Conscious Vibes Magazine July 2013 by Conscious Vibes Magazine

July 2013 July 2013 LOCS CAREER AND NATURAL LIFESTYLE FORTHE SAVY INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN1 Conscious Vibes

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July 2013

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CONTENTS Twist & Curve to Perfect Hair Page 54

50 Celebrity Red Carpet 52 Art & Spirituality

CAREER TALK 21 Carol Stewart Talks Mrs, Miss or Ms

22 Sonia Brown MBE Talks The Business of Good Hair

INTERVIEWS

28 Dr William “Lez” Henry

NATURAL HAIR SALONS

48 Dawn Butler

You Naturally - UK

Sisterlocks® Consultant

44 Menopause Alert

34 Jus Natural - Jamaica 37 Twist & Curve - USA

REGULARS

16 African Fashion Latest Fashion From South Africa

23 Natural Vibes 40 Locs Around Town

WRITERS CORNER

45 A Father’s Pain

FEATURES 26

Bridal Hair Gallery

47 Pescetarian Recipies 58

Sealed With a Kiss

63 Bald is Beautiful

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Front cover photo supplied by Ma Nubiah July 2013

FROM THE EDITOR... Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of Conscious Vibes magazine. Since it’s the season of love and marriage this edition is filled with great articles and ideas to showcase love and the celebration of relationships. And that’s not all, we still bring you sound business advice; locs with politics from the dynamic Dawn Butler, former Brent MP and an interesting male prospective on women’s hair from the acclaimed Dr Lez Henry. It has been a great three months since we launched our first edition which has gone global and received fantastic feedback from readers. This has been an exciting and informative journey as we meet interesting people and shared some remarkable stories and personal stories about their personal hair choice. Interestingly, one brother, from the ‘locs around town’ pages, expressed his frustration with sisters choosing to “wear dead hair” on their head rather than being natural. What the brother failed to realise is that locs is also dead hair and we have a long way to go if we want to enlighten and challenge the misconceptions about natural hair! Let’s not take it for granted. The complexity and knowledge about our hair choices is an on-going debate, and should not be a tool for us to discriminate amongst ourselves. That’s why I am happy to share that in this edition of Conscious Vibes, we aim to go one step further to explore the realities of living bold and bald in today’s world that places so much emphasis on the fake. That’s why it was great to get deep and personal in our interview with a fearless sista who is living loud and proud with a shaved head. Its great to hear her insights and views about the public perception of living with a shaved head as she challenges misconceptions, assumptions and stereotypes based on her beauty choice. I’d like to say to all the ladies out there, that whatever their hair choice, there will always be reactions, some positive, some negative, so enjoy your choices and make sure you do it for the right reasons. So as the wedding season kicks, I am happy to share a collection of show stopping natural air designs for the brides, bridesmaids and guests to replicate. Without a doubt, you will be spoilt for choice with the array of sophisticated, savvy natural hairstyles.

Enjoy this edition of Conscious Vibes and remember to send us pictures of your funky, creative, sophisticated, natural locs styles

Angela Small

ConsciousVibesM Conscious-Vibes

Founder and Editor at Large July 2013

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CONTRIBUTORS Share Their Views on Articles in This Edition

We are covering some exciting topics this edition, a great read. Love and marriage, goes together like a horse and carriage … as the saying goes! For me, there IS such a beautiful thing called “true love” which should be joined together in holy matrimony … that’s the ‘idealist’ me! I am also a ‘realist’ and know that relationships are tested frequently and only the strong survive!! I admire the survivors as they have fought a good hard fight to ‘keep it new’! The key to any long lasting relationship is ‘monogamy’. That ‘seven year itch’ will always rare its ugly head but a strong ‘union’ will soon kick that itch to the curb!! Natural hair, my hair has been natural hair for as long as I can remember but I am not very imaginative when it comes to styling or knowledgeable when it comes to using the best products. ‘Conscious Vibes’ has given me some great tips and guidance on products to use to maintain and show off my naturalness! The Menopause … the dreaded ‘M’ word … very apt article (for me anyway)! Very informative, brilliant preparation for what’s to come! Cancer, a survivor’s quest to help others!

Della Thompson Editor in Chief

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I love all the bridal hair designs in this edition, where were all these designs when I was locsed? The styling of dreadlocks has definitely evolved over the past 15 years. I agree with Dawn Butlers’ statement in her interview where she describes forming a relationship with hair. For me this rings true, our hair is so much part of our identity therefore we need to maintain the upkeep from a healthy conscious prospective. This edition focuses on relationships and I felt I would share my thoughts on this topic. Relationships are unique and everyone has something different to say about their relationship. Communication is critical in all relationships, you should feel comfortable expressing yourself to each other and you must be willing to not just listen but to ‘hear’ what is being expressed. Too many times it’s all about “what I want, what I need” without any thought about what the other may want or need. Accepting each other for who and what they are is also a key factor as many times people go into relationships and try to change their partner, although change can be good, you need to be careful about what you are trying to change and why.

Maureen Walker Jamaica Correspondant

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NATURAL HAIR SALON - UK

You, Naturally is based in London, UK and offers hair care and styling services by Tieska McDowell. She gains pleasure in helping women to discover their inner and outer beauty, especially through natural hair care and styling. Through styling her clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hair and giving workshops on caring for natural hair at home, Tieska is inspiring women to embrace that, which was given to them. Contact Details You, Naturally (located inside Beautiquette Boutique) 9 New Church Road Camberwell SE5 7JH 07501 839256 www.beyounaturally.com www.facebook.com/younaturallybe www.youtube.com/younaturallybe

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You, Naturally

NATURAL HAIR SALON - UK NATURAL HAIR SALON - UK

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NATURAL HAIR SALON - UK

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NATURAL HAIR SALON - UK

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NATURAL HAIR SALON - UK

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NATURAL HAIR SALON - UK

SISTERLOCKS CONSUL 速

Hair is my Passion, I Can Talk Hair all Day!

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LTANT

y name is Lorette McQueen I started my Sisterlocks® journey in 2008. I was fed up and bored with wearing weaves in the winter and braids in the summer and my hair was damaged. I met a gorgeous, locked woman at a night club, we exchanged numbers and she went on to become my loctician and installed my Sisterlocks®. I am now a certified Sisterlocks® Consultant and I have been practising since 2009. I have a home based salon in Essex where my customers can enjoy my professional services. They can relax in a recliner chair, sleep, watch movies, chat or read magazines over a cuppa. My clients come via word of mouth and the Sisterlocks® website and from far and wide places such as Amsterdam, Cambridge, Hastings, Tooting, Somerset and Essex. I put my heart, soul, love and undivided attention into being a certified Sisterlocks® Consultant to my clients. I enjoy seeing the alteration in their personas as they leave my home with renewed vigour, holding their heads up higher and with pride and confidence. I feel humbled to think that I have played a small part in this transformation. I also offer a confidential bespoke service to hair loss clients after an initial consultation which may or may not include the subsequent installation of Sisterlocks®. My new venture is that I am about to launch my own product range of Herbal Shampoos, Conditioners, Hair Oils and Hair Mists using fresh leaves of Rosemary, Birch and Nettle and with gorgeous smells such as Jasmine and Lemon Grass. My products are fully compliant with the new Cosmetology legislation, they have been safety assessed and use an Eco preservative, no parabens or synthetic sulphates. I did not plan to become a certified Sisterlocks® Consultant or to have my own product range this was a natural progression for me stemming from my passion which is hair. My moto is “Never allow yourself to stop you from being who you should be”.

Find Lorette at: http://www.Kittylocks.blogspot.com http://www.Sisterlocks.com http://www.Sisterlist.co.uk

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Orijin Culture

Looking to Tie the Knot!

10 PA OF T IRS ICKE T S TO B E WON

Then why not join Conscious Vibes at the Mahogany Bridal Simply share your story of how your partner proposed and send a picture to info@consciousvibes.co.uk. The best stories win a pair of tickets Deadline for entries: 21 August 2013 July 2013

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AFRICAN FASHION

Designer Gloria Wavamunno Designer Kluk CGat

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AFRICAN FASHION

Designer Erol Ardenes

Simon Deiner/SDR Photos

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AFRICAN FASHION

Orijin Culture

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AFRICAN FASHION

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Picture credit:

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CAREER TALK

MRS, MISS OR MS… To Change or Not to Change?

have known Carol Lewis for 44 years. I grew up with her and knew everything about her. I knew her thoughts, feelings and emotions and exactly who she was. Her colleagues, many of whom she had worked with for many years, knew, liked and trusted her. Suddenly, Carol Lewis was no more and the new Carol emerged – ‘Carol Stewart’. How was she to present herself to the people she had grown up working with and would soon be departing from? With all the excitement of getting married and planning a wedding, often little or no thought goes to what impact this new identity will have on your career or professional life. With an increasing number of women leaving it until later in life to get married, when getting married and thinking whether there are some practical considerations to or not to change your name that can easily think about which are often overlooked. get overlooked with the excitement of all your plans. Do you or don’t you change your surname? That is a question many women ask Established in Your Profession themselves when they get married and it can be quite a difficult decision deciding If you have firmly established yourself in exactly what to do. your profession, what impact will this have on your professional life if you change your When I got married at the age of 44, I name? If your name is your brand, you contemplated whether to keep my maiden may want to continue using your maiden name, to go double barrelled or to adopt name. my husband’s name. I had worked for the organisation for 27 years and had become Despite being part of the girl band Girls well established with my maiden name. Aloud, Cheryl Tweedy was relatively The organisation was in the middle of a unknown when she married footballer restructure and introducing new shared Ashley Cole. Her career really took off HR systems. after her marriage and she became known worldwide as Cheryl Cole. On divorcing I was due to take voluntary redundancy Ashley, she has made attempts to drop the shortly after getting married so decided name Cole but it has not had the desired that I would not confuse matters by effect because Cheryl Cole is her brand. changing my name during my last few months working there. I had visions that if Although Cheryl Cole’s situation is I changed my name that there would be a reversed in that her married name was her mix up somewhere, which would delay my brand, her situation highlights what can redundancy payment. happen when you try to change an already established name. The idea was that once I finished work, I would adopt a double barrelled name. Previous Employment However, I kept getting asked to repeat myself when I said that my surname was If you are getting married later on in your ‘Lewis-Stewart’ so I decided to take my life, the chances are that you may have husband’s surname and opted for just had several employers over the years. Stewart. If you are changing your name, you will need to remember to contact the pension Here are a few practical points to consider providers of the organisations that you

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previously worked for so that it does not cause any delay when it comes to claiming your pension because you have a different name. HMRC You will need to inform HMRC of your name change as a result of the change in your marital status. Bank Details Remember to change your name on your bank accounts. If you do change your name professionally but do not inform your bank, you will not be able to pay cheques in to your bank account that are in your married name. Customers If you do change your name, don’t make the mistake that I made and not inform all your customers and clients of the change as you may have difficulties cashing payments that they make. There was one particular customer who I had not informed and they sent me a cheque which I was unable to pay in to my bank account because I had changed the name on the account. I had to get the company to cancel the cheque they had issued and re-issue me with another one. This caused a considerable delay in me receiving the payment. These are just a few practical considerations to take in to account regarding your professional life and your name once you get married. Of course, there are many other institutes and establishments that you will need to inform if you make a name change and it is worth sitting down and making a list of everything in advance so that nothing gets overlooked. Carol Stewart is a Personal Development, Career and Business Coach and the owner of Abounding Solutions. Further details about Carol and the work that she does can be found at Abounding Solutions. http://aboundingsolutions.com

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CARREER TALK

The Business of Good hair

Sonia Brown MBE Advocates Why we Shouldn’t See the Rise of Natural Hair and Locs as a Passing Fad.

ake no mistake, the natural hair renaissance is here to stay and it’s offering home workers, aspiring entrepreneurs and established salon owners a great opportunity to flex their creative muscle and push their innovative techniques in order to take their businesses to even greater heights. Long gone are salons depending on the questionable relaxers and pantomime weaves to keep the tills ringing. Their customers are abandoning weaves and relaxers in droves and embracing their natural hair textures and more importantly, the once frowned upon locs. This has opened up a new revenue stream for forward thinking hairdressers especially those working from home; who could not fit into the traditional confines of providing a service and maintenance that was in total opposition to their values.

and loc designs and products, there is scope for progressive entrepreneurs to take real ownership for innovation with natural hair designs and new products. Don’t forget, not only can you set up a business from home or the salon, this is a great opportunity to harness the direction and expansion of natural hair and locs within the industry which has been dominated by the Korean and Asian business No longer the sole ‘look’ of community for too long. Rastafarians, the evolution of locs over the past 10 years has shown that I believe it’s time to harness our mind it’s acceptable and avant-garde and boggling purchasing power, creativity more importantly, it is finding its way and innovation to create businesses, in the upper echelons of the corporate jobs and financial independence and corridor and international political dare I say it, take back our identity offices. From Ras Sam Brown, the which has been lost by our lack of first Rasta to ever stand for politics in mainstream image ownership. With Jamaica in 1961 to Whoopi Goldberg, the right level of business support and Solange Knowles, women (and and an investment in the skills base men) are no longer afraid to go to help this part of the sector grow natural. outside of the traditional structures, I We all know that African Caribbean people are large consumers of hair and beauty products and spend in excess of half a trillion pounds on the perfect coif. Mindboggling I know, but with the growing resurgence for natural hair

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am sure that we can take the debate from angry, aggressive ideological feminism to logical, strategic, economic empowerment. Sounds too good to be true – well here is what I think we need to do:

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Raise the profile of this growing sector by coming together and hosting high profile competitions, hair shows and international summits that promote natural hair and locs at a national level.

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Open dialogue with FE/Colleges to provide relevant training, qualifications and accreditations to recognise natural hair and locs with stakeholders, decision makers and the wider media through our coordinated lobbying and influencing activities

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Create consortiums, forums and lobby groups to represent and advocate the business needs, peer support and raising of the profile and status of the sector to reduce and eliminate misconceptions and ongoing negative labelling.

Some may say this is wishful thinking, but in a time when the Black community is facing the biggest challenge to their financial well being, I believe it’s time for the black hair community to take responsibility for its long term economic viability and sustainability. Sonia Brown MBE is a business communicator, coach, trainer and writer, with over 20 years in marketing, branding and life skills development. She is an authority on many areas of business, leadership, sales and marketing, as well as supporting individuals to achieve success in all areas of life. For further information visit www.nbwn.org

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Orijin Culture

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Black Women Natural Hair Style

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Black Women Natural Hair Style

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Natural Black Girls Rock

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MALE VIEW

DR WILLIAM ‘LEZ’ HENRY Angela Small Talks all Things Locs, Identity, Mentoring and Black Women’s Relationship with Hair.

reetings Dr Lez, I would like to thank you for your contribution to this edition of Conscious Vibes and I know our readers will really value your input. As you are aware the magazine focuses on Locs, Careers and Natural Lifestyle, so I have to start with the obvious. What was the catalyst for you deciding to grow locs and how long have you been wearing them? I started locsing the top of my head in 1994 and used to ‘trim round the rim’. Around 1995, (I’m not absolutely sure) I was in Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica and as always, I was reasoning with the barbers in the shop and in particular a barber (a young man in his early 20s) who cuts my hair whenever I am on the Island. This particular day he said to me “you fi grow the covenant cau you is a good Rastaman”. I took what he said to heart as this was someone depriving himself of a source of income based on what he observed in me. Now whilst I do not embrace various aspects that are associated with Rastafari per se, I am indebted to Rastas for my Africentric consciousness as I have been reasoning with, and been guided by them from I was about 11 years old. Please explain if wearing locs has had a positive or negative impact on your career progression. I honestly can’t say as I always get a ‘fight’ in most things that I do (not sure what you mean by ‘career’ as I have mastered several trades/professions) as I have never learned to keep my mouth

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shut and say what people want to hear.

I can say that as a PhD Lecturer in orthodox academic and public setting the distribution of disbelief at the fact that I am Dr Henry with locs and all is probably racially equal, as I get those dodgy ‘looks’ all of the time. How does your image (locs) affect your followers and what message do you believe your locs communicate to them?

Not really sure about the ‘followers’ business as I hate the notion of being led unless I know where I am being led to and as such, do not wish to mislead anyone who perceives me as a ‘leader’ as I publicly state I am not that. However, I believe I am guided by my Ancestors who saw fit to choose me as a vessel for Afrikan liberation and as such for the betterment of the whole human family; not just the Afrikan branch from which I manifest in this dread time. For this reason whenever I am delivering a talk I always encourage people to ‘bring July 2013

their minds and make sure they are open, because knowledge gives us the power to enslave or liberate.’ I am therefore about reasoning through our predicament and thus that which I communicate is, in the words of the old Chinese Masters, “for contemplation and not indoctrination.” You are currently involved in a mentoring scheme for young boys, can you explain a bit about this and what involvement (if any) you have to empower young black girls. The scheme is part of the Mayor of London’s Mentoring Partnership, led by Ray Lewis and has taken over from the previous one. I and Bro Andrew Muhammad delivered the mentoring training on the first project, the only aspect that was an overwhelming success, which is why I have agreed to be involved in this endeavour to raise the aspirations of vulnerable black boys. With regards to girls, every project we work on with young people for our company ‘NuBeyond’ deals with boys and girls and I work on several projects with various organisations where the ethos behind them is the same. Young people are bombarded with a celebrity mentality – what message would you give to young women, when adopting this mentality as a template for progression Again this is not just affecting young women. We are all susceptible to this form of social/media programming which is why, several years ago, I created a ‘Goal Models’ programme, primarily for young people. It is designed to shatter this idea that we need ‘role models’ to mindlessly follow which is what the ‘celebrity mentality’ thrives on. In these sessions I get those in attendance to separate a person’s achievements from what we are privy to with regard to their character. In this way you use aspects of their known lives to set a goal based on what they have achieved, without being duped into believing they can do no wrong.

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If a young lady wishes to sing like Whitney Houston and could have had the opportunity to learn directly from her, that in my opinion would be the best it can get. However, all of the other stuff that led to her early demise would be best avoided which is why we all need sound advice and guidance from people who are not afraid to speak truth when they see it. Most celebrities, including several half-baked leaders, appointed or self-appointed it matters not to me, are content to surround themselves with sycophants because, as an old sociologist once said, “their position is their possession” and if you remove that position their fragility is exposed.

“Hair is dead, that is why we can douse it in toxic substances, cut it, shave it, roast it, and barbecue it” How would you describe the evolution of the black woman’s relationship with hair in modern Britain and your views on the growing debate of natural verses processed hair? Several years ago I was delivering a talk and was asked a similar question, which really is about this notion of a hairstyle symbolising selling out (whatever that means). I said to the enquirer that human beings have done every conceivable thing to their hair from the moment they realised they could and a cursory glance at human history supports this claim. The point is that in the 70s and into the 80s if we saw an Afrikan sister with blonde hair we could comfortably accuse her of being a sell-out. Whether she was or not was moot as the consensus was that black women do not adorn themselves in that way. Then came the saving grace from Jamaica in the

guise of the ‘Bashment Girls’ who took hair colouring etc. to another level. From this point it became difficult to call a sister with blonde hair a sell-out as she may turn around and tell you about yourself and quite rightly so as the style could only be appreciated in its cultural and racial context. Now here’s the rub, nowadays to see a sister with long flowing hair that you know is not hers cannot so easily be equated with lusting after whiteness or wanting to be like white people. In many cases this may be the case but in many others it is purely fashion. If Beyoncé and a few other top celebrities went ‘natural’ the weave industry would die overnight. By the way, why is it that if we see a sister with a long flowing weave it is the mark of a sell-out, yet if that very same weave is plaited she is not? Is there anything else you would like to share with us? Hair is dead, that is why we can douse it in toxic substances, cut it, shave it, roast it, toast it and barbecue it etc. and not feel a thing. This means hair is natural to the point that it grows on various parts of our bodies (including toe and finger nails) and once it emerges it becomes a cultural artefact which we can do cultural things to. For example, I have locs but they are far from natural as I get them washed and re-twisted regularly which is a cultural process; the same as plaiting, braiding, dyeing, perming ad infinitum. My point is that we worship the dead in the context of hair to the point where we far too often let its appearance become a barrier to accessing the person beneath. Hotep!! Dr. Henry delivers various educational/training programmes, specialising in race, ethnicity, diversity, equality, education and black history. He is a founder member of the National Independent Education Coalition and The Lewisham Black Fathers Support Group and has led study tours to Egypt.

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Bridal H

galle Bliss

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Hair

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Mnaluchi Brides Photo Michael Clark

ery

Ma Nubiah

STUNNING LOCS

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You Naturally

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR UP SWEEP

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PERFECTLY NATURAL LOOSE RINGLETS FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY

I love loc ology .com

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PEARLS OF ELEGANCE ADDING A TOUCH OF SOPHISTICATED GLAMOUR TO YOUR UP SWEEP

Hair Designed by Maria Thompson and Photographer Keston Duke

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SIMPLY CLASSIC SUBTLE, SEXY, CLASSY ELEGANCE

Ma Nubiah

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THRILLFEST!

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Ma Nubiah

BRINGING A SASSY, CAREFREE LOOK TO YOUR SPECIAL DAY

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AFRO CROWN

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TRESS TO IMPRESS IN A REGAL CROWN

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INSPIRATIONAL BEAUTY SIMPLE AND EFFORTLESS CHICK Ma Nubiah

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CURLY LOCS BIG IMPACT WITH LUSCIOUS SWIRLS

Ma Nubiah

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LOCs-in Natural Around Town

pped a n s n e e â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s b See who n, rocking their ow around t ! air natural h

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WRITERS CORNER

MENOPAUSE ALERT Don’t Wait Until it’s too Late to Take Action!

k, let’s be honest the word ‘Menopause’ is not a subject women are all eager to talk about. It is however, something all women will experience at some time in their life. Some will sail through easily while others will suffer from symptoms associated with it. We get the ‘period talk’ from our mothers but somehow the ‘menopause talk’ does not have the same kudos. Here are some basics to raise your awareness about this transition.

to determine your well-being, life perspective, weight, mood, sleep and ability to focus. Hormonal balance can also affect how much we enjoy life, how we age and how long we live. I suspect I am experiencing menopause symptoms - What can I expect from my doctor? If you are below age 50 and display the classical menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, depression, mood swings and vaginal dryness your Doctor may request a blood test to confirm if you are going through the menopause. The test will look at your sex hormones, amongst other things.

What is the Menopause? Basically, it is the last time you have your period. The low levels of estrogen and progesterone do not stimulate the endometrium (lining of the womb) in the normal (usual) cycle. Menopause marks the end of fertility for a woman and is a natural life transition. Post menopause means that you have not seen a period for at least a full year, and that you will still experience menopausal symptoms.

If the menopause is confirmed your Doctor will discuss the treatments available to Early Menopause you, such as: hormone replacement treatment (HRT) and alternative supplements / Here are a few reasons why you may enter herbs such as Black Cohosh, Sage, Dong into the menopause earlier than the aver- Quai, Vitamin E, C etc. age age. •

So what about Perimenopause? This is the time you start experiencing • menopausal symptoms up to ‘post menopause’. This can last up to 15 years and is usually a retrospective thing because as time goes by you then realise that you • have not had your periods in the usual way. Also to note: Menopause occurring before the age of 45 can be called an early men- • opause and before the age of 40 is known as premature menopause. • Natural Menopause The average age of a women going through the menopause is 52. The hormones will eventually fail to produce estrogen and progesterone. Periods may stop for a few months and then start again and will vary in length as will the amount of blood seen. Menopausal discomfort from symptoms may be non-existent for some women as some bodies may be strong enough to cope with the gradual changes that are occurring.

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If you are keen to go on (HRT) your Doctor An illness such as nutritional deficien- will want to know more about your / family cy / autoimmune disease. medical history to ensure the appropriate prescription is given to you. An example Chronic Stress – including athletic question your Doctor may ask ‘Is there any conditioning that has affected hor- history of strokes in the family?’ If so, your mone related reproductive functions blood pressure will be taken. Surgical intervention – e.g. removal of Also to note a cervical smear is done beovaries / womb fore HRT is prescribed to ensure there are no abnormal cancerous cells. Treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy for cancer. If you are over 50 and experiencing meno-

pause symptoms your Doctor may not offer Administration of drugs – e.g. those you a blood test because it is likely you are used to shrink uterine fibroids can going through the menopause. You may bring on menopause symptoms. want to ask for it if this is the case.

What causes some of the symptoms associated with the menopause? When the hormones are in balance you are in a normal healthy state. When you have menopausal symptoms, you are suffering from hormonal imbalance — a fluctuating state. Many menopausal symptoms occur as a result of the imbalance and loss of the sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, as well as thyroid hormones: thyroxine & triiodothronine. These hormones work as a team, fitting together

Lorraine Palmer is the founder and Director of Menopause Uncovered, a not for profit organization. The ‘Menopause Uncovered’ Programme offers individualised, corporate, one to one and group support to women on all matters menopausal. For more info email: info@theprofessionalwomansmenopausecoach.com

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RRA

WRITERS CORNER

RACE FOR LIFE

A Father’s Pain.....

All donations will be greatly appreciated; the link below is where you can make a donation as small as a £1. Or send a text with the code MNED57 with the amount to 70070. http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/moniquehardy Monique would like to share her experiences and spread the word to give hope to those also experiencing this. So Conscious Vibes will follow Monique’s journey with an exclusive interview. Look out for this in the October 2013 edition. Two years ago my eldest daughter Monique was diagnosed with Cancer, as you can imagine, this was shocking news for the family. Throughout this time we battled with mind and soul wondering how we are going to deal with this. As much as we wanted to believe that this could be dealt with, deep down, no matter what the Doctors or Nurses told us, nothing could convince us that things would change. We had to stay positive and optimistic, which under the circumstances, was very hard to do, but we had to stay strong for my precious daughter Monique. Despite everything, Monique remained strong and positive and after battling with tests and numerous consultations she underwent her first operation, which unfortunately disclosed that there was even more cancer. This news was devastating as you can imagine, but we prayed, and prayed hard. This was a traumatic time for Monique, but as the saying goes, where there’s a will there’s a way and positive thinking and praying hard plays a big part in this. Almost a year and a half later, more treatments, hard praying and positive thinking, Monique was given the all clear. Please support Monique’s quest to spread the word by supporting her whilst she takes part in the ‘Race for Life’ to raise funds for other cancer sufferers. This will take place on Sunday 14th July 2013, full details below (see link). Come along and support the cause. July 2013

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www..bhfshoppingmail.com

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PESCETARIAN RECIPE

Grilled Tilapia with

Mango INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets 1 large ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced 1/2 red bell pepper, diced 2 tablespoons minced red onion 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice salt and pepper to taste

RECIPE Method 1. Whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, parsley, garlic, basil, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl and pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add the tilapia fillets, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. 2. Prepare the mango salsa by combining the mango, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeno pepper in a bowl. Add the lime juice and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and toss well. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and refrigerate until ready to serve. 3. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate. 4. Remove the tilapia from the marinade, and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Grill the fillets until the fish is no longer translucent in the center, and flakes easily with a fork, 3 to 4 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Serve the tilapia topped with mango salsa. PREP 45 mins

July 2013

COOK 10 mins

READY IN 1 hr 55 mins

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Celebrity Interview

Dawn Butler

What Happens When Politics Meets Natural

met up with Dawn butler, former Brent MP on one of our rare beautiful sunny days in a nice little teashop in Vauxhall surrounded with beautiful appetizing cakes galore, soothing music and relaxing comfy chairs. Dawn takes me through her hair journey, touches on career culture and lifestyle.

“My journey with my hair began with me begging my mum to relax my hair at the age of 11. It took a few more years until I finally relaxed my lovely hair. I was around 18/19 and at the time I was working in the City as a Computer Programmer and it was fine, I had my hair relaxed, I was happy. It was easier to comb (until I needed my roots re touched) I always toyed with the idea of locsing my hair but my parents being traditionally Jamaican was extremely anti the notion. Then one day I watched Malcolm X, there was a scene when one of the characters had his hair relaxed and it was burning him so much that he had no time to rush to the sink and instead flushed his head down the toilet. I laughed but then the reality hit me, how often had I said it’s burning me now wash it off.

Learning about my culture in some way just made me want to stop relaxing my hair. I wanted to embrace my culture. I remember declaring that I wanted to trace my historical roots before slavery. I was an obvious descendent of slaves…how do I know? well with a name like Butler it is a constant reminder. My Dad was deeply upset, he felt I was abandoning what he had achieved and we were a proud family and the Butler name meant a lot to him, he came from very humble beginnings to run his own business and continue in his music, so I left it. At that point I decided to stop relaxing my hair. I did not want to cut the relaxer out of my hair but you just couldn’t stop relaxing your hair or else it would just fall out. Ironically my Loctician cut 3-4 inches off my hair before she locsed it. So I stopped relaxing my hair and started to wear it in plaits and treated it very well. Regular steaming, greasing and generally taking care of it.

Probably around the same time, (I can’t remember how old I was) I started to go to meetings with the Nation of Islam, at a bookshop in Hackney. I was becoming more enlightened and quite conscious of the power of image and also coincidently the damage I was doing Sometimes I would plait it, steam to my hair.

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it, until eventually my hair went permanently natural and for about 20 years I was wearing plaits. However, it is really difficult to rock my natural hair, especially when I was busy; I would have just love to have an Afro. I really wanted to rock a wicked Afro, could you imagine me in Parliament with a afro? but if it rained, I would have to run for cover, it was just too risky! I couldn’t have really long baths, so a lot of the time my hair was in plaits. I also liked to wear colour so I would wear colour extensions. I was never into weaves and when afro kinky bulk became available it was the closest I would get Locs without actually locsing. So that became my trade mark. I remember reading about Rastafarianism they were an invaluable part of the revolution ensuring that they freed Jamaicans, they were about self-maintenance, self-preservation, they grew their own food, eating what they grew and knowing what they ate. It meant that no-one could hold them to ransom or starve them. It’s like Malcolm X, when he was imprisoned the guards used to punish him by locking him in his cell. He then made a decision that he would stay in his cell, that way there was no punishment. Their body is a temple. Actually, I went quite deep into it at a younger age, but really did not pursue it, that’s a story for another day. If you think about it, if we lived our lives now the way they lived their lives growing and eating our own food, we most probably would not have so many illnesses as we have now. I believe

July 2013

that the oldest person in the world is probably an undocumented Rasta. There are certain things I don’t do for health reasons; I don’t own a microwave, it’s just a thing I have about microwaves, I don’t often talk about it because it’s an individual choice, but really why radiate food? We need to be more conscious of what we put into our bodies. If you are poor you will not live long. The journey along the jubilee line for instance, reduces your chance of living by a year with each stop, for example if you lived in Stratford your life expectancy is ten years less if you lived in Westminster.

me this, so it’s not like I can say I’ve changed my mind I don’t want this done after dedicating 3 days to this. In reality it was totally down to me and my Loctician who is obsessed with imparting information about her style of micro Locs (camilocks) I decided to look at it differently; I am building a real loving relationship with my hair. I now communicate with my hair and when I think about it, it is quite therapeutic, I am going to spend that time on myself and my hair. So I have grown to love the idea that I am going to have to do that. And actually, when you wash your hair it’s a lovely feeling.

I was talking to DJ Nice the other day and she said she locsed up after her mum died, she said lots of people have locsed after they suffer a bereavement. It’s funny, I lost my dad two years ago, I was very close to him and I am not sure if that has something to do with my deep loss as locsing has always been something I wanted to do. I guess you go through a period where you are trying to find yourself. I suppose when I look at women walking along the road and I and I ask myself, whose hairstyle do I love? It’s usually those with Locs and I find myself saying to them, I love your hair!

Cass, she is a producer on my radio show, she has shaved her hair completely, she rocks that style so well she looks gorgeous; I admire her for having that style. I have always loved Locs for both women and men as it is the most natural way to wear our hair, so I decided I was going to micro Loc my hair and it took 3 days to do. The fact that I sat for 3 days shows some serious dedication and I think on the last day, I started to enquire about the maintenance. My Loctician Marie told me how much work it takes to keep it. I have to retighten every 4 to 6 weeks. I have to wash my hair every two weeks and when I wash it, it’s not just a case of just washing it, I have to part it, plait it then wash it then take the plaits out separate each strand and then sometimes dry the Locs but not the root. It takes a lot of effort to wash your hair. When I heard all of this, it filled me with horror and I thought she waited for the last day to tell July 2013

“I am going

to go back to politics and one of my aims is to be the first black politician with

”

Locs

am looking forward to growing my own natural hair. With micro Locs you can do anything with it, you can curl it twist and maybe it’s a bit more acceptable, but I am not one to worry about being accepted, because I am who I am, love me for me, or don’t love me at all that’s fine, when I fall out of love with myself that’s when I have to worry. So until that day comes if you don’t like what I am doing, so be it, that’s your issue not mine. Let me bring you up to date, I am still in politics but no longer a member of parliament; I do a variety of things, I am a political consultant, I have worked in Libya done work for the Jamaican Government and various organisations. I have a TV show

starting this week, I do colourful radio on Fridays between 10am to 1pm; the TV show will be on Star Media TV, online with a satellite station. There will be live interviews. In the beginning it will be a newspaper review type of show, and then we have guest on, to go through the newspapers. I am going to go back to politics and one of my aims is to be the first black politician with Locs. Jamaica has its first Rastafarian politician the PNP (People’s National Party) supporters overwhelmingly endorsed the party’s former youth leader Damion Crawford. So times are changing. I am not ashamed to say my Locs have scared my mum, but I believe we need to embrace our culture. Why do people need to have weave or straight hair to be accepted? We have to break away from this concept. In Jamaica if you did not have straight hair you were not put on the front counter but now their attitudes are slowly changing, we now have a man with dreads in the Jamaican Government. It is time to embrace who we are. There is nothing negative about who we are and what we look like. Why should we judge ourselves when so many jump at the opportunity to judge us? And ironically, when we love ourselves, celebrate ourselves and our successes others follow. I am looking to get the seat for Brent Central by the end of the year, my public duty is calling me, I miss helping people. Angela Small, Editor at Large, Dawn Butler is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Brent South from 2005 to 2010, and was Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement in the Cabinet Office. She made history as Britain’s first African-Caribbean Minister in the House of Commons.

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ART & SPIRITUALITY

Twin Soul Creation

he pictures I create are silhouette images of black females. They are mixed media; the images themselves are acrylic painted and I use African print fabrics and other materials to accessorize.

I try to capture the inherent beauty and power of the black female using strong pose and I feel that the African print emphasizes this best. I name the images using positive affirmations that define ‘self’. mixed media; the images themselves are acrylic painted and I use African print fabrics and other materials to accessorize. I try to capture the inherent beauty and power of the black female using strong pose and

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The images featured are named ‘I AM’ and ‘I WILL’. The idea is that each customer or potential customer sees someone they know, or even themselves in the images I create. You can see more of my work on facebook. www.TwinSoulCreations.com or email twinsoulcreations@gmail.com.

July 2013

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Jamaica

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Travelling to Jamaica, check out our natural hair salon called jus natural located in three parishes

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Natural Hair Salon Jamaica

Jus Natural has three branches at the following locations: Jus Natural Hair Studio - Pulse Complex Shop 45 Pulse Complex 38A Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10 Tel: 876.906.0400 Store Managers: Trudy Greenland & Princess McLean DIRECTIONS: Located in the Pulse Complex opposite the intersection of Trafalgar and Holborn Road Jus Natural Hair Studio - Montego Bay Shop 25 2 Union Street Center Point Plaza Tel: 876.952.8325 Store Manager: Samantha Broomfield DIRECTIONS: Located in the same plaza as Island Grill. Directly across from Bay West Shopping Center July 2013

Jus Natural Hair Studio- Portmore Town Center Shop 40 Portmore Town Center Tel: 876.998.8879 Store Manager: Yessener Greenland DIRECTIONS: Located in the Portmore Town Center on the 2nd floor. Upon exiting the Toll Road, Portmore Town Center is located on the opposite side of the Portmore Mall.

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SEALED WITH A KISS Celebrating Four Decades of Love

heresa Swan, left the wonderful hot climate of Trinidad in 1962 and flew to London with the airline Panam to pursue a career in nursing. She was the first member in her family to leave Trinidad and stated she was scared but curious about what awaits her in England.

ton in North London. The house was big and lively with a mixture of Caribbean families living in various rooms.

Devon was pretty and at times resembled the Caribbean but very cold, with very few black people, so the scattering of black nurses working in that hospital quickly formed a tight bond, and introduced each other to friends and family they had in England. It was on one of Theresa’s visits down to London to visit a colleague who was transferred to North Middlesex hospital, that she met Charles, her husband to be.

One weekend Charles saw a lovely young lady visiting his aunts friend downstairs. Charles waited a few hours before going downstairs and introducing himself. He was quiet at first, looking at Theresa thinking she’s gorgeous. By the end of that evening he plucked up the courage to ask her to go with him to the cinema. The romance blossomed from then, within six months Theresa, secured a transfer to a London Hospital and moved to Edmonton. Charles proposed after a year of courting and they were married the following year, becoming Mr and Mrs Richards they have one daughter Jacqueline and a grandson Jaden.

Charles a young man from Jamaican working as a car mechanic flew into England with the airline BOC on April 24th 1963, in pursuit of work in the car industry. Fortunately for Charles he already had family residing in England, and went to live with his aunt and her husband on Montague Road, Edmon-

Charles and Theresa celebrated their 47th year of marriage, in sunny Jamaica on 28th May, this year, and then again in London on their return. I was fortunate enough to be invited to the celebration held in England for family and friends, on Father’s Day. I asked the married couple what’s the

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I asked the happy couple about any memories of their wedding day, Charles instantly shared that the bride was half hour late due to Spurs playing at home, but he was confident she would show up, in those days there were no mobile phones, only the red phone boxes, it was a long half hour. From my observation of the couple, they are the pillars of their community and a true role model for togetherness. For years I attended their Xmas, and summer party celebrations. (Summer parties for Jacqueline birthday) They would always be a core group of Jacqueline friends, but most of the party guests would be family members and other married couples from their generation. There is something magical about being in a party surrounded by lots of married couples watching them interact instilling family values and togetherness. On conclusion of this article, I asked a few guests, on their thoughts of the married couple. Jaden their grandson stated “their relationship is natural, they have there ups and down which keeps them strong they have an understanding between them, Jacqueline their daughter stated that “they are a good team, bound well, and the heart of friends and family”. Friends shared “they are a delightful couple to be around” “one of the longest standing couples that they know and very influential”.

July 2013

Interviewed by Angela Small Editor at Large

Before she left Trinidad, she was told a White Trinidadian man would meet her by the name of Mr Kemp who had a long nose, she could not miss him. On her arrival to London, she glanced around the huge airport, so different to Trinidad and looked into a sea of white faces, then she saw a man approaching her with a nose like the fairy tale story Pinocchio, instantly she knew he was the person meeting her. Mr Kemp took her to his family house in Harlesden West London where she was taken care of by the family for a night, after being informed that she would be working and living in a place out of London called Devon. The next morning she was taken to Paddington station and put on a train to her new destination.

secret behind their successful marriage? Charles says there is no secret, just, teamwork, luck, love and give and take, his advice to Newlyweds is, “stick together and talk to one another, it’s a long road to travel but good when you have a partnership”. Theresa sentiments are almost similar; she said it was about patience, give and take with trust. For Newly weds her advice is to live day-by-day and always talk things through.

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Is it possible to be Single, Spiritual...AND Sexual?” Join Suzanne on her 11-year quest for ‘the Truth’ about sex before marriage, the creative power of her thoughts, Universal Laws, her African Ancestry, and the his-storyof the religion she had been indoctrinated into! Start the journey be reading Year One FREE! www.singlespiritualandsexual.com www.singlespiritualandsexual.com July 2013

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Bald is Beautiful Personal Insight into Career, Marriage and Perceptions

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July 2013

ebra Phillips, is a 55 year old, married woman, with one daughter and three stepchildren. Debra is a working mother and 18 years of her working life she worked for the Four Seasons Hotel. In 2010 she unfortunately was made redundant, she said “it was a real shock to the system after working non-stop for 30 years. At first, I found it a hard to get another job, the older you get the harder it seems to gain employment. You have to new learn skills as you are competing in a whole new arena”. Debra worked in temporary positions for a while and in 2012 she found a permanent position working within an HR department.

how do I cope with the attention, I am fine with it, if they want, they can ask me questions and I am happy to answer, I am quite confident with it now. However, when I first done it, I thought, what have I done, have I done the right thing? It was a big and drastic step to take. The general public just stare, everywhere I go, I get comments all the time. I accept their comments graciously and if they do not like it I still accept their comments graciously.

I remember one person asked me if I am sick? I responded do I look sick? they said no you look quite healthy, then the answer is no, I am not sick. I can understand why people automatically How would you describe your think this, but I don’t have an illness, and hairstyle and how long have you when I see other women, with baldheads worn it like that? I smile and say welcome to the club. My hairstyle? Debra asked, I haven’t got a hairstyle I’m just bald (laugh), I’ve been like this for maybe four years now. Some time ago I was diagnosed with diabetes as well as going through my menopause, so the two mixed together contributed to my hair loss. Initially my hair started to thin out, I worn it naturally for a while but I am not one of those people who like to cover up holes, I would rather just get rid of the hair and start again. So, first I cut it down really low to number 1, but because of the menopause, I kept sweating in my head, so Micky, my husband said, why don’t you just shave it for the summer? which I thought was an excellent idea, and so, I have been shaving my hair ever since. Obviously in the winter I wear a hat and in the summer I go out wearing big earrings etc. When I first did it, it was a big culture shock for me and other women, because hair is so important to women, they could not quite understand why I did this! They would ask me why don’t I have plaits or wear a wig, the thought had crossed my mind but because of the menopause it would be too much, I would be taking plaits out constantly and taking my wig off to fan myself, it really would not be worth it. I want to be comfortable and at the end of the day you do what you have to do for yourself. How does the general public receive your shaved hair? People do look at me kind of weird sometimes, even now! People ask me July 2013

“who told you, that you had a good head to shave it ?”

which combined can cause hair loss. She then asked “so why don’t you wear plaits like I see most other black women do?” I replied, it’s not me, she then asks “why not wear a wig?” and I said that’s definitely not me, and then she went on to ask “then why not wear it short?, I did cut it short, I replied, but because it was patchy I decided to cut it off. She then said “you’re so brave, you’ve got such a lovely face, who told you, you had a good head to cut it in the first place!!”, I laughed and said thank you I didn’t know I had a good head!! How long have you been married and please share what makes a successful marriage. I have been married for 12 years and for me, to make a successful marriage you have to have love, be able to compromise, have good communication and laughter and trust. Those five are the most important things in the marriage. If you don’t have those things it’s hard and you have to keep it fresh all the time. Get yourself involved in each other’s interests. They say opposites attract, he likes reggae, I like soul, so on the way to a function, he will play reggae and on the way back he will play soul. We laugh a lot and do silly things and laugh at our silliness. We go out a lot together and at times he goes out with his friends at and I go out with mine and at times bring the two together.

What was the reaction from your new employers and colleagues? Can you leave us with a couple of tips, one on marriage and the other At first, a little taken aback, shocked, on being bald and beautiful? probably a more apt description, I walked in said, “hi I am Debra Phillips” When you’re getting married the day is and they all turned and looked at me, so exciting, it goes so quickly so ensure with eyes wide open. I was not sure if you enjoy every single minute, it’s the it was because I am black or a double longest and shortest day of your life. I whammy, a black bald women!! It was think the hardest job at first is just being like two shocks in one. The company with that person 24/7 if you’re not used is predominately English with a few to it, but I say enjoy being with your Indians scattered here and there. husband; even after the excitement of the wedding is gone keep love new. I I had a very good interview, they asked would say you both have to have the me a lot of questions relating to what I same temperament, as there will be do, one thing they did not ask me was times when it’s hard talk to one another, about my hair and why I had it that way, and you must take the rough with the they took no interest at that time. At the smooth. second interview however, this lady said to me in a lowered tone, “I know lots of As for women who choose to shave their people must have asked you this, but hair, be happy with who you are, inside why have you shaved your hair, you’re and out. not sick are you?” Imagine that, the first thought was, I am sick!! I said no, I am not sick, but I do have type 2 diabetes Interviewed by Angela Small and am going through the menopause Editor at large

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Black Women Natural Hairstyles

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