Brutha Spring 2014 Issue #8

SPRING 2014 ISSUE 8

KNOWLEDGE, CULTURE, & STYLE FOR THE MODERN CARIBBEAN MALE

When should you propose to her?

How To Wear This Season’s Best Looks!

Getting Abs & How To Keep Them Through Summer!

Alpha Male, Maybe?

THE BUILDUP THE MARK ROBERTS STORY

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N A S S AU , B A H A M A S

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BRUTHA_CONTENTS

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EDITOR’S LETTER CREDITS CONTRIBUTORS TWO CENTS!

art & culture

46 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Award-winning Director, Anthony

Anderson on Dreams, Success and Anacostia.

lifestyle 10 POWER & MONEY ​Are you an Alpha male?

by Craig Bain.

50 FEEDING ME

Have an Asian kind of night!

12 SHE SAYS – HE SAYS

Zakiya & Darnell on when you should

pop the question.

feature

16 CREATING THE BALANCE

Why she doesn’t want to commit?

By David Wygant 18

WORK IT Over think? Future think? Here’s why you’re missing out on life.

By David Wygant

fashion

54 The Build Up: Bahamian

Businessman, Mark Roberts

shares it all..

outro 64 MAN ON THE RISE

Catch up with the new Vegan King,

Giovan Cooper.

70 FEMME FATALE

Jessica Thompson is the new

Bahamian IT Girl.

20 Have a Trendy, Stylish Spring.

38 ​How to wear this season’s best looks.

75 TECH & GADGETS ​Let’s see the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro!

grooming & beauty

76 CRUISE CONTROL ​Nothing says luxury like the all new

2014 Mercedes Benz CLA!

42 MR. FITNESS

Mikhail shares how to keep our Abs

through Summer.

78 BRUTHAMAN

Your first step towards REAL

transformation! By Mastin Kipp

STAY CONNECTED: FOLLOW BRUTHA ON, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, TUMBLR AND INSTAGRAM BRUTHA MAGAZINE // SPRING ISSUE 2014

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BRUTHA_EDITOR’S LETTER

EDITOR’S LETTER

To my Brutha,

Just like you I was brought up to believe that men shouldn’t entertain their emotions. We should ignore that which make us seem weak and vulnerable in the eyes of society such as crying when in pain or saying I Love You. The reality of it all is that in our relationships this is what our significant others long for yet most despise at the same time. Confusing, right? How do you deal with it all?

As men, our manhood is constantly under attack so in this issue we’ve brought you loads of affirmations and clarity to particular situations you may have found or will find yourself in. We have featured Mark Roberts, a thriving Bahamian businessman, Award-winning director Anthony Anderson, Vegan mastermind chef Gio Cooper and a haute Bahamian model Jessica Thompson. Also, read on to learn about Alpha Males and what it means to be one, find out when you should propose to your significant other, learn about keeping your abs through summer and how to wear this season’s best looks. And then there’s more as always.

In the words of Les Brown, “your power is beyond your comfort zone. Do something that stretches you beyond what you have previously thought possible ~ either with your body, mind, spirit, or life goals. Nurture within yourself a growth mindset that says “there’s more for me” ~ more life, more love, more to learn, more to experience and achieve. Make it OK to be uncomfortable - this is the place to discover the strength and power to create a new you! You have something special.

You have GREATNESS within you!”

There is more for you out there. Keep the faith that you will walk into your own.

Remember, Brutha Magazine is all for you. Don’t forget to spread the word to another Brutha.

Love your Brutha,

TRAVIS T. SWEETING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF travis@bruthamagazine.com

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Editor-In-Chief Contributing Stylist

Copy Correspondents

Travis T. Sweeting ​Myrlande Julien

Craig Bain Mikhail Barnett Taj Duncombe Mastin Kipp Zakiya Muwwakkil Travis T. Sweeting Darnell Lamont Walker David Wygant

Contributing Photographers

Roderick Wells Anita Clare

Art Director

Keisha Oliver

Web Editor Advertising Sales

Travis T. Sweeting advertise@bruthamagazine.com Phone: 242-464-5782

Publisher

Clask.Ic Publications P.O Box SS-5536 Nassau, Bahamas

www.bruthamagazine.com This Magazine is published quarterly. No part of Brutha Magazine may be reproduced in any form by any means without prior written consent from Clask.ic Publications. We reserve the right to edit, rewrite, or refuse material and we are not responsible for products that appear in this publications. Š 2014 Brutha Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

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BRUTHA_THE CONTRIBUTORS

RODERICK WELLS

MYRLANDE JULIEN

ANITA CLARE

Roderick Wells is a Nassau based Commercial, Nature, Event and Editorial photographer. His background and passions include, candid shooting, aviation, fashion and experimentation with his artistry.

Myrlande Julien is a local designer who has a love of fashion flowing through her veins. She has dedicated her life to pursuing knowledge in all aspects of the industry. Myrlande studied Fashion Design at The Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute and Business at The College of The Bahamas simultaneously.

She is a recent graduate of Fashion Marketing and Merchandising at The Academy of Design and Technology in Toronto.

Anita C is not only a photographer but an artist. Envy, as many of her clients called her, is a graphic artist, clothing stylist, theatrical makeup artist, music video Director and Semi-Pro Photo Editor wrapped in to one.

Over the years, many technical skills were mastered, trouble-shooting became a breeze and true artist emerged. His professionalism, accompanied with his charm, wit and keen eye for design, shape, form and concept has awarded him a vast fan population and a strong foundation of clientele.

Myrlande receives inspiration from anything around her such as the scenery, colors, shapes and her family and friends.

She is currently preparing to launch her self-titled fashion label that caters to both men and women.

Growing up with an eye for art, being different and establishing crazy, creative ideas was never an issue for her. Anita surrounded herself with positive and inspiring people. This young woman gets her motivation by just looking at the simplest things; establishing new and electrifying ideas for her photo shoots leaving her colleagues and viewers wanting more. She loves doing this and would not change it for the world.

Advertise Here!

Contact us today! advertise@bruthamagazine.com Phone: 242-464-5782 Clask.Ic Publications P.O Box SS-5536 Nassau, Bahamas

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*two cents *your comments

*your tweets

“Oh this is nice <3” Linci Longley

@SachkiaBarnes I love it when my friends show how fantastical they are! Kudos to the team of @BruthaMagazine on their latest issue.

“Am so proud of you J <3” Yontaley Bowe “Congrats Theo!”

Scharad Lightbourne “Awesome Theodore Elyett” Sammi Starr Poitier II “so....let me see if i’ve got this straight... you’re handsome, well spoken, a world renowned fashion designer AND model... does being this talented get exhausting lol” Ewurabena Damoah Appiah “This is so cool!!!! Keep up the good work!!!”

Lashelle Farrington

@KlieonCavon @Theodore Elyett @BruthaMagazine nice spread @jaba_wellington @TheodoreElyett @BruthaMagazine I kNOW RIGHT! aWESOME spread!! Welcome back Theo… @Keisha_Oliver My latest editorial design for @ BruthaMagazine featuring Bahamian Designer @Theodore Elyett #KOdesign #Bahamas @TheodoreElyett @Keisha_Oliver @BruthaMagazine awesome work again Keisha!

*add your two cents We’d love to hear what you think of our Spring 2014 issue. Contact us via email, facebook, or twitter today!

Email: mail@bruthamagazine.com Tweet: @BruthaMagazine

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BRUTHA_POWER & MONEY

Are you an alpha male?

BY CRAIG BAIN

The alpha male in many species is considered the person with the highest rank, a leader. Often misinterpreted as the loudest or most-obnoxious person in the room, the title of an alpha male gets a bad rap. If we were apes, the alpha would be the biggest, strongest and most aggressive male in the group. As human beings, however, the alpha is much more refined. He’s the cool and confident guy that commands attention.

When he speaks, people listen. When he walks into a room, everyone notices.

He is determined, ambitious and a natural born star. Not everyone can be an alpha, in fact, not everyone is meant to be. Here are a few traits however, to determine if you truly are an alpha.

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Confidence

Many people mistake this as being cocky.

An alpha male is more refined than an egocentric guy. He understands himself, his strengths and weaknesses and what he needs to improve on. He is proud of who he is, yet humble not seeking praise or compliments. He exudes a true confidence of himself that women desire and men aspire to have.

Courageous

An alpha male is someone who confronts his fears rather than running away from it.

He is not afraid of taking risks or speaking up when needed. He goes after what he wants without a second thought of failure or regret.

Responsible

Dedication to family, friends, work and health are all important to an alpha male.

He takes responsibility for his own actions and doesn’t make excuses for himself.

When something doesn’t go as planned, an alpha male is never afraid of owning up to his mistakes. He is also always ready and willing to defend himself, his family and loved ones.

Stylish

When you look good, you feel good and an alpha male is someone that always takes pride in how he looks. He dresses to impress and is confident in his style. He knows how to stand out and look better than the guys around him.

Physically fit

An alpha male is someone who cares about his body. Having a great body doesn’t make you an alpha male, but it contributes to your overall health and well-being. He uses a combination of his style, confidence and physical health to look and feel the best he possibly can.

Intelligent

A thirst for knowledge is a trait that an alpha male truly displays. An alpha seeks power by improving his knowledge and developing new skills and abilities. He tries to always be at the top of his game.

He doesn’t have to have a PHD, but he is always looking to improve and learn something new.

in fact women are drawn to him. He never looks desperate and really doesn’t have to try hard at all. He is someone worth knowing so you should get to know him. He is straightforward and goes after what he wants.

Hard Worker

As the pressure and stress of the world presses down on our shoulders, an alpha male always finds a way to remain calm.

He doesn’t show any signs of weakness by becoming panicky or worked-up. An alpha always finds a way to take control of the situation.

There is no substitute for hard work and despite all of his natural abilities an alpha does not shy away from hard work. He understands that success comes from hard work and he puts in the time necessary to be successful.

He is dedicated but not obsessed with working and is admired by his peers for his desire and work ethic.

Ladies’ Man

Leader

Calm

Chivalry isn’t dead and an alpha male knows how to treat and romance a lady.

With a combination of his confidence and style, an alpha is never threatened;

Most of all, an alpha male is a leader. He leads by example and inspires others to do better. He isn’t afraid of taking charge of a situation and is the one looked to

when decisions need to be made. With a combination of his confidence, courage, calmness, intelligence and hardworking attitude, an alpha takes pride in opportunities to lead and does a damn good job at it.

A true alpha male is strong, humble and passionate about what’s important to him. He doesn’t pick fights or tries to be an alpha because it comes naturally to him. He is a born leader and is genuine in who he is. Not everyone is meant to be an alpha and not everyone can be. Despite your status, however, you should always strive to be the best man you can be.

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BRUTHA_SHE SAYS

Zakiya Muwwakkil

When do you propose to her?

SHE SAYS

She’s the woman of your dreams, or so it may seem, and you think you want to spend the rest of your life with her. Maybe you have been dating for years, or maybe you haven’t known each other that long, but it just feels right. Either way, you have been asking yourself about the right time to propose and you just can’t seem to figure out if you should really take the leap and pop the question.

Think before you Leap

Thinking. Yea, sure, it sounds simple enough but how many of us really do it, especially in matters of the heart? We’ve all experienced it; being so blindly in love that the obvious shortcomings and incompatibilities between us and our partners becomes a faint picture in the photo gallery of love. We see the issues and warning signs but we ignore them, or we just don’t see them at all. What only seems to matter is the love we feel – many times being misappropriated lust and/or infatuation.

Could this lack of critical thinking and deep reflection be part of the reason so many marriages fail? It might not be the only reason, but I think it’s safe to say that lack of thinking is a big part of the problem.

Well, before you’re on bended knee, here are a few factors to consider

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before heading down the road of ‘til death do us part:

Finances

Money can’t buy love, but it sure can affect the relationship. It has been said that the number one reason marriages fail is due to finances.

Whether it is spending habits, debt, or lack of communication about money, or just the lack of money, many couples that make it down the aisle often make it to the divorce attorney.

So how does that relate to the proposal? Don’t pop the question until both of you have discussed in-depth expectations and have a financial plan for the present and future. This will help to alleviate some of the stress that comes with planning a wedding and planning a life together.

Age & Life Experience

Let’s face it, we all evolve, grow and change as we age and experience life. Who we are today is not who we will be years down the line. While it might be difficult to anticipate what will change about ourselves and our partners it is important to realize and expect those changes as they come and to be ready to deal with them accordingly.

With that said, it’s you who must recognize age and life experience (or lack thereof) as pertinent things to consider. Are you too young?

In my humble opinion anyone under 28 years of age falls into the ‘risk zone’ of not having the adequate personal life experience to tie the knot. But again, it’s my opinion and I’m a little biased. I believe as much of the single life should be lived as possible – see new places, meet new people, exchange and formulate new ideas about life and the world before settling down with the person you feel you should spend the rest of your life with.

Along the same line, consider any age and life experience differences between you and your partner. You may love a person dearly, but as the saying goes ‘experience is the best teacher’ and if either of you lacks experience in certain areas, its best to gain it or accept the absence of it before moving forward.

Vision

Having a vision is important in planning and implementing future goals. Without a vision failure is likely to ensue. Before proposing, sit down with yourself. Write out your goals and vision. Ask your partner to do the same. Examine how they correlate and how they differ.

Discuss the things you are willing to compromise and things that are non-negotiable.

After doing this, come together and develop a unified vision – a family plan. This is to be done before asking her to marry you, because afterwards is too little, too late.

Marriage.

The very sound of the word sends some into thought spells of bliss while others shutter at the idea of the ol’ ball and chain. There are various factors at play regarding the issue of marriage depending on sociocultural dynamics. Evolving trends found in a number of places around the world is couples getting married well into their late 20’s and 30’s. Factors such as education and career play a major role in this. Even more interesting is a rise in those who are skipping the altar altogether and choosing to cohabitate, co-parent, or remain single.

Regardless of the shifting tides, if you seek to embark on the journey of matrimony, be sure to consider those key factors before jumping the broom. Effective and in-depth thinking and communicating can mean the difference between happily ever after and divorce court.

Darnell Lamont Walker

BRUTHA_HE SAYS

Getting married at 20-something is no different from leaving the club at 10:00pm. It’s not quite time, and you don’t quite know yourself well enough to begin thinking about dumping your foolishness on the woman who feels she knows you almost as well as your mother.

Trust me, she doesn’t. You love her, and she loves you, but that does not warrant a ring, a dress, invitations and over priced cake and table settings. That warrants nothing more than long nights, early mornings and locked legs under comforters when it’s too cold on the other side.

You propose when there is no other option. When you look at her and you can’t imagine a life in which she doesn’t exist. You look at her over a plate of your favorite food, and you look back at the life you’re living and realize you’ve had all the fun you could possibly have alone, and now it’s time to let her in; to let her have the window seat because you can just as easily put your head on her shoulder.

You propose to her when you know she’d say yes whether you have a ring in your hand or not.

Whether you dropped to your knee like the cliché tells you you must, or not. And you tell her the

truth. You tell her you’re proposing not because you feel it’s something you must do because you’ve been together so long and society says it’s normal, but because you’ve looked at everything you’ve experienced with her, and remember every time she answered the phone when you called and needed her, and her crazy matches your crazy. You propose not because you have to, but because you need to.

Jagged Edge would have you to believe a proposal should come when you have nothing better to do. “We ain’t getting no younger.

We might as well do it.” It’s like saying “It’s Sunday, and no games are on today, so if you don’t feel like cooking, let’s go down to the courthouse and do this.” And while that satisfies many, it shouldn’t satisfy you.

HE SAYS

to leave you find a backup voice to beg her to stay to work it out.

That’s when you propose.

One half of a couple I once met had this to say: “When I come home late, and the day has beaten me up badly, and I stand in front of the sink staring out of the window into a DC alley because I don’t know what to say to fill the air in my home, and he walks up and holds me. Literally, he really just holds me until he feels the weight I’ve been carrying disappear.”

And I couldn’t find a better time to propose.

She reminds you of a good book you once read or a Pablo Neruda poem. You’ve made love repeatedly and you still fantasize about her as though she’s the girl you see on the train uptown each morning who won’t look your way while you drool on yourself. You’ve lost your voice screaming at her during an argument, but as soon as her hand touches the knob BRUTHA MAGAZINE // SPRING ISSUE 2014

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BRUTHA_CREATING THE BALANCE

by David Wygant

Why She Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Want To Commit?

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You’ve got a flirtatious banter going on with a beautiful woman.

You’ve gone out on several dates.

You start to develop intrigue, maybe a little bit of feelings for her.

She tells you that she doesn’t want anything serious right now; she doesn’t want a commitment.

Yet…you want something entirely different. What do you do?

You listen.

am going to change her mind.”

I would say that women do this more often than that men–wanting men–wantingto tobe befixers fixers&& changers. Guys are a bit more thick–we often choose to ignore the signals, and not hear here what they are saying.

You can’t change somebody’s viewpoint on what they want and desire in life.

What just happened is that she told you exactly, right from the beginning, what she wants, needs, and desires. It’s just a matter of you listening to them carefully.

If you don’t listen to them, then guess what happens? You end up getting hurt down the road, you set yourself up for it.

This is the biggest mistake people make when dating. They think to themselves, “Ya know, I hear what she’s saying, but I

If someone takes a pass on you, meaning they’re not looking for the commitment you’re looking for at the

present moment. Look at them straight in the eyes and tell them: “I’m looking for a commitment. I do want a committed relationship. It’s important to me. I don’t know where you are in your life, but I don’t want to move forward if you don’t want the same thing.”

Six months down the road, they might remember that, might run into you again and the sparks may fly all over the place. This time she may want exactly what you want.

But it will work only then.

Listen…and date well, my friends.

For dating advice visit www.davidwygant.com BRUTHA MAGAZINE // SPRING ISSUE 2014

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BRUTHA_WORK IT

Do you‘future think’ on a date?

by David Wygant

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There you are. You are walking down the aisle. You cannot believe that you have made it this far.

The date that you have planned for tonight?

Well, it’s worked out. Oh yes, you know everything about it! It doesn’t matter that it’s presently 2014–it doesn’t matter at all.

You can see the future. Years down the road, you’re able to look into the future and know exactly how that date’s going to go tonight.

Aren’t you relaxed now? Isn’t it amazing knowing that THIS is the person you’re going to marry in a couple of years? Can’t you now just relax on this date and not obsess so much about it? The date you’re on is in 2014. But in your head, it’s 2017.

2014 has merely called back to you three years later to tell you how well the date you’re going to have tonight worked out.

What am I talking about here? Future people! Future men and future women, that’s what I’m talking about. You’re the person who’s such a nervous wreck about a future date that you spend your entire time leading up to that date obsessing about what to do! You even talk to friends: “What should I talk about? What do you think I should tell my date about me? What do you think I should talk about on this date?”

Once you’ve set the date, you think about how many times you need to text him or her until the first date to keep their interest level up. You strategize about the date ahead of time. You wonder when to kiss ahead of time. You think about the right moment to hold her hand ahead of time.

You think about when to flip your hair to show him you’re interested. You think about interesting topics to talk about ahead of time.

That’s not a date, that’s just worrying!

You’re making it so hard on yourself. Here’s the deal: you set the date, you confirm the date the day before, and then you meet them at the place you confirmed. You

don’t think about what signs to look for or what to say. You don’t plot out a whole conversation. You don’t think about when the perfect time to kiss is. You stay present in the moment. That’s what you do. You have a conversation as you would any conversation with any other person that you’ve met.

You need to stop worrying about what this person is going to be in the future, because when you worry about the future, there is not going to be any future. There will be no future at all. So many people, all the time, worry so much about what to say on a date.

When you go out with your friends, do you plot out an entire outline of things to talk about, or do you just stay present and have a good time? The most powerful thing about a date is that the person you’re with can really get to know who you are. They can get to know your interests, what you’re about, have a conversation, see if you two really connect.

The absolute worst thing you can do on a date is water yourself down. Just be yourself, talk, and listen. And of course, on a date don’t talk about how wounded you have been from past relationships. Keep it positive, talk about the good times. Stop obsessing about whether or not she thinks (or he thinks) it’s a date or if you’re going out as friends.

It’s a date if you set it up that way. If your intentions are clear, if you’re not hiding a secret agenda, it’s a date whether you’re taking them out for dinner, for coffee, for a drink, for a walk in the park—as long as you set it up as a date. Stop obsessing about what to do.

Don’t try to get to know the “future him” or the “future her” or “future both-of-ustogether”. Play it cool and really just get to know her. And to the women right now reading this, get to know him.

“ The absolute worst thing you can do on a date is water yourself down. Just be yourself, talk, and listen.”

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BRUTHA_FASHION FEATURE

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TRENDY STYLISH SPRING! Stylist: Myrlande Julien Model: David Dion Photographed by Roderick Wells in Nassau, Bahamas

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H​ ow to wear this season’s best looks.

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​How to wear this season’s best looks.

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BRUTHA_MR. FITNESS BRUTHA_MR. FITNESS

Keeping your abs in shape during summer begins with your eating regimen and physical activities. If you want to continue to keep your 6- pack showing we must eat healthy and exercise. To achieve a full 6 pack of abdominals we must first know what all areas to exercise and they are: lower/ upper abdominals, oblique muscles and core.

The upper/lower abdominals which is called “rectus abdominis” are the pairs of muscles that run vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen which is also called “6-pack”.

Then we have two different oblique muscles which are called “transverses abdominis” and “internal oblique”. The Transverses abdominis and internal oblique is the deepest part of our abdominals and these are basically what we call our side abdominal muscles.

Finally, our core muscles cover a wide range of abdominal and back muscles (this is basically every body part minus the legs and arms). A few major core muscles are the pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae (sacrospinalis) especially the longissimus thoracis, and the diaphragm.

For these muscles to show our body fat percentage must range from 6-18 percent so next time your at your fitness center let your Personal Trainer give you a B.C.A. (body composition test) for $30 - $50. This will tell your current body fat percentage and how much weight you need to lose to achieve your goal. In addition to reducing your body fat percentage we must eat as clean as possible.

You should always try to eat like small portion meals which are high in protein and roughage.

MR. FITNESS THROUGH THE SUMMER

Keep Your Abs Fit!

By Mikhail Barnett

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BRUTHA_MR. FITNESS

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Bird Dog knee to elbow: Go down on hands and knees making sure your hands are exactly under your shoulders.

Extend your left arm and right leg then move your elbow and knee together then extending again. Repeat this 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 times.

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Plank Hold your body in the push up plank position. Keeping your hands underneath your shoulders and your body in a straight line. Hold still for 45 - 60 seconds.

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Plank with knee to opposite elbow Adjust your body in a push up plank position then move your right knee to the opposite elbow and back to the floor. Repeat the same on the opposite side.

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Knee Ins: Lay flat on your back with your legs extended on the floor. Then lift your legs about 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 inches off the floor and then bring both knees into your chest and extend it back repeating that motion 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 times

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BRUTHA_ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cut A N T H O N Y

A N D E R S O N

-: Dreams, Success & Anacostia :-

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Who is Anthony Anderson?

On most days I am Son, Brother, INCREDIBLE Uncle, Friend and also Parent of an 8 year old who think he’s Spiderman. I am also the writer, actor, director and creator of the award-winning web series Anacostia. Oh yeah, and I like to bake, I make some mean cupcakes.

How did you get into filmmaking?

I didn’t want too actually. I was convinced that I was going to be a music video dancer. I got my break when I got a call to be in the DMX Music Video for his song called Get It On The Floor.

On the day of filming I was dancing on top of a table in the club and while filming I slipped and fell off of the table and banged my knee. I remember two things: the first was the pain, and the second was DMX saying “damn shorty you bust your ass, you okay?” I shrugged it off and kept going. Months after, my Agent sent me on some acting auditions where I refused because I wanted to be a dancer but she insisted that I go. The first audition I went to I booked the film and I never looked back.

When was your first release as a director?

As a Director my first release was Anacostia. However my first project that I wrote and produced was a film called The Ties That Bind. That was my very first script that I wrote and I hired all of the actors, crew and scouted my own locations. I was in hustle mode because we literally had NO money. The food was either food that my sister Betty cooked or was boxes of chicken from Popeyes and two gallons of orange drink from the 7-11 but let me tell you we had a ball on that project and it was overwhelming when it was selected for the Spaghetti Junction Film Festival in Atlanta in 2008. It was my first Festival, first red carpet and the first time that I really thought that I could do this.

How did it make you feel?

It was a great feeling because the film took on a life of its own. Through word of mouth and talented actors that later went on to great things such as Kwame Patterson (The Wire and Ray Donovan), Nicole Pettis who has been seen in al-

most every commercial on television and Raquel Rosser who ironically played my wife in the film is now one of the stars of the Web Series Roomieloverfriend.

​ elief in self B You have got to be your BIGGEST supporter. If you don’t fully b ​ elieve in your vision how are you going to convince others to be a part of it?

Was this always your dream?

My dream was always to be happy and fulfilled no matter what it was I chose to do in life. It just so happened that my road is leading down the path of entertainment. I have learned what my mom calls surrendering and that is where you realize that this life is not your own. Everything that happens to you is supposed to happen to you and there are lessons to be learned with each of those experiences so right now I just go through whatever door god opens for me next and the doors that don’t open just mean that I wasn’t supposed to go through them. So my dream is still to just be happy and fulfilled in life.

Unwavering Determination and Drive Along the way you are going to e​ ncounter the “You Cants” those are the people who are determined to tell you ​ that “you cant” do this and “you cant” do that for a variety of reasons. What ​ “you cant” do is listen to these people as many of them are failures in their own l​ives and aspirations.

What does success mean to you?

Success to me isn’t measured in money or anything like that, to me success is when you are told you can’t do your film because you have no money but you get it done anyway. It means when you are told you are not going to have a good turn out at your screening but the room is packed to capacity. It means when people say your show will not make it outside of Washington DC and seeing it viewed in over 97 countries. Success is when people tell you that your show will never be taken seriously by mainstream society and then you are listed as one of the Top 5 African American Web series to watch by Jet Magazine and you receive features in The Washington Post, Huffington Post and NPR. And, not to mention when one day you can say action and have two-time Emmy Award Winning Actress Martha Byrne on your set working not because she has to do it but because she wants to do it because she likes the show…that’s success to me.

What three essential things you think a person needs to achieve success?

Talent I don’t care what you want to do there has to be a solid foundation to ​build upon and if you are lacking talent nothing you do will work.

Tell us about Anacostia: The Web Series.

Anacostia is a episodic web soap. It follows the lives of the residents of Anacostia in Washington D.C. and their trials and tribulations. The focal point of the story revolves around four main characters (Mia, Nicole, Salina and Sean).

Each resident of ‘Anacostia’ navigates through love, betrayal and deception while dealing with their own agonizing secrets and personal vices. ‘Anacostia’ takes the harsh realities of a forgotten city and demonstrates the struggles through multi-faceted characters. Over the course of the past three seasons, ‘Anacostia’ has tackled such topical issues as alcoholism, domestic abuse, religion and homosexuality.

Why a Web Series?

Being on the web, we have been given the freedom to tell these stories with unapologetic honesty. This raw storytelling has ignited much needed dialogue within various and diverse communities and has transcended all demographics.

As much as mainstream television has evolved they still have barriers which don’t allow them to tell the kind of stories that we can tell on Anacostia because we don’t really have to worry about protesting of sponsors or advertisers if the viewers don’t like something they see.

How did you achieve success with Anacostia?

We were very fortunate to debut during a time where the web series genre was in its infancy really. When we debuted BRUTHA MAGAZINE // SPRING ISSUE 2014

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I think the only other African American web series of note were Diary Of A Single Mom, The New Twenties and Buppies. I also used to watch a series that I first discovered on Myspace called My Brothers Keeper. With Anacostia I think the storylines captivated the viewer in the way your classic soap operas would. It gave you just enough and then it would be over and you wanted to see more. We had a huge word of mouth movement through social media, people telling others to watch the series and it just took off from there and now to see so many more series that I know we have opened the door for it has been incredible to see how much this space has grown especially for the African American based series.

How did you develop the concept for Anacostia?

My idea was to create a soap that had elements of both daytime and primetime series but place them in an environment that could be relatable to the viewer.

Was it a challenge to get through the first episode?

YES…firstly it was hot as hell outside, the locations were far apart, the neighborhood kids kept making noise not to mention the very loud woman that kept screaming “oww yaw making a movie”. It was a long day I think it took 18 hours to film just that one episode.

People kept getting on my nerves asking when were we going to be done, they had other places to be etc. A mess… and I remember that day going home and thinking “this is not going to work, I am going to end up slapping someone” and the next day everything just fell into place…we were on it! We knocked that day out in 8 hours and haven’t looked back since and its been 5 years now.

Today we can tape an episode in about 5-7 hours flat and we shoot the entire episode that day.

Who would you say is your favorite character? Why? Mia would be my favorite character, the innocence that Tamieka Chavis brings to

that character is just so real to me. She has been through so much but yet she still manages to be there for her friends.

That character has developed from a meek and downtrodden character from season 1 to a very strong and independent woman over the course of seasons 2 and 3. Viewers root for her, they want to see her happy and that says a lot when a person can manifest that kind of compassion from the viewers through their work.

If you could bring any of your characters to life, who would it be?

The crazy thing is many of those characters are alive. Many of them are based off of people that I know in my own life.

If you pick a character on that show I think you would see traces of yourself in many of them. I think that is one of the reasons the show has resonated with viewers so much - they see themselves in many of these characters.

What can we expect from season 4?

Season 4 is going to be amazing, we have a very special guest coming and is going to shake things up in Anacostia.

Many of the characters are going to be dealing with the aftermath of the season finale from Season 3 while others will experience new hardships and a surprisingly new alliance will be formed. There will be the introduction of some new faces that will be key to the storyline and the season finale is going to be controversial. I am a bit concerned with how the public will handle it but I think its important to create a debate and get people talking and this season will do just that I am sure. As we say hello to some new faces we bid farewell sadly to some others, its going to be an emotional season.

there will be an Anacostia Season 5 you heard it here first. However, I am going on vacation after I finish the film. For the Anacostia Season 5 celebration invitations have been sent out to all of the actors that have been on Anacostia and we are going to do something special to mark the anniversary especially since many web shows don’t see it past 2 or 3 seasons, this is going to be fun for me.

Anything you wish to share with up and coming filmmakers, actors, etc. out there?

Just don’t give up! It’s your dream for a reason. Don’t let anyone stand in your way. When people tell you that it can’t be done, show them that it can. However, be in this business for all of the right reasons, don’t do it because you are looking to become rich and famous do it because you LOVE it and there is nothing else you could see yourself doing… the rest of it will fall into place.

Where can the public find Anacostia: The Web Series?

Youtube anacostiaseries Facebook @anacostiaseries Twitter @anacostiaseries On the behalf of the entire cast I would just like to say we thank you all for the continued support and we would not be here if it were not for the viewers - you all are the BEST!

What are your plans for the future?

Well I am also filming a reality show called City Boyz and when Anacostia is in the can I have a film that I have been cast in that will be filming in Philadelphia in the summer. I’m also starting to cast my next feature film before Season 5 of Anacostia begins later in the fall…YES

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BRUTHA_FEEDING ME

Asian Chicken Wraps {

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SERVES 4}

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Chicken: • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce • 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar • 2 teaspoons cornstarch • 3 (about 1 1/2 pounds) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin, 1/2-inch, strips • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the chicken, mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add the chicken strips and mix to thoroughly coat the chicken. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring often until it is cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Vegetables: • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 8 ounces cups sliced white button mushrooms • 3 green onions, white and green parts, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced • 4 cups sliced cabbage or coleslaw mix • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce • 4-6 soft wrap breads or flour tortillas, slightly warmed

For the vegetables, heat the oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they begin to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in the green onions and the garlic, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the coleslaw mix or cabbage and soy sauce. Add the chicken. Cook, stirring often, until the coleslaw is slightly wilted but still has a bit of crunch, and the mixture is heated through, about 3 minutes. Stir in the hoisin sauce. Serve immediately, rolling up the mixture in soft wrap bread or flour tortillas.

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Recipe Source: MelsKitchenCafe.com

Asian Noodle Salad {

SERVES 4}

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Dressing: • 1/2 cup of rice vinegar • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon sesame oil • 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced • 2 teaspoons soy sauce • 2 teaspoons sugar

For the dressing, combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Let sit for at least 1 hour to let the flavors combine.

For the salad, prepare all the vegetables, set aside.

Once the spaghetti has cooked per instructions, rinse with cold water and drain.

Once the noodles are completely cool, add the vegetables and peanuts.

Salad: • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped • 1/2 cup basil leaves, chopped • 2 green onions, diced finely • 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips • 1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips • 1 cup of shredded carrots • 1/2 cup of toasted peanuts (optional) • 1/2 pound spaghetti noodles, cooked per instructions

Mix the dressing again thoroughly then add to the noodles and vegetables. Stir until well combined and serve.

Recipe Source: MelsKitchenCafe.com

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THE DOT MILLER COLLECTION 2 0 1 1 C AC I Q U E AWA R D W I N N E R

A U T H E N T I C B A H A M I A N S T R AW W O R K

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Phone: 472.0430 or 434.6864 | Email: dotmillercollections@hotmail.com | Facebook: Dot Miller Collections BRUTHA MAGAZINE // SPRING ISSUE 2014

request: Build it. The CLA has brought an International sensation to fruition with nothing lost In translation, from its diamond-block grille to its frame less door glass to its sweeping taillamps.

Dream up

The world is your playground.

Make it yours. See yourself in the car of the future. Now.

The all new 2014 CLA Concept Style Coupe set the auto show circuit abuzz with its dramatic 4-door coupe design and athletic presence. Showgoers had only one request: Build it. The CLA has brought an International sensation to fruition with The world is your playground. nothing lost In translation, from its diamond-block grille to its frame less door The glass all new to 2014 Concept Style Coupe set the auto show circuit abuzz with itsCLA sweeping taillamps.

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its dramatic 4-door coupe design and athletic presence. Showgoers had only one request: Build it. The CLA has brought an International sensation to fruition with Make Seefrom yourself in the car oftothe future. nothing lostitIn yours. translation, its diamond-block grille its frame less Now. door glass to its sweeping taillamps.

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BRUTHA_FEATURE

The Build Up B Y T R AV I S S W E E T I N G

THE MARK ROBERTS STORY

As the CEO & â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boss Manâ&#x20AC;? of Builders Mall Bahamas, a leading conglomerate of building and hardware businesses, Mr. Mark Roberts finds himself continuously treading new waters and shattering glass ceilings. Almost everyday he wakes up at 4am and comes into the office to oversee the operations of over 5 companies with 100 plus employees. As a thriving businessman, dedicated husband and father, we sought to find out just how he does it all with an unwavering zest for life and culture added to the mix.

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BRUTHA_FEATURE

How did you get into your field of business?

In the late 90’s going into 2000 I had worked for Caves Point finishing some of the condominium units and also acting as the owner’s representative on the construction of Caves Plaza for 3 years. Following that experience with construction, I started doing other construction work for some private home owners and also managing Little Whale Cay in the Berry Islands. I found that most of the work I was being asked to do was renovate kitchens & bathrooms and change roofs. Tile King was opened in 2003 after I attended a trade show for the tile & natural stone industry and I wanted to bring in some of the beautiful products I had found during this experience. A few months into the adventure of opening Tile King, I was awarded a contract to build an 8,000 square foot custom home. The growth of the business into the full spectrum of building materials supply was launched from this job.

What does the Builders Mall brand respresent?

The naming of the property Builders Mall represents the three core businesses that I founded. Tile King, The Paint Centre and FYP. I named the property Builders Mall with the intention of becoming the “mall” for the construction trades. The name worked well as immediately we were approached by an existing tradesperson & business owner to rent a space for his company The Air Conditioning Depot. Further interest in being a part of the Builders Mall came in the form of joint venture agreements with Block World and Bahamas Steel & Wire.

We manufacture the largest selection of specialty blocks in the Caribbean, improving the speed and efficiency of the construction trade and also saving substantial amounts of money for the contractor and home owner.

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Taking the building industry in the direction of innovation and time saving techniques is very rewarding.

Hosting informative seminars has proven to enhance the trades and it is very satisfying to see our products being utilized. We supplied more than 85% of the blocks to the new National Stadium and the new airport. We also supplied 90% of the blocks to Bahamar. All of these larger commercial jobs have international exposure and we had to adhere to the strictest quality control standards. Meeting those standards and having our blocks, and many other products, in these internationally acclaimed properties does give one a great sense of pride.

Is this all you or do you have partners and/or employees?

I am the sole owner of Tile King, The Paint Centre and FYP. The other businesses are partnerships. The businesses have a number of very competent staff and managers. The pillar of the group of businesses are those employees and managers that provide great customer service and go above and beyond in ensuring our product selection is top of the line, we are meeting and exceeding our customer expectations and we supply great service with a smile.

How does Builders Mall differ from other brands?

Builders Mall stands out in the business because we truly strive to help the customer.

I will not claim that we are successful every day, but I can honestly say that we do our best even when it means buying products from other local retailers so we can fill an order going to Cat Island where the customer does not have the ability to shop around in Nassau.

“We supplied more than 85% of the blocks to the new National Stadium and the new airport. We also supplied 90% of the blocks to Bahamar.”

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BRUTHA_FEATURE

“We have grown from carrying 300 products and employing 11, to now carrying over 20,000 products and having over 150 people...”

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What was your biggest challenge in all of this?

The biggest challenge is getting the word out that we do what we do and that we have such a large selection of products. To this day I hear, “Mark, I was in your store the other day and I did not know you sold a ride on power trowel….” We have a VERY large selection of building supplies, contractor tools, finish products ranging from raw granite slabs, slate paving stones to Viking stoves & Bosche washing machines. As a Grainger Authorized Reseller, we also have access to the largest industrial parts distributor in the world.

Tell us about the ‘come up’ experience from when you first opened your doors.

The come up experience was fun & rewarding on some days when we earned the confidence of a client on a large commercial job supplying 30,000 sf of tile.

Other times, we experienced a number of challenges when our containers sailed late out of Italy and then delayed the same job by 3 weeks. We never stopped learning, but it would have been nice to be able to download the experience of a seasoned business owner to cut down on some of the years it took to gain the knowledge and experience I have today.

How has your business evolved over the course of its years?

The business has grown from its original location on Patton Street occupying 18,000 sf and comprising 1 business to our 11 acre site on Wulff Road with over 120,000 sf of buildings and hosting 7 businesses. We have grown from carrying 300 products and employing 11, to now carrying over 20,000 products and having over 150 people on the property as employees of one of the businesses.

Is it harder now that you’ve broken so many barriers?

Some aspects of the business are a lot easier today with the growth in experience and there are some aspects of the business that have become more challenging. All in all, it is getting better every day.

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BRUTHA_FEATURE

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Do you have any mentors at the moment or perhaps starting out?

Four words to anyone looking to follow in your footsteps!

We learn something from everyone. My father is the biggest mentor in my life and continues to play an instrumental role in the directions I take.

Always keep working hard!

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next? Global?

The group of companies has a global presence in the mere fact that we purchase products globally. We buy from over 20 countries from around the planet. We manufacture our own private label products in the United States, Brazil and China.

Where can the public find Builders Mall?

You can see FYP on our roof from outer space and you can hardly miss the BIG RED 80,000 square foot building at 69 Wulff Road. www.buildersmallbahamas.com Facebook & Twitter

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BRUTHA_FEATURE

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SUMMER IS COMING!

JUNE 23 - AUGUST 1. 2014

learn to swim

Kids and adults can learn to swim this summer !

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! 131 Fox Hill Rd. Nassau, Bahamas

Office: (242) 364-4751

register@aquafinsbahamas.com AquafinsLearnToSwim BRUTHA MAGAZINE // SPRING ISSUE 2014 63

BRUTHA_MAN ON THE RISE

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THE REAL VEGAN KING

Giovan Cooper For many of us, we’ve always been accustomed to soul food – fried chicken, peas n’ rice, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, etc. - all our lives. Foods such as this which not only challenges our health but lays on pounds of fat. One Bahamian Brutha decided to make a necessary shift to combat weight issues in his

life which turned into a full fledge catering business.

With his brand trending around throughout the Bahamas, with a sizeable international buzz, this Brutha is surely on the rise. Brutha got the chance to chop it up vegan style with Gio Cooper, vegan chef and lifestyle coach:

B Y T R AV I S S W E E T I N G

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BRUTHA_MAN ON THE RISE

Tell us about Da Bahamian Vegan.

Da Bahamian Vegan started out in March of 2013. It was a name I placed on myself as I began my transition to a Vegan lifestyle.

How did you get into the whole lifestyle?

I knew I would have reached that point in my life where I wanted to start making the right decision to living a healthier lifestyle. I struggled with self-confidence because of the weight I had gained, so it was time for me to stop sitting around saying “I need to loose weight” and start making progress to living a healthier lifestyle. This all happened during the Lenten season in 2012.

Was it hard in the beginning?

Of course! Can you imagine all your life eating meat, meat and more meat? Moreover, prepared in the most unhealthy way possible? So of course it was difficult, but because I had a bigger goal in mind, I took it on more as a challenge.

Living in The Bahamas, how was the support in terms of shopping, eating out and family?

When I first started learning about this lifestyle, I really didn’t have any key persons here locally to speak to.

Majority of what I learnt in the beginning stages of this transition was either done through social media or the internet. When I made the decision my family and close friends thought I was crazy! But I didn’t expect everyone to be open about it. I think their number one fear was that I would try converting them (which wasn’t and still isn’t the case). Shopping in the beginning was very difficult and EXPENSIVE. Days I found myself going to specialty stores spending up to $200-$250 a week on items that will only last about 7-10 days (if that long sometimes).

However, I had to quickly realize that I needed to find ways to make this much more affordable. With that I started shopping the ENTIRE Island and I began reading

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labels. Because there are a lot of healthy products being sold in the average mom and pop stores around the island. I hear it all the time that living healthy is expensive, so I try my best to find great prices and share it with as much people as I can. When it comes to eating out it was a bit challenging in the beginning, however the secret to dinning out is to speak with the Chef. Let them know what you can and cannot have so that they can prepare it accordingly.

When did the urge to start a business first hit?

The urge came when I got tired of not being able to find food and also the lack of knowledge persons here in The Bahamas have towards a Vegan Lifestyle. It went from me simply posting meals I create for myself, to people asking “Where can I get this”. The idea behind the business was to link persons that live and want to live not only a Vegan lifestyle but a healthy lifestyle to have access to food and information.

Is it all vegan or can a meat lover find items on your list of vegan offerings?

Da Bahamian Vegan brand is 100% Vegan. So to my meat lovers, I’m sorry we do not serve meat. The mission of Da Bahamian Vegan isn’t to convert anyone to becoming a Vegan, our main goal is to be the source for when persons wish to take a day or two out of the week and want to try something healthy. I have had meat eaters tell me that they too sometimes get tired of the meat and want a short break. So that’s the goal and mission of Da Bahamian Vegan.

What were some of the pressures in getting off the ground?

The MAIN pressure persons may think is the startup capital, however my number one pressure in getting this off the ground is the support from persons. If there isn’t any support, then there will be no brand therefore startup capital has no value. So as I continue building my brand, I ask for more and more supporters.

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BRUTHA_MAN ON THE RISE

And how are you thriving today?

I am thriving because I believe in my brand and product. I have to be the one that believes in this, because if I am unsure about this people wont see it as a serious business. I am happy about the number of supporters I have both locally and abroad. It has made this tough journey to success a pleasant one even when it gets overwhelming

Who would you poise as your competitors?

Anyone that does Vegan/Vegetarian Food. The thing about competitors is to know they exist, but to not study them in full. At the end of the day, competition is key for a striving business. Obviously Nassau doesn’t need 10 people wanting to start a Vegan business because at least 80% of those businesses will not last. We do not have a huge Vegan market here in The Bahamas. But I always welcome competition, it keeps me wanting to strive for more and to keep my quality of service and product at its highest.

How do you differentiate?

I have had a few comments by people saying “Man I ein no Vegan but because of how you present it, I got to taste it”. And that’s the whole idea. See the misconception is that Vegan food is tasteless and can’t full your stomachs. Presentation is key when it comes to marketing any food/product business and of course taste! I ensure I am creative as possible.

What are your future plans?

There are so many however Da Bahamian Vegan will be launching a variety healthy products in the up coming months. The idea is to have persons purchase something they can enjoy at home, in the office, when they travel etc.

It’s hard making that first step, what advice would you give to other aspiring vegans out there?

The first thing is to learn in its entirety what a Vegan lifestyle is about.

When you understand that, start minimizing the intake of those items that aren’t Vegan until you are completely off of them. Network with other Vegans and transitioning Vegans that can be that support for your journey.

I try to always ensure everything that is prepared is photographed and presented well. People eat with their eyes.

Da Vegan Recipes Creamy Baked Sweet Potato Soup • 1 large sweet potato (1 3/4 cups mashed after baked) • 1 1/2 cup coconut milk (add more to taste based on how thin or thick you’d like your soup) • 1/8 tsp sea salt

Kale & Sundried Pasta • 1 large bunch Kale (stems removed and chopped) • Sea Salt • 2 Tbsp olive oil • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes • 1 large clove garlic, chopped (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) • 2 ounces sun dried tomatoes (packed in oil), roughly chopped • 8 ounces Spelt penne pasta (or other favorite short pasta) • Freshly ground black pepper Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Typically spelt penne pasta takes about 10 minutes to cook to al dente. When the water comes to a rolling boil, add a tablespoon of salt to it, let the salt dissolve,

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1. Bake your sweet potato in the oven – about 40 minutes at 400 degrees.

2. Remove skin from potato – flesh will be very hot. Place in blender along with non-dairy milk and veggie broth and salt.

Also add the optional citrus zest.

3. Blend until silky smooth. Pour into serving bowls

then add the pasta. Once the water returns to a boil, start the timer. Let the pasta cook, at a rolling boil, uncovered, for whatever time is necessary to cook it to al dente, cooked through but still a little firm.

Once the pasta is in the water, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium to medium high heat. Add the chopped garlic and the red chili flakes. Cook until the garlic just begins to brown at the edges. Then add to the pan the kale. Toss to coat with the olive oil, chili flakes, and garlic. Sprinkle with salt.

Cook the kale about 5 minutes or until withered & tender. Stir in the chopped sun dried tomatoes. When the pasta is done, drain it and add it to the kale. Sprinkle everything with black pepper and toss to combine.

Facebook Instagram Twitter Email

Da Bahamian Vegan Da_bahamian_vegan @Dabahamianvegan dabahamianvegan@gmail.com

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BRUTHA_FEMME FATALE

JESSICA FRANCES THOMPSON

Femme Fatale P H OTO G RAP HED BY ANITA CLAR E AT C AMPER DOWN RI D I NG HO U S E

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At the fresh age of 14, Jessica Thompson proved herself to be a force to be reckoned with in The Bahamasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fashion and modeling scene. Her career began with a modeling contract with PTG Modeling Agency in Nassau, Bahamas which allowed the thriving young beauty to flourish both locally and internationally. Now 3 years into her career, Jessica finds herself signed with DIRECT Model Management of New York, New York. Moreover, she has completed work for world renowned brand Harl Taylor BAG, La Rose Boutique, Classy Loft Boutique and promiemnt Bahamian designers Theodore Sealy and David Rolle.

She has been featured in Nu Woman magazine and Boss Magazine.

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How did you first know you wanted to be in modeling?

Well, I wasn’t really sure at first. I wanted to do a photo shoot, just to see if I liked it, and I ended up loving it!

Which phase of being a model is your favorite?

My favorite is probably the beginner stage, that’s where you get the most help, now I have to make sure all of the advice sticks with me, because I doubt I’m going to get much more guidance than I already have.

Runway or Print?

That’s a really hard one! I love print, to be able to see the end result. But I love the thrill I get on the runway. They’re both amazing.

The Bahamas a prime place to be a model? Or is it too behind in terms of opportunities and support?

I don’t think the Bahamas is a good place to try to take off, but it’s definitely a good place to start, and for support? Of course!

Everyone is supportive of each other, it might be because I’m one of the youngest models, but from what I see everyone gets along with each other.

What makes Jessica a star?

HaHa! I don’t consider myself a star, I just do this to have fun, really.

What do you see when you look into the mirror?

It honestly varies. Sometimes I’m happy with what I see, sometimes I hate it, but I’ve learned to accept what I see, me!

What were some of your challenges coming up in the industry?

I’ve faced many challenges, my biggest one has to be my walk, it’s still not perfect, but I’m making progress.

How did you survive them?

Practice. Lots and lots of practice.

What would you say to other girls and boys looking to follow in your footsteps?

If you want a career in modeling, I suggest you start now! Even if it’s not a paid job, take it, you need as much practice as possible, practice your walk, practice posing, everything!

How can the public find you?

Everywhere! Search Jessica Frances Thompson on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram...

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BRUTHA_TECH&GADGETS

Techno Savvy Samsung Galaxy Tab® Pro 10.1 16GB (Wi-Fi), White Brilliant by Design

Review detailed work documents on the go, browse the Web or just enjoy watching a movie on the stunning 10.1-inch HD display. The Galaxy Tab® Pro 10.1 is also unbelievably thin (7.3mm), yet is packed with all the astonishing power and responsiveness of the Samsung Exynos® 5 Octa processor.

Colour

White

Operating System

Android™ KitKat 4.4

Camera Resolution (Front)

2.0 Megapixel

Multi Window™ lets you actively use two windows at once, all on the same screen.* And the ultra customizable Magazine Home gives you a revolutionary tablet experience with instant access to the apps and feeds that you use most. You can also create multiple profiles so multiple users can log in separately and only access their own apps, backgrounds and email.

Camera Resolution (Front)

8.0 Megapixel with Flash

Internet Use Time

10 Hours

Internal Memory

2GB RAM, 16GB ROM

Work Smarter

Main Display Resolution

2560 x 1600 Pixel

Main Display Size

10.1“

Experience More

Collaborate without walls and without Wi-Fi, with Samsung e-Meeting. Easily share your screen with coworkers and collaborate in real time, even when there’s no conference room available. And with Hancom™ Office Suite, you can create documents, spreadsheets and presentations on the go.

Owning a Samsung Has Its Rewards

With Galaxy Perks, you’ll also receive content and services like a $25 Google Play™ credit, 3 free months of Hulu Plus**, 50GB of Dropbox space, and 1 year of Gogo Inflight Internet access and more.

• Crystal clear HD display for movies, games, and more • Premium finish and lightweight design • Office apps, collaboration tools, and wireless printing capability • Powerful processor and multi-tasking

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CRUISE CONTROL The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA

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BRUTHA MAGAZINE // SPRING ISSUE 2014

Mercedes-Benz has expanded its lineup with the all-new 2014 CLA-Class. The new four-door coupe, which made its world premiere in January 2013 at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin, takes its design cues from the big brother CLS. The front-wheel-drive CLA250 arrived in U.S. dealerships last September, with an available CLA250 4MATIC all-wheel drive model coming out in spring 2014.

Both models feature Mercedes-Benzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline engine with 208 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. It comes with the ECO stop/start function as standard for added fuel economy and is mated to the 7-speed dual clutch transmission for a combination of sporty performance and comfort.

Variants of the CLA 200 and CLA250 are delivered on 17-inch, 5-spoke, two-tone wheels clad in all-season, run-flat tires.

The Sport Package offers 18-inch AMG twin 5-spoke wheels and adds Sport body styling plus perforated front discs.

An extensive array of standard and optional driver assistance systems in the CLA is available. Standard features include Attention Assist drowsiness detection and radar-based Collision Prevention Assist with adaptive Brake Assist, which offers collision protection in the CLA from speeds of just 4 mph.

With a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.23, the CLA sets a new benchmark among not only Mercedes models, but also all seriesproduction vehicles.

Standard electromechanical power steering helps contribute to overall efficiency, as the power steering function draws energy only under active steering. It also facilitates various steering assistance functions activated by the ESP control unit. These include counter-steering in the event of oversteer, corrective steering when braking on road surfaces with differing levels of grip (splitfriction braking), minimization of torque steer, and compensation for crosswinds and road gradients.

A new generation of the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system features fully variable torque distribution. This completely new development boasts high levels of traction and outstanding agility combined with excellent safety and energy efficiency.

Like all models in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the CLA comes with the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s connectivity service mbrace2, providing users with an extensive range of online and concierge services and apps all linking seamlessly to smart phones for use inside and outside the car.

Additional standard equipment includes the 5.8-inch display and Bluetooth. The central controller provides an all-access pass to an abundance of advanced technology and can be upgraded to the 7-inch display with the Multimedia package, including features such as the COMAND system with hard-drive navigation and voice control.

Provided courtesy of TyreFlex Star Motors | Nassau, Bahamas

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BRUTHA MAGAZINE // SPRING ISSUE 2014

The first step towards real transformation.

“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.”

- Raymond Lindquist

Have you considered that expansion and growth feel scary?

So many times I get asked how to “get rid” of fear or how to not feel a negative feeling.

And I give the same old answer. If we aren’t afraid most of the time, we aren’t growing.

There’s this idea that a lot of folks believe; I’m not sure where it came from, but I’m pretty mystified by it. The idea is that somehow being on a “spiritual” path will banish all fear and negative emotions from a person’s life. Guess what, it’s BS. If you are living a “spiritual” life, you are probably going to come up against more fears than someone who is just coasting.

If you are living a life on The Path - you are going to become MORE sensitive to the emotions you feel, not less. Somewhere out there it’s as if there’s this promise being made that if you go on The Path, you are doing it right if you are only feeling happy ALL the time, never feel scared and can turn off negative emotions like a light bulb.

This is not what having a human experience is all about. On the contrary! If we are on The Path, we are inviting fear to come

Email Mastin Kipp for tips and advice:

- because we are stepping outside our comfort zone! We are inviting our emotions to rise, because we are clearing away all the things that prevent us from feeling them.

This is the path of the spiritual warrior - to be courageous enough to FEEL fear and keep going! To not cut themselves off from feeling however they feel - and know that there is nothing wrong with them for feeling a down emotion! This is what it means to be a human being!

It’s a RIDE, man! If all you were was some annoying positive robot - life would suck.

Like my mom said some time ago, “when you numb your pain you numb your joy” - being human, being open, being ALIVE means being ready to experience it all.

And as we do, instead of trying to always “be positive” and beat ourselves up when we don’t achieve that impossible goal, we accept that life is a series of ups and downs - and while it’s true that we can’t always control life, we CAN give what happens an EMPOWERING meaning. And by doing that, we start to take our power back.

by definition, means we are constantly expanding beyond our comfort zone. And when we expand beyond our comfort zone - the natural experience is FEAR! This doesn’t make you wrong or unspiritual, it makes you HUMAN and it’s totally normal!

Can you allow yourself to feel the way you feel without judging it as wrong or unspiritual? Self-acceptance is the first major step in transformation. Without self-acceptance, no amount of reading TDL or doing therapy or life coaching, or yoga or any other modality will really work. Without self-acceptance, all of those things - including TDL - are just spiritual entertainment.

So! How can you accept yourself even more today? Let’s discuss over on my blog! The conversation is always awesome, deep and engaging! Head on over and let’s discuss and support each other!

Lots of LOVE, Mastin

And we also begin to see that it is by FACING our fears that we grow. Growth,

thedailylove@thedailylove.com // www.thedailylove.com BRUTHA MAGAZINE // SPRING ISSUE 2014

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