Everything She Wants

It's a myth that African Americans and other people of color can't get skin cancer. The truth is that s kin cancers, including melanoma, affect Black and Hispanic people at a disproportionately deadly rate when compared to white people. So if you see something suspicious like  a new, unusual growth or a change in an existing mole anywhere on your body , schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or dermatologist right away. Here are some key facts: An average five-year melanoma survival rate is only 67 percent in Black people versus 92 percent in white people. Late-stage melanoma diagnoses are more common in Hispanic and Black patients than in non-Hispanic white patients. When skin cancer is found in Black and Hispanic people, they tend to be diagnosed at a later stage and, as a result, have a worse prognosis. MedStar Health shares the following information to debunk common misconceptions around skin cancer and melanoma:    MYTH: SKIN CANCER ONLY AFFECTS FAIR SK

Remember clothing?  As much as we love our athleisure, we can still recall what it was like to wake up and put on something other than hoodies, T-shirts, joggers and leggings. And now that coronavirus vaccines are available and we're resuming some sort of normalcy, we look forward to traveling again and meeting up with fellow vaccinated family and friends for brunch and outdoor fun (still wearing masks and socially distancing in public spaces). We also look forward to refreshing our wardrobe.  But if you want to make room for new garments, it's time to declutter and find a new home for the clothes, shoes and accessories you haven't worn in a season. Donating to a thrift store or charitable organization is always a good option.  For certain items in new or nearly new condition, however, you can also earn some cash by selling them at a consignment shop.   Here are several e-commerce and retail consignment shops we love: thredUp  makes cleaning out your closet easy.  Simply re

April is Stress Awareness Month .  But strategies to reduce and manage stress are welcome any time of the year.   Studies show that women are more likely  than  men to report high levels of stress, and for African American women  chronic or daily stress is even more problematic.  While we tend to think of approaching stress management from an emotional wellbeing and physical health standpoint, we don't often associate making  dietary  changes with reducing stress and anxiety.   While scheduling an appointment with your  primary  care doctor and seeking help  from a therapist or spiritual advisor may still be necessary to help address the underlying reasons for why you're feeling stressed and the degree to which your  stress  affects your life, here are a few food for thought tips from  Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RDN, CDCES, CDN, nutrition consultant and author Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World .  Swap your  morning  coffee with a cup of warm tea .   “The key to

It's American Heart Month, sis.  Risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and physical inactivity put Black women at a higher risk for heart disease. These factors can be controlled by lifestyle and dietary changes. So it's time to literally take the necessary steps to protect your heart.  Other factors, like a family  history  of early heart disease can't be controlled. For women, heart disease becomes a risk factor at 55. That’s because, as the American Heart Association explains, after menopause, women are more likely to get heart disease. Partly, this is because their body no longer produces estrogen. Also, middle age is a time when women tend to develop other heart disease risk factors. That's  even  more incentive to take  care of ourselves, physically and emotionally.  Stress can also wreak havoc on our heart health. So make self-care a priority, whatever that looks like for you. Light some candles, put on your favorit

National Plan for Vacation Day was earlier this week.  But it's never too late to plan a vacation. Or given the current state of things, it's never too late to dream of planning a vacation.  Since we are very much still in the throes of a global pandemic, I haven't been on a flight and barely out of New York City for nearly a year. But with spring 2021 fast approaching, I've been reminiscing about the last trip I took.  It was in March 2020 and after attending a film festival in Miami, I arranged a day of pampering at the fabulous Carillon Miami Wellness Resort .  I miss spa days and tropical getaways.  Me at the  Carillon Miami spa. Photo credit: ESW The good news is that if you live in Miami or you're within driving distance (until we get this virus under control, I won't be flying the friendly skies for leisure travel), The Spa at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort is open for business.  But in compliance with CDC guidelines, the Thermal Hydrotherapy Experience

A few years ago, I was gifted a Foreo LUNA Mini and Foreo UFO. But I was intimidated by the fab and intricate packaging and tech talk that an app connection was necessary for the devices to work. So they remained in my beauty supply closet, pondered but unopened. Fast forward to 2021 and nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic. Maskne happened. My skin was breaking out around my mouth; not a surprise after wearing face masks daily since March 2020. But I also had a few unsightly blemishes on my forehead.  So I went back to the  battle-ready skincare hacks I've used -- salicylic acid cleansers to combat the acne and glycolic/alpha-hydroxy acid to brighten and banish the blemishes.  My adult skincare routine also includes daytime and nighttime moisturizers packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Day and night, I also pamper my skin with different types of masks chocked full of holistic skin savers like aloe, charcoal, turmeric and black tea.  Brands I love include Fresh , Emi