Recap of @RobinRoberts Everybody's Got Something Book Signing! #robertsmamarazzi #OWNERS

Ironically the same hospital that saved Robin Roberts nearly killed me, and since then I have been closely following Robin's story - a story of not just recovery, but of victory, strength, grace and amazing personal triumph.

The Moms (Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein) put together tons of interesting events, but for obvious reasons the #RobertsMamarazzi event (that is the twitter hashtag for the event if you want to follow the thread and see everyone's photos and perspective on the day), was particularly near and dear to my heart. I had wanted to pick up Robin's book "Everybody's Got Something" since it was released. 

I know this is probably the longest I have ever taken to recap an NYC based event, but I knew somehow that re-visiting this event would inevitably bring me back to my own recent health struggles, and I found myself procrastinating because the memories that those days bring back are tough for me to face.

I thought tonight would be the perfect time to share this book with you as Robin Roberts will appear on The Emmy-nominated series "Oprah's Master Class" on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network tonight, June 15th at 10:00pm ET/PT. Here is a sneak peek Video! (and no butterflies, this is NOT a network plug nor is this a sponsored post, I just happen to be a fan of the show and I am a huge admirer of Robin and thought you'd like to know!)

The Book signing was held at NYY Steak in Manhattan and the restaurant was quite welcoming and offered a wonderful luncheon menu served directly to us so we could focus on our guest of honor! As you can see from the photo above, it was a wonderful menu!

 "As my mother would say: 'Make your mess your message," ~ Robin Roberts

Robin was as warm in person as she has always struck me from watching her on television, and she took the time to answer all questions and personalize a copy of everyone's book, she was exceptionally gracious with her time, and offered tremendous insight into her recent bone marrow transplant, her battle with MDS, and how she juggled her professional and personal journey - and the marriage of the two as her personal journey was shared along the way before the book was ever released.

“Regardless of how much money you have, your race, where you live, what religion you follow, you are going through something. Or you already have or you will. As momma always said, “Everybody’s got something.”

I am definitely in agreement with the message that Robin shared from her mom, it's so true, we all have our own struggles, and sometimes we forget to look outside our own pain and personal journey to remember that everyone we meet and everyone we touch also has their own struggles!

And you know how much I love being able to help Ascending Butterfly Readers feel like they were there with me when I attend events, so I thought you'd love to see the video, and hear it directly from Robin:

My Take:

Robin's new memoir is raw, powerful and incredibly candid, she has shared her entire journey with everyone, every step of the way and I know firsthand just how difficult that is. Her strength, grace and sense of humor along with an amazing group of supporters and her sister's amazing gift got her through, and this book is inspiration and empowerment personified, I highly recommend it!

And of course me being a foodie and a snack person I just had to share a shot of my Creme Brulee Dessert:

Butterflies, watch Robin tonight on OWN (or DVR it if you are spending the day with your dad) and just remember, EVERYBODY'S GOT SOMETHING!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post, no monetary compensation has been received in exchange for our event recap coverage. We were provided with a copy of the Book and a Gift Bag courtesy of The Moms. All opinions are 100% my own. See our full disclosure policy for any questions.

Ascending Butterfly May Monthly #Book Club Title: Review and #Giveaway of The Fast Metabolism Diet #FastMetabolismDiet

This is a sponsored post/Giveaway for SheSpeaks/Fast Metabolism Diet (All opinions are my own):

I spent 2010 and 2011 on a series of Lifestyle Changes that resulted in very healthy weight loss overtime. Getting more excercise and recipe substitions had resulted in the loss of 3 dress sizes and way more energy. I was thrilled!

Then 2012 happened. I spent the bulk of the year at three different hospitals for long term stays. Which meant being sick to my stomach and not wanting to eat due to the medications and surgeries, and a ton of time in a hospital bed which meant no excercise. To say last year threw me off my game is an understatement. Considering I was told I may not make it, I have much to be grateful for. Every few months it's back to the hospital for testing and I still can't go back to a full workout routine yet.

With summer coming I want to have tons of energy because after a year in the hospital, I plan to go out everyday and take full advantage of the sun this summer! I knew I needed to find a way to get my metabolism going knowing full well that I can't yet go back to the workout routine I was enjoying in 2010 and 2011 (which included Zumba and Yoga).

I had actually seen the book on TV before I was invited to participate in this campaign and it had caught my eye. The one thing I've learned through the years is that Lifestyle Changes, (no matter what they are for, to break bad habits, learn new ones, incorporate meditation into your day), have to be logical and not too difficult to incorporate to be successful. From what I had seen this looked easy to do, and seemed to make sense for me with my many restrictions.

I am going to be totally honest, I tried this out and didn't follow it to the letter, but it's OK because I knew I probably wouldn't. My schedule is erratic and because of my varied obligations, it's ever changing. Events in NYC come with cocktails, food, appetizers and all kind of things that are not always what I was meant to be eating that day. And worse still meetings all day and events most evenings including weekends leave very little time for much of a workout routine anyway.

The Science behind The Fast Metabolism Diet is explained graphically on their website and it's worth taking a look at so you can get an idea of 'the HOW' behind the diet. As a single girl in the city I didn't have the problem of worrying about other people in the home not liking the meals, it was just me I had to worry about. Is that how I eat everyday? NO. So it was hard to get adjusted to. For me the biggest problem was the cutting back of refined sugars, I love my chocolate and my Ice Cream and I am NOT going to cut them completely out of my life.

I was excited to discover that some of the foods I already love like Lobster, Shrimp, Avocados, Cashews, Seaweed (Sushi anyone?), stimulate the release of fat-burning T4 and T3 hormones which create a thermogenic effect in the body, melting those hard fat stores and allowing them to be liquified by the Thyroid Hormones, burned for energy and released from the body. This burn boosts your metabolism!

I know what you are thinking by now, 'So Butterfly, Did it WORK?'. Yes it did. I did not lose 20 pounds, but I have a firm policy of not gauging my weight loss with the scale, I lost one dress size so far, and I have maintained that size, my underwear/lingerie are all so loose I have to get new stuff in a size down, and I am happy with that progress. I am not following it to the letter, but with the principles it outlines, and with me slowly but surely being able to become progressively more active I am sure I will be back to where I was in 2011 in no time.

We are happy to make this our first title for the return of the Book Club, and with the advent of swimsuit season upon us, I am happy to recommend this program as the kick start to a series of full Lifestyle changes that will help you get ready to put your best face forward this summer!

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Author Haylie Pomroy on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Follow @hayliepomroy on Twitter

WIN IT: 

Our friends at She Speaks and The Fast Metabolism Diet want one lucky Ascending Butterfly reader to have the chance to kickstart and rev up their metabolism too!

Enter using the Rafflecopter Widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post for She Speaks/Fast Metabolism Diet. I received compensation and a complimentary copy of the book, the sponsor is also fulfilling to the giveaway winner. All opinions are 100% my own.