Yvette Odom, Week 1

FYR is about to do something we've never done before: I love working with people on a one on one basis. In the past we've gotten testimonies after the person has done the FYR-detox program but this is the first time I will be tracking/documenting the progress of a new FYR enthusiast. Meet Ms. Yvette Odom.

I have known Yvette for about 3 years now and she's been flirting with the idea of doing the program for sometime now. When we talked on the phone a few days ago she told me she was ready. This time I truly believed her because we all know that we usually only make that BIG decision when we are truly fed up. I am so very excited for Yvette and have no doubt that she will be as successful as she decides to be.

We started by charting her measurements and going through the food list found in the FYR e-Book. Then we both headed out to the local farmer's market so I could help her get the things she will need for her FYR journey. It was a blast shopping with her and picking up all her staples. We discussed key points , hints and many other important things that you will find in your FYR e-book (Yvette had already gotten her FYR e-books many months ago and has read it over and over in order to get the basics down). By the end of the our shopping experience we were both excited beyond belief. I love working with people especially someone as determined and enthusiastic as my friend Yvette.

Thank you Yvette for letting us document your journey and sharing your heart with us. I have no doubt that you will inspire so many people as you begin to LOVE YOURSELF A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

Here is a little interview I did with Yvette yesterday in preparation for her FYR journey (which starts today, October 10th).

ME: "Hi Yvette, howdy?"

YVETTE: "Hi Bernice, I'm doing great!" she giggled. She is a full-of-life, bubbly person and her laughter is infectious.

ME: "Can you tell us what is and has been your inspiration to undertake this journey?"

YVETTE: "I was and am inspired by a dear friend of mine (you). She is very disciplined and it shows very well. I see her success and how happy she is and I want to follow in her footsteps."

ME: "Well, thank you dear." I was smiling from ear to ear. What can I say, we were having a blast, yes, we had to control the laughter and concentrate on the interview, oh boy, is that hard!

ME: "Do you have any fears as you start the FYR program?"

YVETTE: "Yes, I fear that I won't do well. I know I will succeed to some degree which by the way my goal is to lose 133 pounds but most importantly I want to achieve optimum health. I want to avoid the stigma of my family background when it comes to diabetes and blood clots due to poor circulation. I know eating a healthier diet will alleviate these issues for me."

ME: "In the FYR ebooks I talk about the process of finding your 'Emotional Why' have you found yours?"

YVETTE: " I have always seen myself as someone with this inner style and personality but I don't think it reflects on my outside as much as it is inside. There is this girl in me that I know so well who is dying to come out of this outer shell. I want to have children, a family, I want to watch my children grow."

ME: "What are some tangible things that motivate you?"

YVETTE: "Janet Jackson. I don't necessarily want to be her size but growing up she has always being my role model for someone who openly portrayed a positive body image. She worked out and did it the way way. I want to do this the right and healthy way. I have been big all my life and I want to show people they can do it too. Most importantly I want to become my own role model."

ME: "Why did you choose FYR when there are many other programs out there that you could choose from."

YVETTE: "I don't want to feel guilty anymore of what I'm eating. FYR makes the most sense to me and is sincerely the very best option for what I want to attain with my health. I want my healthy looking skin back, healthy hair and energy back. FYR not only does it the right way but also the natural way. Plus I have you in my head and ear all the time, so I can't go wrong."

ME: "Don't forget to have a little fun and not take life too seriously while you're on the program, if at anytime you do deviate a little from the program, remember not to feel so disappointed that you abandon the program, just forgive yourself and get right back on board. But I know you can do this and I am so proud of you for making the best decision for your health.  With the Forever Young Revolution together we can encourage one another to love ourselves a little differently."

YVETTE's Weight Loss Goal: 133 pounds

Ms. Yvette Odom

"Our environment is our external metabolism."-- Dr. Max Gerson

"EAT AND DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!"

VEGAN OATMEAL-CHOCOLATE COOKIES

 I have been gone for a while I know, but I needed that time. It is not easy to be a stay-at-home mom who home schools her 8 year old, has a super-active 1year old and has BIG DREAMS and projects she is fired-up about---to name a few. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have been/and I'm EXHAUSTED...but hey who's complaining? I am superwoman right?

I have decided to RE-BOOT my system with lots of green juices and smoothies. Anyway, anyone who would like to join is welcomed to send me an email to bernice4fyr@gmail.com

I came up with this wonderful recipe the other day and I would like to share it with you:

VEGAN OATMEAL-CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Ingredients:

2 cups old fashion oatmeal
1 cup sugar
A pinch of salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp dried coconut shreds (Optional)
3 Tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp Energy egg replacer + 2Tbsp water (equivalent to 1 egg)
3 Tbsp 100% pure chocolate powder

1/3 cup water + 3 Tbsp water

Directions:
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside
Add water, vanilla extract to mixture of Energy egg replacer, set aside

Now add all wet and dry ingredients together and mix well
Lastly add the coconut oil and mix till mixture becomes sticky

Lightly grease baking pan with non-stick olive oil spray or with some coconut oil
Place spoon-size cookie mixture on baking dish making sure they are several inches apart

Put cookies in oven for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees

When it's done, let cool down for about 10 minutes and then serve with a glass of almond milk :)

My oatmeal chocolate cookies

Up close and in your face...not quite in your mouth though hahaha

Enjoy!







DRINK AND EAT TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

4 FOODS THAT WILL KEEP YOU LOOKING YOUNG

Hello, hello, hello and happy 4th of July to everyone! So, I have been super-duper busy, as you already know, I am SUPERWOMAN lol, Mom of two (7 year old and 10 months old), wife, author, photographer, 3G MOM and the list goes on and on, but I'm not complaining :) creativity fuels me and gives me a RUSH wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (see, I told you)

I am going to share with you four of my favorite foods that keep me (hopefully) looking young, see picture below:

By the way, I braided my hair myself, nice huh?

Anyway, I am going to skip the obvious combination of water/fruits/veggies, as we all know their benefits.

1. Olive Oil/ Avocado: I've known about olive oil since I was a little girl because my mother always added a tablespoon to her body lotion, well, here's my FYR mama, 52 year old mom of 5 (ages 32 (me), 27,25, 24 and 17). I am so happy my mom has been following the FYR guidelines since she returned home almost two years ago. The first picture is when she just arrived in Atlanta and the second she sent to me a few days ago from Cameroon.

As you can tell she looks younger and obviously slimmer.
I love cooking with olive oil, I have not followed my mom's idea of adding olive oil to my lotion but I do add coconut oil to my lotion sometimes.Olive oil is very rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants which slows aging and helps prevent age-related diseases. As for avocados, some people avoid eating them because they fear it is fatty when actually a medium size avocado has approximately 30 of fats, mostly monounsaturated fats, and have the same health benefits as olive oil. I also use avocado as a mask for my face and yes you may catch me licking it at times :) edible-beneficial-goodness!

2. Nuts/Seeds: I love nuts, especially brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews, almonds, pine nuts and macadamia nuts. Back in Cameroon we used a lot of pumpkin seeds in many of our vegetable dishes. But then I was only interested in how good the dish tasted, don't blame me, my mom is an extra-ordinary cook. Nuts and seeds are high in unsaturated fats, vitamin, minerals and phytochemicals. When something is good for me I eat and/or drink it. I eat to live.

3. Blueberries: If you don't get the right kind you may end up with a sour taste in your mouth and end up disliking them for no reason. Some of the inorganic blueberries I've bought in the past have usually tasted a little sour, I am yet to discover a sour organic blueberry. Yes, they can be a little pricey but boy do I monitor how we eat these at home hahhaha, I am a mother hen over my blueberries. I have a blueberry addict called Nina Lakota who lives in my house and LOVES fruits and VEGGIES especially blueberries. Blueberries prevent oxidative damage and are highly anti-inflammatory. You can add them to smoothies, salads or make a blueberry pie. Okay when it comes to blueberry pies, no one does it like my mother-in law, she is an amazing cook and her desserts are SIMPLY ADDICTIVE. Hold on, let me find a picture of her blueberry pie, you have to see to believe:

Sorry that's all you can get, a picture!!!

4. Lemons: I used to be one of those who thought that lemons are extremely acidic and bad for the body. But do you know that lemons are basic in the body as opposed to being acidic? and are extremely beneficial to your health? They are supercharged with tons of vitamin C and antioxidants. Lemons are not only great for cleaning your house but they act as a super cleanser for your body against toxins. So next time you see a lemon, instead of running away from it reach for it. Add it to the water you drink, squeeze it over your salad and foods in short marry a lemon, it is good for you :)

DRINK AND EAT TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!