Simone's Sintings @simonesamuels - Tumblr Blog

A Theology of Self-Pleasure: Exploring Masturbation, Desire and Faithful Embodiment

Photo by Cliff Booth on Pexels.com Seven years ago, in 2018, I wrote one of my most popular blog posts — a blog about whether or not “masturbation is a sin.” That piece was honest, imperfect, and deeply personal. I wrote it because I genuinely wanted to know if masturbating, as a Christian, was “wrong,” and I was tired of reading and hearing daft, narrow-minded, poorly researched, male-centred,…

View On WordPress

#asexual #body positivity #demisexual #masturbation #self-pleasure #sex #sexuality #single #Singleness #trauma-informed

Silent in Genocide, Loud for Charlie Kirk: When White Supremacy Feels Safer Than Justice

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Cor. 13:1 Some men improve the world only by leaving it”. – Oscar Wilde “Murdered. They shed innocent blood. We love you Charlie! You [sic] legacy will not be forgotten.” That’s what a Facebook friend posted on Wednesday afternoon (a friend who also happens to be an…

The "Great Controversy" is Prophecy Over People: What Criticisms of Le'Andria Johnson and Claudia Allen Get Wrong

“Did you all see the recent Adventist controversy?” That’s the text message I woke up to yesterday in my Bible study WhatsApp group chat. I’ve been hearing rumblings about the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists’ most recent Camp Meeting. Every year, there seems to be a lot of criticism of the camp meeting of this conference, and this year, I won’t pretend like I know what…

When the Past Is a Venue: Plantation Weddings, Diasporic Memory, and the Fire at Nottoway

As a Canadian of Jamaican descent, I can’t even count how many times I’ve been back to the island of sunshine, reggae, good food and vibes — the land of wood and water. I loved visiting my aunts, uncles and staying at my maternal grandparents’ house in the Jamaican countryside. But among my most memorable activities was visiting the Rose Hall Great House when I was twelve years old. When I heard…

#great house #nottoway #nottoway house #nottoway house fire #plantation #plantation wedding #rose hall #rose hall great house #rose hall weddings #slavery #slavery jamaica #trans Atlantic slave trade

When the Joy Leaves the Room: Why I'm Leaving LA Fitness

After nine years as a fitness professional and six years of teaching at LA Fitness, I will teach my last classes (Body Works plus Abs and Zumba) tomorrow, May 15, 2025. After countless playlists and sweaty smiles and moments that truly moved me, I’m stepping away. Not in bitterness, but in honesty — because the joy that once filled me when I stepped into the studio… has quietly, steadily…

Funeralizing Singleness and Good Grief on a Good Friday

Good Friday is a good day to talk about grief. (Apologies if this post feels disjointed and piecemeal and less edited and streamlined than usual. I just wanted to get it out and post it before Good Friday ends, and I’m hungry and want to go roast some chicken.) Ever since I turned 37 in February this year, something inside me just died. I think it was my hope — my hope in meeting a compatible…

#easter #funeral #good friday #grief #mourning #rituals #singleness

Ah cook mi ah cook and ah heat mi ah heat. Translation: I am cooking and I am eating. Well.🤤 I love taking the time to cook myself a good meal, even though ah mi one (translation: it's only for me.) DYK I can write and overstand (translation: more than understand) patois but I can't speak it? #nerd Air fryer BBQ jerk chicken, rice and gungo peas, steam vegetables, coleslaw, fried plantain and homemade vegan and gluten-free carrot cake. 😋 #jamaicanfood #jamaicancooking #riceandpeas #eatthecaribbean #jamaicanairfryer #airfryer #airfryerrecipes #airfryerrecipe #jerkchicken #bbqjerkchicken #airfryerjerkchicken #cosoricooks #cosoriairfryer #kgbetterliving @kgbetterliving @cosoricooks #iamajamaican #carrotcake #glutenfreefood #glutenfreejamaica #glutenfreejamaicanfood #glutenfreecarrotcake #vegancarrotcake #glutenfreecaribbean #airfryerjamaica https://www.instagram.com/p/CefISqlM_Vk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It's #internationaldanceday , @zumba is officially 21 years old and exactly five years ago I was having the time of my ever loving life on the Zumba Cruise. That's not a coincidence and I think these videos are very a propos. Something happens when people get together to dance. All I can say is I hope the #zumbacruise comes back next year. #happyinternationaldanceday https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc9ENphM4EM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#internationaldanceday #zumbacruise #happyinternationaldanceday

This is the year where I've realized that no one can really depend on social media, either as an influencer, business owner or even as a consumer. So I'm starting an email list. (Link in bio) I read so many posts from content creators about getting shadow banned or having content removed, and this seems to disproportionately affect the most marginalized of creators, namely those in Black, Brown, and/or fat bodies. Have you noticed your favourite creators using code language like seggs, s3x, wyt, c0vid etc.? They do this in an effort not to get flagged. Because I sometimes talk about these topics, and especially as my platform grows, I sometimes wonder what may happen to me. Then there was that IG, FB, WhatsApp blackout. While a lot of people were privileged enough to say "I didn't even notice," unbeknownst to many in the West, so many people in the Caribbean and Africa (and a lot of other remote places) DEPEND on WhatsApp to communicate and conduct business. WhatsApp phone numbers often replace websites on advertisements. But I digress. In light of this, instead of creating backup accounts or worrying about getting censored or going through another outage, I'm trying to diversify. That's why I invite you to join my email list. I won't spam you (I honestly don't have the time) and if/when I finally get my act together, my infrequent emails will only be filled with awesomeness and information. And if for whatever reason you find that you can't handle all of the awesomeness coming your way, you can always unsubscribe. Although I may forever 😒 you if you unsubscribe I will still love you. This way, if I ever get cancelled or if you decide to leave social media or if you ever miss a post on here due to some kind of alchemical, algorithmic bias, you'll still know where to find me and I will know where to find you. You'll still be able to hear about class updates, cancellations or new ideas, projects and initiatives. In other words, it helps ensure that whatever happens, we'll still remain connected. And 2021 has taught us that connection matters. Link in bio (& make sure to ✅ "subscribe to newsletter") https://www.instagram.com/p/CVZ3lCfrmJu/?utm_medium=tumblr

“Obese” is a bad word—it’s got to go

View On WordPress

Pressure creates diamonds but pressure also bursts pipes. You need to know when to hold and when to fold as Kenny Rogers would say. And in a world where folding is often seen as failure or weakness, I’m so glad that Naomi and Simone have chosen to…perhaps not fold, but they know when to walk away. Some critics — all of whom are not professional world-class athletes and probably last did a summersault in elementary school — have said that Naomi and Simone are wasting opportunities that others would pay to have. They say that the Olympics and the French Open are about being “mentally tough.” Mental toughness is walking away, knowing what could possibly happen when you walk away but walking away anyways. That’s courage. That’s tough. Whenever women — especially BIPOC — dare to put themselves first, we are met with pushback. We’re criticized. We’re called selfish. Undevoted. Undedicated. Weak. Unable to handle “hard questions.” Expected to give an account or an explanation. I’ve learned that whenever women set a boundary, people are going to get mad. (I'm trying to be more consistent about writing nowadays. If you like, you can follow me on @medium where I'm building a community of people who actually are interested in what I have to say. If you like what I'm writing, clap for my articles and leave a comment on Medium under the article. Link to both articles are in bio.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CR2-UsoslSK/?utm_medium=tumblr

I just wanted to let you all know that my hair is long. That's it. That's the post. All those people in elementary school talking 'bout, "wHy dOn't yuO GroW YoUr HAiR?! " as if I haven't been trying to do that for 33 years. Look now. My hair is grown. No one can talk to me. I'm a Black woman with shoulder length hair. (Oh, and my bedroom is messy. And my edges grew back in. And not all of us can do the swoop di woop and lay our edges. And deep conditioning religiously works. Thanks @sheamoistureca ) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPl__QJlHI4/?utm_medium=tumblr

View this post on Instagram

@zumbabeto , the founder of Zumba, came over for breakfast this morning but he left before I could give him any arepas. 😔 (While I am thankful to my Columbian friends who taught me how to make arepas over the years, this one was pre-made and came from @theareparepublic. Shout out to them! But yes -- I always have PAN corn flour on hand!) I'm embarrassed to tell you how long it took me to make this video. 😅 Here's hoping that I get to meet Beto in person one day for my coveted #betoselfie. This song should be familiar to my Zumba peeps. If you want to hear it again, come to class tomorrow at 7 pm EST @bodypositivefitness_ #cancionbonitazumba #cancionbonita #zin93 @zincommunity #canciónbonita #arepa #panarepachallenge #pan @pan_us #panarepa https://www.instagram.com/p/CPgnnoOJ2Yd/?utm_medium=tumblr

#betoselfie #cancionbonitazumba #cancionbonita #zin93 #canciónbonita #arepa #panarepachallenge #pan #panarepa

As soon as I saw this show up in my newsfeed, I was like, "Issa no for me."⁣ ⁣ Noom sounded intriguing, what with its messaging about "eating psychology" & "mindful eating." But the scales have fallen from my eyes. It's a damn diet y'all, gallivanting as "intuitive eating."⁣ ⁣ I know a lot of us don't like how heavy we've gotten. I get it. But Noom is not the answer.⁣ ⁣ As soon as I saw "🍦= 1.5 miles", I was like "nah." Weightloss is not a simple calculation of calories in, calories out. You can't "work off" the ice cream you ate, nor is it healthy to think that way (orthorexia anyone?) The idea of earning food is rooted in diet culture. You don't have to earn food. You get to eat simply because you are human and you are alive. Even if you had a buffet breakfast and a banquet yesterday, you still get to eat today.⁣ ⁣ This type of "I need to earn my food" or "I need to burn off what I just ate" thinking is harmful and can lead to disordered eating and a damaged relationship with food. And I say all of this from personal experience AND as a personal trainer. ⁣ ⁣ Wanna be healthy? (notice I didn't say lose weight because the two aren't synonymous):⁣ ⁣ Focus on SLEEEEEEP. Lower your stress (pray, have sex, cut out toxic people, dump that waste manz, stretch, play, be creative, laugh, find a new job, get a babysitter, find a hobby, become a plant mom like me, watch Netflix etc.). THEN focus on diet. Increase fibre. Drink water -- lots of it. Eat veggies. Eat protein at every meal. THEN exercise. Try to move everyday. From wining to soca in the kitchen to walking to doing HIIT (shameless plug for my Strong Nation class on Wednesdays) -- it all counts. Nothing to "work off" but lots to gain.⁣ ⁣ I know I've made no mention of the social determinants of health, or food deserts, or the fact that McDonald's is cheaper than kale, or the psychosomatic effects of racial stress and trauma related to dis-ease and disease among BIPOC. Not to mention genetics and environment and hormones.⁣ ⁣ It's a little bit of an oversimplification but that's the trifecta. Rest THEN nutrition THEN exercise/movement. In that order.⁣ ⁣ There. I just saved you hundreds of dollars. You're welcome. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPcDJlalTQj/?utm_medium=tumblr

I was interviewed by @miriambakerdesigns to talk about pandemic diet culture. I also mentioned the work of my friend @your_body_is_good (Amanda Martinez Beck)! Here's a link to the article: https://miriam-baker.com/blogs/journal/calling-out-pandemic-diet-culture ... Reposted from @miriambakerdesigns This year has been tough, to put it mildly. ⁠ ⁠ The global pandemic has uprooted our lives and forced many of us to stay indoors to help curb the spread of COVID-19. ⁠ ⁠ Gym closures and work-from-home orders have created a prime opportunity for stoking fear around “quarantine 15” weight-gain, causing toxic diet culture to flourish.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ But not everyone is taking the bait.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ These body-positive advocates are using their social media platforms to call-out the harmful body shaming that’s become so commonplace during the pandemic. ⁠ ⁠ Instead of talking about ways to burn calories, they are encouraging people to prioritize self-care and celebrate their bodies — no matter what size they are. ⁠ ⁠ They’re preaching self-acceptance at a time when we need it most 🙌🏼⁠ ⁠ Link in bio for 4 body posi advocates we admire for calling out pandemic diet culture.⁠ ⁠ Repost: Maybe she’s born with it...maybe it’s caffeine ☕️ ☕️☕️ @nat_borch https://www.instagram.com/p/CLwswsLFfco/?igshid=1hyu127arpw76

View this post on Instagram

Birthday weekend PULL UP. UP UP. All the way UP. My birthday is tomorrow on Saturday and thirty-three years ago I was born on a Saturday. First COVID birthday and I'm truly happy. #ohitfeelssogoodtobealive THANK YOU @quiteperry (and fi di quick tunaroung)! Mi luv yuh! Say hi to Patricia fi mi! ❤❤❤ https://www.instagram.com/p/CK71G6cJP84/?igshid=1jilyl3tt49sb

#ohitfeelssogoodtobealive

Bridgerton is a Welcome Respite From Racial Trauma

After a year marked by a racial awakening, decades of movies about slavery, and White privilege on display at the Capitol this week, I welcome the escapism. To read more: https://simonesamuels.medium.com/bridgerton-is-a-welcome-respite-from-racial-trauma-5846c39f268d?sk=0674a1732b019a0ffed0fe987a51e771

View On WordPress

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Simone's Sintings