Destiny’s Child: Reunion Album on the Way!

It’s been close to a decade since they decided to go their separate ways, and now Destiny’s Child is coming back together for a new album.
Beyoncé Knowles. took to her official website to announce the exciting news that she, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams are headed back into the studio.

The “Crazy in Love” songstress declared, “I am so proud to announce the first original Destiny’s Child music in eight years! – Beyonce.”
According to Knowles the record will be called Love Songs and in addition to some of the group’s most romantic tracks from their career together, there will be a new ditty titled “Nuclear.”
Perhaps Kelly and Michelle will join Beyonce during her Super Bowl halftime show next month!

Shakira Gives Birth to Baby Boy

After months of eagerly waiting for their special arrival, Shakira and Gerard Piqué welcomed their baby boy on Tuesday (January 22).
Milan Piqué Mebarak was born at 6lbs, 6 oz. and - according to the Colombian singer's website - mommy and baby are both in excellent health.

In the online post, Shakira explained that the name Milan, (pronounced MEE-lahn), means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman translates to eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification.
The announcement also notes that, like his footballer father, Milan became a member of FC Barcelona at birth.
Just hours before her little prince's arrival, 35-year-old Shakira requested assistance from her fans while entering into labor, at which time she tweeted, "I'd like to ask you all to accompany me in your prayers on this very important day of my life. Shak."

SHOCKING EARNING OF YORUBA MOVIE STARS

Quite a number of perks come with being a movie star in this part of the world. They include designer clothes, luxury cars and posh apartments. Apart from their penchant for such status symbols, today's Nollywood actors and actresses are also seen as role models, especially to the young and impressionable who dream of becoming stars some day. 

But, judging by the results of a recent investigation conducted by Saturday Beats, it appears all that glitters is not gold, after all.

Contrary to popular opinion, the life of the average Yoruba movie star is that of constant 'suffering and smiling'.

In spite of the fabulous profiles and immense goodwill enjoyed by some of these celebrated screen gods and goddesses, the contents of their bank accounts are really nothing to be cheerful about.

Even the 'alarming' increase in the volume of home video films produced in Yoruba language ought to be sufficient to improve the bank balances of such celebrities. To make matters worse, many of them suffer from a financial disease known as 'Withdrawal Symptom.' In fact, it is no longer news that a good number are regular visitors to ATMs.

“As soon as money is paid into their bank accounts, you will see them rushing to the nearest ATM to withdraw almost all the cash,” an amused banker told Saturday Beats recently.

Certainly it is difficult to believe that no reasonably successful Yoruba actor or actress has ever been paid up to N500, 000 for a lead role in any movie. Half a million seems a fantastic sum by all indications. Instead, the maximum fee payable to the best actor or actress has remained between N150k and N250k. Even many of the 'veterans' receive as low as N10k to appear in a film feature.

While those that are constantly in demand or have won awards in the industry, such as the likes of Funke Akindele and Odunlade Adekola, earn a maximum of N250k per feature film, the rest are left with peanuts. Interestingly, an exception to this 'golden rule' is Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. Saturday Beats investigation shows that she earns between N250k and N400k.

Another 'big earning' actor is Adebayo Salami, aka Oga Bello. It is said that he hardly receives part payment from any producer. Usually on location, he would demand his fee of not more that N150,000 before going into action.

The same is said about Omotola who does not budge until she or her manager has confirmed that a certain amount of money has been deposited in her bank account.

However, the so-called big budget film productions have never exceeded the N3m mark despite the fact that a lot of money goes into paying the crew and cast. Money is also spent on production equipment, lights, costumes, makeups, transport, food, accommodation, generating plant sets, and other logistics/incidental expenses. That is also why most of the cast and crew are grateful when the filmmaker or marketer, who bankrolls the production, is able to hand them paltry sums of money.

“You can count on your fingers the number of individuals involved in the production who respectively got paid less than N50,000,” a production hand says.

Also included in the budget are the editing suite staff, copies of empty VCDs to be dubbed, posters and film jackets to be printed, marketing and distribution.

Now we know why most of the highly paid or underpaid actors/ actresses are writing their own movie scripts and directing or producing their own movie projects, as well as saturating the market with volumes of half-baked home videos every week.

Bukky Wright was the highest paid actress in the Yoruba language genre before Funke Akindele broke her N150,000 per featured film record with Jenifa.

Omilade Babatunde, aka Baba Suwe, used to be the highest paid aactor until the much younger Odunlade Adekola, aka Cause Trouble, began to earn up to N250k per feature film. The other notable figures? Well, they are trying hard to catch up with Omotola, Funke and Odunlade.

Omotola, Adebayo Salami, Funke Akindele, Bukky Wright and Odunlade Adekola were unavailable for comment.

But prolific film producer, Kunle Afolayan, said, “I really don't know how much they earn now because I've since moved on to other major things.”

Top actress, Lizzy Anjorin, found it hard to answer the question.

“Ha! That's a tough question that I don't have a ready answer for. Fees vary from one filmmaker to another. As for me, I bill per script and I don't appear in just about any film.”

Saturday Beats sought the view of scriptwriter/actor/filmmaker, Femi Davies.

He responded, “You can't really get any top actor/actress that will proudly and honestly tell you this is how much he or she earns per film. But for my years in the industry, I don't know anyone that collects half a million naira per film he or she featured in that's not a film produced by him or her. Things can only get better.”

The story is not different in the Igbo or the Hausa language-speaking movie sector. We gathered that the actors/actresses who in real life drive fancy cars, live in their own houses, dress in the latest designer clothes, are the privileged ones who have been able to sustain and maintain their celebrity/star status by engaging in private business outside movies like car dealership, party/event planning, boutiques, supermarkets, hair dressing saloons, voice-over on radio/TV adverts, comperes at private and public functions, corporate brand endorsements. 
CULLED FROM PUNCH NEWSPAPER

THIS IS FOR ALL CHOCOLATE LOVERS ..HEALTHY BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATE DRINK

 Chocolate drinks are nourishing beverages enjoyed by children and adults.

Chocolate can be consumed hot or cold and health experts believe it has the capacity to cure ailments. 

According to mothernaturenetwork.com, chocolate was used to fight fits of anger and bad moods in France in the 17th century. 

Also it reduces levels of stress hormones in the blood.

Unlike the idea that hot chocolate drinks could aid fast weight gain, research has continued to show us that it deposits antioxidants, which help prevent cancer, heart disease, age-related muscular degeneration and aging in general.
A word of caution by www.mnn.com stresses the need to be sure of the mixture in the pack of chocolate drink that you are about to consume. Beware of fake products.
Other facts you should know…
*The concentration of antioxidants in hot cocoa is almost twice as strong as red wine. Cocoa's concentration is two to three times stronger than that of green tea and four to five times stronger than that of black tea.
*More antioxidants are released when it's hot
*A cup of hot cocoa contains 611mg of the phenolic compound gallic acid equivalents and 564mg of the flavonoid epicatechin equivalents. The antioxidant gallic acid is used to treat internal hemorrhages, albuminuria (the presence of albumin in the urine, which can indicate kidney disease) and diabetes.
*Although a regular bar of chocolate has strong antioxidant activity, the health benefits may be outweighed because of the saturated fats present - cocoa generally has much less fat per serving compared to the eight grams of fat in a standard chocolate bar.
*The flavonoid helps your body process nitric oxide, which is why hot cocoa can improve blood flow, help lower your blood pressure and improve heart health.
*The flavonoid in hot chocolate help prevent platelets in your blood from mingling together and forming clots.
*Drinking hot chocolate can help you think well too. The flavonoid increases the blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Since dementia is caused by a reduced flow of blood to the brain, researchers think it could be treated with cocoa.
Myths about chocolate
1. Chocolate raises bad cholesterol
It is true that chocolate contains cocoa butter, which is high in saturated fat. Much of the fat comes from stearic acid, which doesn't act like saturated fat. Chocolate does not raise bad cholesterol, it can lower cholesterol levels.
2. Chocolate is high in caffeine
Contrary to popular belief, chocolate is not loaded with the jitter-inducing compound known as caffeine. Darker varieties are higher in caffeine, it's true, but not as high as many people think.
3. Sugar in chocolate causes hyperactivity
Excessive sugars make kids to jump off the walls, bounce off the ceiling, and generally mimic a rogue helicopter, right? So we thought. But more studies have failed to find any link between sugar in children's diets and hyperactive behaviour.
4. People with diabetes have to give up chocolate
Chocolate does not need to be completely avoided by people with diabetes. In fact, many are often surprised to learn that chocolate has a low glycemic index.
5. Chocolate causes tooth decay and cavities
But a study from Osaka University in Japan found that parts of the cocoa bean, the main ingredient of chocolate, thwart mouth bacteria and tooth decay. Fighting cavities never tasted so good.
6. Chocolate makes you gain weight
Not necessarily. Obviously, monumental hot fudge sundaes aren't going to do your waistline any favours, but a study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that consuming a small amount of chocolate each of five days during a week was linked to a lower BMI.
7. Eating sugar and chocolate can aid stress
A study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed
NOW I CAN HAVE AS MUCH AS 3 CUPS WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT WEIGHT GAIN.....U ARE INVITED TO JOIN ME :)

CONTROVERSIAL MUSICIAN CHARLY BOY QUITS SMOKING AFTER 45 YEARS

Charles Oputa, popularly known as Area Father, an unashamed smoker, has quit smoking. He had been addicted to cigarettes since he was 16 years old.

Some of his friends and fans were said to have been stunned at a recent function when Charly Boy arrived at the venue of the said event without holding his smoke. While some were said to be happy seeing a reformed CB, others were of the opinion that it was one of his tricks to arrest people’s attention. But in a swift response to people’s insinuations, CB said that he had since parted with smoking and that he did not pray to go back to the bad habit.

CB stated this at his Gwarimpa residence in Abuja recently,disclosing that he had battled hard over the years to quit smoking. He had actually quit the habit about a year ago. He said further that he never thought he could stop, saying that if he could stop smoking, he could do other things that appear difficult to him over the years.

‘’I am not ashamed to say that I have been smoking since I was 16. I know a lot of my associates who smoke and the funny thing is that when I see them smoking, it turns my stomach. I had been trying to drop it for the past three years, but I am glad that I have been able to drop the bad habit now.

When asked what prompted his decision to quit the habit, CB said ‘’I hated how some smokers smelled when they come around me. I didn’t want to walk around with such offensive odour even when I chew a lot of gum and made sure I wear my perfume each time I smoked. I actually quit because I was becoming a health freak and I always wanted to smell clean at all times.

Asked on if he had also stopped womanising, CB said ‘’I used to like women but I don’t follow them again. My body is now fit for the Lord and my wife. In fact, the urge to satisfy them is no more there. I can tell you that my wife is my rock and she rocks me well’’.

Charly Boy who was one of the judges during the last edition of the popular television reality show, Nigerian Idol also claimed that he decided to pull out of the reality show this season because he was not comfortable with the way the organisers handled the programme.

“I know a lot has been said and written about why Charly Boy was not part of the show this year, but I can tell you categorically that the organisers  didnt  handle some aspects of the show professionally and I didn’t want to be part of it, so I pulled out’’, he explained.

BEST SUPER FOODS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Best super foods for weight loss

Now there is no reason for you to add weight or complain about weight gain with these super foods you can now stay slim and lose weight without crash dieting or skipping meals

* Brown Rice- brown rice is heartier, fiber packed alternative to less-than-super white rice. A half cup of serving contains 1.7 grams of resistant starch, a healthy carb that boost metabolism and burns fat. Plus it’s a low-energy density food; it’s heavy and filling but low in calories.  

* Broccoli- cooked or raw, this cruciferous veggie is well known for its cancer-preventing powers, but with a punch of filling fiber in less than 30 calories a serving, its bound to prevent weight problems too.

*Avocados- there are no reason to be afraid of eating fats as long as they are the right fats. Oleic acid, a compound in avocados healthy monounsaturated fats (MUFAS) may trigger your body to actually quiet hunger. Stick to a quarter or half of an avocado and watch that belly fat melt away. The creamy fruit is also packed with fiber and protein.      

* Pears- just one pear packs 15% of your daily recommended amount of fiber. one study found that women who ate three pears a day consumed fewer calories and lost more weight than those who didn’t ditch the peeler because the skin is where all the filling fiber is hiding.

*Grape fruit- even if you changed nothing else about your diet, eating half a grape fruit before each meal may help you lose a pound a week. A compound in the tangy fruit can lower insulin, a fat storage hormone, and that can lead to weight loss. It’s also a good source of protein, and because it’s at least 90%water, it can fill you up so eat less.

* Almonds-nuts are another super food rich in healthy fat that help you slim down. Almonds in particular can help you shed pounds: in a study, people who added a daily helping of nuts to a low-cab diet lost more weight than people who followed the same diet but swapped almonds for a carb-heavy snack like crackers.

* Kidney beans-one of the several varieties of beans to make the list, red beans offer protein and fiber (more than 5grams per serving) kidney beans are also rich in resistant starch; a 1\2 cup serving packs nearly 2grams of this slimming carb.

*Wine-studies have shown that moderate wine dinkers have narrower waists and belly fat than liquor drinkers .Resveratrol,the famed antioxidant found in grape skin ,stop fat storage ,but I would prefer a fresh squeezed grape juice.

*Bananas- bananas are slimming super food at the heart of health carb lovers diet. a slightly green medium size banana will fill you up and boost your metabolism with its 12.5grams of resistant starch .even ripe banana still ranks high on the list  of foods containing resistant starch, with almost 5 grams.

* Eggs-eggs get a bad rap when it comes to weight loss. but the breakfast staple is loaded with protein that will curb your appetite.dont worry about cholesterol, study found out egg eaters don’t have higher cholesterol or lower good cholesterol than bagel eaters.

* Dark chocolate-chocolate lovers, rejoice a nibble of dark chocolate here and there can slow down digestion so you feel full longer and eat less at your next meal. Dark chocolate is full of MUFAS; studies show eating a diet high in these healthy fats can rev your metabolism to burn fat and calories .it may also help by curbing craving for salt, sweet or fatty diet wreckers.

*Oranges-at only 59 calories, you may not expect much from an orange, but thanks to a hefty dose of fiber, it ranks highest among fruits on a list of 38 filling foods put together by Australian researcher, feeling  full can help you eat less throughout the day.

* Potatoes-true, potatoes are high in carbs,but they are three times as filling as  a sheet of white bread, and top all the foods on the same satiety index as oranges. Plus, potatoes are also rich resistant starch, which helps your body burn fat.

* Pine Nuts-nuts lovers don’t have to stick to almonds. These tiny bites pack the same heart-healthy fatty acids that quell hunger hormones and burn belly fat. Plus, at only 95 calories for more than 80 nuts, you can enjoy them guilt free.

* Cheese-fresh goat cheese and feta contain a fatty acid that helps you feel full and burn more fat .when shopping for cheese, look for cheese labeled” grass-fed”, as those will have the highest content of this healthy fat.

* Low –fat milk-the same fatty acid is found in milk, and milk‘s proteins can keep you feeling satisfied. The added calcium may also help; in one study, women burned more fat and calories when they 1,000 to 1,400 milligrams of calcium per day.

And my favorite of all time Green tea- this steamy sip hydrates like water, which can help fill you up and shed pounds. Plus, the anti-oxidants in green tea will up your fat burn and calorie burn. study shows that  five cups of green tea a day could help you lose twice as much weight ,most of it around your middle.

LIME FIZZ COCKTAIL

SHARE THIS REFESHING DRINK WITH  FRIENDS AND I BET THEY WILL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE ;)

Ingredients: 1/2 cup Sugar,    1 cup fresh Lemon juice,   2 cups gold Tequila.

 In a small saucepan, combine sugar with 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring so that the sugar dissolves.
 Boil for not more than 1 minute.

 Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup of cold water to mix. Allow the mix to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, add the Lemon juice. Combine this mix with the Tequila in a pitcher.

 Stir well. Add ice before serving in Collins glasses filled with ice.

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT

THIS DISH IS REALLY SWEET AND FILLING. can be served as a main dish or snack.a great meal to share among friends and family.

INGREDIENTS;

 serves 4 to 6 

 * 580ml cups water   * 100g caster sugar   * 40g dried cranberries   *60g cup dried apricots, chopped   * 40g dried cherries, chopped    * 500g couscous    * 60g coarsely chopped toasted slivered almonds

 PREPARATION;

 1) In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cranberries, apricots, and cherries. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the granulated sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes

 2)  Stir in the couscous and remove the pan from the heat. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid until the couscous has absorbed all of the cooking liquid, about 5 to 7 minutes.

 3) Using a fork, fluff the couscous to break up any lumps. Add the almonds and hazelnuts and toss. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking tin until completely cooled, about 10 minutes.

4) Transfer the couscous to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. 6) Serving suggestion, drizzle the couscous with 60ml of extra-virgin olive oil for a moister texture.

HEALTY TIPS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH STRESS

Stress

Stress seems to play a major role in today’s fast paced society. If not well managed stress can cause major health problems such as headaches, backaches and increased blood pressure. The ability to relax and rejuvenate promotes vivacity and liveliness. Boosting the immune system is an important part of feeling youthful and maintains the health.

Here are healthy tips to relieve stress and leave your body feeling relaxed, vitalized and refreshed.

*warm bath- it’s a proved fact that warm water relaxes the body muscles and rids the body of stiffness and sore joints. Immersing yourself in warm water before bed time causes the body temperature to rise, which enhances sleep. also by adding Epsom salts to your bath water (which are made of mineral magnesium sulfate- a sedative for the nervous system),your skin will absorb the magnesium sulfate which sedates the nervous system and relaxes muscles. Soft music and candle light adds a nice and soft touch to it.

*Massage- massage plays an important role in training the body how to relax and getting rid of muscles knots.

*Yoga and Stretching- yoga trains the body to build up natural response to stress and bring the relaxed state of mind into the everyday life. the slow movement and controlled positions of yoga improves muscle strength, flexibility, breathing, blood circulation, and promotes mental focus and calmness .stretching also reduces tension and anxiety, and slows down the heart rate.

*Music- whether you realize it or not music plays a big part in our lives, listening to relaxing music is a great method of reducing stress and relieving anxiety. The calm .soothing sounds will reduce your tension, blood pressure and promote feelings of tranquility .be aware of how you feel when you hear certain songs and keep listening to the ones that produce a relaxing effect.

*Exercise –regular physical activities strengthens your muscles and releases endorphins, which reduce pain and induce euphoria, therefore improving your mood and mental concentration. Dedicating 15mintues a day to dancing around the house, or riding a bicycle around the neighborhood, will make you feel less stressed .not only is exercise good for the body; it’s good for the mind too.

*Drink tea- both green and black tea contains an amino acid called L-thiamine ,which produces a sense of calmness and relaxation by releasing neurotransmitters(like serotonin and endorphins)in the brain.

*Sleep – getting enough sleep is crucial to your health and has a huge impact on your stress levels. Lack of sleep can leave you feeling cranky, absent –minded and difficulty concentrating on everyday tasks. Sleep gives time for the immune system and body to rejuvenate. Aim to get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Sufficient sleep benefits alertness and memory.

*Read a book –one of the best ways to relax is by sitting down and letting nothing else into your mind except for the words on the pages of a good book. Reading is a way to escape any stress in life. Educate yourself and keep the mind active.

*Take a vacation –not everyone can afford to hop on a plane to a private island whenever they feel stressed, but still don’t mean you can’t create a mini vacation that is affordable for yourself. Find a relaxing yet fun spot near you that can venture off to for the weekend for some peace and quiet

WHO ROCKS IT BEST

Who rocked it best?

No need to  debate on this …bad gal RiRi did a perfect justice to this outfit…..she makes me wanna wear this dress.

Wooow…..this is damn hard yo ..But I say I go with Jennifer. I love the color blend of black mixed with gold and  red lips is a definite yes…..damn she looks sassy, sexy sweet.

Hmmmmm….am going with nicki on this one I like the drama she added to the outfit ,from the hair to her lashes to her bold neck piece…Nicki  its is

This is a hard one because they both look delicious and sexy in that mini white cocktail dress. But I vote for Jessica bel…I like the fact that she added color from her shoes and accessorized …the bangs from her hair added a perfect finish to her sweet sassy look

Errrrr…I think kim looks too old in this outfit but still I love the way kendall rocked it…even tho without no accessories you can see what the designer is trying to pass across…for me I say Kendal rocked it better ..wished kim used a different belt instead of the black and not so serious

Am going with Danni minogue ..i love the way she completed the outfit, the red shoes gave it a different twist of fierceness …taylor downplayed it with the black pumps 

 Am going with Nicole on this one.the nude pumps and bold neck piece  added the sash to the oufit.

This a hard one because they both look gorgeous, but Blake killed it with those long legs, million dollar smile, and the animal print pumps…it cant get better than that.

Kate Middleton of course she is a perfect definition of classy and stylish.