@PrimaDonnaHair850 on Instrgram

PrimaDonna from Tallahassee will be a regular contributor to NottHeads, covering primarily North Florida and South Georgia.  When she is not front and center on NottHeads you can find her doing the most with the roots.  You can easily see it in her own personal style; personality is at a premium, check her out at @PrimaDonnaHair850 on Instragram.

PrimaDonna is a stylist by trade but has never been shy in from of the lens, not that she needs the attention good style deserves attention.  If you want to tell it like it is then, get it at NottHeads, we talk, we write, we create news; so if you got something to say about what you do hit us up.

PrimaDonna interviews theBadGuy coming soon!!

…

Today there are so many different brands of sports beverages – Gatorade, PowerAde, Vitamin Water, and even Clif Quench by Clif Bar.  Additionally, there are so many versions of each brand; take Gatorade for example, which offers G2-low calorie, G Series Fit, and G Natural.  Wow, have times changed!  I see people who workout for 20 minutes and drink Gatorade.  On the other hand I see people running on the treadmill for an hour and a half who just drink water or nothing at all.   So, when should sports drinks be used?

What you put in, affects what you get out!  This is true with most things in life, likewise with your sports drink.  My passion for nutrition is matched by the jock quotient (JQ).  My interest in food was driven by my desire to improve my athletic performance; first it was softball, now it’s running.  I’m always looking for ways to maximize my JQ (Jock Quotient).  No matter what your JQ, you should understand how nutritional intake affects you and find the best options for your personal fitness objectives.  The higher the JQ, the more likely you are to need a sports drink during your workouts.

Sports drinks have added electrolytes, sodium, and potassium, which are important minerals used in the body during exercise, but lost through sweat.  As the duration of exercise increases, sweating increases.  Therefore, replacing potassium and sodium becomes progressively more important when exercising for an hour or longer.  In a light to moderate workout, lasting less than 45 minutes, you really don’t lose enough electrolytes to require a sports drink.   The body does not expend that much energy or fuel in a light to moderate exercise, so the extra calories from a sports drink are not warranted.  If you are doing a high intensity 30 minute workout (i.e. sprints), consider a sports beverage.  In a run lasting longer than 1 hour in duration, consumption of an 8 ounce sports beverage (after the first hour) has been shown to increase performance.

When it comes to the low calorie sports beverages, I do believe they have their place.  For people watching their caloric intake this can be a beneficial, lower calorie option for a moderate hour long workout.  The low calorie sport beverages are able to provide the needed electrolytes, sodium and potassium that need to be replaced due to electrolytes lost in sweat.  However, once the duration threshold exceeds that hour marker, low calorie sports drinks become less effective in providing fuel for continued performance.

Personally I love the Yellow (Lemon-Lime) PowerAde.  Yes, PowerAde not Gatorade; I do have a very specific preference.  However I will drink Gatorade if I cannot find my yellow PowerAde.  I drink 8-12 ounces of a sports beverage after a one hour workout.  If running on the treadmill for an hour and a half, I would have at least 16 ounces of a sports beverage, sipping some during the run then finishing the rest once I am done.

Bottom line is… if you want a sports drink, have one when training at a high intensity or over 45 minutes in duration, otherwise you’re just drinking unneeded calories.

Visit Newtritional You for more tips and information.

As far as hair, we have seen a few variations from Angelo Taylor over the years.  This is to be expected, given Taylor’s long tenure as an elite athlete.  The beard is substantially more facial hair than usual for Taylor; mind you, he does this with a purpose.  Taylor has said that the full beard is a quiet tribute to Edwin Moses, a legend in track and field.

Hall of Fame Profile – Edwin Moses (USA)

The prestigious American periodical Track and Field News named Edwin Moses an outstanding 400m hurdler of the 20th century and there are few who would disagree with that choice.

Moses won gold medals at the 1976 and 1984 Olympic Games and would have been the prohibitive favorite to triumph in Moscow had the United States not boycotted the 1980 Olympics.

Between 1977 and 1987 – for nine years, nine months and nine days – Moses was undefeated, won 107 consecutive finals in his event (122 consecutive races in total) and caused the 400m hurdles world record to be revised four times.

Benefits of a Brown Sugar Scrub  (www.buhterup.com)

http://www.buhterup.com

The benefits of a brown sugar scrub described below are six reasons why you will love including brown sugar into your natural skin care routine.

1 – Exfoliation

Brown sugar has tiny particles that provide just the right amount of texture to gently exfoliate the skin. Exfoliation, or the removal of dead skin cells from the skin, should be done on a regular basis. It is a process that makes skin look and feel healthier by improving skin circulation and riding it of toxins. Exfoliation also increases the production of collagen that gives skin its tone and elasticity.>

2 – Smaller pores

Exfoliating the skin with a brown sugar scrub cleans and tightens pores giving the skin a more even uniform appearance; pores look smaller, skin tone more even.  It can also diminish the damage to the skin caused by acne and other skin conditions.  It eliminates fine lines and diminishes the signs of aging.

3 – Healthier skin

Sugar contains glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid an ingredient that keeps skin healthy.  It moisturizes and conditions the skin while protecting it from the harmful effects of toxins.  Using a brown sugar scrub improves your skin’s ability to retain its natural moisture balance.

4 – Dry skin remedy

More benefits come from brown sugar’s property to be an excellent treatment for people who suffer from dry, itchy scalps.  Using a scrub as a pre-treatment prior to shampooing can eliminate dandruff, moisturize the skin and ease itching and flaking. After a brown sugar scrub hair looks healthy and shiny.

5 – Soothing aromatherapy

The wonderful sweet smell of brown sugar provides a soothing aromatherapy. It is relaxing and a perfect addition to any spa treatment.

Brown Sugar Scrub

This scrub will make you feel soft and smooth. The natural Brown Sugar buffs away dry skin cells and helps to hold moisture in you skin. With its moisturizing ingredients like Sweet Almond Oil and Vitamin E, this scrub ensures that your skin is left completely hydrated and revitalized.

Angelo Taylor – US Olympic Trials 2012

Many dream of being a participant in the Olympics, but few have the ability to actually compete at that level.  How would you feel if you had a dream where there was a slight bump in the road a few seconds within view of the finish line, mere yards in front of you?  That dream was part of Angelo Taylor’s real life.  On the back stretch of the 400m hurdles, Taylor found himself out in front, vying for a spot on the US Olympic team.  Then all of a sudden, he clipped the ninth hurdle with his trail leg, stumbles and nearly falls.  After hitting hurdle 9, Taylor was struggling to retain a position on the US Team; some bump.

The US Olympic Trials are part of the process if you want to make the trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games.  In an instant, years of preparation could be all for naught, if Taylor had not kept his balance and finished the race in one of the top 3 positions.  Taylor has a chance to rewrite the history books if he wins a third Olympic Gold Medal in the 400m hurdles in London.   Hall of Fame Inductee Edwin Moses and Angelo Taylor are the only two American athletes to have won two Olympic Gold Medals in the 400m hurdles.

Taylor has come up big in major events, but as an aging veteran, some wonder if he has what it takes to win Gold in London.  Consider that Taylor has a reputation for starting fast and fading down the stretch.  This bump on hurdle 9, while not predicted, could be an indicator of his fading.  But also consider that Taylor was way out front and on a pace to run one of his fastest times ever.  The road to London had a few bumps and stumbles, Taylor survived those.  The road to the medals platform may not be as bumpy.

Taylor recently said, “I’m trying to make history.  I’ve got so much support and great people behind me, pushing me.  I really want to make history, but also set a good example for my sons.”  Angelo will continue his quest to do what Moses didn’t, with many pushing him toward that ultimate goal.

Healthy Beauty is more than a motto

About Buhter Up

At Buhter up Healthy Beauty is more than our slogan it is our mission. Our products are handmade with the finest quality ingredients that are enriched with the necessary vitamins to keep your appearance healthy and beautiful.

Having suffered from dry skin my family and I began using Natural Ultra hydrating butters such as Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Avocado Butter to name a few. We found a way to keep our products Natural while incorporating invigorating fragrances.  Buhter Up has products for the entire family.

Buhter Up offers a variety of products that leaves you feeling moisturized, revitalized, hydrated, and soft from head to toe.

Jeshua Anderson (Woodland Hills, Calif.) finished one spot behind Taylor, but was unable advance with his time of 49.33.

Defending world champion Kerron Clement (Los Angeles, Calif.) was not in his usual form because of a groin injury, and his quest to defend his title ended as he did not advance to finals. Clement finished eighth place in his heat in 55.44.

Pos	L	Bib	Athlete	Country	Mark		React
1	4	865	Javier Culson	PUR	48.52 Q		0.203
2	3	882	Cornel Fredericks	RSA	48.83 Q		0.143
3	6	1126	Angelo Taylor	USA	48.86 q		0.171
4	5	1059	Jeshua Anderson	USA	49.33		0.172
5	2	440	Jack Green	GBR	49.62		0.199
6	8	1051	Stanislav Melnykov	UKR	49.74		0.183
7	1	621	Takayuki Kishimoto	JPN	50.05		0.148
8	7	603	Josef Robertson	JAM	50.39		0.156

Read more and see post race interview on NottHeads:

Daegu 400m Hurdles Finals includes Taylor and Jackson

Taylor flies over the hurdles with wings

For Angelo Taylor followers, here is an update on his performance at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Korea - Day 3 (8/29).

Angelo Taylor cruises to a second place finish behind Javier Culson, advancing to the semi-finals.   See Taylor: gold shoes, shades, arms extended, and ready to fly over every hurdle, right past the competition.  The semi-finals will be run on Day 4 (8/30) in the afternoon session of the meet.

Race photos and details below…

Taylor cruises to semi-finals

Angelo Taylor - USA 4X400 Relay

Day 3 of the IAAF World Championships begins the running activities for Angelo Taylor.  Taylor will be competing in the 400m Hurdles and 4X400 Relay team.  These World Championships come with lots of anxiety for the competitors; with the London 2012 Olympics less that a year away, top performers at this event will be heavy favorites at next summer’s Olympics. Taylor is expected to garner gold medals on the biggest stages of track & field.

Taylor is favored by most track analysts to win Gold Medals in the 400m Hurdles and 4X400 Relay in Daegu, Korea.  Despite finishing third in a photo finish at the USA Outdoor Championships in June, track observers point to the good season that Taylor has had in both the VISA and Samsung Diamond Leagues.  Post USA Outdoor Championships, Taylor ran well in the weeks to follow in Lausanne, Switzerland, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Stockholm, Sweden, and London, England.  Taylor’s experience and ability to get up for the big races gives him an edge over the competition.

Angelo Taylor’s races will be (times listed as Daegu, Korea local):

400m Hurdles

• Day 3   29/08   11:30   M         400 Metres Hurdles Heats
• Day 3   29/08   20:00   M         400 Metres Semi-Final
• Day 6   01/09   21:30   M         400 Metres Hurdles Final

4X400 Relay

• Day 6   01/09   12:30   M         4×400 Metres Relay Heats
• Day 7   02/09   21:15   M         4×400 Metres Relay Final

You can keep up to date on all of the performances on the IAAF World Championship (http://daegu2011.iaaf.org) website.

See recent materials posted on NottHeads (http://www.nottheads.com) and other related links below:

• Official Angelo Taylor website – http://www.angelotaylorusa.com/
• Universals Sports (NBC) – coverage and past event highlight – http://www.universalsports.com/track-and-field/index.html
• Icon Management – http://www.iconmanagementinc.com/
• Angel Taylor’s management company that handles his contracts and sponsorship
  • Icon Will Send Nine to Daegu for IAAF World Championships
• Samsung Diamond – http://www.diamondleague.com/
• USA Track & Field – http://www.usatf.org/

Wal-Mart

RETIRED HUSBAND

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Walmart.

Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women – she loves to browse.

Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Walmart:

Dear Mrs. Clifton
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store.  We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store.  Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Clifton, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras:

1. June 15:  He took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people’s carts when they weren’t looking.
2. July 2:  Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7:  He made a trail from a jar of brown gravy on the floor leading to the both the ladies and men’s restrooms.
4. July 19:  Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, ‘Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away’. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.
5. August 4:  Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.
6. August 14:  Moved a ‘CAUTION – WET FLOOR’ sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15:  Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he’d invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
8. August 23:  When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, ‘Why can’t you people just leave me alone?’  EMTs were called.
9. September 4:  Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10:  While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3:  Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the ‘ Mission Impossible’ theme.
12. October 6:  In the auto department, he practiced his “Madonna look” by using different sizes of funnels.

Author Unknown

This was sent to me as a chain letter, it had me laughing, I hope you had the same response.  All humor aside, a lot of men feel the same way about being forced to visit Wal-Mart with the significant other; the difference is that most men are not clever enough to make it an adventure that annoys the employees.  I say hurray for Mr. Clifton and tell the wife that there is another Wal-Mart in the next town that you want to shop at.  A year from now look for another post as to what Mr. Clifton has done lately to make his shopping more enjoyable!!

www.nottheads.com

You cannot channel surf on your TV without flipping to a reality show.  Several of these shows are about house wives .  Why is there this fascination with housewives?  Some aren’t really even housewives or at least not like any I know.

These shows can be very negative, but at the same time very addictive.  Almost like watching a train wreck, not a pretty picture. But you find it hard to look away.

Terrie Lynn

Why is it so captivating?  Are these women’s behavior and reactions to situations so different from ours?  Are these women on camera bringing to light how many everyday females conduct themselves or is it over the top drama that make for good ratings?

We all play out some form of drama in our lives at one time or another.  But can our drama compare with the “housewives drama”? Are these reality shows showing a true reflection of women or are they being “reality scripted” just to keep us tuned in?  It seems like we have an obsession with “cat fighting” Or is it just that we are fascinated with bitchy women with their claws out, and for some, it may make us feel better about the negative things in our own relationships?

It’s hard enough for some women to separate soap operas from reality, so what is this negative “reality female” behavior really saying to young women.  Especially when it seems like the more malicious and mean you act the more air time you get.

What makes drama so appealing?

Terrie Lynn

www.writerterrielynn.com

ChicBoutique247, a clothing and accessories boutique has launched their long anticipated website. www.chicboutique247.info offers merchandise that are inspired by today’s hottest trends and fashions around the world.

March 28, 2011- ChicBoutique247 specializes in dresses, shoes, and accessories that aren’t found in local clothing stores. Many of their fashions are bold, fun, and captivating with a slight classic flair. Their Spring 2011 collection, currently available on their website and in store consist of studded details, animal prints, frills, sequence, fringe, and metallics just to name a few accented trends.

Electric Zebra Print

“ChicBoutique247 is capturing a market that has been ignored for quite some time. Our target audience love having the latest fashion trends and runway inspired looks without breaking the bank to afford them, our prices range from $12 for a fabulous necklace to $68 for a chic and flattering party dress “ said Monique Abreu, owner. “We are extremely excited and inspired that our products are now available for our customers everywhere via the world wide web.”

About ChicBoutique247

ChicBoutique247 began in late 2008 styling on various shoots on the Atlanta music scene. Also located inside The House of Perris Salon and Spa, a prominent upscale salon in Bogart Ga, the company offers one on one wardrobe consulting and group shopping events. ChicBoutique247 is very customer service driven and is also involved in community outreach programs such as the Goodwill Jump Start Business Program.

Contact Information:

ChicBoutique247

4890 Atlanta Hwy Bogart GA, 30622

(404) 697-5284

http://www.chicboutique247.biz

chicboutique247@gmail.com

Matriculation

It has been almost 15 years since “A Different World” brought us a group of college students addressing issues. Matriculation – Higher Learning shows how the new generation of college students deals with prevalent issues. This is a weekly television drama series that combines “A Different World”,  “One Tree Hill” and “Beverly Hills, 90210” with “Higher Learning”.The show revolves around 10 freshman college students attending school in Hotlanta. See how privilege, prestige, ambition, money and expectations affect the decisions, create conflict and produce consequences in young lives.

Hot bodies and hot new faces, this is a college based drama for the new millennium – Matriculation! You get the energy of trendy hipsters, fashion, cat fights, bulging biceps, sororities, fraternities, parties and college life based in the hot city of Atlanta. Watch the drama, fun and frenzy at the fictitious college of AFU on Matriculation.

Featured Cast: Lacy Diamond, Kal Cauthen, Monique Singelton, Asharah Rahim, Ciarra Hodges, Brittany Hampton, Carla McCray, Deborah Childs, Jadyn Gray-Hough, Destinee Buchanan, Alousreshena L Burch, Kenneth Camp II, Dani Monique

Matriculation LLC
In association with P.R.I.D.E. (Producing Rare Innovative Distinct Entertainment) Film Corp.

Executive Producers:
Ronald Lee, Angelo Taylor and Derek Wilham

Screenplay WGA # 1457466

(770) 652-7383

Valentine Sexy 2011

So what you haven’t met all your fitness goals.  Valentine’s is a time to go all out! The point is that you want to do something that makes you feel sexy and makes you look sexy to him or her.  You’ve made all these resolutions, but you haven’t made a lot of progress.  Don’t worry about that, you can still make a sexy impression on your significant other.  After all, you are the one they chose; you just have to make them remember why.

Ladies remember what heels and lingerie do for your legs and other areas, but most of all know how it makes him feel.  I know heels are not always comfortable, but if you do this right, trust me, you won’t be in them long.  If you’re not into heels and lingerie, then find that thing that makes you feel sexy and will allow you to make him feel the same way.  And by all means, don’t forget the fragrance, hair, and makeup.  This is the time to tantalize all the senses. I’ve given you two; you can work out the rest.  Touch, Taste and Feel are up to you.

Men, our role does not have to begin and end with flowers or chocolate….   If you want to help her feel sexy, more sexy or sexy again, show her a little extra effort this year.  She will love that you went through the trouble for her. We all get comfortable in relationships and sometimes forget all the fuss we went through to impress her, in the beginning.  We may have been more focused on our physique, or may have been a little more stylish, cooked more, flirted more, and smelled better….  The point is that the little things will have a great impact on the effect you want.  Not only will your efforts be appreciated, they will pay off in big dividends.

Are you wondering where the fit tips come in?  Play your cards right, and you’ll have a great workout.  This is one workout you want to last and you can expect to burn anywhere from 4-7 calories per minute; you do the math. Don’t forget to go all out and most of all have fun!  Tailor Made Fitness will assist your Sexy in 2011!

Richard Baugh, BS, CPT

Tailor-Made Fitness
Tailor-Made Fitness

Promote Your Page Too

Sexy in 2011

Tailor Made Fitness

Now that I have committed to write a regular series of articles on NottHeads, I was forced to come up with a theme as to what I would share.  The company tag-line is Tailor Made Fitness – Customize Your Body.  Well NottHeads and I came up with the themes “Sexy in 2011”, “Bringing Sexy Back” and “Sexy Comes In All Sizes”.

What I will attempt to provide in these articles is a combination of tips that represent aspects of Mind, Body and Soul.  There will be great information for those who are just starting a fitness program, those who want to improve on an existing program and those looking to get their sexy back.  With a wide range of experience for various fitness levels, I have something for everyone.

January Articles:

Advice on New Year’s Resolutions

Fling

I never said I was ready for a relationship

I never said I was looking for a commitment

You know I care deeply,

I am emotionally involved

But remember

This thing of ours

Is more than casual

But it was always subject to change

But remember

You took the bate

Game never shall we hate

Shama 3 and Kal Cauthen

You’re a first round draft pick

My MVP candidate

But remember

You got blinded by the bling

Bright lights and pretty things

It’s all vanity in the end

Photos from Cotton Mill Shoot – Kal Cauthen (model), Shama3 (model), Reno Valentine (stylist), John Washington (photography), Michael Davis (photography)

No Drama - New Year's Resolution

Terrie Lynn for NottHeads – Chokkklit Shop

When drama lives or visits your house, it may be time for someone to get a new address; better yet a new attitude. Let’s start the New Year with a fresh attitude and see how long it can last.

Don’t know if you’ve noticed this from my columns and books. I write about relationships, not necessarily how to get into one or how to keep one, but how to rid yourself of relationship drama.

“DRAMA CURES”

Now, some folks it seems, have an addiction to drama, because they need the attention, they’re bored or for whatever reason. For others, they’re caught up in “generational curses”. This means one or more parent had (or still has) major relationship drama in their day-to-day lives, which they may have inherited.

When you witness a parent going through psychical or emotional drama on a regular basis your mind recognizes this as somewhat normal behavior. You become desensitized to what is dysfunctional because it’s a typical part of your environment. So in turn your relationships mimic the ones from previous generations.

On the upside, generational curses can be broken. Sometimes we recognize that our relationships are not healthy but think we don’t have the tools to stop the cycle of madness that has been ingrained into our lives.

Phrase for 2011, “Don’t underestimate your ability to change yourself, and don’t over estimate the ability to change someone else.”

Terrie Lynn

Tips on being DRAMA FREE

• You need to clean out your closet. I mean literally clean out your closet. You will not have room for anything positive or worthwhile if you have too much clutter and baggage. Get rid of all the negative aspects and get a fresh clean start.
• Start making better choices. Now I know there are times when you thought it was the right thing to do at the time. But be honest with yourself. When it come to most bad decisions we make, we knew it wasn’t a good idea in the first place.
• Slow down. Avoid making decisions when you’re very sad, very happy or in a hurry. Don’t be so quick to react or jump to conclusions. If at all possible, take your time, consider the cause and effect.
• Other phrase for 2011 – “I’ll get back with you.”, “Let me meditate on that.”

The biggest tip

Spend time alone. Get to know YOU! Take time out and try to see what it is you want out of life and your relationships. This also means taking time out from your friends too. Even friends with the best intentions can distract you from what you really want. Plus, you need to evaluate those relationships too. Sometimes a friend relationship can be just as toxic as a relationship with your significant other.

Terrie Lynn for NottHeads – Chokkklit Shop

www.writerterrielynn.com

Clients

Hamilton Business Partners (HBP) and NottHeads are helping entrepreneurs grow in a tough economic environment.  HBP and NottHeads recently did a product shoot with photographer John Washington for: Healthy Baked Goods, Bumps Cookies, The Chocolate Box, and By Yaz Clothing.  The photographs will be used for marketing, product catalogs, and web development.

• Healthy Baked Goods owner Dwain Perkins
• Bumps Cookies owner Fran Sobers
• The Chocolate Box owner Daisy Latimore
• By Yaz owner Yasmeen Dillard

Hamilton Business Partners and NottHeads are business consultants that assist organizations in effectively developing strategies that can be applied to the web to make money.  The shoot lasted 6 hours, the biggest challenges were transitions between businesses; where 3 of the clients were food and the other was clothing.  The goal was to capture the essence of each client’s products, think about the application potential for the photos and the target audience.

Hamilton Business Partners (www.hbpartners.biz) – we make art from bits and pieces

NottHeads (www.nottheads.com) – fresh everyday!

Attributes of a Good Consultant

Consultant

Consultants often get bad press or are perceived to be an expensive resource brought in by senior management (and resented by their team), bringing little value. I’ve put together a collection of attributes that I think a good consultant needs to have or bring to the table which will hopefully go towards reversing these perceptions.

• Business Benefits: the bottom line is that consultants should make their clients money. It may not always seem that way, but the end goal is to better the business, whether that’s speeding up a process, providing better quality or making cost savings, it’s all about improving the bottom line, whether it be in the short, medium or long term.

Read more: Attributes of Good Consultant

In the last few years, there has been an increase in teen pregnancy and analysts don’t know why. Every day more and more teenage girls of all races are giving birth to children. You would think with free and easy access to contraception and the abundance of information regarding AIDS statistics and other sexually transmitted diseases that teens having unprotected sex would be on the decline. But unfortunately the reality is quite contrary.

Teen Mother

Reality is: Two-thirds of these teen moms will not graduate from high school, will receive some form of welfare assistance, and have sons who are at a greater risk of being caught up in the penal system.

BASED ON MY BOOK: WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW, YOU DON’T

Excerpt from book, page 10

“Is it possible that because society has become more sympathetic with single moms, that females have become relaxed and irresponsible? Maybe teenagers are getting real life sex mixed up with sex seen on T.V.”

Or maybe, just maybe, teen pregnancy has become parent approved! Has it become such a common sight to see a teen with a pregnant belly, that it is now socially acceptable? Do parents take in stride the fact that they are grandparents after being a parent for only 13 or 14 years? Why are our babies rushing to have babies?

What You Think You Know

Just think for a minute……….. If trying to convince a grown woman to postpone sex for 90 days goes into one ear and out the other, how are we going to convince a teenager to restrain from having sex? The thought of a woman over 25 keeping her legs closed for 3 months is like asking black folk to give up barbeque ribs for tofu. Now, let us try getting a teenager to ignore all the sexual images they’re bombarded with daily; that would be like mission impossible. Believe it or not, that busy box in your living room you have entertaining/babysitting your kids, has a huge influence on our teens.

Excerpt from book, page 25

“Reasons why you may want to have sex:

If you don’t have sex with him, the other girl will. Let her!”

You have women who are way past legal age, and still don’t realize that within a relationship their man should treat them with respect or get to steppin. So how will we convince a teenager?

Excerpt from book, page 36

“Look out for guys that aren’t house broken. Sometimes a guy will do things that are disrespectful. Rather than perceive what he did as being disrespectful, you’ll charge it to him growing up on the other side of the fence and not knowing any better. Well, if he doesn’t know any better and you do, then the two of you aren’t equally meshed, are you? Sometimes we take things too lightly. Sometimes it’s not that he wasn’t taught any better, it’s about him not giving a damn about you to show you respect.”

Terrie Lynn

Even a woman that has ‘been around the block” has difficulty accepting the phrase “my body is my temple” is not just some form of Holy-Roller Rhetoric. Trying to get her to see that she should love and respect her body at any age is quite a task. Now we’re going to convince our teenagers to hold that part of them sacred and not just give it away, when they have images of girls who are popular or even famous because of how promiscuous they are. Our young girls take in these images from reality shows, where regular people are thrust into stardom, wear designer clothes, and live a seemingly glamorous life because of who they had sex with or who they have a baby by. So sex seems a small price to pay in exchange for cars, clothes or even fame.

Excerpt from book, page 26

“Reasons why you may want to have sex:

You enjoy the reward! “At least I’m getting paid for it, instead of giving it away for free.” Designer items are not that serious even if you have always been deprived of them. Trading sex for material possessions is still prostitution. Once you start this, it becomes easier and easier, and can simply become a way of life. This is not the income you want to become accustomed to, or dependent on.”

Oh, maybe that’s the reason for the increase in teen pregnancy! In trying to get our daughters to understand sex, and relationships, we adults might have to subject ourselves to a mirror.

Or is it the……. do as I say and not as I do rule………….That’s keeping it real!

Parent(s)! Dare to buy this book and read it with your daughter. Not only will this help bring dialogue, it can open the lines of communication and be a positive experience. Have the courage to break down walls. Even if you think you’re on top of things……..sometimes, what you think you know, you don’t.

Terrie Lynn

www.writerterrielynn.com

Steve Harvey’s Dating Advice

One of the original Kings of Comedy, Steve Harvey is the host of one of the most popular radio shows in the country, The Steve Harvey Morning Show. His first book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, is shooting to the top of the best-seller lists, and Oprah says she loves everything it has to say!

Steve says this book has a special meaning for him. “This is the first project that I didn’t do for money,” he says. “Other than my foundation—mentoring programs—everything I do is for money. I tell jokes for a check; I’m on TV for a check. … But this [book] right here I did purely to empower women.”

The Introduction

In his book, Steve says the way a man introduces you gives good insight into the status of your relationship. If a man introduces you as a friend or says your name with no title at all, Steve says you have nothing. “We’re very protective. We mark our territory. If a man loves you…he’s willing to profess it. He’ll give you a title after a while. You’re going to be his lady, his woman, his fiancée, his wife, his baby’s mama, something,” he says. “If he’s introducing you after six months, ‘This is…Oprah,’ you should be standing there going, ‘This is going nowhere.’”

Man with a Plan

Another thing women need to understand, according to Steve, is that every man has a plan. “Men don’t come up to you to just talk. We come up to you with a plan,” he says. “We’re looking across the room at you, and we don’t care about your hopes and dreams. We don’t care about what your future holds. We saw something we wanted.”

When a man approaches a woman, Steve says, he already knows what we wants from her, but he doesn’t know what it will cost. “How much time do you want from me? What your standards? What are your requirements? Because we’ll rise to the occasion no matter how high you set the bar if we want to,” he says. “The problem is, women have stopped setting the bar high.”

The Cookie

Though a woman might want many things from a man, Steve says men only need three things: support, loyalty and sex. Or as Steve calls it, “the cookie.” “We’ve got to have your support. Whatever adventure we’re out on, whatever pursuit in life, we need your support. Then we need your loyalty. That’s your love. We’ve got to know that you belong to us,” he says. “And we’ve got to have a cookie. Everybody likes cookies. That’s the thing about a cookie. I like oatmeal raisin…but if you’ve got vanilla cream, I’ll eat that too.”

Read more: Steve Harvey’s Dating Advice on Oprah.com