Author Archives: Ilene

Diva Goes Green

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I have a hot, mad, crazy crush on kale. This super-sexy, green leafy vegetable has been has been linked to lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease, assisting in the prevention of cancer, and increasing DNA repair in cells. Kale is also one of the rock stars of the anti-inflammatory diet, which I first introduced to my Divas in "Fierce Skincare," on March 1, 2012. In "The Truth About Kale," on webmd.com,  Kathleen Zelman, reports that kale contains the following vitamins and minerals:     15% of the daily requirement of calcium (to maintain strong bones and teeth) 15% … Continue reading →

Fierce Finances

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If there is one Fierce Diva cardinal rule of finances,  it is that Fierce Divas never, EVER spend beyond their means. This holds especially true if you are stretching beyond your budget to purchase luxury items.   To be clear, a vacation is a luxury item.  A gym membership is a luxury item.  A restaurant meal is a luxury item, as is a new pair of shoes.  I see Divas over spend for 2 reasons.  The first is to make others happy.  Our Diva feels she "has to" bring a toy every time she visits her niece, or that it's her … Continue reading →

Diva Does Dessert

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I have an enormous, unrelenting sweet tooth.  As a child, my excitement for Halloween and the candy it promised far outweighed my enthusiasm for any of the "gift" holidays, such as birthdays or Christmas.  My favorite perk as a new driver in high school was being able to drive to a store any time I wanted to buy Oreo's, ice cream, or a "pounder" bag of M&M's.   In college, my love affair with sugar intensified. It was not unusual for me to wake up and greet the day with a sleeve of Chips Ahoy cookies before heading to class. My … Continue reading →

Fierce Skincare

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I  am a recovering skin care junkie. I have been wearing anti-wrinkle creams since high school and have tried dozens of potions and lotions, made with every "magic" ingredient on the market, from Vitamin C, to collagen, to Retinol, to amino peptides.  I have sampled creams from  drug store quality to moisturizers that cost…well…as much as a monthly car payment.  High end moisturizers are a luxury that not many can afford, but it turns out that the ultra-expensive stuff might not be necessary for us to keep the crow's feet to a minimum.    Several years ago, Dr. Andrew Weil … Continue reading →

Fierce Thinking

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"Happy" is not my default temperament.  As a matter of fact, I spent years and thousands of dollars in therapy seeking it, with the hopes that the person sitting opposite my couch would help me find that one "great insight" that would shine the light on ever-after contentment.   While my work in therapy did not afford me "happily ever after,"  it led to a self awareness of my destructive personality/behavior patterns (i.e., my "low self esteem" leads me to pick unavailable men, my "fear of failure" keeps me in low-paying, dead-end jobs , etc.)  Self awareness is helpful,  but it … Continue reading →

Meet The Diva

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First of all, darlings, let's get something straight. The "diva" on this blog is not the least bit bitchy or back biting or snobby.  My diva treats herself and others with respect.  She never puts other people down for  the sake of feeling superior to them.  She does not engage in drama but aspires to bring harmony and peace to those around her.  She puts herself first in a healthy manner, because she understands that when she feels cared for,  she has more to give others.    My diva is fierce, not in a way that is confrontational or threatening, … Continue reading →