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Health in the Cracks: How to Build Better Habits Without Burning Out

Health in the Cracks:  How to Build Better Habits Without Burning Out You’ve probably seen the glossy to-do lists, the bullet journals adorned with pastel  highlighters, the 5 a.m. wake-ups that come with a smug caption. But if your calendar looks  more like a losing game of Tetris, those ideals are more guilt-trip than guide. For anyone  juggling deadlines, childcare, emails at midnight, and maybe even a sliver of a social life,  health can feel like a luxury item—something reserved for people with spare time and  matching gym sets. Still, your habits are quietly writing your future, and yes, they can be  reshaped without requiring a life reboot. It’s about weaving wellness into your existing  routine, not bulldozing your schedule to fit it. Stack Small Wins Where They Already Belong You don’t need to find extra time; you need to sneak habits into the time you already use. That’s where habit stacking comes in. Link something good to somethin...
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CULTURAL BEAUTY: The fattening room!

In many countries, the term "fat" is used as a derogatory term. It is also stereotyped to mean "unattractive" and "lazy." However, not every culture is the same. In some African societies being heavier is a symbol of wealth, status, beauty and power. In countries such as Nigeria and Uganda, many young brides are taken into "fat houses" or "huts" in order to prepare their bodies to be bigger before they marry. During this time frame, the woman is generally required to eat until their bodies are at an acceptable heavier weight. The women are shut off from society and are only allowed minimal movement. This can take several months.They are also taught how to be a wife which includes cooking, cleaning and caring for a future family. It is not until the woman is at an acceptable weight that she is taken back out into society and ready to wed. 

This practice is ancient among tribes such as the Annang, Efik and Hima. Currently, this ancient practice has been condemned by some because of the impact on health. Despite all of the health risks that may occur with gaining an excessive amount of weight, many of these tribes believe that being overweight is beautiful. In fact, those who are not as heavy are not respected as much and the husbands can be seen as not caring for his family properly. Being called skinny is believed to be mean and disrespectful.

One woman commented "When you are fat, it makes you look healthy. People respect you. People honor you. Whenever you go, they say, your husband feed you fine. If you go to a village, people can come to look at you because you are healthy." (BBC News, 2012)

The "fattening room"


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Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. — Romans 4:8 (KJV)
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