2012 Outside of the Box
First and foremost, all Glory and Honor to God for without Him nothing is possible. I’m so highly favored and blessed.
Phew…Where to begin. 2012 has been a remarkable year. Oh, the places I’ve been. The people I’ve seen.
I’ve met lots and lots of people. I’ve been the guest speaker at many places. I’ve hosted upwards of 20 cooking classes. Formed a women’s group. I’ve shared stories with you, recipes with you, and offered my tips for a sustainable healthy lifestyle. I authored not one, but two cookbooks. One of which, “Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box” is a required textbook for Health 100: Food and Your Health classes at Clark College. Seriously!
“Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box” is in circulation at two library systems: Fort Vancouver Regional Library and Multnomah County Library — earning me not one but two Dewey Decimal numbers. 641.563 MOSLEY and 641.563 M912s 2012. Woo hoo!
I’d have to say of all the great things I’ve done this past year. My greatest honor was writing “Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box.” Authoring that cookbook has opened up countless opportunities for me and in turn I’ve been able to help, inspire, and encourage more of you to eat healthy and outside of the prepared food box.
Thanks to every single one of you who bought a copy of “Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box”! And, thank you for your willingness to embrace my ideas and supporting your own healthy lifestyle.
Thank you! Merci! Gracias!
Extra-special thanks to:
Clark College, but especially — Veronica Brock, Kristen Myklebust, Jeanne Hoff, and Marti Earhart.
Chuck’s Produce & Street Market — Where it all goes down! Angee Murray for making things happen.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library — Teresa Torres of Cascade Park Community Library for her help and support with my ideas and of course getting my cookbooks in circulation.
Multnomah County Library — Patricia Welch for her determination in getting my cookbooks in circulation.
LiveWell of The Columbian — for putting my words in print. I met so many people who say they follow me regularly in the paper. Cool beans!
Northwest Personal Training, Minuteman Press, Mother’s of Preschoolers, Vancouver Community Library, Cascade Athletic Club, TOPS Weight Loss Support Group, Fisher’s Landing Assisted Living, Professional Connections, Focus Group, Courtyard Village, New Seasons Market, The Skanner, The Portland Observer, The Independent, KBOO Radio, Lydene Robertson Photography, and Camille Goldy Saari.
Chrisetta Mosley
I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. As a child, my family always told me that my extra weight was merely baby fat and I’d eventually grow out of it. I never did. Instead, my childhood is filled with memories of not being able to ride a bike, flattening its training wheels from being over the recommended weight, and avoiding P.E. classes by any means necessary. For years, I wore my fatness like a wounded soldier wears a Purple Heart - with pride. I owned the look. I dressed it up. I worked the room. There wasn't a skinny girl who intimidated me. I made sure my hair was laid just right. Nails polished. Outfits coordinated to the tee. Accessories to compliment every outfit. But everyone has a breaking point, and mine came in the spring of 2004 when I tipped the scale at nearly 400 pounds 388 to be exact. I was MISERABLE trapped inside of that body. I no longer wore my Purple Heart with pride. Rather, I was ashamed and frightened. Ashamed that I had allowed food to become my everything – frightened I would die because of it. Drastic times called for drastic measures... Today, I’m bound and determined to live a better, healthier, active lifestyle. I realize I’m no longer a passenger in my life, I’m the driver. I’m overcoming my inhibitions and I’m slowly but surely saying farewell to my old childhood nemesis, obesity. For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!