self development Archives

In self development February 7, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

OYIBO HOSANNA: HEALTH BENEFITS OF IRON

Iron is one of the most abundant metals on earth, is an essential mineral to most life forms and to normal human functioning.

In humans, almost two-thirds of iron our body is found in hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues. Smaller amounts of iron are found in myoglobin, a protein that helps supply oxygen to muscle, and in enzymes that assist biochemical reactions. Iron is also found in proteins that stores it for future needs, and are regulated by intestinal walls.

SOURCES OF IRON

Many foods contain high levels of iron, and you can easily find and combine them to make tasty, nutritious meals that helps boost your body system. They include:

Fruits and vegetables: Dried fruits (prunes, raisins), mushrooms, and dark leafy greens (pumpkin, spinach, broccoli), and citrus fruits, red and yellow peppers.
Nuts and seeds: cashews, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, pine, nuts, and pistachios.
Animal sources: Liver, egg yolks, turkey or chicken gizzards, meat and fish, beef, lamb shellfish, oysters, shrimp sardines, salmon, and tuna.
Dairy products: raw cow or soy milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Plant sources: black beans, brown beans, soybeans, kidney beans, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans.

EFFECTS OF IRON DEFICIENCY/ OVERLOAD

The risk of iron deficiency is high in women (teenage girls, female athletes, and pregnant women), preterm infants, young children as well as people with certain health conditions (heart, kidney diseases, celiac diseases etc., its effects include:

The deficiency of iron leads to anemia, which occurs when the body does not have enough iron.
Reduced oxygen delivery to cells, results in dizziness, fatigue, and poor work performance.
Elevated levels of free iron stimulate the growth of microbes and increase the risk of infections thereby decreasing immunity.
Iron overload may lead to cancer, irregular menstrual flow, and infertility.
Reduced iron can affect mental alertness and sensitivity, as iron is required for proper shielding of neurons of the nervous system.

BENEFITS OF IRON

An essential component of proteins involved in oxygen transport.
Iron is an integral part of many proteins and enzymes that maintain good health.
It is also essential for the regulation of cell growth and differentiation.
Vital mineral in myoglobin, a muscle protein required for oxygen transport and contraction of the muscles.
Boost brain activity, as Iron helps supply oxygen to the blood and 20% of which is consumed by the brain.

WELLNESS CUES: TIPS FOR GETTING MORE IRON IN YOUR DIET

NUTRITION

Avoid the following, as they can interfere with iron absorption:

Drinking tea or coffee with meals.
Foods such as whole cereals, parsley, dark leafy vegetables, and chocolate, rich in oxalic acid, tannins, phytates, and gluten.
Eating foods rich in calcium with those rich in iron, as calcium limits iron uptake into the body.

Do your best to eat iron-rich foods along with those rich in vitamin C, for vitamin C aids the uptake of iron into the body.

Cooking foods for shorter periods and with a cast-iron skillet.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Keep a clean and safe environment as malarial infection paralyzes red blood cells, thereby causing anemia.
Avoid medications that can deplete iron such as tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, high blood pressure reducing drugs.
The iron from foods you eat may not always be sufficient, so supplementation may be needed. Speak with a doctor or dietician, who may recommend a supplement and it’s crucial to follow dosage instructions carefully.

Let the insights you have gained of risks and benefits, be an integral factor to your daily decision-making process on what you feed your body, and aim to get iron from a variety of sources.

About Hosanna

I am Hosanna Oyibo, a Public Health Coach. I am an avid reader, personal development enthusiast, network marketing professional and a volunteer. I’m also interested in travelling, gardening, and sports. You can read about me and visit my blog with a click on this link https://about.me/hosannaoyibo.

In self development February 6, 2019 By Women of Rubies

LOLO CYNTHIA: CREATING SOCIAL CHANGE IN AFRICA BY TACKLING THE ROOT CAUSE

When I think about the empowerment of women and children, I like to tackle the issue from the ROOT cause and in many cases- the lack of financial empowerment is one of the root causes of their disempowerment.

The BBC video of the – Money wives- a practice where young girls are sold to men to repay debts- shows a man who owns a money wife saying that they bring the girls to them; some as young as 6, and if she’s up to 10 she’s ready product because she can carry out domestic chores.

A woman there said she had to sell two of her grand-daughters because she needed money for some cleansing ritual. Another lady recounts how 2 men and a woman held her down for her money husband to violate her at a very tender age. The child right advocate spoke of how it’s seen as a status symbol- the accumulation of money wives indicate wealth.

To me repaying debts as little as N 10, 000 with a child indicates two things

Poverty
The commodification of the girl- child.

Those two root causes bleed into each other, so if we tackle one without the other, we will fail.

I believe there are many ways to solve a problem- In addition to fighting for children to be seen as humans and protected, I say we must also FOCUS on making sure that women are not financially dis-empowered, that they become vulnerable and seek out harmful solutions for their predicament.

The child right activist tells us that the practice is illegal and punishable since 2009, but until now- the practice continues. Ask yourself why? If we enforce the child rights act and not tackle the other driving factor – POVERTY– people will continue the practice but do it discreetly.

If we also believe that the goal should solely be to fight the men involved in the practice- we will fail before we begin- because it’s not a man vs woman problem. Both genders are complicit in this practice.

We can and should tackle curative measures – punishment for people involved in this practice but more importantly we must put preventive measures in place. That is how they eliminate any epidemic- STOP new cases and MANAGE old cases.

Let us start fighting this by reducing the poverty level- Someone who will sell her daughter for N 10, 000 will sell her son to the highest bidder – often for labor. We know that parents are already offering their kids to city men and women for them to “train” in exchange for shelter or education (that sadly many do not receive).

Research has shown that the educational attainment of young Muslim women is closely linked with their country’s level of economic output.

When we hear of people giving their children for marriage in the North- it’s so easy to think they hate the girls but I tell you, some people do it out of two things- Greed & Love.

They honestly believe that their daughters stand a better chance of having a better life with the rich old man – even when their actions prove otherwise- to them that’s the only logical and attainable escape route for their girls.

Sometimes, we human right activists NEED to listen to the people- DON’T ASSUME, DON’T PROJECT- Listen to UNDERSTAND, to EMPATHIZE and then show COMPASSION.

This is a different point but a little example to explain why it’s important to listen.

Female Genital Mutilation!

When we discuss it, we talk about it only from the angle of abuse and a way to control a woman’s sexuality but if you do your research, you will see that many mothers continue to ensure their daughters are cut so they won’t be regarded as outcasts in their community. This means that even if a mother doesn’t want her daughter to be cut, she still feels compelled because she wants to protect her child from discrimination.

We need to study and learn from the community to understand how they perceive their situation before developing programs and enforcing our solutions!

How then do you tackle this? It can’t be only from criminalizing the practice- You will need a system reform! A natural social change in the community- Break down the systems that contribute to the maintenance of the practice and make the community realize the dangers of that practice that they start to reject it collectively.

For example, organizing women meetings to discuss it- that way the woman who doesn’t want her child to be cut but is too scared to rebuke it will realize that she’s probably not alone – That way it’s easier to rebuke the practice.

Maasai elders in Loitokitok, Kajiado County have given 363 girls who have chosen to forgo traditional female genital mutilation as a rite of initiation into womanhood their blessings.

But what if some women say- it’s our culture! It’s our rite of passage into womanhood! Now you see that they hold sentimental value to the practice- This is where you suggest an alternative rite of passage.

In Kenya, Alternative rite of passage could end FGM FOREVER! Many NGOs have developed their own model that doesn’t involve cutting- for example, the organization; S.A.F.E. creates this by replacing the cutting for the practice of pouring milk on their things, to symbolize womanhood.

Between 2010- 2017, 30% of girls in the Maasai community in the Loita hills underwent this alternative rite of passage plus the ceremony to celebrate the passage.

FGM Graduation ceremonies in Mara region

We need to study and learn from the community to understand how they perceive their situation before developing programs and enforcing our solutions!

Lolo Cynthia Is a public health specialist, sexuality educator and founder of the social enterprise LoloTalks, that employs all forms of media (online and offline) to create awareness and sustainable solutions to our contemporary social and health issues in Africa. She also doubles as a documentary and talk show producer and lends her voice on issues regarding interpersonal relationships, sexuality, gender, and social issues through her YouTube channel LoloTalks and her blog.

In self development February 5, 2019 By Women of Rubies

WOMEN’S BRAINS APPEAR ‘YEARS YOUNGER’ THAN MEN’S -STUDY

Women tend to outlive men and stay mentally sharp longer, and a new study out Monday could explain why: female brains appear on average about three years younger.

Female brains appear on average about three years younger than men’s, a new study has found

The study enrolled 121 women and 84 men, who underwent PET scans to measure brain metabolism, or the flow of oxygen and glucose in their brains.

Like other organs in the body, the brain uses sugar as fuel. But just how it metabolizes glucose can reveal a lot about the brain’s metabolic age.

Subjects ranged from their 20s to 80s, and across those age spans, women’s brains appeared metabolically younger than men’s, said the findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal.

A machine-learned algorithm showed that women’s brains were on average about 3.8 years younger than their chronological ages.

And when compared to men, male brains were about 2.4 years older than their true ages.

“It’s not that men’s brains age faster,” said senior author Manu Goyal, assistant professor of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis.

“They start adulthood about three years older than women, and that persists throughout life,” said Goyal.

But why?

One theory is that hormones might begin shaping brain metabolism at a young age, setting females on a pattern that is more youthful throughout their lives, compared to men.

Scientists hope to find out if metabolic differences in the brain may play a protective role for women, who tend to score better than men on cognitive tests of reason, memory and problem solving in old age.

It “could mean that the reason women don’t experience as much cognitive decline in later years is because their brains are effectively younger,” said Goyal.

More work is underway to confirm and better understand the implications of the research.

In self development February 5, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

GRACE ORISAKIYA: IDENTIFYING YOUR UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION FOR A JOB SEARCH

Everyone is unique in his or her own way. Those values, skills, ideas that’s makes you unique, different, special and can be used for various purposes and this is usually referred to as your personal or unique value proposition. Your value proposition can either get you that business deal or job your applied for several. However, some people are not fully aware of what their UVPs are, in some cases, it is mistaken for just their career. During some career coaching sessions with my clients, they express their inability to do things differently, their fear of failing and they usually wish to be different that is why it is important for everyone to know how special and unique they are and how this uniqueness can be useful. In a nutshell, your UVP is basically the things you can do but with a positive difference. The best ways to identify your UVP are to:

Know your strengths.
Create a difficult scenario and figure out how you could handle it in a different way (sometimes done during employees engagement sessions in companies).
Identify those attributes that matches your personality perfectly.
Think of what kind of solutions you can offer to problems.
Be authentic.
Ask people to identify what makes you unique to them.

Identifying your UVP however can give you the confidence you need to apply for a job. Remember these:

Everyone may know how to do a particular job but not everyone may have the right skills to get it done.

Social media has made it easy to have a false identity, so it’s important you focus on knowing what you can do uniquely than trying to be someone else. (Being inspired by someone isn’t wrong but being inspired should make you find out your path not live like someone else).
Your UVP can set prepare you for success. It can enable you know what you can do and how you can do it differently and better.
It makes you a better version of yourself.

Therefore, your UVP can set you one the right path for a successful job interview and employment when you can prove concisely why your values and skills can be vital to the organization you are applying to.

About Grace

Grace Asemota is a Business Psychologist (M.Sc) and a Certified Life Coach. She has partnered with Organizations and solopreneurs to grow their personal and professional brands and has coached students and staff in different institutions and organisations.

She continuously coaches and trains on the importance of goal setting, happiness, team management, personal development and self- confidence in a wide range of organisations (in Nigeria, UAE and US) and institutions by motivating staff to develop a collaborative culture and identify key factors that can enhance personal growth.

You can get in touch with her on

grace.orisakiya@gmail.com

LinkedIn @Grace Asemota-Orisakiya

In self development February 4, 2019 By Women of Rubies

SINEM-BILEN ONABANJO -WE NEED MORE NAOMIS

The world in 2008 was a very different place, and methinks, much simpler. The worst kind of race argument you could get caught up in and viciously slated was debating Barack Obama’s biracial identity – and get caught up in a debate and viciously slated I did, when on a Facebook post I questioned why Barack Obama was always referred to by the mainstream media as “America’s first black president.”

Sad, how it’s been 11 years since “America’s first black president” was a reality and not a dream, and how 11 years on America seems to have regressed into Jim Crow era, but that’s for another day.

I don’t have a child yet, but one day when I am blessed with one, she will be blessed with Turkish-Nigerian roots. My argument in 2008 was that Barack Obama was no more black than he was white. As a biracial son of a Kenyan father and American mother, he was the “first biracial American president.” But alas, post after post, my Facebook friends and frenemies kept reminding me of the infamous one drop rule – a social and legal principle of racial classification, ironically, created by white Americans.

I had heard of one drop rule of course, but I refused for my then imaginary children to be defined by that one drop at the expense of half of their DNA, identity and heritage. “If someone calls my child Nigerian,” I remember arguing, “that may as well deny my whole existence in their creation, because, whatever happened to the other half of them that is undeniably Turkish?”

I even brought in my dual heritage into the mix, which has since become even more of a contentious issue in my native Turkey; for all the similarities on the surface, Turkish and Kurdish connote very different things in my ever polarised home country, where increasingly you’re having to pick a side. It may not be a case of the one drop rule just yet, but say out loud you’re Kurdish, and in the eyes of some, you might as well have admitted to having leprosy. In this melting pot of centuries old ethnic cultures, I was fortunate enough to have never had to choose, being born to a Kurdish father and a Turkish mother. To date, when talking about how dissimilar we are, my mother still reminds me I am the daughter of a Kurd after all, not in a derogatory way, but as a loving reminder of my late father’s heritage. Exactly as I would want my children to embrace both sides of their ethnic makeup, without being pigeonholed into one, or forced to pick side.

In the year 2019, while much has changed, some things remain the same as I was reminded earlier this week, when the new tennis sensation Naomi Osaka fielded a question from a Japanese reporter who wanted her to reply in Japanese and Osaka replied that she was going to say it in English before going into her answer.

Last year, upon winning the third round of the Australian Open, Osaka had to educate another Japanese reporter who wanted to know what her victory as a “very proud” Japanese means for her people.

“You moved to New York when you were two years old and lived in the United States for a long time, but you’re very proudly Japanese, obviously. What will this victory mean for the people back home, for both sets of fans who will be watching this for you?” asked the reporter, not knowing his mic would be handed back to him with the kind of sass we now know Osaka to be capable of.

“Actually, I live in FL now. But, I mean, of course I’m very honored to be playing for Japan. But my dad’s side is Haitian, so represent. But um, yeah. I forget the rest of your question. Sorry!” responded the tennis ace.

Following her latest win, USA Today called Osaka “the first Japanese player, man or woman, to win a Grand Slam trophy.” ESPN called her “the first tennis player from Japan to reach No. 1 in the rankings.” A story too similar to the French national football team made up of sons of immigrants who carried the country to the World Cup final who were relegated to the second class row behind the lily-white, pure-blooded French boys who went up to receive the cup, or the immigrant who was Malian one day but became French almost the next upon saving the life of a toddler dangling off a balcony, or men of African descent, footballers, scientists, politicians, who are defined by their country of adoption at the height of the success – how many times have you heard “American scientist of Nigerian parentage” or “British politician of Caribbean descent” – and dismissed by country of heritage at first sign of misdemeanour – “the terrorist thought to be Nigerian having gained naturalisation in 2015…”

So much may have changed in 11 years, but so little seems to have, if we are still debating the race of my still imaginary children. All I know is that I hope they will not be defined by the one drop rule, their non-black side erased, or whitewashed to make them fit into the success story that dictates all hint of colour should be removed. Above all, I hope they will have as much sass as Naomi Osaka in not letting anyone put their well-rounded selves into square boxes of racial tick boxes.

Credit: Guardian Woman, Sinem-Bilen Onabanjo

In self development February 4, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

JANE UDOKA: THE LITTLE THINGS OF LIFE THAT MATTERS

The world and life itself is a never ending maze filled with similar looking alleys called twists. Everyone constantly runs and walks through this maze searching for particular and specific life goals. For some, these goals maybe love, suitable life partners, stable income, friends or something as intricate as finding one’s true self. Truth is though, no one knows what she may find at the next corner and while life is generally that uncertain, and nothing can ever fully prepare us for it, there are certain things that can sure help along the way.

I’m and will always be a strong advocate for healthy friendships. Amazing friendships are almost a basic necessity of life. No man is an island they always say and if you want to go far in life, you have to learn to work alone some would also contradictorily say. Yes, I do believe them both, you know why? Because just as friends can be a strong help, they can also be your downfall if you happen to come across the wrong ones. Friends are family when you make the right ones, they’re the ones who’ll stretch out their hands and pull you up when it feels like you’re drowning. I’ll strongly say, in navigating this maze called life, get you, a great friend and be one too.

Your essence is something you have to find and stay true to. It’s amazing just how much people undermine this seemingly simple yet so important aspect of life. Your essence is your being, basically speaking it is who you are, what makes you who you are and anything that makes you tick. In the world of ever changing social trends and the glamour filled social media life, your essence is something that staying uncompromisingly true to, will help you navigate this maze. Understanding you are different from any other person, that you are unique and amazing and there’s no other person just like you will always help you find your path in this maze.

Self confidence and self preservation is yet another great help. Often times, along these alleys in this maze, you’ll find people that will seek to grow on you, or put you down just to help themselves in the process. That is when self confidence comes in, understanding that you’re worth so much more. Self preservation simply put means safeguarding your emotions and senses, sifting through yourself and gradually blocking that with disturbs your inner peace.

Inner drive is something that you definitely need in this journey, it’ll push you to always aim higher than the last achieved feat. It’ll be there, to push you and encourage you when you lose your way in the maze, it’ll be there to wake you up and seek ways to improve your life in the maze.

About Jane

21 year old Udoka Jane O is a trained Engineer, She is a professional freelance writer on Relationship and healthy lifestyles. Jane has written a number of mind engaging articles….

In self development February 2, 2019 By Women of Rubies

ARIJENILEOLA BOLANLE: BURYING THE SHAME OF INFERTILITY

These spent days got me reflective and imagining all the odds life can offer me but not wishing them into being so when I feel I need some breathe if fresh air, gist and laughter then Facebook becomes my relaxation spot. So this bubbly young woman that I have come to respect for her sense served with humour and sarcasm sometimes puts up a post with a picture of herself and her husband, it was their wedding anniversary. As it is with me, I choose to read through all the comments and my heart broke on her behalf. ‘Why don’t you have a child after 3 years of marriage?’ became the new congratulatory messages.

Then I got into her shoes in my subconscious, would I feel shame or pick up my joy if I have to explain childlessness for any reason?

We have fixed a pattern to living and added time limits such that the feeling of failure crawls in when we are unable or yet to meet up with the standards especially marriage and childbearing. There is no shame in Childlessness! There is no shame I’m finding medical solutions such as IVF! Even adoption has no shame! And if you choose not to tow any of these paths and let nature takes its toll, there isn’t no shame!

Childbearing is just another phenomenon as every thing time and chance allows some of us to own while some are not privileged, it isn’t a curse till we allow the gloom of myth borne out of biased minds become a defined standard. Women are still crying their eyes out when nothing is stopping them to choose IVF, some would rather dwell in gloom because the society isn’t yet in sync with the idea of IVF. Same society isn’t in sync with adoption but will forever be in sync with shaming and bullying.

Oh Daughter of Eve! Bury the shame of Childlessness. Bury the shame of attached to whatever plan you choose to work on to share in the joys of motherhood. Do what works for you and be happy. Whether a child born out of the vagina, or through surrogacy (which I hope will be legalized someday and not seen as the worst curse), or through IVF or adoption is a child and he or she bears your name and will forever cherish the life you’ve given to him/her through your boldness.

The society isn’t sure of the template to follow so everything in our world is just turnioniown *winks* so do more than swallowing the bitter pills of the naysayers and try other options.

And to every Queen that has tried all options and are yet to have their little kings and queens, I hold you all dear in my prayers and we believe your celebration time is at hand. But that isn’t enough reason to dwell in shame.

Alongside with other issues we are making a grave for as women, we are burying every iota of shame attached to Childlessness.

And to everyone who the Lord has not given counsel to know the right words to use, we hold you dear in our prayers too.

Love and Strength.

In self development February 1, 2019 By Women of Rubies

NAVY TO HONOR FIRST WOMAN FIGHTER PILOT WITH ALL-FEMALE FLYOVER AT FUNERAL

The U.S. Navy is set to conduct its first-ever all-female flyover this week to honor the life of Capt. Rosemary Mariner, a pioneer in Naval aviation.

Mariner, the service’s first female fighter pilot, died on Jan. 24 after a long battle with cancer, the U.S. Naval Institute news site reported on Wednesday. The flyover will take place at her funeral on Saturday.

Mariner completed flight training in 1974 and went on to become a naval aviator. In that role, she received her Wings of Gold to become the branch’s first female jet pilot.

She flew the A-4E/L Skyhawk and the A-7E Corsair II and was the first woman to command an operational air squadron as a military aviator.

Mariner also commanded the Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Thirty-Four (VAQ-34) during Operation Desert Storm and was among the first women to ever serve on a U.S. Navy warship and qualify as a Surface Warfare Officer, according to the Naval Institute.

She retired in 1997 as a captain.

The Navy said the aviators participating in Saturday’s flyover in Maynardville, Tenn., will be flying F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

In self development February 1, 2019 By Women of Rubies

WOMAN OPENS UP ON HOW SHE WAS RAPED BY A FAMILY MEMBER FROM THE AGE OF 2 TILL SHE BECAME PREGNANT AT THE AGE OF 19

A woman, who was raped by a family member who is a reverend from the time she was 2 till she became pregnant with twins at 19, has told of how she suffered sexual abuse and how she was tied up and accused of luring her abuser after the truth came out.

The story of Mmanti Umor is one that reveals the heights of callousness but at the same time highlights the power of the unbroken human spirit.

Mmanti Umor was raped consistently from the age of 2 till she was about 19, she gave birth to twin babies as result of the incessant rape. She was also accused of being a witch who lured her abuser and was taken to a park, stripped and tied to a tree for one month.

Click on www.lindaikeji.tv to watch this heart touching story on ‘Life Lessons with Betty Irabor’.

Below is a sneak peek.

Source: LIB

In self development January 31, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

QUEEN ESOHE IGBINOBA: 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD COMMUNICATE YOUR BRAND STORIES

I want us to talk about 5 reasons you should communicate your brand stories.

First of all, I’ll like to clarify what brand storytelling is.

Brand Storytelling is a way of thinking and communicating a brand that puts a narrative at their very heart and thereby makes them both meaningful and compelling – for the audience and the brand.

Now that we understand what brand storytelling is, we need to understand how brand storytelling can help us achieve our communication goals

Usually, we have 5 major reasons for communicating our brand stories:

– Brand awareness and visibility

– Top of mind in our industry

– Communicate brand positioning

– Promote products and services

– Drive sales and conversions

There are a couple of strategies and tactics that can work for your brand, you need to find them and apply them to make your brand storytelling effective.

You need to understand that people are generally ‘’selfish’’.

They care ONLY about their problems and they are very preoccupied with finding solutions to those problems, hence, you need to do your market research and use social listening well, so you can immerse yourself in the lives of your ideal audience and know their pain points and challenges.

Once you do that, you need to think of solutions that provide UTILITY, CONVENIENCE, and MEANING.

Utility- solve a problem

Convenience – Save me time, money, stress

Meaning – provide me with a relevant solution that changes my life and helps me to be a better person.

Once your stories and solution do these 3 things, then you know that you are going to be successful at communicating your messages with influential storytelling.

About Esohe

Esohe Igbinoba is the Founder, The Global Brand Network. GBN is a brand management organization with a focus on teaching entrepreneurs the art of influential storytelling for attracting visibility and building an engaged audience so they can build profitable businesses. She helps them to achieve this through her unique system: The Influential Storytelling Formula. She has helped over 150 people in 10 countries. She helps them through her online school, GBN Business School where she offers one on one coaching programs, online courses and training programs.

You can connect with her on

Social media @queenesohe

Or send an email to esohe@queenesohe.com

Or on her website queenesohe.com