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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

JUICING {RELOADED}


Freshly juiced vegetables (also referred to as fresh green drinks containing ingredients such as cucumber, celery, spinach, lettuce, sprouts, kale, pak choi, broccoli, cabbage, parsley etc.) give your body an instant boost of nutrients, enzymes, vitamins and minerals in a form that the body can easily assimilate, absorb and digest – in fact, studies have shown that the nutrients from juiced vegetables are within our bloodstream within 30 minutes of consumption!

At the most basic level, juicing allows us to add so many more vegetables to our daily diet, and to up the amount of raw food we consume giving the body energy and boosting the immune system and the body’s cleansing process.

A quick summary of why juicing is so beneficial:
- Green juices contain lots of chlorophyll which is incredibly effective in detoxifying our bodies. Chlorophyll can help make our bodies strong, detoxify the liver, can purify and help to rebuild our blood cells (as the molecular structure is very similar to haemoglobin which moves oxygen through our blood), remove mold, parasites and myco/exotoxins from the body and (as many, many studies show) can help prevent and remove cancer cells.

- According to macrobiotic.co.uk – one of the biggest health benefits of juicing can be summarised in one phrase: cellular cleansing. According to Steve Meyerowitz (the Sprout Man!) all changes to a persons health should start at a cellular level by oxygenating and cleansing the system of toxins and other damaging foreign invaders. This is known as creating and enhancing health and fitness from the inside out. The cellular environment is the environment where all of the cells in our body live, including the lymphatic system, digestive system, and cardiovascular system. This could be a whole article in itself, however, it is important to remember that fresh vegetable juices are massively beneficial to the body’s efforts to cleanse its cellular environment.

- Raw, fresh vegetable juices are extremely alkaline. We have several other articles on the importance of alkalising your body, however, very briefly – it is highly beneficial to ensure that your body does not become over-acidic and that an alkaline balance is maintained in the blood & tissues. Over acidification is the common theme and cause of almost all conditions of ill health!

- As mentioned, raw vegetable juices/ green drinks are an excellent source of vitamins & minerals, trace elements, enzymes and nutrients which supply essential elements required for the body’s healing processes and cell regeneration.

- Vegetable juices are rich in natural medicines, vegetal hormones & antibiotics. For instance, certain hormones needed by the pancreas to produce insulin are present in cucumber & onion juices and freshly juiced garlic, onions, radish & tomatoes contain many beneficial antibiotic substances.

- Easily absorbed organic minerals such as calcium, potassium & silicon are contained within fresh vegetable juice. These minerals assist the body in restoring the biochemical & mineral balance in the tissues & cells, which helps to prevent the premature aging of cells & disease.

**info from energiseforlife**


Just wanted to share a couple of the juices that I've made in my juicer. I really enjoy them.

The Acidity Buster by Sandra Cabot

1/2 grapefruit, peeled
1 lemon
2 stalks of celery, leaves removed
1 cucumber
1 red radish
2 inch slice of pineapple
1/2 inch ginger root


The Oxygenator by Natalia Rose

1 lb of carrots
1 medium beet
1 Tablespoon fresh ginger
1/4 tsp fresh Serrano chili

For my juices, I stick with organic foods. Also, the juicer that I have is the Breville Juice Fountain Plus. And yes, I enjoy this juicer! I hope to purchase a Greenstar juicer one day, so that I can juice leafy greens really well.

Juice recipes came from the following books:
"Raw Food Life Force Energy" by Natalia Rose
"The Juice Fasting Bible" by Sandra Cabot, MD

Cheers to vibrant health!
ChocolateOrchid

Post Title JUICING {RELOADED}

HairStyles Mode

http://weddingdetail.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/wedding-hair-styles.jpg

Post Title HairStyles Mode

About this hair style

http://www.curly-hair-styles-magazine.com/images/naturally-curly-hair-styles-07.jpg
Fashion model Karen Elson has medium to long, extremely curly hair in a loose, teased out, volumized hair style with a fringe, or bangs. Her hair color is brown.

Post Title About this hair style

wavy hair styles 11

http://besthaircutstyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/wavy-hair-styles-11.jpg
Short summer hairstyles can be a change from long hair, you can check out any of your favorite celebrity for the chic, fashionable and absolutely adorable short summer hairstyles they have sported at any point of time.

Post Title wavy hair styles 11

hair tips hairstyles

http://www.imageandstylenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/2008-fall-hairstyles-13.jpg
Fall 2008 hairstyles. Hairstyles and looks for Fall 2008 hairstyles. Here are the fall 2009 hairstyles and hair trends that graced the runway. The bob is once again the hottest look for the season. While some other popular looks are boho waves, the mushroom bob, blunt bob, chignon, sleek ponytails, braids, natural looks, face framing layers and much more. Here are the hottest styles to been seen in for fall 2009

Post Title hair tips hairstyles

chose which hairstyle

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNAimJ-8_Ddi2Wbe5tN6mXcBb1zdjw6jIaF1KkBo5z9qTDwl94Vt5zFWl7DuavZoGrHzbalxfkcWgia-bt1lAVuz-C902fH0xnvZ9i65XOrShZvqkVrLU76d0MY-VaiywZP5QTZ8g6gI/s400/Fringe+Hairstyle.jpg
Hairstyles for Fall 2008 is a real time problem now which many women are in a confused state to chose which hairstyle for this fall.To ease all your work, most of the celebrities already started wearing latest newly designed hair styles for fall 2008 from popular hair salons and hair stylists.

Post Title chose which hairstyle

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Medium Short Hair

http://hairstylesup.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/medium-hairstyles.jpg
Discover Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Short Hair Styles

Post Title Medium Short Hair

prom hairstyles fit

http://www.prom53.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/sedu-prom-hairstyles.jpg
The prom season has arrived and for all those ladies out there that want to stop their men dead in his tracks, the best formal hair styles are often the easiest. Over thinking the hair styles for prom is often the cause of stress on prom day. Sometimes less is more and prom hairstyles fit into that category.

Post Title prom hairstyles fit

Celebrity Hairstyles

http://www.imageandstylenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/celebrity-hairstyles-6.jpg
Hair trends in celebrity hairstyles. The latest and hottest current celebrity hairstyles. All of these celebrity hairstyles feature some of the hottest hair trends that are popular for this season and for summer.

Katie Holmes Bob is one of the hottest celebrity hairstyles around. Who would have thought that she would look so good with a bob and bangs.

Post Title Celebrity Hairstyles

Weird Hair Styles

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurDf10eae5x16tvLLjtZvhgXH8o1r8LTSLS7Mjh5o78TAxVifHZtFo8QgHmHkGq7wb5fAZ68KWF14ZFKsLZVmW-2e76iyb5gg58NvbEAvn96nfUeDSqMcFlyCujhM3rDHtDnOj5sQA_Q/s400/Weird_Hair_Styles_01.jpg
Here’s a number of photo’s I’m happy I am not in. Check out these crazy hair styles, that will make you appreciate your mediocre haircut.

Post Title Weird Hair Styles

Sexiest punk hair

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/389920580_7d8352f642.jpg
In this post you can find some of the sexiests punk hair styles..

Post Title Sexiest punk hair

CHIA {REVISITED}


Hola Beautiful Ones!

I just had to share this part of my journey with you all. You may find this interesting.

Earlier this week, I had some juice which I added chia seeds to. About 30 minutes later, I had to take my daughter somewhere. While she was tending to her work, I sat in the lobby w/the other parents. It was very quiet. Well, until my intestines started talking. I was so embarrased! Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle. I ended up waiting outside because the gurgling was crazy loud. I figured it had to do w/the chia seeds which I hadn't had in a while.

Well, here's one of the attributes of chia seeds that I had forgotten.

Intestinal Broom:
Chia seeds bulk up, then work like an incredible digestive broom, sweeping through your intestinal tract, helping to dislodge and eliminate old accumulated waste in the intestines. Many people find their stools also become more regular once they eat chia.
*info from Chia Cheat Sheet from www.TheRawFoodWorld.com*

Needless to say, this has reminded me that its good to include chia in my diet on a daily basis.

If you've never read my original post on Chia then click here. I also winged a couple of smoothie recipes with them that you can see here.

Places You Can Find Organic Chia Seeds:
Organic/Health food stores
Whole Foods markets
ShopRawFoods
VivaRaw
TheRawFoodWorld

Post Title CHIA {REVISITED}

AYURVEDIC POWDER BLUNDER


Hi Gorgeous!

Just wanted to share with you that I finally did my ayurvedic treatment. I used Brahmi, Amla, and Bhrinraj(Maka) powders.

Brief rundown on these particular powders:
Amla - promotes hair growth, controls hair fall, cures scalp infection, controls premature graying
Brahmi - promotes growth, anti-dandruff, strengthens roots, can make hair dark & dense
Bringraj(Maka) - aids in hair growth, prevention of balding, helps w/sun damaged and color treated hair



First off, let me say that this was not my first time using ayurvedic powder. I've done an amla treatment a long time ago. I was not please w/it because it seemed to dry my hair but I think that happened because I didn't put any oil into my mix. When I did that treatment I used a only a few spoonfuls.

Why on earth I decided to use the entire boxes of these powder I don't know.

My intent was to make a paste. As you can see, it's not a paste. Looks more like a henna treatment. Needless to say, I have leftovers in my freezer. I'm hoping that this mix will still be good for use once I thaw it out.


Aside from that, I was pleased w/my hair. I did about 3 good co-washes with V05 Moisture Milks condish. Then deep conditioned w/Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose condish + Jessicurl's WDT. It really felt good after the treatment. I felt the definition was the same but maybe I was moreso focused on how my hair felt that I didn't really assess this.

Anyhoo, I'm definitely sticking to smaller amounts next time.

Post Title AYURVEDIC POWDER BLUNDER

Sunday, October 25, 2009

GOOD NEWS WE ALREADY KNEW


Good Morning Beautifuls!

Like we didn't know this already but its interesting how natural and organic foods are getting more press. Either way, couldn't resist sharing this article from Rodale Institute.

The Rodale Institute is committed to catalyzing new research that will authoritatively establish the nutritional, health and environmental benefits of eating organic food. Recent attention given to the nutritional aspects of organic foods speaks to a high level of consumer interest in food and health.

The Institute, a pioneer in organic farming research for 60 years, welcomes the call for more research by the lead scientist of a recent study conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The research review included a mix of research materials published in the 50 years up to February 2008, about a quarter of them from before 2000.

“We’re as confident as we were before the recent media furor that existing and forthcoming research will show the myriad nutritional benefits of organic foods,” said Tim LaSalle, CEO of the Institute, and a former dairy science professor at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). “Nutrition is a primary consideration in food choice, and organic choices continue to be validated by nutrition studies from around the world.”

“Media spin has largely missed the point of this tightly focused study using existing data. It is a blip, not a cataclysm, in the ongoing effort to grasp the complexities of how organic food—from healthy soil and natural systems—differs from food grown with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides,” LaSalle explained.

The study, funded by the UK Food Standards Agency, formally acknowledges data demonstrating significant nutritional advantages for organic. It said in its analysis, however, that the evidence was insufficient, under its protocol, to proclaim organic superiority.“We know that research from scientists in the United States, UK and the EU will improve the quality and scope of this scientific discussion, and will bolster the magnitude of the organic difference,” LaSalle explained.

The study accepted data from only 55 field trials, farm surveys and market basket surveys of the 52,471 citations it identified with relevance to comparing nutrients (and other substances) from organic and non-organic sources. Methods for rejection included statistical methodology, unclear organic system verification and lack of specific breed/cultivar identification. Some of the studies included were conducted before the creation of current national organic standards.Nutritional research emerging in the next year will build on current data showing organic superiority in the particular areas of antioxidant capacity (important for cancer-fighting properties) and omega-3 v. omega-6 balance in dairy products.

The Rodale Institute has been comparing organic and non-organic practices for nearly three decades, and released a report in 2008 explaining the regenerative capabilities of organic agriculture as a solution to confront global warming. Organic production methods are responsible for fewer pesticides and herbicides in soils and water, better management of land, and food with little to no risk of doing long-term damage to our planet, its people, and its biodiversity.

“There is no reason to be less confident in your organic choices, which continue to count as real votes in the marketplace for healthy people, healthy farms and healthy communities,” LaSalle stated.

ABOUT RODALE INSTITUTE
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates global solutions from the ground up. Our soil scientists and a cooperating network of researchers have documented that organic farming techniques offer the best solution to global warming and famine. We were founded in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in 1947 by organic pioneer J.I. Rodale. Our Farming Systems Trial® (the longest-running U.S. study comparing organic and conventional farming techniques) and 10-year Compost Utilization Trial document the long-term benefits of organic management with compost. Our findings are clear: A global organic transformation will mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere and restore soil fertility. Our mission: We improve the health and well-being of people and the planet.


Have a beautiful Monday!!
CO

Post Title GOOD NEWS WE ALREADY KNEW

Friday, October 23, 2009

Female Short

http://www.short-hair-styles-magazine.com/images/female-short-hairstyles-12.jpg
Actress and Laguna Beach reality TV star Kristin Cavallari has short, straight hair in a side-parted, layered, eye-concealing shaggy bob style with a fringe, or bangs. Her hair color is brown and blonde.

Post Title Female Short

hair tips hairstyles

http://www.imageandstylenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/2008-fall-hairstyles-13.jpg
Fall hairstyles. Hairstyles and looks for Fall 2008 hairstyles. Here are the fall 2008 hairstyles and hair trends that graced the runway. The bob is once again the hottest look for the season. While some other popular looks are boho waves, the mushroom bob, blunt bob, chignon, sleek ponytails, braids, natural looks, face framing layers and much more. Here are the hottest styles to been seen in for fall 2009.

Post Title hair tips hairstyles

Fringe Hairstyles

http://www.lifeandtrend.com/beauty/haircare/images/Reese-Witherspoon-hairstyle.jpg
This keeps fringe glowing without weighing it down. Also, when parting your hair, make sure you understand which way you want your fringe to fall. A center part works best with straight bangs, but side swept fringe is complemented by a side part. Finally, make sure you keep the length of your bangs in check. Regular trims ensure that they do not grow too long or develop unruly split ends.

Post Title Fringe Hairstyles

Black Hairstyles

http://besthaircutstyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/jennifer-aniston-sedu-hairstyles-6.jpg
Here are the best sedu haircuts for long and short hair. And yes the best sedu haircuts can look great on long hair of course but probably you wouldn’t except to look great on short haircuts, now look at he pictures bellow and you be the judge

Post Title Black Hairstyles

Sexy Long hairstyles

http://smashingstyles.com/uploads/2008/11/long-bangs-hairstyle.jpg
Girls nowadays have been so fashionable with their hair styles, I hope these teen hairstyles can give you some ideas .

by the way some of the hair styles are for celebrity hairstyle , the hair styles are : straight, curly, layered,long hair,bangs,bouffant ponytail.

Post Title Sexy Long hairstyles

Cause I'm In That Kinda Mood......

How I long to be in love
To feel your passion, your emotion for me
To know that you want me, need me just as much as I want and need you

How I long to know your touch
I long to feel the soft rushing of your exhale on my on the nape of my neck
The light touch of your fingers slowly caressing my arm, my side, the small of my back

How I long to taste you
Wondering what delicacy your skin tastes of
I crave it like the taste of a sweet pineapple or a honeysuckle blossom

How I long to have your heart
To connect with your spirit and thoughts
To know that you want me, need me just as much as I want and need you

To take a night drive with you and the stars… in silence
Speaking to each other in timeless thought. No words spoken yet complete in all ways
How I long to be in love.

ChocolateOrchid

In A Sentimental Mood - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane

Post Title Cause I'm In That Kinda Mood......

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

$124.95 IF YOU PLEASE....


Hi Beautifuls!

I was so side-tracked w/the delivery of the current Barbie Collector catalog (Yes, I receive them. Lol.) that my intended post will be done later. Granted my days of playing with Barbie dolls have long since gone, I still love to admire the details and the high fashion of the Collector Editions. Goodness! Wish I could have a collection of my own. And of course, the fact that these dolls are beautiful creations that look like me, well.. sort of but you know what I mean (which is still not that common a sight) makes me want them even more. The designer of all of the dolls shown here is Mr. Byron Lars.

Let's take a looksie at a few of my favorites....

"Sugar"



"Pepper"



"Tatu" from the Treasures of Africa collection



"Nne" from the Treasures of Africa collection




And "Ayako Jones" is this fierce barbie at the top. Iwanther! Iwanther! Iwanther!

So $124.95 if you please. I'll take cash, check or money order. Or you could just send me the doll.

Lol.

Post Title $124.95 IF YOU PLEASE....

hair style, do so with

http://gimps.de/pictures/albums/userpics/10001/short-hair-hairstyles.jpg
Your wedding day is the one day you can’t have ”bad hair”. You are the main attraction at this event and your look has to be bang on. For this reason, many future brides start considering their wedding hair and make up early on in their wedding planning. We all know that certain faces work best with certain styles and hair lengths often determine how the bridal hairstyle will work; but, let’s take a look at what you can do with your hair, whether it’s long, medium length or short to ensure you will look your best on your wedding day…

Post Title hair style, do so with

Advice For Curly Hair

http://coollonghairstyles.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/female-celebrity-long-hair-styles-02.jpg
Having curly hairstyles can be difficult to treat. It seems that people want hairstyles with curly hair and those with hair curly hairstyles want. The hairstyle can be a pain. One way to do this is curly hairstyles by going to your local store of beauty and make you make a permanent basis. Getting a permit in your hair, it will give a lot of bouncy curls and give more substance to your hair. Getting a permit to give you curl hairstyles took some good hair care too. If you live in a place where it is very dry, you may need to do extra spritzing. The hair needs a lot of volume, as a result, the upper part is slightly dry layers, and the neck level with the hole in the ear, it is cut on the sidelines. This leaves the back of the head looking quite lovely. The edges of side and top should be slightly feathers, so that the transition from top to curly layers contours is particularly sweet.

Post Title Advice For Curly Hair

About this hair style

http://www.short-hair-styles-magazine.com/images/female-short-hairstyles-12.jpg
Actress and Laguna Beach reality TV star Kristin Cavallari has short, straight hair in a side-parted, layered, eye-concealing shaggy bob style with a fringe, or bangs. Her hair color is brown and blonde.

Post Title About this hair style

Styling Layered

http://www.myhairstylingtools.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/medium-wavy-hair-styles-05.jpg
A medium length haircut is considered from just below the jawline to several inches just past the collar bone. A medium length hairstyle is perfect for those who prefer length but do not care for the maintenance of long hair.

A medium hairstyle can still be feminine, flirty and sophisticated, especially when you add layers. When adding layers to any length of hair always have your stylist help tailor the layers to best suit your features.

Post Title Styling Layered

Cool Celebrity Hair

http://cool-hairstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/celebrity-long-hair-08.jpg
you have to look constantly for latest hairstyles because cool hairstyles are changing each day with the new trends coming out in the latest fashion magazines and the celebrities wearing them. You never know what the next hairstyle will be to change the way fashion presents itself. For those of you who make sure you keep up with the latest cool hairstyles, it is essential to know the right ways to find just what you are looking for.

Post Title Cool Celebrity Hair

Monday, October 19, 2009

MY UPDATED REGIMEN (FALL/WINTER)


Hola Gorgeous Ones!

Hope that all is well with you. I decided to post my updated regimen because of a few inquiries I've gotten. Also, because I'm pooped and waited really late to get my post together.

And before I go any further, here is my disclaimer:
I am not nor do I claim to be a professional and licensed hair stylist, only a learning professional on the needs of my particular hair. The products that I list and how I use them are quoted based upon my hair's response to them. I am by know means soliciting these products as a means of profit or professional insight, but solely based upon my hair's wonderful experience with them. (Basic PJ.) So in other words, I tried it and it worked. I am truly only speaking on my personal experience. I recommend and hope that you do the same thing with products even if our hair may look the exact same because EVERY head of hair is different and reacts differently to the same and/or different products. ?Capiche?...Sincerely, ChocolateOrchid. :D


MY REGIMEN (cold weather)
Co-wash once a week followed by deep conditioning. After washing some of the deep conditioner out, my final rinse is a tea rinse w/acv. While hair is still soaking wet, I apply a moisturizer of choice. Then wrap my hair in a Curlease towel (you can use a microfiber towel or old t-shirt) for no longer than 15 minutes. Just enough to get some drippies.

If I’m twisting my hair, I break out Miss Jessie’s Meringue and twist my hair up.

If I’m bunning, I use Jane Carter’s Nourish & Shine, Qhemet’s Burdock Root Buttercreme and/or Qhemet’s Amla Pomade.

I always seal my ends w/oil. I usually do an 1 to 1 1/2 an inch of my ends.
**Probably will be doing a lot of protective styling (bunning/twists/twist-outs. Considering a sew-in weave)**

My Fav products that work for me:
*this is a current list of those I mostly use.*

Cleansers- (not often, maybe once a month)
Devacurl NoPoo (great no-poo shampoo)
Qhemet shampoo bar ( don’t think she makes this anymore)
Hair Rules Aloe Grapefruit Purifying shampoo (have tried and liked)
** If necessary, you can also dilute the shampoo w/water so that it isn’t harsh on your hair. Maybe 1 pt shampoo to 2 pts water. I suggest playing w/different ratios to see what works for your hair.**

Condish- (co-wash 1 to 2 times/wk depending on how hair is styled and season)
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted (Heavenly. good as leave-in also)
V05 Moisture Milks Condish (I use this one to wash out henna and ayurvedic powders)

Deep Condish- (usually do weekly)
Hairveda SitricNillah Deep Conditioning Masque (lovin’ this one)
Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment (good as leave-in also)
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose (usually combine w/jessicurl wdt)
Curl Junkie Hisbiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Condish
**about to try Aubrey Organics GPB Condish (has protein in it which I believe my hair needs) Will post about it after I try it.**

Leave-Ins/Detanglers
* I can use these alone during the warmer seasons*
Oyin’s Handmade Honey Hemp Condish
MOP Leave-In Condish
*Can’t say enough about these. I especially use these under Miss Jessie’s products.*


Moisturizers- (whenever necessary which means often)
Qhemet burdock root buttercreme
Curl Junkie Hisbiscus & Banana Honey Butta Leave-In (haven’t used much. Will revisit once it in Spring/Summer)
Jane Carter Nourish & Shine (Can be used on scalp/alone/or to seal. Makes my hair feel soooooo good.)
**can use these alone during warmer months**


Stylers-

Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue
Miss Jessie’s Stretch Silkening Crème

Gels-
IC Hair Polisher w/sparkelites (use when doing ponytails, puffs & buns only in warmer weather)
Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Aloe Fix gel (loves this stuff. Great for moisture also)
*I doubt I will use these again until the weather warms up here*

Sealers/Oils
Qhemet Burdock Root buttercreme
Jojoba/Grapeseed/Almond oil or a mix
Coconut Oil (mainly during warm weather)
Shealoe (mixture of unrefined shea butter, aloe vera gel, & a few oils)
Jamaican Black Castor Oil (trying it out cause I’ve heard only good things about it even though Castor oil is too heavy for my hair. Funny me.)
Komaza Care Hair Nourishment Oil (great scalp/growth oil. Would not seal w/this. Use on scalp only)
Carol’s Daughter Hair Elixer (currently using on scalp. Would not seal w/this. Use on scalp only)

Various Treatments
henna (strength/conditioning. Do this once or twice a month)
Amla/shikakai/neem/brahmi/maka powders (once or twice a month)
Tea rinse w/ACV (Check my post out here. I've since added other herbs to my tea. I will post on this soon.)

Overnight Oil Treatments
Vatika Oil (great for oil treatments. Can typically find at Indian grocery stores. Try to do once a week. Apply, cover head w/plastic cap and sleep in. I usually cover it w/bonnet. Wash out in a.m.)
Bhrinraj Oil (trying this one out)

Product Lines I’ll be Trying Soon
Afroveda
Darcy’s Bontanicals


Places I Order From:
Curlmart
Hairveda
Honeyfig
Mehndiskinart
Ayurnatural Beauty

Places I Physically Shop At:
Wallys/Target
Whole Foods
Return to Eden Organic Market (various health food and organic stores)
Cherians International Groceries

Hope this helps!
CO

Post Title MY UPDATED REGIMEN (FALL/WINTER)

Sunday, October 18, 2009

THE INVITATION


Hi Beautifuls! My apologies for the length of this poem but it really stuck w/me after reading it. I read it and thought, "Yes, at times these thoughts and similiar do run across my mind." I just love what it says. Hope you enjoy.
Happy Monday!

The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dreams
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your
fingers and toes
without cautioning us to
be careful
be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand on the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after a night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the center of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.



Peace and blessings,
CO

Post Title THE INVITATION

Friday, October 16, 2009

HAPPY FRIDAY




...had a dream that Adam Rodriguez was trying to "court" me.....


...*sighs*......


....nuf said....

HAPPY FRIDAY.

Post Title HAPPY FRIDAY

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

HEAVENS TO MURGATROID!!! MY PEE IS PINK!!



Hi Beautifuls!

A couple of weeks ago, I tried a delicious and naturally sweet juice Here’s the recipe:
2 medium carrots, trimmed
4 oranges, peeled
3 medium beets, trimmed


It was wonderful! And I knew it was super healthy for my body. What I didn’t know or expect was that it would turn my pee pink...ish. You can only imagine my thoughts when I first saw this. Especially, since I’m normally a “clear”…... pee'er. Anyhoo, after I calmed down and dismissed any and all wild thoughts about UTI’s or internal bleeding, I knew it had to do something with the beets. So I hit up the internet and sure enough it was there in abundance.


Beets can turn your pee pink! This does not occur in everyone. I REPEAT: THIS DOES NOT OCCUR IN EVERYONE. It happens in about 1 to 8 people. This occurrence has been coined as “Beeturia” and can indicate an iron defiency. This is not surprising to me because I was told years ago that my iron level is low. As a matter of fact, when I was pregnant w/my daughter that was the first thing the doc recommended me to begin taking. You can read more about “Beeturia” here.

So you know what this means... I’ll be incorporating more green smoothies and juices in my diet and including bee pollen and b12. Definitely making a high raw/living foods intake my lifestyle.

Just so you know.
Smooches,
CO

Post Title HEAVENS TO MURGATROID!!! MY PEE IS PINK!!

BREATHE, RELAX AND GO WITH THE FLOW


STRESS
Physiology. a specific response by the body to a stimulus, as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism.
8. physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension: Worry over his job and his wife's health put him under a great stress.
9. a situation, occurrence, or factor causing this: The stress of being trapped in the elevator gave him a pounding headache.



This is what I was feeling last week. I’m a creature of habit and love comfort in organization, or at least what I deem as organization. The only thing is life does not always go according to plan, or at least the plan you may have for it. Even in already knowing these things I sometimes have to remind myself to take time to breath, relax and go with the flow. What can I say?... I’m a work in progress.

What really tipped me off that I was feeling a bit anxious was my breathing. I noticed that I wasn’t breathing fully. So I made up in my mind to remedy that w/a yoga class. It had been so long since I’d been to one. You can read my past posts on yoga here and here.

I had to make the choice to commit myself (recommit) to something that would benefit me and my well-being and, in the mean time, not beat myself up for slacking.

Post Title BREATHE, RELAX AND GO WITH THE FLOW

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

TRUST ME.... YOU ARE NOT ALONE


Wondering what to do or how to handle your natural tresses this Fall/Winter season?....Well, you're in great company!

Here are a few links to some fab sites and blogs that may give you some direction:

Pittsburgh Curly (2nd section down focuses on winter)

Curlchemist on NaturallyCurly

Curltalk thread (NaturallyCurly)

Urbancurlz

CurlyNikki

Hope this helps. Not sure, but I think I'll be doing a lot of protective styling. If you know of any other sites or blogs that may have some helpful information, please share in the comment section.

Peace,
CO

Post Title TRUST ME.... YOU ARE NOT ALONE

TUESDAY'S TRESS SPOT

Hi Beautiful Ones!

Sending nothing but joy, peace and happiness your way. I hope that all is well w/you.

I know I mentioned posting pics after the pin-curl but I was not feelin’ the look. It wasn’t bad, just kind of deep wave-ish, boufantie look. Not what I wanted. On top of which, it’s cooler now and after losing 2 inches (to the trim) I want to do a better job of protecting my ends (on top of which it keeps raining here). So I’ve been putting MOP leave-in condish sealed w/either my shealoe mix or my sample of Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment. After this application, I simply put my hair into a low or high bun, depending on the workout, with the ends tucked under.


I attempted to do the Southern Tease bun but my hair just wouldn't cooperate. I think I had trouble w/this because my hair is stuck on staying waved-up due to the pin-curls and bunning (along w/the fact that it’s super-soft which I believe comes from the salons steam treatment). I’m still determined to do this one day. It really is beautifully & elegantly simple. I love it! Maybe when I go back to a salon in April, I’ll be more successful at ManeandChic's bun. (Btw, I love her site! It’s one of my favs!) Oh, shoot!! I forgot about April showers. Guess I’ll be shooting for May. Lol.


Also, lookey what I have here.....


I've been thinking about this one for awhile so I decided to go for it. The idea behind it is that I should be able to do a wash-n-go and dry my hair quickly without messing w/its texture. We shall see. I'll give it a try this weekend and see how it works out. Speaking of hair wish lists, I am so contemplating buying my own hair steamer. I keep reading many wonderful things about it so I may jump on that in a week or so. Either way, you'll definitely be posted.

Peace Out Beautiful Ones.
CO

Post Title TUESDAY'S TRESS SPOT

Sunday, October 11, 2009

GOOD NEWS MONDAY, MY LOVES


Hi Beautiful Ones!

I hope that all is well in your world. I'm doing much better. Last week was a struggle between late nights and early mornings for most of the week. I was a bit stressed (will discuss more on Wed.) and pooped.

Thanks so much for all of your well wishes towards MommaOrchid. She's doing very well and is pretty much back to her usual self.

Today's good news is regarding an opportunity to reduce your cell phone bill. I know quite a few people, including myself who use their cell phones so much that is has become their main phone so I figured this bit of info will come in handy for everyone.

Billshrink.com ("free" web service), makes it quick and easy to see if you can save money - with your current wireless company or by changing to another one. The site analyzes millions of rate plans to find those that are best for you, based on where you live and how you use your phone. The co-founder of BillShrink, Schwark Satyavolu, says "80% of the people who come to the site actually save money." He also says that the average savings is between $200 and $300 during their two-year service contract."

HOW IT WORKS:

Tell BillShrink how many phones you have, how many airtime minutes you use and how much texting you do each month. Do you have Web access or a data plan? If you have electronic billing, you can import all that information. In just seconds, you can see where you stand.

The site shows you various service plans - from your own carrier or the competition that cost less. The savings listed for switching to another company factors in any termination or activation charges.

BillShrink promises to provide unbiased information even though it works on a commission basis. It makes money whenever a user click through to one of the recommended wireless plans.

You can read this article in it's entirety here. Also, if you click on the link for BillShrink, you'll notice that they give information on credit cards, gas and savings & CD's.

Also, if you've already taken advantage of this service, please leave a comment. Would love to here your experience with it.

Also, gotta shout out Evelyn P. over at Natural Raw Living for awarding me with the Kreativ Blogger Award (my 2nd time). How cool. It's nice to know when folks are feeling your stuff.

Evelyn, I must thank you for your wonderful and inspiring blog. Girl, you help keep me going and motivated in my raw foods journey. {{HUGS TO YOU, LADY!!}}

Post Title GOOD NEWS MONDAY, MY LOVES