Six-year-old Quianna Tompkins was shot in the back and critically injured while attending a memorial service for a victim of gun violence.

Tompkins and about 40 others were at a vigil for Brandon “Bones” Snipe, 24, who was killed five years ago in Chicago when gunshots rang out. Tompkins and a 52-year-old woman were hit by stray bullets, according to NBC Chicago News.

A witness, Vanessa Rose, described seeing the little girl run from the sidewalk to the grass, where shortly after she collapsed. While witnesses say they saw the woman turn around with blood gushing from her chest. Bystanders immediately called 911.

Authorities have one person in custody. However, they suspect more people are involved.

Tompkins’ mother, Juannakee Kennedy, told ABC News: “[Quianna] is fighting for her life as we speak.” She begged the teens, many onlookers saw running from the incident, to turn themselves in to authorities.

“Please, I know you didn’t mean to do this on purpose. Please don’t go through life with guilt on your heart. We forgive you. We just want some justice for our baby,” said Kennedy.

Taking a page from Tyler Perry’s movie title book, the dispute over The Butler title is now settled. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ruled Friday, July 19, that The Weinstein Co. (TWC) can continue with the title The Butler as long as it’s  Lee Daniels’ The Butler. 

In a statement, Harvey Weinstein, TWC Co-Chairman said, ”We are thrilled this has all come to an end and has been resolved.  The MPAA’s overturning of their original decision to now allow the use of ’butler’ in the title is a victory for Lee Daniels, the film’s 28 investors who believed in it, America’s greatest attorney David Boies, and especially in the memory of my friend and the film’s producer Laura Ziskin.  Now we can focus on the importance of Lee Daniels’ film, the amazing performances by Forest, Oprah and the incredible cast who spent countless months bringing this story about American history and civil rights to screen.” 

It’s not all gravy though because TWC, which had enlisted support from the NAACP’s Ben Jealous, Rainbow Push’s Jesse Jackson and CORE’s Roy Innis, has to pay up to the tune of $400,000 in fines for violating the MPAA’s July 2 ruling.  According to Variety.com, “TWC will have pay a fine of $25,000 a day, dating back to July 2, or $400,000 for violating the initial ruling, and face stiffer penalties if it refuses to change its marketing campaign. The fine will increase to $50,000 a day if the studio fails to issue new digital materials (trailers, TV ads) by July 26 and new print materials by Aug. 2.”

In addition, Variety.com reports that “TWC will also have  to pay $100,000 to the Entertainment Industry Foundation and up to $150,000 to cover Warner Bros.’ legal fees.”

But the good news is that August 16 is still a go as Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey and so many others breathe life into Lee Daniels’ The Butler.

Courtesy of Sister 2 Sister

While some music lovers may have been wondering why more artists haven’t joined Stevie Wonder’s boycott of Florida, Lil Mo explained why she won’t be participating in that protest.

“Ever since the verdict, a certain artist is boycotting the state of Florida. The fans don’t deserve to be deserted,” Mo wrote via Twitter on Friday.

The legendary Stevie Wonder, who played a part in the Civil Rights Movement, was the first to announce that he’d not return to perform in Florida until the Stand Your Ground laws in the state were repealed. The laws have come under a lot of scrutiny following the George Zimmerman shooting which left an unarmed Black teen dead. George was found “not guilty.”

Mo didn’t just discourage other artists from joining in the boycott, she seemingly questioned Stevie’s resolve and whether he’d change his mind if offered enough money to perform there.

Keep reading …

By Andre Branch

When I enrolled at the University of Michigan to begin my Master of Business Administration studies at what is now called the Ross School of Business, I knew that my life would take a vastly different path from the one that it was on previously.  I was lucky enough to be chosen to attend one of the country’s best business schools.  The MBA program at Ross, similar to programs found at other “elite” institutions, had a reputation for cultivating future organizational leaders.  The next generation of CEOs and entrepreneurs were being developed in the Petri dish that was Ann Arbor.  Newly minted MBAs are released out into the world with a sense of purpose and are eager to step up to the helm of their organizations, hoping to create value and ultimately, some legacy for themselves.  I remember arriving at my first assignment eager to show my first post-MBA employer, Kraft Foods, of what I was capable.  I wanted them to “give me the ball.”  I couldn’t wait to get into the position where I could call the shots.  With each promotion I assumed more and more responsibilities.  After a number of promotions and watching some of the senior interactions in my organization, I soon discovered two things:  1) leadership isn’t always about having the final word on decision making and 2) no matter how far you progress in your career, having the final word is an illusion because, there is always someone to whom you must answer.  The first lesson was about influence; the latter – what I would like you to consider – involved followership.
(photo credit: Shutterstock)

Indeed, leadership is not a privilege reserved only for MBAs.  Many of us aspire to greater positions in our organizations; those with more responsibility, more authority, more compensation – the leaders.  Few often talk about being better followers.  In fact, if you do an Amazon.com search on “books on leadership,” the engine returns 92,607 options.  If you search “books on followership,” you are greeted with a whopping 137 entries.  Most of us want to run the show.  In my daily interactions, I am often amazed by the frustration of subordinates or peers when they are overruled by someone with higher decision making authority.  So many of us are looking to be the “shot caller”; so much so that our attention begins to focus on the next boss or the next job or the next department – surely life will be better there, we rationalize.  The reality is that this type of thinking will keep you chasing after a myth that will ultimately end in disappointment.   As you progress in your career the most you can hope for is that you exercise enough judgment and deliver enough results to be allowed to weigh in on more or even greater decisions….but you will never get ultimate decision making authority.  At the end of the day, the President of a Division has to answer to the CEO.  The country CEO has to answer to the Global CEO and the Board of Directors.  And so on.  Once you accept that we are all followers, fulfillment and satisfaction become easier to achieve in your day-to-day work.

What does it mean to be a follower?  Well, there are, at least, 137 books on the topic but if you want some thoughts on how you can immediately impact your ability to be a great follower, consider these principles:

Be True to Your Word

It is a simple human principle that holds true across the spectrum of life but many people unfortunately treat their words as if they are worthless.  The people in your life want to know that they can count on you.  Leaders give more value to subordinates on whom they can rely.  Honoring your commitments is the first and foremost necessity in being a great follower.  If you say you will do something, be sure to deliver on it; if you cannot, be transparent about it as soon as realize you cannot honor the commitment.

Support the Team

Do you stoke team spirit and camaraderie or do you detract from it?  When you put the team agenda above your own, you start to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts.  There is still room for individual achievement and acknowledgement but everyone should embrace the idea that the goal of the team takes priority.  Being a team player creates a more supportive and enriching environment for yourself and others.

Make Your Boss Look Good

Rising tides raise all ships.  Helping your boss achieve success only benefits you in the long run.  If your boss is successful, she will want to replicate that success and most likely take you with her to higher ground when she reaps the rewards.  The organization will also know that you were part of her achievements so your reputation will be enhanced.  Watch your boss’ back and ensure her safe passage to the promise land; she will not forget it.  (Caveat:  when dealing with an unscrupulous boss with questionable ethics, this rule may not apply. Look forward to a future piece on that topic.)

Show Some Initiative

Contrary to popular belief, leaders do not have all of the answers.  Being a leader is a huge responsibility.  Leaders cannot possibly think of nor do everything that needs to be done.  Leaders appreciate team members who can share some of this burden with them.  Show some initiative by bringing solutions or information that you think is critical to your boss.  Help him before he knows he needs help and he’ll love you for it.

Be Honest

Be an honest person in every aspect of your dealings with others and they will respect you for it.  Be honest about your perspective, skillset, mistakes, etc.   Honesty creates trust.  Trust creates stronger relationships.  And the depth and breadth of your relationships have a positive correlation with your success in life.

Being a great follower leads to greater empathy, teamwork, stronger execution, and a reputation of trustworthiness…all important traits of great leaders.  If you demonstrate your ability to be a great follower, ironically, you will be trusted with more responsibility and authority.  Over the course of time, your sphere of influence will expand.  Being a great leader begins with being a great follower.

André Branch is a successful, business leader who has led some of the world’s most iconic brands.  He currently works a beauty industry executive in New York City where he also resides.  Branch holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at The University of Michigan.

By Colby Carrington

What made Beyonce post this note to her Instagram account last night?

Consider it a warning about the perils of a diva fan. It can be dangerous – as she learned last night.

While performing on stage July 22 in Montreal, the singer whipped her hair a little too close to a whirring fan, causing her honey blonde Malaysian Yaki to get caught in the blades.  Pro that she is, Queen Bey just kept belting ‘Halo’, until her crew was able to cut her loose.

One fan captured the incident on video, watch here:

I have a very close homegirl who always feels the need to come to me with her relationship issues, but since we’re friends I typically don’t mind helping her out as much as I humanly can. Well, last weekend she told me about an awkward-ass situation she had with the new dude she’s been seeing. Apparently they have been dating for a few months and are now officially in a committed relationship. Their chemistry is ridiculous, the sex is squirtastic, and they can stay up all damn night talking about deep and/or ridiculous topics ad nauseam.

Well, one night after a long, deep conversation, she decided to end the conversation by saying,  “Goodnight baby. I LOVE you.”

To which he replied, “Aw, that’s so sweet, love. Goodnight.”

That dial tone hit her eardrum like a spinning back-fist from Anderson Silva. She was officially rocked and didn’t know how to respond. So she called me and said that she was going to break up with her man. She said she felt disrespected and taken for granted because he didn’t return her loving sentiment with his own declaration of undying love for her. Before saying how STUPID she was being, I simply e-mailed her the link to a YouTube video and told her to watch it while we were on the phone.

[Image: Shutterstock]

And here’s the video:

Look, I more than understand how easy it is to get so hype off of great early chemistry that you begin to project a lifetime of happiness with that person. (YES, men do this too) It is human nature to get excited in the early stages of dating to the point where you get happy as hell at the prospect of what you may become. But what we need to understand is that when we eventually decide to invest our heart into someone we care about, there’s a chance that they may not feel the same right now – or possibly ever. And that doesn’t make him/her a jerk, as long as he/she communicates that to you and doesn’t lead you on.

Far too often people become infatuated with other people fast as hell, and then they get mad that the other person didn’t fall for them equally as quick. You also have people in relationships that fall in love faster than the person they’re dating, and they start wanting to trade “I love yous,” and they’ll actually get mad because their partner won’t say it back. As much as my homegirl believes he did her dirty by NOT saying “I love you,” he actually did her a favor because he didn’t LIE to her and profess false-love. And who knows, he might just fall in love with her eventually.

LAB

Lincoln Anthony Blades blogs daily on his site ThisIsYourConscience.com, he’s an author of the book “You’re Not A Victim, You’re A Volunteer” and a weekly contributor for UPTOWN Magazine. He can be reached via Twitter @lincolnablades and on Facebook at This Is Your Conscience.

By Leesa Fenderson

F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”

After the verdict two Saturdays ago I had the ability to function. I went to work, exercised, I wrote a piece, watched the premiere of Newsroom and Suits, but I was wholly unable to hold two opposed ideas in my head. Or perhaps more accurately I was unable to hold more than one opposing feeling in my heart. I abhorred any attempt at reasoning, I hated any discussion, in my mind there was nothing to discuss. A young black man, who reminds me of my little brother, was killed and his murderer freed to walk the streets. I’ve always been calm and placidity my twin. I also took Oprah’s life class like it was my Political Economy senior thesis seminar. As a result, meditation and mindfulness made it so that I should not easily succumb to unchecked emotion. Yet, my brown skin and the brown skin of all the men I know were reduced to target practice and that left me on a plateau of anger.

My Australian friend, blue eyed and kind souled, asked about the verdict since news of it had reached Sydney. My response, “Racism pure and simple,” with no logic or discussion or tie-ins, was honest and angry. I left him without facts so he researched on his own. He came back and concluded that a teenager was gunned down by some unjustified vigilante. He thoughtfully empathized with the pain of death and the human tragedy. My response to his empathy was anger. “The crux of it all is if the race of either party was changed, in any amalgamation, we would be having a different conversation or perhaps none at all.” I wanted to shout that because of my brown skin I’m ignored, refused service, and automatically deemed a secretary instead of the title that my Juris Doctor demands, among other offenses, I am also a moving target for racist vigilantes.

But whose ears would the shouts reach? Juror B37? Paula Deen? Certainly not. So I continued going through the motions of my every day, holding one thought in my mind and one emotion in my heart. I avoided the news, for fear that my disgust would turn into a rage that no soundless shouts could soothe. When a friend mentioned a piece by Ahmir Questlove Thompson, I was hesitant. But the title, “Questlove: Trayvon Martin and I Ain’t Shit,” moved my resentment bathing spirit to read it, I thought, he knows what side of this to be on. I got ready to nod in agreement and pump my black fist in righteous indignation. Yet, with each paragraph my indignation found less footing. Instead of spewing anger at Florida and everyone related to the murderer, and fueling a revolt by all Roots fans, he presented a different perspective. Questlove shared his experience as a six foot two, black man of un-average weight. His size, his race, his afro and accompanying pic makes others uncomfortable, so much so that he would decline invitations to swanky parties, wait in his car in parking lots because, “it’s a prime place where someone of my physical size can be seen as a dangerous element.” In the piece he recounts an experience where a young woman refused to tell him what floor she lived when he was courteous enough to offer to use his security card to push the button for her floor. The thing is his building has major security and he wouldn’t have an elevator card if he wasn’t a resident himself. Yet he remained courteous even believing that she didn’t answer because she was getting off on his floor. When she further refused to have the elevator button pushed on her behalf, it dawned on him, like it has dawned on me many times, a decision has been made to reject me because of the way I look.

In that moment my anger ebbed significantly and I found the empathy I had been missing. The love in my heart awakened for a family mourning and for every person of color subjugated because the skin they wear is black or the height they reach is beyond the norm. My soul could no longer back stroke in indignation. They say when faced with a gunman ready to shoot, you should appeal to the humanity in the shooter by talking about your family. Perhaps if Trayvon mentioned his brother who hoped to play ball with him again, his parents who wanted him to go to college, or his girlfriend who had hoped to hold his hand again, the shooter would have seen a teenager and not just his brown skin and hoodie. Now above all else I see Trayvon Martin as a young man with feelings, desires for a future, someone’s son and brother and not just an injustice I would use to drive my anger. There is so much more to a person and situation that we don’t see when we allow our anger, fear, or prejudice to reduce our intelligence to one unopposed thought or emotion.

Courtesy of The Root

Cannabis is known by many names: weed, reefer, pot … the list goes on. But one of its most common monikers, “marijuana,” has its roots in Mexico. But why?

An article at the NPR blog Code Switch discusses the racially charged history of the word “marijuana” and how the drug stirred anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. and then became criminalized.

Throughout the 19th century, news reports and medical journal articles almost always use the plant’s formal name, cannabis. Numerous accounts say that “marijuana” came into popular usage in the U.S. in the early 20th century because anti-cannabis factions wanted to underscore the drug’s “Mexican-ness.” It was meant to play off of anti-immigrant sentiments.

Keep reading …

[Image: Shutterstock]

Courtesy of The Frisky

We were walking down the street when Colin asked me if I’d ever feel comfortable saying that word. Colin — 24, biracial in the way that is still largely read as black — and me, a Jewish but let’s be serious, white, girl on the edge of 30; and Colin wanting to know whether I, with my intelligent, progressive world view, would ever say that one word that white people are not allowed to say.

I paused before responding. “Well,” I said finally, “on the one hand, I think that words on their own are completely meaningless, and only ‘offensive’ because we, as a society, imbue them with meaning and power. On the other hand, I understand the painful history behind that word, and I don’t think that arguing for my supposed right to be able to say it is a battle worth fighting.”

“Have you ever said it?” he asked.

I had. Years before, as a younger and more naive me working at an after school program serving low-income (and predominantly Black and Latino) high school students, I’d said it during a class. I forget the point I’d been trying to make; but I remember assuming the affect of one of my students and saying that word, though, of course, with a soft a at the end. The stunned, uncomfortable silence that resulted was enough to deter me from ever saying it again.

“Yeah,” I said. “And I didn’t feel good about it.”

Maybe a few weeks later I was in bed with a Jamaican man. He was the kind of big that makes people get out of your way as you move through the world, and the kind of rich and famous that opens doors for you wherever you go. In the midst of sex, he asked me to say that word — he instructed me to say it.

[Image: Shutterstock]

By Colby Carrington

In case you ever doubted George Zimmerman‘s ‘hero’ status, take note.  Last Wednesday, Zimmerman (whose not guilty verdict in the killing of Trayvon Martin occurred just four days earlier) emerged from hiding for a moment to pull a family of four from their overturned SUV on a Florida highway.

This morning, the Twitterverse exploded with #ThanksGeorge in sarcastic honor of all the ways he’s been a hero to them.  And this afternoon, the praise is still coming in.

See here:

Zimmerman administers CPR to Racism in the nick of time. Racism expected to make a full recovery. #ThanksGeorge

— RJ (@EastsideRJ) July 23, 2013

Zimmerman said i looked suspicious in my outfit so he took me shopping #ThanksGeorge

— Total Tim Move (@Legally_Bro) July 23, 2013

I was in the bathroom stall, out of toilet paper, but thank goodness, a helping hand appeared from the next stall over #ThanksGeorge

— RiskyLiberal (@RiskyLiberal) July 23, 2013

Zimmerman parachuted in and performed emergency C section on royal baby when the doc got stuck in the lift #ThanksGeorge

— Jaye Mills (@jayepmills) July 23, 2013

I was sneaking out of work early but George Zimmerman warned me that my boss was going to send an urgent email. #ThanksGeorge

— Myke (@Liberianboii86) July 23, 2013

I was confused about what to make for dinner tonight and George Zimmerman arrived with a pizza in less than thirty minutes. #ThanksGeorge

— Isis Hatsepshut (@Ysis7) July 23, 2013

Zimmerman just appeared behind me as I was creating a new password and whispered, "That's not strong enough". #ThanksGeorge.

— Future Millionaire (@Success_Indeed) July 23, 2013

What has he done for you lately?

Speaking to the “Ricky Smiley Morning Show,” Rachel Jeantel, Trayvon Martin‘s friend and the last person to speak with the teen before George Zimmerman killed him, revealed her desired course of study, now that Tom Joyner offered her a scholarship to the HBCU of her choice.

“Law enforcement,” said Jeantel when asked to share her career plans. “Or I’ve been thinking about an attorney, becoming an attorney. You never know.”

Ricky Smiley has also pledged to pay for Jeantel’s textbooks (which I’m sure are still hella expensive) for her first semester.

During the interview, Jeantel also went on to describe her friend Martin, saying, “Oh, he was a family guy. A family guy. I loving person, a good friend. And just somebody to talk to when you need help.”

Read more on Rachel Jeantel’s interview with the “Ricky Smiley Morning Show” here.

Courtesy of Sister 2 Sister

Kirk Frost doesn’t think that cheating on his wife and telling her to get an abortion was all that bad, but he swears he won’t do it again.

When Bossip asked Kirk why he decided to “dog” Rasheeda this season on “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” he immediately took offense. “I didn’t dog her, I had to get a point across,” Kirk said.

RELATED: Kirk Frost Admits His Antics Were Dirty & Agrees With Nicki Minaj

Falling back on his defense that no one is perfect, Kirk couldn’t confirm that he and Rasheeda are getting a divorce. If their history is any indication, there’s a good chance that they may stay together because Kirk hinted that this might not be their first brush with marital infidelity. “We’ve been through similar things like that in the past before we even got to this point,” Kirk stated.

Keep reading …

Courtesy of EURweb

Wow. Who would’ve ever think that mild mannered and basically boring NBA star Tim Duncan‘s name could even be remotely associated with the word drama?

Well, if you believe online chatter that’s circulating, he’s definitely involved in some domestic mess that is straight drama.

Here’s the deal. A new report regarding Tim Duncan’s divorce claimed that Duncan’s estranged wife, Amy, had concerns that the NBA All-Star was in a relationship with another man.

According to gossip site Hollywood Street King, Tim Duncan lived with another man four years after attending college at Wake Forest University together. During the first two years of Amy and Tim’s marriage, the unidentified man was living in the same house with the couple before the San Antonio Spurs star reportedly purchased an apartment for dude. The HSK report also says that TD is seeking to have a gag order placed on Amy, as the couple’s divorce proceedings move forward.

Continue reading at EURweb…

Nowadays, the best way to make a comeback or sell an album is to chronicle your life on the boob tube. And sticking with this formula, Da Brat and Michelle Williams are getting reality shows.

Speaking with The Jasmine Brand, Phil Thornton, executive producer of “R&B Divas” and the Los Angeles- and Atlanta-based offshoots of the hit TV One show, confirmed that he will feature Da Brat on an “R&B Divas”-like program, but for female rappers. Thornton added that the show will be slightly different from “Divas,” though.

What’s really surprising is that Thornton is also developing a reality series for Michelle Williams, who he says is really a funny person and he wants to show that side of her to the world. Personally, I’ve always found Michelle to be rather milquetoast, always letting Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland outshine her. And who can forget her ho-hum appearance on “Styled By June”? But then again, that show was tragic anyway … Maybe it is time for Michelle to show her true self to fans and critics (ahem, Keyshia Cole).

Also in the works, said Thornton, is a docu-series featuring Tyler Perry-favorite Tamela Mann and her family – now that one I’ll have to pass on.

Source

Along with being “Gone with the Wind Fabulous,” Kenya Moore is apparently a good negotiator. The woman who brought the crazy to season five of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is going to bring home the bacon in season six.

Reportedly, Kenya will make $600,000 next season, which is just under the $800,000 NeNe Leakes, Kandi Burruss, and Kim Zolciak earn per season. The beauty queen will also receive bonuses based on ratings – obviously it’s in her best interest to keep up the insane shenanigans, like allegedly faking her relationship with Walter Jackson.

Now, if you’ve ever wondered why Phaedra Parks is always trying to diversify her income with schemes to bury dead people and pets and show the world how to get a donkey booty and collect cash from her nefarious-looking clients in parking lots, here’s why. Both Phaedra and Porsha Stewart, reportedly, only make $50,000 per season. Yes, you read that correctly! RHOA’s resident southern belle and “power attorney” doesn’t even make half of what the key players make. And now, everybody knows!

Source

It’s been 17 months since Whitney Houston‘s untimely death, and now a headstone has been added to her grave in Fairway Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey.

The marble marker is shaped like a teardrop over-laid with a heart and praises the singer for her talent. “The Voice,” the name given to Whitney by Clive Davis, is featured prominently, as are an engraving of Whitney’s face, the dates of her birth and death, and the title of her No. 1 song, “I Will Always Love You.”

Whitney is buried next to her father John Russell Houston, Jr.

Courtesy of Madame Noire

Just when we were starting to have faith that our favorite celebs had some sense of social consciousnesses, turns out we may have jumped the gun.

Yesterday we ran a story on the growing list of artists who have decided to boycott the state of Florida as a result of the not guilty verdict handed down to George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin case. The list , which included names such as Usher, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rihanna, R. Kelly, Alicia Keys, and many more, came from April Ryan, a White House Correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks, and seemed legit — maybe more so because we wanted to believe it rather than acknowledge the unlikelihood of it being true. Nevertheless, after the list went viral, Ryan posted an update on her site suggesting the sources who gave her this information to begin with may not have been the most credible. She wrote:

Keep reading …

Courtesy of The Root

Cornel West continued his attack on President Obama, following his speech after the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial. This time, West went after MSNBC, calling the network a “rent-a-negro” phenomenon, EURweb reports. The Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the president’s biggest proponents, is a host on the network.

Well, West made a visit to Tavis Smiley’s radio show this past weekend and said Rev. Sharpton is still on “the Obama plantation” which has [kept] Sharpton from being more critical of the president and Attorney General Eric Holder.

Keep reading …

Courtesy of Cocoa Fab

A bit big around your bottom or thighs? It probably looks good on you and won’t cause much of a health risk. But excess pounds around the middle is a problem, and not just to your profile in a bathing suit. Excess abdominal weight has been connected to increased risk of developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer and even dementia. No wonder so much nutritional research has gone into foods that help vanquish belly fat. Below, five truly delicious winners—and the best news is, they’re not weird, expensive or hard to find. Here’s the right way to add more of them to your diet and give that bulge the beat down, once and for all.

Avocados: Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are plant-based fats proven to protect against chronic disease—and new research suggests they also target belly fat. Avocados are a super source of MUFAs, so slice them into salads, use in sandwiches or mash up with a squeeze of lime juice and enjoy with baked chips.

Keep reading …

[Image: Shutterstock]