December 2020
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS News • Community • Lifestyle • Food and Drink • Health and Wellness • Active Living (55+)
VI E W P O INT Well, I know you have heard many times how hard this year has been. And it has. We did not see how our lives would change forever. We are not going back to the way we lived prior to February 2021. Now, we have to be creative and figure out a way to live where we are safe and healthy. We have all focused on the negative but there are some good things that have happened. Most of you have learned to work at home. As they say, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Our friendships have grown and become deeper. We better understand the love of our family and friends. Finding ways to spend time with people while being
six feet apart and wearing a mask. By the way, I feel the mask will be with us for a long time. We are all looking forward to the new year of 2021. We will have new leadership that brings hope. As we celebrate this Christmas holiday, remember the love and the gratitude for all the people who are there for you. Build on what we have learned about love, gratitude, and self and make them more powerful in your life as we find our way in our new world. Merry Christmas Happy Kwanzaa Happy Holidays
Damita Miller-Shanklin PUBLISHER Damita@Ujimamagazine.com
Ujima Magazine is a free news publication. Visit online at UjimaMagazine.com. For Advertising Opportunities email us at UjimaMagazine@gmail.com
Community
Giving Back Source: Feeding America The holidays is a time that most people look for ways to give back to their community. It can be through a donation, volunteering your time, food, and gifts for children. Austin has several avenues to choose from when it comes to giving. We have all given to a Salvation Army through the red kettle, but we want to share other ways to give back during this holiday season. Here are a few ideas of how to give back to your community: 1. Set up a holiday food drive in your neighborhood. Then donate the food to your local food bank. 2. Teach your children about hunger. Remind them there are people in your community that do not have enough to eat. 3. Volunteer your time at your local food bank or your local food pantry For more ideas, https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-blog/sevenways-to-give-back Giving back will always make you feel good and it will be a good feeling for the person that receives the gift. It’s a win-win situation. p2
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BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE
BRRRR, IT’S GETTING COLD OUTSIDE By Jacquie Parish, the Jacquie ooh Collection When we think of the winter, most people think of sipping hot chocolate, sitting by the fireplace all cozy reading a great book, vacationing at a ski resort, and spending the holidays with family. However, there are many people who dread the winter months because for them it means rough, dry, and itchy skin. Cold weather can be tough on the skin. Cold temperatures and low humidity levels result in dry air that draws moisture away from the skin. Harsh winter winds and dry indoor heat can make the problem worse and lead to cracked and even bleeding skin. Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis may also flare up during these cold, dry months. Dry skin occurs when too much water or oil is lost from the skin without being replenished. This occurs more often during the winter because cold air has much less moisture, weather systems tend to produce high levels of wind that strips moisture from the skin, and the use of heaters to warm living and working spaces pulls moisture out of the air. It’s important to take preventive measures to keep the symptoms of these conditions to a minimum. Don’t lose hope for your skin during the winter months! There is HOPE! There are steps you can take to replenish or retain the optimal level of moisture and skin cell UjimaMagazine.com
hydration you need in order to keep your skin looking and feeling good. Here are some ways to retain the optimal level of moisture for your skin during the winter months. Humidifier anyone? What is a humidifier? Humidifiers add moisture to the air to prevent dryness that can cause irritation in many parts of the body. Humidifiers can be particularly effective for treating dry skin. Why use a humidifier? Because our central heating systems (as well as space heaters) blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. You can place several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly. No more HOT showers/baths. Boy, who doesn’t love a hot bath or shower? I think we all do, but the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. So, what can you do? Take shorter showers or baths, 5-10 minutes, and use lukewarm water. Slather on the Moisturizer! You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in the spring and summer months. But as weather conditions change, so should your
skincare routine. Use heavier creams such as creams that are oil-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. Water-based and alcohol-based creams tend to dry your skin out. Hydrate! Hydrate and Hydrate! It is just as important to stay hydrated in the winter as it is in the summer. Remember our bodies are made up of 60% water. Being healthy on the inside will overflow to the outside. p3
Entertainment
Favorite Christmas Movies By Damita Miller-Shanklin Source: bestmoviesrightnow.com Growing up we all had our favorite holiday movies. I remember being afraid of the Grinch because he was so mean and I felt bad for the dog (of course). The original is still the best but I do like the recent rendition with Jim Carey. I wanted to share some ideas for you to watch during your holiday season. You may want to check out the latest Black holiday movies on Netix. 1. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey 2. A New York Christmas Wedding 3. The Holiday Calendar 4. Mariah Carey’s Merriest Chrismas 5. Family Reunion Christmas
There are lots of ways we can stay connected
Have a
STORY IDEA? Let us know! p4
& share ideas! Just send your tips,
The Five Black Christmas Books Source: Black Southern Belle
story ideas, questions & more our way! facebook.com/UjimaMagazine/ Damita@Ujimamagazine.com
1. The Night Before Christmas: An African American Retelling 2. I Got The Christmas Spirit 3. A Treasury Of African American Christmas Stories 4. The Day Santa Got Sick 5. Under The Christmas Tree UjimaMagazine.com
Health and Wellness
Caring For A Loved One During The Holiday Source: AARP For those of us caring for our elderly parents, the holidays can bring on more stress to an already stressful situation. We love them but caring for them is difficult at best. For transparency, my sister and I take care of our 93 year- old mother. Every day we learn something new about her and how we need to take care of her needs. The holidays are for family and friends. When you have a parent that needs special assistance you may miss some moments with your family. This can cause stress and anxiety. AARP shares tips for caring for your loved one during the holiday season. 1. Focus on what is most meaningful 2. Simplify your holiday activities 3. Start new traditions 4. Adjust your meals and time of meals 5. Approach gift-giving efficiently To read all 10 tips, please click here https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1e&q=tips+for+caring+for+a+loved+one+during+the+holidays
Health and Wellness
Keeping Calm During The Holidays By Damita Miller-Shanklin As the holidays go into full throttle, you may feel you are spinning around with no stop button. We all know this holiday celebration will be different. But staying calm is the key to having a good holiday. IHere are 5 tips you can use to stay calm when everything around you is chaotic. 1. If you need to buy presents, make a list and go to only one store if at all possible. 2. Before tackling a task, take a deep breath in and out, then. 3. Spend some quiet time by yourself. Use the time to read a book, do a quick art sketch, curl up with your favorite blanket or relax in a nice bubble bath. 4. If you don’t want to participate in a party, girls night out, etc. just say no and stick to it. You don’t have to give an explanation. 5. Get enough sleep and exercise. These are just a few ideas to stay calm and remove the chaos.
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Lifestyle
A VIRTUAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS By Damita Miller-Shanklin
If you are like most people, you are going to be celebrating and giving thanks in a different way than what you are accustomed to. No one really wants to do it this way, but for your family to remain healthy and Covid-19 negative, Being creative in spending time with your family, the plan can be to try and do what your family normally does and do it virtually. It may not be easy but fun all the same. New traditions can be born and enjoyed. So what will a virtual family Christmas look like? The first thing is to decide what virtual system will be used that everyone in your family uses. This can be Facetime, Duo, Skype, or Zoom. I’m sure there are more but these are the ones that are well known. Zoom will allow chats beyond the 45-minute rule so everyone can talk and enjoy each other’s company. 1. Choose what tool you will use. 2. Decide on a time to connect with your family. 3. If you decide to do an activity, set the amount of time for the activity- this can be sharing one gift, playing Bingo, or 4. Just sit and chat with your family and friends over an adult beverage and your favorite dessert. Catch up as if you are all together in the same place. The hope is that everyone has a great virtual family Christmas holiday. Happy Holidays.
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FOR SENIORS | ACTIVE LIVING MARY LINNEN | EDITOR
YOGA IS FOR ANY BODY Because yoga is not a purely physical practice, there is flexibility to adapt one’s practice to meet one’s needs.
WAYS TO RELEASE STRESS 1. Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress. 2. Consider supplements as they promote stress and anxiety reduction. 3. Light a candle. 4. Reduce your caffeine intake 5. Write it down 6. Chew gum 7. Spend time with friends and family 8. Laugh
SNACK BITE TIPS:
Yoga can help reduce stress because it promotes relaxation, which is the natural opposite of stress. Yoga can benefit three aspects of ourselves that are often affected by stress: our body, mind, and breathing. You don't have to wait to feel stressed out to do yoga, and you shouldn't! Healthy food and yoga another idea to help get through the pandemic stress-free! Be Safe
THRIVING DURING THE PANDEMIC! Being unable to get out and gather with family and friends has really gotten to be a challenge especially for most seniors. For me, it became a time to try something l felt would enhance my health. It was fun and l actually learned about exercise and becoming healthy. Not so much about weight loss but just exercise for a healthy body. I accepted a health challenge and with a few modifications, l got it done.
Strawberries are a sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, lowcalorie food and a good source of manganese and potassium.
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Every day for 30 days there was an exercise plan. Did you know that wall push-ups really work?! Included in the plan was the intake of drinking large amounts of water. Drinking enough water is
a must, dehydration can cause many different health problems. This was the first and now l am doing my second which includes smoothies, a no-meat day, and lots of water. If you get the opportunity to try this with a health coach it can be done virtual and the benefits are awesome! Remember to be safe and stay healthy.
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AIR FRYER MEXICAN STREET CORN Courtesy of addapinch.com
The Air Fryer seems to be working well for everyone l ask. Another healthy way to cook! This Air Fryer recipe could be one to try. Ingredients: 4 pieces fresh corn on the cob(cleaned) 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese or Feta cheese 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon Stone House Seasoning 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro Stone House Seasoning Recipe: 1/4 cup Kosher salt, 2 tablespoons freshly ground back pepper, 2 teaspoons granulated garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder