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/

Whether it’s work stress, bossy in-laws, a knee injury ….  complaining can be cathartic.  While blowing off some verbal steam may provide temporary relief, it does not improve or change a situation. In fact, airing your grievances and “going negative” may do more harm that good.

In addition to spreading negative energy, it can impact our outlook on life as well as our mental health. Every time we give voice to negative thoughts (and we spend more time with our own thoughts than with anything else) or listen to someone else complain, a synapse in the brain fires across to another synapse, carrying pessimism along with it.  Over time, consistent complaining can rewire the brain, making it easier for negativity to get passed around. And, as we know, complaining changes nothing.

Here are 7 strategies for breaking the complaining habit:

1) Focus on Solutions and not on Problems
It’s true that what we focus on is what we manifest. If you tell yourself that “nothing works for me; I can never lose weight,” you are right. Instead of saying “nothing works for me,” refocus the self-talk to “maybe I need to do something differently; maybe I have just not found the right solution.” Seek out recommendations for a different plan.  Work with a Health Coach.  Stop doing the same things over again. Learn to use your energy productively to improve a situation with solutions rather than just complaining.

2) Develop the Skill of Positive Self-Talk
Your mind will believe anything you tell it, so by constantly coming up with excuses and negativity, you’re only keeping yourself from progress. Positive self-talk takes practice but you can do it!  When you catch yourself “going negative,” stop.  Take a breath and refocus the talk. “Why am I going negative? How can I reverse this thought process?”

3) Set GOALS
Identify your goals. They should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely (SMART goals).  Then, develop a plan with action steps. With a clear plan, you are more likely to overcome obstacles and challenges that will arise. 

4) Embrace the Obstacle as the Way
Speaking of obstacles ….  we all like EASY, right?  However, obstacles and challenges — while not necessarily enjoyable or comfortable at the time — can be our very best learning experiences. Embrace them, learn from them and conquer them.  This is how you move forward.

5) Appreciate Every Stage of Progress
Be aware of all you are learning and are achieving along the way: perhaps it’s more energy, better sleep, learning new habits, feeling healthier.  Take it one day at a time. Give yourself grace. 

6) Practice Gratitude
Extend gratitude to all aspects of life. Something as simple as writing down three things you’re grateful for every day for 3 weeks can significantly increase your level of optimism!

7) Redirect Negative Energy into Positive Movement
When you feel the urge to complain or go negative, redirect it into a physical activity that gets you closer to your ultimate goal.  This could be a quick walk around the block, taking five deep breaths (yes, this really does work!) to compose yourself, do a short session of stretching.

Getting stuck in a cycle of complaining – either on the giving or receiving end – can derail the best of intentions.  What strategies have you found to be effective in putting a stop to negative chatter and negative self-talk?

For more healthy tips visit mariaallshouse.com or if you have health goals and would like to chat about your goals, I'd love to hear what's on your mind and in  your heart about your goals. Schedule your FREE CONSULT

here: https://calendly.com/mariasallshouse/healthassessment?month=2021-04

As we approach the Spring and Summer seasons, better hydration means better health and fitness performance. 

What you may  not realize is that we lose nearly 12 cups of water every day. Yes, it's true. The body loses water during sleep in various ways like sweating, breathing out moisture, and the processing of urine in the kidneys.

The recommended daily intake of water is approximately 64 ounces or eight, 8- ounce glasses daily. Those who are more active will have different needs based on individual level of activity.

Water has many benefits that you may or not may be aware of. Here are a few:

• It's calorie free and it helps you feel full  and satisfied.
• It's a critical component of your body, making up between 55 and 60% of your weight.
• It keeps you from overeating. Studies have shown that when we feel hungry, 30% of the time our bodies are actually  signaling for water.
• Water removes toxins such as pesticides and preservatives from our cells.
• It prevents dehydration and eliminates excess salt and water from a diet too high in processed foods.
• It minimizes fatigue, lack of energy, headaches, and brain fog.
• It helps with metabolism. A recent study showed that drinking two 8-ounce glasses of cold water increased metabolic rate by 30% for 90 minutes.
• It helps your liver convert fat to energy.
• It compensates for the loss of glycogen stores if you are in a weight loss phase.

In addition, water doesn’t just come from the tap. The foods you eat can help you meet 20 percent or more of your daily hydration needs—particularly fresh fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, sweet peppers, cucumber, tomato, celery, oranges, peaches, and berries.

Now that you understand the importance of hydration, how are you doing with your intake and what healthy choices are you making to properly hydrate?

For more tips visit my blog at https://mariaallshouse.com/blog/