Do you encourage your kids to be adventurous when it comes to food?

I went to dinner with a friend a few weeks to a Thai restaurant. There was a couple there with 2 small children I would guess the girl was about 7 years old and the boy around 4 or 5. As my friend and I are catching up on all the gossip and how hellish our week had been, our food arrives. All I can say is I could not wait to dive into my bowl of steaming spicy noodles, I heard a screech that almost made my ears bleed! "Iiiiiii Donnnnnnnnnt Wannnnnnnnnnt Thatttttttttt! It was the little boy screaming because he wanted cheese sticks and chicken. Mom is trying to explain to him that "its still chicken, it just looks different". The little girl on the other hand was enjoying her noodles, and picking at her father's rice. This kid is still screaming! I try to be nice and ask mom "is he ok"? She says yes "he just wants to eat cheese and chicken nuggets all the time".. I nod and say Oh ok... In my head I am thinking if you know that's all he will eat why didn't you have an emergency stash of that in your purse? Secondly maybe a restaurant that's not so kid friendly to begin with may not be the best place to expose Jr to new foods. As I said I thought this to myself.... Growing up I was a very picky eater, somehow over the years that changed. I do remember my grandmother telling me that I couldn't say I didn't like something, unless I had actually tried it. Which is what I taught my son when it came to food, although he still smells everything before he eats it! He's 16 and still does that!!! So do you encourage your kids to try new foods? What worked? and What didn't work?

Be Great,
The Diva

8 Tips For Grocery Shopping that Leave you With Change Leftover . . . . .

I love going to the Grocery store, especially when free samples and sales are involved. I have found that how you shop is just as important as where you shop. Here are a few tips that you can use that won't leave you with an empty wallet.


1- Make a List at Home- By checking while you are still home you will most likely write down exactly what you need instead of going to the store and being distracted and just buying everything.  How many times have you gone to the store for a roll of paper and came home with everything but that? Also while you are home this also gives you a chance to plan a few meals and know which ingredients you need to get and  take a few minutes to search the Internet for circulars or coupons to find out what sales are going on in your area.

2- Bring Your Own Bags- A lot of markets now will you give you a refund for bringing your own bag a refund could be anywhere from 5-15 cents per bag. That may not seem like a lot but if you are doing monthly groceries and would bring in 10 bags that's $1.50 savings!

3-Leave the Kids and Husband Home- You need to focus! By being able to execute getting exactly what you need without being distracted by $5.00 boxes of cereal and pork rinds you will most likely be a more effective shopper and not over spend!

4-Use a Basket instead of a Cart for Short Shopping Trips- If you are just going to get a few items, pick up a basket instead of getting a cart. Most likely if you start to impulse buy the basket is going to get heavy which will make you look down and assess, with a cart its a free for all! This is why most supermarkets have the carts at the entrance before the baskets! Those supermarket people are smart!

5-Leave the Credit Cards Home- Take only cash or your debit card. That way if you don't have enough you will just put some items back instead of just throwing the difference on a card.

6-Ask for Rain Checks and Price Adjustments- If an item is advertised on sale and they have run out before the sale finishes ask for a rain check, this way you can get this item at any time at the discounted price. Also ask stores what their price adjustment policy is for example I buy an item for $4.99 but tomorrow it goes on sale for $3.99 guess who owes me a dollar?

7-NO Impulse Buying or putting money in Donation Jars- Avoid the candy, magazines, nail clippers, chap stick, baby monkeys etc that they put at the counter on your way out.Any savings that you may have will be depleted by these ploys.

8- Stack your cash- Grab a jar and put any left over change in it from your shopping trip and don't count it until the end of the month!

What are some of your favorite shopping tips?

Enjoy
The Diva

Trader Joes vs Whole Foods

I live in very close proximity to Whole Paycheck....oops I meant Whole Foods. I actually like Whole Foods it my wallet that doesn't. Although there is a great variety of fresh foods, picture perfect meats, fresh bread, sweet fruits and the candy counter oh man the candy counter. With all this goodness I still walk 14 blocks to Trader Joe's. First of all the prices are much better, I have literally spent $40 in Whole Foods and come home with 1/3 of what I would have bought in Trader Joes. So there are some advantages of Whole Foods if you need quick items like water, bread, cheese, milk, eggs, some juices etc I will go there. For example bottled water the whole foods brand of Electrolyte water is $1.39 a bottle vs Trader Joes brand of Electrolyte water for $1.29 for the same sized bottle. This may not seem like a big deal but when you are buying 10 bottles that's a $1.00 which no enables me to pick up an extra bag of pasta or any number of things that TJ's offers for a buck.!  Another advantage of Trader Joes is the wine store is right next door! Hello! $3 for a bottle of wine! I am sold! At a time where every penny counts I do not have any pennies to waste or giveaway. So if you have a Trader Joes near you and have never been just go by and check it out, then do your own comparison shopping. I also take advantage of the fish markets in Chinatown, and the fruit and veggie vendors on the street. There is a vendor on the west side of 11th street across the street from where St. Vincent's hospital used to be he has the best deals on fruits, for example 5 fresh bananas for a buck! Where are some of your favorite places to shop for food/groceries?

Be Great,

The Diva

How Far a Pay Check Won't Go In New York City

I have lived in New York my entire life and trust me I love my city. . . But I also hate it. I work a city job but by no means am I middle class. I earn about $36,000 a year . In New York where a Metrocard which pays for my sole means of transportation is about to go up to possibly $125 a month, a son in private school, expenses oh yea I didn't even get to food yet. Living here can be depressing because all you do is work to stay a float and a lot of people are not even making it. Part of my reason for following my entrepreneurial spirits is for a second source of income. That's really the only way you can have a little something extra is if you follow your passions, and see them through. Although I have varied interests, skills and talents one thing I know for sure is if you are not earning $3500 a week in New York you are struggling! We have to teach our children to be smart with money, and to save. In some households there is a tossup between food and bills and which one will come first. To me that's sad and is something that shouldn't be. A few years ago I was homeless in NYC and although I never let myself get depressed enough to stay in the situation, I took an active approach to the situation and came to the decision that for me it was temporary. I am thankful to have come out of that situation, because I realize that so many people still don't have a place to call home. In New York it is easy to get caught up in overspending because we have access to everything. Whether its food, entertainment, music its here! I have learned to be a better shopper, take advantage of free events first, ask for discounts, and most importantly know how much I have to spend and stick to it!.I look forward to leaving NYC one day and living some place where my money will go a lot further, and help a community.

Be Great,

The Diva

Does Cursing at your Children have long term effects on their behavior?

Cursing at your children.. On a daily basis I’m either on the subway or just walking down the street and notice parents cursing at their children. The thing that bothers me is they are usually small children like under 5. I am wondering if there are any long-term effects as a result of this? Most times the parents are frustrated and just react in anger. I am not a psychologist nor am I mother of the year but in my almost 17 years of being a parent I have never cursed at or hit my child.I guess as my son gets older and eventually has his own family one day, I will get to see the impact if any. We live in a society where we are constantly told if you see something say something. Does this rule apply to negative aspects that may come along with the daily struggles of parenting?

Would love to know your thoughts

Peace,
The Diva

I'm a Hustler Baby . . . . .

So I went to see Jay-Z at the recently opened Barclays center which I have to admit is Beautiful.I love the simplicity of the interior everything is Black and White. The stage and sound is amazing and bless their hearts for adding padding to the seats. As a teenager in the 90's in the South Bronx listening hip hop was inevitable. Although I love all music the 90's was an epic musical era. Fast forward to 2012 this was my first time seeing   Jay-Z in concert, I am not a Beyonce fan and to be honest if I had a choice between seeing  Beyonce and No Doubt, Gwen would win every time. That being said I have to admit I enjoyed the show! The nostalgia that came with some of the songs brought back some great memories, but it also reminded me why I am an entrepreneur. Jay-Z at the conclusion of the show gave a little speech about how and where he grew up and not as part owner of this team and an investor of this stadium he has come full circle. That resonated with me for a few reasons but mainly growing up in the housing projects is no easy task whether you are a male or female. In order to navigate through the negativity and stay on top is sometimes virtually impossible. As a female your options are usually teen pregnancy or dropping out of school. As a male its getting someone pregnant, going to jail, joining a gang, selling drugs or all of the above. If you can overcome these obstacles you have a survival instinct that can't be bought for any amount of money or taught in any of the Ivy league or Best B Schools. Why you ask? because you have to go through the experience. You can empathize by reading case studies, or watching a documentary but you can't have a real reaction or figure out an actual strategy until it happens to you. The term entrepreneur to me is just a glorified and politically correct term for a hustler. You are taking what you know how to do, and figuring out a way to profit from it. When I see kids on the subway selling candy it makes me think, these kids are whats needed in the world they are not afraid of taking the risk, they are determined and creative depending on what they say they are selling the candy for. Why can't someone invest in them, develop them and put them into the world to do great things before the not so great things claim them. . . .

Be Great,

The Diva

At What Age Do you Teach Your Children to Start Giving Back?

I am big on philanthropy and volunteering. I enjoy helping others and think its important not only for my own self fulfillment but because it sets a good example for my son. From an age when we are very small one of the first lessons we are taught is to share. This is very important, and more people should do it. I guess this is why I am always drawn to projects that involve some aspect of me giving back. Youth Development and inspiring young people is something I am very passionate about. I think the only way we can truly change the world is by setting examples as adults, and as parents. If you are an avid volunteer, or you make monetary or clothing donations to charities find a way to have these conversations with your child no matter their age. These imprints will impact their lives immensely. I used to work with the homeless population of youth in New York City and took my soon there frequently, not to show him how lucky he has it, instead to show him that people are human and it just so happens although we weren't homeless there was nothing preventing us from being in that situation at any time. There were mothers with children, they did not love their children any less than I loved him. Those are not factors. Everyone has a story. Everyone is human. This reality also keeps me grounded.So next time you go volunteer at a soup kitchen, or are packing up clothes for goodwill grab your kids not only to help but to tell them Why. . .  .


Be Great,
The Diva

The Freshman Parent. . .

So I am an adult learner. I had my son at the age of 18 and decided to start college at the age of 33. Yes! You read that right I went to college 15 years later. High school graduation 1995 College Graduation 2013. I decided to go back to school on a bet. I was constantly venting to a friend on how frustrated I was within my current position and although its been 10 years since I've had to look for a job I was grateful yet frustrated. This friend listen ed to me whine and then fired back "you need to be in school".... I had heard that so many times before. The positions I've held, the places I've worked and the connections I made people never questioned why I didn't have a degree because of my experiences. There are a growing number of adults going back to school now some having been out of the class room 25 years or more. This is amazing! We are never too old to learn. I was fortunate and smart enough to use my time in between high school and college wisely. I am raising an amazing son who I am proud of everyday, I have a fabulous connection with my clients and friends and I have traveled all over the world and have so many interests and integral steps that have contributed to my journey. What I want to share with other parents especially moms that may be considering going back to school, taking a class or finishing a degree. STOP THINKING! Do it! Don't feel guilty about leaving the kids, because one day the kids are going to leave you and you will be grateful for it. If you have little ones look into online classes, and have a sitter watch the baby for a few hours while you "go to class" in your pj's. Nothing but good can come from it. By having my degree I am furthering my mission,taking stock in myself and becoming a better role model for my son. If you are really having doubts and need some extra words of encouragement or help finding the right program send me an email taneeshac@me.com and we can work it out! There is no reason at any age we can't be educated and phenomenal and the time is NOW!

Stay Smart,
The Diva

My Body . . . Finally! Real Women with Real Courage!

I had the honor of being asked by a great friend of mine Melissa King to participate in a video campaign to discuss women and body images. The experience was one that I am grateful for because there are so many negative images of women out there, or just airbrushed to perfection which is just as damaging. To hear other women not only be able to say what they may dislike about their bodies but have the confidence to embrace it, and share that with the world is truly inspiring! I am so glad to have been a part of this awesome project, if you want more info on Melissa and the amazing work she does I am including her contact info as well!

Be Great,
The Diva


Melissa King
My Heart Dances
http://www.myheartdances.com/

From Bitter to Better

Today was an exhausting day but a great one! I had a few meetings and then spent the afternoon talking to students specifically Juniors about their future. Students always think I'm mean or unapproachable which I appreciate it. Once they get to know me they understand why. My message and my mission comes not only from a place of love but it's also because I have been exactly where they are. The place I have called "my job" for the last 5 years was also my junior high school 20 years ago. I emphasized to them that the real world can be a great place and a not so nice place. It's what you make it. If you decide you're going to be a thug then that's the type of energy you will attract if you decide you want to do something with your life you will be surrounded by people willing to help you. I also told them to not fall into the false world of believing that because you are from a certain neighborhood that's all your worth. It's bullshit. I've come from a tough place and have been through a lot of rough experiences but it wasn't until I let go of the anger and took control of my life did I start to see the benefits. We have to get pass the Bitter so we can Move on to Better.


Peace,
The Diva

Pictures from Taneesha

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Happy October!!

I love this time of year! To see the colors of the leave changing, the crisp in the air and snuggling under a big comfy blanket at night! Don't get me wrong I love Summer, like LOVE Summer but I am looking forward to breaking out my fuzzy boots, over sized sweaters and funky hats! Which reminds me I need to go shopping! So back to business, the reason I started this blog is because I wanted to share a lot of the great thing that happen in my life. On a daily basis whether its via the internet, newspaper or TV there is just so much tragedy and sadness that goes on and too much of that can make you depressed. Although I am a realist, everything has its opposite and for all of the bad things that are happening there is a lot of good going on too! So let me get too it! I am more than super excited about the launch of my website  I have been getting some great feedback and landed 2 projects because of it.

Its hard for me to put into words sometimes what I do when people ask me that dreadful question. I am interested in so many things so the website gives a glimpse into my world and all that goes on in my life.

I hope that you will enjoy reading what I have to say and I encourage you to keep in touch!

Xoxo,

Taneesha "The Diva"