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Showing posts with label foster care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foster care. Show all posts

November 7, 2011

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!


Hi blog family!



It is a gorgeous day outside - I hope you are  going to enjoy it after school!
 Learning to take care of your body- crucial WHILE YOUR IN  foster care! 
Why?
 Well if you lived in a group home - you have lots of food, but i am almost sure it was not the top of the line, meaning, organic.... and if you live in a foster home, I doubt your foster parents took the time to think about what was dangerous in the cereals you ate. ..like BHT (read the label)...
Not because they were mean, no one knew better! You can know better by youtubing or googling anything you want to know about foods!! no excuse, if your over 10...you can advocate for better eating, by doing it!! lol..
 I was blessed my foster mom was a diabetic and I ate like one, (thankfully) avoiding common problems associated with a southern (old school) diet...lard, butter, pork, fried foods, red meat, especially not organic....starches like white rice....(brown rice ok..)
(pasta and rice and other food items turns into suger, if you eat mass amounts of it your body can be thrown off key and perhaps develop diabetes. There are many other factors but I just wanted you to be aware of what you eat! remember if you eat healthy 90% of the time....then its all good to go to the barbecue or eat the pork grinds...(ewwwwww) lol..:( its only if you do this every day, that you will have problems before your 40...unless you have great DNA!! lol...
When shopping I ask myself: "was this food in the garden of eden or the bible? That usually cuts down my bill!! When my kids had to make a choice at home it was yam over potatoe chips, grapes (organic) over hershy's... IF YOU ARE NOW A PARENT, DO BETTER THAN YOUR PARENTS COULD BY HAVING YOUR KIDS EAT HEALTHY!
I am sharing an article i got off of Dr. Mercols's site, (please check it out whenever you can, sign up for the emails, very informative on health news latest!). so these are NOT my words below but i thought if I had to borrow information, it was ok as long as one person walks away thinking healthier! Life is to be enjoyed and you cannot enjoy it if YOUR SICK!!! You cannot enjoy all of it...if you DIE EARLY because you chose to eat bad foods... think about your mind and your body - they go togeather... xo
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How to Avoid Heat-Induced Toxins in Your Diet

Ideally, you should consume foods that are raw or minimally processed to avoid these types of toxic byproducts—the more raw food, the better. My nutrition plan emphasizes the need for at least one-third of your foods to be consumed raw. Personally, I consume about 80 percent of my food raw, and I find it is one of the most important factors that help keep me healthy.
It may take you awhile to switch over to a less processed diet, but throwing out the most obvious culprits would be a great start.
These would include:
  • French fries and potato chips
  • All sodas (both regular and diet, as artificial sweeteners may be more problematic than fructose)
  • Doughnuts

Healthy Eating Made Easy

Aside from creating potentially toxic byproducts, cooking and processing also depletes the food of valuable micronutrients, which is another reason for eating as much raw food as possible. This includes protein sources such as eggs. Raw whole eggs from organic, pastured chickens are an incredible source of high-quality nutrients that many are deficient in. Raw milk is another good example of a food that is beneficial in its raw state but becomes harmful after it is pasteurized.
By opting for foods that will benefit your health, such as raw, preferably organic and/or locally-grown vegetables, organic grass-fed meats, healthy oils, raw dairy, nuts and seeds, you can change your health for the better. These are the foods that are truly natural, and quite easy to prepare once you get the hang of it.
For a step-by-step guide to make the transition to a healthier diet as simple and smooth as possible, simply follow the advice in my optimized nutrition plan.
Remember, eating fresh whole foods is the "secret" to getting healthier, losing weight and really enjoying your food. It's unfortunate that so many are under the mistaken belief that it's "next to impossible" to create a meal without processed foods. Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough tackle this issue head-on in their book Real Food Has Curves, which is a great starting point to "relearn" the basics of how to enjoy and prepare real food.
Once you get used to it, you'll find you can whip up a healthful meal from scratch in the same amount of time it would have taken you to drive down the street to pick up fast food. The main difference will be greater satisfaction, both physically and mentally, and perhaps even financially, as processed foods typically end up being more expensive than cooking from scratch.

June 23, 2011

learning how to have faith, even in hard times miracles happen!


hi blog family! look at this post from yahoo.  ( i hope you are enjoying the summer, but remember i said to read a book or two for the summer to keep your mind sharp!)
I know i hate to copy post other peoples work....
 BUT I want you all (all my blogs), (especially you teens), to read it and know that life is something we should ALWAYS value! 
even when hard times hit, 
when we lose a love one, when you have no family, 
 facing being moved to ANOTHER group home
- STILL keep your head high and know that, miracles can happen at ANY time in your life....I call this: "The last minute miracle".... 
read and understand life is like playing baseball (to a woman that is NOT in love with baseball)
....long, 
boring,
 low scores
no real contact like basketball or hockey...
 BUT just when you think your not interested......someone hits a home run! 
Then your awake and ready to watch for more action....a true fan (like a lover of life) will always be expecting something good to happen, even when your team is down and looking bad....never, ever give up hope, keep faith the size of a mustard seed!! check out this article!!

Homeless man with inheritance suffered tragedy

SALT LAKE CITY – A homeless man whose rags-to-riches story made international headlines suffered a devastating family tragedy decades ago that may have led to his life on the streets of Salt Lake City.
A friend tells the Deseret News that Max Melitzer's wife and two friends were killed in a 1990 car crash. Melitzer was driving and, according to Karol Behling, hasn't been the same since.
Behling says Melitzer was deeply affected by the death of his wife, Janice, and his life as a transient seemed to begin after the accident. Last week, a private investigator tracked down Melitzer to deliver the life-altering news of a sizable inheritance left by a brother who died last year of cancer.
Melitzer has since left Utah to reunite with family in New York, whom he hadn't been in contact with in months.
Behling's deceased husband, Steve, knew Melitzer for more than 20 years.
"He was very much in love with his wife, I believe. And it was really hard for him — one, to have her gone and, two, to have been driving," Behling recalled Tuesday. "I'm sure that affected him a lot, and I'm sure he missed his wife a lot."
In July 1990, Melitzer was driving through Wyoming when he lost control of his car, killing his wife and two passengers, the Deseret News reports.
Behling said she recalls Melitzer lost his apartment after the crash and bounced from place to place between Ogden and Salt Lake City.
Behling last saw Melitzer in December, when he visited her husband in the hospital. She said she was surprised to hear Melitzer's family was looking for him, because he never spoke of having any family.
"I hope this works out. And I hope his family is truly interested in him because he's a good guy," Behling said.
Melitzer's family recently hired a New York law firm in an effort to locate him, and the law firm contracted with investigator David Lundberg.
Neither Lundberg nor the lawyers have disclosed the amount Melitzer will receive.
"He'd have money where he could take care of himself or hire someone to take care of him," Lundberg said. "Apparently, he does have some emotional issues. The family just wants to make sure he's set up and he's taken care of."
Others who know Melitzer say he was an example to those around him.
"He takes donations of bread and other things like that, and he tries to donate them to my ministry," said Jason Florez, who runs the homeless ministry at Mountain View Christian Assembly of God church in Sandy. "He just happens to be one of the purest hearts of all the homeless people we bring in and come and see."
Florez gave one of the critical tips Lundberg that led to finding Melitzer at Pioneer Park in downtown Salt Lake City last Saturday. He said he saw a television news report highlighting the search for Melitzer.
"I was sitting next to my wife, and I couldn't even talk. I said, `That's Max,'" Florez recalled.

June 15, 2011

keep in touch

hi blog family!


this is my brother who passed , he was my favorite person growing up because they took my sister and little brother away, I miss him and don't want you to ever go through losing a sibling so....

I know school is almost done!!! (in NY anyway)..congratulations on finishing the year!! I want you to relax this summer and be a teen BUT stay away from the drinking etc...and always be safe and make GOOD choices that will not effect your future!!!
Just some advice if you got seperated from your siblings when you went into foster care or when you all got moved again and the family or home could not take more than one of you...STAY in TOUCH! there is no reason you cannot if you can both use FB or skype...instant messaging... it can be done! talk to your worker and ask to talk to your siblings every night!!! you need to maintain a close relationship because you are all you all have!! when i aged out i only had one brother (who died almost 2 yrs ago now) and my other brother and sister i searched for...found my sisiter, baby brother was adopted off, I feel horrible because we use to visit the house and meet the family, nice people with a daughter from Elmsford, NY.... it would have been nice to be close, it took years for me to get close to my sister because of our seperation...it is never too late and you don't have to go through what we did IF you listen and hit your siblings up through FB, twitter, youtube, IM....if your over 7 you know how to set up all those accounts and do it!!! good luck and never let anyone or anything get you down, your the bomb!! xo Tanya
ps. Stay on your A-game, don't sleep cause its summer!!! read a book every day...keep your skills sharp!!

June 10, 2011

Anger to acton

Hi blog family!


I remeber my first day in foster care!
being taken away from my home, 
no matter how neglected 
or starved we were,
 it was still home...
I remember getting in the car 
with the social worker and 
waving goodbye to the nice police officer, 
I remember my first drive.
Sitting in an old office, 
lots of paperwork, 
no one really talking to us, 
eccept to ask where is mommy or
 when was the last time we saw her, 
I remember like yesterday..
Hunger, gripping my stomach, 
i had not eaten since yesterday, 
I miss that pancake mix, 
it 
sure
 was
 tasty!
My sis, always there for us, 
making us feel safe while she was around. holding my brother's hand...
time to go.. wonder where? wonder when mom is coming back?
grab
 the plastic bag...
off in a car to our first "group home they say...
 I remember the ride in the car... looking out the back of the car the street narrows and everything is farther away...but  something new is closer.....
I am angry,
 i don't know why mom has not come home in weeks....
maybe longer...she is "very sick" those people say...
someone should get her a doctor!!

by: little Tanya

 i don't know why she did not come back for us..but I do know ... i do know, i am grateful to her for NOT aborting, killing or selling me!!! For not leaving me on a step! So many kids did NOT make it to foster care!! no matter what happend is was NOT your fault AND you should be grateful for your life, you can always start over every day you wake!!! You are here for a reason, to help others to save or change a life!! 
I know my mom's addictions was serious and there was NO help back in the 60's and 70's, I know it was hard for a woman to make it with no family support and a husband back from war, dismantled.....I know at that time, i was angry! But this is good!!

that anger would be the reason i fight for so many foster kids today!
 I never forget that moment, why?
 Because as long as I feel like it is yesterday, I can feel other foster kids pain and it can motivate me to take action and help!
Some of you may have left foster care, what are you doing to not only stay more than alive BUT to help others in the system? Let all of your anger, sadness and disapoinment spark the activisim in you!
 Start a blog, write a book, screenplay, create art...whatever...just do something to help others still in.
 We cannot rely on any person OR "system" that makes money on you to be your comfort"!

 We must wakeup, stop feeling sorry for our situations and make other kids feel their is hope! 
I know some of us are focusing on the abuse, neglect or abandonment issues that got us in care BUT you must remember: you are still alive, you made it! now its time to help others and minimize your pain and suffering by going to therapy, work all those issues out in the chair AND then you can help others....
life is a lesson for all of us, what did you learn? 
how can you be of service to others in the same situation? 
You did not deserve to go through what you went through but remember you must go through SOMETHING in this life to learn and share...and become something....your body is only temporary, the mind and the good deeds you do for others are forever...because they will pass it on...pay it forward....learn to turn your stories and your anger into positive actions!!!

 you are loved, 
blessed and the universe needs you!
 xo Tanya

April 28, 2011

love YOU

Hi blog family!

my book for you teens is done: https://www.createspace.com/3587372
lesson of the day:
 Loving yourself is the most important thing you can do in this life!!
If you don't think highly of you-no one else can!
You are divine and with purpose, smile, someone is watching you!!

Tanya

April 23, 2011

holiday gone good, what is YOUR grade?

hi blog family!
Hope you are enjoying your vacation if your in school...and still keeping your mind fresh reading a new book every month (atleast)...
and if your not in school but left foster care, I hope you are building a new "Holiday" ritual for yourself and your future family...that means whatever you hated about the holidays...(no family, no home visits, no one to visit etc...)..
YOU are now in charge to do whatever you want.
.today my kids and I went to the Brooklyn museum then a friend took us to eat Mexican dinner..
then we walked around Brooklyn..this is OUR holiday..
 it could be in church sunday and then dinner,
it could be sitting at your house with you cooking or potluck, everyone brings something to eat...
most important...you enjoy that time as "family or "friends that are like family...
whatever as long as YOU enjoy it and stop saying "I hate holidays"....most people hate them because it did not go the way they wanted in childhood---fix it, this is your life, you can fix issues like bad holidays and make it better ..if you have no family...find GOOD friends who really care about you, and celebrate with them!!! Angels are waiting everywhere to help you find your destiny!!xo Tanya

I will leave you with something my friend Tar wrote (gotta give credit)..but first.... know that you are loved and special...and the world NEEDS you to stay on your A game...without YOU this world will be different!! smile, someone is watching you!

If YOU evaluated your last week... how would YOU rate it. How did YOU advance yourself? What did YOU learn? Did YOU help anyone else other than yourself? What are YOU doing to develop into the Person YOU always wanted to be? Settling should never be an option! I give myself a C+... I can do better. If YOU can't be honest with yourself... what kind of future do you expect?- taken from my friend Tar

March 21, 2011

you are blessed

Hi blog family!
Glad you are going to school, doing your homework and asking for help when you need it!

The earthquake in Japan should be one of many reasons you should be thankful not only for your life, but that you have choices! 
Pray for the kids that are now "orphaned" because of this earthquake.
Be thankful for what you DO have in your life NOW!!
 Every day is a new one that YOU COULD, do ANYTHING, you choose, if you study hard, stay away from drugs, negative people, places & things AND be grateful for what you do have!!
You are blessed SO much and you will bless others with your, smile, your gift, your talent and your tenacity to live your best life!
 keep on moving, don't stop (british group, Soul 2 Soul).. lol...
you are loved, special and needed by the universe,
stay in your king and queeen position-no one can dethrone you!
!! xo Tanya

February 11, 2011

Relationships & Foster care

Hi blog family- I'm back!
Relationships & foster care. 

It is hard to have any-when you have no good example to choose from. 
 So if you are not sure how to pick a good mate or friend-stop picking the bad ones- the one who has all the drama, gossip, negative words, gangbangers, dealers, cutting class-u know! 
If nothing else, you know that ANY relationship should consist of two people that respect, admire and love each other for whom they are-never trying to change them or mold them, accepting them with flaws (as long as it is not drama or you doing all the work).. both parties should get something out of each other that makes them do better, love harder and want to be greater! Your true friend will support you and tell you what is right-not guide you wrong!
Don't settle for crazy, lazy, drama friends and mates- You are KINGS and QUEENS & should surround yourself only with people who think and do at their highest level.
life is short-only surround yourself with people that love you and have your best interest at heart IF there is any hint of jealousy, envy, hatred, mean spiritness- ABANDON SHIP!! God put plenty of people on the earth for you- its up to you to find them! 
You are loved, and the universe needs you to get yourself together so that you may help the other 500,000 kids in foster care!! teach one-reach one
xo Tanya

January 27, 2011

i wish i could syndrome

hi blog family!!

its a new day!! what are you up to?? Exams were crazy--but u  did it!!:) I am proud of you!! You are a winner!!

are you:
sitting around waiting for your dreams to happen? This can only happen if you know what it is and how to plan for it...then how to execute!

sitting around wishing you could look 50 lbs lighter...but not excersizing or changing your eating habits?

wishing you had a mate..but sitting on the couch, never going anywhere to be seen or meet new people?
wishing you were successful...but not doing anything that will manifest this success?

thinking of leaving that abusive partner, but never leave, even with support..because you don't think your worth it or no one will want you? this is a hard one because you do what you have to do to survive when you are in an abusive relationship-especially when there are kids BUT i say to you..if you can get to "my sisters place or any domestic violence shelter- go and start over..your life and your kids are worth it!! You may be able to turn this experience around by writing a journal/book and helping other woman..keep faith, and take action as soon as your spirit tells u to leave!

I had the "I wish I could" syndrome for years. It is going to keep you in the same place! You must realize your greatness and get up, get out and do something, as Macy gray use to sing! Nothing in this life is coming easy...even illnesses take some work like eating bad food, not seeing a doctor...etc... Nothing in this life good or bad, comes to you, you must go get the good you want in life!!!
If you want to change your negative kids thinking--think positive-live positive- talk positive--they will follow the leader- YOU!!
If you want a mate. get out to the museums, borders, gallery's... he/she cannot find you if you home!

if you want success. start planning what does that mean, what does it take for your goal, what do you need, who do you need for a mentor? how long..does not matter if you do not give up...

Stay focused and try new things this year, the universe is waiting for your success!! There is plenty for all of us, find out what gifts you have that will make you stand out...xo Tanya

January 23, 2011

I am 16 and in the foster care system…Turning 18 is the scariest thing that is going to happen to me

http://www.wix.com/tgirlcooper/fosterkidsunite

I am 16 and in the foster care system…Turning 18 is the scariest thing that is going to happen to me
this will not be you because you are:
going to school, getting the help you need, utilizing ALL resources (counselors, therapy) and staying away from drugs/drinking and negative people! In my book I talk about this not being you--remember: "You are your only hero" at the end of the day..stop blaming your mom, system etc... this is your life lesson, what are you going to do with it?? you are a super star...go claim your fame!! xo Tanya

December 13, 2010

not going crazy

Hi blog family!

I posted the videos for two reasons. once in a while we think things are not going so well and we want to give up or maybe do something that may hurt us BUT I felt this song was a good simple video/song that showed...things always get better IF you keep trying!
The 2nd video was written about alot of good people (like Dr. King) who stood up for something they believed in ..check out the history of this song, very deep, but if someone gave their life and someone else helped break down walls, so that we could all be equal, why would you not rise to your greatness and help others??

Foster care is hard because you have no one (like mom) who is sopose to be your #1 protector/guide..not there for you.  But know that you have you and YOU are the most divine in this universe! I am not talking crazy you are a star waiting to shine. If you can get through this time in your life, while educating yourself and surrounding yourself with great friends, you will make it! I am older but wiser and i can tell you ANYTHING that you are going through--will pass, get better or just plain get! You must keep your head high, stay focused and don't let anyone or anything stop you from your goals!!

You are loved and needed by all of us......smile...someone is watching!!:) Tanya

October 11, 2010

letting go of negative friends



hi blog family!
back to school Tuesday.....stop complaining, some kids can't afford to go to school in other countries!! You need to know you are blessed and the universe has great plans for you!

Todays topic: bad friends, negative people or people that do you wrong....LET THEM GO!!!
have you ever tried to help a friend and they seemed nice but every time you look around they throw you under the bus??
talk about you,
leave you out of things, make fun of you, (when there friends are around), and then have the nerve to ask you to sit and eat lunch with them---and you do it---only to be teased again, tormented, made fun of.....NO WORRYS!! you are too young to worry!!
Your job is to learn to identify bad toxic people--especially the one's that act nice around others and only bully you when your alone and they are with a friend...learn how to walk away! 
Don't call them, email, text, fax, IM, FB....nothing!  WHY??

1. They don't deserve your friendship! if you know you have been an honest, good person, why waste your time--some people are toxic because they have no clue!! They invite you to join them at their table, sit and eat and as soon as the food comes...they take it away....not nice...
2. NO ONE should ever yell at you, (i know sometimes parents scream on us)..but this "friend" does not have the right to yell at you--EVER! people that yell and burst with anger--run away, this is what they learned in their home or group home---if they did not get therapy--they are not gonna change and you will always be there punching bag or yelling board!
3. They chase drama trying to live their past.... remember this: some people, if they were abused physically as a child and never got the PROPER therapy---they will seek out attention and do anything to get it!! they are chasing "childhood drama"--you wll be running in circles trying to be friends with someone like this--they never see the damage they cause because they "pretend" to be your friend--while creating the drama. they usually have a hench man/woman-someone that will cosign on there  dirty mean deeds--you can live without that!
Learn to enjoy you, there will be plenty of days when you will be by yourself--learn to enjoy it and then you won't be desperate to have toxic friends:

 they say in the substance abuse field "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results"-- you know what it is because your gut tells you from day one that person or persons are not right--follow it and your life will be less stressed!
Some of the things you can do to enjoy you: start writing in your journal, take a walk , ride a bike, learn tennis, read a good book from the libray---yes, i said read, fall back on the texting and FB/IM..lastly, learn to sit quietly......listen to what the universe is telling you...

June 25, 2010

Time to change the face of foster care!!



Hi blog family Ex-model former foster kid here! School is finished! 
First--CONGRATULATIONS!!! SUMMER IS HERE!!
Big up to you al, great job finishing! 

I know you will enter your next grade with excitement--this is a time for new and Renewal....you will do better by being better...getting up on time, to class on time, with homework done, getting a tutor if you need it, smiling every time you wake because you have a secret--YOUR THE "LADY GAGA" of the moment--it's about you and your life!! Now, not later, you can have heaven NOW...plan your next step today!!

Now have a great summer and hit me if you need any advice....yea, yea, i am working on bringing more teens to the sight..just worry about you!!! smile, change or save another kids life..and please be a good role model...someone in the group home looks up to you and wants to be like you....so you have to do big things!!! xo

I have been busy trying to change the face of foster care! 
Please go to Oprah.com  and vote for my video -Tanya Cooper-"Transitional House"- a show idea i had for a while. 

I am hoping to be picked because while I always wanted to be a tv host (late night)--my calling is helping people see the big picture. 

I don't want
another foster kid to kill themselves, like my friend did at 18, because they had no love or was abused,
 I don't want no foster kid or former foster kid to be "depressed, homicidal or suicidal-
 I want no one to feel the pain I felt when my mother never came back, 
when my foster brothers abused me 
and when my brother died and I felt like I had no one left but my kids, (which is alot)....

I want Everyone who leaves foster care to leave feeling empowered,
 grateful to be alive and share their wisdom, as to save or change a life, knowing that we are blessed because we could have been Lisa Steinberg or the baby aborted or thrown in the trash....
 I want Everyone to ENJOY THIS LIFE, now, knowing that you are special, loved and if you ENJOY you and THIS life....and help a few others on the way....it was all worth it!

Please vote for me, I don't care about the fame, recognition on a personal note, I only want to change the face of foster care, so that every child in care or leaving knows, they can do it too!!

I love all of you who have come to this site, you are special, loved and remember to smile, you may save, change or help a life today!! 
Tanya