What Every Fat Girl Wants august issue 13

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August 2012 Volume 13

Doves Real Beauty Campaign

Greetings My Sister Friends, One of our articles in this month’s edition is kind of controversial. We found an article about Doves Real Women Campaign vs. Victoria’s Secret. Question one is why do we have to be in conflict or competition. You do you and let me do me.

Once we come to accept that beauty is really in the eye of the beholder we would not come down so hard on the beholden. If you don't like what you see then look away. I will survive.

We want our position as plus size women to be upheld, honored and respected.

We have to respect, honor and uplift our smaller sisters as well. We will get nowhere by bashing or downgrading any one else.

Love your self, honor yourself. Respect your self. Know that no one can be better you than you. You are truly an original.

Also want to let you guys know about another venture I have been working on.

Woman2Woman Empowerment is a faith based organization that is dedicated to assisting women to better understand their positions in Christ.

Please visit our website at www.woman2womanempowerment.org . Also we have a Free Bible study PDF for your enrichment . Free Bible Study PDF Be Blessed, Roxanne

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2 Editors Perspective

15 Movie Mania

3 Contents 16 Vogues Plus Size Model 4 Meet Our Cover Girl 17 Free T-Shirt Winner

6 Product Review

18 Dove Real Woman Campaign

8 Freedom Inspired

20 Thoughts from the other woman

11 Bag Lady 12 Alabama Vacations

14 Poetry/Prose

23 Taste buds

24 Woman’s Health 26 Contact us

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Meet Tori Lee Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, Toria Renee' Lee is Ohio's newest plus size model and makeup artist to emerge in the fashion and modeling industry. Modeling and being a makeup designer has been a passion of hers ever since she was a little girl. Not only does she have skills in the fashion world, but also in technology as well. She currently has an Associate's degree in Network Communications in Information Systems, and pursuing a Bachelors in Business Management. She is currently a Network Support Specialist for Time Warner Cable.

Wanting to make women feel beautiful about themselves, Toria launched her own business Artistry by Toria as CEO and Chief Makeup Artist (MUA), where she comes to you to make you feel beautiful for a day. Where her specialties include weddings, photo shoots, proms/ homecomings, makeover's among other things.

Through the years Toria has always been a person that others have looked up to and have been inspired by because of her confidence and being humble at the same time. Toria being an inspiration and a help to other people is the greatest feeling in the world. She devotes her free and personal time to volunteering for various organizations such as Connect a Million Minds (CAMM), Inspirational Baptist Church Media and Youth/Young Adult Ministry, and also donations to various local charities, clothing and food drive.

What keeps Toria grounded is her continuous strive to better her spiritual relationship with God, keeping her family close and never settling for less. Her inspirations include her grandmother's, her mother, her two sisters and niece.

Being a model is not just being on the runway and taking pictures, its everything together in one starting from the inside and out, in which shows who Toria really is, a role model. No matter how the day will be or any situation that she goes through one scripture that stays with Toria is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...� Philippians 4:13

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The First Skincare Line by A Woman of Color, for Women of Color Safe for everyday use • Bleach-Free • Oil-Free • Alcohol-Free • Paraben-Free • Propylene glycol-Free • Dye-Free • Lanolin-Free • No Hydroquinone As a doctor specializing in ethnic skin care, the most common problem I see is pigmentation disorders, which includes discoloration, dark marks and uneven skin tone. That's why I've formulated a system specifically to maintain healthy brown skin, as well as prevent and treat concerns unique to brown skin.

I have personally used this product for the past three months. It has cleared up my skin and acne . The price is pretty reasonable . You can adjust the automatic shipment according to your usage.

Look at the discoloration and black spots and rough patches on my face Now three months later smoother skin less blotches and less dry areas. Overall appearance is good . No overwhelming smell . I am convinced. You try it and see. Let me know how it works for you. www.rxforborownskin.com

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Freedom Inspired! Create a Vision for Your Life

You've probably heard that you can only get where you want to be if you know where you're going. This pithy statement is as true now as the first time it was said. So how do you come to know where you're going, so you can get where you want to be?

To start with, goals are crucial. When we set goals, what we're really trying to do is to bring each piece of our lives in line with our overall vision for ourselves. Using a powerful vision-setting process can help you set more effective goals, since you can chart a course that will take you toward and support your vision.

Do you have a vision for each segment of your life? Do you know where you're headed spiritually, socially, relationally, physically, financially, and more?

For example, if you want more money: Avoid wording your statement like: “I don’t want to be poor anymore.” Instead, envision what it would be like to be rich, which is what you want, and write about what that would be like for you.

Although you may feel challenged when first learning to focus on what you want, it gets easier. Plus, the rewards are spectacular when you can do it consistently. You'll start to notice that your life seems as if you can change it at will, which you can.

Visualize. Read your vision statement 2-3 times a day and imagine that aspect of your life matches your vision perfectly.

How does your vision make you feel? Are you really excited and enthusiastic? Is it appealing to you on all levels? This shouldn't take more than 60 seconds to do each time.

Use this process to help you create a vision that works for you: Write down your vision for a particular aspect of your life. Write a couple of paragraphs describing what you'd like to have or be. There's no right or wrong. In fact, you probably won't precisely articulate your dreams the very first time you try the exercise. A reasonable guess is a good place to start.

In writing your vision, avoid focusing on what you don’t want, because this will only bring about more of that. Turn your back on negativity and focus on what you do want to bring about.

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Refine. If you feel really good about your vision, that's great. If not, now is the time to make some alterations. Continue refining the image of your dream life until doing your visualization feels spectacular. Re-write each new version.

At this point, you may be wondering when this process ever ends. Fortunately, it never ends. Your vision will forever be changing slightly throughout your life, which is good, since your desires will also change over time.

Review your vision daily and ensure that it continues to attract you. This will rapidly usher change into your life. In turn, these changes will demonstrate that you're actually moving towards that vision.

Create separate vision statements for all the areas of your life. Consider your finances, relationships, adventure, health, social life, and spirituality. If you can get all these visions to look just the way you want, imagine what your life will look like!

Why Spend Time On This Process?

Consider all the things you do every day. Everything you do is either helping you reach your vision or helping someone else reach theirs. Wouldn’t you rather help yourself reach yours?

Creating a vision is the first step to creating the life you desire. Tweak your visions a couple of times a day and really focus on the experience of living that vision. This gets easier all the time, because imagining something enjoyable is pleasurable in itself.

Don't hesitate; create your visions today. Then, start reviewing and improving them immediately.

Your life will change rapidly for the better. You'll then be spending your time making your own visions a reality instead of making someone else's dream come true.

Known for a contagious passion for excellence, a talent for practical business solutions, and a competence for being a motivational leader, Lorene Collier Purcy, is a professional speaker, author & lifestyle prosperity coach. She recently published (2) newly released books “Get Rich Savvy Chick…Elevate Your Mind and Keep Prosperity Pocketbook” & “Procrastinating Perfectionista: Life Perfected…From Procrastination to Transformation”. Whether its life balance or financial management strategies, Lorene has been helping individuals realize their true potential and acts as their accountability partner, assisting them on how to effectively implement strategies to live the life they truly deserve. You can contact Lorene at info@savvychicks.me or visit her online at www.savvychicks.me.

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Men’s ministry launched a YouTube channel Thursday with an initial 100 videos addressing secret questions that men ask.

Every Man Ministries – led and founded by Kenny Luck, the men’s pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. – plans to add at least five videos a week for the next two years addressing additional questions that men have but usually do not ask. The ministry aims to focus, identify, and answer core issues men face, often in secret and isolation, and help resolve them to help men be more mature and spiritually healthy.

“Men are icebergs. We only see the tip. The major part of their lives is under the water line,” states Kenny Luck, who has dedicated the past decade to revolutionizing men’s ministry in the church. “With these questions now answered, we equip men to resolve the core issues that hold them back whether they choose not to talk or don’t know how to talk about them publicly.”

Some of questions addressed in the videos include: “How do I fight temptation?” “Is porn bad?” “What is at the core of a woman’s heart?” “Why did God make us to love sex?” and “What if my wife doesn’t trust me?”

In the video “How do I stop sexual sin?”

Luck tells men they must begin by setting up predetermined boundaries in order to achieve

sexual integrity. These boundaries affect all domains of life, such as where they will and won’t go physically, mentally, and visually. The Saddleback pastor said men cannot expect to just be strong enough to withstand temptation without setting up boundaries ahead of time.

The sexual boundaries help men admit their struggle is real, starve the wrong desires, and remove pressure by removing men from tempting situations, he said.

“I know guys who when they go on business trips, they will install the code to access the pay-per-view box with their wedding day,” said Luck in the video. “I know other guys who tape pictures of their family on their TV when they are on the road.”

“You have to recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it,” he said.

The key idea to stopping sexual sin is wise planning reduces failure, said Luck. He also tells men to not let the enemy pick the battlefield, meaning they should not go to places where temptation is high.

“The mistake that a lot of guys make is that we let the enemy pick the battlefield. We just walk right into the battlefield,” the men’s ministry leader said.

“It doesn’t mean you have to be the Amish. It just means you have to have rules.”

“You can’t play the game if you aren’t showing up,” he added. www.youtube.com/everymansministries

Steve Harris

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“SUMMER FUN WITH YOUR FAMILY!” I pray that you all are doing well this summer!

Now is the time and season to do more with our love ones. If you can not afford to go away on a trip , go to the park , cook out, cook in or just take a walk together. What ever you do, take time out to be with your family.

It is so important to show our love ones how much we love them. Tomorrow is not promise.

Enjoy each day and one another! Have some FUN! We go to church and other events, hugging people we hardly know! “Love Ya!”…….

The word love has been has been misused!

This year has been a healing for my own family.

Healing between cousins and relatives of mine!

Thank you Jesus! It has been real ugly for a while!

God stepped in!

True forgiveness has taken place in our hearts. It has been awhile but, we are at the stage of life where, we know that life is too short to keep holding on to the pass hurts and mistakes. We know that , the love of a family is more important than fooli sh behavior. We are moving forward! It feels so good to behave like a family again! Some of you know what I’m talking about!

Sometimes silly decisions can tear a family apart!

Never give up on your family! Pray for them and give them to God! God will take care of it and mend it together. Even situations that look like there is no hope! You may say “What’s the poin t?”

Pray! Turn it over to Jesus and He can turn it around ! Clean things up!

Be thankful for all things and be thankful for your family!

Go! Have fun! Do something with your love ones! Make that phone call!

Show some love your family!

God bless you all and have a wonderful summer, with your “family!”

Pastor Nannie German Spirit and in truth ministries Madison NJ

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The Dark Knight Rises” is easily one of the most anticipated films of 2012. The film is meant to be the final installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman series, a powerhouse franchise that has spanned seven years and generated more than $2 billion in box office revenue. Like the other “Dark Knight” films, the

preneurial millionaire in Gotham City who leads a secret

movie follows Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), an entre-

life as the city’s vigilante guardian, The Batman. “The Dark Knight Rises” picks up where the previous film left off, with Wayne living in solitude and casting off his superhero identity. When an evil terrorist, Bane (Tom Hardy), attempts to take over Gotham, Wayne is forced back into the Bat Cave to prevent the destruction of the city and its inhabitants. Like the other films in the series, the final installment is dark, intelligent, suspenseful, and full of pulse-pounding action. Nolan’s newest Batman flick differs from many of the other recent comic book adaptations because it is devoid of clichés and caricatures, presenting a superhero story that is artful and character-driven. The movie has some violence, sexuality and scary moments, so it is not recommended for young children, but teens and adults will likely find the movie enthralling and enjoyable.

Although it is sad to see the franchise end, “The Dark Knight Rises” is a satisfying conclusion to the epic series.

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Australian Vogue's first 'plus-size' cover girl Robyn Lawley is a size 16 and proud of it. Australian Vogue's first 'plus-size' cover girl has just broken another boundary in the fashion industry as the new face of a U.K. lingerie line for women with curves.

"I am delighted to be chosen as the face and body of Boux Avenue lingerie," Robyn said in a press statement."The brand is striving to promote a healthy body image and their size range reflects this."

Notice she didn't use the term 'plus size.' "I'm a normal size. I wish we could all be known as models, rather than 'plus-size,'" she told The Australian in a recent interview.

At 6'2, the 23-year-old Sydney native spent the early part of her modeling career struggling to be the opposite of "normal" to suit fashion industry standards.

'I stumbled across pro-anorexia websites and scoured them for tips,' she admitted in a 2011 Fabulous Magazine interview. "I began starving myself

Robyn modeling polka dots in her new campaign.

(Boux Avenue) Now part of the growing movement of fashion insiders challenging the industry's unhealthy body expectations, she's embraced her foodie instincts with the blog Robyn Lawley Eats, a collage of recipes, indulgences and firsts ("Trying oysters for the first time properly!") It's everything the pro-anorexia sites are not: the only models on her tumblr are from cooking store displays. In a recent post she wrote: "A simple pan $1000 at WilliamsSonoma...not gonna lie I want it." to come: lingerie designed for showing off your curves, not hiding them.

and making myself sick after meals."

And as for Robyn, it's the next step in a game-

But by the time she turned 18, her mindset changed

changing career.

and so did her potential impact on the industry. She signed with a modeling agency for natural body types and in 2011 landed on the cover of French Elle.

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Enter your name for next months drawing. We will give away one T-Shirt every month. Click the link below.

T-Shirt Give Away

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Craigslist Ad Hints That Dove Wants “Real Women", But Only If They’re Flawless A reader tipped us to this Craigslist ad promoting a

casting call for Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign, which prides itself on featuring non-models in order to expand the traditional definition of beauty. The casting call, however, veers from that mission: DOVE "REAL WOMEN" PRINT CASTING JUNE 28-30, 2010 in NYC ABSOLUTELY NO ACTRESSES / MODELS OR REALITY SHOW PARTICIPANTS or ANY ONE CARRYING A HEADSHOT!!!!

REAL WOMEN ONLY! LOOKING FOR 3-4 REAL WOMEN for a DOVE PRINT CAMPAIGN! AGES 35-45, CAUCASIAN, HISPANIC, AFRICAN AMERICAN, & ASIAN! SHOOT: SUNDAY, JULY 18 in NYC! MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR THE SHOOT! RATE: $500 for Shoot date & if selected for Ad Campaign (running 2011) you will be paid $4000!

USAGE: 3 years unlimited print & web usage in N. America Only YOU WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THE CAMPAIGN IN A TOWEL! BEAUTIFUL ARMS AND LEGS AND FACE WILL BE SHOWN! MUST HAVE FLAWLESS SKIN, NO TATTOOS OR SCARS! Well groomed and clean...Nice Bodies. NATURALLY, FIT Not too Curvy Not too Athletic.

Great Sparkling Personalities. Beautiful Smiles! A DOVE GIRL!!!

STYLISH AND COOL! Beautiful HAIR & SKIN is a MUST!!!

PLEASE SUBMIT SNAPSHOTS of FACE & BODY ASAP & WE WILL CALL YOU IN FOR A CASTING NEXT WEEK 6/286/30 in NYC! While the ad does call for "ABSOLUTELY NO ACTRESSES / MODELS OR REALITY SHOW PARTICIPANTS or ANY ONE CARRYING A HEADSHOT!!!! REAL WOMEN ONLY!" Its definition of "real women" (a loathsome term if ever there was one) is fairly narrow and does, in fact, adhere to typical beauty standards: the women looking to be cast must be "naturally fit," must have "flawless skin,"

be free of tattoos or scars, have "nice bodies," and, in case you missed it the first time, "beautiful hair and skin is a MUST!!!"

The emphasis on being "real" but also being totally flawless is somewhat hilarious and tragic, in that the entire point of the Dove campaign is to challenge the definition of the word "beauty." Asking women to show up with "beautiful hair and skin" implies that there is already a set standard for such things, and that Dove does not, in fact, want to deviate from said standard, even though their entire campaign promises to do so. There is something very gross about all of this, if this ad is legit, in that it speaks to a somewhat creepy trend of casting "real women" to represent "the rest of us" while still adhering to strict representations of what is traditionally considered beautiful.

The "no scars/tattoos" rule is particularly upsetting: god forbid we attempt to encourage society to view scars as something other than "flaws" or "imperfections" or look at body art as something unique and beautiful. The age range is suspect as well: why 35-45? Surely there are women above and below that age range who have a place in this campaign, aren't there? Or is this a very clear demographic marketing tactic? If Dove really wants to represent women in a non-traditional way, perhaps they should consider asking potential candidates to be "flawless" is just as fake and shady as trying to sell soap with an airbrushed picture of an actress or super model. The "Real Beauty" campaign is all about expanding what it means to be beautiful, and providing young girls with different role models in order to get them to challenge society's narrow vision when it comes to female beauty. It's a shame that their entire "come as you are" campaign seems to have an "if you're flawless, that is" clause attached. And while "real women" remains a problematic term in various ways, it's disappointing that Dove's definition of "real" seems to leave so many women, who perhaps have—gasp—a "flaw" or two—out of the picture, and out of the conversation they claim they're so intent on having.

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I’m not sharing this because one group is more beautiful than the other… I’m sharing it because: Why are we focusing on the body type/appearance of these women? How does their body shape/ body type/ fitness level impact our lives? Chances are you don’t even KNOW these people and for all practical purposes – they are all equally lovely people personality-wise.

The women on the bottom may be working equally hard to maintain where they are. They are working with what nature gave them; don’t be hatin’ on them for what they had no control over.

Stop reducing people to their outward appearance; people are more than what shows on the outside.

The women in the top photo work hard to maintain what nature gave them for their JOB; they are naturally thin – don’t be hatin’ on them for what they had no control over.

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THOUGHTS FROM THE OTHER WOMAN...author What kind of woman sleeps with a married man?

Well a woman like me does. No, I am not a tight dress wearing, morals all over the place, floozies who preys on married men. I a young professional who by all other measureable things I am successful. The only difference between me and you is that I am in a relationship with a married man..my soul mate. Before you judge me you should know a couple of things about me. I am a Christian.I attend church twice a week. I am a nice person who happened to fall in love.

I met Adam (that is not his real name) three years ago. He was a partner at the firm I worked at and we instantly clicked. Yes, I knew he was married but he said he was going through a “rough patch” and would leave his wife. After three years of dating I have learned allot about him and other married men that I have dated.

I decided to write this post because I am tired of being portrayed as the villain who breaks up happy homes. Every time I see a wife on television crying about how the mistress broke up her family I want to wring her neck. Yeah right! These wives are not innocent…you are not entitled to your man..you have to work for him. So I decided to school some of you wives on how to keep your man (limbo). So follow these rules and I will never have to take your man..

anonymous

and guess who is lurking around the club trying to get with us? Yep, your husband. Usually he’ll stare all night , send us drinks (on him of course)and right before we’re about to leave he decides to make his move. Sometimes he has his band on but most times it’s not. If he’s attractive, my friends will exchange numbers, or Facebook ids with them and before we get home he’s already “blowing up” our phones or pages.

Sometimes men are upfront and tell me (or my friends) their married but most times they hide it.

And if it does come up they make up some lame excuse about you not liking to go out..blah,blah blah…

Before the week is out he’s trying to go out and never once does he bring you back up.

2. Get yourself together–while you are gaining 15 pounds of “baby weight” I am getting fine in the gym. Almost all of the men I have dated have wives who are not only overweight but dress like their on permanent mom duty. Is that a prerequisite of being a wife to look. Homely? While your out, eating fried chicken and stuffing your face with doughnuts I am in the gym 2 hours a day to stay haute.I do not have a gut, my thighs don’t rub together and when I am out men they want to be with me.

When me and “my man” go out he compliments my body. Other men stare at my body; they wish I was their girl. They admire my body. He does not have to

1. I don’t go out to find your man..he FINDS me.

There’s this belief that women like me go out and pursue men that wear wedding bands. Negative.

Many times I am chilling with my friends at a lounge

remind me to take care of myself. I get my hair ad nails done every week. My clothes are always in style, my breasts are still perky and my butt is solid. Can they say the same about you?

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3.

Quit being insecure. You call him all day (and

when I finally get married. I don’t feel bad for any-

night) wanting to know when he comes home. In the

thing I’ve done. I would not been able to do any of it

three years I was involved with Adam I never called

without your help! Smooches.

him questioning where he had been, who he’s was with or what he had been doing. No, I made him call me, he wants to know how my day has been, he’s interested in me. I would hear his wife calling damn

Saundra E. Harris

near crying because she’s been bored all day at the

Author, Talk Show Host,

house with the kids. She has no life but her kids. He says when he calls her all she does is talk kid and house “stuff”. According to him, she’s boring. Not me! I tell him about my trip with my girlfriends to Mexico later this summer, my promotion or how I am thinking about remodeling my house or going to Essence in the summer. I am always fun.

Relationship Advice Columnist Twitter - @SassyScribe FB- Saundra Harris/ SassyScribe Media Ent BTR- Sassy Entertainment IN- Saundra Harris Blogger-SituationsWithSassy

4..thing .I’d never come home.

When he comes to my house I am Ms. Yes (corny right). I cook him dinner, give him a massages, please him in anyway I can. And guess what? He loves that.

He marvels at how attentive I am how much I care about him.

5.Keep listening to your family, friends and everyone else on TV (who is single) on how to handle your man before long you’ll be single just like them. Period pointblank. Today women beg to get married then when they walk down the aisle they listen to everyone else on how to handle your business. Besides writing this post I don’t disclose to people what I do with my man. If I need advice, I will call a close family member. Enuff said.

As I look back on my relationships with married men I can honestly say I know how to treat my husband

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Jump off Justification Response to THOUGHT S FROM THE OTHER wife, and is allowed to call as many times as she deems In response to the jump off who recently penned a note

fit.

THOUGHTS FROM THE OTHER WOMAN stating the 5 reasons why married/involved men would rather be with other women rather than their wife or significant other is not only ludicrous but it is utter bull hunk. (I am being polite)

4.“Stop talking about what you won’t do…really?” – Most modern wives are their husbands personal playthings…and if she isn’t she should be. However, men

In the note, the women stated she was a Christian who went

want variety and as much as a wife may be willing to

to church twice-a-week, exercised daily, was educated, and

do, he may just want it from someone else. It’s not

had a successful career. She also went on to state that she

the wife’s fault as to why YOU came into the picture.

had met her ‘soul mate’ who happened to be a married man who marriage was in a ‘rough patch’. And that they had been together for years.

Its notes like this where women are trying to justify why she has decided to get involved with your man is the main reason why I wanted to respond. Here are my answers to her five points: (note- the quotes paraphrase her five points)

5.“Keep listening to your family, friends and everyone else on TV (who is single) on how to handle your man before long you’ll be single just like them.” – True friends know when you have a good and/or a bad person. They will not deliberately sabotage some one good in your life. If they do then clearly they are not your friend.

1.“I don’t go out looking for your husband/so. – he finds me!” – The reason why he chose you is due to the fact that he knew you would believe his line about his marriage/relationship hitting a rough patch. It’s

It pains me how trifling women will try and spin a negative into a positive with the word soul-mate.

the easiest lie to tell lonely women. All he had to do

Being with a married man is just plain selling yourself short,

was find the right mark. And you were it. Trust, this

and quite frankly it is what you deserve because you don’t

isn’t his first pony show.

respect yourself enough to be his main choice.

2.“Get yourself together–while you are gaining 15 pounds of “baby weight” I am getting fine in the gym.” – Living healthy is admirable; however, most ‘other women’ are in the gym to kill time to stem off loneliness. Also, the gym is full of married/involved men who are bored and again, looking for their next mark. Women like you who are in the gym killing time.

3.“Quit being insecure...you call him all day (and night) wanting to know when he comes home.” – He is most likely calling her to find out her so that he can be in the opposite direction. However, she is the

Saundra E. Harris Author, Talk Show Host, Relationship Advice Columnist Twitter - @SassyScribe FB- Saundra Harris/ SassyScribe Media Ent BTR- Sassy Entertainment Blogger-SituationsWithSassy

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Broccoli Summer Salad Dressing ingredients: 1 c. mayonnaise 3 T. cider vinegar 1/2 c. sugar Salad ingredients: 1 red onion (this can be omitted but I like it) 2 fresh broccoli heads, washed and cut into bite-size pieces 1 pound bacon, cooked and crushed (crush in a paper towel when cooled) 1 can honey roasted peanuts Mix together the ingredients for the dressing ahead of time. Twenty minutes before serving, combine the onion, broccoli, bacon and salad dressing. Mix well. Garnish with the honey roasted peanuts just before serving.

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Guide to Yucky Bodily Functions Icky Vaginal Discharge For women in their reproductive years, vaginal discharge is better than normal—it's terrific! I've always thought of the vagina as a self-cleaning oven. Discharge helps clear out dead cells, keeps the vaginal walls lubricated, and even fights infection. Take a look at what's on the toilet paper—the color should be clear, white, or slightly yellow, and it may have a faint musty smell. (Vaginal odor serves as a major attraction factor for your partner, so think of it as your own personal brand of perfume.) While the amount of discharge can increase during ovulation (and obviously during sexual stimulation), if you notice any unusual or sudden changes in color (green is not good), texture, or odor, something fishy is probably going on, in more ways than one.

The most common cause of a sharp odor is bacterial vaginosis, the result of an overgrowth of the healthy bacteria that colonize the vagina. Certain sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhea and chlamydia) and infections (like yeast) can also change the amount, smell, and texture of vaginal discharge.

Don't try to "clean yourself up" with douches or scented products, which will only worsen the problem. Instead, get checked out by your primary doctor or gynecologist. Then try to restore the balance of healthy bacteria: Take a probiotic supplement (or eat foods like yogurt that contain probiotics), avoid shorts or underwear made of moisture-trapping fibers like nylon, and change out of sweaty clothes when your workout is done.

Explosive BMs With their love of bathroom humor, most guys are pretty comfortable talking about poop, but this is definitely the numberone most embarrassing subject for women to discuss. Uncontrollable bowel movements affect 5.5 million Americans and are more common in women than in men. One reason is childbirth, which can damage the muscles or nerves needed for bowel control. Another surprising cause is a deficiency in serotonin. Ninety-five percent of your body's supply of this "feel-

good" hormone is in your gut, and women seem to have greater fluctuations in their serotonin levels than men do. If you experience a strong and pressing need to go to the bathroom, notice stool spotting on your underwear, or have diarrhea for longer than a few days, see your doctor. It could be that you're not digesting your food properly (can you say "lactose intolerant"?) or you're under a lot of stress. Certain medications can cause problems too. In the most serious cases, it could be the result of nerve damage around the rectum, which can signal a problem such as diabetes

Farting like a Frat Boy Despite what some guys want to believe, women do fart. In fact, we all pass gas a dozen or more times a day. The nonsmelly kind comes from air that's swallowed when you eat or drink (especially when you consume food too quickly, chew gum, or sip through a straw), but the more noxious types of fumes are created during the digestion process by bacteria in the colon. If you're passing gas a lot more than 12 times a day, you may simply be eating too much fiber (which promotes gas formation in the digestive tract) or drinking too many carbonated beverages. It could also be the result of food intolerance (such as lactose or gluten intolerance) or the side effect of a medication like an antibiotic or laxative.

To cut the amount of gas you produce, try eating smaller amounts of fiber temporarily. (Once the gas subsides, you can slowly add fiber-rich foods back into your diet.) Over-thecounter products like Beano or lactase supplements (for those who can't have dairy) can also help. If you're still tooting your own horn, so to speak, try drinking peppermint tea. It contains compounds that prevent spasms of the digestive tract, which promote the formation of gas.

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Pastor Nannie German Sr. Pastor of Spirit and In Truth Ministries in NJ .

Pastor German writes our Spiritual Insight colFreelance writer and web designer Keri Atkins has always enjoyed fashion, but never thought she had a place in fashion as a plus sized woman. Her fashion blog, Model Fashion, was inspired by this goal: to share fashion spreads, modeling tips, 'how to' styling videos and more for all sizes.

Steve Harris is a licensed minister of the gospel. He resides in Tuscaloosa Alabama with his wife Roxanne Harris,

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