Salt Magazine :: Spring 2010 by Christeen Media Group

MAGAZINE

Spring 2010 Digital Edition

what if your

life

represented one grain of

taste the good life @ salt-mag.com

SPRING 2010

CONTENTS

10 Self Intervention

You are the lock, and the plan for renewal is the key. Find the spark to light that fire back up and back into your world

8 We know that lip-gloss is your favorite, and that eye shadow just makes your eyes pop â&#x20AC;Ś but sweety, three years is a little too long tostill be holding on.

Salt Magazine Spring 2010

NADIA MOSELEY

Junk in theTrunk

Energy

Calcium, fiber and zinc! Oh My! Time to tally up and add to your diet which vitamins are truly necessary to do your body good.

Seattle Through The Lens

Discover what unique destination provides the ultimate springtime canvas and will intrigue even the most artistically challenged.

In Your Dreams

Day in and day out boredom has got you in its snare. Bust out of the rut with plenty of gumption to spare.

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Food Junkie

Mi Casa es Su Casa, eh? Then your kitchen must be teaming with unused groceries that are heading for the trash too â&#x20AC;Ś or are they?

www.salt-mag.com

life tastes good.

taste the good life @ salt-mag.com

Letter From Our Publisher taste the good life. PUBLISHER CARLINE R. LéGER CREATIVE DIRECTOR CAMEIA WILLIAMS EDITOR LATASIA BROWN

The Beginning

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER NADIA MOSELEY

Salt Magazine is the place to

SOUL LIFE

taste the good life. Our belief

CONTRIBUTOR: CHERISE WESSON

is that the good life is NOT the

CASH & CRAFT

unachievable life that you die

CONTRIBUTOR: KARLYN EXANTUS

wishing you could have lived

STYLE

up to. Rather, we believe that

CONTRIBUTOR: AYANA ANTOINE

the good life is one where you

ENERGY

dream big, face reality, embrace

CONTRIBUTOR: JAMES GARDNER

life’s challenges, conquer circum-

GLOBTROTTING

stances and develop wholeness

CONTRIBUTOR: NADIA MOSELEY

in every aspect of your life.

CULTURE WEB CONTRIBUTOR: SYLVESTER ABAKAH

our laps; and THAT’S what makes it all worthwhile. If your life represented

CASA CONTRIBUTOR: CARLINE R. LéGER

SALT-MAG.COM WEB DEVELOPER: RAQUEL GARDNER

“

one grain of salt, how would it taste? Would it enhance the flavor of everything it came in contact with? Salt Magazine is committed to delivering practical solutions to help you enhance the flavor of your greatest gift of all: Life. There’s a gift that God has given you, and in each issue of Salt we will encourage you to tap into it and share it with the world. After all, what is

Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?

As we all grow and mature, we realize that this good life doesn’t just fall into

”

the purpose of salt but to enhance flavor? So, enjoy our launch issue! We hope it brings renewal and refreshment to the ingredients of your life that need it most; and we look forward to sharing our Salt with you in the many issues to come.

Matthew 5:13

From one grain of Salt to another,

Salt Magazine Volume 1, Issue 1 is published quarterly,

Carline R. Léger Publisher

4 issues per year by Christeen Media Group, Inc.

www.salt-mag.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Nadia Moseley Seattle Through The Lens.... pg 16 I am Nadia Moseley, and I produce visuals. Photography is my passion that moves my spirit, so my manifestations reach the masses.

Karlyn Exantus Self Intervention....................... pg 10 I am an entrepreneur with experience in all of the arts and a wildy creative mind. I enjoy cash and I enjoy craft!

James Gardner Say No... Or Yes?....................... pg 14 Energy contributor for Salt Magazine. Business marketing specialist and big fan of Redskins football. Love to play the drums.

Cherise Wesson In Your Dreams............................. pg 12 Born and raised in Southern California, I now reside in the Atlanta area and enjoy inspiring teens and young adults to reach their maxium potential.

Ayana Antoine Junk In The Trunk........................... pg 8 Founder of TheHairazor.com, a beauty and style blog, and The Hairazor Salon, where I am a full-time stylist. If you couldn’t tell, I love everything beauty!

Carline R. Léger Food Junkie................................... pg 18 I am fueled by a passion for inspiring others to achieve success in every area of life. I’m also a strong advocate for living a life that you love.

Sylvester Abakah Hits & Miss............................. online My passion is music and all things creative. A native ATLien and music producer, I purpose to live life on purpose. I believe that encouragement is oxygen to the soul and am always looking to inspire breathing.

Salt Magazine Spring 2010

Let me tell you why

you are here ...

taste the good life @ salt-mag.com

STYLE

Junk

IN THE

Trunk When to Trash Those Old Beauty Products by AYANA ANTOINE

Deep in the back of bathroom cabinets around the world, we all have them: Old beauty products! We all think the same thing, “I can use that anytime; it’s just makeup; and makeup doesn’t spoil.” Well sorry gals, they do! You may be using spoiled beauty products on your face and skin — or even in your hair! Each beauty brand has a different shelf life, but here are some simple guidelines on how long you should keep certain beauty products.

:: Eyeshadow

Shelf Life: 6 months to 2 years Longevity Tips: Cream shadow can be used up to 6 months. :: Powder shadows can be used up to 2 years. :: Be careful with your eye shadows; DO NOT put your fingers in your makeup, this can transfer bacteria. If you were to ever get an eye infection, toss that makeup! That may be the very thing that led to your infection.

:: Lipstick

Shelf Life: Varies Longevity Tips: Some say 1-2 years, others say 4 years. If it smells bad, throw it out. ::Toss your lipstick if it becomes dry or waxy. :: I’ve been told that if your makeup starts to smell like crayon, toss it! Crayon stinks!

:: Mascara

Shelf Life: 3 months Longevity Tips: If your mascara starts smelling weird or changes texture, please toss it! You don’t want a stinky eye! (Bad eye infection)

:: powder (face)

Shelf Life: 2 years Longevity Tips: Using a clean makeup brush to apply your powder foundation, bronzer, etc. This can keep away bacteria.

A Few More Tidbits: :: Label the date of purchase on all your makeup. This will help you keep track of when to throw them out. :: DO NOT store your makeup in your bathroom. Moisture equals bacteria! Store your makeup in cool dry places like your bedroom. :: Containers with snap on lids are great for storing your makeup. Keeps them clean and dry!

:: Brushes

Shelf Life: Varies Longevity Tips: Wash once a week with mild detergent or baby shampoo

Check out more longevity tips @ Salt-Mag.com www.Salt-Mag.com

CASH & CRAFT

SELF Intervention

Reinvention of self doesn’t just happen overnight by Karlyn Exantus

PHOTO CREDITS WILL GO HERE

’m sure you’ve come to a point in life where the inevitable happens— you get stuck! Stuck at your job, your daily routine…just stuck. What you want out of life has not changed, but somehow you’ve gone down a road that seems to be leading anywhere but there. Well, no matter where you are, you have a great opportunity on your hands. When you can’t immediately change your circumstances (your job…or lack, thereof), what you can change is…you! As the old saying goes, “You’ve got to do something you’ve never done to get something

SALT Salt Magazine MAGAZINE Spring MARCH 20102010

“You’ve got to do something you’ve never done to get something you’ve never had”

you’ve never had.” It’s time for an intervention of self; it’s time to reunite you with you. Reinvention of self doesn’t just happen. Consider this: for every reason that you can produce for why you dislike something about your circumstances comes an opportunity for change, or to reinvent. I am a firm believer in being passionate about everything you’re a part of. After all, the reason for needing change is more than likely due to a lack of fervency, so don’t be afraid to evolve into a newer and better you. Much of this evolution process involves running towards your fear, not away from it. The problem, though, lies in stagnancy. And as long as you allow yourself to be stagnant, you’ll never be successful in your enhancement. To create this new you, you should understand that planning comes before execution, and execution always precedes success. Here is a list of keys for your successful intervention:

1.) Mourn! Sounds crazy, huh? The truth is we can’t really skip this step in our self-evolution process. As we grow, we’re constantly faced with mistakes that we’ve made or things we don’t like about ourselves, so in your mourning, let go! This is the phase where you recognize the areas that need most improvement.

NADIA MOSELEY

2.) Take your mind off it! This seems much harder than what it really is; trust me. All it takes is simple application. Whenever you find yourself thinking (or dwelling) on your woe, make a conscience decision to busy yourself. Clean the house! Do yard work! Read an uplifting book. (Consider the Bible.) Maybe try reading your book at a local coffee shop. This gets you out of the house and exposed to new people … and new ideas..

3.) Snap back to reality! Herein lies the fun! If you didn’t like your hair, change it. If

you lost your job, consider starting your own company. If your wardrobe needs some fixing, try spicing it up a little with some inexpensive accessories. Now is the time for some change!

4.) Rediscover romance! It’s time to expand your world. Go places you always said you would go to, but never had the chance: the new exhibit at a nearby museum, a new coffee shop. Try going to community events at local parks and around surrounding neighborhoods. Get outside of your comfort zone and start mingling with people. When you become open-minded to your surroundings, you’ll make new friends and connections. You never know who you’re going to meet when you go places. Rediscover the world that’s been waiting for you.

5.) Solicit and execute! Remember step three? You were asked to make some changes. Whatever the change, now would be the time solicit others and get them involved in your journey. So if you went from being employed to self-employed, solicit the advice of others in your industry. Read books. Attend seminars. Research small business loans. Call or visit the alumni house of your alma mater. Determine what resources are in your reach (especially the people in your life), and execute your plan with their help

6.) Get involved! New projects can be risky where time consumption is concerned, especially if you’re passionate about it. To avoid building that fortress, commit to something on a smaller scale that gets you involved and/or in touch with members of your community. For instance, do some community theatre. Take sewing lessons. Join a gym. Before you know it, you’ll realize that you’re a new you. It’ll seem as though your success came overnight when really all you’ve done was made a small intervention through planning and self-evolution. www.salt-mag.com www.salt-mag.com

SOUL LIFE

In Your Dreams Kiss Mundaneville good-bye! by CHERISE WESSON

biggest enemy. Whatever you think of yourself is usually what you are. If you think of yourself as a failure, then that is what you will become. Pay more attention to the characteristics you’re lacking and what can go wrong as a result, and it’s no surprise that your dreams will dissipate. Your inner dialogue can make you, or break you. Don’t break.

And so we are graced with a fleeting moment of clarity, mixed with inspiration and faith, we desire to venture into the unknown only to be pulled back down by reality. Back to Mundaneville it is! I believe that which excites us is a clue to our purpose in life. Remember your favorite superhero you dreamed about being when you were a kid? You and that superhero probably have a lot more in common than you think. Maybe that’s why they intrigued you so, but at the time you couldn’t grasp why — outside of their ability to fly, shoot lasers out of their eyes, heal everyone in record timing and have unmatched super strength, of course. As the cliché goes, it takes one to know one. The fact that you recognize or admire certain qualities in others indicates that you may have that same quality in you — perhaps untapped.

If you want to fulfill your God given dreams, there is no better place to start than God’s word. Read what He has already said about you. Consider listening to, and reading, words that will encourage, guide and drive you towards your dreams. As distant as they may seem, they’re not as far as you think. Try reading motivational books, like the Bible or other books about people who have achieved their dreams — learn from their example and set yourself up to become one. Making a change in you, and taking charge of who you are and what you want in and out of life is not as difficult as it may seem. And to help with the process to progress, here are some tips to follow in helping you to not become a permanent resident of Mundaneville:

So you’ve stopped dreaming; you’ve stopped makebelieving. But why? Don’t doubt your abilities when you’re so close to achieving what was planned for you. Your dreams are sitting on the shelf just waiting for you to reach out and grab them. God tells us that all things are possible for those who believe. What dreams have you given up on, labeling them as “impossible?” God doesn’t label them “impossible.” When we step out on our dreams, God is always there to catch us when we fall. Maybe you’ve stopped believing in the dreams that you have. It’s understandable; sometimes it feels as though it takes too much energy to think on dreams as though they’re so attainable. It’s so much easier to go to work and go home and go to work and go home again and again without thinking or trying. Enter again into Mundaneville! I once heard that the only limits in life are those that are self-imposed. Sometimes our own mind can be our 12

Salt Magazine spring 2010

It’s time to take it back; it’s time to dream again. And to do so, we’ve got to consider the fact that what we see, hear and speak affect our thinking. Our way of thinking influences our emotions. We then make decisions based on our emotional state. Those decisions guide our actions. Actions repeated become habits. Our habits define our character. Our character will determine our destination in life. It all originates with words. Whose words are you listening to?

Determine what you want. Be specific. Take your time to think. Be honest with yourself. Write it down. Remember to set timelines and goals. Think and speak what you desire, not what you fear. Challenge yourself to think and dream bigger. Not excited? Then you’re not dreaming big enough! Eliminate negative influences in your life. Including habits and/or people. Know that with constant faith and love in yourself and in God, you will succeed.

PHOTO CREDITS WILL GO HERE

oments of inspiration are wonderful … when you get the chance to escape from reality, that is. If you are like the other six billion people who live on this planet, that moment of awe is short lived only for us to return to the mundane — a.k.a. reality. Reality: The job we don’t really care for, but need in order to pay bills and slowly chip away at our student loans; the constant ho-hum routine of work and home, with no play; sitting in traffic for hours at a time; running errands instead of indulging in some me-time; sacrificing lunches to try and put a dent in all the work that has to get done; and the boss who of course doesn’t appreciate us the way we feel she should. However, under the pile of mundane realities of life a subconscious voice can be heard saying, “There is more to life … I know there must be more.”

PHOTO CREDITS WILL GO HERE

ENERGY

Just Say No … Or Yes? Vitamins: Real benefits or highly overrated

n a world where one would prefer a bagel over a donut, a Subway turkey sandwich over a McDonald’s cheeseburger or even a Nintendo Wii with Wii Fit over an Xbox 360 with Halo 3. Ok maybe not so much on the last one but the point is today we live in a very health conscience society. At the same time there are those of us that would prefer to eat what we want, do what we want, and still somehow reap the benefits of those that may eat a lot healthier. Hence we have the vitamin. According to the FDA, millions of people worldwide take supplemental vitamins everyday as part of their health regimen. Department stores like Wal-Mart and Target dedicate entire isles to an assortment of vitamins and supplemental vitamins. However with so many different choices, which ones are the best to take? Would you prefer Centrum? “Always complete. From A to Zinc.” What about One A Day? “A better tomorrow starts with today.” Or maybe stick with the best tasting vitamin that every kid eats. “We are Flintstones kids, ten mil14

Salt Magazine SPRING 2010

lion strong and growing.” Yes you guessed it, Flintstones Complete! Before we decide which ones are the best the most important question we need to ask is, “are there any real benefits to taking vitamins or are they highly overrated?” Let’s start be defining what a vitamin is. Webster’s dictionary states that a vitamin is any of a group of organic substances essential in small quantities to normal metabolism. So in other words vitamins are what helps your body function as it should. Supplemental vitamins also known as multivitamins are made up of many different vitamins. Most multivitamins on the market include the daily recommended dosage your body needs from each different vitamin. Typically they claim to boost your immune system, boost skin complexion, reduce high blood pressure, promote a healthy prostate for men, and many other things. Whiles these claims may be true the thing to note is that by definition a vitamin is made up of organic or shall I say natural substances. Most major brand multi-vitamins are syn-

thetic. Meaning that they too are processed and are not natural. On the other hand in today’s time, in the land of processed food, vitamins can sometimes be a rare commodity. Anything that involves fast food and junk food will typically have very little nutrients and minerals while containing mainly fats and grease that make up its delicious taste. It all boils down to that old saying, “a healthy diet goes a long way.” The fact is, many of the benefits that multivitamins claim to offer can be achieved by eating a balanced diet. Sticking to the USDA recommended proportions of the food groups will give you exactly what your body needs on a daily basis. For those of us who are not always privileged or disciplined enough to eat what we should, multivitamins are a great way to still get the vital vitamins your body needs without changing your diet. The FDA states that your body needs 13 essential vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, K, C, and all of the B vitamins. So when deciding which multivitamin is best for you just be sure that the 13 essentials are included.

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

by James Gardner

Before heading to the supplements aisle, making room for important nutrients in your daily diet is easier than you think. According to the American Dietetic Association, these are just a few of the main nutrients that us young women need to help keep our bodies healthy now and for the future. Vitamins

Effects

Key Benefit

Where to Find It

Iron

low iron levels can be caused by a woman’s menstrual cycle or a problem with iron absorption

increases good health and energy levels in women

red meat, chicken, turkey, pork, fish, kale, spinach, beans, lentils pumpkin seeds, whole grains, dark green vegetables, dried beans (kidney beans & black beans), enriched rice, fortified breads and cereals

Folic Acid & Folate

when women reach childbearing age, they need to eat enough folic acid to decrease the risk of birth defects

decreases risk of birth defects

citrus fruits, dry beans and peas, orange juice, spinach, romaine lettuce, broccoli, peanuts, avocado, enriched-grain products and fortified breakfast cereals

Calcium

for healthy bones and teeth, women need to eat a variety of calcium-rich foods every day

bones strong and prevents osteoporosis

low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, sardines, tofu (if made with calcium sulfate) and calcium-fortified foods like juices and cereals. BONUS: Try these calcium-boosting tips: - make oatmeal with milk instead of water - melt low-fat or fat-free cheese on a whole-grain bagel, tortilla or English muffin - top a baked potato with ½-cup of steamed broccoli and ¼-cup shredded low-fat or fat-free cheese - add a handful of shredded low-fat or fat free cheese to a tossed salad - make a breakfast shake by blending low-fat or fat-free milk with a banana or strawberries

www.salt-mag.com

GLOBETROTTING

Space Needle: Get the ultimate perspective of the Northwest. Experience the happening atmosphere of the rotating restaurant on top of the Space Needle. And be sure to visit and take a tour through music history at the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame — apply named after the band of native son Jimi Hendrix, which shares acreage with the Seattle Center Grounds.

Seattle Through The Lens by NADIA moseley

1 City, Different Flavors

Pike Place Market: The Public Market sign hovers over the Pike Place Market, with Elliott Bay, Puget Sound and West Seattle in the background. Tap into your inner food connoisseur and fantasize about the fresh seafood and produce at The Pike Place Market while others seek the very first notorious $5 coffee at Starbucks. And don’t forget to enjoy the closeness of the mom and pop shops near the market. Art GallerIES: There are over 20 art museums within 20 miles of each other. The Benham Gallery caters to photography and large format imaging. The gallery is an historical art heaven founded by Marita Holdway with opened doors for art lovers to enjoy new artwork by up-and-coming local artists. Marita Holdway’s goal for the gallery is for patrons to experience authentic art with Seattle natives while expressing strong opinions about art, based on life’s experiences.

Bell Harbor Marina: Seattle is known for the best and freshest seafood around. The Puget Sound, and Pacific Ocean, produce some of the biggest, tastiest salmon, halibut, king crab, tuna and various other savory seafood selections. When one visits the Midwest you order steak, but when you go to the West Coast you’ve got to order seafood. Seattle has so many delectable restaurants, dives and coffee shops all over the downtown area. Be sure to visit the Bell Harbor Marina and take a gander at the magnificent Seattle skyline. Washington State Convention and Trade Center: A stunning arch with usable space connects old and new exhibit areas at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Set in the heart of downtown Seattle, the center is within easy walking distance of more than 6,000 hotel rooms. www.Salt-Mag.com

Food Junkie Before you throw that away

by Carline r. LEGER

You’ve heard that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right? Well, I say in the kitchen, one man’s waste is another man’s to baste. Okay, okay I’m kidding — I have not yet coined a phrase for a skill that I’m learning to master in the kitchen. That is, sparing those timelined items in your refrigerator destined for the dumpster and using them to get creative. If It’s Gonna Get Trashed Anyway One thing you’ve got to come to terms with in mastering this skill is failure. If your creative experiment with close18

SALT Salt Magazine MAGAZINE Spring MARCH 20102010

to-spoiled milk fails miserably, oh well! At least you tried. The great inventor, Thomas Edison once said, “Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won’t work ... I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.” It is just as important to know what doesn’t work. Here are some very basic guidelines to use when attempting to redeem your groceries. Oh, and meet your new best friend, your freezer! Vegetables Most veggies are considered good as long as they are still firm. Once veggies start to get soft, it’s time to turn to your new BFF, the freezer. Almost any veggie can be frozen. Keep in mind that veggies with high water content will not retain their same form when thawed. Don’t worry though; these become the best veggies for homemade soups, stews and pastas. Take bell peppers for example: in stir fry I choose to only use fresh ones, to keep the

NADIA MOSELEY

If you’re anything like me, you hate waste. In fact, I despise it — especially when it comes to food. And not just because people are starving all over the world, but also because I believe that resources should be used efficiently. With a little bit of creativity, anything old can be made new.

Before You Toss It Milk

Okay, let’s be real, the term “non-perishable” is not to be taken literally

Bananas

crunchy texture. However, you’ll find leftover peppers in my freezer any day of the week for omelets, pastas and last minute dishes. Fruits Almost any fruit can go into a smoothie mix. Here’s to your experimenting! When fruits start looking a little dull, it’s time to send them to the blender. If a smoothie isn’t in the mix, you can opt to freeze fruits like strawberries and pineapples for later. Apples? Instead of freezing, try coring and baking them! They taste great topped with honey and cinnamon. Mmmm… Dairy Remember that expiration dates on dairy products are simply guidelines for usage, and can sometimes be used a week past the posted due date (this is subjective to the product). If it smells bad, toss it — your experiment is not worth your life! But, if you’re a couple days past the date on that milk carton and it still smells fresh, you should be fine. What greater excuse for indulging in your favorite cookies for dunking than that last cup of milk headed to the trash? Regular dairy yogurt also tastes good after it’s been in the freezer. It’s a great sweet treat to have on hand — especially if you’re out of ice cream. Don’t Take it Literally Okay, let’s be real, the term “non-perishable” is not to be taken literally. Pantry items like canned goods and pastas have a long shelf life, but don’t get out of hand. If you keep your kitchen stocked with these, like many others, keep the less fortunate in mind. When you notice a couple of months have passed since you purchased that spaghetti, try donating it to a food drive or food pantry. Especially in current circumstances, food pantries are serving a tremendous amount of families; your resources could bless another family almost immediately, instead of collecting dust in your pantry.

Strawberries

Citrus Fruits

Veggies

:: Stretch your alfredo sauce by adding a tad bit of milk to the jar instead of water. :: Replace water in hot cocoa and oatmeal recipes. :: And of course indulge in your favorite dunkers. :: Bananas make a great base for smoothies. :: Recipes, like banana pudding, usually call for more ripened bananas. :: Freeze ripe bananas for banana bread later. Don’t worry about the skin getting dark in the freezer. :: Garnish frozen drinks and cocktails. :: Crush in Sprite or ginger ale for not-so-fancy fruit spritzers. :: Use immediately OR freeze for smoothies. :: Add lemon or lime juices to garlic to add flavor to veggies or seafood. :: Freshen your garbage disposal, by flushing small chopped up pieces down the kitchen drain. :: Chop and freeze for tasty homemade soups. Bring chicken broth or stock to a boil and throw in veggies like onions, celery and carrots. :: Chop and freeze to add flavor to your marinara sauce and pasta dishes.

Check out some quick and easy food junkie recipes @ Salt-Mag.com www.salt-mag.com www.salt-mag.com

JUST A PINCH

U How do

Carline Leger

Walking around a silent house with the sun coming in through every window on a Saturday. Gets the job done every time!

refresh and renew?

nadia moseley

I feel brand new when I look at my daughter

Ayana Antoine

I get renewed by sleeping! LOL I love naps!

I observe people around me and apply what I like in my own life

karlyn exantus Sylvester Abakah

Making good music refreshes me. Its my escape.

Salt Magazine SPRING 2010

taste the good life.

summer 2010 June 1st