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From the Editor It's a New Year, how about a New You? Annually the calendar rolls over and a new year starts with vows of weight loss, better financial management and kicking the nicotine habit. If we're honest with ourselves and if we pay attention to the experts a majority of our resolutions are history before January 31st!

We offer you an alternative to “resolutions” this year compliments of Simply Stephanie. If you suffer from forgotten or never created resolutions be sure to read her column as she dissects the word 'resolution' and offers a vision for creating that better, wonderful you in 2015.

To aid you in setting goals as it relates to your personal health we introduce, “Let's Get Naked” a column written by Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew of University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew encourages you to remove all the layers so that you will be able to determine the “true” you. I won't give away her entire column but she does say, “It is important that women begin to peel off all of the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, sexual and financial baggage that often prevents them from reaching their full potential and finding true joy in our everyday lives.”

I hope you will take a few moments of your busy schedule to read this column and look forward to more enlightening advice from Larkins-Pettigrew as you journey through a New Year towards a new you!

Are you seeking stability and a strong foundation this year? Well, the uptick in the housing market might have you considering home ownership as part of your New Year's goals. Columnist Deborah Prince offers some great advice on just how you should go about that using her own recent experience as an example. So if you or someone you know is in the market for that perfect place to call home, be sure to check out her column.

Aside from the perfect house with all the amenities, we are all looking for that idyllic neighborhood or community where we feel safe and comfortable in calling our residence home. With a tumultuous start to the year across our nation that is a dream that for many has been deferred. In an effort to find solutions to some of the local problems we spotlight two phenomenal women working to aid in the stability of Cleveland communities.

A soldier in the battle against domestic violence, human trafficking and all violence against women is Laura Cowan. Cowan is a warrior who has lived to discuss the traumas she faced while being held against her will by a man who had chosen her as his wife. With the resolve of Job, Cowan has dedicated her life and energy to assisting others in similar situations. It is an eye-opening story that will pull at your heart strings – check it out.

As we prepare to celebrate Black History Month we are shining a light on Marsha Mockabee, CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. Mockabee grew up in the shadows of the Civil Rights movement of the sixties and that training ground has prepared her for her job today. Empowering men and women of color is at the core of Mockabee's plans so check out her story for more information on the wonderful programs she is spearheading at the Urban League.

I thank you for spending some time with Phenomenal Woman this month and for the past two years. I encourage you to continue to pull up a chair and your favorite beverage as you read this edition. As always, we would love to hear from you, so drop us a line and tell us about the Phenomenal Women in your life.

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CONTENTS

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3rd Annual International women’s Day DEBORAH PRINCE

The Ups and Downs of Home Buying Experience SIMPLY STEPHANIE: LIVING IN DESTINY

Staying focused on your New Year plans

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LAURA COWAN A Soldier In The Battle Against Domestic Violence

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Easy Delicious Recipes

34

Book Reviews

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MARSHA MOCKABEE A Tender-hearted Strategist For Tough Times Ahead DR. MARGARET LARKINS-PETTIGREW

“Let’s Get Naked” Promoting Health And Wellness Through Joyful Living

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SPRING 2015 FASHION

28 Your Business Connections

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Home Buying Can Be A Nightmare

By Deborah Prince PWM Contributing Writer Rent increases, absentee landlords, outdated appliances, windows that don't have storms, wild and crazy neighbors, no privacy – the list goes on and on when you are a renter, a tenant, a boarder. So why do so many of us still rent when home ownership is a viable option?

After finding out your credit report is a mess, fighting with creditors and the credit bureaus, waiting to get your loan pre-approved, hunting for and finding “the house of your dreams” (that gets sold after three days on the market), it kind of smashes your confidence that buying a house is really the right thing for you to do. These bumps in the road happen to many homebuyers, so don't be surprised when they happen to you because they are just part of the home buying experience.

Homeownership is marketed as the American Dream, but the process can be more like a nightmare!

Last year I started house hunting by figuring out what neighborhood I'd like to live in, and I was really open. Too open! East, west, north south – didn't matter as long as I could get to work in less than an hour. One afternoon I drove down a peaceful street with gorgeous, well maintained brick and stone homes, thinking “I would love to live in one of these houses!” So when I spotted a For Sale sign with flyers posted on the lawn, I stopped the car and eagerly retrieved the description of the house. The room sizes were good, the yard space workable, color pictures showed nice updates in the kitchen and bathrooms. Sounds great so far. Then I saw the price. I took the flyer, put it back in the box on the lawn and went off to find another neighborhood. I had just experienced “sticker shock”.

Once I narrowed down which neighborhoods I could afford to live in, I started my search for financing.

There are many first time home buyers programs out there and I searched online and found Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland (NHS). NHS offers homebuyers education classes, down payment assistance programs, and referrals to realtors, financial institutions and home improvement contractors. Since many banks offer various incentives to qualified home buyers who complete a home buyers education course, I chose to attend NHS' homebuyers education course. I eventually met the criteria to qualify for one bank's first time home 8 ▒ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

buyer program (a huge savings for me) that included a reduced interest rate, a reduced down payment and no PMI on the loan. PMI is private mortgage insurance that home buyers usually pay if their down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price.

Next I had to choose a realtor. I recommend that you select a realtor that is familiar with the recently sold and available properties in the neighborhoods that you like.

They know the market and can save you time and money.

So after searching through hundreds of houses online, I found what I thought was “the ONE” and asked my realtor to schedule a viewing. It was a ranch style house with a full, finished basement, three bedrooms, updated kitchen and two full bathrooms, with a creek in the backyard and enough land to add a swimming pool (if the property was in California, right?) It needed a few minor updates (knock down a few walls, rip up all of the carpeting, replace the master bathroom shower) but I was in love and I wanted this house! To be sure I didn't miss anything, we went back for a 2nd viewing several days later, and that's when my nightmare began. My realtor said she had some news.

Thieves had broken into the house, carefully removed all of the copper piping, so all the plumbing would have to be replaced. Oh no! There was more. She told me that since my pre-approval wasn't final, the owner would not accept an offer from me just yet. Wow. My bubble was burst. I couldn't get the house until my loan officer finalized the paperwork. The clock was ticking and two months later, you guessed it, “the ONE” had been sold and instead of it taking a week, I received my pre-approval four weeks later.

Disappointed, I took a break from looking for a few weeks.

Then I found “THE ONE”! Called my realtor, scheduled the viewing, and decided to make an offer. My realtor encouraged me to offer the full asking price (which made me question my choice of realtors), but my offer was several thousand dollars less than list price. Well, the “flippers” (investors who buy homes, update and sell them for a quick profit) wanted to play hardball and we went back and forth for several days before agreeing on the price. My private home inspector found several major structural deficiencies, along with numerous minor items, so I asked the owners/ investors to address them. They refused to repair the twisted floor joists, repair the roof or replace the broken garage floor so I chose to walk away from “THE ONE”. It was a sad day.

Wanting to help, my son emailed me links to five listings that he thought would meet my criteria. I liked three of them and a month later, I decided to go check them out. Only one tiny issue – I needed a new realtor who knew the real estate market in the chosen neighborhood, who was a good negotiator and would act in my best interest during the process. NHS referred me to a motherdaughter team who showed me the houses and I fell in love with “THE REAL ONE”. I contacted my loan officer to give him the good news and discovered that he was no longer with the bank –blessing in disguise! I was assigned a new loan officer and gave him a heads up that I hoped to be making an offer soon. A week or so later, I made the offer, called my loan officer and his voicemail message stated that he was out of the office for the next month. NO WAY could I wait a month and possibly lose my house because my loan officer was vacationing in Italy!

Luckily I tracked down his supervisor and was assigned a 3rd loan officer, who was the best of all. (I guess 3 is my lucky number)

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Negotiations with the owners of “THE REAL ONE” took five days, my same home inspector gave the house two thumbs up, and I closed on my house four weeks later.

If you're considering buying a home this year, I strongly encourage you to enroll in a homebuyer's education course and attend all of the sessions. The benefits may include a lower interest rate on your home loan, as well as guidance on addressing credit issues, names of real estate, banking and home improvement/maintenance professionals who will advise you on the home buying process and how to maintain your home.

I spent hours and hours researching first time homebuyer programs and comparing their offerings so take the time and do your homework. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) website is a good starting point for finding information on programs for new and repeat home buyers.

A final note: Once you start the home buying process, postpone any major purchases until after you close on your home because increased debt and late payments will have a negative impact on both your credit score and your debt-income ratio. Banks have been known to deny a loan right before the closing is scheduled because of major purchases by the home buyer that changed their credit worthiness.

Whether it's your first time or your fifth time, the home buying process is filled with ups and downs but the final outcome – home ownership - is definitely a dream worth turning into reality. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 9

Simply Stephanie

Living in Destiny©

Well, the New Year is upon us. It's a time for new beginnings.

It's a time to embrace all that life has to offer. By now most of us know what it's like to make a New Year's resolution. We're so hopeful and full of excitement to do something bigger and better than the year before, or to at least make a significant amount of progress in some area of our lives. But, what normally happens? By Jan. 15 statistics show, 95percent of us have either broken our resolutions or never

By Stephanie Phelps made a resolution, in the first place, PWM Contributing Writer because we know we're not likely to keep them. So, how do we make 2015 different? How do we accomplish our goals, realize our dreams and all that we aspire, in hopes of a better life. How do we actually do the thing we've been trying to do but, for whatever reason, just fall short of achieving?

The answers to these questions are not easy ones. They require reflection, commitment to new rituals, persistence, and a belief that we're worthy of all that we desire.

Let's dig just a little deeper, though. What is a resolution anyway?

Exactly what does it mean to resolve to do something? When I think of the word resolve, I tend to think the “re” part, first and foremost. And that “re” implies doing something over again or attempting to solve something over and over again, without success. Maybe when it comes to New Year's resolutions our general thinking boils down to, the first time or times before didn't quite do the trick and that's why we find ourselves making these promises year after year. Hmm, wonder if it would be better to fully solve a problem or correct a situation instead of resolving to do so.

Hey! I think I'm on to something.

Rather than relying solely on the primary definition found in Webster's dictionary (which by the way is to solve, determine or answer), I like this one better: to show an image clearly and with a lot of detail. What If we combine these two, and resolve to look at a situation or see ourselves clearly, for the absolutely “wonder-full” person we really are, deserving the best and not just settling. If we did this, we would understand the value of attending to the small things. When we do this our chances of determining what to do and how to do it will be made easier, we will make progress toward bigger and better things, and I think that's what makes us truly happy. As they say, progress not perfection.

After deciding what I've personally resolved, for the New Year, here are some tips I'd like to share: 1.) Make a resolution to do something that genuinely excites you, make it something that pulls at your very core. Reflecting on your passions and what makes you tick helps a great deal, in this endeavor.

2.) Have a compelling reason(s) to follow through and make things happen by raising your standards.

3.) Take time to understand who you are and why you are worthy of all your heart's desire. Ask yourself who am I really?

Answer this question, and with faith and determination you're bound to triumph.

4.) Take consistent small steps that will lead toward something bigger. Positive new rituals are the key.

Here's one more New Year's tradition -- a toast – as I raise my cup of java to you, in anticipation of you achieving all you can possibly imagine in 2015, and beyond. Happy New Year!

Simply,Stephanie 10 ▒ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

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WOMEN HISTORY MAKERS

Clara Mae Luper (1923-2011) was one of the early leaders of the civil rights movement and a leader of the fight to end segregation in Oklahoma.

She was arrested 26 times for her civil rights activities.

She was a candidate for the US Senate in 1972 and developed Black Voices Magazine in the late 70s.

Jeanine McIntosh Menze is a United States Coast Guard officer. She holds the distinction of becoming the first AfricanAmerican female in the U.S. Coast Guard to earn the Coast Guard Aviation designation. At the time of her graduation, she was the first African-American female aviator in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Josephine Holloway pictured with her grand daughter (1898-1988) Armed with determination, an old Willis Jeep, and a dream of equality for African - American girls, Josephine Groves Holloway became the founder of the first black Girl Scout troop and was the first black Girl Scout executive in Middle Tennessee. (Profile of AfricanAmericans in Tennessee, 1996)

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Photo: Fred Palumbo

AFRICAN AMERICAN

Jewel S. LaMankarious (1922-1997) was the first female deputy solicitor general of the United States, an official in the administration of President George H.W. Bush, and an attorney in Chicago. She also was considered by President Richard Nixon as a possible nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States

Amelia Boynton Robinson is an African-American woman who was a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama and a key figure in the 1965 march that became known as Bloody Sunday. Her history of activism began at the age of 9 handing out leaflets for Women’s Suffrage. A photo of her and another protester beaten unconscious in the street on Bloody Sunday circulated globally calling attention to protests in Alabama. Ms. Robinson is now 103 years old and attended the State of the Union address on January 2015.

Althea Gibson (1927-2003) was the first black athlete to break the color barrier of international tennis and was also a professional golfer. She became the first person of color to win the Grand Slam Title (French Open) and also won other international tennis tournaments across Europe.

AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN HISTORY MAKERS

Dr. Alexa Irene Canady overcame challenges as an undergraduate, put in extraordinary efforts and went on to qualify as the first AfricanAmerican woman neurosurgeon in the United States. She served as chief of Neurosurgery (one of the most complex and challenging of medical specialties) at the Children Hospital of Michigan and specializes in trauma and brain tumors. She received several honorary degrees and was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame.

Dr. Mildred Jefferson (1926-2010) was an American Physician and political activist. She is noted to be the first black woman to graduate from Harvard medical school in 1951. known for her opposition to legalization of abortion and her work with the National Right to Life Committee, Mildred Jefferson is noted for changing Ronald Reagan’s stance on Abortion from Prochoice to Pro-life.

Mabel Keaton Staupers (1890-1989) was a pioneer in the American Nursing profession. Faced with racial discrimination after graduating from nursing school, Staupers became an advocate for racial equality in the Nursing profession. She played a significant role in the full inclusion of nurses of all races in the US military, which was granted in January 1945.

Source: VSU Library

The 19th Amendment passed in 1920 gave women the right to vote in both state and federal elections.

First African American women voted in Ettrick, Virginia in 1920 and were all members of the VSU faculty • These women, left to right, are Eva Conner, Evie Carpenter, Odelle Green, Virginia Mary Branch, Anna Lindsay, Edna Colson, Edwina Wright, Johnella Frazer, and Nannie Nichols.

Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman (1892-1926) was an American civil aviator. In 1916 at the age of 23, her dreams of being a pilot were dashed as she could not gain admission to American flight schools because she was black and a woman. Coleman took a French-language class at the Berlitz School in Chicago, and then traveled to Paris on November 20, 1920, so she could earn her pilot license. She thus became the first African-American woman to earn an International aviation license and noted as the first black woman to earn an aviation pilot’s license.

Isabel Sanford (1917-2014) was the first black American actress to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her work in "The Jeffersons."

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Marsha Mockabee: A Tender-Hearted Strategist for Tough Times Ahead

14 â–’ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

Marsha Mockabee, CEO and President of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland & Widely Credited for the Turnaround of the Cleveland Chapter

by Michelle Phillips Fay Contributing Writer, Phenomenal Woman Magazine

On August 28, 1963, a young girl gathered around the television in her home in Cleveland, Ohio, with her parents and grandparents and listened to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his now-iconic “I Have a Dream” speech to the world. Some fifty years later, it remains the most memorable speech the only child has ever heard. And perhaps it was also the most impactful. That young girl grew up to be Marsha Mockabee, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. Today, she leads the Cleveland chapter of the National Urban League, a legacy civil rights organization, which is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2017. Difficult were the times that gave rise to its creation, tougher still are the times that lay ahead of its milestone celebration. Mockabee has her work cut out for her.

In 1991, Mockabee began her tenure, serving as director of programs and director of education and youth development. She implemented youth empowerment programs, annual tours of historically black colleges and universities, career planning and exploration, summer STEM camps, and internships for nearly 500 students within Greater Cleveland.

Throughout her tenure, Mockabee has emphasized the Urban League's historical work of developing the workforce, and more recently has championed its entry into creating and strengthening minority entrepreneurs.

But Mockabee thought differently. The self-described “tender and compassionate Leo” went to work turning around the organization and setting it on a new course for success. As a result, Mockabee was named to her current post two years later.

Today, one of the greatest compliments that can be paid to her is to no longer hear people say – “I thought the Urban League was closed.”

Yet for all of her business acumen, Mockabee never strays too far afield from her civil-rights-movement roots. How could she? As a teenager, growing up was shaped by the unrest in her native Cleveland, a nationwide movement unfolding, and events such as the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the election of Carl B. Stokes as Mayor of Cleveland in 1968.

Recently, Mockabee attended the “Justice for All” Rally in Washington, D.C., which grew out of the unrest that has gripped this nation in response to the deaths of unarmed blacks – men and women, young and old – at the hands of police officers. These protests became personal to the city of Cleveland in late November when a 12-year-old boy, Tamir Rice, was fatally shot by a white police officer.

The officer was responding to a 911 call which reported that someone was seen brandishing what appeared to be a fake gun in a city park.

The 911 operator neglected to pass along the caller's report that the gun appeared to be “fake.” It was a toy gun; but the orange-colored tip which manufacturers use to identify the object as such had been removed.

Within seconds of arriving on the scene, the officer shot Rice and he died the next day of his wounds.

“We are not defined as much by what we do in our finest hour, but [by what we do in] some of our most challenged time.”

One example of the Urban League's core programming is its S.O.A.R. (Solid Opportunities for Advancement and Retention) Program. “S.O.A.R. is a rigorous workforce development training program designed to assist the unemployed, underemployed, veteran and ex-offender in identifying, addressing and overcoming employment barriers,” according to program materials.

S.O.A.R. provides resume development assistance, career exploration opportunities, and individualized career counseling, and job placement assistance. With a focus on the whole person, the program also covers topics like sustaining positive self-esteem, effective communication, conflict management, and business etiquette.

In 2009, Mockabee took over as interim head as the Urban League was teetering on the brink of financial ruin. The organization was over-staffed and under-funded, neither of which bodes well in the non-profit world.

Many Clevelanders believed it would simply cease to exist.

This incident thrust Cleveland into the mix with other cities erupting in demonstrations and calling for justice in the wake of deadly police encounters. Names like Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice now fill the mouths of chanting protestors, like the names of Medgar, Martin and Malcolm once filled the hearts of protestors 50 years ago.

The familiar Civil Rights Movement refrain of “We Shall Overcome” has been replaced with “Hands Up, Don't Shoot!” and “I Can't Breathe!” and “Black Lives Matter!” In light of these tumultuous times, I asked Mockabee what would be the main focus of her work in 2015. “What is called for in tumultuous times, when the world is on fire, is for the voice of reason to prevail, and to not have additional fanning of the flames of fire,” she said. “What's needed in times like these are conveners, who can bring people together, and help develop solutions.”

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Marsha Mockabee with Urban League staff, Dennis Stephens, Manager, Fiscal (left) and Evette Jackson Clark, M.Ed., M., Psy. Senior Director, Education & Talent Development (right)

Like her civil rights predecessors, Mockabee welcomes everyone to the struggle. And she is encouraged by the fact that “this is not just a black issue.” Support for this is found, according to Mockabee, in the fact that those who are taking to the streets in protest, even traveling to the nation's capital again, are an amalgam of America – all ages, colors, ethnicities, genders, orientations, religions, stations, and walks of life. And because of this Mockabee is hopeful that this will be a longer-termed movement than some more recent attempts at change, like Occupy Wall Street. She is certain that in this common struggle centering on social justice issues some people are responding to the “newness” of it all. However, Mockabee will not go so far as to call it a New Civil Rights Movement.

A proven turnaround strategist, she naturally views problem-solving through that prism. In her world, it is important to understand that: “You may not be able to change a condition overnight. But if you understand what the condition is, [and] how it impacts you, [then] you can develop strategies to deal with the situation while you're also trying to change it.” As a witness to civil rights history, Mockabee understands the process: “Cultures don't get built overnight. So the culture that promotes and allows excessive force to happen has evolved over time. And it's not going to get changed overnight. So you got to have multiple strategies about how you deal with that change that is going to take time.”

In her role as a female leader, Mockabee sees a special role for women when it comes to addressing the problems at hand. For her, “I think that we have to speak up and speak out.” Mockabee feels secure in her position at the table, 16 ▒ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

despite the overwhelming number of male leaders in this space. “What will make the difference is when the women are there to talk about solutions and to help move the solutions forward,” she stressed. And that is the “real role” for women leaders to perform, according to Mockabee. With humor, she pointed out that “sometimes the turf issues really get exacerbated in the maledominated arena, and sometimes women can break some of that down and help create consensus and bridgebuilding.” Hopefully so, since a recent article by Kali Nicole Gross in the Huffington Post estimated that nationwide “roughly 20 percent of unarmed black victims of fatal police violence are women.” Collectively, as individuals, daughters, sisters, wives, mothers and grandmothers, the stakes are extremely high for black women.

In the coming year, Mockabee will look to implementing the National Urban League's 10-Point Justice Plan, which addresses police reform.

Specifically, she will be spearheading initiatives related to the widespread use of body and dashboard cameras, implementing a 21Century Community Policing Model, and promoting “Know Your Rights”-styled education programs to help the Greater Cleveland community have better outcomes in their encounters with law enforcement. She is looking to bring the Urban League “asset” to the table. And her planned approach is to be “very collaborative.” In Mockabee's straightforward style, she explained: “We don't have to own it. We don't have to drive it.” Rather, she sees the role of legacy civil rights organizations as providing direction and physical support, especially to the up-and-coming organizations. Mockabee believes that there is strength (and power) in numbers.

But as she works toward change in Cleveland, Mockabee will be aided by the recently-released findings of the Justice Department's investigation, under the leadership of outgoing Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., of the Cleveland Division of Police.

The investigation was triggered by the shooting deaths of unarmed AfricanAmericans Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams on November 29, 2012. Both were killed during a citywide police car chase involving over a dozen responding officers, who collectively fired 137 rounds.

As for Mockabee's assessment of the findings, she stated: “The basic outcome of the report . . . says there has been enough evidence that says we have a problem. And so now I'm concerned about where the solution is going to come from . . . We all knew there was a problem. When the 137 shots happened we all knew that was a problem!

Now, we have had someone to verify that there's a problem. And so now my issue is what are we going to do about it?”

Closing out the interview and the year, Mockabee had a message for her home city as the new year approached: “We are not defined as much by what we do in our finest

hour, but [by what we do in] some of our most challenged time. And so none of us would have picked what has happened. But we have the opportunity to come out better. Are we going to let the moment define ourselves or [are we going to let] our responses and the moments that we will make [define us]?” When asked how she thought the city of Cleveland would respond to her question, Mockabee proudly asserted that “my Cleveland will do the right thing.” As for her, Mockabee is certain to approach whatever lies ahead with the same sense of history, mission, and purpose. ~~~~~ Michelle Phillips Fay is an attorney and a regular contributor of personality profiles at Phenomenal Woman Magazine. She is currently enjoying the opportunity to meet and interview Cleveland's own phenomenal women and to tell their stories. Ms. Fay is looking forward to the positive challenges that 2015 will bring for her.

Marsha's “Mellow” · · · · · · ·

She has been married for 45 years to her devoted husband, James.

She is the mother of two adult daughters, mother-in-law to two sons, and grandmother to three youngsters. And she lovingly claims a “canine daughter” named My-K-La. She actively volunteers at the Cleveland Church of Christ Citadel of Hope Ministries, serving as an usher, Assistant Sunday School Teacher, and as a Lay Ministry Leader.

She loves to travel and has targeted Hawaii for the not-too-distant future.

She includes starting a family business as one of her long-term “bucket list” items.

She soon plans to write several books, noting that one will focus on the faith realm.

She lists Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? and Jim Collins' Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap . . . and Others Don't, among her favorite reads.

Phenomenal Phacts ·

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Mockabee earned a B.A. degree with cum laude honors from Concordia University and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management (CNM) from the Mandel Center for Non-Profit Organizations at Case Western Reserve University and a MBM from Indiana Wesleyan.

Mockabee as proud graduate of Collinwood High School was recognized as a Woman of Excellence in the 7th Edition of Who's Who in Black Cleveland.

Mockabee was recognized at the National Urban League Conference as Outstanding Newcomer CEO (2011).

Mockabee was selected by Crain's Cleveland Business as a Woman of Note (2012).

Mockabee was named by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Greater Cleveland Chapter as a Woman of Vision (2013).

Mockabee was chosen by the National Urban League Conference as a Women of Power Award Recipient (2014).

Mockabee served as the Vice President of the Ohio Council of Urban Leagues.

Mockabee ( R ) Receiving Women of Power Award

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 17

HEALTH

HER Corner

By Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew,MD, MEd, MPPM Edgar B. Jackson Chair for Clinical Excellence and Diversity Associate Professor/Head Global Health Department of Obstetrics & Reproductive Biology University Hospitals Case Medical Center

“Ladies Let's Get Naked”

W

hen you first read the title of this message, you may gasp at the idea that a physician would be suggesting that women should get naked. In fact, I am suggesting that women literally practice the true definition of naked which is to bare all, uncover, without protection or ornamentation as we seriously think about being our best selves. It is important that women begin to peel off all of the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, sexual and financial baggage that often prevents them from reaching their full potential and finding true joy in our everyday lives.

In this "Ladies, Let's Get Naked " series we will explore the importance of focusing on body changes that warrant attention and the need for health-care evaluations. We will look at the psychological stressors that cause detrimental health care changes and chronic disease. The inability to understand and set social boundaries often result in repetitive episodes of heart break, depression, rape, domestic and gender based violence. A strong spiritual foundation that promotes growth through self management and purposeful living has helped women focus, find creativity and vision. Sexual health includes sexual responsibility that results in safe behavior as well as sexual pleasure. Knowledge of finance and good business decisions enhance life style decisions that promote holistic stability in the lives of women from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

These topics and more will be covered with an opportunity to engage in thoughtful and motivating

18 ▒ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

discussions with other women committed to promoting health and wellness through joyful living.

Joyful living is the topic I have chosen to kick off this series. Joy is a state of physical and mental stability that allows internal hormones (peptides) to be released promoting happiness, euphoria and a sense of contentment. Endorphins are endogenous opioids. They are peptides much like morphine that raise the body's pain threshold, and make us feel warm and happy. It is believed that these endorphins are released when eating chocolate, experiencing acupuncture, making love or exercising. A very simple deduction is that more endorphins should result in more time spent living joyfully. Many of us have no problem adding some of these practices to our lifestyles.

A limited production of endorphins may result in less opportunity for joyful and purposeful living. So what contributes to a decrease in these valuable hormones? Lack of sleep and exercise, along with increased alcohol intake, caffeine, excess sugar and stress; have all been implicated in this alteration in balance and stability. As women, it remains a challenge every day just to be a woman with today's societal demands. Many women experience depressive moods that continue to reinforce this imbalance.

Join me in a journey to find joyful living while discovering that your healthy body will enhance this goal.

6 Tips for Healthy Aging

By Dr. Nancy C. Lee, Director, Office on Women's Health It's a new year, full of opportunity, promise, and hope.

While no one knows what 2015 will bring, there is one truth we can't escape: we're all older than we were last year. Aging is a natural part of life, and it's up to us to make the most of it. To me, that means being active and feeling my best. No matter your age, you can feel your best, too!

Here are six easy ways you can stay active and healthy in 2015.

Start by making small changes. Pick leaner proteins (lean beef, chicken, and fish) and whole grains. Swap sugary drinks for water, and pick fat-free and low-fat milk products. I also work fruits and vegetables into every meal. Top your morning cereal with berries, and add vegetables to pasta and casserole dishes. My last piece of food advice is to cook at home as much as possible. Why? It gives you more control over what you eat. Need healthy recipe ideas? Check out the MyPlate Recipes Pinterest board.

2) Move more. Exercise is one of Mother Nature's best anti-aging remedies. Regular exercise not only helps you live longer, but it also helps you sleep better, stay at a healthy weight, and feel good about yourself. Plus, it can be a lot of fun. How much exercise do you need? Aim for two and a half hours (about 30 minutes a day) of moderately intense activity a week (such as brisk walking) and two or more days of strength training that works all major muscle groups (such as sit-ups and lifting weights).

Whether it's gardening, yoga, or hiking, finding activities you enjoy can make it easier to stick with it.

3) Ditch the tobacco. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health — and for the health of those around you. There's no denying that quitting is tough. Exsmokers say it's one of the hardest things they've ever done, and many quit more than once before they were successful. But they did it, and so can you. Visit www. women.smokefree.gov for free tools and resources to help you or someone you love quit smoking for good. And don't forget to check with your insurance provider to see if — thanks to the Affordable Care Act — your plan offers nocost services and medications to help you quit smoking.

4) Monitor your health. Schedule your well-woman visit every year. Even if you feel fine, a yearly visit allows you to connect with your doctor or nurse. It's your time to get important screenings and to discuss your health habits, family history, and future plans for your health, such as wanting to get pregnant or needing an effective family planning method. It also gives your doctor or nurse a chance to identify problems early, when they're easiest to treat. The best part? The Affordable Care Act requires

Photo: Chris Sardegna

1) Eat smart. I know it's not always easy to eat well. But a healthy diet can reduce your risk for women's major health problems — heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

most private insurance plans to cover your well-woman visit and preventive screenings at no additional cost to you.

5) Don't forget your "Me Time." Life gets busy. And if you're like me, every time you cross something off your to-do list, you add five more things. Let's put ourselves on our to-do lists. Carve out time just for you every day — even if it's only a few minutes. Do something you enjoy or that feels relaxing and satisfying. Maybe it's meditating, an early morning walk, or a cup of tea and a crossword puzzle. (I like to knit.) Do whatever feels good and helps you de-stress.

6) Be sun smart. Being safe in the sun isn't just for summer days at the beach. Whenever you're in the sun — even during the winter — you're exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, immune suppression, and cataracts. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself, like wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and hats and sunscreen every day. Your daily moisturizer or foundation may already have sunscreen, but you'll want to use products with SPF 30 or higher. Also be sure it offers broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. And remember those sunglasses — they protect your eyes from sun damage.

Let's make the most of the years ahead! Small changes can make a big difference in your overall health, so take one step toward a healthier you today.

Source: womenshealth.gov

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 19

The Environment and Women's Health

Some Facts Worth Noting ... § The

environment is everything around you, indoors or outdoors. The air you breathe, water you drink, the ground you walk on, and food you eat are all part of your environment. It's important that you know what things in the environment can affect your health and what you can do to help protect yourself and your family.

§ Chemicals and other substances in the environment can cause serious health problems in women, such as cancer, lung disease, or reproductive system problems. They can also make health conditions worse. Scientists are studying the ways toxins in the environment may play a role in conditions such as breast cancer, endometriosis, and menopause.

§ Many types of environmental exposures are more harmful for children than for adults. There are many reasons for this:

§ Relative

to their body weight, children eat, breathe, and drink more than adults do. So children take in higher concentrations of any toxins in their food, water, or air.

§ As organs

develop, they are more likely to be damaged by exposure to toxins.

§ The ways that toxins are removed from the body are not fully developed in children.

§ Children spend more time outdoors, where they may be exposed to outdoor air pollution and ultraviolet radiation.

§ Children

do more intense physical activity, causing them to breathe air pollutants more deeply into their lungs.

§ Young children tend to put their hands, dirt, or objects into their mouths.

20 ▒ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

§ Exposure to some toxic substances — including lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, pesticides, solvents, and household chemicals — can increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and other pregnancy complications. These and other environmental toxins can also harm the developing bodies of fetuses and infants. Women who are pregnant or nursing or who plan to become pregnant should take special care to avoid exposure to certain chemicals discussed here.

§ Pollutants

in the environment can contribute to some illnesses that are more common in older adults. Indoor and outdoor air pollution can aggravate the symptoms of cardiovascular and lung diseases, including high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. These conditions are more common in women over the age of 50 than in men over 50. Older adults may be more susceptible to the health effects of toxic chemicals.

People who are exposed to pollutants over the course of a lifetime may have health problems when they are older. For instance, long-term exposure to pesticides may cause cancer or dementia. Lead is a toxic metal that may be stored in bones. In postmenopausal women who were exposed to lead early in life, bone loss can release lead into the bloodstream. This may cause kidney damage, increase the risk of high blood pressure, and decrease cognitive functions.

Source: Office on Women's Health, US Dept. of Health and Human Services. www.womenshealth.gov

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 21

FEATURE - LAURA COWAN

A promise to God fulfilled – The Laura Cowan Foundation

By Shelley M. Shockley PWM Managing Editor

It's late summer and Laura Cowan is excited about a new position she is about to take at the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, but she is even more excited about sharing the story of her triumph over evil and the work that she is doing to aid others in their journey away from domestic violence.

As I wait for her in the lobby, I hear her first. She's chatting with a coworker and greets me with her customary “Hey Sis,” before leading me on a brief tour of her office space.

She's giddy about the move from cubicle to office and has begun moving her belongings into the small office. Making our way to the cafeteria to sit down and talk her infectious personality is on display as several people stop to say hello and chat.

Observing Cowan as she greets everyone around her and offers a little counseling, you would never imagine she has lived through one of the most horrific crimes in California history. The resolve that she exhibits is a testament to her faith in a higher power and her promise. As she explained, “When I was being held, I made a promise to God; if he brought me out of that nightmare I would work to help others.”

Today she has founded the Laura Cowan Foundation with her friend Earthie O'Neal to help uplift, support and connect women and men of domestic violence with resources, tools and opportunities to make it through life and to know that there is life beyond abuse.

If her name is familiar it's probably because you have seen her interviewed on television as Cleveland has tried to find answers to some of the horrific crimes that have unfolded in recent months. From the Seymour Avenue “House of 22 ▒ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

Horrors” to the East Cleveland serial murders, Cowan has been front and center advocating and offering a voice for victims.

Herstory Laura's story begins in her early twenties as she sat in her Cleveland home on a cold, snowy January morning watching the Parade of Roses. “Looking out the window I saw cold and bleak, but on the television I saw beautiful sunny California, and I decided I was going to move.” A young, free spirit Cowan packed up her car and drove west believing that if she didn't like it, she could always come home.

Arriving in California she was hooked, “I had no job but Pasadena was beautiful, boy was it beautiful. “ She quickly learned that it was beautiful, but expensive to live on the west coast. To support herself she secured a couple of jobs and began her new life.

Things continued to improve when she met this, “tall, dark handsome man” at the corner store. Cowan says she was drawn in as the handsome stranger greeted her with “You sure look good.” The man, Malcolm Shabazz, would become her husband.

Cowan's journey west seemed just as perfect as the weather she had sought as she watched the Rose Bowl parade that cold January day. She describes Shabazz as an ambitious and articulate man. “He was savvy although he didn't go to college he had plans. He opened a restaurant and across the street they operated a bookstore that Cowan ran.

Things were going well with the bookstore serving as a meeting place for the brothers and community. This all changed one day as Cowan was working in the store and noticed a number of unmarked cars converge on the restaurant. She recalls men jumping out and running around to the back. “I was watching this and picked up the phone to call the restaurant and a man comes in and says 'Put the phone down ma'am, now!' and I'm in shock as he tells me my husband is under arrest.”

As it turns out Shabazz had been selling illegal firearms and the restaurant and bookstore had been under surveillance. Cowan's world crumbled right in front of her eyes. “I was in a daze. I felt helpless and didn't know what to do.” Over the next several days and weeks she continued to try and maintain the businesses, but nobody was coming in to either location due to the bad publicity.”

With the loss of business and not knowing what to do she turned to the mosque for support only to find out Shabazz had left and had never gone back.

Cowan returned to her routine of trying to run both establishments but found herself constantly behind on meeting the needs of the businesses. She recalls, “It was like a house of cards; when one thing went wrong there would be back to back problems.” As things were falling apart she sought assistance from his friends and was referred to a man named Mansa Musa Muhammad, a friend of her husband.

On the surface this appeared to be the answer to many problems. Muhammad suggested that Cowan and her two young children move in with him and his family until she could get back on her feet. The sense of relief would soon

Laura’s son Ahmed Shabazz, before and after the abuse.

turn to terror – a terror that would lead to rape, beatings, starvation and many other unthinkable acts of abuse.

Reflecting on this time Cowan says, “I walked into it with my eyes wide open and I saw signs, but I was giving them the benefit of the doubt.” The children were the source of her first signs that all was not well. To an outsider Cowan recalled the children appeared to be well mannered, polite and obedient, but in reality it was much worse. “The children acted like little robots, no back talk, lined up during prayers, meditating, disciplined. I later learned that's sign number one – fear. Fear in the kids' eyes.”

Realizing this was not the situation she wanted for her children Cowan attempted to leave Muhammad, but he threatened to harm her and her children. This was the beginning of the reign of terror he would hold over her for four years.

In 1999 her strength and faith would prevail when she was able to slip a note seeking help to a postal worker. This single act led to the dismantling of Muhammad's polygamist house of terror and would ultimately lead to his conviction on twenty-five felony counts related to the abuse he imposed on his three wives and nineteen children.

Her Recovery After escaping imprisonment, Cowan and her now three children lived in a shelter and received intense counseling.

Shabazz was released from prison and died suddenly, leading to her return to Cleveland in 2001.

Ruth - The Postal Worker, who Laura gave her letter seeking for help.

Upon returning to Cleveland Cowan found employment with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority and found solace with the Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center of Cleveland. At the Center she was trained to be a domestic violence counselor.

Continued on next page.

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 23

FEATURE - LAURA COWAN

Her Recovery... continued While working and volunteering Cowan also continued counseling and therapy for her and children utilizing Beechbrook and Applewood services. She says that she has been able to assist others because, “When I started talking I saw more people telling their story. This can be healing and I saw that I could help more people if I had a broader audience.”

It has taken time to achieve her vision, but with the support of many in the community Cowan is now an advocate against domestic violence and sex trafficking in Cleveland. She and local activist Yvonne Pointer are often working on the same causes and Cowan is a member of Pointer's Positive Plus women's group.

Laura with her daughters - Tasslimah and Maryam

Pointer said of Cowan's work, “I would describe her as a force that showed up in our lives for such a time as this. A time when we needed to see the strength of a survivor, the strength of someone who proclaims boldly with their daily existence that 'Yes you can' make it in spite of tragedy.”

Pointer is not the only person to see the strength and resiliency of Cowan. In recent months she has been featured on the Meredith Vieira Show, and had a stage play produced about her ordeal. A portion of the proceeds will support the Laura Cowan Foundation.

Laura, always active and present in the community. A true advocate, a hero against domestic violence.

On a more personal note Pointer said of Cowan, “She is a pleasant, loving and caring human being by nature. Her captivity did not rob her of her spirit of grace. When Laura Cowan arrives on the scene you just know that everything is going to be ok. She is a hero for the battered.”

To learn more about the Foundation, visit the Laura Cowan Foundation on Facebook. If you find that you are in a domestic violence situation contact the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 216-391-HELP (4357).

Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center 24 ▒ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

216.391

HELP

LOVE DOESN’T HAVE TO HURT IF YOU NEED HELP CALL THE HOTLINE OPEN 24 HOURS

Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center Office: 2806 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114

Finance Tips Every College Student Should Know (Family Features) When the acceptance letter arrives from a college or university, it's cause for celebration. But it's also time to do some serious number crunching and take steps to mitigate potential education-related debt.

The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) estimates that the average student leaves higher education with a diploma in hand, and a debt load of more than $26,000.

Even families who have saved for postsecondary education for years find themselves looking at ways to manage expenses as the cost of tuition, books and room and board add up.

Exploring both traditional and non-traditional sources of financial aid can help make those mounting expenses more manageable.

Schedule a meeting with financial aid office. As soon as you have settled on which school you'll attend, contact the financial aid office and request an appointment with an advisor. If you're within a drivable distance, it's a good idea to meet in person and develop a relationship with someone who can help you identify potential aid sources you might not have considered otherwise. Closer to home, do the same with your high school counselor, who can keep an eye open for scholarships that match your credentials.

Explore association scholarships. Many professional associations and member-based organizations offer competitive scholarship programs. Check with the major employers in your area, particularly any in your chosen field, to find out if they offer any scholarship or grants. You can also check with family members to determine what organizations they belong to and whether you are eligible for any funds. For example, Foresters™, an international financial services provider committed to family well-being, offers the Foresters Competitive Scholarship, which awards up to 250 tuition scholarships worth up to $8,000 each for eligible members, their children and their grandchildren in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the scholarship opportunities awarded by Foresters at www.foresters.com.

File for federal aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even if you don't think your financial circumstances make you eligible for a grant. You may be surprised by what is available. In addition, research national grants such as Pell Grants that can help defray your expenses.

Secure a career-relevant job or internship. While classes, studying and enjoying a healthy social life are all important aspects of the college experience, gaining experience in your future career field is valuable too. Consult with your school's career center or an advisor in your area of study to uncover paid internship opportunities that will help you develop your resume and bolster your bank account.

Making the most of potential resources to pay for your degree lets you keep your focus squarely on your studies so your next big cause for celebration can be your college diploma.

Empowering Communities.

Changing Lives.

Where the intersection of Education & Youth Development; Entrepreneurship and Business Development and Workforce Training and Employment Opportunities align to Empower Communities & Change Lives in Greater Cleveland!

Education & Youth Development

Workforce Training and Employment Opportunities

Entrepreneuship and Business Development

To Learn More, Call

216.622.0999 Urban League of Greater Cleveland 2930 Prospect Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115 www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me â–’ 25

DELICIOUS RECIPES

Grilled Salmon with Garlic Mayo Ingredients: 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed 2 salmon fillets (6 ounces each) 4 garlic cloves, peeled 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon plain yogurt 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard Directions: Combine 2 tablespoons oil and rosemary; drizzle over salmon. Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack.

Chicken Cobb Salad Ingredients: Cooking spray 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast cutlets 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 8 cups mixed greens 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/3 cup diced peeled avocado 2 tablespoons sliced green onions 1/3 cup fat-free Italian dressing 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese 1 turkey bacon slice, cooked and crumbled

Place salmon skin side down on grill rack. Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 10-12 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Meanwhile, in a small microwavesafe bowl, combine garlic and remaining oil. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 20-30 seconds or until softened; place in a blender.

Add the remaining ingredients.

Cover and process until blended.

Serve with salmon. Yield: 2 servings.

Preparation: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan; cook 5 minutes on each side or until done. Cut into 1/2-inch slices.

Combine greens, tomatoes, avocado, and onions in a large bowl. Drizzle greens mixture with dressing; toss gently to coat. Arrange about 2 cups greens mixture on each of 4 salad plates. Top each serving with 4 ounces chicken, 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese, and about 1/2 teaspoon turkey bacon.

26 â–’ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

http://elegantdessert.info/

An Easy Quick Recipe for Dinner Tonight

Beef Stroganoff It seems that when its time to cook dinner, easy quick recipe ideas are hard to find. The secret to getting dinner on the table fast is planning ahead and keeping an arsenal of easy quick recipe ideas for those busy days.

This easy quick recipe features a beef stroganoff that can be on the table in less than 20 minutes. Start the noodles first, because they take the longer to cook than this Stroganoff. You want to use a tender piece of beef, cut across the grain to make sure the meat is tender. You could also use a pound of ground beef instead of the minute steaks. Just brown the beef, then finish this easy quick recipe as directed.

Sour cream is traditional in this dish, but yogurt offers a lower fat option. The flavor will be a little tangy, but delicious. You could also use a fat free sour cream. Be sure to only warm the sauce after the sour cream or yogurt is added, boiling will separate the cream and the texture of the sauce will not be rich and creamy as it should be. This easy quick dinner recipe is perfect on a busy night. Serve with hot buttered noodles and perhaps a salad or green vegetable.

Quick Beef Stroganoff 3 minute steaks, cut into 1/2 inch strips 2 Tablespoons oil 1 onion, sliced 1 clove garlic, crushed (optional) 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt 3 ounce can of mushrooms 2 Tablespoons catsup 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce Brown the steak strips in the oil. Add the onion and garlic.

Stir fry for 5 minutes until onion is translucent. Combine remaining ingredients, add to meat. Heat on low temperature until flavors blend. (Do not boil.) Serve this easy quick Beef Stroganoff over buttered noodles.

Author: Diane Watkins

Egg Muffins

Instructions:

1 cup choice of meat diced

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray muffin pan with cooking oil spray.

1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

In a skillet, cook meat until cooked through.

1/2 cup carrots, grated

In a bowl, combine cooked meat, red bell pepper, shredded carrots, spinach, and basil. Set aside.

1/2 cup fresh spinach, chopped 3 tbsp fresh basil, diced 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper 4 to 5 eggs

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, salt and pepper. Add egg mixture to the meat and veggie mixture and combine.

Fill muffin cups about 2/3 with egg mixture.

Bake the egg muffins for 20 to 25 minutes or until eggs are set in the middle.

Makes about 12 muffins. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me â–’ 27

2015 SPRING FASHION

2

1

Photo: Ilya S. Savenok

Photo:Randy Brooke

3

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2015 at Lincoln Center Photos 1,2,3:Joe Kohen

28 â–’ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

Photo: Peter Michael Dills

Photo: Fernando Leon

FASHION

1

Photo:Fernanda Calfa

2

3

Photos 1,2.3: Frazer Harrison

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me â–’ 29

. . .

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2015

1

Photos 1&2: Frazer Harrison

2

Photo: Fernanda Calfat

30 â–’ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

You Nailed It Tips For Perfectly Pretty Nails Nails have become the ultimate form of self-expression in beauty. From classic French manicures and gel finishes to elaborate designs and bold neons, nails reflect your own unique style. This season, make sure your tips are healthy and perfectly polished to enhance your overall appearance.

Polish Your Look Whether you want a pop of color to match a new outfit or a subdued nude overlay, a perfect polish is the final step needed to complete a well-crafted look. No matter your personal style, there are hundreds of shades to choose from. To nail your ideal shade, visit a store that has a wide color selection of nail polish, like Walgreens, which has over 8,000 convenient locations for all your beauty needs.

Getty Image

Make Moisturizing a Habit Before you break out the polish, be sure to also give proper attention to your hands. Invest in a deeply hydrating formula of hand cream or body lotion and apply to hands throughout the day, every day. Some key ingredients to look for include retinol, vitamin B and alpha-hydroxy acids, which work together to provide smooth, supple skin from the fingertips to the palms.

Maintain Your Manicure The signs of healthy nails include a strong, smooth surface, free of dents and dings, with a consistent, uniform color throughout. Invest in quality nail care supplies to keep them looking their best. A complete kit should include a fingernail clipper, cuticle stick, emery board and a buffer. While the rate at which your nails grow can vary from person to person, filing about once a week is a good way to keep up with maintenance. Of course, filing is a good idea any time chips, breakage or rough edges appear. For the best results, cut and file right after bathing when your nails are soft. The Studio 35 beauty line offers nail implements and all the basics you need to maintain your manicure, such as Nail Polish Remover Liquid, Jumbo Cotton Balls and Buffing Blocks.

Cuticle Care The cuticle located above the nail bed also requires proper moisture, so be sure to use a special cuticle formula or your favorite lotion to apply onto this area. If you have brittle nails, invest in a strengthening base coat before you begin to polish, such as Essie Grow Stronger Base Coat, Smooth & Protect. Source: walgreens.com

Tips for a Perfect Manicure With so many wonderful nail care products available, it's easy to turn your home into your own mini salon. Here are a few simple tips to achieve a perfectly manicured set of nails.

Refresh Your Look Brighten up any day or night with brilliant color. Give your nails personality with the beautiful shades from the Revlon ColorStay collection with flirty hues, such as Bubbly or Trendy.

Brighten Up with Hot Hues Small, chic updates to your look don't require spending a fortune. Paint those nails pretty with the most sought-after colors of the season — vibrant neons. To get the look, check out the Sittin' Pretty or Vices Versa shades by Essie.

At-Home Innovations While many women rush to their local salon for professional gel procedures, new at-home products provide the same look, feel and durability. Some manufacturers even offer gel products that don't require an LED light for application, like Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy, which gives flawless color and brilliant shine in just two steps.

www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me â–’ 31

START THE NEW YEAR WITH A HEALTHY CLEANSE!

By Marjorie Clark Contributing Writer

M

any people do the Master Cleanse or lemonade diet to start off the New Year. This cleanse is also a fasting cleanse. When doing the fasting cleanse, you do not eat solid food. Some go for a few days and some for a couple of weeks at a time. If you decide on doing this, make sure to check with your doctor, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions.

It was advised by Stanley Burroughs a Health Practitioner, who developed this cleanse in 1940, to first take a salt water flush in the mornings to make sure all impurities come out of the digestive tract.

Salt Flush Take 2 teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt and mix into a quart of water. Drink the entire mix first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. If you have high blood pressure, you probably want to just drink a cup of any laxative tea which is to be done every evening upon retiring.

The Master Cleanse Mixture -

Mix in 2 tablespoons (preferably fresh organic) of lemon juice to eight to ten ounces of distilled water.

-

Then mix in 2 tablespoons of grade B, organic maple syrup and 1/8th of a teaspoon of organic cayenne pepper.

The above makes one serving. You can make enough for six to twelve servings a day. Originally, Mr. Burroughs had advised people to go for 10 to 40 days which I think is a bit much. But it does make the body more alkaline as opposed to overly acidic (which the western diet tends to make us) and paves the way to bad health. The higher the alkalizing effect the more it will purify and give you tremendous energy. I personally have done this for a week and I felt fantastic and oddly enough not very hungry. As a matter of fact I lost weight as this cleanse is supposed to make one. When I did this, I never felt the slightest bit hungry — something in this concoction took away the appetite.

When coming off of this cleanse, it is further advised not eat solid food right away, but drink vegetable juice and vegetable broth soups. More information and reviews is available on line.

32 â–’ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

Use Your Leftover Lemon and Peels from the Master Cleanse for Beautiful New Year's Skin and Hair!

Lemon for the face You can take lemon peels and rub over your face leaving it on for a few minutes to clean clogged pores. It dissolves blackheads and fades acne spots too.

Lemon for dark spots Lemon fades uneven spots! Just dab fresh lemon juice on your skin with cotton and leave for a few minutes then rinse. Do this every few days and before you know it those spots will disappear!

Lemon Rinse for Gorgeous Hair Mix a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to eight ounces water and pour over shampooed clean hair. Massage the rinse into your scalp, leave for three to five minutes then rinse. It makes a great astringent and will make your hair shine while removing the waxy buildup on your scalp. It is not a conditioner though so make sure to put on some coconut oil or Shea butter for soft healthy hair.

Reveal your fresh New Year's complexion!

Exfoliate away the old dead skin with this powerful Coffee & cocoa exfoliate full body scrub loaded with antioxidants and vitamins to nourish skin cells! You simply take 5 tablespoons of raw turbanado sugar, mix in 1 tablespoon of ground coffee, 3 tablespoons of ground cocoa and add 2 1/2 tablespoons of organic extra virgin olive oil and mix thoroughly. Smear over your skin and rub gently. Be careful not to get this in your eyes. Gently remove with a warm moist washcloth and then shower.

The above is not a medical advice; please consult your physician before starting any regimen.

Burn 1,000 Calories With One Fast Workout!

You can make fat-burning fun again with one of these super-charged activities. Not only will they breathe new life into your gym time, helping you stay motivated, but they'll also keep your body burning more calories.

Burning 1,000 calories a day is not an easy task, but with dedication and intensity, it can be accomplished. The amount of calories burned depends on a person's weight and fitness level, as well as the intensity level and the type and duration of activity.

Running Running burns a large amount of calories in a short amount of time. A 150-lb. person running at 6 mph (10minute mile) burns approximately 1,022 calories in 90 minutes. Increasing speed burns more calories in a shorter period of time. The same person can burn 1,020 calories in 60 minutes running at 9 mph (6.5-minute mile). Running stairs burns 1,020 calories per hour.

Jump Rope As one of the highest calorie-burning exercises, jumping rope burns about 11 calories per minute. Varying speed and increasing intensity while jumping can burn up to 20 calories per minute. It is estimated that a 150-lb. person jumping rope at a moderate level (140 revolutions per minute) burns 1,022 calories in 90 minutes. Jumping rope at a fast pace (180 to 200 revolutions per minute) burns around 1,020 calories in 75 minutes.

Biking Calories burned while bicycling depends on intensity and terrain. The amount of calories burned will differ when riding a stationary bike versus an outdoor bike. A 150-lb. person bicycling at a racing pace (16 to 19 mph) for 75 minutes burns about 1,020 calories. Biking 14 to 15.9 mph (vigorous effort) burns close to 1,022 calories in 90 minutes.

Interval Training Interval training combines short bursts of high-intensity exercises with recovery exercises, a less-intense form of exercise. Sprinting for two minutes with a one-minute recovery jog is an example of interval training. Interval training burns calories faster due to the high burst of intensity. A walk that usually takes 60 minutes may only take 45 minutes with small bursts of high-intensity walking. Depending on the exercise, interval training can burn 1,000 calories in 60 to 90 minutes. Strength-training exercises, such as push-ups, lunges, squats or bicep curls, can be used as recovery exercises in combination with high-intensity exercises.

Source: blackdoctors.org www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me â–’ 33

BOOK REVIEW

Start 2015 with a Good Book R. Lee Gamble It is a new year and I don't know about you, but I am ready to dive into a good book. I find it exciting to see what the New Year brings including new work from some old favorites. If you didn't take the time during 2014 to enjoy a good book, make this the year you hit the literary trail.

Dark Places – Gillian Flynn If you think Gone Girl was twisted, dive into a copy of Flynn's novel Dark Places.

When she was only seven years old, Libby Day's mother and two sisters were murdered while she was in the house. She escaped only to be told that her fifteenyear-old brother committed the murder. She even testified against him sealing his fate. Now, 25-years-later and desperate for money, Libby agrees to help the Kill Club – a group obsessed with notorious crimes – work to prove her brother's innocence. What started out as just a ruse to take these people money turns into a quest for Libby to find out if her brother really is innocent, and if so who murdered her family. I promise you once you start reading Dark Places, you will not be able to put this book down. Loved it!

Leaving Time – Jodi Picoult Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking a b o u t h e r m o t h e r, A l i c e , w h o mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident a decade ago. Refusing to believe she was abandoned, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice's old journals. Jenna enlists the help of two unlikely allies in her quest: Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons, only to later doubt her gifts, and Virgil Stanhope, the jaded private detective who'd originally investigated Alice's case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. Desperate to find the truth, the three work together to uncover what happened to Jenna's mother. The more questions they ask the more they realize that they will have to face even harder answers. This novel will draw you in and keep you hooked until the very end.

Yes Please – Amy Poehler Saturday Night Live is known for launching the careers of brilliant female comics like Gilda Radner, but a new generation has taken center stage that includes the fabulous Amy Poehler. Known for not only her work on SNL, she has appeared in several movies including Baby Mama, Blades of Glory and she is the star of Parks and Recreation. Now the funny lady has written a book that will answer everyone's most burning question – what is it like to hang out with someone with such a quick wit? Poehler is very open and honest in her book sharing stories, poetry and even advice. This book is exactly what the doctor ordered if you need a laugh…or two!

34 ▒ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015

Tri-C received $500,000 to develop training for adults who have dropped out of high school Five educational institutions have been selected to share $2.5 million to develop a new approach to adult education — one that will link earing a diploma with free job training for in-demand careers.

simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an industry credential that will qualify him or her for jobs in manufacturing, medical technology and other indemand industries.

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), Stark State Community College, Pickaway-Ross Joint Vocational School, Miami Valley Career Technical Center and Penta Career Center — partnering with other institutions and providers — will each receive $500,000 to launch an Adult Diploma Pilot Program.

The approach will embed academics, such as math and reading, into career-technical classes that lead each student to a credential in a chosen field. Students may receive instruction online, through video conferencing, academic coaching, work settings or a blend of classroom and online sources.

During the planning phase, the five schools will determine how to contact potential students, assess their current knowledge and address potential challenges such as illiteracy. They also will engage industry leaders, determine the most in-demand jobs in their regions and identify the types of certifications graduates need to qualify for those positions.

Unlike in traditional classrooms, students will show they have mastered their courses by passing a competency-based job skills test such as ACT's WorkKeys, rather than a traditional test that reflects only academic knowledge.

Each student in the pilot will enter a chosen career pathway program at his or her current ability level and work at the best-suited pace under a personalized “student success plan.” The student will

Program participants also receive career guidance and the benefit of their schools' connections with local industries. The program will connect students to Ohio's already well-established career-technical education system.

Source: education.ohio.gov

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