Will the real Queen B please stand up?  Ok, so these two ladies are Divas in their own right, and well, I doubt they are engaged in any real competition with each other. No, these two successful women probably want to see the other continue to do well and top the charts––as long as their spot at the top is safe that is.

I have been called a seducer.
News to me, because that title implies some sort of power
and power is not something I can claim to possess …
at least when it comes to dealing with members of the opposite sex.

So it’s that time of year––time for turkey and stuffing, ham and macaroni and cheese, and pies, cakes and cookies galore. What’s a girl (or body conscious guy) to do?

No one in their right mind can say no to grandma’s cobbler or mom’s macaroni and cheese (my mom puts her foot in this dish!). Below are a few tips on how you can enjoy the yummy foods of the holiday season, without enjoying a larger pants size when the season is over!


Eat First
I know, this sounds backwards, but hear me out. Before heading to Auntie’s for Thanksgiving dinner, eat a little something healthy. Maybe have a salad or some fruit––anything so that you will have a bit more control around that German Chocolate cake!

The “I’ve already ruined my diet” Syndrome
I’m guilty of it too. You just say, “What the hell? I’ve already had two plates of glazed ham and butter rolls, I might as well try the roast beef and smoked turkey while I’m at it. I’ve already blown my diet.”  Yes, holiday foods like those mentioned are not typically in one's daily diet, but newsflash: an extra calorie is still an extra calorie. Don’t just throw in the towel, fight! Fight like hell to still fit into your skinny jeans come 2009!

Look Out for Plate Pushing Grandmas
I know we all hate to hurt Grandma’s feelings, but it’s ok to say no to that extra plate. No matter how many times she says “Oh baby, you’re all skin and bones” or “you won’t lose that shape with one more piece or corn bread.” (Is anyone feeling me or is this just my grandmother?) I know there is no conspiracy by your loving relatives to ruin your diet, but avoid this like the plague!

Balance is the Key
Ok, so you know there is no way you can say no to that second plate of mom’s macaroni and cheese and you love apple pie so you know you’ll be eating a bit of that as well. What to do? Be smart on the day before. Consume fewer calories that day (or even that week leading up to the big dinner). Stock up on greens and Lean Cuisines so that you “make room” for the glorious calories to come.  

Drink & Be Merry…but not too Merry
So I have bad news––liquor has calories in it. I know, I didn't want to believe it either! Easy on the candy cane martinis and eggnog.

It’s a Family Affair
Plan a family walk or dance off. (Again, is it just my family that breaks into MJ dance moves after turkey?) Get active with the family after the meal so you all feel a little less guilty about those multiple plates.  

So there you have it. This list is by no means complete, but if you follow my advice you may minimize the damage to your waistline that the holidays can bring. Enjoy the food and the family just be smart about it.

Happy eating!

Photography by GMO Photographer Billy Montgomery.  Model: Tatianah Green

Three Women to Add to Your iPod Now!

Who is she: Keri Hilson is an R&B singer and songwriter signed to Zone 4/Mosley Music Group/Interscope Records. She is part of a collective of writers and producers known as The Clutch.

Current Hot Single: “Energy”

Where else you’ve heard her: Timbaland's Shock Value. She was the featured artist on "The Way I Are.” She is also featured on the lead single, "Hero" from Nas' album, Untitled.

Where else you’ve seen her: She played the lead role in Usher's music video "Love in This Club" and was in Nelly’s “Party People” video.

What you may not know: Keri has written music for the likes of Britney Spears, Toni Braxton, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Ciara, Usher, Teairra Mari, Danity Kane, the Pussycat Dolls, Avant, Jennifer Lopez, and more.

What’s Next: Hilson is set to work on Britney Spears’ follow-up to Blackout (on which she is listed as a songwriter and background vocalist). Her debut solo album, In A Perfect World..., is being issued as a joint release from Mosley Music Group (Tim's label) and Zone 4 (Polow's label) as an imprint of Interscope Records (Jimmy Iovine's label). In A Perfect World... will be released October 14, 2008. The album's first single "Energy” is getting substantial airplay and the second single, "Turn Off," features rapper Lil’ Wayne.


Who is she: Singer/songwriter Jazmine Sullivan

Current Hot Single: “Need You Bad”

Where else you’ve heard her: You can find Ms. Sullivan’s name on the background credits for the Missy Elliott produced tracks off of Fantasia’s Free Yourself album, as well as in the  songwriting credits on two tracks from Christina Milian’s last album, So Amazin’, including the album’s first single, “Say I,” which features Young Jeezy. The young artist also recorded tracks for 50 Cent’s last album, Curtis.

Where else you’ve seen her: At  the age of 11 she made her national television debut on "Showtime at the Apollo."

What you may not know: By the age of 13, Jazmine was asked to sing with musical legend Stevie Wonder. Initially signed to Jive Records by the president of the label, Clive Calder, Jazmine worked on an album with heavyweight producers Missy Elliott, Timbaland and production duo Cool & Dre. Things didn’t work out and after three years, she left the label.

What’s Next: Currently signed to Clive Davis’ J Records, Jazmine's debut album Fearless is set for a September 23, 2008 release.

Who is she: Singer/actress/model Jennifer Hudson

Current Hot Single: “Spotlight”

Where else you’ve heard her: Jennifer Hudson is featured in a duet, “The Future Ain't What it Used to Be” on Meat Loaf's Bat out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose album. She is also on Ne-Yo's second album Because of You, singing on the track “Leaving Tonight.” In addion, Ms. Hudson has recorded a new song with rapper Papoose, titled “Special,” and sings “All Dressed In Love” on the Sex and the City: The Movie soundtrack.

Where else you’ve seen her: On the third season of American Idol; Alongside Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and Anika Rose as Effie White in 2006’s Dreamgirls. Ms. Hudson won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for this role. She also starred as Carrie’s assistant is Sex and the City: The Movie.

What you may not know: With the March 2007 issue, Jennifer Hudson became the third African American celebrity, and the first African American singer, to grace the cover of Vogue magazine. The single “Spotlight” was written by Ne-Yo. Also, Ms.Hudson performed the national anthem at the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

What’s Next: In 2008, Ms. Hudson is scheduled to appear as Kathy Archenault in Winged Creatures, a film based on the novel by Roy Freirich, with Forest Whitaker, Guy Pearce, Kate Beckinsale, and Dakota Fanning. In early 2008, she began filming her fourth film, The Secret Life of Bees, in which she play Rosaleen, the mother figure of Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning). Also starring in the film are Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo, and Alicia Keys.

On the music side of things, Ms. Hudson’s self-titled debut album will be released on September 30, 2008, on Arista Records.