Bodega Dreams

'Unique Force'
By SnapShot & WandeePop

This is a new section we decided to add because lately we have been getting questions about who we are, where we come from and our history with hip hop.

We love that people are interested so we decided to share some of our personal stories and events here in this section called 'Bodega Dreams'.

WandeePop & I were raised on Longwood Ave. & Fox Street in the heart of the South Bronx before Hip Hop had an official name. She lived in the next building on the same floor from me. So we were able to see eachother from building to building. Which was convienent when we had to sneak in the house terrified of our mothers because we were late for curfew. Those were the days when kids were actually afraid of their parents;-)

We met through mutual friends and I was good friends with her cousin, Lissette, at the time. We were instant friends. We all enjoyed the same things; playing double dutch/double orange, Tag, skulles, Hop Scotch and going to the PAL 'Lynch' Recreation Center. They had pool tables, video games and arts & crafts. We especailly loved working summer youth as counslors for the day trips at the PAL. Every year we looked forward to 'Field Day'. That's when all the PAL locations compete in various activities. We always won the double dutch competitions. One year we competed for a National Double Dutch Competition and won the grand prize of being featured in a commercial.

Not too long after we met Re-Run. He was the PAL dance instructor who taught the kids the latest hip hop freestyle moves that were popular around the neighborhood. Hip Hop did not have a name yet so we were dancing without giving it a label so naming the moves was important, which is why there were names like Fred Sanford, Dale Webo, Bill Cosby, Smurfs etc. We mimicked characters we seen on TV and created moves.

Re- Run was looking to put a crew together for battles and performances. So we naturally got involved and 'Unique Force' was created with Re-Run as the manager/choreographer; Michelle, Lissette, Wandee, Millie, Myself, Baldwin, Jermaine and Calvin.

To Be Continued...

Top 7 Transformations Secrets

SnapShot's Fitness Corner

Here are my Top 7 Transformation Secrets that you can use to burn fat from all over your body.

Tip #1) Clean out the pantry.One of the biggest pitfalls in a weight loss program is added sugar and mindless snacking (especially between getting home from work and dinner). I can's stress enough the importance of minimizing the temptations from your kitchen. If's it there for the kids or significant other you will indulge. Get rid of the junk. Toss it. Better the garbage can eats it than you do.

Tip #2) Stop doing SLOW boring cardio.Increase the intensity of your workouts and switch to interval training. And yes, even beginners can do interval training when monitored for proper form and instruction.

Tip # 3) Use professionally designed, structured workoutsYou should be in and out of your workouts in less than 45 minutes,three times per week. On the other 4 days of the week, stay active,getting at least a 30-minute walk in each day.

Tip #4) Set up home gym with stability ball, medicine ball, workout bench, adjustable dumbbells, resista-bands and a jump rope. That's all you need. If you are feeling frisky, you can add a pull-up bar to your home gym.But to change your body, you only need a little bit of equipment athome. You don't need an expensive gym membership or one of thosecolossal home gyms, or even a pricey bowflex. Your body doesn't discriminate on price. It simply responds to thechallenge you put on your body, and you can do that on the cheap.

Tip #5) Learn how to do Training Bodyweight Circuits at home instead of using cardio machines. Do your research on the Internet or i suggest hiring a trainer to teach you the basics.

Tip #6) Plan, shop, and prepare your food at homeFinding the right nutrition program is CRITICAL to success, and sois planning. You can't out-train a bad diet, but you can out-planbad habits. So invest 2 hours on the weekend to prepare as many ofyour fat burning meals as possible for the week ahead.

Tip #7) Get Social Support This is the most important Weight Loss Secret that no one pays attention to.

But the bottom line is...you can't do this on your own. You need support from others (family, friends, co-workers, forums, chat boards) to stick to your workouts, to make the right diet choices day-in and day-out and to have someone prop you up when you are feeling down and also to "call you out" when you are feeling like cutting corners.

Get social support on your side today with help from SnapShot & WandeePop. If you are starting a nutritional plan or workout regimen and need some guidance feel free to email us at Snapoplock@aol.com.

Put these 7 Secrets to use today and you can be on your way to meeting your health and wellness goals.

Herb Ready - SAGE

Sage is a native to northern Mediterranean coastal areas of Europe. We all know this herb to be known for its wonderful fragrance and taste. There’s more to this herb then meets the eye.

In the 1800’s Americans thought this herb cured warts. They also claimed Sage cured epilepsy, insomnia, measles, seasickness, and worms.

At this time we have no real evidence of such findings.

In this day and age Sage is an herb than can be used for many different things… it can be used for cooking, aromatherapy, and for medical purposes. Some of the attributed medical properties go as follows.

The oils in Sage contain antiseptic, astringent, and irritant properties.
Treating such ailments as sore throats, mouth irritations, possibly cuts and bruises to heal.

In 1939 an experiment was conducted and showed Sage had estrogenic properties
which may have some connection to the herb’s ability to dry tip milk?

The research also showed set herb to be very helpful in lowering blood sugar in diabetics.
Sage is great for easing the mind during a time when feeling mentally exhausted, soothing nerves, and strengthening concentration. Using this herb in lotion form is a good thing to do when treating sores, or skin eruptions.

Here are a few helpful tips when using Sage

*Tea – Great for all stomach troubles, diarrhea, gas, flu and colds.

*Mouth or Sore Throat – Chewing fresh Sage leaves helps to soothe sore mouth, and sore throat.

*In Combination with Sage – Peppermint, rosemary, and wood betony provide helpful remedies for headaches, regulating menstrual cycle.

*Essential Oil – in oil form Sage is great for aromatherapy to cleanse and purify the air.

*Cooking – Some people find the pungency of Sage to be overpowering, its astringent, “grease cutting” attributes make it a perfect accompaniment when preparing fatty food, and meats.
Sage goes well with foods like carbohydrates, butter beans, and vegetable soup.

So the next time you are putting to together your grocery list. Add Sage to the list not only is it good for you, it’s good in helping you heal, and has a wonderful fragrance.

Herb Ready – Food For Fuel Not Emotion.

Peace!