Be Inspired Monday: Let Love Rule

Do you remember Lenny Kravitz's tune?


Kravitz sings "We have to take a stand."

But who is not affraid to love and take that stand?

I was. I was one of those who measured her love, meaning I gave myself away little by little. I didn't open up my heart totally because that meant losing myself. Then something changed. I met a guy, initially I was scared to let my love show, but something pushed me to let go of my fears. I cried the first time my lips uttered the I LOVE YOU words. I cried because it was my heart melting for this guy. Later in the years, my friends teased me because I was living a long distance romance, but I didn't mind because the way he loved me back was inspiring and gave life to my soul. I did let LOVE rule. I took a stand, it was due to that letting go of my fear of LOVING that I can say this year we celebrated our 10 years together. 4 years dating and 6 year married. And our first baby on the way.

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True love can inspire people to improve their personalities and way of life. The kind of love that gives life doesn't close the door on your face when you most need it. It lifts you up.  Some people run when they find themselves front of it. But you have to let fear stand aside and Let Love Rule.

Today's Be Inspired Monday is about loving and letting yourself fall in love without fearing what tomorrow brings. It is about loving the one you love without fearing she or he might be the one to let your world crumble under your feet. Because you never know when true love comes knocking on the door of your heart.

Have you ever stopped loving because you were scared of what tomorrow might bring?
Are you living your best love story because you listened to your heart?

Please confess on TC30s.

Be Inspired Monday.

Fitness, Food & Fun Friday: Get a Check Up!

It is important to get regular check-ups in all ages but especially as we approach our thirties. Our bodies are changing more than ever i believe in our thirties. Last week, we spoke about the importance of bone health. This week we will look at getting regular checkups to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and other vital signs to maintain a healthy body and life.

If we are able to deal with problems like diabetes, high cholesterol, cancers, or high blood pressure early then treatment is most effective and less damaging to the body. We need to encourage each other to get regular annual check-ups for everything. From the external to the internal parts of our bodies.

I believe that a regular annual check up saved my life. If i had not gone in for my annual check-up, i wouldn't have found out that i had a lump in my thyroid that were cancerous. Going in for a check up was an early preventative measure for me. They were able to remove the cancer and now i am living my life, without a thyroid, but i am healthy and alive!

Ladies, we never really what is going on in our bodies hence why we need to get our regular check-ups!

Confess ladies, when was the last time you went in a for a medical check-up?

If not recently, please schedule one TODAY!

Wednesday Fashion Item: My Pregnant Belly Rocking Pre-pregnancy Pencil Dress

Unless you decide by choice to hide your pregnancy, the days of the tent-like maternity clothing are history. These days you can buy maternity clothing which can show off your beautiful growing belly. But if, like me, you don't have lot of money you can still rock the belly by going through your old wardrobe.

So far I’ve managed to wear my old jeans and tops without feeling uncomfortable. In fact it makes me happy to know that I can still wear my old jeans and skirts at 21 weeks. For obvious reasons I have to leave them unbuttoned, with a belly band on top.

Today, for a change, I decided to try on one of my old work dress. It does fit.
I am a stay-at-home-something (because I write although I don't get paid yet, lol), so I don't walk around the house in my high heels. I take them off and just rock in the dress, in front at the computer or the oven.
You don't have to be rich to rock your bump!

Did you use your pre-pregnancy clothing while pregnant? Would you use them?

Be Inspired Monday: The Model...

Looking up to a model for inspiration can sound superficial, but we have to remember that models are human beings. Some are good, some are bad and some are ugly.

I've watched many documentaries about how magazines brush up models to make them look perfect, skinny and flawless, while in real life some look horrible without make up. What makes them stand out is their heights. Today I want to talk about how Gisele Bundchen inspires me.

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First thing to point out is that Gisele doesn't inspire me physically because I was not created like her and I never want to be like her. She inspires me when it comes to healthy living.

In an interview the journalist asked her "Do you or have you ever worried about your weight?"

She answered "Not about my weight, no. But my health is very important to me, and I try to eat well and exercise because I know that has an impact on my body and health." I don't think is a crime to care about your health. We shouldn't worry too much about the weight but about how we feel in our bodies. Gisele points out that she takes care of her well being. Some models, to play the perfect model image, would simply say they eat everything and they are still perfectly thin.

She also said that when she was younger she used to eat a lot of fast food and meat. But now that she is older she likes foods that give her energy. A person could never be healthy if all she cares about is to eat fast food and packets of crisp.

When it comes to how she kept fit through her pregnancy she said "I did kung fu until two weeks before Benjamin was born, and yoga three days a week... I was mindful about what I ate,..." She gave birth naturally and she is proud of that because natural birth is empowering. I believe in that philosophy too. She was a great advocate for breastfeeding and she managed to get back into shape thanks to her mindful active pregnancy "I think is muscle memory," and yoga in her living room. When Claudia Schiffer was asked the same question she answered "I lost the baby weight by breastfeeding." Really ladies, do you believe the sole action of breastfeeding your baby can help you shed the whole baby weight? I don't think so. I am mindful about what I eat and I try to keep fit because I would like a natural birth.

I remember reading an interview of Gisele Bundchen in the early 2000, in this interview she said that in ten years from then she saw herself married with a family. The girl had a wish and she worked towards. Now she is a mother who is passionate about breastfeeding. She doesn't try to be a super woman infact she confessed that she is still trying to find "... the balance between being a mum, a wife, [an eco-activist] and businesswoman.

In everything we do there is a need of balance. Our health and dreams are closely related to how we can find a rhythm that works for each one of us. We should not be scared to let people know that sometimes is difficult to achieve the balance but we should not forget to enjoy each minute of our lives. Trust our intuition, because the more we believe in ourselves the more this will empower us. Each minute spent to achieve our dreams will built up that dream.

Her words inspire me to live the best time of my life as I approach the older age signed by 30s.

We can start by designing a goal we want to reach by the end of each week. My aim for this week is to write about 3000 words for my story, because every little count.

What is your goal for this week. Please share with us.

I hope this post will inspire you reach it. Love yourself, love your intuition and be empowered.

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Fitness, Food & Fun Friday: Strong Bones in Your 30s...

I was reading articles on Livestrong.com, this is Lance Armstrong's website, which has amazing information on everything health related.  I mean he is doing a wonderful job with it!  I came across a website about taking care of your bones in your thirties! I thought you might enjoy this and find it helpful.

1. Value Your Health

While it's great to think about preserving your body's health into old age, your thirties are also a time to enjoy your current level of health. By valuing what you have now--strong bones, a high retention of nutrients and the resultant high energy level--you can help prevent osteoporosis and other conditions related to aging. Most people know that calcium is vital to maintaining bone strength and strive to get plenty of calcium in their diets. However, ingesting substances or engaging in behavior that blocks the absorption of calcium and other nutrients can be just as detrimental to your bones as not getting enough calcium in the first place. Excessive dieting and eating disorders have been found to deplete calcium reserves in the body. Treat anorexia or bulimia and diet to lose weight only for short periods of a couple weeks at a time.

2. Treat Yourself With Coffee, Chocolate or Wine

Instead of focusing on cutting things out of your diet, change your attitude about what you include. Caffeine, alcohol and high-phosphorus items, such as red meats and fizzy drinks, should be consumed in limited quantities. Use coffee, chocolate, wine or other risky foods or beverages as special pleasures for when you celebrate. Having one or two cups of coffee or an alcoholic or carbonated drink or two will become treats to be savored rather than forbidden favorites.

3. Work Out Regularly

Lots of people exercise to prevent heart disease or to keep their weight down, but regular exercise also contributes to healthy bones. A hallmark of osteoporosis is the fracture of a wrist, hip or backbone. These are just as important to avoid as heart attacks or obesity. Experts recommend three to four sessions of weight-bearing exercise for about 45 minutes each. This can include jogging, tennis, hiking or stair climbing. In addition, strength training, such as lifting weights or using resistance banding, a couple times a week is also beneficial. A comprehensive exercise program reduces stress, maintains energy levels and keeps bones fit.

These are some great suggestions. They are not restrictive which i think is fantastic.  It's always helpful to have some fun with food while taking care of your fitness!

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/7961-maintain-strong-bones-thirties/#ixzz1RNGGvvhz