R.I.P. Heavy D.

R.I.P. Heavy D...


Information is still pending on how Heavy passed away, but we definitely lost a real musician today. He represented Mount Vernon (NY) anywhere he went, and we appreciated him for that. Real music heads bow our heads for the Overweight Lover. 

Drake Feat. Rihanna - "Take Care"

This album has been much anticipated by Drake, and of course it would be leaked nine days before the official release. All these successful rappers definitely need to take a page from Hov's production team, and keep their masters airtight and hand-delivered...

Anyway, I "came across" this track from the album, and I am very excited to hear what else the album has in store. I refuse to download the album, but I will definitely have this song on repeat in the car next week.

Drake feat. Rihanna - "Take Care..."

{{FitNess 2.0}} Kombucha for Life...

Some of you may remember that I was brewing my own Kombucha tea a while back, and I recently gave up because I couldn't get it fizzy enough. Today I want to go into WHY I drink it.


If you know me in the real world, you may often see me with a pretty glass bottle of funny looking drink in my hand. Normally, it's GT's Synergy drink, but lately it has been Kevita Coconut Kombucha. It looks odd, sometimes smells like vinegar - but is one of the best things I have encountered in my dietary journey thus far. 

I recommend Gingerberry and Passionberry Bliss...

((From seedsofhealth.co.uk)))

Kombucha is a living health drink made by fermenting tea and sugar with the kombucha culture. The result can taste like something between sparkling apple cider and champagne, depending on what kind of tea you use. It's not what you'd imagine fermented tea to taste like. The origins of Kombucha have become lost in the mists of time. It is thought to have originated in the Far East, probably China, and has been consumed there for at least two thousand years. The first recorded use of kombucha comes from China in 221 BC during the Tsin Dynasty. It was known as "The Tea of Immortality". It has been used in Eastern Europe, Russia and Japan for several centuries. It's from Japan in 415 AD that the name kombucha is said to have come. A Korean physician called Kombu or Kambu treated the Emperor Inyko with the tea and it took his name, "Kombu" and "cha" meaning tea. Russia has a long tradition of using a healing drink called "Tea Kvass" made from a "Japanese Mushroom". From Russia it spread to Prussia, Poland, Germany and Denmark but it seems to have died out during World War Two. After the war Dr Rudolph Skelnar created renewed interest in kombucha in Germany when he used it in his practice to treat cancer patients, metabolic disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes. I have found kombucha to settle my tummy, help with cramps during those "lady times," aids in hunger control AND has serious probiotic benefits. The first time I sipped it, I was like ewwww!! It has a vinegar after taste most of the time, and the little bacterial cultures are floating around the bottle. The flavored variations make it easier to handle, and the coconut version is definitely more tasty for newcomers. Ask anyone at my job who drinks it, we all have become hooked! A week cannot pass without me drinking at least two bottles. I say that, to say this - a lot of times we as human beings have health issues that can be solved in holistic and natural ways. Instead, we end up at the doctor paying hundreds for medicine that doesn't fix the problem, it simply masks or removes the symptoms. Don't be afraid to explore the natural options first. Did you know that plain yogurt can cure yeast infections? It has similar probiotic effects as kombucha and restores the good bacteria to the lady region. Who knows what those medicines do to our insides? As I continue this health journey, I find more and more ways to stay healthy without the doctor's orders. After all, if you're never sick - how will he get paid?  I also discovered that Kevita contains more bacterial cultures than Kombucha. It has less sugars, contains coconut water (which is great for your hair, skin and nails) and costs less (my favorite). Probiotics are the new wave, Dr. Oz is talking about them nowadays - but don't say I didn't tell you first! You can find these drinks at your local health food store, of if you're brave - you can make them yourself. Trust me, it's better to buy it.  Homework and Kombucha... Read more on Kombucha here: http://www.synergydrinks.com/enlightened/products.aspx http://kevita.com/what-difference-between-kevita™-and-kombucha

The Black Girls Experience ((AKA Why Black Girls Rock))...

In my 24 years, I have already managed to be subject to ignorance and racism. I have felt the rage build inside of me as a white girl called me a "nigger" on the playground. She consequently felt my rage, as well. I learned on that day, how it felt to be discriminated against. I was only eight, and my father sat me down (after I sent her running to her parents) and explained that I would not be a stranger to this behavior. People fear what they don't understand, and being Black has way too many facets for any outsider to comprehend. 


Throughout the years, I have grown proud of my heritage. I embrace each one and draw out their strengths. I never felt the need to downplay any other race - because I've had strong Black women in my life who embodied what real women should be. Who else do you know can come home from an eight hour shift, cook, clean and watch the kids while Daddy's off making money for his family? Live-in nanny? What's that? Help with homework, while sewing a wedding dress from scratch, getting up for a 9-5 the next day. Came to America with nothing, and made sure their children had everything they needed. I never went to bed hungry. Not one night. Had gifts under the tree every Christmas. My parents kissed me goodnight - every night. I was loved. THIS is what a Black family should be. Right? 


I am educated. I will never apologize for that. Ma used to spank us for coming home speaking like the hood kids. From that, we learned how to turn that off and on; adapt in the business world. I earned my way into preparatory school with the rich kids when I was only in Junior High. Left Rye Country Day and went straight to Fordham Prep. While my peers were out at parties, I was home doing weekend work, totally optional. AP and Honors classes in high school. I did that. And got accepted to each college I applied to. Still living in the hood didn't mean I had to BE hood. THIS is what the Black girl should be doing. Right?


And somehow, I still get discriminated against - to this day. Often, by my own people. I remember walking into the first day at my current job. Big hair, big glasses, bright clothes - even brighter smile. Oh, the whispers - the insults! How horrible it is to know that your fellow Black women would rather talk about you than to you. How common it is to see Black women fighting in the streets, harming, stabbing - killing each other - for what? Young girls like Amber Cole, doing horrendous acts on video - with pride!?! How can this happen? Why does it happen? The answer is simple - they lack love. 


So many key elements are lacking from these Black girls' lives. Fathers, mothers who care - peers who strive for better. Most of these parents are either young, trying to reclaim their youth out in the streets, or out struggling to make ends meet to feed their child. This is not an excuse though - love is free and only takes a second to give. Take care of your children, no matter how young or old you are. No matter if their daddy/mommy left you to care for them by yourself. No matter how much or how little money you have. Hug them every day, sit and talk to them whenever you can. Instill that pride in them that only a family can give. Let your daughter know she is worth more than what the boys tell her - and she should value herself before any of them. Teach your son to respect women, since he came from one - and will create a child from that same species in the future. 


Despite all those adversities, there are plenty of Black girls who make it through. The ones who study all night to earn their scholarships. The ones who work two jobs to pay off their student loans and be independent. The girls who fight every day to stay in school, even with a child at home. Don't judge, encourage. We have gone through so much in our history, there should be nothing we can't get through. Never let your reasons become your excuses. Don't be a victim of your circumstance, be a victor of your situations. I work hard every day to stay out of the statistics - I refuse to shame my parents and let their hard work go in vain. I have so many plans for the future - I "just gotta make it". Be proud of yourselves, know that you are beautiful - anyone else should compliment that fact, not validate it. Too many of our Black girls rely on others to boost their confidence - create your own! 


I empower my younger sisters every day to be themselves. From their skintone, to the textures of their hair, to the way they speak. Everything about them was created by God - and he only makes works of art. It is up to the canvas to decide how their beauty shines.


As Angela Davis was told when walking into her racially integrated school, with people screaming at her and telling her to leave - "walk forward, keep your head up, and don't. look. back." Us Black girls hold the key to the future - no matter what anyone says. In this day and age, we cannot blame anyone else but ourselves for our successes or failures. No matter what your ethnicity, if you're Black - you're Black. Be proud, raise your children with pride - for "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world..."


This is why I rock. What about you? 

"Maybe I'm Trippin'..."

But I think I'm falling...


And I am afraid. 

"In the Morning..."

Baby, the winter's so cold
I eat the meal fast 
And sip this dinner wine slow
I know you see my
Ass poking out this chair - 
So,
Let's skip dessert,
And head straight to the crib
So you can make this skirt - 
disappear.
We here, my vision ain't so clear
Two glasses of Patron
And now I'm worried bout my hair,
But you don't care


I'm scared,
That I'm gon' get you here
Just to find out you can't perform,
But we already here - 
Let's get to business
I know you got it by the things you do
The way you walk, the way you talk
The way you call me boo
Yeah it's true, the way you move -
You do somethin' to me.
And boy, I caught the vibe 
Like you threw somethin' to me -
So I threw it back


Now all your niggas holla
"Who is that?"
Oh boy she bad, nigga
What you bout to do with that?
I'm finna take him home
No need for more Patron
Cuz we zonin'
I wanna slow whine
He wanna hit it in the morning... 

Trey Songz - "Anticipation 2" Mixtape

As if "Anticipation" didn't put a lot of us girls (and guys) into certain feelings, the SongBook is at it again.   He is truly evolving as an artist, especially with his harmonies and rap interludes. I suspect he's on the production end as well, and the intstrumentals have a Songz twist to them. 


I reccomend:
"Don't Judge" 
"Still Scratchin' Me Up" 


Go ahead and download it, you know you wanna...

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

Feast your ears, then feast your eyes...

Big Sean feat. Nicki Minaj - "Dance" ((Video))

I found it funny that Nicki says "I guess them ass shots wore off..." 
I think we all know she had some work done. No future in frontin' - right? 
Kudos to her for practicing her whining skills - put those assets to good use, girl. 


Oh yeah, Big Sean's in this video, right?


Wheeewwww, Nicki! 


Big Sean feat. Nicki Minaj - "Dance"