Maya Angelou "I Rise" poet has passed May 28 2014

An acclaimed American poet and autobiographer, Dr. Maya Angelou was Born on April 4th, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou has had a world renowned career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and Hollywood's first female black director, but is most famous as a writer, editor, essayist, playwright, and poet. As a civil rights activist, Angelou worked for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. She was also an educator and served as the Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.

Still I Rise 

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops,

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don’t you take it awful hard

‘Cause I laugh like I got gold mines

Diggin’ in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I’ve got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame

I rise

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain

I rise

I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

As a woman, black woman, Mother, employer, entrepreneur, I have been  subjected to some of the social laughs that have been brought my way giving rise to some of the societal issues that could leave one courageless. Issues that Maya Angelou would still say in one word remains to be required for a nation to heal simply the word "ignorance" this poem speaks volumes. 

It gives courage,  when listening to A  CBC video clip on the link below Maya Angelou stated that we need to have COURAGE. This word speaks to all of our inner selfs, to continue trying and never give up. This poem should be an Athem for many in need of feeling that all things are possible. This poem sends the authority of confidence. 

 “Does my sassiness upset you?” “Does my haughtiness offend you?” and “Does my sexiness offend you?” she asks. Theses phrases works to strike a knife  and break barriers that overcome sexism and the oppression of women in particular.  This is something that Maya Angelou overcame in her own life, and she speaks with such inspiring strength here.  

 “Does it come as a surprise/ That I dance/ Like I’ve got diamonds/ At the meeting of my thighs?” 

Thoses words give you  that feeling that Maya Angelou  loved herself.    I feel that way myself, when I look at my nah Sayers and non well wishers, especially when I've  accomplished a goal on my list. It's that feeling of shininig bright even when no one recognizes it. Rihanna sang it well "Shine Bright Like  A diamond". It's a feeling of confidence that all young girls should be taught to feel despite obstacles. 

Maya Angelou's death will never go without historical accounts of  her many quotes and many barriers that she has over come. 

I would challenge all women to remember today, that we are all able of being the women that we where meant  to be.  Forever paying  homage to this once voice less women;  I myself when discouraged about my role,  will remember that advocacy is modern day civil rights activism, which gives a  voice to thoses who other wise  are voiceless. I will continue to find courage in my rise to being a HealthCare Advocate. Thank You for your lessons.   RIP Maya Angelou 

And Still I Rise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqOqo50LSZ0&sns=tw via @youtube

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/maya-angelou-poet-author-and-activist-dead-at-86-1.2656694

http://mayaangelou.com/bio/

The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them. (MA)

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it. (MA)

#RipMayaAngelou

Whats's In Your Cup?

What's in My cup?

I've been on a smoothies  hunt since 2014 started.

I must confess I started juicing but the clean up got to me. So I went back to my blender and hit that liquify button like crazy. 

Sometimes when I'm working a lot I just decide to give my body some liquid fuel. So I go on my smoothies. It's been quite interesting that my taste buds have just grown to like my greens, having me feeling like Popeye the sailer girl. So here's some of my faves of the week oh wait it's just Tuesday lol 

Found  an avocado smoothie. Hmmm

Why use avocados? Well it has 

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits. The ability of the avocado to help prevent unwanted inflammation is absolutely unquestionable in the world of health research. The term "anti-inflammatory" is a term that truly applies to this delicious food. Avocado's anti-inflammatory nutrients. It's funny back home they call it (Pear).

How does that sound well let's see all the nutrients that avocados have:

 Avocado's have a  super-high potassium content, it’s just the right thing, along with bananas.

The Advocado Banana Smoothie 

Ingredients

1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted 

1/2 large banana

Add some ice 

3/4 to 1 cup (125ml) coconut water/ water depending on your preferred thickness

Alternate use of 

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon,

Directions

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and frothy. 

Today I felt like I needed to boost my immune system and detox a bit, ask me why well during the end of the month my body feels sluggish so I add ginger to my smoothies kale of course and today apple, pear and  lime.

FYI calories is calories even if it's in liquid format so watch what you put in your Smoothie.

As with all smoothies, feel free to adjust ingredient quantities to your personal taste. You can make your smoothies  without a high-powered blender  it just won't be as smooth.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 medium apple, cored and roughly chopped (peeled if not using a high-powered blender)

5 1/4-inch slices cucumber (remove skin)

Juice of half a lemon

tablespoon roughly chopped fresh ginger

1 large handful baby kale, spinach, or other green of your choice

1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)

Water

INSTRUCTIONS

Freeze the apple, cucumber, lemon, and ginger. Add the frozen mixture to a high-powered blender along with the kale. Add enough water to get it moving and blend on high. Add additional water to reach desired consistency. Serve right away.

Notes

If you don't freeze some of the ingredients ahead of time, just substitute ice for half of the water to make sure the smoothie stays cold as it blends.

You can add honey if you would like, I make my base with just water even though you can use almond milk,coconut water, orange juice or basically any liquid. I limit the sweets in my smoothies.

Since I added information about CHIA

Here's a quick run down of the Health Benefits of Chia Seeds try to add them in to your smoothies

Research into the health benefits of chia  this is a potent superfood. The healthful nutrients in chia seeds are good for your overall health, but there are also some specific benefits that you can expect to see if you add them into your smoothie diet.

Weight Loss: Chia seeds can be a beneficial aspect of any weight loss program because of their ability to keep you feeling full. Because chia seeds can help to keep your blood sugar from spiking and dropping and because they are high in fiber, you will experience reduced hunger when you add them to your smoothies.

Energy: The nutrient combination and in chia seeds are known to provide you with long-lasting energy. 

Pain Relief: Chia seeds  have been known to relieve joint pain and irritated skin.

Heart Attack and Stroke: Chia seeds act as a mild blood thinner when consumed regularly. This means that it can help to prevent the clots that lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Blood Sugar: You will find that eating chia has a positive effect on your blood sugar levels. Chia seeds are low on the glycemic index. When you eat it with other foods, it can help to decrease the damaging spike in blood sugar levels that you often get up to an hour after eating. This will have the added benefit of reducing your later sugar drop.

Blood Pressure: High blood pressure one of societies big concerns which can lead to stroke and normally can hit alongside diabetes.  Research has indicated that diabetic patients consuming 40 grams of chia seeds per day experienced significantly reduced blood pressure

Digestion: Chia seeds are a great aid to proper digestion because they are so high in fiber. They have nearly 28 percent more fiber than flax seeds and have both soluble and insoluble fiber. This slows your digestive process down, allowing it to function properly and keeping you regular.

Cholesterol: Several nutritional components of chia seeds contribute to lowering your bad cholesterol levels and raising the amount of good cholesterol in your blood. These include fiber, long chain tricglycerides, and linoleic acid.

You can find chia seeds at bulk barn 

http://www.bulkbarn.ca/en-ca/product/seeds/baking/chia-seeds-non-gmo-gluten-free.html

http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/3379831/

Happy blending and remember share with me Whats's in Your Cup

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