June 2022 Brown Sugar Box Mini Magazine

JUNE 2022 $120 RETAIL VALUE

THE MANY BENEFITS

ofYoga

Work, it out SISL!I S T PL A

10 TIPS FOR GREEN

Sustainable

LIVING

VIBE CHECK QUESTIONNAIRE

Y

Sustainability

FOR THE CULTURE

SOUL VIBES

EDITION

SACRED SPACES FOR WELLNESS & SISTERHOOD

INSIDE THE

We Promise You: 5-6 Items at an $85 value

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Soul

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Do that yoga and chill, sis! Calm your mind and strengthen your body while you practice yoga

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June 2022 |

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E HT

MAYN Benefits

FO

Yoga

Two years in, she knew it was time to make a

the joy I felt in that moment. When we show

change. She submitted her resignation from

up just as we are, and we stick with the

a six-figure corporate role without a concrete

practice (even just 15 minutes a day), you start

plan but equipped with the reassurance that

to see your body do things you never thought

she'd found her calling. We did a Q&A about

it could do, or you told yourself it could never

the beautiful benefits of yoga and why Black

do. As you start to see those changes, this can

women should take their worries to the mat

help to facilitate a sense of inner empower-

sooner rather than later.

ment. To know that we can create intentional change if we put our mind to it is amazing. My

Izzy & Liv: What makes yoga most beneficial for Black Women?

mom was in her 70’s when I first introduced her to yoga, and she now regularly practices her stretching and breathing techniques. It

Rachel Voss: Restorative yoga is known to

has helped her with her balance and when

restore the body down to the cellular level,

she is managing lower back pain.

which is where trauma can lie. Practicing yoga regularly for a few moments each day or a few times each week can be extremely beneficial for the overall wellness of Black women. It is a

Izzy & Liv: Do you have any stretching techniques that you'd like to share?

place where we can take off our armor and be

Rachel Voss: I always tell my regular students

safe in doing so. Additionally, yoga is a practice

and beginners to get in that first stretch in the

that reminds us of our individual power. The

mornings and to take a mindful stretch (or

more we maintain our practice, the more

three!) during the workday. Now that many

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental, and spiritual

we feel a sense of reclaiming our power and,

of us are working remotely, it can be so easy

discipline that is practiced around the world. It

ultimately, it is in those moments when life

to sit at our desks all day, slouching our backs

can provide a mental escape from the world’s

challenges us that we feel our power is being

and hunching our shoulders, and we feel

chaos, allowing for moments of alignment with

taken away. Yoga is there to remind us that

completely tight and achy when all is said and

your highest self. Yoga can promote fitness

we always hold the power.

done. One super simple stretch is to stand

BY GIRL TYLER

with an abundance of physical benefits.

Beyond the yoga mat is a space for healing, one pose at a time. Practicing yoga a few days during the week can improve your body image, provide a healthier lifestyle, and create mindfulness in every area of your life. Yoga can appear intimidating, especially if you've been inactive since the start of the pandemic, but no excuses! All you need is an open mind to embrace the journey ahead. With yoga comes community.

Certified yoga instructor, Rachel Voss, has taught yoga for nearly a decade and considers the practice a healing art. She's the founder and owner of Rachel Voss Yoga & Wellness.

Voss recalls the first time she taught yoga as the moment it propelled her into her purpose.

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with feet hip-width apart (or wider if that feels

Izzy & Liv: Do you have any advice for beginners who are nervous about starting yoga?

Rachel Voss: Yes! The number one thing I often hear from those who are interested in yoga but are apprehensive to start is that they're not flexible enough. I am here to remind you that you don't have to be flexible, an ideal weight, or even have yoga pants or a mat to begin! Yoga is a practice that invites you to start exactly as you are. When I first started practicing, I couldn’t touch my toes and I struggled with this my whole life. I'd always written it off as having tight hamstrings, which I do have, but with a regular yoga

more supportive) and take a deep breath in and out. With the next deep inhale, raise the arms above the head and alongside the ears (being mindful not to hunch the shoulders) and with the exhale, bend forward and bring your fingers to or towards your toes. Hang out here for a breath or two while resting the hands on the toes or shins - whatever feels most accessible. This forward bend is a great way to gently open the hamstrings and lower back. With the next deep inhale, rise back up to standing with the arms raised and repeat while following the inhales and exhales. A few rounds of this are a great way to wake up in the morning or to rejuvenate the body during the workday.

practice, I was finally able to reach my toes one day and I can't explain enough in words

You can follow Rachel on IG: @rachelvossyoga

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01 SP I T R OF N ERG Sustainable G N IV L

BY SAEEDA RUFFIN

W

hether you believe climate change is real or not, if you are like most people, you

want the Earth to continue to provide all the things people need to live a healthy

life. Every one of us has a basic human responsibility to take care of our planet. How awesome would it be if every single person on the planet recognized their impact on the Earth’s health? What if we all learned what we can do to offset actions that are detrimental to the planet? Wouldn’t that be phenomenal! The best place to start is with yourself. You in? Let’s get into it! Here are 10 earth-friendly sustainability tips we can embrace to show our commitment to keeping our world green, livable, and healthy.

GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR CLOTHES

your TV, computer, and so many other home

Instead of throwing away clothing, try to

appliances. When not in use, unplug if you can.

repurpose it, refashion it, or donate it. There is so much you can do, from making accessories

USE A DISHWASHER

to literally creating new and unique pieces.

Hand-washing dishes wastes water and today’s

There are also organizations that take used

dishwashers are super-efficient. That’s one last

clothing and turn them into textiles for

thing you’ll have to worry about doing, and you

businesses and construction purposes, so

get to help save the planet in the process.

your old jeans don’t have to end up in a landfill.

GO THRIFTING SAY NO TO PLASTIC

Shopping at thrift stores can be one of the most

Going shopping? Take your own reusable

effective ways to reduce the waste in landfills.

bags. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years

Thrift for yourself, your family, and your friends.

to decompose.

You can get everything from books to clothes to housewares at most thrift stores.

BUY A BIKE There can be huge physical benefits to using a

GIFT EXPERIENCES

bicycle to get around. Well, the impact on the

People love activities that are new, fun, or

planet is also huge. By not driving a gas-fueled

interactive. They will remember those types

car, you are reducing emissions, and that

of gifts a lot longer than just a “thing.” Plus,

really matters!

you can enjoy the activity with them and really make memories together.

GET DIGITAL Get digital with your bills, communications,

USE TECHNOLOGY

and even event invitations. If you can, put your

When taking notes, try using your phone or

bills on autopay and set your preference for

tablet. Use programs that create electronic

paperless billing. This will not only ensure your

files to reduce or eliminate using paper.

bills are always paid on time, but you’ll receive your communications electronically and it will

GIVE BACK

substantially reduce the amount of paper you

Give back to the planet by planting a tree or

receive in the mail.

garden, composting, and adding plants to your home and workspaces. You will breathe

UNPLUG

a sigh of relief knowing your efforts will benefit

Believe it or not, just about everything uses

everyone on the Earth!

power when it’s left plugged in. That includes

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Sustainability is more than just turning off the lights when you leave a room or grocery shopping using your own bags instead of plastic. It even goes beyond recycling. An environmentally friendly lifestyle requires mindfulness. You must be committed to reducing your carbon footprint.

If you think about it, Black people have always had a hand in sustainability. The elders and our ancestors had no other choice than to "go green." They worked the land and passed down their way of life to us. You too can take actionable steps each day to ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

Support Black farmers and buy local, in-season foods.

Follow Black environmentalists on social media.

Farming provides countless economic

Sustainability is a massive topic, one that

opportunities for Black residents living

can be quite daunting. Read up on the

in rural communities. Unfortunately, the

latest trends. Black educators and

number of Black farmers has decreased

influencers are committed to teaching

in recent years for a variety of reasons,

marginalized communities about the ins

such as low sales and land loss due to

and outs of environmental justice. Here are

discriminatory practices. You can support

a few individuals committed to the cause.

them by purchasing fresh fruits and

Sustainability

FOR THE CULTURE

vegetables from Black vendors at your local farmer's market. Donate to nonprofits that back Black farmers. Use social media to learn about the current issues plaguing

Corina Newsome, M.Sc. : @hood__naturalist Addie Danielle : @oldworldnew

Black farmers and amplify their message.

Leah Thomas

Buy eco-friendly products from Black companies.

Haile Thomas

Black people are born creators. Entrepreneurs

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

: @greengirlleah

of color are becoming leaders in the sustainability revolution. You can find paraben-free body care products, supplements, cleaning products, cosmetics, and even swimwear, all made from recycled materials by Black-owned businesses. We’re all in this together. Join their cause.

: @hailethomas

: @ayanaeliza Ashley Renne Nsonwu : @heyashleyrenne Chelsea Murphy : @she_colorsnature Joycelyn Longdon : @climateincolour

BY GIRL TYLER

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Sacred Spaces

for Wellness & Sisterhood

BY RACQUEL PARKER

Wellness means caring for your whole self,

PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT

and it goes hand in hand with self-care. As

After hearing life-changing statistics,

Black women, we often carry the weight of the world on our shoulders -- and then some.

Founder Aeisha DeVore Branch created Pretty Girls Sweat. Pretty Girls Sweat is a community for women of all ages. The

It can be extremely hard to slow down when

Sweat Sisterhood membership includes

you’re accustomed to constantly juggling so

exclusive content, live classes, quarterly

many things. Family, career, maintain a social life, you name it. The list goes on. As quiet as

subscription boxes, and more. There’s even an annual Sweat Fest filled with contests, performances, fitness events, and activities

it’s kept, creating space and carving time out

for members to come together and encour-

for yourself doesn’t have to be so hard. Here

age each other on their journeys. Pretty

are some of our favorite communities that

Girls Sweat also provides internships to aspiring journalists and is active on more than

are cultivating safe spaces for Black women

30 college campuses. Pretty Girls Sweat has

focused on wellness.

been featured in Shape Magazine, Byrdie, and Pop Sugar among others.

BLACK GIRL IN OM Founded by Lauren Ash, Black Girl in Om promotes holistic wellness and inner-beauty for women of color. Black Girl in Om provides

Get in Touch www. prettygirlssweat.com : @prettygirlssweat

curated content, a podcast, and a digital membership. The Circle is a digital membership that features learning content, builds community, and shares resources for Black women to tap into their divine feminine energy. If you ever need a quick pick me up during the day, Black Girl Om, in partnership with "Evelyn from the Internets," offers free recorded meditation affirmations. Black Girl in Om has been featured in multiple publications such as Refinery 29, O Magazine, and the New York Times, just to name a few.

Get in Touch www.blackgirlinom.com : @blackgirlinom

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THERAPY FOR BLACK GIRLS Dr. Joy Harden Bradford founded Therapy for Black Girls, an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. If you haven’t heard her

you’re in need of a licensed therapist, search

out her life. She remembers having poor

the directory for in-person and virtual sessions

self-love and self-worth and knew she

right on the website. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford

deserved so much more. After some deep

is a licensed psychologist who has been

soul searching, BGSC (Brown Girl Self-Care)

featured in Forbes, Bustle, Huffington Post,

was created. She's carefully curated content

Black Enterprise, Refinery 29, Teen Vogue,

that encourages self-care, health, and rest

Essence, and more.

for Black women. The Brown Girl Self-Care podcast and blog discuss mental health,

Get in Touch www.therapyforblackgirls.com : @therapyforblackgirls Spotify + Apple Music: Therapy for Black Girls

wellness, affirmations, bible verses, and many more resources. The Self-Care Bar offers apparel and virtual events. Brown Girl Self-Care Co. has been featured in xo Necole,

podcast you’re truly missing out. The Therapy

Cosmopolitan, The Every Mom, Pop Sugar,

for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversa-

Madame Noire, and Self, to name a few.

tion where Dr. Joy Harden Bradford discusses mental health, personal development, and

BROWN GIRL SELF-CARE CO.

Get in Touch

more. The Sister Circle includes members-only

Bre Mitchell, self-coined “The Self-Care

www.browngirlselfcare.com

events, access to Q&A sessions with experts,

Pusha”, founded the Brown Girl Self-Care

fosters meetups in real life with sisters in your

Co. as a healing space to deal with the

community and chats on relevant topics. If

personal traumas she experienced through-

: browngirlselfcare Spotify + Apple Music: Brown Girl Self-Care Co

June 2022 |

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VIBE Check

QUESTIONNAIRE

The first step in making positive change is to simply just get started.

The Izzy & Liv team has put

BY SAEEDA RUFFIN

together a Vibe Check

The contents of this article are for informational purposes

questionnaire to get started.

only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always

seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding any dietary or lifestyle modifications.

Living the best life is all about the commitment we make to our health, wellness, and overall well-being. When we’re the best versions of ourselves, we glow differently,

Ideally, it is recommended you get at least 7

and our confidence is through the roof. In a

alertness. Beauty rest is essential and helps

rut? There are some things we can do to get where we want to be. Sometimes we don’t know what we need to do but we know we need to do something! Trust us it can be a lot to comprehend. The first step in making positive change is to simply just get started. The

hours of sleep for optimal physical and mental the body reset in order to be prepared for all the rigors of life. Not getting enough sleep may contribute to feelings of grogginess and irritability.

2

over here, set goals and take steps to turn them into reality.

spend doing physical activities?

0 minutes 10 minutes

20-30 minutes per day is a great start to maintaining good health. Doing activities that we’re the most comfortable with is sure to get awesome results. Join a gym, work out at home, run or even walk! Try solo or bring a few friends along for group fitness. Yoga is great for

1

a low-intensity workout. Yoga is a fantastic form How many hours of sleep do you

of exercise because it helps focus on more than

get per night?

just your physical ability.

3 hours 5 hours 7 hours or more

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Nature’s beverage is a necessity. Without water,

tected at all times and it’s essential for healthy

the body can be robbed of so much. Dehydra-

well-being. Everyone’s journey is different so

tion, which is what the body deals with when

the time will vary, it just needs to be a priori-

there is not enough water in it, can weaken the

ty. Meditation is a perfect way to incorporate

immune system, affect the heart and mental

personal peace. Remember, ain’t no shame in

health, slow down metabolism, and cause

stopping to meditate, and reset ANYWHERE.

some to age prematurely. Drinking at least

4

64 ounces per day, which is about 8 glasses,

30 minutes

Izzy & Liv team has put together a Vibe Check questionnaire to get started. No judgment

How many minutes per day do you

Personal peace is sacred and should be pro-

3

How important is protecting peace?

Super important!

Eh, not so much.

If it happens, it happens!

How important is a healthy diet?

should be the bare minimum. Actually, drink-

Absolutely!

ing more water would be much better and the

Not at all.

skin, nails, and hair will thank you later.

Eat what you want, periodt!

Health and wellness are wealth. Cherish and protect them at all costs!

No matter how we tackle this, everyone knows that what we choose to eat greatly contributes to or can offset a healthy lifestyle. Making food choices that will benefit the body should be the baseline. Everything may not work for everyone.

Incorporating whole foods, fruits, and vegetables is always a great way to start. Moderation is key when it comes to sugar.

5

The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding any dietary or lifestyle modifications.

What’s the perfect amount of water to drink per day?

A cup or two of water per day.

None!

64 ounces per day or more?

June 2022 |

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WORK IT OUT, SIS! Playlist

BY RACQUEL PARKER

Health is wealth and nothing puts you in the mood to workout out like a bomb playlist! Get into it and stay focused with songs that make you wanna dance, move your body, and get fit. This playlist is filled with upbeat, body-positive songs that are sure to get you in full workout mode. Whether you’re running, walking, doing some hip-hop yoga, or hitting the gym, blast this playlist to get motivated. Keep that adrenaline pumping, sis!

1. Yoga by Janelle Monáe, Jidenna 2. Level Up by Ciara 3. Body by Meg Thee Stallion 4. Fast (Motion) by Saweetie 5. Get Me Bodied by Beyoncé 6. Fitness by Lizzo 7. Please Don’t Stop The Music

by Rihanna 8. Just Fine by Mary J. Blige 9. I Wanna Dance with Somebody

by Whitney Houston 10. Push It by Salt N-Pepa 11. Have Mercy by Chlöe 12. My Type by Saweetie, Jhené Aiko, Meg Thee Stallion 13. It’s Givin by Latto 14. Lose My Breath by Destiny’s Child 15. In My Feelings by Drake 16. Walk by Saucy Santana 17. Work It by Missy Elliot 18. 7/11 by Beyoncé 19. Twerk by City Girls, Cardi B 20. Ride or Die- From “Queen & Slim”

by Meg Thee Stallion

beauties Izzy & Liv customers truly are THE BEST!

We LOVE seeing your social media posts sharing your boxes each month. Here are a few snapshots from April 2022.

WINNER

Congratulations to our April WINNER! Krystle W. was randomly selected from sharing Brown Sugar love on social media to WIN her free box.

Thank you to everyone who shared! Stay in it to win it and don’t forget to share this box using hashtags #brownsugarbox #izzyandliv for your chance to win next month’s giveaway.

BONUS: Join our Facebook Group: The Brown Sugar Lounge, for a SECOND CHANCE to win a free box.

SCAN HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PLAYLIST & MORE! 14

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June 2022 |

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MAGICAL THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP YOU SHOULD BE THERE...

MEMBERS ONLY

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