Greetings October!

Goodbye September and greetings October!  While I am a little bit sad at how fast this year has been going by, I can't help but be excited that we're now in the thick of the holiday season.  I find that the holidays always tend to bring out the good in people in my area (unless it's Black Friday).  Anyways, now that a new month is here, it's time to set some new goals.  My goals for October are: 

Content

Lately, I've really been giving some thought to what kind of content I want to continue offering on this blog.  It's always been my goal to share my journey in motherhood and life in general here.  As of late, I feel like I've been trying to squeeze all of my personal moments into my Thankful Thursday posts.  So, while I'll still be doing Thankful Thursday, I'd like to get back to writing more full length posts instead of just brief snippets.

Also, I'm back in a position to where I'm able to blog with ease and look forward to being able to post five days a week again.

Photography

So, I've had my new Canon for a while now and I mostly just use it for shooting vlog videos.  I'm looking to change that this month and start taking more photos.  I'm always saying how I want to get better capturing moments and editing pictures, but how can I improve upon my photography skills if I don't first work with what I have?  I took the picture above at my daughter's school and I'm excited to take more.  I've even got plans to try my hand at snapping my own headshot over this upcoming weekend.  Feel free to leave some tips for all of you photography buffs out there.

Social Media

I feel so awful having neglected my social media pages these last couple of weeks.  However, my lack of presence has been completely in vain.  I've been doing a little research on how to make the most out of the time I will be spending on social media.  I'm looking forward to interacting with you all more on Facebook and Twitter and even Instagram.

Vlogging

I'm going to attempt to vlog 2 to 3 times a week.  I do have a few vlogs that I've already filmed and just need to edit before they're ready to be uploaded.  There are also some video tags that I want to film.  (Tag videos are awesome!)  In addition, I plan on being more active in my vlog groups from Facebook and Google+.

Personal Style

When I say that my wardrobe is in need of an overhaul, that's an understatement.  I needed to have purchased new clothing like last year!  Seriously, I still have tons of clothing either from my plus size days or that just don't fit right.  And I feel bad because I have a great sense of style and have helped family and friends revamp their looks.

It's time that I get on the ball and start helping myself now.  I'm loving that my body is getting back toned up and I need to invest in clothing that fits.  I'm also on a mission to add more color into my wardrobe because I have a ridiculous amount of clothing in black, brown and khaki.  My goal is to infuse more bold tones like deep reds, marigold tones, vibrant blues and purples that exude a sense of royalty.  Fingers crossed that I find some banging blazers because I have none.

Giving Back

This month is Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Y'all know that both of those issues are near and dear to my heart.  My paternal grandmother was victim of both as well as several other members in my family.  So, I'd like to crochet a blanket (or two) for to donate to a current breast cancer patient and give money to one of the shelters here that helps victims of domestic violence.  I'm even thinking of auctioning a blanket combining the awareness colors (pink and purple).


Well, those are my goals for this month.  Looking forward to making some really great progress.  Don't forget to stop back by the blog tomorrow for Thankful Thursday!

What are your goals for this month?

5 Healthy Habits To Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  And I'm pretty sure we all know or have heard of someone who has had or has breast cancer.  I have personally talked about how my paternal grandmother losing her battle to breast cancer at a young age affected by father and his siblings as well as how those effects trickled down into my childhood.  However, what I want to everyone reading this post today to remember is that you have a fighting chance (males that included).  So I'm linking up with the BLM Girls Go Pink to share 5 healthy habits that can help your reduce your risk if breast cancer if you don't have it and help you to stick it to breast cancer if you do have it.

1-Eat Healthy: This is something that a lot of struggle with but the truth be told we are what we eat.  When we eat healthier foods our bodies our better able to fight our sickness and even cancer.  Plus, fruits and vegetables are very rich in antioxidants that help to fight cancer specifically.  One change that I've made is trying to Dr Oz's Anti-Cancer Breakfast Shake to help reduce my chances. Check out the recipe here.

2-Get Active:  Eating right alone won't make our bodies strong.  We have to turn off the tv and the computers and get out in the yard with the kids and run around.  Don't have kids?  Well, invest in a gym membership and get a workout buddy to help stay motivated.  Exercising our bodies not only helps us to keep our curves in shape but it also releases positive disease fighting hormones too.

3-Limit Drinks:  I'm not talking about KoolAid, juice or water either. Getting wasted (or tipsy) every night of the week might make you feel like the life of the party in the long term it's only destroying your body inside and preventing your immune system from being able to function properly.  As, with all things if you're going to have alcoholic beverages drink in moderation.

4-Touch Yourself:   Yep, you read correct.  Doing daily, weekly or bi-weekly self exams is the best way to catch breast cancer or changes in your breast period.  It's not just breast cancer that affects your breast.  Women and men can get cyst, scar tissues and more.  Don't know how to administer a self exam find out here.

5-Professional Checkups:  You may be doing your self exams at home, but you still need make checkups with your doctor every six and of course schedule your yearly mammograms.   Some of us are going miss lumps due to improper technique.  Others of us might just write a little lump off as having had too much caffeine   Whatever the case, a professional exam and mammogram are the only ways to be certain or not you have breast cancer.

Have you gotten your professional breast exam or mammogram?

Thankful Thursday

It's Thankful Thursday again and this week I am thankful that I had a wonderful one year wedding anniversary with my husband and my kids.  I am truly looking forward to and making plans for our second wedding anniversary already.  I'm thankful that I am breast cancer FREE!!  As you all know it's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

And for me this is kind of a sad month because I lost my paternal grandmother and two aunts on my father's side to breast cancer.  I also, lost a great aunt on my mother's side to breast cancer and have watched a few members in my family battle and survive breast cancer.  So, this disease is very serious for me.  I don't take for granted being among those who are breast cancer free because this is a disease that has affected so many women and a few men in my family.

I am also thankful that I had the chance to go back home for a day and visit with my mom.  She enjoyed seeing the kids and couldn't believe how big they've both gotten.  It was nice to see my baby sister on her fall break from college.  She had so many stories to share.  I'm thankful that she's adjusting and making some great friends.

I'm also thankful for all the new followers YUMMommy has.  Thank you so much for liking this blog enough that you've decided to subscribe to it.  I truly appreciate your support and your comments are welcomed!

What are you giving thanks for today?

Romance Wednesday: In Sickness & In Health

One thing that I can say about my husband is that he loves me in sickness and in health.  That was one part of our wedding vows that I knew he truly meant and would uphold without him evening having to say it.  He's nursed me through the flu twice, food poisoning, morning sickness and a slew of common colds.  He's even gotten sick a few times because he was nursing me back to health.

And when he found out that breast cancer runs pretty common in my family, I will have you all know that every so often he checks in to make sure that I am doing my daily breast exams.  Not only that but he also went so far as to get cancer insurance with his job.  "Better safe than sorry," he said.  Now, to me that's real love.

I just want to say that if you aren't encouraging your spouse to take measures to prevent breast cancer then you should start today.  Don't wait for a doctor to stumble across it or for them to get sick.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  That means it's time to go in for your annual exam if you haven't already.  I seriously urge both men and women to get checked because often times Breast Cancer is a silent killer.  And other times we end up finding out when the cancer is close to if not already in the final stages. Don't forget to do your monthly at home exams and report any suspicious lumps to your doctor.

Also, I encourage you to check some of the sites below for more information on this disease and ways you can help find a cure.