Healthy Ways to Celebrate the 4th (Holiday Healthy)

Independence is coming soon. Time for a BBQ and Fireworks. Traditionally. we (most time just G & I) watch the fireworks display at the Fair Park from our porch (we live that close) while eating a few popsicles.

Our whole street does it. Only times I've missed "The Fireworks & Popsicles on the Porch" were the years I lived in Beaumont. Well, this year I will buy my brother, G the treats but I'll be absent. I'll be a few miles away at a wedding rehearsal BBQ for my close friend, Intellectual Diva. She getting married the next day. But I'll be on the porch in spirit.

I know we all love a good BBQ or cookout but we don't the pounds from eat so much of that good food. Well, here are a couple of recipes to help keep some of those extra lbs away. Starting with a refreshing beverage to help cool you off while enjoying yourself with your loved ones.

Lemonade Spritzers with Berry Ice Cubes (Recipe Found Here )

6-8 Servings 

Ingredients:

• 3-4 cups classic lemonade (your favorite recipe), plus more for ice cubes
• 2 cups soda water, chilled
• Raspberries
• Blueberries

Directions:

1. The night before you’re planning to serve this, make your ice cubes. Put some raspberries and blueberries into each well of an ice cube tray, and then fill each well with lemonade. Freeze overnight.
2. In a large pitcher, combine lemonade and chilled soda water. Stir to mix, and then chill until you're ready to serve.
3. To serve, put a few of your berry ice cubes into each glass, then pour lemonade/soda water mixture over the ice cubes.
4. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

** If you want, you can put the rest of your berries in the lemonade to soak. They'll infuse the lemonade with extra fruity flavor, and give it some extra color. 

I love a great tasting pasta salad.

Unless you overcook the noodles or put tofu in it (true story), you can't disappoint me with that dish. Matter of fact I just made one recently with a poppy seed dressing that was delicious. But the white pasta and all those dressings like ranch, poppy seed, mayonnaise etc are not exactly the best for us. So, if you're on for the pasta salad this year, here is a recipe that tells guests you care about their waistlines & their tastebuds.

Garden Pasta Salad (The inspiration for this recipe is found Here)

6 servings, 1 cup each

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole-wheat rotini, (6 ounces)
• 1/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar, or lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup diced yellow or red bell pepper, (1 small)
• 1 cup grated carrots, (2-4 carrots)
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions, (4 scallions)
• 1/2 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain and refresh under cold running water.
2. Whisk yogurt, oil, vinegar (or lemon juice), garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Add the pasta and toss to coat. Add tomatoes, bell pepper, carrots, spinach, scallions, olives; toss to coat well.
3. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Can't leave you guys without a few tips! 

Eating at a Cookout Tips:

• Practice portion control: There are a variety of strategies for cutting back at the grill. For example, eat 1/4-lb. burgers instead of 1/3- or 1/2-lb. patties, or split a steak with your friend
• Put the sauce on the side or leave it off. A sign of good BBQ is if can be eaten sauceless.
• Load up on grilled veggies: Fill half your plate with veggies so you won't be overdoing it on the higher-calorie options. And if you want seconds, be sure to fill your plate the same way.
• Don't skip meals to try to “save” calories for later: This can lead to overeating and lead you to make poor choices due to hunger and low blood sugar.
• Oh, this is what I call a "Red Solo Cup" holiday (Refer to this Song). If you are going to drink alcohol, Drink Responsibly!!! Don't Drink & Drive!!! Don't Drink & Fight!!!

So, have fun celebrating our country's freedom. Let Freedom Ring All Around the Land!

Congratulations & Welcome to anyone taking an oath of naturalization on that day! 

Happy 4th of July!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Another Blog Year, Another Journey Coming Up

Well, Thoughts of an OUTSPOKEN_DIVA is almost 4 years (July 3rd). On the third, I'll be a tad busy with work and preparations for my weekend plans so, I'm telling you guys early of a few known new plans for the blog.

This is what I looked like 4 years ago at my birthday dinner. That dress is so big on me now. I could put a blouse under it and make it a jumper. Oh and see my short bob. I told you guys my hair was short.

This is me at this year's birthday dinner. Longer hair and fitting in a dress 5 years old and 2 sizes smaller without seeing my rolls. Still working on my arms. I was looking at my oldest aunt's arms and I think it might be hereditary among the heavier members. Regardless, I'm still lighting the kettlebells to get the jokers slimmer not hit people with them like my name is Sean Combs (He & I are too old to act that foolish).

Now as for the blog, there will be a New year-long series based healthier holiday recipes.

Do you know parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14–30?
A master who was leaving his house to travel, and, before leaving, entrusted his property to his servants. According to the abilities of each man, one servants received five talents, the second servants received two talents, and the third servants received one talent. The property entrusted to the three manslaves was worth 8 talents, where a talent was a significant amount of money. Upon returning home, after a long absence, the master asks his three servants for an accounting of the talents he entrusted to them. The first and the second servants explain that they each put their talents to work, and have doubled the value of the property with which they were entrusted; each servants was rewarded. .The third servant, however, had merely hidden his talent, had buried it in the ground, and was punished by his master.

Well, because of  me doing a healthier soul food series, I am being rewarded and the Holiday Healthy series is a part of it. I am so glad I was not like the third servant and decided not to hide my talent.

The series is self explanatory. I will be providing healthy & helpful tips & recipes doing different holidays. Weight gain refuses to not take a vacation. So, the calories we consume on holidays count too. And this series starts right in time for Independence Day. I know many of us will be chowing down of on some cookout food if some kind. Some will even be cooking for some of these cookouts. Well, if you want to save yourself some calories & fat stay tuned. It will probably drop soon because if you are like my home, there's some shopping that needs to be done this week.

It has been a while since I told you guys anything here about a web series. That is because I have been watching them. LoL Oh there is a new one by Black & SexyTV on there new Black & Sexy Now PPV called Sexless that wrapped in May. I promise you, they have been taking notes on my life since I was 15. It's about 4 ladies (well 3 and maybe 1 depending on your definition of sex) who are all not having sex. 2 are virgins & 2 are celibate (again depending on your definition). I have been every woman on that show in some shape, form or fashion. The introduction minisodes & first episode are free on their YouTube channel. You can watch them HERE. Also the Marriage Tour season 3 HERE & Dating Savannah Love HERE (who's dating life looks a lot like mine) have started. And soon prepare for my thug tears. The web show, That Guy is ending its run with a third season. I reviewed the movie (LINK) earlier this year. Thanks to its spin-off, Being Nia & the Sexless spin-off, Chef Julian some of my questions have been answered. Ronnie will be around a little & Darryl has learned a lesson from the Judah/Stacy issue. He learned it so well he was schooling this guy named Julian well. After the series finale, I will do a farewell post to That Guy. I think as long as Judah & Deon or Mike & Deon don't start dating, I think I will be fine. We shall see.

And that is it. I'll try not to negative and be very informed about everything I post for another year. No matter the topic, I will be 100% OUTSPOKEN_DIVA. Last and Never least, Thank You to every reader of this blog. I was just typing stuff  I need to get off my brain.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

A Father's Day Post

Father's Day is upon us. Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers & Father Figures all over the land. You guys know I wasn't raised in the home by my biological dad. My mother was a single parent. My sister and I are those people that honor our mom also on Father's Day. A meal (Garlic-Ginger Wings & Veggie Fried Rice) that she loves will be cooked.

And you guys know I had great Father Figures in my life.

They were my grandfather, Pau-Pau, uncle, Uncle Junior & great uncle, Uncle H. I actually had more than that. I have & had quite a few great uncles, a God-father, a few God-Uncles & one uncle by marriage that are/were instrumental in my life is some form or fashion But these men were the most influential. Now I've bragged on my relationship with Pau-Pau before in the post Birthday Confession but he is only part of my father figure story.

1st let me talk about my Uncle Junior. He my mom's brother and Pau-Pau's son. He was the only boy in a family of girls. He died when I was twelve. Every spoiled, entitled, princess characteristic in my being can be blamed on him. He coddled his nieces. I remember impressing him because I could order food for DD & I at McDonalds when I was 8 after a museum trip.

That was big because we didn't eat fast food often and we didn't order for ourselves at all. When I overheard him bragging on me to my mom and I beamed with pride for the rest of the week. He taught me a lot about being a lady. "A man should open a lady's door." Once I opened a door and my male cousins got fussed at and thumped. I felt bad for my cousins (his two sons, Donny & Mike(blog names) & DD) and as a result I try my hardest not to open doors if men are around. Men, if you think I am picky about ashy skin, raggedy shoes & mouths? You can blame him also. Dating Lesson Number 1: You can tell how a man will treat a lady on how he treats his hands, mouth & shoes. If he doesn't care what he looks like, he won't care how he acts. If he doesn't take care of his mouth, anything could come out of it. So any guys I have dated, you got off easy. Imagine if he had lived to see you date me. Some of you would have never left the house with me. Now, he spoiled us as long as we were right. Have you ever recieved a disciplinary talk from an Air Force base from over 600 miles away? I have! My uncle didn't accept reports of bad grades or behavior. Trust me when he called home from Colorado to talk to you, you wish he would just spank you when he got there for Christmas break. He's the prideful breeze on my cheek that tells me I can make it. He didn't let me settle so, why should I?

If you ever see me type, "Yep, Yep, Yep", I'm paying homage to my great uncle. Anything he meant, he stamped it with a"Yep, Yep, Yep" to follow. My Uncle H was my great uncle by marriage. He was married to Pau-Pau's sister, Aunt V. He was very tall but the nicest man anyone could know.

He was my protector and I was too young to understand it. When I was in the 2nd grade, my teacher tried to keep me after school. Uncle H (who or his wife my  great aunt picked us up after school) came to the class and the teacher didn't answer his questions right and he yelled at him to release me. I was let go. In the car, he asked me all kinds of questions about if the man had touched me inappropriately. My innocent answers must have been suffice to him. I later found out he told my mom he suspected my teacher was a pervert. It did come out that our teacher was a pedophile and he had touched a few of the male students. He didn't attend church often because he was truck driver. He would do what he could for his family. Every time my Uncle Junior came to town, his family & he would lived with Uncle H & Aunt V. He always helped take my sister & me to college in his truck, you would've thought he was one of the grandfathers. He load up as much of our stuff that he could. He was proud to take us to school. He had lots of stories to tell on the road. He told stories about his childhood in West Texas. My knees hurt still think about him tell us about doing homework on his knees on a tree stump if one failed to do them it in. He loved told us about watching his uncle who was a Black Cowboy.  He loved to see others succeed. He personified this quote perfectly, "I hope we all succeed. you got the same failure fear as I do in me". He died when I was 20 years old. I was in my dorm room when my mom called me with the news. I was at school when he left this Earth, how befitting.

So, that was my grandfather's main support system in help raising Outspoken_Diva. He had/still has lots more help. One lesson they All taught me was to Never Hate my biological father. With All the Love they poured into me, how could I?

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

3rd Relaxer in a Year (It's My Hair)

So the last time I talked about my hair was in December or January, I looked like this. My experience relaxer stretching for 6 months was not that bad so I decide to stretch it for 6 months again. Well, with all the rain pouring down in the DFW metroplex, I cut this 6 months stretch off by two weeks.

I also during the stretch I bought a new investment to go with the last investment I call Marshall Royce Williams. I call this one, Kelly Royce Williams.

She is so cute. This is my first wig. It has been a few years since I had worn tracks. I forgot what it was like to wear that much hair. She took some time to get used to but I love her. But of course like Marshall, Kelly is not to totally relied up on. I wore my hair out.

I think this my roller set was bomb for a showing of "Kinky Boots".

And my hair was "Aunt of a High School Graduate" fabulous on this day. That was such a hectic morning at my house. I was very proud of my hair and my niece.

My hair is growing.  In March, I was blow drying my hair and all of  sudden I realized, I couldn't see very well.

My bangs were passed my eyes. The last time I had check on my bangs since I parted them in January of last year was in November. They covers my brows some but passed my eyes. I was excited.

Okay so I am actually late doing this blog. I got a relaxer two weeks ago. I forgot to take pictures of my hair of my hair when it was freshly done.

Here it is once I got in and put on my "hair shirt" so I could put it up for the evening. Then all the rain and humidity in the area made it impossible to keep my style properly so I wrapped it. And I wrapped it just in time for my birthday event. So, this is what I looked like a week after my relaxer.

I haven't worn my hair wrapped in so long I looked weird to me. Cute but a little weird. I'll have to wear it like that more often.

Well, wash day was two days ago. I washed my hair with the Pantene Truly Relaxed Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner as always. I don't add the Clarifying Shampoo & Deep Conditioner to the routine until week 8. I'll have enough new growth to be concerned with, then.

Then, I put the styling aids in before I dry my hair. I usually air dry or sit under a hooded dryer until week 6 when the new growth makes an appearance. That also mean that the styling aids change after 6 weeks also. I don't use the L'oreal Intense Smoothing Serum before I dry. I use the Dark and Lovely 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream Serum to keep my hair from shrinking some much after I blow dry my hair.

And here are the results after I air dry and comb it out with my trusty wide tooth comb that is older than me.

I then sectioned it off, two strand twist and roll each section at the end overnight.
Viola!!! Looks like the style I had when I got my relaxer.

My style for the next two weeks if we keep this wonderful dry weather. If not, I'll just wrap it,

In two weeks, one of my closest friends, Intellectual Diva (Smartest Diva, I know) is getting married. I'm a bridesmaid and I'll be returning to the land of buns & updos. I get addicted to not doing my hair. LoL

So pray my strength that I may continue to comb my hair and not slick it up and put it in a bun after this. As long as I have my spray oil & my edge control, I should be fine.

So that is my hair. Relaxed Hair, I Don't Care!!! I really don't care. I wear it my way and you should wear yours, your way. And We'll All Be Happy Again!!!


As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Gold Teeth (Not Interesting in Dating)

I've never been attracted to men with gold teeth. I don't understand getting them. It's not a symbol of luxury because I know several poor people with gold teeth.

In my opinion, is takes away from the beauty of a man's smile.

I love a man's smile. My uncle taught me you can tell a lot about a man by the way he takes care of his teeth. If what is in his mouth bothers you, what is coming out will not be heard. They can also be very distracting. I grew up with a man in church who could sing very well. But as a child, I would miss most what he was saying, because I was watching him lick is gold every few lines.

Now, before people who know me in Offline Land come for me, let me say a few things. Yes, I am related/have been related to people with gold teeth. You've not lived until you have an older relative who gets gold in their dentures. Yes, I one of my friends has a gold tooth. I also am not going to ever date her. Keyword is Her. And Yes, I have dated a man with gold teeth. Actually this guy is on the "Good Ex" list. He is probably the leader of the pack. Again the keyword is Ex.

I would Never date him again. His gold teeth is probably a very, very minor reason. Growing into different people over the years is the major reason. He didn't have gold teeth when we first started dating that mid-summer. He mentioned that he wanted gold teeth and thought I was dissuading him into getting them. I blame my passive aggression. That issue needed direct bluntness. In October, he came by my place to show off his new accoutrements. I didn't handle it well. I felt like he messed up the smile that I Loved.

We almost broke up right then behind his gold teeth. Keyword is Almost. We broke up later behind less petty reasons. At 20 years old, you almost break up behind gold teeth. Today, I'm most definitely breaking up with a man who gets gold teeth. Matter of fact, when he says he want to get some, I am telling him I will break up with him if he gets them. What is wrong with having natural looking teeth?

I know the reason all people who gold teeth was not a cosmetic one. Some people lose their teeth for various reasons. But even to them, why gold? What about getting the cheaper silver (Oh, gold is Not cheap (dentist office or black market)) cap and save for porcelain or ceramic (That can be strangely higher than gold). But that is their mouth and I don't have to kiss them. Yes, the ex had good oral care when we dated.

Sorry Mr. Goldy, we won't be dating.

You should've invested in Lasix.  It's just my preference, that's all. We can know each other. We can be good buds. Oh trust me, there is a lady out there for you.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

A Reading Man (Attractive Characteristics to OUTSPOKEN_DIVA)

Memes could totally sum up my feelings about Men that Read. Yet, I will type out some words to go along them.

I wish I would meet a man in a bookstore. Heck, I wish I would meet a man in the book section at Walmart. Oooh, he would purchase my books in order for me to give him my number. Yeah, I know wishful thinking. But that would be Epic!!!

Football Nerd used to get me books. Matter of fact he bought me one of my favorite books as birthday gift.
When I got a Kindle, he had me make a list of books. A few days later, I got some of those books for download. After that it became his thing he did. Actually a couple weeks before he left this world, he emailed me some books. * no tears* I've learned he liked giving people books. Books are Totally Great Gifts!!!

But what is just as hot as getting a book as a gift, A Man That Reads.

A man who reads books, journals & newspapers is the bee's knees to me. They have things to talk about that I can learn about. Most men I've met that read usually don't read some of the same genres that I do. So, it intrigues me what his thought processes is like. Oh, I know he's a thinker because no one can truly read without thinking.

Men who read are also curious. They will ask questions and usual don't assume. I knew a guy who read a book about a lady who had emotional problems caused by her husband. He asked he a few "Can a Man make a Woman lose her mind" questions. I knew a few guys who read "50 Shades of Grey" and that started a few discussions on bedroom expectations.

And of course men who read have a nice vocabulary. I don't mean a man who knows how to uses big words. I mean a man like the guys like in my previous post in the series. Reading is one of the ways we learned grammar as children. Reading as an adult helps keep those same skill working. Trust me, I've been there.

Sad, there are various studies that say women read more than men. I wish it was a equal. And men (and women), if you don't read don't bother anyone who does. Non-readers are some of the most judgemental people I know. It is why I limit all my interactions with them.

So, if you are interested in me, read something more than your social media timeline. When you finish reading, come discuss it with me. I'll be around to listen & learn. Maybe we'll know each other long enough for you to read to me one day. Yes, that is a Relationship Goal!!!


As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms