I LOVE my Denman!



I purchased the D4 (Large) Denman Styling Brush



Okay, so I know that I’m probably like light years late with this story, but I’m so thrilled that I’m finally in the ‘know’ that I had to share!

My friend--who is also a natural girl—has been on me for the last few months about purchasing a Denman brush. My hair has been growing fairly well over the past year, *Thanksgiving Day 2010 was the 1 yr anniversary of my Big Chop!!!*, and it’s been getting a little difficult to tame.
Wide tooth combs are still a very useful and handy tool, but alone they weren’t getting the job done very well; I was also using bristle brushes to help with slicking back puffs, brushing down baby hair and things of that nature but my regular brush was no match for this thick hair of mine! So, after complaining to my friend about my hair woes, she was shocked that with all of my interest in natural hair that I hadn’t gotten a Denman brush yet. She went on to tell me about how much she loves her Denman and sent me a few YouTube links (dedicated to natural hair care) so that I could see other naturals using Denman’s and their reviews. That day altered the state of my hair care as I had known it!
I ordered my Denman brush and got it about 4 days later; Since then wash days have been a piece of cake!

Detangling has been a breeze and this brush has also really helped with the dreaded dry combing/brushing (I know its frowned upon & I don’t do it often, but sometimes it’s necessary). When I step out of the shower, after conditioning & detangling with the Denman, my hair is so soft and my curls are so well defined that you can’t tell me anything! lol.  

I see little (and sometimes no) hair in the brush. It’s really easy to clean and best of all it’s sturdy so I know I’ll have it for a while.  It massages my scalp really well (I’ve been trying to get into the habit of massaging my scalp on a regular basis) and at times I add a few drops of Virgin Coconut Oil or Organic Jojoba oil w/ a touch of rosemary essential oil in it -directly to the brush & then use it on my hair; that way I get a moisturizing scalp massage & detangled hair all at the same time.

I’m absolutely in love with this brush & so happy that my friend showed me the light! Now that I’m on the right track, I think that the Denman brush is an essential part of every natural girl’s hair care regimen.

Do you own a Denman Brush? If so, how has it helped with your hair care routine?

World AIDS Day--'Universal Access & Human Rights'

“According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children… Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35” (www.worldaids.gov)

Today is World AIDS Day and it is still our duty to raise awareness, fight for a cure, continue to practice safer sex and educate our youth.

The AIDS epidemic, first recognized in 1981, has gone through several stages; we have been through the lowest lows of treating people as total outcasts to the more civilized and humane stage of allowing the infected to live without (open) discrimination.

For me, today is a day of reflection. A day to remember those in my life who have been touched by a disease that didn’t have to take the lives of so many--and dare I say, a disease that didn’t have to be here at all. It is important that we continue to remind people that HIV/AIDS has not gone away. There is more support, there are better treatments and those who become infected are living longer, but it is important to know that this is real. We are no longer living in the ‘casual’ times of our parents where one could ‘hook up’ and the worse they’d have to worry about was either pregnancy or an STD that could be cured with one doctor’s visit. It is our ignorance and unwillingness to see ‘the signs of the times’ that will inevitably hold us back. The world is full of ‘distractions’, don’t allow yourself to be blinded from important issues. The only way that our numbers will be reduced is if we start paying more attention, using preventative measures and taking our options seriously.

I have a lot of opinions on this topic (as I’m sure most of you do) and can go on & on for pages, but for the sake of brevity I will conclude with this:

-Parents:  Don’t allow your thoughts about sex before marriage take away that priceless conversation that should be had with every young person about protecting themselves and the dangers that await a misinformed individual. If your children are ready to have sex, they will do so with or without your permission or guidance. You can guide them through the pros & cons or turn a blind eye-the choice is yours.     

-Young People:  Don’t allow the scary thoughts of having the ‘sex talk’ with your parents stop you from confronting them with your concerns. Even if you feel as if your parents aren’t easy to talk to, there is someone that can help you to approach your decision in the proper way. Talk to an older family member whose advice you trust or better yet, visit your school nurse or family doctor. You’re destiny is in your hands. Your parents not being open-minded isn’t a reason not to protect yourself (whether it be with information or with condoms)—Take responsibility for your own health.

*All: Be aware. Be compassionate. Be proactive and most important-Be Real. Don’t allow certain status quos to make you believe that you are so special that you are exempt from this illness. No one is. AIDS may indeed be more prevalent within the lower and middle class neighborhoods, but unlike the entity that brought this disease to us, the actual disease does NOT discriminate against race, social or economic stance. This is a human disease and is therefore a human concern.

Provide help where you can and spread hope.

What can we do to help?

Here are a few examples:

1.         Know your status! Locate HIV testing facilities. If you, or a friend, don’t know your statuses then go and get tested—together. Go to http://www.aids.gov/ to find an HIV testing center near you.

2.         You can raise awareness by choosing AIDS as a topic for your next school presentation & distribute condoms & reading materials at the end (with the permission of your teacher/professor).

3.         Talk to your family (especially the teenagers) about AIDS, its affect on the world and what they need to do to be safe. There are plenty of downloads which can be shared with friends & family.

4.         Raise money by hosting/participating in an event that will raise funds for the cure: You could host/participate in a poetry night or sponsor a walk dedicated to finding the cure.

5.         Share info on Twitter about how you’re taking action!

6.         Write a Blog or post a comment on one about World Aids Day & how this epidemic has affected your outlook on things.

7.         Be an element of change.Share knowledge.Take Responsibility.Express love.Show support.

“Every hour, two young Americans between ages 13 and 24 are infected with HIV. Every 16 seconds a woman is infected with HIV. Every 29 seconds a woman dies from AIDS-related illness…We have been silent for too long and silence will not protect us. Silence is killing us quicker than the disease.” -Sheryl Lee Ralph



WOMB Apparel--The Next Big Thing!



WOMB Apparel's
Inspirational Tee's for Men & Women

 I recently had the pleasure of participating in a photo shoot for an empowering, Eco-friendly & socially conscious clothing company—WOMB Apparel.

WOMB Apparel was created by the most motivational and well rounded duo that I’ve ever met, Dion & Eli. As husband & wife, these two have combined their passions and all around positive spirits to create thought provoking designs that are sure to make you feel inspired. Their T-shirts are made of 100% Organic Cotton that is sweatshop free and imprinted with PVC free, water based inks; the designs are as unique as we are, and they are all based upon the acronym WOMB which has two meanings:

1). Wisdom Of Mind and Body

2). Wings On My Back

The photo shoot, orchestrated by photographer extraordinaire: Andres Valenzuela, was held in the Bronx, NY at one of the neighborhoods in which Eli grew up. The neighborhood was all we needed, no additional props or equipment was necessary-The scene was just perfect! The models were placed in front of an array of beautifully urban views; Andres took shots in front of graffiti, in the subway and from a platform with views of the city and a beautiful sunset to bring together the vibe that Eli & Dion set out to create.

You can help us by voting for your favorite picture! You will need to be a fan of the womb apparel facebook fan page first since all the pictures are there. Click here to vote!

WOMB apparel is doing great things and the desire for self-empowerment radiates from each thread of its being. This company is looking forward to the launch of a YOUTUBE channel entitled: Empowerment TV where we will be introduced to the creative minds behind the designs as well as other topics that exhibit the positive qualities that WOMB apparel symbolizes.

Watching this company expand has been inspiring! Eli & Dion’s dedication and hard work is infectious- it should show us all that as long as we pour love, truth and life into this world that we can only receive something beautiful from it!

Keep an eye on this business, as I have no doubt that they are the next big thing!

Is Your Drinking Water REALLY Clean?



Boycott the PLASTIC bottles & Filter your own Tap Water



A few years back I decided that I needed to come up with a better way to increase my water intake; of course that lead me to carting around bottled water as it’s easier to transport and therefore promotes drinking more of it! Then, all the talk about bottled water being nothing but expensive tap water started to circulate..and I was back at square one! Until one day while aimlessly surfing the net, I came across this website for a company called—Aquasana.

Aquasana is a site which provides information (and of course sells) home water filtration systems. Stumbling upon this site was a great thing & not to mention perfect timing, as my husband (boyfriend at the time) mentioned that the Brita we were using just wasn’t cutting it anymore. He had read that Britta only filters out but so much of the gunk in our water and that percentage was just not good enough for him; he kept telling me that we needed to find better filters and containers in which to carry our filtered water. So after pouring over this site and seeing all of the great products they had to offer, I decided to send the link to the “expert” (that’s what I call my husband when he gets all technical about things) for his approval. About a week later, after he did enough research to feel confident, he placed our first Aquasana order. We got: 4 stainless steel water bottles and the counter top filtration system to filter our water directly from the tap. We used the system for approximately one month then compared notes on what we thought of it—needless to say, we were Very happy!

We thought the water tasted cleaner and we noticed that the faint chlorine-like smell that was once associated with our tap water no longer existed. Now, I know some people don’t believe that filters really work and perhaps we do ‘brainwash’ ourselves into believing that we feel differently—I don’t know, but what I do know is that I’d rather use a filter and be wrong then to not use one and possibly ingest all sorts of terrible things. Overall, we are very happy with our water filtration. We feel healthy and drink a lot more water because of it!



My Aquasana Glass bottle & canvas tote bag
That's tea w/ Lemon in my bottle (no sugar or honey)



However, there is one thing that I will warn against; around the 1 year mark of us using the stainless steel water bottles we noticed tiny, little brownish colored speckles on the inside of the bottles. We put Qtips & paper towels in there trying to examine the speckles, and once we finally found out what they were, we knew that we’d no longer use stainless steel bottles for holding our drinking water. The speckles were Rust!! This didn’t turn us off completely because that could have happened with any steel container given the proper environment, but we knew that a change had to be made and so it was. We now use the Aquasana glass water bottles (along with the ‘Earth Tote’ for easy carrying) and we LOVE them! Easy to clean and best of all no worrying about anything ‘leaching’ into your water!

Of course it doesn’t have to be Aquasana, but if you need water bottles to take to work/the gym and anywhere else where you’d like to have fresh, clean water at your disposal-I recommend getting glass water bottles. I feel like they are reliable (they don’t seem to chip or break easily) and more hygienic, as glass doesn’t tend to hold on to smells or detergents like other materials do. 

Check it out for yourself—I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Natural Hair Needs Protection--What's Your Fav Protective Style?

Burrr…it’s a chilly 51 degrees here at the Jersey Shore, which definitely means that the days of walking outside with damp wash and go hair are over! Alas, it is time to choose a few protective styles to last me through these upcoming cold winter months.

Protective styles are those which protect my fragile and usually dry hair from the cold and even drier winter air. If I were to go around with my hair out in a curly fro, puff or any other style which left the ends exposed, my hair would dry out and be that much easier to snap off-especially if it got snagged on the hood of my coat or some other object. This is so because my hair (type 4A/B- for those who are interested) can’t take dry conditions; even if I were to soak my tresses with even the most creamy of shea butters it would still find a way to break off. I’m convinced that I just wasn’t meant to be living in a cold place as nothing grows well for me during winter. My nails (which are usually very long and strong during the summer) grow to a certain point and next thing I know I’m opening the car door too quickly & snag—there goes my nail! The cold air is just not conducive to things growing; take a look around the trees, flowers and even the grass is starting to show the signs of loss that the winter brings. Thankfully, there is a superior protective style that deters hair breakage: *drum roll please*... It’s The two strand twist!

As simple as this hair style seems, it can also be very fashionable and give your hair the rest that it needs in order to promote growth.

These past few weeks I’ve been going back & forth between two strand twists and rocking this little, crocheted, beanie head cover that I picked up at my local beauty supply store. Both have been a blessing from the hair gods!

During wash weeks, when I’m just not in the mood to twists my entire head I rely on my beanie to protect my tresses, lower my hair maintenance/manipulation and keep me looking fashionable.
I simply put my (already moisturized) hair into about 4-6 fat braids, place the doily about 4 inches from my hair line and wallah--a winter-friendly ‘style’ !

I recently went back into the beauty supply trying to find more of these hair doilies/beanies and had no luck :-/; thankfully I don't give up that easily, so I'll be on the look out for more of these beanies and when I find them, I'll be sure to share it with you all.


Do you wear protective styles? If so, what will be your signature 'do this winter?

Is your MILK making you SICK?



No more cows milk for me!(I still love you Mr. Cow)

I’m going to finally admit it, I’m a bit of a milk fanatic-I just LOVE the stuff!!

I drink milk at LEAST 2 times a day; whether it be with my cereal or as an icy, tall glass along with cookies, I consume a good amount of milk. However, not too long ago, the nutritious drink that makes me so happy (at that time it was Organic Valley 1% Milk) started to cause health problems.  

I noticed that I was becoming extremely ‘mucousy’ and getting colds more often.  Of course at first, I did not relate these symptoms to my milk intake; I simply thought that between the weather & me not taking good enough care of myself that I was just becoming more susceptible to illness.  In fact, it wasn’t until my hard coughing (and attempts to clear mucous from my airway) began to keep me awake at nights that I became alarmed. The mucous would be so thick that it would be difficult for me lay down and breath easily; this is when I decided it was time to see the doctor.

At the ENT (Ears, Nose & Throat doctor) a few test were taken and I found out that my issue may be caused by an allergy; however the idea of milk being the guilty party was still not mentioned, though the doctor did tell me to cut back on dairy and excessive sweets just as a precaution.  Knowing that I like to keep things as natural as possible, my doctor will not suggest a prescription unless absolutely necessary, so he recommended that I drink a cup of hot  tea each night before bed and that should help to thin out the mucous. This suggestion helped—for a moment, then I was right back to square one with sleepless nights & uncontrollable coughing.  

It wasn’t until my husband came to me with his observations that things changed for the better.  He told me that he’d been watching me a little closer since I started not feeling well and disclosed to me that (in his opinion) I was drinking too much of the wrong milk! He shared with me that had been doing some research and discovered that my condition may be due to my body/immune system ‘rejecting’ the milk.

Cow’s milk consists of hormones, they are not necessarily being put there-but are usually naturally formed (just as they are in human breast milk), and these hormones can be an irritant to some folks.  It was with this information that he concluded that my body was probably trying to rid me of mucous caused by my milk intake, by inducing coughing.

That day we decided to try a little experiment; I would replace my Organic Valley milk with Rice Milk. Certain Rice milks do have a few downfalls, such as not being high in calcium or protein-but nothings perfect; on the flip side rice milk is superior because it does not come from an animal (duh), tastes great, is lactose-free, fortified with vitamins & minerals and is vegan friendly (which we like here). 
Final analysis: After about three weeks of drinking rice milk I was seemingly mucous-free! I was sleeping comfortably and no longer tirelessly attempting to cough up mucous. Rice Milk was the answer to my problems. It’s been about a year since we’ve switched to Rice milk and those terrible symptoms have not plagued me since!

What kind of milk do you/your family drink?  Have you ever considered giving rice milk a try?

Castile Soap.. a Date Rape Drug? hmmm...

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile Soap



The article below suggests that Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap (particularly the Peppermint scented one--my favorite for its cooling effect during the hot summer months) initially tested positive for traces of the Date Rape Drug during a Newport Beach Police analysis.

I'm an avid user of Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap. I use it as a shampoo and my husband uses it as a body wash. It's the gentlest product we've ever used!

Those Newport Beach police may want to consider updating their tests.

Either way, it's an interesting article. Enjoy!

http://www.drbronner.com/pdf/LA%20Times4172007_doc.pdf 

Fierce Fridays with Shakyra: Is your Skin Cool or Warm?

Hey Everyone:

Autumn is in the air and the need for fresh, fall make-up is now upon us!

When I think of fall make-up jewel tones automatically come to mind.
Rich Reds, Deep Purples and Daring Greens are the perfect palette for taking one from office chic to a night out on the town!

However, such rich colors may pose a problem as everyone’s skin tone is not meant to be drenched in heavy color; the trick is to match your skin with the proper shade.
Generally, skin tones fall into two categories: Cool & Warm.

Typically, Cool skin tones are reserved for those with lighter hair & eyes; whose skin is fair and will easily tan. Warm skin tones can be classified by people who have a golden undertone to their skin and/or those who have darker hair & eyes. Here is a great way to figure out which category you fit into:
Try on a white shirt and then a cream/tan colored shirt - How does your skin look? If you appear more flattering in the white top then you probably have a cool skin tone. If the cream/tan colored blouse was more appealing, you most likely have a warm skin tone.

Now that you know which category you fall into, here are a few tips on how you can make rich, fall tones work for you!

Cool skin tones:

* Opt for lighter jewel colors with a more pastel look, i.e.: light violets, cool grays and soft pinks.
*Avoid dark colors as they will ‘wash’ out your features instead of complimenting them.
*For a more dramatic eye without using dark shades, simply apply a neutral color to the lips. This will make your eyes ‘Pop’! Alternatively, you can select a deeper lip color and keep your eyes neutral.

Warm skin tones:

*Select shades from rich, earthy palettes. Go for deep berries and warm reds & golds.
*Avoid using colors that may appear too light as they may give you a ‘chalky’ appearance.
*Don’t overdo it! If you are sporting a smoky eye do not apply a dark color to your lips. The key is to choose which of your features you like most, then enhance it with splashes of color.

I recommend this helpful tool to assist with finding the perfect shades for your skin tone. Enjoy!

Coconut Oil..a Cure for Dandruff?

My cousin has had scalp problems for years; in my opinion her issue was way more intense then just dandruff, I really think she may have had seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp, but she won't know for sure until she visits a dermatologist.

Being that her hair was relaxed most of her life up until about 3 years ago, she has suffered almost every hair blunder under the sun and her scalp became very damaged (much like mine)! Her scalp has endured chemical burns; being pulled into tight pony tails/braids and heat damage …you name it and her scalp has probably been through it as some point. But recently, she’s been noticing how her natural hair care routine has been keeping her scalp dandruff-free longer than usual.

Normally she’d have to wash her hair twice (sometimes three times) a week to keep the flakes at bay, but now that she’s using natural plant derived products on her scalp she now washes it only once a week (and recently she said that it’s been more by choice as opposed to having to wash it because of thick flakes starting to appear--which is a Big deal for her!) 

I began noticing that she was able to retain a style for an entire week without taking it down & re-washing; it was then that I suggested that she take a second look at what she’s been using and I think we’ve figured out what’s been helping.

She’s been washing with the same shampoo, same conditioner, same leave-in-- but about a month ago she started moisturizing her scalp with Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil from Nature’s approved (it smells heavenly) and slowly but surely the dandruff started to get milder. She told me that it’s still there, but nowhere near how it used to be. I recently corn rowed her hair (and it had been about 3 days since she last washed it) so I was prepared to see a white, flakey mess in between each part, but to my surprise it was flake-free & healthy looking! I’ve been keeping an eye on her scalp and it’s really never looked better! She says that it still itches every once in a while, but the difference now is that when she scratches, there’s no embarrassing flakes to dust off of her shoulder. I think she’s finally found her dandruff cure! I’m still urging her to see a dermatologist just to find out exactly what’s going on with her scalp and I think she will, but for now she’s just thrilled about having a nice, clean scalp!

Do you have a scalp condition?

Have you been able to find a natural way to eliminate it?  If not, I think coconut oil is worth a try!

I’m definitely adding it to my hair/scalp regimen.

Fierce Fridays with Shakyra!

Hey Everyone:

My name is Shakyra and make-up artistry is my passion!

By day I work as a paralegal, but when I have time for myself I focus my energy on obtaining my doctorates degree and working on my business: LoveAngel Make-up Artistry!

Keeping with the Natural theme of this blog, I will also be doing my best to incorporate natural product reviews and information as well.

I hope that you enjoy my posts on make-up, fashion and all things glam!

Now, let's get to our first 'Fierce Friday' Topic!!

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Make-up Tips for Darker Skin Tones

I have found that several people are under the impression that make-up looks best on lighter skin tones. However; make-up can look great on any and EVERY skin tone, depending on which colors are applied and how they are applied. I'm no expert on choosing the perfect colors for every color skin, but I have been doing some research, as well as playing around with colors to determine which colors are the best for the different faces I work with. I will be posting some articles that I come across that are not only beneficial to me, but to the people who follow me and/or are uncertain as to which colors will work best for them.

Some simple tips for people with darker skin that they should be aware of are as follows:

* When choosing a foundation, DO NOT use a cream foundation. Darker skin has a tendency to look a little more oily than lighter skin, and a cream foundation will just enhance the look.

* DO use a water base foundation or a liquid foundation. Liquid foundations will probably work best.

* To blend the foundation in without creating streaks or leaving harsh lines, blend distilled water into the foundation and then blend it into the skin!

I hope this has been helpful. There will be more tips to follow.

Also, follow me on twitter for "Make-Up Tips of the Day"

It's Soup Time!!

Happy October Everyone!

I'm most certainly a Summer girl and will miss the radiant days & the balmy nights, but needless to say, I'm also excited about Fall officially being here!

There's now a refreshing chill in the air, the kids are picking apples and I've been having a distinct craving for hot soup.

I've been following this blog called, Fresh-out-of-the-Box and it is fabulous! It's all about sharing delicious recipes made with only the freshest, local ingredients.  I recently made the fresh tomato soup that was published on the site on September 17th and it came out fantastic! Even my husband (who isn't normally a huge fan of tomato soup) thought it was delicious. Fresh, homemade tomato soup with warm, toasty grilled cheese on the side was just the type of meal we needed for a chilly October evening. We improvised and added fresh pepper, a dash of cayenne and a squirt of fresh lime juice just to zest it up a bit more! Not only was it a delicious & nutritious meal, but it only took me 30 minutes (total) to make! That's worth a standing ovation alone!!

Check out some of the healthy (and tasty) recipes that they have to offer, I promise you won't be disappointed. ;-)

'Sunny Day'-Dry Hair & Scalp Oil

Lately, as the comforting warmth of summer begins to leave and Mother Nature gives way to breezier days and cooler nights, I’ve really been dealing with the annoying results of dry, itchy scalp. I'm aware that I still have scalp damage from my days as a ‘relaxed’ girl, and I also know that it’s going to take more time and patience for that damage to clear up; however, it’s important to nourish one’s scalp/hair to help it on its way to recovery.  

With that said, I’ve started making this all natural hair oil which can be used to ‘grease’ the scalp, as a hot oil treatment or both! It’s an herbal combination of fresh, dried: chamomile flowers, Rosemary Leaves and Nettle Leaves all submerged in Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO).

Some Information:

-Chamomile: Reduces inflammation, promotes relaxation, soothes rashes & other skin ailments (including eczema). *CAUTION* Chamomile is a part of the Ragweed family and therefore may affect those with allergies.

-Rosemary: Antioxidant, antiseptic and aids in circulatory problems (and good circulation is key to stimulating hair growth). It’s also thought to be a good memory booster, so that’s an added plus. *CAUTION* Rosemary should not be used by those with high blood pressure or those who are currently pregnant.

-Nettle: Boosts immune system, promotes hair re-growth and reduces dandruff.

-Extra Virgin Olive Oil: High in antioxidants, conditions hair and is very effective at moisturizing.

Directions:

In a clean, dry, glass jar pour in ½ cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add about 3 tablespoons of each herb to the EVOO. Put the jar lid on and close tightly. Swish the mixture around a bit. Set glass jar outside in a sunny location (or you can set it in a window seal—where ever it will receive contact with the most sunlight). Leave it there to be naturally heated by the sun for about 3-6 hours (I like to keep mine exposed to sunlight for about 2 days).  Strain into another glass container and discard of the herbs. Enjoy moisturized hair & a soothed scalp!

Tip: Don’t have the patience to wait around for the sun to heat your mixture? If not, then combine ingredients into a stainless steel pot, heat on low for a few minutes (just until liquid is warm) , remove from heat,  cover pot and allow the ingredients to steep for an hour or so. Place strained, oil into glass jar & use as normal.

Let me know how you like it!

Free Hand Scrub & Massage!

AJA Naturals participated in this years 23rd annual African American Arts & Heritage Festival at the PNC Bank Arts Center. The event was full of events, workshops for the youth, performances and vendors. We had a vendor table at the event and we were very happy with the reception we had, customers loved our products, our natural mission and enjoyed the perks and raffle prizes we had in store for them!

We wanted our customers to enjoy some natural goodness and pampering so we offered a free sugar scrub and massage! As if that wasn't enough every customer that purchased a product was automatically entered into a Raffle to win a basket full of AJA Naturals goodies.

Dr.Oz's FRUIT FACTS

Every summer I look forward to all of the lovely fruits the warm weather brings; I eat everything from old fashioned pears to the more exotic papayas! I've always been a big fruit eater, I can thank my nanny for that. But it wasn't until a few days ago that I found out how important some of these fruits are, not as a part of a healthy diet but also to prevent diseases and promote a beautiful external appearance!

This information was sent to me as an e-mail (Thanks Carla!) and I've shared it with as many people as I could!

I found it enlightening...I hope that you take something positive away from it as well.

Enjoy!

~Aja

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Interesting info from Dr. Oz regarding fruit

We all think eating fruit means just buying fruit, cutting it up and popping it into our mouths. It's not that easy. It's important to know how and when to eat fruit.

What's the correct way to eat fruit?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUIT AFTER A MEAL! FRUIT SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

Eating fruit like that plays a major role in detoxifying your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.
Let's say you eat two slices of bread, then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it's prevented from doing so.

In the meantime, the whole meal rots and ferments, and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach, and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

Eat your fruit on an empty stomach, or before your meal! You've heard people complain: Every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc. This will not happen if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. Fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas. Hence, you bloat!

There's no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruit becomes alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruit, you have the Secret of Beauty, Longevity, Health, Energy, Happiness and normal weight.
When you need to drink fruit juice drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT the concentrated juice from the cans. Don't drink juice that has been heated. Don't eat cooked fruit; you don't get the nutrients at all. You get only the taste. Cooking destroys all of the vitamins.

Eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit-fast to cleanse your body. Eat fruit and drink fruit juice for just 3 days, and you will be surprised when your friends say how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty, and a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange!

AN APPLE a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants and flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits and protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

EATING 2 - 4 ORANGES a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. Also a key source of lycopene, the cancer-fighting oxidant. Also found in watermelon: Vitamin C and Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, good for your eyes.

Be Afraid...Be Very Afraid!! The Truth about Nail Salons

The Nail salon, it's a place where most women go to treat their hands and feet to a little pampering; and rightfully so, you work hard all week long so you deserve that hour or two to focus on yourself and to look and feel your best! You walk through the salon doors, receive a warm greeting from your favorite nail technician and told to pick out your color; however, while cheerfully doing so you may not be aware of the nasty little secrets that are hidden within the shop.

When choosing the perfect nail salon to frequent you will want to keep in mind that although you may be going for a quick manicure these places are dealing with your hands and feet (which often are some of the most bacteria crammed parts of one’s body) and therefore you NEED them to practice good hygiene.
Some people just assume that because a nail salon’s door is open for service that the shop, as well as the employees are licensed, the truth is that there are many salons nation-wide that do not receive proper inspections. For some salons, even if they are submitted to inspections they may still not truly be certified as there has been a recent trend of nail salons popping up with real shop licenses, but the employees possess fraudulent nail technician certifications. It’s horrible to think that you could walk into an otherwise legitimate looking salon and be serviced by a friend or family member of the owner who has no certification what-so-ever (case in point is the Ohio nail salon scandal). Other than the idea of an unlicensed individual working on two of the most valuable parts of your anatomy, you must also consider the germs that can harbor and multiply if places like this are not kept up to sanitation standards. It is rather easy to get a nail infection, as these bacteria enjoy swimming around in warm, moist areas (i.e.: that dish of warm soapy water that you soak your nails in OR the comforting foot sauna that you dip your tootsies into). They transfer quite easily onto your hands/feet because these places are also normally warm and a bit moist, so your nails/toenails are a very suitable new home for the foul bacteria. Do we know how well those dishes or saunas are being cleaned prior to us using them? Some of the common infections known to reside in these places are: Staphylococcus/paronychia,  fungi , and skin viruses, such as warts.

Now that we all understand that an open salon does not necessarily equate to a reputable one, we can move on to how to protect ourselves from any icky situations:

1. Upon walking into the business check the wall for the shop’s state issued license. You will also want to check for any certificates earned by the shop’s employees; if you are still doubtful ,then you can check out this license look-up website:

2. Let your nose tell you the truth. Does the odor of acetone along with dust from nails being filed smack you in the face as soon as you enter the door? If so, this may mean that the shop does not have an air filtration system. Air quality is an important factor in nail salons as nail particles are constantly being blow around and chemicals are being used on a regular basis. Many higher scale salons have air filtrations systems.

3. Does the technician wear fitted latex gloves while working on the clients? If so, its important to make sure that these gloves are changed after each individual session. If not, then it is paramount that their hands be thoroughly washed after each client.

4. Lastly, but certainly not least, how is the equipment kept? Does each person have their own personal file, nail/cuticle trimmer and foot brushes? If not, are the ones that are being used for everyone being placed in an autoclave? What type of cleansing agent is being used to sterilize the foot baths? These are all things to take note of as lack of tending to these issues may result in you being a not-so-happy customer.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the places you frequent are safe.

So, now that you’re better equipped with the knowledge needed to spot a good salon vs. a bad one are you ready for your next appointment? Whether you're answer is Yes or No, here are some tips/alternatives that may help you to decide what is best for you.

1. Get a plastic zip lock bag and fill it with your own mani-pedi tools and toss it into your purse before going to the salon. Or better yet, just leave it in your car so that you never forget it. This will eliminate the worry over whether the shop is keeping their tools clean or not. *Be sure to clean your tools regularly*.

2. Do-It-Yourself (DIY). A nail kit can be purchased for a very small fee and will come equipped with most of the items needed to do beautiful manicures & pedicures at home. For a few more dollars you can even get that nail salon soft skin buy purchasing a personal foot spa. Click here for the ultimate manicure treatment!

3. If you don’t mind doing your own mani-pedi, but are concerned about the polish looking like your two year old did it, then going to the salon just for a quick polish change is not a bad thing at all. If you’re interested in ‘Three-Free’ polishes, then you have several choices. Have fun pampering yourself-You deserve it!! ;-)

Do you have inexpensive or DIY ways to treat yourself to a 'home spa'? If so, please share!

My Body's a Toxic Waste Dump?...Ewww, That's Nasty!!

The removal of waste from the human body is not a topic that most people dwell on much; however, one of the first steps to knowing how to take care of your body is to understand how it works.

As people, most of us fight against our bodies on a daily basis. We consume all the wrong things (i.e.: refined sugars, white flour, meats overloaded by antibiotics, etc), we slather every toxic (though heavenly smelling) beauty product onto our skin to be absorbed into our bloodstreams, we do not drink enough water and to top it all off we also do not get enough sleep!

Now, imagine that your body is a small city with each organ being a flourishing factory. As these ‘factories’ thrive they also produce waste which must be disposed of properly or things may start to get a little funky (for lack of better words). Therefore, they employ workers whose job is waste management. Now imagine that these workers don’t take their jobs seriously. Think of all of the gook and muck that would be left behind to further deteriorate and promote illness & disease amongst the other employees and even the neighboring businesses. It would be absolutely disgusting! With this scenario in mind, just as the workers within a factory must labor to keep things up to code by disposing of waste & cleaning properly, we must eat and drink the right things in order for our organs to function effectively by properly disposing of the waste that resides within us. Waste management (on any level) is never a pretty job, but it is so necessary!

There are many ways that our bodies work to remove waste, but there are 4 particular ways which I find very interesting & necessary for folks to know about. Here’s my breakdown:

 SKIN: The Skin is the largest organ on our body. Skin is comprised of numerous blood vessels, pores, nerve endings & sweat glands. Throughout the surface of our skin are about 3 million little pockets called sweat glands which press out perspiration. This perspiration or sweat is particularly used to cool the body, however although sweat is made up of mostly water it also carries waste away and out of the skin.
When toxic products (i.e.: some deodorants & antiperspirants) are rubbed into our skin, they are absorbed and taken into the bloodstream where the toxins can subsequently affect our organs. It is important to pay special attention to the ingredients of which these products are made. Gracing your skin with natural and organic products (especially deodorants, toothpaste and skin care products), drinking 6-8 cups of water/day and even a luxurious massage once a week can help keep your skin healthy & allow for ample toxin removal.

 BOWEL MOVEMENTS: Okay, so we all know that the foods we consume are converted into waste after going through an extensive process within our bodies where nutrients are removed (and put to good use in the body) from the food & the rest is sent off to be purged. Assuming that the average person eats 3 meals/day, then the average person should move their bowels at least 3 times/day as well. Bowel movements are an essential part of a healthy system. When we don’t move our bowels often enough the waste from the foods we consume just sit there, eventually start to rot and can even be reabsorbed within our system. It is this rotting waste that poses so much danger and leads to disease. When this waste is not regularly swept away from our systems, things like colon cancer can begin to brew {Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US}. However, there are tons of little things that we can do to motivate our systems to release this waste like, drinking plenty of water, eating more roughage and consuming less alcohol & over processed foods.

 KIDNEYS:  Kidneys are bean sized organs that help the body to rid itself of waste by processing about 200 quarts of blood (each day) which in turn filters about 2 quarts of waste & excess water. This waste & water combo is removed from the body by way of urination. The kidneys are our body’s natural filtration system and need to be treated with respect. If it were not for the kidneys, waste products would build up in our blood, linger and most certainly lead to death. The most effective ways to keep these vital organs healthy is to drink plenty of water, drink alcohol in moderation (or omit it altogether), be careful of certain OTC drugs (specifically analgesics) and watching out for frequent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s).


 MENSTRUAL CYCLE:  Menstruation is the natural occurrence within women that normally happens once/month for about 3-5 days. It occurs when the blood, tissue and unfertilized egg leaves the uterus and passes through the vagina in order to exit the body. A women’s menstrual period helps to rid her reproductive organs of waste as blood delivers necessary nutrients to the body then transports the waste away. Since this is a special way in which our body helps to keep things in balance, we should try to avoid introducing foreign objects (ie: Tampons) into our body which may obstruct the flow of our menstrual period. Whenever possible do your best to use sanitary napkins (pads) to control your menstrual flow (also, ensure that the pads are un-fragranced as introducing perfumes to that region of the body can have some very adverse side effects). The body is trying to get rid of this blood for a reason, let it do its job naturally.
I am also aware that some doctors say that having a regular period is not necessary and therefore prescribe drugs like the birth control pill that only allows you to have 1 period/yr. I am very against this! I have nothing against using the pill as a way to take control of our body and when/how many children we bare, but it is important to consider the nature of some of these drugs and the effects that they can have on us as women. Try not to introduce too many hormone laden products into the body (whether it be via birth control pills or certain placenta hair conditioners). Keep it as natural as possible.

Bottom Line: Be good to your body now & it will reward you in the long run.

Natural Hair...To Be or Not To Be? *The Conclusion*

**If you have not yet read part 1, please click here***

Okay, so now that we've gotten my personal story out of the way let's get back to the facts:

#1. The hair industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and we, as African-American women, financially contribute about 67% of this industry. When I first heard this fact I was floored! But even still it all made so much sense. We are so miseducated that we are taught from an early age (on average) that our hair is too unmanageable, too much work and just not "good". Therefore we are even more drawn to the commercial hype of long, silky, straight, flowing hair as the norm. However, the desire for long and silky hair is not the main problem; in my humble opinion the main issue lies in the fact that we do not even know the best ways to go about achieving it. Believe it or not, silky, long hair can be achieved sans chemical processes. The proof is in the pudding, we spend hundreds and thousands of dollars per year trying every 'miracle' product under the sun. I'm guilty of this too! My mama used everything from Blue magic to Indian Hemp miracle grow on my hair. Back then we had no idea that this grease that was supposed to nourish our scalps and provide moisture to our hair, was in fact clogging the pores on our scalps and suffocating our follicles therefore retarding any substantial growth that we were initially seeking. This bad behavior normally continues as commercials get more glamorous, product labels get more cleaver and we become more vulnerable. Some of us figure it out and some of us do not. I have family members that are almost completely bald around the edges and nape of their heads and still continue to 'grease' and succumb to other habits that ultimately harm their scalps. The first 'golden rule' that I learned during my time of 'self discovery' was healthy scalp = healthy looking hair; there's just no way around it. If you treat your insides with TLC then that beauty and care will radiate from the inside OUT.

#2. Over the last year or so I've found out that many people are misinformed about the fact that most products on the shelves of our favorite stores are overloaded with chemicals. Would you put a huge glob of DMDM Hydantoin or a heaping spoonful of sodium benzoate into your mouth? Well after educating yourself by looking into these chemicals I'd hope that the answer is a solid, "No". Chemicals like these and worse are lurking in many over the counter hair care “miracles”, everything from Pantene Relaxed and Natural products (which I was a huge sucker for) to Cantu Shea Butter leave-in conditioner (which in my opinion isn't that bad, as it's harmful chemicals are located at the end of the ingredient list however, the point is that they are still there!). Ingesting ingredients like this would most certainly cause more than just a tummy ache; and I am very aware that there's a big difference between swallowing a chemical & applying it to ones skin however, damage is damage; there's nothing positive there no matter how you slice it. So, we put these things on our scalp, which is especially rich in blood vessels and pores, these pores absorb the chemicals that we place onto them, and once absorbed these chemicals find their way to our bloodstream where they can really wreck havoc. So now, not only are there chemicals traveling throughout our blood supply and accumulating within our bodies, but they are most likely affecting one of our most precious organs: The Brain. (And we wonder why there are so many of us walking around here half crazy, we're feeding our bodies the wrong stuff)! The theory of not placing something upon your scalp that you would not put into your mouth is common sense; I only wish that I would've been sharp enough to think this way at an earlier age, but better late than never. Sidebar: One other thing I think is really interesting is the use of the word 'Fragrance'; what does that really mean? Look into this when you get a chance. I could talk about ingredients all day-it's just a shame what this industry is doing to our personal care products. But moving on.....

#3. Natural hair can be just as manageable as relaxed hair and with even more styling options. This one comes from experience. When I was relaxed I was able to pull off several styles, my hair was longer & seemingly healthy (this was short lived). But there were also many downfalls that I was simply no longer interested in dealing with; aside from putting chemicals on my head, I was also not interested in running from the rain (so to not get my fresh perm wet), not interested in planning my activities ahead of time so that I'd know how to wear my hair (ie: rocking braids for a trip to the amusement park so that I wouldn't sweat out my perm) and definitely not interested in damaging my hair further by relaxing it before its proper 'touch-up' time just so I could be cute for a night out with the girls. I was tired of worrying about how to cover up new growth & not being able to wear certain styles until I got a touch-up. Overall, I was just sick & tired of being sick & tired.
Now that I'm natural I find it so much easier to be me. My hair is easy and gives me numerous styling options. I no longer have to plan activities around my hair, If I choose to go swimming I don't have to worry about how long ago I got my relaxer (because Chlorine & Perm don't mix well). I don't worry about the heat or sweating and I certainly do not worry about new growth—now I welcome it! My styles are low maintenance, heat-less and carefree! Not to mention that I can usually get multiple hairstyles out of one; for example, If I wear my hair in two-strand twist for a week, I can then simply pull those twists apart and rock a curly 'fro; a few days later I can opt to braid the sides & sport a 'fro-hawk, then I can fully re-wash/condition and don a wash-n-go! The possibilities are just endless.

For me, going natural was very necessary. I feel that I have found myself (I know that may sound silly as the only thing that has changed is my hair and diet, but I also feel a change in my self- perception). Outwardly, I'm presenting myself as the free spirited person that always resided within me and inwardly I'm feeding my body what it needs (and not so much of what it wants any longer) therefore I feel better about myself as a whole. I implore you to look into this matter for yourself, read information about your health, and even dare to delve into what it means to be natural on a more spiritual level. I guarantee that nothing but good things will come of it. Even if you're just interested in this journey strictly from an aesthetic perspective, you will indubitably benefit from the practices of being au naturale!

How does being natural/the prospect of going natural make you feel?

12 Secrets the Beverage Industry Doesn't Want You to Know | Eat This, Not That

My husband sent this to me.
Definitely worth taking a look at each 'Secret' (located in red on the left side of page).

Blessings,

~Aja

12 Secrets the Beverage Industry Doesn't Want You to Know Eat This, Not That

Natural Hair...To Be or Not To Be?

**Disclaimer: For me, Natural Hair is NOT about hating on those who choose to be ‘relaxed’, as I was addicted to the ‘creamy crack’ for years myself. My intentions are not to beat up on those who choose to use chemicals & praise those who do not. I’m coming from a path of self-discovery and understanding one’s health. Hence, this information can be useful to all. I hope you take something positive from it. Blessings, ~Aja **

Natural hair has indeed become a trend as of late, especially within the African-American community. Though some turn to this option simply to enjoy the aesthetics of natural hair, others do so for a much deeper reason; they make the conscience choice to go natural for their health, as well as to express their 'true' selves. But before we go and get too deep, let's start with what I feel are the facts:

Fact#1: The hair industry is a multi-Billion dollar industry and African-American women spend about 2/3 of those billions.

Fact#2: You should not place ingredients upon your hair/scalp that you would not find safe enough to place in your mouth.

Fact#3: Natural Hair can be just as manageable as relaxed hair, as well as have the potential to be stronger & have broader styling options.

I received my last relaxer on May 11, 2009 and did the Big Chop/ went completely natural (which for me means that I stopped using all products that contained harmful ingredients and began to really educate myself on natural/organic ingredients) on Thanksgiving Day 2009. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made!
I always had an urge to be this kind of 'earth child', if you will; my mom has referred to me as a 'flower child' for much of my life, but I guess that I wasn't able to embrace this free spirit of mine due to the same reasons why most people don't feel as if they can be themselves. I was never consciously worried about what people thought of me, as I was always one to march to the tune of my own drum, but deep inside I didn't really want to 'stand out' too much either. To make a long story short, it took college to help me get over that fear. Instead of telling myself that I shouldn't stand out or choose to be too noticeable, I began asking myself who am I not to stand out and shine? It became ridiculously clear to me that I am a unique person and the only person that I need to be true to is me. Other than my outward appearance I also started to consider what I looked and felt like on the inside. I started educating myself on African-American hair and what makes its so distinctive and the proper methods for catering to this uniqueness; as well as looking into our diet and what foods we should not be indulging in. Of course while doing this research it became distinctly obvious that no matter how carefully one cares for the outside appearance, it is the care of what is on the inside that is the driving force behind everything. I knew that chemical burns (or scalp burns) from perms, harsh shampoos & conditioners and eating the way younger people usually eat wasn't helping anything. I knew that I was capable of doing better, by my hair and most importantly by my overall health. That is the day that I promised myself that I would no longer worry about the standards of beauty that had been set by society. I was finally going to take control, and simply do what was best for me!

***This topic is longer than usual and therefore may be more easily digested in smaller portions. Please Stay Tuned for the Conclusion as we break down the Facts (above) in the next Natural Hair entry***

Have you 'Scrubbed' today?

Okay so lately exfoliating has become a really huge deal for me!
Mainly because I got rid of my token facial scrub by Aveeno sometime in April (I looooooved that scrub!!) One day after using it & boasting to my husband about how great it made my skin feel, he bought up the investigative question of, "What are the ingredients?" So of course, no matter how much I adored this product I couldn't let this question go...heck, even if I tried he wouldn't let it go away that easily anyways (gotta love him!) So, I looked into my beloved products' ingredients and found the following: SLS (which we discussed in "You Put WHAT on Your Skin!?"), PEG-16 Soy Sterol (which has organ system toxicity concerns attached to it), Phenoxyethanol (which acts as a preservative & fragrance. This ingredient was the scariest of all to me as it's known for cancer concerns & irritation of the eye, skin & lungs). It's also been deemed to be a great alternative to formaldehyde by Wikipedia...needless to say, this was enough for me, I didn't even need to research the rest! I guess the hubby asked a pretty beneficial question after all, huh?
So, with that disaster behind me, I was now on the search for a facial scrub that I thought would work well for my combination/oily, sensitive and acne-prone skin (in my most sarcastic tone: aren't you just jealous that you aren't me? lol) and be as 'chemical-free' as possible. Of course my first inclination was to conjure one up myself, but the face was an obstacle that I had not yet taken on; the skin on the face is just different, the cells on the top layer of skin are smaller on the face and overall that skin seems to be more sensitive than on the rest of your body. To be completely honest...with an extra-sensitive face like mine, I was a little intimidated. Then I got to thinking, sensitive skin or not, this didn't have to be a super scrub; I just needed something with very few ingredients that would help to slough that top layer of dead skin cells off of my face and aid in revealing the fresh, supple, new skin underneath! After mulling it over for 15 mins or so, it finally came to me-I ran into the kitchen, sprinkled about 1 Tbsp Raw Brown Sugar into the palm of my hand & added about 1 Tbsp of jojoba oil, along with about 4 drops of Tea Tree Oil to it. I then placed the mixture into a glass cup, took it into the bathroom where I moistened my face with warm water & proceeded to scrub (very lightly in an upward, circular motions). I rinsed the mix from my face and completed my beauty regime with cleansing and moisturizing. My face couldn't even tell the difference! It was just as bright & dewy-looking as it was when I was using the Aveeno, but now it had a bit of a fresh, tingly sensation from the tea tree oil-which was just an added bonus! I made my goal of using as few ingredients as possible and (to add a dash of accomplishment) those ingredients were better than 'chemical-free', they were All Natural!

One certainly does not have to be a chemist to come up with effective beauty products!

So, what homemade miracles have you made lately?


I recommend the following:

-If you have Oily Skin (like me) Combine:
1Tbsp Jojoba Oil
1 Tbsp (raw) brown sugar
3-5 drops of Tea Tree Oil

-If you have Dry Skin Combine:
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbsp (raw) brown sugar
1 capsule of Vit. E (squeeze the oil out)

-If you have Sensitive Skin Combine:
1 Tbsp Light Sesame Seed Oil
1 Tbsp (raw) brown sugar


Choose the one that best suits your skins' needs and let me know how it goes!