July 2021
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Our Summertime Issue
Fun in the Sun Time Get Out and Enjoy Life page 6
News • Community • Lifestyle • Food and Drink • Health and Wellness • Active Living (55+)
V I E WPO I N T It’s summertime and the heat is letting all of us know it has arrived. When I was young, I would love the last day of school because I would have a break from people and I could relax. My mother always made sure we visited the Carver Library to check out books and play tennis on the Rosewood Park tennis team. I loved playing tennis and putting my skills to work. If I can say so myself, I was a good player. I won more than I lost. What summer memories do you have? This issue is all about summer
and the joy of it all. We will talk about summer treats, books to read, beauty solutions for the summer sun, and more. Enjoy your summer and do something special :) “The sun and the ocean is always a summer delight” #ujima #ujimamagazine #magazine #mayissue #news #lifestyle #celebration #happiness #expression
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
HEALTH
Don’t Get Burnt By The Sun By Damita Miller-Shanklin There are many people diagnosed with Skin Cancer. This is because when packing for our trip to the beach or shopping in the sun, most people do not put on their sunscreen. That is the first mistake in protecting yourself from Skin Cancer. 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.
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You have heard the myth that Black people don’t need to wear sunscreen right? It is not true. We do need to make sure when we are out in the sun to put on our sunscreen because you can get skin cancer just as other people. There are things you can do that will help you to protect your body while you are in the sun. I’m going to share a few things: 1. Before you out, put your sunscreen on. You may want to put on your arms, legs and for those of you that may be at the beach place some on your back and face. 2. Wear a hat. This will help reflect the sun from burning your skin. 3. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water. These are three ideas but there are more tips you can look up that will help keep you safe and protected from the sun.
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BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE
FIGHT OILY SUMMER SKIN By Contributing Writer, Jacquie Parish
Who says you have to be greasy? In this hot and humid summer your skin tends to breakout. It becomes even more troublesomefor people who have oily skin. The over production of sebum results in numerous skin problems such as acne, whiteheads, blackheads and enlarged pores. But you need not worry any more about these skin problems. With some natural home remedies, you can tackle all your oily skin problems and flaunt your oil-free summer skin! What we love about making your own at home skincare remedies is you know what you are putting on your skin. The ingredients for these remedies can be found right in your kitchen.
cucumber in thin slices and place the slices all over your face. An all-natural mask. Cucumbers and the juice from the cucumbers are great for soothing and refreshing your skin. It helps to soothe your skin and reduce any kind of irritation or redness. Cucumber masks will make your skin refreshed and free of blemishes.
Here are a few of our favorite DIY natural skincare remedies that can be done at home. Lemon Juice You can do more with lemons than making lemonade! The best thing that you could use on you skin this summer is a slice of lemon. The antibacterial and astringent property of lemon makes it the best thing to be used on oily skin. It washes off excess oil from your skin and also gives you a brighter and clean skin. Apply a mix of lemon juice and water using a cotton pad onto your skin and wash when dry. Talk about a natural skin brightener as well! Tomatoes Who would have thought that using tomatoes on your skin would result in smooth and glowing skin? I remember going to my grand-mother’s home and even today to my parent’s home and picking tomatoes right out of their garden and eating them on the spot. Now, I can not only eat fresh tomatoes I can also use it on my skin. Tomatoes contain high amount of vitamin C, which will give you bright skin. All you need to do is rub a slice of tomato all over your face. Wash it off with water after 15 minutes to get smooth and
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glowing skin. Tomatoes will cleanse your skin pores and prevent acne and breakouts. Ice Cubes Yes, ice cubes make your skin summer ready! Using ice cubes on your skin is the easiest way to make your skin summer ready! Rubbing an ice cube on your skin will shrink your pores and increase the blood circulation, which will give you instant glow. It can also reduce the redness and swelling of pimples on your face. Ice, ice, baby! Cucumbers Have you ever tried a real organic cucumber mask? All you do is slice a
Egg White This is remedy is one of my favorites, egg whites. An egg white mask will help tighten your skin. Those who have enlarged pores can use egg whites as they have astringent properties. Using egg whites will help tighten your skin, resulting in closed pores, which means there will be lesser oil production. Egg whites mixed with lemon juice is absolutely wonderful. Use a mask of egg white and lemon to get rid of excessive oil from the skin and to nourish your skin with protein. Also don’t forget to cleanse your skin properly by using a gently cleanser; avoid cocktails and spicy foods; and exfoliate. By incorporating these things as well will make a world of a difference for your skin! 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. For more information on the Glow Collection visit us at www.jacquieooh.com
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Lifestyle
Summer Swimsuits for the PlusSize Women By Damita Miller-Shanklin
Being that I’m a plus-size woman, wearing a swimsuit makes me anxious. However, there is nothing more beautiful than black plus-size women not being afraid to show their beauty. What should you look for in a swimsuit when you are plussized? Of course, it needs to be flattering to your body shape and comfortable for you 1). You want to show your assets and cover the areas you don’t like. You want to have a little bit of spandex and stretch for comfort 2). One-piece suits are the most flattering on plus-size women. A smaller pattern looks great instead of a larger print 3). You can wear a two-piece suit. Tankinis is a great way to go. It has a longer tank top and traditional bottom. If you are in pursuit of a nice swimsuit that will fit your body type and flatter your shape, consider the ideas shared above. When you are plussize it takes a bit more research and effort to ensure you feel pretty in anything you wear. For more information, check out the link https://29secrets.com/style/choosing-right-plus-size-swimwear/
Good Luck and Happy Summer
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Lifestyle
Summer Treats By Damita Miller-Shanklin
My Summer Read Damita Miller-Shanklin Source: Amazon Books
It has been so hot you can barely walk outside. But the heat makes you want to find a way to cool off. I love ice cream but I wanted to share how you can add some alcohol and make yourself a delicious adult ice cream float. The recipe is for a Rum and Coke Float Ingredients ● 1 large scoop vanilla bean ice cream ● 1.5 ounces Spiced Rum ● 5 ounces Coke ● Whipped cream optional ● Maraschino cherry optional Instructions 1. Add ice cream to a tall chilled glass, pour in rum and coke, and top with whipped cream and a cherry if desired. Serve with a straw. This is easy and it sounds good. It’s very simple and the results will be yummy on a hot Austin day. Let me know if you try it.
Pure Summer Fun
When the summer rolls around we all look for the one book to read. This is no different this summer. My book group will be reading Stacy Abrams new book --“While Justice Sleeps.” This book is a gripping thriller set within the halls of the U.S. Supreme Court— where a young law clerk finds herself embroiled in a shocking mystery plotted by one of the most preeminent judges in America. Over the course of the last year, Abrams has become my shero. I’m excited to be reading her latest fiction novel. What are you reading this summer? Let me know. Happy Reading!!!
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Ujima Spotlight
Self-Care is Self-Care:
5 Self-care steps to living your healthiest life By Bryan Smith, MA, LCDC,BCBT,CART I recently met with a group of Mental Health Professionals at a Conference where I had the privilege of being a Subject Matter Expert-Speaker. Various topics were covered in the span of three days. Topics that included Therapeutic Treatment Modalities, Correlation of Neuroscience and Psychotherapy, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT) etc. My assignment, was to address Therapeutic Burn-Out and Self Care. In my opening statement, I presented the following question “as a Mental Health Professional, how do you Prevent Burn-out?” As you can imagine a wide variety of answers, suggestions, and techniques were offered up from the audience. My rebuttal to all of the “stress relief activities” can be summed up in this statement “All the stress relief activities in the world will not help if you are not taking care of yourself ” For example Meditation will be ineffective if you are not getting the adequate amount of sleep. Actually, there’s a good possibility that you may fall asleep or doze off while meditating due to the lack of sleep. Similarly, hitting the gym every once in a while, will not relieve much stress if you continue to eat high-processed junk food. It’s imperative to prioritize of your Self-care first if you want your stress relief activities to be effective. There are certain stressors in life that you cannot eliminate, and unfortunately, many people view self-care as a luxury, rather than a priority. Thus, they're left feeling overwhelmed, tired, frustrated and eventually depressed, due to being ill-equipped to handle life's inevitable stressors. Self-care is vital for building resilience toward those stressors. When you take the proper steps (listed below) to care for your mind, body and spirit, you'll be better equipped to live your healthiest life 1: Physical Self-Care: Are you getting adequate sleep? How are you fueling your body well? Are you getting enough exercise? You need to take care of your body if you want it to run efficiently. Physical self-care includes how you're fueling your body, how much sleep you're getting, and how much physical activity you are doing. Physical self-care also includes p6
how well you're caring for your physical needs. Attending appointments, taking medication as prescribed, and managing your health. 2: Social Self-Care: Are you challenged with getting enough face-to-face time with your friends and family? What are you doing to nurture your relationships with friends and family? Close connections are important to your wellbeing. But, often, it's hard to make time for friends and family. Socialization is key to selfcare. However, there isn't a certain number of hours you should devote to your friends, family or work relationships. If your able to figure out what your social needs are, and build or prioritize enough time in your schedule to create an optimal and effective social life. Reminder, the time that you spend communicating with your friends and family members on social media does not count. 3: Mental Self-Care: Are you making enough time or being intentional about the activities that stimulate you mentally? Or being proactive about the things that help you stay mentally healthy? Your psychological well-being is greatly influenced by the way you think and the things that you're filling your mind with. Mental self-care includes fueling your mind and doing things that keep your mind sharp, puzzles, reading books or watching movies that inspire you are effective ways to keeping your mind sharp. Mental self-care also involves practicing self-compassion and selfacceptance. Positive self-talk and daily selfaffirmations can also assist with a healthier inner dialogue. Practicing these techniques can help you stay mentally healthy.
4: Spiritual Self-Care: Are you engaging in spiritual practices that you find fulfilling? Notice, I did not say “Religious Self-Care” instead, here the emphasis is on Spiritual SelfCare in order to be inclusive vs. exclusive or segregated by religious denominational practices. Nurturing your spirit can involve anything that helps you develop a deeper sense of meaning, understanding, or connection with the Universe, Ancestors, a Higher Power or the God of your understanding. Spiritual self-care is generally a healthier lifestyle. If its meditation, attending a religious service, or praying, spiritual self-care can be imperative. Emotional Self-Care: How do you process your emotions? Do you have healthy outlets or activities to assist with processing unhealthy emotions? Anger, Anxiety, and Sadness are emotions that we all experience at one time or the other. Emotional regulation and or Emotional selfcare may include activities that help you acknowledge and express your feelings on a regular basis. Some activities include processing your thoughts, emotions, and feelings with a close friend, spouse, or mental health professional. Art Therapy, Adult Play Therapy, Poetry, and even Music Therapy can assist with increasing your emotional self-care. Addressing the 5 areas mentioned all at once can feel overwhelming. You don't have to tackle everything all at once. Identify one small step you can take to begin caring for yourself better. Develop a self-care plan, and take it one day at a time, one step at a time. You’re on your way to a healthier life. Self-care is Self-care. Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide professional mental health advise or mental health diagnosis. If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health condition, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Bryan Smith MA, LCDC,BCBT,CART Lead Therapist Selah Christian Counseling Carrollton TX To schedule an appointment visit www.selahdallas.com 214-440-7980
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FOR SENIORS | ACTIVE LIVING MARY LINNEN | EDITOR
WELCOME SUMMER! Official First Day of Summer ~ June 20th!!!!
PREVENT HEATSTROKE DURING HOT WEATHER A heatstroke is a severe form of hyperthermia caused by dehydration and a dramatic rise in body temperature, and it can be fatal if not treated in a timely fashion. The symptoms of heat stroke include: ● No sweating. ● Body temperature greater than 103°F. ● Red, hot, dry skin. ● Throbbing headache ● Confusion. ● Lethargy. ● Fainting. If you or your loved one starts to feel any of these symptoms, ask for medical help immediately. Lie down in a cool area as soon as possible.
During this time of year, everyone has to be safe as they have fun in the sun.
plenty of water before heading outdoors and throughout any time spent in the sun.
Seniors can have just as much with the right precautions. The most important is to stay hydrated with lots of water.
Stay safe and enjoy the sunshine!
Seniors are more susceptible to dehydration than younger people because they don’t sweat or recognize thirst as effectively as they used to. To prevent dehydration, it is recommended that seniors drink
POOL WORKOUT The heat has arrived!! Pools are open for business. One way to enjoy the summer and exercise at the same time. This also works for anyone exercising, especially good if you have joint pains.
Courtesy of care.com
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food
Healthy Sparkling Mojito Lemonade A summer drink favourite - it's a healthy, non-alcoholic version of a mojito made with fresh mint, lemons and limes, sparkling water, and a healthy secret ingredient! INGREDIENTS ● 2 cups cold peppermint tea ● 1/3 cup honey or other vegan substitute ● a handful of fresh mint leaves ● 3 limes, juice and zest ● 3 lemons, juiced ● sparkling water ● fresh mint leaves and lime or lemon wedges for garnish INSTRUCTIONS ● Add the peppermint tea, honey, mint leaves, lime juice and zest, and lemon
juice to a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. ● Strain the mixture into a large pitcher to remove any bits of mint leaves that remain. ● Fill glasses half-way with the mixture and top it off with sparkling water, a lemon or lime wedge, and some fresh mint leaves for garnish. Courtesy of thebusybaker.ca