I Get Around: 2013 in Review

The places I've been. The people I've seen in 2013, I get around: Clark College, Portland State University, Cascade Park Community Library, Camas Public Library, Camas & Washougal on a Diet, LaCamas  Swim & Sport, KBOO Radio, POIC, Chuck's Produce & Street Market, and The Fruit Valley Foundation.

As 2013 comes to an end, I'm reflecting on another amazing year. I've been busy, busy, busy. Here, there, everywhere. I'm so grateful that I am able to do all things that I love and share my gifts with you.

First, I have to say thank you to God for his Grace and Mercy. All Glory and Honor to Him.  I'm highly favored and blessed.

Next, my immediate circle for your unwavering support and belief. Y'all hold me down! Or should I say lift me up? I love each and every one of you. Thank ya. Thank ya. Thank ya.

An extra special thanks to the Clark College Health Department (my favorite venue!) for their continued support and giving me a platform to reach students. Oh yeah, and for using "Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box" for the second year! 

To everyone who has embraced and supported my ideas, THANK YOU! To all of my clients, THANK YOU. To everyone who has bought a copy of my cookbook, THANK YOU! To those of you who have attended my events, THANK YOU!  And, to all of my Facebook and blog followers, THANK YOU! 

I am the luckiest girl in the world -- I love what I do!

2013 in pictures:

It starts with You

As a mother, I realize that I'm Jasmyn's greatest role model. I am her most influential example. I'm supposed to care for her, love her, guide her. The decisions I make for my life, ultimately influence her life.

At my heaviest weight of 388 pounds, I'll admit, I was not a good role model for her. I was not setting very good examples about health, food, and exercise. At 388 pounds, I could barely walk, barely breathe, and I knew that if I didn't do something about it. Jasmyn might lose me to a preventable disease. I started losing weight to simply save my life. But in the process I not only saved my life, I also became a better example for Jasmyn.

As the case with all children, Jasmyn was a product of her environment. She ate boxed processed food because that's what I brought into our home for her to eat. She drank soda pop because I made it available. She didn't exercise because I didn't expose her to exercise.

In March 2010, at the age of 17, Jasmyn was tipping the scale at 197 pounds. She was headed on a similar path as me. Once I started my bid to a healthier lifestyle. Jasmyn's lifestyle also changed. Today, by following my lead Jasmyn weighs 150 pounds.

I know, first hand about growing up overweight and the long-term effects of obesity. I am proud that I was able to break the cycle with Jasmyn. Jasmyn deserves credit too for embracing the changes. She learned to say no to soda pop, no to second helpings, and became more active. Now like her mother, Jasmyn munches on raw vegetables for snacks, rarely eats out, and exercises regularly.

I realize there are lots of external forces: Conflicting labeling and messaging, on boxed and packaged food, the aggressive food marketing and advertising geared towards children and young adults. I get it,  I do, but as parents, our role is to protect our children from these messages and to make better options available.

Your child's health starts at home with you. Mountain Dew doesn't magically appear in the fridge, cookies don't bake themselves, and children will play outside and exercise if we provide the means.

You can’t expect your kids to eat one way while you eat another. You can’t expect them to exercise and you don’t. You have to show and tell. You have to lead by example.

I talk the talk. I walk the walk. Jasmyn 's 47 pound weight loss is proof.

Read previous related blog post:

Lead By Example

Genuine Love

The Great Outdoors
 

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Today, 20% of children 6-11 are obese. It's time we come together collectively to help combat this problem. I'm proud to be the presenter for Camas and Washougal on a Diet's free screening of HBO's The Weight of the Nation: Children in Crisis documentary. Please join in on this important conversation.

Tonight, Wednesday, April 3rd and April 10

7 p.m.

Lacamas Swim & Sport

2050 NW 38th Ave
Camas
360.834.8506

Click here to watch video of my call to action
Click here to get all the details from LiveWell / The Columbian

I'll see YOU there!

What's Happening in April

April promises to be another busy month filled with community outreach and doing all the things I love. I'm singing, Alicia Keys, "This girl is on fire.

Highlights:

Honored to be the presenter for Camas & Washougal on a Diet's free screening of HBO's "The Weight of The Nation" part 3 “Children in Crisis." 

Wednesday
April 3rd & April 10
7 p.m.

Click here to watch video of my call to action
Click here to get all the details from LiveWell / The Columbian

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I'll be at the Cascade Park Library showing you how to create simple delicious Spring Salads with freshly made dressings and vinaigrettes.  Using recipes straight out of my cookbook -- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box.

Saturday
April 20
2 - 4 p.m.

Notable: 

- Coming soon...ChrisettaMosley.com

- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box with Chrisetta Mosley (eBook)

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Here's a list of all my events for the month of April:
  
Tuesday, April 9th
Tuesday, April 16th
Tuesday, April 23rd
Tuesday, April 30th
4-5:30 p.m.

Learn to Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box with Chrisetta Mosley

A FREE six-week program that offers fresh, healthy OUTSIDE of the Box ideas and recipes to anyone who lives, works, or plays in the Fruit Valley neighborhood.

Brought to you by The Fruit Valley Foundation.

Fruit Valley Elementary School (Family Resource Room)
3410 NW Fruit Valley Rd.
Vancouver, WA 98660

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Wednesday, April 24th
6-7:30 p.m.
 
"5 or 50" Women's Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group No matter if you have "5 or 50" pounds to lose. It's time to start seeing yourself as beautiful, strong, capable and look beyond physical attributes. I'll facilitate the meeting and share my tips for staying motivated. This will be a safe, inspiring environment to share and grow.

- Motivation and tips for healthy, sustainable weight loss
- Recipe sharing
- Self-love and affirmation

Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver360.256.7782

That's it and that's all. I hope to see you somewhere out in the mix! 

You're invited...

...To a free screening of HBO's The Weight of The Nation sponsored by Camas and Washougal on a Diet. I'm excited to be the presenter of the third part of the series, "Children in Crisis."

As you know, I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. For this and other reasons, the childhood obesity epidemic is near and dear to my heart. When I started this blog, my goal was to reach out to overweight children and their parents, well the blog took a life of it's own. And I haven't addressed the issue as much as I would have liked, but here's my way to address the issue and get the community involved. 

I'm telling you first hand, "You don't grow out of obesity. You grow into it." Most overweight children will become overweight adults. Please join in on this important conversation -- it affects each and every one of us, directly or indirectly.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming FREE screenings of HBO's "The Weight of The Nation: Children in Crisis" at LaCamas Swim & Sport -- 

Wednesday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 10 @ 7 p.m. 

I'll see you there!

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Thanks to Stephanie Millman, Program Director of Camas & Washougal On a Diet for taking the time to shoot the video and the opportunity. Also, thanks to Teresa Torres of  the Cascade Park Community Library for allowing us to shoot the video on site.

Camas & Washougal on a Diet - Video Shoot

Honored. Excited! But, also saddened that our country is in such a state that I have this opportunity. I've been asked to be the presenter for Camas & Washougal On a Diet's viewing of the HBO's series "The Weight of The Nation: Children in Crisis." To promote the event, I will be featured in a video calling the community to action.

As you know, I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. For this and other reasons, the childhood obesity epidemic is near and dear to my heart. I'm telling you first hand, "You don't grow out of obesity. You grow into it." Most overweight children will become overweight adults.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming FREE screenings of HBO's "The Weight of The Nation: Children in Crisis" at LaCamas Swim & Sport -- Wednesday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 10 @ 7 p.m. 

Thanks to Stephanie Millman, Program Director of Camas & Washougal On a Diet for taking the time to shoot the video and the opportunity.

From the documentary:
"18 + percent of our children, right now are overweight or obese."

"I'm afraid...This is going to be the first generation of children that will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents..."

What's Happening in March

Sometimes, I just have to pause and say thank you. First and foremost to God for all His Gifts and Blessings. Next, I'm grateful, thankful, and appreciative for everyone who supports and encourages me. I love what I do (Speaking, cooking, blogging) and I wouldn't be able to do it without the support of my loved ones and folks from the community. Thank you!

February was fantastic but also had traces of being a little frantic.  I spoke more times than I ever spoke in one month in February 2013 -- including  nine lectures at Clark College some were even back-to-back.  Phew.
 
I've made quite a few new connections over the past few months, which leads to lots of new opportunities. I'm really excited about the connection I've made with The Fruit Valley Foundation (FVF). And, super-stoked that FVF has engaged me to do a FREE six-week program for the community of Fruit Valley -- Learn how to Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box with Chrisetta Mosley.  The program will offer fresh, healthy OUTSIDE of the Box ideas and recipes to anyone who lives, works, or plays in the Fruit Valley neighborhood. The program begins on Tuesday, March 19th, 4-5:30 p.m. See flyer for all the details.
 

Another new venue -- Lacamas Sport & Swim has asked me to do a Healthy Food Presentation for their SilverSneakers group. I'll be there Friday, March 15th, 12 - 1 p.m. *For Lacamas Sport & Swim members ONLY 

On March 19th and 21st I'll be back on campus at Clark College hosting a cooking demo for their Health 100: Food and Your Health finals.

Here's a list of all my events for the month of March:

Sunday, March 10th
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. 


Outside of the Box: Salads with Whole Grains

Join me as I show you how to create healthy salads using whole grains.

• Classes are F-R-E-E
• Class size is limited to about 20
• Please call store to sign up for class and reserve your seat

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd. 
Vancouver
360.597.2700

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Friday, March 15th

12- 1 p.m.

Healthy Living Presentation for SilverSneakers

Lacamas Sport & Swim
2050 NW 38th Ave
Camas
360.834.8506
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Sunday, March 17th
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. 


Outside of the Box for the Young 'Uns

Kids nine and older can learn simple, healthy snacks. Hard-cooked eggs just in time for Easter, Granola Parfaits (granola made from scratch), and Brown Bag Popcorn with healthy add-ins.

• Classes are F-R-E-E
• Class size is limited to about 15
• Please call store to sign up for class and reserve your child's seat

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd. 
Vancouver
360.597.2700

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Tuesday, March 19th
Thursday, March 21st


Clark College Health 100: "Food and Your Health" guest lecturer
*Closed to the public
-------------------------------

Tuesday, March 19th

Tuesday, March 26th


4-5:30 p.m.

Learn to Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box with Chrisetta Mosley


A FREE six-week program that offers fresh, healthy OUTSIDE of the Box ideas and recipes to anyone who lives, works, or plays in the Fruit Valley neighborhood.

Brought to you by The Fruit Valley Foundation.

Fruit Valley Elementary School (Family Resource Center)
3410 NW Fruit Valley Rd.
Vancouver, WA 98660

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Wednesday, March 27th

6-7:30 p.m.

"5 or 50" Women's Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group
No matter if you have "5 or 50" pounds to lose. It's time to start seeing yourself as beautiful, strong, capable and look beyond physical attributes. I'll facilitate the meeting and share my tips for staying motivated. This will be a safe, inspiring environment to share and grow.

• Motivation and tips for healthy, sustainable weight loss
• Recipe sharing
• Self-love and affirmation

Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver
360.256.7782

That's it and that's all. I hope to see you here, there, and everywhere. Let the March Madness begin!