What body shape are you?

Have you ever found yourself trying to squeeze into things that don't flatter your natural curves and frame? Well, it's time for you to value your shape by wearing clothing which complements your Body Shape.

Perhaps, a fun and easy way to identify your shape is by simply identifying celebs who share your body shape and follow their styles for inspiration and guidance. (Don't be a dead-beat, copycat. Add your own swag).

These are the body types: Rectangle, Pear, Hourglass, Oval and Wedge.

Source: http://www.istylista.com/blog/-/what-body-shape-am-i_158/

Summer Fun, Stay Cool & Remembering Amy Winehouse

There's only a month left of summer before you go back to school, so enjoy it! Our blogger, Ariam has discovered that she has a completely different perspective about animals after working for the Bronx Zoo. Now, will she become our world's next animal rights activists? Who knows? It's all about exposure to different activities, ladies, and challenging yourself to try something beyond your comfort zone.

Here I go again with another post about heat, but we've had record-breaking heat conditions over the past few weeks. Yolanda tells us why we need to drink H2O, also known as, water to stay healthy in the heat and for everyday life as part of good nutrition habits.

Unless you took time away from technology this week, you have likely heard about the death of singer, Amy Winehouse. At age 27, she captured support from fans due to her gutteral and raspy vocal skills and inventive songwriting skills. She shared her personal feelings about relationships and I loved her courage for expressing her truth and rock a beehive with hoop earrings. Despite the strong support of family, friends and fans, it was not enough to save her from whatever inner turmoil she was experiencing in her life. I was rooting for her and hoping she would emerge from stints in rehab clear-headed and stronger, but that was not to be. Her music will live on for other future soul singers. I hope her life will serve as an example of why it's important to surround yourself with people who are willing to challenge you to do better and why it's important to keep toxic people out of your life.

I know her song, Rehab was a favorite for a lot of people. Here's a video clip from one of my faves, Love is a Losing Game.  This song could easily be a poem if read without any music. R.I.P. Amy.

Peace,

Jen

Experience Lively Animals With Wildlife Conservation Society

With summer well over the half-way mark, I wonder what animals have you seen so far?

Never have I experienced the allure of pet animals or helping any stray and homeless animal. I was never bitten by a dog or stared down by a cat, but I tried to keep distant from animals at ALL possible times.

However, working at the Bronx Zoo has help me wash away some of my fears of animals and the wildlife. As a full-time employee, I spend most of my time at the cafes and mobile carts. One day I'm serving sandwiches to members and the next I'm scooping Hershey's ice cream, slaying under the sun. I don't forget to take a moment out of my hectic shift, and look around. Everyday at the Zoo entails seeing a trail of peacock feathers or an army of ducks and their babies. And while they seem more visible than other mammals, there are a TON of exhibits too. This summer I have witnessed some of the liveliest creatures including snow leopards, red pandas, fawns, blue iguanas, tigers and different species of fish.

At first I just wanted a job--ANY JOB that offered an hourly wage. Now I can crop out possible advantages of working for a prestigious society (other than free passes to any of the parks!:)

Here's an excerpt from WCS:
The Wildlife Conservation Society, founded in 1895, has the clear mission to save wildlife and wild places across the globe. Our story began in the early 1900’s when we successfully helped the American bison recover on the Western Plains. Today, we protect many of the world’s iconic creatures here and abroad, including gorillas in the Congo, tigers in India, wolverines in the Yellowstone Rockies, and ocean giants in our world’s amazing seascapes.

Because of zoo policies, I am not allowed to feed any of the animals or visit any attractions until I'm off the clock; yet I'm glad that I've had a chance to immerse myself in the culture this summer.

For a girl who used to throw stones at pit bulls and run away from cats, I realized that people do love animals.

I encourage all to come out and experience wild and sealife at any of the following WCS locations: the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, New York Aquarium, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo. These parks are stationed all around the city for a reason--take advantage!

For more information visit: www.wcs.org

H2O

How much water do you drink a day approximately? (Be honest). Did you know that 60% of your body weight is water? Every system in your body depends on this water to function properly. Therefore, it is very important to drink enough water daily to allow your body to remove toxins and carry nutrients to cells.

Do you really know how much you should drink? In general doctors recommend eight glasses which is about 1.9 liters of water.

In addition,  the amount of water we should drink depends on alot of other things, such as our daily activities (i.e. fitness), as well as, the climate and weather conditions where we live. (hotter versus colder regions).

I've taken this to be a challenge, hope you do, too.

Be Pro-healthy always.

Free Art Classes with MOMA at Fort Greene Park

The Fort Greene Park Conservancy partners with the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) for "Art-in-Public Spaces," a series of free outdoor public art projects in Fort Greene Park. The workshops will expose high school juniors and seniors to art careers and discuss community and public art. The art program will also include a field trip to MOMA in September. During the visit, students will discuss MOMA's collections and meet potential employers. Participants will also receive a certificate of completion and references. You must be available to attend all classes. Lunch will be served for each session.

Please email your completed application (see below) to amanda@fortgreenepark.org

Dates: July 18, 22, 25, 29

Time: 10 AM to 12:30 PM

APPLICATION

Applicant Information

Last Name:
First Name:
Birth date:

Contact Information
Email address:
Daytime phone number:
Evening phone number:

Home Address
Street:
Apt #:
City:
State:
Zip Code:

School
Name:
Graduation Year:
Advisor:

Emergency Contact
Last Name:
First Name:
Relationship to Applicant:
Phone Number:

Statement
Please attach a short paragraph describing your interest in this program.

Chase your dreams!

From a very young age, I've always tried to map out my future. I'm a plan freak and my dad once said to me, "Planning never fails, but people fail to plan." I assumed if you plan, you definitely can't fail. So, I planned everything to the last second. However, with my theory of never failing, I later found out it wasn't entirely true. Sometimes we fall to learn how to rise; that's when you learn to succeed. I think my dad's quote applies to all our goals and dreams in life. If you have a "dream," chase it until it happens. Along the way, make a plan to get where you want to be. I am itching to say "fail-fool" plan. I'll just say, be prepared to fight for what you want to achieve despite any hurdles. Gone are the days when ladies had to let go of their dreams. 

So ladies, GO GRAB IT!

NBC's Today Show Offers Tips to Stay Safe in Hot Temperatures

This morning, NBC Today Show co-anchor, Al Roker, discussed how to stay safe in extremely high temperatures with internist and Women's Health magazine contributor, Dr. Keri Peterson. They discuss ways to stay cool and what to do if you or someone you know has symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Remember to keep babies and seniors safe, too, because they are more likely to experience some of the heat-related, health conditions.

It is still hot in New York City and across the country, but you can survive the heat by using some of these tips in this Today Show video to stay safe. Read more tips on staying cool from my blog post, "The Block is Hot."

Stay safe and stay cool,

Jen

The Block is Hot!

Hey,

It has been crazy-hot this week.

Here are some tips to keep cool:

*Take a dip in the pool: City pools are free and fun.

*Go to the beach: The sand will be hot, but at least the water will be cool.

*Get some retail therapy: Visit your favorite mall or budget retail store and stay cool in the air conditioning. Many of them have cheap places to eat. If you see something you like, it won't break the budget. (Examples, Ikea, Target, Macy's, etc).

*Travel with water: If you're making moves in the city, keep bottled water with you. This will prevent dehydration and keep you healthy.

*Stay inside where it's cool: This may not be ideal, if you have a summer job. If it's 90 degrees or more and you don't need to do something, stay home. High temperatures can cause medical conditions like dehydration, dizziness and exhaustion.

*Run to your local ice cream or frozen yogurt shop: This helped to keep you cool as a kid, so try it as a teen. It may or may not keep you cool, but it's a good reason to get some ice cream.

By the way, just because you have a darker complexion (more melanin), does not mean you do not need sunscreen. Lather up, people of color can get skin cancer, too.

Be Safe,

Jen

Baby, You're a Firework!

Hey, hope you had a great July 4th!

Read our latest edition of Double Dutch magazine. Like Katy Perry says, "You're a Firework!" In fact, we think this should be your summer theme song as motivation to stay "in the grind" and achieve your goals. We've also had some great blog posts over the holiday, so enjoy posts about the benefits of dance, types of dance and tips on wearing your hair natural.

That's it for now, see you next time!

Jen

Go Natural

If you are planning on letting your hair GO NATURAL, you should probably take a look at the information provided by Black Onyx.

Take a look at her website: filled with fabulous hair products
http://www.blackonyxworld.com/

She not only provides tips on hair but she also has other beauty products and accesories.

Also take a look at her youtube videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BlackOnyx77

Specific Benefits of Different Dances

Previously I mentioned that Dancing is a FUN form of excercise, and the workout depends on the type of dancing you do, here are some types of dances and their benefits.


Belly Dancing

•Helps weight loss
•Reduces stress
•Improved posture
•Muscle toning
•Maintains flexibility
•Helps prevent lower back problems
•Tones and firms arms and shoulders

Ballroom Dancing

•Stress relief
•Keeps the heart in shape
•Builds and increases stamina
•Strengthens and tones legs and body
•Increases flexibility and balance
•Helps with weight loss

Salsa Dancing

•Builds endurance and stamina
•Helps with weight loss
•Relieves stress
•Helps you release toxins via sweating
•May help lower blood pressure
• Improves cholesterol levels
•Reduced Heart rate

Square Dancing

•Lower blood pressure
•Improved cholesterol profile
•Strengthens bones
•Loosens and tones muscles

citation: http://www.sixwise.com/

Let's Dance

Dancing is not only a great way to have fun or to just let loose but its also an enjoyable social form of exercise. Research has shown that dancing

•Reduces stress
•Improves strength
•Increases energy
•Increases muscle tone
•Increases body coordination

Other benefits that have been found to be related to dancing include:

•Lower risk of coronary heart disease
•Decreases blood pressure
•Helps with weight management
•Strengthens leg and hip bones

But how good is dancing as a workout?
Well, like most excercises it depends on the type of dancing and how strenuous it is, the duration as well as your skill level.

So get your favourite music, your dancing shoes and DANCE! Your way to a healthier, happier, more relaxed YOU!

*Also read the blog on “Specific Benefits of Different Dances”

citation: www.SixWise.com

Big Up to Felicity Salon for Girls & Teens

I recently had my daughter's hair done at "Felicity - A Salon of Elegance for Children." It was a fantastic experience!  

Felicity is not just a place for little girls, it's a great place for teens, too. This place is the real deal. It's a beautiful loft space in Brooklyn, NY decorated with bright, candy colors. Once you arrive, you're greeted by friendly and professional staff. No two-hour wait times like many salons. We've all been there with long waits and no-show hairstylists. They are prompt and work with you to get the style you want. The salon uses Jane Carter and other quality hair products to make sure your hair is well-groomed and styled. There are also nail services available, so your mom can get a manicure or pedicure while she waits. You can treat yourself to a natural style for the summer or for special occasions like birthdays, Prom, graduations and weddings or "just because." Don't worry, they do just as well with perms and straight styles, too. The old school days of getting your hair done in a hot house with tears for hours are gone. Getting your hair done, can be fun and enjoyable. Felicity has set the standard on how a salon can be for children and teens. I'm so jealous. I wish my salon experience was this easy!

Jen

My daughter, Dawn, the happy customer! (Yes, that is all of her hair. lol)