Saturday, December 28, 2013

Nurturing Our Sons & Daughters Series


Nurturing Our Sons & Daughters Series

The Danger of Labeling our Children:Watch What You Say About and In Front of Children and Youth
        In fact, Bruce Perry says, "in order for clinicians to get reimbursed, they have to label. Most secular counselors, doctors and therapist use medical labels, which have shown to have severe effects on people (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2007). Many people feel out-casted and can sometimes cause a person to become lazy by not wanting to take control of their life’s responsibilities.  
        Medical models usually consist of a lengthy list of classifications and emotional and behavioral issues are usually considered as mental illness in conjunction with physical illness (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2007). The medical model stems from an historical view that people with emotional and behavior issues were all demon-possessed.

        Labeling: Labeling children or youth with labels such as "kids At Risk" "Trouble Youth" "Problem Kids" or "Bad Kids" to name a few has a negative affect and
connotation.
 Using the positive labels helps to instill confidence, security and connect/belonging.This information is based on my experience of Behavior/Emotional observation, Interactions and Encounters with the youth in empowerment program for adolescent females, Working with children, Personal research via: Talking with friends and fellow –classmates (in psychology-social work-counseling class) who have been negatively affected by verbal abuse; and labeled by family members, Case studies, Society, Speaking with counseling professionals and school faculty, Textbooks and Scholastic and Peer Review articles and Research.

        Labeling children and youth as being “Gifted” and “Talented” (Except in certain environments-Performing Arts) is not always the best practice as well and can have some negative affects to 'these kids' and other kid’s (those not considered or labeled as talented/gifted) perception of self in comparison to others. Some might consider using the term At Hope” or "Differently-abled" instead of “At Risk” "Disabled" or “Troubled” or other ascribed medical labels attached to children and youth who may engage in risky behavior because of the above circumstances or who have learning disabilities or behavioral issues. Using the term “At Hope” for All children and youth avoids singling anyone out or in. Medical practitioners are slowly changing their references or medical jargon and terminology but certain medical terms are used for the benefit of billing and reimbursement.

Books:
Zastrow, K., & Ashman, N. (2007). Understanding human behavior and the social environment. (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole. 

Maia Szalavitz, a senior fellow at Stats.org, is co-author of "The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog and Other Stories From a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook" (Basic).

Relative Articles and Websites:
Roth, J., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2000). What do adolescents need for healthy development?:
Implications for youth policy. Social Policy Report, 14(1), 1-19.
Labeling theory in juvenile delinquency: An evaluationhttp://www.helium.com/items/596339-evaluating-labeling-theory-of-juvenile-delinquency/
The Washington Post: “Gifted? Austistic? Or Just Quirky? : As More Children Receive Diagnoses, Effects of These Labels Seem Mixed: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/23/AR2007022301785.html   

At hope’ children better than ‘at risk’? : Washington state lawmaker wants to banish negative labelshttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34826655/    


   Since I was a youngster, terms and titles such as Gifted, Talented, At Risk, Troubled
Teens, retarded and disabled people always gave me a negative feeling. I was empathetic of how these labels affect others. I personally believe all children and youth are talented and gifted at something but sometimes are not aware of what area. Children and youth with disabilities, differently-abled or who have hearing issues are treated differently because to the stigmatizing conditions and generalizations that are associated with labeling. In certain environments the title gifted and talented is positive but when used in general can have a negative connotation to it.

   Bottom line; let's be mindful of this when we speak to children, youth and adults because in my research of talking to friends, classmates and others, many of them are still affected by these labels attached to them during their childhood an adolescence. Some of the feel inadequate and unworthy and are anti-social.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

NATURAL HAIR CARE & BRAIDING WORKSHOPS

Learn DIY natural hair care styling, techniques, installing protective styles & maintenance
Breaking News!!! Presenting New Natural Hair Care & Braiding Workshops at York College Continuing & Professional Education in Jamaica (Queens) NY
By Master Natural Hair Care Stylist-Cheryl Howard...

Below you can Register Now!
Registration Closes On:February 1, 2014 12:00 AM for Workshop I 
Registration Closes On: March 22, 2014 12:00 AM for Workshop II

 Workshop I focuses on learning and improving natural hair care, braiding and twisting skills, sanitization and professionalism and learning healthier ways of caring for you and your family's hair and scalp. In this hands-on class, learn about the hair’s structure, textures and types, and the basics of natural hair care that will help strengthen, preserve and restore hair and scalp. Learn proper application of conditioners, moisturizers and roller/rod setting hair for either personal or professional enrichment. create and design braids, twists, flat twists, Bantu knots and cultivating locs. Students will engage in discussions and demonstrations on natural handmade formulas, proper shampooing, scientific-brushing & scalp manipulation for hair growth stimulation. Learn proper trimming, and hair detangling methods for all hair textures - curly, coarse, kinky and mixed textures, careful transitioning to wearing hair natural, nutrition, draping, sanitizing and sterilization of implements, communicable diseases, disorders of the scalp, and rules affecting hair braiding.

Workshop II advanced hands-on class emphasizes the art of installing various protective styles: goddess, individual and invisible braids, kinky & Senegalese twists, silky & yarn Locs, and flat twist with extensions, basic sew in hair wefts, hair style maintenance, and how these styles work in the transitioning process. Students will perfect their braid and twist stitching, trim away fly away ends, create neat and fancy parting, and uniquely design creative updos with braids, locs or twists. Also, explore how to develop basic but potent natural handmade formulas for skin and hair. Discover how to turn this art into a lucrative business as supplemental or sole income. At the end of the class, students will have learned a variety of protective hair styles and completed 1 or 2 protective hairstyles of their choice on their mannequin that they have learned from the course, and receive a certificate of completion. 

Register Now online Here

Saturday, September 28, 2013

IMPROVE YOUR HAIR'S CONDITION BY...

Herbs that help stimulate hair growth:

Dulse: used to replace salt; high in iodine; minerals and vitamins.
Horsetail: use as a tea or capsule; helps to stop falling hair.
Rosemary: used as a hair rinse and oil for the scalp; strengthens the scalp.

Shampoo: designed to cleanse the hair and scalp but should not be used excessively because it can over shampooing can cause dryness.
Hair Oil: has been used in Ancient Africa for medicinal purposes; supplement hair’s natural moisture when the scalp does not produce a sufficient amount of sebum on the hair shaft. Hair care

Trichology: is the branch of medicine that deals with the scientific study of the health of hair and scalp. Forensic trichology can determine the approximate age, body mass, race, and other important traits of the hair's owner. If you are having trouble with severe hair loss, baldness, breakage and a problematic scalp, a Trichologist most likely will be able to help clients by giving them an analysis and assessment of the issues. A digital microscopic instrument is used to examine hair condition.

Tips for Damaged Hair:

Use moisturizing and conditioning treatments that penetrates the core of the hair strand and through the skin without clogging. Products with heavy mineral oil and petroleum can clog up scalp and block moisture from penetrating.

Keep hair supple and moist by using moisturizers and conditioners and hot oil treatments. Moisturizers and conditioners should be applied from the scalp to the end of hair strands. This helps to combat dryness, breakage, brittleness and unruly hair. ( I can hear one of my former instructors saying, "get those ends" or when we did relaxers, she would walk around shampoo area shouting, "Neutralize 2-3 times to close those porous ends to prevent continuous chemical processing-eventually causing further damage to hair" of course after this, you have to condition and restore lost moisture.

Trim of dead/damaged and/or porous ends. When the hair has overly porous and dead ends occur, the hair will begin to become more porous/split from the ends all the way towards the scalp and cause more hair breakage and excessive shedding. Remember that when hair is damaged to the point of being dead, you can't resurrect it. Cutting/trimming off the dead hair is the best solution and focus on nurturing the remaining hair that is undamaged and prevent further damage.

Proper Tools: Do not brush damp hair without using a wide tooth comb/detangling brush to lesson stress and weakness caused by pulling and stretching the hair. Avoid overheated implements (curling irons, blow-dryers & pressing combs). Using tight rubber bands and tight hats that can rub out the edges of the hair and break off hair.

Certain medications have been linked to hair loss. Chemotherapy, other cancer medicines, isotretinoin and other acne medicines can cause hair damage as well as lithium, which is effective as a treatment for bipolar disorder. One should seek the help of a physician to see if medications can be changed.

Over Shampooing is also a factor in some hair breakage issues. Excessive shampooing or the wrong shampoo can rob the hair or its natural moisture (Sebum) from the scalp and hair. With African American hair textures that are more on the kinky side, this type (4a & 4b and even 3a & 3b) of texture generally does not need as much shampooing as other textures that are straight and have more moisture. Use shampoos that have moisturizers in it. Oily hair that has a lot of moisture can use shampoos that are not as oily or moisturizing. This is too avoid heavy and weighted down hair caused by overuse or too much conditioning and moisturizing.
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Moisturizers/Oils/Conditioners & Its Properties
Shea Butter- Moisturizing, Healing, Sealant/Coat, good for Eczema & Psoriasis,
Castor Oil-Moisturizing, Humectant, Sealant, Omega 6 fatty acids, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial, Antiviral, Anti-fungal, Anti-oxidant, Softness, Supple, Conditions, Increase/Stimulates hair growth by blood circulation, Highly-penetrating, 
Coconut Oil-Moisturizing, Healing, Luster, Penetrating, Conditions, 
Avocado Oil -Moisturizing, Softness, Conditions, Strengthening, Sealant, Nutritious, Protein-packed, Anti-oxidant, Emulsifier, Lubricant, 
Olive Oil-Moisture, Conditioning, Healing, Nutritious, Psoriasis, Eczema.
Protein - Conditioning, (Proteins-Keratin/Wheat/Amino Acids are found in many conditioners), Strengthens hair bonds/amino acids in hair, and adds durability/pliability and life to brittle dry hair (especially due to chemicals). 

List of some protein conditioner are (not all natural but effective)
1. Organic Root Stimulator-Hair Mayonnaise or Organic Root Replenishing Pak, 
2. Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream, 
3. apHogee 2 minute Reconstructor (Keratin protein)-especially for naturals-is less harsh than those designed for chemically treated hair, 
4. Dr. Miracles Deep Conditioner, 
5. Home-Made Hair Mayo (Ex: whipped eggs, mayo, olive oil), 
6. K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor, 
7. Motions Oil Moisturizer Silk Protein Conditioner, 
8. Palmer Coconut Oil Formula Deep Conditioning Protein Pack, 
9. Aubrey Organics GPB,
10. Nuance Salma Hayek Wheat Protein Repair & Restore Conditioner (Sulfate free). 
Just to name a few... Caution!!! The overuse of protein conditioners can make the hair hard and stiff. It is not recommended to use often but only when needed and in between other conditioners (moisturizers).
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Proper application of Moisture to hair & skin:
  • Heavy oils and some butters can weigh down hair and block pores, and block moisture just as build up and dirt does. Avocado, Olive or Coconut Oil can help carry oils & certain butters through the cuticle (outer layer) to the hair's cortex (inner layer) and help water to retain/attach to inner layer. Many of these oils can be mixed half and half to add to skin or hair.
  • Using the what is now called "L.O.C" or "L.O.L.C.B" (liquid, oil, cream/liquid oil, leave in, cream, butters) a scientific method, seems to work best for many because it has the balance of water, oil and good cream to hydrate, stick/retain and seal all at once. You can create your own LOC solution for example: water, castor or black castor oil, coconut and/or olive oil and my favorite Jojoba oil and Almond oil that I use in most of my product line & the addition of Aloe juice/gel. 
  • This is not a new formula/solution. Growing up, I remember my mom and other women including myself when I was old enough to do my own hair, and now on my clients. We used these methods-only didn't give it a name.You can make your own spritzer or solution by putting it in a bottle with a spray or spout top that you can pick up from your local beauty supply store or pharmacy.
  • It is wonderful how we go back to His Garden (God's natural gifts and benefits He created for us from the beginning) and after we try alternative/substitutes, we find that He already had a plan. Not there is something wrong with all alternative but all are not beneficial and using natural ingredients have proven to improve the alternatives!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

HAIR IT IS!

                And......................Hair it is!

Curly, Kinky, Wirey, Coarse, Wavy,Thick, Coily, Super Curly! Are here to stay! Yay!

Well, finally; wearing natural hair is not a fad and it is more socially, emotionally, psychologically and corporately accepted. I see professionals rocking their locks and braids, natural textured hair weaves and wigs, and their own loose kinky or curly hairdos even more today. I'm excited that people are feeling more comfortable with wearing the hair that they were born with and getting away from using the negative term "Bad hair" for coarse/kinky/tightly curly hair.

Unfortunately, we still have those older relatives and friends who are still conditioned (unaware/unconscious) to hate/dislike their own birth-given hair texture and they make negative remarks when you decide to wear your own hair out. This happened to me. I wore my natural hair out and one of my relatives (approximately 10 years older than I) turned up/disfigured his face and asked, "when was I putting my weave back in..." He didn't like "me" as I am... is really what he was indirectly/unaware/ignorantly stating...although he argued against that fact.

Naturally, I defended myself, and revisited our African American history of being taught to hate and deny my African heritage and rather, embrace another culture/race's appearance, and re-educated him on these facts. Consequently, I have received many many compliments from others and have inspired those who are contemplating to go natural. I have also learned to not waste too much time and energy doing this because some just don't want to hear it.
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On another note!                 Hair it is!

Hair is large part of many women's adornment/beauty, and protection of her skin. Not this is not to discount the many women who wear bald heads for both beauty, growth issues and medical reasons.


More content coming...






Property of His Garden Naturals Mobile Salon
http://hisgdnaturals.wordpress.com/
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 I have always wanted to make dolls with various African American/African Textured hair and with various body shapes from Very slim to full-figured. Someone beat me to the punch! But I Ain't mad at them. It is so great to have our daughters see the variety of beauty in different Ethnicities and cultures. So check out this company "Natural Girls United" and their natural hair dolls. Site: http://www.naturalgirlsunited.com/natural-hair-dolls.html




Saturday, September 14, 2013

ABOUT CHERYL



meet CHERYL of many hats 



Meet CHERYL YOLANDA H;
Licensed Cosmetologist.
Mother, Author. Clergy,


Natural Hair Care Stylist.
Mental Health Care Professional.                                 
Board Certified Pastoral Counselor. 
Inspirational Life Coach.


CHERYL the cosmetologist



CHERYL'S SALON EXPERIENCeS:
2007-Present (His Garden Naturals’ Salon Services) NY/Abroad 
2003- 2007 (Mr Don’s Salon) Jamaica, NY
1998- 2002 (Y.O.U Salon) Jamaica, NY
1998-1999 (Mulcare Beauty Studio & Spa) Saint Albans, NY
1995-1997 (Hair Exclusives) Jamaica, NY
1992-1995 (Kuumba Nia) Laurelton, NY
1989-1992 (By anointed Hands Salon Services) Brooklyn/Queens, NY
Education:1997—1998 (LIBS-Learning Institute of Beauty in Sciences) Hempstead, N.Y. License/Certificate: Cosmetology

my Social Scene: 

CHeryl the stylist, formulator & blogger


Nurtured Naturally Blog is owned/edited by Cheryl as an extension "His Garden Naturals." Here, Cheryl provides info about living a nurturing lifestyles regarding natural hair care, and nurturing the body, spirit, home, relationships, family, and work, Also offering discounts, DIY videos/topics, discussion forums and more.


His Garden Naturals' Handcrafted Products:
"His Garden Naturals" Body & Hair Care is Owned & formulated By Cheryl. Cheryl is dedicated and committed to glorifying God in all that she does by serving others in various ways. 
Story Behind Brand:
The Establishment 
"In August 2011, I decided to work on my long-time dream and passion of creating my own line of natural spa and hair products made from certified organic and natural ingredients. I remember recording my first attempt in a journal I purchased to use strictly for His Garden Naturals. Well, my first attempt at making my first batch of body butters was so successful that I asked my salon clients, family and friends to test the product for themselves for a small nominal fee that would be an investment to help me purchase more ingredients and equipment needed that would allow me to make variety of products. The following month, my brother Craig loved the product and philosophy, and immediately invested his time and money into His Garden Naturals by designing the company's logo and helped purchase more quality equipment and implements needed for me to formulate.

  I had begun to sell my first set of body butters and lip balms at community craft and holiday boutiques, a women’s church function, and a salon. I approached the owner of "Vital Health Foods" store to inform him of what I was doing because I had inquired about how and where to order the best ingredients (essential oils, base and natural preservatives to be accurate) about 10 years prior, and he remembered. He quickly advised me and gave me some direction as of where to begin and he also invested in His Garden Naturals by becoming one of my suppliers and investor as well. I brought in some samples of my products and he began to use them on himself and was delighted to sell some of my products in his store. Now I'm continuing to shop my line of products to spas, salons, health food stores, on my website, mail order, local businesses, craft-fairs and other local businesses.


She originally named the product line "God's Garden" but later settled on 'His Garden Naturals' She believes in using her gifts and talent to bless others. Cheryl wanted to make a product that acknowledges the creator (God) as He is the one who has given humanity all things to richly enjoy-Bible (1 Timothy 6:16-18), especially in a society that is constantly denying God's presence, providence and will.


CHERYL THE preacher