After being told from several people that I neeeed to see Get Out I went to see Get Out last week.  Ahhhhhh I was scared outta my mind for many reasons. Between the metaphors and the symbolism, I was simply SHOOK! What a gripping tale of race in modern America. I learned so much and I was really able to apply it to my life and to the people around me.

I saw the movie at Jack London Square and directly across the street from the movie theater is a Ben & Jerry’s. For those of you that think you can no longer have Ben & Jerry’s if you go vegan, GET OUT of here! See what I did there? :-)

Ben & Jerry’s supports the Black Lives Matter movement AND they support my choice to refrain from eating animal by-products. It's a win-win! A while back, they released new vegan flavors. So far, I’ve only tasted 3 of the 7 flavors. I have plans to taste all 7.

#NoRegrets

But I digress. . .

So, I’m sitting outside of the Ben & Jerry’s trying to calm down and totally emotionally eating (due to PTMS - post-traumatic movie syndrome) and this guy comes up behind me while I’m sitting on the bench. I jump.

Him: Oh, I’m sorry, did I scare you?
Me: Ahhhhhh yeah!!! Don’t come up behind me like that! I just saw GET OUT!
Him: I just wanted to give you this pamphlet about the Lord.

He was a Jehovah’s Witness

Me: Oh.

Point of it all? Leave the movies at the movies! Eat ice cream and pray.  
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Ben & Jerry’s Vegan Flavors:
Caramel Almond Brittle (tasted) | Cherry Garcia | Coconut Seven Layer Bar | Chocolate Fudge Brownie | Chunky Monkey (tasted) | Coffee Caramel Fudge | P.B. & Cookies (tasted) 

I’m a grocery snob, I admit it. I’m very choosy about where I purchase my food. I’m open to most of the popular grocery stores, but I mostly shop at Trader Joe’s, Sprouts and Safeway. I’m picky about where I get my produce from. The produce section has to be well lit, clean and offer organic produce. It wasn’t always this way for me though.

While I was used to enjoying the yellow colander of grapes (that I speak of on my homepage) and fresh home cooked meals at Nana’s house, at home with Mommie it was a different story. I could eat a box of sugary cereal by myself with whole milk. I would eat a box of pepperoni pizza pockets in a flash. I loved frozen lasagna. I have had many packets of fifteen cent ramen noodles over the years and let’s not forget fast food cheesy nachos, sausage, egg and cheese biscuits and the 3 piece with a biscuit. I understood what home cooked was, but I was exposed to quick/pre- packaged foods and I enjoyed those just like I enjoyed the yellow colander of grapes.

So, how did a pre-packaged and fast food monger become a grocery snob? The answer is easy as Costco’s vegan apple pie. When you know better, you do better! After lots of research and growth during my journey as a vegan, I have discovered that the lifestyle REQUIRES quality produce. I visited the grocery stores that are near me and discovered that Trader Joe’s, Sprouts and Safeway are the better choices for quality and variety.

Upon leaving the gym on Sunday, I intended to walk over to Sprouts, but before I got there, stopped at Grocery Outlet. I was only supposed to be there for a moment – just browsing. But, I ended up buying my groceries for the week. It is a very discount-y kind of place. No bells, no whistles. I can’t say that I enjoyed my experience there, but I got what I needed (and some of what I wanted) at a reasonable price. Grocery Outlet carries organic veggies, name brand vegan sundries and even plant-based milks! If you are attempting to stretch your dollar (like me right now), give Grocery Outlet a try.

No matter where you shop though, PLEASE shop in your neighborhood. Each dollar you spend either supports healthy communities or nah! Keep your money local and build a statistical profile on the type of food your neighborhood requires. Vote with your dollar! 

I just returned from Anaheim, California from the Natural Products Expo West. It was a fast-paced and lively food expo experience full of natural brands and tons of plant based companies. Before leaving for the expo, I heard all about the Beyond Meat burger and how much the flavors and texture are reminiscent of a cow meat burger. I don’t know about most vegans, but I don’t eat a lot of faux meat products and I honestly don’t miss the texture of meat. Therefore, when I heard that I just “had” to try it, I ignored the hype.
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I’m glad that I ignored the hype because trying the Beyond Meat burger was great but trying it at Expo West amplified the experience due to the crowds, the dedicated entrepreneurial vibe and having the burger cooked for me (I like being catered to). While I don’t eat many faux meat products anymore, there was a time when I did. I believe that transitioning from the Standard American Diet to a Vegetarian diet demands these products. You can’t go from a double cheeseburger to a kale salad overnight – ya need some help! Beyond Meat is here to help. Try it, you won’t be disappointed! Plus, it’s almost cookout season, so let the stockpiling begin. . . 

I just celebrated my birthday on Sunday (go meeeee). Things have been good. I’m coming into my own and at 33, I feel a bit of weight has been lifted. I’m surrendering my plans, theories and judgement. I’m working on Darilyn Tyrese for the better.  If “it” doesn’t fit, I won’t try to force it. If people don’t understand, I won’t try to force them. I’m cool on that and honestly, my life doesn’t run on the fuel of other people’s opinions. Most folks don’t even know my full story. I’ve learned that only certain people need to know certain things and not EVERY thing.

I recently attended a wellness seminar in Oakland hosted by theeeeee Fran, Hasnaa and Yeradmi. These ladies are amazing and I have been following Fran’s career for the longest time because her spirit has always intrigued me.  She’s a self-proclaimed Hippie and while I have learned that while I’m not the hippiest of Hippies, I have a “free love”, “spiritual”, "tie dye soul". The Bay fits me so well in that regard. I know all about polish and refinement (I still love clean fashion lines), but the whole “come as you are” vibe is REALLY my style. I’ve never felt so free!

This year I’m excited about “doing me”, improving myself and taking calculated risks that will favorably impact my future. Some may call it my "selfish" time, but allow me to borrow a line from another virtual mentor of mine, Shanel Cooper-Sykes. "It's not selfish, it's self FULL." Embracing your journey and improving yourself allows you to be better and do more for the people around you. If you don't understand, that's fine. Feel free to call me selfish if ya wanna! #WhoCares

The life I'm actively pursuing is about continual risk, great rewards and tremendous growth. Going forward, the Holy Spirit controls my plans.  

Here’s to being physically capable, mentally stimulated and spiritually led! *toasts with green juice*

This is 33.