Live Life to the fullest

DON’T BE AFRAID YOUR LIFE WILL END; BE AFRAID THAT IT WILL NEVER BEGIN. Grace Hansen

What a great quote!

Just the other day I was getting in trouble in the playground at school with the other little monsters. Today, I look in the mirror, and it’s a new person. How amazing that I’m looking at a grown woman with new features, new lines and a new soul.

Why am I writing this? If you’ve been paying attention to the news all week, I’m sure you noticed the chaos and sadness that’s occurring in Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude of an Earthquake struck. The death toll has reached over 200,000 and still more bodies are being recovered. Tragedy is all around us, and wars are being fought all over the world, and human suffering still exists.

When situations like this happen, it’s normal for people to turn to religion and spirituality to help ease their minds to justify life.

Here’s a great quote that sums up how I feel. LIFE IS NOT THE WAY IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE. IT’S THE WAY IT IS. THE WAY YOU DEAL WITH IT IS WHAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Virginia Satir.

live-life21

You can go on all day quoting scriptures on why life is the way it is, but personally, I just don’t know… deep down in my heart, I love the cute fables and morals that go with religion but when it comes down to it, I’m just like everyone in that I share similar goals.. I strive for peace and happiness

Life is precious and don’t forget, fragile. Tomorrow is never promised so don’t put off life in hopes for a better future. Live it now. Live the life that makes “you” happy.

We grow up learning to please everyone and doing things for acceptance, not realizing we have wasted time and opportunities. Being accepted is great, but what’s the point if you’re miserable :(

You deserve to love your life! So let’s do it!

Live it up, laugh out loud, love hard, live in the NOW, and take risks!

I’m going Giftless this Holiday Season!

crazyshopping

T’is the season to spend your money gift shopping!

I’m sure you’ve already noticed the shopping frenzy begin a few weeks back. The shopping malls resemble a zoo of filled with animalistic shoppers looking for the newest game system, iphone or even the latest snuggie. Of course there’s always that Happy Holiday music playing in the background to offset the loud madness.

One thing for sure is that you’ll never catch me in that mall! markstein

Even though I feel that gift giving is a sweet loving gesture, I feel that it can be done without spending a penny.

A few years ago, I started to boycott gift giving during the holidays not because I was a scrooge or even cheap, but because I wanted my friends to save their money.

Instead of a basket of Bath & Body works lotions and sprays (that I’ll probably never use), I’d rather have a nice evening with friends catching up and enjoying a pizza and movie night.

In this economic situation, the last thing some people want to do is spend their hard earned pay check on mindless gifts just because tradition says so. stahler

Celebrating the holidays without gifts can be just as joyful and fulfilling. It’s never too late to start a new Holiday tradition in your home.

Of course you can’t just show up to your Holiday gathering with zero gifts without warning anyone because you might get kicked out! Plus, getting gifts from others when you bought them nothing is just plain awkward.. not cute!

Pre-warn your family ahead of time and make sure that everyone is willing to spend less or even nothing at your next holiday celebration. Explain that instead of spending lots of money on gifts, you’ll be spending little money on food and entertainment.

Plan fun activities like baking, arts and crafts, movie night or even a crazy board game.

Dress up and take lots of pictures! Years from now when you can’t remember the gifts you unwrapped, you’ll still have beautiful memories captured on film.

I hope I didn’t offend people with my post today being that it’s Christmas Eve, but I guess I feel that love and family is worth so much more that a Nintendo Wii System.

As long as my holidays involve being surrounded by my favorite people and good times, I’m more than content. I’m overjoyed and truly blessed.

This Holiday season, give me a note saying I love you, make me a healthy meal, or just hold and hug me.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Xoxo

from Mommy to body building beauty. Meet one of my favorite facebook friends!

1 So many people are anti social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, but not I.

Since joining the Facebook and Twitter bandwagon, I have met some of the greatest individuals not just locally, but internationally as well.

I have been able to meet people with similar interests, goals and hobbies. Not only have these new friends taught me new things, but they have also inspired and motivated me to keep doing what I love.

When I’m on Facebook, I feel like I have a bottomless shopping cart and  can pick and choose my favorite people to put in it, keeping the bad apples out. What a great way to deal with a hard day through funny, positive individuals that you have allowed into your life. If only life outside Facebook was that cute!

One of my favorite Facebook friends is the gorgeous Mrs Sarah Burnett!

I don’t remember exactly who added who and when we met, but I know it has been a while and that we are constantly on each other’s walls!

Sarah and I shared a common interest of health, fitness and nutrition.  We talked recipes, weight loss and even bodybuilding. After months of chit chatting it up, I received an email from Sarah saying “I’m competing!”

Sarah toyed around with the idea before but never made it seem like she was serious, so when she said that, I was so excited for her! YAY Sarah!

I couldn’t wait to see her transformation. Of course, like any strong, determined woman, Sarah reached her goal and looked gorgeous at her first body building competition!

After her rigorous training and competition was over, I asked Sarah if she would do an interview for the site to help advise and motivate other women who are considering competing or just getting in to shape.

Check out our interview!

faceghada Me: OMG! I LOVE YOU SARAH!… OK.. Let’s get serious.. When did you start incorporating health and fitness into your lifestyle?

faceSarah:I started running road races in 2002 (5k’s 10k’s and 1/2 marathons) to help get my pregnancy weight off and to reach new goals in my life.  Began kickboxing 2 years ago which is a fantastic workout and great sport.  But I still was lacking that muscle definition I was after…I was lean but not muscular so after hurting my knee (and not being able to run anyway) I decided to start weight training and eating clean.

Me: How do you feel now compared to pre-healthy lifestyle?

Sarah: I feel so fantastic now, I have so much more energy and its amazing how great eating clean can make you feel, I noticed a huge difference after 1 week!

Me: What attracted you to body building?

Sarah: I admire bodybuilders. It takes true dedication, perseverance, sacrifice and commitment….too many things to mention! I needed a new goal and decided to do a figure competition to prove to myself I could get in contest shape and get up in front of all those people..

Me: How did you get started in prepping for your bodybuilding transformation?

Sarah: Motivation, nutrition, exercise! I actually got started through facebook…I made a few bodybuilder friends who encouraged me to keep going with the weight training and sent me their diet and training plans to help me out and get me ready for my first competition!


Me: Do you feel that you achieved the goals that you set for yourself?

Sarah: My goal was to do compete in my first figure competition on Nov 7th 2009, and I did it!

Me: Would you do it again?

Sarah: Yes I will do it again!


Me: What advice would you give women who are considering competing?

Sarah: My advice would be to go for it! It takes a tremendous amount of hardwork and sacrifice but the feeling you get is the best reward!


Me: Who’s your mentor/idol?

Sarah: I don’t know if I have a specific mentor or idol…there are so many amazing athletes, its hard to choose!


Me: You’re awesome! OK.. Let’s talk dirty!

What’s your favorite cheat meal?

Sarah: My favorite cheat meal is nachos…with extra cheese, lots of salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and what ever else you want to pile on it! Also date squares….I will eat the entire tray if you let me

Me: Why is smallworld beauty your mostest favorite site in the world!

Sarah: smallworld beauty gives others motivation to set goals and gives tons of information on how to achieve these goals! There are tons of tips and information about good clean eating and best of all the recipes are quick and easy and of course delicious!  I am always inspired by others success stories which is why I visited the site in the first place. Ghada inspired me to continue with my goal of competing by her encouraging words of wisdom and support throughout! Thank you Ghada love you!

End.

How can I ever hate on Facebook after meeting a great friend chick like Sarah!

If you’re on Facebook, look us up and join our healthy train!

To find Sarah, search: Sarah Burnett

To find me, search: Ghada Abuhakmeh

Check out some dishes from my Thanksgiving Dinner!

I love Thanksgiving!

No matter what culture, race or religion you are, you can always find a reason to enjoy this day.

For me, I consider Thanksgiving “family and friends” day.

In today’s hectic work world, I am thankful for all the holidays because it gives me the chance to take off and spend the days with people I adore.

Another obvious reason that I love this Turkey day is because of all the yummy food!

Yes, most households will cook up the traditional Turkey and stuffing, but depending on the culture and upbringing, you may find other unique side dishes on the table as well.

My Thanksgiving started with me rolling out of bed at 6:30 am after a long night of music and friends. I brushed my teeth, pulled back my bed head and hopped in the car to drive to my mom’s in Lancaster, PA (1.5 hours away). Most people will fast the whole morning to make us much room in their belly for the huge feast, but I like to keep my meals small regardless. Instead of showing up starving to my mom’s, I stopped by Starbucks for a double shot Espresso to wake me up and ordered an egg white whole grain muffin to hold me over until lunch.

I arrived at my mom’s at 9:30 am and walked into a house of flavorful aromas. Mmmmm..

Unlike most households where a few family members combine their cooking efforts to create a great meal, our household is a bit different. At my mama’s house, she whips up all the dishes before the guests even arrive. My mom has always been and still is an amazing cook. I’m amazed at how clean the kitchen stays too while she creates magic in the kitchen.

In the next room, my little brother Yousef was still knocked out from his night out and my other bro Khalid was on his way from Harrisburg where he currently lives.

Being the cool sister that I am, I stomped into Yousef’s room and abnoxiously woke his butt out of bed :)You and mom are the worst!” as he made his way out of the bed. My older bro Mo and my dad couldn’t be with us :( since they’re living in Kuwait, so we called them when Khalid arrived.

Yes, my Thanksgiving was quiet but it was still filled with love :)

Instead of eating late, we set the table at noon and had a Thanksgiving lunch. Mmmmm… Wait until you see what my mama made!

Ooooo… Her Garlic Roasted Turkey smelled and looked delicious! This big guy was marinated all night and then slow cooked in the oven for a few hours.

My favorite part of the turkey is the gigantic

juicy leg. I like to pretend that I’m in the Renaissance era and barbarically bite into it!

Now for the side dishes!

My mama knows how much I love my veggies, so she made a special steamed veggie dish full of brussel sprouts, carrots, broccoli and sweet potatoes. Yes, I love brussel sprouts! lol

In addition to the regular stuffing, my mom hooked up some safron seasoned, basmatti rice. Light, fluffy and delicious.  The stuffing was tasty, but I prefer rice any day.

Another delicious side dish that made it on to the Thanksgiving menu this year was a black bean, tomato and cilantro stew. I think this won for the best item of the day! It was hearty, tangy and fulfilling. I made sure this was coming home with me!

So here’s what my plate looked like!

Instead of the huge plates, I grabbed a medium sized plate and scooped a little bit of everything.

I tore apart bits of the turkey drumstick, scooped a cup full of basmatti rice, a few spoons of black bean stew and loaded up on veggies.

For dessert, I grabbed a few chunks of fruit and called it a day.

Now that I showed you a peak into my Thanksgiving day, I would love to hear and see pictures of yours!

Email me or leave a comment!

Happy Holidays everyone!

xoxo

5 Supplements that will boost your weight loss efforts & help you achieve that body you’ve dreamed of!

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Being overweight most of my life, I can attest to trying almost every fad diet and “quick fix” pill on the market. After years of trial and error, I have finally found the true formula to health and weight loss: proper nutrition and exercise.

After shedding over 12 dress sizes, I am finally loving my life and self more. This feeling of confidence and self-love is priceless and everyone deserves to feel it!

Are you ready to love your life more?

When it comes to losing weight or just breaking a bad habit, sometimes we as women (and men ;) ) just need that extra push to get us started.

sweet & simple supplements do just that!

sweet & simple supplements combined with proper nutrition
and exercise can help us achieve that healthy body that we’ve always
dreamed of.

Look, feel and be your best!

There are so many supplements that can help boost your weight loss efforts, but I felt that the FABULOUS FIVE products below are perfect to give anyone a kick start in their health and weight loss efforts. If you have already started your health journey, the supplements will also help enhance your results!

Let’s take a sneak peak ;)

Slim-Sculptedited

WHEY PROTEIN

Oh, my favorite weight loss weapon! So simple, yet so effective.

I can’t promote this supplement enough. Protein is a major building block in the body and essential for proper functioning of every cell in the body. Your muscles, bones, skin, hair and even blood need protein.

Protein can be found in many food sources including animal (chicken, beef, dairy and fish) and plant (legumes and nuts).

Protein can also be consumed through WHEY PROTEIN, a superior complete protein that contains all of the essential amino acids needed for proper immune function.

Unlike other proteins, Whey Protein is soluble and easily digested by the body.

How will slim & sculpt help boost weight loss efforts?

Incorporating protein to your diet will:

  • Boost WEIGHT LOSS efforts*
  • BUILD & REPAIR lean muscle*
  • Stabilize blood glucose levels*
  • SUPPRESS appetite*
  • DETOX & BOOST Immune support*

What makes this formula unique?

  • slim & sculpt is packed with 18g of Pure Whey protein Isolate
  • This unique formula contains 0 carbs and 0 artificial flavors
  • Contains DMG, a superior ingredient that will boost immune support, detoxification, improved muscular response and anti-oxidant activity.
    Slim & Sculpt Supplement Facts
    1 scoop (13.6 g) contains:
    Calories     44
    Protein     9 g
    Whey Protein Isolate     10 g
    N,N-Dimethylglycine     500 mg
    Stevia     54 g
    Other ingredients: vanilla flavoring, xylitol

Here’s how I like to incorporate slim & sculpt in my day! I’m an early bird, so I usually workout in the morning for an intense hour. As my post workout nutrition and breakfast, I love throwing 2 scoops of vanilla slim & sculpt in the blender along with some of my favorite nutritious ingredients (kale, ginger and apple). Post workout nutrition is vital for building and recovering lean muscle. The protein shake also keeps my appetite suppressed until my next meal. slim & sculpt is also a great “snack” that I can have between meals or in the evening if I’m really hungry. There are endless recipes that contain Whey protein including oatmeal, protein pancakes or even delicious fruity shakes.

Get smart by adding whey protein into your diet plan and watch your body transform!

Detox-GreenseditedDETOXIFIER

We are constantly surrounded by harmful toxins and pollutants in the air, hidden chemicals found in drinking water and invisible bacteria in our foods.

It is almost impossible to be untouched by these different nuisances, but there are ways to help fight back through Detoxifying.

Natural ways of helping your body rid of harmful agents are drinking plenty of H2O and eating plenty of nutritious fruits and vegetables.

In addition to staying hydrated and proper nutrition, try a scoop of detox greens!

This super tasty, easy-to-mix powder is infused anti-oxidant rich vegetables, fruits and herbs along with enzymes and probiotic cultures!

detox greens will aid in:

  • Detoxification functions*
  • Immune system health*
  • Antioxidant defense*
  • G.I. Tract Health*

Check out the goodies in this formula!

Detox Greens: Supplement Facts
Each scoop (11.88 Grams) contains:
Calories 48
Fat Calories 8
Total Fat <1 g
Total Carb. 9 g
Fiber 3 g
Sugars 2 g
Protein 1 g
Vitamin A (Retinol & beta-carotene) 743 IU
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 77.69 mg
Calcium 25.8 mg
Iron 2.57 mg
Sodium 32 mgSoluble Fiber  (Fibersol-2™ brand) 2,000 mg Soy Lecithin Powder 1,500 mg
Spirulina 1000 mg
Barley Grass Powder 500 mg
FOS (Fructooligosaccharides) 500 mg
Carrot Powder 400 mg
Bromelain (80 GDU) 360 mg
Papain 300 mg
Red Grape Seed Extract 300 mg
Chlorella-Cracked Cell Powder 250 mg
Wheat Grass Powder 250 mg
Red Raspberry Powder 250 mg
Apple Pectin 250 mg
Acerola Berry Juice Powder 200 mg
Alfalfa Powder 200 mg
Beet Juice Powder 200 mg
Cauliflower Powder 200 mg
Flax Seed Meal 200 mgParsley Juice Powder 200 mg
Rose Hips 200 mg
Spinach Leaf Powder 200 mg
Non-Dairy Probiotic Culture  (1.2 Billion C.F.U.) 200 mg
Royal Jelly 150 mg
Bee Pollen 100 mg
Citrus Bioflavonoids 100 mg
Blueberry Powder 100 mg
Broccoli Powder 100 mg
Cranberry Juice Powder 100 mg
Horsetail Rush 100 mg
Bilberry Extract  (25% Anthocyanidins) 80 mg
Oat Beta Glucan 75 mg
Milk Thistle 60 mg
Rosemary Leaf Powder 60 mg
DMG HCl 50 mg
Grape Seed Extract 50 mg
Green Tea Extract 50 mg
Eleutherococcus senticosus 50 mg
Aloe Leaf Powder 50 mg
Stevia Leaf Extract 35 mg
Licorice Root Powder 5 mg
Other Ingredients: natural apple flavor, cinnamon powder.
• Contains soy and wheat.

Here’s how I like to incorporate detox greens in my day! This delicious cinnamon, apple-flavored powder goes perfectly into my post workout shake, or in my water bottle. Feel free to try it when making fruity smoothies or morning cup of orange juice.

Skinny-Minnyedited

FAT FIGHTER

Eating right and working out are great in tackling weight loss, but sometimes there’s nothing wrong with an extra push ;)

skinny minny is an all-natural FAT BLASTING combo that is designed to address those factors that my contribute to weight gain such as energy level, hormone balance, slow fat burning and stress!

Adding skinny minny to your day will:

  • Boost WEIGHT LOSS*
  • BOOST ENERGY*
  • Balances STRESS HORMONE (Cortisol)*
  • STABILIZE blood sugar*
  • Control APPETITE & CRAVINGS*
  • Support FAT METABOLISM*

Check out these fat blasting ingredients!

skinny minny Supplement Facts
Amount Per Capsule:
Chromium (Cr. Polynicotinate) 50 mcg
A proprietary blend of Green Tea Extract, Theobroma
Cacao whole fruit (Metabromine® brand),
Hoodia
Gordonii,
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Root) 375 mg
yielding EGCG 105 mg
Theobromine 6 mg
Caffeine 1.5 mg
Guarana (Seed) Extract 100 mg
yielding Caffeine 25 mg
L-Theanine (Suntheanine® brand) 25 mg
Lagestroemia speciosa L. (Banaba) Leaf Extract 10 mg
yielding Corosolic Acid 0.1 mg
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) Seed Extract 5 mg
Other ingredients: vegetable cellulose, rice flour, vegetable
stearate.
• Warning: Do not take this product if you are pregnant,
nursing, have fibrocystic breast disease, high blood
pressure, or if you’re taking MAO or SSRI drugs or
antihypertensive medications.
• Caution: This product naturally contains caffeine. Do not
take if you are caffeine sensitive.
• Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule, 3
times daily, 30 minutes before each meal, or as directed by
your health care practitioner.
Made to cGMP standards.

Here’s how I like to incorporate skinny minny in my day! Studies have shown that consuming caffeine prior to workouts can not only boost energy, but can also be effective in targeting fat stores. I love popping a skinny minny upon wakening and before heading to the gym. It’s my little waker-upper and gives me that extra boost I need to sustain my long workouts. I also take a pill 30 minutes before lunch and dinner to help me eat less calories. I’m not caffeine sensitive, so I’m fine with taking this past 5 pm.

Carb-Attackedited STARCH/ CARB BLOCKER

Too much of a good thing can be bad, and this definitely applies to excess carbs!

Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy, so yes… we need them! Our body is an amazing machine that runs on carbs, proteins, fats and other nutrients for optimum function, so it’s our duty to provide it with the proper fuel.

However, by overloading your body with excess carbs, you may start noticing an increase in your waistline… not cute.

All carbs metabolize into glucose in the body to be used by the body for energy or stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen.

Excess carbs however, are converted into fat. To avoid unnecessary fat storage,carb consumption should be monitored.

A great way to help reduce the amount of carb conversion to fat, is to use carb attack!

carb attack is a unique combination of Phase 2™ brand starch neutralizer, Gymnema Sylvestre and Chromemate® brand chromium. Together these three active ingredients work together
to promote healthy and effective weight control by promoting fat
burning, maintaining normal blood glucose levels and neutralizing
the calories from complex carbohydrates.

In a recent double-blind study in humans, Phase 2™ starch neutralizer decreased the percentage of caloric burden from complex carbohydrates by 60%.*

Carbohydrates are needed by the body for energy. Current
research recommends a carbohydrate intake of approximately
130 grams per day for weight reduction. carb attack is ideal
for those whose carbohydrate intake is higher than that.
Excessive carbohydrate intake in the form of empty calories will
be stored in the body as fat. Learning to manage carbohydrate
intake is a key to successful weight loss.

  • One capsule of carb attack blocks up to 100 grams
    (400 calories) of starch.*
  • Carb Attack is a supplement that can be used strategically to
    support weight loss and weight management
  • Carb Attack is vegetarian and yeast free.
carb attack Supplement Facts
1 Capsule Contains
Chromium (as Chromium
Polynicotinate, Chromemate® brand) 100 mcg
Phaseolus vulgaris
(white kidney bean, Phase 2™ brand) Extract 500 mg
Gymnema sylvestre (leaf) 100 mg
Other ingredients: vegetable cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose,
vegetable cellulose.
Chromemate® is a registered trademark of InterHealth N.I.
Phase 2™ phaseolus vulgaris is a trademark of Pharmachem
Laboratories, Inc..
• Warning: If you are pregnant, lactating, diabetic, or
hypoglycemic consult your physician before taking this
product.
• Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule with
water, before any meal containing carbohydrates from starch,
or as directed by your health care practitioner.

Here’s how I like to incorporate carb attack in my day! Unless you’re eating lettuce and lean protein all day (which is not fun or healthy), almost all foods contain carbs. I like to take 1 capsule 30 minutes before my main meals, and an extra one if I want to sneak a cookie on the weekend. My oatmeal and fruit contains carbs, my side of brown rice for lunch contains carbs and my medium sweet potato for dinner also contains carbs. On my cheat day, I love me some pizza! So to “cheat” on my cheat day, I pop a carb attack to reduce and inhibit some of the starch in my meal. I have definitely noticed weight reduction and more energy when I began to understand and moderate my carb consumption. Now it’s your turn to see for yourself!

Finally, my best friend the….

GENTLE COLON CLEANSERsmoothsailingedited

There’s nothing funny about colon health!

Many people suffer from improper bowel function from too frequent (diahrrhea) and infrequent visits to the bathroom and constipation (hard, difficult to pass). Not cute….

Leading causes of improper bowel function are dehydration, poor diet, hormones and use of certain medication.

A few ways to help regulate and improve colon health naturally, a person can drink plenty of water, eat fibrous fruits and veggies, reduce stress and exercise.

When all the above fails to regulate your system, try a scoop of smooth sailing!

smooth sailing is the ONLY formula of its kind to combine:

  • L-glutamine at 5000 mg per serving to fuel intestinal cells
    and maintain villi*
  • Arabinogalactans at 1000 mg per serving to support
    the immune system, aid regularity and support the
    production of beneficial bacteria*
  • Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice root at 500 mg per serving to
    help soothe the gut wall*
  • N-Acetyl glucosamine at therapeutic levels (250 mg per
    serving) to improve the integrity of the mucosal lining*
  • Aloe Vera Leaf Extract (200:1) at 250 mg to help heal the
    lining of the stomach and keep the folds and pockets of
    the colon free of toxic material that gather there*
  • Slippery Elm bark at 200 mg per serving to reduce bowel
    transit time; absorb toxins from the bowel; increase
    fecal bulk and enhance beneficial bacteria in the gut*
  • Zinc Carnosine at a 100 mg per serving to help stabilize
    small bowel integrity, stimulate gut repair processes and
    help minimize free radical damage to gastric mucosal
    cells*
  • Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis) at a 100 mg per
    serving to soothe the gut*
smooth sailing Supplement Facts
Each Scoop Contains
Calories 45
Total Carbohydrates 6 mg
Sugars 4 g
Fiber 1 g
Protein 6 g
Zinc Carnosine 100 mg
L-Glutamine 5000 mg
Arabinogalactans 1000 mg
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra) Root (DGL) 500 mg
Aloe Vera Leaf Extract (200:1) 250 mg
N-Acetyl Glucosamine (from shrimp & crab) 250 mg
Slippery Elm bark (Ulmus Rubra) 200 mg
Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis) 100 mg
Stevia Leaf Extract 60 mg
Other Ingredients: raspberry fruit powder, strawberry fruit
powder, pineapple juice powder, natural raspberry flavor,
natural strawberry flavor, beet powder.
• Contains: shrimp & crab.
• Warning: Persons with liver or kidney disorders or Reye’s
syndrome should not take this product. If you are
pregnant or nursing, consult your health care practitioner
before taking this or any nutritional product.
• Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, mix one scoop
with cold water or juice once or twice daily, or as
directed by your health care practitioner.

Here’s how I like to incorporate smooth sailing in my day! If there’s anyone that knows about constipation, it’s me! If you take an extra look at the ingredients, you will notice that this powerful powder contains 6 grams of protein and packed with L-Glutamine (5000 mg) which are both beneficial for building and recovery of muscles. So, I scoop one serving of this fruit flavored mix into my shake in the morning, and head to work! If I don’t put it in my shake in the morning, then I’ll blend it with a tiny bit of juice at night before I sleep. It’s very gentle, and doesn’t cause me to cramp like other colon cleansers.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

Add SEAN PAUL’S reggae hits to your ipod and boost your workout and mood!


meandsean

Guess who I met up with recently?

Yup! I met up with the gorgeous international Dance Hall star,

SEAN PAUL

This picture was taken last week at a secret location in Pennsylvania where Sean Paul performed a private concert to promote his NEW album.

ImperialBlaze

IMPERIAL BLAZE hit stores this week and I was one of the first in line to purchase this must-have record that features his new single “so fine” which has been one of my top favorite workout songs. Another great butt-blasting song is “don’t tease me”.

When I’m burning out and getting close to exhaustion, Sean Paul’s music always revs me up and gives me that extra boost to finish my workouts.

My ipod is never SEAN PAUL free.

Want to hear how I first met Sean Paul?

I met Sean Paul over 9 years ago when I was an 18 year old college girl working with a club promoter for a reggae show. I accidentally ended up back stage with all the reggae bands and since dance hall didn’t hit MTV yet back then, I only knew the artists by their name. I stood among a bunch men and looked and felt awkward. I quickly sparked a conversation with this Middle Eastern looking guy next to me to feel more at ease. A few minutes later, this Middle Eastern person introduced himself as the multi-ethnic mixed with Jamaican, Sean Paul.

meandsteve

The superstar was down-to-earth and welcomed me to hang out all night, introducing me to his road manager Steve Mystic Urchin (me and steve on the left. Love ya Steve!) and the rest of the crew. Since then, we’ve been in touch and they have definitely earned a sweet spot in my heart forever! I appreciate their kindness and genuine efforts to welcome little ol’  me whenever they’re visiting the area.

Since smallworld beauty is a health, fitness and beauty blog, I wanted to share some interesting FITNESS facts about Sean Paul!

Did you know that Sean Paul was and is very athletic?

Yes! Both of his parents were athletes and passed down the talent to Sean too.

Sean Paul represented Jamaica playing water polo and was on the swim team.

Sean Paul still works out everyday and values his health and life. He quotes Life is a gift and you must treasure it. We’re all here for a certain period of time, and we’re definitely gonna leave one day.”

I love that philosophy!

Ladies! Did you know that Sean Paul worked as a chef after college? Well now you know! Maybe I can get him to feature one of his favorite recipes for a Sunday recipe. I’ll keep you posted.

Anyway, if you haven’t already picked up IMPERIAL BLAZE, make sure you do and upload it to your ipod.

It’s a perfect workout album! Your butt will thank you.

xoxo

Hong Kong! Here I come! Check out the bizarre foods that will be entering my mouth… mmmmm

hong_kong_skyline_344195 Yay! In less than 20 days, I’ll be on a flight headed to Hong Kong for the first time!

I can’t even begin to express my excitement. If I had money to travel the world, I’d start right now! Fortunately I have been blessed to see a lot of it already, but I still would love to see more!

You might be thinking that I’m mostly excited about sight seeing, but actually I’m more excited about eating! Being a food junky, I’m always intrigued by the most authentic and bizarre cuisine that other cultures have to offer.  I am fearless when it comes to putting food items in my mouth regardless of what it is!

So for my trip, I am putting my Andrew Zimmerman hat on(Bizarre Foods show) and indulging in some weird authentic Chinese cuisine.

WARNING: If you have a weak stomach, please read with caution

Let’s look at a few food items that I will be trying!

starfish

These starfish look kind of interesting. I wonder what it tastes like? Not that scary… I’ll definitely be biting into one of those. Apparently, street vendors sell them making them very accessible to my mouth :)

scorpion

Oooo… this might be a little tough. Fried scorpions on a stick! I wonder if the tail will cut the inside of my mouth?

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OMG! It’s a Yak’s Penis on a plate! In a weird way, it looks kind of tasty. It has a brownish glaze and looks like it’s packed with protein, something that’s necessary for building my lean muscles

Apparently, these delicacies are quite pricey and can range from $50 – $900 per plate. Ouch….

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Wow… check out this crazy concept for a restaurant. It’s toilet-themed eatery and even the serving bowls look like little bathtubs.

Here’s a pleasant one: Snake and turtle soup. The Chinese drink this concoction to promote longevity and boost male testosterone and stamina. I have actually had turtle before, but I have yet to bite into some snake. I heard it tastes like chicken, and I love me some chicken!

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I know you think I’m joking, but I’m not. I will try my best to find these eateries and snap some photos for you! Next week, I’ll research the yummy desserts that Hong Kong has to offer!

Mmmmmm and I love dessert!

If you’ve been to Hong Kong and can suggest any eateries or dishes that you think I will enjoy, please shoot me an email or leave a comment.

xoxo

One day my prince will come… or will he?

snowwhite1“One day my prince will come.. one day we’ll meet again!”

I used to sing this song as I pranced around my room imagining I was Snow White. I couldn’t wait for the day when animals spoke to me and prince charming saved me from my little cottage and rode away with me into the sunset.

We would live in a castle with birds chirping outside our window, and I would awaken to an appetizing breakfast spread filled with lots of carbs!

My closet would be filled with sequence gowns that I would wear around the house and my hot prince and I would attend the prestigious balls. We would forever be madly in love and give birth to 6 or 7 beautiful obedient children that ranked high on the IQ scale. Aww… and they never talked back! so adorable! Similar to a fairytale, my life would end happily ever after….

So, let’s take a look at my “real” life now!

I’m 27 years old, independent, works full time and pays for all my bills and expenses. I live in a suburb and drive a little eco-friendly car. I am in a relationship, but not yet married and kids are probably a few years away.

What happened to my fairytale life!

If you had parents like mine, they probably sugar-coated life extra thick! They said things like “you’re going to marry a rich Middle Eastern Sheikh and live in a gold mansion” or “you’re going to be a beautiful bride and wife with the cutest children”. I was also raised to have an unrealistic expectation of what marriage is.

Yes, marriage between two lovers can be magical, but it’s far from a fairytale. I’m sure you know that over 50% of marriages end up in divorce and no stats are available to how many of the married couples are unhappy.

Knowing what the true meaning of marriage is before committing will lead to a stronger, more successful outcome.

Having been in a relationship for a while now, I can definitely say that I’ve tasted big bites of what marriage has to offer.

I never knew that such a wide spectrum  of emotions can arise from committing to a partner. One day I love him to reese’s pieces, and another day I have flashes of choking him!

It can be such a roller coaster in my head some days… I love him, he’s my favorite.. why is he talking to that hot girl! Aww, that was romantic! He’s the one! I want a divorce!

Ladies and gents.. I think I can speak for most of us when I say that these thoughts and emotions are normal. After being with someone for so long, you learn to take the good with the bad and here are a few pointers to keep in mind before putting that ring on your finger.

Relationships are beautiful but they’re hard work! Here are some of my own personal tips that can help keep your love strong.

    • Communication is very important. Men and women are wired totally different and I’ll attest that I’m more sensitive than he is. I’ve learned that my partner is not a mind reader and that I need to show or tell him what I need and vise versa.
    • Keeping your independence. I see many couples that revolve everything around their partners and lose touch of friends and hobbies that they once found exciting. My independence is very important to me. I make my own money, I have plenty of hobbies that I’m passionate about and make time for family and friends.
    • No nagging! It’s easier to be negative than smile and be positive. I try my best to be positive 90% of the time, but he has to excuse me when my hormones kick in during that time of the month.
    • He is not a project. If you think that you’re going to change your partner, then you’re in for a rocky roller coaster ride. Accepting your partner is key to being happy. Not expecting anything will never leave you disappointed ;)
    • Compromise. Love and relationships are about give and take. Even if I don’t understand and enjoy a game of golf, I’ll drive the cart and enjoy the sun!
    • Trust. If you’re constantly on the prow to catch your partner talking to another person, or sneaking peaks at their emails, then you should not be in that relationship. You should be honest and faithful to one another. Plus, it’s not as stressful when you do. Stress leads to elevated cortisol which leads to belly fat!
    • Finances. Many couples forget to discuss this before marriage leading to tension soon after the ceremony. My partner and I both work hard, so we choose to split our expenses together in half especially when dining out.
    • Keep it fresh! Life can get monotonous and oh so boring, so make it a point too keep your relationship fresh. My partner and I love planning outdoor activities like a trip to the shore or mountains. An exotic dinner is always fun too! We love heading to China town and getting authentic Peking duck… mmmmm….
    • Say I love you more. Sometimes we take for granted that our loved ones just assume how we feel about them, but a few words, kisses and hugs can make such a difference.
    • Have fun! I like to think that my partner and I are still kids and this world is our playground. We laugh, joke and indulge in most things life has to offer. I appreciate both his friendship and company.

It’s normal that every relationship will experience its ups and downs, but learning how to truly love someone will make that experience just a little easier.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WOULD RATHER BE WITH MY BFF THAN A FAIRYTALE PRINCE.

Before I tie the knot, I would love to hear advice from my strong couples! Any advice and pointers are greatly appreciated.

My 4th of July: Off to the Mountains!

mountain1Like I mentioned in an earlier post, my 4th of  July plans were to spend time at the mountains with my love Christopher and his family. Now that I’m back, I thought I would share a few stories and pictures with you!

I woke up early the day of the trip to fit one more gym session in to make up for the upcoming Eat-a-thon. After a sweaty spinning session, I showered, packed my suitcase, vita-mix, healthy snacks and books and headed to his parent’s home where we would tailgate each other all the way to the mountains. The drive was a good 2-3 hours, but it felt less because of the beautiful scenery and weather.

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We finally arrived in Honesdale, a mountain area north of Pennsylvania that is known for it’s beautiful wildlife and lakes, and where a lot of fishing and hunting take place. We pulled up to the cabin and began to unload our bags and coolers filled with food and drinks. By the time we arrived, it was around 5 pm and the crew was getting hungry so I decided to offer preparing the first night’s dinner.

For dinner, I served a huge dish of eggplant moussaka, toasted corn bread with jalapeno bits and grilled ceasar salad. Mmmm… Dinner was a hit! Yay!

Everything was going so smooth until my boyfriend decided to blend some margharitas for everyone using my Vita-mix. I should’ve known that something didn’t sound right from the destructive noise, but his face said it all.

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“Uh.. babe… Ruh Roh!”

My lovely partner somehow managed to bust my monster of a blender that’s supposed to last me 15 years! Wow. He was devastated about breaking my “baby” but I figured it was a sign to avoid kale shakes for the next week until I got the part replaced.

C’est la Vie right!

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After stuffing our faces with tastey food, we headed out to start a fire before the sun set. Like the stone ages, the men headed into the woods to chop up some wood for the fire pit while the ladies waited around. The ladies included his two sisters, mom and myself.

Even though the Greek crew (my future in-laws) were far from being quiet and reserved lol, I felt so serene and peaceful being in such a beautiful environment that lacked phones, cable and internet. It was just me, nature and some bugs. Aww, I did witness a few bambis running around with their mom too.

mountain5The next few days were amazing! We enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner together with no feeling of being rushed or having to be somewhere. Calorie counting was not allowed, and good food was a must.

We spent hours of the day lounging under the clear sky and absorbing the sun rays. Miles of walking in the woods felt effortless because of the constant distraction of the beautiful wildlife surrounding us.

Time felt slow and on my side. Everything felt like I was high. The air felt crisp and clean, and the sky never looked so blue. I never wanted it to end :(

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The kids were being kids as they fought and played like Tom & Jerry. Aww, they’re so cute! Any little thing keeps them entertained whether it’s playing baseball or just sitting around the fire as we laughed about nothing.

On the second day, we all woke up, enjoyed a nice breakfast and ended up taking a walk to a closeby lake where some fell asleep on the grass, others read their books and the rest engaged in some fishing.

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Look at how beautiful that lake is!  I wish I could move there permanantly :)

My boyfriend pointed out a natural spring where the water felt like ice and tasted so fresh. I was in awe every second of each day that I was there. I was definitely plotting a life in the mountains in my head! Now to implement that vision :)

Later, we decided to start the grill and hook up some lean beef steaks and burgers. Even the food tasted so different! It tasted as if I had the “munchies” lol.

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Mr Bobby (my boyfriend’s dad) makes the best medium rare steaks that I’ve ever put in my mouth. Mmmm.. He’s always marinading his meat with Worchester sauce.. lol.. Hey! it works!

To compliment the burgers, I toasted some potato rolls under the broiler and his mom hooked up an amazing tortellini, spinach dish.

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After dinner, we all helped clean up and prepped for launching our 4th of July fireworks .The fire under the starry sky was more beautiful than any firework display, but we lit them up anyway for the kids. They had bags of all kinds of explosives from firecrackers, rockets to regular sparklers. I sat back an watched because I have a fear of blowing myself up.

After a few hours of watching the light show, we all headed back for more food. Yours truly, devowered almost half a box of chocolate chip cookies! lol Binging once in a while is allowed ;)

We stayed up until 2 am and then crashed anywhere we could find a couch or mattress.mountain10

When I woke up the next morning, I realized it was my last day :( and that I had to head back to the reality of everyday work, but reality makes these precious moments even more special. We all cleaned up and sat around for the last few hours enjoying each others company and conversation until we had to hop in our cars and head home :(

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In summary, I had the best time! I”m already planning next year’s dinner menu and activities, and can’t wait for that weekend again! Next time, I’m bringing more chocolate chip cookies!

I hope that your 4th of July was just as relaxing and entertaining. I would love to hear about your fun-filled festivities!

Love,

Ghada


At my house, it’s Happy Mother’s & Father’s Day!

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I never felt right about Mother’s day. Yes, I love my mommy but I also adore my daddy. So at our house this year, we are celebrating Mother and Father’s day! 

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In honor of their superb parenting skills, I write this letter on behalf of myself and three brothers, Mohammed, Khalid and Yousef (left to right, and yes we’re all crazy! lol)

 To Mama and Baba,

From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for doing the best in raising us. Yes, we are crazy, funny, love life and sometime a little too rebellious, but overall, I think we turned out great!

We are far from a perfect family, but we like it that way. We all share a love for each other that is priceless and almost rare in today’s world.

Mama, you have taught me how to love hard, and how to treat others no matter their status. You have taught me to be motherly in action and a chef in the kitchen. Of course, nothing compares to mama’s cooking :) You inspire and motivate me everyday with your extensive knowledge about everything from life’s experiences to world issues. Thank you for being my friend.

Baba, you have infused me with the “I’m unstoppable” genes. You exposed me to the world, to life itself and to the appreciation of world cuisine. You also showed me that taking risks, believing in yourself and working smart will get you places. I am fearless and will continue my journey even if I fall a million times. I am continuously learning from your footsteps and can’t wait to show you more of what your little soldier girl can do.

Never regret anything when it comes to how you raised us, because from our eyes we have an almost perfect life.

We might not be good at showing our emotions, but we love you more than you know.

Love,kiss

Your crazy kids

Mohammed, Me, Khalid and the craziest of all, Yousef.