SistaGirlz and Sunscreen

By Miss Rikki

I know, I know.  You’re like SistaGirl I don’t need to wear sunscreen.  My skin doesn’t burn; I have that natural protection…  Well, my SistaGirlz of color this is partially true, but there are some key points you want to keep in mind because there are a lot of myths out there about brown skin folks and the sun’s rays. 

While you may not burn the sun’s rays do have an effect on your skin.  You can tell because if you spend any significant amount of time in the sun you get darker.  What does this mean?  It means that skin cancer is a risk for all people no matter what their complexion.  In fact, while fairer-skinned people are 10 times more likely to develop melanoma (the most lethal type of skin cancer), darker –skinned people are more likely to die from it.  According to the Centers for Disease Control Blacks are 3 times more likely to die from skin conditions than Caucasians.

SistaGirlz, skin protection from the sun’s harmful rays is important.  So head out to the store and pick up some sunscreen.  It comes in a lotion or a spray depending on what you prefer and there are kinds for sensitive skin, those who are active outdoors, and even some that’s waterproof for those days spent at the pool.  It doesn’t really matter what kind of sunscreen you get as long as it has at least a SPF of 15.  Of course, the fairer your skin the more SPF you want.  I also recommend one that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays as well. 

Make sunscreen a part of your daily beauty routine this summer and your skin will be sure to thank you in the long run!

*Sidenote: Apparently some sunscreens can ruin your manicure or acrylic nails, so you may want to test some out at the store before you buy it.  If you keep manicured hands you may want to consider sprays instead of lotions.

Be About Your Business Workshop!

Have you been thinking about starting your own business? There’s no better time than the present! SistaGirlz.com & Divas in the City want you take that talent and turn it into profit! Hear from small business owners, and fabulous speakers including Melinda Emerson, “the small biz lady”.  Don’t miss this opportunity! Buy you tickets NOW! Click Here

SistaGirlz! Best Industries for Women!

( if you’re looking into the pharmaceutical industry, get ready for job stability and a nice bank account! Women in this field bring home approximately $1647 per week!)

If you’re thinking of going back to school or maybe you’re already in the field but want to expand, there are several industries where women can excel and get some serious paper! Check out the list below, and get your resume ready!

Women in Construction earn just as much and sometimes MORE than men in the same industry!

Teachers (in the right area of the country) can earn $1056 per week.  Just be sure that the teacher’s union is strong in the area you plan to teach. They will help fight for your job in the event of budget cuts.

Other industries that pay at least $1000 per week are:

Marketing and Sales Managers

Occupational Therapists

Architect and Engineering Occupations

Promotions & Advertising Mangers

…and more!

Now if you’re trying to branch out on your own, be sure to attend  the “Be About Your Business” workshop on June 19th in New York City. Purchase your tickets at the SistaGirlz.com Store!

Source

Just a Lil’ Motivation! Yes You Can!

As a new season has come and we are springing ahead, there isn’t a better time to reflect on where you have been, but more importantly where you are going. Life is about choices and often times we tend to forget just that.

As we get caught up in the things that we want to happen, we forget that it actually requires an action, better yet a plan to make that vision a definite reality.

That is why it is important to make goals that are achievable.  This will motivate you to keep pursuing your goals/dreams.

Fear often plays a factor. It is the feeling of not knowing if you can really do something. Then we tend to get lackadaisical when it comes to making things happen because of that same feeling of fear. Just flat out, lack of motivation. Failure is a hard pill to swallow, but if you set realistic goals that are going to be obtainable then the success rate might be greater.

No one is perfect and we all have to take responsibility for his/her own actions, but one will never know if they don’t at least TRY!

I look at television today and we (when I say we I am referring to society as a whole) are obsessed with reality television and make-overs, but I have a suggestion. Instead of trying to turn a so-called ugly ducklings into a swan, prepping her to be a model when she clearly has deep rooted issues that will only make her crash and burn later, or renovating shacks- let’s work on the inside first! Then after that, begin to work on the physical. That will contribute to being a better person.

Become the person who actually says what they mean and means what they say. Whether it is to become a better mother, father, son, daughter, worker, friend or whatever the case- put forth an effort to make a positive change. If you go through life only giving 40%, can you really complain when you only get 40% or even less back?

I mean really, who is to blame in that situation? It’s true, you get in what you put in but we sometimes take that a little to the extreme and get caught up; feeling like “nice guys finish last” so why even bother?  That is a poor attitude to have, and those continued thoughts only set you up for more disappointment in the long run. There should never be the need to hold grudges or attitudes about something you ultimately CAN’T change! At the end of each day just like you throw away garbage, discard the poor attitude that prevents you from achieving your goals. If it happened on Monday it should be left there because carrying the heavy weight for long periods of time will eventually take its toll on you and your health.

I do not think that I have all of the answers but these are just my suggestions to attempt to solve some of life’s miniature problems before they escalate into larger ones. So basically don’t sweat the small stuff!

Get out there and DO something because life is indeed TOO short!

Kisha Green is an author and owner of Diva Books Inc.

http://twitter.com/KISHAGREEN

http://www.divabooksinconline.com

Protect our Kids!

It’s bad enough that teens have to deal with their hormones flaring up, cyber-bullying and drama in their lives, now it seems our kids have to watch their backs (and the rest of their bodies) in school! More and more  stories are coming out about teachers molesting students! In New York, ten students have come forward to say that they were molested by their teacher, 38yr old Simon Watts.

Watts is facing felony  charges for molesting girls as far back as 2007.He had previously been investigated in 2005, but the charges weren’t substantiated.  Then, there is Kirsten Sullivan, a twenty-six year old middle school teacher in Lauderdale, Florida. She is accused of having a year-long consensual sexual relationship with one of her 14yr old students.  She was busted by his teen girlfriend, who she noticed texts from the teacher to her boyfriend.

This situation has been escalating ever since we first heard about Mary Kay Letourneau and her student having sex and BABIES together.

Parents, I admonish you to question anything that may seem out of the ordianry with your children.  Keep the lines of communication open, so that they feel comfortable telling you things about their lives.  And lastly, know what’s going on in your children’s school system.

I am not a parent, but I am a mentor, a daughter, cousin and I have played all of those roles at my family member’ schools. Get to know those teachers and participate in PTA. The more active you are the more sensitive you’ll be to your children’s actions and reactions to things going on at school.

Title Me You!

Dear Life,

What is in a title … I had an in-depth discussion with a lady on twitter about being a Taurus and how we are very territorial. She advised me to be careful and learn to enjoy the ride. I sat back and thought for a moment before I responded….. Why were titles and territory important to me …..? Not just me but most women. Here is what I could come up with.

When you’re dating someone and you put all your blocks in their bucket, (not dating anyone else, intimacy and family meetings) you want to know they care the same. In the break of all these cheating cases and married men is it the title that gets us caught up feeling secure?

When chatting with girlfriends, guy friends and family when you are “just talking” “just seeing each other” the level of your loved is weighed and by some the level of commitment. When you break up or when mistakes are made you often get the dreaded “he/she wasn’t yours anyway” or people telling you to “move on” and there are “more fish in the sea”. But when loving do titles bump up your feelings or solidify them?

In my experience I gain a security and trust that I wouldn’t have without the title. But it’s also because of the people that we choose, in life we know who we are with, we know their tendencies and they reflect in our actions. You want to believe someone’s trustworthy but your stomach only stops flip flopping when they walk in the door. Your horns perk up when they receive a text.

My advice to you and myself is to find someone to make you feel secure without titles without a promise commitment. Find someone that makes you feel safe and loved without a word spoken. Trust them before you claim them and maybe you’ll find yourself in a better place. A better place then a cheating “husband/wife” “boyfriend/Girlfriend”. Your feelings give them significance not their title.

Sincerely,

Bellington

Bellington is a fab blogger and contributor for SistaGirlz.com. Check out her blog below:

Site: http://bellingtonsway.wordpress.com/

Save Our Planet!

April 22, 2010 marked the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Did you celebrate?  Hmm. I know, I know. I shouted it out on the air, but did I do anything? No. Can I be honest? It’s hard enough trying to remember to recycle! For real!

Do you actually separate your plastics and cardboards from your regular trash? I must admit, I forget to do it sometimes. Then on the days I do remember, I place my empty water bottle on top of the carton from my blender I bought three months ago. Yep, those and other things are stashed in my kitchen next to the garbage. I have yet to take it down to my town’s recycle center. Sigh.

I say this because, I know we must ALL MAKE THE EFFORT to save our planet. Do you think all of these earthquakes and rain storms are normal? The frequency of such things is really making me believe in the Al Gore Global Warming Theory. What about you?

Let’s start today! Let’s make a pact to empower ourselves and our planet by taking care of BOTH of them.  For real! Share stories of your recycling efforts with me! Let’s keep each other on track, okay!

FYI…I checked out Environmental Protection Agency’s site, and found out  that SistaGirl Lisa Jackson is the first African American Administrator of the EPA! Loves it!

Check out Lisa and her activities for the EPA :

http://epa.gov

http://twitter.com/lisapjackson

Write for SistaGirlz! Express Yourself!

Join the SistaGirlz writing team as a contributor. Have your work published on this site. Express yourself, SistaGirlz! Email deja [at] sistagirlz [dot] com for more info! In the meantime, happy reading!

Be Safe! Self-Defense Class 4/17!!

So are you gonna come and defend yourself, Sistagirlz?! I wanna see you there!

**New Couple Alert** You & Your Internet Hook up!

SistaGirlz, it’s time to empower ourselves in the dating arena. I have plenty of friends that are single, fabulous and LONELY.  Why are they sitting home on Saturdays nights cuddled up with Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby and the remote? Survey says: They’re afraid of exploring non-traditional dating options.  I just had this discussion with one of my good friends, and she explained that she’d tried online dating (probably when AOL first came out, LOL) but that her experience was negative.  She has since allowed that one experience to predict her dating future.But alas ladies, I am here to offer you hope! LOL! It’s spring, the season of renewal, and blossoming. Let your dating life spring forward with the help of these dating sites!

MatureBlackandSingle.com is a new site geared toward the 35 & older. I couldn’t get a look at the prospects because you have to join first, but I think it’s worth a try. Test it out and give me feedback! Too young for that site? Cool, keep reading!

PlentyofFish.com is a pretty basic site created by an out of work exec, who now has the largest dating site around! I scoped some of the fellas under my qualifications and they were HOT. I then reminded myself that I am already involved, and clicked off! LOL! But check it out! Who knows what could happen?!

For my Christian Black Singles,  you can check out Black Singles.com. They have a wide variety of men to choose from as well. Let your first date be church followed by coffee! Hmm. Maybe I should play matchmaker! LOL! But seriously, SistaGirlz, step out of your comfort zone and try it. You just might meet Mr. Right.!

**Leave comments about your internet dating experiences**

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