"Once you go black".... Is Rice the new Super Food?

I get so excited whenever I stumble upon a new super food.  Just days ago, I was reflecting on how much rice I eat.  As a person of Haitian decent, rice is everything. I can eat rice for breakfast, lunch, dinner if I had to.  When I gave up wheat, I began to eat even more rice since rice flour is used in many traditional gluten free products like bread, pasta, cookies, etc.   I felt like I needed to do something.  Eating all that white rice couldn't be my best option.  

Then I started searching.  Looking for alternative that could address my desire for a healthy grain.  The answer came in the form of rice.  But not just any rice, black rice.  Some of you may remember a previous post where I showed an image of what appeared to be black rice.  That dish was a traditional Haitian recipe where the rice derives it's color from a dark mushroom. So pretty much, it's white rice dyed black.  But this, my friends, this is the real deal.

Also, known as the "forbidden rice."  This grain has been enjoyed in Asia for centuries.  The reason why it was considered forbidden was due its rare appearance. Black rice was considered the finest grain and served only to the Emperor.  Which is why it was deemed forbidden to the common folks.  

Lucky for us, we live in a time when we can now have direct access to this precious delicacy.  Why do we want to shift away from eating white rice and transition to its black counterpart?  Because white rice doesn't hold a candle to this black beauty.

First off, the reason why this grain is so dark is because it's loaded with anthocyanin, an antioxidant that gives super foods their deep red, blue and purple colors.  Blueberries, acai , and other nutritious foods get their rich hue from their anthocyanin content.  But did you know that black rice has more anthocyanin than any other food source?  So you are getting more antioxidants in this rice than in blueberries, but without the sugar. Could black rice be any more perfect?  What if I told you that it also contains 18 amino acids, vitamin E, iron, zinc, copper, carotene and fiber? Then would you understand how amazing this grain is? 

 Wait, I'm not done yet.  I also learned that black rice is anti inflammatory. White rice, on the other hand, can promote inflammation.  The aging process is accelerated when inflammation is persistent in our bodies. Many of the illnesses were hear about nowadays are linked to chronic inflammation.   Do you know what else can occur? Skin issues.  There was a study conducted where 10% black rice bran was added to the diet of mice.  Turns out that this simple shift in diet significantly suppressed allergic contact dermatitis of the skin of the mice.  

If you are still not convinced, I'd like to tell you about why I've fallen in love with this ebony rice.  It tastes so freakin' good!  Seriously, I have no desire to eat white rice ever again because this stuff is so delicious.  The flavor is described as nutty but I'm not sure "nutty" is the best way to describe it.  It's just so tasty and flavorful.  I've cooked mine in broth so I'm sure that added to the flavor profile.  Normally, when I eat white rice, I need some sort of gravy or a meat protein to help round out the dish and boost flavor.  The other night, I decided to eat a small amount of black rice mixed with a ripe hass avocado and had a blast.

Two days later, I had black rice again as a side with my Ahi poke. Amazing.  Here's the thing, I picked up some sushi yesterday at my favorite spot. After eating two rolls, I felt a little different. I was feeling bloated and lethargic.  For some reason, I didn't experience that same heaviness feeling after eating black rice.  Not sure why.

Seriously, I now shun all of the half filled bags of white rice sitting in my kitchen cabinet.  I have gone to the dark side and I ain't coming back.  I understand that it's a bit more expensive than white rice but so are blueberries.  I don't have to worry so much about shelf life as I do with healthy fruits, plus I'm getting even more benefits than blueberries pound for pound.

p.s. I found a 22 lb bag online which I will probably get to share with my mother who professed to eating white rice every day last week. Not too long ago, her doctor told her that she suffered from chronic inflammation. I can not wait to give her something to enjoy that can actually bring benefits to her body.

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The Water Challenge: Using Iphone Apps to drink more water

I have to admit, even though I want so badly to drink up to a gallon of water a day, there are days when life gets too busy.  For a while I was bummed on days when I failed to reach my drinking goal but things started looking up when I came across some help in the form of technology.

Last week I traveled out of state for work and decided to pick up a gallon of water to last me over the next couple of days.  My coworker, who also was in search of a gallon, casually mentions to me that his water intake was darn near non-existent until he took action.  He found an app online that helped him track his daily water intake.  I immediately thought of our water challenge and decided that I had to share!

Waterlogged-Iphone (Free)

 

Waterlogged was the first app I looked into.  Based on the features available, this is the one that I'll likely download and use.  What I like about this app is the "take a pic of your bottle" feature which allows you to track your water intake based on your specific bottle.  This works well for me because I you guys know that I have that cooky looking water bottle which I love so much.  

Another thing I like about Waterlogged is that I can set my own goal and the free version has a reminder prompting me to keep drinking. By the way, you have a selection of reminder alerts available that are various versions of water sounds.  There's also a premium version of this app with special perks like unlimited interval reminders throughout the day.

Water Your Body Lite-Iphone (Free)

Water Your Body Lite is what introduced me to this whole "tracking your water" game.  This app works by allowing you to add your body weight so you can achieve a goal of drinking half your weight.  Some of the reviewers of the free version mentioned that they would like the ability to accept water consumption entries after reaching the pre-determined goal.  

Water Your Body -Iphone/Android ($0.99)

The upgraded version of the Water Your Body App has some neat features. For one, it asks questions about your lifestyle that could affect your water intake. Breastfeeding mothers and those who exercise frequently need to drink more water and this app accounts for that.  A few of the reviewers of this app compare it to "playing a game" which keeps them excited about what they're doing for their health.

I hope this post is helpful for those of you who struggle to keep drinking water throughout the day.  These are just a few suggestions, there are more options available on the App Market.  You now have a digital accountability partner to help you win this water challenge journey. Drink up!

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MIZANI Cleansing Cream giveaway

It's been way too long since I've hosted a giveaway here.  I'm ready to make things right by giving away a full 8.5 oz bottle of Mizani Cleansing cream.  Those of you who've read previous posts know that I'm such a fan of conditioning cleansers over typical shampoos that can over strip the hair.

My love began when I first tried Hair One then went to a new level after my encounter with WEN.

Now and forever, cleansing conditioners will always be a staple for me.  If anyone out there hasn't experimented with a cleansing conditioner, I urge you to enter this giveaway!

According to the label, this product is a "mild, low-lathering foam [that] gently cleanses as it helps restore the hair's natural moisture/protein balance and refreshes the scalp.  To remove buildup, use it as a between-shampoo conditioning wash."

Enough about that, let's talk about how you can get your hands on this thing!

• Follow my blog!
• Send me an email to relaxedhairhealth@gmail.com with the words "Mizani giveaway" in the title. 
• This giveaway is open to those in the U.S.
• The lucky winner will be selected on June 23, 2013.  

Thanks for participating! I wish everyone luck. 

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Currently Craving: June 2013 Edition

It's been a while since I've posted my current craves.  When I first wrote the original posts, I did it as something fun and lighthearted.  Little did I know that those posts would turn out to be an online vision board of sorts.  Most, if not all, my past craves have manifested into my reality.  Most notably are my Micro Mist steamer, my Chanel slouch bag and my dream car which has been on my physical vision board for many years.

Since this process has proved to be so powerful, I thought I'd keep this train rollin' and put some of my current craves out into the universe.  Who knows, maybe they'll part of my reality in the near future.

The first object of my affection is the Cortex 4 n 1 curling wand.  Immediately after seeing this video. I was obsessed with owning a curling wand for myself.  Because my thirst was so great,  I didn't make the right choice and order  my desired curling wand online. Instead, I learned that one could be purchased within the next hour at my local Target store. Hours later, I had the Remington wand in hand started to experiment. Although my hair looked nothing like the Glam Twin, I really liked the results.  So far I've used it twice.  What I love about my curling wand is how long my curls last.  Seriously, the curls stay in for days.  I paid around $20.00 for my wand but I'm looking to take it up a notch.  I like versatility of the 4 n 1.  Also, the fact that there are four sizes to chose from and variable heat settings.  The product description also boasts of infrared technology as well. Trust me, this won't be in my Amazon wish list for long.

Next on the list of goodies I'd like to attract is tiny little handbag by the name of the Chanel mini.  I'm taking this opportunity to confess that I have acquired more than enough of these gorgeous bags but something in my soul won't let me settle until I find a small bag back to complete my collection.   Since I don't want to make any hasty decisions, I've decided to steer clear of the boutique for the time being.  But, if I could blow out a candle and receive a wish, I'd have one of these darlings before 2014.

Last year, I noticed one of my friends suddenly had these long, amazing lashes.  After inquiring, she shared that she achieved those lengths with one simple visit to a lash specialist.  Fast forward a year and I see her again with the same super-long lashes. This time, they look a bit more natural.  I'm thinking that she asked her stylist for a natural look.  Instead, she informed me that she was sporting her real lashes thanks to the help of a new product she was using. I was floored.  You see, my friend is Asian so prior to her experiment, her lashes were non-existent.  Now, this girl got lashes for days thanks to using Grandelash twice a day. When she revealed her long last secret, I was shocked to learn that I have the same product at home.  I purchased it from the Make Up Show event I attended last year.  When I first met her, my lashes were longer than hers. Now she has twice the length as I do because she was consistent with using Grandelash while I was not.  Ever since running into her last week, I've been diligent with using my Grandelash twice a day.

The biggest thing on my craving list is my dream house complete with an in-home sauna cool dip pool.  Currently, I enjoy the benefits of a sauna when I visit my gym.  I found several selling online that are small enough to go inside someone's home.  Best of all they use infrared technology which is said to be more beneficial.  The idea of wanting a cold dip pool came after learning that Sanaa Lathan uses the hot & cold therapy technique to contribute to her glowing skin.  Last month I visited an upscale gym and did the tour.  While in the ladies locker room, I got a glimpse of their cold dip pool which is set below 50 degrees.  Stepping into a cold plunge after a session in the sauna is the ultimate promoter of circulation.  The warm sauna helps draw blood to the skin surface, while the cold temperatures cause the blood to move towards the internal organs.

I'm going to take the next couple of moments to send vibes of intention & gratitude out so they may return to me in the form of my desires.   Oh, when I get the Cortex wand, I'll let you all know what I think. 

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Monday Motivation- Shift the direction of your life with the Slight Edge

I'm really excited to share a little about a book that I've been reading.  If I consistently apply the principles shared in this book, my life will be changed forever.  Because of this, I feel compelled to dedicate a Motivation Monday post  on the Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.

Part of what excites me most about this book is the timing.  You've seen me write posts in the past on developing consistent daily habits.  You can check out of few of them here, here, and here.  My mind has been obsessed with the idea of maintaining daily habits yet my body (& my self discipline) wouldn't allow it. Over and over again I would start a new routine, do it consistently for a period of time, then find myself falling back into my old behaviors.

Then came a turning point moment when I conducted my first 7 day challenge. Having committed myself to working out for 7 days was extremely powerful.  It taught me that it could be done.  It taught me how to overcome resistance.  From there, the doors were opened and the soil was prepared for this amazing seed (in the form of a book) to take root.  So what is the Slight Edge all about?

The Slight Edge teaches us a very important message.  The lesson is that the daily actions that we chose to do (or not do) makes little or no difference today or even tomorrow. Nothing bad happens if I have a second piece of pie today.  I don't gain 3 lbs the minute that last bite goes down.  Because of this, I continue to make choices that seem to have no obvious, immediate consequence. What happens if this type of behavior continues? The negative consequences begin to appear. But not only that, they are amplified because I've been consistent with my poor choices.

Think about your decisions like deposits you are making into an interest bearing account.  Even though you put a certain amount in, you will receive more in return.  Make poor decisions day after day, and you experience a greater negative impact.  Make good decisions consistently and the rewards of your choices multiply.  The author of the Slight Edge reminds us that we're making decisions on a daily basis anyway.  We are already making deposits into our future through the actions we take today.  Knowing this, it only makes sense for us to make the right decisions so we can adequately fund our success.

What I love most about the book is how Jeff talks about how easy it is for us to do and, not to do, the right things.  That's when my mindset shift occurred. I began to look at good choices as being easy to make.  When I started thinking this way, my actions quickly followed.  Since starting to read this book, I've been able to maintain consistency with my workouts, with my daily meditation, personal development reading, etc.  Not only that, I find myself wanting to do a little more each day to compound my efforts (and my results).  Another change I've noticed is letting go of the need to see an immediate result from the actions I take.  This, I believe, was the culprit whenever I started something new and gave up soon afterwards.  Now, I move forward knowing that my actions will create my intended result if I just keep going.  If I continue to operate for the remainder of the year, 2014 will be phenomenal. 

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MAC Mini Haul and lessons learned from beautiful people

Up until recently I have always been a lipgloss kinda girl.  For some reason I thought I'd never find lipsticks that would compliment me.  One trip to the Makeup Show changed all of that for me.

The first of my purchases were two lipsticks. One in a shade of red by the name of Diva and a neutral called Velvet Teddy.

Honestly, I hesitated with Velvet Teddy because the swatch was not the color I had in mind when I asked for a nude.  It looked to bright for my tone.  The guy doing my makeup sensed my hesitation so he summoned a brown skin girl my way who just so happen to be sporting Velvet Teddy.  It looked so great on her that I couldn't resist.  So I sampled the lipstick using MAC chestnut lip liner, applied a little gloss and fell in love with the final look.  I wear it pretty much daily now. Normally, I'm without anything on my lips but when I rock Velvet Teddy, I still have the look of bare lips but with a little extra oomph.

(wearing a light layer of diva and gloss)

Then I was like "what the heck," lemme get a blush while I'm at it.  I've always wanted a blush for those days when I want to do a full face but had the toughest time finding one that isn't too red, pink, or whatever.  My salvation came in the form of Sweet as Cocoa which is a lovely skin toned blush with just the right hint of shimmer.  It's says, "I'm not wearing blush," I just have lovely cheeks (that makes no sense).  But you get what I'm saying.  Sweet as Cocoa is subtle and oh so pretty.   It's perfect for me.

  
Now that I have these new purchases in hand, I'm challenging myself to take on some new habits.  I want to cultivate the practice of wearing naturally flattering makeup on a daily basis.  I came across a quote this week from Andre Tally who said something to the effect that getting dressed, doing your making and staying inside is the epitome of decadence.  And I'll never forget reading a magazine article years back when a woman challenged herself to wear red lipstick daily for specified period of time.  She shared an account of how much of a difference it made in the way she felt and how others related to her. I, too, would like to practice being intentional with the way I look on a daily basis.

I tried this as an experiment years ago.  On Sundays, I would lay out my outfits for the week. I set aside extra time in the mornings to make sure I carefully applied my make up, I would adjust my make up and hair during bathroom breaks.  The outcome?  It felt like I had a new field of energy surrounding me.  Almost everyone I encountered treated me completely differently. My confidence soared.  I'd hear comments from folks saying things like "you always dress so nice."  Funny thing is that I hadn't purchased any new items of clothing but no one said anything before about how I dressed until I purposely started "styling myself."

I'm a people watcher & observer by nature.  One thing I noticed lately, in my observations, is that "attractive" women normally are wearing flattering makeup and are dressed pleasantly even though they technically don't "have to."  They too seem to be surrounded by that higher energy force field that I remember enjoying in days past.  This goes back to the question I asked myself at the start of my fitness journey.  "These people are fit and healthy", I thought, "why do they need to go to the gym?"  The same way of thinking could be said for "attractive" people who dress nicely and wear makeup.  If they're already beautiful, why do they even need to focus on those (what I consider) extras?

Then I realized the huge flaw in my way of thinking.  What about the fact that, the actions they're taking was directly contributing to the outcome.  Instead of scratching my head and asking, "why does Kelly Rowland need work out daily?" or "why does Gabrielle Union need to drink a gallon of water a day." I could see their actions as a tool that created their amazing results.  I'll talk more on this topic in the future.  I'll also begin a 7 day challenge focused on actions that take me out of my comfort zone.  Maybe a "wear a dress daily" challenge or something like that.  We'll see.

Lipstick

Lipstick

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Your Ultimate Exfoliation Routine: Daily Facial Exfoliation

This post is the third installment in the Ultimate Circulation and Exfoliation routine series.  So far we've discussed  the importance of promoting high circulation in our bodies.  Then we focused on how to create a full body glow through daily exfoliation. 

Now let's move on to an area that's fairly new to me.  Last year, when I got serious about my skin care, one of the affirmations I would say over and over again is "I have clear, glowing skin."   At the time, my skin was the opposite of the words I would recite on a daily basis.  I didn't even know how to create clear glowing skin.  But then things changed.  A series of random events led me to Lady Dee and things haven't quite been the same sense.  I believe that my journey wouldn't have taken me where I am today if it weren't for my belief in the skin I felt I was capable of experiencing.  My consistent thoughts and focus on what I desired have undoubtedly taken me closer to the outcome I envisioned. 

Prior to recently, I rarely exfoliated my face.  In the past I used St. Ives, Aveeno and other drug store exfoliators a couple of days a week (when I remembered).  I can't say that the results were mind blowing.  I didn't get into the habit of consistent exfoliation until after my first skin peel.  The change in my skin was drastic and  I wanted to do anything I could to maintain those results.  At first, I feared the idea of exfoliating my skin daily.  It just seemed excessive and maybe even dangerous. 

A couple of factors impacted my change in mindset.

1. First, Lady Dee shared that many of her celebrity clients received skin peels on a very regular basis.
2. I read an online article where Chilli (from TLC) shared that she enjoyed chemical peels monthly.

At this moment, I don't intend on doing chemical peels on a regular basis.  So I decided to do what I can daily to keep my skin feeling smooth and to eliminate my acne scarring. 

Allow me share a little about what I'm using currently for my facial circulation and exfoliation routine. 

1.  Fresh Face Polish (manual exfoliation).  You have seen this product mentioned in several posts.  Ladies, I love this stuff with all of my heart.   I  adore the fact that it's gentle enough to be used daily and powerful enough to give my skin a slight glow with every use.  The cost is a little steep but, believe me when I say that you get what you pay for.  The quality is amazing and you get enough product to last a very long time.   I've experimented with using this daily and going without.  When I chose the later option, I can see an obvious difference in my skin.  

2. The Clarisonic (manual exfoliation & circulation).  What's great about this tool is that it provides three distinct benefits.  Circulation, (mild) exfoliation, and toning.  The Clarisonic is one of those things that may not make an immediate shift in your skin right way, but used consistently, you are promoting long term benefits from the stimulation of the circulating brush head.  It took me a long time to fork over $200.00 for a facial brush.  Prior to giving in, I bought a knock off for $40.00 which didn't perform as well and broke several months after use.  Eventually I came to my senses and never looked back.  This product is an investment that you will never regret. 

3.  Mandelic Acid (mild chemical exfoliation): In my skin care routine video I shared that I wanted to begin implementing mild chemical exfoliation into my regimen.  I wanted something mild enough to be used several times a week, if need be.  My search lead me to a mandelic acid peel.  Mandelic acid is derived from bitter almonds and is said to be mild enough to be used on darker skin tones.  I felt like this would be a great place to start.  The peel barely stings.  It's super gentle yet I can tell that something is happening.  This is one of those products which will make a different if used consistently over time. 

4. Glycolic Acid (chemical exfoliation): A while ago, I purchased a glycolic acid solution at a facial spa.  I used it a couple of times then stopped.  Now that I'm serious about flawless skin, I'll utilize this serum over my cheeks for a deeper level of exfoliation.  This one stings when I use it.  I feel like it's kinda harsh which is why I use it less frequently then my mandelic acid.  I like the option of having something stronger to use for deeper penetration.  A couple of days ago, I purchased a glycolic acid & hyaluronic acid serum meant to be used on a daily basis.  Can't wait to try it. 

5.  Face Brushing  (manual exfoliation & circulation):  The fifth tool showed in the picture above is probably my favorite. I've recently added facial brushing to my routine. What is facial brushing?  It's that thing where you use a small wooden (nail) brush on your face.  Kinda like dry skin brushing our bodies but instead we're doing it to our face.  Why would one do that?  Because it's probably one of the most effective methods of creating circulation and stimulation all at once.  Don't get me wrong, facial brushing is a little weird at first.  But I absolutely love the way my face looks afterwards.  Plus, one of my favorite aspects of this method is how it promotes facial toning.  As we get older (in our 30s and beyond).  Our bodies start to succumb to the effects of gravity.  If people work out, they can avoid some of that impact to their bodies.  But usually, our face is left to fend for itself.  When I use my facial brush, my skin feels firmer, more toned.  Some say that this method also helps to promote the production of collagen as well. 

I should also mention that I have some retin A that I use from time to time. Retin A promotes chemical exfoliation by causing our skin cells to quickly regenerate.  Honestly, I haven't been consistent with it because I get turned off by the peeling.  Slight peeling can occur as our skin regenerates itself at a rapid rate.  I know I should be more diligent with my Retin A usage but I have this weird thing with peeling ever since I got over my facial dermatitis.  But I'm committed to try again since I know the peeling is temporary and the benefits are long term. 

The other day at work, I ran into a co-worker who has been out on a 90 day leave of absence.  As we reconnected, I became distracted by how healthy and "glowy" her skin was.  Her face had the look of a young child.  After talking business for a little bit, we got on to the topic of her skin.  She shared with me that she'd taken on a new regimen where she stopped using soap.  Instead she exfoliated daily with a scrub.   The skin looked phenomenal.   Heck, I even received a compliment on my skin after meeting a friend for lunch to catch up.  My skin has the tendency to look congested and textured (rough).  But now that I have implemented exfoliation into the equation, I have fairly smooth skin (which is pretty remarkable). 

If you are thinking of incorporating some exfoliation/circulation techniques for your face.  My advice would be to start slow.  For me, it began with the Fresh face polish which I used 2-3 times a week.  When I realized that my skin could take on more, I experimented with using it consistently.  From there I continued my experiment and paid close attention to how my skin responded.  The true testament to how well this is working for me came when I stopped doing my regimen for a couple of weeks.  I didn't use my fresh clay mask or any form of exfoliation. I just washed my face with soap.  The first week was ok but by week 2 my face was showing obvious signs of neglect.  I immediately went into action to bring back my healthy skin and the changes were almost immediate.

Not mentioned in this post is the PMD (personal microdermabrasion kit) which I haven't used regularly enough to comment.  I do see the benefits of this tool but I find that I work better with something if I have to do it more frequently (like daily) otherwise I skip days, weeks and my inconsistency gets the best of me.  Also not mentioned in this post is facial massage and exercise which I may talk more about in an upcoming post. I hope this helps.  You know your skin better than anyone so try and use what works for you.  For me exfoliation is the way to go, not just on my body but all over. 

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Monday Motivation: Fitness as a way of life

One of the most powerful benefits I received from completing the recent 7 day challenge was the ability to overcome resistance.  I couldn't allow any excuse to stop my  workouts and now I have even greater motivation to keep going.  I'm still working on a mind shift on how I view fitness. I still see it as a means to an end. A way to sculpt and tone my body.  Last night I had a semi break through and realized that just like the other new habits I've cultivated over the years, like drinking water, or giving up pork, fitness must be a consistent part of my life.

The good news is that the benefits are so freakin' amazing.  All the hard work is so worth it.  I am genuinely surprised and excited to hear from some of you that have begun to work out as a result of these fitness inspiration posts.  I don't know what to say.....you all inspire so much.  So let's keep this baby going.  Here's this week's round of fitness motivation brought to you by some of our favorite fit ladies of Instagram.

I went to the beach yesterday with hubby. We did more people watching than anything.  One observation I made was that few people that had bodies that were intentionally fit and toned.  I'm not saying that everyone was fat. That wasn't the case, but their bodies weren't notable (from my perspective). Mainly because, although slim, many lacked visible muscle tone.  I'm not referring to "body builder" muscles.  I'm referring to that level of muscle that speaks to the fact that one has been intentional with their fitness.  

I'm thinking about trying one of those sweat (waist) trimmers when I work out. Technically, I don't think they help one lose fat in the waist area but they do help us to be mindful of our core.  I wore one consistently a few years back and I do vaguely remember that it did have a positive impact in my waist area.

Miss Antanique, bringing us hair and fitness inspo at the same darn time.....

Who else is on their own fitness journey?

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Start your morning with an amazing Hair Smoothie

I'm finally getting used to my high powered blender. At first I wasn't at all fond of my first couple of smoothies attempts.  To be honest with you, I preferred the taste of freshly extracted juice. In fact, I almost made the decision to return my Blendtec. But instead of taking it back, I decided to use it in a way that maximizes it's most obvious strengths.

With juicing, I'm pretty much limited to the fresh fruits & veggies as my ingredient options.   When I make a smoothie, I can also include all sorts of little extras that help support my hair and health journey.  For example, this healthy hair smoothie contains fresh/frozen ingredients such as:

• Organic carrots~rich with vitamin A
• Organic Kale~loaded with iron
• Fresh Organic Spinach~has protein, vitamin A & vitamin C
• Frozen berries~filled with antioxidents

Then I went on to include amazing "boosters" that take my smoothie to the next level.  There are no rules when it comes to making healthy smoothies so I decided to blend a concoction of "extras" like:

• Silica gel~Great for hair skin & nails
• Omega 3 flax seed oil
• Kelp powder~rich in minerals
• Black strap molasses~filled with B vitamins 

I use protein milk as the base for all the ingredients to blend together.

Honestly, I had a little apprehension before taking a sip because I wasn't sure how that kelp powder & molasses would affect the taste of my breakfast drink.  Thankfully, my concerns were short lived because the drink was absolutely delicious.

The most glorious part in all of this was that cleanup time was pretty much non-existent.  This means that even when I'm feeling lazy in the mornings, I can still whip up an ultra-nutritious smoothie with zero hassle.  I hope to share other hair-healthy creations  with you in the future.  Don't get me wrong, I haven't given up juicing for good but it's nice to know that I don't have to compromise if I don't have the time (or interest) in going through the juicing process.

  I'll let you in on a little secret.  Lately, I haven't been taking any hair vitamins and I almost started feeling a little guilty about it.  Then I realized that these amazingly nutritious "loaded smoothies" can help support the my hair journey even when I'm not diligent with my vitamin intake.  Makes me sleep better at night just thinking about it.

Cheers!

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Ulitmate Exfoliation Routine: Creating an all over Glow

In our quest to create the ultimate circulation/exfoliation routine we first learned the importance of promoting adequate blood flow to feed and nourish the skin.  Once we have this in process, we now turn our attention to physical exfoliation of our bodies with the intention of creating soft, smooth, even toned, glowing skin all over.

With exfoliating our bodies, I personally believe that a daily practice will reap the highest benefits.  I came to this understanding after I began to practice this myself.  Years ago, I had this terrible issue with random occasional breakouts on my chest and back.  Those left long lasting scars that made it awkward to wear tank tops and such.  Regular exfoliation, I believe, is the greatest weapon I used to diminish the scars.

When I first began exfoliating in the shower, was amazed at the benefits.  There's no comparison between washing normally with just soap when I use a coarse towel.  Last summer was when I got really serious about create a smooth, even toned body.   Using either a commercial scrub or sea salt, I would exfoliate my body, rinse, then exfoliate again, rinse again then do it one additional time....in one session.  After doing this for a few times I decided to try another technique.  This time I would apply my exfoliant then scrub that area vigorously while counting my strokes until I reached a pre-determined number.  I do this more intensely in my thigh area to promote blood flow and muscle tone.  The results were pretty substantial.  Now that the weather is warming up, I'm ready to get back into the swing of things.

Here are the tools I'll be utilizing to create that all over glow.

Body brush||
Up until recently, I only exfoliated in the shower using a scrub or exfoliating cloth.  But now that my focus has become both circulation and exfoliation, I've been putting my body brush to use.  Using the brush helps promote blood flow, detoxification and helps keep my skin toned and firm.  Since I'm not privy to daily massages, brushing my skin feels like the next best thing.
 

Japanese Salux Cloth||
I just started using these cloths recently and I'm head over heels in love.  The coarseness of the texture takes a little getting used to but, believe me, this simple cloth is worth it's weight in gold. The size of the cloth allows me to easily scrub the hard to reach areas (like my back).  I recommend all of you get your hands on these cloths and experience the difference. 
 

Salt Scrub||
When I first began a regular routine of exfoliating my body, I began with coarse sea salt. This is probably the most abrasive method I've used but it worked for me because, honestly, I neglected to care for the skin on my body for so long.  Sea salt is inexpensive and does it's job.  Some say that salt also has therapeutic properties as well. If you're looking for an exfoliator for your feet, I recommend sea salt as a starting point.

Tree Hut Sugar Scrub||
After being consistent with my salt scrubs, I decided to transition to a sugar scrub to maintain the glow.  I've tried a few brands and I have to say the Tree Hut is by far my favorite brand.  The ingredients are pretty decent.  It has just the right amount of sugar-to-oil ratio.  In the past, I've found some products that had to much oil or the sugar dissolved too quickly.  For me this brand is just perfect.  Love, love, love it!

Foot Scrub||
I'll never forget it. I visited a nail salon for a pedicure. When the guy felt the bottom of my feet, and decided that he didn't need to use the skin shaving tool on my heals, I was elated.  Both women on either side of me had their feet shaved.  It was my first professional pedicure in at least 8 months.  That's when I took time and reflected back to my daily practice of scrubbing my feet in the shower.  A year prior I found a local nail supply store and bought a bunch buffing pads.  I placed on in my shower, committed to using it daily, and the rest is history. 

If you are ready to kick off your exfoliation routine, remember that our skin requires daily exfoliation.  We're constantly producing new skin cells.  Throughout the day, sweat, dirt and toxins are pushed the skin's surface.  If we're not intentional in removing this waste, it builds up creating dull, lackluster skin.  The physical act of scrubbing that area allows blood to flow to that area and if you remember from our last post, increased blood flow a key to vibrant health.  

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Motivation Monday: The 7 Day Challenge

Seven days ago today I embarked on mini journey that I will call the 7 day challenge.  Some of you might be familiar with 30 day challenges where one commits to doing (or going without) something for a full 30 days.  I've yet to complete a successful 30 day challenge so I did the next best thing.

For the past 7 days, I made the commitment to conduct some form of exercise on a daily basis.  After sharing my last fitness inspiration post, I thought I'd try to live the life of someone who works out every day.  See what it feels like and, best of all, receive some of the benefits.  If the challenge was completed successfully, perhaps I could find a way to make that action a permanent part of my life or, at the very least, I could continue on to a second 7 day challenge.

I chose daily exercise as my first experiment because it seems like I could always find an excuse not to work out.  "I don't have time." "The gym is too far." "I worked out yesterday."  "I'll do it tomorrow."  "It's kinda late."  All of those excuses took on a life of their own and soon my body and health began to show signs of my decisions.  This week was the week of zero excuses. Nothing could get in the way of me achieving my goal of 7 days of consistent exercise.  Heck, I even worked out twice in one day.  Twice in a day!!!

I didn't loose a ton of weight in 7 says, and although I do see some signs of my hard work, my body didn't transform in a week's time.  But what I got was even better than all of that.  I now can confidently operate with no excuses when it comes to my workout habits (or any other habit for that matter).  If ever I feel like it's too late to work out, I'll think about Wednesday night when I walked in the door at 9:30 pm after a 12 hour day, immediately changed into my workout clothes and completed a 30 minute workout at home.  No longer will I look at someone who has the discipline to consistently work out and think "how does she do that?"  I have been given a glimpse of that lifestyle and can choose to continue cultivating the habit if I chose.

I'm loving this seven day challenge thing.  Now that I completed one round, I'm ready to keep it going.  Next on my list is a 7 day scalp massage and a meditation challenge. My mind is brewing up countless seven day challenge experiments. I encourage challenge you to try this for yourselves.  If I would have "failed" at my attempt to work out 7 days, chances are, I'd still work out more often last week than I would have normally so, technically, there's no downside to this experiment.


Have you every tried a 7 day or 30 day challenge?  Who's ready to get started?

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Your Ultimate Circulation/Exfoliation routine part 2 | Get your blood flowing

We're about to kick off part two in a series of posts on creating an exfoliation/circulation routine.  Over the next 2 or 3 posts, I'll offer up a myriad of ideas on what we can do to create soft, smooth, glowy skin all over.  I believe that improving your circulation should go hand in hand with exfoliation.  Both work together to create beautiful, perfect skin while promoting improved health.

Before we get started, I want you to create a picture of a child in your mind.  That child's skin is ultra soft and perfectly smooth.  This could be attributed to the fact that, as children, their cell turnover rate can be up to 10X higher than in adults.  And, as we continue to age, the blood flow to the skin can decline as much as 40% between the ages of 20-70.  I've paid close attention to the difference in skin tone and appearance between children/teens and adults.  From my perspective, adult skin can look lackluster and dull if not taken care of properly.  Let's assume that the main cause of this "unhealthy" looking skin is related to reduced blood flow and lower turnover.  If this is true,  we must take an active role in helping to create greater circulation in our bodies and remove older skin cells as they die and clog up our skin's surface.

Promoting Proper Circulation //

We'll start this discussion by creating a focus on increased circulation.  Proper blood circulation is the epitome of great health.  Those who suffer from poor circulation can be plagued with a myriad health conditions.  Our circulation begins to slow down on it's own as we begin to age to it's up to us to remain consistent with taking actions that promote greater blood flow.

One of the most effective ways to get our blood pumping is through exercise.  On those days when I can't make it to the gym, even a few minutes of jump rope, or jumping jacks and I can literally feel the increased blood flow all over. It's pretty amazing.  Those of us who go weeks and months without engaging in some sort of exercise activity, will eventually fall victim to declining circulation levels as each day passes.  Even if you don't work out for the intention of creating a perfect body, do it so your body can receive the benefits of increased oxygen in the blood and brain.  I love to think of it as the difference between the retention pond and the river. In the retention pond, there is no flow, no activity. It is stagnant.  The river, on the other hand, is alive!  There is a constant, healthy flow that brings with it so much life.  We want our bodies to be like the river.  Be the river, my friends.

The most wonderful side effect of physical exercise is the act of sweating.  I admit, that sometimes my workouts aren't intense enough to create a great deal of sweating so I always seek the help of the sauna.  Ladies, I kid you not, my skin never (ever) looks as good as it does immediately after a good sweat.  That's because blood rushes to the skin's surface, causing us to sweat in an attempt to cool us down.  That kind of blood flow creates that flushed look that makes us look healthy and vibrant.  Speaking of sweating, I found this interesting article that seems to suggest that sweating levels may decline if our bodies are dehydrated.

Which brings me to our next tip on how to promote circulation.  DRINKING WATER.   Water drinking is no stranger around these parts.  In fact many of you have joined the water challenge and committed to increasing your water intake as much as possible.  I will never forget Gabrielle Union's words when she talked about her water drinking. She said that her hair and nails just seemed to "grow and grow" when she began drinking a gallon of water a day.  Could this have anything to do with the fact that our blood plasma is 93% water?  If  we are dehydrated, our blood flow is impacted.  Think of your blood like an 18-wheeler, delivering nutrients and oxygen to different parts of our bodies. Think of water as the fuel that allows the truck to get where it needs to go.  Your truck needs fuel otherwise it'll have to skip a few stops.  What good is it to take our hair vitamins if we aren't drinking enough water to deliver it to your hair and nails?  Next time you're sitting in class or in a boring meeting, try this out.  Take out your water bottle and drink down at least 8 ounces.  You'll notice in immediate shift in your alertness and energy.  This is because blood is suddenly rushing to your brain and other parts of your body.

Those are just a couple ways to increase circulation. There are many more including receiving massages, deep breathing meditation, etc.  Another method I use to promote internal circulation is via a spice known as cayenne pepper.  I like spicy food so I have no problem adding a pinch here and there in most of my meals.  Heck, I even add it to my drinks from time to time.  Currently, I've begun to include one cayenne pepper pill a few times a week into my supplement routine.  Why? Because cayenne has this chemical compound called capsaicin which helps our bodies lower cholesterol and improve circulation.  Years ago I read that cayenne had the ability to help stop a heart attack when given orally.  That speaks to the amazing power of this herb to get our blood flowing.  The supplement I take is highly potent so I make sure I have food in my stomach and drink plenty of water before and after taking.

My hope is that after reading this post you are inspired to start focusing on your body's internal circulation as a means of creating optimal health and radiant beauty.  Stagnancy is never good.  I want you to feel uncomfortable being sedentary for too long.  I want you to crave the life giving water that fuels your body.  I want you to be committed to improving your circulation by any means necessary.  I want you to come back and check out part 3 in this series.

See you soon.

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Your Ultimate Exfoliation & Circulation beauty Regimen | Part I

I have a little voice inside that will sometimes repeat certain phrases, ideas and obsessions over and over again.  Lately the voice has been reminding me incessantly of the importance of exfoliation.   You may remember the water update post where  I shared a video of Chilli sharing water drinking as one of her beauty secrets.  Besides that water drinking, she also recommended that we "exfoliate a lot." 

It wasn't until I kept digging that uncovered an interview where she mentioned receiving chemical exfoliation on a monthly basis.  That makes total sense to me because when you look at the woman, her skin has the same qualities of someone much younger.  Her skin is fresh and new as a result of her consistent exfoliation. 

  Last summer I regularly used my Tree Hut Sugar Scrub (on my body) on a daily basis.  The compliments on my skin were bountiful.  In fact, a cashier at Walmart went as far as to open a jar of my scrub in the check out line and say "wow, this smells good, is this what you use to get your skin so pretty?"  Once I was enjoying a spa service last year and, in the middle of my experience, my masseuse informs me that my skin was "so soft."

I also want to give props to the use of the steam room for helping create the look (and feel) of soft, glowing skin.  Since skin exposing season is upon us, I'm ready to go all in and create an exfoliation routine that works from head to toe.  My goal is to create a full-on exfoliation routine that will keep me soft, supple and glowing all over.  Yes, my reasons for this new routine is mostly aesthetic but I also know that I'll experience benefits to my health as well.  You see, I intend this routine to be a comprehensive exfoliation and circulation regimen.  

I'll be breaking all of this down into a series of posts. Starting from how to  regularly exfoliate our skin/bodies, our face, and our scalp. To how to promote overall circulation that helps promote blood flow and cell turnover.  It'll be fantastic, I promise.   So don't head out too far 'cause you don't wanna miss part 2, 3, and 4 of this wonderful series.  

Stay tuned.

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Fitness Motivation: Staying Consistent with Workouts

It's time again for another round of fitness motivation.  I've been struggling to remain consistent with my workouts and I'm finally at the point where I'm ready to commit to exercise as a way of life instead of seeing as a means to an end.

What really frustrates me about my yo-yo exercising is how much ground I lose whenever I take a couple months off.  I have to start all over again and have to go through that stage where working out sucks.  I want to get to the point where I'm consistently active.  As I mentioned in my health-fitness video, I'm highly driven by external motivation. One of the most effective motivators for me is see others who are living the way I want to live while reaping the benefits from their daily choices.

May I present to you some of the fit and fabulous ladies who provide me a constant stream of motivation?

I love how dedicated Angela is with her workouts.  She took on the practice of healthy lifestyle & daily exercise and has never looked back.

What health and fitness inspiration post would be complete with the addition of our girl "Get Fit with Nic?"  Her physique is pretty much flawless because she's made fitness a steady part of her life.  Checkout the look of confidence she's sporting in the pic below.  There's no greater feeling in the world than when you are happy with your body.

Miss Blacbomshell is such an inspiration because her body didn't always look like this.  She lost over 75 lbs of weight from her starting point. Her diet and fitness routine transformed entirely.  Bombshell was even gracious enough to share the eating regimen that supports her fit body and trim waist.

Blac Chyna just had a baby months ago.  Today, her body is perfect thanks to many of late nights at the gym.

I appreciate the dedication that allows her to do the stair climbing machine late night.   This is why she gets to enjoy a post baby figure that rivals most others.

I started following Nicole Murphy with hopes that she would provide daily snapshots loaded with fitness inspiration.  While she doesn't give us a daily fix, she will sneak in a pic or two of her getting her workout on.  This woman has given birth to numerous children yet her abs look like that of a teenager.

@NIKIMURPHY

Look out for more of these posts in the future.

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