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Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Friday!




Good Morning Beautifuls!

I'm taking the day off. So much to do!
Happy Halloween to all those who celebrate it! Be safe!
Happy Friday to everyone!!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Post Title Happy Friday!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Alternatives To "The Rag"




Good Morning Beautifuls!

Yesterday a close friend of mine sent me an email regarding the use of popular pads and tampons. I had read this information before so her email reminded me about my plan to purchase/use cotton pads and tampons. I have even considered the diva cup.

My decision stems from information that I've found regarding the bleaching methods used to process commercial pads and tampons. The chemicals used during the bleaching process are believed to contain carcinogenic dioxins that can be absorbed into the body. You can find this information on the web. These chlorinated pollutants are a cause of numerous health problems including cancer, reproductive problems, endometriosis & immune system suppression.

There are alternatives like the diva cup which is latex-free, plastic-free, and hypoallergenic. There are also companies like Pandora Pads and Natracare that offer 100% cotton pads and tampons.

My purpose in sharing this information with you is not to scare you but to inform you and motivate you to do research on these products and other popular products that you consistently use in your life. Like the biblical scripture says,"..my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge..", I observe that this holds true in our society.

Post Title Alternatives To "The Rag"

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Helpful Tip for Smoothies!


Hello Beautifuls!

I hope that all is well in your world. I just had to drop this helpful tip that I received today.

We have a transportation coalition that is encouraging everyone to use alternative commuting resources to get to and from work and to walk to the stores/restaurants that surround our office buildings. As incentives, they give us giftcards for walking to designated spots. (Cool huh!) Anyhoo, Wednesday's incentive is a $5 Farmer's Market Voucher. All you have to do is walk to it. Which is no biggie. It isn't far plus you can't beat the exercise you get in the process.

Well, I spotted the organic farm's booth and ended buying some spinach and a bag of mixed greens. I told them how I am trying to incorporate more organic greens into my smoothies. Well, I was offered this tip. Make the smoothie as usual. Just pour whatever is leftover into an ice cube tray and freeze. This way, when you're ready for your next smoothie you can just pop the "smoothie" cubes into the blender and ..blend. Awesome ideal!! I'll be trying this one tonight!

Post Title Helpful Tip for Smoothies!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Smooth Hold

This morning I tried something a little different as far as styling my hair. Because we are in a slight coldsnap, I'm wearing my hair in a pony-puff. I had been topping my moisturizer off w/Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Styling gel (which is alcohol free and contains aloe). I remembered reading a thread on Naturallycurly.com about using a deep conditioner instead of hair gel. I immediately thought, "Oh, I could never do that!" but wanted to give it a try anyhow.

This a.m. I decided to try my Qhemet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream mixed w/some Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm. It worked! My hair is just as laid down as it would be w/the gel. Maybe even better. I plan on purchasing a good deep conditioner since I haven't done that in awhile. (shame on me). I'm currently looking at Jessicurl's Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment as a DT.

Have you tried this method? If so, with what products?...

Post Title Smooth Hold

The Wonders of Coconut Oil


Yesterday, I mentioned that I put a tsp of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil into my smoothie. I've now made that a Tablespoon. Let me explain to you why...

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, and so many other things that I don't have time to mention. These benefits can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid all of which have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral properties and more. What happens is the body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing w/viruses and bacteria. Coconut oil is preferred by some athletes and body builders because it contains lesser calories than other oils. Its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to fat accumulation in the heart and arteries.

Some of the benefits of coconut oil include the following:

Hair Care - It helps in healthy growth of hair providing a shinny complexion. Is an
excellent conditioner and provides essential proteins that can nourish
damaged hair. This is the oil that I seal my hair with.

Skin Care - Is an effective moisturizer on all types of skin. I've never tried it but I have read in certain forums where people use it as a skin moisturizer.
Note that it caused acne in some ladies.


Heart Diseases - The lauric acid helps to prevent various heart problems including
high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

Weight Loss - It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help to take of
excessive weight. Easy to digest and helps the thyroid to function
at it's best. And increases metabolism by removing stress on the
pancreas, thereby burning more energy.

And so many other benefits including, digestion, immunity, healing, infections, liver, kidney, diabetes, bones, dental care, etc. etc. I wish I could list them all because it almost sounds like a wonder drug. However it's not! It's all natural which is the best!

I've posted a picture of the brand of Coconut Oil that I use. I keep one in the kitchen (for my smoothies and food) and one in my bathroom (for my hair).


Have a great day, Beautiful!

Post Title The Wonders of Coconut Oil

Monday, October 27, 2008

Umm...Yummy!!


Good Morning Beautifuls!

This weekend I began incorporating greens into my smoothies. I'm actually trying to use up this Super Greens (organic vegan) supplement I purchased some months ago. I had stopped taking them because I would feel nauseous from the rapid detoxification. After speaking with Chef Jenya, I decided to take her up on her suggestion and slowly incorporate the greens into my diet. She, along w/a book I'm reading "12 Steps to Raw Foods" by Victoria Boutenko recommends transitioning into raw foods or simply incorporating more raw greens into your diet with smoothies (blending). The reason being that blending is similar to chewing. After being broken down in a high-speed blender, pieces of food become the perfect size for assimilation. Green smoothies are the best food to aid in a rapid restoration of the body's nutrient reserves per Victoria Boutenko. For this reason, I am incorporating blended smoothies into my diet.

My recipe is pretty simple:
1 frozen banana
5 oz of frozen strawberries
1 tsp of 100% organic Living Foods Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
organic Agave Nectar to taste
3 to 5 capsules of Super Greens supplement
distilled water to thin as desired

**You can use whatever fruits you like.

The smoothies have been great! My poor blender is handling them, however I do plan on buying a high-powered personal blender this week. The only thing I didn't anticipate is my 12 yr old enjoying them. (I wonder if she'll continue to be interested as I continue to increase the greens in them.) Not to say that I will stop making regular fruit smoothies because I won't. I'm just sayin'. Either way, my goal is to purchase a Vita-mix blender in a couple of months. They are costly but highly recommended by many raw foodists, vegans, vegetarians, and cooked foods chefs.
I'll also be purchasing a good wood cutting board and food processor.

Well, that's it so far. What are your plans to increase your fruits and vegetables in your diet?.......

Post Title Umm...Yummy!!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Do You Chick!


Good Morning Beautifuls!

Another one of my favorite "Do You" chicks is Kelis Rogers, or simply "Kelis". A Harlem, NY native, Kelis is generally known as the queen of "alternative" R&B. To me, she's fearless. She does not compromise. She simply does herself and could care less what others may think. If you're curious, she was born to a musician and fashion designer which I'm sure played a part in her choice of career and fashion outlook.

I admire her boldness. And I love her gorgeous tattoo! It runs the length of the left side of her back and is an exquisite work of art. Because she's always changing her look you never quite know what to expect from her. She definitely believes in mixing it up! Though she's presently working a short straighter 'do (I'm still missing her big coily/curly hair!) I still have much respect for her.

Well Beautifuls... you have a happy Friday, a wonderful weekend, and do something for yourself. And as always.... Do you.

Much love,
ChocolateOrchid

Post Title Do You Chick!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

I'm In Just That Kind of Mood...

I have been in a little mood of sorts for the past couple of days. I think it's because I'm love deficient (relationship wise). Either way, while riding the train into work this song played on my Ipod. Although, I've heard it a million times ('cause I'm still lovin' Alicia Keys CD) it really struck me this a.m..

"The Thing About Love"

Love
Love will come find you
Just to remind you
Of who you are

Oh love
It will forsake you
Threaten to break you
Take what you got

Everybody laughs
Everybody cries
Sure it could hurt you baby
But give it a little try
See that's the thing about love

Friends
Sometimes will blind you
Sneak up behind you
You can't give enough

Then life
It will embrace you
Totally amaze you
So you don't give up

Everybody laughs
Everybody cries
Sure it could hurt you baby

But give it a little try
See that's the thing about love

Don't tell me that I'm not the only one that's going through it all
Oh sometimes I feel like I'm the only one that's going through it all
But its time
Oh its time
For me to shine
Hey
Its my time
Oh its time
For me to shine

Its my time
Said its my time
For me to shine
Its my time
Its bout time
For me to shine

Everybody laughs
Everybody cries
Sure it could hurt u baby
But give it a little try
That's the thing about love
That's the thing about love
That's the thing about
That's the thing about love

Post Title I'm In Just That Kind of Mood...

The CW's Stylista!


Good Morning Beautiful!

I have a confession to make... While some reality shows really irk me, others totally capture my attention. Typically these attention grabbers have to do with fashion or style like "Project Runway", "Design Star", "What Not To Wear", and sometimes "ANTM". But last night I must say that I was hooked from the start to the CW's "Stylista"! The first show was crazy ridiculous! From the start there was catiness and breakdowns! I was like, "Damn! Already?!". If you didn't catch it, I would liken it to "The Devil Wears Prada".

In this first episode, all contestants were challenged to prepare breakfast for Elle Magazine's Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey, a demanding but highly respected fashion icon. The each had 45 minutes to get to the deli which was 6 blocks away, get back and prepare a healthy breakfast in a good presentation for Anne. Let me tell you, Ashlee (lone black lady) got lost and found the store seems like within the last 15 minutes. She returned to the office w/about 2 minutes left and pulled it together. She ended up winning the first challenge. Go girl!

Each contestant was also judged on their attire. One fella, William did look like he was straight off the set of the movie "Clockwork Orange". It was hilarious! Either way, I definitely feel like this show is worth checking out. The grand prize is a paid editorial at Elle magazine, a paid lease on a "Manhattan" apartment, and a clothing allowance at H&M all for one year. I'll take that! I also commend Tyra Banks. As one of the executive producers of the show, I must say that she is doing her thang! Work it Tyra!!

If you watched the show, what's your take on it?...

Post Title The CW's Stylista!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Mama Needs Some Shoes!





I am so lovin' Solange's look! The hair. The dress. The belt.
In particular, those doggone shoes!
Mama needs some shoes and I most definitely could rock those out!!

What's your take her look?....

Post Title Mama Needs Some Shoes!

Steps to Going Natural-Consider Your Method


Good Morning Beautifuls!

And Happy Mid-week! Almost Friday, almost Friday.

I hope that your week is going well. If you are considering going natural another decision to make is whether you want to BC (Big Chop) which involves you cutting all of the relaxer/texturizer/perm off. Or if you want to transition, allowing your natural hair to grow out until you are comfortable with the new length while trimming the relaxed ends of your hair off.

Now I honestly cannot say which is the best method because I believe that you have to do what is comfortable for you. I tried to transition but b/c I'm not that patient of a person I went ahead and had my relaxed hair cut off. It was about 7 to 8 inches of hair. I do realize that that's a bit drastic to some but it worked for me. I did it and had no regrets.

If you choose to transition then I would recommend that you see a professional stylists to help you handle the difference between the new growth and permed portion of your hair. If you choose to do it yourself, then be sure to keep your hair moisturized. Your hair is extremely delicate where your new growth and permed hair meet. Some helpful products I would recommend are Curls Milkshake, Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream (Walmart, Target, most drugstores), Qhemet's Heavy Cream or Burdock Root Buttercreme are a few good ones to try. Also, when handling your hair learn to comb it damp or wet with conditioner/detangler (for slip) using a wide tooth comb (seamless comb's are preferable). Combing it dry is a huge no-no. It will result in breakage and much frustration. Also, when combing always comb gently from the ends of your hair to the root. This prevents snagging which leads to breakage.

Other methods of transitioning include wearing breads, weaves and wigs until you feel comfortable with the amount of natural hair that you've grown out. You still need to take care of your hair w/these methods by washing, conditioning, and moisturizing.

Also, drink water regularly. It is your friend. It is the moisturizer, inside and out. Eat healthy and do exercise and get a proper amount of rest. All of these things benefit your hair, skin and body. I've also heard of people taking vitamins specifically for hair growth. I do not do this but I'm not against it. As I stated earlier, you have to do what's comfortable for you.

Hope this has been helpful for anyone considering going natural. If you're already natural, what did you do? Big chop or transition? If you did transition, how long?..

Post Title Steps to Going Natural-Consider Your Method