Does Bloom Nutrition Actually Work?

 TikTok has been a source of many different wellness and fitness trends and one of the biggest trends I have seen is the brand Bloom Nutrition and its line of greens and superfood powders. A number of social media influencers have made brand deals with Bloom to promote their product and claim that it has gotten rid of their bloating completely and improved other aspects of their health including skin, aiding digestion, boosting their immune system, and overall wellbeing. The brand has gone viral on TikTok with their numerous brand deals but what a lot of people don’t recognize is that these influencers are getting paid to promote the product even if the product may not work. Many of these influencers are very skinny and often attractive, making their target audience who consist of young adults and women, likely to believe that Bloom is very effective.

 

To begin, Bloom Nutrition does not provide third-party testing and is NOT FDA-approved meaning that the ingredients in their product could potentially be harmful and contain unsafe substances (Willis and Viegas, 2023.) There are no proven results of this product actually working other than influencers on TikTok who are being paid to promote it claiming that Bloom works. The best probiotics on the market include 100 million to 50 billion colony-forming units where as Bloom’s added probiotics do not list any colony-forming units at all. Bloom also claims to have a 1,606-gram fiber blend, but the listed amount of dietary fiber is only two grams which only makes up 7% of the daily recommended amount (Igo, 2023.) The amount of ingredients in Blooms superfood greens powder are too small to provide a significant health benefits and health expert Jaclyn London states “The biggest problem from a nutrition standpoint is that because it’s presumably produce [fruits and vegetables] in powdered form, you’re automatically losing out on the fiber, antioxidants, water and key mineral benefits that you would otherwise be getting if you were to eat a whole food in any form” (Silva, 2023.)

 

Some pros of the brands green powder include being manufactured in a Certified Good Manufacturing Practices facility, having a sweet taste, and including a serving scoop. But when compared to all the cons of this product, the negatives definitely outweigh the positives. The powder also comes in two sizes, the 30 serving portion which is $39.99 plus shipping and handling or a 60 serving tub which is $79.99 plus shipping and handling. With today’s influencer culture, there is no question on why this trend is popular, people are so influenced nowadays and when the product is being promoted by young, skinny, attractive, girls, it makes the product seem a lot more appealing and effective. I would highly recommend that individuals do not feed in to this trend because the lack of scientifical evidence proving that the product actually works and that it is not even FDA approved. The product is also quite expensive and can be replaced with much cheaper and effective replacements such as actual whole foods and ingredients or other superfood powers that are supported by science.

Got Downtime?

 With school coming to a close, it's time to plan those movie dates. Here are a few films that are currently out and a few that are still to come. 

#1 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 

Release Date: May 5, 2023

Rating: PG-13 

Everyone’s favorite batch of Marvel heroes are back and have already accumulated $318.7 million in the box office. Guardians of the Galaxy films have been loved especially because of lead actor Chris Pratt. Whether you’re a Marvel lover or not, this movie is sure to deliver comedy while also tugging on our heart strings. Movie critics are calling it, “One of the best Marvel movies of all time”. 

#2 Fast X 

Release Date: May 19, 2023

Rating: PG-13 

The tenth movie of the Fast and Furious franchise has some of the wildest stunts yet. The budget for the movie is 340 million and I would imagine they’re expecting to at least break even. The trailer itself features tricks and flips that have never been performed in their previous movies. If you are into action, adventure or suspense this is the movie for you but you might want to give yourself a quick refresher on what happened last time. 

#3 The Little Mermaid

Release Date: May 26,2023

Rating: PG

This movie is one that I am overjoyed and extremely excited for. Disney faced immense backlash after the casting of Ariel due to the fact that Halle Bailey is a Black woman. Through the hate on social media, and the endless harassment Bailey faced online, they continued to film and now the movie is set to release in theaters May 26th. Merchandise for the film is already flying off of the shelfs and families are gearing up to rush to the theaters. This film is not one to miss and is definitely worth buying pre-sale tickets for. 

#4 Spider Man: Across the Spider Verse 

Release Date: June 2nd 

Rating: Not Yet Rated  

One of our favorite neighborhood Spiderman is coming back to the big screen. Miles Morales being Afro-Latino has been praised by the media since his introduction in 2018. Coming back to the big screen for a second film, Marvel fans are anticipating this to be better than the first. 

After finals are over try to treat yourself to a movie date or go with a bunch of friends. Try to sit back and detox and also pat yourself on the back for completing another semester of school.

Tupac Faked His Own Death & Here's The Proof

 Tupac Faked His Own Death & Here's The Proof

Who Is Tupac? 

I'm sure you guys have all heard of the man, the myth, and the legend himself: Tupac. But, if you haven't and before we get into the conspiracy of it all, let's start with a history lesson. Tupac Amaru Shakur was one of the greatest rappers of all time. His most popular songs are "Ambitionz Az A Ridah," "All Eyes On Me," and arguably one of his most known, "California Love." 

In 1995, "after the double-platinum success of Me Against the World, Tupac Shakur went looking for a new label. He found one in Suge Knight's Death Row" (theboombox.com). Note: Remember the name Suge Knight, he is very instrumental in this story. Prior to signing with Knight, Pac was in jail for nine months. The night before the verdict was about to put him in jail he got shot, for the first time. However he lived, went to jail and when he was released he officially signed with Death Row Records. 

The Night Tupac Was "Shot Dead" 

Just a year after Tupac was signed, on September 13th 1996, he was issued as dead. Here is the story... On September 7, 1996, Tupac was "in the lobby of the MGM Grand hotel engaging in a violent scuffle with a man later speculated to be a member of the Los Angeles-based Southside Crip street gang. Hours later after a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas, Shakur was riding as a passenger in a car driven by Death Row Records head Marian "Suge" Knight when a white Cadillac pulled yup alongside them at a stoplight on Flamingo Road and opened fire." Tupac was issued dead six days later" (history.com). However, very interestingly, Tupac's murdered was never arrested or tried for his "murder." 

The Last Photo of Tupac Before Getting Shot 

Evidence Part 1: The Coroners Report 

Now, let's talk about the parts of this story that just don't add up. In Pac's coroner's report, he is listed at weighing 215 pounds and being 72 inches tall (six feet). This was dated and exported on September 13, 1996. However on Pac's drivers license that was issued only four months prior to his death, he is listed at weighing 168 pounds and only being 5'10. So somehow in four months not only did Tupac gain almost 50 pounds, but he also shrunk two inches. 

Evidence Part 2: History Repeats Itself 

Just two months after Tupac died his album "The Don Killuminati" was released. However, although the music was Tupac's, following his death it was released under a new "stage name:" Makaveli. 

There is a lot of speculation that has led people to believe that Pac got this name from Nicole Machiavelli. Nicole was from Florence, Italy and was a war strategist during the renaissance. According to biography.com, "Today, Machiavelli is regarded as the "father of modern political theory" (biography.com). Stay with me, because this is when things start to click. 

In one of Niccolo's books, there is a section that explains how a fox can defeat its enemies. Foxes achieve this by faking their own death. Now this could all be looked at as a stretch in attempt to connect the two, but the proof is in the spelling. Pac spelled his version of "Makaveli" different from Niccolo's original spelling. 

Niccolo Machiavelli Versus Tupac's Spelling of the Name 

This isn't that significant, UNTIL you rearrange the letters of Tupacs "Makaveli," which spells out: 

"AM ALIVE K"

Evidence Part 3: Kasinova The Don 

I won't leave you hanging, I'm sure you're wondering what the "K" stands for. This is going to be a big jump, but the "K" stands for Kasinova the Don. Kasinova the Don is a rapper who sounds incredibly similar to Tupac, from his flow, to his style, even his voice. Take a listen for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTbJFJgDXYI

Let's dissect the lyrics from his song: Mystery. This song came out in 2012, and at the beginning of the song he says, "it's been 16 years, still stuck in a dark cage. Living in my mind, thinking about that fateful day." What is 2012 minus 16 years? You guessed it, 1996, the year Tupac was shot. 

More Lyrics from Mystery by Kasinova the Don 

But the question remains: why come back as Kasinova instead of Makaveli Well just like Makaveli was a reference to Niccolo, Kasinova is a reference to Giacomo Casanova. 

Evidence Part 4: Who is Giacomo Casanova

Giacomo Casanova was a famous writer in Venice from the 1700's. After he was exiled from the republic of Venice, he started signing his works under a fake alias so that it could still pass into Venice. Does this sound like someone we know? Pac basically confirms this theory in his song "I Don't Give A F***" where he implements this very suspicious lyric. 

Lyrics from Tupac's song "I Don't Give A F***"

If you're still doubting me, let me bring it home for you. After Tupac died his song "Initiated" was released. This was released on February 13, 1996... exactly five months after Tupac died. During the evidence portion of this, we have referenced two major influential people that give clues to Tupac's planned death: Makaveli and Kasinova the Don. What would you get if you combined these two names? 

Makaveli + Kasinova the Don = MAKAVELI THE DON 

Tupac is literally spelling it out with us that he faked his own death, and it's all in his lyrics. 

How He Got Away With It 

Let's look at the logistics of things, because faking your death is not easy and in most cases, not legal. But Tupac died in Las Vegas, Nevada, and according to H&P Law (an injury law firm in Las Vegas), "There are no federal or Nevada state statutes that would prohibit you from playing dead or disappearing. Plotting your fake death is perfectly legal if you are looking to disappear" (zachariah-parry.squarespace.com).

Now, the opposing argument might ask, "why didn't Tupac fake his death earlier, or even the first time he got shot?" This is because there are some regulations when trying to fake your death, "Violating Court Orders: Court orders are a legal obligation. If you are trying to get away with not having to face the consequences of your actions, you will get yourself into trouble" (zachariah-parry.squarespace.com). If you remember, when Pac was shot the first time he had to go to court the next day. This was due to a sexual assault conviction, therefore when looking at the legalities it would have even illegal for Pac to fake his death at this time, thus debunking this opposition. Since Pac already served his time in jail and wasn't facing any other legal problems, it was perfectly legal for him to fake his own death. 

Why He Did It

It's been argued that Tupac faked his death to escape the problems he faced while he was in the media's eye, such as being involved in gang violence and becoming a rising and powerful star. Hollywood is a dark place and the more famous you are the more susceptible you are to evil, like for instance: The Illuminati. It's no wonder that Tupac's first album following his death was "The Don Killuminati," which sounds very similar to Kill Illuminati. Tupac was trying to protect himself, and I genuinely believe he was successful. 

With That Being Said, I Rest My Case. Did I Convince You? 

Go Evelyn Hugo!

 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a very popular book by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It follows the story of journalist, Monique Grant, as she gets to interview a private, old Hollywood Starlette, Evelyn Hugo. Hugo has been in hiding for decades and her secrets are all going to come out in this one interview.

I loved this story. It was so captivating. If you like Old Hollywood, then you will definitely love this story. Hugo is described kind of like Marilyn Monroe, but if she didn't die. She is a blond bombshell who first stars in goofy movies, until she has a breakout role. The book tells the story of Hugo as she gets married and divorced from the varies gentlemen. I like that every marriage shows different aspects of her life.

*Spoilers from here on out*

It personally changed my view of Hollywood in general. It showed me the importance of PR. It seems like everyone in that world only does things to get ahead. Every marriage is not for love, but personal gain. I was most fascinated in the relationships between people. It was by far my most favorite thing. From the beginning Evelyn was trying to get ahead. I also like that at the end she realizes that none of it is really important and what is most is love.

I loved how Evelyn was bisexual and her real love was a female. I loved the story of what it was like at the time. I also like that it shows the difference society puts between bisexual and gay. There is a scene where she explains that since she is actually capable of loving a man, she won't be casted as bad as her lover who isn't bisexual. It is a hard truth about societies belief of conventionalism. I also like it doesn't any part of the relationship.

I honestly loved seeing the love between Harry and Evelyn. I loved seeing the true friendship and how he was always there for her. I also liked that they had a child together. Evelyn loved him to the end which is why she covered everything about his death up. He was gay as well. At the time that was forbidden so when he died with his partner she went and made sure that it never got out.

Monique's storyline was kind of bland, but the aspect of figuring out why Evelyn chooses her kept me intruded until the end. When it was revealed that her dad was gay and Harry's lover I was in shock. I really liked the story line and thought it really tied everything together.

Overall, this was a great book with great content. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I understand why Booktok is constantly recommending this book. I didn't want to read it for a long time because I figured it would be overhyped, but actually it is worth the hype.