My (Natural) Hair Journey

Review: La Femme Blushes

What are they?

These are professional blushes that have been used by pro makeup artists for years. They come in high-intensity colours that are said to last for 12 hours and able to withstand harsh, hot lights and long hours. Blushes come in matte and shimmery shades as well as in a wide variety of colors (try 40 plus colours) to fit any and everyone. Whatever you’re skin tone, there’s a blush for you.

Ok, so you absolutely won’t believe this! Like seriously! You would not even be able to guess this price of one of these blushes. Cheaper than even drugstore or cheapie makeup, one La Femme blush costs USD $3.00. That’s right! These so-called MAC-quality blushes are smaller than a MAC blush but the colour pay-off makes you hardly even notice because you get so much with just a swipe.

These blushes can be purchased from Makeup Mania. You can purchase single pots or create a 6-palate or 12-palette set (like I did). You have the option of also naming your palate. When you receive the palate, it contains a paper inside with the name of your palette along with the names of the each blush. 

From top to bottom: Peach (matte), Terracotta (shimmer), Russet (shimmer), Sienna (matte), Golden Sunset (shimmer), Redwood (shimmer)

From top: Mandarin Red (shimmer), Brick Red (shimmer), Stormy Rose (matte), Magenta (matte), Bordeaux (shimmer) & Purple Passion (matte). 

Favourite colours:

Russet

Sienna

Golden Sunset

Redwood

Brick Red

Bordeaux

Understanding Food Exchange List

I often get questions from clients regarding the use of food exchange lists. Many seem to not understand how to use them in order to achieve their weight loss goals. But its really quite simple to use, once you understand that its just a matter of substitution. If you, like many others, have ever found food exchange list difficult to use or understand, please continue reading.

When using the exchange list, a particular food in a certain category of food may be switched (exchanged) or swapped with any other food item on the same list in the specified portion.

You will notice with the food exchange lists, they are grouped into basic categories such as vegetables, fruits, staple foods, meats, fat and milk. Each list contains a group of measured foods of approximately the same nutritional value – carbohydrates, fat and protein. So within each group, you’ll see how much of each food you can eat for the same amount of carbohydrate, protein and fat.

For example, according toMeal Planning for Diabetes (1994), one starch portion gives 70 calories, 15 grams of carbohydrate and 2 grams of protein. So, one thin slice of bread gives the same nutritional value as one small hot dog roll. In other words, if your diet plan states you can have three portions of starches, instead of three slices of bread, you can have two slices and one small hot dog roll.

You can swap foods within a group because they’re comparable in nutrient content and the way in which they affect your blood sugar.

More Examples:

Fruit portion: 40 calories, 10 grams of carbohydrates

1/2 grapefruit = 1/2 cup of orange juice

Meat portion: 73 calories, 7 grams protein, 5 grams fat

1 small drumstick = 2 slices chicken breast (3 1/2 cm x 7 1/2 cm)

Reference:

Zephirin, M., & Hagley, K. (1994). Meal Planning for Diabetes. Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute.

So I did the Big Chop…

Yes. I. Did. The. Big. Chop.

When: December 16, 2012.

Where: Linstead, Jam-Rock

I woke up that morning and said today I would cut off all my relaxer. This may have seemed quite spontaneous but actually it wasn’t. I’d been contemplating the idea for months in advance though I hadn’t made a definite decision to do so. Part of me wanted to end the year with a new ‘do and attitude. The other part of me thought it sentimental and honorary to do it on the anniversary of my last relaxer (March 3, 2012). When I’d throw the idea out to well-meaning friends and family, I’d get the “Why so soon?”, “Let your hair grow out a bit more” (by then they had given up on trying to talk me out of going natural). But there were two very strong arguments against waiting. I will discuss them below:

1.       It Takes Too Damn Long to Detangle My Hair!

Saturday nights are designated for washing/conditioning/maybe deep treatment/detangling/setting. The washing/conditioning isn’t so bad. I mean all you have to do is apply and massage into your scalp and hair and rinse. Sounds easy enough, right? Yes! But then comes the detangling part. OMG! This was by far the worst part of my hair regimen. Besides the fact that I had two different hair textures dealing with, my hair was just so ridiculously prone to tangling! My old hair dresser from my teen years had told me I had fine hair and that’s why it tangled so much. Even when my hair was just relaxed, I was never one of those girls who could just take a wide-tooth comb and detangling my hair. On beach days, my hair was always knotted and crazy, no matter how hard I tried.  So my situation was just incredibly frustrating. Detangling alone would take me three hours or more with so much breakage. Needless to say, that was not how I wanted to spend my Saturday nights.

2.       I Want Short Hair!

Something about short hair reminds me of a fearless, strong and empowered woman who doesn’t need long hair or much else to feel beautiful. It’s like a small rebellion against the norms of society. A woman with short hair says, “Here I am. I’m not hiding behind anything because I know I’m beautiful and strong. Like it or love it, this is me and proud of it.” Ok, maybe short hair not so much, but short natural hair always brought those sentiments to mind: A woman wild and free from society’s dictates on “good hair” and “bad hair”. I wanted to be that woman so the idea of the big chop enticed me a lot more than long-term transitioning. It meant I wasn’t afraid to see myself in way that most people may not approve of and that I was okay with that (not being so mainstream and my short, kinky, curly, coily hair) and, most importantly, I was okay with me. Not mention, I wanted no regrets. I’ve seen so many beautiful ladies who’d taken the plunge and their journey throughout growing their hair and I also wanted to experience my hair in all its glory – from short to long. I never wanted to look back and say, “I wonder how I’d look with short, natural hair”. The idea was also very exciting to me because I had always been adventurous with my hair growing up. I used to cut Christina Aguilera side (circa 1999/2000) bangs at age 10/11. I cut my hair in a bob and bleached it myself at age 15. Coloured it every summer after that during high school (my school didn’t allow students to wear colour in their hair). With adulthood came complacency and boredom and I figured it was about time I got out of this rut.

This brings me to the day I finally did the big chop. I had in 16 inch-Brazilian body wave human hair extensions (full head). I had gotten the weave for my wedding because after nine months of agonizingly growing out my hair, there was no way I was going back to creamy crack for one day to start all over again (my wedding day was super important but really? Three hours just to detangle?). Besides, there was the honeymoon situation. Beach, sand and water are not friends with the relaxer and, worse, transitioning girl. So I put it up in a weave and thought my troubles would be a thing of the past. I was so wrong. After the salon-did ‘do wore off after the wedding, I still had pieces of my hair at the front, sides and back out and it just wouldn’t behave. It looked quite obvious I had on weave. This was not due to bad hair piece or the stylist. She had in fact done it perfectly to the style I had wanted for my W day. But my hair just seemed to pouf and frizz super easy (little did I know it was seriously heat-damaged due to the hot iron at the salon in effort to blend my natural hair with the weave). Man, and no one told me about the itching. My husband kept telling me I looked like a crack head – itching, patting. I just wanted it out. Plus, it really gave me the extra push when my super supportive hubby said he couldn’t wait to see it on me. I wanted it, he wanted it so why not?

The day we left the hotel, we went straight to hair salon in my hometown. The stylist kept asking me, “Are you sure you want to do this?” “We’ve all gone through that phase where we want natural hair. I did but there’s not much you can do with it.” She was wrong of course; the natural hair community on youtube.com had taught me that. And even thought I was getting jitters, deep down I knew it was what I wanted and I’d be super disappointed with myself if I had chickened out. I had my main support system with me recording and cheering me on so I knew it was going to be fine. I was ready to officially start my natural hair journey!

What’s Next?

Kinky Curly Coily Awesomeness!!!

Exercise Move of the Week

Jab/Cross Combo


Almost everyone wants a tight anf flat tummy. That's probably why the mid-section tends to receive the most attention during most workout routines. But instead of looking at the abs as a singular set of muscles set apart from the rest of our body, we need to see it as a whole - the core of the entire body. More specifically, your abs and back work together to stabilize and support the body. To get the smokin' abs everybody wants as well as toning your back, arms and legs, try the jab/cross combo which I swear by!

Step 1: Start off with you left leg in front and you right let behind, slightly turned out. Bend the knees slightly. Raise your arms to shoulder level, making fists. Your elbows should be down, protecting your ribs (pretend you're in a boxing match).

Step 2: Jab straight ahead while slightly lunging forward. Pull back without dropping the arms. Never lock the elbows but extend your arm with each jab.

Step 3: To cross, you pivot the rigth back leg to the left, extending the arm and back. For the most benefit, be sure to turn your body. Move with the hips. This is where your core really becomes engaged. Jump to switch sides.

Do 25 reps and you're on your way to flat and sexy core and a toned upper body!


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Bite of The Week

Ok, so if you’re like me and you dread the big “C” – cancer – I’m quite sure decreasing your likelihood of developing any of its many forms.  Yes, we can’t deny hereditary factors but we also know that there are many other external factors that contribute to our developing these diseases. My favourite is, of course, what I eat. We’ve heard it time and time again. Studies prove it. You really are what you eat.

One vegetable provides not only powerful phytonutrients that neutralize carcinogens, but also stimulates detoxifying enzymes that help the body rid itself of cancer-causing and other harmful toxins.

Can you guess the vegetable?

The Award Goes To:

Yes, broccoli is one of the richest food sources of the flavonoid kaempferol, which has shown protective benefits against ovarian cancer.

Something I didn’t know: It contains a compound called Indole-3-carbinol.

Why is Indole-3-carbinol Important?

ü  reduces the risk of breast and cervical cancers

ü  Helps suppress the spread of existing cancer.

And just when you think things can’t get any better, broccoli does it again!

It’s a superior source of folate.

Why Is Folate Important?

ü  Necessary for making and protecting DNA, producing new blood, forming new cells, and synthesizing protein.

ü   Tied to a decreased risk of some cancers in adults

Folate is one of the most important nutrients for pregnant women.

Why?

ü  Supports proper development of the fetal nervous system and protects against neural tube (birth) defects.

ü  Research shows that women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, and numerous studies have linked folate deficiency with depression.

Wait, One More (Benefit):

ü  Broccoli helps reduce bloating and water retention associated with premenstrual syndrome

PRODUCT REVIEW

Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Conditioner

 

 

What It is:

Sulphate-free moisturizing conditioner for all hair types.

 

What It Does:

It hydrates and smoothes dry hair as well as softens and mends split ends, while making hair shine.

 

Key Ingredients:

Macadamia Oil:          

This is a natural moisturizer and emollient – meaning it attracts and traps moisture from the

air. It also contains proteins and vitamin E which we all know is essential for healthy hair.

Bamboo & Sugar Cane Extracts:        

One compound found in bamboo extract is silica. Silica works along with sulfur to give hair a

healthy and youthful appearance. Both bamboo and sugar cane extracts are said to soften

and mend split ends.

How It Smells/Feels/Looks:         

This product has a lovely fruity smell. Its not overpowering but strong enough to leave your

hair smelling great for a few days. The product consistency isn’t thick but not too runny. My

one issue with the product is, ‘Why isn’t there more of this?!’ I love this product and I

absolutely that Organix carried this in a larger bottle. But, I guess when its that good, you

don’t need a whole lot.

Why I Like It:             

Unlike some conditioners I’ve used, this conditioner really coated my hair and my hair felt so

soft almost immediately.  Of course,  its especially important for anyone transitioning or

going natural to choose product that put back moisture as well as retain moisture.

Remember, the tighter your curl pattern, the drier the hair is. I’ve used conditioners where

not matter how much I applied, my hair felt heavy and weighed down but not soft.

I wouldn’t say it gave my GREAT slip but I did believe it was moisturizing my hair and there

was enough slippage to ensure I didn’t yank out all my hair while detangling.  My hair was

much easier to comb out as compared to when I used Motions CPR Leave-In Conditioner

(I’m never, ever buying that product again! I will explain in another product review). I left it in

my hair while I showered so it was in for around 10 minutes before I rinsed.  Even then my

hair felt soft and moisturized and it prepared my hair for my leave-in. So the short of it all,

yes, I like this product for my hair. I would definitely buy it again and I recommend it for all

types but especially chicas transitioning or natural.