Page Eight
THE OMAHA STAR
LIFE & STYLE/HEALTH & WELLNESS
American Black Film Festival to Recognize Achievements of Hollywood Trailblazers LOS ANGELES, CA – The American Black Film perspective and challenging audiences to think outside Festival (ABFF) Honors has announced the recipients of conventional norms. She has become a champion for of two of their most prominent awards – Hollywood underserved voices in the industry, creating writing and Legacy Award and Industry Renaissance Award – which development opportunities for people of color as well as promoting diversity and representation on each honor outstanding accomplishments the screen through her production company, in film and television. Academy Award Hillman Grad. Currently, she serves as a winner Louis Gossett, Jr. (“Watchmen,” writer and executive producer of two BET “An Officer and a Gentleman”) will be shows: the new series “Twenties” which is honored with the Hollywood Legacy Award based off her own early years in LA and the for his contributions to the entertainment second season of the “Boomerang” revival industry. The Hollywood Legacy Award which she created alongside Halle Berry. honors a legendary artist whose trailblazing Both shows are set to air in early 2020. work has inspired generations and made an Waithe has also received critical acclaim for enduring contribution to film and television. creating Showtime’s “The Chi,”’ which will Additionally, Emmy Award-winning debut its third season this year. Waithe has producer, writer, and actor, Lena Waithe proven herself a talent to be reckoned with, (“The Chi,” “Boomerang,” “Queen & Slim”) Lena Waithe will receive the prestigious Industry Renaissance Award, continuing to grow her body of work which includes: which recognizes content creators whose exemplary an overall deal to create and produce original series for work in film and television contributes to changing Amazon Prime Video; Showtime’s “How To Make Love perceptions of people of color in the entertainment to a Black Woman,” which she will executive produce; the groundbreaking film, “The 40-Year-Old Version,” industry. “We’re honored to celebrate these two extraordinary which is premiering at Sundance 2020; the horror talents,” said ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday. anthology series “Them” for Amazon; and Sundance “These awards not only recognize how Mr. Gossett’s darling “Dear White People,” among others. Waithe first contributions have propelled the industry forward but made headlines in front of the camera as Denise, in the also acknowledge a new generation of trailblazers in critically acclaimed Netflix series “Master of None.” In a people like Ms. Waithe, who will continue to create role that was originally intended for a straight, Caucasian change and new opportunities in film and television for female, Waithe has made Denise’s experience as a queer black woman uniquely her own and became the first people of color.” Louis Gossett Jr. has been disrupting Hollywood woman of color to win an Emmy award in the category for over 40 years making his film debut alongside of “Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.” Waithe’s Sidney Poitier in the 1961 classic “A Raisin in the feature screenwriting debut, “Queen & Slim,” is also Sun.” Gossett Jr. was the first African American to nominated for ABFF Honors “Movie of the Year” Award. ABFF Honors recently announced their nominees for win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his unforgettable performance as drill Sergeant Emil “Movie of the Year,” a competitive award presented to Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Additionally, the best feature length film of the year directed by and/ he has been nominated for seven Primetime Emmy or starring a lead actor or actress of African descent. Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, five NAACP Voting is now open to the public at www.ABFFHonors. Images Awards, two Daytime Emmy Awards and in 1992 com/vote. And for the second year, American Airlines he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Other will sponsor the ABFF Honors “VIP Fan Experience,” notable film and television credits include “The Deep,” which is an opportunity for one consumer to attend “Blue Chips,” “Daddy’s Little this exclusive event and celebrate Black excellence Girls,” Tyler Perry’s “Why among the most influential artists, executives, and Did I Get Married Too?,” stakeholders in the entertainment industry. One fan will “Firewalker,” “Jaws-3D,” be randomly selected by the ABFF organization from “Enemy Mine,” “Iron Eagle,” the pool of individuals who vote for the “Movie of the “Extant,” “Madam Secretary,” Year”, and receive two (2) tickets for the ceremony, “Boardwalk Empire,” “Family two (2) round trip domestic economy-class tickets on Guy,” and “ER,” among others. American Airlines, hotel accommodations and a chance Gossett Jr. is the founder of The to walk the “red carpet” on the night of the ceremony. Eracism Foundation, a non- The announcement will be made on or about Jan. 20. Presented by ABFF Ventures, the 2020 ABFF Honors, profit organization dedicated to hosted by Emmy-nominated comedian and actor Deon eradicating racism. Louis Gossett Jr. A triple-threat in the Cole (Black-ish), will take place Feb. 23 in Los Angeles. entertainment industry, Lena Waithe expertly taps Previously announced honorees include Cynthia Erivo into emerging cultural sensibilities with a sharp wit, with the Rising Star Award and “The Wire” with the speaking to a myriad of experiences from her unique Classic Television Award.
Live Well Omaha and WELLCOM Merge to Form New Nonprofit Two local nonprofits, Live Well Omaha, the leading convener of diverse stakeholders to advocate for policy, systems, and environmental change, and WELLCOM, the leader in providing high-level worksite health and wellness strategies for improved organizational culture, have merged to form The Wellbeing Partners. “Today marks the launch of a new total health model that will connect employees and their home zip codes in an integrated strategy that builds wellbeing into the way communities do business,” declares Sarah Sjolie, former Chief Executive Officer of Live Well Omaha and newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Wellbeing Partners. “By delivering the combined capabilities of our two evidence-driven organizations, we will leverage traditional health and wellness models into a ‘both-and’ approach that places individuals in the driver’s seat of their wellbeing while engaging businesses and community members together to align work in critical issues such as healthy food access, connected neighborhoods, and mental wellbeing.” “The potential impact for The Wellbeing Partners is incredible,” notes Board Chair Frank Venuto, Chief Human Capital Officer with Nebraska Medicine. “One major issue that has already revealed itself for our mission is mental health and wellbeing. It’s a talent retention and recruitment issue for employers and it is still surrounded with stigma in our communities.” The Wellbeing Partners will engage its diverse membership of more than 150 organizations from various sectors such as health care, education, manufacturing, retail food, architecture, government, public health, and more. The new organization has the mission to “Build wellbeing into the way communities grow and do business,” and will draw from the 56 years of institutional knowledge of its two parent organizations. WELLCOM was the first nonprofit in the country dedicated to worksite wellness, while Live Well Omaha led the region’s first shared community health needs assessment and community improvement plan. The Wellbeing Partners is an answer to the evolution of the role businesses play in their communities, and an increased understanding of the social determinants of health and eight dimensions of wellbeing. The organization will ensure that businesses, community organizations, and residents have equitable opportunity to engage in the economy, live their vision, and contribute their purpose. In the coming months and throughout 2020, The Wellbeing Partners plans to introduce new programs and services focused on topics the community has identified as priorities, including: mental health stigma, food security, community safety and connectedness, and strategic consulting and training for workplace and community health programs. Additionally, the organization will be launching services to connect employers to community resources such as transportation and healthy food. New offerings will not affect the programs and services previously provided by WELLCOM or Live Well Omaha. “In fact, the opposite is true,” says Sjolie. “By combining our resources, we are able to continue the great work our members, partners, and stakeholders have come to rely upon, and take on more of the work they have been asking us for.” Theresa Nelson, former President and CEO of WELLCOM and current Chief Operations Officer of The Wellbeing Partners, adds, “The businesses WELLCOM served will see a difference by getting more for their memberships, not less. I have talked to many business leaders in preparation for this transition, and the business communities in Iowa and Nebraska are excited and looking forward to benefiting from more data, community connections, and expertise.” The Wellbeing Partners is launching a fully-developed event calendar for the first quarter of 2020, including Trek Up the Tower, previously presented by WELLCOM. Trek Up the Tower is a community vertical stair climb event that will support the mission of The Wellbeing Partners, and will take place on Feb. 15 at the First National Tower in downtown Omaha.
January 10, 2020
Get Beautiful Curls, No Matter Your Hair Type By Princess Gabbara
These days, rocking natural hair is a go-to option, especially with the growing category of products designed for curls, kinks and coils. And the natural hair movement extends to people in the public eye, too. Recently-crowned Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi rocks a low ’fro. Michelle Obama debuted ombre curls at the Essence Festival. Taraji P. Henson teased her upcoming hair care brand after flaunting her twist out on Instagram. And Tracee Ellis Ross, who has proudly rocked her larger-than-life spirals for years, launched Pattern Beauty, a hair care line that caters to curl wearers. Want to join the crew for the first time or get the most out of the texture you’ve been sporting? Check out this easy guide. Remember your curl pattern. As you’ve likely heard: “Curl patterns have been alpha-numerically categorized on a scale from 1 to 4c – the number 1 referencing straight hair, 2 referencing wavy hair, 3 referencing loose, curly hair and 4 referencing tightly coiled hair,” says Darrius Peace, master hairstylist and natural-hair expert with Hayah Beauty. “The letters a, b and c subcategorize the hair texture according to its tightness [with c being the tightest]. It’s [not uncommon] for people to have multiple curl patterns.” Knowing your numbers are important. The more we stretch the hair, the more dehydrated it becomes, and the more likely it is to break off, Peace adds. “When we [preserve] the natural size of the curl, that’s when we have the best results and longevity with our curls and style,” he explains. Know your hair’s porosity. This refers to how your hair absorbs and retains moisture. To find out how porous your strands are, place a clean strand of hair in a clear glass of water, then wait a couple minutes. If it floats on the surface, your hair’s porosity is low. A slowly sinking strand indicates normal porosity. If it sinks to the bottom rather quickly, you have high-porosity hair. This hair type can be challenging to work with since it absorbs moisture quickly, causing curls to appear frizzy since there are gaps and holes in the cuticle. But low-porosity hair can be challenging, too, since it often doesn’t absorb enough moisture and can end up feeling dry and looking dull. A protein-based deep conditioner (weekly or biweekly) could help high-porosity hair, and using water-soluble products (to avoid buildup) can help with low porosity. Use your fingers to detangle. Finger detangling minimizes breakage. If you’re pressed for time, use a wide-tooth comb to get rid of stubborn knots and tangles – and it’s OK to be generous with detangling products. Keep your regimen simple. Many naturalistas enjoy creating their own “cocktail,” which refers to mixing different styling products, but it’s easy to overdo it. “Heavy oils on the hair can decrease the longevity of curl definition,” notes Peace. “When the hair is fixated with gels, mousses or foams, the curls last longer.” Consider limiting your “cocktail” to no more than three products to avoid buildup, and apply products to damp hair. Seal cuticles to retain shine. Using a sealing product after you moisturize can help to keep moisture in and prevent moisture loss. Oils like olive oil and coconut oil can act as sealants as well as hair butters. Read the label, as always, when you buy. Use a diffuser if you blow-dry. Diffusers can speed the drying process while enhancing your curl pattern and adding volume. Let your hair air-dry for about 30 minutes before diffusing, use your blow-dryer on low to medium heat and gradually turn up the heat as you begin to dry. Alternate between the cool and warm setting, especially if you want lifted roots. And whether you air-dry or get drying assistance, don’t fuss with your coils once they’re defined. Get regular trims. Freshly trimmed kinks, coils and curls can appear fuller and bouncier. They also can be easier to style because you help avoid split ends that can cause unnecessary friction. Go for a snip every six to eight weeks, and make sure you see a stylist familiar with cutting curly hair. Then bounce your way out and enjoy your pretty tresses.
Health and Spirituality The Government Got This Right By Mark Darby, RN APRN, FNP-C Director of North Omaha Academy of Healthy Living In the last budget bill, the government (that’s right OUR government) got something right. The age to buy tobacco products rose from 18 to 21 years. That means everything tobacco related including E-cigarettes and vaping products. This is a good thing. Many may say that despite this law, teens will still smoke. However, from a public health standpoint tobacco control policies work, leading up to a 30% reduction in tobacco use. So, while some teens may still smoke, many will not. The goal of any public health initiative is to decrease harm for as many people as possible. This law will have this effect. Raising the age limit will hopefully stem the dramatic increase in tobacco use amongst teens. This increase can be attributed to E-cigarettes and vaping. However, there will be some who continue to smoke. To them I say, with the new year, it may be a good time to follow the lead of the government and make a change. It is time to set a quit date. Quitting nicotine is hard. In the last month, I have seen a man dying (literally) of lung disease and saying it was not related to smoking 2 packs per day. WRONG! During the conversation I blurted out, “Your brain is not making decisions for you. The nicotine is doing your thinking.” The nicotine dependent brain can deny all the evidence that
tobacco kills everything from the heart and lungs to the arteries in your fingers and toes. Study after study shows that smoking has numerous and disastrous health effects. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (or COPD), which kills thousands is caused by smoking. Such facts don’t deter some from smoking, however. Once nicotine gets into the amygdala and other lower parts of the brain, people no longer choose to use tobacco. They can resist the urge for a few moments or even weeks, but they eventually go back to smoking, chewing or vaping. Fortunately, there is help that is effective. If you are smoking and thinking of quitting remember: • It is not about will power. Quitting requires help from outside. Enlist family, friends, co-workers, therapists or health care providers. • Many nicotine replacement products such as patches and/or gum work but people don’t know how to use them. For example, if you chew nicotine gum like gum it does not work. You have to chew it until it tingles then place if in your cheek and gum. Then you have to go back and forth until there is no tingling. • Help is available by calling 1-800-QUIT NOW or through on-line apps such as QutiNow. There is also a spiritual lesson about perseverance here. Most people who attempt to quit fail the first time, and the second and the third. Have faith! Eventually it works when the time is right. Stay with it!
What You Need to Know About Intermittent Fasting By Rebekah Sager What do Halle Berry, 53, and TV host Terry Crews, 51, have in common? Beyond good looks and big bank accounts, both reportedly manage their weight by intermittent fasting (IF). That means cycling between periods of eating and periods of fasting, which can range from 12 hours with no food to two days (yikes!) per week of eating fewer than 500 calories. The 16/8 method, however, is one of the most popular. Followers of this method fast for 16 hours. For many people, that means skipping breakfast, then consuming all their meals between an eight-hour window, say between 1 and 9 p.m. Fitness influencer Janielle Wright, 29, has used various timeframes and credits IF, plus a low-carb diet and six days per week of exercise, with her losing more than 100 pounds. She details her holistic wellness journey from 337 pounds to less than 237 pounds within a year on social media. Wright stresses the importance of thoroughly researching a weight-loss approach before trying it, as well as nutrition fundamentals such as proper hydration. While her experience shows that IF is trendy (she has 189,000 YouTube subscribers), it doesn’t portray it as a magic bullet: Wright also limited calories. I took a personal interest in IF after a doctor’s appointment at which I discovered that I was 20 pounds over my happy weight. I talked to my physician and did some online research. I also chatted with my friend Beverly Greene, 76, who had been doing IF for more than a year at the time and had dropped 12 pounds. She skips dinner and reported that her late-afternoon hunger had all but disappeared – and her acid reflux was less severe. “I wish I’d known about it at 50,” she told me. I decided to try IF for myself. If you’re curious about the craze, read on for answers to some commonly asked questions.
Is it safe for me? IF may be an option for many people, but according to Kristen Gradney, dietitian and nutritionist spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, individuals diagnosed with diabetes or who are on diabetes medications should only attempt it under the close supervision of a physician. Ask your health care provider if it’s a good move for you. How does it work? Monique Tello, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, explained it like this in the Harvard Health Blog: Everything we eat is broken down by enzymes and ends up as molecules in our bloodstream. Carbohydrates, for example, are reduced to sugars, which the body uses for energy. If we eat more sugar than we need, the excess is delivered to our fat cells by the hormone insulin and stored as fat. But a few hours after eating (provided we haven’t snacked), insulin levels drop, cueing our fat cells to release stored sugar for energy. The idea is that IF allows our insulin levels to drop low enough, and stay low long enough, that our bodies burn fat and we lose weight. Besides weight loss, how else does IF change the body? IF may protect against diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a 2017 report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A 2018 study of overweight men in the journal Cell Metabolism found improvements in blood pressure after IF. But future, more inclusive research would help to confirm or clarify these findings. Isn’t skipping breakfast discouraged by many health experts? More research is needed to better understand how morning eating habits affect weight control. According to a study published in April in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers found a link between skipping breakfast and deaths by heart attack. “Our study supports the benefits of eating breakfast in promoting cardiovascular health,” they said. Plus, breakfast fuels our
body and muscles, and it can help us avoid cravings, dietitian Katherine Zeratsky writes on MayoClinic.org. Fasting in the evening and eating in the morning may be a more beneficial option. Do you need to cut calories? Simply by restricting your mealtimes during IF, you may cut your caloric intake. But eating within an eight-hour window doesn’t mean you can gorge on whatever you want. I was advised by Gradney to eat a Mediterranean diet – lean protein, legumes, fruits and vegetables – and drink tons of water. According to Gradney, “You need some carbs to feed your brain, your muscles and fuel yourself. But fruits and vegetables should be the primary source.” Also, you’re allowed to have coffee, tea and water during fasting hours. What’s it like in real life? Experiences can vary. Real talk: My first few days on IF were terrible. I had a tough time concentrating and endured what felt like a week-long headache. The good news: Because I eat pretty healthy, meaning I don’t eat fast food, beef or pork, and I consume several servings of vegetables and fruit daily, I didn’t have to significantly change what I ate. I did watch my sugar intake and limited myself to one alcoholic drink per week. Here’s my conclusion: Giving up nighttime snacking was hard. And when I’d go out to dinner, my 16-hour fast couldn’t start until after the final bite, which meant that sometimes I couldn’t eat until midafternoon the next day. But after about a month, I’d lost six pounds and noticed I had a lot more energy, even when I didn’t get a great night’s sleep. Gradney cautioned me that over the long term my weight loss might be modest, but since IF can increase metabolism, it may help followers avoid future weight gain. I chose not to continue with the program, as I found that I loved breakfast way too much!