Panera Bread among other fast food chains plan to eliminate artificial additives and ingredients in the food it sells. What’s interesting is, this doesn’t seem to be as much about health as it is about money. According to the following news report, the company’s sales are down and so this is part of a plan to attract millenials. Interesting…
I stumbled upon #BlackGirlsPole due to some Facebook controversy. Long story short, there was a pole dancer who bitched about why it exists and claimed that it didn’t promote unity and that people would be mad if there was a “White Girls Pole” all that typical entitled bullshit. She created a stir but I later found out that this is what she does in general, so BGP just happened to be that day’s target. I digress.
After that drama, I started to explore the movement and it’s simple. It was founded by Dalijah Franklin, and the point is for anyone who so chooses, to celebrate Black women in pole dancing and to encourage other women to consider pole dancing as well.
I get why this exists and I like the idea of it, especially since Black women are pretty much at the highest risk for everything that’s terrible in the world of health, so I wanted to share it.
You can get involved with the movement via their Facebook page and you can join the hashtag on Instagram.
They have an exciting showcase and workshop coming up on June 21 where there will be some performances a, a Q&A and workshops. Best believe I got my ticket and I’m ready to go!
Click here for more information about that. Hit me up if you decide to go!
Krishna Davenport of Baobab Wellness is a mother, wife, entrepreneur and holds a full time day job yet she still finds time to make sure that she and her family are active and well. She’s sharing that sentiment with other families in June at her Family Fit Brunch.
Here’s a snippet from the press release:
View the entire press release here where you can scan a QR code to keep up with the event.
Sometimes I struggle with impulse control when it comes to food, especially sweets, so vacation and travel in general tends to be a free-for-all. If you’re anything like me then you understand this but we can work this out! I’ve been traveling a lot this month and have two more trips coming up, one at the end of the month for business-play and the other at the end of June for straight up vacation, so I’ve been figuring out how to keep my eating habits on the road balanced (or close enough) so that I don’t feel guilty for vacation indulgences.
Here are eight strategies that seem to be working.
Start Pre-Gaming
You know the old cliche that goes something like, “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready” right? Well, I can’t stress how important that is. Don’t wait a week before your trip to get serious about working out and watching what you eat because, guess what, you’re not going to get any results that are really worth it, and you’re going to undo everything on your trip anyway. Start developing routinely better habits in advance enough that they start to become part of your life. That way, by the time you get on your trip you’ll be in a mindset where you’ll want to work out and where you might not even want certain foods and beverages.
Relax
Vacation, and even working trips should still be fun getaways so chill out. Don’t police yourself to the point where you don’t have a good time and don’t beat yourself up if you eat something that doesn’t make you feel good. Remember, you can do better at your next meal, and you can always reset and recharge tomorrow.
Strategize Your Travel Diet
If you’re staying at a hotel, see what food they offer in advance so you know what you’re getting into and try to at least keep your breakfast consistently healthy. Stay away from the pancakes and waffles or don’t go there every single day. Go for omelets, boiled eggs, fruit, veggies and yogurt (depending on the sugar content) instead. If you’re a heavy drinker then beware the sugary cocktails!
Bring Your Own Snacks
I’m a carry-on champion so I don’t bring a ton of snacks with me but when I do it’s usually nuts and bars like KIND bars and Lara bars, and when I get to my destination I grab a few apples and bananas to keep on hand. The latter two items tend to be abundantly available at hotels for free, and if you’re staying in an apartment they’re the two good-for-you foods that definitely won’t be hard to find. Snacks will keep you from overeating and can help you stay on track if you’re someone who needs to eat every few hours (raises hand).
Do Some Quick Workouts
All it takes is 15 minutes of interval training in your room. I like to get it in in the afternoon but it depends on how my day goes. My favorite app for intervals is SWorkit. SWorkit randomly selects moves like burpees, planks, jumping jacks, etc and times your intervals and rest periods as you go.
Beach Time
Meditate on the beach and/or find a nice yoga or Pilates app (SWorkit also has yoga) so you can work out outside, go swimming or get involved in some watersports. This is a two for one deal. You get your workout in and beach time too. If you’re going somewhere that doesn’t have a beach then walk it out!
Use the Gym
Utilizing your hotel gym, if it’s decent enough, or even fitness classes if offered, are other viable options too.
Drink Green Tea
I’m a tea drinker and believe in the power of green tea. Seriously, I credit green tea with helping me get my pooch smaller so, I try to have at least two cups of it every day, even when I travel. I try to drink this before consuming breakfast. My green tea on vacation practice is new. I’ve only been on one trip since incorporating it in my routine and I haven’t had a hard time getting it but again, check where you’re staying in advance to see if they have it otherwise you might have to bring your own.
What do you do when you travel? Do you shirk your fitness routine and try to find balance?
This week I’m highlighting Michaela Angela Davis. Davis, who is one of the founding editors of VIBE magazine, has been at the forefront of the advancement of brown girls everywhere for years. One of her biggest movements is “30 For 30,” where women who are interested in being more active make a pledge over the course of 30 days to be active every day, or to at least make more conscious decisions with regard to their respective diets in order to strive toward a healthier and happier being. Each “30 For 30” ushers in a new season.
We’re in the middle of our Spring Equinox edition but it’s never too late to join on Facebook, where we share photos, anecdotes and inspirational words about our respective fitness journeys. Check it out!
Let me start this by saying that I don’t have a perfect track record when it comes to flaking but I’ve never been the type of person to consistently flake on people, or to know about something for weeks, commit to showing up and then back out at the last minute. I’ve also never done the ole commit to showing up but don’t mention until the day of said event, if at all, that I’m not going to show up anymore, subsequently leaving the person that has been waiting around sitting in that restaurant alone for naught but I’ve experienced that more than I’d like to.
It’s hurtful, selfish and inconsiderate behavior that happens too often.
I had a recent experience that triggered this post (and a Facebook rant too, which I don’t usually do). It doesn’t matter what happened other than I got ditched by multiple people, most shortly before the agreed upon meeting that had been in the works A MONTH in advance. Like, all intended parties said they were cool with this 30 days prior. Basically, only one person out of a big group showed up. We still had fun catching up, which was the highlight of that day and that’s my point.
Flakes aren’t new to me yet despite the fact that I’m a cynic, there’s still a part of me that hopes that people won’t be so predictable but I still find myself disappointed and hurt. I’m human so the emotions are normal, but sometimes other humans aren’t worth being frustrated about so, from now on they won’t get my energy and I’ll focus on people who have proven to be reliable and have a vested interest in maintaining a real life connection with me.
One solid friend is worth 10o times more than 10 flakes.
I met Adesina Dowers when she was a publicist in the music industry. She stood out because she was very warm, friendly and always had a radiant aura about herself. Little did I know, she was developing a yoga practice that would set the foundation for a major career shift in her life.
Eventually, she shifted careers and is now a full time yoga instructor who teaches Power Yoga, which is a vigorous style of yoga based on Ashtanga Yoga, Hot Power Fusion, a deep meditative combo special of Hot Yoga and Power Yoga, restorative yoga and Yoga Sculpt, which is Hot Yoga with weights. She also leads a Yoga teacher training program at her home studio, CorePower Berkeley, is a holistic health coach and most recently, a Lululemon ambassador.
I know, there’s a lot going on. That’s why I caught up with her to get her inspiring story about leaving a hectic industry and even her home city behind to start over. Here, she chats with me about how she began designing a more fulfilling life. She was also nice enough to include a free smoothie guide that features nine recipes complete with information about how to build your own smoothies as well as why they are good for you. Keep reading!
What caused the aha moment for you that made you decide to relocate and shift careers, and what steps did you take to make that change happen?
It was a combination of things. I was feeling unfulfilled in my life and my work, I wanted to have a greater positive impact, I was over experiencing freezing cold winters every year and I realized I had not found my true calling, my special purpose.
I was 100% aware that I wasn’t going to achieve any of those goals living the life I was living. I’d known for a while that I needed to create change in my life. Actually, I’d been thinking about moving for a couple of years before I did. I was toying with Miami, LA–somewhere without a freezing winter. Then I fell in love with a landscape designer. Watching him work with plants, making our world more beautiful and more alive, empowered by creating his own schedule and selecting only the projects he wanted to work on really had an impact on me. I was inspired. I wanted to create a life that I LOVED.
So after I decided to join him in the west, I quit my job, sold my stuff and rented an apartment in Berkeley and shipped everything else I had left to my new California digs! I did not have an actual plan when I left, I just had confidence that I was making the right decision and I went toward fulfilling and creating my new dream life.
How does your new career path sustain you?
In every possible way. I have the best job ever! I help people get happy, healthy and comfortable in their bodies and their lives. Watching the transformation as people begin to step into their power and shine their light to the world- it’s indescribably fulfilling! I know for sure I am helping to bring about positive change in the world!
What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned about yourself during your shift?
I learned to to trust my inner voice and let that serve as my inner compass.
I learned to embrace who I am, with all my quirks and all and not to apologize or dim my light.
I learned anything you really want in life comes with lots of hard work and you have to be prepared to be scared (terrified) and move through your fears to find your bliss.
You will have to make sacrifices and you might find yourself with a ton of support around you but at all costs you have to believe in yourself. No one can take that from you.
What are some of the things you love about teaching?
Watching a student gradually come into and find their bodies. After a few weeks of regular practice, you see these amazing transformations, people get a spring and a little more swagger in their step. It’s amazing. I also love it when a student has a personal breakthrough on their mat, gets a challenging pose for the first time. You can’t beat the smile and expression on their faces. Remember when you were a kid and did something awesome and looked around to see if anyone saw you? Yes, I get to be a witness to that every day. People who are mothers, fathers, executives, assistants get to really let loose and actually have some fun for themselves, with themselves! Ok, this will be the last piece–making my playlists and sequences for class–I get to create a unique experience for students every time they walk into my yoga room! I make my classes fun, playful and challenging and use the music to increase the experience! I love sharing my love of movement and music with my students!
Explain some of the benefits of yoga.
That’s a long list! But here’s a top ten:
Stress Management: A regular yoga practice will help you decrease stress and anxiety!
Improved strength and flexibility: Oh yes! You will get strong and lean!
Better sleep: Adding a vigorous practice during your day will have you sleeping through the night!
Weight loss: Yes, sweat, breathe, hydrate regularly- you can expect to drop a few pounds.
More energy: You take care of your body- it will take care of you!
Body detoxification: Breaking a sweat, all the twisting helps rinse all of your internal organs!
Improved brain function and connectivity: Yoga will stimulate all the major systems of the body, regulated your central nervous system!
Inner peace, Tranquility and increased happiness: It’s true. Trust me!
Increased mental awareness and intuition: You will dive deep into your body and your mind. Get ready to know yourself better than ever before.
Balance Hormones: Yoga has been proven to aid in pregnancy, breast cancer management.
Also, Yoga has been proven to help with depression, post traumatic stress disorder, cancer, carpal tunnel and the list goes on!
What’s your diet like and why does it work for you?
My diet is very simple. I pay attention to what I put in my body, it’s all about eating clean unprocessed foods. If I have animal protein (only a few times a month, mostly chicken and seafood) it’s going to be clean, organic, grass fed, cage free. The way I see it we only get one body let’s use the best fuel possible. I have a garden where I grow some of my own veggies and also get the freshest organic veggies from the grocery store. I don’t have dairy too often, I find I get congested when I do. Basically I listen to my body, I eat what makes me feel good after. If I eat something and immediately want to go to sleep afterward- it’s going to get pulled out of my heavy rotation dishes. I find thats a common misconception about how you are supposed to feel after you eat–you should be energized–not sluggish or tired. The same rules apply for me with having sweets- I love dark chocolate and I stay away from processed refined sugars. Well I live in Northern California…so wine makes this list too!
This simple diet works for me because I am eating what I want. I found the right fuels for my body. I feel good, my body feels good and I never feel deprived.
How can people get in touch with you for your services?
For sure!
If you are interested in coming to take one of my yoga classes you can find me at CorePower Yoga Berkeley.
If you are interested in joining me for a Holistic Health Coaching Program check out my website- LifestyleByAdesina.com, you can get all of the details about my two online programs, Dare to Detox and Upgrade 28, or schedule a free 1 on 1 Lifestyle breakthrough session and we can talk about your health goals and concerns.
If you want to get interesting health news and great easy to make recipes got to: Facebook.com/AdesinaDowersHealthCoach.
Is there anything you want to add?
Here are two quotes that I love and keep me inspired when I’m forging new territory. I hope they can inspire your readers too:
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.” – Martha Graham
For Adesina’s “9 Smoothies that Will Change Your Life”
You guys already know, from previous posts, that I ride for Brown Girls Burlesque. I love the satire and comedy in a lot of what they do but also their confidence and the fact that they embrace diversity, especially when it comes to body types. Last Saturday, I attended their newest show, Making Reality TV, a satire about the often tragic world of reality TV, and it was exciting, smart and unique. The well-conceived skits ranged from comical, to thought provoking, to tragic.
Check out some flicks but be warned, some are NSFW:
Guest performer Sister Selvah starred in The Next Sarah Baartman.
Initially, she was excited about objectifying herself for the sake of fame. It was all good until she realized she was being exploited and that the show wasn’t what she was promised it would be…and then she actually learned who Sarah Baartman was.
But the good news is, she came to her senses.
Exhotic Other serves up some hoarder action.
Does Miss Aurora BoobRealis have what it takes to become a top chef amid the backstabbing and sabotage?
Akynos as Peaches Cupcake, a toddler in a tiara who gets too racey for her britches.
Here, we have Chicava HoneyChild as Ken-Ru (the offspring of Kenya Moore and RuPaul) who starts off as a lovely unique unicorn.
But then the man gets a hold of her and convinces her to become a dancing pony instead. He explains that a sex tape is the ultimate way to become a star. She tries to go through with it but has a change of heart mid filming, which enrages the man and gets her banished to obscurity.
BGB even got a boy burlesque dancer in on the action. Here’s Jonny Porkpie doing his best in an audition that calls for duck hunters (you know the show lol).
Sister Selva was really funny as the bachelor and the bachelorette.
But, no matter how ridiculously thirsty people got in their quest for fame…
The man was defeated once everyone came to their senses, and Ken-Ru dashes to the rescue.
P.S. The photos don’t even begin to convey how dope the show was. I have video and I will try to get it edited soon. But int he meantime, Brown Girls Burlesque teaches classes. Visit www.browngirlsburlesque.com for more info.
Admittedly, I am not an eyeshadow person. I think it looks really pretty on other people but I rarely wear it because it almost always makes me feel too dressed up. However, that doesn’t stop me from being a sucker for pretty colors, especially when it comes to Urban Decay palettes. I have Naked 1, the Smoked palette and Naked Basics. Again, they don’t get much use but when I do use them, I really like them and make an oath to wear more eyeshadow. I always shirk that oath, so it’s a vicious cycle, but I’m back in an “I want to wear more eyeshadow” phase again. So, here we are with Naked 3.
Initially, I was concerned because Naked 3 is a lot of pale pinky colors, which can make dark skin look ashy so I wasn’t trying to be about that life. But then, I got sucked into the Sephora vortex and started swatching. The colors are actually really pretty pinky, mauvy rose gold kinda colors. I love rose gooooold! So, the respective Sephora and Urban Decay forces took over and I was commanded to purchase the palette. What you’re seeing in the photo above is a date night look that I freestyled. Sorry, I’m not a photo retouching wiz so it’s the best I could do. Here’s a slightly better glimpse (I think):
I used Strange as a base and put Nooner over my lids. Blackheart went in my crease. I used concealer as my highlight and I got to blending something serious because I didn’t want too much of a smokey eye. If you’re not familiar with the palette, you’re probably like soooo…what are these colors you speak of? Lemme splain…
It’s 12 colors. Starting on the left side are the paler hues, and then it gets darker as the palette continues right.
Before we proceed, the lighting kind of effed up my swatches. Again, I’m still figuring out how to maximize my photo light potential so work with me. I didn’t use flash with these photos, which would have made the situation worse but know that each of the colors swatched on my arm below are a little more pink than they’re showing up except for Strange.
Remember in my date night look photo where I said I used Strange, Nooner and Blackheart? Of course you do! I used Strange as a base because I think the first three colors on the left are better for that purpose, or for using as highlights in the eye ducts, on my complexion.
Blackheart is my absolute favorite. I’m a fan of smokey eyes so it’s perfect. The other part of this is, while the colors are highly pigmented, there’s a lot of fall out. Seriously, it could get really messy with sparkly eyeshadow making it rain on your clothes, counter tops, sink, and other parts of your face. My tip to you–which I got from a Sephora makeup artist–is to dip your brush in a little bit of setting spray or primer before dabbing it in a color palette.
The overall verdict: I give this palette an A, no plus because of the fallout. It’s perfect for creating feminine or even feminine with a touch of edge kind of looks.
