De-clutter! Detox! De-stress! Spring Cleaning for Your Home, Body and Life. (Part 2 of 3)
Posted on: May 22, 2013
“To resist the frigidity of old age, one must combine the body, the mind, and the heart. And to keep these in parallel vigor one must exercise, study, and love.” ~Charles-Victor De Bonstettin~
Detox – Spring cleaning for the body!
There are literally hundreds of detox remedies out there from one day quick fixes to 30 day sessions that offer an opportunity to remove toxins from your system. Which one of these many options is best for you? The final answer to that question really lies with you and your doctor, nutritionist or other medical professional. Just as nature uses the rains and other weather patterns to cleanse and renew the environment, so also do we need to clear wastes, pollutants and toxins from our system and so detoxification is a very important habit to adopt.
Your body does this already all by itself through different ways, however, you may need to do an additional periodic cleanse (under the supervision of a certified health practitioner) to maintain optimum health.
If the body does this already organically, why bother with a formal detox?
- It helps the organs like the kidney and liver to work more efficiently
- It helps eliminate toxic buildup in your body and restore the natural balance
- It improves your sleep quality, skin appearance and overall general health
- Yes! It does also help with weight loss
After trying a number of different cleanses on the market, I believe a natural method works best. What I mean by natural method is just that, a detox cleanse with no therapeutic aids. This method takes full advantage of your body’s ability to cleanse itself by limiting your food intake to organic and nutritious foods for a short period of time. The body is in a better position to process the more complex foods that we eat today.
Eliminate all carbohydrates from the diet for a week. That is bread, rice, potatoes etc. You can have these after the cleanse exercise is complete. Another item to eliminate from your diet for the week is meat, especially processed meats. Also eliminate milk and milk products through the time period.
Start your morning with a big glass of room temperature water with lemon squeezed into it. Do this before you do anything else in the morning.
To make sure you take adequate amounts of water through the course of the day, take a 2 Litre bottle with filtered water (as always add some freshly squeezed lemon). Make sure you have consumed all the water by the end of the day. 
For the entire week, have a diet of green organic leafy vegetables and fish that is either baked, barbecued or steamed, do not fry or drown in sauces.
In the case of fruits, try to keep it to items like, apples, grapefruit, lemon, oranges and berries that are rich in anti-oxidants.
This simple method is so easy and mild you can cleanse as often as you wish. I like to try this at least one week every other month to keep my system in high gear.
Enter all of what you do in a journal and track your intake, you will find that you have better control over what you are eating than you do not track it. If you do not keep track, you lose track, period!
Whether you use the remedy I outline above or you have your own remedy, cleanse your system regularly to help boost your health. You will find that not only are you healthier, you are also more energetic. Think of your body as a machine that needs periodic tune-ups to keep it in good working order. Prevention, they say, is always better, cheaper and less painful than cure! Be proactive about making healthy lifestyle choices, start small, take action today! DO NO’T WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE A BREAK DOWN!
Here’s a video with a recipe for a healthy and simple body cleanse by Kim Lyons (from the TV show, ‘The Biggest Loser’): http://wp.me/p1o3v6-rp
Bloggers Note: This blog post is part 2 of 3 in my spring cleaning series: “De-clutter! Detox! De-stress! Spring Cleaning for Your Home, Body and Life!” Visit WWN’s blog for subsequent post #3 (Detox – Spring cleaning for the body!) and click here to read post #1 in the series: (De-stress – Spring cleaning for your home!)
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The preceding is a guest post from Diana Barikor, M.Ed- Program Manager at Whole Woman Network. Diana is an Educator and Community Developer with over 15 years experience. She’s passionate about facilitating conversations on growth and empowerment for women both personally and professionally. She engages life with a deep sense of curiosity and an understanding that development issues are dynamic and always evolving. Follow Whole Woman Network on Twitter @wholewomaninc.
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- Spring Cleaning, Not Limited to Houses. (feedyourvitality.wordpress.com)
- Natural Detox Cleanse Diet for Health, Wellness, and Weight Loss Discussed in New Article by eProbiotics.com (prweb.com)
A Happy Victoria Day!
Posted on: May 21, 2013
From all of us at Whole Woman Network, we hope you have a wonderful Victoria Day celebration! If you live in Canada, you may be aware of the recent political furor over the proposed plan by some ‘notable’ Canadians to rename ‘Victoria Day’ as ‘Victoria and All Peoples Day’, this is basically to include and honour the first Nations Peoples in the Victoria Day celebration. Hmmmn, why do we always have to mix things up, why juxtapose two entirely different things? Let’s celebrate the day and leave out all the unnecessary drama!
I am definitely in support of the First Nations People being accorded their place in history but why do we have to combine the two? June 21 is already a National Aboriginal Day in Canada, (however it is important to note that it is not recognized as a Statutory Holiday).
The question is this: why are the ‘notable Canadians’ such as authors Margaret Atwood and Thomas King, actors Graham Greene and Peter Keleghan, and Green MP Elizabeth May, who are at the forefront of a petition to effect the name change, not clamoring to make the existing Aboriginal Day a statutory holiday or better still, fight to make it a more engaging and reflective day to share the rich heritage and contributions of the First Nations Peoples?
Anyways, lets leave the politiking and petitioning aside and share some fun facts and history about Victoria Day in Canada and Queen Victoria herself:
1. Victoria Day (in French: Fête de la Reine) is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria‘s birthday.
2. Queen Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom on June 20, 1837 and reigned until her death on January 22, 1901. Victoria is still the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.
3. The monarch’s birthday has been celebrated in Canada since before the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign. After her death, in 1901, May 25 became known as Empire Day.
4. In 1952, Empire Day was moved to the Monday before May 25 and since 1953, the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II has been celebrated on this date in Canada. So ‘Victoria Day’ is also the day to officially celebrate the birthday of the reigning monarch.
5. In 1958, Empire Day became known as Commonwealth Day, which was moved to the second Monday in March. The Monday before May 25 then became known as Victoria Day, which is now a Canadian statutory holiday and what we celebrate today!
Did you know that Queen Victoria inherited the throne at the tender age of 18? She married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Their 9 children married into royal and noble families across the continent, tying them together and earning her the nickname “the grandmother of Europe”. The Victorian era was a period of industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military change within the United Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire.
Another fun tidbit: Queen Victoria has been credited with starting the western tradition of white bridal gowns, although she was not the first royal to be married in white. During her wedding n Feb 10, 1840, she selected a white dress, fabricated from heavy silk satin, which was considered an unusual choice at a time when colours would have been more usual.
The lace used for her wedding dress proved an important boost to the Devon lace-making and to future royal wedding attire. At the time, Victoria’s choice was criticized since she did not wear many jewels, velvet trimmed with ermine, or a crown, and the color was unusual. Wearing white was quickly adopted by wealthy, fashionable brides, even though white had been a distinctly uncommon choice for bridal gowns before Victoria’s wedding!
Blogger’s Note: Interested in learning more about Queen Victoria, then we recommend the period movie: The Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt, who delivers a stunning performance as Queen Victoria in the turbulent first years of her reign. Watch the trailer here: http://tiny.cc/c8uexw
Once again, wishing you all a Wonderful and Happy Victoria Day!!
Live beautifully, live passionately, live freely.
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Remember, you are not ordinary, you are divinely unique.
You are WOW (Wonderful One-of-a-kind Woman)!
w(H)olistically Yours,
Sources:
History of the British Monarchy (www.royal.gov.uk); Canadianhistory.com; CBC.ca
Related articles
- Today is Victoria Day 2013 – A Holiday in Canada (bogdanfiedur.info)
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals (globalnews.ca)
- INTERNeX Canada: Casual Friday. Victoria Day !! (internexcanada.wordpress.com)
De-clutter! Detox! De-stress! Spring Cleaning for Your Home, Body and Life. (Part 1 of 3)
Posted on: May 10, 2013
Part 1: De-clutter – Spring Cleaning of the Home!
With spring, a season of nature’s renewal, well underway, it is a good time for us to renew ourselves with what I like to call the three D’s; De-clutter, Detox and De-stress. Very important to our overall well-being but too many of us do not get round to doing any one of the three. 
Why De-clutter, Detox and De-stress? They all mean the same thing but address different areas of our lives; we De-clutter our homes, Detox our bodies and De-stress our minds! It is a wonderful way to rejuvenate our bodies, free our minds and create spaces (spiritually, metaphorically and physically) for the wonderful things and people we want in our lives. Besides, your junk could be another persons’s treasure, why hang on to things you do not need or use?
Here are some ways you can achieve all of the 3 D’s.
De-clutter – Spring Cleaning of the Home!
Our immediate environment often reflects the state of our minds. Do you have a store of ‘treasures’ you seem to never get the time to sort? Are there items still in (a) box(s) from your last move, well over a year ago, that you have not and don’t seem likely to get to anytime soon? Are there appliances and ‘important’ papers that you never seem to need or use but are taking up precious counter space? Is your closet full of old or fairly new clothes that you never wear but think you must have? If you answer yes to any or all these questions, then you are not alone and there is a way out.
Trying to tackle this issue can be overwhelming, especially in the case where items have accumulated over years, but it is achievable. It is one of those things that you really do need to approach in a very systematic way. For those who have the resources who can hire a professional organizer to come in and work with you to get this done, by all means do so! it is money well spent. But those who cannot afford this or would rather channel available funds elsewhere, this is for you. Follow these tips; they will help you move forward.
- The first rule is, do not despair! This is one problem that definitely has a solution.
- Designate a donation box where you will put everything you think still has some use in them and could be used by others even though you may no longer have any use for them. This will cover from clothes to shoes, books, appliances, crockery, linen and even furniture. Granted you cannot put furniture in a box but you can put it aside
- If you have the space, create a designated area, either in the basement, shed or garage, to keep all these items together as you accumulate them. I however prefer to keep a donation box in each bedroom to be readily available throughout the length of this exercise.
- Start off by time-blocking at least half an hour every day to de-cluttering. Note that it does not matter what time of the day you schedule this in but make a firm DECISION to complete everything on your ‘to do’ list. Have a ‘Task-Consequences-Rewards’ mechanism to keep yourself on track. This creates a sense of a commitment and accountability. Regard this as an appointment or ‘contract’ with yourself. Keep it!
- How do you decide what goes into the box? Here’s a simple rule of thumb: If you have not used the item for 6 months or more, you are most unlikely to need or use it; it is a sure candidate for donation or trashing. Either way, decide to get rid of it, today!
- Get the family involved. This can be difficult, especially if they are not usually involved with chores. It is necessary for all other members of the family to take responsibility in de-cluttering the house. It is also a great way to create some family bonding time.
- Pace yourself and put things away methodically. This is easier said than done! And if you have the attention span of a gnat like I do, after a while, it becomes tedious and boring. Switch it up by alternating chores and taking breaks in between.
- Play some good music as you organize your stuff. Choose “Pick-me-up” tunes that would keep you feeling like dancing, it does incredible things to your energy level. By all means sing along if you want.
- Keep at it till your box is full. At this point take a look around, could you still do with some more clearing? If yes, then do so.
- Take the reusable items in your box to the nearest donation centre and throw away all unusable items. Consider having a garage sale. It’s a fun way to meet people in your neighbourhood and get some extra cash too! And remember to reward yourself for your efforts and make sure you have lots of F.U.N in the process!
P.S: There are many wonderful organizations that you may donate your gently used items such as furniture, clothing, utensils to. Examples are Value Village (www.valuevillage.ca), Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.ca) and Goodwill Stores (www.goodwill.on.ca). Visit their websites for any additional information.
Bloggers Note: This blog post is part 1 of 3 in my spring cleaning series: “De-clutter! Detox! De-stress! Spring Cleaning for Your Home, Body and Life!” Visit WWN’s blog for subsequent posts #2 (Detox – Spring cleaning for the body!) and #3 (De-stress – Spring cleaning for your life!)
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The preceding is a guest post from Diana Barikor, M.Ed- Program Manager at Whole Woman Network. Diana is an Educator and Community Developer with over 15 years experience. She’s passionate about facilitating conversations on growth and empowerment for women both personally and professionally. She engages life with a deep sense of curiosity and an understanding that development issues are dynamic and always evolving. Follow Whole Woman Network on Twitter @wholewomaninc.
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- It’s Time For A Social Media Spring Clean (fliptop.com)
- 3 Steps to Turn Spring Cleaning into Charitable Giving (community.ally.com)
Tell Yourself Empowering Stories!
Posted on: May 9, 2013
“The old way of thinking is as if you were the lowly servant of a king or the daughter of a slave. This old way is built on a fallacy and pre-supposes that you are broken and incomplete. It’s a new dawn. The new message is that you are and have always been the daughter of a KING. You are whole and complete. It is based on an eternal TRUTH! This is the season to return to wholeness. Step into your magnificence. Greatness resides in YOU! The world is waiting for you.”
~Excerpt from WWN’s Total Transformation & Life-Coaching Journal: ’Take ACTION towards a Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier YOU! ~
WWN Reflection for Thursday, May 9, 2013: Tell Yourself Empowering Stories!
All change, all learning, all growth is mainly done on an unconscious level. Be mindful, therefore of the stories you feed your unconscious mind and the movies you play in your head. Tell yourself wonderful stories. Tell stories with a sole purpose of getting something positive out of it. Explore the learning, growth and idea in each story and apply the principles to make your life better.
Tell stories about yourself and others that empower and not dis-empower you! Get out of the victim mode! Your past is your past! Acknowledge the story, acknowledge the pain, re-frame it and simply DECIDE to let it go. Tell stories about yourself and others that have solutions. Tell stories that bring you to light. Come out of the darkness.
You live out the stories in your head! Be gentle with yourself and others. We are all reflections of one another, we are here to learn from one another, period. Tell stories that will add to the process of our continuous growth. No one is better than the other. Everyone is equal. Life is a game and we are all still figuring it out.
Some people are here to teach us so that we may also teach others. So every painful or difficult experience happens to make us grow and be a beacon of hope to others. Stop looking back, stop looking down, you are not going that way! Look up and look forward, the future awaits and you get to write the script and direct the movie of your life story! 
FOCUS on what you want and say it exactly how you want it. For every single thing that has form was once formless, i.e. a mere thought. Guard your thoughts and your words for soon they manifest into reality.
Channel ALL your energy to create the reality you desire. Stop filling up your minds with thoughts that are at cross-purpose to your destiny! You are a co-creator with God, you are living out a script written by your own hands. Yes, HE has given you that much power! God’s made you co-heirs of the kingdom.
So step out in courage and follow your heart, intuition, unconscious mind and that still, quiet whisper within. Take ACTION towards a Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier YOU! To do otherwise is to selfishly rob the world of a precious gift. Play at 100%, and give life your all or don’t play at all, we will all be better for having, knowing and experiencing ALL of you. Yes, you are that awesome!
At Whole Woman Network, our Life-coaching approach is based on the premise of ABUNDANCE, it is a result-oriented, holistic, inside-out way that delves to the root causes of problems. The focus is simply to get you to a ‘solutions zone’. It is based on the premise that YOU are already whole and complete and simply need to be reminded. You have the answers within you and all we do is ask the right questions to trigger that which is inherent in you.
You already have enough, be content and be grateful. Create the paradise that you desire NOW. And it is important to understand that you possess the innate, divine ability to create more, should you need more in life. There are unique gifts, talents and skills you possess that the world is waiting to pay for! It is simply an exchange of values from you and the universe and it is ALWAYS in balance.
The caveat is that everything must be to his glory and to serve/love your neighbours. It must be ecological, a WIN-WIN-WIN balance; for self, for others and for the planet as a whole. WE are all connected! We are all ONE! So direct your thoughts to align with your vision and dreams. Dream BIG, it doesn’t cost you a single cent!
Remember, whatever you have in your physical universe is a reflection of the thoughts and actions that you have taken in the past. It is your evidence procedure. It does not lie! So you get to choose your reality. You get to be right whichever path you take. Life is truly a self-fulfilling prophesy!
Have a thoughtful, reflective Thursday! ~Whole Woman Network Team~
Is Whole Woman Network’s Total Transformation and Life-Coaching Program for you?
For more information contact us:
Phone: +1905.709.5866
Email: wholewomannetworkinc@gmail.com
Join the conversation on our Facebook Page.
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- In: Beauty | Health
- Leave a Comment
Fat flush water
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/ultimate-10-day-plan-trim-fat-good as shown on Dr Oz.
Kim Lyons made a name for herself by sharing her weight-loss wisdom on the hit TV show The Biggest Loser. Her 10-day plan is designed to melt fat and transform bodies. It worked for her and for hundreds of her clients, and it can work for you as well.
She advises those who are struggling with their weight and can’t seem to get started on a diet plan to let go of the fear of failure and throw away excuses.
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“Beginning today, treat everyone you meet like they would be dead by midnight! Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” ~Og Mandino~ 
Whether you are out networking with your peers, interacting with your family members and loved ones, communicating with the aim to sell a service or product or you are simply selling your ‘personal brand’, the ability to connect deeply with your audience is key to a meaningful interaction and positive outcome.
Poor communication has led to wars, feuds lasting generations, the loss of business sales/opportunities and even the breakdown of once loving relationships between friends and family members. ”Any problem, big or small, within a family, always seems to start with bad communication. Someone isn’t listening.” ~Emma Thompson~
Here are 11 simple and effective strategies/principles for empowered and meaningful Interactions with others:
1. It all begins with Rapport! In order to be in rapport with others you have to be in rapport with yourself. Rapport means you genuinely step out of yourself and add value to others by making a seamless shift to them. “You get to speak to people’s unconscious mind when you’re in deep rapport.” ~Kim Redman~
2. Set the tone for the communication by blessing the person(s) with a sincere prayer in your heart, and meditate on the outcome you desire even before you engage with others. “Intention governs everything! Set the right intentions. It must be good and ecological for all. That is, WIN-WIN-WIN outcomes for you, the other party and the Universe.” ~Kim Redman~
3. Listen! Listen! Listen! Listen to the other person with ALL your senses-your ears, eyes, gut, body-language and most of all with your heart…and hear what isn’t being said. Listen actively. Active Listening is using sensory acuity to notice shifts in the other person and subsequently using the right language to respond accordingly. Heart-centered listening means you are communicating at such a deep level that transcends mere words and gestures! “One learns about people through the heart, not through words, eyes or the intellect.” ~Mark Twain~
4. Shift the energy by speaking from an authentic, caring and loving place. Think of how you can add value to the other person and how they can add value to you. The whole interaction should be an exchange of values for both parties. (Do not repress your feelings or pretend to be something you are not, because people can sense insincerity from a mile!) Feel all your emotions, even negative ones such as anger, fear, guilt, sadness, frustration and MASTER them. “Feelings are like a see-saw, they come and go, up and then down. Your feelings should not be your driver, they do not express you, rather you must take control and direct how you express your feelings in a healthy way. In the end, YOU are responsible for feeling your feelings!” ~Whole Woman Network, WWN~
There are no coincidences in life. The people you encounter in life are there for a reason. You’ll get a chance to meet some people many times over, and some others you may only come across once. Always leave a lasting impression. You have the power to touch and inspire everyone you meet. “Beginning today, treat everyone you meet like they would be dead by midnight! Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” ~Og Mandino~
5. Be less focused on being RIGHT and channel your energy on DOING right. Give up that unattractive and unproductive attachment to being right. It is simply your selfish, egoistic self crying out for attention and self-worship! Let it go and treat people with courtesy, always! In the words of Bestselling Author and Speaker, James McNeil; ‘Treat everyone you meet with respect because everyone has something of inestimable value to add to the world.” Understand that we all want the same things: a deep need to be valued, appreciated and loved. “The basic building block of good communication is the feeling that every human being is unique and of value. ~Unknown~
6. Understand what dominant representational systems they are operating in, such as Visual, Kinesthetic, Auditory, Audio-Digital etc. Then, respectfully, enter their version of the world and then gently bring them out to a good meeting point (Examples; Avoid interrupting auditory people, use/mirror body language with people who are more kinesthetic and use words to paint a vivid picture with visual people).
7. Be comfortable with silence…allow the pauses in conversations to breathe, connect without words and give room for the other party to collect and articulate their thoughts. It is okay to be quiet if you have nothing to say. It is better to be a great listener than to pretend to ‘fake it’ and speak about things that you are clearly not versed in. “If you have nothing to say, say nothing. It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” ~Mark Twain~
8. Perception is projection. This framework of thinking popularized by Carl Jung simply posits that everybody standing before you is a projection of your unconscious mind. So in communicating, it is critical to be gentle with others and be gentle with yourself. Avoid being judgmental. It blocks the information and connection pathways between people. “When you judge people, you have no time to love them.” ~Mother Teresa~
9. Create healthy boundaries in all your interactions. Be clear on what your value system is and understand your guiding principles. Once you have clarity on who you are, it is easier to communicate with others and share your essence with them. ”In the last analysis, what and who we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.” ~Stephen Covey~
10. Consciously enter a co-creative space and value plane with each interaction you engage in. Your mission is to speak from an empowered place and add value. Communicate from a state of awareness and do it with passion, power and purpose. You have the ability to lead the dance and direct the movie. And you must be present to do it well. If you are communicating to sell products or services, be aware that there is a shift towards an empathy-driven and value-based economy.
Now more than ever, all other parameters being equal (service quality, benefits and product performance etc.), people tend to buy from and/or do business with those they know, like and trust. “In today’s world, it is more difficult to fake integrity. All the skills in the world are for naught if you do not communicate and operate from an authentic core.” ~Bob Burg~
11. Post-conversations/interactions, release people with love in your heart. Every opportunity you get to network and interact with others is an opportunity to improve your communication skills. Simply reflect on all your interactions, take the learning, celebrate what you did great, identify what needs improving and resolve to do better next time!
Join the conversation on our Facebook page and share your what’s working well for you so far! Let’s connect better by communicating better!
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The preceding is a guest post from Juliet Ume, MBA –Wealth Management Consultant & Life-Coach at Whole Woman Network. Juliet is an avid Life Connoisseur and a passionate advocate of WomEntrepreneurship, Investment & Financial Literacy for women. Her mission is simply to engage women, regardless of their levels of income or background, to return to ‘wholeness’ and live Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier Lives using Faith-Based, Scientific and Common-Sense principles! Follow her on Twitter: @wholewomaninc, @julietumeinc
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Following your way to GREATNESS!
Posted on: April 27, 2013
“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.” ~Edmund Lee~ 
Here are 7 Quotes and nuggets of wisdom to buttress the need for you to constantly surround yourself with the right people, environment and opportunities. Greatness can be attained by constantly following others who reflect that which you seek to have. Meditate and Reflect on the following and take ACTION towards a Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier YOU!
1. ”Celebrity-worship and hero-worship should not be confused. Yet we confuse them everyday, and by doing so we come dangerously close to depriving ourselves of all real role models. We lose sight of the men and women who do not simply SEEM great because they are famous but are famous because they are great. We come closer and closer to degrading all fame to notoriety. ~ Daniel J. Boorstin~
2. “Who and What you stare at and listen to long enough, you begin to look and think like.” ~An old African proverb~
3. “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” ~Jim Rohn~
4. “People inspire you or they drain you, pick wisely!” ~Hans F. Hansen~
5. “Create a set of great personal values and surround yourself with the right people that can form your support system. Have an optimistic spirit and develop a strong purpose that you completely believe in and everything you can imagine is possible, for you.” ~Andrew Horton~
6. “If you find yourself at the head of the class, you’re in the wrong class. It’s time to find a new class.” ~John Maxwell~
7. “No matter how skillful you are, if you are with the wrong team your star will not shine. You’ll only keep struggling but results will be far from you. Quit ‘Camp Losing’ for ‘Camp Winning’. Surround yourself with a bunch of winners and see yourself winning big.” ~Unknown~
Have a deep awareness of the environment you’re in, either by choice or by default. Who and What are you surrounding yourself with? Who and What are you constantly watching and listening to, in real life, on the radio, television, internet? In a fight between you and your environment, chances are your environment often wins! So if your physical universe is strife with corruption, evil and indiscipline, counteract it by reading motivational, inspiring and life-transforming books.
The more you complain and talk about what is NOT right, the more it sucks you in. Look for positive lights in the seeming darkness, seek out other like-minded people who want to make a difference, no matter how small. FOCUS on what can be and use up your energy to add value. WE create the society of our dreams. To know better and not do better is an even bigger pain and disservice!
Learn to be a fantastic FOLLOWER. Follow great people, follow happy & joyous people, follow wise people, follow people making a meaningful difference, follow healthy people, follow ethical people who are wealth & value-creators, follow people who’re beautiful inside-out, follow successful experts in the fields you’re interested in, follow focused people, follow all that is great and wonderful. Follow people that will challenge, motivate and inspire you to ACTION! It is a fact that their aura will rub off on you because you BECOME that which you constantly surround yourself with.
Are you far from the vision of your life? Then check the crowd you’re presently in. Adapt a new middle name: ‘FOLLOW-FOLLOW’. I do not refer to the blind, ego-stroking, sycophantic, worship of supposedly ‘successful’ crooks! I mean a beautiful, humble mentor-mentee relationship based on an exchange of values because we are all INTRINSICALLY VALUABLE!
Your environment either shapes you or you adapt to it. Very few people have succeeded in shaping their environments. So be careful of what and who you are allowing into your space. Learn from mentors and role models around you, adapt their principles, strategies and and apply in your life.Yes, you can CHOOSE to follow your way to GREATNESS.”
In the words of Tony Robbins: ”You simply become who you spend time with.”
Add this to your ‘TO DO’ list this week:
1. Identify and write down 3 key areas you wish to grow and develop in (They may be in your professional/personal life);
2. Identify 3 role models/mentors who are at the top of their game in these areas;
3. Follow them! Join their mailing lists, sign up for their webinars, seminars, workshops etc
4. Apply at least one learning from them to your life each week;
5. Keep on practicing what you’ve learned until it becomes a part of your neurology i.e. you cannot help but do it!
Send us an email (wholewomannetworkinc@gmail.com) with weekly updates on your journey to greatness. As always, WWN’s will give away a motivational book at the end of May to one one lucky participant. Remember, life is a wonderful game. Play at 100% or NOT at all! Have fun and Good luck!!
Bloggers Note. From a grateful heart, with love: I am thankful for the following Heroes and SHEroes who have shaped and continue to shape the person I am and becoming. Some have passed away, some I have met in person and others have become close friends and invaluable cyber-mentors: My ancestors, my mom, Bridget Ume, My dad, Cyprian Ume(RIP), All my ‘sister-friends’ (you all know yourselves…), Marie Forleo, Mary Okobi (RIP), Crystal Andrus, Ali Brown, Oby Ezekwesili, Chimamanda Adichie, Kim Redman, Kathy Ireland, Eugenia Abu, Les Brown, Sandi Krakowski, Tony Robbins, Uche Eze, Jerry Roberts, Jordan Adler, Cody Bateman, Hilary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Iyanla Vanzant, Leke Alder, Funmi Iyanda, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Marianne Williamson, Pope John Paul II (RIP), T. Harv Eker, Suze Orman, Gail Vaz-Oxlade, Bimbo Odukoya (RIP), Joyce Meyer, Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, the coaching and wealth management community and so many more, especially the everyday people I meet daily, who have taken up the courage to live their best lives NOW, with purpose, passion and power! And to people I have never met who have DECIDED to share their hearts, stories and make a difference in the lives of others! We are all connected, and we all share a common humanity.
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The preceding is a guest post from Juliet Ume, MBA –Wealth Management Consultant & Life-Coach at Whole Woman Network. Juliet is an avid Life Connoisseur and a passionate advocate of WomEntrepreneurship, Investment & Financial Literacy for women. Her mission is simply to engage women, regardless of their levels of income or background, to return to ‘wholeness’ and live Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier Lives using Faith-Based, Scientific and Common-Sense principles! Follow her on Twitter: @wholewomaninc, @julietumeinc
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- Motivational Monday #55 A Passion to be Great (edenchanges.wordpress.com)
- Tony Robbins – Tiny Changes Bring HUGE Results! (empowernetwork.com)
- 12 Great Motivational Quotes for 2013 (empowernetwork.com)
- Who do you spend your time with? (designafearlesslife.com)
WWN’s Total Transformation and Life-Coaching Program: ’90-Days to a Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier YOU!’
Posted on: April 26, 2013
This Life-Transforming Coaching Program is definitely for you if:
YOU feel a big disconnect between the life you’re living now and your inner life’s purpose and passions and you want to unlock your potentials;
YOU sometimes feel a sense of being ‘stuck’ and held back as a result of upbringing, culture, society, religion, environment, status, media and family;
YOU want to find your inner voice, use it, simply let your voice be heard and make a difference;
YOU have a burning desire to create and live your best life NOW. You are ready to unlearn a lifetime of unhealthy habits based on ‘scarcity’ and ‘being broken’ and replace them with new choices based on a mindset of ‘abundance’ and ‘wholeness’;
YOU are ready to re-focus and re-install healthy wealth strategies and achieve the 3 silos of wealth: financial stability, financial independence and financial freedom;
YOU feel stressed-out, burnt-out, over-extended, over-worked, under-appreciated and want to achieve a healthy balance in your work-life choices;
YOU are sick and tired of playing the ‘Shame-Blame-Pain’ game and you’re ready to break the cycle, own your crap, re-frame past events and celebrate life NOW by taking empowered action steps;
YOU are willing to play and engage in the game of life at 100%, take personal responsibility and accountability of your reality and develop a new Physiology and Psychology of Excellence;
YOU want to establish healthy boundaries for yourself and loved ones (spouses, siblings, parents, in-laws, friends and colleagues);
YOU are ready to get off the ‘toxic’ fence and take concrete action towards your magnificent self;
YOU desire to gain mastery and take control of your financial, physical, emotional and spiritual health and want to learn how to monetize your skills, talents, passions and pains;
YOU are willing to surrender your ‘egoic’ self and your attachment to being ‘right’ and ‘broke’ and finally re-claim your gift of a joyous, healthy, wealthy and abundant life;
YOU are overwhelmed, financially stressed and living from one pay-cheque to one week before another pay-cheque;
YOU feel held down and weighed down by past hurts, pains, limiting beliefs and negative emotions;
YOU are finally willing to stop re-playing the stories of drama and self sabotage in your head and start celebrating self-love today;
YOU are willing and ready to make the mental shift from the victim (‘woe me’) quadrant to an empowered victor (‘wow me’) quadrant;
YOU want to break out of the ‘rat race’, stop working for money and create new sustainable patterns and strategies to make your money work for you;
YOU are struggling to make your ends meet in life and seeking skills to empower you so that you can better manage your resources: time, energy, networks and money;
YOU want to experience beauty from the inside-out; to transform from drab and flabby to fabulous and sexy, and step out into life in colours, with a new confident bounce in your smile, walk and talk;
YOU want to step into your Empowered self and claim your ‘Fundamental Woman Right’ to a life of Love, Respect and Joy;
YOU have a deep passion and burning desire to empower others and a keen desire to leave a worthy legacy behind!
ABOUT US:
Whole Woman Network is a Wealth Management and Life-Coaching Social Enterprise for women of colour. Our belief is that all women, regardless of income levels and backgrounds, can be equipped with the right tools to live their healthiest, Sexiest, Wealthiest lives!Whole Woman Network
At Whole Woman Network, we take a unique approach to Life-Coaching. Our coaching program is based on: Faith-based principles, Science (Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Behavioral Science, and top Mind-Body Tools such as Time-Line Therapy™), Universal principles and plain old ‘Common-Practical’ Sense!
It is a tested approach that is results-driven and based on agreed upon measurable outcomes. We understand the critical roles of mindset, society, education, culture and faith on shaping human habits, behaviour and character. Thus, the focus is on sustainable behavioral re-patterning and ACTIONABLE steps! We aim to provide women of colour with a compelling ‘call-to-action’ on issues affecting their overall well-being (with an emphasis on wealth, financial literacy and financial stress management), by empowering them with tools to gain mastery over ALL facets of their lives.
“The old way of thinking is as if you were the lowly servant of a king or the daughter of a slave. This old way is built on a fallacy and pre-supposes that you are broken and incomplete. It’s a new dawn. The new message is that you are and have always been the daughter of a KING. You are complete. It is based on an eternal TRUTH! This is the season to return to wholeness. Step into your magnificence. Greatness resides in YOU! The world is waiting for you.”
~Excerpt from WWN’s Total Transformation & Life-Coaching Journal: ’Take ACTION towards a Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier YOU! ~
For more information contact us:
Phone: +1905.709.5866
Email: wholewomannetworkinc@gmail.com
Celebrate National Poetry Month this April, turn off your TV sets and read a good book!
Posted on: April 2, 2013
This April marks the 15th anniversary of National Poetry Month across Canada! Celebrate the power and beauty of words with your children, spouses, friends and colleagues. Turn off the TV sets for at least one day in April and spend time re-connecting through a diverse collection of oral and written works of poetry. And if poetry is not quite your thing, simply pick up a good book and read! Lest we relegate poetry to a lost art in this age of constantly evolving technology….we can all agree that ‘texting’ has done more than enough damage to the art of writing.
History of National Poetry Month in Canada
Established in Canada in April 1999 by the League, National Poetry Month brings together schools, publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, and poets across the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in Canada’s culture. Communities and businesses participate through readings, festivals, book displays, and other events.
The goal of National Poetry Month is to expand and educate poetry audiences, especially young audiences, and to increase the profile of poetry and poets, while boosting sales of Canadian poetry books. National Poetry Month has inspired an increase in reading, writing and teaching of Canadian poetry. National, provincial and regional media report on many National Poetry Month events, review poetry books and interview poets. (Source: Poet.ca, accessed April 1, 2013, 9:20 pm EST)
CBC ‘Canada Writes’ Poetry Contest
Competition opens: March 1, 2013
Deadline to submit: May 1, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. ET
This prize is awarded once a year to the best original, unpublished, poem or poetry collection submitted to the competition. All Canadians can participate.
The competition is blind. A jury composed of well-known and respected Canadian authors will select a 1st place winner and 4 runners-up.
The First Prize winner will receive $6,000, courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts, and will have his/her poetry published in Air Canada’s enRoute magazine and on the Canada Writes website. He or she will also be awarded a two-week residency at The Banff Centre‘s Leighton Artists’ Colony (details about the residency here), and will be interviewed on CBC Radio’s The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers.
The 4 runners-up will each receive $1,000, courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts, and their stories will be published on the Canada Writes website.
Submissions to the poetry category must be between 400 and 600 words.
A fee of $25.00 (taxes included) for administration purposes is required for each entry. For more information, visit this website: CBC Canada Writes.
Events in York Region:
Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Central Library in Richmond Hill. Join the Whole Woman Network team there for a magical day of words.
Related articles
- A Poem a Day for National Poetry Month | The Arkside of Thought (kingmidgetramblings.wordpress.com)
- April is National Poetry Month. But, wait, poetry is dead! (amdrkhe.wordpress.com)
- Poetry Challenge for April (womenwritersofthetriad.wordpress.com)
Why is financial literacy a necessary skill for couples in today’s evolving world? According to a survey done by the Huffington Post in 2012, the #1 cause of divorce was NOT infidelity but Financial Stress (and this is a worldwide trend!) Surprised? Well, don’t be. Financial compatibility is very important to the overall health of a relationship because it is a powerful indicator of how other areas will manifest. Is money used as a tool to control and manipulate OR as a tool to empower and create a more loving relationship?
A couple’s mindset on money matters often influences their individual and collective approach to life in general, their faith and how they worship God, their parenting styles, how they show emotions, their spending/saving habits, how they accumulate and view debt, how they solve problems, their relationship with in-laws and other extended family members, their ability to plan, be responsible and the actions (or inactions) they take. 
Is financial literacy important for couples? You bet it is! The present economic climate has changed the dynamics of most relationships, there’s a lot of unpredictability in the business and work environments. Coupled with the fact that women are increasing becoming more educated, thus taking advantage of more career opportunities, the dynamics in most homes have changed.
Furthermore, the era of clearly defined responsibilities for each party in a relationship are fast coming to an end. Most men are no longer the primary breadwinner. Not because of choice or abilities but because of opportunities available and the rising cost of living! Yes, it is indeed time to make ‘money-talk’ part of your ‘pillow-talk’. There’s a pseudo reversal of roles and in some cases, a total blurring of lines regarding the roles for each person in a relationship.
We all know what happens when members of a team have no clear ideas of what constitute their roles/responsibilities: CHAOS, RESENTMENT, STRESS, BREAKDOWN OF COMMUNICATION etc. Besides, we now live in a ‘purpose-focused and empathy-driven economy’ in which more and more people are turning their passions into businesses and taking the non-traditional routes to financial independence and freedom. This often takes a toll on the financial stability of a family. Financial stress is real and must be addressed in time before it degenerates into something more serious!
Here are some general money tips for married couples:
1. Couples must seek to understand and appreciate that they each come from different backgrounds, with different ingrained perspectives of money and wealth management. However, they must willingly and consciously create a common-ground and evolve a united vision that accommodates their respective values, backgrounds, personalities and goals. Each party needs wisdom, a spirit of discernment and a deep sense humility in order to navigate the resulting mesh of cultures and perspectives;
2. As a matter of priority, women must begin to take a more proactive role in the overall financial well-being of their families. This is a role that has been traditionally reserved for only men. Now, more than ever, men seek partners in progress and not merely dependent spouses. And vice versa. Both parties must respect the fact that each person brings value to the relationship. You have something to offer, even if you are a stay-at-home mom/housewife, your ideas and insights are worth more than gold! A team of two offers better perspective than a single individual. Working together also reduces physical, mental and emotional stress and conversely, increases the couple’s ability to bond with and respect each other.
3. Couples must focus on what they want to achieve with money rather than money in itself. Establish the short and long-term goals of the family and also your individual goals. Be specific in mapping out your plans on the type of life you want to live: the home(s) to purchase, cars, children’s education, budget for caring for your loved ones (parents, siblings, family members), mechanism for giving back to society/charities, tithing, set aside funds for fun, entertainment, travel and leisure, professional and personal development/education, retirement and legacy plans (wills, estate planning, trusts) etc.
4. Set boundaries and have clarity on what are acceptable ‘money behaviours’ and what constitute unacceptable ‘deal breakers’. Hold each other accountable and establish consequences;
5. Always act in the overall interest of your family and know when to compromise and make necessary sacrifices;
6. Family budgets: Have a personal budget and also have a family budget. Most importantly, ensure that they both align (note: your personal money goals must not be at variance with the overall family goals, if they are, seek ways to integrate them). Do not become slaves to money by working your whole lives without creating time to spend together; working for hours to pay for a mortgage without actually spending time to create wonderful memories in the home, buying gifts without giving your hearts and placing unreasonable monetary demands on each other, just to keep up with appearances! Make sure that you have a healthy balance between enjoying what money can buy for you and the glorious God-given gifts of love, laughter and life;
7. Have plans and time-lines for moving through the 3 silos of wealth: i. Financial Stability ii. Financial Independence and iii. Financial Freedom. Communicate and be clear on what each phase means to you. Hire a Financial Advisor and/or Money Coach to guide you. You do not know it all! And a third party often offers a unique and insightful perspective;
8. As soon as you get married and/or have children, it is no longer about YOU! You are now part of a team and that team is only as strong as its weakest member. There should be no room for selfishness or anything ‘self’. You must work as a team or risk total failure and misery. This is time to think about various risk management strategies: wills, estate-planning, insurance, long-term care(especially if you have kids with special needs, have a high-risk career or have a family pre-disposition to certain diseases). And hire a financial advisor, money coach or wealth consultant when necessary;
9. Your plans are not permanently carved in stone. Revisit, revise and refine them. Life happens, just don’t let it ‘happen’ to you. Be the one in the driver’s seat. Financial freedom for couples is less about ‘money’ and more about learning to communicate, to take control and have mastery of both the financial and non-financial areas of your life. It is about building good habits and becoming a ‘guru’ at matching your supply to your demand (with lots of room to indulge and have fun!)
10. As you adapt to the ever-changing economic and environmental realities, make sure that all your actions are hinged on basic universal/faith-based principles of love, respect, reciprocity and accountability. Build your financial foundation God, on the divine and universal principles. Make your plans from a place of deep faith, contentment, wisdom, abundance and authenticity! Avoid a head-space and mentality of selfishness, consumerism, ego and lack/mind-poverty. Remember, if the biggest problems in your relationships are money problems, you really do NOT have any serious problems! Celebrate your health, your family, your friends and your passions. Money is merely one of many fruits in life. It is a tool and NOT an end in itself! Focus on the seeds, on the roots and you will enjoy a joyous, purposeful life. Look around and within you, count your blessings and enjoy your relationships.
In conclusion, couples must rise to the occasion and be consciously involved in charting and implementing a joint financial plan, together. They should develop a financial blueprint, be on the same page in order to build sustainable wealth, live a fulfilling life and leave an enduring legacy behind. If you plan well together, you’ll plug your ‘leaks’ and discover that you ALREADY have more than enough.
Interested in learning more tips about navigating financial stress? Send us an email (info@wholewomannetwork.com) and sign up for WWN’s Financial Literacy Program for couples. We use Faith-based Principles of wealth, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Adlerian principles and plain old ‘common-sense’ to change your money blue-print/DNA and redefine your ‘wealth’ mindset.
Money is not just tangible, it is also an energy. Discover how to live a happy, purposeful life of abundance and not one of ‘lack’ (no matter how much you earn). Learn how to view ‘money’ as a conceptual tool and gain mastery over it!
“A family that Prays together, Plays together, Saves and Invests together, most likely stays together and happily so! Time to make ‘money-talk’ part of your ‘pillow talk’, resolve your money matters today before they become serious life matters tomorrow! ” ~Whole Woman Network~
Live beautifully, live passionately, live freely.
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Remember, you are not ordinary, you are divinely unique.
You are WOW (Wonderful One-of-a-kind Woman)!
w(H)olistically Yours,
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The preceding is a guest post from Juliet Ume, MBA –Wealth Management Consultant & Life-Coach at Whole Woman Network. Juliet is an avid Life Connoisseur and a passionate advocate of WomEntrepreneurship, Investment & Financial Literacy for women. Her mission is simply to engage women to return to ‘wholeness’ and live Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier Lives using Faith-Based, Scientific and Common-Sense principles! Follow her on Twitter: @wholewomaninc, @julietumeinc
Related articles
- How to Help Your Kids Be Financially Literate (ally.com)
- Jacob Gold: Let’s Talk Money (huffingtonpost.com)
- Money is the new pillow talk (uswitch.com)
- Couples’ Money Secrets: Financial Counselors Reveal Tales of Lies and Debt (dailyfinance.com)
For all women of African Descent: 10 Reasons why Hydroquinone is bad for your skin!
Posted on: January 3, 2013
Genevieve Nnaji
An important message to all women of African Descent: Dear sisters, please! please! please! Learn to love the beautiful skin you’re in; dark, brown, light. Just own it! There’s nothing wrong in wanting to look your radiant best but use healthy and sustainable products or methods.
There is a big difference between seeking a glowing, healthy and even-toned skin and an unhealthy fixation on becoming light-skinned by using harmful skin products/chemicals. The former comes from a place of ‘wholeness’ while the often latter stems from a deep-seated sense of ’insecurity’.
“Take good care of your skin, for it houses your body, and your body is the only true home you’ll ever reside in. For as long as you are alive, it is the home that you can never run away from.”
~Whole Woman Network~
There was a recent study done at the University of Capetown that suggests 1 in 3 women in South Africa bleaches her skin. Unconfirmed reports from the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), also suggests that 77% of Nigerian women bleach their skin! There are similar stories in Ghana, Liberia, Senegal etc. All across Africa and even Asia, the habit of skin bleaching is becoming more and more prevalent.
Look around you and the signs are everywhere. You probably know a friend, aunty, sister, neighbour, colleague who is fixated on skin-bleaching.
Nadia Buari
For women of African descent, the scourge of skin bleaching is made worse because most women (and even men!) use creams made with the potent bleaching agent: Hydroquinone.
Some important facts about Hydroquinone:
1. Hydroquinone works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which is important in skin pigment (melanin) development. It is important to be aware that Melanin actually provides protection against UV radiation. It is more effective than any sunscreen known to man. It diffuses UV radiation and turns it into harmless heat.
2. Combining Hydroquinone with skin products that contain benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or other peroxides, (found in most acne treatment) is harmful to the skin. This causes temporary staining of the skin. Also hydroquinone should not be used with any of the new resorcinol-based skin lightening treatments such as Clinique dark spot corrector.
3. 4% and above hydroquinone concentration is generally considered by most dermatologists to be one of the most effective skin-lightening and age spot-brightening agents. Overall, it is considered to be safer for Caucasians and light-skinned asians BUT not as safe for darker-skinned people (Africans).
Are you a woman of African Descent? Here are 10 Reasons why Hydroquinone is bad for your skin:
1. It is harmful to your health! Although many European and American researchers argue that hydroquinone has NOT been directly linked to Cancer in humans only to mice. However, Hydroquinone clearly has a proven serious side-effect on humans as it causes pigmentation of the eye and permanent corneal damage (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venearology, 2006). This only occurs when the eye is directly exposed to hydroquinone (So if you are still bent on using hydroquinone based products, avoid direct contact with the eyes).
2. It causes Ochronosis: For lighter-skinned women of colour (Indians, Chinese, Filipinos etc), dermatologists often recommend the use of hydroquinone in 3 to 4 months cycles and then alternated with less harmful lightening products. However, in darker skinned women (particularly of African descent), continued use of hydroquinone has been associated with ochronosis, which is a skin disorder characterized by progressive sooty darkening of the skin.
3. It whitens skin by killing your skin’s pigment cells. It also degenerates collagen and elastin fibres in the skin (Note: Collagen should be strengthened in order to have a youthful, smooth and glowing skin!)
4. Using Hydroquinone is counter-productive. It defeats the purpose which you want it to achieve. You want glowing, radiant, healthy and brighter skin. The long-term use only leads to these horrible signs and effects: unseemly dark knuckles and ankles, unsightly purplish vericose veins, a patch-work of colours on once beautiful skin. Have a rethink!
5. It can cause irritation and contact dermatitis and increases the risk of other types of skin irritation and/or severe itching.
6. Even if you succeed in bleaching the skin whiter with hydroquinone products, it often has an unhealthy, pasty look. Also, once you stop using it, your skin re-darkens. And since using it long-term is unhealthy, it’s basically a catch-22 situation!
7. If you live in the tropical region, the combination of hydroquinone and the sun is a bad one. Increased risk of ochronosis have been linked to excess sun exposure while using hydroquinone. As such, dermatologists often recommend to always use hydroquinone with a sunscreen. (Note: In the hot African climate, sometimes, even sunscreens do not offer enough protection for the skin!)
8. Most products with hydroquinone have an awful smell and cause intense body heat and sweating. Users often try to mask the odour by profuse use of perfumes which seems to make it even worse. There is off-the-shelf hydroquinone-based product(s) that’s so potent that users have to constantly stay in air-conditioned rooms!
9. It thins out the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), which is dangerous especially during or post- surgical procedures, as it may take the skin a longer time to heal from cuts, wounds and/or stitches.
10. It ages your skin and as you get older the effects become even more pronounced. It is not a pretty sight to see someone whose skin has been damaged by prolonged years of hydroquinone use! Age gracefully and not with disgrace. Love your skin today so that it keeps well and not fall apart tomorrow.
Iman
As one gets older, it is not uncommon to have the skin lose its luster, glow and smoothness. It may be due to a number of factors: age-spots, pregnancy, hyper-pigmentation, post-inflammatory pigmentation, melasma, sun damage due to over exposure, stress, poor diet, lack of exercise and improper sleeping patterns. This may be corrected by using the right skin brighteners, vitamin/supplements and eating a proper diet.
Healthier alternatives to Hydroquinone
If you still desire a lighter, brighter skin tone, some healthier alternatives are products with Kojic acid, Azelaic acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C etc.
1. A healthier skin lightening agent highly recommended by award-winning scientific researcher and writer, Nicki Zevola, (Founder and CEO of FutureDerm) is Cape Fear Naturals Kojic Acid Cream Skin Brightener ($11.95, Amazon.com) with 4% kojic acid, the highest concentration available on the North American market without a prescription.
2. Lumixyl: This was recently developed by Stanford University researchers and has been found to be effective in the treatment of melasma, and general brown patches. It is said to deliver results similar to hydroquinone, but without the toxicity. One of the best product in the Lumixyl line is the Topical Brightening Creme, which contains a non-toxic and non-irritating peptide that you can use indefinitely—no need to stop after a few months like Hydroquinone. It can only be obtained from participating physicians. (Note: The product is still relatively new, it was released in 2009, so there few studies of noted side effects thus far). If you are interested in purchasing it, send us an email at wholewomannetworkinc@gmail.com
3. Cod Liver Oil! According to the recommendations of the Weston A. Price Foundation, which can be found here, CLO is great for treating both acne and dullness of skin. After 8 weeks of use, there is a very noticeable brightness and radiance of the skin. According to Michelle of beautyeditor.ca (The WWN community follow her insightful recommendations on all things skincare), the best kind of CLO is the high-quality, fermented variety because the cheaper, highly-processed ones tend to be stripped of the very vitamins that make them beneficial (for your skin and health). Her brand of choice is Green Pasture’s (which can be ordered from the U.S.). She also recommends Carlson, the Norwegian brand of CLO. Note that the cod liver oil/high-vitamin butter oil blend, is said to be even MORE effective than the CLO alone.
4. Know your Minerals and Vitamins! Vitamin A, E and C are particularly good for radiant and brighter skin. They reduce sunspots, skin dullness, wrinkles, UV-induced erythema and sunburn and increase skin firmness and elasticity.
5. Exercise and keep fit, stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet with foods rich in Omega-3. To learn more about the right fruits for a radiant, healthy complexion, see our previous post on ‘Eating’ your way to Beautiful Skin: http://wp.me/p1o3v6-9E.
Leila Lopes
So in conclusion, remember that the skin is the largest organ of the body, so we should take good and proper care of it. We all come in different shapes, sizes and colours. Our skin tones may fall across a wide spectrum similar to Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji, Supermodel Iman, Ms Universe 2011, Leila Lopes or Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari…yet the one thing that’s common to all of us is that we are African Queens, beautiful, radiant and regal!
So let’s celebrate the skin we’re in, nurture it and pamper it with natural and healthy oils/creams (such as Shea and Cocoa butters), healthy diets and proper habits of sleep, relaxation and exercise, rather than damage and disrespect it with harmful products and bad habits. So this new year, enjoy and celebrate the unique woman you are and love the skin you’re in!
Live beautifully, live passionately, live freely.
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Remember, you are not ordinary, you are divinely unique.
You are WOW (Wonderful One-of-a-kind Woman)!
w(H)olistically Yours,
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The preceding is a guest post from Juliet Ume, MBA –Wealth Management Consultant & Lifestyle Coach at Whole Woman Network. Juliet is an avid Life Connoisseur and a passionate advocate of WomEntrepreneurship, Investment & Financial Literacy for women. Her mission is simply to engage women to return to ‘wholeness’ and live Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier Lives! Follow her on Twitter: @wholewomaninc
Sources: Drugs.com, BBC Documentary on Skin Bleaching in South Africa, 2012, bbc.co.uk, (Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 1997), NAFDAC Nigeria, Futurederm.com, Beautyeditor.ca, (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venearology, 2006).
Related articles
- Fight Facial Aging with Chemical Peels, Laser Resurfacing and Dermabrasion (aboutplasticsurgery.com)
- Africa: Where black is not really beautiful (bbc.co.uk)
- How To Lose Weight and Look Young (ireport.cnn.com)
- Skin-lightening creams face west African backlash (guardian.co.uk)
- In: Beauty | Inspiration
- 3 Comments
We are bombarded with the images everywhere-skinny, sometimes unhealthy looking models and celebrities being held up by a jaundiced media as the definitive image of feminine beauty! And gullible fools that we are, we accept this misconception and even begin to develop and view our own body image through these foggy lens.
Recently, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, one of the most beautiful women in the world was the focus of the much debated issue of ‘beauty’ and the unreasonably high standards that society hold women to. For those of you who are fans of world cinema, in particular, India’s Bollywwod, she is a talented and outstanding leading lady who has featured in movies such as Devdas, Bride and Prejudice and Dhoom 2. She even held the title of Miss World in 1994 and is also a spokesperson for Revlon.
A few months after having her baby, she was heavily lambasted in her home country for not losing the ‘baby weight’ in stellar time. People were vicious in their criticisms, calling her ‘ugly’, ‘fat’, ‘dowdy’etc One of her critics had this to say: “She needs to learn from people like Victoria Beckham who are back to size zero weeks after their delivery.”
She took the criticisms in stride and in her usual classy manner silenced her naysayers by stating categorically that she is in no hurry to lose the few extra pounds she gained during her pregnancy and that she simply wants to ‘enjoy motherhood’. She hopes to get back in shape gradually, with exercise and a healthy diet, but her daughter’s welfare would be paramount.
Her response to the backlash represents a new voice for women around the world. We must be bold in celebrating who we are and loving ourselves just the way we are. It is great to work towards a sexier and lovelier you but it should be based on a healthy foundation and not a warped definition of beauty.
Ladies, let’s look at the concept of beauty holistically. Change happens; our bodies evolve over time due to age, childbirth, environmental pollutants, stress, health issues, hormonal changes and life in general. We can manage some of the fall-outs but we cannot eliminate them entirely.
Our hairs will turn grey, laugh lines will appear and then transform to deep wrinkles, breasts will sag, skin will lose its elasticity and youthful luster, our once smooth and silken skin will become a canvas to stubborn stretch marks, cellulite and brash varicose veins…..The fact that our bodies change does not make us less beautiful. This idea of holding ourselves to unreasonable and unhealthy standards of beauty has to stop! Arise and own your femininity. You are wonderfully made.
It is finally time to reclaim what it means to be beautiful. Yes, do a soul-searching exercise and ask yourselves this question: What does being beautiful look and feel like to you? Not society’s take on it. Forget about the popular magazine editor’s photo-shopped version, definitely not the delusional male fantasy version. There’s a reason why the world is made up of human beings and not clones and that’s exactly what makes it such an interesting place.
We all have different forms-body shapes, orientation, size, colour and texture. The focus should be on being healthy and not on mere vanity. Don’t get me wrong, looking good is great but a healthy body image is more important. It starts from the inside, from the mind, spirit and soul before reflecting outwards to the outside. People see you through your own eyes.
Remember, being beautiful and sexy is simply a state of mind; it’s an attitude, an essence, a feeling from the inside-out. It is an invisible sign around your neck that proclaims how much you love yourself, accept yourself and are comfortable in your own skin.
Want to bring your sexy back? Try adorning yourself with these inexpensive gifts: Respect for self and others, Joy, kindness, a sense of humour, curiosity, a sense of adventure, a healthy self-esteem, confidence and love! We do not have to bow to the dictates of a ‘photo-shopped’ world.
Live Beautifully! Live Passionately! Live Freely!
Blogger’s Note: Two Months after this post was published, Jennifer Livingston, a news anchor with CBS WKBT, stood up for herself and by extension, for all women who have been ridiculed, maligned, hurt, bullied because they did not fit into stereotypical images of beauty. The Whole Woman Network (WWN) community salutes the many ‘Jennifers’ out there in the real world. Women who work hard, raise families, give back to their communities. You are all beautiful! Here’s a clip of the amazing Ms Livingston: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUOpqd0rQSo
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Remember, you are not ordinary, you are divinely unique.
You are WOW (Wonderful One-of-a-kind Woman)!
w(H)olistically Yours,
BLOGGER BIO: The preceding blog entry is from Juliet Ume, MBA –Wealth Management Consultant & Lifestyle Coach at Whole Woman Network. Juliet is an avid Life Connoisseur and a passionate advocate of WomEntrepreneurship, Investment & Financial Literacy for women. Follow her on Twitter: @wholewomaninc
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- Love My REAL Body Campaign (iam30something.wordpress.com)
- Boosting Body Image and Self-Esteem (everydayhealth.com)
- Beauty has no size (hebslimdown.wordpress.com)
- That’s what makes YOU Beautiful … (simplymejustbe.wordpress.com)
“Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled.” ~Howard Stevenson~
This is a note for ‘reluctant’ Entrepreneurs!
To become a successful Entrepreneur, it is important to first establish what it means to be one. Most people erroneously believe that Entrepreneurship is limited to simply creating great and marketable inventions or running profitable businesses ventures.
You can be an employee with a regular 9-5 job and still be an ‘entrepreneur’. You can be in professional services and be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is LESS about a one-off or meteoric success but more about your attitude and mindset.
It is about how you monetize your skills and talents, your ability to see what isn’t visible to other people, a knack for creating comparative advantages and an ability to lead the curve.
Most significantly, entrepreneurship is reflected in your approach to problem-solving and risk-taking. (Note that entrepreneurs do not necessarily take bigger risks than others, rather, they have a deeper understanding of the ‘risk-reward’ relationship and manage it effectively with better creative and monetary payoffs and/or outcomes).
Entrepreneurship is a consistent and persistent process that is more about the journey and the commitment to creating better solutions without the constraints of resources.
As Howard Stevenson puts it: ” Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled.”
‘Reluctant’ Entrepreneurship’ is a growing trend, especially in this period of economic recession. It is also a more common feature among ‘womEntrepreneurs’, this is because women are affected by so many other factors which make their career growth path in the labour force non linear. Some examples of such factors are: Maternity leave, unexpected job loss and downsizing, taking time off to care for elderly parents (sandwich generation), growing desire towards socially responsible businesses etc.
So ladies, if you are not quite certain whether you are a reluctant entrepreneur, here are some pointers to give you better clarity:
1. You always seem to have great business ideas and concepts but lack the resources, discipline and focus to follow through on them and if you do follow through you make unrealistic financial projections.
2. You are thoroughly dissatisfied with your current job but you are caught in a familiar dilemma: to settle for a steady stream of income/security or dive into uncertain waters, pursuing a creative and fulfilling path with zero guarantee of success, monetary or otherwise!
3. You are skilled at providing valuable solutions and solving problems for friends, family and colleagues but you are still very uncomfortable with the concept of monetizing your skills.
4. You are certifiably unemployable; constantly attending events and networking, always seeking and open to new opportunities, diligently researching the viability of different products and services. However, you haven’t quite found real sustainable success with the ‘one’.
5. The only reason that you’re even considering entrepreneurship is due to a downturn in the economy and the fact that your chances of re-entering the labour market is almost non existent. You hope to be in business temporarily until you find work again.
6. You grew up in an environment where success was defined as being a professional-Doctor, lawyer, engineer, architect, accountant etc and so you succumbed to family and societal pressure, went through decades of schooling, earned multiple degree(s), got the 9-5 gig but always felt unfulfilled because you failed to act on those seemingly ‘unpractical ideas’ you’ve nurtured and refined over the years…..
If you identified with at least 2 of these points listed above, you’re most likely a reluctant entrepreneur!
So now that we’ve established that, lets share some tips and strategies on how to take some simple, practical yet effective steps and help you get off the fence, ‘own’ your entrepreneurial calling, ignite those dormant ‘passion’ business genes to dissolve your sense of reluctance and finally get you to be on the path of sustainable success.
Here are some simple steps to address the 6 points above:
1. Pick one of your business ideas, do your market research, test it, develop it, focus on it and run with it!
2. Work hard at your day job and work harder on your passion and/or idea. Continue doing both until the income from the latter surpasses the former or at least until your business becomes sustainable. Understand and use the different dimensions of time. Learn to leverage your resources (time, money, energy and networks).
3. Engage the services of a ‘life and business coach’ and turn your skills and passion into a money maker! (Tip: your local chamber or small business resource centre most likely offers this service for free). Whenever possible, learn to also pay for critical services or solutions that will take you to the next level. Begin to view money as a medium used to exchange values.
4. Network meaningfully with purpose and keep engaging/building up your prospect list while you decide on the product or service offering for your business. Position yourself as a resource person; offer value and proffer solutions to challenges for free and then learn how to monetize your skills by understanding your true worth.
5. Focus less on ‘why’ you are an entrepreneur and more on the ‘how’ to be a successful one. A focus on ‘HOW’ will lead to solutions, resources and collaboration/joint ventures. Take disciplined, consistent and focused ACTIONS. Have an accountability system and measure your results.
6. Surround yourself with successful entrepreneurs. If you can, find a mentor. Remember that they may cut across many different fields-business, arts, e-commerce, social media, education, medicine, education, not-for-profit, sports, religion etc You reflect the attitude and actions of those around you. Model excellent behaviour in others. Understand the different business models in your industry and choose the right one to build your business upon. Think of what you want your legacy to be and let that be your yardstick to stay focused and committed.
Entrepreneurship requires sustained passion and commitment, especially during tough periods of growth in your business. You cannot have the success you desire if you are ‘reluctant’ about your pursuit. You cannot be lukewarm in your approach by sitting on the fence, you need to get off the toxic fence and choose one side of the entrepreneurial divide; to be or not to be! You have to BE a success to be a success. In the words of the Nike slogan: Just do it! And do it with everything you have, for as long as it takes. No half-measures allowed! Remember that whatever you focus on, EXPANDS! So focus! focus! focus! Welcome to success.
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Remember, you are not ordinary, you are divinely unique.
You are WOW (Wonderful One-of-a-kind Woman)!
w(H)olistically Yours,
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The preceding is a guest post from Juliet Ume, MBA –Wealth Management Consultant & Life-Coach at Whole Woman Network. Juliet is an avid Life Connoisseur and a passionate advocate of WomEntrepreneurship, Leadership, Investment & Financial Literacy for women. Her mission is simply to engage women, regardless of their levels of income, to return to ‘wholeness’ and live Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier Lives using Faith-Based, Scientific and Common-Sense principles! Follow her on Twitter: @wholewomaninc, @julietumeinc
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- 5 Qualities Of A Great Entrepreneur (tech.li)
- The Myth of the Celebrity Entrepreneur (chrisyeh.blogspot.com)
- Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made? The Case for Entrepreneurship Studies (grasshopper.com)
- 9 Common Myths About Entrepreneurs (grasshopper.com)
- The Stupidly Easy Way to Figure Out if Entrepreneurship Is For You (millennialambitions.com)
- A Book in 5 Minutes: The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs (tech.co)
- The History of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria (omanjaf.wordpress.com)
