I got called out right on this here blog sometime around January. Someone came on and commented – hey Bella! Didn’t you used to be part of the 50 Million Pound Challenge? Whatever happened to that? Good question! And one I didn’t really want to answer. Because I’d fallen off the wagon to the extreme…. read all

The practice of acupuncture has been traced back as far as the Stone Age. The earliest known writings about acupuncture were published in second century Chinese medical books. And still, in modern day Western society, there are those who regard this ancient, proven medical practice as a reason for skepticism and raised eyebrows. Billions of… read all

What does the 4th of July mean to you? Fireworks? Freedom? Fried food? All of the above? Most definitely! Moderation isn’t exactly a word that comes to mind during the 4th, or most holiday weekends. But I’m here to tell you, friends of the 50 Million Pound Challenge, you can enjoy the 4th to the… read all

There are some killer bargains to be found in the world of spas these days, bellas. Trust me – look in the ads at the back of your local paper, or take a gander online. Spas are hurting bad (just like so many other service industries are), and the consumer reaps the rewards. There are… read all

My first yoga class was an unforgettable experience. I’d been yoga-curious for a while, experimented with videos and online tutorials. But finally a friend I knew through my old job convinced me to join her at the local free yoga classes at Bayfront Park in Miami. It’s a stunning venue — the lapping water of… read all

I love those new Weight Watchers commercials featuring Hunger as an adorable orange monster. (And I’m not the only one!) Not only does the furry little guy appeal to my ongoing Muppet obsession, and not only does he look exactly like Gossamer, the monster from the classic Looney Tunes cartoons… but he pretty accurately depicts… read all

…And I was doing SO WELL. My last post on The Journey was brimming with confidence — I’d managed to drop a couple of pounds in the New York/Washington DC leg of my road trip, thanks to a rigorous schedule of things-to-do and cities that required a certain level of physical activity. Then I got… read all

I’m on a continual quest for cute clothes to flatter my full figure, and the search has led me far and wide. But rarely has it led me to hip hop fashion or ‘urban clothing’ labels, for two main reasons. 1. A part of me kind of balks at buying clothes from dudes who spit… read all

In this last weekly installment of The Journey, I’ve taken things kind of literally. I’m actually on one — in the past almost-two-weeks, I’ve driven to and through nine states — Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and now I’m in Washington DC. On the trip it’s been… read all

My friend Jenny has an awesome apartment, and when we come to New York City, we stay with her. It’s cute, compact, comfortable, and smack in the middle of Greenwich Village. I love it. But here’s the rub — Jenny’s apartment is a steep 6th floor walkup. No elevator, not even a rinkydink service lift…. read all