Man Please, I'm Tired

This is probably should be called How Outspoken_Diva Will Never Get a Date Again or Why ALL the Men Boycott Outspoken_Diva. LoL But I am tired of every crappy male opinion about women. We need one another to survive but you trample us every chance you get. So, let me air out some grievances,  

I'm Tired of 77=100 Because it doesn't. No matter what stats you put on our plate on why, I'm not ingesting that crap. Equal Pay for Equal work. And I won't be fooled by "Period Leave". That's another way to hide behind not paying women what they are worth.

I get tired of the complaints & insults just because a woman bring up the topic of equality

Is Chivalry is dead is the question, but somehow the answer leads the problem of independent women. I'm tired of guys passing the blame and not owning up to their part. Open the door for a lady. Offer a standing lady a seat. Walk on the open side. Ring or Knock the door for a date. And stop worrying about if she will be upset if you "patronized" her.

I'm tired of No not meaning No. I was never taught another meaning for that word. I read an interesting article about Consent on The Root. If THIS doesn't help you...

I'm tired of Overly Conscious N-word yelling Bed Wench for every black woman's decision that doesn't line up to their views. Like the Queen never thinks without the King. Like a Queen can't still be a Queen without a King.

And where were they when Charles McKinney shot a lady because she rejected him. I tired of you guys preaching about all the injustices done to you but not teaching your brothers how not do wrong to others

Street Harassment & Cat Calling, You know I am passed tired. It's more than a hello. Say Baby & Psst is not a greeting. Down grab my arm to get my attention. Don't follow me to wear me down into speaking to you. Let me be just be rude when you speak.

I'm tired of being told the "Dress How You Want to be Addressed" but my male counterpart is rarely told to "Keep His Hands & Eyes to Himself at All Times".

My body is not a Feeling & Touching toy no matter how I'm dressed. Because a woman can be covered up and still have a stray hand touch bottom. No cleavage can be showing and breast are still being ogled at. 

How Tired I am, I needed Kelly Price for the soundtrack

Another celebrity who fell for the "Reality" trope at one time

I'm tired of some of these male self-help authors writing books for ladies but have yet to write a book for men. I can "Act Like Lady & Think Like a Man" but what is the dude I dating suppose to do. I get it the numbers say women read more than men. The stats didn't say Men don't read at all. Oh you can have a show called "It's Not You, It's Men", but when will you have a show for men to learn, It's Them? Wait that means you must admit, It's you, too. And he Just Not be Into Me but let him know I just may not be into him also. The dating reaction coin works the same for both genders.

Oh and "Good Guys", I'm tired of you too. A Good guy doesn't have to tell me he is one and then get upset that I am not interested in him. You getting upset actually flaws your good status. It is not always about a woman wanting a "Bad" boy. Ever had the thought that you are just not the "Good" guy for me.  All levels of attraction must be mutual.

Oh and Church men, I'm tired that I can be your bible study, Sunday school, children's church, ect., teacher when you were a little "boy". (Look around and find how few males are teaching children in church) Oh, but you have a problem with me teaching you as a man. Some of your pulpits won't allow a woman to be a minister, pastor or bishop. Women are are only allowed to speak to some of the main bodies on 5th Sunday for Mission or Women's Sunday.

I'm also tired that it is taught that ladies can't sit on the front row because it will distract the preacher. But the preacher is not taught not to sit in the "Baby, Come & Get It" stance in the pulpit. If he was hid behind the cross like he was supposed to be, he wouldn't be distracted.

Oh and most of the women in the church are not after the preacher or the new single man at church. I tired of that stereotype. I got a feeling a fed-up lonely, dateless usher started that. He told the stereotypical gay dude before the start of Men's bible class and it spread like wildfire. Now, that usher is long dead leaving a late in life wife, some foster kids, and that rumor here on this Earth.

And since I mentioned a gay man. Gay men, time to sip a cup a tea, because I'm tired of you guys, too. You are not the end all to be all when it comes to fashion. I don't need you to tell me how to dress to catch a heterosexual man. You guys don't feel the urgent need to help straight brethren to catch my straight butt. Clearly not because, who pairs polka dots and stripes and calls it edgy. I dress for me and if a man likes that, Great. Either give me a compliment or don't. Because truth be told your very fashion uncomfortable tips, didn't land me a man either.

And this love for the Sassy Female trope is Very tired. She is a negative caricature. I don't care if Mr "Reality TV", Andy Cohen promotes on his "reality" full of overbold women telling it like it is and keepin' it real all the time. Women's lives are never 100% domineering moments that demand us to shoot from the hip.

And and this tired euphemism of things feminine you guys use, Fish. It is past time for you to stop the using fish in that manner. You have been told repeatedly how offensive. We are not synonyms for what men like yourself imagine as our “dirty smelly” reproductive systems. We are every bit as fully human as you.

Oh and heterosexual men donning on wigs doing skits let's address you. Some folks (male & female, hetero & homo sexual) think you need to just come out the closet. I'm not going to touch that opinion. That's not my opinion. But I see some of your passive aggressive way to express your complaints the stereotypical behavior of baby mama's, trailer trash, ratchet, & chola chicks, & church girls through the vehicle of comedy. Comedy is subjective but you guys need some new material. A few are cute but many are overkill. Stop hiding behind a wig to make your points. And get a lady to do the role.

Nerds, you are not exempt. I get pop culture's normalization nerdom is now tainting the waters. But to tell ladies to prove they are nerdy is sexist.

And I'm tired of you fanboys dictating to me what is acceptable nerd culture & who can celebrate. As a marginalized group, it behooves me that you would tell a lady who has the same interests as you, that she is a fake.

Well now, I am exhausted. I probably have barely scratched this topic. But I had to LOVE you guys enough to tell you that you are hurting me. And yes, I know "Not All Men". Well, not All Women are not the stuff you a tired of us doing. Comments are open, of course. No Mansplaining, though. No one is slow. And only the guilty and hard of understanding would do that tired mess anyway. Alright, I love you, guys!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Who Am I? Thanks Black History Month!!!

*It's long. Tried shortening it. That made it dumb. So, it's long*

A photo (Not my photo & can’t procure permission from everyone in it, so I can’t show it) of my foundation church Sunday School classmates & me when I was maybe 17. (My Hair said 16. ‬My dress said 16 or 17. My feet say 11. ‪My Classmates say 17 or 18) ‬that surfaced a few weeks ago on Facebook, took me way back. I remember that smart butt bought to the nerd. She winks back at me all the time in the mirror. She's my personality foundation! But a time shortly before then, you would’ve thought co-switcher was my professional goal. There was a time I didn't show all of me everywhere.

If the term code-switcher was a popular thing when I was growing up, explaining the type of person I was to people would've been so much easier. I've been a Black Christian Nerd for many, many, many years.

My mind could have easily wandered
to this thought as a teenager
LMBO

I've been Black all my life. I was born that race and I identified with many parts of "being black". I didn't become a Christian until I was 13. Oh, I was baptized at the urging of my family at 8. But I didn't accept him as my savior wholeheartedly until then. (We'll tackle that another day) Plus, I was "churchy" and that doesn't hide. And I have been a nerd as early as age 4. Yes, one day a few years ago, I sat and pinpointed the moment.  I didn't want to go to daycare after the 1st semester because I couldn't "say some of those words in the book" like a couple of kids my exact age at church that I thought was dumb. I also felt like if I was going to "school", why didn't my teacher give us homework like my sister (who is 7 years older) had? Yeah, I know. Who wants homework? Hey, I felt like I should've learned more that scriptures, pledges, Lego blocks, & the lyrics to "Love Come Down"(Oh, I was Evelyne Champagne King!). My grandfather was tired of my fighting after Christmas break so, I was at home until time to go to public school. Yes, I regretted wanting homework years later.

Now since a "black nerd" was not pop culture entity until the 90s with the characters of Steve Urkel & Carlton Banks (even though there were so many non-stereotypical others, including Laura Winslow & some of the cast of a Different World), I didn't realize I was a nerd until I was in high school. Black & Christian was a combination I could explain. Unless you were angrily against being Christian, no one bothered people about being a Black Christian, as they do now. Black & Nerdy, I could explain it. I had friends who were like me watching & analyzing Star Trek, Next Generation, X Files, Power Rangers, V. R. Troopers, Degrassi High, ect on the phone.

I had friends that I shared a love of writing fan-fiction about the current Black stars & singers, we thought were handsome.

My Bedroom wall aka My Muses,
sometimes when I was younger

This was before the popularity of the internet so, who knows where those papers are. I've had that kind of buddies since elementary school. The interesting part was that those friends were only at school. Oh and alas, being a Christian Nerd. It is hard to explain to church folks & educated anti-Christians that you believe God is the creator of all and you believe that Big Bang Theory & Evolution is just a technical explanation of what he did. Now, two Black Christian Nerds (though I don't think they would use that term) were raising me, my mother & my grandfather. In their stories of their past, I learned that my grandfather was put out of a high school class & my mother was put out of a Sunday School class because of this view. So, I internalized that I better "keep my head down" on that view. I just added the behavior to all my other code-switching styles and didn't show any "nerdy" qualities as much as possible at church. Well, that behavior couldn't be hidden. And one day I decided that it was going to be seen.

My foundation church was one that pushed the importance that we should learn black history. In February, they went all out. The weekly congregational hymn every week was "Lift Every Voice and Sing"(I rant about folks not knowing this song is the previous POST). The Youth Directors & Sponsors put on wonderful programs & musicals.

But my favorite was the weekly "Who Am I" riddles. Every week after the church announcements & before alter prayer, one representative from one of the various youth groups gave clues of someone in Black history. Sometimes, they were easy. Sometimes, they were not easy. I loved them because many times we would learn about somebody other than the same people. A few years before I did a riddle about one of the 1st Black Post Masters in Dallas and it was cute & got applause. But that was only because I personally knew the person. This one time I was picked as the representative for the Youth Ushers. So, the assignment had to be easy for me but stump the congregation. Well, in an old VBS book, the CEO of the publishing board, R.H. Boyd Publishing, T D Boyd, III  (HERE is the info of him & his family) was being talked about. Our Christian curriculum books came from that place so, he had to be a big deal for them to talk about him in one of our books. That was the answer to that assignment. I just needed to read it. Well, the day before I was to present was the Youth Usher meeting. The president, this girl I was friendly with & I will blog name Robbie, ask me who was I presenting. I said T D Boyd, III. She told me to do somebody that people would know. Then she said "Ain't nobody gonna guess him. You always have to go too far. Always a know-it-all nerd". At that moment I had had it and I went off. "Yes, I am a know-it-all. I know I'm not 5 and am well pass doing Harriet Tubman & Booker T. Washington. Just because you don't know who he is, doesn't mean somebody else won't. And what about the other folks who don't know and may like to know". After enough eye-rolling and neck twirling, I grabbed my purse and left the sanctuary.

That night I thought long and hard about not being all myself at church. I had to stop "hiding" what was not being hidden well. I was a nerd and I didn't think exactly like some of the congregation. It's not like they were going to oust me. I am not my mother. The teacher that put her out wasn't even my teacher. I came to church that Sunday, Ready. I did me "Who Am I" and a few people answered correctly so I said with a big grin, "You are correct". I looked at Robbie so I could gloat but she gave me a thumbs-up before I could. Oh yes, Robbie & I are still friendly buds. That was the ups & downs of church teenage angst. From time to time, we've run into each other at the church I go to now.

I never really know how I convinced myself that I hiding that part of me at church. As I look back my thinly veiled attempt to be stereotypical church cool was as weird & awkward as I could be. Plus, it was rather dumb since I went to high school with 3 people from church.

I figured better give it a personal touch.
I looked like this during that time.

I think it was my public speaking mask (another blog another day) that I hide behind or the smart-aleck teenager that I blame my antics on anyway. But once I stopped doing it, it opened my eyes to other nerdy, weird & awkward (they may not call themselves one) members there. I also learned that I was not the only person who believes in God & in evolution, also, Oh, there were still people that think I'm a weirdo but that's life. There are some people I think are weird, in and outside of the church. That's what this world is filled with mostly a bunch of weirdos trying to live the best life they can.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Who Loves You, Baby? It Better be You!!!

Here's A Question

That's the Answer!

Saw that on Football Nerd's nephew, Vinny B's Facebook page, and I thought it is a lovely ice breaker for this post.

Until I stop hearing whining about not having Valentine's Day Date, I will still be preaching Self Love.

Until I stop seeing articles like How To: Spend Valentine's Day Alone or 7 Ways For All The Single Ladies To OWN Valentine's Day This Year, I'll stop posting about Self Love. Until very divisive memes like that one are not shared & like, I'm talking Self Love

I am tired of people wrapping all their self-worth into companionship, especially on a particular day. Last year, I was low-key mourning even though I had put myself back on the market the month earlier. I still made a post about self-love because to whine about who is not in my life is wrong.

The most mind-boggling part to me is that most people (single, in a dating relationship, & married) know to love themselves. I just don't know if they don't or don't know how to. The funny part is we love ourselves in small ways every day. I have 4 small signs that I always rely on to keep tabs on my fondness of myself.

• How is my physical & mental health? Am I trying to be as healthy as I can be? We know if we are not drinking enough water. We know if we are not getting enough rest. We if we are keeping up with our body's maintenance via health care provider appointments. I said health care provider because some of us need to check in with mental health specialists to talk some things out. I for one am a proponent for therapy. Yes, I am a Christian and I got the Lord. I also believe God gave some humans the knowledge to help us be mentally balanced. Mental health is still a part of your health. And again you know if you are or are not taking care of yourself.
  

• Speaking of mental health, what do you say about yourself, here is a meme to consider. We have enough negative outside forces to dodge that are trying to feed all kinds of stuff into us all the time. Why would we feed more crap into us? If you are trying to love yourself, tell yourself loving things. I Am Enough!!! I Am Proud of Myself!!! I Am Not Fine but It Is Ok,  I Will Be!!! Until I Value Me, I Can't Value My Time!!! I Am Kind, I Am Smart, I Am Important!!!
  
  
• Do you have theme music? Here is an experiment to do for a month. Watch how you dress with music you love for one week. The next week, get dressed without music. Then repeat the steps for two more weeks. If you don't look better to & feel better about yourself after getting ready with music, I'll tip my hat to you. I have two "Getting Dress" playlists, one sacred list & one secular list. There is some about hearing this lyric to Nothing to Lose,  that empowers me to take on this world and all its crud. "He Gave Me Nothing to Lose but All To Gain" It can all bounce off because God didn't give that nothingness. I don't have to take it in. Then the song above. I heard these lyrics years ago and want to raise my fist in pride. "She's A Girl That Can't Be Beat Born And Raised On Ghetto Streets She's A Devastating Beauty A Pretty Girl With Ebony Eyes". A song that describes me. Theme music doesn't have to be only played when you are getting dressed. It should be played when you feel the need to be liberated. It needs to be listened to push what you love into you. No one wants to love the negative. Well, I don't think they do. So, your theme music more than likely reflects what is positive to you. 

  

  Ol' Sloppy Drunk Chicken
  Came out of the oven falling forward

• Every so often does something simple that you love. For example when you are shopping for bath soap. Pick a fragrance that you love even if no one else in your home would like it. Get them all that same scent that they like. I love to make Oven Beer Can Chicken as soon as it gets cold. It's a "dangerous" meal but I really take pride in making it. Recently, every time I wanted to make it for dinner, something would get in the way. Somebody wanted a meal before I put it on the schedule. Thanksgiving is coming up, we are already having turkey. Mom & Alura, whose 19 are going to the store, and I don't have bail money (legit concern of mine). And my distractions could go on & on. Well Super Bowl Sunday, I made this dish. I usually let them have party food that day. Well, not this year. They like it too so, I won't get any complaints. But just something simple like that. If you love it, do it sometimes.

Those are the little reminders I use to make sure I'm loving myself. Things to let me know I am checking in to make I'm ok. Loving yourself is not selfish. It's just knowing yourself, well. I read somewhere there are 5 Love Languages.

• Gifts
• Quality time
• Words of affirmation
• Acts of service (devotion)
• Physical touch (intimacy)

No one can truly love you if you don't teach them. And well you can't teach something you don't fluently speak. Be Fluent in You!!!

Oh and if I don't get to tell you on the 14th, Happy Valentine's Day!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

When TGIT Comes Back...

I know I have Big Bang Theory at 7:00 CST but after that I have had nothing to watch on TV on Thursday. And I am not accustomed for reading time to be on Thursday so, I can't wait for the return of TGIT on ABC (Gross that rhymed). Grey's Anatomy, Scandal & How to Get Away With Murder, all have been missed. So, let's catch up. Shall we?

Save your 'I don't watch Grey's Anatomy because... left, or died." talk. Until Meredith Grey is not on the show and the storyline is good (like it is), I'm still a fan. "Character Only" Fans leave. Now we left off with Karev proposing to Jo.

Will Jo say yes to Karev's proposal? I hope not. Jo is a mess and needs to emotionally grow up. I swear she is the same age she was abandoned at and she handles personal issues at that age. Then there's the issue with Hunt & Riggs. Riggs is Hunt's brother-in-law, maybe? If so, where is Hunt's sister? And of course, why is he sooo angry with Riggs? I will say that punch was intense. It truly said "So, you didn't believe fat ain't greasy. Well, I had to show you." Will Avery & Kepner get back together? I am tired of Japril's (Jackson & April) crap. Why have sex and both of you know that you are broken?  But we are left with Jackson going to tell Kepner something. If he asks for a divorce, I will cry. I ship Jabril. And we have already seen on the commercials that Meredith is going to be attacked. Does this means Amelia (who better not drink that drink she ordered) has to move back in to help Maggie with the kids? I have a weird opinion about Amelia. I like her but I want her to understand that as the Grey sister-in-law she doesn't have full rights to "Meredith" information.

Oh other than the intern Maggie Pierce is seeing, these interns bore me.

I don't care if she takes off the white hat. The Gladiators better be back. I am tired of Team Fitz & Team Jake stories.

I need Olivia to get back to OPA work. That is what I loved about older seasons of Scandal, Olivia Pope was still taking care of her work. Clearly, she is bad in the love life department. But why must her job suffer? I know this show is an exaggeration of a distracted person but come on. I totally understand her parents' underlying frustrations with her.

I bet this whole Fall season of Season  5,
He has been yelling this from the grave.

I just wish Papa Pope, Mama Pope, OPA, Abby, or somebody would tell Olivia Pope to FOCUS on her work.  Olivia Pope loves the shadows, I don't know why she experimented with being in the public as the girlfriend of Fitz the President, anyway. OPA better be back and if an abortion is what brings it back, so be it.

Confession may be good for the soul but it can still get you shot. Isn't that right Annalise Keating.

Oh but she knew to pull the "Christophe" card on Mr. Wes. Even shot and might be leaving this world, she knows how slip in a jab on those students. Oh her saying "Christophe" was not the only "What the Heck' jab she poked with. When she told Asher that the other 4 were responsible for the death of her husband, Sam, I flipped.

All because they said wouldn't help out with the body of Emily Sinclair after Asher ran her over. I'm so glad Asher is caught up on events. His cluelessness was annoying me. Now he is on an even playing field and the Keating 5 can be whole. Now as for as the burning question, Who is Christophe? I have a weird feeling he's a link to Annalise's female lover, Eve. I have a feeling she was the one who is responsible for why Wes/Christophe was an orphan.

I have a feeling Annalise may have helped Eve do some tidying up of her problem & she has some guilt on her. But we will find out soon enough. Plus, I get to see that fine, fine Nate Lahey. We will also get to see the Keating 5 work as a whole for a change. Oh and that little pesky issue of Catherine and why she is involved in the murder of her adoptive parents. She's not dead so, we can get some kind of answer. Well, after they give us a little run around.

So Thursday, my TV will be on ABC, TGIT ready. If you are new to the blog, I am one of those live tweeters. You can find me on Twitter, under the same name giving my thoughts as the show runs. I'll go back to watching Big Bang Theory on Friday nights on ONDemand. Alright, here to Thursday night!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

It's February!!!

You guys know I am crazy about two months, February & June. June because my birthday is in that month. February because it contains 3 key interests of mine.

Now this year, I am going to be a little busy towards the beginning of this month. But I promise to give you posts on time.

Yes, I'm sappy! I celebrate Valentine's Day! I've heard talks of afternoon plans with a pal. Nothing major, just hanging out.

But if I don't, I still have church services to attend and a God & a me to love on. Days before, I will release a post for everyone to learn to love. Yes, that is the hint. Oh, I figured out which Healthier Dessert (You have read that  POST, right?) I will be making my loved ones. I will be making the Healthy Lemony Yogurt Loaf Cake.

February 14 will be on a Sunday. Most Sunday's my aunts stop by to visit with my grandmother after their church services let out. They are a little spoiled because I provide something for them to snack on while I'm cooking dinner for my household. Lemon is one of the only agreed upon flavors in my family. Plus, that's more people to eat the cake and less leftover for us.

The only Black History Month story I will be telling be telling this year, is my own. While, an actress of the same culture as I, who thinks that the observance, award shows that celebrate mostly black cultures and BET (and channels like it) where strangely the majority of the movies she is in are shown, should be banned, I will tell you how Black History Month help me decide to start living my authentic self everywhere I go.
You will be surprised the people that never got to experience all of  Outspoken_Diva the Churchy Blerd of the past. I was so "good" at only living parts of me places, that my real identity confuses them now. Then, there are the people who never knew I struggle when I was younger. So, until I write my full memoir, I'll give you a peak in. Can't tell someone else's story and refuse to tell your own.

And now let me get on my soap box. I'm only going to get on it once this month on the blog. We know February is American Heart Month. We know to get "Get Your Blood Pressure Under Control". We know "Quit Smoking". We know "Reduce Your Sodium Intake".

Yet, 1 in 4 deaths are heart disease related, Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were in men. And before age 50, African-Americans' heart failure rate is 20 times higher than that of whites.

I've gone to that One funeral. That funeral was of a black man who didn't make it to 40. He was one of my best friends. Oh and his funeral was not in February. It was in May of 2014. I never want to look in the casket of a person I know because of this again. I don't want to get that kind of news anymore. I have clients that wonder why many of the recipes I suggest are salt-free or reduced in salt. I simply tell them, I don't know how to cook with salt. And I don't. I try sometimes. When I was learning to cook, we learned my grandmother had high blood pressure & pains in her heart muscle called angina. When the doctor told her to cut out salt. She was cooking 95% of our meals so, that is what we did. She's still living. She's in her early 90's. I don't credit a reduced salt diet to all of that but I know it helps. And she is just one of the heart health stories in my family. I don't wear the Red Dress pin and say "Go Red" just for her and other women. I wear it because I know the effects of not living as heart healthy as one can be. I wear the pin because it was cuter than grief. Grief is not cute to wear. Not living a more heart healthy life leads to somebody to grieve. Not living a more heart healthy life is not cute. Don't we all want to be cute.

Alright, I'm through preaching for now. If you follow me on other forms of social media, you know I'm going to start back up as soon as I see something to share. all year long. It's more than just my job & stuff I do for my family, it's in my heart. Well, I'm in tears now, So, I will stop here.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Health Conscious Sweets For Your Sweeties (Healthy Holiday Recipes)

Hey, I told you guys I would be back in 2016 with more healthy ways to celebrate the holidays. I was actually playing with a selfie stick (modeling a shirt my sister A & I found for Valentine's Day (in a smaller size #humblebrag, still need work) when I realized I hadn't posted this one. But then I realized, you guys had a little time to get your plans together.

Every year I do two things for Valentine's, buy my grandmother flowers like grandfather did when he was alive & make a dessert for my household. This year, I made a healthier dessert for them. I care about my sweeties' health just like you guys do.  In the past, I gave them a cheat day for a Valentine's Day gift.

Then that cake looked like that within a half-hour one year. Last year, they got fruit salad. This year, I'm looking to do something different. And I decided to share my contending recipes with you guys.

What's Valentine's without a little chocolate. Chocolate is many people's must-have indulgence. And those many love to the fact that Chocolate is good for the heart. They miss the fact that the health benefits are found in Dark Chocolate. Now, in my opinion, chocolate on strawberries has been done to death. Let's try it on some oranges. When one says dark chocolate it is one that’s at least 85% dark – if not darker. And remember that you’ll be eating it on the oranges, not all alone, so you’ll still be getting some sweetness from the fruit.

Dark Chocolate Covered Oranges(Found the recipe HERE)

Ingredients

• 5 mandarin, clementine or navel oranges, peeled

• ½ cup dark chocolate

• Sea salt (Optional)

Preparation

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Melt the chocolate using a double boiler placed over boiling water on medium-low heat.

3. Dip each orange slice halfway into the melted chocolate and place on the baking sheet.

4. Sprinkle each chocolate-covered orange slice with sea salt if using.

5. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes and serve

Well with this holiday being in February, it might be a little chilly. Who does like feeling a little warm & cozy? The best drink that drinks that says warm & cozy like Hot Cocoa. Yummy!!! But instead of the sugar-filled packet that is added to that high-fat percent cup of milk, try this.

Healthier Hot Chocolate  (HERE is the recipe)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 cup 1% milk, divided

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. Mix sugar, cocoa, and 2 tablespoons cold milk in a mug until smooth. 

2. Heat the remaining milk in a small saucepan on the stovetop or in a 2-cup glass measure in the microwave until steaming hot but not boiling. 

3. Stir in the cocoa mixture and vanilla.

To froth the hot chocolate, whirl a whisk in it by rubbing your hands back and forth. (Alternatively, pour the hot chocolate into a blender, cover with the lid and a kitchen towel and blend until frothy.) Pour it back into the mug and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Not a chocolate lover? Allergic to chocolate? I didn't forget you. Sweet potatoes may be one of nature's unsurpassed sources of beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, & vitamin B1, vitamin B2. In my home, sweet potatoes have been bought a lot this year. They like them as side dishes (baked, candied, oven fries), I don't. And I will only make so many pies & cakes. How about a simple yogurt based pudding?

Sweet Potato Pudding(I doubled Snack Girl's RECIPE)

Ingredients

• 1 baked sweet potato

• 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• sliced almonds for garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Mash sweet potato in a bowl and mix in cinnamon. 

2. Top with yogurt and almonds. Enjoy!

To bake sweet potato: Heat oven to 400F. Make fork holes in the sweet potato and then place it on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes to one hour until soft

If that didn't whet your appetite, I have one more. Like chef & TV host Carla Hall, I love a good pucker.

Even though it is bright, it's not just used for summer dishes. The lemon is probably one of the most commonly used brighteners in cooking & baking. Make your honey's lips contract with this tangy number. Food Networks states that heart-healthy olive oil and protein-rich Greek yogurt replaces butter in this lemony pound cake. Egg whites also help cut calories, fat, and cholesterol and whole-wheat flour boost fiber.

Healthy Lemony Yogurt Loaf Cake (Food Network is the source for THIS)

Ingredients

• Nonstick baking spray, for a coating loaf pan

• 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

• 3/4 cup sugar

• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

• 1/2 cup plain low fat (2-percent) Greek yogurt

• 1/4 cup low fat (1-percent) milk

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 large egg whites

• 1 large egg

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with baking spray.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.

3. Put the sugar and lemon zest in another bowl and rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingers. 

4. Add the yogurt, milk, olive oil, vanilla, egg whites, and whole egg and vigorously whisk until well blended. 

5. Add the flour mixture into the egg mixture and fold until just incorporated.

6. Transfer to the prepared pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. 

7. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes, and then unmold and cool to room temperature

So, here to Loving the body on not just February 14th but any day & every day. Spread love wherever & whenever you can.  And no better way to spread it than something made from the heart.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms