Honey Mag

It’s that time again—time for your annual check up at the doctor. As you sit in the cab on the way to your appointment you decide to text a few friends to pray that the doctor will say that you’re in perfect health. Unfortunately the doctor ends up telling you that there are a few quirks in your body and now you suddenly have to change your whole lifestyle to fix it. No one wants bad news from their doctor, however it is a situation that many people find themselves in. Living a healthy lifestyle may not be easy at first but it can restore your natural energy, keep you in a better mood, and possibly extend your lifespan. Latham Thomas has dedicated her life to helping people live healthy and be happy. We were so excited to get the opportunity to chat with her.

Honey Magazine: What was your inspiration for starting Tender Shoots Wellness and can you share a little about your organization?
Latham Thomas: I always had a passion for healthy living. It wasn’t until I became pregnant with my son that I realized that my work was so necessary. Tender Shoots Wellness is a boutique holistic lifestyle practice working primarily with women. We offer comprehensive culinary services, holistic nutrition counseling, and yoga to meet the needs of busy city women, many of whom are on the path towards motherhood. The inspiration for my company was sparked by the birth of my son.

What does your typical day usually consist of?
My days alternate between kitchen/cooking days and yoga/counseling days. The first client of the day is usually a cooking client. I shop for groceries in the morning and prep meals for the week, store and clean up and head to the next client to do the same, until the day is over. Another typical day is a line up of group and private yoga classes that I teach at various locations throughout the city, including: vinyasa yoga, anti-gravity yoga, and prenatal yoga. Sprinkled in between I will see my nutrition clients, who come for counseling sessions.

Making a transition into a healthy lifestyle can be challenging for some people. What are some simple realistic steps a person can take in order to get started?
I get this question a lot. I think it first starts with being committed. Are you committed to change, to take charge of your health, and to be your very best self? These are questions we need to ask ourselves. Once you’re committed you can do anything!

Basic things that most people can do more of include the following:

1. Keep it fresh- Eat the fresh seasonal foods that are available.

2. Introduce new and exciting dishes, and methods of preparation to your culinary repertoire.

3. Shop Smart- Make a grocery list ahead of time so that when you go to the store you have a modified grocery list to stick to. Your list should consists of whole grains, greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and lean protein. At the grocery store choose one new produce item that you’ve never cooked with before, go home and experiment!

4. Eat In- Dining out means less control of what’s in your food. Restaurants and processed food contribute to the majority of sodium, sugar, and poor fat in our diets, not to mention the hidden calories. Save restaurant dining for occasional nights out and really focus on preparing healthy meals for yourself at home.

5. Set a Goal- Goal setting gives us tangible ways to achieve success. Set benchmarks where you will reward yourself after meeting certain goals. And don’t forget to tell those who love and support you so that they too can help keep you on track.

6. Move your Body Girl- Carve out some time in your busy schedule to do some of the things you love to do- recreational sports, dancing, walking yoga, etc. When you do what you love you’re happiest, its exercise without effort, and easy to shed pounds.

Why did you start your young women’s empowerment yoga for teens program and is it something you do every year?
The Female Empowerment program “You Glow Girl!” came about as my answer to the non-integrative approach to the youth development models that were out there for young women. I teach a 10 week course in female empowerment through yoga and nutrition as powerful tools for self development. I partner with organizations like Sadie Nash Leadership Project, and I’m hoping to work with Beverly Bond’s amazing organization Black Girl’s Rock to offer a model of the program. I am launching again this Spring. Usually we run the program Fall and Spring.

How did you get the opportunity to go on the Dr. Oz Show for an intervention segment and when does it air?
The Dr. Oz Show came about in a very interesting way in fact. I was referred to the producers who called me at home- important detail- nobody has my home phone number, only family and close friends. I met with the producers and they explained the content of the segment which I knew was something I wanted to be involved in. I don’t want to give too much away, but essentially I was called on to the show to serve as Dr. Oz’s expert nutritionist for a 12 week nutrition/lifestyle intervention for a church in Harlem. I am working closely with four amazing women who are inspired to change their diets and get moving with exercise to see a difference in their health and well-being. It airs in March. You can see it online as well. Please show your support.

Why do you love what you do?
I love my work because every day I wake up and do exactly what I was put here to do—help people. I get to use my skills to inspire others, help people heal, and live happier healthier lives. I know that when people feel better they make better choices. I get to spend a lot of time with my son, he likes to help out in the kitchen and come do yoga with me. I also receive so much love from my clients and friends- Maxwell sends me affirmations every week. I sleep well at night knowing that I am working toward a worthy cause every day.

Where do you see yourself a year from now?
That’s a good question…I see a lot, my book will be published, my dvd in distribution, and making a lot more appearances, traveling more to do lectures, and reaching more young women through my youth development program.

What was your first job ever?
My first job was in a Cajun Creole restaurant in Oakland, California called T.J’s Gingerbread House. I started out at age 13, as a waitress/hostess and quickly realized that I was more interested in cooking and my passion grew from there.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
My dad always told me “ Practice patience. All things happen in God’s time.” So I practice patience every day and love. Marianne Williamson says, In The Course of Miracles, “Infinite patience produces immediate results” and it is true. Once you release yourself from the outcome, and have faith, things unfold like magic in your life.

How do you balance work life and personal time?
I make sure to designate time for myself- ME time in the early mornings, to meditate before the school/work day starts. Then I take evenings twice a week to myself for a couple hours where I don’t do work. It’s important to take time out for yourself- do what you love. It gets tricky since my work is ‘round the clock, but I manage parenting, a very healthy social life, dating, pampering, and exercise in a pretty balanced manner so far.

What are five things you can’t live without?
White Grapefruits, Go take a hike raw trail mix, my iPhone, Carol’s Daughter Diva lip gloss, my green juice with lemon and ginger.

The job market is pretty scary right now. Can you give us five tips of personal success armor that people need to wear to their next job interview? What will REALLY make someone stand out?
Sure.

1. Be Yourself- Employers are going to like you for who you are, not who you are trying to be. Show them some of your personality.

2. Say Affirmations- Affirmations are positive thoughts. Use them to help build your confidence and dissolve negative thought patterns. Create your own or repeat this one over and over in your head. “I am intelligent, skilled, and I believe I will succeed”. Remember, what you think about, you will bring about.

3. Practice Your Pitch- Stand in front of a mirror or a friend and prepare for the big day by delivering your communication objectives as if you were in the interview. If you have some answers prepared you will have less opportunities to stumble.

4. Dress for Success- Obviously! Not just to land the job, but for yourself too. When you are looking good, you will feel more than confident. Get in the habit of dressing like you mean business. You never know when and from where your opportunities will come.

5. Add Personal Flair- Let your personal style shine through with a fierce nail lacquer, a no-nonsense pair of pumps, and an interesting pair of gloves or earrings. These accents will show that you have a creative sense of style- which reveals a lot about a person. Accessories bring a lot of life to a power suit.

Where can people find out more about you?
You can find me online or on Twitter. I write a wonderful Healthy Living column on Tonya Lewis Lee’s new website for women Healthy You Now. I’m also a contributor on The Beauty Bean where you’ll find my healthy recipe.s