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Dallas, Texas

Night Mood

PHOTO BY RICARDO ESQUIVEL

For the Love of Dallas, TX.

Begin your day with a Dallas Tour. Explore the city with Efrogs. The guided tour takes you through Downtown, Uptown, the Arts District and Deep Ellum in an electric cart. If you are being more adventurous, try the Segway Nation Segway tour. Or if you prefer a van tour, Best DFW Tours is the way to go.

Pay tribute to JFK by visiting The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Then head to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and take your presidential picture at the full-sized Oval Office.

Enjoy a variety of culinary experiences in a city with 12K restaurants! Try the cuisine of celebrity chefs Dean Fearing and John Tesar, or the irresistible BBQ of Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum! Don't miss Trinity Groves, featuring 16 original dining concepts and the best views of the city.

Each of Dallas' 20 unique neighborhoods deserves a visit. If time is limited, check out Uptown with the historical McKinney Avenue Trolley and trendy bars and restaurants. Or Greenville Avenue with its laidback atmosphere, delicious restaurants, and casual nightlife.

The Daytripper: The best way to see the city is from the top of the Reunion Tower with a beautiful view you won’t find anywhere else. One of the coolest parts is the glass elevator that lets you watch your ascent.

Our Father, Who Art in Heaven …

Corona Virus Update on Restaurants These Dallas Restaurants Have Permanently

Closed During the Coronavirus Pandemic

We have tried our best to provide our readers with a solid list of establishments that have called it quits since restaurants were required to close their dining rooms.

Since March, restaurant dining rooms across the city were required to close in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The industry is still struggling. While waiting for assistance from the federal government and a return to the new normal, some beloved establishments just couldn’t make it through.

Global One is keeping track of the restaurant closures across the city during the coronavirus pandemic and will update this list if more closers happen. • Mille Lire - The Oak Lawn Italian restaurant closed in July. • Savor - The restaurant overlooking • Klyde Warren Park closed for good in

August. • Mubrooka - The much-lauded

Egyptian restaurant called it quits in late August. PHOTO BY JUANY JAMENEZ TORRES • Christie’s - The popular McKinney

Avenue sports bar has closed for good after 30 years. • Soho Food and Jazz - This popular night spot and • Peggy Sue BBQ - 30 years after its Park Cities music venue in Addison closed in May when its debut, Peggy Sue BBQ shuttered for good in owners decided to retire instead of reopening.

August. • Look Cinemas and Ivy Kitchen - The movie • The Hall Bar and Grill - Closed in late July. theater and its sister restaurant on Belt Line Road • Gas Monkey Live - The bar and music venue closed have closed permanently, according to an in March and has since been folded into its sister announcement on its website. restaurant Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill. • Twigs American Kitchen - The location at the • Penne Pomodoro - This lowkey Lakewood Italian Shops at Clearfork in Fort Worth has spot has closed after 11 years, according to the closed, according to a Facebook post. The location

Dallas Observer. at Grandscape at The Colony remains open. • Neighborhood Services - The Preston Royal • Laurel Tavern - The Lower Greenville location has closed, according to CultureMap. The gastropub closed in May. chain’s two other locations, in Addison, and on • The Foundry - This West Dallas bar and outdoor

Lovers Lane in Dallas, have reopened. music venue closed in May, according to the • Deep Ellum Brewing’s Funky Town DMN.

Fermatorium - The Fort Worth outpost of this • Five Sixty - Wolfgang Puck’s iconic Dallas popular microbrewery closed in June, according to restaurant in the ball atop Reunion Tower closed

Paper City. its doors when the shutdown began in March, and it won’t reopen. Opened in 2009, the restaurant

boasted 360-degree views of the Dallas skyline, and was a special occasions staple. • Sushi Bayashi - This Trinity Groves sushi spot bowed out during the shutdown, and will be replaced with a different, as-yet-unnamed

Japanese restaurant in the coming months. • Highland Park Cafeteria - After 95 years of slinging comfort food, Highland Park Cafeteria announced in mid-May that it would close for good. “We would love to have a farewell event to honor you and our faithful employees, but due to the current restrictions, we won’t be able to,” the restaurant said in a statement. “HPC is not tables and chairs and stoves, it is generations of cooks faithfully preparing special recipes and lovingly serving generations of diners.” • British Beverage Company - Closed in April. • Don Arturo’s Cocina and Cantina - Closed in

March. • Mercy Wine Bar - Permanently closed; Mercy

Bar and Lounge in Irving will remain open. • Start - All locations of the healthy fast-food chain have shuttered. • Dakota’s Steakhouse - Permanently closed after 36 years in Downtown Dallas. • Chicken Scratch - Just weeks after Beto

O’Rourke endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden at this West Dallas spot,

CultureMap reports that it has shuttered permanently. • Jake’s Burgers - The Henderson Avenue location of this longtime burger chain has closed, according to the Dallas Morning News. • Ross & Hall Beer Garten - This Ross Ave drinking destination announced that it would permanently close its doors on May 17. “This business is a weird one but every now and again you come across a place that is almost an instant family and that’s what this was for us,” the bar’s owners wrote on Facebook. “All different walks of life could come together on the daily and create such a cool atmosphere that we are so deeply going miss.” • Wa Kubota - This popular Plano Japanese restaurant announced on its website that its last day of service would be April 30. • YaYa Best Tex-Mex Yogurt - Per a statement from owner Ralph Isenberg, this Bishop Arts yogurt shop closed on May 18. • Eastside Social - Per Culture Map, this Greenville

Avenue bar was “cleared out in April.” • The Lot - This Lakewood patio destination called it quits in April as coronavirus eliminated the crowds of people who would normally spend hours drinking al fresco. • Lizard Lounge - A haven for goths, industrial music fans, and weirdos of all kinds, Deep Ellum lost a neighborhood fixture when Lizard Lounge announced that it would not return after bars were allowed to reopen. There is one ray of hope, though — owner Don Nedler said that he’s looking at finding a new home for the club. • Cool River Cafe - Closed permanently, per

CultureMap. • Bird Cafe - Facing a steep decline in foot traffic in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square, restaurateur

Shannon Wynne is set to close Bird Cafe on May 22. Fortunately, the restaurant was approved for a

Payroll Protection Program loan from the Small

Business Administration, which means that employees will be paid for “weeks” after the restaurant’s departure. • Desert Racer - closed, will be replaced with a patio pop-up called Vantina. • Off-Site Kitchen - closed, will not reopen at

Trinity Groves. • Perfect Union Pizza Company - closed; will be

“reconcepted.” • Ceviche Oyster Bar - Per a post to the restaurant’s Facebook page, closed permanently.

The menu and staff has moved to a new spot called La Palapa de Sabor at 118 West Jefferson. • Houston’s - According to CultureMap, the

Addison location permanently closed its doors on

June 13. • Ikigai Udon - Announced on June 18 that it would close permanently due to the current “unusual economic situation.” • Jake’s Burgers - According to Lakewood

Advocate, the Henderson Avenue outpost of

Jake’s closed due to issues with its landlord. • Tacos Mariachi - Per the Dallas Morning

News, the Greenville Avenue location of this popular taqueria shuttered for good. The original outpost on Singleton Ave will reopen.

Do you know of a permanent Dallas restaurant closure that’s not on this list? Send us an email at globalonemagazine@gmail.com

Purchase advertising or simply share your stories with Global One Magazine We are here to promote you.

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Dallas, Texas

Day Mood

Entrepreneurship

An entrepreneur is a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses taking on greater financial risks in order to do so. An entrepreneur is a person that invest in themselves, working from the bottom - working hard to get to the top.

African Culture

African American Influence on American Culture

The contributions and cultural influences stemming from enslaved Africans have been greatly undermined in the American culture. Africanisms varying from traditional folklore, Southern cuisine to song and dance are not only prevalent in today’s society but have a widespread, deeprooted impact throughout the United States.

During the Middle Passage, enslaved Africans were forced to abandon traditional customs, camouflage spiritual rituals, and perish cultural artifacts. But upon arrival into the New World, previous practices and wisdom were quickly adapted in order to survive and sustain within the realm of America.

Unfortunately, Africans contributions to the economics, wealth, and culture of the U.S. since the beginning have been whitewashed or receive little to no credit, a tale all too familiar within American history. The expertise and benefactions of Africans are evidenced in various forms including but not limited to:

Agriculture: Africans supplied the intense labor, skillfulness, and cultivation of the first rice seeds, successfully introducing and transmitting rice culture into the New World. Stemming back to the 1700s, rice was first introduced from Madagascar to the farming market of South Carolina. During this time, enslaved Africans used three indispensable systems: ground water, springs, and soil moisture reservation.

Southern Cuisine: At the time of the trans-Atlantic voyage, black-eyed peas, okra, kidney, and lima beans were gathered and collected in Africa for enslaved Africans upon the voyage into the New World. Synonymous with soul food, traditional African dishes and techniques have been perpetuated in American food culture such as deep frying, gumbo, fufu and millet bread. Often prepared by enslaved Africans, cornbread was assimilated to the African millet bread and fufu, a traditional African meal similar to “turn meal and flour,” a popular dish associated with the state of South Carolina.

Brer Rabbit

Nursery Rhymes: Folklores such as Chicken Little, Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox, were derived from Africa. African stories, fables and oratory traditions have been embedded into American culture, providing a childhood infrastructure for learning and development through the use of nursery rhymes.

Indigenous Song and Dance: Enslaved Africans were forced to substitute drums with hand clapping and feet tapping because slave “masters” banned drums in several African communities after learning they could be used as an obscure form of communication. As a result, rhythmic song and dance became a major component of the New World culture, that includes shuffles, jigs, breakdowns, and the strut accompanied by drum-less beats using their hands or feet. Two of the most notable music forms created by enslaved Africans are spirituals and the blues; both are generational blueprints within the religious melodies found in the African American communities.

Those noted above are just the tip of the iceberg as there is an abundance of notable contributions made by enslaved Africans that are often duplicated but highly disregarded in the American culture. For instance, enslaved Africans are also responsible for establishing the augmentation of the dairy industry, artificial insemination of cows and the creation of various vaccines and cures including smallpox and poisonous snake bites. The African origins most influential staple is evidenced throughout modern popular culture where America has continuously capitalized in more ways than one through language, hair styles, clothing, and contemporary music.

Happy Habits / Happy Life

Your Serenity

10 Daily Habits For Inner Peace

By Meerabelle Dey, Contributor and Attorney

We all want serenity, that elusive state of calm that seems to belong solely to yoga instructors. People with serenity are better equipped to enjoy life. Their small problems remain small and don't become magnified into huge catastrophes. And when real crises arise, they react with steady, clear thinking. However, serenity isn't achieved without effort. We need good mental habits to have peaceful minds. So, here are some daily habits to get you on your path to serenity. 1. Give Thanks Continually. When your alarm goes off, before you even get out of bed, close your eyes, and think about the ways in which you've been blessed. Consider the most basic gifts that you have: a job, good relationships, your home, your clothing, your health. Then continue to give thanks throughout the day. If someone lets you in their lane when you are driving, give thanks. When your paycheck is deposited into your account, give thanks. When your child comes home from school safely, give thanks. Make a point of acknowledging every good thing that happens to you. 2. As Soon As Your Mind Wanders Get It Back on Course. We know when we are getting mentally off course. We get irritated over minor things. We decide it's our job to correct other people's bad behavior. We obsess over past slights. These are all symptoms of the mind going down a path toward wrong thinking. Like a car that has shifted into a lane with on-coming traffic, our minds also can shift into the wrong lane. As soon as that happens, stop what you are doing. Walk away from the person who isn't acting properly. Then do whatever it is that helps you get your mind back on track. For me, it's reading something spiritual. For others, it may be listening to inspiring music or talking to a good friend. By re-directing your mind, you can more easily return to clear thinking. 3. Practice Acceptance. Practicing acceptance doesn't mean that you allow yourself to be treated poorly by others. It means that you accept others for who they are. If someone is a jerk or manipulative, that is who they are. It's your choice whether or not to spend time with them but accept that you can't change them. Likewise, practicing acceptance doesn't mean that you don't try to improve your life. For instance, you may not like your current job or home. Accept your situation for what it is today. Do your best at your job and make your home as beautiful as possible. Appreciate that you have work and a place to live. Then do what you can each day to get your dream job or home in the future. Acceptance isn't stagnation. Acceptance is understanding what you can and cannot change. 4. Be Kind To Others. There is no scenario in which being unkind to others will benefit you. So be careful how you operate. The ugly things that you say and do to other people may affect them, but those actions will poison you. If you are unhappy, take a long, hard look at your behavior. If you spew mean comments or take advantage of people, you will be miserable. I can't sugarcoat that. Instead, be consistently kind. Build others up. Be helpful. You will find that by doing those three things, you'll be at peace with yourself because you will actually like yourself. 5. Be Careful What You Drink. Some things we drink can affect our minds. Coffee, tea, and some soft drinks have caffeine. Caffeine affects each person differently. Evaluate how it affects you. If it makes you jumpy or irritable, then either reduce your consumption or eliminate it altogether. Alcohol affects people differently as well. If drinking wine, beer or hard liquor makes you anxious or depressed, again, limit your drinking or cut alcohol out of your life altogether. Being happy is more important than your Starbucks or a nightly glass of wine. 6. Get Enough Sleep. Our minds cannot think clearly if they aren't rested. Small children need copious amounts of sleep-in order to be happy. Adults are no different. While we may not throw ourselves on the floor and scream if we haven't had a nap, we function only slightly better without sleep. Develop good sleep habits. Go to bed early. There is nothing wrong with going to bed at 9 p.m. The television shows you are missing aren't nearly as important as your serenity. 7. Watch and Read the Right Kind of Books, Movies and Television. What we watch and read affects how we think. Choose your entertainment carefully. There is a lot of violent, pointless junk out there which is deemed to be "avantgarde" or "creative." If you want to have a relaxed mind, spend your time watching and reading things that have a positive message or that educate. Don't spend your valuable free time filling your mind with garbage just because it's popular. 8. Keep a Clean, Uncluttered Home. There is a reason why spas don't have dirty towels on the floors and shelves covered with knickknacks. You can't relax in a place that is messy. A cluttered home or room is a sign of a cluttered mind. Make your home a place that is tidy and beautiful. You should breathe a sigh of relief when you enter your home. It should be a refuge for both your mind and your senses. 9. Spend Parts of the Day without Noise. There is nothing wrong with television per se, but there is something wrong with the television being on all the time. People tend to turn on the television to avoid being uncomfortable. We are either uncomfortable with our families, or we are uncomfortable with ourselves. So, we distract ourselves from that discomfort with a lot of racket. The problem is that noise impedes you from truly relaxing. Make the choice to give your ears and mind a break and enjoy the silence. 10. Spend Time with the Right Kind of People. There are people who can't help but be a problem. Everywhere they go, they create drama. Someone has always done them wrong, or they are continually upset about something. Or they just can't say anything nice. Give those people wide berth. You can't necessarily eliminate those people from your life, but you can limit your contact with them. It is a matter of self-preservation. When you allow people into your life who bring chaos, it is very hard to maintain your serenity. It isn't your job to make their lives better. It is their job to not spread their brand of drama.

Creating a Life You Can Call Your Own

The best way to break a bad habit is to drop it.

It’s about 6:00 p.m. on Friday and you realize you just put in another fifty-hour workweek. You grab a bottle of wine on your way home, open the door and head straight for the couch. You grab the remote control in one hand and your junk mail in the other. While shuffling through the mail you suddenly notice a letter from him. You wonder what he's sent and why. After all you’ve dated for more than a year and you’ve never received a letter from him

You tear the letter open and began to frantically read it. The words, “It’s over, I’ve found someone else,” causes your heart to skip a beat and your legs begin to feel like jelly. You tell yourself, “This couldn’t be true.” But it is. It feels like an explosion has went off in your brain, so it has to be true. You’ve never felt like this before.

It’s not like him to tell you something of this magnitude in a letter. You’ve always been able to discuss problems or bad news face to face. You sit back down, and you realize the person you’ve invested all your time, energy, and emotions into has just ended your relationship. This was the relationship you hoped would last forever. After you think for a moment and try to get over the initial shock, you check your call notes to see if there are any messages telling you to disregard the letter. Surely there has to be something about reconsidering or at least something he said to soften the blow. But there’s nothing. You feel hurt, rejected and alone.

Several weeks pass, and for some strange reason things aren’t getting any better and you don’t feel any better. In fact, you still feel emotionally torn, just like you did the day you got the letter. As you try to work through the pain, you reminisce about your relationship repeatedly. You begin to talk to yourself, and then you ask, “What happened?” “What did I do?” “Why didn’t I see it coming?” “Why did it have to happen this way?”

Finally, the truth begins to emerge, and you realize why your relationship with this person fizzled: you simply did not have your own life. This person was your life. Your entire lifestyle was wrapped up in someone else. You see now that all the time you were dating, your life was on hold. Any free time you had was spent with him. Your career, interests, friends, and even your relationship with God was placed on hold. Now that your relationship has ended you have nothing to sustain you. Without your sweetheart you have no life.

Photo by John Mark-Smith

Sadly, I have witnessed far too many scenarios like this one. Thousands of people are trapped in their relationships that should have never begun in the first place. Thousands of women are in relationships where they are trying to get to know the man, before they know about themselves. They simply ignored the number one rule: Get a life!

One of the most important things a person can learn from being dumped is -- you have to always maintain a separate life in your relationships. A real life so to speak! When you invest all of your energy and self-worth in trying to get and keep a mate or simply have a relationship where everything you do and say is in reference to the relationship - you don’t have a life.

Before you met your mate, plenty was probably happening in your life. For most women it usually is. Once you got to know him better did, he became your biggest priority? Have you given up all the things you enjoyed doing because you’re doing so much for your mate? Do you find yourself waiting by the telephone? Has your life really become your partner's life? Once a person gets into a heavy relationship, they are not only consumed they also get caught up in their partner's agenda. You even forget your friends and family until you’re caught on the short end of the relationship and your partner decides to move on. This doesn’t have to happen to you. You can show your love and still have a life of your own while you do it. Before you go out again or say, “I do,” please follow these simple steps.

They detail why you should keep your agenda as full as possible when a new person enters your life.

1.Become More Interesting.

A person will become immediately attracted to you if you carry yourself in a more interesting way. Maintain a wide laugh and a deep smile. Anyone you’re interested in you will soon recognize after going out with you a few times whether your life is good or bad. If you only know things about the neighborhood you live in, he’ll know you’re not well versed in going to exciting places. If you eat at the little restaurant down the street all the time your date will think you lack skills in different foods or restaurants. If you appear to be boring or unknowing, he’ll try other things to remain excited, maybe even other dates.

2.Don’t Make Yourself Too Available.

Most people love a challenge, even though they won’t admit it openly. When you aren’t so accessible it makes him want you more. When you receive a call to go on a date, be sure to let your date know that you’ll have to check your calendar. Mutter not so quietly... dinner with Carla, meeting with Bobbie, workout with Alberta, and drinks with Georgia. Be incredibly sweet all the while you're speaking to him. Remember, the trick is to always act as if you want to go out again, but you just don’t know when you can fit it in your schedule. We all want to believe that we matter. So being busy and still making your date feel needed is a great way not to appear anxious. It’s man's nature to desire those things and people who aren’t so available. It’s a turn on for him. If you hold back a little -- (a lot easier to do when you have a full life) he will immediately become more attracted to you. “Don’t just do your date, do other things too.”

3.Show Your Independence.

Independence is great for romance. The busier you are, the better it is for the both of you. When you show your independence, you’re also able to show that you can really take care of yourself. No one wants to be involved with a whiner or insecure person, and you don't want to feel like you're at the bottom of his list. Don’t insist on filling up all his time - it’s a turn-off. Putting to many demands on his time will turn you into a nervous wreck and neither of you will feel god about being in the relationship.

Having your own life makes you less resentful of his life. Besides, your independence won’t allow you to worry about the amount of time he spends with you. What a relief to know that you won’t make a big deal out of it.

By taking a break each of you will respect the times that space is needed from one another. In a healthy relationship, it’s okay for a couple to have mutual needs that they can fulfill together, but it’s always smart to have separate needs.

Here’s a simple quiz designed to help you become more aware and recognize if you are headed for problems in the relationship. Circle your answer. 1. Do you often cancel previous plans because he said he would call you?

Yes NO 2. Do you rush off the phone just because he’s supposed to call?

Yes NO 3. Do you go on diets because he likes women more fit and trim than you?

Yes NO 4. Do you avoid your friends because he says he doesn’t like them?

Yes NO 5. Do you miss doing things with your friends because you’re missing out on doing something with him?

Yes NO 6. Do you wear only the clothes that he says he likes to see you in?

Yes NO 7. Do you spend the entire weekend at home just because he’s out of town?

Yes NO 8. Do you get rid of your favorite pet just because he doesn’t like the way it looks?

Yes NO 9. Does he decide he’s going to relocate to a better paying job in another state and when he asks you to come along you start packing right away and hope to find a job when you get there?

Yes NO 10. Have you ever caught him having an affair and you blame the person you caught him with?

Yes NO

If you feel that your answer should be yes to these questions, then you have unwisely placed yourself at your mate’s beck and call by having your life revolve around his life. Start making a change today! Begin self-appreciation by setting your own individual goals. Find out more about yourself and what you want out of life apart from your partner. Pursue your own interests. Don’t erode your self-esteem by giving your power away. Your partner may not even be asking you to do this, but when you think and do things only as a couple you are becoming the dependent party in the relationship. Your mate will value, respect, and appreciate you more if you continue to have a life… Your Own Life!

PHOTOS BY PHAZZ

Introducing Composer Victor ‘Phazz’ Clark

Born with immense gifts and talent, Composer Victor “Phazz” Clark is a highly innovative, creative, and versatile production powerhouse offering a plethora of multimedia services for, music, sports, films, and television shows. Victor is the CEO of three companies, Phazzanation Studios, Top of the Line Media Inc., and Co-CEO with Cole Beasley in ColdNation Records. Victor’s Phazzanation Studios specializes in audio recording and music production as well as visual arts, documentaries, and commercials.

As a fan of music since a small child, Victor began his career as a choreographer traveling overseas throughout Japanese cities, Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka Etc... After performing live on more than 2,000 shows, Victor became inspired to create the music that he enjoyed dancing and creating choreography to. Victor invested the money he earned as a choreographer and purchased studio recording equipment. Victor soon became extremely popular in the local and national music scene and became a highly sought out producer and songwriter. As his reputation grew, he attracted advertisers that hired him to compose music and jingles for brands, such as Microsoft, McDonalds, and Pro Line Hair Products. Meet ‘Phazz’

Throughout his career, Victor has also been involved in creating and composing movie soundtracks, which has led him into the demanding world of films and television. His successes in this area include, composing music for Adam Sandler’s feature film, “The Benchwarmer’s”, ABC Family's original show “Lincoln Heights”, the Academy Award Winning TV series Crash on Starz, and produced a song for the hit show, "Love Games” on The Oxygen Channel.

Victor was commissioned by Former Dallas Cowboy, Greg Ellis, to be the music supervisor for the nationally released movie “Carter High”, Directed by Arthur Muhammad, starring Vivica A. Fox, Charles S. Dutton Pooch Hall & David Banner. Victor was also a Major contributor in closing the deal to feature a song from the Oscar winning Rapper/Actor “COMMON” in the Carter High Movie. Victor Phazz Clark and his business partner Cole Beasley has teamed up with Royal Fortune Films to score & create a soundtrack, to the upcoming movie 4th and Goal By Randy Roberts scheduled for a 2021 release

Phazz is currently working on projects with several NFL Stars, namely JJ Wilcox, Morris Claiborne, Cole Beasley, Talance Sawyer and Jeremy Mincey.

Victor is known for being innovative, focused, and professional, but also for his good nature, patience, persistence, and reliability. Victor’s mantra is “Delivering on time”. Victor’s multi-talents and strong work ethic clearly set him apart from others in the business.

Phazzanation Studios/ColdNation Records 4760 Preston Rd. Suite 244-225, Frisco TX 75034 https://phazzanation.com/ Check Out Victor "Phazz" Clark Sizzle Reel. https://vimeo.com/180224722 Cole Beasley & Phazz Clark 80 https://vimeo.com/308650050

Phazz Producer/LifeStyle Promo

Order your autographed copy today

Keeping the Home Fires Burning

An easy-to-understand guide for the contemporary adult woman who wants to up her game and become more loving, sensuous, and intimate as she gives and receives pleasure. Ella Patterson is ready to show women how to make their relationships successful—whether they have been married for years or are absolute newcomers. Keeping the Home Fires Burning is direct, accessible, practical, and helpful for women who want to accept and take responsibility for their sexual happiness. A woman will learn: - Hundreds of tips, techniques, and treats that nurture her mind, body, and spirit. - Secrets that help her become more sensuous, sexy, and loving. - Pointers about how to get in tune with her sexual needs. - To enhance her sexual selfesteem, and attitude for a caring and loving union. To accept love, give love, and believe that love is her friend. - A woman should… Read it. Believe it. Do it.

Purchase at

www.BarnesandNobles.com www.PostHillPress.com

Order directly from the author Autographed copies. 972-765-1950

Health & Well-Being

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED A BREAK

We all face stressful situations throughout our lives, ranging from minor annoyances like traffic jams to more serious worries, such as a loved one's grave illness. No matter what the cause, stress floods your body with hormones. Your heart pounds, your breathing speeds up, and your muscles tense. This so-called "stress response" is a normal reaction to threatening situations, homed in our prehistory to help us survive threats like an animal attack or a flood. Today, we rarely face these physical dangers, but challenging situations in daily life can set off the stress response. We can't avoid all sources of stress in our lives, nor would we want to. But we can develop healthier ways of responding to them. One way is to invoke the "relaxation response," through a technique first developed in the 1970s at Harvard Medical School by cardiologist Dr. Herbert Benson, editor of the Harvard Medical School Special Health Report Stress Management: Approaches for preventing and reducing stress. The relaxation response is the opposite of the stress response. It's a state of profound rest that can be elicited in many ways. With regular practice, you create a well of calm to dip into as the need arises. Here are six relaxation techniques that can help you evoke the relaxation response and reduce stress.

1. Breath focus. In this simple, powerful technique, you take long, slow, deep breaths (also known as abdominal or belly breathing). As you breathe, you gently disengage your mind from distracting thoughts and sensations. Breath focus can be especially helpful for people with eating disorders to help them focus on their bodies in a more positive way. However, this technique may not be appropriate for those with health problems that make breathing difficult, such as respiratory ailments or heart failure.

2. Body scan. This technique blends breath focus with progressive muscle relaxation. After a few minutes of deep breathing, you focus on one part of the body or group of muscles at a time and mentally releasing any physical tension you feel there. A body scan can help boost your awareness of the mind-body connection. If you have had a recent surgery that affects your body image or other difficulties with body image, this technique may be less helpful for you.

3. Guided imagery. For this technique, you conjure up soothing scenes, places, or experiences in your mind to help you relax and focus. You can find free apps and online recordings of calming scenes—just make sure to choose imagery you find soothing and that has personal significance. Guided imagery may help you reinforce a positive vision of yourself, but it can be difficult for those

who have intrusive thoughts or find it hard to conjure up mental images.

4. Mindfulness meditation. This practice involves sitting comfortably, focusing on your breathing, and bringing your mind's attention to the present moment without drifting into concerns about the past or the future. This form of meditation has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years. Research suggests it may be helpful for people with anxiety, depression, and pain.

5. Yoga, tai chi, and qigong. These three ancient arts combine rhythmic breathing with a series of postures or flowing movements. The physical aspects of these practices offer a mental focus that can help distract you from racing thoughts. They can also enhance your flexibility and balance. But if you are not normally active, have health problems, or a painful or disabling condition, these relaxation techniques might be too challenging. Check with your doctor before starting them.

6. Repetitive prayer. For this technique, you silently repeat a short prayer or phrase from a prayer while practicing breath focus. This method may be especially appealing if religion or spirituality is meaningful to you. Rather than choosing just one technique, experts recommend sampling several to see which one works best for you. Try to practice for at least 20 minutes a day, although even just a few minutes can help. But the longer and the more often you practice these relaxation techniques, the greater the benefits and the more you can reduce stress.

Pamper Yourself Daily

Here, you will learn how to add you to your list of things to do.

Add ‘YOU’ to Your ‘TO DO’ …

Everyone deserves time where they can relax and do things or have things done that make them feel like they’re being taken care of. We all need a few minutes to soak in a hot bath without interruptions. We need to enjoy our moments of relaxation without being asked to fulfill the needs of someone else.

Pampering yourself is okay? Give yourself permission to take some downtime. It is not selfish, opulent, excessive, or self-centered. Quite frankly, it's necessary for everyone to spend some personal time taking care of their mind, body, and spirit.

Everything and everyone need attention; so much so, that you are usually the last person on your list of people to take care of. There's the family, the pet, the job, the kitchen, the bathroom, the home, the garden, the chores, the meals, etc. What about you? Are you the least taken care of sometimes? If you are, I'm sure you understand why personal pampering is so necessary? It’s important that you moments of pampering feel peaceful. These moments might not happen every hour, but maybe you can do it for yourself once every week or at least twice a month.

The one thing you must understand is: No one, not even your favorite person will hand you pamperiPHOTOS BY COTTONBRO ng pleasures on a silver platter each time you feel the need for them. They will never be able to give you the life that you dreamed of having either. It won't happen unless you make it happen on your own. So why wait on someone else to do it for you? Pick up your body, get out there and start. This is your time to do for you - what you would like to have done. It’s time to spoil yourself and make a big deal out of you. And guess what; you can do it regularly for no reason at all. Your pampering PHOTO BY COTTONBRO times are the times that you spoil yourself rotten in big or little ways just because.

Your Inner Diva is longing for and worthy of being pampered. Go ahead fuss over yourself. Relax and do lots of positive things for yourself. Occasionally do absolutely whatever you desire to do. Don't think about it, just be free and do whatever makes you feel spoiled rotten. And don’t forget to create a personal place where you can go and feel that all is right in your world. Before you move forward, let's figure out what's important to you. How can you affirm a new attitude about your own pampering pleasures? For this exercise jot down your own beliefs of what self-indulgence means to you. What Are Your Existing Beliefs About Self-Pampering? 1. __________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________ 4. __________________________________________________ 5. __________________________________________________ Okay, now that that's done, let’s work to change any negative views you have about self-indulgence. Repeat the following affirmations at least five times and believe what you say. 1. I will pamper myself for my own sense of peace. 2. I will gain a better understanding of pampering pleasures. 3. I will commit to pampering myself. 4. I will work to incorporate pampering into my daily life. 5. I will not allow people, places, things, or circumstances to disrupt my pampering pleasures time. Can you feel your old attitudes about self-indulgence changing yet? Are you able to pat yourself on the back and say, "I am okay, and I deserve my pampering moments?" When you accept the fact that self-indulgent pampering is okay you begin to get more comfortable with your own ideas.

Self-love are a part of who you are, but you must get in tune with it each day in order for it to be the most beneficial. Your SHE principles are universal and will help you get in touch with your Inner Diva - those special parts of you that you’re saving for yourself. These simple pleasures will help you indulge, explore, and evolve. They are the essence of who you really are, and they transcend culture, time, age, and time.

1. Who is she? The power of a woman is the fact that she has an awareness of the obstacles in her way and the misogynistic expectations people have for her, but she decides for herself what she wants and works to achieve it. Furthermore, a strong woman is willing to find help or gain strength from supportive friends, family members, and mentors–despite the notion that women should be ‘independent’ and ‘do it all.'” 2. She bounces back. “A strong woman keeps going on like she has never been hurt, despite having been.” 3. She knows who she is. “A strong woman is self-aware. She continually tries to overcome her fears, she knows how to control herself, and she is patient no matter the situation. She isn’t afraid to reveal her feelings because we all have them, and she shows hers without caring what other people think.” 4. She is independent but knows when to ask for help. “Being a strong woman doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. Hell, being a strong man doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. Part of me thinks that women feel they have to overcompensate because so PHOTO BY LUIS QUINTERO many peg them as these fragile, helpless creatures, when many of the women I know are stronger (be it mentally, emotionally, or physically) than many of the men I know.

Being a strong woman in my eyes means you’re someone who is realistic enough to know what you can do, is grounded enough to know when you need a hand and is confident enough to know you can ask for help without fear of being judged.” 5. She follows her own path. “A strong woman is someone who follows her own dreams rather than a man.” 6. She is unapologetic about who she is. “A strong woman works hard, she chases what she believes in, and she does it all for herself. No one else. She loves endlessly and shows appreciation to those around her. Most importantly, she isn’t selfish, and once she makes it, she reaches back to help others.” 7. She’s a fighter. “A strong woman is a woman who fights for rights she shouldn’t have to fight for.” 8. She’s perseverant. “A strong woman gets up every time she falls. She pushes forward, even when all odds are against her. She doesn’t let others influence her decisions. She’s resilient.” 9. She is balanced. “A strong woman knows when to be selfish and when to be selfless, when to follow her head and when to follow her heart. She has a good, stable head on her shoulders, and she knows when to play the hand she’s dealt and when to fold and hope the next one’s better.” 10. She doesn’t let others define her. “A strong woman is a busy, vibrant, and goal-orientated woman who doesn’t wait for a man to validate her existence.” 11. She is grounded in her faith. “A strong woman believes in whatever she believes in, and lets that faith guide her every step.” 12. She isn’t afraid to be true to her feelings. “A strong woman is someone who isn’t afraid to share her opinions and speak her truth. She listens, but she doesn’t allow other problems to bring her down. 13. She is filled with kindness, generosity, compassion, integrity, a willingness to be vulnerable, and authenticity. No matter what she is true to herself.” 14. She respects herself. “A strong woman doesn’t let the cattiness of other women bring her down. She has the utmost respect for herself and what she believes in.” 15. She is humble. “A strong woman is confident, yes. But I think the best way to describe a woman’s strength is a sense of ‘confident humility,’ paired with faith and passion. By ‘confident humility’ I just mean someone that isn’t so humble that she comes across as weak. Rather, someone that can stay confident without getting arrogant.” 16. She loves. “A strong woman loves inherently; from the time she is a little girl to the day she passes. She is always willing to take care of others. She loves and never stops loving.”

Positively Thick & Beautiful

PHOTO BY PEXELS, INC.

Being Thick is ‘NOW’ A Beautiful Compliment for Women

When the word thick is used to describe a woman’s size it is often considered an insult. It is also confusing to some people. You’d think they’re either making fun of a woman’s body shape or saying she’s not intelligent. But in actuality “thick” has a whole new and beautiful meaning.

Body shaming has become such a (completely unacceptable) standard part of living life on the Internet that when we started seeing the word “thick” being thrown around with some of our favorite celebrities, I figured it was just another way of putting women down. So, we were shocked to learn that being called thick was, in fact, a compliment?

What does thick mean? Based on our very unofficial research, it looks like the word has its roots in the word “phat” — a ’90s term for “pretty hot and tempting” or “excellent.”

Fast forward 20 years and “phat” has found a new iteration in “thick,” but essentially, they mean almost the same thing. According to urbandictionary.com, “thick” means “nice ass, nice legs, not skinny, with meat on your bones, thickness is the stuff — and many thick women seem to agree. However, not everyone agrees that thick is a compliment, including Rihanna. The singer posted a meme on Instagram a few days after the BuzzFeed article was posted, with no caption, and just the single tear emoji. Of course, we’ll never know exactly what RiRi was thinking or how she feels, but if memes could talk, this one would probably say she’s not impressed.

And then there’s the situation that unfolded a few years ago, when Ri’s ex-bf Drake mentioned “thick girls” in one of his rap verses on Nicki Minaj’s— who’s often been described as a “thick girl” in her own right—single “Only.” It happened to drop around the same time as “Thick Girl Appreciation Day,” which made it the perfect impetus for a worldwide conversation about the term “thick” and how people feel about it — thick girls included.

Don’t call just anyone “thick” according to the Huffington Post, women’s feelings on the word are mixed. Some agree that it’s a compliment saying things like, “When I hear the word ‘thick’ used to describe a woman’s body, I think strong. Powerful. Capable of amazing things,” and “I think of voluptuous curves. I think of a woman that has a round, sexy booty, some full figured, no gap in between thighs, a nice figure-8 shape, and fully blossomed breasts. She looks like she can get the attention of every man.”

On the other side of the spectrum were the women who had no tolerance for thick or a place for it in their vocabulary saying things like, “It’s meant as a compliment, but I’ve never cared for it,” or that it makes them PHOTO BY JAYBERRYTECH feel awkward. If thick is meant to celebrate bodies, then it’s certainly something we can get behind. But if it’s just another term to classify and sexualize, then we’ll let this one join “phat” in retirement. It’s kind of like asking if a woman’s pregnant –you better not make the mistake of saying it to the wrong woman.

In a society where thinness is celebrated, women have varying feelings about the word “thick.”

Last month when Twitter users celebrated “Thick Girl Appreciation Day,” they showed how some women are embracing the term “thick” — and absolutely owning it. But not everyone is enamored of the term when it comes to describing women’s bodies.

In 2014, Drake compared “thick” women to BBWs (Big Beautiful Women) in a rap verse for Nicki Minaj’s single “Only:”

This reignited an old debate about whether or not “thick” and “fat” are the same thing, and whether or not that even matters. Most people weighing in agreed that the definition depends on context. We asked our Facebook community to tell us how they define “thick,” and what their relationship is with the term. As one commenter pointed out, the word may mean different things to a woman depending on her culture’s standard of beauty. This was reflected in the responses — some women considered “thick” a compliment, while others found it derogatory. Several respondents offered nuanced replies, either explaining that the descriptor could be considered either positive or negative or clarifying why they felt sure about it either way.

Here’s what 20 women had to say about the word “thick:” 1. “To me, when referring to women’s bodies, it has always been a positive connotation. People tell me I am ‘thick’ in a complimentary way: I am sturdy, solid, and strong. I have a lot of thick friends who are also strong, healthy, and sturdy. I equate the term ‘thick’ with Amazon-womanesque.” 2. “When I hear the word ‘thick’ used to describe a woman’s body, I think strong. Powerful. Capable of amazing things.” 3. “I feel like thick is the hourglass body women are taught to work out for. That brick house body.” 4. “I’ve only ever heard this word used to describe plus-sized women’s bodies in a sexual way. It has a negative connotation for me and sounds demeaning to the woman/women being referred to.” 5. “I think of voluptuous curves. I think of a woman that has a round, sexy booty, some full figured, no gap in between thighs, a nice figure-8 shape, and fully blossomed breasts. She looks like she can get the attention of every man.” “Thick (when describing a woman’s body) to me is a synonym with fat.” 6. “Well, ‘thick’ is used to describe a woman who is curvy in all the right places. I guess depending on your age and where you are from you might be offended, but it is a common term used to describe a sexy, voluptuous woman... Lots of variations too including ‘slim-thick’ and thickens.’ Thickness is the shit!” 7. “Thick to me means substantially curvy, but I see people use it to describe everything from a woman simply with a thick butt and thighs, to a woman who is very overweight. To each their own!” 8. “I love the word thick. Love it. Love it. Love it.

I write romance novels and use thick to describe a heroine’s thighs. My editor didn’t like it, told me some readers would find it to be offensive and a turn-off. I completely disagree, it’s a word that describes a body type that is strong, feminine, and beautiful but there are few other words that can describe such a body so wholly and with such positive and sexy connotations - in my humble opinion.”

9. “Being called ‘thick’ makes me feel awkward sometimes. It’s like catcalling. I’ll walk into a store and hear some guys talk amongst themselves going ‘damn she phat’ or ‘thick.’ It’s rude and disrespectful in my opinion.

Like you’re just sizing me up and undressing me with your eyes before even getting to know me. Some girls appreciate it and consider it a compliment. Not me.” 10. “Some people may assume readily off the bat that it means fat, however, in my country Jamaica it is mostly referred as to a woman whose body is firm and is seen as a compliment.” 11. “Thick is the new way of describing a woman with an attractive ass-to-waist ratio. So many are quick to embrace it not realizing it’s setting the same unhealthy trends that the skinny models did years back. What if we just started to embrace different sizes and shapes and stopped trying to define perfection? 12. “Thick is a term used to describe a woman with nice, full thighs, round hips, a bubble butt, but manages to have a slim waist and upper body. She is not considered to be fat or skinny, but a happy middle.” 13. “I used to think of it as ‘fat’ but now I take it as a compliment. It’s a way to say that you’ve got a body that your significant other wants to grab onto. It’s the new way to call a woman sexy.” 14. “To me, it means a woman who has outstanding proportions/frame. A small tummy, but big hips and breasts.” 15. “I have always associated it with a positive term. It means a full-figured or curvy woman who is sexy and confident.” 16. “I call myself thick because I have thick thighs and a butt. I never considered it derogatory.” 17. “Thick = luscious, often athletic, but definitely sexy.” 18. “To me it means a woman has nice round thighs, or a bubbalicious booty. It’s not a synonym for fat in my mind — it’s more of an adjective that refers to a woman’s curves. It’s a nice extra layer of cushion and it’s NOT a negative term at all.” 19. “It’s meant as a compliment, but I’ve never cared for it.” 20. “Strong, bigger, and beautiful. Badass.”

What does thick mean to you? Comment at realellapatterson@gmail.com

PHOTOS BY JAYBERRYTECH

What Do Single Women Want?

By Millicent Carter, Global One Contributor

What do single women really want? Suppose you were to recruit hundreds of them, across the United States, and ask them to name the number-one priority in their life. What do you think they would say?

One more thing, before you answer. Set aside single women in their 20s. Youthful 20-something brides are a thing of the past. In more than a century of keeping tabs on the age at which women first get married (of those who do marry), the Census Bureau has found that first-time brides have never been older than they are now — on average, 27.4. Men are even older, on the cusp of turning 30 (29.5 to be exact).

Getting married, then, is unlikely to be at the top of the list of life priorities for 20-something single women. But what about women between the ages of 30 and 45? Women who have always been single and have no kids. What do you think their numberone priority is? That was the question — among many others - posed by the marketing research company, Hill Holiday’s Origin, together with Match Media Group. More than 1,200 people were surveyed, including lifelong single men with no children and married women, in addition to the single women.

Priorities of Single Women

The number-one priority of single women was living on their own. Nearly half (44 percent) said that’s what mattered most to them. Named next most often as their number-one priority was establishing a career. About one-third of single women (34 percent) prioritized their career over everything else.

The third most popular number-one priority of single women was financial security. More than a quarter of the women (27 percent) said that financial security mattered most.

Hey, wait — where’s marriage? Aren’t single women supposed to be obsessed with getting married? That’s what advertisements, movies, and TV shows proclaim. Romantic plots are dropped mindlessly into scripts, as if the greatest talents of Hollywood are stumped when it comes to imagining any other life for a single woman. This year’s season-ending episode of Grey’s Anatomy, from the much-lauded Shondaland juggernaut, was seeded with not one, not two, but three weddings.

In fact, the research I am describing was motivated in large part by a concern that popular

PHOTO BY ANDREA PIACQUADIO

culture was missing the mark when it comes to single women. The single women who were surveyed agreed: 56 percent said they were not fairly represented on TV or in movies, and 44 percent said they were not fairly represented in advertisements.

In the survey, only 20 percent of the single women said that getting married was their numberone priority. That puts it in fourth place, after living on their own, establishing a career, and financial security.

What about having kids? Only 8 percent of the single women described that goal as their numberone priority. More of them (12 percent) said that getting promoted at work was their most important priority. Our cultural conversations are filled with angst about the “baby, maybe” question.

The researchers approached the matter of priorities a second way, asking participants, “Ten years from now, what are your personal priorities?” Again, PHOTO BY ANDREA PIACQUADIO marriage was not on the top of the list. The single women consistently rated traveling as more important.