Health + Wellness. Social Issues. Relationships.
Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Community Service
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the life and legacy of a civil rights leader dedicated to fighting for racial justice and equality. Dr. King's birthday is celebrated on the third Monday in January as a national day of service to recognize his legacy as a civil rights advocate. The Baptist minister and social activist led the civil rights mov...
Ever Dreamt About Cheating? Here’s What It Could Really Mean
Have you ever dreamt that your partner was cheating on you? Or that you were cheating on your partner? Let’s face it: Dealing with any sort of scandal (even in your slumber), can leave you feeling confused or anxious af. Maybe you’ve already suspected your partner of cheating and your subconscious is trying to send you a sign. Perhaps your dreams are a result of unhealed trauma from a previous relationship? Or maybe you just ate too many tacos before bed last night?
Before you shake your S.O....
Washcloth, Loofah, Or Hands – What’s The Best Way To Wash Your Body?
Over the last couple of years, social media and the internet has uncovered the various ways people decide to wash their bodies (some surprising, I must admit, and some not.) There have been numerous debates on whether we should use washcloths, suds up our legs, or even shower on a daily basis. Side note: Did you know that bathing with hot water can be detrimental? (I mean, is it really a shower if the water isn’t scorching? Just me? K.)
Additionally, with hygiene routine videos (think sparkly...
5 Ways to Thank a Veteran
As a military kid, I knew that my father's job as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Air Force was serious business. And while I've always admired my dad's work ethic, I didn't quite grasp the intensity of his career until I became an adult.
His sense of duty and service has been instilled in me since childhood and continues to shape the way I navigate my own work life — that's something that I will forever be grateful for.
How Do You Show Thanks on Veterans Day?
As Veterans Day 2022 approa...
Is Dating App Fatigue A Thing? A Dating Expert On How To Avoid Feeling Burned Out
In an attempt to have a hot girl summer, I found my way back to the dating apps. After a bunch of swiping up, down, left, and right, I was left with several “matches” that would eventually need tending to. Sifting through the various profiles and sending screenshots to my friends seemed fun at first but quickly got overwhelming. The matches, the clever one-liners, and the need to keep up conversations with multiple men (especially after a long day at work) —it all became too much. Then once t...
The 'Mercedes' Experience: Six Tips On Giving Your Partner The Sexiest Lap Dance
In season two of the hit drama series, P-Valley, we watched in awe as Mercedes (Brandee Evans) effortlessly glided up and down the pole, showing off her ultra-sexy dance moves in the privacy of her client’s home – dubbing it as the “Mercedes Experience.” If you’ve ever explored the idea of surprising your partner with a lap dance but cringed at the thought of embarrassing yourself, we’re here to help.
The good news is, you don’t have to be a pro to pull off a few sensual moves for your partne...
Why Mental Health Matters to Black Women
Acknowledging Black Women's mental health concerns is a crucial first step to providing support.
For many Black women such as myself, our story is one of tenacity, perseverance and determination. While the long-standing stereotype of being a "strong, Black woman" can often help us cope with the hardships of being Black in America, it's not without its disadvantages. Given that the experiences of Black women cross the intersections of racism, sexism, classism and health inequities, our mental ...
African Black Soap Can Do Wonders for Skin—Here's What to Know Before Adding It to Your Hygiene Routine
Here's where African black soap comes from, how it's made, and its many skin benefits.
Whether you're looking to banish dry skin, fade dark spots, or heal existing breakouts, we're here to convince you that African black soap is a powerhouse cleanser essential to any skin care routine. Most notably known as an age-old beauty secret, African black soap is quickly becoming a much-revered body and facial cleanser that boasts numerous skin benefits.
African black soap (also known as black soap) i...
7 Breakup Books to Read While Nursing a Broken Heart
Helpful, empowering, and entertaining reads to get you through the post-breakup blues.
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Let's face it, going through a breakup can be a pretty traumatic experience. Whether you're the one who initiated the breakup or not, there's a certain amount of grief that can arise when ending a relationship—and for a while after it ends. Ofte...
Kidney Beans Are Full of Plant-Fueled Protein, Fiber, and More Benefits—Here's Why RDs Highly Recommend Them
If you've ever found yourself tired of eating the same veggies and looking for a way to perk up your palate, I've got news for you. Kidney beans—the tried and true legume—are inexpensive, versatile, and best of all, packed with nutritional value.
Named for their red color and their shape, kidney beans are a type of legume that commonly come in two varieties: light red and dark red. True to their name, these popular beans are kidney-shaped and especially good in simmered dishes where they abso...
4 Reasons to Make Pecans Your New, Nutrient-Dense Nut of Choice
They're a heart-healthy option no matter how you pronounce "pecan."
Pecans hold a special place in my heart. As a young woman from the South, these crunchy, golden-brown delicacies are one of my favorite types of nut. As a little girl, I remember cracking open dozens of pecans with my dad (I, using a nutcracker, and he, using his hands) and savoring their rich, nutty, buttery flavor. Growing up, my mother also used to make pecans to bake one of my favorite desserts, pecan pie. And while the s...
5 Healthy Benefits of Flaxseeds—the Small-but-Mighty Superfood Worth Sprinkling, Blending, and Baking Into Everything
Much more than just a delicate topping to sprinkle over oatmeal or a colorful acai bowl, flaxseeds have proven to be a potent powerhouse food, packed with heart-healthy benefits and protective properties. And while they may seem like such teeny seeds, don't let its small size fool you: The flaxseed (also known as linseed) is loaded with notable vitamins and nutrients such as plant-based fiber, protein, and fatty acids. In fact, the percentage of the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linoleni...
Why Snacking on Dates Is the Smarter, Healthier Way to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
If you're anything like me, dates may seem like a bit of a mystery fruit. Often nestled in between raisins and prunes (they even look a little similar to prunes) in the grocery store, these small, wrinkly fruits pack a one-two punch of sweetness and nutrition. Coated with a crinkly skin that shimmers from its natural sugars, dates have an oval shape and contain a single seed surrounded by sticky, edible flesh (similar to cherries, mangoes, and peaches). They're grown on date palm trees, Areca...
Inclusive Wellness Studios Created with the Black Community In Mind
These Black-founded spaces are adding some much-needed inclusivity to wellness.
Search for "#wellness" on Instagram, and you'll probably find colorful acai bowls, helpful meditation tips, and various yoga poses. Unfortunately, what you may not see as much of are people of color. As with many mainstream spaces in America, the wellness industry is notorious for excluding Black and brown faces - as well as larger and differently-abled bodies, FWIW. While this fact may be more evident for some, t...
Can You Really Catch Up On Sleep?
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sleeping in on Saturday only helps so much.
Sure, you know the importance of a good night's rest (strengthened immune system, better mood, improved memory, the list goes on). But actually scoring the recommended seven to nine hours can often seem like a pipe dream, especially when binging Bridgeton into the wee hours of the a.m. feels so damn good. And while you watch the clock tick past what should be your bedtime, you think to yourself, "Eh, I'll just ...