This year a couple of my fave shows ended and I had to find something else to fill the void. The fall season was filled with so many shows, luckily I had someone help me weed out the shows not worth of my time and so I’m extending the favour to you. Here’s what I think you should be watching come 2011.. Cutting down this list is giving me STRESS:

1. Doctor Who:- This show has been around since Black and White T.V. but BBCAmerica has long since revamped the series. This show is as Sci-fi as sci-fi can get but I love it from the Tardis (his transport) to the different monsters set in different time periods. The historical aspects of the show (bringing Winston Churchill to life) also appeals to the nerd in me. Open your mind and check it out.

2. Law & Order:- Whether its special victims unit (SVU) or Criminal Intent (CI). I have lost many a Sundays to their marathons. It just keeps getting better. Watch this with caution, all episodes riles your emotions and you’re bound to get addicted.

3. Modern Family – LMAO . It’s hilarious. Trust me.

4. Secret Diary of a Call Girl :- It’s slated to come to American T.V. but I have been a fan from Season 1. The title says it all but I love how the show is able to share the experience of Belle (the star) without it being sordid. I’ve cried, laughed and cringed watching this show. Lots of eye candy for the men and an Eye opener for women. BBC America and now Showtime strikes again.

5. Spartacus Blood and Sand:- Yummy yum yum. If you’re a fan of 300 (the movie) then you’ll definitely be a fan of Spartacus. The story basically follows the story of Spartacus a notable leader of slaves during 109-71 BC. He led an uprising against the Roman Republic. Starz throws in a lot of juicy details, half naked men and sometimes fully naked women. ITS ROME DAMMIT and decadence reigns supreme. Season 1 ended quite epic and although the lead actor is suffering from cancer, Season 2 teasers are promising us nothing but the best.

6. True Blood:- Oo la laah! Things have gotten tasty on this show. Yes, its a vampire show but its good. Main characters Bill and Sookie (married in real life) struggle through a love that isn’t necessarily accepted by their small town. On a larger scale True Blood touches on many social and political issues such as racism, change and how society accepts differences. It’s all done quite tastefully:) … P.s. Eric Northman can take a bite out of me ANY day

7. Boardwalk Empire:- I started watching this but lost track. I have to see it online as I don’t have HBO (dont ask). Nevertheless, I plan to catch up during the break. Boardwalk Chronicles the live of Nucky Thompson the undisputed ruler of Atlantic City who juggles being a politician as well as a gangster. Its set in the prohibition era and is directed by Martin Scorsese.

8. Detroit 1-8-7 :- This new series on ABC has totally won me over. Set in Detroit it chronicles the gritty job of the State police and the cases they have to cover. The way in which it’s shot has such a real and different feel its almost like you are right there. It’s early in the season but I have already dubbed it the new NYPD Blue. Let me know what you think.

9. Vampire Diaries:- If there’s one thing about vampires, they sure are hot! I originally started watching this with my little sister. I fully expected to have to suffer through another teen angst ridden Twilight knock off. I was pleasantly surprised, the plot line is solid and these new teen actors have really given their all. If you like True Blood well this is like before they grew up. The villain known is Katherine is one bad mama jamma. She’s ooh so good at being bad.

10. I can’t decide!! Leave you comments on which show should complete my list.

Honourable Mentions: Gangland , Four Weddings, Dexter, Weeds, Californication, The Big C, Hoarders, Fringe, Burn Notice, Psych, Big Bang Theory, Two and Half Men.

Looking Forward to the comments …

Faith and Love,

Mamachel

The other day I watched a father tow his daughter on his bicycle to school and it brought back memories. As far back as I can remember I have always been taken care of by men. Pause! Before you run with that, It’s not what you think. I’m talking about fond memories of being the only girl with ten male cousins and having one of my uncles waking me up in the morning to get ready for school, ironing my uniform and making me tea. Wait let me explain, I grew up with my grandmother, grandfather, and two uncles, never mind that all my male cousins lived in my district or that my next door neighbour’s grandson adopted me as his sister.
I literally grew up surrounded by men and inevitably I grew up a tomboy. Let’s not get it twisted my grandmother was VERY involved in my life and was an old school Church of God Christian who had me in church EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.OF.THE.WEEK. She would twist my hair and make me wear pink dresses and pink stockings (torture for a tomboy).
And If you grew up with your granny you KNOW that survival depends on how well you do what she says. Despite her efforts, after church upon reaching home, I would tear off my pink frills, put on my shorts and run over to the football field to be with the boys.

I’ve been hanging with the boys ever since.

1] Family: I grew up around the real Kangol cap , clarks wearing, merino and newspaper in the back pocket type of men. I never felt unsafe around my uncles. It continues to surprise me how these men who are tough as nails simply and visibly melt with Chelly Thunda ( That’s me) comes around them. So huge shout outs to Uncle Junior who used to take me on the mini bus from Montego Bay to Kingston to visit my Dad. To my Uncle Freddie who always trying to teach me how to box, To Uncle Dax who always had Sunday dinner ready (what a man can cook).

As an extension…

2] DADDY | Un Papito| My Guide: ANYONE who really knows me knows that I’m a daddy’s girl. I love him unconditionally something I learned from him … Unconditional love. I remember him telling me “I might can’t give you what you want but I’ll always give you what you need”. Never one to spoil his girls (they’re 6 of us) I also remember when I started misbehaving he called me into his room and said “ Conform or run weh” <- I didn’t misbehave ever again. Lol. Looking back it had to be hard on him raising six girls. I mean through all those tantrums, this is mine not yours, jealousy ( oh we all wanna be #1), Strong personalities. Sheesh no wonder he has no hair. But he gave that up for our undying love.

3] My Listeners: I hear women say men don’t listen. I can’t say I believe this. I have male friends who listen to my problems , my issues, my fears and even my man problems no matter how repetitive. And they give damn good advice. Which leads me to…

4] My Candids: These are the ones that NEVER pretty it up for me. Yes, your belly looks a little big, yes you’ve gotten fat, No, you didn’t move too fast but chances are he’s not looking for a relationship. I want you to know I appreciate it. Not many men will stand up to me and say “ Hey, maybe that was a little harsh.” Or “Yeah you’re definitely wrong” <- i appreciate this more than you’ll ever know. Now don’t over do it lol

5] My Fellow Geeks: The ones who love all the weird music I love, who send me artwork out of the blue, the ones who know I’m a anime fan who refuses to read the manga and is now terribly behind, that I can genuinely lust over a new electronic device before I do a hot model, the ones who know I’m also a geek and still love me. Thank you.

6] My Comedians & Aristotles : To the men who can make me laugh and make me think. You have a special place in my heart. Although there will be days when it might not work, I still appreciate you.

They are so many more special and appreciated men in my life and I am blessed.

Faith & Love,

Mamachell

I know I’ve been late but life has been hectic. I’ve had to catch up with all the things I put on hold during the month of October. My challenge is complete and we are now in November BUT I did not do thirty (30) days. I did as many as I could and I feel great! In the last weeks I hurt my leg and decided to do at home exercises. I’ve seen the difference both physically and mentally and now have the exercise bug. I’m definitely going to try and make gym or exercising a part of my daily routine. I hope it helped everyone and I really hope my point got across to you. If all you need is thirty minutes out of a day to make your life better and healthier then just DO IT.
If not for yourself then for your kids who will be without a mother/father, family and friends. Being unhealthy is in some ways a selfish act. <- Yup I said it. SO lemme tell you one last time. Get up off your arse!!!!! I'm going to leave you guys with a little story of what happened to me on the 31st of October the last day of my challenge :

Years ago, I had lost a gold chain that had originally belonged to my mother. At least I thought I had lost it. For weeks I was sick and emotionally hurt, mostly at myself for losing something so precious to me. Something I had already decided to pass down to my children. Over the years I got over it, but I never bought another chain I wore costume jewelery instead. Moving along to October 31, 2010 I had someone over my apartment to clean, I left her there ( I trust her) and I went to a memorial barbecue of a friend who lost her father to cancer. When I returned home my stepmother presented me with my mother's chain. I don't know if you can understand the levels of joy I felt within that moment. I wrote about it on twitter and fellow blogger Chineyphat pointed out to me that it was actually on the last day of my challenge. I took it as her sending me a reward for the challenge. I made sure to write this in a public place so I wouldn’t cry.

Okay I’m through being emotional… Thanks for joining me on my journey.

Faith & Love,

Mamachel

Faith & Love,

Mamachel

I sorta kinda ish injured myself yesterday during yoga. I also just started back work from my three day “vacation” so I decided to take it easy today. Well, at least I thought I could take it easy, there are times when I feel GILAD is actually harder than when I’m at the gym I definitely felt my abs working. I hope this is a good example for all my mothers and workaholics out there that If you want to you can take a thirty minutes (even in your office) and get physical. My goal here is to leave you with NO excuse. I might not be video taping everyday Rachel and I go on our quest but we are doing it and I’m very proud of Rachel who has gotten sooo into the exercise thing. Don’t forget to download your meal plan here

Check out me trying out Gilads workout below:

Faith & Love,

Mamachel

If you follow me on twitter then you know I’m pretty much down for most exercises but I shake in my boots at the thought of spin. Let’s just say that it was a good workout I did sweat like hell. However, it was also a great reminder of why I don’t do spin and why I wont be doing it for a very long time. If you want to feel the burn, burn, burn, burn THIS is the exercise for you. I was glad to see so many of my tweeps in the class also and a fellow person fighting the war against cancer. She kicked butt!!!! I also had the help of my very good friend Esther Lyew who worked as a mammographer to stop by and show us how women AND men should examine themselves for a lump. And when you’re watching the video yes, I do cry for help on SEVERAL occasions. (stop laughing)

I hope everyone is in great spirits and good health. Today was day seven and although my day was so good GYM was great! What I like is that it's now a form of stress relief for me at the end of the days ( I need it). Well we ( rachel + I) Missed yesterday due to the fact that when it rains everyone forget how to drive and produces endless amounts of traffic. So as usual we did two classes to make up for it. First one incorporated weights and second was stress relief yoga. As usual I had fun, until I weighed myself. That scale has to be wrong. However, a worker at the gym did tell me that it is not good to weigh yourself at the end of the day or after a work out <- that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
I hope my readers don't think I'm doing this solely for entertainment. I want you, yes YOU to get up off your arse and do some form of activity. And I don't want to hear that you cant reach the gym. What were people doing before the gym? Do a power walk up the street OR you can work out with GILAD on FITTV. When I can't afford the gym I workout with him and TRUST ME you feel the burn. So, there really is no excuse that i'm willing to accept. So. GET UP & GET PHYSICAL.

Oh yeah and while you are at it FRIDAY Oct. 15th, 2010 is World Mammogram Day. Remember early detection increases your chances. I know the age given for 1st mammograms is around 35-40 HOWEVER if you are like me that has family history on both sides of your family. You can tell your doctor and have him produce a note. (No Excuses people). My mom died at 35 I'm not waiting around then to check my tittays. Men you too <- Get a girl to feel them up Breast is tissue and you have em.

Check out the Video below and Yes I had A LOT of energy. Download meal plans here

P.s. Am I the only one that wants to fart when I do yoga. (TMI?) Oh well all I’m saying is Downward facing dog can be a little stressful for me *clench* <- if you get my drift lol

Faith & Love,

Mamachel

Its me again so today I had an awesome time! I actually had TWO partners in crime and trust me it was a lot of fun. Charmaine decided to join Rachel and I at the last minute and we scooped her up and made a fun fitness flex. There’s no denying it, having friends along when you exercise makes the pain just a tad bit more bearable. Today we did Rock and Roll yoga and at first i was like “Huh? those two can’t go together how am I going to enhance my chi to Def Leopard?” But it absolutely worked out for me. I loved the energy of the music and how she incorporated it. I can definitely say that Sienna (the yoga instructor) has herself a fan. What I particularly love about this class is that it challenges you. And if there is one thing I want to do in this quest is to challenge myself.
Although I’m doing this for Breast Cancer Awareness Month I want to give a shout out to ALL my brave people family, friends, friends of friends who are fighting Cancer. It’s a battle and you are honorable for fighting. DO NOT GIVE UP!
Click to view slideshow.

Please see Daily Cancer Statistics/Tip:
Maintain a healthy body weight (BMI less than 25) throughout your life. Weight gain in midlife, independent of BMI, has been shown to significantly increase breast cancer risk. Additionally, and elevated BMI has been conclusively shown to increase the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer.

Faith and Love,

Mamachel

Okay so I’m late once again. It is my solemn wish that next week runs smooth and consistent, between not having my car and just over all stress this has definitely been a week to forget. However, not focusing on the negative for too long we ( Rachel + I ) did get through it with a lot of logistical planning and words of encouragement from close friends, family and comments left my you the reader. I must say thank you and I hope you support us throughout.

Well today we took it upon ourselves to do TWO classes in order to make up for the miss one on Day # 3. Bless our hearts but I can promise you I am NOT doing that again. Nevertheless, I must say I enjoyed my classes fully and although I was a little intimidated by Yoga Immersion I do intend of going back. I love love love ZUmba partly because I get to wine up my body but also because it works the muscles and i def feel it. I was bawling for mercy throughout the whole class. Everything was fun and it was a good feeling to know that not only did we make up for the missed day but we also pushed ourselves and found a new limit.

Now seeing as how Rachel has designated herself as “camera girl” we actually have footage of me “trying to do Zumba and also trying to do a yoga pose that’s names prakasna <- Dont quote me on that name, you're basically standing on your hand leaned forward with your knees bent. The video is a little dark BUT I do plan on trying that yoga pose again so you'll get to see it. Yaay! for Day 4 and week 1. Don't forget to download the meal plan HERE.

Video Below