This morning I was listening to The Breakfast Club and they posed the question: is once a ho always a ho a true statement? They took calls on the topic and it sounded like the audience was pretty split on the issue. I am, too. I’m not torn due to not knowing if someone can change their behavior, but more so because I don’t know if a person can change their reputation. So my answer depends a lot on if we’re just talking about a reputation or a person’s actions.

If this is purely about actions then I absolutely believe that a person can change. People do it all the time. Anyone can have an epiphany that leads them down a different path.

The problem is that just because you have new actions you may not get a new reputation to match- at least not right away. People are very critical of one another, and they won’t easily forget any indiscretions. Sometimes they will hold onto them and bring them up months or even years later. So even if the girl’s actions are no longer ho-ish she may have an extremely hard time changing her reputation.

The good thing is that as we adopt better habits and stick to them, people will begin to associate those things with us. So even if you don’t have a brand new rep you can at least update the old one with some good characteristics.

The moral of the story? Try not to do things that you aren’t proud of because they have a tendency to follow you. Whenever I hear people bring up things that I’ve done that embarrass me, I think of it as something that I probably shouldn’t have done. The flip side to this is also remembering not to put too much stock in what people think of you or say about you because some of them will find fault in anything that you do. Once a ho, always a ho? Maybe, maybe not. But don’t gamble with your reputation for the sake of finding out.

-Tiffany Vicks

It seems like every time I talk to a friend, no matter which part of the country she lives, she is suffering from either serious sinus drainage or a nasty cold. Unfortunately, it is that time of the year when the seasons are changing and our bodies are trying to adapt- we sneeze, cough, our eyes water, all in an attempt to fend from the dust and weather changes. As you prepare for the sinus/allergy season and try to keep your body healthy, it is important you feed your body plenty of vitamins and nutrients to build and support a healthy immune system.

Two things you should never live without are: water and an apple. As you know, water is the best way to hydrate the body and its organs; and it also flushes the body of toxins and pollutants. Water is pure and clean with no sugars, carbonations, or caffeine. When you are feeling under the weather is it advised you keep yourself hydrated. While sports drinks are effective in hydrating your body, they are also filled with sugars and syrups which can be harmful to the body. When you are sick and seeking a speedy recovery, it is important to keep your diet as clean as possible by avoiding foods and drinks with added sugars and fats that have been over-processed.

An apple is a perfect example of a food that requires little to no prep and is jam packed with nutrients and vitamins. Apples are a great immune booster providing almost 15% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C. I like to munch on apples when I am not feeling well because most of the time when I am sick, I don’t have an appetite. Apples are light, sweet, and satisfying and take very little effort to eat. When your energy levels are low, simplicity is best.

Sometimes the sniffles call for you to wrap up and relax. Try to keep your body warm. Cover your feet with a thick pair of socks, put on some sweats, a long-sleeve shirt, and try to keep your body temperature high. The increase in body temperature will help kill whatever virus is lurking in your system and encourage a speedy recovery. Another way to increase your body temperature is to drink hot tea or enjoy some hot soup. If you are looking to break up congestion and icky mucous, take a medium size pot and bring about 2-3 cups of water to a boil. Remove the boiling water from the stove. Take a dry towel and place the towel over your head, slowly put your face close enough to the pot to be able to inhale the steam, but far enough away so you do not burn yourself. Breathe deep for about 20 minutes. The hot steam loosens the congestion and helps dissolve the nasty mucous. Another similar remedy would be to sit in a steam room or sauna for approximately 30 minutes. The excessive heat from the steam room and sauna too will allow the congestion and mucous to break up and increase your body temperature. If you are looking for a more natural healing process, natural heats and steam are definitely the way to go.

While it is important to take good care of yourself while you are sick, it is just as important to implement preventative measures from getting sick. Multi-vitamins are a young girl’s best friend. The nutrients and vitamins found in multi-vitamins help keep your immune system healthy, build strong muscles and bones, healthier hair and nails, and help keep your body flushed of the toxins and pollutants that can actually induce illnesses. Multi-vitamins are meant to be taken on a daily basis. It is very important you take them as directed because by not doing so you decrease the effectiveness of the vitamin. Take for example birth control- birth control is 99.95% effective as a contraceptive, however, if you miss a day or two you decrease the effectiveness of the pill by almost 20%. Vitamins are like most things in life, in order to see the benefits and results you must remain consistent.

I know we are all ready for Spring weather, short shorts, tank tops, and sandals; but we must make sure we are healthy enough to enjoy the light breezes and warm sunshine. Take good care of your body and fend off any sickness which might come your way. Try to remain as active as possible and sweat whenever you can. Avoid the processed foods and sugary drinks because none of these foods support a healthy immune system. Drink plenty of water and orange juice. The water will keep your body hydrated and the orange juice will help build your immune system. If you haven’t invested in a multi-vitamin, I highly recommend you do so. Different body types and personalities respond better to certain types of vitamins. Vitamin stores such as GNC or Vitamin Shoppe have personnel who will be able to tell you which vitamin will work best for your lifestyle. Do not over work yourself. Be conscious of your commitments and the time you have allowed yourself to relax. Your body responds best when it is well rested and refueled.

Here’s to a new season! Goodbye sub zero temperatures, ice, and snow! Hello Spring and Summer!Get those shorts ready for some play time and box those boots up for a while. Life is so much more fun when lived in the sun.

Until next time ladies, peace, love, new seasons, health and beauty.

-Heidi Thomas

Name: Nishanti Ridley
Age: 11
City: East Nashville
Grade: 6th

What is your dream job and why?

I want to be a doctor or nurse because if my mom got sick, I could help her.

Which hobbies do you enjoy?

Playing basketball and violin.

What’s your fav song to jam out to right now?

“Happy” by Pharrell Williams and “Brave” by Sara Bareilles.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

To not have all of these chemicals.

What does empowerment mean to you?

To have power for something.

What are your plans after high school?

To go to college, get my degree, and go to school to become a doctor or nurse.

How have you helped someone in your life lately?

I help my granny every weekend by making her bath, helping get her clothes ready, and cleaning her room.

Who is your role model and why? My mom. She has done everything for me since I was little and she does a lot to take care of me.

Tuesday Tunes—-> Nick Cannon-Dance Floor

Happy Thursday!

The weekend is almost here! Boom! But until those relaxing days come enjoy our Throwback Thursday pick—> Nelly feat Kelly Rowland- Dilemma

Good morning, dope girls

Get into our Tuesday Tunes pick—-> Justin Beiber- Confident

Hey beautiful girls!

So Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! And yes even though it’s all about celebrating love we all havegone through a little heart break, right?

Ajiona Alexus from the Rickey Smiley Show on TVOne has spent the last two years showing off her clueless comedic side as Deanna on TV, but it seems she has been keeping her vocals tuned up and shows off her emotional side with a heartfelt YouTube cover.

Just before Valentine’s Day, if you’ve ever experienced heartbreak we’re sure you’ll have a flashback, when you watch Ajiona Alexus cover of Etta James’s smash hit song ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’.

Enjoy!

Boys, guy, boos… no matter how you label them we still have questions about relationships! Check out what Eden & I had to say about her current boy situation!

Dope, fly, fresh! Check out singer & actress, Simone Battle’s, InstaGLAM style!

Love it!

When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, a little goes a long way. You don’t have to be the person who lives in the gym 25/8. As a matter of fact, it is advised you find a healthy balance in your workout routine and allow your body ample amounts of rest and relaxation. Working out nonstop, machine on machine off, isn’t a good idea; and contrary to popular belief, you do not have to live your life inside of a gym to achieve your fitness goals. Fortunately, with the right equipment and enough determination you can transform your body without setting foot inside of a gym.

For anyone who can’t afford a gym or doesn’t have time to travel to and fro, there is a plethora home workouts that can fit any budget and work around any time constraints. If you enjoy being outdoors and observing nature, I highly recommend lacing your sneakers and finding a nice natural trail. If you allow yourself 30 minutes of mildly vigorous walking/jogging/running on a nature trail you’ve burned approximately 300 calories FOR FREE; and because the natural trail never closes, you can work up a sweat whenever it is convenient for your schedule. Now please don’t be a crazy and try to catch a midnight run, visit nature trails and parks during safe, well lit times of day. Err to the side of caution and always be prepared to defend yourself from a predator. I always run with mace pepper spray or a small key lodged between my pointer and middle fingers (usually my house key). While my community is advertised as safe and I like to believe the safety notes publicized, I know I live in a dangerously wild world and crazy lives in every neighborhood. So, I stay protected and it’s recommended you do the same. If you aren’t a fan of the nature trails, find a jump rump and exhaust yourself for about 30 minutes. Jump ropes are exciting because they can travel with you anywhere.

Cardio helps burn calories and fat, but you also need to tone certain parts of your body. By toning your body you accentuate your natural curves. In my opinion, a woman’s most important and most attractive curves are her legs, hips, thighs, and glutes.  Squats, lunges, and stairs will pop those glutes and thighs like none other; and each exercise can be done without touching your homecoming fund or your weekly gas stipend. If you have a set of stairs at your school (football field is perfect) or near your home, run the stairs as hard as you can for 10-15 minutes. Once you’ve finished with the stairs, move directly into four (4) sets of 25 squats and 25 lunges (right leg lunge + left leg lunge = 1 lunge). In roughly 30 minutes, you’ve burned 300 calories and worked the largest muscle group in your body. The fun thing about working your legs is that because the muscle group is so big, you will continue to burn fat and calories throughout the day. If you feel like having a cheat meal, have it on leg day.

As a woman, I think I can speak for all women and say our most hated body part is our mid-section. We will starve ourselves for days on end, just to obtain a flat stomach. Now in your teenage years this shouldn’t be as big of a problem; but just in case, I want to leave you ladies with a solid core workout. Listed below is the Ab Ripper X workout from the P90x workout routine. The workout takes a little over 17 minutes to complete and targets nearly every muscle in your mid-section. This is one of my favorite ab/core workouts because it’s absolutely free, and can be done within the confinements of your own home.

Whether it is the complicated gym equipment or the excessive membership fee, don’t let these simple anxieties deprive you of a healthy, fit lifestyle. Research which types of workouts suit your personality and find ways to implement those workout styles in your home.  Part of loving and accepting yourself is loving and accepting your body and every(body) can stand for improvement. Hone in on you and do a little “at home”self-improvement. Spring and summer are right around the corner, show them both what you are made of!

Until next time ladies, peace, love, at home workouts, health and beauty!

-Heidi Thomas