The new "Don't Label Me" book that will be published by Tomgirlz Enterprises in a couple months is all about empowerment for women. Although the book won't be out in time for New Year's, here are some tips provided in the book that may be helpful for your weight loss resolution.
1. Don't Label Yourself as Fat
If you call yourself fat all the time, you will see yourself as fat. This alone can
seriously affect you reaching your goal. The label you give yourself is what you
say you are. Understand that you may need to lose some weight, but fat is not who
you are.
2.Don't Allow Others to Label You
When others refer to you as fat, you subconsciously allow them to tell you that's who you are. You need to ask them to stop. Let them know that you are working on losing weight, but by labeling you as fat, they are making it more difficult.
3. Give Yourself Skinny Self Talk
Let's face it, of all the motivational speaches and pep talks you can get, the ones you give yourself are most important. You need to talk to yourself like the success you are. Give yourself messages like, "I'm a skinny person, I just need to shed a couple of pounds to see her again" or "I am a caring, loving,wonderful person, fat is not who I am, it does not define me, and now I will take care of myself as well as I take care of everyone else!"
4. Diet Plan for the Mind
When it comes to losing weight, I really believe that we all know how we are supposed to eat and exercise. Fewer calories in, more burned off through the day...certainly no cookies, cakes, and ice cream. The problem is, we simply don't (or many say can't). Cravings, pain from exercise, too busy with family and work, these are all "excuses" we use at one time or another. Unfortunately, our weight loss goals will wait. If you want to reach those goals, it all starts in your MIND. How you think must start before what you eat.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
No Labels For Moms Too!
The "no labels" message for children through the TOMGIRLZ chapter book series applies to moms as well. There are plans underway for a book just for moms that will be very inspirational and motivational. This book is in its infancy stage, as I am still writing the next TOMGIRLZ chapter book where children will learn about childhood obesity, teasing, and bullying through a fabulous new Tomgirlz character named Abigail who is dealing with these issues.
The title has already been selected and chapters designated, but I won't give it away yet...check back for more info on this very exciting addition from Tomgirlz Enterprises.
The title has already been selected and chapters designated, but I won't give it away yet...check back for more info on this very exciting addition from Tomgirlz Enterprises.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Miami Book Fair Extra Fun Plans
This weekend will be the 4th year of exhibiting at the Miami Book Fair for Tomgirlz Enterprises. There are no new books out for this year's show, however, the plans for this weekend include more fun than ever!
Mackey and Jeremy (two main characters from the chapter books) will be in attendance all day Saturday and Sunday. They will be passing out information to attendees about the fact that they are now for hire for Children's Parties! In addition, every hour they will be drawing a winner from our free raffle and entertaining at our booth.
For instance, one hour Jeremy will dance and give a Pop & Lock lesson. Mackey will read the "Sleeyphead" book to preschoolers and give some dance demonstrations of her own. You might even catch a little dance party where Mackey and Jeremy lead everyone in some fun interactive dances like the Cuban Walk or ChaCha Slide!
The biggest news is the announcement of our new division called TOMGIRLZ ENTERTAINMENT. Through this division, we will promote Children's Parties, Author Speaking Engagements, and Salsa/Ballroom Dance Performers available for all kinds of events from corporate to weddings!!
We are all very excited for the upcoming year and look forward to seeing you at the Miami Book Fair!!
Mackey and Jeremy (two main characters from the chapter books) will be in attendance all day Saturday and Sunday. They will be passing out information to attendees about the fact that they are now for hire for Children's Parties! In addition, every hour they will be drawing a winner from our free raffle and entertaining at our booth.
For instance, one hour Jeremy will dance and give a Pop & Lock lesson. Mackey will read the "Sleeyphead" book to preschoolers and give some dance demonstrations of her own. You might even catch a little dance party where Mackey and Jeremy lead everyone in some fun interactive dances like the Cuban Walk or ChaCha Slide!
The biggest news is the announcement of our new division called TOMGIRLZ ENTERTAINMENT. Through this division, we will promote Children's Parties, Author Speaking Engagements, and Salsa/Ballroom Dance Performers available for all kinds of events from corporate to weddings!!
We are all very excited for the upcoming year and look forward to seeing you at the Miami Book Fair!!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
TOMGIRL IS MOTHER'S HERO & INSPIRATION
From the first moment my eyes met Jordynn I felt as close to her as any mother could to a baby. With thick, dark hair already reaching the top of her nose, I knew she was super special. What I didn’t know was that it could be possible for a bond that strong to grow even deeper and stronger through the years…It did!
To be honest, I think Jordynn pulled a bit of a role reversal on me. I was prepared to teach her all the things I knew at the times in her life she would need to know them. I wasn’t expecting that I would learn more about how to live life from her than she could ever learn from me.
I watched in awe as Jordynn drank in life day after day with a spirit and energy I never experienced myself. She can independently take on tasks and be happy on her own, but has such a kind heart that she always has room for others and is happy to share. For instance, every time my 90 year old grandmother came to visit us, Jordynn would be the one to say she could stay in her room. And hearts would melt every night when Jordynn would snuggle up in bed with her. She never showed anything but love and respect.
Mostly it is Jordynn’s ability to go after what she wants while always being herself that impresses me. She never sits on any fences. When she trained in gymnastics, it was with full effort. When she got invited into a dance company, she put her whole heart into it. Now Jordynn has decided that making the Olympics is her main goal (becoming a doctor is her goal after that!). So when she found out diving is an Olympic sport she asked to try it. After one week of dive camp she was invited onto the team!
Watching Jordynn grow and develop taught me that you can’t just sit around and watch life, you have to live it. Talk about inspirational, she inspired me to start writing children’s books…something I really wanted to do for most of my life. Jordynn finally gave me something to write about. The first character I created was of course based on Jordynn. Mackey Mack exemplifies energy, spirit, leadership skills, friendship, caring for community, sense of humor, and many more life skills that I see in Jordynn. Now 5 chapter books have been published in the TOMGIRLZ series and more are on the way.
Jordynn was born as my daughter whose dreams I wished would all come true, but she has grown into my best friend and hero who has taught me that dreams really CAN come true!
To be honest, I think Jordynn pulled a bit of a role reversal on me. I was prepared to teach her all the things I knew at the times in her life she would need to know them. I wasn’t expecting that I would learn more about how to live life from her than she could ever learn from me.
I watched in awe as Jordynn drank in life day after day with a spirit and energy I never experienced myself. She can independently take on tasks and be happy on her own, but has such a kind heart that she always has room for others and is happy to share. For instance, every time my 90 year old grandmother came to visit us, Jordynn would be the one to say she could stay in her room. And hearts would melt every night when Jordynn would snuggle up in bed with her. She never showed anything but love and respect.
Mostly it is Jordynn’s ability to go after what she wants while always being herself that impresses me. She never sits on any fences. When she trained in gymnastics, it was with full effort. When she got invited into a dance company, she put her whole heart into it. Now Jordynn has decided that making the Olympics is her main goal (becoming a doctor is her goal after that!). So when she found out diving is an Olympic sport she asked to try it. After one week of dive camp she was invited onto the team!
Watching Jordynn grow and develop taught me that you can’t just sit around and watch life, you have to live it. Talk about inspirational, she inspired me to start writing children’s books…something I really wanted to do for most of my life. Jordynn finally gave me something to write about. The first character I created was of course based on Jordynn. Mackey Mack exemplifies energy, spirit, leadership skills, friendship, caring for community, sense of humor, and many more life skills that I see in Jordynn. Now 5 chapter books have been published in the TOMGIRLZ series and more are on the way.
Jordynn was born as my daughter whose dreams I wished would all come true, but she has grown into my best friend and hero who has taught me that dreams really CAN come true!
Monday, September 1, 2008
ANTI-BULLYING STARTS AT HOME
As my next TOMGIRLZ book will deal with the issues of childhood obesity and bullying, I have been talking to my elementary school aged daughter more about what kind of bullying she notices. She says she sees it everywhere and that girls can be particularly mean to other girls. However, the most detailed account she gave me was very surprising.
In very vivid detail she told me the story of what happened one morning at the bus stop. A 9 year old boy was waiting for the bus with his mother and elderly grandfather. The bus was arriving and apparently the grandfather was in the process of crossing the street. The boy ran across the street quickly to board the bus and when he saw his grandfather still moving slowly he yelled out, "Get out of the way you big idiot!"
Then the mother, who jumped in her car to leave after talking to some other moms at the bus stop, yelled at him too. She said, "Come on, I don't have all day!"
My daughter said she got a stomach ache and felt horrible for the grandfather all day. Of course she did. She lost her own great grandmother just a few short months ago and misses her very much. My children always had tremendous respect and love for her...every time she came to visit us my daughter would share her room with her and even cuddle up with her in bed.
The point of this story is that bullying stems from a disrespect for others and learning respect starts at home. The mother's own attitude towards the grandfather was of impatience and annoyance and she said nothing to correct her son for calling his grandfather a "big idiot." If they are treating the grandfather like this at home constantly, then they are actually bullying him and the son is learning this bullying behavior from his parents in his very own home.
I hope they will understand that their behavior will have to change...Florida's new anti-bully policy in schools makes parents accountable!
Read more about the passing of the anti-bullying policy at http://www.proudparenting.com/node/1919
In very vivid detail she told me the story of what happened one morning at the bus stop. A 9 year old boy was waiting for the bus with his mother and elderly grandfather. The bus was arriving and apparently the grandfather was in the process of crossing the street. The boy ran across the street quickly to board the bus and when he saw his grandfather still moving slowly he yelled out, "Get out of the way you big idiot!"
Then the mother, who jumped in her car to leave after talking to some other moms at the bus stop, yelled at him too. She said, "Come on, I don't have all day!"
My daughter said she got a stomach ache and felt horrible for the grandfather all day. Of course she did. She lost her own great grandmother just a few short months ago and misses her very much. My children always had tremendous respect and love for her...every time she came to visit us my daughter would share her room with her and even cuddle up with her in bed.
The point of this story is that bullying stems from a disrespect for others and learning respect starts at home. The mother's own attitude towards the grandfather was of impatience and annoyance and she said nothing to correct her son for calling his grandfather a "big idiot." If they are treating the grandfather like this at home constantly, then they are actually bullying him and the son is learning this bullying behavior from his parents in his very own home.
I hope they will understand that their behavior will have to change...Florida's new anti-bully policy in schools makes parents accountable!
Read more about the passing of the anti-bullying policy at http://www.proudparenting.com/node/1919
Saturday, August 30, 2008
MACKEY LOVES "TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW"
My character Mackey has been accompanying me on author visits lately as part of a community service project she started called "Bringing Books to Life for Literacy". She loves to perform as well as meet kids from lower income areas to get them excited about reading, but she hasn't been able to do a solo because she didn't feel she had the perfect music to perform to. She just told me she found it!
Mackey loves the song "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" by Selena Gomez. I listened to the song and I have to agree. This song shows the TOMGIRLZ spirit I see in my characters and in amazing children everywhere. The song has attitude...that's for sure...but the attitude is POSITIVE which I really love! The song also tells children that it's okay to follow their dreams, even when others tell them there is no way they can make it. Selena Gomez exemplifies that dreams really can come true and now she shares with everyone how she made her own come true...
1. Understand that things don't come easy
2. Believe in yourself
3. Don't let others determine who you are and want to be (the control is yours if you take it...the control belongs to others if you allow it.
Hey...this message is one that adults should keep in mind in their own lives too. Creating and publishing my books is a dream and is DIFFICULT. Everyone says that getting the word out and having the TOMGIRLZ embraced by the world will be a daunting task...so now in the words of Selena Gomez I will answer:
"TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW" I believe that dreams really can come true, so you might as well DREAM BIG!!
Mackey loves the song "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" by Selena Gomez. I listened to the song and I have to agree. This song shows the TOMGIRLZ spirit I see in my characters and in amazing children everywhere. The song has attitude...that's for sure...but the attitude is POSITIVE which I really love! The song also tells children that it's okay to follow their dreams, even when others tell them there is no way they can make it. Selena Gomez exemplifies that dreams really can come true and now she shares with everyone how she made her own come true...
1. Understand that things don't come easy
2. Believe in yourself
3. Don't let others determine who you are and want to be (the control is yours if you take it...the control belongs to others if you allow it.
Hey...this message is one that adults should keep in mind in their own lives too. Creating and publishing my books is a dream and is DIFFICULT. Everyone says that getting the word out and having the TOMGIRLZ embraced by the world will be a daunting task...so now in the words of Selena Gomez I will answer:
"TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW" I believe that dreams really can come true, so you might as well DREAM BIG!!
Friday, August 29, 2008
BOOKS ABOUT CHILDHOOD OBESITY, BULLYING & TEASING UNDER WAY
Between scheduling activities for my two children, driving like a maniac all over South Florida, and working on marketing ideas for my books, workout, and dance classes, I have not had much time for writing. But I have had a lot of time for thinking! Finally, the first couple of chapters of the first book are complete...and I actually like them!
My next three books will read as a kind of mini series within the TOMGIRLZ series. Two new brother/sister characters, Abbey and Bob, will be introduced. Both of these children are overweight and they deal with their weight issues in very different ways. Looking at the issues that overweight children face...not just physical, but mental stress caused by bullying and teasing is the challenge of these new TOMGIRLZ books. After calling Barnes and Nobles about books on the subject, I have learned that mine will be a first of its kind! There are plenty of books written for adults, but none directed as children's books. These books are taking me a bit longer to write than the other 5 Tomgirlz books because I want to deal with the topic sensitively and accurately, and still maintain the spirit and humor of the TOMGIRLZ. I'll keep you posted!
My next three books will read as a kind of mini series within the TOMGIRLZ series. Two new brother/sister characters, Abbey and Bob, will be introduced. Both of these children are overweight and they deal with their weight issues in very different ways. Looking at the issues that overweight children face...not just physical, but mental stress caused by bullying and teasing is the challenge of these new TOMGIRLZ books. After calling Barnes and Nobles about books on the subject, I have learned that mine will be a first of its kind! There are plenty of books written for adults, but none directed as children's books. These books are taking me a bit longer to write than the other 5 Tomgirlz books because I want to deal with the topic sensitively and accurately, and still maintain the spirit and humor of the TOMGIRLZ. I'll keep you posted!
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