Healthy Glow: Healthy Eating, La Mode & Ramblings
Have a great weekend!
“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. “-Maya Angelou
I love Clutch Magazine online. The online magazine is an amazing publication that shows how diverse and special the African American population really is. One of my favorite recent posts is
Step It Up: 20 Ways to Be the Best You
Because we are multifaceted, I’ll be sharing tips on how to excel in your career, love life, health, friendships, and personal life.
Ready? Leggooo!
Career: Despite the rough economy, you can still be successful in your chosen career if you follow a few simple tips.
Tip #1: Go Back to School. Even if you hate your day job, going back to school—even part time—can garner a huge return on investment. Check out community colleges to brush up on or add new skills to your repertoire without breaking the bank.
Tip #2: Read Up. If you can’t afford to take college courses or if you just don’t want to sit in a classroom, one easy way to make yourself more marketable is by learning a new skill. Hit the bookstore or library and teach yourself some new tricks.
Tip #3: Find a Mentor. Want to break into a certain field, but don’t have the skills? Find a mentor and ask if you can shadow them (or be their assistant). Even if you don’t get paid for working with them, the experience, their knowledge, and connections you will build will be worth more than any entry-level gig.
Tip # 4: Network Like a Pro. Because being successful is not only about what you know, but also who you know, networking is a must. From company-sponsored happy hours that will get you a little face time with the higher-ups, to professional organization mixers, you should always be open (and prepared) to shine in front of those who can make or break your career. Keep the convo light, but professional, and always keep business cards on hand.
Health: We’ve all heard the statistics; Americans are getting unhealthier by the year. Whether you’re thin or on the thicker side, being healthy is essential to a happier, longer life.
Tip # 1: Stay Active. If hitting the gym isn’t your thing, find other (fun!) ways to stay active. Perhaps try kickboxing, hiking, jogging, or dancing your way to great health by taking Zumba, African, or Salsa dancing classes. Bottom line, the faster you find something you LOVE to do, the more likely you will be to stick to it. Now move it!
Tip # 2: Eat to Live. I know, I know…food can taste oh so delicious, especially after a stressful day. However, using food to satisfy your emotional needs is a recipe for disaster (and extra pounds!). Remember to use food for what it was designed for—fuel. Limit emotional eating, and when you do sit down for a meal, make it an experience. Pick the freshest meats, vegetables, and cheeses and enjoy every bite.
Tip # 3: Get a Checkup. When was the last time you got physical…with your doctor? Although some may skimp on their yearly exams, making sure you see your doctor regularly (and not just when you’re sick) will help you stay healthy and prevent any number of ailments that may creep up. Make it easy on yourself; schedule annual checkups on or near your birthday so you’ll never forget them again.
Tip #4: Get Some Rest. Let’s get something straight; you cannot function on 4 hours a sleep a night and still look and feel fabulous. As a matter of fact, not getting enough sleep can contribute to a myriad of health issues like weight gain, a lowered sex drive, decreased immunity, and depression. So get your sleep mask, your lavender oil, and comfy pillow and get at least eight hours of sleep per night.
Family & Friends: There’s something about knowing you have people who have your back that makes life so much easier.
Tip # 1: Reach Out. Staying in touch with those you love can be difficult if you’ve moved away. But even if you haven’t, work, school, and other commitments can sometimes get in the way of spending quality time with the fam. Before too many of your parents or little brother’s calls go unanswered, try to schedule a set time to reach out and say hello. If you live across country, services like Google Talk, Tango, and Skype can keep you connected.
Tip #2: Schedule a Girl’s Night. There’s nothing like connecting with the homies to help you ease some stress. Although it may be hard to coordinate schedules, having a girl’s night or weekend is the perfect way to reconnect with those that have your back. You may not be able to hang like you used to, but getting love from your friends will give you the umph you need to power through the difficult times.
Tip # 3: Reunite. Summertime is here, and you know what that means: family reunions! Yes they may be far, and even a bit pricey, but getting together with your extended family, seeing your grandma from down south or your cousins from the coast will not only be a blast, but it will also help you reconnect to your roots.
Tip # 4: Get Bookish. Happy hour shouldn’t be the only time you see your friends. If you’re looking for different ways to hang with your girls try starting a book club. Not only will you have a great time, but you might even expand your circle (and your mind) as you devour a few good books.
Love: What did Billy D say in “Mahogany”? Success is nothing if you have no one to share it with? Well, for those of you who are single yet ready to love, try these tips and maybe you’ll be cupcaking in no time.
Tip #1: Get Rid of the Baggage. Erykah had it correct. If your bags ain’t Louis V., let ‘em go, let ‘em go, let ‘em go. Nothing prevents you from being in love like holding onto the bitterness, anger, and hurt your last partner left you with. If you’re serious about getting boo’d up this year (or the next), you must lay your bags down.
Tip # 2: Ditch the Space Fillers. Sure no one likes to be lonely, however, if you’re really on a quest for love you have to make room for what’s to come. Drop the folks who are just keeping you company “in the meantime” and free up your time (and heart) for the one you’ll fall in love with.
Tip # 3: Date Yourself. Don’t wait for Mr. or Ms. Right to come along before you try out a new restaurant or go on that vacation you’ve always dreamed of. While you keep your eyes open for “the one,” get to know yourself. Make a list of things you want to do with your future boo, and try them yourself. Who knows. While you’re hiking up Mt. Baldy, or on the plane ready to skydive you might meet someone who’s doing the same.
Tip # 4: Ask Him Out. Yes, rejection is scary, but sometimes we have to make the first move. You cannot complain about not meeting Mr. Right if all you do is watch from the sidelines. So if you’ve been eyeing a man for sometime, try doing more than dropping hints, be up front and ask him out. What’s the worst that could happen?
Self: It’s time to get a little selfish. So much of our time is often spent working for, caring for, or helping others. Remember that before you can be there for others, you have to be there for yourself. Don’t ever forget to put yourself first.
Tip # 1: Take It Easy. How many times have you been so busy you’ve forgotten to eat, get the proper amount of rest, or had enough time to just relax? No matter how crazy your schedule may get, you must carve out some time to take it easy. Whether it’s scheduling a monthly massage, or just soaking in a hot bath instead of rushing through a shower, taking some time for yourself is essential for both your mental and physical health.
Tip # 2: Meditate. Whether you call it prayer, meditation, or getting in touch with the Universe, remember to take a few minutes each day to center yourself and reflect on your life. Instead of using this quiet time to run your to-do list through your head, use it to reflect on what you are thankful for. Despite whatever may be happening in your life, it’s always a good idea to focus on the positive. It will not only help you to remember that you’ve got a lot going for yourself, it might also give you the motivation to keep pushing.
Tip # 3: Kill the Negative Talk. Ever looked in the mirror and complained about your big butt or tiny breasts or tight eyes or man hands? Well, stop it. Although there may be things we’d like to change about ourselves, constantly harping on our imperfections or shortcomings will do little to help how we feel. Instead of picking yourself apart, the next time you look in the mirror tell yourself how beautiful or awesome or smart you are. After a while, you’ll start to believe it and act accordingly.
Tip # 4: Celebrate Your Victories. Got a promotion at work? Dropped 20 pounds? Passed your LSAT? Landed your first “real” job? Celebrate! Don’t ever let an important moment go by unacknowledged. Even if your celebration consist of something as small as a red velvet cupcake from Sprinkles or as large as a trip to Jamaica, don’t forget to give yourself props for accomplishing one of your goals.
Sending encouragement to you all.
I keep on dying again.
Veins collapse, opening like the Small fists of sleeping Children.
Memory of old tombs, Rotting flesh and worms do Not convince me against The challenge.
The years And cold defeat live deep in Lines along my face.
They dull my eyes, yet I keep on dying, Because I love to live.
For Your Self-Esteem: Kardashian’s Wise Words
(via pink-lip)
For Your Self-Esteem: Do Not Care What People Think
(via the-absolute-best-posts)
Positive people tend to have many similar characteristics, such as respecting everyone’s contribution to a project and knowing during hard times that things will get better. They have the power to make that change happen, an understanding that their attitudes can directly affect outcomes, and a commitment to increasing positive thoughts and diminishing negative ones. Are you putting effort towards becoming a more positive person? Avoid complaining when things are turning sour, realize that the negatives and the positives in life will level out, and take responsibility for your life and actions. You are the only person responsible for your attitude—and your life.
Thanks Sparkpeople!
Saturday Inspiration: Homeless Beauty Queen Has No Place To Hang Her Crown
A lot of people that I know are just one paycheck away from having no home. This story really hits home.
For Your Self-Esteem: Trash Talk by Michael Jordan
picture courtesy of brightstarimages.net
I die. I just love the color blocking and the use of bright colors. Any women wearing Gucci next Fall/Winter will definitely having heads turning amongst the snow!
How sick is the cranberry lip on all of the models?
Pictures courtesy of fashion bomb daily.
My International Culture: Call-to-Action Documentary, WASTE LAND
Yesterday, a few friends and I attended the Boulder, CO International Film Festival to see the call-to-action documentary, Waste Land. I really suggest that anyone who wants to truly understand how easy it is to fall into poverty, class-based societies, and how resilient the human spirit is, should see this documentary. Enjoy the preview above. To learn more about the documentary and future screenings visit the official website.
Filmed over nearly three years, WASTE LAND follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world’s largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an eclectic band of “catadores”—self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. Muniz’s initial objective was to “paint” the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives. Director Lucy Walker (DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, BLINDSIGHT and COUNTDOWN TO ZERO) and co-directors João Jardim and Karen Harley have great access to the entire process and, in the end, offer stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the alchemy of the human spirit.
This is the time to take fashion risks, this is the time to look fabulous. No time for body insecurity. There are a lot of times when I’m probably “overdressed” but life is so brief, I want every moment to feel special. I try to dress accordingly.
I’ve noticed that a lot of new readers suffer from very low-self worth/esteem! Well no need to fear, Katherine is here. Today, think about this list, look in the mirror and say one thing that scares you loudly, then say one thing that you love about yourself EVEN LOUDER!
