TAMIKA NICOLE: MUSIC & FOOD BLOG

Since I started posting pictures of my food creations up, people have been asking me questions about food all of the time. One of the most frequent questions I get is "Where do you grocery shop?'. For me that is a layered question because I actually shop at about five different stores for different reasons:

I shop at Trader Joe's because I like their prices and their variety of healthy selections.
I shop at Safeway because it is in my neighborhood even though I think it can be pricey at times.
I shop at Lucky's because they have a great gluten free section and they always have a good selection of produce.
I shop at Target for spices and grocery items. They are pretty inexpensive.
I shop at Walmart too but mainly for the Fischer Pecans and Walnuts I am addicted to.They also have pretty good prices on groceries I use to bake with.
Believe or not, I even shop at the Nordstrom of grocery stores-Whole Foods to purchase specific flours and sweeteners I use.
Costco is great for bulk items, [...]

As many of you know, I have been posting tons of pictures of food I prepare on Facebook. I love to cook almost as much as I love music. People have been asking me for months to post my recipes on a blog. At first, I was going to keep it separate from my music but then I thought to myself "Why would I do that?" . I do lots of other things besides sing and write songs so I should just profile it all on my site. Plus, truth be told, I don't want to pay for one more service pertaining to my creative endeavors (The economy is dictating my decision to not spend more money). Since I am paying for this lovely site, I am going to post my recipes here...It just makes sense to me. Anywho, onto more pressing things like my food.
In August of last year, my good friend and sorority sister EnJunaya Canton invited me to join her new eating program- http://www.meffitness.com/. I didn't want to at first but after a nudging from my BFF, The Holy Spirit, I did. The first week I lost 8 lbs and it has changed [...]

You guys know I have a love/hate affair with blogging but I realize I can't say everything I want to say in a Facebook post. I will try this again for the umpteenth time and see if I can keep it up. Anywho....Here I go....
Lately, I have had a lot of time to think...almost too much. I guess that is what happens when you have been laid off for 14 months. In addition to singing and doing all of the wonderful singing related things I do, I have been trying to keep myself busy while looking for gainful employment. I have actually gotten pretty good at it too. The reality for me is, I have to go back to work. I need money. It costs to do these wonderful records. Plus I need benefits because singing and songwriting don't come with benefits. I am getting older and I need to make sure I have enough money set aside to retire because the way our government is going, I won't be able to rely on Social Security.
People keep telling me to focus on my music but it is kind of hard when you don't have a [...]

I have been noticing a pattern in my life over the last few years. It seems like I am going back through every place I have been. I have seen people who I have had both good and bad experiences with. I have reconnected with so many and forgiven myself for allowing myself to feel inadequate around them. I have also forgiven the experiences I had with them as well. I don't care whose fault it was. I have learned to just let it go. It's just not worth it to be like that anymore. Being angry or being upset has done nothing but blocked me from receiving God's true blessings.
It is funny how God can take you through the same experience twice just to make sure you got the lesson the first time. While this time can be challenging, it is also rewarding and freeing. While I still don't totally understand everything, I do feel a lot more clearer and open. I believe the gift of being free and transparent is greatest gift I have received in a long time. I am happily throwing my hands up and surrendering [...]

This week was quite challenging for me. I really found myself being tested. At times, I wanted to cry but I didn't. Did I get angry?...Yes. Did I feel disgusted?....Yes. I did not lots of things that I felt tested my faith. Often times, I get stuck in my head by trying to control things that I really don't have control over. I have learned that I need to take a breath, focus, and pray. Once I do those things, things improve. I constantly have to remind myself I am not in control...God is. My main responsibility in this life is to surrender my life for His will to be revealed.