National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

25 02 2009

neda_poster-awareness_09-05-08forwebThis week, February 22-28, is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. This year’s theme is: …until eating disorders are history.

 

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, the mission of this week is to “ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment.”

 

Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses (not choices), and it’s essential to realize the pressures, outlooks and behaviors that form the disorder.

 

The most common eating disorders are:

  • Anorexia nervosa, a possibly life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and extreme weight loss.

  • Binge eating disorder, the most common one, is characterized by eating large amounts of food in a very little period of time until the person is uncomfortably full. Binge eating disorder is very similar to bulimia except people don’t use a method of purging (vomiting, fasting, laxatives, etc.) after a binge.

  • Bulimia nervosa, another possibly life-threatening eating disorder, is characterized by a period of bingeing and behaviors like self-induced vomiting created to undo or make up for the effects of binge eating.

 

People with eating disorders regularly use food and food control in to try to make up for feelings and emotions that may otherwise appear to be overpowering. For some, dieting, bingeing, and purging may start as a method of coping with painful emotions and to feel in control of one’s life. Eventually, these behaviors will harm a person’s physical and emotional health, self-esteem, and sense of competence and control.

Common myths about eating disorders (from helpguide.org).

Myth #1: You have to be underweight to have an eating disorder. People with eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. Many individuals with eating disorders are of average weight or are overweight.

Myth #2: Only teenage girls and young women are affected by eating disorders. While eating disorders are most common in young women in their teens and early twenties, they are found in men and women of all ages.

Myth #3: People with eating disorders are vain. It’s not vanity that drives people with eating disorders to follow extreme diets and obsess over their bodies, but rather an attempt to deal with feelings of shame, anxiety, and powerlessness.

Myth #4: Eating disorders aren’t really that dangerous. All eating disorders can lead to irreversible and even life-threatening health problems, such as heart disease, bone loss, stunted growth, infertility, and kidney damage.

 For more information about eating disorders, check out, http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/programs-events/nedawareness-week.php


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Categories : Health

What are you giving up?

24 02 2009

from mikeanderson.net

from mikeanderson.net

Today is Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras (whoo!), which makes tomorrow Ash Wednesday- the beginning of Lent. A couple of weeks ago, I started thinking about what I could give up for Lent. Am I Catholic? No, but I know that lots of people who aren’t do practice it. And besides, I think it’s a good opportunity to attempt to give up things that aren’t necessarily good. (FYI: I’m going to try soda. And if you know anything about me, you know this won’t be a piece of cake. I’m literally addicted to caffeine).

 

 

Anyway, so what is Lent? It’s the forty day period before Easter, not including Sundays. It’s a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the arrival of Easter; it’s a time for contemplation and self-assessment.

 

Historically, Lent was an occasion to get new converts ready for baptism; now, Christians focus on their relationship with God, frequently deciding to give up something (food, a vice), volunteering or giving of themselves to others.

 

The forty days of Lent symbolizes the time Jesus spent in the wilderness while facing Satan’s temptations. The reason Sundays are not included is that each Sunday symbolizes a kind of a “mini-Easter celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.”

 

In many places, the last day before Lent- often known as Mardi Gras, Carnival, or Fat Tuesday- has become a last hurrah before Lent. For hundreds of years, people abstained from meat during Lent, which is why some call the festival Carnival, Latin for farewell to meat.

 

This year, Lent is from February 25-April 11, the day before Easter.

 

Sources: http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=2870

 

www.kencollins.com/holy-04.htm

 

 


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Categories : Culture

Feeling a wee bit overwhelmed

23 02 2009

So, today I got an email from a magazine saying they needed writers ASAP. I responded saying I was interested, and lo and behold, I got a response about 30 minutes (give or take) later. I told her what topics I was most interested in and then she asked- Can you have it by our deadline, Friday? I hesitantly reply ’yes.’

Why is this such a kind of a big deal? I have another HUGE article due the same day. Yeah…I have to transcribe about an hour of an interview, write, edit and finish…and for the other article, I have to go to a meeting, do interviews, transcribe, write, edit and finish…blah, blah, blah…looks it’s going to be an interesting and exciting week. And I have to completely redo my “intentions/to-so” list for this week. Oh well, I feel it shall be worth it. We’ll see.


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Categories : Jamie's Journal

Finance professional to hold financial literacy workshop

22 02 2009

February 17, 2009

 Contact: Edgar Bateman III

Phone: (704) 930-1731

                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Finance professional to hold financial literacy workshop

 STATESVILLE, N.C.- Are you struggling with money right now? Are you searching for solutions to better your financial condition? Join Edgar Bateman III on Saturday, February 28 from 10 A.M. – 12 P.M. at Fellowship Tabernacle Church in Statesville, NC.

 The idea to create Millionaire Moments, a financial literacy workshop, came to Bateman due to the rough financial climate we are in at the moment.

 ”It’s a way to engage people face-to-face regarding their finances because everybody is struggling,” he said.

 The workshop is different than many others because it focuses on the emotional aspect of money and spending. It looks at why people use their money the way they do and their financial personality. Workshop topics include:

  • Building your money resume;
  • Money Basics: How money works; and
  • Why that dollar bill in your pocket is not money

 With over 10 years of experience, Bateman’s finance career began as he started his family. Last year, however, the unexpected happened- his job was cut.

 ”I was a casualty of this economy last February,” he said. “The company was reorganizing, and my position got eliminated.”

 After that incident, Bateman asked himself three questions: What did he really want to do? What makes him happy? What would he do for free?

 Since he had had experience assisting people in developing their careers and finances, the choice was pretty clear.

 ”When I sat back and looked at it, I said, ‘I can see myself doing this, helping people with their money for the rest of my life,’” he said.

 He wants the audience to leave feeling hope and with a simple plan.

 ”I really want people to walk away from this workshop and say, ‘I can get through this and here’s how.’”

 For Bateman, it’s not about them leaving with a fancy e-book or handbook; it is all about the results.

 ”If they decide to grab a napkin off of the table and write that thing on the back of their napkin, if it’s a plan they’re going to use, then it’s the best plan in the room.”

 For more information on the workshop, contact Bateman at (704) 930.1731 or visit millionairemoments.eventbrite.com. If you have specific questions and concerns, you will be able to register for a one-on-one consultation. Fellowship Tabernacle Church is located at 185 Moose Club Rd.

 

 ###

 


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Categories : Press Releases

Hartwell man allegedly beat brutally by police (UPDATE)

21 02 2009

Jimmy Blackwell, 51, has now been left blind due to the injuries sustained by the Hartwell Police, according to his daughter, Keesha Blackwell.

Read the whole story: http://www.wyff4.com/news/18742572/detail.html

I will post more information as more is available.


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Categories : News

Successful Sistas: Joan E.Gosier

21 02 2009

joanJob title: CEO of HBCU Kidz, Inc. and book author


Job description: Set strategic plans and operational tactics to grow a family start-up Internet boutique. Motivate and inspire virtual teams to unite and work together to grow brand globally.  Publish a book to document the process of launching our brand.

Why did you decide to pursue your career/job? After working for several fortune 500 companies, completing my MBA in International Finance and Marketing and raising two children with my husband, we realized a huge void in the marketplace for like-minded families and myself. We wanted to help fill that void using my training, experience and passionate love for our future generation of dreamers, leaders and achievers. As a family, we decided to provide a one-stop shop for authentic and officially licensed baby gifts and memorabilia that celebrate Historically Black Colleges and Universities, education and family heritage. I wanted to leave a legacy for my children and their children that “Nothing is Impossible.”

 

What do you love most about it? I love the FREEDOM to dream and implement without having to go through layers and layers of bureaucracy. Our team can create and market new ideas in terms of products and services to meet our customers’ needs within weeks, days and sometimes hours! We can respond to our customer feedback almost INSTANTLY using technology.

 What is the most stressful aspect of your job? WOW! The most stressful is often the waiting game that occurs when you are trailblazing. Sometimes it takes time for others to choose to run with you. Because this is what I DO full-time, I am very focused in getting results. So often, I may have to wait for a response or a reply from someone who is unavailable for what is my current priority.

What’s the craziest thing that ever happened to you at work? Hmmm. The only thing that comes to mind is one day when we were vending at an ethnic festival promoting our unique gift boutique concept with our inaugural product’s theme, ”Here I Am! College Material. Class of 2028″. It is a product line of bibs, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Well towards the end of the day, a man tried to convince us that in 2028, there would no longer be any colleges and therefore we were selling a false message to our children. He was noticeably very upset and felt that we should NOT promote future education attainment. THAT was crazy. I do find myself meeting people online who totally undervalue the importance of an education for our future generation. But I say, “Hey! If everyone felt just like ME, then I would have NO BUSINESS for being in BUSINESS would I? “  Somebody has to be a voice for our 0-6 year-old-children who are hungry for knowledge and positive self-esteem.

Describe a typical day at work for you. I schedule each day in advance to accomplish three major goals towards our company’s annual/monthly goal. I typically work from home or some days I substitute teach at our local elementary, middle and/or high school. But generally speaking, at 7:30 AM, I am placing my two daughters on the school bus. From 7:45-11:00 AM, I am checking my various social forums for marketing/branding opportunities through participation in various topics of discussion relating to 1) Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 2) Education, 3) Family Heritage.

 Then from 12:00-2:00 PM, I fulfill my customer orders or contact my suppliers. There could also be a prescheduled teleconference, networking meeting or a live interview conducted during that time frame as well. From 2:30 -3:30 PM, I am now working on chapter revisions for an upcoming 900 page book that I am writing called, “Cotton Pickin’ Paycheck-A 21st Century Journal of Escape from Slavery” (www.CottonPickinPaycheck.com). At 3:45 I am picking my children up from their bus stop, debriefing with them on their day, checking homework folders and providing a snack, starting their dinner until about 5:00 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m. I am visiting my various forums, responding to emails or phone message inquiries until around 6:30 p.m. We eat, check homework, clean up and/or I may head to business networking meetings or community programs. Around 8:00 PM, I am getting the girls in bed and shortly after 9:00 PM, I am debriefing the day’s progress with my husband and our other business partner by phone who is out of state on the marketing results, website traffic, and input on planning my next day’s schedule of “branding messages”. We laugh, brainstorm ideas, relax and/or then I may do my motivational/inspirational reading until I fall asleep… That’s pretty much a wrap.

Each night, I typically feel fulfilled if I have a customer interaction or touching personal testimony to share with my business partners. However, as do most owners, they really love my sales reports best of all!  I do not typically work on the weekends, but it depends on the potential returns.

　

What advice or tips do you have for someone who wants to do what you do? Start with a clean sheet of paper and freestyle your dream, and then create a step-by-step plan. From this one pager of notes, visit your local SCORE or SBA office and work with a professional to create a business plan. It takes a very long time, but it is very much worth it. You must keep organized and avoid distractions or people with negative energy.


Finish this sentence: this career is for you if: You are not afraid of risk, not afraid of reaching out of your comfort zone, believe in spending money if it returns a direct investment back to you and your family, enjoy calling your own shots, enjoy positively impacting the lives of children and enjoy feeling fulfilled by how you spend your time serving a customer each day.

 

HBCU Kidz logo

HBCU Kidz logo

 


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Categories : Successful Sistas

Black History Month: black model firsts

19 02 2009

donyale-lunaDonyale Luna

Claim to faim: She was the first notable Black model and the first Black model on the cover of Vogue (British edition) in 1966.

Brief bio: Born Peggay Ann Freeman, Donyale was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 1, 1945. Described as a weird child growing up, she was discovered by photographer David McCabe and moved to New York City. Donyale’s first magazine cover, a sketch of her, was on Harper’s Bazaar, in 1965. She also posed in nude photo layout in Playboy in 1975.

In addition to her modeling career, she was featured in several movies inculding Screen Test: Donyale Luna, Camp and Fellini Satyricon. Donyale died of a drug overdose in Rome, Italy.

240px-beverly_johnsonBeverly Johnson

Claim to fame: She was the first Black woman to grace the covers of Vogue (American edition) in 1974 and in 1975.

Brief bio: Beverly was born in Buffalo, NY on October 13, 1952 and aimed to be a lawyer when she was younger. She got into modeling when her friends suggested she try it while she was a student at Northeastern University.

Her first assignment was with Glamour Magazine, and her work increased from there. She has been on more than 500 magazine covers. Beverly’s appearance Elle Magazine and Vogue altered the beauty standard in fashion and by 1975, every major U.S. fashion designer started working with Black models.

In addition to her modeling career, she has written a book, Beverly Johnson’s Guide to a Life of Health and Beauty and started an acting career. Currently, she has a collection of hair wigs and extensions called Beverly Johnson Hair Products.

tyra_banks1Tyra Banks

Claim to fame: She was the first Black model to appear on Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition in 1996 and 1997.

Brief bio: Tyra was born Inglewood, California on December 4, 1973. After graduating high school, she planned to enroll at Loyola Marymount University. However, a few weeks before she began her freshman year, a French modeling scout noticed Tyra and offered her a chance to model in Paris.

In addition to her modeling career, which is now retired from, Tyra has written a book, Tyra’s Beauty Inside Out, created Tzone, a southern California camp designed to develop teenage girls’ self-esteem, produced one of the most popular reality TV shows, America’s Next Top Model and has made a name for herself as a talk show host with The Tyra Banks Show, for which she won an Emmy.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donyale_Luna, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Johnson, http://www.people.com/tyra_banks/biography


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Categories : Culture

New York Post Cartoon Controversy

19 02 2009

I’m sure everyone has heard or read about by now about the controversial editorial cartoon in the New York Post. If you haven’t then look at a news source some time!

Anyway,  a cartoon by Sean Delonas illustrates two police officers, one with a smoking gun, and they are standing over a dead chimp. One police is saying: “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.”

ny-post

This, of course, enraged many people and has been everywhere on the web. Some critics, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, called the cartoon racist. Some believe it is a comparison of President Obama to the chimp, while others believe it represents all African-Americans.

According to reports, the cartoon is referring to Travis, the chimp killed Monday for attacking a friend of its owner.

 Editor-in-chief, Col Allan backs Delonas’ work

“The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut,” Allan said in a statement. “It broadly mocks Washington’s efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist.”

To read the whole article, check out my source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090218/ap_en_ot/ny_post_cartoon


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Anita Charlot: Changing lives through coaching

18 02 2009

acharlotphuIf someone were to ask you who you really were, how would you answer? Would you say marketing executive, teacher, mother, daughter? What if someone asked you to dig deeper, to the core of you?

 

Anita Charlot, metaphysical and transformational life coach, has been helping people answer those questions since 2000 through her company, Purrfect Harmony Unlimited, a business that empowers, entertains and informs through activities like workshops, retreats, mentoring and more.

 

The idea for Purrfect Harmony Unlimited was realized when Charlot was seeking a therapist during a difficult life change-she had gone from dating men to seeing women. But when she tried to discuss her intimacy and trust issues, many therapists didn’t understand her struggle.

 

She also recognized other women probably shared the same feelings and could probably benefit from having someone really understand what they were going through.

 

‘Why don’t I become that person for people like myself?’ Charlot asked herself.  PHU was created with the motto, harmonizing your life, one area at a time.

 

“Through years of experience, I have come to realize that there are a very limited number of materials, products and services that attempt to speak directly to the lesbian and bisexual mothers’ experience,” Charlot says.

 

PHU aspires to bring self-awareness and healing to both the gay and straight community. This is done by openly discussing life experiences and sharing very intimate details that will give information concerning the struggles and triumphs we all encounter daily.

 

The company has since evolved, and now serves men, business clients and organizations.

 

“It is the vision of the company not to be exclusive to the lesbian and bisexual mother but to speak out on behalf of the empowerment of all women, no matter what that entails,” Charlot says.

 

She believes life and the journey to self-awareness are based on the destination, and they both are learning experiences.

 

“I know that it’s a destination, but on the way to the destination, there are so many different things you can learn about yourself and your teammates- if it’s a business area or relationship,” she says. “Really understanding who you are and exactly what you want and being okay with that will always lead to a more connected relationship, whether it’s a friendship, dating situation, marriage or family situation.”

 

And knowing who you are helps you in every aspect of your life, including dating and business relationships, says Charlot.

 

“When it comes to dating, when you know who you are, you’ve identified what’s important to you in terms of the type of person (you want), that way you don’t waste time on unnecessary dating situations,” she says.

 

“(In business relationships), it helps you determine whether or not you can take a certain job, or if it feeds your spirit.”

 

Self-awareness is the company’s main focus, according to Charlot, and she assists people in doing so with her “tell-it-like-it-is” approach.

 

“At times, the whole truth is what a person needs to hear to break through the persona that they have created,” she says. “My ability to cut through the layers of a person’s personality and reach their spirit is a direct result of years of being kept silent, struggling with who I was inside for the benefit of my family as well as society.

 

“Since I’ve lived most of my years as a mere shadow of myself, it is very easy for me to detect others who are doing the same thing.”

 

PHU offers several topics to awaken your inner spirit. Her program teaches you how to identify:

  • Hidden parts of yourself that have staggered your growth,
  • How you continuously give your energy and your personal power to those that don’t deserve it,
  • What your life’s passion is and the steps to take in order to turn your life’s passion into your life’s work,
  • And more.

 

Charlot is also available for individual coaching, organizational and corporate keynote presentations and workshops ranging from one hour to multi-day programs. The presentations can be customized for your group. Topics for these are:

  • Discovering Your Purrfectly Authentic TM Self
  • Purrfectly Authentic ™ Communication
  • The 5 Phases of Dating ™ and
  • The 7 Principles of Living Your Life Purrfectly Authentic ™.

 

She also does public speaking, individuals and couples coaching and Purrfectly Authentic Communication, which is a 10-session communication program that helps couples to identify where there is a breakdown in communication and how to rebuild it.

 

“My passion is to show each and every person that I come in contact with that their Purrfectly Authentic voice is the only voice in which they should use,” Charlot says. “We are born with this ability which is evident in how children often say exactly what’s on their mind prior to being conditioned as to what to say and what not to say for various reasons.

 

“It is only when we are guided back to our “child-like” nature and are born again into our true selves, do we learn to speak from our truth. We have played the game for so long…that somewhere inside, we got lost. It is my passion and purpose to help you find that again.”

 

For more information about Anita Charlot and her services, you can visit her website: www.purrfectharmonyinc.com or email her at intuitivepsyd@gmail.com.


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Categories : Successful Sistas

Family says police brutalized man, Hartwell, GA

17 02 2009

I know we’ve all heard the stories of police brutality and excessive force they sometimes use (Rodney King and Sean Bell come to mind). This type of thing really makes me angry, so I was very upset and disappointed that this happened in my hometown of Hartwell, GA. A town that’s pretty small; so small that many Georgians have never heard of it. I’ll leave my opinion out of it, but you can read the story by clicking the link:

http://www.wyff4.com/news/18729882/detail.html


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