Celebrating with Laughs Spring 2013

SPRING 2013

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

FRONTLINE

Hello Pink Pearls! Can you believe it has been two years? We can! Boy how time flies. We would like to take a quick moment to reflect on what we have seen in the past two years: We have had celebrities from our hometown such as Renee Dion, Afaliah and Delores Presley to Hope Flood, Ms. Laura and DL Hughley.

We have come a long way! It has been a rocky road, but we are still here! Our journey has consisted of missing deadlines, all night editing, meeting after meetings, disappointments and accomplishments. Seen and unforeseen road blocks that has only given us the strength to keep it moving. AND WE ARE MOVING! This is only the beginning of our journey and we will be glad to take you with us.

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We have enjoyed the stories of all of our featured pearls. We hope that they have inspired you in some way. Let us not forget about A Man’s Perspective. Ladies, please take heed to the man’s perspective, According to DL Hughley, we do not listen to men nor do we have the desire to. How juicy is that?

We are so excited to introduce to you: The Voice of Pink Pearl Magazine, an internet radio show heard exclusively on Talktainment Radio.

It’s Magazine, Music, Fashion and more!

Wait! That’s not it! Pink Pearl the Empowered Woman is a TV show in progress. Tune into The Voice of Pink pearl Magazine for a sneak peek of what is to come! You will LOVE this! This show is sure to make you laugh out loud.

Speaking of laughing, this issue is full of comedy. Hope Flood, Ms. Laura, and D.L. Hughley are featured in this issue. Read their articles, you will be surprised by the Disease of uncertainty. This is one of many topics during the DL interview.

We hope you get a good healthy laugh and enjoy this current issue.

Thank you for all of your support The Ladies of Pink Pearl Magazine

FRONTLINE

SPRING 2013

PRODUCTION TEAM Editors

Nicole Rogers Laneeta Smith

Graphic & Layout

Dan Henderson/H81 Studios & Designs www.h81studios.com

Photographer

Jehan Inc./Docuvent Photography www.docuventphotography.com H81 Studios & Designs www.h81studios.com

Contributing writers Charita Harris Kimberly Mills Chanel Crawford Rhonda Frost Laneeta Smith Kim Martin

Printer

Capitol Citicom Print & Graphics

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FRONTLINE

CONTENTS

SPRING 2013

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS p.3 PRODUCTION TEAM p.4 TABLE OF CONTENTS p.5 PEARL IN THE MAKING p.7 ASK RHONDA p.11 AUTHORS CORNER p.13 D.L. HUGHLEY p.16 ANNIVERSARY POSTER p.19 HOPE FLOOD p.22 FICA OHIO COMEDIANS p.25 MS. LAURA p.27 TOMORROW’S LEADERS p.30 AROUND THE WAY PEARL p.32 PINK PEARLS WORD’S OF WISDOM p.34 HEALTH & FITNESS p.36

FRONTLINE

SPRING 2013 p.10 Ask Rhonda

p.13 Author E. N. Joy

p.7 Pearl In the Making p.32 Coming To The Stage

p.34 Laughing With Wisdom

p.30 Front Runners

p.22 Live Love Laugh Hope

p.24

Laughing With the Ladies p.27 Queen Laure

p.16 D. L. Tells You How He Really Feels

SPRING 2013

PEARL IN THE MAKIING

PEARL IN THE MAKING

By Chanel Crawford

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A pearl is formed by an irritant entering the body of a live oyster. An irritant; like a parasite or a piece of a shell that accidentally lodges itself inside the oyster’s inner body. The oyster then begins to try to protect itself from the foreign object excreting a substance that enclaves the irritant so that it will not cause harm to its insides.

It continues to secrete this substance over about 3 to five years, and once that time has elapsed the irritant has morphed into one of this earth’s most beautiful gems, the pearl.

Life can sometimes be that way. Circumstances and situations can unexpectedly be lodged into your life for years at a time. And although uncomfortable, these circumstances define and REFINE who you are as a woman and at the end of it all, you become the beautiful pearl.

My name is Chanel Crawford and I am a pearl in the making. My story is like many others you’ve probably heard before. Every statistic I could have been I was. Pregnant in high school, we were poor; I grew up without a father, high school drop out, runaway, domestic violence victim, all situations which bought on low self esteem, feelings of inadequacy, and sexual orientation confusion. With all of this going on, I should have checked myself into a mental institution long ago, but by the grace of God and a few supportive friends I now have my Bachelors of Science in Business/Marketing, I am a project support coordinator for JP Morgan Chase, own a non profit helping young ladies get back on their feet exiting the juvenile justice system, and most importantly, I am the best mother I know to be. In the following paragraphs I will highlight a few of my life’s events, explain how I overcame the remnants of domestic violence, the hardship of having a child in high school, homelessness, the quest to become whole without knowing my father, as well as finding a way to forgive.

I had my son in high school and found

SPRING 2013 the demands of school, work and motherhood to be very heavy. When most 17 year old girls are looking forward to prom and game night my days went like this: I would get up at 5am, jump on the bus to drop my son off at the day care, head to class, pick him up after school, drop him off at the next day care, jump on the next bus, go to work for 4 hours, jump on the bus again to pick him up from the day care again and arrive home at about 11pm….to start it all over again.

The four hours a day at work wasn’t enough to take care of my son so in December of my senior year I decided to leave school and take the G.E.D. test. I passed with flying colors and

PEARL IN THE MAKIING protective order. By the time I got off work, the police were at my house to serve and remove him from the property. I immediately fell into depression. When you go through any type of abuse, you begin to question your value, your worth, your identity. The craziest part about it all is how quickly I forgave him and he is now one of my best friends and biggest supporters.

You must understand that humans are imperfect beings with even more imperfect souls and world views. Truth is, right is right and wrong is wrong.

No matter how a person tries to justify “wrong”, it will never sit well in their spirit and eventually, it will eat them alive. You don’t ever want to help

the abusive relationship, and failed attempts to connect with my father, I had no idea what to feel, who I was, or where I was going. I was emotionally depleted. All I knew is that I had to start over. Through prayer and a lot of family support, I made it through. I rebuilt myself. I redefined who I was.

I pulled my boot straps up, wiped my tears and started my collegial career at Ohio Dominican University. I served as the cohort ambassador and worked as Account Executive in Private Aviation. During this stage of “rebirth” I somehow fell in love with a woman who treated my son like her own. We were together for four years. Unsurprisingly, physical /mental abuse,

I had enough abuse when one morning my son woke up and said “Mommy, why is your face always different colors?” had my diploma before my class even graduated.

I moved back to Columbus, OH from Dayton, OH in 2001. At 20 years old I got involved with a man ten years my senior. At first, everything was great. He helped with my son, cooked, cleaned and provided a little money when I needed it. But something was missing. We drank and partied a lot and I knew this was not the life I wanted for myself. The problem was, every time I would try to leave this man he would become extremely violent. “This will be over when I say it’s over” was his favorite line. I had countless black eyes and bruises. I had enough abuse when one morning my son woke up and said “Mommy, why is your face always different colors?”

That was it. I was tired of being tired. I accepted this treatment for 2 years and I was determined to leave. I got up the next morning and acted like everything was fine. Told him I was going to work and headed right down town to get a

them carry that in addition to the pain you’ve already endured. Forgive. Let go. And let God. The presence of a positive male figure in a young girl’s life is imperative.

Without it, she has no clue what genuine love should feel like from a man.

So she will begin to accept any type of affection whether it be healthy or not. I longed to feel genuine love from a man. I wanted my father in my life so bad. I tried several times to reach out to my father who relocated to Portland, OR through letters. My letters were intercepted by his wife and she politely asked me not to contact her family again until my three brothers were grown and could understand an “illegitimate” child. I made the decision not chase that relationship. If my father wanted to be a part of my life, he would. If a man wants to get something done, he will find a way to do it.

I let it go. And let God. After becoming a single teenage mom, dropping out of high school,

cheating and lying was the norm.

I never blamed her though. When you’ve become accustomed to certain behavior this treatment becomes normal for you. You start to blame the abuse on yourself. She cheated with a childhood friend of mine in my home while I was at work several times.

Talk about pain?!? But I learned so much through that experience as well.

I forgave them both because it was the beginning of self discovery for me.

She too is now one of my best friends and biggest supporters. I let it go. And let God. At 27 I was in a lot of emotional turmoil. My 4 year relationship had ended, my grades were suffering, I was betrayed by my childhood friends, I had just gotten laid off my job, money was tight, and I was living in a woman’s shelter. I remember falling to my knees, slobbering and crying saying “Lord!!! What do you want me to do with all this pain??? Why are people so manipulative and evil?” And clear

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as day in the middle of all my pain He said “Teach them.” It was so clear I was jolted out of my dramatic episode of tears and catalytic crying and responded “Teach them??? Who? I’m no teacher.” But that situation is what birthed Vici Institute, Inc. and our slogan: It Happened. I Learned. I Conquered! I let it go. And I LISTENED to God. I decided to stay away from relationships and concentrate on God’s vision for my pain and my life. The best thing to do while in going through a storm is to GET BUSY. And that’s exactly what I did. I was doing multi level marketing ventures, I served on my son’s PTA, I was working for PNC Bank in sales support, in addition to attending numerous networking events and holding monthly board meetings for Vici. Then….another bomb shell. After 2 years of beating the pavement for the non profit I was finally making some ground. We had just received an invitation to attend the governor’s luncheon to discuss teen issues. I logged onto the Secretary of

PEARL IN THE MAKIING

State website just to make sure everything was together and noticed Vici, Inc. had been trademarked by a family member, in her name only, without my knowledge. More pain. More betrayal. I was shocked. Hurt. In disbelief. I had to decide, should I fight with her and show discord among management to my board members, or let it be? Then I got the best news of my life……My father had gotten a divorce. His wife reached out to me and we began communication. I decided to leave Columbus, OH and headed west to Portland, OR to cultivate that relationship. The west coast provided the solace and solitude I needed to forgive all the wrongs done. To put them into perspective. Something about those mountains and the Pacific Ocean gave me peace. The beautiful bridges and rivers, waterfalls and tree’s were some of the most breath taking images I had seen face to face. The west coast to me was larger than life and God knew I needed to see his work to believe He was still very real and watching over me. I stayed a year until He summoned

me back to my purpose here in Ohio. I let it go. And let God. In life you will continuously have highs and lows. It may be on a different social, financial, spiritual, or emotional level each time, but there will always be good and bad times. People who love you will hurt you. Family members will betray you. Pillars of the community will disappoint you.

Pastors will shock you with behavior.

Friends will use you. You have the choice to let your pain paralyze you or let it catapult you into the very essence of womanhood. Each situation you encounter, no matter how painful, equips you to help someone else one day. Nothing helps a person more than the feeling that someone not only knows, but understands exactly what you’re going through. Be thankful for every situation, good or bad. It defines and refines you. Just as the oyster does to the irritant. Embrace your irritants, and over time you’ll become the beautiful pearl God wants you to be.

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SPRING 2013

ASK RHONDA

Rhonda

Got Relationship or Dating questions? Ask Rhonda (Straight Talk about Dating and Relationships)

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Rhonda Frost is a writer and co-author of the 2011 African American Literary Award nominated best selling self-help book “Why Do I Have to Think Like a Man? How to Think Like a Lady and Still Get the Man”, and co-author of the upcoming book “Is Married the New Single? The Truth About the American Dream” due out Spring 2014. She is an advocate for women and active blogger on Red Room for Writers, BlackVegas.com and various other publications where she dishes on relationships. Rhonda’s life experiences as former teen mom, a married and now happily single dating woman, coupled with her raw honesty and keen sense of humor about life lessons are what make her the perfect person for this column.

You can follow her on Twitter at thinklikealady@ twitter.com and on Facebook under Rhonda Frost (Author). For more information about her work see www.lovingme1st.com and www.rhondafrost.com.

The advice in this column is for entertainment purposes. In all serious or life threatening situations it is always recommended that you seek professional help.

How Self-Worth Impacts Your Relationships and What You Accept “Fool Me Once Shame on You, Fool Me Twice Shame on Me”

By Rhonda E. Frost

SPRING 2013 I pose regularly in my bathroom mirror, smiling happily at the body and person I see. I’ve taken more semi-nude pictures in my late forties than I ever have in my entire life (and yes, I will admit that I’ve proudly shared a few of these).

There is nothing in the world like loving the skin you are in and feeling good about yourself. No, I am not in perfect shape, I have extra pounds that I could stand to lose and I still have plenty of stretch marks left over from bearing 4 children and I’ll admit I do wish my booty(derriere) was fuller and more round, but it’s Ok, because I feel good in my own skin, flaws and all. I can finally say I like the person I see looking back at me.

Before I got to this place of self-

ASK RHONDA into your life and disrespects you, lies, treats you poorly, or breaks your heart the first time, shame on him, but if you keep letting him back in your life KNOWING who he is and how he’s treated you, shame on you!

Today, I am single and actively dating. When I tell you my dating life is phenomenal, I am not kidding.

Phenomenal! First and foremost, I am surrounded by smart, respectful, kind and fun male friends who I get to talk to, watch football and hang out with regularly all of whom I adore and all of whom treat me well. To top that off, every single week, I am invited out to dinner, lunch or events by someone I meet, and whether it’s from an on-line dating site or whether

Have you ever seen a woman or guy walk in a room and the entire energy changes almost like a heavenly aura surrounds them? Their smile seems to light up the room.

You notice how people are drawn to that person and how they want to be in their space? That energy is infectious.

My message to you is that these results and this feeling are attainable for you too. It doesn’t matter how tall, short, big or small you are, your age, what color your skin is or how much money you have, the bottom line is, self-worth begins with you making a decision about your life.

When you know who you are, it is reflected in your choices. You get comfortable saying “no” to people

“girl your pheromones are putting something 12 out there in the Universe because every time we go out, men are just drawn to you!” acceptance, my love life as a formerly married woman and later as a single woman reflected how I felt inside, sub-par men, broken relationships and mediocre treatment. I struggled with self-esteem. I could barely stand to see myself in pictures; much less ever take a picture of this body without clothes! I attracted the same kind of men, or kept allowing that same guy back in my life that had already shown me he didn’t love, care or respect me. There is an old skool quote that says “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me” and what that means is, if a man comes

I meet him out somewhere, what is consistent is, almost every man says something like this “you have an energy about you, a bright light that shines”, they comment on “how happy I look” and how that adds to whatever they see physically. My girlfriend and I often go out together and she recently told me, “girl your pheromones are putting something out there in the Universe because every time we go out, men are just drawn to you!”

That comment is funny but true.

It’s emanating from within.

When you love yourself, it shows.

People feel it and see your light.

and situations that don’t feel good or don’t serve your highest purpose. You will identify what you want and what you don’t want, what you will accept and not accept and you will stick by those standards.

SPRING 2013

AUTHOR’S CORNER bus, Ohio as well as cities across the country. On April 19-20, 2013, E. N. Joy will be instructing the DO IT WRITE! Workshops in conjunction with Literary Feast 2013.

E. N. Joy’s following knows that the Literary Feast, held every other year, is the premier literary event in Columbus, Ohio. This year will be the 4th Literary Feast for book lovers and authors from all over to come enjoy. At the Literary Feast, E. N. Joy will also be celebrating the release of her short story, “Best Served Cold,” found in the A Woman’s Revenge anthology (release date April 2013).

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Joylynn M. Ross now writing as BLESSEDselling Author E.N. Joy (Everybody Needs Joy)

her work as well. She made a conscious decision that whatever she penned from that point on had to glorify God and His kingdom.

E.N. Joy is the author of Me, Myself and Him, which was her debut work into the Christian Fiction genre. Formerly an Essence Magazine Bestselling secular author writing under the names Joylynn M. Jossel and JOY, when she decided to fully dedicate her life to Christ, that meant she had to fully dedicate

BLESSEDselling Author E. N. Joy is also the writer behind the five book series, “New Day Divas” and the “Still Divas” three book series, which have been coined the “Soap Operas In Print.” This award winning author has been sharing her literary expertise on conference panels in her home town of Colum-

After thirteen years of being a paralegal in the insurance industry, E. N. Joy finally divorced her career and married her mistress and her passion; writing. In 2000, this author formed her own publishing company, END OF THE RAINBOW projects, where she published her own works until landing a book deal with a major publisher.

Under End of the Rainbow, she has published New York Times and Essence Magazine Bestselling authors in the “Sinner Series,” which includes Even Sinners Have Souls, Even Sinners Have Souls TOO and Even Sinners Still Have Souls. In 2004, E. N. Joy branched off into the business of literary consulting where she provides one-on-one consultations and literary services such as ghost writing, editing, professional read-throughs, write behinds, etc… Her clients consist of first time authors, Essence Magazine bestselling authors, New York Times bestselling authors and entertainers.

SPRING 2013

AUTHOR’S CORNER ia Told Me, written under the name N. Joy, in book stores now. The Secret Olivia Told Me received a Coretta Scott King Honor from the American Library Association.

The book was also acquired by Scholastic Books and has sold almost 100,000 copies. She also has a tween/young adult ebook titled Operation Get Rid of Mom’s New Boyfriend. Elementary and middle school children have fallen in love with reading and creative writing as a result of the readings and workshops E. N. Joy performs in schools nationwide.

Not forsaking her love of poetry in which she has published two works of poetry titled Please Tell Me If the Grass is Greener and World On My Shoulders, E. N. Joy recently published an ebook of poetry titled Flower In My Hair. “But my spirit has moved in another direction,” E. N. Joy says. Needless to say, she no longer pens street lit (in which two of her titles, If I Ruled the World and Dollar Bill, made the Essence Magazine bestsellers list.

Dollar Bill appeared in Newsweek and has also been translated to Japanese). She no longer pens erotica or adult contemporary fiction either, in which her title written with New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Jackson, An All Night Man, earned her the Borders bestselling African American romance award at the Romance Writers of America National Conference.

You can find this author’s children’s book titled The Secret Oliv-

The New Day Divas series was incited by the CEO of E.N. Joy’s publisher, Carl Weber, but birthed by the Holy Spirit. God used Mr. Weber to pitch the idea to E.N. Joy; sort of plant the seed in her spirit, of which she prayed on and eventually the seed was watered and grew into a phenomenal series that she is sure will touch readers who turn the pages.

“My goal and prayer with all of the Divas series is to put an end to the Church Fiction versus Christian Fiction dilemma,” E.N. Joy states, “and find a divine medium that pleases both God and the readers.”

With book one, She Who Finds a Husband, launching the series (February 2010), readers agree that this project is one that definitely glorifies God in every aspect, but still manages to display in a godly manner that there are “Church Folks” (church fiction) and then there are “Christian Folk” (Christian fiction) and come Sunday morning, they all end up in the same place.

E. N. Joy currently resides in Reynoldsburg, Ohio where she is currently working on her “Always Divas” series. Book one, I Ain’t Me No More, will be released October 2013. E. N. Joy is the acquisition editor for Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books in which the titles are distributed by Kensington Publishing Corporation. In addition, she is the artistic developer for a young girl group named DJHK Gurls. She pens original songs for the group that deal with messages that affect today’s youth, such as bullying.

You can visit BLESSEDselling Author E. N. Joy at www.enjoywrites. com or email her at enjoywrites@ aol.com to book her for author appearances, panels, conferences or to get more information on DO IT WRITE! Workshops and Literary Feast 2013.

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SPRING 2013

MAN’S PERSPECTIVE

THE D.L. on FEMALE COMEDIANS DL Hughley is not only a well known, comedian and actor, and dancing with the stars contestant, he is a man with quite the man’s perspective. He is very intelligent, down to earth and a nice guy with many stories to share. DL has no shame in sharing exactly how he felt about any topic. Although we talked briefly about him being on dancing with the stars and his fear of no rhythm we were specifically interested in his view on the female species. We asked and DL obliged. Check out how he really feels about women in the comedy industry.

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to the point, 17 D.whatL. dolet’syougetfeelstraight about female co-

medians?

Women have a lot more factors and variables to deal with than men do. I think they are judged more harshly by the consumers. Women can be harsher on other women and men can be often dismissive. I also think that women are nurturers by nature, so they care about how people feel and think and comedy is a more specific and selfish endeavor than most women have. They are not as selfish as men are and that tends to inhibit them so they try to build a consensus “Ladies you know when?” or “everybody knows when?” it’s more collaborative than comedy generally is.

A female comedian out of Atlanta says that men do not think women are funny. Do you agree or disagree with that?

MAN’S PERSPECTIVE

Generally I do not.

Why is that?

It is like female artists; they preach to the choir, they talk about stories that are inherent to their experiences. I almost feel like I should step out of the room when women are talking. It almost feels like covenant, it is exclusionary and all the things are so estrogen driven and sometimes I feel I am excluded.

So you do not think this is a field for women?

That is not what I said. I think that they have more variables that they have to deal with than men do. I think generally women want to have kids and have a relationship with their families. Women are more selfless and in this endeavor you have to be more selfish.

It is so nice of you to say “women are selfless” (Laughing) Well some of them are

some ruthless h@*$ but generally speaking a woman can be onstage worrying about her mother who is sick or her kids who are not doing well and men I think are just more selfish.

They just shut it out?

Not shut it out, just selfish. They care more about the high they get from being on stage than they do about external factors. I know I can be specific about me.

Well that is how women relate. We all go through the same situations in some shape way or form, some commonality, so we have to laugh at it once we get through it to keep us from going insane.

I have to say that commonality is something that most men cannot relate to. It seems like a conversation I walked in on. Like most conversations I walk in on with my wife and daughter they stop talk-

SPRING 2013

MAN’S PERSPECTIVE

“Well some of them are some ruthless

h@*$ but generally speaking a woman can be onstage worrying about her mother who is sick or her kids who are not doing well and men I think are just more selfish”

ing and I think comedy, a lot of the times, from a females perspective feels like that.

In your entire career, which female comedian stands out to you the most?

I have seen so many it would be disrespectful to single one out. I love working with Hope Flood, Ms. Laura, Smore, Cheryl Underwood. I have seen so many that have a gene that makes great comedy. I think if you were looking at it collectively that would be my overall observation. But I think like anything there are exceptions to the rule.

Do you have any advice for up and coming female comedians?

I think that women…. (Laughing) When was the last time a woman listened to what a man had to say?

That is why we have From a Man’s Perspective.

I think that most times women are afflicted with the disease of certainty. They are sure of how things are, they can tell “he/she meant that when they said” they can tell how somebody looks at them or what they meant when they made a sound. They are so certain, and I think the idea of being human, which I think is the main ingredient to being a great comic. I think sometimes certainty blunts that narrative.

So you do not think that a woman trying to jumpstart her comedy career would take advice from someone who has been in the game 20+ years?

I think that most women will not listen to men regardless of what endeavor we are talking about.

So the Man’s Perspective is what we want our pearls to hear from a man’s perspective that we think

we know that you guys know we don’t. So if you were talking to that one woman that was listening what would you say?

Women to me, black women in particular have had to develop skills that were not innate to them and now they have to raise families often times on their own, they have to figure out a way to tell jokes and get through the bs.

Like Hope and Yvette Wilson all the comics I watched grow up and do all the things we had to do, at a certain point they had to worry about their families. I had a family, but I had a woman to take care of them and that’s what I mean, the component of being selfish.

There is a gene that makes men oblivious to what goes on around them. It is not a great human trait but it is a trait necessary to do a selfish endeavor like comedy.

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FEATURED WOMEN

SPRING 2013

FEATURED WOMEN

HOPE For F.I.C.A

By Charita Harris

22 If you don’t know, you better ask somebody! Hope Flood is an original Queen of comedy. With more than two decades in the industry, Hope has worked tenaciously to bring joy and laughter to people’s lives with her thought- provoking, keeping it real flair. You have seen her on Russell Simmons’ HBO All- Star Def Comedy Jam, seven seasons of BET’S Comic View, Comedy Central’s Comic Groove hosted by Tracy Morgan, and most recently The Wendy Williams Show, just to name a few. Hope also produced weekly showcases that helped launch the careers of successful comedians such as Chris Tucker and Jaime Foxx. A head-liner in the comedy circuit for

over twenty years, Hope continues to share her knowledge and talent, and says that one of her most noteworthy performances took place as she became a two time semi-finalist in the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition, performing for over 25,000 people.

Hope Flood is originally from Vinton Harbor, Michigan. Living In a household of many, she and her brother were subjected to abuse, yet Hope recalls being well taken care of and loved. Thus, relocating to a tough area in Los Angeles California at age six was like leaving the life of a princess, and having to adjust to life in “the hood”, Hope recalls. As one can imagine, this move was quite the

culture shock. Hope developed thick skin, learning to defend herself as she was often picked on for being light-skinned with long hair.

She also found an outlet, becoming involved in theater and getting her first glimpse of the spotlight in stage plays and musicals. Hope was an extremely bright and intelligent young girl, and was even encouraged to be skipped grade levels in school. In high school she worked in a department store, and then attended Job Corp where she learned clerical skills. She began working temp jobs, but was fired because a regular nine to five just didn’t fit her larger than life personality.

In 1985 Hope Flood saw Whoopi

SPRING 2013

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Goldberg’s One Woman Show.

She was in awe and inspired, and had originally wanted to do comedic skits such as those performed on Saturday Night Live. Her friend and mentor D.L. Hughley, along with comedienne Kim Townes knew that Hope was more than capable of getting on stage, and setting it on fire, which is exactly what she did. She was given the opportunity to perform for fifteen minutes, and the people loved her.

She began doing this on a regular, and Hope Flood the stand-up comedienne was born. She made her first television debut in 1997 on BET’ S Comic View where she received much love, earning her own one hour Grandstand Comedy Jam Special. She admits that although her job is rewarding and therapeutic, it was oftentimes rough. She says that the hardest part was traveling from city to city, state to state, and having to leave her young son with family. Thankfully, her brother would sometimes bring him along to shows. Hope says that her mother was her biggest critic, wanting her to pursue a more stable professional career, but after witnessing her success in the business, “mom was on board” Hope says.

Hope’s appeal is universal due to the everyday life experiences she talks about. Whether it’s male/female relationships, love, lust, motherhood, or politics and religion, Hope will tell you that “My comedy is basically a conversation with my girlfriends. ... A lot of people go to comedy clubs to work out material, I’ll go to the beauty shop or baby shower or something where there are just women, and I listen to their conversations and stories ... and we get to talking

FEATURED WOMEN and the next thing they know, it’s on stage.” Her ideal settings for performances are large audiences with at least 2000 people.

Hope Flood has found an interesting way of giving back and making a difference. She founded an organization called Females in Comedy Association, or FICA. FICA is an organization that provides networking opportunities and sisterhood for female comediennes of all races and nationalities. FICA was created to dispel myths, build camaraderie, to learn the business of comedy, and to help diversify material. Hope Flood, being one of the top females in the industry, is committed to FICA, as well as her numerous ventures to keep female comedians ahead of the entertainment business. FICA is a group

designed for the comediennes to learn how to break into or to stay in the business as they refine their craft. Its sole purpose is to network, mentor, and collaborate, as well as bringing awareness to the talents of females in comedy. This group has spread world-wide and has gained the attention of many female comediennes all over the country who are new as well as those who are established. Hope campaigned to get the word out about FICA by traveling from city to city, including Columbus, Ohio, as PPM had the opportunity to join, hosting brunches to plant the seed. She wanted a comedienne represented in each city. “It is a movement” she says. FICA has an upcoming conference that will be held in Los Angeles, California

SPRING 2013 April 23, 2013 to April 27, 2013.

Hope Flood is far more than just a comedienne. She is God fearing, a single mother, an actress, philanthropist, publisher of the first nationally distributed comedy magazines called “Comedy The Magazine”, and more recently On-Air Radio Personality. She enjoys shopping, reading self-help books and sleeping. But don’t sleep on her! Hope Flood is storming through the coun-

FEATURED WOMEN try on a mission. Her mission is to transform the stigmas that have been placed upon not only female comediennes, but females in general. In the words of Diane Marie child “A woman is the full circle.

Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” In a male dominated industry it is imperative to remember that you not only have to lift your sister up, but also to keep in mind that “Whatever

women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.” ~Charlotte Whitton

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FICA of OHIO Females in Comedy Association

SPRING 2013

FEATURED WOMEN Ms. Moka Toledo FICA

How long have you been in comedy and how did you get involved with FICA? I guess you could say I have been in comedy all my life. I was always the class clown and the life of the party at family functions.

But I never really thought about doing comedy professionally until August 2000, when my sister and I gave my Mom a 50th birthday party. We hired a guy to emcee the event and I had written some jokes specifically for my mom and let’s just say I kicked him off the stage and finished the party myself. Being on stage was so exhilarating and I felt like the stage was where I belonged, it was at that moment that I realized God had given me the gift of laughter. Lol so to answer your question I have been doing comedy for 13 years.

I got involved with FICA in October of 2012. I was introduced to the organization when I worked with Hope Flood on a show. She and B-Hard invited me to a FICA brunch where Hope shared her vision and what FICA stood for and I knew instantly I need to be a part of the FICA movement.

What impact has it had on your career?

How has FICA benefited my career? Wow! FICA has opened up a whole new support system for me. I mean I have access to female comediennes around the world, females that I may not have had the opportunity to encounter. We advise one another, we keep each other informed of potential gigs; we alert each other of the janky promoters that’s out there lol. I mean it is a sisterhood; we support and encourage each other. Believe it or not Women can have unity and that is what FICA is all about. It has benefited my career just by connecting with other female comediennes that are experiencing the same issues that I’m experiencing in this business and knowing I’m not alone.

Bhard Columbus FICA

How long have you been in comedy and how did you get involved with FICA? I have been performing since 2002; But been a fool since BIRTH! I got involved with FICA by Hope Flood! She reached out to me and asked if I would be the Columbus Oh Rep. I was flattered that Hope Flood knew who I was and second, that I could continue my comedy quest with the help of FICA alongside me!!!

What impact has it had on your career?

The impact on my career is that I wear the FICA badge with honor and pride! I am able to help my sista’s in comedy who are just starting and letting them know you got a WHOLE team behind you!! If you need us WE are there!! My career is ever revolving and changing, but just knowing I am a FICA4LYFE is a great motivator! With sista’s like Hope Flood, Thea Vidale, Lunell and Coco Brown (just to name a few) is an impact all in itself. Being able to call them and talk about anything, PRICELESS!

SPRING 2013

FEATURED WOMEN

Angie Montgomery Cincinnati FICA

How long have you been in comedy?

I officially became Stand-up Comedian Angie Dallas almost 20yrs ago. I was told from the age of 12 I was naturally funny and started out acting and dancing at Cincinnati’s School of Creative & Performing Arts. In 1994 I went to see a comedy show at the Ray Combs Comedy Club in Cincinnati, Ohio and had everyone around me laughing so much they dared me to sign up for open Mic night and I did. Once on stage and in front of a crowd it felt like I was at home and was bitten by the comedy bug.

Always a show off and sure to make someone laugh I caught my Mother and Father heading for the bedroom on night and stopped them and asked. “Do you think it’s sanitary to take that bowl of cool-whip into your bedroom every night? I like to make sundaes but I don’t like nuts in my cool-whip”? That is one of the first times my parents really noticed my sense of humor and after the punishment I got for disrespecting them and being inapropriate, they decided to enroll me into a school that would recognize my gift.

My quick wit and comedic timing makes my brand of comedy infectious and sure to bring a smile to your face. As one of America’s Funniest Mom’s on Nick at Night, which was one of the first Reality Series, I performed at the World Famous Laugh Factory in New York, Gotham, Caroline’s on Broadway and numerous venues throughout the United States. Comedian Angie Dallas is a shooting star on her way to being a household name.

How did you get involved with FICA? I reached out to Hope Flood on Facebook and sent her a message telling her how interested and excited I was about FICA. When I began in this business there were only about 3 females that did comedy in Cincinnati. It was and still is a male dominated business. I spent many years wishing I had someone to talk to in the business

26 Ohio FICA Reps Hair by: ARTRA “WINGWIZ” Edwards Makeup art by: Jenny

here in my town that understood the second class status female comedians were pigeon holed into. Being told you’re not as funny as a man, you won’t be paid for the same work or just traveling out of state being a lone woman was very disheartening. I spoke to Hope and asked her had she thought of having Rep for each city or state and she said that was a great idea.

I don’t know if it was my suggestion or what, but I became the Rep for Cincinnati. The opportunity to be able to bond and form a Sisterhood from City to City, State to State with other female comedians has changed my life. Now no matter how far from Cincinnati I am…I’m always home if there is a FICA sister close by.

What impact has it had on your career?

Being in FICA has opened up opportunities to be able to network with comedians, promoters and all types of people in the business that may not have ever been exposed to my brand of humor. I have increased my bookings because of referrals and information that my FICA sisters have passed on.

SPRING 2013

FEATURED WOMEN

Queen

of Comedy

You all know Ms. Laura as the wisecracking cook and co-host of BET’s Comicview, as Mrs. Tucker from Master P’s, “I Got the Hook-Up” and host of the Showtime feature “Queens of Comedy.” But did you know she started her career starring in a one woman show at the Oakland Ensemble Theater with “Laura Hayes: Out on a Twig,”?

This was just the beginning for Ms. Laura. She left a street life of boosting and her husband, at the time, who was a pimp to pursue acting and theatre.

That was in 1983; Ms. Laura has since made her mark in the comedy world and continues to build her legacy.

SPRING 2013 How did you start your career in comedy?

You could have never told me in a trillion years that I would become a standup comedian, actor or be in entertainment. I was put on this path after living most of my young adult life in the street life. Husband #1 was a pimp, me a booster (I stole women clothing). We were together from age 13 to 33. I did various stints in jail and never tripped, it was just part of “the life”.

It was not until I wound up going to jail for something I didn’t do (but I LOOKED guilty) that changing my life became a driving force. Jail is where I was given the name “Miss Laura” by a bank robber named Pepper.

Years later when I booked Comic View, I was initially to be called “Laura Mae” but Cedric didn’t like that and said I’m going to call you “Miss Laura”. Even with “squaring up” in the forefront of my mind when I got out it still took seven years for the change to manifest that fast money, Cadillacs, furs, diamonds and penthouses was a HARD thing to kick. But I had had enough of jail, courts, probation officers, looking in the rear view mirror and hoping the police wouldn’t pull me over and find this 5 OUNCES OF UNCUT COCAINE in my bra...(so stupid).

In 1983 me and husband #1 went our

FEATURED WOMEN separate ways. I wanted out for good.

I went back to school. I enrolled in Laney College in Oakland, CA. I took every class imaginable trying to find something I could do legally and like it enough to actually show up. Around the third year, I decided to make this an easy semester, taking classes that didn’t have homework. I enrolled in theater arts classes with the intention of barely showing up. This was just enough to pass the class. From the first improv scene I did, I fell passionately in love with the art of dramatic acting.

I worked with various community theater groups in the bay area and took a job with a theater group in San Francisco as their office manager. I was encouraged by the Executive Director, Tony Spires, who later became my first manager; to do a standup set at a comedy show he was producing. It was a way to get noticed for acting he said.

My first standup set was five minutes. As of one of many characters I had developed in my years in the theater....”Cookie” the little girl who told all the family business. From there I hosted several weekly shows then eventually migrated to Los Angeles.

As a child was comedian on your list of “what I want to be when I grow up?”

No, there was three things I wanted to

be....first an Astronomer...then a Chemist...finally by the time I reached my teens I had settled on being a Mother and Wife...3 kids...white pickett fence, the whole nine yards...I must LOFL as I write this.

What were some of your most memorable moments as a comedian?

Me and Standup had a Love/Hate relationship. I loved the creative side of it, but the business side was abusive to me. Meeting, working with, hitting the road with some of the funniest to come out of black comedy was a great joy. It was the moments we would hang out after the show sharing our lives and dreams that were special to me. There were also memorable moments like holding up a show for nearly an hour because again, the promoter didn’t have my money.

I could hear the audience shouting and stomping. I was the MC; I had to face them (after I got my money). I was so afraid, what do I say to them? I told the truth, asked them to forgive me that I had to do it, my rent was already two weeks late and I couldn’t go home without the rent! They understood, the whole vibe changed and I could feel the love and support from them.

There was a show in Atlanta where ten minutes after I got on stage a heckler in a crowd of four thousand people

Queens of Comedy: From left to right: Ms. Laura, Adele Givens,Sommore, Monique

28

SPRING 2013 just would not STFU. I had a standard heckler procedure. I ask you nicely to not interrupt a sista just trying to stay outta jail, then I would solicit the help of the other 3, 999 people to tell them to STFU....then I tell them “You say one more thing and I’m not going to talk about you...I’m going to start with your Mama! He wouldn’t stop, so I let him have it with some of the most horrible things to say about someone’s Mother. The next thing I know there is this man coming down the aisle out of the darkness, gets upon the stage with me. He just standing there rocking back and forth with glassy eyes, I know that look. Then he lifted his shirt to show something shiny in his waistband. The audience gasped along with me who immediately called out “Security”, “Security”...uh “Security”, no one

FEATURED WOMEN Yes, I have several...

“2 Bees from Oakland” with my homegirl, Luenell. Logline:“2 BEES takes a raw, real, slice of life look into the public and private lives of “Queens of Comedy” host “Miss Laura” Hayes and the Bay Area bad girl of comedy “Luenell”, and gives the public a side of black comedy never seen before...

It just might be too real. (Preview at www.2beesfromoakland.com) My Solo show “Miss Laura: Felon to Funny” Writing a psychological thriller for a short film “The Last Box” Logline: When the LOVE of your Life becomes the LIE of your Life.

Another passion of mine...My personal HIV/AIDS awareness campaign “Who

so I retired in 2002 and now must be on fulfilling my passion for dramatic acting. I can’t ask for a better experience to go out on than my Queens of Comedy experience. It feels liberating!

I thank Yahweh for all my experiences good and bad and he gets All the Glory.

What advice would you give an aspiring comedian?

Hmmm....here goes: It’s going to be hard, there is no union to back you, it is a very cut-throat game, the market is flooded, there are not many TV opportunities to help you advance. BUT if you have a love and passion for sharing the gift of Laughter with the folks who really pay you...the comedy audience, then be prepared to cover your own ass, treated your fellow comedian with

Jail is where I was given the name “Miss Laura” by a bank robber named Pepper.

29 came. All I could see was the headlines the next day. Comedian Shot on Stage.

Still rocking he turned, jumped off the stage back into the darkness. I said to the audience “Forgive me Atlanta but you saw what I saw, I am already paid.

I don’t know where that ninja is, out there in the dark...so Good Night!”

The promoter thought the heckler was part of my act...really? He was arrested after the show and then I found out that he was not the one heckling. The one that was heckling sent him up on stage. Of, course nothing can top the best memories of the Queens of Comedy Tour. I never laughed so hard in my life at them bitches...sistas! One night we decided to get wasted...we were at a five star hotel singing oldies out front, going up the wrong way on the escalator, having an intoxicated discussion as to whether the flowers in lobby were real or not.

Are you currently working on any new projects, if so, What are they?

Got Next...Not Me” www.whogotnextnotme.com Do you have a “ritual” before each show?

My ritual use to be smoking a Newport.

I wasn’t a regular smoker, walking in circles cussing about how I’m quitting this sh*t, I must be crazy, I’m not going out there, I’ll give them their money back...then I come to my senses cause I need the money, so I smoke another Newport do a #2 and I’m good.

Do you feel that you have reached a level of satisfaction in your career?

What does that feel like?

Yes I am very satisfied with my standup journey. It was good for then. I had a club date after the QOC and AGAIN the promoter didn’t have my money. I became so angry I had a minor stroke.

I wanted to go back to jail that night...

respect, use this new media to promote yourself, write, write, write from your point of view. Trust in HIM who can do ALL things!

SPRING 2013

TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Name: Erika Danel Ross, 18 years old High School and GPA: Pickerington Central High School/ Eastland Career Center College or University: Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte Campus) (First Year) Extra Curricular Activities: Volleyball Current studies and future plans: At Johnson and Wales University I am currently studying in a four year program to achieve a degree in Culinary Arts and Business Management.

After graduating college I plan to travel and to become a personal chef and own catering business.

FRONT RUNNERS OF TOMORROW “We must do all that we can to give our children the best in education and social upbringing - for whle they are the youth of today, they shall be the leaders of tomorrow.” John F Kennedy

Name: Ciara Janae’ Colvin, 19 years old High School and GPA: Whetstone High School ‘12, graduated with a 4.2 gpa College or University: Currently a freshman at Wittenberg University with the plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree - class of 2016.

Extra Curricular Activities: I write for Wittenberg’s student newspaper The Wittenberg Torch along with Wittenberg’s Communication department alumni feature newsletter Links, I’m also involved in Habitat for Humanity which gives back to the community by serving those in need.

Current studies and future plans: I’m a Communication major with a Journalism minor. My future plan is to become a news anchor for CNN and my passion is for journalism. I have the desire to write and tell other peoples stories, whether it is writing a news or feature article.

So, I would love to pursue the career of becoming an editor in chief for USA Today Newspaper. However, I’m always hungry for the desire to learn and want more in life, along with wanting to be as successful in this career field as possible, so my future career could possibly expand beyond these two desires.

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SPRING 2013

AROUND THE WAY PEARL get on stage and do CD giveaways.

While onstage he would always yell out, “Tell a joke!” I decided to write a standup comedy set. He gave me 3 min. on stage. 3 months later, I was on BET’s “Coming to the Stage” with Bruce Bruce & Kim Coles! The rest is history...

Being a female comic is an obstacle.

Most men don’t think that women are funny. I overcome that by getting the women on my side by telling jokes that they can really relate to; women are usually the majority at the comedy club or any event.

Being a clean comedienne is a challenge. Most comedians curse or use vulgar material. Clean comics have to be extremely clever; cuss words cannot be used as a punch line! My goal is to be edgy, but clean.

Getting paid can be an obstacle. Many comedy clubs want comics to “showcase” their talent in hopes of being discovered. Showcasing is great, but a sista has bills!

Around the way Pearl: Ms. Jones Name: Sheryl Jones, affectionately known as Ms. Jones Age: 41 Born: Newburgh, NY Education: Howard University, summa cum laude, 3.85 GPA, Bachelors of Business Administration Degreemajoring in Computer-based Information Systems Accelerated Alternative Certification in Early Childhood at University of Texas, Pan American I moved to LA and started being a Radio Announcer and was also an actress. One day I was on the set of Kiki Shepard’s new show “Live in Hollywood.” I met comedian, Michael Colyar. We talked like we were old friends! He told me that he was about to do a comedy night on Mondays and asked if I would help. I would

Advice to those that have the same or similar goals: Hit open mics.

Perfect your craft.

Seek experienced comics for advice, Network.

Be professional. Work with a contract.

Comedy is a business... be about it!

Experience: Ms. Jones wears many hats! Not only is she a comedian. She has the following titles under her belt: Author, Actress, Model, Radio Show host, TV Host and Recording Artist.

Ms. Jones is a stand-up comedienne, performing on stages around the world. You may have seen her on BET’s comedy reality show, COMING TO THE STAGE, hosted by Bruce Bruce and judged by “Queen Diva Judge” Kim Coles. She recently competed at the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival Spotlight Comedy

Competition where she came in 2nd place! Ms. Jones has shared the stage with Damon Wayans, Capone, Dolemite, Kym Whitley & more! She jokes mainly about teaching in the ‘hood, dating, fashion, and wearing weaveshe is an advocate!

She is also an author. She recently released her first book, “How to Get Your Students to Behave So You Can teach,” A Hands-On Guide to Classroom Management, where she presents a practical approach for preventing and solving classroom discipline problems. Ms. Jones also conducts Classroom Management Workshops.

Coming soon “How to Get Your Students to Behave So You Can Teach” Instructional Video.

Ms. Jones has hosted and produced her own urban inspirational radio program entitled “The Me & Ms. Jones Show.”

It has aired on KTYM, KPRO, KCLA, KLAS, Oran Z Liberation Radio, & Radio Soul in Los Angeles area. Ms. Jones was “Radio Announcer of the Week” twice in 2003 and nominated for the 2004 “Radio Announcer of the Year Award” by The Southern California Gospel Announcers Guild. She also trained new announcers on broadcasting at American Radio Network.

Ms. Jones is the hip-hop news reporter for “Skee Loves House of HipHop.” In addition, she is the host and producer of her own show, “The Me & Ms. Jones Show.” She has interviewed many of the greats including Rick James, Kool Mo Dee, LL Cool J, Kashif, Jennifer Hudson, Gabrielle Union, Traci Ellis Ross, and more!

This Around the Way Pearl is someone to follow! This is a super woman.

She is doing all the she wants to do and is continuing to grow in her many ventures. Visit her website to find out more: msjonesproductions.com and urbanedutainment.com

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SPRING 2013

PINK PEARLS OF WISDOM

Laughter is the best medicine, that statement is so true. Just take a minute and think about it. Can you recall a time when something had you feeling mad or sad? Just when you where ready to blow your top, along comes a friend, they say or do something so funny that you burst into laughter.

You forget all about the thing, that was troubling you. Why? Because you are laughing. The smile reaches into your soul and brightens your spirits. The lemons in your life now have dose of laughter sugar, and now you have a cup of laughter lemonade. Not to mention how contagious laughter is, you can laugh just by hearing someone else laughing, this is one bug that I love to catch. Try not to take everything that happens so seriously and every once in a while, get your laughter on.

Average Joe or CEO join me Kim Lil Sista Martin Tues at 8pm only on Talktainment Radio log on listen live www.talktainmentradio.com

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SPRING 2013

HEALTH & FITNESS

“Hot trends in exercise and fitness”

By Kimberly Mills

What’s new in the world of fitness?

There are loads of new fitness ideas out there. Believe me, there is no shortage. I get overwhelmed sometimes just thinking about all of the possibilities to stave off my boredom with repeating the same exercise regimen. But what I’m reading and what my body tells me, is what I’m doing and have always done still works. The road to changing your fitness routine is filled with endless. possibilities.

But don’t discount the old ones either.

GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS We’ve all done it. We’ve sat on the couch and watched an infomercial about the latest exercise gadget or expensive piece of equipment and thought “I have to have it!” So we pull out our credit card, call the number and voila! We have a Cadillac piece of equipment that soon becomes the best clothes hanger we’ve ever seen. Well, one of the newest trends in exercise is actually quite old and that is getting back to the basics of using your own body and nothing more to get into shape. Yes, we used to watch Jack Lalanne and snicker at that old guy in the jumpsuit. But

for 130 years old (just kidding), he was in excellent shape and he did it all the old fashioned way; the basics: sit ups, pushups, jumping jacks, high knee lifts, and running.

Yes, all of that still works and no expensive equipment needed.

Most of us are not interested in looking like a competitive athlete but are more concerned with looking and feeling great; especially for our age. To amp up some of these exercises of old, add some burpees, jump squats, butterfly, sit ups, lunge hops, and tricep dips.

MOVE 1 jump squat

MOVE 2 butterfly situp

MOVE burpees

3

MOVE 4 triceps dip

MOVE 5 lunge hop

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SPRING 2013 MOVE pushup

6

GET A PARTNER AND USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM

37

We all become better exercisers and are more accountable when we have someone to exercise with.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, we are more loyal to others than we are to ourselves when it comes to getting and staying in shape. So a partner provides a sense of “big brother” and we don’t want to let anyone see us fail, so we push forward. Just moderate exercise with a partner three times a week for 30 minutes will make a big difference in your fitness level and your commitment. The more you exercise the more you want to exercise. I’ve even read that people are now using their pets as fitness buddies.

How cute is that? So take Fido out with you on your walks or runs in the park. I’m sure his vet will thank you!

MIND, BODY, AND SOUL FITNESS There are now fitness programs that combine a number of exercise ideas that work on all three aspect of your health. The soul part is up to you! Let me explain. Some

HEALTH & FITNESS trends are combining yoga, weight training, and meditation. Other’s combine yoga, rigorous aerobic exercise like cycling, zumba, or running, and doing the wobble!

Yeah, they cut loose and dance, mainly line-dancing. So what if you are working with two left feet, who cares, just get out there and dance and let your soul fly free for a few minutes. There is also the combination of yoga and pilates.

What do you mean yoga and pilates? Aren’t they pretty much the same? Uh no! Pilates will blast your abs into shape and yoga will improve your flexibility, balance, and relaxation.

EATING CLEAN AND JUICING If you don’t have a NutriBullet or a juicer, honey you are behind so get it together! Just kidding; but seriously eating whole fruit and vegetables is just as good for you. I can’t lie, I am a sucker for a delicious smoothie made with the right combination of fruits and vegetables. But the pre-blended smoothies on the grocer’s shelves are very expensive. I mean really? $3.59 for a 10 oz. smoothie? Eating and drinking healthy can send you to the poorhouse. So, if that is what you like, why not invest in a juicer or smoothie-making gadget to save you some money in the long run. Another added benefit to juicing is that you can use the WHOLE fruit, skins, seeds and all.

This provides more nutrients in the juice and packs a huge antioxidant punch. It also adds more fiber to your diet.

Food is the big ticket to good health and a fit body. If you eat

garbage, your body will show it.

Eating whole, healthy and fresh foods, your body, skin and soul will glow and you will have more energy than you know what to do with.

Some clean eating methods simply look to remove chemicals from diets and the body. Just like for those of us who have gone to natural hair; chemical free and using only natural products to groom and keep our natural locks looking strong, shiny, and beautiful.

The focus of eating clean, is not necessarily to lose weight, but to maintain good health. The most common method of clean eating is eating plants and lots of them. It’s almost a vegan approach to eating, except meat is allowed. This approach incorporates eating straight from nature. Only eat it if it grows on a tree, bush, plant, or vine. If it has been altered or processed, then don’t eat it. Meats are allowed to be consumed but only if obtained from a butcher’s shop and not pre-packaged. The overall concept is to eat only what nature created.

This picture makes your mouth water doesn’t it?

So whatever you choose as your fitness plan, do it with dedication! Happy fitness!

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