Stephanie Linus Daily

Category: Lifestyle

Did you know? Money is the Number One Thing Couples Argue About…

If you think you can downplay money in your relationship, think again. Facts have it that money is the major cause for worry and conflict in relationships. Couples are having a hard time getting along because they refuse to have the Money Talk. As adults, realizing that money is a deciding factor in almost everything we do, it is important to give it he recognition and attention it deserves.

Why do we run away from the money talk with the one person we wish to spend the rest of our lives with? Most of the time, it is because we do not want to come across as gold-diggers. But there’s a big difference between a gold-digger and a financially curious person. A gold-digger wants to enjoy what s/he didn’t work for, but a financially curious individual wants to know if your finances and money habits are healthy enough for you to be in a relationship; they interested in financial compatibility.

Make the money talk a priority. Discuss ways you can improve your finances and how you wish to spread income across all your needs and projections.

If you don’t settle your financial issues, it will cause unnecessary strain and stress in your relationship. Many breakups and divorces are caused mainly by bad financial planning and debts.

Now you know. The major issue couples argue about is not who will cook the food or wipe the baby’s butt, the main cause of strife is MONEY. So talk about money. Be responsible with money. Start a proper saving tradition in your home, not just for you, but especially for the children you have or may have in the future.

All the best

xoxo

August 2, 2017
What’s in your bag? Essentials to last you all week

A new week requires new zest to life. How do you pump some enthusiasm into the week? It usually starts with the small things.

Here are 5 things you should carry around as you hop from one end of a busy day into another:

Lip gloss: You speak with your mouth, yes? Dry lips can be very exasperating. Put some luster on your lips, it changes your entire appearance.

Sunshades: Don’t mess with the sun! Protect your eyes. If you’ll be out and about all week, then your eyes deserve to be spared.

Hand sanitizer: We may have curbed Ebola, but sanitizers should remain an indispensable item in our lives. Imagine all the germs you encounter everyday…

Phone charger: How well can you function if your phone dies suddenly? Aha!!!

Earphones: Shut the noise out, feel your soul with the kind of message you desire. If there’s too much negativity out there, then create your own world. It’s so easy, earphones and the right kind of music or message can transport you to your desired destination.

Just a friendly tip.

Have a splendid new week.

xoxo SL

April 24, 2017
Are you Winning or Losing on Social Media

Social media can be overwhelming, especially if you do not have strategic plans for your day. A day can stretch to weeks; before you know it you are dealing with an addiction- you just can’t seem to stay away from Facebook or Instagram or Twitter. And what about WhatsApp groups? And all the private groups people make of themselves on social media?

Isn’t this slowing you down just a little bit? Hmm.

The attraction (or distractions) on social media is like the break of a new day – it is never-ending. That means, if you don’t have a plan for yourself, soon enough you will have nothing else to pursue but the latest trends on social media. If this habit feeds your stomach, by all means carry on. But if it doesn’t, how do you gauge the excesses of the internet?

Here’s my tip:

Life is all about winning or losing. Nobody sets out in life to lose. Nobody. Even when we lose, we try to see how we can turn a loss or a mistake to a winning story. So indeed, life is all about winning reasonably.

You can win on social media by ensuring you use your time on the internet to self educate, self develop, self train. There are youtube videos on almost any topic imaginable. And while you are consumed by your favourite social media platform, find ways to build wealth and be more productive through that means. Not beg. But find how you can promote your business or build more career knowledge?

You do not have to use your time for frivolities. Find ways social media can be productive. Use it differently. Start an idea that can be made great by your addiction to social media.

And most importantly, kick the addiction. Have control over your time. Time is all you’ve got.

Oh! And Stephaniedaily is one habit you need to keep. Here, there are instructive ways to do better. Go on and make the best of your social media time today!

Just a thoughtful Thursday tip *wink*

xoxo

April 13, 2017
5 Easy Steps To Saying “NO”

As simple as it sounds, saying “No” is not the easiest thing to do in the world. Some people would rather please the whole world than tell someone “no” even when there is a genuine reason for this. People who find it hard to be assertive end up becoming people pleasers and that is not a good place to be.

First of all, it is simply impossible to please everybody and trying to do that means you are living by other people’s expectations of you.

Also, when people figure that you have a problem saying “No”, it could be misconstrued and used to manipulate you into serving their needs.

So how do you say “no” without feeling guilty? Let me establish here that it is easier to say “no” when you have a clear sense of priorities. So for instance, if you have to attend Bible study on Wednesdays, you should be able to say “No” when yo friend asks you to follow him/her to the movies. It is all about figuring out which is more important.

Eve when the clear answer to a request is “No”, there is a way to go about it without being rude or insensitive.
This is a five-part formula for those say “no” moments:

1.) Start with a compliment if one fits the situation.

2.) Give your answer.

3.) Thank the person for understanding.

4.) Encourage the person.

5.) Change the subject or excuse yourself.

From step one to five, keep it easy going and wear your biggest smile. Let the other person know that you bear no hard feelings, but you really cannot be of help this time.

SL Fabz, what do you think? Do you often find it difficult to say “no”? Let’s share…

April 12, 2017
Moms, Try Out This Beef Puree Recipe For Babies
Moms and care givers in the house, this is for you!

From 6 months old, parents usually begin to try out different foods that can complement breast milk and/or formula for their babies. Meat is an important part of a baby’s diet because it is a rich source of iron, which is important for brain development, energy and growth.

I discovered this meal a while ago while doing some research on meals for my son and I’d like to share with you today. It’s called Beef Puree and I love making it with Potatoes.

Beef Puree is especially good because the Iron in finely ground meat is more easily absorbed by the body. Iron builds red blood cells and carries oxygen around our body and is needed for brain development and energy.

Here’s what you need:
- Beef, washed and cut into small pieces
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups of beef broth
- Fresh thyme
STEPS
1. In a medium saucepan, bring the beef, sweet potatoes, thyme and broth to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25-35 minutes until the beef is cooked through and sweet potatoes are tender. When it is cooked (not overcooked), take it off the heat and let cool slightly.
2. Transfer all ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend. Add extra broth in small quantities if needed, until it is smooth enough for your baby to eat.

Try this quick meal today and your baby will love it!

Do you have any other ideas on how to include beef in your baby’s diet?

Photo Credit: Babyfoode.com
March 23, 2017
Common Skincare Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Hey SL Fabz,

Let’s talk about our skincare today!

Whether you spend just 30 seconds every morning or have a dedicated pre-bedtime ritual, practically everyone has a skincare routine. Everybody wants to have a beautiful skin because it has always been an indicator of our inner health.

If you haven’t noticed any improvement in your skin’s condition despite your best efforts, you may want to consider these common skincare habits that could be keeping you from having the smooth, radiant skin you want.

Here are 10 common skincare mistakes I’ve been guilty of at one time or another. I hope we can all learn from them and make the necessary adjustments.

1. Leaving Your Makeup On
When you’re exhausted after a long day at work, you might be tempted to curl up in bed and skip the whole makeup removal routine. This means you could end up with clogged pores and irritated skin. When you put makeup on, oil and dirt can become trapped in your skin throughout the day. Taking the time to remove all traces of makeup before going to bed helps keep your skin clean and lowers the risk of getting blemishes.

2. Not cleaning your cell phone regularly
Think about how many times a day you touch your cell phone. Wipe down the screen at least once a week if not daily. Household cleaners can damage your phone’s screen, so look for a phone-friendly cleaner.

3. Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase
Switch to silk. Satin or silk minimizes permanent creases and complexion issues on your face. Persistently pressing your face into a pillowcase causes trauma to the skin. Over time, this trauma aggravated by the friction of cotton can cause permanent creases as our collagen breaks down.

4. Overusing scrubs
The more you scrub, the more damage you’re likely causing your skin.
Even if you don’t see any redness after your exfoliate, you could be harming skin below the surface. Over time, rubbing and scrubbing too hard can lead to wrinkles, especially within the delicate skin surrounding eyes. If you’re unsure of whether or not you should be exfoliating your skin, it can be a good idea to check with your dermatologist or other skincare professional.

5. Cleansing with bar soap
Solid bar soap might seem like a standard skincare habit, but in reality, these soaps can leave a film on your skin that may lead to dryness or irritation. Instead, try a gentler liquid or even lotion-based face wash that can even help to moisturize your skin while cleansing it.

6. Washing the face with water that is too hot or too cold
Water that is too hot or too cold is no good for your skin. Wash your face with slightly warm water. It will cleanse your face perfectly and won’t harm your skin.

7. Not drinking enough water
A common skin mistake we make is not drinking enough water. It’s the easiest thing we should be doing, daily. Water is the best moisturizer you can gift your skin. If you are not drinking enough water you might notice blotchy and dehydrated skin. Doctors advise having minimum 2 liters of water everyday.

8. Forgetting to moisturize
By applying moisturizers within minutes of getting out of a shower, you can combat everything from dry skin to more serious skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. Moisturizing is very important and helps ensure that dry air and wind doesn’t pull moisture out of the skin and leave it flaking and cracking.

9. Not using products formulated for your skin type
The reason you may not see improved results with your skincare products is that they aren’t suited for your skin’s unique needs. Find out what type of skin a product is formulated for. If you’re truly looking for results, it’s important that you use products exclusively formulated for the unique needs of your skin.

10. Applying too much face powder
Many ladies tend to over-powder their faces when the weather is hot. Yes, face powder prevents you from looking too shiny, but it also clogs the pores. Too much powder only harms your skin. It’s better to use blotting papers, because they instantly soak up excess oil and remove shine from the face.

Do you have any other common skincare mistakes to add to this list?

December 10, 2016
#WorldFoodDay2016: Taking Action Against Hunger

What is the thing that came to your mind when you first heard about World Food Day? Reading about the day that many of us barely even know exists, the first thing that pops up, naturally, in anyone’s mind may probably be how to eat as much as possible.

But, no. This day, October 16 – the World Food Day – is not about that.

As the website of World Food Day, United States (US) appropriately phrases it, it ‘is a day of action against hunger’. A day when a step should be taken towards eradication of hunger, if not globally, locally.

‘Climate is changing. Food & agriculture must too’ is this year’s World Food Day theme.

It’s a day for us to pledge & contribute to overcome climate change and adapt agriculture to build zero hunger generation.

If we cut food waste by a quarter, there would be enough for everyone to eat. Let’s give a thought to this on #WorldFoodDay2016. Because when it comes to hunger, the only acceptable number is zero. Let us take a pledge on this day to not waste food, henceforth. Spread the word.

“There are genuinely sufficient resources in the world to ensure that no one, nowhere, at no time, should go hungry” -Ed Asner.

October 16, 2016
#WorldHealthDay: Working Together To “Beat Diabetes”

Today is World Health Day!

The World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO). This year, the focus is on how to “beat diabetes”.

In simple terms, Diabetes is a condition that prevents the body from properly using energy from food. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin, or when the pancreas produces insulin, but it is resisted by the body.

Diabetes is on the rise everywhere and is now most common in developing countries.

The statistics speak for themselves. The number of people living with diabetes and its prevalence are growing in all regions of the world. In 2014, 422 million adults (or 8.5 percent of the population) had diabetes, compared with 108 million (4.7 percent) in 1980. Diabetes is rising fastest in the world’s low and middle-income countries.

The sad thing about diabetes is that when poorly controlled, it can cause complications including heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, and foot ulcers than can lead to amputations. However, many of these complications, and these premature deaths, could be prevented. A lot can be achieved by changing our lifestyles, our eating habits and our attitude towards our health.

Together, we can halt the rise in diabetes and provide care to improve quality of life for the millions of people living with the disease. Deliberate, effective responses are needed from government; health-care providers; civil society; producers of medicines, technologies and food; from people living with diabetes; and from each of us. Everyone has a role to play.

Today on #WorldHealthDay let’s pledge to make each moment count and make sure we get strong!

Stay happy, stay healthy.

xoxo

SL

April 7, 2016
It’s Endometriosis Awareness Week: 10 Things You Need To Know About The Condition
Hey ladies,

Let’s have some serious talk about our health today, shall we?

You’ve probably heard of the term “Endometriosis“. Some women who have had severe menstrual pain have probably heard about this as it is one of the symptoms of this condition. It is a chronic condition that affects approximately 1 in 10 women’s reproductive health.

Despite the fact that millions of women are currently living with the disease it’s not a well understood condition.

So, what is endometriosis? In brief: endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that normally grows inside the womb grows outside it – most commonly on the ovaries and fallopian tubes, inside the abdomen and on the bowl and bladder. This tissue responds to the menstrual cycle each month and also bleeds. This can cause pain, inflammation and the formation of scar tissue because there is no way for this blood to leave the body.

Endometriosis can manifest itself in lots of different ways and partly because we all still tend to dismiss ‘menstrual issues’ as the sort of pain women should put up with. We normalise ‘women’s pain’ to the extent that women often dismiss their own symptoms and delay seeking help.

When symptoms are present, they may include:
- Abdominal cramps or back pain during menstruation.
- Very painful menstrual cramps.
- Painful bowel movements.
- Painful urination, especially during menstruation.
- Abnormal or heavy bleeding during periods.
- Painful sex.
- Difficulty becoming pregnant.
So ladies, if you’ve noticed any of the above symptoms, please don’t keep it to yourself. Speak to your doctor about it immediately!

As we mark the Endometriosis Awareness Week, I’d like to share 10 important facts about the condition which I found HERE:
1. Endometriosis can affect any woman of child-bearing age (it is rare in women who have been through the menopause)
2. Symptoms include: pelvic pain, heavy periods, bladder and bowel problems, fatigue, depression, pain during or after sexual intercouse, problems conceiving and difficulty fulfilling professional and social commitments. (NB: some women don’t experience any symptoms at all).
3. Any pain experienced often correlates to your menstrual cycle, but not always. Equally, the severity of pain experienced does not always correlate to the amount of scar tissue present, the pain is more dependent on where the abnormal tissue is located.
4. There is currently no cure, no proven cause or known way of preventing endometriosis.
5. There are some ways to manage symptoms. These include: pain relief, complementary therapies, hormone treatment and surgery. The best course of action will be recommended depending on the patient’s age, severity of the disease and desire to have children.
6. The only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy – a small operation that involves inserting a camera into the pelvis via the belly button.
7. The disease can cause infertility. But 50% of women suffering from endometriosis will not experience any problems conceiving.
8. Endometriosis is not an infection and it is not contagious.
9. Some women experience relief from their symptoms during pregnancy but in many cases symptoms return along with a woman’s period. Pregnancy is not a cure for the disease.
10. Having a hysterectomy does not always cure endometriosis. It only treats the disease on the organs that were removed.
Ladies, have you had any experience with this condition or its symptoms? What steps did you take to help yourself?

Let’s share…
March 16, 2016
Beautiful Couple Joan & Ndidi’s Lovely Time on Make Me Fabulous Show

As young ladies before getting married, we often have fantasies of what we think married life should be like. A bed of roses with no thorns whatsoever!

Joan had been married for less than a year and was quite shocked when she noticed her marriage was losing that spark she desired. This is how she put her comment on my blog:

I love my husband but sometimes he makes me mad. I always thought marriage was like the fairy tales (lol), so far from it. its been less than a year but we seem to be losing that spark and I want it back. Pleaseeeeeeeee make me fabulous.

Awwww. Of course I understood how she felt and decided with my team that we were gonna give her that fabulous treat to bring back the spark!

Here are some pictures from our fabulous treat for Joan and Ndidi!

Hmmmm, lovely young couple. It seems we’re gonna enjoy this.

I love that moment when we pick them up from their home in style. The luxurious Porsche car gives them a taste of what is to come.

Yeah, the fun is just beginning!

The couple arrive at the five-star Intercontinental Hotel. I’m sure they weren’t expecting this.

A very warm welcome from the Intercontinental Hotel team.

They were shown into their lovely suite and after seeing that nice cosy bed, you bet their faces started to look brighter!

Hmm… Hmm… Now this is getting hotter!

Now it’s time to get Joan all glammed and first, we need a dress.

Joan heads up to the Mango store to meet with Celebrity Stylist Yummie who helps her pick just the right one.

You wanna see the dress? Naaah. Not yet.

Next, we give the couple some more pampering with a joint massage at the Eko Gym & Spa.

Joan needs that special touch on her hair and there’s no better person to do the job than Celebrity Hair Stylist Nancy.

With her hair done, it’s time for her makeup.

Celebrity Makeup Artist Bimpe Onakoya got started on Joan’s face and a short while later, she looked almost unrecognizable.

Oh wow! Didn’t I tell you?

Nancy did a final touch up on her hair while Yummie dressed her up and she was ready! I’m sure her husband is going to be blown away.

Joan arrives back at the Intercontinental Hotel…

Looking so different and hot!

She makes her way to the Chinese restaurant

While her husband, Ndidi, sits patiently waiting.

He is so excited to see his pretty damsel.

And believe me, he just kept staring…

…and admiring….

…his beautiful wife.

Dinner finally came and they settled down to eat.

They also had some time to chat about their marriage which is what we really wanted.

And then shortly after dinner, I surprised the couple with a visit.

And some gifts which they totally loved! A Microwave from LG, a hamper and some Make Me Fabulous Tshirts.

When Joan saw the gifts, she was so surprised…

…and got very emotional.

I’m so glad we had the opportunity to make this lovely couple fabulous, and pray their marriage continues to remain fabulous!!!

Many thanks to our sponsors, Intercontinental Hotel, Porsche, Mango, Celebrity Stylist Yummie, Eko Gym & Spa, Celebrity Hair Stylist Nancy, Makeup Artist Bimpe Onakoya and LG Electronics.

July 20, 2015