Since I talk/write about sex a lot, it’s only fitting that I would talk/write about the vagina quite a bit as well. And since today, the theme is all about foods that are in season during autumn, and foods that are really good for vaginal health, before I get into it, I want to share a bit of the method to my madness.
Aside from the fact that your diet plays a highly significant role in your vagina’s pH levels, how much good bacteria remains in it, how to keep candida under control, and even how much natural lubrication occurs, some foods are also aphrodisiacs — including ones that are in abundance during this time of the year (check out “10 In-Season Fall Foods That Are Incredible Aphrodisiacs”).
Now watch this: Since the fall and winter seasons are actually the best time of year to get up under a cable knit blanket and some flannel (or silk; silk can keep you warm too) sheets with your man and do more than just cuddle (check out “Did You Know Fall & Winter Are The Best Times To Have Sex?”), I thought I would provide you with a 10-point grocery list of fall-themed foods (and recipes) that are delicious, great for your vaginal health and might inspire you to want to “give thanks” with your bae thang — long before Thanksgiving even arrives.
The 10 Best Fall Foods For Vaginal Health
1. Bell Peppers
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Since this is the time of year when colds, the flu, and also COVID (yep, it’s back upticking; be careful out here) like to make their presence especially known, it always works in your favor to consume foods that are high in vitamin C and antioxidants; that way, you can proactively help to keep your immune system nice and strong. Bell peppers are a food that covers this particular base. Plus, they contain vitamins A and E, potassium, and folate. As far as additional benefits go, if you’re looking for a low-calorie food that will maintain your eye health or even keep your anemia in check, bell peppers can handle both of these things as well.
And why are they great for your vagina? Something else in bell peppers is carotenoids; they are a type of antioxidant that’s been proven to help your health when it comes to fighting off free radicals, softening wrinkles, lowering the risk of breast, ovarian, and vaginal cancer, and even lowering the risk of dementia. Carotenoids also help to keep yeast in check, so if you have a fungus sensitivity (like I do), that’s one more reason to pick up some bell peppers soon.
Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup
2. Collards
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Something that brings me a lot of joy is a big bowl of vegan collards with some homemade cornbread in it. CHILE. Every time that I make some, I don’t feel the least bit guilty about it either since collards are a dark, leafy green vegetable, and those are on the superfood list. Shoot, with good reason, too, since collard greens are packed with vitamins A and C, iron, magnesium, and calcium, which all work together to strengthen your bones, lower your blood pressure, and keep your liver in good condition. Collards also have fiber that can keep you regular. Plus, if your hair is on the drier side, the properties of collard greens can increase sebum production on your scalp, which can add more moisture to your locks — from root to tip.
Since collards are full of vitamin C, when you eat them, you are helping your vaginal health when it comes to maintaining its pH levels, providing an environment for more good bacteria to grow, and helping to heal bacterial vaginosis from the inside out.
Recipe: Southern Collard Greens 101
3. Sweet Potatoes
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If there is a fall-themed debate that will probably never go away, it’s the argument over whether sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie tastes better. Although I personally like both, I must admit that, overall, I prefer sweet potatoes. Chile, I will throw one in the oven and add some butter, honey, and a dash of salt to it in a heartbeat! I won’t think twice either because it’s a veggie that has fiber, a ton of vitamin C, some vitamin A, copper, manganese, and different forms of vitamin B, too. All of this helps to keep your gut in great shape, boost your brain function, and keep your immunity going strong. Something else that’s cool about the properties of sweet potatoes is that if you battle with some form of systematic inflammation, they can help to treat that, too.
As far as your vagina goes, if you’re someone who has a sweet tooth and you’re also prone to having yeast infections (yeast feeds off of sweets, by the way), sweet potatoes can curb your appetite for sugar in a healthy way while also removing toxins in your system, thanks to the fiber that’s in them. Also, the anthocyanins (which give veggies their natural color) in sweet potatoes help to keep oxidative stress at bay. This is good to know since that type of stress can throw off your vagina’s pH balance and even increase the amount of discharge that you have.
Recipe: Sweet Potato Chili Casserole
4. Key Limes
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If you’re wondering what’s the difference between a regular lime and a key lime one, apparently, key limes are smaller, tend to have a yellower hue, and they have a tartier taste than “standard limes.” On the health benefit tip, key limes contain a lot of vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, and anti-inflammatory properties.
All of this can help your vagina because vaginitis is literally defined as being “inflammation of the vagina.” This means that the more you eat foods that help to keep this from happening, the better off your vagina will ultimately be.
(For the record, limes, in general, can help to prevent kidney stone formation while reducing heart disease and helping to keep your skin healthy and youthful-looking as well.)
Recipe: Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
5. Grapes
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Even though it’s pretty common for people to snack on grapes during the summertime, they’re actually a fruit that is at their best during the fall season. Grapes are low-calorie fruits that are full of water (well over 90 percent), fiber, protein, vitamins C and K, and even copper. Copper is good for you because it can help with bone density (especially in post-menopausal women), it can help to fight off cancer, and can even slow down the signs of premature graying. Some other perks include the fact that grapes can help to keep your cholesterol levels balanced, fight against heart disease and diabetes, and, thanks to the melatonin that’s in them, they can improve your quality of sleep, too.
Something that many don’t know is vitamin K and human papillomavirus (HPV) don’t get along very well. In fact, some studies reveal that a consistent dietary intake of vitamin K can reduce one’s risk of being diagnosed with HPV by well over 40 percent. So, if you like to snack on grapes, now you’ve got even more of a reason to continue to enjoy doing so.
6. Celery
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Celery isn’t the most fun or flavor-fill food on the planet; still, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a solid impact on your health. The antioxidants that are in this particular vegetable help to reduce bodily inflammation, reduce the chances of getting an ulcer, balance blood sugar levels, help to lower blood pressure levels and they can even help to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
If you want to boost your sexual desire levels, celery could also help out in that department. That’s because it has androsterones in it; they’re a component of testosterone, which could help to raise your libido and intensify your pheromones. Studies are still ongoing when it comes to all of this; however, since celery is good for you in other ways, too — hey, why not give it a shot?
(Also, if you enjoy celery seeds, there are also studies that connect those to a boost in a woman’s libido and lubrication as well.)
Recipe: Sautéed Celery
7. Mushrooms
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Personally, I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian. But when I’m in the mood to take a break from meat, I always find the texture of mushrooms (especially portabella ones) to be a top-tier substitute. If you feel the same, this is another fall-season food that will do your body quite a bit of good. Mushrooms are a good source of B vitamins, copper, potassium, antioxidants, and vitamin D. Mushrooms also help to lower cholesterol levels and boost brain health and, they contain an amino acid that helps to prevent cellular damage (which can lower your cancer risk).
Since various studies reveal that different forms of vitamin B can help with ovarian health, that’s why mushrooms were able to make it on this great-for-your-vagina food list.
Recipe: Easy Mushroom Tacos
8. Guava
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Iron. Vitamin A. Calcium. Potassium. Vitamin C. Fiber. These are just some of the nutrients that your body will receive the next time you decide to have a piece of guava fruit. It’s the kind of food that lowers blood sugar levels, strengthens your heart, gives your immune system some extra “oomph” and it helps to keep fine lines and wrinkles from setting into your skin. Guava also has flavonoids and tannins in them; flavonoids contain anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties; tannins have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which make eating things like guava and drinking herbal teas ideal during this time of the year (if you’re trying to avoid catching a cold or the flu).
The reason why guava is good for your vagina is because the nutrients in it are super beneficial if you’re looking for a fruit that can make menstrual cramps less uncomfortable. Apparently, the properties in guava leaf extract target the source of period pain and lessen it. The more you know.
Recipe: Guava BBQ Sauce From Scratch
9. Turnips
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Turnips are interesting because, although the vegetable has a good amount of protein, fiber, and vitamin C in it, it’s actually the leaves of the turnips (what we know as turnip greens) that have even more nutrients in them. Nevertheless, turnips have properties in them that fight cancer, protect against E. coli, support your liver, help to keep your weight under control, and reduce bodily inflammation.
Since turnips are technically considered to be a phytoestrogen kind of food (a food that has plant-based estrogen in it), if you’re going through menopause, it’s a healthy way to get more estrogen into your system.
10. Pomegranates
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The reason why this article features a pomegranate as the lead pic is that it’s a fruit that actually symbolizes the vagina — more specifically, the cells inside of your ovaries. Since I’m a Rosh Hashanah observer (the Jewish New Year), I’m a fan of the fruit because, in Jewish culture, they represent things like fertility, love, and righteousness. Health-wise, pomegranates are an amazing source of protein and fiber, as well as a solid source of vitamin C and folate. They’re also rich in antioxidants, anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties. If you’re looking to keep your urinary tract in great condition, eat a pomegranate. Want to build up your endurance while you exercise (or have sex)? Eat a pomegranate. Wanna keep your kidneys healthy, get more potassium into your system, or consume a healthy carb? Eat a freakin’ pomegranate!
Since pomegranates are also considered to be an aphrodisiac, of course, they had to round out this fall season food list. They’ve got some data to back ‘em up because pomegranates contain properties that help to lower cortisol (stress) levels so that climaxing is easier, and it can add a bit of testosterone to your system, which can make your libido stronger.
So, whether you choose to cut open a pomegranate and enjoy it raw, treat yourself to some sort of pomegranate salad, or turn up with an alcoholic beverage (like the recipe below), don’t let fall pass you by without indulging in this fruit. As you can see, there are too many reasons for you — and your vagina — to do so. Happy Fall, y’all!
Recipe: Pomegranate Margarita
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So, we handpicked one hundred It Girls who embody that palpable It Factor moving through us as young Black women, the kind of motion lighting up the world both IRL and across the internet.
It Girl 100 became xoNecole’s most successful program, with the hashtag organically reaching more than forty million impressions on Instagram in just twenty-four hours. Yes, it caught on like wildfire because we celebrated some of the most brilliant and influential GenZennial women of color setting trends and shaping culture. But more than that, it resonated because the women we celebrated felt seen.
Many were already known in their industries for keeping this generation fly and lit, but rarely received recognition or flowers. It Girl 100 became a safe space to be uplifted, and for us as Black women to bask in what felt like an era of our brilliance, beauty, and boundless influence on full display.
And then, almost overnight, it was as if the rug was pulled from under us as Black women, as the It Girls of the world.
Our much-needed, much-deserved season of ease and soft living quickly metamorphosed into a time of self-preservation and survival. Our motion and economic progression seemed strategically slowed, our light under siege.
The air feels heavier now. The headlines colder. Our Black girl magic is being picked apart and politicized for simply existing.
With that climate shift, as we prepare to launch our second annual It Girl 100 honoree list, our team has had to dig deep on the purpose and intention behind this year’s list. Knowing the spirit of It Girl 100 is about motion, sauce, strides, and progression, how do we celebrate amid uncertainty and collective grief when the juice feels like it is being squeezed out of us?
As we wrestled with that question, we were reminded that this tension isn’t new. Black women have always had to find joy in the midst of struggle, to create light even in the darkest corners. We have carried the weight of scrutiny for generations, expected to be strong, to serve, to smile through the sting. But this moment feels different. It feels deeply personal.
We are living at the intersection of liberation and backlash. We are learning to take off our capes, to say no when we are tired, to embrace softness without apology.
And somehow, the world has found new ways to punish us for it.
In lifestyle, women like Kayla Nicole and Ayesha Curry have been ridiculed for daring to choose themselves. Tracee Ellis Ross was labeled bitter for speaking her truth about love. Meghan Markle, still, cannot breathe without critique.
In politics, Kamala Harris, Letitia James, and Jasmine Crockett are dragged through the mud for standing tall in rooms not built for them.
In sports, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Townsend have been reminded that even excellence will not shield you from racism or judgment.
In business, visionaries like Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye and Melissa Butler are fighting to keep their dreams alive in an economy that too often forgets us first.
Even our icons, Beyoncé, Serena, and SZA, have faced criticism simply for evolving beyond the boxes society tried to keep them in.
From everyday women to cultural phenoms, the pattern is the same. Our light is being tested.
And yet, somehow, through it all, we are still showing up as that girl, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Because while the world debates our worth, we keep raising our value. And that proof is all around us.
This year alone, Naomi Osaka returned from motherhood and mental health challenges to reach the semifinals of the US Open. A’ja Wilson claimed another MVP, reminding us that beauty and dominance can coexist. Brandy and Monica are snatching our edges on tour. Kahlana Barfield Brown sold out her new line in the face of a retailer that had been canceled. And Melissa Butler’s company, The Lip Bar, is projecting a forty percent surge in sales.
We are no longer defining strength by how much pain we can endure. We are defining it by the unbreakable light we continue to radiate.
We are the women walking our daily steps and also continuing to run solid businesses. We are growing in love, taking solo trips, laughing until it hurts, raising babies and ideas, drinking our green juice, and praying our peace back into existence.
We are rediscovering the joy of rest and realizing that softness is not weakness, it is strategy.
And through it all, we continue to lift one another. Emma Grede is creating seats at the table. Valeisha Butterfield has started a fund for jobless Black women. Arian Simone is leading in media with fearless conviction. We are pouring into each other in ways the world rarely sees but always feels.
So yes, we are in the midst of societal warfare. Yes, we are being tested. Yes, we are facing economic strain, political targeting, and public scrutiny. But even war cannot dim a light that is divinely ours.
And we are still shining.
And we are still softening.
And we are still creating.
And we are still It.
That is the quiet magic of Black womanhood, our ability to hold both truth and triumph in the same breath, to say yes, and to life’s contradictions.
It is no coincidence that this year, as SheaMoisture embraces the message “Yes, And,” they stand beside us as partners in celebrating this class of It Girls. Because that phrase, those two simple words, capture the very essence of this moment.
Yes, we are tired. And we are still rising.
Yes, we are questioned. And we are the answer.
Yes, we are bruised. And we are still beautiful.
This year’s It Girl 100 is more than a list. It is a love letter to every Black woman who dares to live out loud in a world that would rather she whisper. This year’s class is living proof of “Yes, And,” women who are finding ways to thrive and to heal, to build and to rest, to lead and to love, all at once.
It is proof that our joy is not naive, our success not accidental. It is the reminder that our light has never needed permission.
So without further ado, we celebrate the It Girl 100 Class of 2025–2026.
We celebrate the millions of us who keep doing it with grace, grit, and glory.
Because despite it all, we still shine.
Because we are still her.
Because we are still IT, girl.
Meet all 100 women shaping culture in the It Girl 100 Class of 2025. View the complete list of honorees here.
Featured image by xoStaff
Apparently, there was a Thanksgiving episode that featured all of the friends having dinner together. And y’all, there was simply no way that I was going to mention the latter without shouting out the original (amen?).
Okay, so with that out of the way — Friendsgiving. Something that I appreciate about twists to holidays like this is that it’s a reminder that there is no one way to celebrate special occasions. And so, if, for whatever the reason, you will not or cannot be with family during the holiday season, there are certainly other alternatives at your disposal.
That being said, if the thought of spending time with friends this Thanksgiving is something that you’d like to do, yet you’re not sure how to host it in a way that will make Friendsgiving a fan favorite for your entire circle — I’ve got 10 suggestions that can make the planning process easy as pumpkin (or sweet potato) pie.
1. Position Chrysanthemums or Orchids for Your Table Décor
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Let’s start with décor first. Listen, aside from cleaning up your place, you don’t have to be over the top. If you put together a really nice centerpiece or put a flower at each table setting, honestly, you’re all good. And if you’re someone who is big on details and symbolism, my recommendation would be to go with some chrysanthemums and/or orchids.
When it comes to chrysanthemums, not only are they a peak fall flower, they represent things like friendship and happiness. And orchids? They tend to bloom during the fall and spring seasons and, not only are they about luxury, certain orchid colors also symbolize friendship (for the record, yellow roses symbolize friendship too). Perfect.
2. Incorporate Scents That Cultivate Gratitude
Speaking of cultivating a warm and inviting space, you can never go wrong with scented soy candles — or at least having an essential oil diffuser in a few spots. Some scents that actually help to bring in the spirit of gratitude include vanilla, jasmine, ginger, cedarwood and frankincense.
3. Use Upscale Paper Products to Dine With
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Let’s be real — a lot more of us would probably host events in our home if it wasn’t for the mess that is left behind in our kitchen once the festivities are over. Wanna avoid that? Use paper plates. No, I don’t mean the cheap Styrofoam ones. SMDH. These days, there are paper (and plastic) plate brands that will low-key blow your mind when it comes to how bougie they look. Some that are worth considering are located here, here and here.
4. Handwrite Thank-You Notes (Use Them As Place Settings)
If you’re like Tiffany (from the HBO series Insecure — what a time) was at that memorable dinner party when all hell broke loose between Lawrence and Issa and you’re pretty anal — I mean, particular — LOL — about place settings, it’s a nice touch to pick up some blank thank-you cards that you can write a personalized “I’m thankful for you because…” message in. Place each one where you’d like each friend to sit. They won’t see it coming and it’s a really nice touch.
5. Have Everyone Bring Their Favorite Homemade Dish
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Okay, and what if what has you on the fence about hosting is you don’t feel like doing a ton of cooking? Chile, this is where the concept of having a potluck comes in. Get everyone to bring the dish that they claim they cook the best and make sure to let them know how many individuals you plan on coming (so that they will make enough). You can even make a game out of it by having everyone anonymously vote for the first, second and third best dishes out of the bunch. Take it up a notch by having a prize for each winner.
6. Take a Warm Drink and Dessert Poll Beforehand
You know what isn’t discussed enough about dinner parties? Folks bringing desserts that other people don’t even like. SMDH. You can avoid this from becoming an issue at your Friendsgiving by sending an email (most people prefer that to group chats; let’s be real — and make sure to BCC everyone as well) asking everyone to share what their top three favorite desserts and warm drinks are. Then pick the top 2-3 out of the bunch. That way, you won’t have a ton of (for instance) coffee cake or apple cider lying around that no one even wanted in the first place.
7. Create a Signature Friendsgiving Mocktail and Cocktail
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Speaking of drinks, another way to make your Friendsgiving memorable is to come up with a signature mocktail (for those who don’t consume alcohol) and cocktail. For the mocktail, you can also poll your friends about their favorite mocktail or fruits and come up with a mixture of your own. For the cocktail — although National Friendship Day is actually in August, I did peep that there are certain drinks that have been created in its honor. Some of them are located here for you to do a bit of tweaking on (if you’d like).
8. Ask Everyone to Share Their “Favorite Friend Quality” of Another
You know how it’s customary for everyone to go around and share what they are truly thankful for before having dinner? Well, to continue along with the Friendsgiving theme, have each person share what their favorite friend quality is about the person to their right. If folks are just meeting each other for the first time, instead they can share what they value the most in friendship overall, along with a story of how it was displayed to them personally over the past 12 months.
9. Send Each of Your Guests Home with a Fresh Gratitude Journal
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Wanna send folks home with a nice parting gift? It would be so on-trend to give each of them a gratitude journal. Listen, we are in some crazy times right through here (at least in the States) and so, encouraging your friends to set some time aside, regularly, to think about and then outwardly express what they are grateful for? That helps to keep stress down, keep things in perspective and it reminds us all to maintain a positive mindset as much as possible.
10. Watch a Nostalgic Movie
While everyone is enjoying dessert and drinks, how about watching a movie that brings back fond memories? A list of some of the most popular movies to come out previous Thanksgiving weekends is located here and a list of some favorite Black holiday-themed films can be found here. It’s a way to wind down and share some laughs before everyone heads home.
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Friendsgiving. What a wonderful way to celebrate your friends while also observing Thanksgiving in a way that is totally on your terms. And now that you know how to put it together, what are you waiting for? Hit your friends up and let them know that, whether it’s on actual Thanksgiving Day or a few days before or after, you’ve got a special dinner in mind.
One that has a good time with amazing friends written ALL over it.
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