Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Shea Mixture

Ok I've decided to post the recipe for the whipped shea mixture that I use. Its not my own original recipe. I actually got it from the book Thank God I'm Natural by Chris-Tia Donaldson. If you haven't read it, I would highly suggest that you do. It has tons of great, easy to make, homemade product recipes. This one happens to be my favorite. I had to tweak it a little bit (I had tons of trouble with the e-book version of this book) but it still came out quite well and my hair loves it. It's actually supposed to be hair pomade but I also use it on my skin, which is extremely dry all the time now since living in New Hampshire. So here's the recipe. You can adjust to suit your hair needs. Again, this was taken from the book Thank God I'm Natural by Chris-Tia Donaldson. Check it out. It’s an awesome read! Also if you’re looking for more great homemade recipes check out Motowngirl.com. She has tons!


Whipped Shea Buttter Pomade:

· 4oz (I used 7 oz) of unrefined shea butter

· ¼ cup of sweet almond oil (I sometimes use jojoba oil)

· 1/8 cup of castor oil

· 1 Vitamin E capsule

· 5 drops of ylang ylang

· 3 drops of vanilla

  • I have substituted the ylang ylang and vanilla with 5 drops of lavender oil. The smell still came out pretty nice.



Directions:

Melt shea butter over low heat using the double-boiler method. When the shea butter is completely melted, stir in the sweet almond oil and castor oil and allow to cool. Once the mixture has a soft butter like consistency, break open a Vitamin E capsule and squeeze into the mixture. Using an electric mixer with whisks beat on low until the mix becomes fluffy and has the look of egg whites. Add in fragrant oils and mix again. Pour into a plastic container and let cool. The result will be a fluffy (almost like cool whip) smooth textured shea butter that literally melts into the hair and skin.
  • The author notes that improper heating of shea butter can cause the butter to crystallize as it cools. She suggests that the shea butter should be heated to about 175 degrees for at least 20 minutes.

Give it a try!

KinkySheaPT

Super Food and Fitness Tip of the Week


Super Food of the Week: Whole Wheat


This week’s focus is on whole wheat. In its natural unrefined state, wheat features a host of important nutrients for your overall health and hair. So to receive benefit from the wholesomeness of wheat its important to choose wheat products made from whole wheat flour rather than those that are refined and stripped of their much-needed natural goodness.

The health benefits of wheat depend on the from in which you eat it. These benefits are reduced if you select wheat that has been processed into 60% extraction (bleached white flour), which is the standard for most wheat products in the U.S. This means that 40% of the original wheat grain was removed and only 60% is left. Unfortunately, in that 40% over half of the vitamins B1, B2, B3, E, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron, and fiber are lost. Since 1941, laws in the United States have required the “enrichment” of processed wheat flour with vitamins B1, B2, B3, and iron in response to problems created by the 60% extraction. However, if you select 100% whole-wheat or whole-grain products, all of the would be lost nutrients will remain in its natural full force in your meals and the health benefits will be impressive.

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition researchers underscored the importance of choosing whole rather than refined wheat to maintain a healthy body weight. In this particular Harvard Medical School/ Brigham and Women’s Hospital study the collected data showed that weight gain was inversely associated with the intake of high-fiber, whole-grain foods, such as whole wheat, but was positively related to the intake of refined-grain foods. Not only did the women who consumed more whole grains consistently weigh less than those who ate less of the fiber rich foods they were also less likely to gain weight.

Eating whole grains, such as whole wheat, can substantially lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Whole grains are a rich source of magnesium, a mineral that acts as a co-factor for more than 300 enzymes, including the enzymes involved in the body’s use of glucose and insulin secretion. The FDA permits foods that contain at least 51% whole grains by weight (and are also low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol) to display a health claim stating that consumption is liked to lower risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Research now suggests that regular consumption of whole grains also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, as published in Diabetes Care.

In an 8-year trial, involving 41,186 participates of the Black Women’s Health Study; research data confirmed the inverse association between magnesium, calcium and major food sources in relation to type 2 diabetes that had already been reported in predominately white populations. The results were that the risk of type to diabetes was 31% lower in black women who frequently ate whole grains compared to those eating non-whole grain foods. Daily consumption of low-fat dairy foods was also helpful, lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes by 13%.

Some of the other many wonderful benefits of whole wheat include reduction of chronic inflammation, prevention of gallstones, promotion of gastrointestinal regularity and health, protection against breast cancer, protection against heart disease, and the promotion of over all health as well as an energy boost. So try kicking the refined or “enriched” grains and add whole grains for a healthy dose of zinc, iron, B vitamins and a host of other nutrients your hair will thank and reward you for. Try using whole wheat, or whole grain, bread for sandwiches or make individual pizzas using whole wheat pita breads as the crust. If you’re a big fan of pasta, then try using whole-wheat pasta for some of your favorite pasta dishes. If you’re a big fan of breakfast cereal, then reach for cereal that contains whole grain or whole wheat.

Fitness Tip of the Week: Exercise and Pregnancy

Congratulations! You just found out the fabulous news that you’re preggers. You’re filled with excitement, anticipation, anxiety, and the commitment to do everything right for baby and you. You’ve committed yourself to bringing a healthy and beautiful baby into the world, which means mommy, must be healthy as well. So now comes the question of exercise. Should you continue with your exercise routine or should you begin one to optimize health for both yourself and baby? Well, the first step to help answer the question is a visit and chat with your doctor. Usually exercise during pregnancy is encouraged, however under some circumstances exercise may be detrimental to both mom and baby. Only after a through clinical evaluation can a physician determine your exercise risks, should there be any.

Exercising during pregnancy offers many physical and emotional benefits. A good exercise program may help to relieve common problems associated with pregnancy, such as excessive weight gain, swelling of the hands and feet, leg craps, varicose veins, insomnia, fatigue, and constipation. Moms-to-be can also look forward to improved posture and circulation, reduced backaches, and increased mood and energy. Plus, you’ll feel so great in the knowledge that you’re doing something for good for your baby and yourself.

If you and your doctor decide that exercise is appropriate and safe for you and baby remember to listen to your body. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women, who have been cleared by their physician, engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on all or most days of the week. Some highly effective and generally safe physical activities during pregnancy include walking, swimming, cycling, and moderate intensity aerobics. Running, racquet sports, and strength training (when done in moderation) are safe for pregnant women who have been participating in these activities prior to becoming pregnant. Strenuous activity should only be done under careful guidance of a physician, as strenuous activity may be associated with intrauterine growth restriction.

When you are ready to design your program it is important to take into account the changes you are experiencing. Your body alignment and posture will be different and you may have reduced strength and endurance as well as extra weight, which places stress on your joints and muscles and makes the heart work harder. Let your body be your guide. You know you’re at a good intensity when you can talk normally and not become exhausted or winded too quickly.

As you progress in your pregnancy it is important to note certain precautions. After the first trimester, pregnant women should avoid exercises that require them to lie on their backs in a supine position. This can cause dizziness upon standing and it also decreases blood flow to you and baby. Also avoid sports activities with increased risk of trauma or falling, for example ice hockey, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, horseback riding, downhill skiing.

Now that you’re exercising for two, its important to pay very close attention to anything that isn’t right for you or baby. Stop exercising and call your physician if you experience ANY of the following:

1. Vaginal bleeding

2. Shortness of breath before exercising

3. Headache

4. Chest pain

5. Muscle weakness

6. Calf pain or swelling

7. Preterm labor

8. Decreased fetal movement

9. Amniotic fluid leakage

If you are interested in starting a prenatal exercise program but not sure where or how to start, first check with your physician. If your physician gives you the green light for exercise then check with the fitness centers in your area, the YMCA and community hospitals. If you’re still not sure where to start, speak with a trainer that holds a certification from an accredited organization and has specialized training in prenatal fitness to help build a safe and effective program for you and baby. Also if you’re taking fitness classes make sure your class instructor specializes in prenatal fitness in addition to holding certification from an accredited organization. Some of the most prized and respected accredited organizations include the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).

Until next week, stay happy and healthy!
KinkySheaPT

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Health and Fitness Tips of the Week



Super Food of the Week: Soy Beans

The slightly nutty flavored soy been has been cultivated in Asia for over 3,000 years but surprisingly the good news about soy’s versatility and health benefits is relatively new in the west. Soybeans are the most widely grown and utilized legume in the world and one of the most well researched, health-promoting foods available today. Soybeans can come in various colors such as green, yellow, brown or black.

Soybeans are equal in protein to animal foods, making this super food and excellent heath promoting meat replacement for vegetarians and diabetics who may have a problem with animal proteins. One cup of soybeans provides 57.2% of the recommended daily value for protein for less than 300 calories and only 2.2 grams of saturated fat. As an added plus, soy protein tends to lower cholesterol levels, while consuming protein from animal sources tends to raise them. Soybeans also score high nutrition points for contain almost half (49.1%) of the recommended daily value of iron, plus 37.0% of the daily value of magnesium and 41.2 % of the recommended daily value of essential omega-3 fatty acids.

Soybeans can also help us stay lean. A study published in Endocrinology suggest that active isoflavone compounds found in soy may help us stay lean by causing the body to produce fewer and smaller fat cells. Studies have also shown soy to lower cholesterol by providing a double punch in the form of a bio-active peptide that could cause the body to inhibit the expression of the gene responsible for our body’s internal production of cholesterol. Soy also provides special benefits for women’s hearts and bones. Studies conducted have produced results indicating a beneficial synergy between isoflavones and the body’s own estrogen in decreasing cholesterol and increasing bone mass. Soybeans are among the several types of legumes that help to lower the risk of diabetes and promote gastrointestinal health.

Our super food this week may be small in stature but carries a big stick to fight off and prevent various diseases and health conditions. This legume also serves as a healthy alternative to getting the protein, fatty acids, vitamin B and K, as well as other nutrients, which our hair and body crave for proper function and health. There are many ways to incorporate soybeans into your diet. For example you can replace some of the wheat flour in your baked goods with soybean flour and increase the protein content of your cookies, cakes, muffins, and breads. You can also mix sprouted soybeans into salads or use as toppings for sandwiches. You can add soybeans to your stews and soups or use soy milk in place of cow’s milk as a beverage and cereal topper. Soybeans have amazing culinary versatility so don’t be afraid to experiment and enjoy!


Fit Tip of the Week: How To Beat The Heat While Exercising

Spring is in full swing! The plants, flowers and the rest of the world are coming back to life. But as the temperatures rise and we abandon the gym for the great outdoors, we need to be reminded to protect ourselves from heat illness during exercise. Its not uncommon for a run or a walk on a hot sunny day to cause fatigue and heat illness. There are three major types of heat illnesses. Heat cramps are often sever, and often disabling, cramps that start in the hands, calves or feet. Heat exhaustion produces symptoms of fatigue, nausea, headaches, extreme thirst, confusion or anxiety, dizziness, as well as other symptoms. Heat exhaustion requires immediate attention but is not usually life-threatening. Finally there is heat stroke, which includes symptoms of a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, increased body temperature (104-106 degrees Fahrenheit), confusion, convulsions, and hot flushed and dry skin. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and can occur suddenly, without any symptoms of heat exhaustion. Following a few simple precautions for exercising in hot or humid weather can prevent all of these conditions:

Hydrate! Drinking enough fluid, be it water or a sports drink, is important for exercising in hot or humid weather. By maintaining proper hydration, the body is able to maintain proper body temperature and prevent you from over heating. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to start replenishing fluids loss though sweat. Thirst is the first sign of dehydration. So, always strive to drink 7 to 10 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise. Water isn’t all that is lost when your body sweats. Your body also looses electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride. It is just as important to replace these with a sports drink during continuous exercise lasting longer than one or two hours.

Reduce exercise intensity. The first few times you are exposed to higher temperatures it’s a good idea to reduce the intensity of your workout until your body is acclimated to the new environmental changes. Allow your body to ease into the new environmental changes.

Watch the temperature AND humidity. High humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, and when sweat doesn’t evaporate your body can’t cool itself. Thus making humidity just as dangerous as heat. Often to determine the level of danger of temperature and humidity a Heat Stress Index chart is used. By using temperature and relative humidity this chart can help determine the level of danger of exercising in a variety of temperatures and relative humidity. The National Weather Service has published an easy to use Heat Index Chart on their website (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/heatindex.shtml) that you can use to assess the levels of danger. The more dangerous the heat and humidity are the more you should postpone your physical activity until the temperatures cool. You can plan ahead and beat the heat by exercising early in the morning or in the early evening.

Know your fitness levels. Everyone should take caution when exercising in heat, but if you’re physically unconditioned you should be extra cautious. Give yourself time to acclimate to the weather. Remember, the acclimatization process can take between 7 and 14 days of repeated heat exposure. Some people need more ands some need less. Physical training and heat acclimation can increase the body’s blood volume, thereby helping to regulate body temperature more efficiently. Again, you must drink fluids before, during and after exercise.

Clothing. When exercising in higher temperatures you should wear minimal clothing to provide a greater surface area for heat dissipation. Lightweight, loose-fitting, light colored clothes made of material that absorbs water, such as cotton) are ideal.

REST!!! Know when to take a break. Use common sense. If you need to sit in the shade, then do it. If you think it’s too hot to go for a run or walk, then don’t go or stay inside and use the treadmill. If you’re feeling overly tired after a day of working out in the heat then take some time to rest. Use common sense.

Until next week, stay happy and healthy!!

KinkySheaPT

Updates and Fun Stuff...

Well, it's been almost a week and a half since my last post and I've had a couple of changes to my routine. I'm still wearing the double side buns and am enjoying the super ease of the style. Its very low maintanance. All I have to do at night is wrap a scarf around my head and wake up the next day and go. The style lasts all week, which is great.

Last week, I was in my local health food store picking up a few ingredients for my homade whipped shea butter mix and I came across a container marked Neutral Henna. Well, knowing as much about henna as I do I knew that this was NOT real henna (no such thing as neutral henna) and that what I was holding in my had was actually Cassia Obovata.  Cassia Obovata is used to make your hair thick, healthy, and shiny. I've been wanting to try this out forever and have been putting off ordering Cassia Obovata from Mehandi.com (I am so impatient when it comes to shipping!). So, I decided to give this product a try. With Cassia you don't have to mix it with lemon juice, just warm water or I've even heard of some curlies using warm green tea.  The first thing I noticed was how gritty the powder was and I got really worried about the grit getting stuck in my hair. Anyway, I gave this a shot and left it in my hair for about an hour with my micro heat cap. Turns out, the product did work well, but the grit I noticed earlier did become a problem. I did have a hard time getting the grit out, but was sucessful after co-washing, washing with my homemade shampoo, co-washing again and deep conditioning and rinsing that out and detangling. The clean up in the shower was a nightmare as well. Once I finally got all the grit out of my hair, my hair was softer, and my curls were a bit loose and seemed to hang better. I finished with a bit of leave in conditioner and applying my shea mix to seal everything and finally styled. Over all I will be using Cassia Obovata again but I will definately be ordering from Mehandi.com. I've never had a problem with grit from their products as their powders are as fine as baby powder and mix very well. I guess sometimes it is worth the wait.

Other changes. Let's see. I've changed my hair supplement. I've been using GNC Hair, Skin, and Nails formula and haven't been very satisfied with the results. My nails and skin are great but I'm just not seeing it in the hair. Even with the use of the Wild Growth Hair Oils, I'm just not seeing any results different from before I've started using these products. I noticed a small change at first but then nothing. So after much research (I have to be sure about what I'm putting in my body) I settled on trying Nature's Plus Ultra Hair Plus supplements. Almost every review I've read online were positive with very few negative (and by very few I mean 3 or 4 out of the dozens of reveiws I've read). I've been taking these vitamins for about a week now and I haven't noticed much (nor did I expect to after only a week). I have a 30 day supply and will make my final judgement after the bottle is gone, just to be fair. I'm looking to get a length check done so I can compare my lengths when I started taking the new supplements against my length after I finish the bottle. Hopefully, this will be something I can hang my hat on.

Speaking of hats, I was in Target a couple of days ago and stumbled on the perfect summer hat (gotta protect my hair from the sun if I'm going to be outside for a while). The hat was designed for Target by Euginea Kim and it's a straw fedora. Sounds weird but it looks super cute! Check out the pics below. I also got the earrings from Target as well. I'm addicted to their earrings!




Thursday, April 15, 2010

This Week's Super Food and Fitness Tip of the Week

Super Food of the Week: Almonds
 
 


The almond that we typically think of as a nut is technically the seed of the fruit of the almond tree, which produces fragrant pink and white flowers. Much like the peach, cherry, and apricot trees, almond trees produces fruit with stone-like seed (or pits) in them, which is where we get the almond nut. Almonds have received wide praise for their ability to help foster healthy growing hair. Almonds not only contain high amounts of protein, vitamin E, and magnesium, almonds also contain some amounts biotin.

Although high in fat, almonds are also very good for your health. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, the same type of health promoting fats found in olive oil, which have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease and the reduction bad cholesterol. Eating whole almonds (with skin) has been shown to provide even more heart healthy benefits. The flavanoids found in almond skin team up with vitamin E to more than double the antioxidant punch to help protect the heart from disease.

The healthy fats in almonds have also been shown to reduce weight with the help of the monounsaturated fat found in almonds. Almonds also lower the risk of weight gain according to a study published in the journal Obesity. During a 28-month study involving over 8,800 men and women in Spain, researchers found that participants who ate nuts at least twice a week were 31% less likely to gain weight than the participants never or almost never ate nuts.

In another study, researchers found that daily consumption of almonds may help you to eat a healthier diet. In a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, the normal eating patterns of 43 men and 38 women were followed for 6 months. After 6 months they were told to eat 2 ounces of almonds daily but were not given any further instructions about changing their diet, and were followed for an additional 6 months. At the end of the study a number of beneficial changes were recorded. While eating almonds, the participants’ intake of health-promoting monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated acids, fiber, vegetable protein, vitamin E, copper and magnesium significantly increased. At the same time, the intake of trans fatty acids, animal protein, sodium, cholesterol and sugars significantly decreased. Both sets of changes in nutrient intake are a close match to the dietary recommendations known to prevent cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.


The many other benefits of almonds include energy production (thanks to copper and manganese), the prevention of gallstones, and providing more protein than the typical egg yolk, which is a great option for vegans and vegetarians.

There are many creative ways to sneak almonds into your diet. You can add some chopped almonds and dried fruit to plain non-fat yogurt for a little kick. Almonds can be added to chicken salad or can be used to make cold rice salad with fresh garden peas and currants. Or you can just do it the old fashion way and eat them raw. Anyway you like them; almonds are sure increase your hair, heart, and overall health as well as help decrease the waistline.



Fit Tip of the Week: Strength Training 101

This week we’re going delve a little deeper into the recommended practices of strength training. We’re going to look at the general guidelines to include frequency (how often), volume (repetitions and sets), and types of strength training exercises. Remember to consult your health care provider before starting or modifying physical activity. I also recommend a consultation with a certified fitness professional to learn and ensure you’re using safe and proper techniques before beginning a strength-training program. That being said, let’s take a look at the general recommendations for strength training.


Frequency:

So how often should a person participate in strength training workouts? The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that for general muscular fitness an individual should strength train each major muscle group 2-3 days per week with at least 48 hours separating the exercise training sessions for the same muscle group. For example, you don’t want do an upper body strength training session two days in a row or with only one day of rest between upper body training sessions. This will cause the muscle to “burn out” and result in injury. The rest period will give the muscle time to recover and adjust to the demands being placed upon it. Depending on a person’s schedule, all muscle groups to be trained may be done so in the same session (i.e., the entire body in one session twice a week), or the person may decide to “split” the body into selected groups so only a few of them are trained in any one session. For example, the muscles of the lower body may be trained on Mondays and Thursdays, and the upper body muscles may be trained on Tuesdays and Fridays. With this rotation each muscle group (upper and lower body) are trained twice a week and the 48-hour rest period for each muscle group is allotted for.


Volume (Repetitions and Sets):

In general, adults should train each muscle group for a total of 2 to 4 sets with 8 to 12 repetitions per set with a rest interval of 2 to 3 minutes between sets to improve muscular fitness. For older adults and very unconditioned persons, one or more sets of 10 to 15 repetitions of moderate intensity resistance are recommended. As far as the amount of weight, or resistance, being used should, this should be of moderate intensity. Moderate intensity on a scale of 1 (very easy) to 10 (very difficult), the amount of resistance should yeild a rating of a 5 or 6. The actual amount of weight (5 pounds, 10 pounds, and so on) will vary from person to person.


Types of Resistance (Strength Training) Exercises:

Strength training regimens should include multijoint or compound exercises (for example, the bench press, leg press or dips) that affect more than one muscle group and joint. More examples include the shoulder press, lower-back extensions and abdominal crunches. Single-joint exercises, such as bicep curls and triceps extensions, can also be used to target more specific muscles.


The above mentioned are the more general guidelines for strength training, however all individuals should receive professional instruction in proper strength training techniques to ensure efficiency, safety, progression and to find a regimen that is suited to their individual needs and goals. Most people with strength training routines will likely experience rapid improvements in strength and muscle tone. Do not get discouraged if visible improvements start to taper off after a few weeks. As your fitness level improves, improvements in strength and appearance may come at a slightly slower pace. Stay with it! Also remember to allow some variation in your program. Using machines and free weights are both effective tools for strength training, and a combination of the two is generally recommended. Utilizing both provides variety, which not only reduces boredom, but also provides a subtle exercise difference that enhances progress.


I hope this has help to clear up some confusion some may have with strength training programs. If you have any further questions you know where to find me! Until next week, stay happy and healthy!

KinkySheaPT

I'm Baaaaack!!

Wow, I can't believe it's been since the end of February since I've last posted. Things have been really busy but good news to report. The Hubs and I are gearing up for our next duty station in the next month and a half or so. I've added to my health and fitness resume by becoming a licensed ZUMBA Fitness Instructor and have been working with another ZUMBA instructor to build my teaching skills. This paired with my ACSM Personal Trainer Certification will certainly help pay for grad school.

Zumba and Zumba Fitness are registered trademarks of Zumba Fitness, LLC. Used with permission

In more hair related news, I've become a contributor to my favorite curly hair blog CurlyNikki.com. I post weekly health and fitness tips and can be found on the CurlFriends section of the CN.com community. I'm going to start poisting the same health and fitness tips here as well. I'm so excited and happy to be apart of CurlyNikki.com. I've also celebrated my 1 year natural anniversary. I'm so pleased with my hair's progress and growth. It's been slow coming but it's healthy. I've started noticing texture changes in my hair. I still have alot of 4a/b curls, which seem to have loosened up, but I'm starting to see alot of 3c curls at the nape of my neck.


I've changed up my routine a bit. I'm back to taking my GNC Hair, Skin and Nails vitamins. I've been wearing my hair in a new style, two side buns with flat twists across the front. I wear this style during the week and then wash, deep conditioner and back to buns. I love this style. It's easy and talks very little time to do and allows my hair to rest and keeps me from manipulating it too much. It also holds up very well in the gym! I've also stumbled onto an awesome find in Giovanni 50:50 Balancing and Hydrating conditioner. I picked it up by accident thinking it was the Smooth As Silk conditioner. It's super thick and super slip when the water hits it. Left in and pared with my shea butter, jojoba oil, castor oil and vitamin E mix yeilds super soft and mosturized hair when dried. A total win for me.

I also fell in love with CurlFormers! I've used these for two formal events (as part of a wedding and for a military ball) and both times have yeilded great results with paired with Oyin's Shine and Define styling pomade. (Will post the pics when the portraits from the ball arrive My styles held up after lots of dancing and sweating and even produced second and third day hair. I've also been working with two new deep conditioners from the Carol's Daughter line. The jury is still out on the ruling but we shall see.


I also got a surprise today! I checked my blog and noticed that I have two followers! HI TNT5150 AND PAMELA!! I'm flattered and excited at the same time. Thanks ladies and welcome! I am defenately going to have to stay on top of my blog now *smile*.

Anyway, I'm so glad to be back to work on my blog. I think this is such a helpful tool in my natural hair journey and I'm disappointed in myself for letting it fall to the wayside. Sometimes you have to see your progress to really "see" your progress. Reminders are always helpful. That's it for now. Later tonight I'll post my latest health and fitness tips from CN.com and will post past tips in the upcoming days. Glad to be back!