Step Healthy
learned firsthand how important physical fitness and healthy eating can
be to mental health and self esteem. “When I went through puberty, I
started gaining weight and going through depression,” Paterson says.
“Then I started eating healthy and running, and it changed my life.
Exercise really helped me feel better and more confident about myself.”
healthy living is one she’d like to share with her state’s young
residents, particularly those living in urban areas where there are few
opportunities for organized physical fitness. So when her husband,
David, became governor, she decided to launch a state-sponsored
version of her Healthy Steps to Albany program.
a local version of the obesity-fighting program while living in New
York City. “I was bothered by the gro
wing number of overweight and obese kids,” she says. “I wanted to do
something to motivate and educate them about what happens when you eat
whatever you want and don’t exercise.” A statewide version of the
physical fitness contest, which challenges middle school students to
increase their fitness by competing with each other to walk 4 million
steps over a six-week period, launched in March. Participating
classrooms receive activity recommendations and materials for tracking
their progress. Winning classrooms lunch with the governor and first
lady, take a trip to a local organic farm and receive other prizes.
challenge will engage 26,000 middle school students in 2009, but
Paterson plans to expand it next year. “I want to grab them in the
middle school years,” she says, “so we can help them develop a healthy
lifestyle that will stay with them throughout adulthood.”
Cholesterol-Lowering Shopping Tips
(particularly saturated and trans fat), cutting back on protein foods
like meat and dairy, and cutting cholesterol consumption by eating more
complex carbs. Here’s Heart & Soul’s shopping list for your next
trip to the store:
peppers, broccoli tomatoes, dark leafy greens, kale, celery, zucchini,
squash
yogurt (plain or with fruit), soy-based cheeses or yogurts, egg
substitutes or egg whites
Heart Healthy Sleep
University of Chicago proves it’s the lack of sleep that’s actually the
cousin of death. The findings, published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association, confirm what nagging mothers and teachers have
told us for years–not getting enough shut eye at night can make you
sick.
understatement. According to the study, which followed the sleep
patterns of men and women between the ages of 35 and 47, almost 30
percent of the participants who caught less than five hours of restful
sleep every night developed plaque in their heart vessels. On the other
hand, only 11 percent of patients who got the recommended five to seven
hours and 6 percent who racked up more than seven hours of Zs showed
any signs of calcium buildup in their arteries, which can create the
plaques that cause heart attacks and strokes. The results confirmed a
suspected connection held by the medical community for ages.
now considered a risk factor over and above traditional risk factors,”
says Richard Staudacher, M.D., a cardiologist at ProHealth Care Medical
Associates in New Berlin, Wisconsin. “The surprising part about the
study was that [plaque accumulation] happened in a re
latively short period of time.”
the parallel between a good night’s rest and good heart health (besides
an excuse to snag more sleep)? “Plaque volume is reversible with proper
diet,” Dr. Staudacher advises. “In general, if somebody has coronary
disease with plaquing, there can be a reversal with modification of
risk factors like quitting smoking, losing weight and controlling
diabetes and cholesterol.”
Seven Essential Makeup Brushes
overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. Which should I choose, and
what’s the best way to care for them?
a lot of foundation like sponges do. Choose a wide, flat, tapered,
firm brush.
flat brush allows you to apply concealer evenly under eyes and
camouflage dark spots and blemishes.
loose or pressed powder over your face for a light even finish.
either flat or fluffy bristles. Flat is good for applying dense color
on eyelids, and fluffy is designed for blending color and applying
sheer color to eyelids, creases and under brows.
eyeliner. It’s also great for filling in brows with powder.
point so you can apply lip color precisely and blend lip liner.
bristles. Then soap with a small amount of brush cleanser or a gentle
shampoo. Rinse bristles under warm water, taking care not to get the
base or handle wet. Gently press water out of bristles, reshape, then
lay flat on a towel to dry. If you buy quality brushes and care for
them properly, they should last several years.
Film: American Violet
deciding to fight the system after getting caught up in an unfair drug
sweep of her projects is an incredible story in and of itself. But it’s
daunting that a recent Julliard graduate, Nicole Beharie, is portraying
this woman in a big screen release as her first leading role. Beharie
takes on the part of Dee Roberts, who has to decide whether to try to
stay with her daughters by pleading guilty to a weak drug dealer
charge, even though she had no prior drug arrests and no drugs were
found on the premises.
couldn’t believe it happened to her. I remember calling my manager and
telling him that if they don’t want me for that character then I’ll
play whatever else is available.
been in one other major film before this one, what was the most
challenging part of portraying this role?
crew, the local hires all had experienced some kind of loss. I feel
like the connection between the real story we were telling and being in
an environment where that is the experience, where everyone is feeling
kind of disenfranchised, taught me what it means to have to move on and
to navigate this life that we’re living.
great deal about the prison system, especially as it relates to
African-American women. When you find out exactly how the quota system
works and how so many people just plead guilty because they think they
have no other options, it’s just unbelievable.
might think twice about what they are going through and not be
judgmental. I still speak to and text the real Dee. She has a hard time
in the real world getting jobs. I wish other people could also me
et Dee and be encouraged to be courageous, confident, and step outside
the box like she did. Now her daughters have someone to look up to.
Real Green
smart. What was green just days ago wasn’t green at all, but shadow.
Here in Earth’s sweaty womb, such torrid heat acts only as incubation
for life. Cylindrical towers climb above the forest, level upon level
of natural wood wall and floor. The Ariaú Amazon Towers eco-hotel–some
30 miles outside Manaus, Brazil–makes a last stand against the (nearly)
impenetrable beyond.
Bernardino, Ph.D., opened Ariaú in 1987, inspired by French scientist
and ecologist Jacques Cousteau, whom he met when the legendary
explorer’s team studied the Amazon forest in the early 1980s. Ritta
built the towers to both protect and defend the fragile woodlands–at
first only accommodating four suites. It is now the world’s largest
treetop hotel with 268 rooms connected via a catwalk trail of more than
five miles.
definition of ecotourism, a form of responsible travel that both
conserves the environment and improves the well-being of indigenous
people. The International Ecotourism Society reports that about 13
percent of 18.6 million outbound leisure travelers in the United States
are eco-tourists. And who can blame them when the reward is the
graceful curve of Rio Amazonas on its 3,969-mile trek t
o the Atlantic Ocean, the scamper of Simia sciureus (squirrel monkeys)
playing audacious games on 70-foot-tall wooden catwalks, the beauty of
the fauna and flora of the igapós (flooded forest)?
here, where the black waters of Rio Negro and the smoky clay current of
Rio Solimões run side by side for miles, but never converge. Autazes
Amazonian Cruises offers a day trip to the meeting of rivers. The yacht
speeds across the murky waters as guests sip caipirinhas, the
sugar-lime-rum national drink of Brazil. Clouds form high and dark
above the river as the boat passes natural walls of brawny rock. The
channels meet in a quiet symphony of curves and lines, a bizarre tango
of waters.
board a rickety craft as evening falls silent and heavy. Caiman come
out at night. The crocodilian reptile can be spotted in the calm
Amazonian waters at dusk. The water’s acidity provides natural mosquito
control as the voyage sets out amid flashlights and oars. The creatures
are magnificent specimens. Frozen by battery-powered light,
almond-shaped eyes gleam and pointed teeth glimmer seductively. The
caiman is a dangerous and captivating creature.
assails in blistering evening hours. Eco-explorers retire to the
tower’s austere rooms with minimal furnishings; there are no TVs, phon
es or iPod chargers. Sound moves freely through the wooden walls. A
family puts the kiddos to bed. The sounds of night forcefully descend.
Two and a half million insect species beckon from outside. Travelers
drift to torrential dreams.
the Amazonian canopy. The catwalk leads to the thickly netted dining
room, fortified to keep out insects and conniving monkeys. Breakfast
includes assorted natural juices from the loins of the opaque Amazon
and succulent Brazilian fruits–goiaba (guava), maracujá (passion fruit)
and mamão (papaya). Just outside, patioed hammocks provide perfect
opportunity for post-breakfast reverie. A monkey fingers nimbly through
a forgotten purse. It tips over, and the monkey is gone.
into the deeply azure waters of the Rio Negro and stop at an aged and
wooden swimming platform in the river’s center surrounded by weightless
ripples. Here live pink river dolphins, lured to surface by the guide’s
ready supply of fresh-water fish. Legend says the dolphins are
shapeshifters, impregnating young girls at night only to return to the
river at daybreak. It isn’t hard to imagine. These mammals are
deceptively forthcoming–all silk and elegance and grace; nevertheless,
sharp dolphin teeth keep fingers and toes at bay.
cache, the indomitable forest, waits. Trekkers snake along a trodden jungle
trail through the palatable heat. Brush crunches underfoot, and a bird
shrieks into the thick and humid air. The guide describes the formation
of the Amazon Basin, its innate fragility and the urgent need for
preservation. In fact, the Brazilian government stands firm for forest
conservation; deforestation fell 60 percent between 2004 and 2007. The
state has strengthened environmental sanctions, curbed unsustainable
logging and established dozens of monitoring and enforcement operations.
Ariaú Amazon Towers–and numerous other eco-resorts–to familiarize
generations of travelers with this emerald and moist broadleaf forest
(more than 60 percent of which lies within the Brazilian border) and
offer employment for indigenous ethnic groups. Sinuous native dances
highlight moonlight meals at Ariaú, and eco-tourists visit native homes
and learn the basin’s ancient agricultural secrets. The guides are
natives, as are housekeepers, cooks, groundsmen and boat crews.
heart of this stifling jungle is feigned. The silent sting of
perspiration, the drone of dense and fertile forest and the strong hand
of a native guide remind you that you’ve never experienced anything so
real.
– Jessie States
Tax Tips
Q. I’ve been paying off old income taxes through an installment plan, but with penalty and interest, it seems the amount I owe never decreases. I keep seeing commercials about ways to get past tax debt slashed. Is there a legal way to do this?
A: Uncle Sam is not your relative, but he will always be in your life. I understand your frustration with the installment plan that seems neverending because of the penalties and interest. Keep in mind plans are meant to be changed.
You do have options. Note: A taxpayer ends up paying more with an installment agreement. For example, if you owe $20,000, you actually pay $24,910 (based on a five-year plan and the 9% IRS interest rate).
The installment plan compromise offer is not for everyone, but you should seek advice from a tax adviser as soon as possible. So how do you find a reputable advisor?
- Get referrals from people you trust.
- Interview tax firms that specialize in tax relief such as: www.txmstr.com/offerincompromise; www.ufsdebtconsolidation.org; www.jkharris.com or www.goodaccountants.com
Believe it or not the IRS has a Taxpayer Advocate Service. Go to www.irs.gov or
call (800) 829-4933 for more information. And always remember :THE and IRS together is “THEIRS!”
– Gail Perry-Mason
giveaway
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This Month in Heart and Soul
Sensation Jill Scott Discusses Life on the Doorstep of Motherhood; 150
Tips, Lessons and Insights on Living a Healthier Life While Creating an
Eco-friendly World; a Look at Pain and Treatment; Finding Work Abroad
and a View into the Obama Health Plan
Baltimore, MD - Heart & Soul
magazine, the nation’s leading source of health and fitness information
for African-American women, goes “green” with an April/May issue
brimming with information designed to help readers lead a happier,
healthier and more environmentally friendly life. From recycling, to
conserving energy to identifying businesses with a commitment to a
greener world, Heart & Soul’s spring issue offers 150 tips to enhance mind, body and ecology.
Also,
singer, actress and cover girl Jill Scott discusses her life’s latest
challenges, including shooting the second season of her HBO series in
the Motherland, finding a new love and preparing for her greatest role
yet-motherhood.
Other features highlighted in the current book focus on such vital topics as getting
a grip on pain and treatment; a daughter’s take on coping with her
mother’s Alzheimer’s; how to land that dream job abroad; the real deal
on controlling cholesterol and a timely, up-to-date look at President Obama’s health care plan. Heart & Soul also
continues celebrating its 15th anniversary with the next in a series of
top 15 lists, this time giving nods to the nation’s most eco-friendly
companies.
Now on newsstands, the April/May issue also
provides a hefty serving of expert-driven insight on health, fitness,
nutrition, fiscal management and overall positive living, further
underscoring Heart & Soul’s role as the “healthy, wealthy and wise” choice for black women.
“We
all need to be conscious of the effect we’re having on the environment
so we can leave a better planet for our children,” says Heart & Soul’s
Executive Editor Kendra Lee. “That’s why it was so important to us that
we provide actionable tips for our readers to go green in their
personal lives. And as always, we’ve packed this issue full of the
kinds of stories people have come to expect: ones that help women find
the health and wellness information vital to living their best lives
ever!”
Heart & Soul’s Eco-Savvy Sister Features:
“The Green Road - 4 Steps to a Sustainable Lifestyle” by M.C. Tapera
(p. 36). Working to preserve the planet is a process that begins and
ends with personal responsibility. This piece takes readers through
four basic steps geared to help them review their own behavior and make
better, more eco-friendly choices in their day-to-day lives.
“Easy Green Wedding - 8 Ways to Have Eco-conscious Nuptials” by Claire Sulmers
(p. 38). Getting married should be one of life’s most memorable
experiences. And it can be even better when plans are made with an eye
on environmentally helpful practices. Writer Claire Sulmers reviews
eight simple ways to ensure that the lucky couple’s life gets off to a
great, green start.
“Top 15 Green Businesses” by Debora L. Shelton (p. 40). In honor of its 15th anniversary, Heart & Soul
continues its series of top 15 lists by enumerating the nation’s
leading green businesses. With Whole Foods anchoring the top of the
list, there are some easy calls, but be prepared for a few surprises.
“15 Ways to Go Green While You Go Lean” by Nichele Hoskins
(p. 42). Staying fit and trim is the foundation of a healthy, strong
personal life. But incorporating green practices into your workout
ensures that your exercising helps others as well. Trading plastic for
reusable water bottles, picking up trash on your next power walk or
washing your workout gear in cold water are but a few of the ways to go
green and lean.
Other Features in the Current Issue Include:
“The Golden Life of Jill Scott” by Sherri McGee McCovey
(p. 34). We’ve been on our long walk with Jill Scott for just shy of a
decade now, and the journey only gets better and better. Writer Sherri
McGee McCovey shares the multi-talented performer’s latest joys,
including her hit HBO series, connecting with a new love and the thrill
of preparing for the birth of her first child.
“Feel No Pain” by Tamara Y. Jefferies
(p. 44). Few things in life confound and confront so many people as
does pain. And while universally experienced, it is not nearly as
widely understood, even by the experts. “Feel No Pain” looks at the
issue from a number of angles and encourages readers to try a variety
of approaches to bring their pain to an end.
“For Mom” by Renee D. Turner
(p. 46). With Mother’s Day around the corner, Renee D. Turner shares a
timely and intimate view into her journey handling her mother’s descent
in Alzheimer’s disease. She shows, through personal example, that
while the illness is devastating, you can still find love, some joy and
lots of understanding on the other side.
“Far From Home” by Afi Scruggs
(p. 48). With the U.S. economy taking it on the chin almost daily, a
viable option may be to look for employment overseas. This piece looks
at four spot-on steps to help prepare you to a land a career abroad.
“Cholesterol Tool Kit” by Kennedy Spencer
(p. 50). Bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol. LDL. HDL. How much of
each do you have? For African-American women (and anyone else for that
matter), understanding the role this waxy, fat-like substance plays in
the body’s ability to function properly-as well as lower the risk of
heart disease-can be life saving. Writer Kennedy Spencer breaks down
the ins and outs of cholesterol, including whether or not medication is
the best way for you.
“Will the Obama Plan Be a Better Deal?” by Sheree Crute
(p. 52). Quality, affordable health care remains one of the black
community’s most daunting challenges. For African-American woman
between the ages of 19 and 55, finding a plan is not only harder than
it is for men, it is also more expensive and often not comprehensive.
President Obama made this issue a campaign cornerstone and has set out
to make good on his word. This article details what his plan is all
about and what everyday Americans can and should expect from it.
Other highlights include:
·
Natural Wonders: From antioxidant-rich berries to oils and spices and
beyond, here’s a guide to nature’s own ingredients for a more beautiful
you.
· Soul singer Ledisi shares insights on how she keeps her looks as silky smooth as her Grammy-nominated voice.
·
Stick and Move: Boxer Yolanda Ezell takes readers inside the ring with
tips on how to incorporate boxing techniques into a championship
workout.
· BJ Reed discusses how a commitment to fitness helped her cope with a difficult breakup, as well as eliminate joint pain.
· Singer-songwriter Maiysha details how she’s developed a successful, nurturing relationship-with food.
· Living Green! Nine simple, green-friendly tips to observe in your home every day.
· Writer Jessie States goes green in the fullest sense with an eco-conscious journey to the forests of Brazil.
· Beware of Your Plate: Know what allergies lurk in your food before it’s too late.
For additional information or to set up an interview with anyone at Heart & Soul, please email Chris@OneDG.com, or call 213/840-8740.
