What is good food? Within the context, the group creates two arguments, healthy food which is defined as any natural foods believed to promote or sustain good health (or foods containing essential nutrients that are grown without the use of pesticides and has a low-sodium or fat content), good tasting food defined as

Brittney Grant of Keepingupwithbritt.com

any savory food with a pleasant and fairly strong flavor (or food that is appetizing).

Both arguments are justifiable needless to say the paradigm within our food distribution system often times denies people in lower income communities the access to healthy high quality foods.

For decades, low-income communities have struggled with the lack of access to healthy, affordable food as many lack full-service grocery stores or farmer’s markets where residents have access to high-quality fruits, vegetables and whole-grains. Even with the recent rise of gentrification in many low-income neighborhoods, the quality of accessible healthy food has only merely improved. Many low-income neighborhoods remain stricken by unhealthy fast-food chains that serve high-cholesterol, nutrient–poor, foods at relatively low prices and with frequent consumption may lead to weight gain, lack of essential nutrients consumption, high cholesterol among many others.

When accessible, healthy food tends to be more expensive in terms of fiscal cost while foods containing added sugars and fats are generally inexpensive and more readily available in low-income communities. Even when healthy food is available, fresh produce including fruits vegetables, dairy and meat, it is often of the poorest quality.

In the pursuit of good food one must be willing to go the distance, whether it means traveling to neighborhoods outside of your own or shopping online to cut cost, all efforts are regarded in matters of sustaining a healthier life. Most importantly you must be willing to pay more for quality food, “good food”.

HERE ARE MY TOP 5 PLACES TO SHOP FOR “GOOD FOOD” & A FOOD KEY:

1- BUDGET FRIENDLY

2- LARGE VARIETY

3- HIGH QUALITY

4- CONVIENIENT

WHOLE FOODS MARKET- (2,3)

Although the most expensive on the list Whole Foods Market has some of the finest natural and organic foods available as it maintains one of the strictest quality standards in the industry. It’s wide variety of organic produce, large selection of locally grown food and products in addition to sustainable agriculture makes Whole Foods a lead contender of places to shop for “good food”.

TRADER JOE’S- (1,2,4)

Trader Joe’s is the most widely used place to shop for healthy food, as it is arguably the most affordable in terms of monetary cost. Trader Joe’s does an excellent job at providing great food at great prices. It offers a variety of products including gourmet foods, organic foods, vegetarian foods, frozen foods, imported wine and beer among many others, 80% of which bear one of its own brand names.

THRIVE MARKET-(1,2,3)

Although solely available online, Thrive Market has qualities of both whole foods and trader joe’s. Thrive Market is the first socially conscious online store offering the world’s best-selling natural and organic products at wholesale prices. Carrying over 2,500 of the highest quality food, supplements, home, personal care, and beauty products from over 400 of the best brands on the market at 25-50% off regular retail prices, Thrive Market is definitely one of best places to shop for “good food” at super affordable prices.

Visit Thrivemarket.com/KeepupwithBritt and try Thrive Market for FREE!

FARMER’S MARKET- (1,2,3,4)

The Farmer’s Market is the best place to get sustainable, locally – grown, organic produce. In addition to providing high quality natural and organic produce, shopping at your local farmer’s market helps. Support community agriculture and local business.

Check out grownyc.org to find local farmer’s market locations in NYC.

In search of any additional organic food markets in your neighborhood? Check out ‘The Ultimate List of Organic Stores” for yummy + nutritious food from PositiveHealthWellness.com.

https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/

Read more at Keepingupwithbritt.com

-Brittney Grant of Keepingupwithbritt.com

Summer is officially here which means more time in the sun. Here are some facts and tips to help you stay safe not only all summer, but all year around.

THE FACTS

Sunlight is made up of UV rays, waves of light that comes from the sun and is invisible to the naked eye. There are three types that can be easily broken down like such:

UVA = causes the breakdown of elastin and collagen, which causes the skin to sag aiding in the aging of skin

UVB = causes the skin to burn

UVC = only reaches the earth’s surface through holes in the ozone layer

UVA rays (long waves) are powerful enough to penetrate both clouds and glass

They are present during all daylight hours throughout the year. For UVB rays (short waves), they do not significantly penetrate glass, but they do reflect off both snow and ice double exposing you to their harm. UVB rays are most prevalent during the months of April and October between the hours of 10a.m. and 4p.m.

Excessive exposure to UV radiation can cause genetic mutations in the body causing skin cancer. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer once in their lifetime, and despite your skin tone or ethnicity, everyone… everyone is at risk of developing skin cancer.

We know, it’s a lot of information but we need you beauties to be informed! Skin cancer is a very serious issue, but with these tips and some of our favorite sunscreen products, we will help you get all the protection you need!

THE TIPS

There are two types of sunscreens on the market right now. Physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens work by reflecting UV rays off top of the skin and because they filter UVA and UVB rays they’re considered broad spectrum. Chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin and can take up to 30 minutes to take effect. Those with sensitive skin tend to like a physical sunscreen being that it doesn’t penetrate the skin. While those with deeper skin tones might prefer a chemical sunscreen due to the fact physical sunscreens tend to leave a gray cast.

To keep it simple, just remember the number 2! Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, use up to two ounces on the body (one shot glass full) and replace your sunscreen every 2 years!

Simple enough, right? Right! Here are so of our best sunscreen for all your sun care needs!

Best In Overall Body

• Supergoop Antioxidant- Infused Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C Broad Spectrum SPF 50
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45

Use a SPF between 30 and 50. Anything lower will not give you the protection you need, anything higher will cause you to neglect your skin and not apply every two hours.

Best For Face

• Murad Invisiblul Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++
• Shiseido Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 42 for Face

Both sunscreens can be used on all skin tones without the fear of making face complexions appear ashy. Also, if you use a face treatment serum that allows your dark spots and age marks to diminish, using a sunscreen is vital. Using a product like Clinique’s Even Better Serum, and not using a sunscreen will reverse the treatment making dark marks appear darker.

Best in Beauty

• Peter Thomas Instant Mineral SPF 45
• Supergoop Refreshing Setting Spray

Either one of these products can be applied directly over makeup, giving you the protection you need and helping your makeup to last all day.

Lips & Hands

• Sugar Lip Treatments SPF 15
• Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream SPF 15
• Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream SPF 25

The first signs of aging can be seen though our hands and lips, these are two of the most common places we tend to forget when we apply sunscreen.

–Autumn Marie

With wash and go season fast approaching. Here are our top five favorite conditioners to get you prep!

Corse, curly, wavy or over processed hair:

One might decide this texture as dry, unmanageable, and or frizzy. Conditioner aids in all three. When hair is conditioned properly (equally parts water to conditioner) hair instantly becomes softer to the touch.  While detangling corse, curly, wavy or over proceeded hair with conditioner, not only are you eliminating frizz by smoothing the conditioner on the your hair with your hands, but also exposing your true curl pattern (for my ladies who rock wash-and-goes, this step is extremely important).

Straight hair: One may describe this hair as oily toward the scalp and drier, frizzy (fly-a-ways) on the ends. When using conditioner, use it only on the ends to keep hair from being weighed down. Again, smoothing the conditioner with your hands is important to keep frizz at bay before blow drying.

Everything starts with moisture. The only true way to get moisture in your hair, is at the start of your hair routine. Shampooing with the right shampoo and of course conditioning. When hair is properly moisturized the results of your curly style and even your blowout last much longer hut most importantly looks way healthier.

Top Five Fav Conditioners!

Hair Rules Quench- $29.99

Aussie Moist – $5.49

Dry Bar Sake Bomb- $24.00

Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious

Tresemme Luxurious Moisture – $5.98

-Beauty Editor, Autumn Marie

Spring break is right around the corner! And it’s time for your sun kissed skin to look even more fab!

Check out our teen blogger, Ryan, as she shows you how to BUMP up your BEAUTY look this season!

Stay dope, loves!

Walking through the beauty aisle in the drug store, restocking on some needed essentials I’m immediately met with this overwhelming spectacle of red and pink teddy bears. Turn the corner, chocolates in big red boxes and on the opposite side a massive wall of red theme colored cards.  I started to think  “tis another holiday for red lipstick” and rolled my eyes just a little.

Now let me make two things very clear, I enjoy everything about Valentine’s Day and I love a classic red lip, anytime any day.  However (insert long dramatic pause), how often do we go to that particular scarlet shade for date night, during the holiday season, to do laundry, go to the grocery store or during sessions at the gym? (Or is this just me?) Let’s ditch the red lip this Valentine’s Day.

One lip shade that has made a statement over the last two years or so has come in hues of purple.  The night this majestic color captivated the world was the night of the 2014 Met Gala, where Joan Smalls graced the red carpet wearing a stunning Vera Wang gown (she was the designers date that night), bronze skin and this enticing purple shade of lipstick.  Joan reminded me of a modern day Aphrodite that night.  The purple lip shade, crafted by professional makeup artist Sir John B and Joan herself, a statement on it’s own, compliments Smalls glowing skin tone effortlessly. Joan’s flowing gown and fishtail braid completes this modern goddesses look.

Photo Credit: The Coveteur

Since, we have seen tons of celebrities hit the red carpet, give interviews and even host events in royal hues of purple.  Urban Decay makeup artist Shani Rich and Sephora Senior Artist Johan Castro weigh in on their favorite purple lip shades for all skin tones and ages, and how to wear them so you to can have your goddess moment.

What is your go-to purple lipstick?

“My go to purple lip color for all skin tones would have to be “ Matte After Dark” by Urban Decay” exclaims Shani Rich.  “It looks great on everyone and is good to wear all year round”.  “Try L.U.V by Kat Von D (one of my personal favorites) it is long lasting and looks great on every skin tone, especially if you’re hesitant on trying a full on purple lipstick.  This shade has a little fuchsia balancing it out perfectly.” suggest Johan.

On women of brown and deeper skin tones …

“A great shade for women of deeper skin tones would be “ZIPPER” liquid matte by Colourpop Cosmetics.  With this lip color I have to say less makeup is more.  The complexion should be clean with seamless foundation and contour application, and subtle highlight.  You don’t want to do to much as this lip color is bold and will stand out on it’s on.  Also, I would avoid matching the eye shadow with the lip.  That is a no-go and looks like way too much makeup.  Simplicity is key, especially when trying to achieve a flawless makeup application with deeper skin tones.” – Shani Rich

On women of light to medium skin tones …

“A great shade from women of light to medium skin tones is Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense 15.  This bold color is the perfect shade of purple. It won’t make your complexion appear washed out or as if you were about to relive your gothic teenage years.  The iridescence finish gives your entire complexion this subtle glow to it.  When wearing this shade make sure to apply tinted moisturizer or a sheer foundation to even out any redness in the skin, and play off that subtle glow from the lip color.  Avoid wearing heavy blush and opt for a bronzer or subtle highlight”. –Johan Castro

For our tweens …

I believe teenagers should wear lipgloss or very sheer lipsticks nothing too bold. Lipgloss is very age appropriate and still FUN! Like Sephora’s “ Sweet Mauve Sparkling” Ultra Shine Lipgloss “ says Shani.  As for Johan “For the younger readers tinted lip balms are great. Gives you a hint on color and conditions the lips”.  “Try Clinique’s Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balms in “Voluptuous Violet”.

Before you reach for your favorite red lip this Valentine’s Day season, ask yourself, how many times will I wear this again, this month alone?  Try these recommendations from the pros, make a statement like Joan and feel like a goddess during these days of love.  Seriously who doesn’t want to feel like and exude the aura of a goddess?

-Autumn Johnson

Snap, snap, snap!  You’re always taking pics for your Instagram, Tumblr and any other social media outlets where your friends can show a glimpse of your life. Even though you take what may seem atleast a million pics a week, you don’t always love how you look in them. It takes you atleast 25 minutes to pick a photo that you feel the most “pretty” in + hit publish. From your eyes to complexion to body type, we all have some characteristics that we struggle with in learning how to accept of our personal and unique beauty. Wishing you could pick and choose the features is a thought that can run through your mind one too many times! Trust us,  you wouldn’t be as dope  if you didn’t have those full eyebrows or defined cheekbones! Soooo check out some ways to embrace your beauty.

(Giphy.com)

Don’t Hide It– So the first step to achieve your confidence is simply accepting and embracing all your characteristics. Don’t try to hide or try to cover up your traits but embrace them. Learn how to accent them instead of making them disappear. You would be surprised to know that the traits that you feel most self conscious about are the ones that others admire. If you have strong cheekbones or full lips wear them well! Find a color that makes your features command the attention in the room.

(Giphy.com)

Hmm Beauty Icon– So sometimes its easier to feel comfortable in your skin if you see someone else embracing similar traits as well. The beautiful thing is that there are tons of women with different hair textures, sizes,  features etc. Collect images of women who have characteristics and make a collage. Don’t do this because you want to duplicate them but it will give you a push of how to unleash your personal characteristics.

(Giiphy.com)

It’s mine! Own It!– Yes! Confidence is the reason why people are simply head turning! No matter what they are wearing they look gorgeous because they know they are beautiful both inside and out. It’s simply the fact of looking inward and learning to wear your confidence and loving it! People can point out an insecure or unsure person a mile away. The moment you command love and respect from yourself others will follow suit!

(Giphy.com)

Stay dope!

It’s that time of year where we attempt to change all of our bad habits in a blink of an eye. Yes, we’re guilty of throwing out major life changes as the new year comes our way! Well, we might not have a completely snatched waist in the next two days but we can start burning away calories on our way to our goals! Check out our fave songs to sweat to on our playlists…

Missy Elliot- WTF

Janelle Monae-Yoga

Worth It-Fifth Harmony

Hit The Quan- iLoveMemphis

Drake- Hot Line Bling

How crazy is the world in which we live? Every time you log onto Facebook or check your news outlets, something in this dynamic world is changing.  As you begin to mature and identify with who you truly are, it is important you don’t allow irrelevance to deter you and create imbalance in your life. The things we see and hear on television or the radio or at the mall can become a part of us—even when we are not trying to absorb the energy. Think about it. Have you ever been in a great mood and then get around your girlfriend, who is having boyfriend issues, and instantly feel the negative energy she’s emitting? Before you know it, your day has taken a turn for the worst and you just broke up with your boyfriend who doesn’t even exist. This is a prime example of unsolicited, negative energy being transferred from one party to another. I never knew the importance of maintaining a healthy energy and a life balance until I experienced some of life’s hardships. It’s unfortunate that I had to deal with negative energy in order to acknowledge the importance of good energy; but I am thankful that once I started to evolve into my purpose I realized that in order for my purpose to be fulfilled, I have to have a healthy spirit and maintain a life balance.

What can you accomplish in a room full of clutter, horrible smells, and loud noise—absolutely nothing. There are too many distractions for you to seriously concentrate. This is exactly how your spirit and life work. When you fill your life with junk like (NOT) reality TV shows and Kim Kardashian’s Instagram page, you begin to distract yourself from things that are actually here to help you to become a better person and redeem increases in your life. Yes, it is fun to check in on Hollywood and get the latest fashion or gossip feed, but these things are not your life. If you allow gossip blogs to have control over you, and you find yourself caring more about people you don’t know than what is going on in your community, it is time for you to open yourself to the endless possibilities of being conscious. It is time for you to gain balance and control of your life.

When I am looking for a sense of calm and direction:  I meditate, I pray, and I recently started to engage in yoga. When people try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, they typically forget the spirit is a muscle that must be conditioned as well. When your spirit or inner being is strong and resilient, nonsense will grow irrelevant. It is easier for you to decipher what is important (to you) and what has been placed in your life as a distraction. Engage daily with your inner being through meditation, journaling, yoga, running—any activity that allows you to be alone with yourself and escape your daily routine. Find what works best for you and stick to it.

Sometimes the world is so extremely loud and obnoxious, we couldn’t hear our inner-selves if we wanted to. But being able to mute the intolerable and listen to your inner-self will provide you with the calm and balance your life needs. So find the time to condition your spirit and give yourself a sense of peace nothing else can provide. It will be the beginning to a well balanced, healthy life.

Here’s to health and beauty and everything inside of you. It is the inside that counts!

-Heidi Thomas