You’ve got to meet graceful Yentl of Younfolded.

May 22, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha17 Comments

Today, I have beautiful Nena telling us a bit more about herself and giving us a peek into her World.

She’s one of the encouraging and refreshing voices that I’ve met in this space. I enjoy her posts on showing simple ways of how we can be kind to each other as well her health and wellness posts.

Thank you, Nena for sharing a bit about you with us.

Hi! My name is Yentl (like the Barbara Streisand movie), but close friends and family call me Nena so I like for my blogging family to call me that as well.

Nena is a term of endearment in Spanish and it means “baby girl” and although I am a woman in her early 30s there is a sense of warmth every time I hear my nickname.

I was born and raised and still live in hot, sunny, and very humid Miami, Florida. If you haven’t guessed it already I am Latina and speak English and Spanish fluently. My dad is from Venezuela and my mom from Guatemala; two very distinct and beautiful cultures.

I like cooking healthy (and sometimes not so healthy) meals, staying active, exploring my world via traveling and reading, and expressing myself through writing and connecting with others.

I dislike criticism, judgments, and insults that break others down. We go through enough pain and despair in our lives so there is no room for hurtful words from people that don’t know any better.

For this reason, I try to always uplift those around me even if it’s through using simple, positive words like, “You are appreciated” so that they come to see their own worth.

My husband had been telling me for years to start a blog or YouTube channel mainly because of all the different hairstyles that I would do and also to share my nutrition knowledge.

I was hesitant because I was passionate about more than just nutrition and hair. I wanted to inspire and uplift others so when I started the blog it was more about unfolding bits of myself to promote self-discovery and self-love.

That is where the name YOUnfolded comes from.

I fell in love with blogging because of the supportive community. One of my fears with YouTube was all the competition that you see amongst vloggers so I was a bit apprehensive about what I was getting into with blogging. But I am so happy to have taken the plunge!

When I received my first like on my very first post “How Could I Forget?” I was elated!

It felt good to express myself and share info that could be helpful to others. Now I can’t wait to sit down and write up my recipes like The Pumpkin Soup that was a hit with my loved ones, my weekly workouts on my Move It Monday posts, and get my creative juices flowing when I write expressively like I have been doing for my Pet Series.

My favorite is when I get to showcase some of you lovely bloggers in my Pay It Forward Friday posts as a way to demonstrate my appreciation for all that you do.

I also started a YouTube channel to finally do some hair tutorials and decided to do them bare-faced (no makeup) to continue to promote self-love and the beauty of simply being YOU. Watch Younfolded on YouTube.

Lately, I have been waking up at 8am with just enough time to get up, brush my teeth, take my girls (dogs) out, get dressed, and start work at 8:30 am.

I work from home, but I am on a schedule (currently it is 8:30am – 5pm) and don’t have a lot of free time. I am a dietitian and I work as a health coach where I provide nutrition counseling to people over the phone.

I mainly make calls back to back and my lunch break consists of 30 minutes of eating in front of a Netflix show with my hubby.

After work, I clean (I use my cleaning schedule : ) take the girls out again, and work out. My hubby is usually the main cook in the house, but sometimes if he’s still working I cook dinner. Dinner is also in front of the TV watching one of our fave shows.

Once dinner is done, I take care of any pending things like taking a webinar for continuing education for my dietitian/nutrition license, shooting pics or videos for either my site or my husband’s work, writing posts, catching up with friends or family. Then it’s time for a shower and bedtime (around 11pm-12am).

I recently moved my WordPress hosted blog to a self-hosted one because I wanted to try to generate some income from it. My original plan to support and encourage others remains the same.

I found myself spending a lot of time putting together things for the blog, brainstorming ideas, and promoting companies whose products I have been using and truly believe in. I figured that it would be great to gain even just a bit of income from the free advertisement I am already providing to various companies out there to keep the blog running because, as most of you know, it is not free to have a .com without the word “WordPress” in there and it takes time to put together content.

With my already busy schedule, blogging and doing YouTube videos feel like a part-time job so why not make a bit of money doing something I love and dedicate a lot of time to.

I have plans to continue to provide content in each of the categories on my blog that will hopefully inspire others to take care of their entire well-being; whether it’s through nutrition, fitness, fun, or relaxing, as long as they find joy and fulfillment from within.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Never leave me lonely

With words left unsaid

You walk away into the dark

Like a mist, that melts away.

Personal · Photographs · The Daily Post

Totally Homesick…

May 21, 2016May 21, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha38 Comments

One of the side effects of moving around so much is that a lot of times you find your heart in different places and you get nostalgic. Some days I wake up with severe pangs to find myself in Houston, France, Abuja or anywhere my heart wanders to.

This weekend, I have pangs to be in Lagos, my Lasgidi. I would probably be attending a wedding or one social event. There’s always something to celebrate even against all economic odds. The two photos are from weddings attended during my last visit in 2015.

Jubilant, The Daily Post Photo Challenge.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday.

Me and my dirty thoughts…Streams of consciousness Saturday.

May 21, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha8 Comments

“Just put a brake on those thoughts my dear lady! Okay, simmer in them a little bit and get all dirty, then put a lid on the steam because you know how dirty it can get when you go down low.”

That phrase above was my sensible mind lecturing the roaming sad part of my mind that woke up this morning looking for all the sad things and dirty thoughts to latch onto so that she can get thoroughly miserable.

A lot of times, the state of mind that we go to bed with determines our waking thoughts and I’ve been teaching myself how to train my mind into serenity before retiring to sleep.

Sometimes, I fail to control the brakes of certain wheels of thoughts that start out innocently by wandering a dark path and before you know it, it snowballs into one ugly, berating predator.

It’s definitely good to think things through but in a sensible manner of mind over matter and not letting my emotional intelligence fall to pieces by allowing my renegade thoughts that can run at break-neck speed lead me into the temptation.

It’s a natural tendency for us to seek out ways of comfort when we are feeling some discomfort, physically or otherwise and my current feelings of discomfort were emanating from deep recesses.

The next pit-stop if I willingly followed that piper’s flute is to either look for food to eat to comfort myself, or get into a tiff with dear Himself – who did nothing to earn my quarrel, or growl at the children and leave them perplexed or watch a sappy chick flick so that I can have some reason to cry over what I don’t even fully understand.

Okay. Enough said. I’m glad I put a brake on the thoughts for now and haven’t done something silly so far. I’m just going to toddle off and give my mind a break. I’m going to do what I call my methodical solution thinking and get to the nitty-gritty of my rotten feeling.

That’s after some good breakfast at least 🙂

Now, I feel kind of better and more proactive. Thank you, Linda, for today’s breaking prompt.

Jacqueline

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Expose my heart

that I may understand your words

through every conscious,

awakened pore of each moment.

*an excerpt from my poem*

Everyday People

Solitude…Every day beautiful people # 50

May 21, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha9 Comments

“Sometimes I like to be left alone.Not because I’m angry, not because I’m sad, simply because I need solitude.”Brigitte Nicole

Sometimes, you just want that solace that can be found in the silence of being alone.

You want it, just to be quiet, to mull things over and to hear clearly.

Silence is golden when savoured and solitude is not loneliness.

Below is my first Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Never leave me lonely

With words left unsaid

You walk away into the dark

Like a mist, that melts away.

Everyday People

Water Commute…Every day beautiful people # 47

May 18, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha10 Comments

In a typical year, if your commute to work is 60 minutes to and fro, cumulatively, you would spend an average of 20.8 days or more just on commuting.

These folks commute to work each day on these open boats.

As much as I like water, I doubt if this would not frighten the jeepers out of me having to sit like this on an open boat, day in, day out and without life vests.

For me, it’s only good for a one-time adventure. Well, I guess they’ve got to do what needs to be done.

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Brand me whole as only you can

That the entire score of me

Knows nothing but the fullness of you.

Musings · My Thinking Corner

Tuesdays Trickles…My Thinking Corner 22

May 17, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

Every Tuesday, I share snippets of thoughts that I call ‘My Thinking Corner.’

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple.

Each Tuesday, share your very short snippets of positive, inspiring, motivating, health, spiritual, writing advice, clips, posts etc, that can serve as a prop to motivate others and simply add my link to your post.

I call it my thinking corner because, I actually take out a bit of time just to think through things, encapsulate my thoughts as much as possible and detoxify my mind. It helps give me clarity of vision and might help you too.

It might work for you in a different way, but the idea is to get the positive thoughts flowing.

Please send in your little thoughts. You never know whose life you might inspire.

If one has a tongue that dribbles, they shouldn’t accept to keep the confidence of others. For secrets let out are like spittle, you can never retrieve them.
Others may place temporary stumbling blocks in your path, but it’s up to you to remain permanently upstanding.
One bee can never make enough honey. You need to align yourself with lots of bees to get a pot of honey.
A small and well-executed dream is better than a big dream that’s poorly executed.
Are you dreaming yet? If not, why not?

Today’s thoughts came in from beautiful thinkers:

Discretion: How discreet are you? A thought provoking post.

Today’s Nuggets: Great and positive message from Stella.

Jealousy: A message that applies to all of us. Worth your time to take a peek.

I hope that you find these little drops useful now and again. Do check them out and please share snippets of your thoughts with us.

Thanks and blessed be.

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Brand me whole as only you can

That the entire score of me

Knows nothing but the fullness of you.

Blog · Featured Blogs

Featured Posts # 53 …Let me share your post links.

May 13, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha

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‘PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN THE LINKS.’

Today’s featured blogs posts are:

Upward spiral a blog that I follow and enjoy. Michelle approaches health and fitness in a down-to-earth manner and her posts are not only filled with positivity but light-hearted humour.

Whisper just listening to that tiny, thready voice can lead an innocent walk to a spiral of relapse. An interesting read.

Don’t lose that girl a beautiful Friday must-read and light-hearted article for those of us who want to hold on to our sweet girly parts 😉

A quick drive-thru to say hello can gain you a friend.

‘Do you want more eyes on your words?’

Well then, add your LINK INTO THIS LOOP.

P.S. Comments are disabled here to keep the loop tidy. Any comments or link you want to send can be added through the link in the post.

Thank you for your understanding and regards.

‘We create a cohesive community when we come together.’

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

The air is so crispy

The birds are quite chirpy

The magic of nature abounds

As I imbibe all the sounds.

**

*an excerpt of my poem*

Life · Midnight motivation and musings · Self Help

Midnight Motivations and Musings 79

May 11, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha7 Comments

Challenges will come and sometimes they will shake your faith and hope. These tribulations present themselves to taunt and test you. That’s called life.

Unexpected incidentals of life happen when we are busy making plans about other things that we want to do, so in order to brace ourselves for these little bumps, we must equip our system with buffers like hope.

Hope is not an abstract word. It’s a very active word that lives and grows when we build on it.

It’s like a safety net or emergency funds that we draw on when the need arises.

How do we build up hope? I’ll be sharing a post specifically targeted at building hope on Sunday.

Love and Light

Jacqueline

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Never leave me lonely

With words left unsaid

You walk away into the dark

Like a mist, that melts away.

Inspiration - Motivation · Life · My Thinking Corner

Tuesdays Trickles….My thinking corner # 21

May 10, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha13 Comments

Every Tuesday, I share snippets of thoughts that I call ‘My Thinking Corner.’

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple.

It might work for you in a different way, but the idea is to get the positive thoughts flowing.

Please send in your little thoughts. You never know whose life you might inspire.

♦ Until you start, you don’t know how far you’ll go.

♦ High expectations from yourself is the secret to achieving great results.

♦ Heed to inner counsel before flying off the hook. React in haste, regret at leisure.

♦ Everyone has the power to excel as long as they don’t give up.

♦ You can look at defeat in the eye, but don’t embrace it.

Today’s thoughts came in from beautiful thinkers:

Today’s nuggets: Wise counsel for those who seek.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Patience The virtues and value of patience can’t be enunciated enough. Are we able to wait through it without complaining?

Positive: Beautiful, positive vibes all the way. At our low moments, the Grace of God always comes through. Annette’s post is uplifting.

Cinderella Blessing How hot are your cinders? I so love the way my friend Noirfifre turned this classic into a beautiful poetic message. Take a look 🙂

I hope that you find these little drops useful now and again. Do check them out and please share snippets of your thoughts with us.

Thanks and blessed be.

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Brand me whole as only you can

That the entire score of me

Knows nothing but the fullness of you.

Personal · Photographs · The Daily Post

Beach Bums…

May 5, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha37 Comments

I am not a beach bum but I love spending time by the beach side. Soaking in the lovely sea breeze that lulls you to sleep on the chair.

Running in the surf’s spray and dipping my toes in the water is particularly soothing, though the sand has a way of getting in nooks and unexpected crannies.

Coincidentally, it’s a long weekend in UAE as today is a public holiday, so we plan to spend time tomorrow morning at Jumeirah beach before the sun gets too hot.

It can be wickedly hot in this place, but for now, the rays are still kind to us.

I have a big beach bag that I plunk in all sorts of stuff, from my sunglasses to headphones, blue tooth loud speaker for music, sunscreen, water, serviettes, the large book that I am currently reading A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer. A fantastic and compulsive 600+ pages read.

Maybe I’ll do a book review after, but does Archer need a review? I doubt it.

I’ve got Summer on my mind once the children get through their exams by the end on the month. Yippeee! 🙂

Beach, The Daily Post Prompt.

Below is my first Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s poems portray images that stare us right in the face. Images of love, joy, death, pain, challenges, violation, and freedom. She writes in a language that’s rich in imagery, earthy, honest, vulnerable, yet full of the promise of hope, of loving and of Grace. A collection of light and dark soulful prose.