Not A Diet, A Lifestyle Change

For the past couple of weeks, I've lost 4 pounds by making small changes in our eating habits. Yes, my Family is in this too.

We eat whole grain pasta, whole wheat bread, plenty of fresh fruits and vegatables. Just by making small changes, I have lost a little weight.

My current weight is 144 pounds. My goal weight is 130. My plan is simple. After having my daughter in October 2008, I lost the weight and reached my goal weight of 130 pounds by the summer of 2009. So I put some of the weight back on. At 5'3 , I think 130 pounds is reasonble for me.

Some of the changes

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast every morning.

3. Eat the recommended servings of my food by measuring with a cup or a spoon

4. Write down my food intake for the first couple of weeks.

5. Pre-package my snacks so they're always on hand.

6. Exercise at least 30 to 45 minutes 6 days a week.

7. And no eating after 7pm.

I'll keep you guys posted.

What Works for Me: VO5 Moisture Milks

Since beginning my hair journey back in 2008, I used Vo5 moisture milks for co washing. I have used many conditioners since, but I always return to this cheapie conditioner.

Lately, I've been relying on this conditioner as a daily moisturizer and leave in conditoner after co washing, shampooing or deep conditioning. It smells goods, and it doesn't weigh my hair down. I use a quarter size amount (a little for moisturizing goes a long way) then I seal with grape seed oil. When it's dry it's well moisturize with a brilliant shine.

This is what works for my hair so I suggest testing it on a small section of your hair first. When I use heat, I do not use this as a leave-in or moisturizer. I use products made for direct heat. I use this method for air drying or braid-outs (I used it on braid outs in the past, lol) only.

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Get out here Lakers! Go Home!

Pictures of Different Length Checks Since 2008 to 2011

The first pic is my last relaxer on April 22, 2011. The second one was September 2010. As you can tell, I was grazing tail/hip length. I've been dusting often to get rid of those thin ends. The last picture is start of my hair journey(summer 2008)at mid back length. In that photo I was pregnant. Ladies, we can grow long hair.

Garlic Oil for Pre pooing and Garlic supplements

I know it sounds crazy. I know it stinks. Two months after I had my daughter in 2008, I experienced shedding. This is common after birth, but I was devastated because my hair was doing great. Even though this is normal after having a child, I considered this a set back. So thanks to my sisters on KISS and Healthy Hair Textures (back in 2008) for suggesting neem oil. The neem oil was doing OK then some ladies suggested garlic. I started putting cloves of garlic in olive oil and applying it to my scalp for several hours. After two weeks the shedding wasn't as bad. In a month or so, the shedding had slowed down tremendously. Then I started using garlic conditioner(Nutrine 16 oz. in the jar), and I purchased garlic oil from iherb.com. Don't forget to refrigerate the oil because it will spoil.

Here's a pic of how I pre poo with garlic oil. I usually pre poo with garlic oil after wearing my flat ironed. I apply the oil on my scalp for a couple hours (under a plastic bag or cap) then proceed with a deep conditioner on the rest of the hair for another hour (under the same plastic bag or plastic cap). I give my hair special treatment after I use flat iron because we know it is damaging to the strands.

I have been taking two odorless garlic tablets daily since 2008. Since taking supplements like garlic, has helped me on my hair journey. I notice a change in my hair, skin, and whole body when I stop taking supplements or not drinking enough water. Most importantly, Eating properly is a must for a good hair regimen.

Here's an article from buzzle.com about garlic.

Topical application of garlic oil brings about a lot of improvement in healthy growth of hair. This is because garlic oil consists of rich extracts of garlic which is good for both the scalp as well as the hair. Garlic oil improves blood circulation to the scalp, removes harmful toxins from the scalp surface, and makes the hair roots strong. In all these ways, it helps in hair loss prevention. Moreover, those who are suffering from dry hair problem or have an itchy scalp can also get rid of these annoying symptoms by using garlic oil.

You can prepare garlic oil for hair by soaking garlic cloves in olive oil for a week. After that, you can use the oil for the next one or two weeks. Gently massage garlic oil on the scalp before bedtime with special attention on the hair loss area. Cover it up with shower cap and go to bed. Next morning, wash your hair with mild shampoo. Repeat this process for a few weeks and you will observe that hair fall is under control and hair regrowth has started. You can also slice the garlic cloves and directly rub them into the thinning areas of the scalp. Wait for an hour and apply olive oil on the scalp. Keep it on the hair overnight and wash it off with shampoo in the next morning. Read more on how to make garlic oil.

Hope you have understood how to use garlic oil for hair care. Garlic oil is a natural substance and can be safely used by most of the people. However, there are some people who are allergic to garlic. For them, it is advisable not to use garlic oil in any form, be it for consumption or for external application. Or else, it may give some adverse side effects.

My son's and husband's hair regimen

March 2011

Winter, 2010

My husband's dreads before cutting them in 2006.

December 2011



My son's and husband have dreadlocks. My son's started locking his hair at seven years old. Actually this is his third time because my mother in law would oil his scalp with Vaseline! So, I made the decision to cut them and start over.

My husband decided in 2006 to cut his dreadlocks after growing them for 8 years. But when I was pregnant with my daughter, he decided to give it another try.


The Guy's Regimen
Wash once a week (Friday) with Dr. Bronner's magic soap.
Deep condition and scalp massage once a month with coconut oil after spritzing with my aloe vera mix.
Twist twice month with Murray's twist and lock gel. Since the boys hair is locked, I twist less. This cause less stress on the hair at the root.
Daily maintenance:
Sleep in a stain bonnet
Use grape seed, almond oil or Proclaim 7 oil for shine.
Weekly lining at the barbershop.
Note:
I don't use heavy conditioners or creams because it is difficult to rinse out. It leaves build-up. And, the residue is "locked" in the dreads
And this a regimen for locked hair. Newbies requires constant twisting than more twisting for locking.

My son's dreads

Here are some pictures of my son's dreads. I get tons of questions and emails about his hair. I'll be posting his detailed regimen tomorrow. I have homework. Take Care.

My first bun

I know I'm late. Every since I started my hair journey since 2007, I never wore a bun as a protected style. I've always relied on half wigs. Since I'm working out 6 days a week for 45 minutes to an hour, I will be rocking buns more often. Besides they're convenient if you co wash every other day like I do. Most importantly, they're super chic with an accessory like a flower!

My updated hair regimen for 2011

REGIMEN
Co wash 2x week (Monday & Wednesday)
Cleanse Hair 1x week (Saturday)
Light Protein when needed(Mane n Tail Deep ) 10 to 15 minutes.
Deep Condition 1x week (Saturday) (Lustrasilk Mango and Shea Butter and with oils and glycerin) 30 t0 45 minutes or overnight.


*After six weeks post-deep moisturizing conditioner (SE Moisturizing Treatment w glycerin, honey, and oils)
Hot Oil Treatment 2x month as pre poo before protein-Monday (garlic, olive oil, coconut oil) 30 to 45 minutes with heat or overnight

Clarify at the end of each month
Baggy when needed
Moisturize and seal at night
Relax every 6 months or more
Steam treatments 2x month with deep conditioner


Products I Use

Hair Cleanser
-Hair One Cleansing Conditioner Tea Tree Oil (saturday)


Moisturizing Conditioner ( Co Washing)
-Vo5 Moisure Milks, Suave Coconut
-Dove Moisturizing Conditioner, Herbal Essence Hello Hydration( after 8 weeks post, gives good slip)


Clarifying
-VO5 Clarifying Conditioner(mint), vinegar and distilled water

PH Adjuster
-Porosity Control Conditioner (2xmonth-after protein treatment and before a relaxer)

Deep Conditioners
- SE Moisturizing Treatment, Lustrasilk Shea Butter and Mango Cholesterol

Light Proteins
-Aphogee 2 minute Keratin, Mane n Tail Deep

Hardcore Protein Treatment
-Aphogee 2 step (use 5 days before and 5 days after treatment)

Leave ins
-Aphogee Green Tea Restructurizer, Aphogee Pro Vitamin leave in. QP Elasta H Two O, HE LTRM leave-in,HE None Of Your Frizzness, Hair One , VO5 Moisture Milk.

Heat Protectant
-SE Heat Protection , Chi Silk Infusion

Moisturizer
-Shea Butter or Mango Butter (on dry hair), S-Curl Moisturizer/Activator (new growth only)

Moisture Spritz
-water, aloe vera gel, honey, tea tree oil

Sealant
- coconut oil and olive oil, regular castor, jbco mixed

Scalp oil
-coconut oil and almond oil

Mixing oils (for deep condition) and others
-castor, olive, coconut, grapeseed oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, vitamin E, almond oil, avocado oil, glycerin, tea tree oil, honey and molasses

Relaxers
-Mizani Butter Blends Rhelaxer for Color Treated
*mixed with a teaspoon of olive oil

*wear wigs most of the time
* do roller sets/roller wraps and braid outs on special occasions
*flat iron new growth only.
*pre poo/deep con on dry hair
*base scalp before relaxer/coat relaxed hair with a cheapie con and coconut for protection to prevent over lapping during the relaxer process.
*follow up with a deep moisturizing con after a protein treatment.

I take prenatal vitamins, biotin, garlic, and fish oil daily. And I drink plenty of cold water. I work-out 1 hour per day. It makes a difference!

-My protective style are half wigs.
I wear wigs most of the time.

I hope I was helpful!

I'm back!

Sorry for the long hiatus! I'm in school online and taking traditional classes. I'll be doing some posts soon. But here are some pics of my hair, and other pictures.


Oh don't forget to enter Glam Doll Lumi giveaway for the month of April. Check out her blog and you tube channel. She's talented and has mad make-up skills. Here's the link: http://www.glamdolllumi.com/2011/04/april-giveaway-week-1.html