Quick Meal: Funky Monkey Smoothie

The funky monkey is an easy-to-make smoothie that contians a full serving of dairy and fruit. With its chocolate taste, kids love it.  Here is a low-sugar version that is great for a breakfast/lunch replacement or as a pre/post work-out snack.

Ingredients:

~ 2 cups of chocolate almond milk OR milk with a couple scoops of cocoa powder
~ 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt
~ 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsweetened, shredded coconut
~ 1 ripe banana
~ 1/2 a cup of ice


Directions:

Blend and enjoy!  (Makes 2 servings.)

Thinking about Going Natural? [The Big Chop]

According to the Urban Dictionary, the "big chop" is defined as:  "When a person cuts their hair to obtain the 'natural' state. The person cuts out the hair dye, chemical perm, or relaxer from their hair."

With the rise of African-American women sporting their natural hair and the boom of natural hair-centered products and accessories, some women who would have never considered going natural are currently giving it a thought.  It's becoming more common, more accepted, and there are now many resources (videos/tutorials, websites, books) focusing on how to care for and style natural hair.

Still, many women hesitate to big chop (BC) because they do not like the idea of cutting of the relaxed and/or long hair they've grown accustomed to.

Here is my experience - a survey done shortly afted I big chopped...

*When did you do the Big Chop?

February 14, 2010.

*Have you ever had hair this short? If not, how does it affect you mentally?

I’ve never had my hair this short before. At first, I was worried that I would look and feel like a boy. Now, in all honesty, I sometimes feel frumpy rocking a ‘fro without the accessories and/or clothing to match.

*What are your staple products?

Oyin Handmade Poo Bar (doesn’t dry my hair out), Jojoba oil (absorbs easily into hair), Sauve conditioners for cowashing (green apple and coconut are my fav), water mixed with glycerin to mist daily, Aphogee 3-minute reconstructive conditioner (makes my curls pop), EcoStyler gel (lays down my edges).

*What’s your regimen?

Mist my hair with water twice a day and seal with jojoba oil or a little shea butter or castor oil, etc.

*What’s your favorite hairstyle?

I love wearing my hair in twists because they usually last a full week. My relaxed hair would never hold a curl or anything.

*What are your hair goals?

If my hair grows to be chin length unstretched, I’d be happy. That’s a relatively flattering and feminine length. More importantly, I’d like to master some really cute styles and for my hair to look and feel healthy.

My “best friend” (Asian) told me my hair looked ugly when I first big chopped. I didn’t pay her any mind. She’s always been the rude kind anyway so it was kind of expected. She then followed up with, “Maybe it’s because I’m not used to seeing you with hair so short.”

*What do you love most about your TWA (teeny weeny afro)?

The sense of freedom. I don’t feel like my hair HAS to look a certain way in order to fit in and I also don’t feel like I HAVE to depend on a hairdresser to maintain it.

Pass It On: Creation

The Creator gathered all of Creation and said,
"I want to hide something from the humans until they are ready for it. It is the
realization that they create their own reality."
The eagle said, "Give it to me, I will take it to the moon."
The Creator said, "No. One day they will go there and find it."
The salmon said, "I will bury it on the bottom of the ocean."
"No. They will go there too."
The buffalo said, "I will bury it on the Great Plains."
The Creator said, "They will cut into the skin of the Earth and find it even
there."
Grandmother Mole, who lives in the breast of Mother Earth, and who has no
physical eyes but sees with spiritual eyes, said, "Put it inside of them."
"It is done."


Source:  Unknown (parable)

Friends With Benefits - Cont'd [Wife, Woman, Friend]

Know your worth. Truth.

Winter Hair Care Tips

Fall is among us. No more wash and go's, drier air... it may be time to switch up your hair care regimen!

This video was created when I was transitioning from relaxed to natural. I forgot to mention in it that I always airdry my hair. It's just easier than blowdrying. I seperate my hair into ponytails while it dries and never have to deal with shedding or pouffiness.

Pass It On: Our Deepest Fear

By:  Marianne Williamson (quoted by Nelson Mandela)

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Product Review: Dove Unscented Body Wash

When I started to get interested in natural health, I decided to give castile soap a try and really came to like Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap, especially the lavender and peppermint scents. It lathered well, smelled AMAZING, and didn't dry out my skin. Having sensitive skin, before that, I had tried Dove Beauty Bars on my face and body as well as Ivory soap and Ivory (unscented) body wash. Neither was something to write home about.

Recently, I was scoping out one of my favorite online forums, where *cough* feminine hygiene was the topic of discussion. Several women mentioned that their gynecologists had actually recommended Dove Unscented Body Wash because of its gentleness/PH balance. It is gynecologist approved, although not advertised as such, because it does not irritate certain areas the way many soaps and scented body washes do.

I picked up a bottle at my local supermarket soon after, and realized within 2 uses that my skin was much softer. The softness lasted all day, much like I had used an intensive moisturizer like Euricin lotion or natural shea butter. I also used it on my 5-year-old, who suffers from eczema, and noticed a dramatic improvement in her skin. I was pleasantly surprised and have been using ONLY Dove Unscented Body Wash ever since. Looking to keep your skin soft all winter long? I guarantee you'll love it!