La Voz Hispana article #4

Inexpensive Beauty Secrets

by Shannon Ridgway

Want to look your best without spending a fortune? Try these inexpensive yet very effective options listed below. Minimal maintenance AND minimal money spent. You can't get any better than that!

FOR YOUR HAIR

In a rush, no time to wash? Try dry shampoo. It's basically a powder that absorbs the oil from your scalp. Try Batiste Dry Shampoo, $7 Sally Beauty Supply

FOR YOUR LIPS AND EYELASHES:

Try petroleum jelly. Use on your lips to smooth and soften, and on your eyelashes to condition and strengthen. Just remember: a little bit goes a long way. Vaseline: $3.50, Wal-Mart

FOR YOUR SKIN:

To moisturize and even out skin tone, Vitamin E Oil works wonders. If it seems too greasy, just mix it with your regular moisturizer. Nature's Bounty Natural Vitamin E Oil, liquid: $8.99, walgreens.com

FOR YOUR EYES:

The caffeine in cooled tea bags acts as a diuretic to reduce the moisture that causes under eye puffiness and discoloration. They usually cost around $5 per box and are available at the grocery store.

FOR YOUR TEETH:

Instead of spending lots of money on whitening strips or gel, use a cloth to rub some baking soda onto your teeth twice a day. After a couple of weeks your teeth will be sparkly white again!

LA VOZ HISPANA
article #3

Pensando en Nosotras
The Strong Woman and the Novel

Ever notice that female characters in today's books are dull and boring, either playing the fashion victim, the klutz or the damsel in distress? Me too. So being that it's winter and we're all stuck inside anyway, I thought I'd recommend some books that include strong female characters. So grab some hot cocoa and let's get to reading!

The Secret Life of Bees
by Sue Monk Kidd

This is a beautiful, romantic and dynamic story of a young woman whose life has spun out of control by a sudden tragedy--the death of her mother. The novel is set in the South in the early sixties, and tells the story of an unlikely alliance--Lily and her stand-in black mother Rosaleen--as they leave their town and move in with three black sisters who teach them about their lives as beekeepers. As you read this you will feel nothing but compassion for the heroine Lily as she falls in love, struggles with the pervasive issue of racism, and eventually grows into a strong young woman.

The Harry Potter series
by JK Rowling

Join Harry, Hermione and Ron at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as they embark upon multiple adventures to take down the evil Lord Voldemort. Hermione, the main female character of the novel, starts out being described as a "bossy know-it-all," but turns out to be the smartest one of thr trio and the one to rescue the group from one too many a perilous situation. This is definitely a book that demonstrates that girls can be the hero too!

Like Water for Chocolate
by Laura Esquivel

What makes this book so amazing is the "magical realism" style in which it is written. By incorporating magical and fantasy elements into an otherwise realistic story, the author creates a larger-than-life tale filled with romance, recipes and magic during the time of the Mexican Revolution. The ending will blow you away and you will truly feel the joy, pain and agony that this young Latina woman experiences in her quest to escaper her oppresion and find true love.

The Color Purple
by Alice Walker

This book holds a spot in my top five favorites of all time. If you truly want to understand suffering and the power of transformation, read this. Celie is an abused, neglected, beaten young black woman who overcomes virtually every obstacle life throws at her to grow into a powerful and inspirational woman.

*all of the above titles are available in English and Spanish at www.amazon.com