I'm feeling a little under the weather today, so I put on some feel good tunes. Right now listening the song 'Who put the bomp?' by Barry Mann. Check it out if you like oldies! My favorite part is where says in a normal voice'Darling, bom bom bom bom bom de bom, and my honey rama lama ding dong forever'.
The diet's been good so far. Peas, spinach, hummus, oranges, and the like. I haven't been drinking as much water as I should... meaning progress charts will be coming out to mark document my non-successes.
Good new- I finished 1/2 of my Christmas presents. I'll be making a post later tonight with all the photos. Woo-hoo for presents!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
New Regime
Alright y'all, I'm in for a new diet & exercise routine... And I'm here to share how to get into bikini shape with you.
Fitness
I'll be working out twice a day, once in the morning to get my day going and once at night. My routine will be:
Diet
I don't believe in starving myself for the sake of dieting. I'm pro-food, just good food. I'll eat as much as I want when I want. My diet will consist of:
Foods
xoxo, stay beautiful
Fitness
I'll be working out twice a day, once in the morning to get my day going and once at night. My routine will be:
- 30 minutes cardio in the morning
- 30 reps of each stability/strengthening exercise (total of 15)
- 30 minutes cardio in the evening
Diet
I don't believe in starving myself for the sake of dieting. I'm pro-food, just good food. I'll eat as much as I want when I want. My diet will consist of:
Foods
- fruits & veggies
- some legumes to make things interesting
- 128 ounces of water a day. (half by noon, drink rest throughout the day)
- herbal tea
xoxo, stay beautiful
Friday, November 13, 2009
Do-It-Yourself Christmas Presents!!
I'm excited to present to everybody the marriage of three of my favorite things of all time:
So as you can tell I'm pretty excited about this. I love giving presents to the people I love, and it will be nice to share a piece of myself with them in their presents.
Christmas is coming up and I'm making some trinkets for the leading people in my life. Thankfully all the people I love enjoy a little pampering so I will be making a little spa set for them all. It will Include:
xoxo
- Do-It-Yourself Projects
- Presents!!!
- Body/Spa Products
So as you can tell I'm pretty excited about this. I love giving presents to the people I love, and it will be nice to share a piece of myself with them in their presents.
Christmas is coming up and I'm making some trinkets for the leading people in my life. Thankfully all the people I love enjoy a little pampering so I will be making a little spa set for them all. It will Include:
- Bath Salts
- Candles
- Body Butter
- Facial Masks
xoxo
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
My Hair
Hello Beauties!
First of all, sorry I've been away so long. I hope your summers were fantastic.
I know some of you had questions on my hair, so I'm going to answer them.
Every black girl has a hair story. Here's mine:
I had natural hair until about the age of 13 when I decided I wanted to put a relaxer in. Styling my hair was absolutely dreadful because I had thick, coarse, curly hair and no idea of proper styling techniques. The lady who used to style my hair was about as clueless as I was in styling natural black hair as I was. I dreaded combing my hair because it hurt and always ended with fist-fulls of hair left behind in the comb.
Relaxing my hair was an ordeal. I didn't wash my hair for several days before the process so I wouldn't have a raw head exposed to the lye-based chemicals. I only relaxed my hair to the texturized point, but each time it still brought me to the verge of tears. I continued this cycle until the age of 17 when I'd had enough and decided to go natural.
I transitioned from relaxed hair to natural hair with the help of braid and twist styles. I cut off the relaxed hair bit by bit, so it wasn't very traumatic for me.
When I finally had a full head of natural hair, it was a learning curve. Believe me when I say those were some of my more scruffy days. I was learning how to style my hair, wash my hair, what products to put in my hair, etc. And I loved every minute of it. Sure, there were times when I would get frustrated with how much time I spend on my hair, but then I'd look at one of my spirals and fall in love again. I was also doing endless hours of research on natural hair & products at this time.
One of the issues I had with my hair early on was shrinkage. African hair can shrink to more than half of it's length. Look below- pictures are worth a thousand words!
My hair after washing:
My hair stretched out:
So as you can see, my hair is a lot longer than it appears. I admit I used to be all about the length and there was nothing more frustrating than having all this length and not being able to show it. Eventually I stopped caring so much about the length of my hair, and started focusing on having healthy, good-looking hair. Eventually the length did come, and come some more. I've never had hair this long that I can remember in my life :)
My hair is the curliest of the curly- 4b in the Andre Walker hair typing system.
I can't give you a be all, end all guide for natural hair. The reason is afro hair is the most varied hair out there. What works for me will not work for you the same way. It took me a couple years of trial and error to figure out what my hair loves. Don't become discouraged when you hear "couple years" because you're trying out new products, it's fun!
Some basic guidelines- expensive doesn't always go hand in hand with quality, synthetic doesn't mean bad (but also not good), and have fun! Learn to read the cosmetic labels- it will potentially save your hair.
What I've found works for me is completely avoiding using Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) which can be found in many commercial shampoos and laundry detergent (!). I found they strip my hair and leave it like straw. African hair is more prone to dryness then other hair types and cannot be washed with regular shampoos every day.
I wash my hair once a week and for regular washings, I find using a Herbal Essences conditioner and scrubbing my scalp sufficient to get a good clean. Other times I'll use African black soap to wash my hair and it's splendid. I usually make my own products for daily use, but Carol's Daughter has some good products for black hair. For those of you who are a little more strapped, Oyin Handmade also makes some good products for really reasonable prices.
Another factor in how products work is the hardness of the water. What products I use depend on where I am. Different regions have different water, and they make my hair react differently to the same products. Again, trial and error will be your best tools.
I usually style my hair in twists and twist outs. The chunky fro is also a favorite. For delicate styles I'll spend 5-6 hours per week on my hair, but to simple fro's maybe 1 hour. Because my hair is so much healthier than it has ever been, I can color it from time to time. The last time I colored my hair I used cherry kool-aid to give it a tint. It's made nice highlights in the sun. Remember, when you dye your hair, extra deep conditioning is a must. I also never flat iron my hair or blow dry it on hot, because heat damages curls.
The last thing I have to say about natural hair is the confidence it gave me. I used to N-E-V-E-R open the door without it being perfect or a hat on. Now when I hear the doorbell and I'm asleep, I'll pop out of bed without a thought on what my hair looks like :) And I can't tell you how convenient it was traveling for a couple months without having to think about when I'm getting my next relaxer.
If you choose to make the decision to go natural, know you're doing it for you. Don't let anybody discourage you. If they are put off by your hair, how good a person are they truly? There's hundreds of girls out there willing to guide you when you start your journey and that starts off with me :)
*** I'm in no way bashing relaxed hair. People have a right to choose how they want to style their hair. I'm sharing my experiences with my hair :) ***
First of all, sorry I've been away so long. I hope your summers were fantastic.
I know some of you had questions on my hair, so I'm going to answer them.
Every black girl has a hair story. Here's mine:
I had natural hair until about the age of 13 when I decided I wanted to put a relaxer in. Styling my hair was absolutely dreadful because I had thick, coarse, curly hair and no idea of proper styling techniques. The lady who used to style my hair was about as clueless as I was in styling natural black hair as I was. I dreaded combing my hair because it hurt and always ended with fist-fulls of hair left behind in the comb.
Relaxing my hair was an ordeal. I didn't wash my hair for several days before the process so I wouldn't have a raw head exposed to the lye-based chemicals. I only relaxed my hair to the texturized point, but each time it still brought me to the verge of tears. I continued this cycle until the age of 17 when I'd had enough and decided to go natural.
I transitioned from relaxed hair to natural hair with the help of braid and twist styles. I cut off the relaxed hair bit by bit, so it wasn't very traumatic for me.
When I finally had a full head of natural hair, it was a learning curve. Believe me when I say those were some of my more scruffy days. I was learning how to style my hair, wash my hair, what products to put in my hair, etc. And I loved every minute of it. Sure, there were times when I would get frustrated with how much time I spend on my hair, but then I'd look at one of my spirals and fall in love again. I was also doing endless hours of research on natural hair & products at this time.
One of the issues I had with my hair early on was shrinkage. African hair can shrink to more than half of it's length. Look below- pictures are worth a thousand words!
My hair after washing:
My hair stretched out:
So as you can see, my hair is a lot longer than it appears. I admit I used to be all about the length and there was nothing more frustrating than having all this length and not being able to show it. Eventually I stopped caring so much about the length of my hair, and started focusing on having healthy, good-looking hair. Eventually the length did come, and come some more. I've never had hair this long that I can remember in my life :)
My hair is the curliest of the curly- 4b in the Andre Walker hair typing system.
I can't give you a be all, end all guide for natural hair. The reason is afro hair is the most varied hair out there. What works for me will not work for you the same way. It took me a couple years of trial and error to figure out what my hair loves. Don't become discouraged when you hear "couple years" because you're trying out new products, it's fun!
Some basic guidelines- expensive doesn't always go hand in hand with quality, synthetic doesn't mean bad (but also not good), and have fun! Learn to read the cosmetic labels- it will potentially save your hair.
What I've found works for me is completely avoiding using Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) which can be found in many commercial shampoos and laundry detergent (!). I found they strip my hair and leave it like straw. African hair is more prone to dryness then other hair types and cannot be washed with regular shampoos every day.
I wash my hair once a week and for regular washings, I find using a Herbal Essences conditioner and scrubbing my scalp sufficient to get a good clean. Other times I'll use African black soap to wash my hair and it's splendid. I usually make my own products for daily use, but Carol's Daughter has some good products for black hair. For those of you who are a little more strapped, Oyin Handmade also makes some good products for really reasonable prices.
Another factor in how products work is the hardness of the water. What products I use depend on where I am. Different regions have different water, and they make my hair react differently to the same products. Again, trial and error will be your best tools.
I usually style my hair in twists and twist outs. The chunky fro is also a favorite. For delicate styles I'll spend 5-6 hours per week on my hair, but to simple fro's maybe 1 hour. Because my hair is so much healthier than it has ever been, I can color it from time to time. The last time I colored my hair I used cherry kool-aid to give it a tint. It's made nice highlights in the sun. Remember, when you dye your hair, extra deep conditioning is a must. I also never flat iron my hair or blow dry it on hot, because heat damages curls.
The last thing I have to say about natural hair is the confidence it gave me. I used to N-E-V-E-R open the door without it being perfect or a hat on. Now when I hear the doorbell and I'm asleep, I'll pop out of bed without a thought on what my hair looks like :) And I can't tell you how convenient it was traveling for a couple months without having to think about when I'm getting my next relaxer.
If you choose to make the decision to go natural, know you're doing it for you. Don't let anybody discourage you. If they are put off by your hair, how good a person are they truly? There's hundreds of girls out there willing to guide you when you start your journey and that starts off with me :)
*** I'm in no way bashing relaxed hair. People have a right to choose how they want to style their hair. I'm sharing my experiences with my hair :) ***
Friday, May 22, 2009
How To Stay Fabulous in the Desert
I've neglected my blog for the past couple weeks and you may want to know why. I'm spending some time in the desert.
The desert is a harsh place that tries you mentally & physically.
The day brings 100+ degree weather and it can drop below freezing at night. It's full of unfriendly critters & plants. Water is next to impossible to find. Depending on the time of year, you can end up drenched in rain & freezing cold. The desert is the only place where you can die of heat stroke and hypothermia in the same day.
I'm in the desert camping for up to 8 days at a time.
That said, here's how to deal with a short stay in the desert.
This is just a basic overview of what you'll need. Remember to get all the essentials, but also that you'll be carrying it all so don't over-do it.
Clothing/Gear:
Large backpack to put all your stuff in. You'll need durable, waterproof, boots to protect your feet from bites, uneven terrain, etc. Make sure to always shake your boots out in the morning before you put them on. Favorite hiding place for scorpions and spiders. Also, when you overheat you can wet down a bandana to cool you down. Make sure to drink 6-8 liters of water a day! Less than 4 and you'll become dehydrated which is absolutely no fun.
Staying Fabulous List
Also, depending where you are, keep an eye out for pottery and any other signs of peoples that used to live in the area. If you find something, have a look, take a picture, then put it back exactly as you found it!
Some people don't like to use tents because they feel it makes them more 'at one with nature'. Only idiots do that. Get a tent. Use it. There are all sorts of dangerous critters that come out at night and it's better to have some sort of barrier between you and them (i.e. tent).
The desert is a harsh place that tries you mentally & physically.
The day brings 100+ degree weather and it can drop below freezing at night. It's full of unfriendly critters & plants. Water is next to impossible to find. Depending on the time of year, you can end up drenched in rain & freezing cold. The desert is the only place where you can die of heat stroke and hypothermia in the same day.
I'm in the desert camping for up to 8 days at a time.
That said, here's how to deal with a short stay in the desert.
This is just a basic overview of what you'll need. Remember to get all the essentials, but also that you'll be carrying it all so don't over-do it.
Clothing/Gear:
- Large Backpack
- Hiking Boots
- Long durable cotton pants (carhearts, dickies, etc.)
- Sweater
- Few T-Shirts
- Water jugs (a few 2-3 liter jugs)
- Bandana
- Compass
- Tent
- Sleeping Bag (rated below freezing)
- Sunglasses
- Rain Gear
Large backpack to put all your stuff in. You'll need durable, waterproof, boots to protect your feet from bites, uneven terrain, etc. Make sure to always shake your boots out in the morning before you put them on. Favorite hiding place for scorpions and spiders. Also, when you overheat you can wet down a bandana to cool you down. Make sure to drink 6-8 liters of water a day! Less than 4 and you'll become dehydrated which is absolutely no fun.
Staying Fabulous List
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Alcohol (preferably scented)
- Baby wipes
- Lotion
- Shea Butter
- Oil
- Baby Powder
- Deodorant
Also, depending where you are, keep an eye out for pottery and any other signs of peoples that used to live in the area. If you find something, have a look, take a picture, then put it back exactly as you found it!
Some people don't like to use tents because they feel it makes them more 'at one with nature'. Only idiots do that. Get a tent. Use it. There are all sorts of dangerous critters that come out at night and it's better to have some sort of barrier between you and them (i.e. tent).
LunaPads & Diva Cups
Menstruation.
AKA That time of the month, Aunt Flo, Little Friend, Red Wave, Crimson Tide, Big Red, The Curse, Monthly Monster.
Periods are something all women have to deal with. Pads and tampons are our preferred choice when it comes to dealing with our monthly shedding. A pack of Always doesn't seem like so much at the supermarket, but the $7 each month adds up to a lot over your lifetime- and could be better spend on something like make-up or even better yet in savings.
So, it's nice to say it would be great to save money on pads & tampons that only end up in landfills, but how?
I present to you a girls two best friends:
The Diva Cup:
So, what is the DivaCup?
The DivaCup is a menstrual cup that is made out of healthcare grade silicone that collects menstrual flow. It is latex-free, plastic-free, dye-free, and BPA-free.
It is inserted at the lower base of the vaginal canal. It is soft and smooth so it cannot be felt when inserted properly and will not leak. It only needs to be changed 2-3 times a day (amazing!) and can be worn overnight without risking toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
The diva cup comes in two sizes:
And LunaPads:
LunaPads are reusable menstrual cloths. They come in pads, pantyliners, and panties. It's as simple as it sounds. Use and wash.
MY EXPERIENCE:
I went to a local health food store (The Big Carrot for you Toronto girls) to buy mine. It cost $40 CAD regularly but was on sale for $30 CAD. You can also buy it at Whole Food Market for $40 CAD. If you don't have a Whole Foods where you live, you can also buy it online off of www.divacup.com or ebay.com.
This is what came in the package:
(DivaCup, Diva Pin, Diva Bag, and Instructions)
I picked up a Size 1 (under 30/no children) and took it home. Then I waited for my period to show up. When I finally got my period, I was going out clubbing that night and I thought this would be the perfect time to try out my DivaCup. It was very difficult to get in at first, I tried all these different folds, but I found the C-Fold (detailed in the instructions) to be the easiest to use.
The size of it at first is intimidating, but it's exactly what you need. Here's a pic of it in comparison to a hand:
I wanted to give up, but I was determined to love this product and save TONS of money on menstrual products. After getting it up halfway about 20 times, I finally managed to get it in correctly. After the discomfort of getting it in the first time, I felt nothing when it was finally in.
I partied the night away, and the next morning I took it out. I accidentally just pulled it out rather than squeeze to break the seal then pull out. Either way, wasn't much of a big deal. I just poured everything out into the toilet and flushed.
No leaking, no spilling, and it was really comfortable. I honestly was a little afraid that it would leak a little, so I work pantiliners. Nothing leaked, but just in case, I'd like to get a couple of the LunaPad panties with pantiliners built in.
It was a lot easier getting it in the second time and every successive time I didn't even think about it when I put it in. It actually lessened my cramping too!
AKA That time of the month, Aunt Flo, Little Friend, Red Wave, Crimson Tide, Big Red, The Curse, Monthly Monster.
Periods are something all women have to deal with. Pads and tampons are our preferred choice when it comes to dealing with our monthly shedding. A pack of Always doesn't seem like so much at the supermarket, but the $7 each month adds up to a lot over your lifetime- and could be better spend on something like make-up or even better yet in savings.
So, it's nice to say it would be great to save money on pads & tampons that only end up in landfills, but how?
I present to you a girls two best friends:
The Diva Cup:
So, what is the DivaCup?The DivaCup is a menstrual cup that is made out of healthcare grade silicone that collects menstrual flow. It is latex-free, plastic-free, dye-free, and BPA-free.
It is inserted at the lower base of the vaginal canal. It is soft and smooth so it cannot be felt when inserted properly and will not leak. It only needs to be changed 2-3 times a day (amazing!) and can be worn overnight without risking toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
The diva cup comes in two sizes:
- Size 1: 30 years & under who have never given birth. Slightly smaller.
- Size 2: over 30 years or have given birth (including c-section). Slightly larger.
And LunaPads:
LunaPads are reusable menstrual cloths. They come in pads, pantyliners, and panties. It's as simple as it sounds. Use and wash.MY EXPERIENCE:
I went to a local health food store (The Big Carrot for you Toronto girls) to buy mine. It cost $40 CAD regularly but was on sale for $30 CAD. You can also buy it at Whole Food Market for $40 CAD. If you don't have a Whole Foods where you live, you can also buy it online off of www.divacup.com or ebay.com.
This is what came in the package:
(DivaCup, Diva Pin, Diva Bag, and Instructions)
I picked up a Size 1 (under 30/no children) and took it home. Then I waited for my period to show up. When I finally got my period, I was going out clubbing that night and I thought this would be the perfect time to try out my DivaCup. It was very difficult to get in at first, I tried all these different folds, but I found the C-Fold (detailed in the instructions) to be the easiest to use.
The size of it at first is intimidating, but it's exactly what you need. Here's a pic of it in comparison to a hand:
I wanted to give up, but I was determined to love this product and save TONS of money on menstrual products. After getting it up halfway about 20 times, I finally managed to get it in correctly. After the discomfort of getting it in the first time, I felt nothing when it was finally in.
I partied the night away, and the next morning I took it out. I accidentally just pulled it out rather than squeeze to break the seal then pull out. Either way, wasn't much of a big deal. I just poured everything out into the toilet and flushed.
No leaking, no spilling, and it was really comfortable. I honestly was a little afraid that it would leak a little, so I work pantiliners. Nothing leaked, but just in case, I'd like to get a couple of the LunaPad panties with pantiliners built in.
It was a lot easier getting it in the second time and every successive time I didn't even think about it when I put it in. It actually lessened my cramping too!
*****A lot of these pictures are borrowed*****
Some of the folds:
C-Fold
Punch-Down:
Orgami:
Seven:
The DivaCup and a couple LunaPads will set you up for life. There is no reason why you should wait to get them- they're amazing not only for you but also the environment. No leaks, no odor, no mess. Go get one today! It was the best money I've spent in a long time.
Some of the folds:
C-Fold
Punch-Down:
Orgami:
Seven:
The DivaCup and a couple LunaPads will set you up for life. There is no reason why you should wait to get them- they're amazing not only for you but also the environment. No leaks, no odor, no mess. Go get one today! It was the best money I've spent in a long time.
I ♥ My Divacup
Friday, April 24, 2009
David
*****I'd like to thank all of my followers and commentors for your kinds words during this time. Even though I may not have commented back or replied, I'd like you all to know that I read them and it moved me to know that you are all so caring.*****
The boy I told you about who was burned in the fire has died. He passed away Sunday April 20th from burn wounds he sustained on the April 14th fire.
His name is David, 19 years old, a rugby player, and econ major.
I didn't know David, but he is familiar to me. I saw him coming into the building, in line at the caf, perhaps around campus or maybe in a few of my classes. He may have held the door open for me a few times. He came from Toronto. He went to private school. He and I had many similarities, but there is so much I don't know about him.
I don't know if he liked being called David or Dave. I don't know if he was funny or a good cook. I don't know how he treated other people. I don't know if he had a cat or dog. Or who his best friend was. I don't even know if he ever fell in love.
Here is his photo:
He looked like a fun guy. This is a picture of him from Halloween:
I can't express how truly sorry I am for his family. I cannot imagine the pain they are feeling right now. Although he was medicated, David's last days were spent in pain. To watch a loved one go through six days of suffering is about as bad as going through it yourself.
Rest in peace David. I'm sure you will be missed.
The boy I told you about who was burned in the fire has died. He passed away Sunday April 20th from burn wounds he sustained on the April 14th fire.
His name is David, 19 years old, a rugby player, and econ major.
I didn't know David, but he is familiar to me. I saw him coming into the building, in line at the caf, perhaps around campus or maybe in a few of my classes. He may have held the door open for me a few times. He came from Toronto. He went to private school. He and I had many similarities, but there is so much I don't know about him.
I don't know if he liked being called David or Dave. I don't know if he was funny or a good cook. I don't know how he treated other people. I don't know if he had a cat or dog. Or who his best friend was. I don't even know if he ever fell in love.
Here is his photo:
He looked like a fun guy. This is a picture of him from Halloween:
I can't express how truly sorry I am for his family. I cannot imagine the pain they are feeling right now. Although he was medicated, David's last days were spent in pain. To watch a loved one go through six days of suffering is about as bad as going through it yourself.
Rest in peace David. I'm sure you will be missed.
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