Health- Body Issues

Every girl wants to look good, but some girls take it to the extreme trying to be like Barbie dolls! Others just feel overcome with stress...

Most girls try to solve their body image issues or stress issues by being anorexic, bulimic or engaging in binge-eating.

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder where people refuse to maintain their normal healthy body weight by refusing to eat or eating very small amounts of food. Such people are afraid of gaining weight. Anorexia can lead to medical complications that can be cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrinal, gastrointestinal, and even dental problems. Anorexics also experience fatigue and low body temperature. So next time you feel you want to look like a Barbie doll…

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder where people take large amount of food for fear of weight gain they engage in various purging techniques. Such people induce vomiting, use laxatives or diuretics. Bulimics have various renal, gastrointestinal and dental problems. They abuse laxatives and have electrolyte abnormalities.

Binge-eating disorder on the other hand is a situation where one eats at several times a day without planning meals. Binge-eaters eat large amount of food due to stress, anxiety or depression. Women are reported to engage in binge-eating due to anxiety, depression, frustration or anger. Binge eating can lead to obesity, and obese binge eaters have mood and anxiety disorders and also psychosexual dysfunctions.

LOVING YOUR BODY

Your body image is how you see yourself and how you feel others see you. It’s a psychological thing because you tend to feel that way about yourself due to the stereotypes of the “right” body type or what you or see on TV. If everybody was a skinny actress, life wouldn’t be fun! It’s time for you to LOVE who you are!!!

STEPS TO MAINTAINING A GOOD BODY IMAGE

Accept yourself: the media has a way of making people look better than they actually do- a lot of good lighting, make-up, tailored clothes to fit and airbrushing. It’s not real! For goodness sake there are about 6 billion people on planet earth and no one is like you. You are special!!!

A Healthy body comes in all shapes and sizes. Focus on your good qualities, and if there is anything you can realistically and naturally change like your weight, then enrol in a gym, but anything you know you can’t then LOVE IT!

Never pick parts of your body to criticize always remember that it’s the whole person people see and not just your nose or your stomach.

Make a list of all the positive things about you and keep it where you can see it.

Become more physically active: engage in some kind of sport, or exercise routine. It would keep you fit and healthy.

Eat: food isn’t the enemy, eating healthy and regularly will actually help with weight loss once you are in control of your eating habits. Stay away from junk food and eat more fruits and vegetables when you feel hungry between meals.

In the mood for a quick snack? Try the simple cup-cake!

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups wheat flour
• 11/3 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ½   teaspoon salt
• ½ cup shortening/butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 2 large eggs 

Easy Cupcake Recipe Directions

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

-Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

-Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. 

-Add shortening/butter, milk, and vanilla.  Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. 

-Scrape side of bowl with a spatula.

-Add eggs to the mixture. 

-Beat for 1 minute on medium speed.  Scrape bowl again. Beat on high speed for 1 minute 30 seconds until well mixed.

-Spoon cupcake batter into paper liners until 1/2 to 2/3 full.

-Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.

-Cool 5 minutes in pans then remove and place on wire racks to cool completely.

-Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with your favourite frosting recipe, add cream, desirable topping or decorate as you desire.

-Note: once you know the basic recipe you can add any flavouring you like to make it yummy!

       

       

Careers- Interview with the CEO of Ldivaa Cosmetics

1)   Tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Lara Odumosu, I am a British born Nigerian living in the UK. I studied TV/Film Production at Leeds University. I love anything to do with creativity, fashion, sports and love.

    2) Tell us a bit about Ldivaa Cosmetics?

Ldivaa Cosmetics is a make-up and beauty line which exists to cater to everyone who wants to look, classy and retro! Levres Lipstick is the first product to come out and is already making hits all over the world!

   3)  When did you decide to create Ldivaa Cosmetics?

I guess it is something I have always had in me, but let’s not go into history, lol. The idea itself arose two years ago when I started to do things out of the ordinary like mix two bright lipsticks together and wear them at once, I started to get a lot of comments and people asking the exact shade and brand of lipstick, mascara or eyeliner I was wearing. I couldn’t tell them to buy ten different brands of make up like I was and start mixing to get the desired effect, so I decided with the strong encouragement of my fiancé to start my own makeup line.

4)     What sets Ldivaa Cosmetics apart from other cosmetic brands?

Ldivaa Cosmetics has a CEO that is not in it to make the money but to satisfy clients. As a woman, I have of course experienced a lot of disappointments when it came to buying make up that suits me perfectly. Sometimes you find the perfect lipstick shade but it’s too oily or you find the perfect texture but they don’t have the shade you like. The list is endless. The plan is to bring out cosmetic solutions that have not yet been dealt with. This is already happening with the Lipstick range. I personally found that I love the retro colours but most brands do them too glossy and it just does not look right on my big lips as an African woman, or they are so matte that they just dry out your lips badly. We have been able to deal with that problem now, our lipsticks give you a wide range of retro colours but don’t come glossy or oily and yet has a bit of lip balm in it to keep your lips moisturised. I could go on but, I’ll just stop here as I’m sure you get the gist.

      5) Are you involved in any other business?

Yes I am, but I won’t disclose just yet, it does have to do with TV AND Film though.

6)  What challenges do you face as a young female entrepreneur?

A lot, you do get people criticizing in the beginning and laughing at you that you are a dreamer, but like I said recently on twitter “Cheat on your fears, break up with your doubts, get engaged to your faith and marry your dreams!”, plus when you have the right family and friends around you, always supporting and encouraging, makes all the challenges interesting to deal with.

7) What inspires you?

My first inspiration is God, my relationship with Him gives me a constant reminder that I can do anything. Next are my parents who support me in whatever good thing I do no matter how crazy it may sound, then my husband to be who unlike a lot of African men is always beside me all the way, and finally my sister who is my best friend.

      8)  Entrepreneurs that are your role models.......

My father Jimi Odumosu, Tyra Banks, gosh there are loads of them.

9) Your philosophy.........

Hmmm, my philosophy…. Well my thing is, put God first in all you do, keep the right people around you and understand that mistakes are bound to happen, never beat yourself up over it, learn from it and move on!

10) Your advice to girls who would like to be entrepreneurs......

Girls, work hard and when you have a great idea, just get started, get started! When you do, you will find that you can only keep moving on, don’t worry about all the difficulties that may lie ahead because Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair all day, it keeps you busy but gets you nowhere, at least once you’ve started you have no choice but to continue because giving up is not even an option!

11) Where do you see your business and yourself as an entrepreneur in the next few years?

I see Ldivaa Cosmetics becoming a massive and well-known brand around the world, tending to the needs of women (and men in some cases) when it comes to make-up and beauty thereby giving Nigeria a good name yet again. As we can see that is already happening with music and movies. I am very proud to be Nigerian!

For more info on Ldivaa Cosmetics, follow @LevresByLdivaa on twitter and also look out for http://www.ldivaa.com/ coming real soon!

A few thoughts on being a Christian.... Written by Abiola.

In a world where it is unfashionable to believe in and love God, it is sometimes hard to be different. Being different means choosing an option that is seemingly less attractive or rewarding, or being ridiculed by others for being too pious; it may also result in outright opposition in response to views and actions that may be regarded as deluded or outdated. Professing Christianity in its truest form may actually be one of the hardest things to do in this day and age in our so-called enlightened society, in our culture where the human being is most esteemed in spite of his obvious past and present failings. I personally have made up my mind to walk with God. I will be the first person to tell you that this walk has had a flawed past and I am not confident enough to say that history will not repeat itself. This makes me despair sometimes and I think, what is the point? Surely, a God who is perfect and who wants us, and has even told us to be holy like him should make it easier for us to do so. So why do I keep falling short and doing wrong? Pride tends to be one of the big culprits bringing me to this state of mind, and indeed is behind a lot of the reasons why I return to this position time after time. And thoughtful reflection brings me back to the same conclusion. God is holy. I was a sinner and I have been saved by grace. God is not the reason I am like this, my own sinful nature is and it is He who is actually responsible for all the good in my life. He totally, wholly and faithfully loves me for who I am and guilt is not one of the things he gives to me. In remembering this, I can move on from this stage grateful for what I have in Him and ready to receive the next thing life has in store for me.

However, my flaws sometimes leave me feeling incapable. Not smart enough, not polished enough, not knowledgeable enough, and the list goes on. This can lead me to a state of inertia, incapable of doing anything because I am too frightened of the result. Past experiences scare me and future predictions scare me. It is not easy. Our society also, though generally tolerant, ridicules our beliefs and values and may make us question ourselves. I believe in a God but am I right to be so steadfast? Am I right to set standards for myself so high? Am I right to be so faithful to my beliefs for if I am wrong, will I have missed out on the ‘highlights’ of the alternative?

I ask myself these questions very often it seems, for whatever reason. I used to look at them as a burden but I am beginning to change my mind about them. For these questions make me reconsider what it is that makes God and His son Jesus so popular even today where it seems as if the odds are stacked against them. He has proved Himself to be true and faithful. We must not confuse God and His people, ever. They are family but they are not the same. His people are still capable of doing wicked things, for they are still in the flesh. Remembering this will help the world understand that the evil deeds of man (especially religious men) are not reflection of who He is. These questions help me recall who it is that still stirs the world and minds, great and small, even today. They remind me and convince me again that belief in him is better than non-belief in Him, give me that anytime. As I love Him, I want to be like Him and please Him and I must therefore align my thoughts and actions accordingly. The alternative, well, it is not so appetizing when you really stop and look past all the glamour and splendour with which it advertises itself. For beyond it tends to be a mixture of ugliness, pain and surprisingly, uncertainty that they might be getting it horrifically wrong.

And that is why I choose God. Well part of it anyway. Jesus says He is the way and the truth and the life and He came to save us and that He loves us. That is all I need to hear, living in a world that seems to have very little hope.

WHAT SHOULD BE IN EVERY GIRL’S BAG?

Ladies!!! It’s very important that you always have it together, not only for your personal hygiene but also because it could earn you extra points! ;)  We came up with a list of essentials that we think every girl should have in her bag. So whether it’s a tote or a hobo, make sure you stuff it all in! J

1) Wallet: A wallet is designed to hold all your important details. It should have everything from ATM cards, membership cards/ Ids, and of course, cash! $_$ LOL!

2) Lip balm/ lip gloss: This is soooo necessary especially for some of us that have lip allergies or chapped lips cause of extreme heat or cold. We recommend Vaseline for you! (Look out for those with Spf-15).

3) Facial wipes: Take away oil and dirt from your face after a long and sunny day!

4) Body Spray/ Perfume: Death to body odor!!! J

5) Breath Mints/ Gum: We all know that bad breath is a turn off, so stuff your bag with loads of chewing gum and mints.

6) Make-up bag: Powder, eye shadow, eyeliner and others should be in your make-up bag just in case you need to touch up that gorgeous face. ;)

7) I pod/ mp3 player (optional): if you’re a lover of entertainment, this would really help especially on car rides, train rides and long flights.

8) Sunglasses: We know its function!

9) Pen and notepad: For those days when you feel inspired or for school and work!

10) Snack/ Energy Bar: Yummm!!!… Always having something to snack on would keep you bubbly.

11) Keys: It’s important to carry only the keys you need and it’s always advisable to have the spare tucked away nicely just in case.

12) Cell Phone: Most Definitely!

13) Hand Sanitizer: This is sooo important because germs are everywhere, even where you least expect (ATM machines, door handles, laptops etc).

14) Hand Lotion: Keeps your hand moist and soft.

15) Feminine Hygiene Products: Sanitary pads and genital spray are so necessary, especially when it’s that time of the month.

16) Pepper Spray: if you’re ever in danger, you’ll need to pull out your pepper spray, but more importantly, run really fast and pray to God that you don’t get hurt! J

Stay Fab Guys! xx

Sibling Trouble

I thought my life was bad because everyone around me seemed to always make me go mad,   especially because I am the eldest girl in the midst of four annoying and lazy boys. I do all the house work and I never get a ‘thank you’, instead I get bossed around by my mum and I clean up the mess my brothers make. After all the work I sit down to watch TV and I can’t even enjoy it because my brothers start yelling till I change the channel for them to watch their stupid match which never ends…and at night I just spend it planning my escape.

For a while I have been in pain and I thought every other person around me was okay, till this afternoon.
I could not take it anymore and I started complaining to my friends, Cassandra and Derin.

Cassandra has been my friend for a while and all we talk about is her brother Andrew.
You see Cassandra is someone who looks happy but bears a lot, and today was the day I finally understood how she felt. she spent the afternoon complaining about her brother and how he always takes her friends away from her (I mean up till today, she hasn’t introduced me to him). She says she has no real friends and everyone wants to be her friend because she has a very cute brother, did I say cute?, I mean HOT brother! At first I thought it was nothing compared to my case, until I realised that to her, it's really a big deal because she even feels ignored by her parents too. She said her brother has been receiving awards since he was born and she just hates herself sometimes when she looks at him.

I thought only brothers were difficult to live with until Derin started telling us her own story.

Derin has five sisters and she feels like the ‘ugly duckling’ among them. She says she never gets attention. Infact, she said that one day she was with her twin sister and a guy walked up to them and said he wanted to talk to her sister and even referred to her as the maid. She also said that most guys she likes always end up losing interest in her when they see her twin sister.

It was getting too frustrating because we spent hours just talking about our issues without trying to solve the problem, so I decided to think of a solution so we could all be happy.

While I was caught up in my thoughts, I realised that some of our parents or sisters may have a hand in our issues, but we are in control of the situation and also how we see ourselves. I realised that I was not being neglected at all, in fact my mum always gives me special attention as the first girl and I enjoy a lot of privileges.

In Cassandra’s case, she didn’t have so many friends because she was always complaining, maybe if she didn't complain so much her friends wouldn’t leave her, no matter how HOT her brother is.

Derin is  actually a beautiful girl but she lacks confidence and grooming. she probably wouldn't have been referred to as a maid if she were well-dressed. A lot of people say that women who get attention are not just pretty but very confident and I feel that is all Derin needs! There you have it, problem solved! Our families are not perfect but good enough, worse things could happen. I guess most of the problems were just due to a lack of understanding of ourselves and our siblings.

Summer Style: One dress- 2 looks by Oumou



Afternoon Cocktails





Casual Outing



What I’m wearing:   ZARA DRESS, GUESS PUMPS AND HOOPS, ALDO CLUTCH

During the summer - as for any other season - you always want to have versatile and comfortable pieces in your wardrobe that are easy to mix & match.

By pairing a summery colorful dress with high heels and a sleek clutch, you can achieve an elegant look to wear out for a special occasion, whether it’s an afternoon with friends or a date. On the other side, by pairing the dress with simple nude flats or colorful sandals and a casual bag, you’re able to dress it down and be prepared for running errands around town while looking stylish.

With such a colorful dress, it’s really important to play on the accessories to make the difference, without overdoing it. Take advantage of the large array of colors you find on the garment so you can make it your own. Happy summer! J

Check out Oumou’s awesome blog- http://www.mlletrendy.blogspot.com xx