BV Wellness http://www.bvwellness.com BV Wellness http://www.bvwellness.com/media/feedlogo.gif BV Wellness http://www.bvwellness.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/The Assault on Welfarehttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/08/02/the-assault-on-welfare/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/08/02/the-assault-on-welfare/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/08/02/the-assault-on-welfare/#commentsFiled under: ,

black mother


From Clutch:

We've all seen her - the young black girl at the bus stop with a couple kids at her heels, one in a stroller, and another on the way. We want to know why she keeps having kids she can't afford.

If I leave the office on my lunch break, I'm apt to see all kinds of people roaming the streets. It's the middle of the day, why aren't you at work? I wonder.

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]]>BV Staff2011-08-02T10:46:00+00:001 in 5 Women Choosing to Stay Childfree, How About You?http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/27/1-in-5-women-choosing-to-stay-childfree-how-about-you/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/27/1-in-5-women-choosing-to-stay-childfree-how-about-you/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/27/1-in-5-women-choosing-to-stay-childfree-how-about-you/#commentsFiled under:



From Clutch:

Contrary to popular belief, all women do not want to have children. Shocking, I know.

I was watching the Today Show this morning, when they profiled Lilit Marcus, a woman who proudly does not want to have children. Although she is fairly certain in her decision, many have told her that she'll probably change her mind...eventually.
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]]>black childrenblack womenblack women and childrenchildlesschildrenBV Staff2011-07-27T13:45:00+00:00'Dear Daddy' Documentary Hightlights Heartbreaking Fatherless Storieshttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/27/dear-daddy-documentary-hightlights-heartbreaking-father-less-s/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/27/dear-daddy-documentary-hightlights-heartbreaking-father-less-s/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/27/dear-daddy-documentary-hightlights-heartbreaking-father-less-s/#commentsFiled under:

black father and child

Any father who doubts that his absence isn't having a damaging effect on his children should listen to the telling letters in the new documentary 'Dear Daddy.' The film explores the long-term effects of absentee fathers on eight young women in Washington, D.C., and aims to bring awareness to the epidemic of single-parenting in the black community.
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"82.3% is the number of African-American children born since 1990 that will not live in the same home as their biological fathers before graduating High School," according to iYAGO Entertainment Group.

In the film, director Janks Morton attempts to locate the girls' fathers to show them their daughters' heartfelt letters and ultimately to reunite the fathers and daughters. Watch the preview to get a glimpse of 'Dear Daddy's' emotional reunions.



 

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]]>absent fathersblack childrenblack womenfather less childrenfatherssingle momssinglesYannique Benitez2011-07-27T00:10:00+00:00Male Birth Control Pills Inching Closer To A Realityhttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/26/male-birth-control-pills-inching-closer-to-a-reality/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/26/male-birth-control-pills-inching-closer-to-a-reality/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/26/male-birth-control-pills-inching-closer-to-a-reality/#commentsFiled under: ,

birth control pills
Since the 1960s, women have been afforded the convenience of taking oral contraceptives,but soon it may be men who take the pills. Researchers are getting closer and closer to a viable product -- but will it catch on?
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Many men are hesitant to use current contraceptive methods so this new form may be too foreign for them. Forty-year-old Scott Hardin told MSNBC he's glad that men may soon have a new choice for birth control but he also mentioned he would not even consider taking a male hormonal contraceptive.

But Dr. Debra J. Wolgemuth and her team of researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center are hoping more men will have an open mind. They're "working on a pill that not only retards and renews sperm production after taking a pill or stopping to dose, respectively, but also has no apparent side effects to boot," reports Divice.

Currently, the medication has only been tested on mice, but they are being developed to be a non-steroidal pill in the hopes of reducing side effects. There are also plans to create patches, gels and an injection that would last for three months similar to existing options that are available to women . But as nice as these options are, too often pregnancy becomes a woman's burden. If a woman reserves the right to make the call on whether she will keep a baby or not, then she has to bear the responsibility of not getting pregnant if she doesn't want a child," one man told Essence.

So even after these pills hit the shelves women should continue to think in their best interests and be proactive in protecting themselves from unwanted pregnancies.

 

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]]>birth controlbirth control pillsmale birth controlYannique Benitez2011-07-26T15:21:00+00:00Is Michelle Obama Selling Us Short With The Expansion of Wal-Mart in "Food Deserts"?http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/22/is-michelle-obama-selling-us-short-with-the-expansion-of-wal-mar/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/22/is-michelle-obama-selling-us-short-with-the-expansion-of-wal-mar/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/22/is-michelle-obama-selling-us-short-with-the-expansion-of-wal-mar/#commentsFiled under:

Michelle Obama

From Frugivore: In a move that - if one pays attention to The Obama Administration's economic polices - shouldn't surprise anyone. First Lady Michelle Obama announced yesterday that she will be supporting an initiative that will allow the largest retailer in the world - along with other national chains - to bring their services to "food deserts."

This declaration comes on the heels of a groundbreaking study, which suggested supermarkets do not help low income families battle obesity and other food-related illnesses effectively. By bringing in retail heavyweights like Wal-Mart and SuperVal-U, they are essentially creating larger fast-food depots.

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]]>BV Staff2011-07-22T08:15:00+00:00'Workout Kid' Is 10-Year-Old Fitness Sensationhttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/19/workout-kid-is-10-year-old-fitness-sensation/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/19/workout-kid-is-10-year-old-fitness-sensation/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/19/workout-kid-is-10-year-old-fitness-sensation/#commentsFiled under: ,

CJ Senter

From Yahoo:

C.J. Senter may or may not be the next Tony Horton or the next Barry Sanders, but he is definitely the next 10-year-old to watch.

Granted, when most people hear "child prodigy," they rightfully raise an eyebrow and wonder who is pulling the strings. Add a workout DVD by a fourth-grader with sculpted muscles to the mix and "cute" can turn to "concerning." But it turns out the story behind "C.J. The Workout Kid" is a lot more inspiring than insidious.
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]]>C.J. Senterchild healthfitnesshealthworkout kidYannique Benitez2011-07-19T11:11:00+00:00Parents At Risk For Losing Super Obese Children?http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/14/parents-at-risk-for-losing-super-obese-children/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/14/parents-at-risk-for-losing-super-obese-children/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/14/parents-at-risk-for-losing-super-obese-children/#commentsFiled under:

obesity

Medical professionals are in talks about the state of obese children because the nation as a whole is facing an epidemic, with Mississippians in the worse shape, but the youngest Americans are also in dire condition. It's no surprise that First Lady Michelle Obama is on a crusade to combat childhood obesity. Obese children become obese adults at risk for cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, so Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity specialist at Harvard-affiliated Children's Hospital Boston is advocating to get out the root of the problem with parents.
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Parents and especially mothers play a major role in their children's diets by purchasing and selecting the food for the household. Older children can spend what little spending money they have on unhealthy snacks but the majority of their meals are planned by their parents and their eating habits are developed at an early age.

"Numerous parental influences shape the eating habits of youth including; the choice of an infant feeding method, the foods they make available and accessible, the amount of time children are left unsupervised and their eating interactions with others in the social context. Several studies suggest that breastfeeding offers a small but consistent protective effect against obesity in children," the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises.

"Roughly 2 million U.S. children are extremely obese. Most are not in imminent danger, Ludwig said in an opinion piece in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association. "But some have obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties and liver problems that could kill them by age 30. It is these kids for whom state intervention, including education, parent training, and temporary protective custody in the most extreme cases, should be considered."

Ludwig says he was convinced that parents are behind the dilemma after he was introduced to a 90-pound 3-year-old girl years ago whose parents had physical disabilities, a small household income and trouble helping her control her weight.
Last year at 12-years-old she was 400 pounds and developed diabetes, cholesterol problems, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. But now after a year removed from her family and placed in foster care eating 3 supervised meals and healthy snacks, she lost 130 pounds.

If the government enforces stricter enforcement "we just have to do it with caution and humility and make sure we really can say that our interventions are going to do more good than harm," as medical ethicist Dr. Lainie Ross from the University of Chicago says.

Ross is right but foster care seems extreme and may not be the most beneficial solution for a child. But it is time to better educate parents on how the decisions they make effect the lives their children lead. Medical professionals in London seem to be in agreement with Ludwig and "they argued that child protection services should be considered if parents are neglectful or actively reject efforts to control an extremely obese child's weight;" reports AP.

Alternatives to Ludwigs plans would be family counseling instead of removal. Or if removal is necessary perhaps the child can stay with a better educated family member like Jerri Gray, a Greenville, S.C., who lost custody of her 554 pound 14-year-old to her sister. Ludwig says ideally he would want the goal to be reuniting child and family as soon as possible.

Is Ludwig's proposal reasonable?

 

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]]>bad parentingeatingobeseobese childrenobesittyparentingYannique Benitez2011-07-14T18:16:00+00:00Sick by Association: The Dangers of Second-Hand Smokehttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/13/sick-by-association-the-dangers-of-second-hand-smoke/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/13/sick-by-association-the-dangers-of-second-hand-smoke/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/13/sick-by-association-the-dangers-of-second-hand-smoke/#commentsFiled under: ,

smoker

From Madame Noire

I never understood what it meant to smell like cigarette smoke until I spent my first night away from home at college for undergrad. As I hung my clothes in the campus provided chifferobe, I noticed that everything from my favorite denim jacket to the duffel bag I carried it in smelled like I had been hanging in a back alley pool hall. Now I understood why past boyfriends had always suspected that I had been in a bar all night or why classmates in high school would always assume I had a lighter. I never could smell it until I actually moved out of my house. The problem is that I didn't even smoke, but I did live in a house with parents who had smoked all of my life.
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]]>second hand smokesmokerssmokingBV Staff2011-07-13T11:45:00+00:00Attention At The Gym: Motivating or Aggrevating?http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/06/attention-at-the-gym-motivating-or-aggrevating/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/06/attention-at-the-gym-motivating-or-aggrevating/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/07/06/attention-at-the-gym-motivating-or-aggrevating/#commentsFiled under:

woman at gym

When you're on your "Kanye workout plan," do you find a side glance from men distracting or does it inspire you to put more pep in your step?
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One blogger mentioned that a handsome man actually takes her mind off breaking a sweat.

"I will shamelessly admit I pass most of my time people-watching at the gym. I've actually changed my workout schedule in order to go to the gym when the hottest guys show up (I've found it was 6-8 p.m., which may vary depending on your particular gym). If I spend the time imagining what the hot dude next to me on the treadmill does for a living, or starring at the endless full-sleeve tattoos, it takes my mind off of actually exerting effort," said market researcher and blogger Erica Dermer.

But many women are focused on their routines and a guy constantly ogling their bodies isn't motivation to get in the last few reps. It may be the motivation to join another gym.

Weigh in, does a little eye candy and attention break up the monotony of your routine?

 

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]]>black womens fitnesscat callsfitnessgymmale attention at the gymwomens healthYannique Benitez2011-07-06T11:24:00+00:00Get Tested At Essence Music Festival 2011!http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/30/get-tested-at-essence-music-festival-2011/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/30/get-tested-at-essence-music-festival-2011/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/30/get-tested-at-essence-music-festival-2011/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The annual Essence Music Festival attracts large crowds each year and this year's lineup with Chaka Khan, Boyz II Men, Jill Scott, Kanye West and Mary J. Blige and Usher will continue the tradition. Aside from the great music, the three day festival, which runs July 1-3, also features an empowerment series with speakers like Iyanla VanZant and numerous sponsors and vendors promoting wellness. This year Planned Parenthood is teaming up with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Black AIDS Institute to offer free HIV testing to the crowds.
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The CDC encourages all Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 to get tested on a routine basis. African Americans are at a higher risk, making up 13 percent of the U.S. population but accounting for more than half of newly diagnosed HIV infections.

"We are excited to partner with the Louisiana Health Department and the Black AIDS Institute to help serve the African-American community," said Dr. Vanessa Cullins, vice president for medical affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "Testing is for everyone. Knowing your status can help you and your partners stay healthy, whether you're positive or negative."

 

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]]>AIDSAIDS awarenessblack womenblack women and HIVblack women healthhealthhealthcareHIVHIV testingYannique Benitez2011-06-30T15:43:00+00:00FLOTUS to Tutu: "Drop and Give Me 20!"http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/24/flotus-to-tutu-drop-and-give-me-20/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/24/flotus-to-tutu-drop-and-give-me-20/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/24/flotus-to-tutu-drop-and-give-me-20/#commentsFiled under:

Michelle Obama and Desmond Tutu demonstrate push ups


Don't think Michelle Obama's trip to South Africa with her daughters Sasha and Malia meant taking a break from sharing her passion for health and fitness. Yesterday, while meeting with dozens of South African kids at the new Cape Town Stadium, Michelle imparted these words of wisdom: "It's hard to have an impact if you're not in the best condition possible."

To prove her point, she got Archbishop Desmond Tutu to do a little flexing of his own for the young crowd.

You know you're a big deal when you can get historic icons to drop and give you twenty. Go 'head, Michelle!


See more photos of Michelle Obama's trip to South Africa and meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu here.
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]]>Lucette Jefferson2011-06-24T15:41:00+00:00HIV/AIDS a Pervasive Worry for District's African American Communityhttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/21/hiv-aids-a-pervasive-worry-for-district-s-african-american-commu/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/21/hiv-aids-a-pervasive-worry-for-district-s-african-american-commu/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/21/hiv-aids-a-pervasive-worry-for-district-s-african-american-commu/#comments

From the Washington Post:

Washington has one of the the highest AIDS diagnosis rates in the nation, with higher numbers among African Americans than among the white population. Access to health care is another major dividing line. Roughly nine of 10 whites report having private health insurance, compared with fewer than half of African Americans in the District.

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]]>BV Staff2011-06-21T08:09:00+00:00Chesapeake Breast Cancer Survivor Leads by Examplehttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/20/chesapeake-breast-cancer-survivor-leads-by-example/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/20/chesapeake-breast-cancer-survivor-leads-by-example/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/20/chesapeake-breast-cancer-survivor-leads-by-example/#commentsFiled under:


From HamptonRoads:

Bad report from the doctor // And my bills aren't paid on time // All these things come rushin' at me // But I ain't got time to whine // Lord I need your mighty wisdom // 'cause my situation is unclear // Don't know where to turn // God's word came to my ear // I say speak to that mountain of cancer // And cast down that spirit of fear // Pack your bags, you silly demon // I say you're not welcome here. Lynne Young wrote those lyrics when her situation was cancer. But the Chesapeake woman hopes her song will inspire others to persevere through their hardships, whether they are related to health, family, finances or what she calls "the other speed bumps of life." Young, named Survivor of the Year by the Tidewater affiliate of the Susan B. Komen Foundation, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. That is only part of her story.

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]]>BV Staff2011-06-20T08:46:00+00:00Nivea for Men Kicks Off New Campaign in Las Vegashttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/11/nivea-for-men-kicks-off-new-campaign-in-las-vegas/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/11/nivea-for-men-kicks-off-new-campaign-in-las-vegas/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/11/nivea-for-men-kicks-off-new-campaign-in-las-vegas/#commentsFiled under:



As the sweltering heat begins to roll into the nation's weather forecast, some men may find it rather difficult to stay fly and self-sufficient during the summer months. Or better yet, not give a damn about their personal appearance.

Well gentleman, no need to fret, Nivea for Men's latest campaign, 'Look Like You Give a Damn,' serves as the cornerstone for any man vying to achieve success on a everyday basis. Let's be honest, as men when we take pride in our appearance, or look like we 'give a damn,' we act like it, too. Adding an overall higher quality of life, and ultimately inspiring others to become more prosperous in their own respective lives.

The global skin and body care company teamed up with Esquire magazine during the weekend of June 3 in Las Vegas to officially launch their new initiative. The three-day celebration attracted guests to the city's Aria Resort & Casino for various VIP events, including invitation-only parties, gifts and activities, in addition to a concert experience at Haze Nightclub headlined by world-renowned DJ and musician, Mark Ronson.

"The main thing is, I haven't played in Vegas in a long time and I was looking for a reason to come back and play," Ronson told us exclusively prior to his Saturday night set. "And you know Nivea is a timeless brand. I mean, really I'm just here to do my thing and play music."

Partnering a prestige brand with the dapperness of Sin City and one of the most honored men's magazine was a no-brainer according to Esquire executives. The unique pairing goes beyond a man's physical appearance and grooming, in fact it's encouraging men to celebrate their lives and the effort they put into it.

"Esquire's DNA is really about the life well-lived and giving our readers the confidence and know-how to embrace that," said Kevin O'Malley, VP, publisher and chief revenue officer of Esquire. "The experiential weekend we're creating with Nivea for Men reflects that sensibility and promises to be something Sin City hasn't seen in quite some time."

In the past some may have questioned the lack amount of multi-cultural images used in previous Nivea ad campaigns, however the company has been more incline to do just the opposite. This year the Germany-based cosmetics company partnered with Pop star Rihanna as their official global spokesperson for their 100th anniversary of Nivea for Women. The pairing has since led the chart-topping singer to pose topless for one of the company's ads in addition to landing a TV spot for her song 'California King Bed.'

"As a leading global skincare brand, I think it's important that the brand appeals to all markets, black, white and everything in between," says Oren Wilkes, Nivea for Men Brand and Blogger Ambassador. "I think that the brand does a great job of connecting with all cultures - I am black and with that comes specific skincare concerns; however, I've always used the products - even before I started working with Nivea for Men."

For Wilkes (pictured above right), who also serves as an advertising creative for the brand's 'Look Like You Give a Damn' campaign, the perks of maintaining an impeccable hygiene is vital in a professional setting. Not to mention, in the bed room as well.

"Effort and hard work always pays off, so professionally, giving a damn will equal success," he declared. "We all know that first impressions are lasting, which is why it's always important to put your best forward in a professional setting, especially during important situations like interviews, presentations, etc."

"The same could be said for one's personal life," he continued. "When you look like you give a damn, you'll always get the girl. Nivea for Men actually conducted some research and found that 93% of men who shave regularly have more sex."

Several new products under Nivea for Men have hit the shelves in recent months including, Platinum Protect 2 in 1 Deodorizing Body Wash, Age Defying Moisturizer, Cool kick Arctic Freeze 2 in 1 Wash and Shave Gel, as well as an aftershave and moisturizer from the same line.


Check out exclusive photos from Nivea's 'Look Like You Give a Damn' Weekend.


 

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]]>Brennan Williams2011-06-11T02:58:00+00:00Blacks Do Yoga Too! Famous Black Yogishttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/08/blacks-do-yoga-too-famous-black-yogis/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/08/blacks-do-yoga-too-famous-black-yogis/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/08/blacks-do-yoga-too-famous-black-yogis/#commentsFiled under: , ,


From The Root:

From headstands to "Namaste," these yogis have taken the ancient discipline and made it an integral part of their lives.

russell simmons

Russell Simmons:
Co-founder of the legendary hip-hop label Def Jam and the clothing line Phat Farm, and producer of many movies and TV series, Simmons is the archetypal multiformat black entertainment mogul. Since 2000 he's also added "devout yogi" to his résumé. Simmons meditates each day and has a vigorous, 90-minute daily yoga regimen. His studies at the famous Jivamukti Yoga Center inspired him to adopt a vegan diet. He is eager to spread the word via DVDs and a yoga scholarship through his endeavor Global Grind.
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kerry washinton

Kerry Washington
For many, yoga means a series of arduous, if not grueling, poses. For Washington -- the star of movies such as Night Catches Us and The Last King of Scotland, as well as the acclaimed Broadway play Race -- yoga is most important when taken off the mat. A core tenet of her activism is the Buddhist prayer "May all beings everywhere be happy and free. And may my practice of yoga contribute to that happiness and that freedom."



lebron james
LeBron James:
NBA legends from Kareem Abdul Jabbar to Shaquille O'Neal have practiced yoga, but few as enthusiastically as two-time MVP James. He began practicing two years ago to counter the imbalances in his body resulting from a pro ball career: strong in certain areas and weaker in others. Yoga gave him flexibility and calm. In 2009 James took a vicious fall in which he rolled head over heels. He credited his yoga practice -- especially the shoulder-stand pose -- with enabling him to avoid serious injury.

Read the rest of the list here.

 

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]]>black celebritiesblack yogisyogayogisYannique Benitez2011-06-08T12:42:00+00:00Hillary Clinton & MAC AIDS FUND Partner to Help Rape Victims in South Africahttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/06/hillary-clinton-and-mac-aids-fund-partner-to-help-rape-victims-in/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/06/hillary-clinton-and-mac-aids-fund-partner-to-help-rape-victims-in/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/06/hillary-clinton-and-mac-aids-fund-partner-to-help-rape-victims-in/#commentsFiled under: ,

hillary clinton

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton recently brought good news to millions of women suffering from HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Last week she announced a public-private partnership with the Mo.Ao.C AIDS Fund to expand medical and emergency support services for survivors of rape and sexual assault in South Africa, a country estimated to have 3.3 million women and 330,000 children living with HIV/AIDS according to the 2010 UNAIDS report.
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The Mo.Ao.C AIDS FUND was founded in 1994 with the mission to support people living with HIV and AIDS throughout the world, and commits 100 percent of the sale price of VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass to support HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and education. The company has partnered with several celebrities to support the cause including Eve, Lil Kim, Mary J. Blige, Nicki Minaj, and most recently Lady Gaga.

Clinton and the cosmetics company pledged the commitment of $2 million to diminish the AIDS epidemic in South Africa over the next two years through the launch of new TCC centers and the extension of operating hours at existing clinics. The TCC Network was launched by the South African governments with aide from the United States government to bring services, including HIV/AIDS testing, prevention, and treatment programs to women and children who are victims of sexual violence. The MAC Foundation will leverage $18.9 million that the U.S. government has committed to the program already.

To contribute to the cause, purchase MAC's VIVA glam products are donate directly to the fund.

 

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]]>Hillary Clintonmac aids fundmac cosmeticsYannique Benitez2011-06-06T12:21:00+00:00Step It Up: 20 Ways to Be the Best Youhttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/04/step-it-up-20-ways-to-be-the-best-you/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/04/step-it-up-20-ways-to-be-the-best-you/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/06/04/step-it-up-20-ways-to-be-the-best-you/#commentsFiled under:


From Clutch Magazine Online:

Raise your hand if you've stayed diligent to your New Year's resolutions!

No, really...I'll wait.

While some of you are proudly throwing both hands in the air, ecstatic that you've stuck to your guns thus far, I'm willing to wager that a large portion of you (*ehem* myself included) have fallen off just a bit (ok, maybe completely). Either way, get ready to get back on track or find the inspiration to stick to your goals for the remainder of the year.

June is here, and aside from being the start of the summer, it's also the midway point of the year. As the temperature rises, and life slows down just a little bit, now is the perfect time to reflect on the goals or intentions you set at the beginning of 2011 and recommitment yourself to the cause.

Back in January, many of us set out to improve our lives. Whether we intended to get healthier, save money, pursue a degree, or fall in love we set goals or charted out our visions for the year. Because we love our readers (and because I can always use a reminder myself), I've compiled a list of 20 things that can help us all achieve our goals this year. Even if you've been slippin'...it's not too late!

Because we are multifaceted, I'll be sharing tips on how to excel in your career, love life, health, friendships, and personal life.

Ready? Leggooo!

Get your tips (and kicks) at Clutch Magazine.

 

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]]>BV Staff2011-06-04T07:49:00+00:00Ernestine Shepherd, In Shape at Age 74http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/05/31/ernestine-shepherd-in-shape-at-age-74/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/05/31/ernestine-shepherd-in-shape-at-age-74/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/05/31/ernestine-shepherd-in-shape-at-age-74/#commentsFiled under:


From the Washington Post:

She is 74 years old, and she is ripped.

Sculpted deltoids, carved biceps and a stomach chiseled into a glorious six-pack that rises and falls into magnificent little hills and valleys.

It is the first thing you notice when you see Ernestine Shepherd in the front of the class, teaching body sculpting at a gym north of Baltimore.

Shepherd is wearing tight red shorts and a red bikini top. Between the two is her signature span of chiseled abs.

She is a Dorothy Dandridge beauty, a knockout. Her makeup is perfect, lips painted candy red to match her workout clothes. She has thick, black eyelashes and wears her hair in a long, gray braid that swings down her superbly sculpted back.

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]]>BV Staff2011-05-31T08:40:00+00:00I Was Born a Boyhttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/05/23/i-was-born-a-boy/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/05/23/i-was-born-a-boy/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/05/23/i-was-born-a-boy/#commentsFiled under:



By Kierna Mayo for Marie Claire:

The flight to Bangkok's Don Muang Airport felt far longer than I'd imagined. It was Christmas break during my freshman year at the University of Hawaii, and I was 18, anxious, and alone. After high school graduation, many of my classmates were throwing big graduation parties and buying new cars. Those kids went looking for good times and great memories, but I was desperately searching for one thing only: a chance to be in the right body for the first time in my entire life. I had traveled more than 6,000 miles to have gender reassignment surgery - a sex change.
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At the arrival gate, I was greeted by two smiling nurses who assured me that everything was going to be OK. But I already knew that. I was the one who had lived with the sheer torment of inhabiting a body that never matched who I was inside, the one devastated by the quirk of fate that had consigned me to a life of masked misery. By the time I set foot in Thailand, I knew there could be nothing worse than living another day with a penis dangling between my legs.

Counting backward as the anesthesia took hold, I surrendered to what I believed with certainty would be a better future. And then, just like that, I was awake again. The sound of Muslim prayers rang through the air, echoing in my brightly lit hospital room. Even though I'd spent the last three hours on the operating table - I could already feel the first tinges of pain in my lower body - I felt completely reborn. Though I had been born a boy to my native Hawaiian mother and African-American father, I would never be a man. It was the birth of my choosing this time. And now it was official: Charles had died so that Janet could live.

Once, when I was 5-years-old, a little girl who lived next door to my grandmother dared me to put on a muumuu and run across a nearby parking lot. So I did. I threw it on, hiked it up in one hand, and ran like hell. It felt amazing to be in a dress. But suddenly my grandmother appeared, a look of horror on her face. I knew immediately that I had crossed some kind of line. After yelling at me, she banished me to our patio, where I played quietly with my sumo action figures for a while. I loved them because they had long hair, and they were the only "dolls" OK for me, a boy, to play with.

It didn't take very long before the social cues got louder and clearer. My parents started scolding me over the way I walked and held my hands. I learned to hide aspects of my personality. Playing with girls was fine, for example, but playing with their Barbies was something I could do only behind closed doors. After my parents split, my mom said my younger brother and I needed a strong male role model and sent us to live with our dad in Oakland, California. Stern and critical, my father couldn't accept how feminine and dainty I was in comparison to my rough-and-tumble brother.

"Get outside and play!" he would bark. One time, I pretended to be a girl named Keisha - I wasn't dressed like a girl, but in my baggy jeans and colorful top and with my longish hair, I easily passed for one. A boy who didn't know me told my cousin Mechelle that he thought I was pretty. "Isn't she?" Mechelle said, playing along. She. It spoke to my soul.

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]]>BV Staff2011-05-23T13:48:00+00:00Gynecologists Turn Away Patients For Being Too Fathttp://www.bvwellness.com/2011/05/17/gynecologists-turn-away-patients-for-being-too-fat/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/05/17/gynecologists-turn-away-patients-for-being-too-fat/http://www.bvwellness.com/2011/05/17/gynecologists-turn-away-patients-for-being-too-fat/#commentsFiled under: ,

fat woman

A recent poll revealed gynecologists in South Florida now discriminate against overweight patients whether they are otherwise healthy or not.

The Florida Sun Sentinel's poll found that 15 out of the 105 gynecologists polled said they have set weight cut-offs for new patients starting at 200 pounds or based on measures of obesity and turn down women who are heavier.
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"Some of the doctors said the main reason was their exam tables or other equipment can't handle people over a certain weight. But at least six said they were trying to avoid obese patients because they have a higher risk of complications," according to the newspaper.

Refusing to treat pregnant obese women is a common practice, but turning away non-pregnant patients is new. "Physicians, like any business, can decline service to whomever they choose for any reason - including personality conflicts - as long as it's not discriminatory. The American Medical Association advises doctors that they cannot reject patients because of race, gender, sexual orientation or infectious diseases," the Sentinel reports. But weight is not included in the guidelines.

Doctors in favor of refusing overweight patients site high numbers of lawsuits after difficult births and high rates for medical-malpractice insurance. Others claim their ultra sound equipment did not give accurate internal anatomy in obese women, making it harder to diagnose problems.

And if the doctors believe they do not have the proper medical equipment to treat existing patients they can drop the patient but must refer them to other doctors. Still, "do I think it's a good policy? No," said Dr. Robert Yelverton, a board member of the Florida Obstetric and Gynecologic Society. "Overweight people need doctors. I don't know where a patient in that situation would go if every practice had that policy."

 

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]]>American Medical Associationfatgynecologistgynecologists discriminate against overweight patientsoverweightYannique Benitez2011-05-17T21:58:00+00:00