August 2021
facebook.com/Ujima Magazine
twitter.com/Ujima Magazine
Back to School Issue
Getting Back To Business page 6 News • Community • Lifestyle • Food and Drink • Health and Wellness • Active Living (55+)
V I E WPO I N T The world is trying to get back to “normal.” People are getting out more, visiting family, and spending time with friends. We all agree it’s been a struggle learning how to live and work from home. We made many sacrifices and learned to adjust to a new way of living. This issue is about getting back to business. It takes a lot to get up and move forward because, for a year, we were stuck at home for the most part. But we are getting back to some routine and with it comes some new things we have to consider or adjust to doing. One of the biggest adjustments will be our school system. I feel this is maybe a challenge for the students, teachers, and parents. We
take a look at this back-to-school scenario. Our contributing writer, Jacquie Parish, will give us beauty pointers to enhance our skin on a daily basis, food, and information for Seniors, and much more. Just a reminder to remember we (Black people) are fighting Voter Suppression. Do what you can to help fight this wrong. And, we can not allow our country to erase our history. Make sure you share consistently Black history and the truth about our people. They can’t take that away even though they will try. Keep up the good fight because our lives depend on it!!!
Embrace Your Community Damita Miller-Shanklin EDITOR IN CHIEF Damita@Ujimamagazine.com
Ujima Magazine is a free news publication. Visit UjimaMagazine.com. For Advertising Opportunities email UjimaMagazine@gmail.com
business
Black Business Month By Damita Miller-Shanklin Source: US Census Bureau 2021
Ujima and Friends Podcast is another way to reach out to people around the world and share our voice. This podcast is about Ujima Magazine stories, people we interview, and our take on different issues and topics. The podcast is hosted by Damita MillerShanklin and Eliza Edwards. We hope you join us by listening to us talk about stories and our take on different topics. We have chatted about health and beauty, voting, hope for our future, and organizing our work. But we have many exciting topics and interviews to come. Please go to our podcast page at https://www.podpage.com/ujimamagazine-and-friends/. You will find all of our episodes in one place. Subscribe to our site, so you will know when a new episode is uploaded. We hope you join take a listen in the future.
In August we celebrate Black Business Month. Black-owned businesses account for ten percent of businesses in the United States. According to the Census data of 2021, “Blacks or African Americans owned approximately 124,551 businesses, with about 28.5% (35,547) of these businesses in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector, the highest percentage of any minority group.” We all know that shopping at Black-owned businesses should always be first and foremost when we look to purchase a service and/or a product. There are businesses in Austin and surrounding areas, that will welcome your patronage. We have to support these businesses in order to help them remain a part of our community. There are many ways to locate black-owned businesses through social media, word of mouth, and friends. When you need a specific item or service, google a list of businesses owned by black people or visit a social media site that houses a list of businesses where you can find exactly what you need. I wish all the Black entrepreneurs and business owners continued success in making their dream come true. #blackownedbusinesses #entrepreneurs #blackownedbusinessmonth
p2
UjimaMagazine.com
BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE
THE DETOX By Contributing Writer, Jacquie Parish
de·tox INFORMAL noun /ˈdētäks/ • a process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances, detoxification. verb /dēˈtäks/ • abstain from or rid the body of toxic or unhealthy substances. Have you ever thought about what it would be like to do a beauty detox? What about detoxing your makeup bag? Detoxing your makeup bag is a must. Did you know that the average woman applies 12 different products with 168 unique ingredients every day? And most of those ingredients are labmade and linked to skin toxicity, allergies, infertility, hormone disruptors, and disease. Because makeup sits on your skin for 8+ hours a day, even if you don’t want to go for a minimal look, it’s essential to use products with minimal ingredients. So, for all of you makeup addicts, detoxing your makeup bag is possible, I promise. Here’s how I did it! THE FIRST STEP Start caring for your skin first. Switch to a non-toxic product, a cleaner diet, lots of water and sleep. If you do these things you will begin to see a smoother skin tone and fewer if not diminished breakouts. I discovered that naturally glowing, healthy skin doesn’t need heavy foundation or layers of luminizing, blushing and bronzing powders. The less face makeup you wear, the better your skin will begin to look, and finally breathe, rather than be buried beneath harmful chemicals + cover-up. Focus on making your skincare products matter more than your makeup, you will start to notice that less is more natural. UjimaMagazine.com
CLEAN UP YOUR MAKEUP The real key in detoxing your beauty bag is actually removing the toxic products that are in there, to begin with. Easier said than done. Boy, did I love and depend on my drugstore, department store, and high-end salon makeup products. I guess you could say I had developed a loyalty to my go-to makeup brands – and that’s a hard bond to break. But I knew I needed to break up with my toxic makeup, shift my mindset, and make the switch to safe, clean options for the sake of my well-being – and beauty. As my priorities + perspectives began to shift, my overall health became more important than my perfectly lined eyes or highlighted cupid’s bow. Using makeup with ingredients that nourish my skin instead of suffocating it, has been one of the biggest changes I’ve made for my outer (and inner) beauty. And know that detoxing your makeup bag may not happen overnight, it may take some of you some time to detox your makeup bag. It will take being intentional for sure. By making your skincare a top priority, simplifying the products you apply + improving the quality of makeup you buy, you are creating a positive impact in little ways, every day. You will minimize your toxic buildup, become more confident in your appearance + comfortable in your own skin, and still genuinely enjoy getting ready in the morning (which now takes only fifteen minutes instead of a full hour!) because you are focused on what matters most, being free to let your
natural beauty be seen. And that’s a feeling no amount of foundation, mascara, or lip gloss could ever truly give. Take a look through your own product stash and see what harmful ingredients have found their way into your makeup bag. Or if you’ve already detoxed your makeup, what are some natural makeup brands you’ve come to love? We’d love to hear! I hope these simple tips help you to detox your makeup bag and discover your own natural beauty, inside and out. Contributing Writer Jacquie “ooh” Johnson is the creator and founder of the Glow Collection by Jacquie ooh. The Glow Collection by Jacquie ooh is an organic skincare line that is good for your skin and the environment. Our commitment is to honor the integrity of each plant and raw ingredient that finds its way into our formulas. For us, the making of each fresh handmade batch is a celebration of the land and farmer, it's truly an experience, a moment to give thanks as we fill each precious bottle and jar. We think of our products as gourmet food for your skin. They are high in nutrients and goodness. Your skin desires to be fed each day with love and care. For more information on the Glow Collection visit us at www.jacquieooh.com p3
Lifestyle
What’s In Your Lunchbox? Source by: Harvard Edu
Lunchtime is always a favorite time for children and adults. When I was in school, there were favorite things I enjoyed eating. The pizza and the fish lunches always made me happy. However, lunches have come a long way since my time in the lunchroom. In full disclosure, I did take my lunch most days that my mom would pack with food I really liked to eat! : As students return to the school campus this year, your child’s lunch will be the talk around the kitchen table. We will look at several ideas for packing a super cool lunch for your child. You don’t have to always put a sandwich and chips in the box but you can be more creative while acknowledging your child’s food choices. Here are things to consider when packing a great lunchbox: The Basics: 1. Fresh Fruit 2. Vegetables 3. Protein 4. Whole Grain 5. Dairy You can create themes: 1. Mexican
p4
2. Chinese 3. Greens 4. And more… Snacks: 1. Nuts 2. Apples 3. String Cheese 4. Carrot Sticks 5. Hummus Make sure to have your child assist you with preparing his/her lunch the night before to save time and it may even get them some extra time to sleep!! Lastly, remember to pack water. It is the best thing however, flavored water will work as well. I hope you and your child can use some of these ideas for a healthier and happier school year.
UjimaMagazine.com
Lifestyle
How to Speak to Your Child About Returning to School
Back to School Bashes By Damita Miller-Shanklin Source: Social Media
Source: John Hopkins Medicine The year 2020 was a difficult one for all of us. Children most likely had even more difficulty understanding what the world was changing to so immediately. There were many adaptations that were made from total shutdown to wearing a mask when you ventured outside the home bubble. So, what is the definition of anxiety? According to the dictionary, anxiety is “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.”
There will many many events happening this month to assist students with supplies they may need. These groups that sponsor the back-to-school events want all students to go back into the classroom with all the needed supplies that will set them up for success.
Tips to Ease Anxiety ● A week or two before school, start preparing children for the upcoming transition by getting back to school year routines, such as a realistic bedtime and selecting tomorrow's clothes. ● Arrange play dates with one or more familiar peers before school starts. Research shows that the presence of a familiar peer during school transitions can improve children's academic and emotional adjustment. ● Visit the school before the school year begins, rehearse the drop-off and spend time on the playground or inside the classroom if the building is open. Have the child practice walking into class while the parent waits outside or down the hall. ● Come up with a prize or a rewarding activity that the child could earn for separating from mom or dad to attend school. ● Validate the child's worry by acknowledging that, like any new activity, starting school can be hard but soon becomes easy and fun. These are just a few things to help make your child more at ease when returning to the classroom. If you need more assistance, visit your pediatrician for how you can manage the anxiety your child may be feeling.
UjimaMagazine.com
This is a small list of events and their links we could find at the time of this writing. You may find more as it gets closer to the ringing of the school bell. ● Austin ISD Back to School Bash 2021 ● Colony Park Back to School Bash Outdoor Celebration ● ROSES 11th Annual Back To School Drive – Black Women In Business
p5
Ujima FEATURE STORY
The Tale of Two Educators A New School Year By Bryan Smith, MA, LCDC,BCBT,CART
The new school year, post-pandemic is around the corner. Many students are preparing for returning to the classroom a hundred percent. They are moving from a virtual classroom at home to in-person teaching. The pandemic is still mutating and changing every day. The school year may change but I wanted to know how teachers feel about returning to the classroom. I spoke with two educators who shared their thoughts about the upcoming school year and returning to the classroom.
The Educator I spoke with an educator who has been teaching for five years. She teaches Special Education Kindergarden through Fifth grade. The pandemic year was a hard year for her and her students. Her students have different developmental needs which made it hard to teach virtual and in-person classes at the same time. She had 15 students on-site and getting them to social distance was almost impossible. The main struggled was getting her students logged in together. She was able to interact with all students in the morning and the afternoon. Both classes were interactive. The parents also had difficulty adjusting and became frustrated. They felt their child was not getting what they needed at home. She p6
agreed with that point. She could not give her students what they needed over the computer screen. But she provided the essentials the parents needed to work with their child at home. The administration did not agree at first with the students not being online but after watching what happens in her classroom, they were fine with the morning and afternoon interaction online. Returning to the Classroom The overall feeling about returning to her classroom is there will be regression. The students that did virtual learning have lost a school year. If a student did not log on consistently, they would be contacted
to find out the reason and look for a solution. The loss of last year will be prevalent. Even the students that logged on each day regressed because they had a hard time learning through the computer screen. Her Pre-K to 3rd graders will most likely show the most regression. For the Special Education/Life Skills students they will review last year’s goals. They work on their goals until it’s met. So they will still have the opportunity to evaluate their last year’s goal and if it wasn’t met, they can work on it this school year. But for other students, whatever they didn’t learn last year is lost. They cannot go back.
UjimaMagazine.com
Her Wish for the Future of Education She hopes teachers will be listened to about the student’s needs. They are with the students all day they see them more than their parents. The students lose out, not because teachers do not want them to grow, but they see what the student needs to be successful. This is a barrier in all school districts. It’s financial. It should be the kids need vs what they want the kids to have. Some districts have the equipment they need to provide for the students.. but others do not have what they need especially computer technology. Teachers are the advocate for their students.
I spoke with another educator who has taught school for five years as well. She explained, “I have always been a teacher as a mother, a child”. I taught High School Chemistry and, Middle School Math. She currently teaches College and Career readiness to 6th and 7th grade. Virtual Learning She feels the classroom is not for every student. The pandemic taught us a different way and/or another way to do things. But we need to embrace that way. Prior to the pandemic, the classrooms were overcrowded. The pandemic has given Supertindents and Directors a
UjimaMagazine.com
chance to re-organize and revamp things to make it a healthier environment. When you are in the classroom students do not get the attention they need. Before last year, we had not grown and we had not made any progression. The hope is we go back and the classroom will be smaller with an option for Virtual learning. If that happens we have grown. Education should not be all on the classroom teachers there are some students that feel more comfortable learning at home. Virtual learning eliminated the schoolto-prison pipeline. Especially for our black boys. When you think about it, they were written up for fighting, expel daily for good reasons and bad, and most anything. But with the pandemic, they could no longer write them up. They are home. They spent one year without detention. It was good seeing parents sitting next to their child helping them with their assignments. This was good for the student and his parents. It was the first time for some students to have their
parents help them. They experienced a different way. This eliminated the schoolto-prison pipeline. Returning to Classroom When we return to the classroom the hope is the class size is smaller, and the use more technology. As far as masks, the teachers will most likely wear them but students will have a choice based on their parent’s decision. With more electronic use, we need to use learning apps vs workbooks and physical books, more ebooks, and academic apps. The district is addressing the issue of regression by adding twenty additional minutes for Math and twenty additional minutes for reading and math classes. There will be additional days for the school year to make up for the time that was lost last year. The Hope for the Future of Education This Educator feels the students need to have the opportunity to utilize all the tools in the classroom being technology and virtual opportunities to learn.
p7
FOR SENIORS | ACTIVE LIVING BY MARY LINNEN | EDITOR
SYMPTOMS OF CAREGIVER STRESS Source: www.Bethesdahealth.com
Do you feel frustrated or angry one minute, then helpless the next? Do you make what seem like stupid mistakes, such as forgetting to complete an important task?
What Caregivers Need Most Physical and emotional support is what most caregivers need. Physical help to care for senior loved ones includes help with daily tasks, decision-making, preparing meals, running errands. Caregivers need emotional support to deal with the stress of caring for an elderly person.
These are not unusual experiences since the stressors on caregivers are significant: You may also experience symptoms such as: ● Feeling overwhelmed ● Feeling alone, isolated, or deserted by others
● Sleeping too much or too little ● Significant weight gain or loss ● Feeling tired most of the time ● Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy ● Becoming easily irritated or angered ● Often feeling worried or sad ● Frequent headaches or body aches Make sure you seek medical attention to help you with these symptoms.
If you know a person that is a caregiver just checking in with them often means a lot. Courtesy of seniorsafetyadvice.com
p8
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAREGIVERS https://srgserv.com/caregiving/types-of-caregivers/ UjimaMagazine.com
CAREGIVING IS AN EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENT There are many seniors providing care for a loved one. It involves physical and mental stress. It comes with a level of intimacy with your loved one that might be new or even uncomfortable for the caregiver as well as the loved one. It can be emotionally demanding When deciding what and how much you can do, make sure that you have the emotional support to handle it. It’s hard watching your loved one struggle with things they were once capable of doing. Having
Alzheimer’s, caregivers usually need special training. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask for it and never feel guilty. Make sure that you aren’t responsible for more than you can realistically give without draining yourself. friends or family who can give you a break or listen to you vent is very helpful. It can be physically difficult and time-consuming The frailer your loved one is, the harder it will be to care for them. In the case of a loved one with memory-related concerns such as dementia or
For those that don’t have family or friends to help with care seek out programs that offer multiple types of care and assistance according to your needs. Always remember you are not alone.
YOGA CAN HELP MANAGE THE STRESS OF CAREGIVING Source: Jonathan Graff-Radford, M.D. | www.mayoclinic.org
Yoga might have benefits for caregivers. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to help you achieve peacefulness of body and mind. The practice focuses on postures (poses), breathing techniques and meditation. A small number of studies suggest that yoga might: ● Improve depression symptoms ● Lower anxiety levels ● Reduce stress ● Lower blood pressure ● Improve the ability to cope UjimaMagazine.com
One study found that caregivers who participated in an eight-week yoga group experienced physical and emotional benefits, which helped lessen any guilt they felt for taking time for themselves. Participants also reported feeling peaceful and relaxed during their yoga practice.
are more intense and vigorous than others. Check with your doctor before starting yoga, especially if you have any health conditions. If finding time to attend a yoga class is challenging, seek out a mix of in-person and online classes.
There are many different types and styles of yoga, and some p9
food
Late Night Snacks Courtesy of healthline.com It’s well after dark and your stomach is rumbling. The challenge is figuring out what you can eat that’s quick, tasty and won’t cause you to pack on the pounds.
levels and the production of sleep-supportive brain chemicals. What’s more, 4 crackers and 1 stick (28 grams) of reduced-fat cheese pack only 150 calories.
Banana with Almond Butter Snacking on a banana dipped in almond butter may help increase your body’s melatonin levels to support a good night’s sleep — all that for only about 165 calories.
Trail Mix Some trail mix ingredients, such as walnuts and dried cranberries, contain sleeppromoting melatonin. A one-fourth-cup (38-gram) serving averages 173 calories, depending on the mix. Measure your trail mix portions to avoid excess calories.
Cheese and Crackers The combo of protein from cheese and carbs from crackers supports steady blood sugar