velmanator-blog

[velmanator-blog]

. . Playing small and starting small are two entirely different things. Playing small does not serve anyone, least of all you. If you step out with what’s based in your heart and not in your current circumstances, it’s virtually impossible to go wrong. . Starting small does not mean anything other than that. Starting small. Don’t despise the day of small beginnings. It all has to start somewhere. . “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” - Zig Ziglar . Don’t wait until you’re perfect, but learn to shine inside your perfection. It certainly isn’t easy by any means, and when you step out and find out you will see that there are more people to cheer you on than there are ones who want to tear you down. . Starting small and making baby steps is not easy, but it sure makes you feel good! When you master the baby steps and move on to the bigger steps, confidence increases and baby steps turn into big strides until you’re off and running! . It won’t be easy and every storm is not in the forecast, but with each victory comes mastery and joy.  . . . . . . . (at Arena District Athletic Club)

[velmanator-blog]

. Okay guys, we are more than 100 days into this whole thing.  104 days to be exact into 2017!  104 DAYS!  That was F-A-S-T yo? . I know most of you already practice gratitude on your own and that is GREAT, but that's sincerely not the point of this.   . Studies show that when you write your own out and then read others gratitudes, it helps reinforce what you're already grateful for. So, consider it a double dose of gratitude for yourself. It heightens your joy. . Connecting with other people celebrating our gratitude helps us all, so thank you for contributing and responding to my DM that I sent to some of you!  I appreciate you! . Lyssette, I'm adding you to the tagging list.  You respond to every post, so I thought "Why not?" I'd love to have you participate! . [Pssst...in case you are seeing this for the first time & wondering what it's all about, we simply add a note per week to our jar(s) for things we are thankful for. Simply post a pic of yourself and your very own gratitude jar on your own feed. We have dedicated to do this each week until the end of the year! We ill then read them at the end of the year. Join us on our gratitude journey! Just drop me a line below 👇👇👇& you can be included It's never too late to be grateful! ] . @fengshuimama @house_of_thiam @youhavetojuststart @essentially_loving_oils @familyteamcoach @jennifer_crum66 @simplblog @birdiepenny @dinanza @lornacharles @lyssette66 . . . . . . (at Arena District Athletic Club)

[velmanator-blog]

. . Ever feel like your blessings seem to be going to someone else? LOL! I mean really, you're werkin' your arse off with your great attitude & E-V-E-R-Ythang; killin' your diet & exercise as your best friend effortlessly drops size with a 1/4 of the effort? Or even worse - no effort at all? Grrrrr...😡 . ...or your promotion goes to that new hire, or the first audition they go to gets them the part (that they do as a "side gig" that's your 24/7 job) & all you can say to yourself is, "What do I look like, Jimmy Dean sausage? I'm werkin' ova heeya!"😤 . In an interview with Renee Zellweger, she says she's reluctant to tell people she's NEVER had an acting lesson or pursued classes or studied with anyone great. She said it makes people angry. LOL! Yeah, I bet! . Its easy to focus on the unfairness of it all, but trust me when i say, it all ends up in a place of misery (ask me how i know). Perhaps you've asked for something far bigger & dream of something far dreamier, in which case, the longer the wait, the bigger the reward. Try to think of it that way rather than focusing on the fret. . Energy goes where energy flows. . Keep track of what YOU'RE doing. Don't keep someone else's score.✌🏽 . . . (at Arena District Athletic Club)

[velmanator-blog]

.  Short-sided . I'm not a fan of frozen vegetables.  I have tried every way imaginable to make them interesting to no avail, so I'm always on the lookout for prepping fresh  veggies I usually have on hand in about 10 - 15 minutes or less.   . Here are just a few of those recipes. . . . (at Arena District Athletic Club)

[velmanator-blog]

. In the name of business, I've had the opportunity to run ads, and most of,  if not all of my ads include a picture of me.   . I remember there was a woman who had a few choice words to say about how I looked and just in case you're wondering, it was not kind. . I did not respond, but it did make me wonder why she felt it necessary to say anything at all?   . While I'm fully aware that her response says far more about her than it does about me, I still find myself wondering why people even bother? . I find it comical most times and then I empathize because, I mean, you can't have much going on if you need to take a moment to say something off color about someone you dont even know. . We can't please everyone and if we do, we are doing something terribly wrong. I'm fully aware i'm not for everyone to which I say, "Press the unfriendly button and keep it movin'.✌🏽" . To the wrong person/people, even at your best it's never enough, so don't sweat it. . You will never please idiots, or people with bad intentions so keep it moving. . Hurt people hurt people and 10 times out of 10, whatever they're unleashing on you, has NOTHING to do with you. Haters gon' hate. Do you Boo. . Stay beautiful. 💕 . . . (at Nationwide Arena)

[velmanator-blog]

. . Sean started as a marathon runner and had an epiphany when he said he was gardening and struggled to lift the mulch onto his shoulder and felt he needed a change.  He wanted to be stronger and be able to lift the things he wanted to lift without feeling like he was going to collapse.  So we made a plan together & he worked the plan. 💪🏽 . Can you tell the difference? . . (at Arena District Athletic Club)

[velmanator-blog]

. . Bad days build a better YOU . I was listening to an interview with Martha Stewart and she admitted to the host that she woke up that morning and had a good cry.  The host looked surprised that she even shared it.  Martha's only response was, "Sometimes you just have to get it out." . People on a mission to accomplish something don't have rose colored days frequently.  Just because they're in pursuit of what they really want to do doesn't mean every single day comes up roses.  It's more like a roller coaster ride.   . If you should happen to come across, doubt, lack of confidence, or uncertainty, that's called living and certainly no reason to give up.  As long as you don't pitch a tent there, you be aight. . . . . (at Arena District Athletic Club)

[velmanator-blog]

. Fish Cakes . Ingredients: 2 Tilapia Fillets 1 Roma Tomato 2 Limes ½ cup Panko Breadcrumbs  3 Mayonnaise 2 tsp. Light Chili Powder 2 Sugar 4 oz. Baby Arugula 1 oz. Pepitas olive oil salt and pepper . Before Cooking Preheat oven to 375 degrees Thoroughly rinse produce and pat dry Prepare a baking sheet with foil and cooking spray . Core Roma tomato and cut into ½" dice. Zest both limes and juice one lime and half of second lime. Cut remaining half into wedges. . Rinse tilapia fillets, pat dry, and season both sides with ¼ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper. Place tilapia on prepared baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tsp. olive oil, and roast until fish reaches a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees, 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven, carefully transfer to a plate, and allow to cool 5-10 minutes. While fish roasts, prepare ingredients. . Once tilapia has cooled, shred lightly with two forks. Place panko breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, chili powder, 2 tsp. lime zest (reserve 2 tsp. for salad), 1 Tbsp. lime juice (reserve 2 Tbsp. for salad), ½ tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper to a medium mixing bowl. Add shredded tilapia and mix until combined and able to be formed into cakes. . Form tilapia mixture into four evenly-sized fish cakes, about 4" in diameter. Place a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add 2 tsp. olive oil. Add fish cakes to hot pan. If necessary, cook in batches to avoid crowding pan. Cook until browned and warm throughout, 3-4 minutes per side. Remove cakes from heat and set aside. Repeat with remaining cakes, adding oil as needed. . In a medium mixing bowl, combine 2 Tbsp. lime juice, 2 tsp. lime zest, sugar, 2 Tbsp. olive oil, ¼ tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper. Add arugula, pepitas, and diced tomato to bowl and toss. Set aside. . Place a serving of salad on a plate. Add two fish cakes to plate. Serve with two lime wedges. . . .

[velmanator-blog]

.  . Never forget these three types of people.  Most people will show you who they are early on if we really pay attention.  I always regret ignoring that still voice inside, my wisdom, that gave me the answer before I got involved in the first place. . Wisdom never lies.  Pay attention to it.  We can have all the knowledge in the world, but only time can give us the wisdom.  Cherish it.  . . . . . . .

[velmanator-blog]

2 down, 2 more to go! Meet me next week @ the Easton Lululemon!💪🏽 April 23rd & April 30th! Come let me see your beautiful faces. 😘😘😘 (at Lululemons)

[velmanator-blog]

. This is for those of you that haven't checked in,in a long while....for whatever reason. One of my favorite poems: . When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit- Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, . As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a fellow turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - You may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than It seems to a faint and faltering man; Often the struggler has given up Whe he might have captured the victor's cup; And he learned too late when the night came down, How close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out - . The silver tint in the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It might be near when it seems afar; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - It's when things seem worst that you must not quit. . Even if we haven't heard from you because things are going so great😁 👍🏽! Tell us about it! We'd love to hear how great it's going! Let us know below.🙏🏽🙏🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 . [Pssst...in case you are seeing this for the first time & wondering what it's all about, we simply add a note per week to our jar(s) for things we are thankful for. Simply post a pic of yourself and your very own gratitude jar on your own feed. We have dedicated to do this each week until the end of the year! We ill then read them at the end of the year. Join us on our gratitude journey! Just drop me a line below & you can be included It's never too late to be grateful! ] . I pray this finds you all well! 😘😘😘 . @fengshuimama @house_of_thiam @youhavetojuststart @siouxzensleathercreations @1uniquewriter @essentially_loving_oils @familyteamcoach @carrierhawson @jennifer_crum66 @simplblog @ruben_masajes_kinesio @birdiepenny @dinanza @lornacharles @_kfrance . 📸 @angelafortinstudio . . . .

[velmanator-blog]

. . . All is coming if you just take the time out to be grateful for all you have today.   . . . (at Arena District Athletic Club)

[velmanator-blog]

. BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad . Ingredients . 1 Romaine Heart 4 oz. Grape Tomatoes 1 Green Bell Pepper 5 Cilantro Sprigs 1 Red Onion 15½ oz. Canned Black Beans 4 oz. Corn Kernels 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 2 Small Corn Tortillas 3 oz. BBQ Sauce 3 oz. Ranch Dressing . Hold romaine head at root end and chop coarsely. Halve grape tomatoes. Stem, seed, and cut green bell pepper into ½" dice. Stem cilantro and coarsely chop leaves. Peel and halve red onion. Slice into thin strips. Rinse and drain black beans and corn kernels. Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. . Place chicken on one prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tsp. olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees, 12-15 minutes. Remove from baking sheet and set aside to cool. While chicken cooks, make tortilla strips. . Slice tortillas into thin strips and toss with 1 tsp. olive oil on second prepared baking sheet. Bake until crispy and lightly browned, 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven, season with a pinch of salt, and set aside. Watch closely, as tortillas can burn easily. Transfer to a plate when light brown so they don't overcook. . Combine lettuce, corn, tomatoes, green bell pepper, black beans, and red onion (to taste) in a large mixing bowl. . When chicken is cool enough to handle, use two forks or your hands to shred into long pieces in a medium mixing bowl. If you prefer a quicker preparation, cut chicken into ½" dice. . Compose a pile of salad in the middle of a plate. Top salad with shredded chicken, a drizzle of BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing. Arrange tortilla strips on top of salad and garnish with cilantro. . . . (at Arena District Athletic Club)

[velmanator-blog]

at Arena District Athletic Club

[velmanator-blog]

. . One word. Netflix. . How many times have we said to ourselves, “I’ll just watch the first episode and then get some work done only to find ourselves knee deep into the 8th season?” “Just one more”, we tell ourselves. At some point we go from being in control to being controlled by that thing we do. Whether it’s “enjoying” a few Resees cups, to inhaling the entire bag of them to the point that it makes us sick (ask me how I know😒), or having one glass of wine turns into an entire bottle…..by yourself. . What about you? What’s that mastery that turned into an obsession? What can own you? . Tatoos? Shoes? Cookies? Potato Chips? . Let me know below: 👇👇👇👇 . . . .

[velmanator-blog]

. Me as Rosie The Riveter☺️ . I had my logo done in the likeness of Rosie the Riveter because she is a symbol of strength, pride and unity.   . During WWII, Women were needed in the workforce to replace the men who were being sent off to war.  Housewives were targeted because they were the most available at that time. Not only white women went to work while the country was in need.  There were also Black, Hispanic & Asian women who all worked side by side in a combined effort. . In addition to that,  women banned together in their homes to not only make additional income, but to save as well because they helped each other out by babysitting and other needs at home.  If they both worked, then they worked differing shifts so they could help the other babysitting.   We truly used our village. . Once women accepted the challenge to help our American soldiers out in the workforce, we continued to make strong advancements towards equal rights.  . "WE CAN DO IT!" was a phrase coined during the "Rosie Era" to capture the sense of pride women felt going to work earning income outside the home while helping out our American soldiers.  Although Rosie  was rumored to be a real person, the adaptation of 'Rosie the Riveter' came to symbolize not any one woman in particular, but was in reference to all women going to work to help the American war effort.   .  There is nothing more amazing than strong women lifting each other up & filling in for each other when needed. . What do you think? Is there anything you would like to add or share? . . . . (at Arena District Athletic Club)

[velmanator-blog]

. . Probably one of the most important things I’ve noticed in life is that no one really wants to listen to you whine about your problems. It’s not because they don’t care or mean to be rude, it’s simply because they have problems and a life of their own and for some odd reason, your problem doesn’t trump theirs. If things are not okay, complaining about to others will not help you. At all. It only makes you feel more terrible each time you tell the story. Instead, speak about the situation the way you would like it to be (out loud to yourself) until you see what you’ve been speaking come to fruition. . Complaining only makes the problem linger longer. Stop complaining and rehearsing it to that next person who fell prey to your story. Get through the problem being the victor that you are and everyone’s always happy to hear your story of how you overcame to become the champion that you are. It’s easier to ask for a cheer than and ear. . Ask me how I know.😒 . . . .