Double Portion Inspiration

Double Portion Inspiration  pray you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  We've enjoyed sharing our life journey with you over the past nine months.  We are taking time away from the blog, until the first of the year, to enjoy family and the true spirit of the season, Jesus Christ! Each day over the next few weeks we will spend quiet moments reflecting on our vision for the upcoming year.  As you move into 2012, begin to focus on the goals for your life, career, and relationships.  Here are just few questions to get you started: What is your passion? Who are you? Where are you headed (life, career, & relationships)? How will you get there? "The greatest tragedies in life are people who have sight, but not vision."                                     ...

I absolutely love the Christmas story and what it means for mankind everywhere.  This year I've found myself  drawn to Mary and the role she played in the greatest display of obedience.  Just think about the reality of the virgin birth .  A young woman, engaged to be married, receives a visit from an angel.  I imagine she woke up on that day like any other day in her life.  Little did she know, her life was going to change forever in an instant! The angel shared that she was highly favored and that she would give birth to a son.  I can already envision the questions I would have for the angel.  I would have probably held the angel up for the rest of the day with questions.  "Exactly what am I supposed to tell my fiancee", would be the start of the questioning along with the need to know when and where I would deliver.  The most important question of all......."Are pain killers involved in this scenario...

Merry Christmas This is my favorite time of year.  I enjoy seeing the lights, Christmas trees and smelling the aroma in the house as we bake cookies.  December should be filled with joy and delight .  Anticipation builds as we get ready to celebrate the reason for this holiday season- the birth of Jesus Christ . Normally, what I see in people is completely  different. Think about it. God sent His very own Son to be the Savior of the world.  Jesus' birth was a little different.  His mother was a virgin and he was born in a manager which is a feeding trough for animals. Even in that, He was the anticipated Messiah the world had been waiting for.  He was called Emanuel which means  God is with us .  The very presence of Jesus indicated new life. A miracle was performed. Fast forward to the reality of today, and you will find that most people struggle to find any  happiness.  We seem to be more stressed with longer to do lists...

Thanksgiving is on Thursday and that means the biggest shopping day of the year is upon us- Black Friday .  I have over 20 years of retail experience and wanted to share some of my top shopping tips with you. Black Friday is the biggest and busiest shopping day of the year.  It kicks off the Christmas holiday season.  The key to surviving the big day is to be prepared and have a plan. Tip #1-Research the stores most important to you -whether you are buying a washer/dryer, tv or laptop you want to figure out which retailer has the lowest price on that item -bring all your advertised prices to the store because most stores will MATCH the competitor's price -use a website that compiles all the information like: http://www.blackfriday.info/ Tip#2-Be prepared to stand in line -we often laugh at those that are 1st in line and camping out overnight to get a great deal but that is truly one of the ways to get the item you want - Insider secret : most st...

 Guest blogger-Casie Dussia Founder of Run with Endurance  My first half marathon is Sunday and I'm taking the week off from blogging.  If you missed last week's hair tips  click here .  Guest blogger Casie Dussia is sharing her top ten tips to help you stay focused, healthy and injury free! 1. It's all about the shoes! What is the most common conversation among runners? Shoes! They make all the difference! I highly recommend that you go to your local running specialty store and take advantage of their knowledge. Ask them how often you should replace your shoes. They will answer that question in miles, so keep track of how many miles you put on your shoes. If you're keeping a running log, this is simple - put a star on the date you start using your shoes! And only use your running shoes for running! 2. Drink some water, then drink some water, run, then drink some more water! General rule: take your weight, divide it in half and drink that in ounces per d...

  Ready to run UNCF 5K    My running series is coming to an end and it's hard to believe that my race is next week!  In the previous post I shared my training schedule.  If you missed it click here .  Last Saturday I ran a 5K to prepare my body for race day.  The weather was beautiful and I successfully ran 3.2 miles in under 35 minutes.  I'm sharing some great tips for maintaining your hair during a training program.  I'm sure there are some that feel this is a vain topic to cover, however, you would be amazed how many women forfeit exercising to protect their hair.     Francoise "Frenchie" Gomes For the past 10+ years, I've trusted my hair to Francoise Gomes**, owner of Frenchie's Hair Design.  She's been in the industry for over 20 years and graciously agreed to provide a few tips on maintaining healthy hair. Since there are many differences with hair type, texture, and length,...

I recently had a conversation with a young, bright college student.  The student asked me if I ever felt like I was "wasting time".  As the conversation progressed I realized she was wondering- what path do I take .  There are times in our lives when the decisions we make affect us only in a small way. This student realized that the decsions she is making will impact her future for years to come.  Don't we ALL have moments in our life when we wonder if we are making the right decision.  What job to take/leave, person to marry, when to retire or start a family. Life is a series of choices. "There may be a thousand little choices in a day. All of them count." ~Dr. Shad  Helmstetter Don't be discouraged if you feel like you are "wasting time" because of a decision that needs to be made.  Your choices are setting the direction for the rest of your life so CHOOSE WISELY . Don't be afraid, God offers great encouragement: "You will se...

I’m less than three weeks away from the race and I only have two more Friday’s before I will end this running series. ( If you missed last week’s post, click here .)   This week I’m going to share my training schedule. I initially assumed that running to build endurance needed to be my complete focus.   Boy was I wrong.   Variety in your training exercises is vital .   Make no mistake, you will need to run to build endurance, but in addition to your runs, make sure to incorporate strength training.   The combination of running and resistance training will help to strengthen your body, prevent injury, and increase your race pace.   When you incorporate strength training, focus on the lower body and core. I highly recommend that you follow a proven training plan designed for the race you plan to run.   I chose to follow the plan provided by Women’s Running magazine in their 2011 January/February issue.   Click here   for a link to their we...

 I recently had a conversation.  The person speaking told me, " Things just never work out for me ."  I wanted to agree and give into the pity party this person was throwing for themselves. I'm sure there are many people that you know that have the same sentiment.  You may even feel this way. You have given up on life and become negative.  You feel helpless. Each time you don't get a fair shake in life you get down on yourself. The events of your past caused you to develop a hard shell in your heart so you won't ever get hurt again. Here are a few ways to pick your head up: 1.   Change your perspective The person who said these words didn't take time to look at the blessings that were around. We must focus on what we've received.  Don't worry about what others have.  We spend so much time looking at how the "other" person might be getting ahead.  Stop and count the blessings you possess-health, car, job, family, house, et...

Taking on hurdles! The weekend is hours away and it's already week three of our running series.  Everything you need to start in a training program was discussed in the previous weeks.  If you missed it click here .  By this time you probably have your shoes and training attire.  Maybe you've even signed up for your first 5K.  What happens when you are well into your training program and an injury occurs?  A broken toe, a sprained ankle, or a pulled hamstring.  They all represent a number of injuries that can attempt to derail you from the ultimate goal of finishing the race.  That's the hurdle I had to face just a few months ago. I was two months into my training program when I found myself face down on the floor in intense pain and unable to move.  Just seconds before I slipped on the floor trying to run my son into the kitchen before his upset stomach spilled all over the carpet.  It took months to build my endura...

Happy Wednesday!  We are just a few days away from week three of Finish Line Friday's .  Hopefully you are finding the training tips helpful on your journey to become a runner/jogger. Roslyn and I want to pray for you this week.  We understand that there are challenges in life that only prayer can help.  Let us pray on your behalf.  Prayer is an opportunity to speak the blessings of God over your situation and listen for His gentle voice to give guidance. Please feel free to leave your prayer request in the comment section below, on Facebook , Twitter (@doubleportionin), or send us an email at doubleportioninspiration@yahoo.com . Stay inspired!

Today I am exactly one month away from running my first half marathon and I am beyond excited.  It's week two of Finish Line Friday's and I'm dedicating an entire blog post to training attire.  Hopefully you had a chance to watch the video from last week.  (Click here to watch the video and read last week's post) Running is one of the most economical exercises to take part in.  You don't have to buy costly equipment to participate which is a great advantage.  ~Your success is contingent upon good shoes and the right clothing.~ I highly suggest that you visit your local running store .  Sure there are plenty of sporting goods stores around and even athletic wear sold in Walmart or Target, but I don't feel anyone understands running better than the associates in your local store.  Most of them are runners themselves and know what's needed to make the time on your feet enjoyable. The purchase of a good shoe before starting on ...

I have always stood out in crowds because I am tall.  You would always find me in the back during class pictures because of my height. Being blessed with a twin sister has also caused me to stand out and easily be remembered. It was extremely difficult, especially during my middle school years, to tower over most of the girls in the school.  I was often called, "amazon or giraffe" (kids can be so cruel).  But, the lesson I learned at an early age was priceless.   I was not going to be "one of the crowd" .  I wasn't going to be able to blend in. Our world is filled with negativity, and darkness.  We find an entire nation trying to blend in purchasing the latest Tory Burch shoes or the same lip gloss as Kim Kardashian.  We analyze what others are wearing and try to create the same look within our homes.  We want to speak like Oprah or have a billion dollar idea like Steve Jobs. We were never meant to be like someone else.  We must stay t...

Welcome to  Finish Line Friday's .   Hopefully you had a chance to watch  the intro video that gives a glimpse into the journey we will take over the next few weeks.  I'm often asked why I decided to run 13.1 miles.  Honestly, I'm not sure.  My girlfriend asked, and after a few days of thought, I said "why not."  I've been training about five months and never imagined that my preparation for the race would provide so many life lessons. Most don't realize that when I committed to run, I couldn't even jog a 1/2 mile without heavy breathing, knee and back pain.  Despite that fact, my journey  started with a decision .  Maybe you're sitting there without the ability to even run/jog one minute.  Don't let that intimidate you.  If you have the determination to commit to your decision, you can do it!  Perhaps your training will begin with alternating between a one minute run ...

I absolutely hate waiting.  I know those are strong words but I find myself waiting in the doctor's office, at the grocery store, or in traffic.  Even at the baseball field I'm waiting an hour for the game to start.  I try to wait joyfully, but honestly that is not always my demeanor when I am waiting.  I know I am not alone.  I am surrounded by people everyday who also hate waiting. What about when God asks you to wait? Many times we recognize that there is a task for us to complete. A "call" is on our life or we are waiting for a dream to be fulfilled.  But what we don't have are the details to move forward.  We are forced to wait to figure out the next move.   So what should you do ?  In the years that I have spent waiting I have found a few ways to wait joyfully. Remove distractions  Social media is a huge advantage in our society.  We can network and connect with people. But please realize, social media can also zap ...

Happy Friday! Starting next week we will begin a new blogging series called Finish Line Fridays .  Many of you have asked that I share my running tips and the blog seems like the perfect place to reveal my great training tips and resources.  As the date of my half marathon draws closer, we will cross the finish line together.  Stay tuned and stay inspired! (Posted by Renee)

Fall is in the air .  I am currently in Alabama where the temperature is a "refreshing" 46 degrees.  I love this time of the year.  The air becomes drier and the temperatures will soon drop.  As you enter a new season , it's always time to change it up.  Put away the summer clothes and pull out the cardigans, long pants and boots. ~ Most people enter a new season the same way they did the previous season.~ A week ago I went to get my routine hair wash when my hairdresser asked me to try something different.  I agreed. She's been my stylist for 14 years so I knew I could trust her.  My mouth dropped open when I started to see my hair falling on the floor.  She was giving me an updated haircut. I am always reluctant to try something new. All I can say is that I am SO happy for my new haircut.  It's fresh, edgy and I feel thankful for " falling into something new ". So what will you do ...

I was home caring for my 3 year old when his actions revealed a wonderful life lesson. For about two days my son was unable to keep food down. He wanted to eat but when he did, it would come up. It was hard to watch because a child that is normally full of energy and all over the place, was laying on the couch without enough strength to play with his toy cars (his prized possession). For those that know him, shall we just say, he is all boy. He constantly runs, jumps and plays. The phrase "bouncing baby boy" is an understatement for him. A rapid heart beat, sweat running down his face, and at times, the beginning of a wheezing cough won't stop his desire to be energetic. You can only imagine how it felt to see him in such an exhausted and weakened state. He barely had enough strength to sit up on the couch, however in the midst of his anguish, he wanted to be in my presence . I snapped a picture of my son (above) after he gently whispered the words, "Mom, I want to ...

When I was a new mother, there were words of advice that I never forgot. I thought I would share a few of them with you. Don't wake a sleeping baby . I was still in a daze from giving birth when the labor and delivery nurse gently whispered those words in my ear. I never forgot them . I allowed my son to wake up on his own for a feeding. He's now three years old with awesome sleep habits (12 hours a night). Don't do for kids, what they can do for themselves. My sister gave me this advice. When you are a first time mom, there is a tendency to make our kids dependent on us for everything. We brush their teeth, comb their hair, put on their clothes and sometimes hold their sippy cups for them. We forget to realize that our goal is to raise our kids to think and do for themselves. That's why they always scream, "let me do it." For once, just give them a chance . They may not do it like you, but over time, they will learn. Teach your kids to pray . My mom knew what...

It is Labor Day! The last official holiday of summer.  For many of us that means that we get a day off of work.  Studies show that most American workers do not use all of their vacation time.  We feel so overwhelmed when we come back from a vacation we just decide it is easier not to take one.  The other option is to take a "working" vacation where we spend time away but we are constantly checking our email and voice mail so we don't fall behind. When we make this choice (not to take vacation) we miss out.  Vacations serve numerous purposes: 1.  They help us stay healthy 2.  They help stave off burnout 3.  It helps strengthen our bonds (especially with our family) 4.  It helps our job performance 5.  It helps relieve stress Deciding not to take a vacation or "mental health day" causes us to feel stressed and overwhelmed in the work place.  We often don't really realize how much we NEED a vacation until we take one. "Come ...

I hate road construction. There I said it. It's everywhere. A recent survey in my area informed that no matter where you are in the local vicinity, you are always within 10 miles of road construction. Over the past 18 months, the main road in front of our subdivision underwent a road widening project. Even though I despised the highway expansion, I knew and understood that it was necessary. Tearing apart the old road was part of their initial work. It took months to remove the street that was more than decades old. During the days that passed, intense destruction and hauling away took place. The final months gave way to detours, dump trucks, repairs, and repaving. New dirt, new asphalt and new striping. New sod and street lights make the four mile ride enjoyable once again. This morning I was able to drive down the road at 55 mph vs. 25 mph in bumper to bumper traffic. I took the time to glance over and take in the magnificence of i...

With today being the first day of school for our daughter, there is so much excitement in our home. The anticipation of meeting the new teacher, wearing a new outfit and sharing summer stories with friends adds to the enthusiasm. Parents and students share the responsibility of making a school year successful. Here are some helpful tips from our mom. She is a retired educator with over 30+ years of classroom experience. Advice for K-12 graders : Make the teacher aware of any medical conditions concerning your child. Don't depend on the information to be relayed from the application completed during student enrollment. Realize that the teacher/student relationship is not a friendship or a "love affair". While growing up, there were times when I would tell my mother that the teacher didn't like me. It was my form of an excuse to explain away my grades. In her eyes, that wasn't justification...

Can you believe how fast the summer flew by? Many of us are getting our kids ready for a new school year. A dear friend of mine is getting ready to drive her daughter to college. I am proud that she is driving her to the University of Florida (my alma mater). Her heart is filled with anxiety and also excitement. It is amazing the amount of emotions that live inside one body! Her text to me today inspired this post. As we get ready to enter into a "new" season, we have to leave many things behind. For instance, a late night run to Cold Stone or the freedom to sleep in late. We move into a season of homework, schedules, extracurricular activities, and early morning alarms. Each new season, even in life, allows us the opportunity to continue to grow. We must let our little ones go into a big new school or college campus and know we have done the best job to love and teach them to be independent thinkers. Here is a simple prayer as you enter your new season: Lord, t...

This is the time of the year for kids to head back to school. For those of us who live in South Florida we have about 2 weeks until the start of school. If you have kids you know that means buying supplies, uniforms, and shoes to get our little ones ready for a successful school year. As a mom of 2 boys I am constantly buying sneakers. On my last visit to the Nike store I saw this poster and was intrigued. Both of my boys play baseball and the last thing they want to do is lose. The thrill of winning is what keeps you coming back to the game. The funny thing is, sometimes the amount of time spent practicing really sucks! It is August in Florida and sitting at a 3 hour practice on a Saturday morning is NO fun at all. My boys quickly learned " how you practice will be how you play " ~Tyjuan Rice Now for the life lesson: How are you practicing at the game of life? We are all on a life long journey but it is interesting to find so many people not practicing or building muscles ...

A week ago my life was interrupted and it only took seconds........ It started out as a regular Sunday. This particular morning, my son kept complaining of a belly ache but I didn't know why. Suddenly he hiccupped and I knew within my gut that he was getting sick to his stomach. To avoid a disaster over the rug, I ran him into the kitchen. I slipped and in a split second, I was on the floor face down yelling for my husband. The pain radiating from my face and foot brought me to tears. Kneeling down next to me was my baby boy. He was in my arms when I fell and the incident caused him to scream uncontrollably. I was helpless . In that moment I was dependent on someone else. I could not help my son or myself. When you are an independent person, it is hard to find yourself in a place where you must depend on others. Why did this have to happen now? I didn't have time for this in my life. Didn't God know I was a wife, mom, successful career woman, community and church volunteer ...