Press Pause: Freezer-Friendly Meals, Nostalgic Sitcoms, and More

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This week's picks coming in 3,2,1… 

1. Our fave wellness products from Black-owned brands.

Like an avocado moisture mask for your hair, a shea butter body cream, and a vitamin C serum for acne scars. You-time starts now.

2. 8 ways to actually reduce food waste.

For anyone who’s still unclear: green is the new black. So here’s how to make sure your eating habits aren’t hurting Mother Earth. 

3. Smart products that’ll help you reenergize your sex life.

This list has a massage oil for you and your partner, a G-spot vibrator, and a water-based lube. We’re not blushing, you’re blushing.

4. Must-read books about Black history and identity to add to your bookshelf.

We’ve got a National Book Award winner, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and more. Consider these essential during Black History Month and beyond. 

5. How to give your face a workout. (Yes you read that right).

Hear us out: toning exercises but for your face and neck. It’s 2021 people...there’s no shame in getting weird for self-care. 

6. 10 nostalgic sitcoms that celebrate Black joy.

Tia and Tamera. Kenan and Kel. Name some more iconic duos...we’ll wait. 

7. How to meal prep a week’s worth of freezer-friendly meals.

Because you don’t have time (or energy) to take on “Chopped” challenges after a long day of Zoom meetings. Put in the hustle now. And eat all the payoffs later.

8. Mistakes to avoid when working out from home. 

Raise your hand if you miss getting shamed for your bad plank form in front of strangers. Here’s how to channel your fave instructors and make sure you’re getting those sweat sessions done right. 

9. Recipes from Black food bloggers to try ASAP.

Warning: opening this will induce hunger. This roundup’s got breads, sweets, veggie dishes, and more. Virtual potluck here you come.  

10. How to clean your fridge when you just don’t have the time. 

Believe it or not, cleaning out our freezing food dungeon is not at the top of the list of things we enjoy doing. These tips make it easy and painless. 

11. As always, three totally random things that made us happy:

These fuzzy slippers, a miniature Scrabble set, and this wavy candle. 

12. Oh, and if you're still reflecting on "Framing Britney Spears"...

The doc got us thinking about celebrity and tabloid culture, and the way women are treated in the public eye. Here’s what to do next if you’re in the same boat:

• Listen to “You’re Wrong About.” On the pod, two journalists re-examine big news stories that the media and public, well, got kind of wrong. Hint: it makes you rethink what you know about women who’ve made headlines over the years. We rec the Janet Jackson Super Bowl ep, and the one about Anna Nicole Smith. 

• Read “90s Bitch” by Allison Yarrow. About how women like Monica Lewinsky, Tonya Harding, and Anita Hill, were shamed and scrutinized. If it sounds a lot like a precursor for all the misogyny that went down with Brit, you’re not wrong. 

• Watch “Didn't We Almost Have It All.” It’s the new Whitney Houston documentary that looks at the parallel pressure and criticism Houston and her daughter both faced during their time in the spotlight.

PS: If you buy anything from this email, theSkimm may get something in return. Oh, and if something’s out of stock, oops, it was there when we published this. Thanks.

Skimm'd by: Lindsay Schneider, Jessica Kelly, Alexandra Napoli