Sunday, January 26, 2014

BEST BABY SKIN PRODUCTS ARE MADE FROM THE EARTH!

I don’t know about you but I don’t trust all of the baby care products on store shelves. I didn’t want to be so hasty to grab any quick fix (cheap or chemically-based) product for my baby-girl just because I was in a rush instead of making sure she got the best from the beginning. I guess I am old-fashioned (well, that’s what others may call me), and appreciate the old natural remedies that actually works and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. With most natural products, a little goes a long way because I found that you don’t need to use a lot and because its potent ingredients will suffice. God did not make a mistake when he created the earth and He definitely had us in mind because in Genesis the first chapter of the Holy Bible, it reads, “Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole Earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. Well, it’s a done deal for me! Of course, there are things that we use that’s not ‘ALL ‘ natural but we can reduce our intake of harsh and toxic chemical-based ingredients that negatively affect our body cells and organs which affects our development and immunity but this is another topic.
When my daughter was a baby, she had mild eczema, so I didn’t immediately run out to look for harsh baby products full of mineral and petroleum oil, No! After I’d done the research and consultation with some holistic nutritionists and knowledgeable health food store staff, I purchased some Shea butter, coconut and olive oil to use on her skin and she never developed those dry dark patches on her skin. No one ever knew she had eczema unless I told them. Her main symptoms were itchiness and she would pull out her barrettes when her scalp felt itchy and she couldn’t stand wearing stockings. When she was in private school and had to wear uniform, soon as she got home from school, she would take off her stockings which usually had holes in them from her scratching. Lol. So, what would soothe and calm her skin during school hours so she could tolerate wearing stocking was the organic Shea butter, jojoba oil and coconut oil I would get from our local health food store that actually sell my products now. I would also apply these after bathing her and when she was older, she used them herself after showering. You can make a salve and skin moisturizer that will last for a couple of months if stored in a cool dry place. Actually, sometimes I put my body butters in the refrigerator because they melt on skin contact anywhoooo!
v Shooosh! I'm giving away one of my golden handmade His Garden Naturals' product recipes for babies with itch dry skin or eczema:

Homemade Baby Dry Skin Salve:
1 oz. Shea butter
1 oz. Almond oil or Mango butter
1/2 oz. Olive oil
2 oz. jojoba oil
10 drops lavender Essential Oil (EO)
10 drops Tea tree Oil (EO)
1/2 oz. beeswax or jojoba wax
10 drops coconut or evening primrose oil
5 drops of Vitamin E (moisturizer, preservative to stop from becoming rancid)

Melt all butters (Mango, Shea, and jojoba/beeswax) in a stainless steel pot and melt while stirring softly every couple of seconds or minutes. After the oils have completely melted, allow to cool enough to place your fingers/hands on the side of the pot/pan. Add in the essential oils and vitamin E. Stir well and pour into a self-labeled sterilized container, allow mixture to set up overnight and Wallah! You have a handmade solution that your baby and family can use.  


Even when it came to feeding my baby-girl when she was ready for solids, I didn’t
spend a lot of money on commercial baby food-full of preservatives, I would just grind up whatever I cooked (since I ate healthier during and after pregnancy) especially because I breastfed her. I would grind up vegetables and starches such as but not limited to: cooked pumpkin, spinach, collard greens, carrots, peas, kale, squash, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, brown or white rice, couscous and certain meats later. We’ll get into good natural homemade baby food later…I just wanted to encourage someone who may feel frustrated with all of the baby products on the market, tired of spending money and need a template to begin using natural ingredients that may be right in their closet, cabinets, pantry or refrigerator.
Hey, if you try this recipe, shoot me a message/comment here to tell me how'd you like it. 
This photo credit is featured on Essence.com where you can read a vital article titled, "Study Finds That Black Women Are Not Breastfeeding"

Note: Remember, although this is a natural potent solution, everyone's skin condition varies so what worked wonderful for someone else may not work best for you. You may find other ingredients to add in addition to this recipe that works better for you and your family's body. Blessings....
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Thursday, January 23, 2014

Do men prefer natural beauty? Part I


  It is interesting to know that many men, when asked, prefer natural beauty over hair extensions, false eyelashes and heavy layers of make-up, bright-colored tresses and false nails. When I asked men about this topic they reported that, yes, they may look at women with all of these adornments but personally rather their spouses, mothers, daughters and girlfriends look more natural or at least wear all of the above with moderation and not what they consider excessive. Moreover, some men like the idea of knowing how their significant other genuinely looks without all of the extras. A lot of men say they want to know what you look like when you wake up in the morning.

Conversely, some women will tell you that they have become slaves to wearing make-up and other things to accentuate or ‘enhance’ their natural features that they can’t even imagine leaving the home without any of these ‘enhancements’. They wouldn’t be caught dead without it! These words actually came out of the mouth of women known personally and in passing. Some of them said that when they look in the mirror, all of what they concentrate on are their flaws (blemishes, pimples, moles, skin discoloration, etc.). 

Clearly, these are not all men and women’s sentiments but a great amount of individuals from both sexes share these same thoughts, feelings, and opinions. What are your thoughts and feelings about natural beauty, moderate accessorizing/accentuating, and extravagant and liberal wearing of make-up; hair extensions including false eyelashes; iridescent hair colors; and so on…In researching for similar articles, this article titled, "WHAT MEN REALLY THINK" has with interviews from a few men and their response about the above discussion peak an interest. http://www.beautylish.com/a/vprmy/what-men-really-think

 And you're right! There are also men who claim they prefer natural beauty but drool over celebrity women with their beautiful weaves, false nails, heavy makeup and false eyelashes. 

Interestingly, there are men of the opposite race/culture who appreciate another race/culture’s natural beauty in regards to African American/Black women’s natural texture compared to men of that same race/culture. Wonder why?

Is it true that white men appreciate natural hair more than Black men do?

The author Dr. Corey Guyton, of the article"WHITE MEN APPRECIATE NATURAL HAIR MORE Than BLACK MEN: A BROTHA'S RESPONSE"
is honest about his insecurities that cause him to not appreciate his wife's decision to wear her hair natural. He discusses the socialization of black men and how they have trouble embracing natural black hair styles and textures. The author also shares his childhood and adolescent years of being around black women within the church, school and home, who put relaxers in their hair so he didn't exactly grow up with the women who embraced their African-heritage or kinky-coily-curly texture. This proves the point made in a previous post here about the brain-washing, self-hatred, conditioning and ignorance that still exist in many communities and within family concerning this issue. Check out the article. Very interesting:
http://thegenuinescholar.com/white-men-appreciate-natural-hair-more-than-black-men-a-brothas-perspective/

Other interesting articles on similar topic:

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Getting Your Hair Done at Home is A Growing Trend?

With today's busy-bees, multi-taskers, single moms and dads, home-bound, people with disabilities, seniors, elderly, entrepreneurs, patients, owners of home-based businesses, working moms, new moms, stay-at-home-moms, men... the idea of sitting in a salon, spa or barber shop for hours or playing musical chairs rotating from the sink to station to the lounge is becoming to tedious, time-consuming and burdensome. 
Moreover, our past and present economic downturn/deficit/crisis have starved many people's pockets and because of this, stylist can save and make more money because they don't have to spend $ on overhead, rent, mortgage, and pay percentage rates to salon owners. 

Receiving professional hair, nail, massage and spa treatment care in the comfort of your own home or residence is possible and it works! 
Mobile hair and spa services is a growing trend, and it offers more personal and tailored to your needs immediately especially clients who experience(d) hair loss for various reasons and would rather not visit salons to get a wig, weave, scarf or other enhancement services.There have always been few mobile salons especially on wheels, in trailers/campers and stylist traveling to their client's home but it has become more popular over the last couple of years as the economy changed and increase of entrepreneurs in the beauty industry.

"I also offer mobile salon services in New York and out of NY for groups of 3-5 and my clients love the personalized care, pampering and comfort."

 Mobile services are great options for:
• Home-bound clients
• Brides/Bridal parties/Graduates
• New moms/Expecting mothers
• Hospitalized patients/Senior Citizens
• People with disabilities
• Busy women on the go/or with Home-based businesses
• Photo shoots
• Hair loss due to Chemotherapy, medicine, alopecia, eczema, etc
• Children with salon phobias



 And tell me what you think about it...

Sunday, January 12, 2014

JBCO, Haitian Black or Organic Cold-Pressed Castor oil is beneficial

Well, While perusing the internet, I've witnessed several ongoing debates and disputes regarding whether 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Haitian Black Castor oil or Clear/Yellow Cold Pressed Castor oil is better. 
  • My bottom line is: All are beneficial and add moisture to your hair, skin and scalp. All testimonials claim that it to helps to stimulate hair growth with the addition of massages. I believe that because of the oil's tendency to stick to hair strand and the scalp massages brings flow of blood to the hair's papilla bulb and hair follicles which feeds the hair and strengthens it. This is why it is important that we eat healthy enough to add nutrients in our blood and exercise as well.
  • As a natural hair care stylist, naturally I have clients who have put the JBCO/Organic cold-pressed pure Castor oil to the test and showed me the result of how it made their hair line grow back in, and their hair does appears thicker which is their desired outcome anyway. No arguments from me. So I came to the conclusion that, because of the oil's thick texture (stick-to-itiveness, ability to stick to strands), level of moisture it adds to the hair and scalp, and the addition of applying scalp massages, (whew) this combination is great! 
  • I must point out that many of their hair's density was originally thick (genetically) but fell out due to meds, friction against fabrics and traction alopecia, and their follicles were still open. I recommended that they can also mix the castor oil with coconut, olive, safflower, shea butter and avocado oil and once a month scientific brushing to help stimulate hair growth. Testimonials about this products claimed to:
  1. Stimulate hair growth
  2. Thicken hair & eyebrows/lashes
  3.  Moisturize hair, scalp & skin
  4. Remove or decrease the appearance of stretch mark
  5. Softens hair and skin
You Be the Judge on whether or not it works for you! No need to become argumentative! If it gives you the desired outcome you desire, then it worked for you. Hallelujah! 
 
   Black Haitian Castor Oil                    Organic Castor Oil                    Jamaican Black Castor Oil


Saturday, January 11, 2014

What I do Love About the Transitioning to Natural Movement/Touch my hair?

What I do love about the transitioning to natural movement...You can touch my hair?!.

African Americans / Africans / Individuals with Mixed (kinky-coily-curly) textured-hair who wear their hair in its natural virgin state. More and more children with types of textures are learning to embrace their organic-self. And because the truth is that our children and ourselves, can also be influenced by media images and celebrities, they follow suit. Many of today's African American/Mixed race celebs are wearing their hair natural. 

Adults and children are learning to maximizing their curl patterns and hair type, and becoming more creative with their natural hair styling. Especially now that there's many new products on the market for mixed-textured hair types. You may have to experiment to find that one that works for your hair type. Check out videos below about a "Can I Touch Your Hair" Exhibit in the park and comment about it here. 

Our current younger generation and the next generation are learning to love their hair as well as their cultural background, and remaining content instead begging for that "first chemical relaxer/perm" as many in my generation did when we were preteen and adolescent. My mom would not let me get a relaxer until I was in my latter teens (17, I believe). She was concerned about me damaging my hair and scalp. She was right! 

Results from my interviews: What I hear from most people that have transitioned from chemically-treated hair or from constantly wearing wigs or weaves that covered their hair to wearing their own natural hair is that, they feel free. That's actually a deep statement, if you think about the negative and self-hatred attitudes that African Americans or Mixed-races (African/Black mixed with other races) had or still experience living in the USA as a result of wearing their hair in locs, braids, twists, fros, knots, and more...

And check out these dolls that inspire and encourage little girls and adults alike, to embrace their culture and natural hair texture and hair styling. "These natural hair" dolls can be purchased at: http://www.naturalgirlsunited.com/natural-hair-dolls.html 

Here are some videos related to this discussion
  

Friday, January 10, 2014

Newly Discovered Products for Your Skin’s Moisture Retention

Add Moisture to your Skin using products without petrochemicals and oils that block pores only makes sense. What do you think? Today’s natural and organic scientists/researchers and formulators are constantly developing better natural alternatives to these above ingredients. Although we’ve used these, and psychologically professed that they’ve worked, it’s not altogether true. They may have shielded us from external toxins and debris and worked as a waterproof barrier but do not add or enhance our skin’s needs to become and remain healthy. 

Heavy oils and certain butters, mineral oil and petroleum jelly can weigh down hair and block the pores of your skin, and block moisture just as build up and dirt does. Castor oil, Avocado, Olive or Coconut Oil can help carry oils and butters through your skin and the cuticle (outer layer) to the hair's cortex (inner layer) and help water to retain/attach to inner layer of skin. This is why it is usually recommended that you leave some water on your skin after bathing or showering before applying a cream or oil to your skin to lock in the moisture.

Check these out good people and leave your comments below. I want to try these for myself and leave a review in the near future.

Some New Natural Good Stuff on the Market for Skin Care 
Waxelene does not clog pores, does not contain petrochemicals-no petroleum. It is made with: soy oil, soy-isoflavones, anti-oxidants, unsaturated fatty acids, non-hydrogenated, non-GMO and genisten which is said to increase skin’s firmness, suppleness and elasticity.This great new product has a combination of 4 ingredients that work together for the good: Unbleached raw Beeswax; Certified Organic, non-GMO Rosemary OilDistilled non-GMO Soybeans natural unrefined Vitamin E oil; and the above Soy oil.

If you look up the properties and benefits of each ingredient you will see that this product seems genius!
Another new natural alternative product to cloggingheavy waxes and jellies (Vaseline  andmineral oil) is Beeseline.                                                                                                              Beeseline contains 100% natural and
certified organic beeswax, Rice bran wax, coconut oil, wildflower honey, peppermint essential oil and natural pure flavored oils. This product claims to moisturize, soothe, protect, anti-aging, helps eliminate pimples and enhance your overall skin’s condition. Beeseline also has beneficial nutrients for your skin. Do the research on each ingredient. 


Saturday, January 4, 2014

Natural Hair Care & Braiding Workshops/Course @ York College-NY

Learn DIY natural hair care styling, techniques, installing protective styles and maintenance, and how to turn this art into a business.
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

Thursday, January 2, 2014

#Detox# Nurture & #ReviveCities, #Community, #UrbanRenewals

Detoxing, Nurturing and reviving the city & community & Urban Renewal 

 Communities that are functional are made up of people who share common concerns and issues, and work together towards a goal and similar vision. People are more productive because of the enhancements. The quality of neighborhoods in terms of housing conditions, poverty, toxicity, social structures, social networks, crime, educational institutions, residential mobility, and pollution affect the well-being of its residents including children and youth. 
We have new health problems today due to urbanization and the growth of big cities because there are inadequate 'sanitary conditions and unsafe water. What are WE and the CITY going to do about it? Neighborhood toxicity (pollution), poverty (poor housing), can result in negative outcomes. These negative outcomes manifest deviant behavior in our children and families, and create unhealthy environments.
   When neighborhoods and communities are renewed by adding new housing and businesses, already existing residents will have to either pay higher rental fees or move. Residents might be resistant to change feeling a sense of powerlessness, oppression, exploitation, and vulnerability lacking the power or authority to advocate on their behalf. How are people to seek help concerning the conditions of their community, environment, and living conditions, especially in Urban or low income neighborhoods where there are multiple barriers to face? In NYC, the term ‘Urban Renewal” is considered ‘Black Removal’ and now minority removal. The majority of the demographics living in these neighborhoods are African Americans and other ‘minorities’.
   Classroom sizes, crowding, school attendance, lighting, cleanliness and climate conditions in school buildings are something to look at as they also affect child/adolescent’s health and development. Evans (2006) found that the smaller the classroom the more attention and degree of openness are present within classrooms. Studies that have been done on smaller classroom sizes showed evidence of positive outcomes of student’s grades from standardized exams, positive attitudes, good attendance and connectedness. Information about quality neighborhoods, housing and residential mobility that impact children’s development, issues of juvenile delinquency, and behavioral problems that show how children who live in multiple-dwelling units, and high rise buildings engage in higher criminal activity and manifested behavioral problems than those who live in low-rise buildings are found in Gillis (1974) article. 
Articles  
Evans, G.W. (2006). Child development and the physical environment: Annual Review of
     Psychology57,423-451.
Gillis, A.R. (1974), "Population density and social pathology: the case of building type, social 
     allowance and juvenile delinquency", Social Forces, Vol. 53 pp.306-14.