Women identify five action areas to improve life conditions for themselves and their families

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 14, 2019 – A Pittsburgh Foundation study of the lived experiences of single mothers in Allegheny County has found that, though the women as a group face the highest levels of poverty, their love for their children and their capacity for hard work push them to heroic lengths – despite systemic barriers and societal stigma – to better their families’ prospects.  

(See the full report here: 

Foundation report gives voice to single mothers facing poverty | The Pittsburgh Foundation 

The time is now … your time is now!!

How do we get past all that has happened. We can’t stay stuck …we must move forward. It’s in these moments that true leaders are made. 

As the world tries to shut us down and keeps throwing everything at us everyday we must stand strong.

In order to do that we have to build ourselves up. With our minds , our hearts , our convictions. WE MUST BE STRONG LEADERS. There is no other way. 

If you want to come out on top you need to start today. Prepare , evolve and have the strength to keep going. You need a strategy. 

BUILT FOR YOU … a summer reset we all need. Are you ready to create extraordinary opportunities in your life  and business? Are you ready to have peace , joy and happiness ? Do you have a desire to get to the next level?  The way you show up matters. The next 1/2 of 2022 matters. It’s time to prepare. 

Getting around the right people. Be in the room that lights you up. Others that support you. Let’s built something amazing together. 

What can I do for you ? How can I help you ? We have so much potential and beauty is all around us. I would love to share that with you. Focus on the possibilities and see what happens! 

Reach out today. BUILT FOR YOU is a perfect way to start. Let me show you how ! Summer reset starting  July 11th. Let’s connect.

What steps you take today …will lead you to your destination. 

I have been helping 1000’s for over 35 years to show up and lead with confidence and conviction. I would love to help you too. I’m an award winning entrepreneur who helps you become a category of one in your industry. My wheel of confidence methodology will give you the tools you need to do build your empire and be the best version of yourself.
ARE YOU READY !!

Message me …I would love to see how I can help you. Have a beautiful day. Jackie ❤️

The Evolution of the Businesswoman (cozzalaw.com)

The 21^st century has seen an increase in women entrepreneurs but getting to this point has not been an easy task.  Female business owners are still plagued with wage and gender discrimination and have fewer opportunities than their male counterparts.  Still, women persist and make major impacts in business, politics, media, and more.  Women are redefining their roles in the modern workforce.

Brief History

Women have historically controlled a few key industries.  In the mid-1850s, women founded and dominated the fields of home economics and social work.  With the successes of women’s movements in the areas of voting rights and personal independence, women gradually became vital to a number of industries including, but not limited to, real estate, technology, and healthcare.  Throughout history, women’s ideas, approaches, and implementation have helped to evolve the business market and improve how people work together.

In the early 1900s, female entrepreneurs became some of the country’s first and most renowned business owners.  During World War II, the percentage of women in the workforce increased nearly 10%.  Women contributed a number of ways, including opening businesses in their homes, repairing planes, and sewing clothes, to name a few.  After the war, some people felt that women should return to the home and allow returning soldiers to take their jobs, but women did not let the end of the war be the end of women in the workforce.  Women continued to enter professional roles as the postwar economic boom was in progress.

From 1980 to 2000, many women were recognized as some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.  The world was beginning to acknowledge the unmatched power of women who were determined to do big things.  In 1988, Congress passed the long overdue Women’s Business Ownership Act.  The act eliminated antiquated laws that required a husband’s signature on business and bank lending documents.  It also finally allowed female entrepreneurs to apply for government contracts.  The act aided in the success of female entrepreneurs, providing policies and programs to support their business ventures.  The act marked the start of workplace equality among American men and women. 

Recent Years

Over the past twenty years or so, the field of women’s entrepreneurship has been expanding at a rapid pace.  According to the 2017 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, from 1997 to 2017, the number of women-owned businesses grew 114% while the overall national growth rate for all businesses was only 44%.  As of January 2017, there were more than 11.6 million women owned businesses in the U.S. alone.  Today, women-owned businesses in the U.S. provide employment for nearly 9.4 million people and generate more than $1.9 trillion in revenue (2019 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report). 

The Future

Based on Earnest and Young’s women entrepreneurs in India statistics, women’s global income will grow from $13 trillion to $18 trillion in the next five years.  Women have undeniably made an enormous effort to pave their way in the world of entrepreneurship.  Many women are choosing to carve out their own paths in the competitive and unforgiving business industry.  Society is shifting towards a more accepting and diverse work environment.  Overall, the economy benefits when women take on leadership positions and become entrepreneurs.  The impact of women entrepreneurs is incredible, and it is more than likely that it will only continue to grow. 

Inflammation causes dozens of health-related problems ranging from the frustrating things of unhealthy skin to serious chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. In fact, research shows almost every serious disease is either directly or indirectly caused by inflammation in the body.

Here is the good news, as I have learned over the years, we can take preventative measures to eliminate or decrease inflammation simply by changing our diets. Start by including more anti-inflammatory foods. There are so many to choose from that can add a healthy variety to your daily nutrition.

Here are my TOP 11 suggestions:

• 1.      CELERY – Celery contains high concentrations of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory content that helps manage cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
• 2.      BEETS – Although I am not a lover of beets, beets contain high levels of potassium and magnesium, essential minerals that help reduce inflammation.
• 3.      GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES – Leafy vegetables are my absolute favorite. They contain high concentrations of a variety of nutrients including vitamin K, a vitamin strongly associated with reduced inflammation. Go for spinach, chard or arugula instead of your normal lettuce for an incredible health boost – most of these greener vegetables contain at least twice the nutritional content of lettuce.
• 4.      BROCCOLI – This is one of my favorite fibrous vegetables. Broccoli has a high concentration of both anti-inflammatory ingredients and antioxidants.
• 5.      BLUEBERRIES – Absolutely love blueberries. Blueberries are a great choice when it comes to fruit. They are low on the glycemic index and contain a powerful combination of essential antioxidant’s, anti inflammatories and other vitamins.
• 6.      PINEAPPLES – Pineapples contain quercetin and bromelain, a combination that is often used to reduce inflammation and related problems. Quercetin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that might help reduce swelling, kill cancer cells, control blood sugar, and help prevent heart disease. Bromelain is promoted as a dietary supplement for reducing pain and swelling. It is also promoted for osteoarthritis, cancer, digestive problems, and muscle soreness.
• 7.      SALMON – It contains vitamins D, B6 and B12 which are essential to maintaining a good mood plus the benefit of Omega 3 fatty acids which reduces inflammation.
• 8.      WALNUTS – Walnuts are some of the healthiest nuts you can eat. Walnuts contain high concentrations of several antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids. Walnuts are extremely healthy but we also have to mindful of the amount we eat because any fat whether healthy or unhealthy is calorically dense. The average serving is 7 halves.
• 9.      CHIA SEEDS – Chia contains large amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids, which also have anti-inflammatory properties. Again being mindful of serving size.
• 10.   TURMERIC – Turmeric is often recommended as a supplement to prevent the occurrence of worsening of arthritis because of its intense anti-inflammatory properties.
• 11.   GINGER –Ginger is a great accent for your food and it also happens to be one of the best anti-inflammatories overall.

The holiday season is officially upon us! While it’s usually a wonderful time of the year, it can also be busy and cause unwanted stress. 

Whether it’s finding the perfect gifts, making meals for multiple family dinners, or dressing up your home like a winter wonderland, the holiday season can be taxing. 

Despite the demands of this time of year, there are plenty of ways to minimize stress. 

I recommend these tips to ensure you stay on course: 

• Plan your shopping. Organize your shopping strategically by setting a budget and writing a gift list. With your list and budget set, hit the stores or opt for online shopping. This year, it’s important to get shopping early to avoid empty shelves or shipping delays, so get started as soon as possible. 
• Invest in yourself. The more you have to manage on your to-do list, the more important it is to take time for self-care so you can approach your tasks with presence and positivity. Give yourself an early present by dedicating time to your favorite activity or treating yourself to an at-home spa day. 
• Choose quality over quantity. Keeping up with traditions and planning holiday activities are fun, but we can go overboard while trying to make everything perfect. Remember that spending quality time with loved ones is most important. 
• Know your limits. Don’t be afraid to pull in others to help! Prioritize the items that need your attention first and if certain tasks can wait, revisit them when the holiday hustle and bustle settles. 
• Take a mindful break. If you want to set the stage for an optimal day, stop and take a quick relaxation break. For example, try a breathing exercise or take a quick walk to calm and center yourself. 

Remember, the holiday season is all about relaxing and spending extra time with your loved ones and creating lasting memories! 

Self IMAGE...a reflection of you. 

When we think about our self image what first comes to mind ?

Is it how does my hair or makeup look ?

Is it what fashions will I wear today ?

Those are great things to think about and they do matter,  but what really matters about your self image is how you respect yourself enough to really show up In a powerful way. That’s where the magic happens. 

To be the best version of ourselves we must respect ourselves. 

This takes courage and confidence. When we believe we are worth it to really show up authentic and confident by respecting ourselves enough to step into that authority and conviction. We truly become the person we are meant to be. 

I would encourage you as business women entrepreneurs to really think about how you show up with your self image in your personal and professional life. 

The women entrepreneurs I have helped over my 35 years in the beauty industry with building their self image all have one common denominator...they all want to look and feel beautiful inside and out.

They want to be seen , heard and recognized as a expert in their space. I love teaching on this and seeing how once you become that go to expert and show up powerful ...you can take your business to the next level.

it all comes down to respecting yourself...your self image is so important. Have a beautiful day ❤️

Much love , 

Jackie 

It’s interesting to me that many people think dietary fat makes you fat, slow, and not heart healthy. But that’s far from the truth, especially if you focus on the right kind of fats. Healthy fats can help you get stronger, fitter, and healthier.

Fat comes in two main forms: unsaturated and saturated fat:

• Unsaturated fats are oils — the kind that is fluid at room temperature (i.e. olive and flaxseed oils).

• Saturated fats are solid at room temperature (i.e. coconut oil, stick of butter).

So, what does healthy fat do for you?

• It’s a major fuel source for your body (meaning it’s calorie dense) and the main way you store energy.

• You need fat to help you absorb certain nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

• Fat is important in giving your cells structure.

• Omega-3 fats, a type of unsaturated fat, are important for optimum nerve, brain and heart function.

• And believe it or not, healthy fats can help you lose fat.

Here is a list of healthy fat sources:

• Olive oil

• Coconut oil

• Flax seed oil

• Hemp seed oil

• Omega-3 oils such as fish or algae

• Butter

• Olives

• Avocado or guacamole

• Nuts such as almonds, Brazil, cashews, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, etc.

• Nut butters such as almond, cashew, etc.

• Peanuts and natural peanut butter

• Seeds such as chia, ground flax, pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, etc.

Both fat sources are needed in your diet. However, the majority should come from unsaturated fats. Foods that contain unsaturated fat include nuts, fish, avocados, and olives. Certain fish also contain omega-3 fatty acids, a type of unsaturated fat that benefits the brain. Foods that contain saturated fat can include meats and dairy products. (Many process foods such as chips and pastries can also contain saturated fat along with one type of fat you don’t need; trans-fat, an artificial kind of fat found in partially hydrogenated oils. These choices obviously do not fall into the “healthy” fat category). Many foods that are high in saturated fat also contain high levels of dietary cholesterol.

Approximately 25 to 35 percent of an average person’s daily caloric intake is recommended to come from fat. Out of this daily recommendation, according to the American Heart Association, only 7 percent should come from saturated fat.

Eating fat won’t necessarily make you fat. Although it does have more calories per gram than carbohydrate and protein, fat makes food more flavorful and satiating, which may mean that you don’t need as much to feel satisfied.

Of course, other foods have some healthy fats (especially whole eggs, fish, dairy, and meats). But the foods above are the healthy-fat superstars.

If you get enough of these important fats, your hormones stay healthy, it helps your performance in the gym, you stay smart and happy, and you absorb valuable nutrients. And bonus, it helps your skin look amazing!

You can learn more tips and download my free ebook at: mariaallshouse.com

Starting over is not a sign of failure! It's a sign of courage that you are not giving up! It's a willingness to give yourself some grace to try again. It gives you an opportunity to reflect on your past experiences and identify the area(s) of opportunity to do things just a little bit different this time!

My area of opportunity was learning how to manage my emotions. For most of my adult life, I was close-minded, defensive, and had a desperate need to be right. I just did not want to face my current reality of poor health, (pre-diabetic, mild depression, high risk of heart disease, and literally an extra 130 pounds weighing me down), unhealthy relationship, being uncomfortable with vulnerability, and a career that was not meaningful. I did not want to feel my feelings or face my current reality so I would turn to food to numb them thinking that everything would go away and blamed others for my life.

When I awakened, made the decision to dig deep and sit with my emotions to delay the gratification, that's when the magic happened. It fueled me to have a burning desire to grow, to take charge of my health, to be open-minded, and most importantly curious.

Your window of flexibility to whatever life throws at you can improve. It's going to require leaving your comfort zone and truly understanding your emotions and feeling your feelings. This is a big step, but discomfort is the price of creating a meaningful life.

So today ask yourself --- Are you open-minded? Curious? Have a burning desire to grow? Or, are you close-minded? Defensive? Have a desperate need to be right?

I'm so glad I choose to learn to be open and curious! How about you?

Learn more at https://mariaallshouse.com/

Two months ago, I met a young couple whose lives were in full bloom.  They were college sweethearts who became engaged this spring.  Each had landed a promising new career in the fields of their choice.  They felt only one thing was missing:  a new home.

After a few months of searching on their own, they were no closer to buying than when they started.  The homes they fell in love with were out of their price range.  Houses that were in their desired spending scope were dilapidated or far from move-in ready.  Rent wasn't giving them equity and they knew they'd pay out less every month if they had a mortgage.

A friend of theirs suggested they work with a realtor so they wouldn't have to navigate this ever-changing market alone.  After speaking with them about their home buying priorities, I suggested they look outside of Pittsburgh.  While they would need more gas for their cars, the $1000 they'd save in housing every month would certainly make up for it.  There's also more inventory 20-25 miles from the metro area.  They found the move-in ready home of their dreams and it was well below budget.  Their commute to downtown Pittsburgh was still under an hour.  They couldn't be more happy.

If you are struggling to find a home purchase, consider broadening your horizons!

With Memorial Day approaching, grilling, warm weather, and even outdoor fun is on the horizon!

Though it can sometimes be challenging to stay on track during the summer season, there are plenty of fresh, healthy choices available and by having a plan for every special occasion, you can stay focused while enjoying yourself at the same time.

Follow these tips for the holiday weekend:

• Stick with lean proteins. Stick to lean cuts of protein like sirloin tips, flank steak, skinless chicken breast, and fish. Lean cuts are high in protein but lower in fat and calories. Make sure that whatever protein you choose is not battered and fried.
• Remember to put vegetables first. When filling up your plate, think vegetables! Skip the dip and fill up on non-starchy vegetables like salad, asparagus, broccoli, celery, and cucumbers. Non-starchy vegetables are low in calories, a great source of fiber, and should be the majority of your plate, whether cooked or raw.
• Offer to bring a healthy dish if you are attending an event, picnic, etc.
• Focus on fun activities. Instead of making food the focus of the event, have fun enjoying time together with a new activity! Make memories!

Are you thinking about making that lifestyle change but you don't know where to start? I'd love to chat and learn more about what's on your heart and in your head about your health. Reach out to me directly or you can set up a free consult here: https://mariaallshouse.com/