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“The Meskel Flower”, a series of photographs is a living archive of Ethiopia’s renewal – Essence

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Elianel Clinton

Last week, we celebrated the Ethiopian New Year, a transitional point with nuanced meaning for those celebrating outside the continent. Each September, the brand new season is symbolized by the blooming of the Meskel flower, often called Adey Abeba in Amharic. The flower has turn into a symbol of beauty and survival in equal measure, reborn flawlessly every year within the Ethiopian highlands despite harsh ecological conditions.

Elianel Clinton

In Amharic, there is a level of linguistic interchangeability when referring to the flower, taking over concomitant meanings of youth, rebirth, and expansion. For artists like Ruhama Wolle, one of many global voices documenting the outpouring of an Ethiopian cultural renaissance currently unfolding, the iconography of the flower is not static. Its radiance and revolt reflect the iconography of a recent generation of artists who convey the facility of displacement and return as a source of expansive invention. In a recent series of photographs titled “Meskel Flower: A Love Letter to Ethiopia“Wolle struggles with a self-declaration of home and identity, unconstrained by miles of distance.

Wolle, an editor and artistic producer, has spent much of the past two years in Ethiopia, returning to search out a cultural renaissance amid the country’s political turmoil and genocide. In the country and its global diaspora, young persons are creating works expanding the narrative who they’re and where they arrive from. This fertility is, nonetheless, a paradox that appears in the course of the constant reckoning with years of war, losses and anxiety which left many Ethiopians grappling with the meaning of homeland.

Elianel Clinton

Artists like Wolle, who spent much of their adolescence abroad, are actually crossing dimensions of transnational identity from the United States and elsewhere, using their heritage as a link to burdened pasts and as-yet-unseen futures. Now, as adults, these young persons are reflecting themselves through multimodal means of expression.

“I came back from Ethiopia with a feeling I just can’t put my finger on,” Wolle tells ESSENCE. “I was around people my age, younger and older, who were embracing Ethiopian life as creatives and following this renaissance that was happening.” Witnessing this had a profound effect, raising questions for Wolle about her purpose as a creative within the diaspora. She founded Meskel Flowers as a option to forge deeper meaning for the memory she carries of the country and her interpretation of its current moment of cultural vitality amidst pain. While conceiving the works, she was immediately struck by the interrupted chronology of representation, shocked by how few representations of Ethiopian femininity she could find at hand. This reinforced her urgency to embody this current moment in much the identical way she had spent her profession doing for others in visual form.

Wolle says she desired to create something intentional on her own terms. “That means really thinking about what it looks like to build the next visualization of ourselves.” She landed on a thoughtful but scalable approach. Rather than attempting to seismically change the visual profile of Ethiopian heritage, she desired to present a component of what it means to listen to, placing her chosen medium in the standard Ethiopian living room space.

Elianel Clinton

“The first person I invited here was my photographer Elianel Clinton,” Wolle said. The two had previously worked together on a deeply personal project, and the producer felt comfortable returning to an artist who knew his craft and revered the portrayal of intimate moments between family members. This recent commemorative project was something Wolle desired to share with the imagemaker, who has demonstrated a capability to traverse the size of black culture with a unified visual profile of softness and reflection.

“To recreate that feeling here, it took a team,” Wolle explained. “I had this vision that I always wanted to create an Ethiopian living room and recreate what home looks like for all of us, whether it’s home for someone living in Ethiopia or Sweden or North Carolina.”

The living room stays intact and recognizable to the Habesha community in each of these migrant homes. Wolle and her creative team desired to present the space as a microcosm of cultural transfer, a sacred space that resists the chaos of change. Within it, braided hair, the ritual of the coffee ceremony, intergenerational laughter under fragrant tendrils of incense—these are the markers that keep the culture grounded, and what Wolle desired to reflect in the pictures.

Scenography designed by a producer from Ethiopia Rediet Haddis and created on site by Zachary Adamswas created from the recognizable signatures of the Ethiopian household, achieved through the collaboration of individuals inside and in solidarity with the East African experience. The project’s achievement itself is a statement in pan-African creative practice, drawing talent from individuals acquainted with the ethos of homecoming and black connectivity, to which Wolle sought to appeal, situating herself inside the particular legacy of Ethiopian history.

Elianel Clinton

The living room, arranged with motifs of woven baskets and family photos, invites a sensory reconstruction of cultural practice, introducing the room as a place of stoicism, where memory and culture usually are not only preserved but actively transformed. In these small, intimate spaces, the Ethiopian heritage continues to breathe, uninterrupted by the distances of the diaspora, now presented with a youthful invitation. This return to childhood fascination was a key feature in achieving the tone of “Meskel Flowers.”

“I wanted us to think about play and our inner child,” Wolle said. “With coffee, just having fun with it and braiding each other’s hair – I wanted it to remind us of when we were young and in our homes. I think my younger self needed that release.”

With their inner child throughout the creative team, they’ve managed to filter the sometimes painful yet artistically fertile depths of Ethiopian history—its calls to resistance, its enduring iconography—and reimagine diasporic gifts for future generations to admire and have a good time.

Elianel Clinton

Returning to Ethiopia after years of absence, as Wolle did, means confronting the contradictions of past and present—of what was lost and what is being recreated. Ethiopia has at all times been a source of artistic energy, a source of inspiration that point and distance couldn’t blunt.

But now there is a collective return, a convergence of the old and recent worlds, and artists like Wolle are each documentarians and participants on this unfolding rebirth. “Meskel Flower” embodies this complexity, paying homage to the nuances of reconstruction while honoring Wolle’s declarations. Most importantly, it focuses on who she is as an Ethiopian-American while weaving paths to the living symbols that maintain heritage bridges across oceans.

Authors:

Photographer | Elianel Clinton


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Why Elon Musk’s Grok Could Pose a Threat to Medical Privacy

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elon musk, DEI, remote work, jobs


Owner of X and candidate for the White House cabinet Elon Musk asked users to submit MRI results, CT scans and other medical information to its AI chatbotGrok reviewed it and a few people fell for it, he reports.

Musk presented this concept to X in late October 2024.

“Try uploading X-rays, PET, MRI, or other medical images to Grok for analysis. It’s still early stages, but it’s already quite accurate and will be extremely good,” he wrote. “Let us know where Grok is doing it right or where it needs work.”

Some individuals who voluntarily submitted photos were comfortable that Grok “did do well” together with his blood test results and breast cancer detection, but others waved red flags against the platform.

Josh Sharp, who goes by @showinvestment on social media, identified how a broken collarbone was viewed as a dislocated shoulder.

Radiologist Docteur TJ provided an in-depth evaluation of the MRI image, which he described partially as “too gross.”

Another example is a robot confusing a mammogram of a benign breast cyst with a picture of the testicles.

Grok was launched in May 2024 after raising $6 billion in an investment financing round through Musk’s tech startup, xAI. Grok is just not the primary of its kind: Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT also enable the transfer of medical images.

While some praise the technology’s potential advances, medical privacy experts don’t not on this camp.

“It’s very personal data, and there’s no telling exactly what Grok will do with it,” said Vanderbilt University biomedical informatics professor Dr. Bradley Malin, according to “Sending personal information to Grok is more like, ‘Whee!’ Let’s throw out this data and hope the corporate does what I need it to do.”

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects medical information shared with physicians or in a patient portal because federal guidelines protect it from being shared without consent. However, the protection doesn’t cover social networking sites – it only applies to doctor’s offices, hospitals, health insurers and a few firms they work with.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Health and Wellness

Essence of the week: Cherry Blossom EDT L’Occitane is a fragrance inspired by spring, perfect for any season – Essence

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We all know L’Occitane almond shower oil gets a lot of love – and for good reason (I’m taking a look at you #BeautyTok).

But there is one other gem of this brand that deserves just as much attention: Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette. Since its launch in 2007, this fragrance has remained a favorite amongst my group of friends, appreciated for its delicate and refined elegance. To be honest, I feel this is what L’Occitane is known for as a brand. And although this scent is often related to the airy freshness of spring, it is a scent that brings a touch of beauty and heat to any season.

The first spritz of Cherry Blossom EDT is soft and alluring, with a subtle hint of cherry and freesia that feels fresh without overdoing it. It’s light and uplifting, like the kind of scent you employ when you would like to feel good but not an excessive amount of (like me most days). As it settles on my skin, notes of cherry blossom and lily of the valley bloom, striking the perfect balance of femininity without feeling overly sweet or dated. There’s nothing heavy or “old school floral” about this scent – it’s fresh, modern and understated in a way that feels sophisticated.

What really makes this fragrance stand out is the base. Brazilian rosewood, amber and musk give it a soft warmth that wraps you want your favorite cashmere scarf. It’s cozy but never heavy, beautifully balancing the delicate flowers. The overall effect is a scent that feels effortlessly polished – the olfactory equivalent of “quiet luxury.”

I do know, I do know – cherry blossoms evoke spring, but that is why this scent works so well all 12 months round. In the colder months, it is a refreshing break from heavy, spicy scents. I mean, I like my ouds and cognacs, but no… Bright notes of cherry and freesia bring a breath of fresh air, while warm base notes of amber and musk give the composition a comforting, grounded feel. It’s like carrying a little bit of spring with you, even when the weather is not sunny. And given the conflicting rumors we’re hearing – at the very least on the East Coast – about how much snow will fall this season, you would possibly just should keep it in your radar.

Why I find it irresistible: While everyone gravitates towards the Almond L’Occitane collection, their EDT Cherry Blossom has turn out to be an unexpected favorite of mine that I still reach for. What I like most about it is how versatile it is. It’s lightweight enough to accommodate skilled meetings or running errands during the day, but still feels special enough for dinner dates or quiet moments at home. The way it evolves on the skin – from a fresh, floral burst to a soft, warm texture – makes it feel personal, like a fragrance created just for you. It’s not flashy or trendy, but that is what makes it timeless.

Perfect pairs: As an eau de toilette, Cherry Blossom advantages greatly from thoughtful layering that highlights its delicate character and prolongs its presence throughout the day. And because Cherry Blossom has a softer sillage, it’s perfect for on a regular basis wear. If you would like to extend its durability or make it a bit more dynamic, layering is the best solution. Start with L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Shower Oil to create a fragrant base, then follow with the Shimmering Body Milk for extra depth and hydration.

If you wish to mix and match, pair Cherry Blossom EDT with complementary fragrances. Kayali Vanilla 28 adds a cozy sweetness that blends beautifully with the floral notes, while Commodity Milk+ brings out the creamy warmth of the base. On the fun side, the marshmallow and ambrette notes of Ellis Brooklyn SWEET add a delicate, sweet touch that prolongs the persistence of the cherry blossom accord. Spray the fragrance base first, let it settle, after which top with cherry blossom for a custom scent that can last all day.

EDT Cherry Blossom by L’Occitane is a masterclass in subtle sophistication. Founder Olivier Baussan put it perfectly: “It is because cherry blossoms fly away with the first breath of spring that they are so rare and precious.” This fragrance captures ephemeral beauty in a bottle. Final Verdict: If you appreciate fragrances that whisper slightly than shout, that talk of sophistication slightly than trends, L’Occitane’s Cherry Blossom EDT is value considering. It’s the olfactory equivalent of finding the perfect light – subtle, beautiful and absolutely fascinating.

Fragrance is deeply personal, but some fragrances gain universal appeal due to their masterful composition. This is one of them.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

You don’t have to add sugar to your cranberry sauce this holiday season – a food scientist explains how to cook with less sweeteners

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Holidays are stuffed with tasty and filling dishes and drinks. It’s hard to resist dreams of cookies, special cakes, wealthy meats and exceptionally spicy additions.

Many of the healthy ingredients utilized in holiday dishes could be overshadowed by sugar and starch. While adding extra sugar could also be tasty, it isn’t necessarily good for your metabolism. Understanding the food and cuisine science behind what you cook means you may make a few changes to a recipe and still have a delicious dish that won’t loaded with sugar.

Especially for those who’re someone with type 1 diabetes, the vacations can come with an additional layer of stress and soaring blood glucose levels. However, this just isn’t the time to despair – it’s the vacations in spite of everything.

Cranberries are a seasonal, tasty fruit that could be tweaked in recipes to make them more Type 1 diabetic-friendly – or friendly to anyone searching for a sweet dish without the added sugar.

I’m a food scientist and sort 1 diabetes. Understanding food composition, ingredient interactions, and metabolism literally saved my life.

Type 1 diabetes has been defined

Type 1 diabetes it lasts all day, without sleep breaks, without holidays and weekends, without remission and without cure. Type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, a hormone essential for all times, which promote the absorption of glucose, i.e. sugar, into cells. Glucose in your cells then provides the body with energy on the molecular level.

Therefore, people with type 1 diabetes take insulin injections using an insulin pump attached to their bodies and hopefully it really works well enough to stabilize our blood sugar levels and metabolism, minimize health complications over time, and keep us alive.

Type 1 diabetics have in mind mainly type and amount of carbohydrates in food when determining how much insulin to take, but in addition they need to understand the interactions of proteins and fats in food to use it, or bolusappropriately.

Apart from insulin, type 1 diabetics don’t produce one other hormone, amylin, which slows down gastric motility. This means food moves faster through our digestive tract and we regularly feel very hungry. Foods high in fat, protein and fiber can keep you from feeling hungry for a while.

Cranberries, a seasonal snack

Cranberries are native to North America and grow well within the northeastern and midwestern states, where they’re in season from late September through December. They dominate holiday tables everywhere in the country.

Cranberries are a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but cranberry sauce tends to be high in sugar.
bhofack2/iStock via Getty Images

One cup of whole, raw cranberries comprises 190 calories. They are composed of 87% water, trace amounts of protein and fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates and just over 4 grams of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber combines well with water, which is sweet for digestive health and might slow the rise in blood glucose levels.

Cranberries are tall IN potassiumwhich helps maintain electrolyte balance and cell signaling, in addition to other essential nutrients similar to antioxidants, beta-carotene AND vitamin C. They also contain vitamin Kwhich helps in healthy blood clotting.

The taste and aroma of cranberries comes from compounds present in fruits similar to cinnamates, which add a hint of cinnamon, vanillin for a vanilla note, benzoates AND Benzaldehydethat tastes like almonds.

Cranberries are high in pectin, a soluble starch that forms a gel and is used as a binding agent in making jams and jellies, in order that they thicken easily with minimal cooking. Their beautiful jewel tone red color belongs to a class of compounds called anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins with which they’re associated treating certain forms of infections.

They also contain phenols, that are protective compounds produced by the plant. These compounds, which appear like rings on the molecular level, interact with proteins within the saliva, causing a dry and tight feeling that causes the mouth to pucker. Similarly, the so-called benzoic acid naturally occurring in cranberries, it adds sourness to the fruit.

These chemical components make them extremely sour and bitter and difficult to eat raw. To moderate these flavors and effects, most cranberry recipes call for plenty of sugar.

All this extra sugar could make cranberry dishes difficult for type 1 diabetics to devour since the sugars cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly.

Cranberries without sugar?

Type 1 diabetics – or anyone looking to limit their sugar intake – can try some cooking tactics to reduce their sugar intake while still having fun with this holiday treat.

Don’t cook the cranberries too long once they pop. You’ll still have a sticky cranberry liquid without having to add a lot of sugar, because cooking concentrates a number of the bitter compounds, making them more visible within the dish.

A row of spoons, each filled with a pile of powdered spice.
Adding spices to cranberries can improve the flavour of the dish without the added sugar.
klenova/iStock via Getty Images

The addition of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and other warming spices gives the dish a depth of flavor. Adding heat with hot chili pepper it might make a cranberry dish more complex while reducing sourness and astringency. Adding salt can reduce the bitterness of cranberries, so you will not need a lot of sugar.

For a richer flavor and glossy quality, add butter. The butter also moisturizes the lips, which reinforces the natural tartness of the dish. Other fats, similar to cream or coconut oil, also work.

Adding chopped walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts may decelerate the absorption of glucose, so your blood glucose levels may not rise as quickly. Some recent forms of sweeteners, similar to allulosethey taste sweet but don’t raise blood sugar levels and require minimal or no insulin. Allulose has GRAS – Generally Regarded as Safe – status within the US but just isn’t approved as an additive in Europe.

During the holiday season, you may easily reduce the quantity of sugar added to cranberry dishes and revel in the health advantages without spikes in blood glucose levels.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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