by Kandiss Edwards

December 11, 2023

7 Reasons To Track Your Time As A Business Owner

Many small-business owners struggle with time management. Thankfully there are numerous time-tracking tools that can help with solving this problem.

Originally published June 28, 2017

I get asked all the time, “What are your reasons to track your time?” William Penn once said, “Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” Not exactly correct English—but you know what’s being said.

As a business owner, it’s easy to relate to that statement. Before starting to track time, you can waste huge chunks of valuable time—maybe scrolling through social media feeds or binge-watching Netflix. The result? You won’t be as productive, which means making less money.

However, small-business owners and the average 9-to-5 person alike struggle with time management.

Thankfully, there are numerous time-tracking tools that can help solve this problem. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who haven’t taken advantage of these tools because they still think that time tracking is a waste of time.

Here are 7 reasons why everyone should track their time:

Discover how you spend your days

How many times have you looked at the clock only to ask, “Where did today go?” Well, by tracking your time, you can finally answer that age-old question with clear, direct accuracy.

By recording your daily routine for a week or so, you can determine when you’re most productive and identify the time-waster, such as social media, email, or blankly staring at the wall. When you eliminate extraneous interruptions and activities, you will be able to sort your tasks, and increase your productivity and focus on the tasks that are most important.

Allows you to identify areas that need improvement

After you start tracking your time, you will be able to see the various areas where you need improvement. Seeing areas where you need improvement goes beyond eliminating those aforementioned time wasters.

For example, if you’re a graphic designer and you discover that you’re spending too much time on thumbnail logos, then you can determine what you believe is the appropriate amount of time you should be spending. It may be that you’re giving the client too many options. Instead of developing 10 different options, offer only three or four and then make any changes from there.

Helps you bill correctly

Would you rather prefer to be paid by the hour for your expertise or at a fixed rate for the finished product?

If you charge by the hour, then the client needs to know how many hours it will take it will take to finish the project. If you charge by the project, the client still needs to know how to calculate the amount of time it will take for you to complete the project. Time-tracking previous projects can help you create more accurate estimates.

Remember, clients aren’t too keen on paying for work that they believe could have been done faster. Time-tracking tools provide documentation that shows how exactly you spent your time on the project. This not only addresses any concerns a client may have regarding your invoice, it puts an end to time theft. You’re able to bill the client fairly—there is no guessing for those times and projects that you forgot to write down.

Forecast more accurately

We’ve all been guilty of setting unrealistic deadlines and budgets for a new project. Here’s the thing: After you and your employees have tracked your time on a previous project from start to finish, you’ll have a basis for future projections. This allows you to create more accurate estimations on how much time and money a project is going to take, as well as set reasonable deadlines.

Having this knowledge readily available will also allow you to take on new projects with confidence since you can be certain that projects won’t overlap nor will you or your employees get overwhelmed.

Forces you to single-task

It’s been proven that we’re just not capable of multitasking. In fact, the entire concept of multitasking is a myth. Instead of doing several things at the same time, you’re actually cycling through these tasks quickly.

“When you’re time-tracking, you’re aware that each increment of time—be it 15 minutes or an hour—is being logged. This means that you give each task its due time for the simple fact that you want to be able to log it accurately,” wrote Jeremy Anderberg. “If you’re spending mere minutes on a variety of tasks, your log will be a mess. But there’s a certain pride that comes with being able to mark down a full hour or two on a single important item.”

Eventually you’ll be able to grow and appreciate your ability to focus. There won’t be a need to multitask. “You’ll learn to block off 30 or 60 minutes per day to these simple to-dos. You will get them all out of the way in one fell swoop,” Anderberg explained.

Creates a daily routine and habits

Tracking your time gives you the opportunity to create daily routines and habits. This will ultimately help you battle procrastination and help you get the most out of your time.

Daily routines and habits can also keep you healthy, happy, and productive, and improve your chances of becoming a successful “unicorn.”

Helps you achieve a healthy work-life balance

Work-life balance is important to your personal health and productivity, along with the health and productivity of your family and community. “After all, people need time and energy to participate in family life, democracy, and community activities,” wrote Shawn M. Burn, Ph.D. “They also need time outside of work for rejuvenation, and to develop and nurture friendships and their ‘non-work selves.'”

Once you’ve tracked your time, you will notice that you now have free time to spend with your friends and family. It allows you to do more things that you actually enjoy.

When you achieve a healthy work-life balance, you can remain healthy, both mentally and physically. It helps you stay productive and motivated, and you will be much better able to avoid getting burned out.

by Stacy Jackson

December 11, 2023

The Loveland Foundation Provides Therapy For Black Women And Girls Rediscovering Joy

The Loveland Foundation has provided nearly 150,000 hours of therapy and funded sessions for over 18,000 recipients since 2019.

Established in 2018 by Rachel Cargle, The Loveland Foundation aims to support the well-being and healing of Black women and girls through targeted mental health resources and advocacy.

Sparked by a viral birthday wish fundraiser that raised over $250,000 for therapy access, the foundation has provided nearly 150,000 hours of therapy to those in need. According to the nonprofit organization, The Loveland Foundation partners with several mental health networks to connect Black women and girls with culturally competent care, validation, and community.

The organization has subsidized therapy costs for over 18,000 recipients through its Loveland Therapy Fund since 2019. The foundation provides up to 12 therapy vouchers to each recipient in increments of four vouchers at a time. Collaborators of the Loveland Therapy Fund include Therapy for Black Girls, National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network, and Open Path Collective.

Beyond simply writing checks, the nonprofit organization shows up for Black women and girls through creative initiatives focused on opportunity, access, validation, and healing. The Loveland Foundation held its inaugural New York Gala on Nov. 16 at The Standard Highline. The intimate affair paid tribute to the diverse partners, making their healing work with Black women and girls possible. The evening honored mental health advocates like Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of Therapy for Black Girls, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, author Alex Elle, and women’s care brand Flamingo. Beyond the glamour, the foundation’s team centered the event on Loveland’s mission to nurture Black women’s well-being through creative community-building. From sponsors to board members, BIPOC therapists to volunteers, the event upheld that well-being requires a village working compassionately together.

On Nov. 6, the foundation announced “Unraveled,” its new YouTube series, which breaks down therapy concepts and wellness topics to demystify the journey of healing. Hosted by Aseanté Renee and LaToya Maria, each episode offers digestible insights to clarify the therapeutic process for viewers.

In 2022, The Loveland Foundation launched its intimate Healers Circle, facilitated by The Axon Group, to curate support groups exclusively for therapists. These sessions created a nurturing space for therapists to check in, process, and be cared for, helping renew their capacity to hold space for others.

For those desiring to join the mission, Loveland’s website accepts donations, highlights participation opportunities, and connects Black women and girls to resources.

Midwife Opens First Black-Owned Birth Center In Washington

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 11, 2023

Midwife Opens First Black-Owned Birth Center In Washington

Faisa Farole, a licensed midwife in Washington, has opened the state's first Black-owned birth center in Federal Way, a suburb of Seattle.

A midwife is diversifying birth centers in Washington. Faisa Farole opened the Federal Way Birth Center in the Seattle suburb, making it the first Black-owned establishment in the state.

The building boasts 3,000 square feet of space to provide ample maternal care to its pregnant patients. The birth center hosts three fully stocked birth suites, exam rooms, and teaching areas. While not an all-encompassing hospital, oxygen, IVs, and medicines are available on-site.

Farole spoke to The Seattle Times about what opening this facility means for diverse communities, especially for Black mothers.

“It’s historic, but it’s also sad there haven’t been any others in the past, considering Black and brown women’s status in this maternal health crisis,” said the licensed midwife to the news outlet.

The “status” Farole is referring to is Black women being disproportionately affected by maternal mortality, with their rate being three times higher than their white counterparts in 2021, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control. The publication also reported that pregnancy-induced deaths for women of color were at their highest from 2018 to 2020. However, Farole believes that increasing the number of midwives during delivery can decrease this statistic, especially amid hospital cuts in labor and delivery departments, and systemic gaps in healthcare services in ethnic neighborhoods.

Despite this, Farole is still battling the stigma against doulas and midwives and their efficiency in delivering safe, healthy births as opposed to standard medical providers. Washington has followed suit by allocating financial and training resources to increase the number of out-of-hospital birthing professionals.

Farole notes that research conducted by the National Library of Medicine proves that the implementation of midwives to assist in birthing journeys can result in better outcomes for expectant mothers of color.

“The [research] shows that midwifery is the answer for saving Black lives and giving women satisfactory care that they enjoy being part of, as well.”

Farole aims to foster an educative community within the center to help mothers advocate for themselves and their families while slowly but surely advancing Black women’s maternal health.

by Derek Major

December 11, 2023

Former NFL Receiver Lorne Sam Claims Wealthy Landowner Is Forcing Him Out Of English Country Pub Due To Race

Across the pond, one former NFL player is catching hell with his pub.

Former NFL wide receiver Lorne Sam is locked in a court battle with a wealthy English landowner after claiming he’s being forced out of his business because he is Black and from the United States.

The Daily Mail reported that Sam, who played for the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos, left the sport and began running the Carington Arms in Leicestershire, England. Sam claims he was “treated differently” from previous tenants of the pub due to his African American background.

Sam is in a court feud with Alex Stroud, one of the controllers of the land trust that owns the Carington Arms, after Sam said he was forced to close after a falling out with the owners due to the pub’s interior design. Stroud is leading an effort by the Trustees of the Ashby Folville Land Trust to evict Sam and his company, Carington Hospitality Ltd., as it claims he owes $14,000 in back rent. However, in a written defense submitted to Leicester County Court, Sam’s lawyer, Philip Noble, said that after Sam took over the 19th-century inn, Stroud and his wife, Lucy, visited the Carrington Arms and told him how the decor of the pub should be improved to their taste and the catering should be aligned to friends following shooting parties on the estate.

“They asked Lorne Sam to carry out other improvements to the decor and finish in the property, despite no such improvements being necessary or required under the lease,” Noble told the Daily Mail. “They made it plain that they relied (on) the pub to host post-shooting parties… and asked Lorne Sam to organize the kitchen to cater for those demands.”

Sam isn’t the only ex-NFL player to get involved in the bar industry. Former Seattle Seahawks teammates Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman recently opened the Legion Sports Bar in Washington State. Former Los Angeles Ram Michael Bockers opened a bar in Houston, and former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees recently opened a bar in Indiana.

Noble also told the judge that the back rent was run up before Sam took over the company, and an agreement had been made with the trustees that a payment of $5,332 would clear the debt.

Russell Davies, solicitor for the trustees, denied that Sam or his company had been treated differently based on his race, adding that the Strouds are regular visitors to the inn and invested in the success of the Carington Arms.

According to Davies, Stroud organized and paid for recarpeting and the installation of new pipework and a radiator at the pub “despite being under no obligation to do so.”

Davies also said that “reasonable and proportionate” attempts were made to recover the back rent, but Sam’s company did not stick to the agreed-upon repayment schedule.

The case is expected to go to a full trial next year.

shoot, point blank range, grandmother, target

by Stacy Jackson

December 11, 2023

Ohio Grandmother Allegedly Targets 6-Month-Old Infant, Shooting At Point-Blank Range

The 6-month-old victim fights for its life while the Butler community calls for justice to be served.

On Dec. 9, a 6-month-old baby allegedly was shot in the head by its grandmother, resulting in a critical injury. The event occurred in the wee hours of the morning, around 1:50 a.m., in Liberty Township, Butler County in Ohio, when emergency crews responded to reports of a shooting on Dutchview Court.

Witness statements say that the grandmother, 47-year-old Mia Desiree Harris, op ened fire on other family members before specifically targeting her 6-month-old grandchild. As one deputy recalled, witnesses said Harris “intentionally shot the baby at point-blank range.”

Upon arriving at the scene, Butler County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the wounded infant and rushed the baby to UC West Chester Hospital, WHIO TV 7 reported. Doctors reported the child was in critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.

Harris fled the scene before authorities arrived, prompting a search of the area. She was later found hiding at a nearby residence and taken into police custody without further incident.

For her alleged role in the attack, Harris faces three counts of felonious assault. The crime has left both community members and law enforcement personnel shocked and appalled.

Sgt. Tim Birch said, “In over 20 years on the force, I have never witnessed an act so disturbingly violent against someone so young and vulnerable.” He continued, “It is almost incomprehensible how a grandmother could commit such an evil act against her own flesh and blood,” according to the news outlet.

While the 6-month-old victim continues to fight for its life in the hospital, the Butler County community calls for justice to be served. Harris is currently being held without bond as the investigation continues, WHIO TV 7 reported.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 11, 2023

Kendrick Lamar Headlines Kigali Concert To Boost Concert Circuit In Africa

Kendrick Lamar headlines Move Afrika's Kingali show as part of an initiative to boost concert tours in Africa.

Kendrick Lamar has officially conducted his highly anticipated concert in Africa. The show, produced by Move Afrika in partnership with Global Citizen, took place at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, and is set to be the first of many performances by renowned artists in the continent.

Move Afrika, led by Nelson Mandela’s grandson Kweku, is a five-year initiative to boost an annual concert tour across Africa, as reported by The Guardian. The concert extends a legacy first curated by the senior Mandela, who once hosted high-profile concerts in Africa to raise awareness for HIV. His grandson’s inaugural show, headlined by Lamar, is meant to encourage other big-name artists to tour around the continent. Additional Afrobeats artists who performed include Tanzanian singer Zuchu and Bruce Melodie, a native of the country.

“If you look at some of the largest touring artists in the world, oftentimes their world tours are missing the African continent altogether, or in certain cases, they come and do one-off shows,” said Mandela. “We feel there is a great need for us to bring a robust touring circuit to the continent.”

Mandela hopes to spark job and economic growth by incorporating local professionals and artists to take part in the production of the performance. As Afrobeats gains international popularity, the quest to ensure shows occur in the genre’s origin countries has become a high priority for Mandela through Move Afrika, starting with Lamar’s participation in the global campaign. Global Citizen is spearheading these efforts, recognizing that the continent is overdue for venue development and renovations, with concert tours being an inevitable necessity in the music sphere.

“For too long, Western media giants have based the world’s biggest entertainment properties on African culture but have not invested in its local entertainment and creative economy,” said the co-founder of Global Citizen, Hugh Evans. “Over the next few years, Move Afrika will pave the way for a world-class entertainment industry that will drive local investment and economic opportunity and open up a path for more artists to tour Africa.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 11, 2023

USPS Accused Of Failing To Protect Employees From Extreme Weather Conditions

Some postal workers aren't aware that there are protective measures in place.

After a Texas-based U.S. Postal Service mail carrier died from heat exposure in June 2023, other employees are speaking up about how the federal agency is failing to protect them from weather conditions, according to a report in Politico.

Eugene Gates was delivering mail in Dallas when he collapsed in someone’s front yard in June 2023. It was a record 104 degrees when the homeowner rushed to perform CPR but failed to revive Gates. His death sent shockwaves through the country as multiple employees accused USPS of ignoring its heat safety programs and falsified records to hide how its actions may have caused the death of mail carriers across the country.

Through the Heat Illness Prevention Program (HIPP), the agency must train letter carriers every spring to recognize symptoms of heat illness and what should be done if they feel ill. The USPS website lists numerous cases of what to do if a mail carrier gets sick due to heat. However, according to Gates’ widow and the National Association of Letter Carriers union, the 66-year-old never received that training and his manager allegedly “falsified” official records before his death in order to hide it.

His case started a domino effect of investigations.

Close to 10 states, including New Jersey, Utah, and Illinois, have had cases where USPS has been accused of falsifying records, Politico reports. In Chicago, the union alleges managers “have falsified records of over 2,000 couriers,” described by the carriers as “an epidemic of policy violations at a time when global temperatures are soaring.”

“There are a significant number of locations where the training was not done, and there is a significant amount of discrepancy between what the Postal Service records show did or did not happen,” Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers told E&E News per Politico.

USPS claims it does exactly what’s needed to protect its carriers. “The safety of our employees is a top priority, and the Postal Service has implemented a national Heat Illness Prevention Program for all employees,” USPS spokesperson Darlene Casey said. “The Postal Service requires annual completion of a training course on heat stress by all employees in every facility.”

According to the Texas Observer, a survey was sent to mail carriers in the Dallas area, asking if they were familiar with HIPP. Four out of 19 carriers responded with “no.” While the training was set to go into effect between April 1 and October 31, 14 survey respondents claim they still had not received HIPP training as of August 11.

Since the death of Gates, a 35-year veteran, both mail carriers and union reps say nothing has changed from USPS management, which continues to make mail carriers work overtime and take extra routes to deliver mail faster, which continues to add to heat illnesses and other injuries.

As of October 2023, 65% of USPS vehicle nationwide have a small fan but not air-conditioning.

First Black Lead On A Soap Opera Dead At 92

by Stacy Jackson

December 11, 2023

First Black Lead On A Soap Opera Dead At 92

The soap opera and Broadway actress and writer for The New York Times died in her sleep on Dec. 6 at Calvary Hospital in The Bronx, New York.

Ellen Holly, America’s first Black lead on a daytime soap, passed away at 92 on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.

Holly, a Broadway actress, writer for The New York Times and a soap star who played the character Carla Gray in One Life to Live on ABC between 1968 to 1980 and 1983 to 1985, died in her sleep at Calvary Hospital in The Bronx, New York. There will be no funeral per the trailblazing actress’ wishes. Instead, the Obama Presidential Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will accept donations on Holly’s behalf.

The groundbreaking actress landed her role on the ABC soap opera after a producer saw her in The New York Times article “How Black Do You Have To Be.” The piece expounded on what it was like to struggle to land roles as a lighter-skinned actress. The controversial role on the daytime soap opera was a risk. She had to navigate race and love — in a love triangle involving a Black doctor and a white doctor.

In the last years of her life, the first Black daytime television actress who was also featured in School Daze by Spike Lee had begun working on a documentary. The film was supposed to chronicle her life and the activism that her family was involved in.

Holly had previously told her life story in a 1996-published autobiography, One Life: The Autobiography of an African American Actress.

Her life consisted of many creative accomplishments. Some included studying with internationally renowned dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham, who created the Dunham technique, working opposite James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, and others, and debuting on Broadway in “Too Late the Phalarope,” a press release noted. She also appeared in The Guiding Light, In the Heat of the Night, 10,000 Black Men Named George, Take a Giant Step, and Cops and Robbers.

The One Life To Live actress was born in Manhattan on Jan. 16, 1931.

X formerly known as twitter, charging, social media, engagement, initial. tagging, sell, over post, social media, management, NYPD

by Sherron Washington

December 11, 2023

Top 3 Social Media Small-Business Mistakes

Social media is a breeding ground for poor marketing because of its dynamic and sometimes unstable environment. Rules are rarely well defined.

Originally published May 25, 2017

Social media is a breeding ground for poor marketing because of its dynamic and sometimes unstable environment. Rules are rarely well defined and often subject to change, making it very challenging for users to determine which habits may or may not be appropriate.

While there is no specific or perfect set of guidelines for effective social media marketing, there are some common practices widely considered to be no-nos. These bad habits can be detrimental to any business’s brand and can often be traced back as the source of diminished credibility as well as loss of interest or even blocking on the part of followers. Don’t forget that if your contacts unfriend or unfollow you, it impacts your company’s growth. Steer clear of these bad practices.

Over-Posting

Although your audience wants you to be a resource, they don’t want to be constantly bombarded with your information on a daily basis. Over-posting on social media can cause followers to ignore your messaging or unfollow you altogether. To ensure your audience stays fully engaged, learn what is appropriate to post daily and how to post it. Some platforms are more favorable to posting less as opposed to more, so it is crucial to find a posting rhythm that is conducive to the platform while still being a fit for your audience’s needs. For example, Facebook’s recommended amount for posting is once or twice a day, while X (formerly Twitter) users are encouraged to tweet at least eight or more times a day. So you can use Facebook to post a morning and afternoon summary of the day, whereas you could use Twitter for more current and frequent posts throughout the day.

Tagging Or Adding Others Without Permission

META — (Photo: Thomas Trutschel/Getty Images)

Tagging or adding someone to a post, group or page unknowingly is a bad idea. Although your intent is to garner attention and interaction, you are actually being quite the annoyance. It often makes the user feel pressured into engaging, which can lead to feelings of resentment and reluctance. To ensure that your audience will be fully aware and make a conscious effort to participate, ask them for permission first before you tag them to your post, group, or page. This is a perfect way to establish an authentic connection and have a high level of engagement in your groups. If users suddenly appear in a group or are tagged without their knowledge, they will be reluctant to interact. However, you can facilitate the process by informing users about the benefits of joining your group or receiving the information you provide. That way, you encourage more productive and trusting interactions.

Making Your Initial Engagement An Opportunity To Sell

No one wants to be sold to. Moreover, they want to be informed consumers who are empowered to make purchases without a lot of prodding. So when making initial contact, resist the urge to get into overt sales discussions. It is just a waste of your marketing efforts to initially push and push for the sale, which can be a deterrent in building a long-lasting business relationship. To ensure that you build a proper rapport with prospects, try making connections to your target markets, if not directly, then indirectly through messaging and branding. That way, you can be a resource and not just a retailer. Make sure your preliminary contact involves a line of questioning that involves more about getting to know prospects and their business, so that you can properly assess their needs.

Men Should Prioritize These 5 Things If They Want To Stay Healthy

by Kandiss Edwards

December 11, 2023

Men Should Prioritize These 5 Things If They Want To Stay Healthy

Keeping our men healthy is a team effort. So, where does one start? Here are five suggestions to get your man on the path to wellness.

Originally published June 22, 2017

Prevention is the best medicine. Many of the health issues men face are preventable and treatable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the top five leading causes of death among men are heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 ranking cause of death, reported the CDC.

Men can take charge of their health and wellness by getting important health screenings, eating healthier, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, staying injury-free, practicing safe sex, drinking in moderation, and being tobacco-free. It may sound like a lot to do, but it’s totally doable, and it doesn’t have to be done in a silo.

Men’s health is everyone’s business. Whether it’s for yourself as a man or you have a husband, son, uncle, or brother. Keeping our men healthy is a team effort. So, where does one start? Here are five heart-healthy suggestions to keep our men healthy.

Get Regular Health Checkups

Annual checkups could save your life. They are a proactive approach to staying well. It allows you and your doctor to identify what’s normal for you, which makes it easier to diagnose issues early on before they become a problem. Sometimes, doctors can even catch things before any symptoms appear. Ask your doctor what screenings are needed and when. This is also a good time to track personal numbers such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body mass index. Maintaining and managing these at normal values is important to prevent heart disease and stroke. And get vaccinated. Immunizations help maintain health, regardless of your age.

Get Good Sleep

Not getting enough sleep can be associated with several conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.

The amount of sleep one needs changes with age. According to the Mayo Clinic, adults over 18 need a minimum of seven hours of sleep. It’s also important that we don’t hinder getting good sleep with stimulants like coffee and energy drinks, alarm clocks, and external lights—including those from electronic devices. These things can interfere with our “circadian rhythm” or natural sleep/wake cycle.

Toss the Tobacco

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. More than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking. It’s never too late to quit, producing immediate and long-term benefits. It lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, erectile dysfunction, and other illnesses.

Additionally, it’s also important to avoid secondhand smoke, which is just as dangerous as smoking yourself, if not more so. It can also cause heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke.

Be Active

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese. One way to control your weight is to be active. Doing so helps you build stamina, stay fit and flexible, and burn calories as you move.

It’s recommended that adults get at least two-and-a-half hours of moderate to intense aerobic activity each week and do muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week. Remember to work all your major muscle groups, including your legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms.

Eat Healthier

I know this is sometimes easier said than done, so I won’t recommend you “remove” anything from your diet. Rather, I suggest you “replace” certain things, substituting those processed, packaged, canned, and fatty foods with a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean meats.

Most perishable food is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients, which protect against disease. If your food can live longer on the shelf than you can, then that’s a problem. Also, make snacks healthier with portion control, limiting the consumption of food and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.