Stephanie Linus Daily

Category: Lifestyle

  • My Jollof Rice Secret Ingredient

    Hmmm…… Good Ol’ Jollof rice!

    This is one meal I’m sure lots of people would be eating today. A typical Nigerian party menu is incomplete without this meal. It is easy to prepare, widely accepted and enjoyed by lots of people. It is one meal almost every Nigerian lady knows how to prepare, but as it is with most recipes, different people have different ways they bring out the flavour in their dishes.

    Same goes for Jollof Rice. As simple as it looks, you’d be shocked that many people prepare this meal in different ways. For some people, Jollof Rice is never complete without real chicken broth. For other people, fresh tomatoes must be sliced inside the pot when the meal is about getting done.

    But for me, my most important Jollof Rice ingredient is…. Bay Leaves! I don’t miss out on this when preparing this meal. It gives a unique aroma and taste to my meal that no other spice can. It also has some great health benefits such as:

    bay leaf

    1. Bay leaf greatly helps in digestion. It is used as a natural remedy in a wide range of digestive disorders.
    2. Bay leaf helps in regulating blood sugar levels.
    3. Bay leaf contains the phytonutrients, caffeic acid and rutin, as well as salicylates. These phytonutrients protect the heart and lower the risk of strokes and heart attack.

     

    Don’t forget, its best to use it dry rather than fresh.

    So, tell me. What’s your most important ingredient in Jollof Rice? How do you prepare your Jollof Rice that makes it unique?

    I’d love to know!

  • 11 Major Causes & Risk Factors Of Breast Cancer

    One important way to stay healthy is to have the required information to avoid certain diseases.

    The high rate of women dying from Breast Cancer in Nigeria yearly is alarming, and today, I’d like us to enlighten ourselves on the risk factors of breast cancer.

    While we do not yet know exactly what causes Breast Cancer, we do know that certain risk factors are linked to the disease. A risk factor is something that affects your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. For instance, did you know that the older you get, the higher your chances of getting breast cancer?

    I found these causes and risks of breast cancer on NHS.UK and just had to share it here:

    Age
    The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. The condition is most common among women over 50 who have been through the menopause. About 8 out of 10 cases of breast cancer occur in women over 50.

    Family history
    If you have close relatives who have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer, you may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

    Previous diagnosis of breast cancer
    If you’ve previously had breast cancer or early non-invasive cancer cell changes in breast ducts, you have a higher risk of developing it again, either in your other breast or in the same breast again.

    Previous benign breast lump
    A benign breast lump doesn’t mean you have breast cancer, but certain types of lump may slightly increase your risk of developing it.

    Breast density
    Women with dense breast tissue may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer because there are more cells that can become cancerous.

    Exposure to oestrogen
    Your risk of developing breast cancer may rise slightly with the amount of oestrogen your body is exposed to. For example, if you started your periods at a young age and experienced the menopause at a late age, you’ll have been exposed to oestrogen over a longer period of time. In the same way, not having children, or having children later in life, may slightly increase your risk of developing breast cancer because your exposure to oestrogen is uninterrupted by pregnancy.

    Being overweight or obese
    If you’ve experienced the menopause and are overweight or obese, you may be more at risk of developing breast cancer.

    Being tall
    If you’re taller than average, you’re more likely to develop breast cancer than someone who’s shorter than average. The reason for this isn’t fully understood, but it may be due to interactions between genes, nutrition and hormones.

    Alcohol
    Your risk of developing breast cancer can increase with the amount of alcohol you drink.

    Radiation
    Certain medical procedures that use radiation, such as X-rays and computerised tomography (CT) scans, may slightly increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

    Takin Contraceptive pills
    Research has shown that women who use oral contraception (the pill) have a slight, but significant, increased risk of developing breast cancer. However, the risk starts to decrease once you stop taking the pill, and your risk of breast cancer is back to normal 10 years after stopping.

    So ladies, do you think you fall into the category of any of these risk factors? What steps have you been taking to protect yourself?

    Stay healthy ladies!

  • 10 Things Women Need To Stop Doing To Each Other

    The other day, I had a frank talk with some close friends of mine and we all agreed that most times, us women are our own worst enemies. Of course, not all women do these things, but really, we need to put a check on how we treat each other as women.

    Here are some things I absolutely think women should stop doing to each other:

    1. Stop Taking Each Other Down
    If anyone should be there for a woman, it is another woman. As women, we need to stop taking each other down with our words and actions and rather focus on lifting each other up. The world would be a much better place if we all did that.

    2. Stop Comparing
    As women, we find it so easy to look at ourselves and compare varying qualities that other women possess. Each of us is created in our own unique and special way. Let us try taking the time to realize the unique qualities that each of us has rather than comparing.

    3. Fighting Over Guys
    Obviously, if your best girlfriend has an affair with your guy, you have every right to scream and yell. That kind of betrayal warrants anger, for sure. But most times, we should take our anger out on our partners rather than the other girl. Also, if your girlfriend is in a relationship and you are not, don’t allow your jealousy and frustration to get in the way of your friendship.

    4. Criticizing Other People’s Weight
    There are very polite ways to make a complement on another woman’s weight. But saying “oh my gosh you’re so skinny” or “wow, you’ve added so much weight!” might be more hurtful than we think it is.

    5. Withholding Compliments
    Not only is it bad to compliment someone negatively, it is also wrong to withhold good compliments. If your girlfriend has a really nice hairstyle on, or has lost some weight and is looking great, go ahead and say it to her.

    6. Telling Each Other’s Secrets
    It’s really sad to confide in someone and find out that the person has let out your secret to the wrong person. Ladies, let’s not do this to ourselves.

    7. Not Being Supportive
    Many times as women, we desert our friends when they need us the most. Its our friend’s wedding, birthday, graduation, store opening…. and because we feel a certain way about that achievement or milestone, we don’t give our support. So wrong.

    8. Stop Competing!
    I wish I could scream this. Not everything in life is a competition. No one has to really ‘win’ that best dressed award or most expensive bag title. Focus on your own qualities that are unique and special to you.

    9. Comparing Our Bodies
    Hey ladies, we really need to stop this. Many of us have done harmful things to our bodies in a bid to look like the next person. Love who you are and don’t think you need to look like anyone else.

    10. Stop Hating
    I really didn’t know what to title this last point. It might not be the appropriate word to use, but have you noticed that some women just don’t like other women for absolutely NO REASON? I’ve heard this a lot of times “I don’t like that lady” and when you ask why, the response is “I don’t know, I just don’t like her“. Maybe she walks or talks in a certain way that you don’t feel comfortable with and because of that, you conclude that you don’t like her even though you hardly know her!

    This gets me confused. Let’s continue this discussion in the comment section. Ladies, why do you think we do this to each other? How can we stop such habits?

    What other things do we need to stop doing to each other?

  • The Best Places To Apply Perfume Correctly

    When it comes to perfume, deciding on what scent to use is only half of the journey – the second half is actually making it last through the day.

    The method of application influences the way a fragrance smells and how long it lasts. Today, I’d like to share with you some tips I’ve learnt over the years about perfume application and the best ways to use it:

    The Pulse Points
    The “pulse points” are locations on the body where the blood vessels are closest to the skin. These spots emanate heat, which can help fragrance to emanate from your skin into the air. When applying perfume, your wrists, inside your elbows, the nape of your neck, even in the crease behind your knees are the places you should be concentrating your fragrance. Also the base of the throat, behind ear lobes, in the cleavage. As you wear your perfume throughout the day, it will react with your body heat and continue to emit scent.

    Where You Shouldn’t Apply Perfume
    If you can help it, then keep from spraying fragrances directly onto your clothes. You never know what will leave a watermark. Also avoid spraying it on your hair. Many perfumes’ ingredients can dry out and damage your hair.

    Timing Is Key
    The best time to apply perfume is directly after your shower. Spray some on your skin after drying off and before putting on your clothes.  Your skin will absorb the scent better, and you won’t run the risk of staining your clothes or jewelry.

    Other Methods
    I love to to this often. Spraying in a cloud in front of you and then walking through the scent mist to get just the right amount. It works!

    Making Your Fragrance Last Longer
    A scent will fade faster when skin is dry. Apply moisturizer on your body before applying fragrance. The perfume droplet will cling to your skin rather than sink into your pores, thereby making it last longer.

    Using products from the same brand is another effective way to make a fragrance last. You might use the scented body gel, treat skin with the body lotion, and then spray the perfume on top. The combination of products will help the scent to maintain fullness and extend throughout the day.

    SL Fabz, do you have any other tips to add? Where do you apply perfume?

  • 3 Delicious Health Benefits Of Eating Chocolate

    I know you’re probably smiling while reading this post. Why wouldn’t you? Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and you’re gearing up to eat as much chocolate as you can!

    I’m not here to say you should over indulge yourself and eat so much chocolate… No. Chocolate has been said to cause a lot of problems including acne and obesity when taken in large enough quantities. But in recent years, studies have found that eating small amounts of the right kind of chocolate can actually be healthy.

    Studies show that Dark Chocolate (not just any kind of chocolate) is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. Take a look at some of the surprising health benefits of chocolate:

    A Healthier Heart
    Regular chocolate eaters welcome a host of benefits for their hearts, including lower blood pressure, lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and a lower risk of heart disease.

    One of the reasons dark chocolate is especially heart-healthy is its inflammation-fighting properties, which reduce cardiovascular risk. A study showed that chocolate 5+ times per week lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by 57%.  Another recent study in Australia showed that eating chocolate high in healthy antioxidants reduced the blood pressure-raising effects of exercise on overweight individuals.

    A Good Source Of Antioxidants
    Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants help free your body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells. Free radicals are implicated in the aging process and may be a cause of cancer, so eating antioxidant rich foods like dark chocolate can protect you from many types of cancer and slow the signs of aging.

    Reduces Risk Of Stroke
    A 2011 Swedish study found that women who ate more than 45 grams of chocolate a week had a 20 percent lower risk of stroke than women who treated themselves to fewer than 9 grams of the sweet stuff. Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. This helps reduce your risk of stroke.

    I found other health benefits of chocolate while doing some research but these three above struck me the most.

    Because it’s rich in fiber, dark chocolate can actually help keep you full, so you’ll eat less. It also contains a number of vitamins and minerals that can support your health such as Potassium, Copper, Magnesium and Iron. The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate are also great for your skin. And let’s not forget its amazing taste. Hmm…. Yummy.

    SL Fabz, don’t forget. Eat chocolate in moderation. Don’t go overboard, chocolate still contains sugar and fat. Enjoy a little bit of it for its great health benefits.

    Have a Sweet Friday!

  • What Do Women Find Most Attractive In Men?

    It’s always so interesting to read your comments every time we have to discuss a topic on relationships. The last time we discussed something similar about what men find most attractive in women, we had an interesting debate in the comment section. I’m positive today’s topic is even gonna be hotter!

    So, tell me SL Fabz, what are the general traits that women find attractive in men?

    As usual, I asked around and these are the most common responses I got.

    1. A good physique: Most Naija women like their men tall, dark and handsome. Ok, maybe not all like them dark, but most likely tall and handsome with a good physique that speaks of confidence and good composure.

    2. A financially comfortable man: A woman is attracted to a man who can take care of himself financially, and also his family. A man who is financially capable of giving his woman comfort is usually more attractive than a man who can’t in most cases.

    3. A romantic man: Find a man who can say ‘I love you‘ at the right time, who knows when to take his woman on romantic dates, buy her romantic gifts… and you’ve found a woman’s man.

    4. ______________

    Let me stop here and allow you to complete the list. What do women find most attractive in men?

  • Stephanie’s Poll: Money vs Time

    We can’t deny the fact that for every marriage to pass the test of time, comfort which comes from having good finances and quality time are both important. The question for today is, which one is most important to you?

    Let’s examine both scenarios:

    Without having enough money to cater for one’s needs, it puts a strain on marriages. These days women are not comfortable when they have to rely on their husbands for every financial responsibility.

    On the other hand, a couple who do not spend enough quality time together as a result of very busy work schedules often have a big gap in their relationship. It gets even worse when children are involved. When children don’t spend enough time with their mother because she is too busy with work, there could be grave consequences.

    As a man, would you prefer to have a wife who earns a lot of money and spends less time at home with the family or would you prefer a wife who has all the time in the world for the family and earns very little or nothing?

    Let’s be realistic SL Fabz. I’d love to hear from you.

  • 6 Surprising Habits That Make You Gain Weight

    Everyone likes to stay fit. No, scrap that. Everyone needs to stay fit, and healthy.

    Whether we like to admit it or not, our weight is directly linked to our health. Being overweight and being underweight have adverse consequences on our health and are situations we must avoid at all cost. Unfortunately, its a bit difficult. French fries taste better than side salads and chicken is yummier when grilled or fried.

    However, a healthy weight is a lot easier to accomplish when the right choices are taken. Here are some surprisingly wrong choices you might have been practicing that is causing you to gain weight:

    Taking Big Bites
    Avoid spooning very large portions of food into your mouth. Cut your food into smaller pieces, use a smaller fork or spoon. You increase enjoyment and take longer to eat, which increases your satisfaction. Research has shown that people who took large bites of food consumed 52% more calories in one sitting than those who took small bites and chewed longer!

    Not Getting Enough Sleep
    You don’t even need to be conscious to work on losing weight. Getting the right amount of sleep is a major factor in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Sleep is essential for your metabolism, your blood-sugar regulation, appropriate hormone balance and energy health.

    Skipping Meals
    The problem is, skipping meals actually increases your chances of obesity, especially when it comes to breakfast. A study has shown that people who cut out the morning meal were 4.5 times more likely to be obese. Why? Skipping meals slows your metabolism and boosts your hunger. That puts your body in prime fat-storage mode and increases your chances of overeating at the next meal.

    Eating Heavy Dinner
    When you hit your body with so much food at dinner, it can be difficult for the body to digest and process it all. The extra can be converted into fatty acids and lead to weight gain.

    Watching TV While Eating
    When you watch television, you’re not fully concentrating on anything else that you’re doing, and this includes eating. You get distracted while eating and tend to eat much more. Sometimes, you may not even remember all of what you ate! Statistics also show you eat 5-10 times more when you eat while watching TV.

    Eating Too Quickly
    It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that it’s had enough. Slow eaters eat fewer calories per meal than fast eaters. So if you are concerned about that weight, cut down your speed.

    I personally learnt something new while writing this. I didn’t know that eating while watching TV could make me gain weight!

    SL Fabz, do you have any other habit to add to this list? Are you guilty of any of the above habits?

  • What Do Men Find Most Attractive In Women?

    There’s a saying that goes thus – ‘One man’s meat is another man’s poison‘.

    This applies to a variety of things, including a man’s type of woman. One man might like a slim woman, another might like a plump one. One man might like a dark skinned woman while another might like a light skinned one.

    However, there are general traits that men tend to like in women, things that attract them.

    I asked a few people and here are the most common answers I heard:

    1. A confident woman: A man likes a woman who is sure of her self, who speaks well, raises her head up high and can hold her ground anywhere.

    2. A beautiful woman: A man likes to look at pleasant things and a woman with a pleasant face and features is just right for him.

    3. A respectful woman: Most men have big egos and they like a woman who can stroke it and not disrespect it. Men in general are attracted to women who have a good level of respect for them.

    4. ______________

    I want to know what you think. SL Fabz, complete the list. What do men find most attractive in women?

    This question is for guys and ladies so let the comments roll in!

  • Ladies, Let’s Practice These Tips To Prevent Cervical Cancer

    Twenty-six Nigerian women lose their lives due to cervical cancer every day and a further 14,000 women are diagnosed each year with this disease. 

    Hi SL Fabz,

    The month of January is the Cervical Health Awareness Month, a chance to raise awareness about how women can protect themselves from HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and cervical cancer. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease. It’s also a major cause of cervical cancer.

    Sadly, Cervical Cancer kills thousands of women in Nigeria every month. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. However, half of cervical cancers occur among women rarely or never screened for cancer, and another 10%–20% of cancers occur among women who were screened but did not receive adequate follow-up care. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life.

    Today, I’d like to share some tips with you about how we can prevent this deadly disease.

    1. Get a regular Pap smear. Getting a regular Pap smear is a highly effective way to reduce your risk of cervical cancer. The Pap smear is a simple test that can detect abnormal cervical changes long before they become cancerous. The key to the effectiveness of the Pap smear is having it done regularly. Always consult with your doctor about how often you should be having Pap smears.

    2. Limit the amount of sexual partners you have. Practicing safe sex is more than just wearing a condom. It also means limiting the amount of sexual partners you have in your lifetime. Having multiple sexual partners increases your risk of being infected with HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

    3. Quit smoking or avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking cigarettes has an effect on cervical cancer as well. Once you’re infected with HPV [human papillomavirus], smoking more than doubles your risk of not beating the disease on your own. Smoking won’t give you HPV, but suck down more than 10 cigarettes a day and you can double your risk for advanced precancerous cells once you have the disease. Plus, it can speed up the cancerous growth.

    4. If you are sexually active, use a condom. Having unprotected sex puts you at risk for HIV and other STD’s which can increase your risk factor for developing cervical cancer.

    5. Follow up on abnormal Pap smears. If you have had an abnormal Pap smear, it is important to follow up with regular Pap smears or colposcopies, whatever your doctor has decided for you. If you have been treated for cervical dysplasia, you still need to follow up with Pap smears or colposcopies. Dysplasia can return and when undetected, can turn into cervical cancer.

    6. Get the HPV vaccine. If you are under 26, you may be eligible to receive the HPV vaccine, which prevents high risk strains of HPV in women. The shot is recommended for girls as young as 9 or 10, because it works best before you’ve had any sort of sexual contact. The vaccine doesn’t protect against HPV strains you’ve already contracted, so most doctors won’t administer it to women over 26 because they assume most are already sexually active.

    So dearies, let’s practice these measures to protect ourselves. If you are sexually active, get a pap smear done. And guys, please share this info with any lady you know.

    Stay healthy!

    SL.