We can’t tell you how excited we are about the book launch of Blogalicious community members and super supporters, Alfred A. Edmond, Jr. and Zara Green!  You all know them from their life empowerment brand, The Grown Zone, whose mission is: to help you to shift your focus from what you may have the absolute adult right to do—destructive as those choices may be, to what is in your best interest to do—grown decisions—in order to achieve honor, esteem, respect, prosperity, health (mental, physical and spiritual), good relationships and self-loving behaviors for your life.

Well, these two powerhouses have turned their attention to the subject of loving relationships with the launch of: “Loving in the Grown Zone: Changing the Conversation About Healthy Love” book. 

Guess what? You’re invited to join in on the fun! 

Starting March 1st through March 9th, you can share your thoughts and experiences on love and relationships as part of their big blog book tour.  Interested in submitting a post? Beginning March 1st you can follow this link to upload your already published blog post, live on your site, to our Blog Tour Page.

Grown Zone will promote the Blog Tour page via social media and hope to send new readers to your blog every week to help share the principles of establishing and sustaining healthy, loving relationships of honor, esteem and respect. Win-Win! So the sooner you get yours posted after the tour begins, the better!

Join the #GrownLove Blog Tour!

They’ve made it so easy for us to join in. Just check out their For Bloggers page to find all of the details you need to participate - they’ve got writing prompts, graphics and details about their #GrownLove Twitter party on March 10th. So hop on over there and get ready to blow Loving In the Grown Zone out of the water!

Justice Fergie grew up speaking French and was raised fully embracing her Caribbean heritage. She vowed to raise her children as bilingual and multicultural. When her daughter referred to Roti as a “Caribbean Burrito”,  almost fainted! “On passing down pieces of me: French, sorrel and a side of guilt”, Justice Fergie vows to do a better job on installing a love a culture to her offspring. This the second series of her #MyUntoldStory feature by Wells Fargo.

#TeamBlogalicious will be at the inaugural #WeAllGrow Summit in Los Angeles tomorrow! Justice Fergie will be presenting and Jazzy Jonez is excited about attending the conference and actually learning new social media tools instead of being behind the scenes.

If you’re attending and you see us out and about, stop us and say HI!

Who else is LOVING Empire?! Don’t ask me how this happened but #TeamBlogalicious kiddos have stumbled upon the Drip Drop tune and it has been playing non-stop for the last week. It’s no secret Cookie Lyon is #BOSS and about her business. The Cubicle Chick has been taking notes and picked up “Five  Entrepreneurial Lesson We Can Learn from Empire’s Cookie Lyon.”

We’re super excited for Roshell Rosemond, Founder of Liquid Courage Cosmetics feature in this month’s Marie Claire Magazine. We see you being GREAT, Roshell! #BOSS {Pssst… She’s also the creator of the  limited edition BeBlogalicious lipstick that we debuted at #BeGreatB6 conference last year. There’s less than 10 tubes of lipstick in stock. Hurry up and order your own exclusive color before it’s gone!}

We have news for all of you STEM lovers out there! This month’s Blogalicious bLink Marketing Network partner, DiscoverE will be hosting its 14^th Annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day event, scheduled for February 26^th.  With a number of local events happening in and around Washington, DC, the theme of “There’s a Little Bit of Engineer in Every Girl” will be celebrated in the nation’s capital and there’s a ton of way for you to get involved.

Girl Day will kick off the #BringitOut social media campaign with a briefing that’s open to lawmakers, non-profits, and corporations on Capitol Hill. With over 4,000 girls registered, the briefing will command awareness and “optimize the awesome between girls and engineering.”  Speakers include Rep. Daniel Lipinski (host), representatives from the American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers, Argonne National Laboratory and, University of Texas, Austin.

Each year this empowering and engaging day is packed with workshops, lab tours, on-line discussions and interactive, hands-on activities at businesses, universities, libraries and other venues across the country, providing engagement and mentoring to as many as one million girls. Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is one of the tent pole events that make up Engineers Week, February 22-28, 2015. 

Jam-packed with workshops, lab tours, discussions, and activities spreading from universities, libraries, Girl Day provides engagement and mentoring for a million girls across the country.

To learn more about the initiative, please go to: http://www.discovere.org/our-programs/girl-day

Studies from Engineer Your Life and Changing the Conversation have found that girls:

• Don’t know what engineering is;
• Think engineers must be exceptional at both math and science; and,
• Believe engineering is difficult and challenging.

These same projects also found that when we change how we talk about engineering, we can change what they think about engineering.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, counselor, or volunteer here are five things to share about engineers and their work:

Curiosity—Engineers ask lots of questions that start with: Why? How? What if?

Creativity—Engineering is a great outlet for the imagination—the perfect field for independent thinkers.

Teamwork—Engineering takes teamwork, and engineers work with all kinds of people inside and outside the field. Whether they’re designers or architects, doctors or entrepreneurs, engineers are surrounded by smart, inspiring people.

Opportunities—An engineering degree offers lots of freedom in finding a person’s dream job. It can be a launching pad for jobs in business, design, medicine, law, and government. To employers or graduate schools, an engineering degree reflects a well-educated individual who has been taught ways of analyzing and solving problems that can lead to success in all kinds of fields.

Helping Others—Imagine what life would be like without pollution controls to preserve the environment, life-saving medical equipment, or low-cost building materials for fighting global poverty. All this takes engineering. In very real and concrete ways, engineers save lives, prevent disease, reduce poverty, and protect our planet.

In celebration of Engineers Week and Girl Day, we want to know: 

“Who or what inspired YOU to be an engineer?”

Share it on your social channels using the hashtag #inspired2engineer and #eweek2015

This #lovemonth Blogalicious has kissed and courted you with our #Courage2Love movement, geared you up with #GrownZone good love, connected your heart and health and equipped you with #SponsorSuccess. And we’re still not done giving you our whole heart. We’re rounding out this February and launching a new interactive webinar series – Inside the eGuide: Small Business Training Series. Starting with ‘Bloggers/Brands: How to go from a One Night Stand to a Long-term Love Affair’.

:: Join us ::

Tuesday, February 24th@ 9:00pm EST as we provide you with the tools, best practices and top strategies to create long-term relationships with brands and sponsors.

Blogalicious eGuide author and PR expert Raynetta Smith of PiperRae PR will not only guide us through her manuscript. She’s digging in… sharing her personal experience – arming you with the know-how in order to leverage your power to attract sponsorship opportunities; know what brands really want from bloggers/businesses and… what you can offer them. If you’re upping your sponsorship engagement game in 2015… this is the webinar training session you can’t miss! So grab your spot, a complimentary eGuide and #DareToEvolve your brand and business today!

 Raynetta Smith is the owner of PiperRae PR, a boutique branding,  engagement marketing and public relations agency based in Los Angeles.  Smith honed her blogger relationship skills as a senior account executive at  Burrell Communications in Chicago, where she was instrumental in  securing influencers for McDonaldʼs USA activations. Smith is currently  the communications associate for a Los Angeles based non-profit.

REGISTER HERE!

Are you searching for that great love of a lifetime? Are you waiting for that special someone to “complete” you? Do you feel that something is missing from your life because you are not in a relationship? Here’s a love note from the Grown Zone: Your happiness is not out there with the “right” person or “the one.” It is within you. You are “the one.” To attract healthy love, you must focus on and cultivate your most important relationship: the one you have with yourself.

Here’s the truth: It is not Grown to expect a relationship partner to provide what you are not committed to providing for yourself. The capacity for others to love you can never exceed the love you demonstrate for yourself. Furthermore, you don’t attract what you want in relationships, but what you are. So if you want financial security, tender, loving treatment, and emotional safety in a relationship, you must be committed to requiring that of yourself in single life. On the other hand, if you are desperate and unhappy as a single person, you are neither qualified nor prepared for a healthy relationship and you will attract and choose anything but.

The best way to prepare for enduring, healthy and loving relationships is to focus less on trying to find the “right” person, and invest more into personal growth, in learning to be your best you. When you become the absolute expert on what is good and healthy for you, you train yourself to recognize and attract those who are ready, willing and able to meet that standard of care for you in a relationship.

To be Grown is to be happy, healthy and whole all by yourself. No other person is the key to your happiness; you are the key. Others may only enhance or diminish what you established. Whether single or in a relationship, always live—and love—by an uncompromising standard of self-love.

 
  Zara D. Green and Alfred A. Edmond Jr. are business and life partners and the authors of      Loving In The Grown Zone: A No-Nonsense Guide to Making Healthy Decisions in the Quest    for Loving, Romantic Relationships of Honor, Esteem and Respect  (www.LovingInTheGrownZone.com). To learn more about the couple’s Grown Zone initiative, go to www.GrownAdvice.com.

Yesterday was a big news day. Reports were circulating on Beyonce’s great or not-so-great performance (depending on who you ask), Bobbi Kristina’s current hospital condition (Send prayers her way!), the under reported #ChapelHillShooting and the over reported Brian Williams and Jon Stewart media news. Both of these men are extremely influential in their field so its fair to say a lot of us were going through a range of emotions. Blogger, Becky Bracken shares her thoughts on Why Brian Williams’ and Jon Stewart’s Exit Matters to News.

Are you a member of the Blogalicious #bLinkBiz Network yet? Last week we revealed our major announcement: a partnership with TapInfluence platform to expand our brand ambassador programing and bring YOU, our Blogalicious community, more sponsored opps. If you are not already a member of our network click here to sign up. To sweeten the deal, TapInfluence is giving away an all expense paid trip to Blogalicious Weekend 2015 conference or an iPad mini!

There ain’t no love like a Grandmother’s love. Marie Denee shares her heartfelt post: A Grandmother’s Influence. She was taught from an early age that no one can take her education from her.  Check out the family picture shared in the blog post. I could not tell which one of the ladies is the beloved Granny. Amazing genes! #BlackDontCrack.

We All Grow Summit, the first conference of its kind curated by Ana Flores is officially sold out! The 3 day conference will take place in Los Angeles and Justice Fergie will be speaking. If you’re attending, we’d love to connect! It was announced last week that the 3-day event is SOLD OUT! However, one lucky winner still has a chance to go. Post a photo on Instagram doing something you love. It’s that easy! Winner selected next week.

The Brian Williams’ controversy is disappointing, no lie. For now, we’ll take comfort jamming to his version of Rapper’s Delight.

2014 was a great year for Blogalicious. We kicked off our partnership with TapInfluence, who generously sponsored our bLink Bar at the conference. A formal announcement was made yesterday on CNBC.com! You can read the press release here. 

TapInfluence is a genius influencer marketing platform that is more than just another  network: they exist as a content marketing platform that brands use to connect with content creators, such as bloggers, for all of their social content marketing needs.

With TapInfluence’s powerful, easy-to-use, integrated management features, marketers can find key influencers, collaborate on branded content, distribute that content to channels that matter, and measure results with robust analytics. This means our bloggers now will have an easier way to sign up for campaigns and NO MORE link reporting!!!*shimmy shake*
 

To participate in upcoming events, you must be a member of The bLink Marketing Network and have a completeTapInfluence account.

Hooray! A Contest!

As an incentive to get you ready for all the amazing campaigns we have planned and to get you signed up on TapInfluence, we have a great contest designed just FOR YOU!

Starting Saturday, February 1, everyone that joins TapInfluence from 2/1-2/28 will be entered for a chance to win some great prizes.

Grand Prize: All-Expenses Paid Package to Blogalicious 7 

2 Second Place Winners: Each will receive an iPad mini

 Enter today! Complete your TapInfluence profile to win! 

Hi, my Be Blogalicious #GYNEGirls! It’s ME, Dr. Drai – America’s OB/GYN. February is here and LOVE is in the air. Did you know that being in LOVE can affect your body? YASSS, Hunni. I know right? In the words of Toni Braxton: “How many ways do I love you? Let me count the ways…” Chile, Dr. Drai will count 7.

1. Dopamine, the chemical responsible for euphoria, is released in the brain. This is why you feel high as a kite when you fall deep in love.

2. The mind has a difficult time focusing on tasks. This is why you are so forgetful when LOVE strikes. You can only think of your NEW BOO. Been there, done that.

3. Oxytocin, a hormone responsible for womb contractions in labor and milk production is also released from the brain. This hormone makes you intimate. All of a sudden you want to cuddle & kiss. See, #GYNEGirls you need this hormone even if you are not #Preggo.

4. Being in LOVE is like taking morphine; it can reduce pain. Interesting right?

5. Lower levels of serotonin, another hormone, makes you blinded to your boo thang’s undesirable traits. That’s why ya’ll never listen to feedback especially if it’s negative from your momma, bestie, OR Dr. Drai!

6. There are pheromones, chemicals released in the air, that are put off by the new #GENT you LOVE. Maybe that’s why we wear our man’s football jerseys, boxers, and T-shirts. Go figure?

7. Norepinephrine, a chemical released during stress, makes you feel flustered. Your heart rate increases AND your palms sweat when you see your boo.

As you’ve just read my Be Blogalicious #GYNEGirls, love will make the hormones and chemicals in your body go wild. Don’t let LOVE fool you – always protect yourself. Safe sex is the only sex to have. You know Dr. Drai the sexpert had to put that in somewhere.

Until next time…

Dr. Drai is among the country’s most well-known and respected OB/GYN physicians and surgeons. He is also the founder and Chief Medical Advisor of DrDrai.com, where he discusses actionable ideas and real-world strategies to help women take control of their health. Visit www.DrDrai.com to download his new eBook FREE – “20 Things You May Not Know About The Vagina”.

February is the month of love. As women, we know all to well how to love others; we are rock star moms, awesome wives, phenomenal caregivers, relentless soloprenuers, giving daughters and all around fabulous-beings (to everyone else) often times forgetting about ourselves. This #lovemonth Blogalicious is encouraging you to switch it up and show the #Courage2Love (and treat)liq yourself. We’ve teamed up with Liquid Courage Cosmetics for our very own Blogalicious lipstick, so grab yours today, get glammed and celebrate yourself and join us in this month’s #Courage2Love movement.

Here’s How:

Put on your Blogalicious Liquid Courage lipstick, take a selfie to show and tell how you’re demonstrating the #Courage2Love you this month. Maybe it’s learning a new skill, taking some much needed ‘me time’, confronting a personal challenge, treating yourself to a new do, committing to something new or just taking more time to smell the roses (get it Valentine’s Day… roses… anyway). Let this February be about you (at least a little bit). Be good to you and rock your #Courage2Love!

Wells Fargo Pitch Contest 2.0 Finalist and foodie lover, Mandi Buckner is here today to share a delicious recipe for your upcoming Super Bowl soiree. Doesn’t that picture make you drool?! Pass the blu cheese and a cold stout my way!  ~Jazzy 

I LOVE a good party and I LOVE football! So if you’re like me, you’re probably looking forward to this Sunday whether your team is playing or not. I’m just hype thinking about all of the amazing food I will be eating! It’s not a party if the food isn’t on point. Don’t get me wrong: the game, the commercials, the people, are all part of the Super Bowl experience, but your menu has to be on it! It doesn’t have to be fancy; just fabulous!

You need a plan. You want to give guests a nice variety, but at the same time not overwhelm yourself with preparation. Here are five must have foods on your menu for game day:

1. Chips and Dip – Dips and spreads can always be made a day ahead. I personally think they are better the next day anyway. Guacamole, Queso, and Spinach and Artichoke are some of my favorites to serve at a game day party. They are fairly inexpensive to make and serve.
2. Chicken Wings – You have to have wings! It’s in the silent, unofficial, Super Bowl Menu code of ethics! As a general rule, I usually serve a mild or medium traditional buffalo wing, then something that pushes boundaries a bit that people may want to try. You can get my fabulous wild card wing pick below. The most popular wings to serve a traditional Buffalo and Lemon Pepper, but the beauty of chicken wings is you can do what you want. I’ve have Old Bay wings, Chili Garilc Wings, even Sweet Tea Wings. Wings know no boundaries!
3. Sliders – These are always great to have and like wings, you can get as creative as you want. Just picture your favorite sandwich in a miniature bite. Pick up some rolls from the deli and and your fillings and BOOM you’re ready to go! The key to pulling these off, especially if you’re having a big party is preparation. If they are cold, like deli sandwiches, assemble them the day before, put them on a serving platter and wrap tightly plastic wrap in the refrigerator for the next day. If you’re serving hot ones, cook the fillings the day before and store in an airtight container and just warm them up and assemble the sandwiches the next day.
4. Chili/Soup/Stew – Unless you are watching from Miami, it will probably be cold where you are for the Super Bowl. This is a nice way to stretch your budget, warm your guests, and fill them up. Chili and Gumbo are two of my favorites to serve at a Super Bowl Party.
5. Potato Skins – What’s a party without potato skins?? A boring party, that’s what. I say put out a bunch of plain skins and let your guests decide how to fill them. Dips, chilis, shredded, cheese, bacon, sour cream, sauteed veggies like peppers, mushrooms, and onions, are all great toppings for potato skins.

** Don’t forget drinks and something sweet!

Spicy Plum Party Wings

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 30 mins

Serves: 6 Servings

Plum sauce gives this sweet and spicy wing a nice tang! It’s a great wing for game day or as a party appetizer!

Ingredients

• 4lb Chicken Wings (Drumette Sections)
• Salt & Pepper, to taste
• 1c. Plum Sauce
• 1/3c. Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1tsp. Fresh Ginger, peeled and minced
• 1 1/2tsp. Sriracha Hot Sauce or Hot Chili Garlic Sauce
• 1/4c. Soy Sauce
• 2Tbsp. Honey
• Scallions, for garnish
• Sesame Seeds, for garnish

Instructions

1. (Fry) Heat oil in heavy skillet or deep fryer to medium heat. Fry wings until golden, and crispy, about six minutes on each side depending on the size of the wings. Drain excess oil on paper towels and toss in sauce until coated well.
2. (Bake)Preheat oven to 400. Toss wings in one tablespoon of vegetable oil and place wings on a wire rack on a sheet pan. Cook for about 40 minutes, until crispy.
3. Toss in Spicy Plum Sauce and serve!
4. (Sauce)In a glass bowl, mix plum sauce, vinegar, ginger, sriracha, soy sauce, and honey until combined well. Toss prepared wings in sauce, garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

 That made me hungry and I’m ready to party! So tell me Blogalicious family, what’s on your Super Bowl menu?

 Buckaroo and Mandi met in culinary school and began as business partners, and are now partners in life and love. They share their love for food and each other at ChewsyLovers.com