Protein is a calorie sizzler, an immunity booster and the holy grail of a healthy, strong body. But you need to know how much to eat, and when, to get the benefits: Too much or too little of the stuff can jeopardize your well-being. Learn how this wonder nutrient can help you burn more calories! Proteins are macromolecules made up of 20 different amino acids, compounds that help control hunger and build muscle, skin and more. Eleven of the acids are nonessential, meaning our body produces them, so we don’t need to get them from food. The other nine are…

Babies are in more danger than you would expect, but not for reasons you may suspect. A new study shows that bottles, binkies, and pacifiers are harming babies at an alarming rate, sending thousands of children to the hospital for injuries. According to MSNBC, Susan Keim, the principal researcher for the center for behavioral health at Nationwide the Children’s Hospital in Ohio, found that there were “2,270 cases each year where child was hurt while using bottles, pacifiers or sippy cups.” In most of the cases, 86 percent, the kids were injured when they fell with the object. Bottles were…

Tyra Banks is saluting Vogue’s 19 international editions for pledging to promote healthy body image, but she says real evolution will take some time. “Real progress is finally on the horizon,” Banks writes in an open letter on The Daily Beast. “Vogue is stepping up, doing the right thing, and protecting that girl. Perhaps that girl is you!” Earlier this month, Conde Nast, which owns Vogue, announced a six-point plan for what they’ll require beginning with their June editions. “Vogue editors around the world want the magazines to reflect their commitment to the health of the models who appear on…

Tia Mowry, the star of BET’s “The Game,” announced yesterday via Twitter that she will not be returning for the sixth season of the show. Though Tia plays one of the main characters on the show, Melanie Davis, it looks like her time on the series has come to an abrupt end. She revealed on Twitter that she will be moving on to focus on her other projects, like her reality show with twin sister Tamera Mowry. “Just wanted to let all my fans know that I will not be returning to The Game for season 6.It was an incredible…

If you’ve never believed in God before, you should after hearing this man’s story! 28 year old Hamdi Hafez al-Nubi, a waiter from Egypt, near Luxor was declared dead after suffering a heart attack at work. At his funeral, a doctor, discovered he was still warm. After finding he was still warm, the doctor checked his vital signs and discovered he was still breathing. She quickly revived al-Nubdi – along with his mother, who had fainted when she heard her son wasn’t dead. Rather than cancel the funeral, mourners turned the funeral into a party! It’s not the first time…

Lord, Show us which battles are worth fighting and which ones are better left alone. Help us to understand that getting the last word doesn’t make us the bigger person. Sometimes we have to walk away in order to be the bigger person! When we find ourselves in a dispute not worth our time, Help us to remember that apologizing is a lot easier than arguing! In Jesus name, Amen! Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ~2 Timothy 2:23

April Brown was once a cosmetologist, fashion designer, and working mother of two daughters. She’s now a multiple amputee. Unlicensed cosmetic procedures led to life-threatening infections. Professionals removed her limbs last year to save her life. “I got the butt implants eight years ago,” said Brown. “For five years, I lived in pain. Excruciating pain.” April Brown won’t identify the unlicensed practitioner who injected her with silicone. She will only say it was somewhere near Western and Manchester in Los Angeles. Brown tells us, her own lack of self-esteem issues are mostly to blame. “They call it butt injections,” she…

Every season, every week, I tell myself that I’ve had enough of these basketball wives. But somehow I find myself watching it EVERY week! Drama and all! But honestly every woman SHOULD watch it, just so they’ll know how NOT to act! Last night’s episode was disturbing to say the least. Kesha Nichols considers herself a victim of bullying, but instead of feeling sorry for herself, she’s expressing pity for her reality TV rival, Tami Roman. Kesha took to her blog to express her pity for bullies… “Bullies are simply crying out for attention that they cannot receive in other…

Whitney Houston’s and Bobby Brown’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina will reportedly take the stage at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards for a special performance in honor of her late mother. The ceremony, which airs Sunday at 8 p.m., will feature a musical tribute to Houston, with Bobbi Kristina set to participate. Further details, or what her role will be have yet to be announced. On another note, Stevie Wonder will receive the Billboard Icon Award while Chris Brown, Usher, and Justin Bieber will perform live. R&B singers Brandy, Monica and Gladys Knight will be on hand as presenters.

A single car crash resulted in the death of four Chicago Mothers just minutes before Mother’s Day. The women had a total of six children, reports Chicago Tribune. The women who were fatally injured in the wreck, which occurred on Saturday night at around 11:55 p.m., were Tyshyra Hines (pictured far right), 21; Ieshia Nelson (pictured far left), 21; Bernadette Harris (not pictured), 25; and Alicia Goston (not pictured), 22. According to police investigators, the women died when their vehicle struck a support column (pictured below) of an elevated train line. Witnesses state that the vehicle was traveling at a…

Yvette Wilson is best known for her role as Andell Wilkerson on the UPN sitcom Moesha and its spinoff The Parkers. She has appeared on many comedy films such as House Party 2, House Party 3, Friday, and on Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam. Yvette has experienced kidney failure, kidney transplants and cervical cancer, among other things. Her cancer has come back after an extended retreat, and doctors are saying it’s very aggressive this time out. To get her the required treatment at the best doctors, and to to help cover travel and medical costs, Her good friend, Jeffrey Pittle…

Have you ever wondered “Why does God hate me?” If so, you are not alone. Here’s an open letter from one of our readers. I pray that you are encouraged.

How many times have we told ourselves: “I wish I could do this, But I know I can’t” or “I wish I had this, But I probably never will”? This way of thinking is our roadblock from mediocrity to greatness. We must eliminate mentalities of failure and adopt mentalities of success. Expect God to grant our heart’s desires, Instead of just wishing God will grant our heart’s desires. Switch from thinking, It shall be done to It’s already done! Prayer: Lord, Teach us to live in expectancy. Expecting nothing but Your goodness, Your blessings, Your favor! Your word says that…

At a Morehouse College event, Steve Harvey told the audience how he became a “new Christian”. And every day, he opens his radio show talking about his faith and in his own way, encouraging others to follow Christ and serve God as well. He said in an interview regarding his second divorce… “It was honestly the toughest period ever in my entire life”. But it highlighted my need to be a better Christian.” Along with talking about his faith often, he hosts the annual BET “Celebration of Gospel” event which features a who’s who of Gospel singers and performers.

This Sunday, ESSENCE will host the “Best in Black Beauty Awards,” an event that acknowledges the beauty and class of beauty innovators who are some of the most inspiring and influential figures in the industry. Essence beauty director Corynne Corbett and celebrity stylist June Ambrose will host the invitation only event. Honorees include Balanda Atis, Group Leader, and Janine Cherette, Color Cosmetic Scientist, of the L’Oréal USA Research and Innovation team; Ted Gibson, celeb hairstylist to the stars and head stylist on What Not To Wear; Janis Smith-Gomez, Vice-President of Marketing for Johnson & Johnson; Lisa Logan, go-to manicurist for…

Albert says the song, “Feeling the Pain,” was written to address the injustice done to the Martin family and to bring comfort to Trayvon’s mother, Sybrina Fulton. “As a creative author I wanted to capture the feelings and emotions involved in this murder and keep Trayvon the focus not Zimmerman’s and his defense team efforts to white wash this tragic incident.” “Feeling the Pain” features the voices of April Lawson and Karla Readus.

Investigators are trying to find the cause of a fire that ripped through Tyler Perry’s Atlanta studios. There were no reports of injuries from the blaze that began shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday and burned through the exterior facade of a large building, Atlanta Fire Capt. Jolyon Bundrige said. “We are grateful that there were no injuries, and that 99 percent of the damage is limited to the backlot facade.” More than 100 firefighters responded to the four-alarm blaze. The studio said Perry thanked Atlanta firefighters for their quick response and for limiting the damage. The fire never reached inside…

Shawn Stockman of 90’s R&B Group, Boyz II Men is finally opening up about his son with Autism. A condition which he says, will change their lives forever! Stockman says that the financial barriers to autism treatment are the reason he has launched a non-profit called Micah’s Voice, dedicated to footing the bill for one to two families seeking treatment for autism each year. “But the cost of those early autism intervention treatments can be prohibitive for many parents, Stockman says. “We’ve learned in the midst of our journey with Micah how fortunate we are to have money. There’s no…

Was I the only one wishing these two would stick around until the very end? Well, if you were too, You were just as disappointed last night when they were eliminated. Following their shock elimination from “Dancing With The Stars” Tuesday night Jaleel White and his partner Kym Johnson stopped by “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (Weeknights, 12 a.m. ET on ABC). All Jimmy Kimmel really wanted to know was, why didn’t White do “The Urkel” on “DWTS?” White joked that the competition was too intense: “Did you see Will Levy out there, man? Where was there a chance for me to…

Even if you’re not a crier, Be prepared to cry! 9 Year Old Malaki Paul had sort of an emotional start on TV Show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ as he performed Beyonce’s song ‘Listen’