Natural Woman Magazine Contributors AZIZAH NUBIA Editor in Chief TAMMARAH OVERTON Chief Beauty & Fashion Director SHANELL BOWLES RUSSELL Beauty Director GEORGETTE MCCULLAR Fashion Director L.G. Marketing & Promotions Natural Woman Interns Faith Gamble Ashely Wilson Michaela Joan Raffaele Samanda Robinson Natural Woman Contributors Aaron Russell Trazana Staples Femi Fatima Gaskins Contributing Brands AZ Media GlamorousFaces
Natural Woman Magazine Š 2012-2015 For Advertising opportunities please visit www.asknaturalwoman.com
Making of the The Natural Woman Magazine 2015 Endless Summer issue was shot in Cincinnati, Ohio at East Fork Lake. Cover Model: Robert Hite Model: Alexis Make Up: Glamorous Faces Photography: AZ Media
Cover
Table of Contents Words From the Editor #MyBlackMan.......7 Healthy Vegan Bar B Que Recipes.....11 Natural Woman Enviorment: Premaculture......16 Artist Spotlight....... 18 The Womb Sauna.....19 Natural Woman on the Scene Salon Edition.....20 Natural Hair Zone......25 The Perfect Fit....31 Beauty is Divinity......33 Tips to an Endless Summer....38 Meet the Model..... 40
Words From Azizah.. Summer is here and in full effect while most of us are enjoying the warm weather, summer festivals, and the great summer shopping. Alot of us are at home witnessing the harshness that has spewed into our streets in the forms of racism and violence. What happened to peace? Where did our love for each other go? Alot of the dysfunction that we face as an African based culture, is the war that is going on right under our noses. The war against our black men, the most powerful and feared force on this planet is being haunted in our street, thrown into jail, converted into dysfunctional sexual beings and that’s just naming a few. Now I would be lying if I just blamed all of the “Black Man’s” problem on the white man, although white supremacy has a huge hand in some of our issues as black people. The majority of the crime done against us is at the hands of our very own. As Natural Women it is our responsibility to uplift our men, to show them we love them and that we care. Regardless of how society has programmed us to feel about our men. We must find the power to love them again, to hold them accountable, and to be by their side. Always remember “they”(powers at be), had to go through the woman in order to get to our men. We are they’re weakness and their strength. How we view our men, sons, fathers, brothers, husbands effects how they see themselves. We are the mother, the first teachers, lovers, and friends. I dedicate this issue to all of the men especially our fathers. We need you now then ever. Remember ladies when we see positive men doing positive lets give them praise. Because we need them now more then ever. Happy Fathers Day
Wishing my dad and all the Fathers a Happy Father’s Day
#MyBlackMan Don’t Count Our Men Out
8Vegan BBQ Recipes You will Love
Summer time is here and grilled foods mixed with summer are inseparable ideas. Some may think that adopting a vegan diet means bye, bye BBQ. In fact, there are many plant based items that can be tossed on the grill as a delicious meatless options. Whether you’re a vegan or not, these are great additions to a summer meal as they bring colour and variety to your plate.
Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes
Easy grilled fresh tomato with bread chips and olive crust, a tasty vegetarian dish for a spring or summer barbecue Ingredients: Tomato 4 each, large Thyme 10 ml fresh leaves, chopped Olive oil 30 ml Salt To taste Bread chips 60 ml, with garlic Black olives 40 g, stoned Parmesan 30 ml, grated Pepper to taste, freshly ground
Directions Wash and dry the tomatoes and cut in half crosswise. Mix the thyme with pepper, salt and 30 ml olive oil and brush the cut surface of the tomatoes with it. Crumble the bread chips, finely chop the olives and mix together with the rest of the olive oil and the Parmesan. Grill the tomatoes with the cut surface down, for about 3 minutes, then turn, season lightly with salt and spread the bread chip mixture over the cut surfaces. Grill for a further 3 minutes and serve immediately.
Grilled Pinapples
Looking for unusual grilling ideas? Try this grilled pineapple recipe for fruit skewers flambeed in rum, a yummy and light dessert, perfect with ice cream Directions INGREDIENTS
Grilled Lasagna Funny and creative vegan recipe for a healthy barbecue: layers of grilled peppers, eggplant and zucchini composing a colourful vegetable lasagna
Ingredients
4 Red pepper 3Yellow pepper 4 Red Onions, large 4 Eggplant 4 Zucchini Rosemary to taste, fresh sprigs 3 Garlic Cloves sliced very thinly Olive oil to taste, cold pressed Salt to taste Pepper to taste, freshly ground Directions
Pineapple 1 Butter 60 ml Honey 60 ml Lemon juice 15 ml Cinnamon 1 pinch, ground Cloves 1 pinch, ground Brown rum
Cut off the ends of the pineapple and peel the pineapple. To do this, stand the pineapple on its end and cut off the peel in strips from top to bottom with a sharp knife. Then cut the pineapple into quarters lengthways, remove the hard core and cut the remaining fruit lengthways into slices/wedges. Thread on wooden skewers. Melt the butter and stir in the sugar, lemon juice and spices. Grill the pineapple skewers, brushing with the butter mixture and turning frequently, until evenly browned. Take off the grill, put into a shallow dish and pour the warmed rum over the pineapple skewers.
Wash, halve and deseed the peppers. Peel and thickly slice the onions. Wash the aubergines and slice lengthwise into approximately 1,5 cm slices. Wash and thinly slice the zucchini. Brush all the vegetables with a little oil, season with salt and pepper and cook on both sides on a hot charcoal grill. Brush a loaf tin with oil. Lay a sprig of rosemary in the bottom, then add the grilled vegetables in layers, putting 1-2 slices of garlic, a little rosemary, salt and pepper and a sprinkle of fresh oil between the layers. Keep pressing the vegetables down with the flat of your hand. Finish off with a sprig of rosemary. Cover with clingfilm. Weigh down with fruit or vegetables (e.g. large potatoes or apples...) and put the ‘lasagne’ in a cool place for 2-3 hours.
GRILLED CHICKPEA BURGER If you’re looking for vegetarian dishes idea for a barbecue party, don’t miss this easy veggie burger recipe: a crispy chickpea delight for a healthy grilling Ingredients
Chickpeas drained Hazelnuts chopped Onion grated Carrot grated Red pepper deseeded and diced Thyme chopped Eggs beaten Cumin ground Coriander ground Flour Salt To taste Pepper To Taste Oil
Directions
Heat the grill. In a mixing bowl, mash the chickpeas with the other ingredients, except the oil. Shape the mixture into 6-8 burgers and chill for 1 hour. Place on the grill pan. Brush each with oil and grill for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. Carefully turn the burgers over, brush with more oil and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Vegan Coleslaw
A great barbecue demands unforgettable sides, starting with vegetables, coleslaws and salads.
Ingredients & Directions Start with 6 cups shredded red, green, napa or savoy cabbage, or coleslaw mix. 1. Sweet & Sour (Vegetarian, Gluten-free) Whisk 3/4 cup light mayo with 1/3 cup cider vinegar, 3 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp Dijon 1 tsp hot sauce. Add shredded cabbage, 3 grated carrots 1 thinly sliced small red onion. Let stand 1 hour before serving. Serves 4.
Vegan Macaroni Salad Directions Cook noodles according to package instructions, drain and set aside. Chop veggies and set aside. Prepare dressing by adding silken tofu, dill, salt, pepper garlic powder, agave nectar (or sugar), vinegar, grape seed oil, and spicy mustard to a blender and blending until well combined. Scrape down sides as needed. If having trouble blending add water in Ingredients Tablespoon amounts until it has enough liquid to churn properly. 4 cups elbow macaroni shells (GF for Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. I added more dill, musgluten free eaters) tard, salt and agave. 1/2 red pepper, diced Toss drained noodles and veggies with the dressing in a large 1 cup celery, diced serving bowl. Chill for at least 1-2 hours before serving. The flavors 1/4 cup diced red or green onion will meld and the salad will thicken up the longer it chills. 1 cup silken firm tofu (make sure it’s Serves 8. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a few days. silken or it won’t blend right) 2-3 Tbsp dried dill or 4-5 Tbsp fresh 3-4 Tbsp agave nectar or cane sugar (or honey if not vegan) 1/4 tsp sea salt, black pepper & garlic powder 2 Tbsp vinegar (white wine is best) 2 Tbsp grape seed or olive oil 1 Tbsp spicy mustard for tang (water to thin)
Vegan Dijon Fingerling Potatoe Salad
Ingredients 2 heaping cups of chopped fingerling potatoes 2 tsp dijon mustard 2 tsp vegenaise or mayonaise 1 garlic clove, minced 1 carrot, grated salt pepper garnish: carrot greens or flat leaf parlsey DIRECTIONS Prep potatoes by washing the skin and chopping into bite sized pieces, add to a pot and cover with water. Heat over the stovetop (uncovered) until boiling. Meanwhile, add the mustard, veganaise, minced garlic and grated carrot to a large bowl. Lightly mix with a fork until the dressing comes together. Once potatoes are boiling, stick them with a fork - once tender (but not falling apart), remove from heat and strain in a colander. Let sit until potatoes are warm to the touch. Add potatoes to the large bowl over the dressing and mix with a rubber spatula until potatoes are coated. Add salt, pepper and greens for garnish. Stir once more and serve!
Vegan Bar B Que Ribs Ingredients 1 cup vital wheat gluten 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast 1 Tbsp smoked paprika 2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder Several grinds fresh black pepper ¾ cup low-sodium vegetable broth 2 Tbsp natural peanut butter 1 tsp liquid smoke 1 Tbsp soy sauce 1 cup barbecue sauce of choice, plus more for serving
Directions Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease an 8x8 baking dish and set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. In a measuring cup, whisk together broth, peanut butter, liquid smoke, and soy sauce until incorporated. Pour mixture into bowl with the dry ingredients, and stir gently until well-incorporated and the mixture has formed a soft dough. With your hands, knead gently for 2-3 minutes. Transfer mixture into greased baking dish and flatten so it’s spread evenly across the entire pan. Use a knife to make one lengthwise cut across the dough, then cut evenly crosswise to make 1-inch slices. You don’t need to pull them apart; you just want the ability to easily separate them after grilling. Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. While the ribs are baking, heat up your grill or lightly oil a grill pan. Remove from oven and brush the top of the ribs with barbecue sauce. Place sauce side down on heated grill (or grill pan on the stove over medium heat). Brush the top with more barbecue sauce. When the bottom of the ribs are deeply browned (about 5-6 minutes), flip over and cook the other side until brown. Remove from heat and serve immediately, with more barbecue sauce if desired.
Send Natural Woman Magazine your yummy healthy foood recipes. They maybe in our next issue. www.asknaturalwoman.com
Permaculture “Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labor; of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system.”- Bill Mollison (from the permaculture.net website) Wouldn’t life be grand if every single human being on Mother Earth adopted a ‘Permaculture’ lifestyle? Nothing would go to waste and everyone would have basic needs and necessities such as clean air, clean water, clean land, shelter, food and clothing. When I began taking a permaculture course offered by Earth Matter TN in 2009, I had no idea what it entailed. My only goal was to become a master gardener. It was during this course where I learned sustainability was more than just gardening. In order to be fully sustainable we must be able and equipped to not just grow our own food but help to sustain the entire planet and everything within it. We are all part of a finely orchestrated web which if one cell of the web is destroyed the entire web will become weak.
By: Trazana A. Staples
There are some things we can do in our homes, individually, to begin a permaculture lifestyle and you would be amazed at how beautiful your space can be with just a few minor changes. I found the following article by Christina Luisa from Natural News Website, be on point on how to begin practicing permaculture. According to Bill Mollison, permaculture integrates ecology, organic gardening, architecture, landscape and agro-forestry into the creation of a rich and sustainable way of living. Not only does it use appropriate technology that provide high yields for low energy inputs, it strives to create a resource that is both stable and incredibly diverse. Permaculture design ethics include: •Care of the earth (“Earth Care”) •Care of people and all other species (“People Care”) •Limiting consumption; sharing surplus (“Fair Shares”) The core principles of Permaculture are explained in detail here.
Here is an easy-to-follow guide on four great ways to start incorporating permaculture practices into your own life. Get into the habit of observing nature Start to closely observe natural elements and designs such as sunlight patterns, moon phases, the direction of tree growth, where and how water collects and where plants don’t grow well in your native area. Don’t forget to extend your observation to patterns in human nature as well. For example, pay attention to what kinds of work young children enjoy and don’t enjoy, or how your coworkers tend to behave at certain phases of a project. What time of day is your mind most receptive to trying new ideas? It is also important to observe the needs of anything you want to nurture, whether it is a garden, a plant, an animal, a friend or a business partner. If you want to grow herbs or raise chickens, find out what conditions they need so you can adjust your micro-climate accordingly. Develop a design-oriented mind Look around you and imagine ways to apply the permaculture ethics and principles to the design of everything you notice. A good way to begin developing your eye for design would be to choose a permaculture principle that especially resonates with you personally and find ways to implement it in various areas of your personal life. For example, if you really love the permaculture principles of “using and valuing diversity” and “using small and slow solutions,” then make a list of ways you can diversify your daily activities in a simple, non-wasteful way. Design grocery shopping lists that include a variety of simple, local and seasonal foods, and make your shopping trips include tasks for the whole family, since one of the most important aspects of permaculture is the rebuilding of community. Create a simple and ecological permaculture garden Ecological gardening involves growing a wide range of edible and other useful plants and can be done on any scale. It’s a fun and easy way to create a “backyard ecosystem” by assembling communities of plants that can
work cooperatively and perform a variety of functions, including: •Composing and maintaining soil fertility •Catching and conserving water in the landscape •Providing a habitat for various animals, insects and birds •Growing an edible “mini forest” that yields seasonal fruits, nuts, and other foods Many beginning books on permaculture as well as online sources explain how to complete a variety of useful projects such as making your own herb fertilizers and compost or creating homemade organic sprays for pest control. To learn more about creating permaculture gardens, check out this article.
Take a permaculture design course Study and practice permaculture principles indepth by looking into affordable local permaculture design courses. You’ll learn to practice sustainable design in your everyday life, strengthen your connection with nature and develop your creativity and intuition. In the process, you’ll also get an interesting tour of various permaculture practices from all over the world - all of which you can adapt to your own situation. Most permaculture classes offer an extraordinarily rich community as well, giving you the opportunity to improve your understanding of this holistic design system and create lifelong friendships and business partnerships. If you don’t want to take a general course on permaculture design, research specific elements of permaculture such as, • local food systems • self-reliance • growing food • traditional skills • beekeeping • small-scale organic farming • ways to build community
Artist Spotlight Meet Shakka Ahmose
Watch Shakka’s interview with Azizah Nubia
Interviewed by: Azizah Nubia
Shakka Ahmose is an artist that cannot fit into any one category, because he simply cannot be defined by one. When this SaNeterTV.com star is not on the streets of Harlem with Brother Polight and Brother Reggie teaching our people the truth. He is creating new music through his platform The Nile Valley Movement, this movement was created to bring back the image of our culture. He is a Modern Ancient Artist whose mission is to awaken the ancestral image of our culture back into the minds of our people. He does this in many ways from his Kemetic attire, his hairstyle, intelligence and of course his sound. After spending some time speaking to Shakka I learned that some of his musical influences were Jimmy Hendrix, Micheal Jackson, and of course 2pac. With influencers like these great artist no wonder Shakka can feed the streets with tunes like “the Greatest Thing” or “Egypt was Black Land”. Shakka Ahmose’s music is the Kryptonite to today’s poison they call music that is geared to degrade our value system a culture. When asked why it’s important to maintain the image of our ancestors in his work as a musical artist he shared, “I want to remind black people that when we are attacked as a people by the powers at be. We are attacked at our image, they could care less about how much money you make, its our image that has to be destroyed and controlled. With the Nile Valley Movement we bring forth our image and the richness of our culture. I want to give us our wings back”
with Thema Azize Serwa interviewed by Azizah Nubia “There are no obstacles. There are no limitations. You absolutely are powerful enough to heal yourself.” ~Thema Azize Serwa Taking back the power of your womb is the first step for every woman who wants to define her own destiny. The Womb Sauna Founder Thema Azize did just that when she could not find the solution to her PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). After years of reproductive problems Thema found her answer from probably one of the most powerful books ever to reach the hands of any black woman, Queen Afua’s Sacred Woman. One sentence from this book on clearing the womb with steaming herbs. Set Thema off on a journey that not only changed her life, but the lives of thousands of women around the world. The Womb Sauna provides several services, including their own unique vaginal steam experience, to support all aspects of your healing journey and desire to remain healthy. The Womb Sauna does not declare that their services or products will heal you. Instead, their approach is to provide you with the tools to be empowered to heal yourself from any dis-ease. They believe YOU- in perfect balance between your mind, body, and spirit- is the missing piece to your puzzle. Our services are integrated and designed to address all areas of perfect health: mind, body, and spirit.
Watch Thema Azize Serwa FULL interview with Azizah Nubia Here
Natural Woman Magazine’s
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Framed Handbags Entrepreneur Tiffany Nicole is the owner and creator of Framed LLC, a business she started that literally changed her life. Framed LLC is a handbag and accessories company Tiffany created in honor of the passing of her mother. Azizah: What inspired your business? Tiffany: When my mother died, my world changed, we were so close and we did everything together. It was really hard to deal with her death, I had so much energy from the entire experience that I was afraid if I did not do anything with it I would destroy myself. So I prayed and asked God and my mother to help me deal with this energy. After my prayer, I went back into the house and it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. At that moment Framed was born, out of my darkest moment Framed was born. I promised my mother that I would represent her to the fullest and I knew taking my life would not be honoring her. Azizah: So starting your business really saved your life? Tiffany: Yes it did. Azizah: Do you make Framed purses yourself? Tiffany: I work with a craftsman from Morocco. They send me samples and I choose my material and give them my designs. All the bags are handmade.
Visit Framed LLC at www.framedleather.com
Azizah Nubia: What is your most popular bag? Tiffany: The Victoria Bag, that’s the bag named after my mother. Azizah Nubia: Where do the designs come from? Tiffany: I design all the bags, the one thing I love about Framed is that all of the bags are different. Every customer that purchases Framed will have the luxury to know they have that one design. Every Framed bag is uniquely differ-
ent. Our motto is don’t follow the trend, set the trend. Azizah: How do consumers purchase your bags how do you market? Tiffany: The marketing strategy that works the best is word of mouth. I do events, I have a website, but what’s working is word of mouth. Azizah: As an entrepreneur, there are always stepping stones and road block we must face to take our business to the next level. What are some of the challenges you faced with your business that helped you become a better business person? Tiffany: I would say my biggest road block, thus far, is teaming up with people in the fashion industry and finding where I fit it in. Azizah: I would say you’re already in the right direction. We are here doing an interview in Fashion magazine. Tiffany: Your right about that. Azizah: How has starting Framed LLC changed your life? Tiffany: Framed has tapped into a part of me that I did not know existed. I have never felt so confident, it has helped me to believe that I can accomplish anything.
To Watch the Full Interview please purchase a Natural Woman Power of 4 Membership
Do you want to be our next Entrpurner spotlight? Visit www.asknaturalwoman.com Share your story of how you started your business. Gain New Customers Advertise your business Check out our packages today!
Natural Woman on the Scene Salon Edition When Natural Woman is on the scene there is no telling where our cameras will be. In this issue Natural Woman went on the search of finding some of Philadelphia’s hottest Natural Hair Salons. Although we did not have the time to visit all the top beauty stops. We did however stop by to visit The Island Design Salon & Rasa Salon of Philadelphia, Pa.
Island Design Natural Hair Salon 1410 N 52nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19131 (215) 472-2470
Island Design™ Natural Hair Salon is a unisex Natural Hair Care Salon with an Island twist established in 2001. Lorraine became a connoisseur in natural hair techniques through her training at Wilfred Beauty Academy, receiving her license in Cosmetology and Taliah Waajid seminars where she received additional training in braiding, locking and hair weaving. Island Design Salon™ specializes in a variety of hair techniques for natural hair clients, those going from permed hair to natural hair, braids, locks, caramel treatments for those who want the perm look without the chemical, and much more. Island Design Salon™ is the Guru for hair styling, hair care and hair maintenance.
Natural Woman on the Scene: Salon Edition
Rasa Natural Hair Salon 62 West Manheim Street Philadelphia, PA 19144 Phone: 215.668.6296 Fax: 215.844.0818 Rasa Salon, is an eco-friendly, holistic, natural hair care salon and boutique. Located in the heart of historic Germantown in Philadelphia. Rasa Locs are unique because each client has a personalized formula for their individual hair texture and lifestyle. They assist their clients on their journey to achieving healthy beautiful locs with the use of the Rasa product line. The boutique serves as a private styling area and sound/ vibrational healing oasis. Rasa boutique also showcases the work of Idris Designs, unique leather crafts, funky bags, and art guitars. Here you can always find accessories hand made by local artists, hats, scarves, and jewelry. The multi-use space hosts educational workshops and cultural events. They offer yoga classes, reiki, crystal healing workshops, book signings and parties all at Rasa! Stylists have the opportunity to participate in professional workshops including training and certification in the Rasa Styling System. The Rasa Salon has dedicated themselves to being a creative sanctuary for the community, a place of beautification, health, and healing. Our Mantra: “You are beautiful and You are loved�. Rasa Styling System 3 Day Workshop Oct 11th, 12th & 13th 2015 Learn how to master the art of adorning the crown, through our comprehensive training program. A Holistic approach to Natural Hair Care, loc artistry, & healing.
Summer Protective Styles Braids N Twist
Any hairstyle that protects your hair especially your ends from harsh weather, excessive heat, low/no manipulation hairstyles. Braid-outs, Bantu knots, twist-outs, sew-ins, braids of any kind, buns, up-dos, flexi-rod sets etc. The benefits of protective hairstyling. No / low manipulation hairstyles help avoid unnecessary shedding / breakage. Wearing your hair down is cute but that will eventually lead to breakage: the ends rubbing constantly against your shirt will also cause dry ends. Tucking your ends away is the absolute the best thing you can do for your hair; your ends will remain moisturized longer and will be less prone to breakage.
Shrinkage Struggles
by Samanda Robinson
There are several ways to combat the struggles of shrinkage. These include: Shrinkage is surely the struggle for many with natural tresses. I’ve been natural for a year now, and often find myself playing with my tight coils and unintentionally pulling down, and revealing the true length of my hair. I know I’m not the only one who gets irritated when I see how long it’s become, but the world around me can’t attest to it. In some cases, shrinkage can actually hide up to 90% of the actual hair length. Jaw dropping, I know! Shrinkage can be irritating and trying at times, but it isn’t all bad. Just think about how much healthier your mane is becoming? There are some positives of having shrinkage. Shrinkage also is an indication that your curls and coils are in good shape. Try this, if your hair springs back into place without breaking then that means it is full of elasticity. Elasticity, simply put is just “stretchiness.” For those of us who wear our hair natural, there really isn’t a way around shrinkage, unless you are applying heat to your hair. This method pretty much defeats the purpose of even having natural hair. The method to have minimal shrinkage is by stretching the hair. One of the key concepts to have in mind is to always detangle the hair in order to achieve optimal stretch.
Twist Outs and Braid Outs: My ultimate favorite go- to hairstyle. After shampooing the hair and conditioning, I usually use an oil, such as coconut or tea tree oil and twist my hair at night. I know others who actually wear their twists for days before actually taking them down to reveal the more relaxed curl. If you’re on the go, you can also twist or braid your hair before hopping in the shower and the warmth of the bathroom allows for you to hop out and take them down. It’s all up to you on how long you want to keep the twists in before unleashing a more relaxed curl pattern! Blow Outs: Although I caution against applying heat to the hair, if done in moderation don’t be afraid to use this method. Blowing out the hair is just blowing drying it. Sets: As opposed to applying heat to stretch the hair, rollers or flexi-rods can be incorporated into your hair routine to achieve stretch. I challenge you to embrace the shrinkage! You can exude your beauty with a simple wash and go! If you have any suggestions or a particular technique you use to stretch your hair, please comment below so we all can learn from one another. Follow me on Instagram @samanda120 and read my blog: cagedbirdwrites.wordpress.com
Frizz Chronicals: Conquering Humidity with Your Natural Hair This Summer Frizz happens and it loves to defeat us and our curls during the sweltering months of Summer. However, I have some tips to help you better maintain your fabulous hairstyles in the heat! It all starts from within: Stay hydrated! Drink at least half of your body weight in ounces A DAY. It may sound like alot at once, but if you keep a water bottle close you’ll be more susceptible to sip on it rather than reaching for a can of soda. If you’re not a big water drinker, try fruits and vegetables that are high in H20 content. Watermelon, pineapple, red tomatoes, and green cabbage are great examples. Remember: If you’re not retaining enough water, your hair will be thirsty too. Resulting in dry hair and frizz faster than you can blink!
By: Ashely Wilson
before taking any overnight protective style down. This will help keep the frizz away while styling and fluffing your hair. Also, coat your hands in oil after co-washing to seal in moisture. Never: Go to bed without a satin scarf, satin bonnet, or satin pillowcase! Letting your hair rub up against your pillows and sheets is the best way to dry out the hair shaft and create frizz.
Products we love: Conditioners: Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisturizing Smoothie Keep your tresses treated: Changing your hair care routine is pretty Shea Moisture’s Strengthen, Grow, and Restore Treatment Masque common when the seasons change. For Winter, we love moisture filled products As I Am Leave in Conditioner Styling Products: because the wind can be very harsh.. Creme of Nature Perfect 7 (also a leave-in conditioner) sucking the oils right out of our hair. Yes to Carrots Anti-Frizz Serum For summer, it’s important to have a ECO Styler Gel (the green one!) balance of protein as well. Find a deep Shea Moisture Gel Souffle conditioner with Soy Protein and Vitamin E & claim it as your BFF! Don’t let the heat keep you from letting your curls pop! Condition, condition, condition! Deep conditioners weekly and a leave-in conditioner will save you from dry hair, Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe to my Youtube Channel! tangles, and breakage, @AuthorizedByAsh Coat your hands with your favorite oil
Hair-Esteem: Does Natural Hair affect self confidence? By: Samanda Robinson & Ashely Wilson When speaking on natural hair, there are many connotations that arise. Some women feel they have natural hair if they don’t wear weaves, but process their hair, while others believe in the method of not processing their hair with heat or chemical treatment. Whatever the specific case may be, there are a multitude of methods used in maintaining natural hair. Some of these include protective styles such as braids and dreadlocks, the use of heat, or no heat which encompass twist-outs and other styles. Those who wear their natural hair are often faced with the daunting question of whether or not others will receive this change in a positive light? Often times, women are discouraged from embracing their natural hair for a number of reasons, which could correlate to lack of self confidence. Those who refute stigmas and stereotypes, while embracing their natural hair, use their hair as a tool of empowerment. The last category of women support the mantra of India Arie, concluding that they are not defined by their hair. In a recent survey on “ Hair-Esteem”, nearly 96% of participants said that they embrace their
natural hair, with the majority (55%) being individuals who wear their hair in the natural style of the afro puff. When asked of the motivation when styling their hair, 53% of the participants noted that they do it to appeal the public and themselves. Whereas 43% revealed that they do it for themselves, which reiterates the concept of having a strong sense of self-esteem, specifically when discussing hair. Women who feel comfortable in wearing their natural hair attribute this confidence to knowing their self-worth and having the support of family and friends in going through their natural hair journey. One of the natural hair hurdles is the question of, what is deemed appropriate in the workplace? Many women have to grapple with the idea of whether to wear their hair without heat or straighten it for a more eurocentric, “distinguished” look? One of the participants in the survey stated, “During my job search I made it a point to wear my normal hair style (twist-out) because I wanted to show that natural hair is always appropriate.” In the intermediate, one participant revealed that, when on the job search, she would wear her hair straightened for interviews, and
once given the job would wear her curls again. On the contrary, another participant revealed that she had conformed to society’s standards, “ ...for a biomedical conference I had it straightened because it was suggested to have my hair be more welcoming.” With 82% of women saying their significant other supports their natural hair journey, results showed that while in a relationship, significant others’ opinions really matter. In fact, one participant shared “ My boyfriend doesn’t like when I wear weave, so I don’t wear it as often. He likes my natural curls.” The remaining 18% concluded that their partner didn’t support their choice to embrace natural hair. This revealed that some women were more susceptible to straightening
their hair or wearing a weave to make themselves more comfortable around the person they’re dating. A participant stated she felt compelled to change her hair due to a boyfriends comment, she said “My boyfriend didn’t like it! He said I looked better with weave.” In conclusion, self confidence is very important. Whether you chose to wear your natural hair, a weave, dreadlocks, a variation of twists and/or braids is your choice and you should feel beautiful no matter how you wear your hair! Never let another person determine how you style your hair or the way you feel about the way you look when you wear your hair a certain way. You are beautiful and so is your hair! Be confident.
The Perfect Fit by: Have you ever seen a baby calf first trying to walk? That’s how I used to look walking in heels. Something about the balancing on my toes made me look like an ungraceful ugly duckling. Why was I even trying to walk in heels? Well, I’m a model. I first got introduced to the runway at Spelman College performing for a local Atlanta Fashion show. Since then I have done countless print work, runways, and promotional advertisements. I had found my niche in modeling. I loved bringing images to life. The more runway shows I began booking the more I realized I needed to own more than the classic black pumps and boots. I needed to not only wear trending heels but have a fierce walk in them. The struggle began. I didn’t realize I would have such an issue finding heels that not only were comfortable but fit properly. God had blessed me with some bacon slabs for feet that stretched out to size 11. As I began my travels overseas, I found the struggle not limited to the United States. In numerous countries I found the average shoe wasn’t made past a size 9. If you can imagine someone with a French accent saying, “Size 11 shoe?! Bah!! It is toooo big. Disfigures the design!” That was the typical response from vendors. Needless to say I was very frustrated. I am only 5’10, I knew I couldn’t be the only one having problems finding a store with the proper size and gorgeous heels. On a normal day while perusing Facebook I saw a boutique advertised for an upcoming fashion show on a mutual friend’s page. The boutique was called Styletto Shoe Boutique. I went to their FB site and perused their website and fell in love. Their shoes had THE most trending
Fatima Gaskins
styles for women wearing heels. Best of all, they had it in my size!! I did not participate in the fashion show they were a part of, but afterward I approached the owners about their shoes. I came into the boutique which is located off a very busy exit 82 of Interstate 20 in Conyers, GA. It is located in Suite K1. The ambiance in the store was very relaxed and casual. The customer service was professional and friendly. The owners actually sat with me as I tried on several pairs of shoes and asked me for my feedback and what I felt could make if anything the shoe better. The product in heels that were being sold was high class and ranged from conservative to couture. I had found the spot I could get my heels from! Since I don’t live in Conyers I made sure I bookmarked their website so I could continue to get the newest fashions from ordering online. My story is not unique in the fact of finding a place that otherwise would have been unknown if not for their online presence. I encourage readers to check out Styletto Shoe Boutique. I know any real connoisseur of heels will be quick to hashtag and repost the heels featured.
The Beauty Zone: Enhancing the Divinity Within
In this section: The Best Way to Remove Make Up Cat Eyes: Eye Liner Turtorial Clean Cosmetics
Natural Makeup Removers Honey And Baking Soda This works wonderful on any type of makeup. Just put a little organic honey on a clean wash cloth and sprinkle in some baking soda on it and wow. Olive Oil/ Coconut Oil Olive oil and Coconut Oil not only has so many different healing properties, but contains a ton of softening agents too. It’s the best natural way to remove makeup in case you have dry skin. For sensitive or dry skin, alternatives to olive oil are other natural oils, such as castor oil, jojoba oil.
Milk – Best Natural Eye Makeup Remover To remove eye makeup just try a bit of raw milk on a cotton ball to get rid of your eyeliner or mascara. Simply pour some raw milk right onto a cotton ball and very lightly swipe over your eye makeup, and then rinse off with lukewarm water. Steam – A Natural Way To Remove Makeup Many people don’t believe that steam can remove makeup; but truthfully, it’s a great natural way to remove makeup. Just fill up a basin with hot water and lean over it, into the steam. Wow it will open up all your pores. With this method don’t you think it would be easier to remove your makeup with just a mild cleanser and water?
Cat Eyes Make Up Turtorial What you need: Gel/Cream Eyeliner Kohl Pencil Liquid Eyeliner Step 1 Starting at the middle of you upper lid, begin drawing a line as close to your lashes as possible. This line determines the width of your eye liner, to create a dramatic look make this line thick, or create a thin line for a more subtle look. Creating a straight line requires a bit of practice. You can either draw a single stroke line or many short strokes. Step 2 Starting from the inner corner of your eye and moving towards the line you just drew, draw a fine line. Step 3 To create your eyeliner wing, draw a line starting from the last lash outwards. You can now decide the length & angle to your eye liner. Step 4 After drawing your wing, draw a line back to your upper lash line. This should create an empty triangle on your upper lid. To make you eyeliner thick, draw a bigger triangle, ending at the middle part of your lash line. For a more subtle look, draw a small triangle that finishes in your outer corner. Step 5 Color in the triangle with your pencil. Step 6 Finish off this sexy look with 2-3 coats of lengthening, thickening black mascara.
What’s really in your Cosmetics???
Let’s face it, make up is a tool used to enhance our beauty. The beauty industry alone is a billion dollar industry with women of color creating over 83% of the wealth. But did you know that some of the products that you love contain harmful ingredients that may even cause cancer. Check out the list below then check your cosmetic bag and be sure to throw out the dangerous stuff.
The Natural Woman Guide to An Endless Summer al, social and economic resources, translates into socioeconomic disparities experienced by African Americans today. Socioeconomic status, in turn, is linked to mental health: People who are impoverished, homeless, incarcerated or have substance When it is warmer out we feel a lot happier and we abuse problems are at higher risk for poor mental have more fun. Did you know that it is scientifical- health.” ly proven that melanin dominate humans are more If these problems have been scientifically proven to cause poor mental health. And if you are a true depressed during the colder months than they are the hotter. Depression is one of the most “non-dis- Natural Woman reader, you already know that cussed” topics in our community as African-Amer- your thoughts create your reality. With that being said, we can pretty much measure how happy or icans, but it is at the source of all of our problems. depressed we are based on the reality we are creatMentalHealthAmerica.net states that “Historical ing for ourselves. So, are you happy with what you adversity, which includes slavery, sharecropping are creating? If you’re not, ask yourself why are you and race-based exclusion from health, educationI know the winter month left us feeling down and blue, unless your blessed to be in a tropical zone area like Miami. Where its 70 degrees or higher in the month of January (one of my bucket list items).
creating what you’re experiencing? You see your thoughts generate how you feel and how you feel attracts situations into your life that make you feel the way your feeling. Some people call it the Universe, others call it God. Either way we are reality creating machines and if you want a life full of pleasure, happiness, and joy, you can have with a simple switch of your thoughts. Okay, it’s not simple, but having the life of your dreams is attainable for you no matter your age, race, gender, or faith. You were born to experience the sweetness life has to offer. We are depressed because we continue to replay the same sad story everyday. How many times do you hear people say”man I’m tired” or “ I’m broke”, these words may seem like little cliches, but they are subconscious programmers that sink into our subconscious mind and trigger situations to come forth. Leaving us in the continued cycle of poverty and sickness. So I know your thinking,“how can I change my thoughts to create a better reality for myself?” Well I have a few tips that I want to share that will give you the keys to making your reality an endless summer. You can have sunny happy days everyday of your life whether you’re in June or December. Feel how you want to live One of the secrets to creating the life of your dreams is to simply start to carry the vibration of the feeling of what you want to manifest even before it manifest into your reality. If you want abundance you have to feel abundant first. You want perfect health, you must feel healthy. Even if you do not feel the physical manifestations of what you desire. You have to remember that there are many layers to this universe the physical layer is the very last. Live for your Purpose We are all born with a purpose. Living accord-
ing to yours will give you the most satisfaction in life. We are conditioned to live for our jobs or our families. Although these are good reason to live, they may not give you that ultimate feeling of completeness, that’s because your purpose is something much bigger then you. It’s your soul mission. Success is not always happiness Stress is depressions best friend and what many of us over look is that our constant drive to be successful is the number one reason why we are stressed. Success is great but at what cost? Be in-tuned with yourself and watch out for those moments when our stress is linked for our need for success. Then back off and relax for a bit. Pleasure is the key to your happiness Finally it is okay to enjoy the sweetness life has to offer. Everyday you should make it your goal to be orgasmically happy. Whether it be through sexual pleasure, enjoying great foods and relationships with the people you love, or dancing the night away. Pleasure is apart of this life experience. And with high rates of depression in our community we need to exercise that part of our live a bit more.
Meet the Model Robert Hite Gracing the Cover of our Endless Summer issue is the handsome Robert Hite. This 6’2” 184 lbs former NBA player and current community leader has made it his mission to be an example for the younger generations so they to will have some of the amazing opportunities he has come to experience in his lifetime. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio a student of Winton Woods High School. Robert has had an amazing career that has led him to play with some of the greatest basketball players of our time. The Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, and the Phoenix Suns are some of the teams Hite has had the honor to wear a jersey for, not to mention his 4 years of playing over seas. After suffering the injury of tearing his Achilles in 2011, Robert returned home to Cincinnati where he now mentors the youth in becoming leaders and future professional basketball players. Roberts new venture the Flight School Basketball Academy created by Robert and a few of his colleagues. This academy will give young boys and girls access to work with college and professionally trained players who will instruct them in the fundamentals of basketball all the way up to the more advance skills and drills. Some may think that Robert may miss his days on the courts with the big dogs, but “I think it was an act of God to change my direction in life. I know what I’m doing now is my purpose. Everything I have done has only prepared me for what I am now doing. I am grateful for it all.”