NATURAL WOMAN “Love Life Enough To Love Yourself ”
FEB 2019 ISSUE
MANIFEST LIKE A BOSS! ISSUE 63
GODDESS FREQUENCY LAW OF ATTRACTION 101
+ Health Beauty & More!!
SOLE’ THE RETURN OF
SHE TALKS ABOUT HER RETURN TO MUSIC & REFLECTING THE EVOLUTION OF WOMEN THROUGH HER NEW SOUND
N AT U R A L W O M A N M A G A Z I N E | F E B 2 0 1 9
CONTENTS N AT U R A L W O M A N M A G A Z I N E
6
EDITOR’S DESK SHINE BRIGHT ALL 2019
11
IRON FOODS
16
BE A BOSS
22
MONEY
26
SOLE’
38
FASHION TIPS
REVAMP YOUR OLD BY MAKING IT NEW
40
NATURAL HAIR
PROTECTIVE NATURAL HAIR STYLES
42
GODDESS SHINE
HIGHLIGHT REAL WOMEN DOING THE GODDESS WORK
DELICIOUS RECIPES TO BOOST IRON LEVELS NATURALLY
MANIFEST LIKE A BOSS: LAW OF ATTRACTION 101
6 WAYS TO INVEST YOUR INCOME TAX MONEY
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SOLE’
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Our Team Azizah Nubia Editor in chief Tammarah Overton Fashion Editor Ahmad Zahir Photography Dawndrenique Harris Editor’s Assistant Az media Graphics & Layout Content Contributors Ask Ashlee Nichole Lynn Nzingha Byrd
A Z
Editors Desk
We are one month into 2019 and I hope that you are off to a great start for the year. I am so excited to have the opportunity to share what I like to call the Goddess Frequency to the Natural Woman platform. Now I know some of you may be thinking... “Azizah what is the goddess frequency?” Well the Goddess Frequency is a level of conciousness that women can achieve and through this conciousness we can reflect heaven on earth. I’m so serious about this, if you look at our world today with all of the chaos and and imbalances a little piece of heaven will go along way. As women we are all being called to step up and take control of our lives. There is an urge in us all to level up and create better for ourselves and family. This urge is pushing
us to be healthy, to eat right, to create our own way. Within each and everyone of us is a goddess waiting to be unleashed to exalt us to our highest potential. This journey is not pretty, its tough, but just a piece of coal under enormous pressure creates a beautiful diamond. We are that diamond and as diamond we must shine... And if you are going to shine you better shine bright because your light is exactly what the world needs.
I hope you enjoy this issue featuring the beautiful Sole, her interview with me was amazing. I also hope you have downloaded the Natural Woman Magazine App to enjoy all of our uplifiting content created to help you love yourself even more.
Love Life Enough to Love Yourself- Be A Natural Woman.
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Follow Me @AzizahNubia
If Your Are Going To Shine Make Sure You Shine Bright N AT U R A L W O M A N M A G A Z I N E | F E B 2 0 1 9
The Spiritual Connection Between Black Women & Anemia Anemia is a common condition that many women of color around the world have in common. Although anemia can happen to anyone no matter of gender or ethnicity women of color especially black women rank high in the demographic for this disorder. As always with Natural Woman Magazine our goal is to inform and encourage us all to take better care of ourselves. As with any dis-ease, Anemia is a physical disorder that stems from a mental and or spiritual root that if addressed appropriately may reverse symptoms and the disorder altogether. Anemia manifest when the body lacks iron an essential mineral needed for the blood to transport oxygen to the cells and organs of the body. As a result, anemia brings on several health problems along with mental disorders the bring about
conditions like PICA. When you look at the number of black women diagnosed with Anemia one of the first questions is why is this happening to this particular demographic. As with all dis-ease, Anemia can be traced to a few mental and spiritual blocks, it is believed that by addressing these block the Anemia will go away. Energy Imbalance According to Maggi Nimmo Health Solutions ANAEMIA: Decreased number of red blood cells, issues with the masculine side. (Red blood cells have an aggressive function because they transport oxygen for the body to function). So when it comes to Anemia we have to deal with masculine energy. No, this does not mean you have to deal with men. All human are composed of complementary energies that we call masculine and feminine energy. The understanding of this energy and how it relates to us is ancient knowledge that “Yes-but” attitude. Lack of joy. Fear of life. Not feeling can be dated back to some of the very first human good enough. Now ask yourself... is this me? tribes. Some call this energy Yin & Yang, Negative & Positive, or Feminine & Masculine, no matter the Let’s look at the physical symptoms of Anemia. name the fundamental concepts is still the same. Masculine- Positive attributes: active, intelligent, logical, rational, linear, determined, reliable, strong, stable, protective, sensible, heroic, focused, single-minded, practical, goal-oriented, consistent, predictable, capable, smart, rugged, ordered, disciplined. Negative attributes: rigid, stubborn, aggressive, tough, ruthless, violent, non-communicative, self-centered, authoritative, dominating, dogmatic, closed-minded, autocratic, rule-bound, heartless. Feminine-Positive attributes: soft, warm, sweet, kind, loving, nurturing, gentle, creative, receptive, flexible, adaptable, yielding, forgiving, understanding, caring, care-giving, serving, passive, peaceful, open-minded, beautiful, mysterious, spontaneous, ever-changing, inspirational. Negative attributes: weak, emotional, irrational, illogical, unpredictable, bitchy, stupid, powerless, manipulative, controlling, indecisive, fickle.
What is Anemia? Anemia is a condition that occurs when the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood is deficient. When oxygen cannot arrive where it needs to go efficiently and sufficiently. The clearest way to think about Anemia and its various causes is by understanding the relationships between hemoglobin, oxygen, red blood cells and iron. Symptoms The symptoms of Anemia are: rapid heart beat, dizziness upon standing, reduced capacity to exercise, reduced endurance, elevated heart rate when exercising and failure of the heart to return to a normal rate in a reasonable time upon exercise cessation, low physical energy, low mental energy (“brain fog”), feeling of unease which is alleviated by a period of breathing deeply, inability to fall asleep or to sleep well (insomnia), waking up gasping for breath, and an increase of all these symptoms when traveling to a higher altitude (vacationing in the mountains).
All of these symptoms are related to a reduced amount of oxygen getting to the cells. The most seriUnderstanding the masculine function of our blood ous of these symptoms is the increase in heart rate. should give you a better understanding when it Because each red blood cell carries less oxygen to comes to addressing Anemia on a spiritual level. So the cells, the heart rate increases to increase the let’s look at the spiritual root. blood flow so that the cells will not be oxygen starved. Spiritual Root- According to the Famed Spiritual Author Louise Hayes the spiritual block of Anemia:
Iron Deficiency vs Copper Deficiency -Anemia is usually caused by a deficiency of hemoglobin which is the oxygen-carrying molecule in the red blood cell. While many minerals are important in the body’s manufacture of hemoglobin, iron, and copper are the most important. A deficiency of either iron or copper will result in Anemia, either iron-deficiency Anemia or copper-deficiency Anemia. Anemia is often medically diagnosed by determining blood levels of iron and the iron-carrying protein ferritin. This test will determine Anemia if the Anemia is due to iron deficiency. However, this test will not show if the person has copper-deficiency Anemia. It seems that many doctors are unaware of copper-deficiency Anemia and will try to correct all cases of Anemia by prescribing very large doses of iron. Since the majority of cases of Anemia are probably the result of iron deficiency, then this procedure usually works. However, in copper-deficiency Anemia, taking excess amounts of iron will further deplete copper and cause the Anemia to worsen. This exact scenario has happened to more than one person in our group. What The Numbers Say The New York Times estimates that Anemia affects up to 2 billion people worldwide, but in America, there’s a seriously notable disparity in Anemia diagnoses not only between men and women but between women of color and white women. 2007 data indicates that 9-12 percent of nonHispanic white women in the U.S. have iron deficiency Anemia, but that number jumps to nearly 20 percent in Black and Hispanic women. The question is: why? Natural Tips To Reverse Anemia Activities- Get a lot of open air, sunshine, and exercise every day. One thing we have learned from this article is that the main function of iron is to deliver oxygen to the blood so our blood can nourish our cells and organs. One thing about nature is that is abundant in natural vitamins and minerals that our body needs. So taking the time to spend time outside breathing deeply and soaking up sunrays will help your body’s iron production and absorption. Anemia Reversing Diet-Your diet plays a huge role in your body’s ability to build blood and absorbing minerals. Your should include an abundance of alkaline fruits and vegetables. Eating a box of raisins and drinking prune juice on a daily bases will increase your body’s iron production sufficiently. Clear Your Bowels
Good bowel eliminations are vitally important to prevent reabsorption of refuse into the bloodstream and subsequent suppression of function in the assimilations of the body. What you can do mentally Patience and perseverance seem to be the keywords in this particular disease process. As the glandular system becomes more balanced and as the assimilations and eliminations are more perfected in their functioning, the regeneration of the red cells becomes more adequate and the whole individual then comes into a better state of health. Putting it all together When it comes to Anemia and its connection to black women around the globe it is clear that there is a lack of living and loving life. The energy this dis-ease is needed to correct itself is ACTION (Masculine energy). Anemia is a message to us all that it is time to start living our lives in a way that makes us happy. Anemia is telling us that we must create joy in our lives, we must feel vibrant and live in our purpose. No disease permanent and by getting to the root of it you have the power to reverse it. Love life enough to love yourself. Get up and start living.
Iron Rich Recipe Ideas It is said that those who eat plant-based diets need twice the amount of iron than those who are not, but the reality is that it all comes down to one’s intake of Vitamin C. Eating enough foods rich in Vitamin C (such as fruits) boosts the ability of one’s body to absorb iron. You can get Vitamin C from citrus fruits and even vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. When it comes to iron, try to include leafy greens like spinach and Swiss chard, edamame, dry beans, tofu, tempeh, whole grains, potatoes, and seeds in your everyday diet.
Swiss Chard Lentil Quinoa Burgers Serves: 12 Cooking Time: 25 Ingredients 1 1/2 cups cooked Quinoa 1 1/2 cups cooked lentils, rinsed and drained 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss chard 1 cup chopped cilantro 1/4 cup oat flour (gluten-free if desired) 1/4 cup corn starch 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder A pinch of black pepper 1 tablespoon canola oil 2 tablespoons tahini or sesame seed paste
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Preparation Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine all ingredients. Use a quarter cup to scoop out the burger mixture and place on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Turn them over halfway through the baking time. Remove the baked burger from the oven. Cool on the cooling rack for 5 minutes before serving.
Preparation Place the black-eyed peas in a pot with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, and add turmeric, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Cook until tender, about 30 minutes, adding extra water as necessary so they don’t boil dry. Set aside and do not drain. You can also use canned black-eyed peas, if you are looking for a quicker option. Just omit the water and cook them briefly with the spices and sauce.
Black-Eyed Pea Teriyaki Bowl
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
For the Black-Eyed Peas:
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cups black-eyed peas, soaked
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3-4 cups water
2 tablespoons tomato juice
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon molasses
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, grated
For the Bowl:
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 teaspoon coconut oil White Button mushrooms, sliced Oyster mushrooms, sliced 1/2 of 1 small eggplant, thinly sliced 3 heads bok choy, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Chop the broccoli, and add it to a bowl. Add the soy sauce, lime juice, salt, and ginger and toss to coat. Place on a baking sheet and then preheat oven to 400°F. When the beans are halfway cooked, about 15 minutes in, place the broccoli in the oven to roast. When the beans are nearly done, start cooking the vegetables. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, and add the coconut oil. Add in the mushrooms and eggplant. When they start to cook down, add the soy sauce, water, and smoked paprika. Once they are cooked, add the bok choy briefly to allow it to steam.
A pinch of chili flakes 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour or corn starch For the Broccoli: 1 head broccoli, chopped Juice from 1 lime Salt 1 teaspoon soy sauce
To make the sauce, add all the ingredients except the flour to a jar and shake well, or put them in a bowl and whisk together. Taste and add more chili if you would like it spicier. Add the flour and shake/whisk again until it is fully incorporated, and not lumpy. When the beans, vegetables, and sauce are ready, add the beans and the bean liquid (which should be minimal), to the vegetable pan and stir together. If the mixture is more
1 teaspoon grated ginger
of a liquid, let some of the liquid evaporate out, but make sure there is still some left in the pan. When the pan is ready, shake the sauce and pour it in, stirring as the sauce thickens and heats. Stir in chopped parsley, and remove from the heat. Pour into bowls and top with broccoli.
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Vegan Mexi-Melt INGREDIENTS
1/2 of a yellow onion, diced 1 clove of garlic, grated or minced 1/2 cup uncooked Quiona 1/2 cup uncooked green lentils, rinsed (red or brown lentils may also be used) 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle powder (optional) Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste 15 ounces of cooked black beans rinsed and drained 1/2 cup fire roasted tomatoes, drained 4 ounces diced green chiles (canned) 1 small zucchini, shredded 1/2 cup frozen corn, defrosted 1 cup red enchilada sauce 3/4 cup vegan shredded cheese, (veggie shredds) Cilantro for garnish (optional) INSTRUCTIONS Heat a large pot or saucepan over medium high heat. When the pot is heated spray with cooking oil and add in the onion and garlic. SautĂŠ for a couple minutes then add in the grain and lentils., stir and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until lentils and rice are tender. If there is any excess liquid drain it.Season the rice and lentils with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin and chipotle powder. Add in all of the remaining ingredients except 1/4 cup of the cheese and stir together.Top with the remaining cheese and cover with a lid. Heat on low until the cheese is melted and the mixture is bubbly.
Eliminate Stubborn Body Fat For Good Wondering how to lose weight in trouble spots like your waist and arms? Well as troublesome as these fat zones can be with the proper diet and exercise regimen you can eliminate the fat and have a toned lean body by summer. While having a toned and shaped body is a dream for us all we do want to stress the importance of staying fit not just for looks but for your health. Those diet-resistant trouble spots where most of your extra pounds are packed on could be more than a cosmetic nuisance. A number of recent scientific studies have made a connection between pockets of fat in certain body types and health conditions as varied as restless legs syndrome, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and postmenopausal memory loss. Check out how you can eliminate stored fat in these common fat storage areas. Stubborn Belly Fat
You carry your weight in the form of a tummy tire — you may have heard that you’re at an increased risk for having a heart attack and developing diabetes. But before you think you’re doomed, know that new research has cast doubt on that theory. Researchers at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom followed more than 220,000 people over 10 years and concluded that waist circumference was no better an indicator of future heart attacks than any other fat measurement. Still, the researchers say, no matter how it is measured, fat is bad for your heart, and you should try to lose it. How To Eliminate That Belly Fat Sit-ups and other ab exercises can help build muscle, but cardio is the most effective way to shrink belly fat, research has found. Reducing stress may help as well stress can cause a hormonal chain reaction that leads to belly fat accumulation.
University of Toronto showed that the bigger a woman’s chest, the greater her risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. In the study, those who reported having had a D cup at age 20 were about three times more likely to develop diabetes as they aged. How to Tone Your Chest Building chest muscle won’t reduce your breast size, but strength training your chest and upper back will help tone the area. And often when women start to diet and exercise properly, they lose weight from their breasts first. Eliminate Arm Fat How do you lose weight in your arms? Researchers haven’t investigated a connection between fat arms and overall health, a study at the University College London Medical School evaluated the health consequences for men whose arms lacked muscle but whose waists showed excess fat. After studying 4,107 men between the ages of 60 and 79 over six years, the British researchers found that the combination of low mid-arm muscle circumference and high waist circumference led to higher mortality rates, signaling that a lack of muscle can be as much of a health risk as an arm fat. Too Much Booty In Them Jeans If you have a little much too junk in the trunk, it may be time to embrace the big booty. A study conducted at Oxford University suggests that having an apple bottom may help protect you from diabetes and heart disease. The idea is that lower-body fat in your thighs, hips, and buttocks traps fatty acids from the foods you eat, so they don’t float through your bloodstream and get deposited in organs, where they can do harm. Lower-body fat also may release more beneficial hormones, the researchers theorize, whereas fat in your upper body triggers the release of chemicals that can cause harmful inflammation. Shape Your Butt Adopt a lower-body strengthtraining routine that includes squats, leg presses, leg curls, and calf raises. Big Breast Having voluptuous breast has been a dream for many women but studies say a big bust may not be good for your health. A study of more than 92,000 women by researchers at Harvard University and the
Build Arm Muscle and Eliminate Fat Adopt a regular strength-training routine that includes exercises for your biceps, triceps, and upper back. Remember that the key to adding arm muscle is to use progressively heavier weights, not necessarily to increase repetitions. It’s also best to supplement any weight-training plan with aerobic exercise to increase your fat-burning power.
BOS Manifest Like A
Like many of you, I was introduced to the Law Of
Attraction via the “Secret� back in the early 2000s. This
opened my mind to a whole new world of possibilities. Back then I thought all I needed to do was think positively and visualize the way I wanted my life to be, and poof it will appear. I took this knowledge and got all my money and brought a bunch of lottery scratch-off tickets because I was about
N AT U R A L W O M A N M A G A Z I N E | F E B 2 0 1 9
SS!
YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE RULES OF THE GAME IN ORDER TO PLAY THE GAME. LIFE IS NO DIFFERENT. WE CAN MANIFEST ANYTHING WE ALIGN TO.
Law Of Attraction 101 N AT U R A L W O M A N M A G A Z I N E | F E B 2 0 1 9
to manifest a lottery win. I
The Art of Action The
remember how confused I
action is key in making your
was when I scratched off my
manifestations a reality. Your
final ticket only winning $40.
actions create the opening
I thought I had the formula
for your manifestations to
right, I did every step from
appear without it you will find
the movie and the book why
yourself in a constant struggle
didn’t work for me? What was
of attracting what you want. If
I missing?
you want to attract a million
That moment is somewhat embarrassing to talk about but it was the tipping point for me, it was the moment I dedicated myself to mastering my the art of attraction. It was in that
dollars you have to create the streams in which the money will flow. Even if your plan is to win the lottery the action required is to then buy the lottery ticket.
MANIFESTING YOUR DESIRES IS AN ART THAT YOU ARE CO-CREATING WITH THE UNIVERSE AND THE MAIN INGREDIENT IS YOUR ENERGY. IF YOUR ENERGY ISN’T RIGHT TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THE “MAGIC WON’T WORK RIGHT”.
moment I desired nothing
This is the same for everything.
more than to unlock the secret
If you want to attract good
to attracting and creating the
health, relationships, and
life I wanted to live. You see
circumstances you have to put
Creating the vibrational
the Law of Attraction is ancient
out the action for those things
space. Another big reason why
to happen.
knowledge that when used
some of your manifestations
correctly shall prove itself to be
are not working is that you
of good use to the individual
have not set the vibrational
who masters the science. You
frequencies for them to form
do not have to read a million
yet. When I thought I was
books or perform thousands
going to win the lottery after
of rituals to apply this law to
watching the secret for the
your life. The art of attracting
first time. Do you know what
is a simple step by step
was the number 1 reason why
process that if you have the
I did not manifest the win
right formula you will yield
that day was simply because
the right results. Through my
I wasn’t putting out the
own trial and error, I found a
frequency of a million dollars.
few secret ingredients that the
I was still in poverty conscious
movie the Secret left out.
mode meaning I was in a state of lack and being in this state
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f
Make that feeling seem so real in your mind that you believe it is coming this ensures that it does. N AT U R A L W O M A N M A G A Z I N E | F E B 2 0 1 9
repelled my desire.
You see
in addition to visualizing, and
putting in the action you have to be able to vibrate off of the
same frequency of what it is
you are wanting to manifest. So
if you want a million dollars you have to be on the frequency.
How will it feel to have what you want? Make that feeling
seem so real in your mind that
you believe it is coming to you this ensures that it does.
Manifesting your desires is an
art that you are co-creating with the Universe and the main ingredient is your energy. If
your energy isn’t right trust me
when I say the “magic won’t work right”. Check out these
steps on how you can get your
energy in alignment with your desires so you can be on track to creating your best life. 1. Realign First and foremost, it’s time to check back in with yourself.
Think about your intention. Now try imagining how it would feel to have it actually
come true. Then ask yourself: do you still feel truly aligned with that goal? Does it still
make you feel good or has your feelings changes?
2. Shift Your Energy
Manifesting energy cannot
work within the same field as fear or anxiety. So ask yourself
how you are really feeling about what you’ve asked for. If
you’re detecting more negative feelings around your intention
than positive ones, it’s time to shift things.
3. Feel, Don’t Think Manifesting always starts in the heart, not the head. You must
believe before you can receive. 4. Let Go Remember to let go and stay out of the details. In other
words, you can set an intention but don’t get attached to the
how. The Universe is much
smarter than we are! There are a million different ways you can
get what you want. Don’t try
to micromanage how things should happen.
5. Look For The Proof Sometimes your manifestion will come falling straight out the sky, but other times, things
aren’t so obvious. So pay
attention to all the signs around you. When you are consistently getting signs of what you are
manifesting this is a sign that you are coming close to the physical manifestation of it.
Black Economics: 6 Ways To Invest Your Income Tax Refund To Build A SolidintoFinancial Year thousands and if you can invest thousands If you look at the Black community as a whole you will see that we have been placed at a huge disadvantage when it comes to creating generational wealth within our own community. While there are many factors to why this is one thing for sure is that through education and proper application we have the opportunity to reverse this disadvantage.
Income tax season for most black people in America is a time when people catch up on bills, buy clothes for your children, give your living room a new makeover or put that down payment on a new car. While all of these things are good to spend money on, using some of your refund money as an investment seed to help you generate recurring income is a great way to make sure get the most of out of your refund. Here are 6 ways you can turn a few hundred
these tips will help you turn that into millions. # 1 Invest in your business
One thing for sure is that you cannot generate wealth working a 9 to 5. Every millionaire outside the people who win the lottery or receive a huge inheritance has more than 1 stream of income. Most of those streams are individual businesses. If you are a small business owner an income tax refund is a great way to invest a little cash into your business. Buy more product, invest in marketing, invest in anything that can take your business to the next level. # 2 Invest in Black Other Black Owned Business If you are not a business owner and you receive a tax refund try supporting another black-owned
business. Whether it’s a friend or relative you can become a small investor in a business of your choosing. Your investment will pay off in the long run. Beware of scams so make sure you research before you invest. # 3 Start Your Own Online Business One thing about the internet is that there are so many opportunities to make money whether it’s making it on the side or creating a full-time corporation. There are unlimited ways to generate income. Your tax refund can be used to help you start up your own business. Starting an online business has been proven to be one of the most cost-efficient ways to start a business with just a few hundred dollars. With a platform of being online, your business has the potential to be a trillion dollars. #4 Buy in an Affiliate program Affiliate programs are the “it” money maker in the cyber world. Kind of like buying to a franchise an affiliate program gives you something to sell that someone else created. In return you both make money. #5 Alternative Investments Have you heard of the stock market? If you are like most people you may not want to risk the stocks falling, but with an alternative investment, you can invest in a global stock on the internet. These investments are specifically created to generate returns irrespective of market conditions or direction. In other words, you don’t need a constantly rising market to generate returns. Instead, these purpose-built investments vehicles can make money whether the market is rising, falling or just going sideways. #6 Invest In Yourself Never feel that it’s too much to invest in yourself. You are your most valuable asset so when it comes to buying things that will better you, do it no matter the price.
Conscious vs Subconscious | The Power of Your Mind. By Nicole Lyn Why is it important to know the difference? Knowing the difference between your subconscious and your conscious is like knowing what country you are in and what money you should use when you walk out of the door. Your mind is a beautiful and intricate design. It is the driving force of your world and modern discoveries connect these beliefs to physics. Science has always revealed to us that there are governing spirits, we have only recently been calling them energies. What can you accomplish with this knowledge?
decisions. With razor sharp focus on any issue at hand your conscious, governed by everything that you have come to know about life so far, is able to process the information in front of it an make a logical choice. this is especially helpful when a decision needs to be made rather quickly. Things your conscious cannot do. Your conscious cannot process more than one idea at time. Imagine a television screen with the news channel playing. Now, what do you see? There is a person sitting down behind a desk, talking to you while moving their hands. Then if you look to the left of the screen, there is sometimes a smaller box with something entirely different happening inside of it,
With the knowledge of your mind and how it works,
(hopefully newsworthy), for you to process. There
you can at the very least program yourself, instead
may also be a conveyer belt of words playing at
of leaving this to outside forces. If you knew more
the very bottom of the television screen to inform
about your mind you could access any part of
you of school closings or something else that could
it when you needed. The possibilities are truly
be going on. Your eyes may see everything that is
boundless.
happing, but your brain is only processing one of
Things Your Conscious can do. You conscious has the ability to make clear and concise
those things. The rest of the information is instantly downloaded into your subconscious, so that your conscious does not over load. Overloading can
cause damage. Things your Subconcious can do. Your subconscious has the record of everything you have ever touched, smelled, saw, and dreamed of over the course of your entire life. This part of your mind governs the choices you make in your conscious. There may be something that you do on a conscious level that you have not yet been able to explain. That is
Hibbert Lynette Nicole
because somewhere on a subconscious level, you have already made a decision, and now you are just acting on it in your waking life. Things your subconscious cannot do Your subconscious has no concept of time or physicality. This part of your brain is based in emotion, the very thing that insists upon us doing whatever it is that we choose to do. For example, have you ever watched a movie and cried? Why did you you cry? You know that movie is not real. And even if it is someway modeled after something real that happened, it isn’t happening at that very moment. Why would you cry, for a piece of artwork or expression? The reason is because your subconscious, your creation factor was accessed, and it governs your conscious mind. Now if you believe in the Christian bible there is scripture that says, “As a man thinketh, so is he”. (Proverbs 23:7) OR, if you simply choose to research the law of attraction, know that now that if you can begin to compartmentalize your mind, you can begin to compartmentalize your goals. You can control your life down to every vibration if you begin trying. You control what comes in your thoughts and what comes out. And no one can influence you without your permission ever again. If you would like to know more about how you can begin programing your mind, subscribe. A new blog will go up every week.
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“Love and honor yourself enough to care for yourself” ~ Sole’ N AT U R A L W O M A N M A G A Z I N E | F E B 2 0 1 9
Solé began her professional
also went on to win several
Solé requested to be released
career as a hard-core hip-hop
ASCAP Music awards that
from her record label, and her
artist by attracting attention in
same year.
sophomore album, “Fly Away”
the summer of 1999 with her appearance on J.T. Money’s hit single “Who Dat” which reached #1 on the Rap Singles Chart, remained on the charts for 8 weeks and won “Rap Single of the Year” at the 1999 Billboard Music Awards. This
Feeling disenchanted with the music industry, some of the lyrics she was writing and images she was portraying, after only one full-length album,
was never released. She no longer wanted to be a part of the promotion and glorification of the destructive messaging and programming that was being pushed and promoted,
“I WAS CAST BY especially in “urban” music.
was followed by the release of
THE ANCESTORS
her debut album “Skin Deep”
AND SPIRIT TO
on DreamWorks Records in
During her almost 20 year
GET BACK TO
hiatus, Solé embarked upon
achieved gold status and
RECORDING MUSIC
a spiritual journey and began
garnered her a nomination for
THAT REFLECTED
“Rap Artist of the Year” at the
THE EVOLUTION OF
September of 1999 which
Billboard Music Awards. She
WOMEN”
evolving into the woman she is today. Azizah: When it comes to
N AT U R A L W O M A N M A G A Z I N E | F E B 2 0 1 9
music and you hear the name Sole’ a lot of
my experiences and my background, but expressing
people think back to 1999 when you emerged
that through music started to become uncomfortable.
as a rap artist in mainstream hip hop. Fast
I remember hearing a voice one day hat asked me “Is
forward to today and the Sole we see now is
this what you want your daughters to emulate?” That
on a new wave that I like to call the Goddess
was the moment I stepped away from the industry and
Frequency. Can you share with us that journey
went down the spiritual path of seeking that started in
of Sole’ then and Sole’ now?
the church and evolved to what you see now.
Sole’: Growing up as a child I always had a
Azizah: So fast forward to today you are back on
connection to spirit. Even with growing up in a
the music scene with new music and a new sound
Christian household my mother taught me about
that’s very spiritual. How is being back in music
astrology, palmistry, and several other esoteric
now different from music back then?
and occult practices. These practices are dated all the way back to ancient times and I have always had an interest in delving deeper. From numerology, Kemetic Sciences, Yoga, Buddhism, and Hinduism they all attracted my interest as a child. It wasn’t until I was grown that I began to apply the sciences to a daily practice.
Sole’: You know at one point I thought I would never record again because I had no desire to be back in the industry. I thought that there was no place for me musically to express where I was in life. Then I was cast by the ancestors and spirit to get back to recording music that would reflect the evolution of women. In addition to that, I knew that I did not want to let the
I got into music because of my mother, she was a
first album I made back in 1999 be the only musical
singer since before I was born and performed in
representation that I left in the earth realm. We have to
Jazz & R&B clubs with a group called Bloodstone
be responsible for what we put out there, and I found
out of Kansas City. Music has always been in
myself not being all the way proud of the music I had
my family from singers to musicians the gift is
out from the ‘90s. After studying the power of sound,
deeply embedded in my family. So I always knew
music, and vibration I understand that music can be
I wanted to do music and entertain and I went
medicine or poison, healing or toxic so I knew I had to
down that road and got into the entertainment
come back and “right” and “write” that. We don’t get to
industry and I did not like it. I loved the music,
bypass natural law so when we put something out into
creating, and performing, but I didn’t love the
the universe whether a physical action or words there
industry and what came with it.
are consequences and we don’t get to choose how they
After my first album came out and I started working on my second album (that I never released) I started to feel uncomfortable about the images I was portraying and the lyrics I was writing. If you go back and listen to my first album it wasn’t full of just negative songs, there were some positive and empowering messages littered with vulgarity But the music came from
play out. I knew it was my duty to take all that I have learned through my spiritual journey and pour it into the music to reflect my evolution to give back to the world. This is what brought back my desire and passion to create and perform. Because now I don’t have anything to prove, I do not have anyone telling me how I should sound I am beyond that at this point. I do not have to simulate to the norm I can really be the artist that I want to be this is the difference.
Azizah: Listening to you know one thing that
sure we plan trips and schedule time together. We
comes to mind is “loving what you do.” It is clear
make time for what’s important to us, so the key is to
you are in a space where you can be authentic in
prioritize what’s important and making self care the
who you are and express that freely. There are a
number 1 is how I balance it all.
lot of women who are on the journey of defining their true self so they can reflect that expression to the world. Can you share some of the things that helped you find your true self? Sole’: It was an uncomfortableness in my spirit after my first album and while I recording my second album and not releasing it. I remember looking at my children and feeling in my spirit that this was not what I wanted to be. There was an inner yearning for something higher then what I was experiencing. Following that inner yearning led me on my journey from 2001 up until now. In the last 6 to 7 years I felt that I have come into the fullness of who I am. Azizah: So let’s talk about your personal life. I know the world was shocked when it was announced that you and Professor Griff were married. I was aware you two were an item for a while, but now you are his wife. Being a wife, mother, music artist, healer, business owner how do you manage to balance it all? What’s your secret? Sole’: It’s a lot and it can be difficult to balance and prioritizie everything, but prioritizing is key. Make the important things in your life a priority and let everything else go. This includes self-care, this is the thing we tend to push to the side and in reality, this is the best thing we can do and it has to be your number 1 priority. Love and honor yourself enough to care for yourself so you can be fully pleasant and whole to care for others. As far as my husband we make sure we spend time together because we both are super busy even if it means we have to work and study on our own together. With my children, I make
Azizah Nubia: What are you currently working on how can we support you? Sole’: Right now the focus has been my music it has taken over everything. I also have a company called Devi Tribe Wellness where I teach and offer services the include Jivamukti Yoga, Reiki, Kung Fu (I’m a Black belt), Clinical Herbalist, Sacred Medicine Woman Wellness Coaching, Belly Dancing, Tantrika, Inner Shakti Pre Natal Yoga , Birth Doula services, plantbased nutrition classes and Red Tent Facilitation. You can find more by visiting www.iamsole.com and my wellness is www.devitribewellness.com Azizah: This has been great talking with you. You are a divine reflection of us all and a great example of what a Natural Woman is.
4 Tips Black Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Soulja Boy By Azizah Nubia Soulja Boy aka Draco has been the center of a lot of conversation after his recent interview on the Breakfast Club and Complex Everyday Struggle. Although some of the conversations are surrounded by memes and his hilarious antics. But if you watch his interview closely you will learn some of the top ingredients that make entrepreneurs successful no matter what industry they are in. Check out some of the tips we learned. Multiple Streams of Income- When Soulja Boy did his interview with Complex Everyday Struggle a comment was made on why Soulja Boy had so many businesses and his response was “because I’m trying to be a billionaire”. Creating multiple streams of income isn’t just a survival technique, it’s also a strategy for building wealth. Tom Corley, author of “Rich Habits”, studied the habits of millionaires during a five-year study of the rich and poor. Here’s what he found as it pertains to most self-made millionaires and their income streams: 65% of self-made millionaires had three streams of income.
45% of self-made millionaire s had four streams of income. 29% of self-made millionaires had five or more streams of income. Most people have one stream of income: their job. If you do not save and invest your savings in assets that generate additional streams of income, and you lose your job, you could find yourself losing everything. Having at least three streams of income is the magic number for the self-made millionaires the more income streams you can create, the more secure your financial house will be and the more wealth you will create. Utilizing The Power of The Web Soulja Boy got his big break by going viral for his song Crank That his instant success from this song and dance created the blueprint for becoming an internet success for most rappers today. While most entrepreneurs are not rappers you still can apply his formula to your business and receive the same amount of success. The Internet generation of entrepreneurs
is becoming the moving force behind the market technical. Some innovation that looks very big may changes. turn out to be nothing but technical brilliance. On the other hand, some innovation with modest intellectual pretensions, a McDonald for instance, may turn out With massive communities online, there are abundant into a gigantic highly profitable business. opportunities to identify and meet the needs of a wide and engaged consumer base. Beyond the easy buyin of starting an Internet business, social sharing and networking sites have created an utterly unique data which makes growing a business a breeze. Mentorship During Soulja Boy’s Complex interview he mentions how grateful he was for his late manager Chris Lighty for telling him to copyright is dance moves. Doing this protected Soulja Boy from having his work copied and used for profit without his permission. Although it is not clear if Chris Lighty was his manager served as a mentor it is super important to have a mentor or someone with experience and wisdom to help guide you on your path to greatness. What do top business executives, acclaimed five-star chefs, and Grammyaward-winning musicians have in common? For one, their achievements didn’t happen overnight. The level of success they achieved was obtained gradually through a complex web of time, effort, and determination. The most successful individuals are the ones who have enlisted the guidance of a mentor. Sometimes it happens unconsciously when a person meets another individual who unexpectedly bestows a major influence on their life and career path. Other times, people will consciously seek out a mentor who is the right fit for them. Whatever the case, the fact remains the same: a mentor helps individuals discover their true potential, assists in molding the shape of their future vision, and provides practical guidance on how to make that vision a reality. Innovation It has been proven that most of the world most successful internet billionaire got to where they are by being innovative with their business. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Amazon creators when starting their companies had to think out of the box and be innovative to get their companies to where they are today. When you look at Soulja Boy not only do you see a rapper you see a black entrepreneur who not only dominated the rap industry, but he also is the owner of The Soulja Boy Watch and his new game console SouljaGame. What we can learn from this is that thinking out of the box is the only way to stay ahead of the curve. Innovation does not have to be technical nor does it have to be a ‘thing’. Giving exchange offer or pay per use scheme is highly innovative though not
By Nzhinga Byrd The biggest snow storm in the last three years decided to blow through Cincinnati mid-January 2019. So like a good Beach Bird, I decided to fly south. I flew as south as this country would allow and I landed on the sandy white beaches of Miami, Florida. It’s a known fact that due to the lack of sunlight and fresh air, many people with Melanin develop seasonal depression during the Winter months. We absolutely need that sunlight on our skin for survival - being that the sun and fresh air activates our Pineal Gland, Melanin and Soul! So treat yourself to a Winter Get-a-Way to somewhere Hot... And just so you know, Winters are always Hot in Miami! My cousin Kalama turned 42nd and he was born in the Congo. So just imagine what the Winter months does to an individual like him. When he invited me and another one of our cousins to Miami for his Birthday, I was completely open to the universe blessing me with a trip to my most sacred and divine place - The Ocean. This was a much-needed getaway for us all. It’s a dream of mine to live on a beautiful island or somewhere on Mama Africa’s continent - so that I can escape Winters 365. Until that happens, I give thanks for the south of Florida because again, Winter’s are Always Hot in Miami. When traveling during the cold months to somewhere warmer, make sure you book a hotel or resort
that sits right on the beach. You don’t want to waste any of your precious trip time having to travel to the ocean - as the ocean is the main attraction. We stayed directly on Miami Beach right off of Collins St. We had a oceanfront view room on the 9th floor of the Best Western (which also has a heated pool during the Winter months). Every morning from about 7 a.m. to noon was spent on the ocean lounging and playing with the Beach Birds. The water is a little chilly in January, even for Miami but not so chilly that you couldn’t at least get in knee deep. Both of my cousin’s took full body dips! In Miami the waters are clear and the waves are aggressively playful. Have Fun! 75 degrees on the beach is not the only thing that makes Miami Hot in the Winter. To have a true Beach Birds Travel experience, explore the Culture of everywhere you go and Miami has plenty to check out. Journey to Little Haiti for authentic, historical Culture. Have lunch with all of the local Haitians at Naomi’s Garden Restaurant and Lounge. There’s plenty of vegan options like red peas and rice with black bean gravy, steamed spinach and vegetables, and fried or sweet plantain. Or try other traditional Haitian dishes like conch stew or ox tails. Eat your lunch in Naomi’s backyard garden, which is beautifully draped with flower bushes and dream catchers. Before you leave Naomi’s check out the nearby strip of murals of Haitian gods and goddesses. If you’re in Little Haiti on a Saturday head to the Haitian Cultural Center
which is outlined with book and grocery stores. Inside the center you’ll find beautiful photography showcasing the voodoo religion, artwork, authentic crafts, live performances and more. If little Haiti isn’t enough culture for you - head down to Little Havana for a Cuban explosion. Stop in a Cigar Shop, Bar or Restaurant. And please go see inside of the Molina Fine Art gallery. The Cuban owner and artist sits humbly with his friend and cat. I glanced in and quickly received the hand wave inviting me in further. The artist must of felt my energy because he took me to every painting he had of every Orisha. He sweetly broke each God and Goddess down for me and explained how Cuban’s ancestors come from Nigeria and that they brought this Yoruba Spiritual system with them. Now this wasn’t new information for me but how was dope was that, that he took the time to share. And his artwork was beautiful. Also, in Little Havana is Domino Park. You want an Authentic Cuban Cultural Experience? Go There! Into the Arts? Miami has plenty. It’s a colorful city, full of colorful people. And no neighborhood has more color than Wynwood. Wynwood is full of cool Murals. Stroll the streets and take selfies with Jean Michel Basquiat, Jimi Hendrix and Mermaids. Stop in Coyo for yummy Tacos and Margaritas. There are plenty of shops to shop, a really cool vintage car and guitar spot and Brick or Wood are 2 good Hip-Hop Bars in the area. What about Miami Nightlife? For the Cool Cultured Grown & Sexy - This is not Miami’s strong suit but if you are down to drive about 20 minutes to this Ft. Lauderdale Jazz Lounge - You won’t be disappointed. NYSW Jazz Lounge is so sweet for live music and good food. It has that Love Jones Mo Betta Blues vibe. Ray Charles and Nina Simone look on from off the walls as people mingle, dance, sip and sing along. It’s Dope. On your way back to Miami from Ft. Lauderdale stop midway in Hollywood, FL and check out Ginger Bay Café. The reggae band that played the night we slid through was super on point! Miami has a lot to offer in the ways of Culture, Good Food, Art, and of course the Beach. This makes it the perfect place to quickly get away from the snow and cold - I mean if that’s not your thing. If you’re anything like me, a simple long weekend in Miami is enough to bring the Sunshine back into your life.
@BeachBridsTravel
Natural Beauty Of The Month Model: Shatara Parsons Instagram: @_shaa11
Dear Ask Ashlee, That time of the year is coming up; Valentines Day! This is the first time in 11 years that I will be spending it by myself. I am slightly excited about it, but I am a bit sad that I have to do it alone. My ex-husband and I have officially been divorced for the last 8 months and the moments of freedom are cool at times, but special occasions such as Valentines Day (the day he proposed 7 years ago) is going to be really hard for me. I guess what I am trying to get at is, I’m a new member of the singles club, and I have no idea how to go about dating and finding a quality kind of a man. So here I am, asking Ashlee. Help a sista out!
Ask Ashlee
Ms. Available
Ask the question and be prepared for the answer!
Dear Ms. Available,
Valentines Day is one day out of 365 days. Do not allow yourself to stress about one damn day! Obviously I’m not aware as to why you got a divorce, but there has to be some validated reason as to why you felt the need to call it quits. Take a moment to remember why you got a divorce, and then allow yourself to celebrate your new found freedom. There are several different ways to celebrate this; 1. Do something for yourself that your ex wouldn’t have enjoyed. Now is the time for you to fall in love with you again and all of the things you love to do. 2. Enjoy a girls night. Our girls know how to get us out of our rut! Call them up, let them know the mood you are in and let them love on you. Allow the love and support from your friends to be enough for you that day. 3. Go on a staycation! Become completely unavailable to the rest of the world. Cook your favorite meal, grab you a few comedy movies and spend the night laughing and enjoying time with yourself. Whatever you choose to do, do it with all of your heart. Truly dedicate time to be with just yourself because the truth is you aren’t ready for a new man or a new relationship. Now is the time to get to know you and fall in love with you again. Until you take the time to self heal, you won’t be good to anyone, and let’s be honest, women need to start taking accountability for the positions we sometimes place ourselves in. We react to the pain and hurt someone else causes us instead of dealing with the shit on our end and making sure we are ok! You got this sis!
Ask Ashlee
Interested In Starting A Column? Visit Our Website at wwww.asknaturalwoman.com
About Ashlee A woman who wears many hats, Ask Ashlee is determined to provide love to the community with sound mind advice, entertainment and a passion to showcase the excellence of others, while discussing real life issues through her Talk Show Monday Night Juice. As a red carpet correspondent, Ashlee brings a unique atmosphere to any event she hosts with her bubbly spirit and one of kind personality. A valued member of the Easley Blessed Media team and Greater Cincinnati Association of Black Journalist she has served as their social media manager and was recently elected as the secretary for GCABJ in the 2019-2021 term! As the creator of the “She Stay Busy� blog she strives to recognize and support women who are determined to be great and go above and beyond to work towards her greatness. Ashlee is also a brand ambassador for Victory Lane Boutique Plus Size Fashion, a speaker, blogger, the recipient of the 2018 Black Woman Project Award, the 2018 Cincinnati Werking Women Award and an advice columnist for Natural Woman Magazine, there is no obstacle she has allowed to stand in her way.
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Out with the old and in with the new Have you ever thought about pulling out those old outfits and making them new again? That’s right New again!!!! Trust me when I say dressing those old outfits will save you time and money when you have to budget. Revamping those old outfits and making them into something new will always ensure that your look will be orignail and creative, Check out some of the ways you can change your old wardrobe into a new one.
The Little Black Dress
Why Not Dress down with your black dress, denim Jacket and High-Top heel tennis for that “Just Because” type of wear!!!
Accessorize Your Office Wear
The Shirt From Back In The Day
Dress Down that old blouse from the 90s with your skinny jeans and gold accessories!! Perfect for that Laid-back weekend Outing.
Revamp ReNew With Miss Too
There is nothing like a warm knitted sweater and those dirty denim jeans can’t do for you!! Great look for the casual day in the office.
Don’t Throw Out That Summer Dress
Hold on Ladies summer isn’t over just yet!!! Pull out that nice comfy summer dress and dress it up with your leggings and your winter boats. OH!! and don’t forget your cardigan sweater.
Accessorize Your Casual Wear
PULL out that comfy winter scarf and dress it up some beautiful pearl accessories!!!
Natural Hair Inspirartion
Protective Styles
Protective Style is a natural hair term that all of us should be use to. But for some the term may lead to more questions. A true protective hairstyle is simply a style that protects the ends of your hair, helping to decrease tangling, shedding and breakage. A protective hairstyle hides your ends from exposure but should leave them in a detangled state. For example, once you have properly detangled your hair and pull it into a ponytail, you can then twist down your ponytail and pin it into a bun. This helps to promote hair growth as the idea is to actually retain your length rather than the very ineffective idea of speeding up hair growth. Check out some of these Natural Hair Protective styles created by natural women just like you!
Goddess Spotlight Because This Earth Needs A Goddes At Work What’s your name? Daphney Charell Thomas What do you do? As “Your Best Self Motivator”, I assist people in doing their deep healing work through 1:1 guidance, workshops and retreats. More specifically, as an advocate for women’s empowerment, I teach women how to care for their wombs with yoni eggs and yoni steams. I champion for women to have level up experience this lifetime. I am also a serial Goddesspreneur who is a part of the Sweet Sistah Splash collective, owner of The Urban Chic Refinery, The Imani Project and Ethereal Spa and host of Goddess Talk Radio. Among many other things I am a Solitary Practitioner of many of the Healing Arts. What inspires your passion to do the work you do? The beauty of life is what inspires me. Seeing people happy, feeling whole and free motivates me to continue the work that I do. Knowing that I am helping to heal generations behind and before me is also fuel. I love the idea of enjoying heaven right here on earth. I love to see the twinkle in people’s eyes when they’ve had an epiphany that shifts how they view themselves and changes behaviors into better ones. Watching pinned up tears flow from the depths of someone’s wound brings me joy because I can see the freeing up that happens and the space that is made for the MAGIC of life to sweep right through them! What do you wish to accomplish with your work? I wish to continue to make an impact on lives by inspiring folks to do the work to feel better, think better, look better and ultimately BE better. Personally, I am working towards building a legacy of generational wealth through my businesses. Why is it important for you to do the work you do? This work is important to me because it is a part of my contract this life time. It is my purpose. I have been given all that I need to make it happen. All of my experiences help propel me into the next level of service. People are important to me and our evolution spiritually matters to me. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 5 years from now, I will be a multimillionaire running successful businesses while surrounded by the people who love me the most. I see myself happy, healthy, traveling, dreaming bigger and helping set others free to do the same. Where do you see the goddess movement in the next few years?
I see this Goddess movement even more LIT in the next few years! I believe women of color from around the world will continue to rise and stand firm at the forefront. The eyes of the world have always been on us, and now is the prime time to show ourselves what we are truly made of and capable of doing! Queens rule and lead- that is necessary and noble too, but a Goddess...she gives and is LIFE! That’s what this world is in need of now, true LIFE. Connect With Daphney: www.memoirsofagoddess.com