There are a million ways to be heard in today's social digital world. Everyday there is a new overnight success story going viral. While the possibilities of reaching the masses can seem endless for new artists, it can also be difficult to set yourself apart as an artist with the potential for longevity and to capture the attention of industry veterans.
As Fat Joe's protégé and a Roc Nation artist, Angelica Vila is already building relationships with the industry's most respected. Preparing for a career in music since the age of seven, the Bronx-based R&B singer was discovered through YouTube. Today, through her social media savvy and undeniable talent, Angelica is strategic about making moves that are memorable. The video for her breakout hit "More In The Morning" garnered over a million views in the first week and has currently climbed to 9 million audio streams.
Taking to heart the advice she received from her mentor Fat Joe, "You can never make a first impression twice", Angelica is also learning the art form of business. Recently, we spoke with Angelica to get her advice on what artists can do to stay true to their vision and get their music heard by the right people.
Bet on yourself.
Photo credit: Mark Clennon
"I had to stop doubting myself. When I left high school, and I was working at American Eagle and college didn't work out, I just felt like it was a little bit difficult for me. I remember this was before I got signed with Fat Joe and Roc Nation, I was going to take a job at Skechers. The first day I was supposed to start my shift, was the same day that was Fat Joe's birthday party. He had invited me and my uncle. It was like a yacht party. So I thought, 'Do I take this chance?' Because no deal was ever in conversation or anything. We were just vibing and getting to know each other in a business and a creative aspect as well. So, I just went with my gut and I said listen, I'm going to go to this yacht party." With zero plans of looking back, taking that risk to follow her gut solidified a business partnership between her and Fat Joe.
Use your platform strategically.
"Social media is very important, especially if you want to be heard [and] if you want to get your name out there. Social media helps you gain your fanbase. Whenever I had to make a singing video or if I was in the mood to make a singing video, I would just do it on the spot and post it at the right time. I feel like more towards the nighttime, people really pay attention to my page. Around 8 pm, people are scrolling through Twitter, Instagram, etc." Having this deep understanding of what works is what has garnered and kept eyes on Angelica since she first made waves with a response remix to Justin Beiber's hit "Sorry" in 2016. Knowing how to use her talent to cut through the noise online is what has ultimately set the stage for the millions of people now tuned into the music she releases.
Photo credit: Mark Clennon
"Sometimes you are not going to get it right the first time. But it takes time. I've been doing music for 10 years now. I'm just now starting to get recognized. It really takes time and you have to be patient with yourself."
Patience will get you furthest.
" Believe in yourself and don't let others' opinions cloud your own judgement. Also, if you have a Plan A, don't plan a Plan B. Once you start planning your Plan B, you are already doubting yourself on what your true passion is. If your first way didn't work out to make your Plan A happen, find another way. Really, it is just about consistency and growth. Sometimes you are not going to get it right the first time. But it takes time. I've been doing music for 10 years now. I'm just now starting to get recognized. It really takes time and you have to be patient with yourself."
Stay true to you.
Photo credit: Mark Clennon
"A lot of times what happens is that an artist can have an idea but there are so many people around them that there are just way too many opinions. It just kind of confuses you because you may have a creative idea and then someone else says, 'I think it should go like this.' It can be tricky sometimes, but in order for you to stick to your sound, you shouldn't listen to other people. Also, you can listen to music for inspiration but don't compare yourself. Music is a vibe. As artists, we overthink a lot of what we are making. We think about what is popping now and we try to go for that rather than actually going with what you feel in the moment."
For more of Angelica, follow her on Instagram.
Featured image by Mark Clennon
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Anyway, one of them was recently expressing in the chat that, although, according to her doctor, her hormone levels seemed to be fine, she felt like certain perimenopause symptoms were telling her otherwise. She’s probably right because the reality is you can be in a state of perimenopause — the transitional phase that comes right before menopause — anywhere from 4-10 years (keep in mind that the average age for entering menopause is 51).
And so, after hearing about some of what she was experiencing and recommending things like evening primrose oil and raspberry leaf tea, it reminded me that I should also pen an article on seed cycling — a practice that is gaining more traction when it comes to all-natural ways of keeping certain hormones in balance.
If you’re curious about what seed cycling is all about, I’ve got a few details that may interest you — and might provide you with some perimenopausal relief — below.
What Is Seed Cycling and Why Is It Becoming More Popular?
GiphyProbably the easiest way to define seed cycling is it’s all about consuming certain seeds during certain times of the month in order to balance out your hormones — well, not only balance hormones but boost fertility and also decrease symptoms that are directly related to menopause.
The thought process of seed cycling is if you consume certain seeds during the first half of your menstrual cycle, it will help to balance out your estrogen levels; then if you consume certain seeds during the other half of your menstrual cycle, it will balance out your progesterone levels.
So, which seeds are you supposed to take?
Flax and pumpkin seeds during the first 14 days of your cycle and then sesame and sunflower seeds during the last 14 days. And what if your period isn’t on a 28-day cycle? Well, then what you would do is take flax and pumpkin seeds during your follicular phase (the first day that you start your period through the day that you ovulate) and sesame and sunflower seeds during your luteal phase (the time that happens right after your ovulate and ends once your period starts). And why these seeds in particular? Were they just pulled out of thin air? Nope.
Flaxseeds contain phytoestrogenswhich is a form of plant-based estrogen. Estrogen is low at the beginning of your menstrual cycle, so phytoestrogens can help your body build up your uterine lining. When you are going through the latter stages of perimenopause/menopause, estrogen levels can significantly decrease; phytoestrogens can help to bring your levels back up. That said, as far as periods are concerned, flaxseeds can help to regulate your cycle (which can also make it easier for you to conceive, if that is something that you are trying to do). As far as perimenopause and menopause are concerned, they can help to make their symptoms more bearable.
Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of magnesium and manganese which help to ease PMS symptoms and reduce menstrual discomfort. When it comes to perimenopause and menopause, magnesium can reduce anxiety and depression and help you to sleep better which can reduce symptoms that are associated with both conditions. And manganese? Manganese helps to regulate blood levels and improve bone density. Pumpkin seeds also contain a considerable amount of zinc that helps to regulate hormones. Fertility-wise, pumpkin seeds can increase testosterone levels and they can help you to have a healthier pregnancy.
Sesame seeds also have phytoestrogens in them; however, the reason why sesame seeds are recommended for seed cycling is because the zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and fatty acids in them are what help to give your progesterone levels a boost during the second half of your menstrual cycle. Progesterone not only creates a healthy uterine lining, if an egg isn’t fertilized, but it also helps your body to shed the lining. When it comes to perimenopause/menopause, progesterone is needed because it can help reduce the impact of hot flashes and menopause-related insomnia. When it comes to conceiving, sesame seeds can help to reduce inflammation and boost your immunity — making it easier for your body to get pregnant.
Sunflower seeds are loaded with vitamin Eand that alone makes them great when it comes to your menstrual cycle and dealing with perimenopause and menopause-related symptoms. That’s because vitamin E helps to reduce period discomfort and, if you happen to have heavy cycles, it can help to decrease the amount of blood that you lose during your cycle as well. For those dealing with perimenopause and menopause, vitamin E helps to bring relief to symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Sunflower seeds can also aid in fertility, thanks to the fatty acids in them that can make it easier to conceive.
So, as you can see, there is a method to the madness when it comes to the seeds that are selected for seed cycling. Okay, but how do you actually incorporate seed cycling into your lifestyle? Good question.
How to Do Seed Cycling in Order to Receive the Most Optimal Results
GiphyIf you want to try seed cycling in order to see if it helps you and your hormones out, this is what you will need to do:
During days 1-14 (again, your follicular phase), you will need to take one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds and one tablespoon of ground pumpkin seeds.
During days 15-28 (again, your luteal phase), you will need to take one tablespoon of ground sesame seeds and one tablespoon of ground sunflower seeds.
The strategy here is if you do this consistently for 3-4 months, you should start to see an improvement when it comes to the imbalance of your hormones. It should also go on record that some health experts recommend adding 1200-1500 mg EPA/DHA to the follicular phase of seed cycling and evening primrose oil to the luteal phase. That’s because EPA/DHA are fatty acids that help to reduce bodily inflammation and evening primrose oil helps to decrease PMS symptoms as well as hot flashes.
As far as side effects go, there currently aren’t any drastic ones that have been reported. The main thing to keep in mind is that you may experience some gas, bloating, or changes in your bowel movement patterns for a moment. That’s because certain seeds are filled with fiber.
How These Seeds Will Benefit Your Health Regardless
GiphyNow that you know more of what seed cycling is all about, you might be wondering if it’s truly worth your while. The truth is that research is still being conducted which means that there are articles out in cyberspace that tend to Elmo shrug seed cycling more than anything else. My two cents? I mean, the fact that the four seeds listed have other health benefits, if you’re someone who prefers to take all-natural approaches to your health, it can’t hurt to up your intake of flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds anyway. Here are a few (additional) reasons why.
Flaxseeds. Aside from the fact that flaxseeds are a beneficial source of fiber and protein, they are also good for you because they are rich in omega-3s (which reduce inflammation and decrease cholesterol levels), they can help to keep your blood sugar levels in check, they are good at assisting with weight management and they can strengthen your digestive system.
Pumpkin seeds. If you’re currently trying to eat less meat yet you don’t want to do it at the sacrifice of your daily protein needs, pumpkin seeds are the answer to your prayers. They are off-the-charts when it comes to how much protein is in them (almost nine grams per serving), plus they contain a solid amount of copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and antioxidants. If you want to improve your bladder health, pumpkin seeds can help to make that happen. If you want a stronger heart, pumpkin seeds offer support in that department.
Something else to keep in mind is, that since pumpkin seeds have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-ulcerative properties in them, they can also help your body to heal from minor issues and wounds faster — which is always a good thing.
Sesame seeds. If you are looking to get more fiber and protein in, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, keep your bones in good shape, uptick your vitamin B intake, and/or strengthen your immune system, these are the areas where sesame seeds can be of great assistance. Something else that’s cool about sesame seeds is they have a reputation for helping to keep your liver and kidneys in peak condition as well.
Sunflower seeds. As far as snacking goes, probably the most popular seeds (on this list, anyway) are sunflower seeds. If they are something that you enjoy indulging in, you can feel good about that since they contain properties that fight cancer, help to regulate your thyroid, assist with preventing muscle cramps, provide you an energy boost, reduce your blood sugar levels, and make your gut (where 80 percent of your immunity resides) healthier.
Hmph. Looks to me that if you take these seeds in, your health is only going to improve — if that includes when it comes to your hormones, then that is just a bonus.
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Now that you know more about seed cycling, of course, it is totally up to you if you want to give it a shot. Again, though — since all of these seeds are good for you, what do you have to lose in trying it?
I don’t see one damn thing, y’all. Not one.
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