Rae Lewis-Thornton's Blog, page 13

50 Days Left!! GiveFoward

I'm so grateful for this GiveForward Life Fund on my behalf. At the end of the day, people don't have to do anything for you. The fact that at least 59 people thought it not robbery to donate has touched my heart in so many ways. The comments have been equally overwhelming. All I can say is thank you so very very much.



To date, we have had 59 donations and have reached 18% of the goal that Dwana set for the campaign. I know that many more people have said to me that they plan to give. Well, today we start the 50 day count down. It does not matter how much you give because $5.00 adds up at the end of the count!





 I have this overwhelming gratitude just knowing that I will be able to start the new year off with some of my back pills paid up. My stoarge is so behind, I'm embaarrassed, yet thankful that the manger has given me this latitude and not sold my things.



God always makes a way even when you can't see your way; even from the most unlikey soruce in, the most unlikey way. That's how I feel about this GiveForwad Life Fund. I didn't even know that this project exsisted until Dwana had already set it up, then sent me the link to ask if it was ok. I love her! She's always looking for ways to make life better for me and to help me build my brand.  Thank You Dwana! And Thanks to everyone who has given. I'm touched by your kindness GIVE HERE!



Read More Here!

Accptance!

Create Unexpected Joy!

RLT Collection! The Colors of Fall 2013!

Sponge Coral

FINALLY!! The fall 2013 RLT Collection has arrived!! My health slowed me down but I done it!! There are forty-two designs, which includes 8 necklaces. I have always  loved the colors of fall. In fact, fall is my favorite season. There's something about the crisp air and the changing of the leaves that makes me feel and see the wonder of God. Take A Peek!



Jasper Imani Necklace!



At the centerpiece of the collection is Sponge Coral Gemstone. Sponge Coral will no longer be imported into the United States so I thought that I would give it one more design round while it's still available. I have chosen some beautiful Agate and Jasper Gemstones to complement the Sponge Coral for the perfect stack. The colors are oranges, yellows, browns and greens. There are 8 one of a kind necklaces in this collection! SHOP!





Sponge Coral and African Brass Center!



90 Inch Sponge Coral Necklace with Copper Clasp!



Agate Gemstone and Brass Center!



Agate Gemstone and Leather!



Agate Disc Glam!



Agate Gemstones



Agate and African Brass!





Goldtone Pyrite!!

LIPOSUCTION!!!

Gettin Ready For The Procedure!

I sat in a daze as I listened to Dr. A. and Dr. S examine my face. Dr. A. had called Dr. S. into the room to take a look at my face for both a professional, and a woman's, opinion. Dr. A's German accent came through soft spoken and authoritative at the same time, "I don't think she really needs anymore," he said to Dr. A. "Maybe a little here," Dr. S. pointed to right under my eye, "but she's fine without it,' she added.



They continued to talk to each other as I sat waiting for the bottom line. "I think if we could get rid of her chin, Dr. A said, while pulling back his own chin to illustrate, "I think she would be perfect." Dr. S. started examining me closer as Dr. A. started explaining to me what he and Dr. S. had just concluded.







My Chain A Week ago in The Gym!

Dr. A. had been giving me Sculptra injections since February and this was my last and final round. I didn't think that my HIV face, as I call it, would ever get any better. The shifts in my body fat have been my worst nightmare. The extra fat in my stomach, back and under my chin...and then the lost of fat in my legs, thighs, buttocks and checks has been the pits.com. Read Older Blog Post On Lipodstrophy HERE!



HIV Lipodstrophy transformed my body without my permission well over 12 years ago. The cupcakes, stress eating and lack of exercise only made the stomach and back worst. It's been the one thing that has caused on-going emotional baggage for me.



It has been the one thing that has made me feel unattractive with HIV. Having HIV never made me feel unworthy, but how HIV reshaped my body, for sure, made me feel ugly and caused me a lot of doubts.





Sculptra

I didn't think anything would ever be done, until my HIV doctor refereed me to Dr. A., who is a medical dermatologist that sees patients in the HIV clinic where I receive my care. My HIV doctor told me that Dr. A. was doing great things for people with HIV. I thought that I had nothing to lose, so I made an appointment.



When I saw him, he thought that I was a candidate for Sculptra. The drug Sculptra builds collegian in your face. Many women use this drug for vanity purposes, but the pharmaceutical company has been giving compassionate use to people with HIV Lipodstrophy. More on Lipodstrophy HERE!



The first time we applied for Sculptra, I was declined. You talking about being disappointed and sad, man oh man, but Dr. A. didn't give up, and they finally said yes.




So, on this last round of Sculptra, I sat and listened to the medical dermatologist examine my face closely. We could see a difference for sure in my face. I'm not as sunken as I was before I began the Sculptra injections.



Two rounds of Sculptra, but that chin.



The problem was, this darn chin of mine. As Dr. A, talked about wanting to get rid of my chin, Dr. S. said, "You know, I think we should check to see if she is a candidate." My face lit up, huh, what? LIPOSUCTION!!! I started praying right then and there, LOL, but for real y'all. 




Dr. A. whipped out a camera and took a picture of my chin as Dr. A. explained that there might be a slim possibility that they would be able to give me liposuction. You should have seen my inner light beam. Not in my wildest imagination, or dreams, did I think it would be possible.





My chin outlined for the Procedure


They took the picture and promised to get back with me on Tuesday. Four long days, and I couldn't wait for Tuesday, but as 4:00 P. M. turned into 5, and 5 into 6, and I hadn't heard from Dr. S., I started to lose hope. Then, as I settled into my bed about 9:30 on Tuesday night with a book and a cup of tea, I checked my e-mail, and POW!!! An e-mail from Dr. S. was waiting, "It's a GO !!"





The Fat they Removed From My Chin!


So on this past Thursday, I had LIPOSUCTION!!! They removed 20 cc's of fat from my chin. I was awake during the entire procedure. There was no pain during the procedure, but I could feel Dr. A. pushing the fat into the syringe and the pressure from the suction. Afterwards, I was swollen, but that has gone down a great deal. I was in pain over the weekend. There is still some mild pain and I'm still really sore, especially to the touch.  I'm sure time will make it all better. 




Right After!



WOW!! I'm still basking in this blessing. I have to wear this pressure gauze for two weeks and you better believe I'm following directions. If I don't wear this gauze I stand the chance of the skin under my chin sagging. This is a blessing that I do not intend on messing up. I never understood people that are given a breakthrough with their health and then turn around and mess it all up again. No, the gauze ain't cute, but neither is a sagging chin. There's no way, that will I trade a fat chin in for a sagging chin. People can stare all they want!!!



Headed Home!!



I go back for my follow up visit on Thursday. I have a stitch at the lower part of my chin where they inserted the needle. As it stands now, I think I'm done, but they want me totally healed before they decide. The bandage under my chin, I was able to remove on Sunday. The stitches will come out on Thursday!



As you can see in the picture on top, I'm a new me! This was taken Sunday after I removed the bandage. The picture below, is a side by side. Someone at the knit shop took the picture of me in the grey sweater two weeks ago.





All and all, this is pretty remarkable! I'm happy, happy, happy! I thank God for doctors who really want to treat the whole person. Thank you Dr. A. and Dr. S.!!!! I'm feeling really blessed right about now!!





Now that the chin is gone, watch me get rid of the body fat in the front and back upper parts of my body. I have already lost 13 pounds since I began my year long body transformation in September. CrossFit will do the job, but for sure it's not for the faint at heart!



I keep telling people with HIV to just keep on living! What may seem your worst nightmare today, may end up being a blessing in years to come. All you have to do is just KEEP ON LIVING!!!





SALE! RLT Collection Sale has been extended until October 31st! 15% off Coupon Code at check out Oct2013. SHOP The new AIDS Awareness/Tea Snob mugs have arrived!!! This is your chance to get them at 15% off!!





Front!





Back!

RLT Collection 3-Day Sale!!

#RLTCollection is having a 3day Sale! 15% off!! Coupon code Oct2013 sale new Sunday at midnight!! 
Shop!! http://www.rltcollection.com

No Excuses!!

No Excuses!!

RLT Collection! Pre-Order AIDS Awareness Mug!

I do all this promoting and pushing everyone else tea and mugs that I've decided to enter the ring myself. I've been wanting to do a mug for a long time, and yesterday as I was sitting on the sofa looking at Instagram I took the plunge. This AIDS Awareness/Tea Snob mug is a fundraiser for ME!  It's an 11 oz ceramic mug in white. One side of the mug is my Tea Snob logo and the order side has an AIDS Awareness Ribbon. It's not super fancy, but you have to start somewhere.



I debated about putting my URL on the mug, but this first round I just couldn't see myself without adding it. My brand is my brand. Don't want anyone to take my logo. But overall I think it's toooo cute.



The order was placed yesterday and they should arrive in 10-12 days. You can pre-order and I will ship them out the day after they arrive. I'm to excited!! This is my first design, but rest assure that more is coming.



And Yes I'm working on a couple of tea blends also. No, I won't be the one making the tea,  I may be Super Woman but I stay in my lane.  I will be working with a teaologist to create the perfect blend! I'm Growing Baby!! SHOP!!





The Front!



The Back!





I also have AIDS Awareness  and other Tea Balls to brew your tea. They have been on my website for a while. I have to new designs and I hope to add to the designs this week.



Tea Ball!






Tea Ball!



Tea Ball!



PS... I'm introducing infinity scarves and finger gloves by December! Yes, hand knitted by me, I told you that I was Super Woman and I can knit my tail off!!  :) Stay Tuned!! SHOP!

My You Tube is GROWING! POW!

I've been off my You Tube Game!!! So today I took a look at my Channel and to my surprise, I have had 195,685 views.



Now this is remarkable given the fact that just last May, that is May 2012,  I only had about 3,000 views. I have grown is such a short period of time... Thank you so much for your support.





I  was overwhelmed to learn that I have 903 Subscribers, WOW... All I can say is that God is using me and I'm doing the work... So, as of this week, I will be back on my You Tube weekly with both words of wisdom and updates on my journey.



If you have not subscribed, I would love for you to become a part of the family Click HERE!

Tea With Rae: Three Green Greats!

It's been no secret that I'm partial to black tea, but lately it seems that I've been sipping on more green tea than black tea. Well, since I'm on this get fit and then stay healthy kick I've been trying to do the things to help me be the healthiest I can be. If you've been following my CrossFit post you know that I'm all in.







Green Tea is certainly one way to be healthy. There are so many benefits of green tea among them is weight lost. Let's review weight lost and green tea first, then I'll tell you bout another green tea winner. Green Tea comes from the same plant as black, oolong and white tea (Camellia sinensis). While all tea groups have some benefits what makes green tea special is a couple of things. One, it is not fermented before drying and steaming, which allows it to keep more of it''s antioxidants. Secondly, green tea is a rich source of polyphenol catechin.





Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most active form of catechin responsible for green tea's anti-inflammatory, and metabolic effects. While green tea is light in caffeine, it is there and that helps EGCG assist the metabolism and body fat accumulations.





In a nut shell, it stimulates the body to burn calories and decreases body fat, epically the waist line. Green tea also lowers cholesterol, which I'm putting to the test. My bad cholesterol is very hight right now. Green tea also fights, cancer and heart disease. It is the highest in anti-inflammatory properties. of the 4 tea groups. Studies have shown over and again that green tea is a factor in weight lost. However, you must drink at least 4 cups of green tea a day to benefit from the metabolic effects.







Now that we know why we should be drinking Green Tea. Lets talk about the new green teas from Adagio Teas I've been sipping lately. First up is Citron Green. I typically drink this tea as my second cup of the day. I will always be a strong black tea girl in the morning. I like this tea because, it's not fruity sweet. It has the right balance of lemon and lime that renders a fresh crisp taste. Citron Green is made with Green tea, orange peels, natural orange flavor, natural lemon flavor and Marigold Flowers.





Calypso is a new tea from Adagio and it's a wonderful journey to the Caribbean. Made with green tea, apple pieces, orange peels, dried coconut, marigold flowers, natural passionfruit flavor, natural peach flavor, natural coconut flavor, natural orange flavor and mango pieces it has all the flavor of the Caribbean. I'm not big on fruity teas, but this balance is perfection. 



Speaking of fruity teas, I fell in love with Adagio, Mango tea just last night. The manager gave me a sample when I was in the store yesterday and I fell in love.  I guess I do like some fruity teas after all. Its perfect for that after dinner dessert pick me up! Last night I wanted some dessert but fault the urge. This tea certainly filled the void. It's made with green tea, natural mango flavor, apple pieces, mango pieces and marigold flowers







Adagio Tea is a Chicago based company and I like popping into the State Street store in River North after I leave the gym. They have loose tea and bag tea. You can also take a cup to go, hot or cold. I like their teas because they are very fresh and reasonably priced. They will fix you up a cup of any of their teas to sample in the store, just ask. The bonus, they have wonderful tea accessories. They also have an online store check them out HERE! I highly recommend these three Green teas and I recommend Adagio Teas! Happy Cuppa!!!!

Happy Birthday Rev. Jackson!!

Today is Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. birthday and I honor him with a this blog post that  I originally wrote in on Father's Day three years ago!




 I never knew my father. He was shot in the back of his head by his first cousin when I was a three years old, so I was told.  When I was 11 years old my mother hooked up with a man that she later married. But he was never a father. He spent most of his time terrorizing me. And when I told my mother that her husband was grabbing my breasts, she told me, “Bitch, I’m ain't gonna let you fuck up my shit.”










So I never had that loving family and for most of my life I was void of positive male influences, that is until I went to work at Operation PUSH. Mrs. Jacqueline Jackson took me under her wings and she and her husband, Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., nurtured and helped to shape me into the woman that I am. I became a part of the family, even living with the Jackson clan at different periods of my life. I worked in all of his organizations and on both presidential campaigns. I was the Deputy National Youth Director for the '84 campaign and the National Youth Director for the '84 campaign.



Today, the Jackson’s are a major part of my support system. There is nothing Mrs. Jackson wouldn't do for me. I know that I will never be homeless or hungry as long as they both have breath in their body. There are many things that I can say about Rev. Jackson, but I will share a few from a tribute that I wrote for a book celebrating his 65th birthday. I went to work at PUSH as an intern when I was nineteen years old and stayed.



By the time I was in my mid twenties, Rev. Jackson had helped to shape me and my journey. He taught me to stand for right in the face of wrong. With a deep understanding I learned that God could use the least to do the most. His tutelage was the catalyst for my groundbreaking work around HIV/AIDS. I could hear him loudly, “If not now, when?” “If not you, who?" These words embedded in me gave me the courage to stand tall. His impact on my life reached far and deep. His impact on America can never be erased!










But the truest test of the man, the leader, the mentor and the surrogate father came for me in 1992. I stood in his kitchen and told Rev. Jackson that I had AIDS. I had been diagnosed with HIV for almost seven years and had never disclosed my status. My failure to disclose was mainly out of my shame and my own culpability in my infection, and of course, fear of rejection. But now I had AIDS and the secret was written all over my thin frame.








I remember it was like yesterday, I said, "Reverend, I need to talk to you.” We stood in his small kitchen. He shot me that fatherly look and said, “You’re pregnant." “No, not that,” I mumbled. And after a pause I said, "I have AIDS." "You mean HIV?" he asked, "No, I have AIDS," I mumbled again. Back then AIDS was a death sentence. He was trying to make sense of the fact that I just told him that I was dying. He looked straight at me, digesting the information. His silence made me nervous so I started rambling. He stood and listened with this blank stare, I couldn't read it to save my life. I gave him seven years of information in three minutes.










But he was never one for a lot of small talk  and true to form, he stopped me and simply said very matter of fact, "Rae, I loved you before AIDS, and I love you with AIDS.” Then he grabbed my hand and said, "Let's pray." We prayed together in his kitchen that day and made our way to the Dinning room to tell Mrs. Jackson together.








That day Rev. Jackson validated for me the measure of a man. He was not only the first presidential candidate with an AIDS policy who spent nights in AIDS hospice with strangers left by their families to die, he was also one of the first African-American Leader's from the old guard to take a solid stand in this HIV/AIDS fight. Yes, his training and nurturing helped to shape who I am and that became a catalyst for the work that I do around HIV/AIDS and my public ministry. But most importantly, he was consistent. He and Mrs. Jackson have made themselves perfectly clear, you do not have to do it alone!










Rev. Jackson’s influence on my life reached deep within my soul. I am a better person because our destinies are bound together. I thank God for his place in my life. 
I thank God for his place in history. Happy Birthday Rev. Jackson!

RLT Collection! New Bracelets of The week!

Jade! 

Check out the latest Bracelets of the Week from RLT Collection. These bracelets are extremely limited editions at a great price. Sometimes I run across a gemstone that I really like that does not fit into my regular collections. The latest ones are mostly smooth round Jade that I love. I ran across these wonderful German Silver and Copper beads that I've paired with the gemstones to complete the look.

Shop while bracelets last... Remember once a bracelet is sold out its gone forever! SHOP HERE 





I love this rubberized glass bead...!



Agate Gemstones paired with copper center



Jade Gemstones!



Jade Gemstones



Harmony! Self Love! Russian Jade!



Mix! Match! Stack!