Stephanie Linus Daily

Category: Features

  • THE SWEETEST THINGS TO TELL YOUR MOTHER

    Sunday, March 19, is Mother’s Day!

    What would the world be without mothers?

    If you are overwhelmed with gratitude and you don’t know what to say to your mother on this special day, let’s help you say it.

    Here are some of the sweetest things you can tell your mother on Mother’s Day:

    I’m glad that you’re my mother because I’m not sure anyone else could have put up with me this long! Love you, Mom.

    Mom, you are the most outstanding woman in my life, and you’ll always be my number one. Have a very happy Mother’s Day!

    Growing up I don’t think I realized just how much you did to keep our day-to-day life running so smoothly. Now that I’m grown up, I am in awe of everything you did for us, and I admire you all the more. Thank you for making my childhood such a special one! I love you, Mom!

    I got all my good qualities from you, Mom! Isn’t it lucky you had more than enough for both of us?

    Thank you Mom for showing me how to be the best version of myself. I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me. I am so thankful for everything you’ve done for me.

    When I think back on the sacrifices you made, you deserve a Mother’s Year!

    May your Mother’s Day be filled with as much happiness as you brought to my childhood. I love you!

    May all the love you gave to us come back to you a hundredfold on this special day!

    They say that as you grow older, you turn more and more into the type of person your parents are. Thank God you’re so AWESOME! I love you, happy Mother’s Day.

    To my mother: who never sends me out into the cruel world without first wrapping me up in the warmth of her love. I love you, Mom!

    xoxo

    culled from: parade.com

  • HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE

    Every day we read about stories of people who transformed their lives – moving from point 0 to point 100, making money after being very poor, moving to the big city after living unfulfilled dreams in a lowly place, getting promoted in life after dealing with rejection for years. It is possible to change your life.

    If you are in a rot at the moment or you are hoping for a transformation, here are FIVE ways we think you should approach a change in your life:

    Recognize what is holding you back: You can’t change until you know what you need to confront in your life. So, recognize what is holding you back and make the adjustments.

    Identify the “WHY”: Why do you want change in your life? Why do you need to alter the way things are? Are dissatisfied? Do you believe you deserve? Answer the “WHY”, and when you do, it will lead you to the “HOW” – HOW are you going to change your life? WHAT steps do you need to take?

    Embrace discomfort: Nothing is easy. If you want change in your life, then you will have to deal with the chaos that may come from disrupting status quo. Be prepared. Discomfort is normal and part of the process.

    Set a smart goal: Have a set goal. Know exactly what you are aiming for. Eye on the ball. Go for it.

    Believe in yourself: Without belief, you have nothing. You cannot win if you don’t trust yourself. Belief will not come naturally. Self doubt is a thing, so you have to intentionally look yourself in the mirror and constantly tell yourself “I CAN”. You have to build your self-confidence. Self belief is the paddle that will move you through the ocean towards your desired destination.

    All the best! xoxo

  • FOOD & MOOD: WHAT ARE YOU EATING?

    What you eat is who you are. Food has the power to affect everything you do and how you do it. Food affects your brain, your mood, and your appearance.

    The food you eat and the mood you are in are connected. So what are you eating? And how is the food you take affecting your mood and your life?

    As you strive into a new day (everyday), here are a few mood-positive meals you should consider:

    OATS: Oats are a whole grain that can keep you in good spirits all morning. They’re an excellent source of fiber. Fibre promises better mood and energy levels. This is attributed to more stable blood sugar levels, which is important for controlling mood swings and irritability.

    NUTS and SEEDS: Nuts and seeds are high in plant-based proteins, healthy fats, and fiber. Nut intake is linked to lower depression (of up to 23%). Nuts are good sources of  zinc and selenium.

    COFFEE: The world’s famous drink makes you happier too! Caffeine prevents tiredness, therefore increasing alertness and attention. It also increases the release of dopamine and norepinephrine which are mood-boosting.

    BEANS: Excellent source of B Vitamins, beans is full of feel-good nutrients.

    BANANA: Bananas contain prebiotics – and excellent source of fibre that feeds healthy bacteria in your gut, Also high in Vitamin B6, it allows for stable blood sugar and better mood control.

    VEGETABLES: Of course! Boost your brain health and over-all health by having as much vegetables in your meals.

    GREEN TEA: This contains mood-boosting nutrients like L-theanine, an amino acid that helps fight anxiety. 

    CHIA SEEDS: You can simply sprinkle chia seeds in your meals. They are very versatile. They are a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, and contain a wealth of additional nutrients like protein, fibre, calcium and iron. This mood boosting food is also a good source of magnesium. Chia seeds is nature’s relaxant mineral, and it can help stress and anxiety.

    culled: healthline, culinarynutrition.

  • “EQUITY ENSURES EVERYONE CAN REALISE THEIR POTENTIAL AND THRIVE.”

    Stephanie Linus, our founder, answers some important questions on WOMEN’S DAY by Extended Hands Foundation:

    We wish every woman on every strata of life a March towards HAPPINESS!

    xoxo

  • 10 POWERFUL QUOTES FOR WOMEN

    Today is International Women’s Day. According to United Nations, this year’s theme is: “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality”

    How to spend the day? Hold conversations with colleagues, friends, family and allies on the benefit of equality. And don’t forget to reach out to the women who inspire you.

    Here are 10 quotes for this special day:

    *This day belongs to you. May you prosper and stand firm in the course of life. Happy International Women’s Day

    *She is a Dreamer, she is a believer, she is a doer, she is an achiever, and that she is “You”. Happy Women’s Day.

    *Sure, God created man before woman. But then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece.

    *You are the creator, the destroyer of evil, you are the saint and you are the guide. Life without you would have been impossible. This is the day to celebrate God’s best and most beautiful creation. Happy Women’s day.

    *Women are the epitome of courage, hope, and life. Let us take a pledge this Women’s Day that we will make the world a much better place for them.

    *Here’s to strong women, may we raise our daughters to be them, may we become them, Happy Women’s Day!!

    *A woman who is determined to rise can never be defeated. May you find all the courage to rise, Happy Women’s Day!

    *Never let your fears of the society prevent you from realising your full potential. Happy Women’s Day!

    * “Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.” –Hillary Clinton

    *“What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.” –Rupi Kaur

    xoxo

  • ARE YOU LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE!

    What does it mean to “live your best life?”

    We ask four women.

    “Living my best life is having the resources to do whatever I dream of. I am a beautician. I would like to own a range of products some day, like Rihanna; but there’s more to it than just dreaming about it, and even if I work hard enough, I still may not be able to get enough funds to be as big as I want to in my business. If I am able to ever get to that point of being an international beautician, that would be me reaching my tallest goals and living my best life. Right now, I’m just getting by. I am not sad or anything like that o! I am hopeful, I work hard and I keep the dream alive. So I will not say I am living my best life just yet. Time and chance will come.” – Theresa, 31

    “I started life early. I was done with school at 21 years, got a good job, moved into my own apartment by 23, travelled a lot… I have created some of the best memories a woman at 26 could possible dream of. I have always felt I was living my dreams, but I didn’t really see it as living my best life. There’s still so much I want for myself. Do you believe I still feel like I am not good enough even with everything I have achieved? It’s the impostor syndrome robbing me of complete happiness. I celebrated my 26th birthday in January, and having all the people I love throw a surprise party meant a lot to me. So I think, even if my mind isn’t yet catching up with my truth, my heart knows I am privileged, blessed and truly living a good life (may be not “best life” yet).” – Oluwaseun, 26

    “I think living your best life can be described by pockets of events that mean so much to you. Living your best life doesn’t happen every hour. There will always be challenges. For instance, I have a new baby and I don’t feel like this is my best life. I am always tired, and baby is always crying. LOL! But I understand that this is what I prayed for, so having it is answered prayer. Regardless of the challenges of nurturing what I got, I think it is important to say that this is the blessing I asked for, therefore this shows that I am getting what I want from life and it doesn’t get any better than that.” – Nduka, 29

    “Living my best life is travelling, loving on those who love me, having financial authority over my needs, looking good, eating right, deleting toxicity from my life, renewing my energy, creating safe spaces for my wellbeing, expressing the contents of my heart, and enjoying life the way I deserve. I am ticking the boxes one after the other.” – Gloria, 48

    How will you describe “living your best life”?

  • HELLO, SIS! WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?

    We’ve got some cool recommendations!

    Here are 7 books, recommended by various sites (and a summary), you should own as a black woman discovering more of herself:

    Finding Me – Viola Davis: “the book hides nothing as it unravels a story of hope, survival and acceptance of self”

    I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing – Maya Angelou: “a coming-of-age story that demonstrates strength of character”

    Ordinary People – Diana Evans: “an intimate story of identity and parenthood, building on the fragile architecture of love”

    Becoming – Michelle Obama: “the book captures experiences on racism and sexism, and how it shaped the life of Michelle”

    Americanah – Chimamanda Adichie: “the book focuses on denying true self and emotion, but finding joy in authenticity”

    There Are More Beautiful Things than Beyonce – Morgan Parker: LOL! Shocking title, right? But it’s all for the love of Beyonce. The book is “a dynamic poetry collection that expresses the social narratives surrounding contemporary black womanhood”

    Beloved – Toni Morisson: “the novel chronicles the life of a black woman held prisoner by the memories of the trauma of her life as a slave”

    Happy reading! xoxo

  • HEY, MARCH! WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US?

    It’s a New Month!

    We ask four women what expectations and aspirations they have for March:

    “They just announced a new president of Nigeria. Although this is not what we prayed for, I hope we survive it. I hope Nigeria does not erupt. This is the only country I have. My family, my business, my income. I don’t have the energy to fight. I just want to find a way to survive Nigeria.” – Ekwy

    “I have plans to travel to two countries this month. Bags are packed and I am looking forward to the adventure. I have spent my entire life taking care of others, it is time to prioritize myself and see what is out there. Maybe I would find my prince charming at my destination. LOL!” – Yolanda

    “I am not good with resolutions, and I try not to have too many expectations. After living 35 years of my life constantly planning and strategizing, I am taking a break and letting life take me through the path already planned by me and endorsed by the universe.” – Nnenna

    “I am looking forward to more opportunities. It is the last month of the first quarter of the year, I am tempted to bring out the score sheet and start to check how well I have done, but that is just my OCD talking. I am looking forward to an amazing March, and I wish that for Nigeria.” – Mirian

    Happy New Month, everyone!

    xoxo

  • ELECTION WEEK: BIBLE AFFIRMATIONS OF HOPE

    As Nigerians get set to VOTE for the next president, here are few Bible affirmations to keep hope alive. May God see us through. Amen:

    “O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.” – Psalm 130: 7

    “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” – Jeremiah 17:7

    “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

    “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3

    “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” – Romans 12:12

    “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9

    “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

    “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

    “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:18

    “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17

    “Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 24:14

    xoxo

  • THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF OATMEAL

    JOIN OUR TRIBE OF HEALTHY LIVING.

    Do you know oatmeal is one of the most nutritious breakfast you can have?

    This also applies to oatmeal swallow, you can have with your favourite soup.

    Try GREEN VALLEY OATMEAL – American blend, 100% natural whole grain.

    Join Stephanie Linus on this conscious journey to healthy living.

    Enjoy GREEN VALLEY OATMEAL as a cereal or as a form of swallow.

    *It gives you the benefits you deserve:

    *Lowers blood sugar levels.

    *Supports healthy cholesterol level

    *Provides antioxidants.

    *Promotes healthy bacteria in your gut.

    *Helps you to feel full to manage your weight.

    *Eases constipation.

    *Relieves skin itching and irritation.

    *Lowers your chance of colon cancer.

    As for GREEN VALLEY OTAMEAL at your local stores.

    Be health conscious. Enjoy life.

    Want a FREE pack of GREEN VALLEY OATMEAL? Drop a comment; what’s your favourite meal time: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner?

    Instagram: @greenvalleyoatmeal @stephaniedailyblog