What are we putting in our bodies???

So its been a while since I have been on here...but the work schedule has been crazy.

I find it interesting that the more you research things the more you see the truth around you.
So my research has made me to examine foods I eat, hair, skin products I use.

Today I have made a change in several products with more to follow.

As I am writing this blog my cousin asked have I heard of a new product out there....from yours truly Ms Oprah! hydratherma naturals, carols daughters, oyin handmade products,....anyone out there used that...if so thoughts opinions. Any other natural products you are ready to use want to use or tried that was successful hair, skin, food???
But what prompted this is looking at ingredients...even ones that say all natural...and still finding things you don't understand.
So I found a great website that has been helping me...these sites have listings of the things you see in the back of you shampoos, conditioners, body soaps and lotions....so if you can't make your own products or don't have the time do some research.

http://www.naturopathica.com/ingredients/ingredient_glossary?q=s

http://www.albabotanica.com/

Somethings I have been finding out...these products have detergents for clothes, oven cleaners, synthetic made chemicals...and I'm thinking is this really healthy to use??? I am disappointed looking at some of the labels of things I have at home. Hmmm if it works does it make it okay....is ignorance really bliss.
Well since this is the wanting to be healthier and natural side..the answer is NO. You need to be informed.
So go in your closets, medicine cabinets and look up these ingredients...at least be conscience of what we are putting on our body, and our hair....this is a part of health and growth.

I'll post on some of my new products and some products that have disappointed me on what i did think was pretty good...but turned out not to be....more to come.....

Destroying Our Hair

So I guess it’s time to vent…as this will be my last post on hair for the week, but it’s been such a hot topic this week...I want to start getting into some of my other topics.

So one of my friends on FB had a question for the brothers of why where are the brothers that like natural hair…she’s a newly sister locker (it’s coming along quite nicely) and a former loose natural

One of the comments that was made that women w/natural hair have a certain air, or arrogance about them…or that they want everyone to join the movement like we’re better. Comparing the experience to how dark skin people and light skin black people treat each other in a discriminatory fashion.

My response???

  ..we are destroying ourselves ...for the sake of american beauty...people have a negative connotation on locs, natural hairstyles...we as black people have so a narrow view on what beauty is, what healthy is...its a discrimation all over again...you know how many people walk up to me and say so how do you clean your hair, is it dirty, thats not professional, you cant do nothing w/your hair, i should take that out...so if I have a lil arrogance its more of being proud of my decisions including my hair, just like I should be proud of being black. 

i think sometimes natural sisters want to raise awareness, whats wrong w/letting our people knw that the chemicals cause fading hair lines, tractional alopecia

For me...It’s all about how we take care of our hair…even if we choose these styles making sure that we are maintaining the hair underneath the braids or weaves and not over processing our hair I think we should be aware not because I am locked but bc I am a concerned sister about our women in our community. How we identify beauty, is it safe to say that women who have permed their hair their whole lives (I am a former one) that it’s okay. When we have young girls in as young as 9 getting weaves, girls that will never wear their own hair or not having hair and barely in high school…is this what we want to teach our young black girls that the only way keeping up the “image” is not to embrace who they are? What are we doing for these young girls self esteem? This youtube story was very interesting...and shows how even ones parents actions affected her own daughter into wanting that look like her mom...until her mother made a stand to show her that it doesn't matter...all hair is beautiful...and we need to stop  hiding.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HugPZDEX8DY


next week....we will be talking about health...i am trying to get healthy ya'll!

Whats on the mind

Tonite, chilling w/fam enjoying life...so we want to go furniture shopping, any ideas, suggestions. My bathroom is in black n white....main livingroom will be in leather, formal dining room chocolate brown and a dining buffet. 2nd bedroom and living room is the kickin' it spots....i want pictures, color, provide suggestions ideas...thanks guys

1st day of my own locs

So today was the day we took out the extension...process took 7hrs, which included a deep condition and maintenance. My head feels a whole lot lighter.

So what’s this extension process???
1st she braided my hair in a loc pattern.
2nd my each braid was wrapped with kinky hair pattern.
Result I established a loc look instantly.
Continued after installation process as my hair grew out my new growth was twisted until it locked, grew out and my own locs formed.
3rd after your own hair gets to a desired length the extensions are removed
4th we had to twist the hair that was in the braid so that it can achieve the consistent loc look
Final Result...locked hair without extensions.

I’m so excited and am very happy with the results...

See pics of the journey:


1st day with locs



month 1

2moths before 1st twisting w/my sister at her grad party...whew it was grown out

  

6months into locs w/hubby in Chi-Town



wedding day 2months later...always wanted my hair in sometype of braiding style and I ended up with locs



Before a night out with locs 1st updo reppin my hubby work shirt

  

1year later







A few months ago



1year and 9moths later...can you tell the difference between the extensions and my hair???





starting the process



 




about half way done

finished result...all mine

another angle

back view

Tomorrow's Journey

Well everyone the journey is beginning. My first story is after 1year and 8months I am taking down my loc extensions....why is this so significant?!?!?! It’s because it was a life changing decision.

Why locs, why do girls trip off their hair so much.

One of the questions I get is how long have I been growing my locs for...when I say almost two years they are shocked at the length. I then explain my locs are part extensions....women are amazed. People with locs compliment me, saying they wish they knew about it...back then. Hmm…it’s hard to believe that I have inspired people with my hair.

But I believed that there are a lot of sisters that like myself have loc envy but are scared of the commitment the process..the awkward stage, the judgment. I think to myself some fellow lockers are applaud when you call it the awkward stage, the ugly, or you are afraid of how people will take you especially in a corporate setting.

We say accept us for who I am and all this other stuff...in reality it doesn't always happen. Locs are still stigmatized. But this process gets you use to the look, gives you hope that one day you can have the locs you desire at the length you desire...this is one time where I enjoy instant results. Plus I have this issue I like myself with longer hair...whether straight, braided, twistes, cornrows...etc.

With the help of my wonderful stylist/loctician Fallon at Allure Designz...by the way she is a hair genius...she has made this dream a reality.

Now I have the chance to start my new journey my own locs with my own hair another chapter.

Not one regret.

Stay tuned.....pics of the before and after...more stories, journey's, tips, being healthy!