159 Equals No Life Balance

It's a Saturday and I am typing this post. A personal blogging rule of mine is "No Blogging on Saturday". With so many quiet moments on Saturday, it is easy to fill those with typing my opinion. And I try to choose to leave quiet moments, Quiet. Keyword is...

But this brief & rare break in this rule is inspired by a lady who filled her quiet moments with work. She worked so much, she passed away at 31 years old from Congested Heart Failure. I saw THIS story, the night before and my heart was saddened.

We humans, don't know balance. Right now the quote, "Work hard to Play hard" is making me cringe. Because we honestly believe that the way to live for generations. We grow up watching parents & grandparents toil long jobs. They wanted all needs met & some wants fulfilled. And think about all the hours of homework we were given when were younger. We actually taught at early ages to work, work, work.

The flip side is when we play, oh we really play. How many weekends can dancing & drinking the stress away do we really have. And since the studies tell us we can't "Catch up on sleep". We fill work free, silent hours to binge on the shows everyone is talking about. We are tired from work but playing causes us not to get the proper amount of rest & sleep also

We Must Find Balance. Our bodies are tired. 159 hours of extra anything can't be good. If lightly scheduling all the activities of the day is needed, make the plan. And pencil in a nap. We can't keep killing ourselves. It's Not a Natural Cause to the End of Life.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

You're the Inspiration

Did you start singing the Chicago song, because of the title. LoL I hope you did. Just reminds me of  my 80s childhood.

I've been very bloggy(chatty) lately.

And if I never tell you all Thank You, let me tell you now.

Thank You to You All!!!

This platform was just an outlet for my thoughts. I hear & read so much and needed somewhere to purge. I'm not a complete empath. But like many people, I do have different levels of empathy. I know everybody doesn't want to care about what you care about, when you care it. But I had to get my thoughts out and here is where they go in online land.

The Citizens of the World are my Inspiration. The good, bad, & the in-between in us all could be a post on this blog. I don't post it all because life is not lived in order to have a blog. Life is for Living. And world thank you for living, so I can keep thinking.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

It's the God in Answering Questions

I have a question to answer.

Q: What is your "Christian" opinion about Christian public figures like Marvin Sapp doing a song with R. Kelly or Tina Campbell voting for Trump?

A: *sigh* I don't have a "Christian" opinion, I have an Outspoken_Diva opinion. Side Note: One day I am going to be bold an talk about the "against" Christianity tone. It is amazing how harshly people talk about how harsh others are. Humans are some Harsh beings, I guess. 

You guys know I was raised not to put Christian public figure or leaders on pedestals. It takes the sting out of their disappointing human news, a lot. Marvin Sapp's song, "Closer" is on my boycott list. He admits to being conflicted. I was actually waiting on him to use the unproven stories/forgiveness/court acquittal reasons for why he is working with R. Kelly. I still will not be moved. I loved the song sung by Reuben Studdard, "I Need an Angel". Then I found out R. Kelly wrote it and like other songs by Kelly, I can't enjoy it anymore. And I liked Marvin Sapp, but the song's message can't outweigh the messenger this time. If I'm blocking my blessings, let the Lord tell me about it.

I don't measure a person's Christanity on how they politically vote. I will judgementally measure their Common Sense on how they vote. (Pray for my deliverance from being that judgemental.) Why did she vote for him based on his Christianity? I don't know. But I do know Tina Campbell didn't campaign for the 45th President of USA & is not making harsh & hateful statement against those didn't vote for him. So, I won't boycott her music. I actually agree with her on praying for the 45th President of USA. USA is my home. I need my home protected, especially while he in the White House. I also don't want him killed. Let's be honest, USA has yet to fully recovered from President John Kennedy's assassination. We don't need that craziness. As for Tina Campbell, I put her in the corner with Travis Greene & Chrisette Michelle. She needs to think about her actions long & hard, then we will call her ro come play.

As usual, send your Questions to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com. I'll answer them with my OUTSPOKEN_DIVA opinion, that you seem to want.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms.

Dating Debates, Discussions, Judgements, I'm Tired

In a dating culture where Netflix & Chill and Firestick & F-word is a proper date, people judging different date activities behooves me. I saw this meme on my TL on Facebook, because my niece, blog name is Alura reposted it. She answered it "right" and now there is blog post without an auntie-niece dating discussion also. LoL

But just like I gave my opinionated judgement about the latest version of "Having a Blockbuster Night", we feel like overly debating or discussing how & where to date is the right thing to do. Why can't people date opinion free?

So what you wouldn't to go to restaurant that serves mostly cereal. Somebody (me) wouldn't want to go hiking for a date. I think I saw someone say they didn't like going to the movies. Places like Studio Movie Grill were made because many think "dinner & a movie" is a quintessential classic date. I bet that someone like going other places for dates.

We All Experience Dating the Way We Want!!!

Stop looking for opinions. That's all these "Let's Debate" memes cause. And the sad part is somebody is validating their dating life based on these opinions. If you want to go eat cereal, then hike up the hill, and cool down with a meal & film, Do It!!!

Date the way you want to Date!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

On Being Pro-Side Hug

Dear Outspoken_Diva in September 2017,

     You will be defending Side Hugs in October 2017. Child...Brace your spine. And when did you start deleting tweets? This could have had a different tone, but you don't have receipts. Letting your Lessons from 2016 slip from you. *tsk, tsk*
Love You Girl,

Outspoken_Diva After September 2017

Raise your hand if you side hugs people with a genuine heart, like me.❤ Now, take the forefinger of that hand and point at the people that hug, kiss, & say caring words to others, but don't mean it or even do it out of rote habit. Thank You!!! The popular slang as I write this is "I'm a Real One". Well let me be a "Real One" & tell why I am not just Pro-Side Hug, I'm a Side Hug Master.

I am Not in the Smothering Business. You've seen me, I have a large bust. But I am very careful with mine. I refuse to be a stereotype of a large woman. I can just see me looking like somebody's "big mama", jiggling from side to side while the person I'm hugging is turning blue.

I'm Being Respectful. Tell me when has a side hug looked inappropriate. My ex-turned pal, Rom-Com(His Story is HERE) hated for me to side hug him when he was a single man. We had this kind of discussion, years ago. Hey, I was just keeping it G-rated between us. After his father died, he sent me an email telling me he totally understood side hugs at that point. His now wife, then fiance, saw us one-arm embrace after the service and didn't trip. She also saw a former sex buddy of his give him a full embrace and was very upset. So actually, Side Hugs Keeps the Peace!!!

And of Course, Accidents Happen. Do you know how many times my bust has been sideswiped unintentionally? Do you how many awkward looks are the result of those occurrences? It's rather hard to accidentally rub up against a boob while giving a side hug. Believe me, I'm a Master, I did my research.

It just looks like a Buddy Hug to me. I hug people like this all the time. Buddy Hugs are like more intimate waves. Nothing more, darn sure can't be less.

It's not I don't ever give full embraces. I just give side ones more. So, Y'all can, can it on this Side Hugs are Fake Hugs issue. No, Fake Hugs are Fake Hugs. And again we all know there are some very fake full embraces out there.

Look at Jesus and Judas...wait that fake hug resulted in saving souls(if you believe like I do). Well, I can't think of any other widely known fake hugs, so I bid you guys adieu with a BIG Side Hug from my Heart.❤

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

The Process to Doing Better (OUTSPOKEN_DIVA'S Favorite Recipes)

I remember the first client I received that didn't cook. It was the day I had to really take to heart on why I chose a career in the food & nutrition industry. I don't understand adults who don't cook. But my personal opinionated judgements don't belong in my professional life. And not one client pay me to wag my finger about why they are coming to me for help. So, I had meet this client at his/her level of cooking & develop a plan to help them. In helping this client, I helped myself understand some(keyword) of the people who don't cook.

Many look at cooking & think it is hard, expensive, & time consuming. I will have to agree to that feeling 40% percent of the time. Have you looked at cooking shows? How many times have we, "home cooks" turned off a cooking program feeling the same way? Combine that with the confused mindsets on dieting & eating healthy & I knew I had my work cut out for me. This client could prepare some process foods, so I started him/her there.

Processed food are not all bad, in my opinion. Adding fresh or frozen vegetables to many canned soups & rice products is an easy trick to make these items a little healthier. For a quick lunch on the go, I like adding spinach & chopped or shredded carrots to chicken & rice soup. I also like adding dried fruit & toasted nuts to some side dishes also. They add more texture & raise the protein profile to the dish. Here my favorite recipe.

Easy Wild Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

• 2 tsp canola oil
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 2 boxes Long Grain & Wild Rice mix (Rice-a-Roni, Uncle Ben, ect)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pecans roughly chopped

Directions

1. Pour the oil into a medium size pot and heat it over medium high heat.
2. After oil is heated, add the onion & celery to the pot and cook over medium heat until onion are clear.
3. Combine rice, contents of seasoning packet, juice, & water. Stir well.
4. Bring contents to a boil, reduce (low to medium-low) and simmer covered 25 minutes or until water is absorbed
5. Once rice mixture, stir in cranberries & pecans. Serve Hot!

Eating better can be done but not quickly. The thought of turning on a dime to healthy eating is drastic & off putting, to say the least. And in a culture where a lot of processed products are cheaper than fresh products, it's not reality for a portion of the population. Every little step help gets us to our goals. Maybe that why some use the word, process.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms 

ShaQuan, You Aren't Drinking That. Will You Excuse Me?

I had been missing articles to post about. Glad to have found one.

I Really Dislike Being Dressed Like Other People. If I'm in a wedding, I deal with it. But it is not a random occurance I handle well. First time I remember was at foundation church with a suit I didn't care for & an older church lady in the exact same one. She thought we were cute. In my teenage heart I could've cried, at that moment. 

I don't even like to be dress in the same color as someone I know at an event. My friends can tell you about my text messages to them, to tell what color I am wearing. I dressed alike once with a high school friend for buddy pictures. Wonder do I have any copies of that picture somewhere? We shouldn't have done that. 

This petty feeling is also a family "trait". You won't find to many pictures of any of us dressed alike. We are different people, so we dress differently.

And then low and behold, I come across an Australian news article about 6 female wedding guests in the same dress. Read it HERE. It is one of those funny situations that prompt one response, Classic!!! Can you just imagine being one of those ladies? Looking up the rows and across the aisles and seeing your dress. Where is Regine Hunter with a cocktail to pour on the other dresses? LoL But those ladies took it all in fun and made a joke out of it. They even took pictures together with the bride. I wonder if that shop sold more of those dresses once this story came out. At least, they didn't tell the ladies it was one of a kind. That would've really been a Classic Comedic moment.

The next time I am accidently dressed like someone, I going try to remember the attitudes of these lovely ladies. I mean, it is just a dress. But the keyword is Try. Until then I'm going to watch what you guys buy & buy the opposite. We don't want to awaken my inner Regine Hunter. Will you excuse me?

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms