5 Mins of Fashion Fodder: A Wrinkle in Time Premiere, Chris Paul & More!

Taneica & Chris Paul

It's Friday so you already know that means that Taneica of Tea With Taneica has your 5 Mins of Fashion Fodder! This week we've got the Wrinkle in Time premiere, sexy Chris Paul, and more! If you like, don't forget to subscribe, like and share the love! Oh, and drop us a comment too!

Continue

from Natural Hair Care | Curly Nikki http://ift.tt/2HWfwYS

5 Ways a Primal Health Coach Can Help You Overcome Sugar Addiction

This is a guest post by Dr. Dana Leigh Lyons, certified Primal Health Coach and author Sugar Addiction: 5 Healing Steps. 

Why, despite knowing the consequences, do we keep reaching for that extra piece (or two or three) of chocolate?

Well, let’s face it. For many of us, sugar addiction began when we were kids. Breaking a sugar habit is so hard! But it’s totally possible.

Sure, you could do it on your own…but as a Chinese Medicine doctor and health coach, I’ve found that personalized support and accountability are what make the most difference for most people.

That’s where a Primal Health Coach comes in! They can help you overcome sugar addiction and get you where you want to be with eating and health. Here’s how.

1. Help you check in, take stock, and come up with a plan

These days, there is so much information out there! Even if you want to cut sugar, eat healthy and feel better, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Often, this sort of overwhelm stands in the way of even getting started.

This is where a trained health coach offers tremendous support. They help you see, with as much clarity and compassion as possible, where you are now and where you want to be. Then, they map out a doable plan and next steps toward your desired destination.

Your plan will be unique to you, not a (paleo:) cookie-cutter approach. It may include an eating assessment, meal planning, keeping a food log, and weekly “homework” assignments to keep you on track.

When I work with clients, I make sure to give them steps that are doable…and as uncomplicated as possible. As a client, you get to rest into your coach—letting them guide you, step-by-step, toward where you want be.

2. Help you discover what you’re really craving

Oftentimes, sugar cravings are rooted in something different. Our bodies are desperate for something…but are confused about what we’re actually needing.

On a physical level, this could be a particular nutrient…or sufficient protein or fat. On a mental-emotional one, it could be connection, companionship or feeling taken care of. It could also be a sense of purpose, passion or belonging. With my clients, I find it’s often linked to deep core beliefs—ones like, “I’m not enough.”

Untangling all this on your own isn’t easy—particularly when we’re surrounded by messages that equate sweets with love, self-care and fun! Your coach can help you determine whether your diet is lacking in nutrients…and can also help you look at what else may be missing.

3. Help you turn resolutions into new habits

Even when we “know” what to do to eat healthy, follow-through can be so tough! This is especially true at the beginning, when we have big plans and solid resolutions…but are still caught in old patterns.

Sugar is extra tricky in this regard because each time we give into sugar cravings, we’re feeding two different but interconnected cycles. The first is physiological. This is related to our hormonal system, our digestive system and our central nervous system.

The second is mental-behavioral. This relates to our patterning around food generally and sweet stuff specifically. It includes what “we’re used to” and “comfortable with.” It’s what we expect—and choose—without really thinking about it.

In truth, these “two” cycles are part of a single, larger whole. Our physiological response reinforces our sense that sugar “feels good,” brings comfort, and is worth pursuing…and so reinforces our mental-behavioral patterns…which then strengthen physical pathways and processes—hardwiring us to want more…and more!!!

A health coach can help you see these cycles and step out of them, addressing the physical piece as well as the mental-behavioral one. When it comes to turning resolutions into healthy habits, this is huge. It goes way beyond “white-knuckling” it or relying on willpower (which is limited and, ultimately, exhausting).

4.  Help you navigate social situations, restaurant menus and other tricky spots

Ahh—those office donuts and birthday cakes. And that irresistible cheesecake at your favorite steakhouse. Or, forget the cheesecake—how much sugar’s in the salad dressing?!

These days, sugar is everywhere and goes by many, many names. Your coach will help you get clear on where, exactly, sugar is lurking (the condiment aisle, for instance). They will also offer strategies for navigating social situations where saying No might be hard—whether because of your sugar fixation or peer pressure. And they’ll help you map out a plan for special occasions, such as going on vacation or eating out.

Part of this involves weighing tradeoffs and understanding best-to-worst options. There’s no one “right” answer, but your coach will help you figure out what answer is best for you, right now, in this moment.

5. Offer compassionate accountability

This is where we, as coaches, hold you to your resolutions and plans—but in a way that is full of compassion and free of judgement.

With any real change effort, ebbs and flows are part of the process. Your coach will offer what you need at each place along the way, whether that means cheering you on, celebrating your successes, or doling out a little tough love:). Above all, your coach is an advocate for you and helps protect you from the million things (internal and external) that can sabotage follow-through.

As a recovered sugar addict myself, I know firsthand that overcoming sugar addiction can be really hard. But having a guide and source of caring, skilled support can make all the difference.

Plus, by giving up your sugar habit, think of what you’ll gain. Freedom from sugar and carb cravings for one! Not to mention reduced risk of weight gain, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, acne, achy joints, inflammation, brain fog, cognitive decline, premature aging, heart disease, cancer…

Primal Health Coaches offer tremendous support when it comes to making lasting changes, getting where you want to be with eating and health, and even making it fun! That’s what we’re here for.

Find a coach in the Primal Health Coach Directory here. And if you’d like to be a coach yourself, check out the Primal Health Coach Certification Program, right this way.

Dr. Dana Leigh Lyons helps people eat healthier in a way that’s uncomplicated. Her work combines eating, medicine and minimalism. Find her website here and check out her ebook, Sugar Addiction: 5 Healing Steps.

The post 5 Ways a Primal Health Coach Can Help You Overcome Sugar Addiction appeared first on Mark's Daily Apple.

from Mark's Daily Apple http://ift.tt/2t9bUPW

Alternative Therapies For ADHD: Part 2

With 6.1 million children in this country bearing a past or present ADHD diagnosis, it’s little wonder folks had a lot to say in the initial post I did on the subject a few months back.  For the most part, people were pumped to discover new potential therapies for themselves or loved ones, or at the very least to find validation in their own hunt for side effect free ADHD treatment. Others questioned the validity of certain alternative approaches, and still more posed questions about other treatments they’d heard about or were interested in.

Is there any substance to the other alternative therapies I added in passing within that previous post? What else shows promise? Let’s dig in….

Neurofeedback Strategies

Many of those seeking other answers to the ADHD question have probably heard mention of neurofeedback, which continues as a debated prospect. As far back as the 1930s, the EEG was being used to condition certain parts of the brain and teach “voluntary control” over a person’s alpha blocking response. In essence, this neurofeedback therapy is intended to enable a person with ADHD to regulate their brain activity, thereby enhancing concentration and moderating behavioral difficulties.

For the most part, controversy surrounding neurofeedback strategies for ADHD has stemmed from a high degree of heterogeneity amongst study approaches, with a definite lack of standardized protocols. Despite this, however, there has been an overwhelmingly positive flood of results from neurofeedback studies through the years, with a 2009 meta-analysis showing substantial impact for inattention and impulsivity, and lesser but still substantive effects for hyperactivity.

A more recent literature review suggests that while certain previous studies may have had overinflated results, trials that followed standardized protocols have reported statistically significant and reliable results in treatment of ADHD. Thus, while neurofeedback therapies aren’t universally successful, they’re definitely worth looking into.

Acupuncture

Skim the literature for recent research on acupuncture therapies for ADHD, and you’ll find that most applicable studies have used acupuncture in conjunction with common pharma treatments. This in itself doesn’t reduce the value of the studies, as complementary therapies are often far more effective than standalone ones; however, it does muddy the waters a little in terms of standardizing results.

A Chinese study published in 2015 divided 120 participants into two groups: one receiving acupuncture and psychological therapy, and another receiving methylphenidate. After 12 weeks of therapy, the acupuncture group had significantly better hyperactivity scores than the drug group. In the same year, an Iranian team of researchers showed that just 12 acupuncture sessions in a small group of children already on methylphenidate could improve ADHD symptoms by 23-72%. Because of the small cohort, however, and the lack of control, the results should obviously be taken with a grain of salt.

Finally, a 2015 meta-analysis covering 13 trials and 1304 subjects concluded that acupuncture was either just as effective or superior to other treatments (pharmacotherapy or behavioral therapy) in addressing symptoms of ADHD, with the added benefit of fewer side effects.

Personally, I wouldn’t put all my eggs in the acupuncture basket, but as a complementary therapy it shows promise.

Coaching

Following my first post, someone pointed out that I’d skipped over a very valuable ADHD therapy: coaching. Everyone is different when it comes to ADHD, and what works for one invariably doesn’t work for another. Most conventional treatments, and even some of the more alternative ones, either don’t or aren’t able to account for this individuality, making the success rate very hit-and-miss. The beauty of coaching is that it’s individually tailored to suit each person’s needs, and I like that there’s an element of accountability combined with a sociable face-to-face aspect that you simply don’t get with a lot of other treatments.

And when we look beyond the subjective, coaching really does work. A 2009 study of 45 adults with ADHD found that coaching had a “positive impact on the lives of people with ADHD,” while a slew of studies on ADHD college students showed that coaching helped to improve grades, boost learning, elevate self-esteem and make academic goals more attainable.

GABA

Research shows that ADHD is often associated with a deficit in Gamma-aminobutyric acid, more conveniently known as GABA. A small 2012 study used MRI to determine that children with ADHD had reduced GABA concentrations when compared to control subjects, a finding that’s mirrored in animal studies and has more recently been linked to GABAergic inhibitory neurons.

It stands to reason, then, that supplementing with GABA could improve symptoms of ADHD. Unfortunately, GABA supplementation for the treatment of ADHD isn’t well studied, and certain specialists maintain that supplemental GABA isn’t able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Then there’s the whole correlation vs. causation argument, but we won’t go into that.

In fact, I couldn’t track down a single study supporting the use of GABA for treatment of ADHD. An extensive search yielded repeated mention of a standalone study, in which a Japanese medical faculty research team used a natural form of GABA to elicit higher test success rates in students; however, the study itself remains elusive.

While anecdotal evidence suggests it might help with ADHD, I’d be inclined to wait this one out until we know more.

L-Carnitine

After the previous post, someone commented on the potential benefits of L-carnitine for ADHD. I got to digging, and while I didn’t come up with a lot, I did find preliminary research in the past two decades that shows a possible positive effect from L-carnitine or acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) supplementation for symptoms of ADHD.

In an earlier Dutch study, 13 out of 24 boys with ADHD who received L-carnitine showed improved behavior both at home and in school. In a 2007 study, 112 ADHD children between the ages of 5 and 12 received weight-based doses of 500-1500 mg ALC twice a day for 16 weeks. While teachers didn’t notice a significant difference in inattention overall, when divided into ADHD subtype there were marked differences: ALC produced superior results in inattentive type children, while it had the opposite effect in combined type children. Clearly, ALC may work for some, but it may make the situation worse for others.

Caffeine

Following the previous post, several people noting that caffeine was actually a pretty useful tool when it comes to ADHD. One person commented that, while caffeine disrupted her sleep, it also helped to improve her focus. Another said much the same thing, pointing out that caffeine can act as a stopgap for that dopamine dis-regulation that’s so part and parcel with ADHD. And, of course, most standard medication therapies for ADHD are stimulants. 

That being said, caffeine is surely a double-edged sword. On the therapeutic side of the story, several animal studies have been published examining the role of caffeine as a less side effect-laden stimulant drug in the treatment of ADHD symptoms. A 2011 study found that 14 days of caffeine treatment in rats with induced ADHD brought on a significant improvement in attention deficit symptoms. An earlier study showed that pre-test administration of 1-10 mg/kg caffeine in spontaneously hypertensive rats (considered the genetic equivalent of ADHD humans) significantly improved spatial learning deficits.

At the other end of the spectrum, there’s a lot we still don’t know about the diverse effects caffeine exerts on the human brain, particularly in the case of children. While most research suggests that caffeine is generally well tolerated in “normal” concentrations, children are increasingly being exposed to caffeine above and beyond what might be considered normal. And while a child (or even an adult, for that matter) without cognitive issues might not display any adverse side effects to caffeine, all studies agree that caffeine response is very individual-specific. In higher amounts, caffeine is infamously associated with impaired sleep—a known catalyst for worsening ADHD symptoms—and in anxious people it can dramatically increase levels of anxiety. For some, it might be worth discussing with your physician, particularly if you’re not taking other stimulant drugs or looking for a combination of strategies to get off of a stimulant prescription.

B Vitamins

One of our commenters mentioned that she recommends water soluble b-vitamin complexes as part of a healthy regime for keeping ADHD symptoms at a low level. And I’m inclined to agree that this is a good approach, knowing that many people are typically deficient in many of the b vitamins and considering the important role they play in brain development and cognitive health.

While studies that specifically address possible links between b-vitamin deficiencies and risk/severity of ADHD are thin on the ground, this 2010 paper piqued my interest. It examined the role that b vitamins play in the central nervous system, pointing out that b vitamins elicit a similar dopaminergic effect to agonists like methylphenidate. It stands to reason, then, that upping b vitamin intake (primarily through food but secondarily through a good B complex) might serve as a viable alternative (or at least complementary therapy) to side effect laden dopamine agonist drugs.

Add to the fact that supplementing with folate, B12 and B6 has been shown to limit brain atrophy and cognitive impairment, and there’s very little reason why anyone wouldn’t prioritize this group of vitamins. As always, consult the doctor first though.

Keto Diet

Someone last time noted how surprised they were that I hadn’t covered the potential benefits of ketogenic-style diets for ADHD treatment. My main reason for this was a lack of studies examining the keto-ADHD link, but it’s a worthwhile discussion.

The only study I’m aware of directly applying keto to ADHD is one on dogs, strangely enough. Published in 2016, researchers found that placing dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy on a keto-style diet for 3 months helped to significantly reduce ADHD-related behaviors. Back in the human arena, there’s of course a trove of research demonstrating the impressive results ketogenic diets can have on conditions like bipolar mood disorders, Parkinson’s disease, MS, traumatic brain injury, and others.

It doesn’t take much of a leap to establish a possible positive connection between going occasionally keto and improving certain ADHD symptoms, especially those associated with focus and concentration. Once again, this will be an individual process, and not everyone will respond favorably to a ketogenic diet. With kids, in particular, consult your doctor, but for adults and older teens give it a go and see how your body responds.

Finally, I’ll add that there are plenty more suggested strategies and therapies I haven’t yet touched upon, and research continues to highlight new prospects.

In the meantime, it’s all about safe experimentation. No one practitioner or coach is ever going to have all the answers, so it’s up to each of us to do the research, think critically, and assemble what works for us or our loved ones.

Thanks for reading everyone. Be sure to post your thoughts, suggestions and questions in the comments below.

The post Alternative Therapies For ADHD: Part 2 appeared first on Mark's Daily Apple.

from Mark's Daily Apple http://ift.tt/2HVNsEX

Back from Wakanda, Can We Travel Back To Underground?

The cast of Black Panther & Underground 

By Brenda Alexander

There’s been a longstanding notion in Hollywood that movies that feature a predominantly Black cast and tells stories from a Black perspective won’t sell. Black Panther has dis-proven that theory with $700+ million in nationwide sales in its first two weeks of release. Being a superhero film that’s consumed by mass audiences of all races, this is a huge victory. With all of the success that BP has achieved, I’m optimistic about what’s ahead. It does sting that it took this long to “prove” that we indeed are marketable. I’m also saddened that great stories have yet to be told; or have been pulled and not given enough time to make its mark as movies and shows with predominantly white cast are. 

One story that sticks out most is the television show Underground, WGN’s period drama about a group of plantation slaves in 1850s Georgia who courageously band together to attempt a daring escape from the land. 

Continue

Aisha Hinds & Jurnee Smollett-Bell

Despite critical acclaim, the show was axed when WGN was sold to Sinclair Broadcasting Group in 2017. Fans were heartbroken and producers of the show have attempted to find a new home to no avail. But now with the buzz surrounding BP and both themes being similar in power and unity, I wonder if there’s room for an Underground resurgence...

Despite initial questioning surrounding yet “another slave tale,” Underground debuted with a vengeance. I was hesitant when first seeing the trailer, but was impressed after getting a sneak peak of the show at an advanced screening in early 2016. It was clear from episode one that the show was a story of rebellion and survival versus traditional depictions of our enslaved ancestors. What I was attracted to most was the stark comparison of how the Black struggle against oppression resonated centuries later and critics agreed. Paul Vigna of the Wall Street Journal praised the show for its storytelling but also how the show relates to current injustices Blacks face: 

“Underground is first and foremost entertainment, and it's good entertainment but it also hits on issues that are still coursing through the body politic. The show is set in 1857, but with protests against police brutality against Blacks currently taking place, its sensibilities are rooted in 2016.”

The show had consistent ratings with an average of 1.4 million but didn't survive the acquisition of Sinclair, a company known for buying stations and cutting original scripted programming for more fair-right news and non-scripted programs, which are cheaper to produce. John Legend, one of the show’s Executive Producer’s, let his disappointment be known publicly in an op-ed. He wrote,

“Underground was a hit, setting ratings records, receiving rave reviews and sparking conversation. It was screened at the White House and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, acknowledged by the NAACP, NABJ… yet here we are, still fighting...We know there is still an appetite for high-quality scripted dramas... We also know that, in this particular moment in history, there is an urgent need to tell the powerful story of the Underground Railroad. Let’s #SaveUnderground so that we can continue to inspire and educate the American people about these true American heroes.”

Underground struggles to find a new home. Even Black owned/focused networks like OWN passed on the show. Being a time period piece the shows costs an estimated $5 million per episode. Networks say it’s “too expensive” and even bring ratings into question. Though it was a success, a niche network like WGN may not transfer to a larger audience. One viewer agreed stating, “I never watched Underground because my cable package did not have the WGN channel,” she said. “But I heard from media industry powerhouses and friends that is was a phenomenal series. I think that hurt the show when pitched to other networks because they couldn’t see the ROI.”

Another question is: Are viewers still interested in the Underground story? There are currently no slave narratives on television. Though an empty market, some don’t feel it appeals to massive audiences like BP. “I don't believe the series will re-surge anytime soon. The entertainment industry follows trends that currently make money,” one explains. “With Black Panther thriving, I think we will see more superhero/sci-fi films or television shows, especially because they appeal to children, which is a huge financial gain for the industry.”

Aldis Hodge

I understand both sides of the argument. On one hand, the show was successful, but only to a small chunk of viewers who subscribed to WGN. Although the series inked a streaming deal with Hulu, there buzz wasn’t as large compared to others. However, viewers were dedicated. I’d like to see it explored further, even if that means it’s on a streaming service, which provides a wider audience. There’s amazing programming available now that we can choose from; but, there’s nothing like Underground. Post BP, there’s room. People are crossing their arms across their chests screaming Wakanda, the same can be done for the show that exposes how we fought our way to freedom. Let’s put our fists in the air for Underground!

Would you like to see Underground return?

Brenda is a Philadelphia native with a love for Marketing, Creative writing, wine and Jesus. Her work has been featured on Mayvenn’s Real Beautiful blog and she is the co-author of the book Christmas 364: Be Merry and Bright Beyond Christmas Night (available for purchase on amazon). Follow her on IG @trulybrenda_ and trulybrenda.wordpress.com

from Natural Hair Care | Curly Nikki http://ift.tt/2CSpy9z

White British Photographer Suffers Backlash For Creating Dark-Skinned Digital Model Named Shudu

By Renese

Meet Shudu.

She is a stunning Instagram model who currently has over 40,000 followers. Looking flawless in a Fenty Beauty mattemoiselle lipstick, the young woman’s perfectly brown skin, almond eyes and short haircut speak instant fierceness. But guess what?

She’s not real.

Continue

from Natural Hair Care | Curly Nikki http://ift.tt/2FchfLc

Primal Starter: Living Purposefully

Living life on your own terms isn’t just a quaint turn of phrase. It has huge effects on your health. A large body of research shows that the less control you think you have over your life, the higher your mortality risk. That persists even when you control for other health variables and biomarkers. It’s even true for animals. Self-agency—or even the illusion of it—appears to be a requirement for healthy, happy aging.

And unlike some of the characteristics shared by centenarians, like good genes, control is malleable. You can’t change the structure of your DNA. You can, however, wrest control over your own life. Despite whatever challenges present themselves, you get to decide what purpose you contribute to each day.

How?

Pay attention to that voice inside urging you onward. If something speaks to your soul, answer the call. Check it out. See where it leads. It’s usually guiding you to a good place, a place of clear and enriching purpose.

This is the crux of Stoic philosophy—living life on purpose. If we don’t know at the core what we want to cultivate in our lives, one thousand other agendas will freely rush in and take over the entire event. At the end of life we’ll see that we lived other people’s interests and demands instead of ours. It’s an own your days or your days will own you kind of thing….

The simple truth is where we invest our time is where we invest our lives. How much are you aligning yourself with your purpose each day—or are you putting that off while you continually “take care” of other pressing concerns? Without care, those pressing concerns become our lives, and we’ve abandoned our visions, not to mention our self-care.

What do you want your life to be about? Being a compassionate, present parent or caretaker? Being a devoted partner? Being a committed activist or artist or entrepreneur? Being an example of inner and outer health? Being a spiritual seeker? A socially conscious presence on the planet?

Maybe a better way to phrase it is this: what do you want your legacy to be? Legacy is the outcome of the purpose we embody throughout our lives. A pile of money is a collection rather than a creation. Raising a child who is healthy and well-adjusted is a creation. Applying your gifts to a company that serves a legitimate need in the world or championing a cause that enriches a community is a contribution if not a creation. Some people are happy with what they have, while other people are happy with who they are. The Stoics asked us to appreciate the difference.

Purpose, like health, can and should be the centerpiece of each day. Integrity of purpose begins today. Like health integrity, it obliges us to get real about our choices and whether or not they’re in alignment with that purpose. Each day the better guidance isn’t asking ourselves what we want but what kind of people we want to be.

Perhaps more than at any other time in human history we have the opportunity, the privilege really, of discerning our overarching pursuit – our main objective in life. What is it that we really want more than anything else? What would bring us the most peace, the deepest gratification, the most genuine fulfillment?

Knowing we had dedicated our lives to a central interest could offer us the most satisfaction and peace at the end of our days. That is our purpose—the interest and organizing principle we must live out and guard as we go through this life, which after all is only the succession of our daily choices. Choose purposefully today.

For More on Life Purpose:

7 Ways To Use Stoic Philosophy To Improve Your Health and Happiness

Does Life Purpose Enhance Longevity?

How To Move Through Life With an Edge

The post Primal Starter: Living Purposefully appeared first on Mark's Daily Apple.

from Mark's Daily Apple http://ift.tt/2F42hri

3 Stunning Hairstyles Inspired by Black Panther for Girls...and us too!

Celai West 

Just to hear young youtuber Celai West talk about what she loves about the Black Panther movie alone is enough reason to watch this video! It reinforces why it's such an important film and why every young black kid of color should see it. So there's that, and then there's these 3 stunning hairstyles- inspired by the women of Black Panther- that are sure to inspire the warrior in you! If you like, be sure to subscribe to Celai's youtube channel, especially if you have a young girl at home! 

Continue

Celai West IG

from Natural Hair Care | Curly Nikki http://ift.tt/2HSeCN4