Healthy Butter: SHEA!

Shea butter has been finding its way into many different beauty products in the health and beauty retail world. Not only is shea butter an excellent moisturizer, it is also used as an anti-inflammatory agent! People use shea butter for various skin treatments including age spots, skin discoloration, stretchmarks, wrinkles, scars, burns and more. In some parts of Africa, shea butter is used in foods as a substitute for cooking oil. In Nigeria, they use shea butter for its emollient properties. Shea butter helps relax facial tension, which helps to ease respiration. By rubbing a small amount of pure shea butter in, on, and around the nostrils, shea butter can help to ease congestion in the sinuses.

So, the next time you see a product that says it contains shea butter, be aware that this product contains a high quality multi-purpose ingredient that is great for the skin and for overall wellness!

Supporting B-Commerce

Currently, the US Census reports that there are over 36 million African Americans living in this country, making up 12% of the total population. The African American population is projected to increase more than 4 times than that of the Non-African American population. (26% vs 6%) Marketing specialists feel that it is in the best interest of businesses to gear more of their advertising media toward the African American audience because their buying power is expected to increase 34%, about $921 Billion by 2011, according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth.

With that said, I am coining the phrase "B-Commerce" to be synonymous with Black spending power. Understand that companies these days are now more aware of the power of the Black dollar, and are looking to capitalize on our marketshare. Right now, businesses are trying to demystify B-Commerce by directing more advertising and marketing tactics to win favor in the Black market. Let us do our part by recognizing how influential our dollars and cents are, and lets really make an effort to try and support Black owned businesses and companies that support programs in underserved communities.

Check out these related articles! They are AMAZING must-reads about the importance of supporting Black owned businesses. PLEASE read, make yourself aware! Join the cause! FIGHT the good FIGHT:

• Allstate - August is Black Business Month
  
• Buying Black Isn't Racist; It's Necessary

Vaseline... Who KNEW???

Good ol' Vaseline... who knew it would come in handy for so many different uses? Besides preventing car battery corrosion and lubricating skate wheels, Vaseline has been a well kept beauty secret for years! Tyra Banks SWEARS by Vaseline, and you can too! Check it out:

• As A Moisturizer: After washing your face, rub in a small dab of Vaseline. Keep wetting face until the Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is spread evenly and does not appear greasy. Health spas use this secret treatment.
• For Makeup Removal: Vaseline helps to remove the toughest waterproof mascara, eye-liners, lipsticks, and other face makeups.
• Lip Balm. Use a little Vaseline on your lips before going outdoors and again before going to bed. It leaves your lips incredibly soft!!
  
• Skin protection for chemical hair treatments (coloring, perms, ect) Smooth Vaseline around areas where chemicals or color may come in contact with skin to prevent damage.
  
• Protect skin from dry weather. Use Vaseline on those extra dry parts of skin like the heels of your feet, or areas prone to chapping or wind burn.
• Shine your leather shoes. Buff leather shoes with a little Vaseline and watch them shine!
• Prevent shampoo from getting into baby's eyes. Smooth some Vaseline above the eyebrows on baby so that shampoo runs off to the side.
• Remove chewing gum from hair. Work Vaseline into the hair until the gum slides out.

Your Piece of the $787 BILLION Stimulus Package

Considering that there are just over 6.6 billion people currently inhabiting the WORLD, and Congress just passed the new $787 BILLION stimulus package, I had to ask myself one simple question... where is my piece????

So here is how we will immediately see some of this money trickle down to us common folk directly:

• First-time home buyers will recieve an $8000 tax credit that doesn't have to be repaid like the current $7500 credit currently does.
• $400 to $800 in tax credits ($400 for singles and $800 for married couples)** This is equivalent to a $500 salary increase or $8 a week for the average tax payer! (Woo Hoo for consumer spending!!!)

Check out where the rest of it is going: Stimulus Chart

I have a solution: Give us all a BILLION! (That may not work, but hey... its a suggestion!)

Is this what will stimulate the economy and get us back on track?

Check out some opinions in these related links:
Bill Clinton - 'It's quite a good bill'
GALLUP POLL - Approval Rating




**This is subject to income range as well. Visit article for more details.

**MIXED CHICKS** Hair HELP!

ATTENTION MIXED CHICKS: A product is out there to help you get a handle on that hair! Curly hair can definitely be hard to handle and maintain. Taming those tresses is the ultimate goal, but those lovely locks require some serious maintenance that can be costly and time consuming. Well, a few lovely mixed chicks developed this line of hair products to help keep curly hair healthy and manageable without using too many products or by damaging the hair with the heat of blow drying and straighteners. Many high profile black icons swear by these products, including: Halle Barry, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Ciara!

There are even products for HIS curly hair! HIS MIX is a treatment system for men to allow them to take control of their curls with the greatest of ease! Products are available for kids as well.

Check out the full line of MIXED CHICKS products! Watch the video and see how these products can help your hair!

Money TALKS Amidst Recession

Remember the days when companies used to actually be thankful for your business? I remember when I used to walk into a store, and be promptly greeted by an associate, and asked if I needed any assistance. Now, I walk into a store and it seems like employees run, or that I am wasting their time by asking for help. HAVE WE ALLOWED CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GO OUT THE WINDOW? My answer: YES! When we continue to support these companies by spending our money on their products and services, yet we continue to be mistreated, we are playing into the notion that some of these companies have, that they are invincible. WRONG! We are in a recession. This is a time for rebirth. The companies that have been taking advantage of consumers are going to fall off, while companies that continue to help consumers by giving discounts, having good customer service, and by giving back to the communities will prosper. Lets make sure that we do our part by supporting the good companies and refuel the economy by spending our money wisely. Money is tight these days, don't just spend it anywhere. If you can help it, spend it in places that have a great reputation for helping others as well as helping you! (Starbucks, Target, Old Navy, GAP, ect.)

Rough Feet Relief

If your feet are always rough and dry, and you are constantly developing calluses, this is definitely something worth trying! The Ped Egg is an ergonomically designed tool that fits in the palm of your hand, that gently sloughs off dry skin, and removes calluses with the greatest of ease!

Feel confident while walking in sandals and back-less shoes again! This product is easy to use as well as easy on your pockets. You can get one of these for about $10! I know when I get my pedicures, they usually charge extra to remove those calluses, so technically, it pays for itself. This may even save you a few visits a year to the salon.

Take matters into your own hands!

Revolutionized Advanced Education!

Have you been wanting to go back to school and get that degree that you have been always wanting? I know for many of us that either attended college for a short time after high school and had to put the degree on hold, or for those that just took the plunge right into the workforce, and never looked back, it is one of those goals that falls by the wayside. Most of us already have jobs, careers, and families, and the thought of trying to fit schooling into the mix is just unfathomable!

Well, if that degree is still on your mind, and you know that having that diploma will raise that glass ceiling that is keeping your career goals from progressing, then I would definitely consider looking at online degree programs! I had the problem that many teens face when they graduate high school. I lacked the motivation and direction of a guidance counselor, so I was pretty much on my own in terms of trying to find the right school to go to and for filling out financial aid paperwork. After many failed attempts at getting into school due to lack of financial aid, I eventually just gave up and started working. As I began to work, I saw that my opportunity for advancement was pretty much slim to none because I did not have a degree! A friend suggested that I look into the University of Phoenix and their online degrees because a lot of military personnel use them while they are on active duty. I contacted a counselor, and within 2 weeks, I was enrolled! They helped me get the financial aid that I needed, transferred my credits from the schools that I attended prior, and they set me up with classes for my degree program.

It has been a great experience so far in terms of the quality of education that I am receiving, and the amount of work involved. The work is challenging and rewarding all at the same time, and the course work is not too much to handle. The classes start off easy so that you can get used to distance learning and then they become more challenging, but they still are not too demanding in terms of work load.

I suggest University of Phoenix to anyone looking to get a degree. The University of Phoenix is nationally accredited, and they have many different education options and degree programs available for you. Although their online degree programs are popular, there are campuses located all across the country for those that would feel more comfortable in the traditional classroom environment. I definitely encourage anyone that has questions to contact a counselor and get going. After all, the economy will fix itself soon, so be ready when it does finally turn around. A degree is a great way to get the upper hand in any field, especially with related work experience.

If you have questions related to online classes or degrees, let me know!!!! If you have experienced online classes, tells us what you think about them!

Related Links: www.phoenix.edu