The Holiday IssueThe Holiday IssueThe Holiday Issue
By Lisa Miller-Baldwin
‘
The Gift of Christmas? The Gift of Christmas? The Gift of Christmas? By Tinasha LaRayeBy Tinasha LaRayeBy Tinasha LaRaye
EmEmEmPOWERPOWERededed M A G A Z I N EM A G A Z I N EM A G A Z I N E
DDD E C E M B E RE C E M B E RE C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 / J2 0 1 2 / J2 0 1 2 / J A N U A R YA N U A R YA N U A R Y 2 0 1 32 0 1 32 0 1 3
Tis The Season To Be Thankful, Joyous,
& Hopeful
The Many Faces of The Many Faces of The Many Faces of HomelessnessHomelessnessHomelessness
Our EmPOWERing Editorial Staff
Lisa M. Baldwin, Founder, Editor in Chief, & Contributor
Ceanti Aldridge, Managing Editor, Layout Artist, & Contributor
Patricia Smith, Photographer
Our EmPOWERing Contributors
Tamara Walker
Helen Rambo
Tinasha Laraye
Monica Jimerson
Melody Welch
Jahnel Aska-Profit
Dawniel Winningham
Amanda Figureo
Visit us at www.empoweredonlinemag.com
Email us at [email protected]
Like us Facebook.com/EmpoweredInc &
Facebook.com/thewonderfullymadefoundation
We welcome your feedback!
EmPOWERed Magazine aims to inform, enlighten and inspire our readers through articles written from the heart, yet from different perspectives. The heart of EmPOWERed is to inspire and propel readers to excel despite circumstances and obstacles. Each one of us holds a piece of who He is in our hearts; as we come together in authentic community, sharing and empowering one another with our stories and resources we become a mosaic expression of that heart.
EmPOWERed was birthed out of the love of writing and the desire to influence readers in a creative expression of God who has uniquely designed each one of us for our destiny the Editor in Chief, Lisa Baldwin, who is a published author, Director/Writer of Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, and Espejito, Espejito (the Spanish version)stage-play addressing the effects of Domestic Violence and free-lance writer and editor.
Our desire is that through these articles and resources you find encouragement and hope. Truly these are ALL His stories – just our lives. We are hum-bled at the opportunity to be His voice into the windows of your eyes and heart as you go on these many journeys with us. The expression of who He is – is as different in all our lives as it is in yours as well. Our prayer is that while reading our stories and hear-ing our heart you experience moments of laughter, tears, and inspi-ration as you buckle up your seatbelts and get ready
In This Issue:
Life EmPOWERment”
Can You Give Me A Kiss by Monica Jimerson
The Gift of Christmas? by Tinasha LaRaye
Finances
Are You Working For Free by Helen Rambo
Health and Fitness
Staying Safe and Healthy During the Holidays
Beauty and Style
Feed Your Body and Nourish Your Skin by Jahnel Aska-Profit
Family Life and Parenting
Coping With Holiday Stress by Mom RN
A Single Parent Affirmation by Melody Welch and Lisa Baldwin
Spiritual EmPOWERment:
Soul Food—articles with content that will nourish and feed the soul
A Perfect System of Opportunity by Monica Jimerson
Literary EmPOWERment:
Causes
The Many Faces of Homelessness by Lisa Miller-Baldwin
Give Me My Flowers Initiative
Poetry Corner
The Girl In The Mirror; The Struggle with Weight Loss
Recipes
Table of Contents
On the Cover:
‘Tis the Season to be Thankful,
Joyous, & Hopeful
By Editor-In-Chief Lisa Miller-
Baldwin
On 12/12/12, a team of diverse women celebrated National Day of Sisterhood, designed to be a yearly event to cele-
brate the diversity of women and to bring like-minded women together for the purpose of doing business. We plan
on eventually making this a non-profit and this year’s campaign which kicks off soon will be a 95% virtual event
(Facebook, web, twitter) to heighten the awareness around women's health, business, community and education.
For Health - Women over 40 mammograms and women under 40 well women exams
For Business - Highlighting and supporting women owned businesses (key since this is the height of the Christmas
shopping season)
For Education - Highlighting and supporting books and education initiatives by and for women
For Community - Highlighting and supporting various non-profits who provide their primary support to women
We are asking women nationwide to serve as ambassadors for their cities in order to get the word out.
We have various levels of sponsorship available and those donating time will be recognized as sponsors on the
national platform.
We are in need of YOUR services to make this happen and if you are in agreement please let me know so that we
can provide you details and allow you the opportunity to answer questions on an upcoming Q & A call.
Not since the 70's has there been any ONE single women's movement that is designed to bring women together to
solve some of the issues we face in our community and our world. Won't you join us on this mission? More to come!
National Day of Sisterhood 12/12/2012 - because when women
work together ANYTHING is possible.
Ambassadors:
Thais Mills - New Orleans Ambassador
Nicole Peters - Dallas - FT. Worth Ambassador
Lisa Miller Baldwin - Oklahoma City Ambassador
Margie Ramsey - Jacksonville Ambassador
Dorothy Gooden - Atlanta Ambassador
Janet Arnold Carter - Milwaukee, WI Ambassador
Natasha Harris - Philadelphia Ambassador
Rachel Reed - Washington DC Ambassador
Denielle Easton - Charlotte NC Ambassador
Dawniel Winningham, Pilar Torres - Karen Terry - Founding
Wonderfully Made Foundation Logo Contest
Rules and Regulations
All entries must be submitted by January 31, 2013 5:00pm with completed submission form via email to
[email protected] OR via mail to 933 NE 32nd St. Oklahoma City, OK 73105
The contest is open to any individual. Anyone age 0-100+ years is eligible and each artist can submit 1-2
designs.
All fields on submission form must be completed in order for entries to be accepted You will receive an
email confirmation that your entry has be received and accepted in to the contest
By submitting the submission form you certify the following statement "I certify that I am the author of the
material I am submitting to Wonderfully Made Foundation (WMF), and by entering this contest I am
releasing the publishing rights, licensing and all intellectual properties to the Wonderfully Made
Foundation and Empowered Family of Companies and its licenses to be used for the purpose of branding,
identity, without expectation of future financial compensation
Designs must represent the Wonderfully Made Foundation, and must include a butterfly. You can draw it
by hand or create it digitally but it must be original artwork. Be careful of copyright infringement! We are
looking for a simple design that represents the heart of our foundation; one we can use to brand WMF.
Questions? Contact Ceanti Aldridge at [email protected]
WMF Logo Contest Submission Form
(Must be completely filled out and submitted with design entries)
Artist’s Name _____________________________________________________________
If Under 18, Parent’s Name ___________________________________________________
Artist’s Address
______________________________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________ State______________________ Zip Code_____________
Phone ___________________________ E-mail__________________________________________
Number of Design Entries ______
By submitting a design, you agree that you understand and agree to follow the contest rules.
**********************************************************************************
35 Ways to Help the Homeless 35 Ways to Help the Homeless Here are the numbers thirteen through sixteen of the thirty-five ways to help the homeless according “Just Give,” the online charitable giving
website. During this holiday season, make sure you take time to be grateful for what you have and show kindness to those around you who
don’t have much. Email us at [email protected] to let us know what tips you have put into practice OR if you have other tips
to share.
13. Volunteer at a shelter - Shelters thrive on the work of volunteers, from those who sign people in, to those who serve meals, to others
who counsel the homeless on where to get social services. For the homeless, a shelter can be as little as a place to sleep out of the rain or as
much as a step forward to self-sufficiency. 14. Volunteer at a soup kitchen - Soup kitchens provide one of the basics of life, nourishing meals for the homeless and other disadvan-
taged members of the community. Volunteers generally do much of the work, including picking up donations of food, preparing meals,
serving it, and cleaning up afterward. To volunteer your services, contact you local soup kitchen, mobile food program, shelter, or religious
center. 15. Volunteer your professional services - No matter what you do for a living, you can help the homeless with your on-the-job talents and
skills. Those with clerical skills can train those with little skills. Doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, and dentists can treat the homeless in
clinics. Lawyers can help with legal concerns. The homeless' needs are bountiful -- your time and talent won't be wasted. 16. Volunteer your hobbies - Every one of us has something we can give the homeless. Wherever our interests may lie -- cooking, repair-
ing, gardening, and photography -- we can use them for the homeless. Through our hobbies, we can teach them useful skills, introduce them
to new avocations and perhaps point them in a new direction.
Look for more ways to help in the next issue
of EmPOWERed Magazine
The Reason for the Season
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This
was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register
for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s an-
cient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now
obviously pregnant.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped
him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
The Shepherds and Angels
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the
Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel re-
assured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes,
the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign:
You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising
God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Beth-
lehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the
manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the an-
gel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,
but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds
went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was
just as the angel had told them.
Today marks the second day of my world being drastically changed due to a house fire! I am now considered
homeless. The state of shock and disbelief that has accompanied this newly found state has been minimized
by my faith in God, and great family support! Unfortunately the many families I serve lack family support and/
or was prevented from staying with family due to lease occupancy clauses, not to mention lacking the mone-
tary support to adequately provide for their families. Many faces of homelessness becomes erased by societal
biases and misconceptions. Fortunately for me, I have insurance, but regrettably many homeless families lack
these inevitable lifelines. So to expand further, let me share briefly about myself. I operate the Wonderfully
Made Homeless Home, a small homeless shelter providing services and support with women and children that
are homeless. I have served many families impacted by homelessness ranging from loss of employment, evic-
tions, house fires, familial problems, and the list goes on. I now, as the shelter’s Director am faced with lying
my head to a pillow that is not MY OWN! Oh! What a difference a day can make! Homelessness defined
:
McKinney-Vento Definition of "Homeless"
Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Title X, Part C, of the No Child
Left Behind Act) defines "homeless" as follows:
(A) Individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 103
(a)(1)); and
(B) Includes--(i) individuals who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic
hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack
of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in
hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement.
Today I will not fret over my loss, but what is to gain by this new experience. I have so much to be thankful
for and realize even if you cannot see the silver lining on your cloud, God can for he is the very source of the
light you seek.
Until Tomorrow
Lisa Miller-Baldwin
The Many Faces of
by Monica Wood
From the beginning of time man has made excuses for missing the mark, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. In
education, high school teachers blame Jr. High, Jr. High blame Elementary, Elementary teachers blame the lack of
parental support for students being left behind. Even in our government, the current administration blames the
prior administration. Unfortunately, we’ve been mentally conditioned to play the blame game and to make
excuses.
In a perfect world, instead of looking for a person to blame or an excuse to offer, there would be a system in place
where we would find an opportunity to become greater. It would be perfect! For every occupational challenge,
broken dream, empty feeling, devastating issue, there was a method to move forward in opportunity.
Surprisingly enough, that system exists, and it’s reachable, a perfect system of opportunity. See, the One who
created this world structured it in a way that perfection is gradually growing, developing, maturing into
completion. No matter how many different challenges, tests or obstacles, we have a way to escape from the norm
of making excuses. Often the expectation we ascribe to ourselves is perfection as an All Knowing, Forever
Strong, and Never Failing Deity. But when we begin to see through the eyes of the One who created us, we can
begin to take on another mind set.
Now we have a mind set to reject every excuse as we are developing, and take on the mind set of opportunity. For
every rejection there is an opening to grow in character. With each challenge another chance to get stronger. In all
test, we now have the perfect opportunity to break into undiscovered potential to succeed.
The system we are in is unfailing, it will never miss the mark, and it is complete and perfect in itself, because it
was created by the One who is complete and perfect in Himself. It’s time to work the system.
Work the system by knowing that your belief and effort works hand in hand and that all things are possible to
those who believe. Begin to awaken and stir up the gift of curiosity and prepare skillfully to see the greatness that
is perfectly developing from you. Work the system by counting each potential excuse as a chance to celebrate.
Celebrate with no excuses, know that with every one of our life misses, it is a developing but favorable chance to
tap into the skills and abilities we have been given to be successful. That is what is known as a perfect system of
opportunity.
Empowerment Scriptures: Genesis 3:12-13, Mark 1:15, Matthew 5:48, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Colossians 3:2,
James 2:20, Mark 9:23, James 1:2
A Perfect System of Opportunity
Come Visit us at Crossroads Mall
7000 Crossroads Blvd, #1126
Oklahoma City, OK 73149
Order online:
www.inspirational-expressions.com
Or contact us:
By standard mail: Inspirational Expressions
P.O. Box 13427 Oklahoma City, OK 73113
By phone: 1-888-910-4999 (between 1:00 p.m.
and 5:00 p.m. central standard) By email:
"Almost Homemade" Apple Pie
Ingredients: 1 box Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts (found in the grocery store by the biscuits,
crescent rolls, etc.)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water
8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced
Directions:
1. Melt butter in a sauce pan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add white sugar, brown
sugar and water; bring to a boil. Reduce temperature, and simmer 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded
slightly. Cover with other crust. Cut a star shape, an x, or any other design you
choose, to let steam escape while the pie is baking. Gently pour the sugar and butter
liquid over the top of the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
3. Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees, and
continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes.
Reci
pes
by
Am
and
a F
igu
reo
Easy "Homemade" Apple Dumplings
1 can "Big and Buttery" Crescent Rolls 1 Granny Smith Apple peeled and sliced 1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 stick of butter (melted)
1 can of Mountain Dew or Sprite
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl. Coat apple slices in sugar mixture. Roll each slice in a crescent roll triangle. Place "dumplings" in a 13x9 inch pan. Pour melted butter on top of dumplings. Sprinkle remaining sugar mixture on top. Pour Mountain Dew or Sprite in all of the empty spaces of the pan...do not pour directly onto dumplings. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Eat immediately! (PS- This goes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!) Happy Tasting!
The Gift of
Christmas?
By Tinasha LaRaye
Christmas in America is one day out of the year that many people look forward to, save their dollars for to
turn around and spend in large portions for the ones they love and care about. Emphasis is highly placed on mate-
rial things to express love or to fulfill expectations that come with this time of year. But do we truly remember
why we celebrate? Did we ever really know why we have the traditional Christmas tree in the corner decorated to
the nines, or why we stuff stockings over the mantle place? Do our gifts mirror the wise men that came to give
Christ gifts in reverence, or the commercial Santa Clause that looks cute on our Christmas cards?
I am not here to answer those questions, but to simply ask them for encouragement of reflection. In light
of recent tragedies like that of Newtown, Connecticut, or hurricane Sandy, or the typhoon that ripped through the
Philippines, I find myself reflecting on the daily decisions I make and the traditions I adopt as my way of life. I am
reassessing what is necessary and precious, and what is excess.
I work with inner city kids who receive very little on Christmas day, and receive even less throughout the
year as needs pop up. These material things are on their minds, but when you hear them talk about the longing that
they have for their parents or other relatives that are gone or have chosen to not be in their lives, the look of hurt in
their eyes is deeper than the disappointment that stares back at you when they explain all they received were socks
for Christmas. Their eyes cannot lie...their loved ones are truly more precious to them than the latest iPad or pair
of Jordans.
In no way am I shunning the celebration of Christmas; I am very much for it. However, I would challenge
that we teach our children to appreciate the warm bodies that are next to them and not just the things under the
Christmas tree. Many don’t intend to teach them this, they subconsciously learn this through our actions and what
we spend our focus, time, efforts and dollars on. They begin to value where we show value is. I can’t help but
think about the many Connecticut families wishing they could trade in all of those gifts to sit next to their child
again, and many inner city kids right here in Oklahoma wishing they could spend a real night with their father or
mother.
Although there is a lot of darkness around us in this crazy world, there is yet hope. Joe Thomas, a local
Oklahoma playwright, has put a refreshing spin on this hope in his recent play, “The Birth,” which will be show-
ing at the Net Church later this month. “I wrote this play to pose a modern position on the traditional Christmas
story.” Thomas says. “The birth of Jesus Christ affects us differently in 2012 so I wanted a story that would cap-
ture how that miracle in history still affects us today, emphasizing how [we could have never arrived at HIS death]
(dying on the cross) without HIS birth.” In times of crises, many have their ways of dealing with the pain and the
difficulties. The message of Christ still brings hope to hurting hearts. Even though bad may be happening around
us, an almighty God is still in control and working out everything for our good. And even if we may not have
much under our Christmas tree, God has given us the ultimate gift…the gift of Christ.
Check out this unique take on the Christmas story and spend quality time with friends and family while
doing it. This powerful and captivating story will have you laughing as they bring you the true gift of Christmas.
“The Birth” will be showing at The Net Church on December 30th at 10:00 am. Admission is free.
Give Me MyGive Me My FLOWERSFLOWERSFLOWERS
*Winners outside of Oklahoma City, OK will have their flowers shipped
Lakecia Day is the epitome of a friend, loving at all times. I will cherish the
memories and the long talks about love, romance, our jobs, and our children!
She was there upon the passing of my father and when I needed a friend the
most after losing practically everything in a recent house fire. The person
Lakecia is she phoned me and requested that I meet her at our favorite store,
New York & Company and she purchased much needed clothing that would
aid me in recouping an entire wardrobe. Lakecia’s heart is so huge! She is a
doting mother of 2 children. She absolutely adores her children and assures
that they possess the best! Lakecia has a flair for style and every time you see
her she looks as though she has returned from a photo shoot in Vogue! I will
forever love and value the person Lakecia is and could not fail to give her
HER FLOWERS!
Eligibility:
To nominate someone, you must be 16 years or older and must be subscribed to
EmPOWERed Online Magazine. To receive your FREE subscription, visit
www.empoweredonlinemag.com and enter your email on our home page.
Nominees must be 16 years or older and living in the U.S. This individual should be
someone who has made a significant contribution or positive impact in your life.
Winners will be notified by email.
This Month’s “Give Me My Flowers” Winner is
Lakecia Day!
With Love,
Lisa Baldwin,
We are well into the holiday season and many of us may be ex-
periencing the additional stress that can make this time of year
more “Bah humbug!” than “Happy Holidays!” so I wanted to
share a few tips for managing that stress so we can all enjoy
this season more.
Let Go of Perfectionism One of biggest causes of stress during the holiday season is the
pressure we parents (especially moms) put on ourselves to give
our kids the “perfect Christmas” or perfect holidays. We may
have a picture in our minds of what that looks like, and unfortu-
nately, it is often far from our own reality. The great thing
about kids is they are much more likely to remember the love,
fun, and joy they experienced during the holidays than what
gift they had under the tree or whether everything was decorat-
ed perfectly or not. As my friend, The FlyLady, says “Holidays
celebrated imperfectly still bless your family!” Focus on the most important memories you want your kids to
have – those of being loved and cared for and celebrating together. I grew up spending much of my life at or
below the poverty line. We didn’t always have many gifts and we certainly didn’t have a “Norman Rockwell
Christmas” – like decorated home. But we had each other and we celebrated together, not worrying about
what we didn’t have. I can’t even remember what my gifts were for most of my childhood, but I remember
listening Elvis sing Christmas songs while we decorated the tree, making cookies together, and just being a
family.
Keep to Your Schedule and Routines as Much as Possible The holidays can wreak havoc on our schedule as parties and activities may last past kids’ bedtimes, school is
on break for a couple of weeks, and there is so much more to do. It won’t be completely possible to keep your
routines and schedule every single day, but try to keep to them as much as you can. This will help you and
your kids to avoid getting overly tired and stressed out from not enough sleep and over-doing it with all the
holiday activities. When the kids are out of school, they may want to stay up later and you may be tempted to
let them, but if you let their bedtime vary too much, it will be that much harder to get back on track when
school starts again and everyone may end up tired and grumpy.
Coping with Holiday Stress
Focus on the Reason for the Season instead of Gifts Whether you are a follower of Christ or have a different faith or do not have a faith you follow, the holidays are
still supposed to be a time of focusing on others, sharing love, peace, and joy, and generosity. Unfortunately, we
are bombarded with ads and commercials telling us that in order to have a happy holiday, we have to have the
latest toy, phone, computer, tablet, clothes, cars, and the list goes on and on. And if you do not have the money
to buy many gifts (or any at all), it can feel like you are failing your kids and not giving them a good holiday.
The pressure to buy, buy, buy is everywhere. But what our kids really NEED is more important than wants and
if that is all we can provide, then that is enough. Don’t worry about what you can’t give your kids. Focus on
what you can give them – your love and your time. Spend time with them playing a game, making cookies,
building a snowman, reading stories, and just having fun together as a family. Can’t give a physical gift? Give a
gift of your time. It is more precious and valuable than anything that can be bought in a store and your kids will
remember it for the rest of their lives.
Help Others Have a Happy Holiday Season When we are stressed and going through a difficult time, it is so easy to fall into self-pity and being self-
focused. Yes, we do have to take care of ourselves. But sometimes it can help to shift our focus on to doing
something kind for someone else. It can take your mind off your own troubles and concerns and make you feel
good because you are helping others. You don’t have to have money to make a difference in someone else’s life.
A simple handwritten note of encouragement, a smile, a hug, an “I’m here for you if you need to talk”, or sur-
prising someone by doing a favor for them with no expectations of anything in return; any of these can spread
Christmas cheer to your recipient and to you too.
Get your kids involved too. When my kids were little, one of the ways they helped spread Christmas cheer to
others was to draw homemade Christmas cards for residents of a nursing home. We also caroled at a nursing
home. It didn’t cost any money, just time well spent making others feel cared about during the holidays. Last
Christmas season, my mother was grieving the loss of my stepfather and dreading spending her first Christmas
without him. To take her mind off her grief and to focus on helping others, she volunteered as a bell ringer for
the Salvation Army. She said it made her feel better and she actually enjoyed the holiday season more than she
thought she would. What can you and your kids do this year to help someone else?
Have a Happy Holiday Season, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! My family and I want to wish
each of you many blessings now and in the new year to come. We pray for all of you and are blessed by
you.
Love, Tamara Walker aka “MomRN”
I hope this information has been helpful to you and I look forward to sharing more parenting information, ad-
vice, support, encouragement, and resources with you in the coming months. Each month we will discuss a dif-
ferent parenting topic or issue. If you have questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
What a season, a time of family, friends,
food and festivities. This is a time of anticipation
and re-dedication to relationship and spiritual
commitments. Time where splurging is expected
and graciously forgiven. This may be “the most
wonderful time of the year” after all.
Unfortunately, this is not true for everyone
or has not always been for some. Some of us can
remember a time when this time of the year
brought feelings of sadness and displacement.
For many, the months between November – Feb-
ruary brought about feelings of darkness, and with
each holiday approaching more darkness com-
piled by more darkness. Thanksgiving, what do I
have to be thankful for? Christmas, I don’t have
any money and we don’t even know when that
“baby” was born. Then comes New Years, I’m
still trying to lose the weight I resolved to lose last
year, New Year same mess, ugh…pessimistic and
rejected, the theme of life.
It’s time to redefine and refocus on the
simplest meaning of the season. This is a good
time to over indulge in something that may take a
little emotional and spiritual effort but will not
break us financially or physically. Thanksgiving
may have passed, but giving thanks for the
smallest things is
never out of season. Every morning we wake up is
an opportunity for change which is worthy of
whispering, thank you. Christmas, let’s focus on
re-evaluating the truth of our own spiritual
foundation. Has that spiritual relationship been
faithful to me, even when my faith was weak?
Then by the time New Years rolls around a lifting
in our emotions and total well-being will arise. It
will be as if light has broken through the heavi-
ness of darkness.
The more we keep it simple the more
grateful and thankful we will become. The more
we will realize that the simplicity of life, faith and
friendship brings about a new determination for a
New Year. The New Year will bring about new
hope, for a new opportunity, in a new direction. A
direction we can simply move forward in.
The next time you see a “Santa” and began
to feel overwhelmed, blow a kiss and simply say
“Keep It Simple Santa” and know that you have
already determined to move in a new direction
filled with hope, love and a solid faith full of
thanks giving no matter what time of the year it is.
Can You Give Me A K.I.S.S.? “Keep It Simple Santa”
by Monica Jimerson
Are You Working For Free?
by Helen Rambo, MBA
Because of my occupation, I often get questions from people on how to save. The reference is not to
coupons or discounts, but actually setting money aside. Seems like a novel idea but why don’t more people
save? And better yet, how do you get started?
Most people have the basics bills which may include a car payment, house payment, lights, gas, cell phone,
cable, diapers, food, and daycare. Oh! Let’s not forget the hair
and nails. That’s a lot of bills and often leads to more month than
money.
If you are fortunate enough to have money left over at the end of
the month, consider yourself very lucky and part of an elite
group. But don’t be so naïve that you stop reading this article. It
doesn’t mean you are making wise financial decisions. It simply
means you have a little extra cash. What you choose to do with it
is the key.
Setting Priorities
Uncle Sam usually takes his right off the top by way of taxes.
But what’s next?
Have you defined what your financial priorities are? If you don’t
know where your priorities are, just look at what bills you pay
first. Or better yet, exactly what do you spend your money on?
They say a man puts his money where his heart is. After going through your check book, it will become
very clear where your heart is and what your financial priorities are.
God is always first on my list. Giving my tithe and making offerings is my top priority. I understand that
without Him nothing is possible and with Him all things are possible. Giving is a fundamental principle that
is often overlooked as one of our “basic” needs. We live in a society of microwaves and instant gratification
with very little concern for our fellow man. We walk daily in a spirit of expectation for what we think we
deserve and what the world owes us. Oftentimes, we don’t understand that if we just prioritize our gifts back
to God, He WILL supply the increase that we need in abundance. Giving back some of our time and money
is the least we can do, all things considered.
Second on my list has to be self. You have got to pay yourself! Make it a priority. There are
several ways to pay yourself. Of course making consistent deposits into a savings account is
a good start; however that’s not the only way. It could be as simple as putting aside a set
amount of money for entertainment or jewelry each pay period. Paying your self could be
paying on that dream vacation or splurging on a fancy dinner or concert. Paying yourself is a
sound practice that’s also manifested in retirement savings and investment accounts.
While paying yourself seems like a good idea, there are still so many people that haven’t pri-
oritized their finances to include themselves. Instead, there is a lot of attention and effort
placed on covering all of the “basics”. Then there is that squeaky wheel that gets the grease
thing that sucks the life right out of our bank account.
You have to recognize that you can’t spend the rest of your life JUST paying bills and cover-
ing the “basics”. What’s in it for you? How do you stay motivated?
Getting Started
You’ve got to start somewhere and there is no time like the present. Consider opening up a
savings account at your bank or local credit union. Every pay period commit to depositing a
set dollar amount with a specific goal in mind. $5 a week is enough to get you started. If
you save $20 a week for 20 years with 5% interest, you will have saved $36,161!
Be creative in how you save if it will keep you motivated. If you have online banking, you
may want to set yourself up as a bill collector. This way when you pay your bills, you are on
the list and you can PAY YOURSELF FIRST.
The key is to do what works for you. You control your financial destiny by prioritizing your
goals and working to achieve them. After Uncle Sam and God, PAY YOURSELF! Those
squeaky wheels will be there. Let them squeak! If you don’t pay yourself, at the end of the
day it will feel as if you have been working for nothing. And nobody wants to works for
free.
You have been EMPOWERED!
Eating right should consist of eating more whole
grains, fruits and vegetables. What we eat for our
bodies, we eat for our skin. So if you are about
healthy eating, your body is definitely getting antiox-
idants, vitamins, and minerals it needs for your
health. And even more, it shows in your skin’s
health.
When your body lacks proper nutrition, the first
place it looks to borrow from is your skin. The job
of the skin is to protect your body (outside and in-
side). Therefore, your vital organs always come
first. Your skin will lose out on nutrients it needs to
maintain its youthful appearance. Skin can be dull,
dry, dark, and lifeless. This issue can go double for
smokers, for All smoking is a primary cause of
premature aging.
Caffeine or alcohol in your diet can also dehydrate
the body. All skin types, even oily, can become de-
hydrated. Dehydration in the skin weakens skin cells
causing them to collapse. The body on average is
70% of water which is essential to healthy skin. On
average you should drink half your body weight in
ounces of water. For example, if you weigh 150
pounds simply divide 150 by 2. You would then
consume about 75 ounces of water a day. If
you love to drink coffee or any other caffeinat-
ed beverages every day, your water intake
should increase.
On the flip side, it is equally important to have
regular skincare. Nutrition alone may not al-
ways be enough to keep your skin healthy.
Vitamins and minerals are generally fed to the
vital organs first before nurturing the skin.
Nutrients placed directly on the skin is im-
portant because you are feeding the skin direct-
ly. Regular at home exfoliates and clinical
peels are essential for keeping the pores open
to receive these nutrients from your daily care
products.
A professional consultation with your esthetician
can guide you to purchasing the right professional
products that contain active nutrients to nourish your
skin. That’s important because many over the coun-
ter skincare products have added vitamins and min-
erals but are non-effective. The packaging process
alone can deactivate these potent nutrients leaving
you with empty hopes for
better skin.
What you put on your
body is equally important
to what you put in your
body for healthy skin.
Healthy eating fights free
radicals, reduces mild
swelling, and overall im-
proves your health for
beautiful skin. So eat
healthy, feel healthy, and
look healthy.
FEED YOUR BODY & NOURISH
YOUR SKIN
By Jahnel Aska-Profit, Licensed Esthetician
Check out http://www.cdc.gov/family/holiday/ for more tips like these
1. Wash your hands often.
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and
spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have tissue,
cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
2. Stay warm.
Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults.
Stay dry, and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing.
3. Manage stress.
The holidays don’t need to take a toll on your health and pocketbook. Keep a check on over
commitment and overspending. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from family and
friends. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook. Make sure to get proper sleep.
4. Travel safely.
Whether you're traveling across town or around the world, help ensure your trip is safe. Don’t
drink and drive, and don’t let someone else drink and drive. Wear a seat belt every time you
drive or ride in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat,
booster seat, or seat belt according to his/her height, weight, and age.
5. Be smoke-free.
Avoid smoking and breathing other people's smoke. If you smoke, quit today!
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to your health care provider for help.
Staying Safe and Healthy During the Holidays
This month we wanted to give you tips to
help you stay healthy during the madness of
the season. Be sure to read and put these into
practice!
6. Get check-ups and vaccinations.
Exams and screenings can help find potential problems before they start. They can also
help find health issues early, when the chances for treatment and cure are often times bet-
ter. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Schedule a visit with your health
care provider for a yearly exam. Ask what vaccinations and tests you should get based on
your age, lifestyle, travel plans, medical history, and family health history.
7. Watch the kids.
Children are at high risk for injuries. Keep a watchful eye on your kids when they’re eat-
ing and playing. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, choking
hazards (like coins and hard candy), and other objects out of kids' reach. Learn how to
provide early treatment for children who are choking. Make sure toys are used properly.
Develop and reinforce rules about acceptable and safe behaviors, including electronic
media.
8. Prevent injuries.
Injuries can occur anywhere and some often occur around the holidays. Use step stools
instead of furniture when hanging decorations. Leave the fireworks to the professionals.
Wear a bicycle helmet to help prevent head injuries. Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle
or skateboarding to help prevent head injuries. Keep vaccinations up-to-date.
Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Keep candles away from children,
pets, walkways, trees, and curtains. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended.
Don't use generators, grills, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices inside your
home or garage. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Test them once a month, and replace batteries twice a year.
9. Handle and prepare food safely.
As you prepare holiday meals, and any meals, keep yourself and your family safe from
food-related illness. Wash hands and surfaces often. Avoid cross-contamination by keep-
ing raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat
foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature. Refrigerate promptly.
Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.
10. Eat healthy, and be active.
With balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays the healthy way. Choose fresh
fruit as a festive and sweet substitute for candy. Select just one or two of your favorites
from the host of tempting foods. Find fun ways to stay active, such as dancing to your
favorite holiday music. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be
active for at least 1 hour a day.
Everyone experiences interruptions in their exercise and workout schedule from time to time. Holidays, wed-
dings, vacations, injury and illness can all force us to take some time off. So how can you keep exercise a priority
when your schedule changes? And how little exercise can you get away with and still maintain your fitness?
While there isn't one right answer for everyone, most experts agree that it all depends upon your goals and your
current level of fitness. If your main goal is to maintain your fitness level during a few weeks of reduced training,
then some moderate exercise for 30 minutes every other day is all you need. If your current level of fitness is high
and you want to keep it that way, you will need to adjust your exercise time, type and intensity accordingly.
You start deconditioning (losing fitness) in about two weeks if you stop exercise altogether. Once lost, it takes
nearly three times as long to recondition as it took to "detrain."
11. Maintain Fitness With Short, High Intensity Exercise
If you need to reduce your training time for a couple of weeks, don't worry, you'll get back to your current fitness
level pretty quickly when your schedule returns to normal. Just don't stop exercising altogether.
Studies have shown that you can prevent declines in cardiovascular
fitness for up to three weeks simply by doing higher intensity exer-
cise (70-75 percent of maximum heart rate) for as little as two days
per week.
Top Ways to Maintain Fitness During Breaks
At a minimum, perform two high-quality, high-intensity, 30-
minute training sessions each week for up to three weeks and you
should be able to maintain your fitness level until you can resume
your usual program.
Add 30-second Sprint Training Session twice a week.
Add Interval Training Routines twice a week.
Add Any Short, High-Intensity Workouts in order to burn more calo-
ries in less time.
Use the days when you can't exercise for Rest and Recovery. Keep the high intensity days 2 to 4 days apart for
maximum benefit and allows plenty of time for rest, which is essential if you are doing high-intensity workouts.
Don't skip exercise for more than about three weeks or you will see an overall decline in fitness that will take
some effort to regain.
How To Maintain Your Exercise Routine During Breaks and Holidays
Exercise in the Morning and you are far more likely to do it!
Use the S.M.A.R.T. principle and set some real goals for your routine and your motivation.
Schedule exercise and put it on your calendar.
Ask your family or friends for support.
Make exercise a family activity.
Maintain a balanced attitude and enjoy the variety of shorter workouts.
Check out http://www.cdc.gov/family/holiday/ for more tips like these
2013 Make Your New Years Resolution Matter!!!
Girl! POWER for YOUR WORLD - Make your New Years Resolution Matter
2013, New Year, New YOU! Not so fast…
by Dawniel Winningham
Happy 2013! If you are like most people you are approaching this New Year as an opportunity to make some
changes. You are excited and hopeful about your opportunity to “do some things over”; well me too. This
New Year symbolizes an opportunity for us to shamelessly pursue our own purpose and greatness.
The good news is that people who make a resolution are 10 times more likely to achieve their goal. Well we
want to improve your chances even further. Below are some tips and tricks for making sure your New Year’s
Resolutions sticks with you throughout the year.
After all, KNOWLEDGE is POWER, right?
Realistic Resolutions
Keep your resolutions realistic both in number and in level of expected accomplishment. For example, making
a resolution to lose 30 pounds in January is unrealistic. Perhaps making a goal to lose 5 – 10 pounds in Janu-
ary is more achievable and would allow you to feel more powerful when you accomplish the goal! Also set-
ting too many large resolutions at once could get in your way. If you plan to lose weight, find another job,
move to another neighborhood, all at once you may be overwhelming yourself. Keep the focus on one or two
key resolutions and feel free to add more quarterly as you make the resolutions a part of your life.
From Wish to Resolution
Once you have determined which resolutions will be your focus commit them to paper. Thinking about them
in passing is equivalent to making a wish. Not saying that wishes don’t come true, but we know that hard
work often yields results. Committing the Resolution to paper makes it more than just a wish. It becomes a
promise to YOU. You can’t break your own promise now can you?
Plan for Obstacles
Even the best laid plans will encounter obstacles. Be ready for them and have a plan B as they arise. For example,
if you have committed to lose weight in January, but you know you have a special event (that involved food) in
that same month, you may want to make that your reward day, or provide some other alternative for that day. If
you fail to plan, you definitely plan to fail.
Visualize Success
As you start your resolution spend at least 15 – 30 minutes a day thinking about the results of your success and en-
couraging yourself to keep going! After all, if you say you CAN or you say you Can’t, either way you are
RIGHT!
Spread the Word
Share your resolutions with those closest to you in order for them to provide the support you need. If you tell your
support circle that you have a resolution to lose weight, then perhaps they will invite you to more active outings,
and help you to not plan outings around food; something I personally am very guilty of.
Fail Forward
Most importantly know this. It is not that you fall that is important. When we learned to walk we fell down many
times. We got up. We tried again. Eventually we got it right! That is what resolutions are about. It is not that
you fail. It is more important that you get up, learn what works, and keep trying.
Here’s a toast to a healthier, wealthier, and wiser YOU for the New Year! I believe this is the year for you to
accomplish greatness. Please join ME in believing in YOU!
http://twitter.com/yourgirlpower
http://www.facebook.com/authordawnielpattersonwinningham
www.yourgirlpower.com [email protected]
Wonderfully Made Foundation Through the year: 2012
Wonderfully Made Foundation
A Single Parent Affirmation
by Melody Welch and Lisa Baldwin
As we all know the Christmas season is here. A season of giving!!! This
season epitomizes the journey of single parenting. Single
parenthood often requires a daily juggling act while finding a sense of
self. Parenting isn’t a seasonal job it's a year around mandate, especially
during this season. I personally want to acknowledge all single parents. I
applaud your strength: Even despite the difficulties and hardships you
face you endure. Thank you for the love: A love that never FADES and
endures through the many seasons of life.
Thank you for the security that shelters your little ones from the
storms. Lastly, each and every tear wiped, bill unpaid, and hugs given has
not left the heart or your child's memory !!!As a single parent I risk a lot
to ensure and maintain a comfortable environment for my children and I
know you do too!!!! I extend a HUGE thank you!! and I pray that
your Christmas holiday is shared with the ones you love most, "YOUR
CHILDREN" and I hope you will give yourself a pat on the back while
enjoying that cup of hot cocoa!!!
You are loved, and VALUED!!!
Be Strong , Be Empowered !!!!!
Be About I t !
Inform! Enl ighten! Inspire!
EmEmEmPOWERPOWERededed M A G A Z I N EM A G A Z I N EM A G A Z I N E
DDD E C E M B E RE C E M B E RE C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 / J2 0 1 2 / J2 0 1 2 / J A N U A R YA N U A R YA N U A R Y 2 0 1 32 0 1 32 0 1 3