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chioma.ihekweazu@gmail.com

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Pink Peacock

January 28, 2016

I LOVE this faux fur vest that I picked up from Target last year. I mean it’s pink! I’ve never been a pink kind of girl, but I’m starting to appreciate it much more as I get older. There’s something so feminine about it. Especially in softer, more muted shades. Every girl needs a vest like this in her closet. Besides being the ultimate statement piece, it’s an instant mood booster. Seriously, try being upset when you feel like a pink peacock. It’s damn near impossible:)

Target Faux Fur Vest Target Faux Fur Vest Target Faux Fur Vest Target Faux Fur Vest Target Faux Fur Vest Target Faux Fur Vest

White shirt & shades : Forever 21, Pink vest: Target, Pants: TJ Maxx, Shoes: ModCloth, Bag: Ralph Lauren, Bracelet: Old Navy, Necklace: Thrifted

 

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Style

TGIM!

January 17, 2016

Here’s a few shots of an outfit I wore to church a few weeks ago. I remember being so on the fence about this midi. Crazy right?! It’s not that I didn’t like it, but I wanted to make sure that it wasn’t a fading attraction. Especially since Forever 21 has this crappy in store policy where you can only exchange items or return them for store credit (once they have your money, they’re not letting go!). I went to Forever 21 on two separate occasions before I actually bought it. I’m so glad I finally did. The color and texture of the skirt make it a perfect transitional piece to wear into fall or winter. It will also work quite well in the spring or summer paired with a silk burgundy cami or with a scoop neck cotton white or grey short-sleeved tee for a more casual look.

Forever 21 Midi Skirt Forever 21 Midi Skirt Forever 21 Midi Skirt Forever 21 Midi Skirt
Sweater & Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Target, Pin: Thrifted, Bracelet: J. Crew

Style aside, this weekend has been exactly what I needed. I’ve managed to get some work done and rest, all while enjoying some pretty good food:) I made some cinnamon oven roasted butternut squash and put it in a salad with some cranberry cinnamon goat cheese and pumpkin seeds (both from Publix). Amazing! I’m grateful that it’s not over just yet though. I still have Monday to help ease me back into the week. Since I don’t have classes on Monday this semester, I think I may need to officially coin the phrase TGIM!

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Style

One Down and Miles to Go Before I Sleep

January 16, 2016

I survived my last first week of classes! It feels like a big accomplishment. The first week back after a long break is always a little rough for me. I have to get used to having a strict routine again. My calendar has already filled up with assignment deadlines, research meetings, TA duties, and writing sessions.

As overwhelming as this can be, it’s also a bit refreshing. A new semester brings new subjects, new research ideas, new people, and new experiences. There’s this anxious, frenzied energy in the air. People scurry around campus trying to find classes in buildings they’ve never been to before (me on Tuesday). They crack a smile as they run into a friend that they haven’t seen since before break, and try to decide whether they’re going to stay in that stats class that meets on Monday morning at 8. It’s kind of electric.

Fall Fashion Fall Fashion

One thing I’m sure of is this semester will not lack in excitement. It’s only been a few days and I’m already involved in a project to help communicate success stories about meeting healthy food guidelines in federal worksites (right up my alley:).Fall Fashion Fall Fashion

Faux Leather Jacket: JcPenney, Blue & Gray Sweater Top: JcPenney, White Top Underneath: The Limited, Jeans: Target, Shoes: Forever 21, Chain Necklace: Express, Gold Bangle: Old Navy

Besides the excitement brought on by this new semester, there is definitely some anxiety. By May I’ll have to make some big decisions (e.g. settle on my dissertation topic, form my committee, and begin seriously thinking about post-graduation career plans). So let’s just say I’m not in a rush for the semester to end. This weekend I plan to take it easy by doing some light reading and heavy resting. Technically, the honeymoon is already over. My professors have wasted no time in assigning plenty of readings and assignments. I’m going to extend it for a few more days though because once Tuesday comes, it’s a race to the finish.
TGIF!
xo
Chi

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Food

Chicken & Apple Pita Wrap

January 14, 2016

Now that the spring semester has officially begun, time is at an ultimate premium. I need as many quick and healthy meal ideas in my arsenal as possible because my schedule is going to be packed. Fortunately, I can add this chicken and apple pita wrap to the mix! It only involves four ingredients, is super easy to assemble, and totally customizable depending on my preferences. Bonus points for the pita pocket making it perfectly portable as well.
Ingredients:
3 oz chicken
1/4 of a medium sized green apple
1/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
1 whole wheat pita pocket

Directions:

  1. Slice your green apple into fourths, taking one of the fourths and dicing it into smaller one inch chunks.
  2. Take your chicken, cottage cheese, and green apples and mix them all together.
  3. Carefully place the mixture into your pita pocket and enjoy.

I’ll usually have this with some yogurt, crackers, or a piece of fruit (like the remaining 3/4 of my green apple). A note about the chicken: I usually nuke it in the microwave for about 20 seconds but you can also have it cold like a deli wrap. And if you’re wondering where to find pita pockets, they’re usually hanging out with the breads and soft taco wraps.

Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

xo,
Chi
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Food

Sunny Side Up or Scrambled?

January 8, 2016
Two scrambled eggs with black pepper, sea salt, and goat cheese, avocado & cilantro rose salsa, with cilantro & lime chicken sausage. Delicious, filling, and pretty darn healthy;)

The nutrition world is all abuzz with the release of the most recent federal dietary guidelines. You likely won’t be surprised by many of the recommendations – eat whole fruits, colorful vegetables, lean meats, nuts, and seafood, and whole grains, but one of the recommendations about eggs may catch you by surprise.

So what is the new guideline – that you can eat them! For years, people have avoided eggs and opted for their reduced fat and cholesterol counterparts like egg whites and egg beaters. Eggs first received a bad rap in the 1960s after an American Heart Association report linked diets high in cholesterol and saturated fats to poor heart health. Egg consumption in the US significantly declined following this. The egg industry has since worked vigorously to get back in the good graces of former egg lovers (remember the Incredible Edible egg commercials?!), and this recommendation could be a step in the right direction.

On a personal note, this is one of the reasons I was drawn to my field – health communication with an emphasis on diet and nutrition. Nutrition science is constantly evolving. As more research is conducted, new information comes out, and that information gets shared with the public. Some people may then make modifications to their diet based on these “hot” new research studies. I find it fascinating, but it’s also a bit worrisome. Basing your diet on one or a couple of new research studies isn’t a great idea. Now that’s not the case here – this was an official report released by the American Heart Association which was based on years of scientific research, but I’m using this as a detour to make a point. When it comes to your diet, stick to tried and true recommendations like the ones above (e.g. colorful fruits and veggies, lean meats, & whole grains), and let the rest of your diet be varied. It’s all about moderation and variety. Eat some eggs, have some tuna, or enjoy some full fat milk (*gasps*). What you want to avoid is having your diet consist primarily of one or a few types of foods. Think of it this way, your body is a complex organism with millions of various functions that it has to perform on a daily basis. In order to perform all of these different functions, it needs different nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The way to get them is by eating a wide variety of foods.

So go ahead and order that omelet at Sunday brunch! And politely tell the server you don’t need to substitute them for egg whites:)

 

 

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Style

Unfolding the Vision

January 6, 2016

Happy New Year Guys! I hope the first few days of 2016 have been treating you well. So far I’ve spent the new year thinking about that one question we all dread, but seem to get asked more often as we get older – “Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?” It’s crazy how such a deceptively innocent question is so challenging to answer. Part of the reason is because there are so many different directions you can go with it. And to be completely truthful, how you answer depends on who’s asking. I can guarantee your mother isn’t looking for the same answer as a potential employer. I’ve decided that this will be the year that I spend more time developing that five to 10 year vision for myself. This includes everything from the personal to professional. It’s important for me to know exactly what I want out of life, so that I can be intentional in the choices that I make because,

How do you know you’re lost, if you don’t know where you’re going? 
 
ASOS Plaid Coat

There are many things that I don’t have figured out. I mean it’s only day five of the new year, but there are many things that I do know that I want. I’d like to build this blog into a brand and a community where I can connect with people who share my passion for health, style, and beauty. I plan to be a homeowner. I will have started my own consulting firm. I also plan to meet and work with Michelle Obama.

Don’t ask me how – I walk by faith.

I just admire what she does, who she is, and what she represents to the world. She’s a strong, intelligent, charming, and poised black woman, who’s a champion for healthy living. What’s not to love about her. Funny thing is, last August when I gave a presentation at a health communication conference in Atlanta, a young lady who worked for Let’s Move Childcare approached me and asked to feature our program on their website. In my mind, that meant that there was a chance that Michelle Obama read words I wrote! That was all the proof I needed that our paths will cross in due time:)

ASOS Plaid Coat

So that’s part of the vision. The rest is still under construction. Fortunately, I don’t have to have it all figured out to start making intentional choices like saving a set percent of my income, networking, and developing a schedule to put out quality blog posts consistently.

ASOS Plaid Coat

May prosperity, health, and joy be yours for the taking in 2016!

Love & blessings,
xo Chi
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Food

Urban Remedy Product Review

September 27, 2015

I don’t believe in juice cleanses. I need and love food so I’m not giving it up for anybody. I did feel like my body could benefit from a reset after a couple of weeks of traveling and eating out in early August. I had heard of Urban Remedy before and decided to look into their products. Urban Remedy is an organic health food company with an array of raw, ready to eat snacks, meals, and juices.

Their cleanses are pretty expensive. I didn’t like the idea of spending north of 180 dollars for only 3 days worth of food, but I really wanted to try some of their meals. Fortunately, you can buy their products individually. I decided to go that route and created a custom reset meal plan.

Drinks/ Meal Replacement Shakes
Chai
This was my favorite drink. It was sweet but not overly so with a nice hint of cinnamon.
PB&J

A close second for my favorite drink was the PB&J. It’s not actually peanut butter (I wouldn’t have ordered it if it was because I hate peanut butter). It was almond butter, with almond milk, and strawberries. Out of all of the drinks I ordered this was the heartiest.

Matcha Tea Au Lait

This was my first matcha tea experience and all in all it wasn’t bad. I knew that matcha had an “interesting” taste before I tried it so in some ways I knew what to expect. The almond milk lent a sweetness to what would have otherwise been a slightly more savory drink. It’s one of those drinks that I could probably like even more after getting used to the taste. I would certainly drink it over Chocolate banana or Nourish.

Cacao Almond Milk

Any chocolate milk lovers, this one is for you. This tasted just like chocolate milk. I quite enjoyed it.

 
Chocolate Banana

This was my least favorite drink. I found it to be hard to finish with a somewhat bitter aftertaste (possibly due to the cacao, but it didn’t bother me in the cacao almond milk).

Nourish

Based on the ingredients this should have been one of my favorites, but it was a huge letdown. I found it to be pretty bland with an odd aftertaste.

 
Snacks/Dessert
 
Carrot Curry crackers

I really enjoyed these crackers. It’s an interesting combo but I liked it. I definitely sensed both the carrot and curry flavors.  The crackers aren’t the texture of your typical crackers but that didn’t bother me at all.

No bake oatmeal cookies

These were pretty good. The texture is quite reminiscent of an oatmeal cookie, slightly chewy with some crunch to them. They weren’t amazing though so I probably wouldn’t order them again.

Banana brittle

I loved the banana brittle! It was my favorite snack out of the bunch. Sweet enough to satisfy sweet cravings, with a delicate, crispy texture that would make it a great topping for frozen or Greek yogurt.

Raw chocolate mousse

This wasn’t overly sweet but it also wasn’t bitter which I was expecting. The mousse was pretty dense which made it quite filling and satisfying. This would be a great choice to fulfill a sweet craving without having to hit up the bakery section at Publix.

Meals
Fettucine with pesto

This was one of my favorite meals. Very hearty and filling and the pesto tasted like regular pesto not a pesto imitator. They used zucchini ribbons instead of pasta which significantly lowered the calorie count. The whole meal clocks in at 330 calories.

Veggie pad thai

This came with a coconut and almond butter dressing that was divine. As the name suggests, this was packed to the brim with veggies. This was one dish that I’d love to recreate.

Mediterranean collard wrap

Based on the ingredients I expected to love this one, but it was good not great. The flavors didn’t pack a big punch for me. I wouldn’t order it again.

Thai collard wrap

This was unremarkable for me. It wasn’t good or bad; squarely middle of the road.

Zen salad

This was another low-key favorite. The flavors are simple but as I took more bites I really began to appreciate all of the flavors working together. It also had a nice crunch to it and I find I need my salads to have some crunch.

Spring rolls

These were pretty tiny and I thought the rolls themselves tasted okay. They do come with a ginger dipping sauce that had a great kick to it. You get a much better bang for your buck with the fettucine or pad thai dishes.

What I Would Order Again

Fettucine with pesto
Veggie pad thai
Zen salad
Carrot Curry crackers
PB&J

What I Would Avoid
Chocolate Banana
Nourish
Generally, the wraps. They’re pretty tiny so you get less bang for your buck. While the names and ingredients sounded amazing, the taste was a let down.

The Pros
Customizable; buy products individually

You get to choose when you want to receive your product and this doesn’t cost extra as long as you meet the shipping minimum ($75).

The Cons

If you don’t reach their $75 minimum then shipping is extremely expensive (read $49). They do pack it with dry ice and let you choose your shipping date.

While the nutrition info is on the individual product pages on their website, it would be nice if all of their products contained nutrition information on the actual packaging. Some products did but some did not.

So there you have it. And no this post is not sponsored. I wasn’t sent any of these products for free or at a discounted price. I just wanted to share this information in the hopes that anyone considering Urban Remedy would find them useful. The reset definitely helped me feel refreshed.

Have you heard of Urban Remedy? Tried any of their products? Which ones are your favorites?

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