trim
enough, wanna be sexy?
Y'all don't go to the gym enough, cut to commercial, come on just come tune
in to our maintenance team, convince you're ugly then tell you how to fix it with maybelline
Perpetually started by these dolls marketed in the late 50's named
Barbie and Ken
hence the
class I'm in
Are you following?
Shit didn't end
They keep moldin' Barbie to fit new trends
next maybe they'll have club hoppin' Barbie
With thongs as accessories
video hoe Barbie
abusive boyfriend sold separately
underaged Barbie
Kobe Bryant included
or 9/11 victim Barbie
and Ken is proud to get recruited
problem is all these teachings are woman's decay
and I'm startin' to worry cuz my girl is up front and she's getting an A
this is where I start getting pissed off ok
when the f**k did it become all about
tuckin' in the gut I gotta get the bigger breast
shit I wanna fit a little better in a dress
so let me get a little skinny gotta fit into an itty bitty
size slimmer so I livin up the chest
please
teacher teacher I wanna give my oral presentation
cuz I have a problem with the class, and matter of fact, I have, a fat ass grudge with the
whole administration
you're the reason my girl won't eat in front of me in restaurants

the reason that she thinks she's overweight in over ten spots
less gut less pudge less lunch less real, more looks more love more Barbie
appeal?
f**k Barbie and Ken
My future daughter will never play with them
you're the reason bleedin' 15 year old girls arms are slit
You made 12 year olds think skinny was a compliment
And now it's too late
I can't write my way through this bathroom door
So I raise my hand in class cuz I can't stand it any more
Teacher teacher your lectures all backwards
You got mothers and daughters forgetting what matters
Cuz above tits, ass, lips, legs, and uggs
The most attractive women are the ones who don't give a f**k
So screw your teachings your lessons and plans
You skewed sick distant relative of the man
Your plan for brainwashin' my baby I reject
I'm walkin' out of this class, and I will proudly take, my F

Yummm! Super Iron Foods!!!

So this particular blog introduction may venture into TMI-land, but a) I promised that I would share more of myself in this blog and b) I want to explain where I'm coming from. I've been living with menorrhagia for the past few months(Yes, months. With little to no end!). I've had iron-deficiency anemia since childhood, so as one can imagine, I've been super fatigued. It's become so frustrating because I feel like I've missed the latter part of the summer, spending my weekends in bed.

I think the lowest point was having my 65 year old mother, who has a bad hip and walks with a cane, wait for me to catch up on our way home recently.

I haven't found the cause of the menorrhagia (I think it may be time to find a new doctor!) yet, but in the meantime, I've been doubling up the iron supplements and I have been doing my best to eat foods that are iron rich, and thought I would share two recipes that caught my eye.

Iron-Rich Veggie Casserole

Recipe Courtesy of Spark People

Ingredients

2 c. mushrooms, sliced
3 c. broccoli, diced
2 c. asparagus, chopped into 1-inch pieces
2 c. fresh baby spinach
1 slice Swiss cheese, shredded
1 slice Provolone cheese, shredded
1/4 c shredded fat-free Mozzarella cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup (condensed)
1 c. skim milk
1 Tbsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus, and spinach in a 9x13in baking dish.
Combine the rest of the ingredients, except for the Parmesan cheese, in a bowl and mix throughly.
Pour the soup mixture over the vegetables and mix throughly.
Sprinkle Parmesan over top.
Cover and bake 35-45 minutes.

Number of Servings: 8

Black Bean-Smothered Sweet Potatoes

Recipe Courtesy of Eating Well

INGREDIENTS
2 medium sweet potatoes
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
1 medium tomato, diced
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

PREPARATION
Prick sweet potatoes with a fork in several places. Microwave on High until tender all the way to the center, 12 to 15 minutes. (Alternatively, place in a baking dish and bake at 425ºF until tender all the way to the center, about 1 hour.)
Meanwhile, combine beans, tomato, oil, cumin, coriander and salt in a medium microwave-safe bowl; microwave on High until just heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. (Alternatively, heat in a small saucepan over medium heat.)
When just cool enough to handle, slash each sweet potato lengthwise, press open to make a well in the center and spoon the bean mixture into the well. Top each with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro.

If you know any tips and recipes that can help this Brooklyn Geechee get some pep back in her step, be sure to leave a comment. Of course, once I know what's going on, I will be sure to post a follow up.