A dancer all of her life, the 34-year-old actress always made some form of exercise a priority. She hasn’t been exactly consistent with anything since her acting career has been getting in the way: a good thing.

Dangerous Curves Ahead! is a post from: Heart & Soul

Giveaway Alert! is a post from: Heart & Soul

A recent study done by the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology researched 200,000 births across the United States.

It found that 44 percent of new mothers were induced when attempting natural birth and that C-sections by these women were twice as likely than those who did not induce labor.

Moreover research shows that doctors may not give new mothers enough time to decide their delivery options and may be forcing them from labor to delivery prematurely.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in March that 32 percent of babies born in the United States are born through C-section. This is reportedly the highest rate recorded. – Natelege Whaley

What do you think of this new trend?\

Increase in C-Section Births; Natural Births Decline is a post from: Heart & Soul

Eat Your (Frozen) Vegetables! is a post from: Heart & Soul

Up, Up and Away: Above Albuquerque is a post from: Heart & Soul

Watch Fantasia’s story in her own words in VH1’s “Behind the Music:”

Fantasia Shares Her Story and Talks Suicide Attempt is a post from: Heart & Soul

I was catching up with my cousin last week, who is probably just like one of your cousins. She’s the gorgeous, successful, fly and single one, with enough ambition to share.

After getting her career to where she wants it and hearing her biological clock get a little louder (her words: “I feel my eggs starting to dry up. I’m not Halle Berry!”), she is ready and hoping for a serious relationship that leads to more.

With her own starting five of men to take her out, meeting guys isn’t the problem.

But wanting to actually share her time and space with someone? An issue.

She’s gotten so used to doing her own thing and having the place to herself, she’s looking at her watch and ready to show any suitor the door before the nightly news starts.

So she developed the perfect plan to getting better with intimacy: get a dog.

My eyes lit up with this revelation.

She then filled me in how a dog was the perfect prep for a boyfriend, how it will make her more warm and affectionate, her top choices for dog (must fit in purse) and friends who’ve rebounded from depression by getting a dog.

I congratulated her on being honest enough with herself to realize she wasn’t totally open to the intimacy she craves. That’s not easy. I also wished her well, if this was what she really wants.

But later that night I wondered if Madame Fifi will become another reason the new guy can’t come over.

If the real issue is wanting to build stronger connections with the opposite sex, than that’s where your focus has to be. A dog can be a beautiful part of your life and more studies prove how smart they really are. But, I have yet to meet the dog who can rub your feet or make pancakes on Saturday morning.

What do you think? Is getting a dog a good way to prepare yourself for a relationship?

Charreah K. Jackson is a writer, editor and certified family life educator. An Atlanta-native, she now lives in Harlem, New York.

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The Best Made Plans

Lovestruck: Girl’s Best Friend? is a post from: Heart & Soul

Looking and feeling cute while you work is important no matter what your size. A hot new outfit is incentive to hit the gym or the trail. With every drop of sweat you honor and challenge the body you have while making it leaner, better, faster, stronger.

Companies are beginning to get it and have started making figure-flattering fitness wear for every body. And the designs are getting  smarter. Ever wonder why the capris that you finally found in your size still just don’t fit right–too loose in the waist, tight in the butt, short in the crotch, tight on the thighs? Because companies sometimes take the quick route and just size clothing up from size 8, rather than sizing down from, say 14 for better proportions. Trust us, a size 16 isn’t just size 8 with twice the fabric.

Some companies have begun to carry workout wear in larger sizes and in proper proportions made of the techiest and softest fabrics. New Balance, the famed shoe company, not only makes shoes in wide and narrow widths, but several items in its fitness clothing lines–including the Lace up for the Cure line of shoes and apparel–come in 2XL as well as 2X-small. (newbalance.com)

Mio Wear (miowear.com) has a small but smart selection of fitness wear ranging form sizes 14-24 and 1XL to 4XL.

Junonia (junonia.com) sizes its clothing up from size 16, carrying sizes from XL to 6XL. Search for the right gear by activities ranging from adventure travel to softball.

Workout wear for curvy girls is getting there, but there’s still a need for a wider array of flattering designs, prettier fabrics and for goodness sakes better looking bras that don’t look like breastplates from the set of “300″.

Walk New York to L.A.: Real Bodies, Real Workout Clothes is a post from: Heart & Soul

A recent study by the Harvard Medical School found that one or more servings a week of dark chocolate was associated with a lower chance of heart failure in middle-aged to elderly-aged women.

In the study 31,823 Swedish women between 48-83 years old were monitored for their food diets and health, between 1998 and 2006.

When eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can be a tasty way of keeping your heart healthy. – Natelege Whaley

How have you changed your diet for your health?

New Study Proves Chocolate is Good for the Heart is a post from: Heart & Soul

The 10th anniversary study, “Financial Experience & Behaviors Among Women,” revealed that 95 percent of women are involved in household financial decisions, with one-fourth acting as primary decision-makers. At the same time, however, two-thirds of women – 64 percent – say they have more work to do to secure their financial future.

“It’s clear that the more women know about money and finance, the more they understand what it’s going to take to meet their future financial needs,” said Christine Marcks, president of Prudential Retirement, a leading provider of 401(k) and other retirement plans. “But it’s disturbing that too few have plans in place to achieve their long-term financial and retirement goals.” The survey found just one-third of women have a detailed financial plan in place, and, among the youngest segment, (ages 25-34) just one in 10 has a financial plan in place. Women cite barriers to developing a detailed financial plan, including lack of time, the pull to meet shorter-term financial obligations, lack of knowledge and, for many, an unmet desire for assistance and help.

Despite the financial setbacks of the economic crisis and concern about continued volatility, more than half of the women surveyed remain optimistic about the country’s economic recovery, although more than 75 percent now plan to either work longer (56 percent) or wonder if they will be able to retire on time (20 percent).

The Prudential study involved a national sample of women who are sole or joint heads of households between the ages of 25 and 64. The group has household income of $50,000 or more. Nearly 60 percent are employed, nearly 75 percent have advanced degrees and half have financial assets of more than $100,000.

Although women are more involved in decision making, many still lack confidence in their ability to make sound financial decisions and lack knowledge about sophisticated financial products—a consistent trend over the course of the 10-year study. “Women’s understanding of basic financial products is strong,” said Lori High, president of Prudential’s Group Insurance business, the second-largest provider of corporate life and disability insurance plans. “Their knowledge of products such as annuities and long-term care insurance has deepened since we conducted our first research in 2000, but it continues to be limited.”

Underscoring this knowledge gap, fewer than two in 10 women feel “very prepared” to make wise financial decisions. Half indicate that they “need some help,” and one-third believe that they “need a lot of help.” Nearly nine in 10 of those who are looking for a lot of help need guidance on how to choose financial products that meet their needs.

“While the need for a trusted financial partner has never been greater, women are relying on informal personal networks for advice,” said Judy Rice, president of Prudential Investments, Prudential’s proprietary mutual fund business. “Building a financial plan requires expert assistance, so it is important that financial firms work hard to build trust and do a better job of encouraging women to find the time to establish realistic plans to meet their specific needs.”

Tell us: What’s your secret to staying in control of your money?

Women Taking Greater Control of Our Finances is a post from: Heart & Soul