How I Learned to Love my Natural Hair!

Why?
    Well it all started when I became pregnant with my 2nd child who happened to be a girl. I wanted her to know that her skin and her hair are both beautiful just the way they are. Now how was I going to convince her if my hair is chemically straightened or hemmed with a full sew-in weave.  I had difficulty with my own hair in so many ways.  Any way after I had her, I decided to do the BIG CHOP. It was cute for a while but I had no idea how to take care of my hair naturally. Honestly, I used the wrong hair products which made things harder. So after a few months to a year I went back to relaxers.   It was great because it made my hair manageable but honestly it left me with the same look I've always had for the past decade. So just last year, I felt I needed a makeover.

The Makeover
  First, I went to a wig shop and the clerk convinced me into buying a pretty wig. It was ombre with blond/brown highlights. It was gorgeous and took my look up 10 notches.  Oh, did I get compliments but it wasn't really me. By April I was about to pass out with that gorgeous wig because, I live in the south with humid, high, hot temperatures.  So I went home took out my shears and cut my hair down to the new growth.  Suprisingly I loved it!  That's when I realized my hair type: curly. So I started using natural curling creams and that wig has been history ever since. I love my natural curl and my natural jet black color.



The Opposition
    I didn't know that my true hair would cause melodrama.  I got several compliments but also questions about my race and my sanity. I got compliments like, "It's a good thing you have cute hair." Or "What are you?" or "You must have multiple races in your family." At the end of the day their questions and opinions did matter. What matters is that I learned to love me for me.

Natural Way to Boost your Immune System

Apple Cider Vinegar   

     I am not a physician and this information has not been evaluated by the Drug and Food Administration. When I get the sniffles, headache, etc. I reach for apple cider vinegar. There are many different brands out there. I usually drink this tonic right before I go to bed. In the morning I feel like a newly refreshed person. Of course, if I were on any medication I would consult my physician first to make sure there are no harmful interactions. This is really possible because, apple cider vinegar is both antimicrobial as well as an antioxidant. In other words, it destroys harmful bacteria but also builds your immune system.  It gets better! Apple cider vinegar has also been known to lower blood sugar, aid in weight loss, lower cholesterol, and reduce symptoms of diabetes.

What is apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is apple juice that has been fermented twice. First, crushed apples are mixed with yeast, sugar or another carbohydrate. After a few weeks, natural bacteria and yeasts ferment the juice, changing the carbohydrates into alcohol. Then, a second fermentation process changes the alcohol into acetic acid — and now you have apple cider vinegar.

You can buy pasteurized or raw apple cider vinegar in stores. People most often use raw apple cider vinegar for health purposes because it may contain more natural bacteria and yeasts. These substances, known as “the mother,” are the cloudy sediment you see in the bottle.

Health Benefits

One health claim for apple cider vinegar is related to diabetes and blood sugar control. Research found that consuming apple cider vinegar after a meal could lower your blood glucose (sugar). This could be helpful for people with Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

But don’t expect vinegar alone to keep your blood sugar levels in check. “Apple cider vinegar might lower your glucose a little, but not enough,” says Czerwony. “To prevent or manage diabetes, follow a healthy diet and exercise plan.”

Weight Loss

If you’re trying to lose weight, every little boost can help. And apple cider vinegar may help with weight loss.  One small study showed that adding apple cider vinegar to a healthy diet might help people lose more weight. But these findings haven’t been proven with large, controlled studies. 

Side Effects

Apple cider vinegar has a high acidity that erodes tooth enamel, which you can’t get back once it wears away. It can also damage your esophagus if you drink it straight.

To help prevent these problems, water it down. Add a tablespoon to a mug of warm water. This can cut down on the amount of acid hitting your teeth and throat.

Other possible side effects of apple cider vinegar include:

• Lower potassium levels: Don’t use apple cider vinegar if you have low potassium levels (hypokalemia), as it could make the condition worse.
• Interactions with medicines: Apple cider vinegar can interact with some medicines, including insulin and diuretic drugs (water pills). If you take any medications, ask your doctor whether you can safely take apple cider vinegar.
• Nausea and vomiting: Some people quite literally can’t stomach the taste and acidity of apple cider vinegar. If it makes you feel sick, stop using it.

Recipe:  note: (It must be diluted with water because of acidity)
1-2 cups of hot water
1 tsp- 2tbs of Apple Cider Vinegar
lemon (optional)
cinnamon (optional)
honey (optional)
2-3 days

2 Reasons why you should wear Foundation?

Defends
  Foundation defends your skin from environmental stressors. Pollution, UV radiation, dust and air  are some environmental factors that can negatively impact the look of your skin.  These factors can cause premature aging. Exposure to solar radiation causes damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids and reduces antioxidant levels in the skin.

Delay
     Pigments and other light reflecting ingredients in foundation can act like a physical blocker and give some added protection to the skin. This is the  protection you need to offset premature aging. Not only that, it can give you an added boost of confidence because, you will look absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Here's a link to a foundation finder: https://www.marykay.com/hsouzey/en-us/tips-and-trends/beauty-extras/discover-more/timewise-3d-foundations

Replenish and Restore!

Coconut Water    

     When my husband and I were newly weds he introduced me to a way to get hydration and restoration after a long day of wear and tear. At first, I'll admit I was not fully convinced. He drank coconut water everyday.  Well I finally tried it. Oh my goodness, it gave me a restored filling. It helped with aches and pains, as well as tiredness. So here's the benefits of coconut water: 

 

Source of Nutrients

Coconut water has more than 10 times the amount of potassium of most sports drinks. An 8-ounce glass of coconut water is packed with as much potassium as a banana. Most Americans fall short of the daily recommendation for potassium. At 405 mg per cup, the potassium in coconut water can help you ward off cramps.

Potassium helps keep fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, especially during exercise. Because there is more potassium than sodium in coconut water, the potassium may help balance out sodium’s effect on blood pressure and possibly even help lower it.

Calcium is vital for more than just strong bones and teeth. It helps muscles contract and work properly. As you exercise, your muscles pull on your bones and break them down slightly. As your body recovers, your bones use calcium to get stronger and repair.

Magnesium helps to move calcium and potassium into muscles to aid in contraction and relaxation. It also helps with energy production and supports organ function. A hard workout can leave you depleted in magnesium and prone to cramps, restless muscles, and spasms.

While coconut water contains more calcium and magnesium than other sports drinks or fruit juices, it is not a concentrated source of either mineral. Coconut water contains less than 5 percent of your recommended amount of both calcium and magnesium.

Antioxidant

In addition to all of its hydrating benefits, coconut water contains antioxidants that help to neutralize oxidative stress and free radicals created by exercise. Look for fresh coconut water to get the highest levels of antioxidants. Processed and heat pasteurized coconut water has fewer antioxidants, according to a recent study.

The bottom line is that coconut water can be a great way to rehydrate after a hard, sweaty workout. Swap coconut water for a traditional sports drink and skip the added sugar, dyes, and other synthetic ingredients.

If you are trying to lose weight, it might be best to opt for water instead. Choose water if you haven’t sweat excessively, since coconut water does not rehydrate you any better than water does and it comes with extra calories and sugar.

Seek out fresh, unprocessed coconut water to get the most antioxidants and a true taste of the tropics.

Healthy Sides!!!

Kale

   Today I had Chick Fila as an afternoon snack. I love their little juicy chicken bites but I fell in love with their new choice of side: kale. Yes! Kale! Don't knock it until you try it. They call it, "Crunchy Kale."  The name had me curious and I always have fries as a side every time I eat drive thru. So why not kale? Well, according to Medical News Today, kale contains fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamins C and K, iron, and a wide range of other nutrients that can help prevent various health problems.

  Antioxidants help the body remove unwanted toxins that result from natural processes and environmental pressures. These toxins, known as free radicals, are unstable molecules. If too many build up in the body, they can lead to cell damage.  This may result in health problems such as inflammation and diseases. Experts believe that free radicals play a role in the development of cancer. I will definitely look at the healthier choices the next time I eat drive thru.

Health Benefits

Kale is a nutrition superstar due to the amounts of vitamins A, K, B6 and C, calcium, potassium, copper and manganese it contains. One cup of raw kale has just 33 calories and only 7 grams of carbohydrate. So, it’s a very diabetes-friendly/weight-friendly vegetable. Kale is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family along with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, collard greens, kohlrabi, rutabaga, turnips and bok choy. These vegetables offer health benefits, including potentially reducing the risk of various types of cancer. 

Types of Kale

6 Steps to a Flawless Face!

Relax with Green Tea!

     Green Tea

    Did you know there are natural healthy ways to unwind after a long day? Alcohol is not the only way to relax. Green tea has been known to help with several issues. From blood flow to cancer and even weight loss are just some of the reasons to drink green tea. My favorite is pomegranate green tea. So how does green tea promote relaxation? It has an amino acid called l-theanine. L-theanine gives you the relaxed feeling. Think I'm kidding? Try it for yourself.

Catechins

    Its all about the catechins in green tea.  Catechins are antioxidants that fight and may even prevent cell damage. Green tea is not processed much before it's poured in your cup, so it's rich in catechins. Green tea has been shown to improve blood flow and lower cholesterol.  In one study, MRIs showed that people who drank green tea had greater activity in the working-memory area of their brains. Green tea has also been shown to help block the formation of plaques that are linked to Alzheimer's disease.  Green tea seems to help keep blood sugar stable in people with diabetes. Because catechins lower cholesterol and blood pressure, they can help protect against the damage a high-fat diet can cause.

Cancer

Studies on green tea’s effect on cancer have been mixed. But green tea is known to aid healthy cells in all stages of growth. There are some clues that green tea may help destroy cancer cells, but that research is still in its early stages, so you shouldn’t count on green tea to prevent cancer. In fact, the National Cancer Institute's web site says it "does not recommend for or against the use of tea to reduce the risk of any type of cancer."

Pomegranate Green Tea

My favorite green tea after a long hard day especially in humid Louisiana is pomegranate green tea. I don't drink my tea hot. I love this tea with ice and a drizzle of honey. 

There are benefits to drinking pomegranate tea because pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, substances that help the 

body fight and prevent our cells from aging.  The active ingredients in pomegranates are able to reduce blood pressure and lower overall cholesterol levels.  Combining your pomegranate mixture with regular tea can give your metabolism a major boost, which means pomegranate tea helps with weight loss. This can help to improve your passive fat-burning potential, which means more calories being burned every day, if you’re trying to shed those extra pounds. 

Boost your Energy Naturally!!!

Lemon Water

    Feeling a little tired or irritable lately? Well you may need a break or vacation but you may need to CARE for yourself with a detox. I detox with lemon and water.  Why DETOX?
A lemon water detox can help promote liver function and regularity.  It also detoxifies your body by acting as a diuretic to flush out potential toxins. Lemon water may also enhance immunity, increase weight loss, prevent kidney stones, improve skin health and boost energy levels. Most of all it's really cheap.  Also, you can do it whenever you like. I like to drink lemon water right before I go to bed. I love the way I feel. I feel refreshed and energized after 4-5 days of this simple regimen.

A lemon water detox can help promote liver function and regularity.  It also detoxifies your body by acting as a diuretic to flush out potential toxins. Lemon water may also enhance immunity, increase weight loss, prevent kidney stones, improve skin health and boost energy levels. Most of all it's really cheap.  Also, you can do it whenever you like. I like to drink lemon water right before I go to bed. I love the way I feel. I feel refreshed and energized after 4-5 days of this simple regimen.

Drinking lemon water  at the start of each day is an easy supplement that can improve your  health in a very major way. Not only is it refreshing but it jumps starts digestion and your body’s natural detoxification process.  Also, lemons are loaded with iron, calcium, vitamins C and B, enzymes, potassium, magnesium, fibers, and antioxidants, which may help build up your resistance to aliments, sickness, and disease. It’s a refreshment with  endless benefits in your daily routine.

Boost Immune System                                                                                                                      Lemon water can boost your immune system as it is high in vitamin C which fights cold and flu by strengthening the immune system, and helps improve the body's ability to absorb more iron from the foods consumed which is an important nutrient. Lemons also have antiviral and antibacterial properties that aid in fighting off colds and flu, which also soothe a sore throat.

Detoxification                                                                                                                                     Lemon juice has a similar structure to the juices that are found in you stomach that helps to break down and flush out toxins from in the digestive tract. It also helps to hydrate your colon, stimulate bile production, infuses water into stool, and aides your bowels moving in the morning. It can help to ease bloating, heartburn, and indigestion. Lemons help to flush your system and stimulate your liver to produce more enzymes and make them work more productively. Lemon juice works to keep your urinary tract toxin free and change PH levels which decreases bacterial growth.

Antioxidant                                                                                                                         

Lemons are a very rich source of antioxidants that promote healthy skin by help to resist free radical damage that is responsible for the premature aging of your skin. The vitamin C helps restore and maintain skin’s elasticity to help prevent the formation of wrinkles and decreases blemishes.
Lemons have the ability to reduce inflammation by relenquishing uric acid from your joints. With its sour taste lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods known that alkalize the body.  Too much uric acid is one of the known major cause of inflammation. Too many acids in the body not only causes inflammation, but it can also cause obesity, major diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.

Drinking lemon water can help you reach your long term weight loss goals when added to your routine. It helps boost your metabolism, fight hunger cravings, and gives you a full feeling making you less likely to snack between meals.

Lemon water can give you a boost to help fight stress and depression, it creates more focus and mental clarity as it contains high levels of magnesium and potassium which are beneficial on our nerve health and brain.

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