All Natural Face Washing Method!!!!

So, yesterday I watched a YouTube vid from one of my fave naturals about the "Oil Cleansing Method" of washing your face. Like most people who first hear about this method of face washing I was like "whatttttttt really". I have always assumed that adding oil to my face would make it oilier or cause more break outs but apparently me and everyone else are wrong. Lately I had been using Alaffia African Black soup face wash from Whole Foods. To me it worked well but it would still strip my face or make it dry even though it was all natural with no harsh chemicals. 

After doing some research online I decided I wanted to try this method for a month because two of the main issues I have are dry patches under my lower lip and a oily forehead. I have also been getting break outs and tend to have black heads pretty often. 

So, how do this method work exactly? 

Basically, with the oil method you are using oil to break down the oil and dirt on your skin. Like in chemistry....like things attract like things...so, it is natural to assume that oil attracts oil right. The problem with typical face washes is that the chemicals strip your face of it natural oils, drys it out, and then your body is having to over compensate for all the oil that was striped from your face. The same for your hair and scalp as well. By using the oil method you are just breaking down the oil and dirt and replacing it with a cleaner oil that way your body is not having to compensate for the oil that was removed from your skin. 

What oils should you use?

Based on the research I did the main oil to use is Castor Oil. Castor Oil is important because out of all the oils available it is the most cleansing and it has anti-bacterial properties. Along with Castor Oils you can use other oils for their moisturizing properties. The one oil to stay away from Coconut Oil because it actually clogs pores and causes break outs. Here is a list of blends I found on several sites:

This information was taken from Crunchy Betty Site. Visit her site for more info on this and other natural beauty information.

Good Oil Cleansing Varieties:

Jojoba (all skin types, but very desirable for acne-prone skin)
Sweet almond (all skin types, especially oily)
Grapeseed (all skin types, especially oily)
Avocado (dry and aging skin)
Sunflower Seed (all skin types)
Olive (all skin types)
Apricot Kernel (dry, aging, and normal skin)
Argan (all skin types, especially aging skin … very pricey)
Tamanu (all skin types … very pricey)


*You’ll probably want to stay away from coconut oil for oil cleansing, as it is a known comedogenic and may possibly clog your pores and exacerbate blackheads.
The Oil-Cleansing Ratio


It might be better to use this on a “wash-by-wash” basis before you go mixing a whole bottle of oil together, just in case you want to change up the ratios if you notice your face is becoming too dry or too oily.When you first start out with OCM, It’s best to think in ratios of thirds. You can measure these thirds out ahead of time and prepare a whole bottle full of oil. Or, you can do what I do and just eyeball it each time you use the method.

Here’s the rule of oil-cleansing thirds (remember, castor oil is important here):

Oily skin: Use 2/3 castor oil to 1/3 carrier oil. (Or measure out 2 tsp castor oil and 1 tsp carrier oil.)
Normal skin: Use equal parts castor oil and carrier oil. (Measuring out 1-1/2 tsp castor oil and 1-1/2 tsp carrier oil.)
Dry skin: Use 1/3 castor oil and 2/3 carrier oil. (Again, 2 tsp carrier oil and 1 tsp castor oil.)

These ratios are NOT set in stone, but they’re a great jumping off point. Again, when I do this, I just eyeball it in the palm of my hand and go from there.

What do you do?

After figuring out the oil blend that you feel work best for you skin then you just have to follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Gently rub the oils into your skin in a upward motion for 2-3 mins. While rubbing turn the water on so that it gets to a little hotter than warm temp.

Step 2: you can either wet a towel and place it on your face for a 30 seconds and then gently rub the oil off or you can just rinse your face with water.

It's that simple. 

I'm only using Castor Oil right now because I'm worried about adding another oil. I think after a couple of weeks of seeing how my skin reacts I might add another oil but for now I'm ok with just Castor Oil. Be sure to buy the cold pressed Castor Oil because it much better than the regular kind. I'll do an update in a couple of weeks to let ya'll know how its working for me.

Here are some helpful links for info:

http://www.crunchybetty.com/nitty-gritty-on-the-oil-cleansing-method

http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

http://thefeministmystique.blogspot.com/2012/03/oil-cleansing-method.html

Happy Transitioning!!!!

Monique

7 Months Post Relaxer!!!

I'm currently 7 months post relaxer and I'm really surprised I made it this far without wanting to slap a relaxer on my head. I think I've only considered it once this past week. I think the thing I love most is not having to do much with my hair. Before it took 2 to 3 hrs out of my Saturday to wash, dry, and flat iron my hair. Now its about a hour maybe depending on how long I decide to deep condition my hair. One of the major differences that I've notice with my hair is less breakage and shedding. When I clean my bath once a week there is hardly any hair on the floor at all which is a sign my hair is healthier now. I'm continuing to avoid heat on my hair. I've thought about it a couple of times to see how long my hair is now but I'm a little afraid to do it because I don't want to mess up my hair. I might just let a stylist do it whenever I decide to get my hair trimmed. Anyways...I thought I'll give a little update since I haven't posted in awhile about my hair.

Here are a few instagram photos of myself and my hair from the past few months:

High Bun at the beach

My faux puff from an old braid out

This was either a braid out or a twist out...can't really remember

Another faux puff with a second day braid out gone wrong 

Happy Transitioning!!!

Monique

Tips for Transitioners From Napturals85

One of my favourite natural hair bloggers posted a new video recently with some valuable advice for new transitioners like me and anyone else reading my blog. I thought I'll post it here to share the love. I love with bloggers that have been natural for a while do post like this because it helps keep me motivated to continue with my transition. They all went through it already and its nice that they offer support for those of us that still have a long way to go.

Enjoy the video!!!

Happy Transitioning!!!

Monique

Whole 30 Challenge Follow-up

Well, I some what finished. I did the challenge for 3 weeks and I ate what I was suppose to only eat maybe 85% of the time. I cheated mostly on the weekends. I gave up the weekend before my last week on the challenge because it was Memorial Day weekend and yeah who wants to eat a strict diet when you are hanging out with friends and family having fun. I decided that I will keep up with the diet plan during the week as much as possible and probably just switch over to the paleo diet because its not as strict. I hate for the 3 weeks that I did do go to waste so I figure it can be my Monday - Friday meal plan and then on the weekend I can splurge a tiny bit.

My overall results from the challenge. At 85% I noticed a lot differences in my body and how I felt while doing the challenge. The first week was the hardest because I was coming of off all the carbs I was eating so I was tired a lot and slightly cranky. I really did eat a lot of processed foods and sugar so those weren't for hard for me to give up as well as legumes. By the second week I was in the habit of eating the whole 30 approved foods and I started to notice a change in my energy level. Instead of having that high than low feeling I had more of a steady energy level. It actually felt better to have a steady energy level and my workouts felt a bit better. I noticed a decrease in my stomach and I wasn't bloated a lot anymore. I think by eliminating the foods that agitated your digestive tract you have a big decrease in bloating and stomach issues. My belly did not go down completely but it did go down enough for my pants to fit better and for people to notice a difference in my size. As far as weight lost I don't really know if I lost any weight. I did not weigh myself in the beginning because they tell you not to weigh or measure yourself because the challenge is not for weight lost but is for jump starting a healthier way of eating. I do feel like I probably lost about 5 lbs. I'm assuming mostly water weight due to my water intake, a decrease in complex carbs, and beer. I do recommend if you do this that you don't do it for weight lost purposes but to make a lifestyle change. If your only focus is to lose a few pounds than you will not get from this diet what you expect and once you finish you will immediately revert back to your old ways.When you do something as a lifestyle change then you tend to be more successful and after a few months of following a healthy diet you will see the results. I will say I probably did have some weight lost and it was probably due to working out 4-6 days a week.

So, will I recommend this challenge? Yes, but only to people who are looking for a healthy lifestyle change and not just looking to lose weight in a short period of time. I did in fact do this challenge to lose weight but also to change my eating habits. In order to lose weight you have to change your eating habits and avoid the foods that are not good for you. I was already eating pretty healthy on a daily basis but some of the stuff I thought was healthy was actually bad for me. I now know what my body likes and what it hates and what agitates my stomach and intestinal track. I say give it a try if you a looking for a long term lifestyle change but for those looking to only lose weight quickly in a short period of time don't even bother.

Those of you just starting out I suggest you meal plan weekly. I was meal planning before I started because meal planning saves me money at the store but it also helps organize your meals because you have to do a lot of cooking at home on this challenge. I also suggest that you join the whole9 forum for support and google whole30 recipes and meals online. You'll be surprised at all the bloggers like me that have done the challenge and posted about as well as posted yummy recipes you'll like. Lastly, be creative because you have to. You'll get bored just eating the same thing all the time so you have be very creative with your meals and experiment.You'll soon find stuff you like better than the stuff you can't have. For me it was using cauliflower for a rice substitute and spaghetti squash for a pasta substitute.

Good luck to any new whole 30 challengers. I hope you get from it what I did...a whole new way of healthy eating and living.

Happy Transitioning!!!!

Monique

Hair Slips: A Beautiful Disaster

Saw this video on Urban Bush Babes blog and fell in love with it. Great inspiration for transitioners and naturals.

Happy transitioning!!!

Monique

Health Slips: Whole30 Week 3 Meal Plan

So, It's now week 3 of my Whole30 challenge which I'm doing semi well on. I do very well during the week because I mostly cook and eat at home but on the weekends its another story. I normally only eat breakfast at home on Saturday and Sunday and its normally a late breakfast so by the evening time I am starving. Another reason I have been cheating a bit is because I'm out somewhere that don't have anything I can eat which I stated in my last post. Luckily, my cheating has been so minimal that I don't think it will make a big difference in the results I have been getting from the challenge. I also believe I will continue to follow my meal plans even after I complete the challenge. I'm really beginning to embrace not eating most of the stuff I was eating on a daily basis....but anywhooo here's my meal plan for this week:

Monday:

• Breakfast: Protein box from Starbucks. I didn't have anything to fix for breakfast :(
• Lunch: Left overs from my dinner on Saturday from Pappadeaux's. Grilled Tilapia with spaghetti squash and a orange
• Dinner: Chicken Tikka Masala with cauliflower substitute for rice

Tuesday:

• Breakfast: Two hard boiled eggs and a black berry, blue berry, strawberry, flax seed and coconut milk smooothie.
• Lunch: Left over dinner from Monday
• Dinner: Southwestern Tilapia, spinach, and carrots...recipe  http://nutmegnotebook.com/2010/09/baked-southwestern-tilapia/

Wednesday:

• Breakfast:  Two hard boiled eggs, bacon and a black berry, blue berry, strawberry, flax seed and coconut milk smooothie.
• Lunch: Left overs from Tuesday
• Dinner: Pesto Salmon, mashed sweet potatoes, and broccoli

Recipe for Wed. dinner....http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2008/01/foil-baked-salmon-recipe-with-basil.html

Thursday:

• Breakfast:  Two hard boiled eggs, bacon and a black berry, blue berry, strawberry, flax seed and coconut milk smooothie.
• Lunch: Left overs from Wednesday
• Dinner Spaghetti squash, ground turkey, diced tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms.

Friday: 

• Breakfast:  Two hard boiled eggs, bacon, and a black berry, blue berry, strawberry, flax seed and coconut milk smooothie.
• Lunch: Left overs from Thursday
• Dinner: most likely eat out or leftovers from Monday

Saturday and Sunday:

• Breakfast: Cowboy breakfast skillet here's the recipe  http://www.health-bent.com/pork/paleo-cowboy-breakfast-skillet.
• Lunch: I usually skip or have a snack before my weekly runs
• Dinner: Out somewhere

There you go....week 3. After this week I'll have one more week to go and I'm done...Well somewhat done. I have to say it really does get easier after the first week and I am feeling a lot better these days. The one thing I notice is the decrease in my stomach and bloating.....no bloating. I also feel a different type of energy daily. Its hard to explain but my energy level is different and better. None of that high energy and then crash type of feeling. I love it. Its really worth the sacrifice of all the bad/good tasty things I used to eat. Until next week....

Happy Transitioning!

Monique 

Hair Slips: Nappy Love Houston Meet & Greet

This past Saturday I went to my first natural hair meetup here in Houston. I had such a wonderful time chatting with other naturals about transitioning and hair care. There was a lot of beautiful ladies there and all of them had gorgeous hair. Here a few pictures from the event:

Photos are courtesy of VIP Studios

Joy and Riyike the host for event

Rocking a braid out with two cool chicks I met at the bar while waiting for our tables. The one in the middle has these really cool yarn braids...yes her hair was really braided with yarn. 

I won a giveaway for Afro Angel Oragnics

Review coming soon of her hair products

All of the current transitioners and our Carol's Daughter transitioning kits

Review coming soon

Group photo with some of the lovely ladies I met

Going home with loads of goodies to try

I had such a great time and I think for people transitioning like me these events are great to go to and learn from those who have already completely transitioned and are fully natural. The awesome thing is that everyone there transitioned for the same reasons they just got tired of putting harmful chemicals on their hair and scalp. I feels great not having the burning feeling on my scalp and not smelling those harmful chemicals I was  putting on my hair. I love that it takes half the time to do my hair now and that my hair is so much healthier now. I will be trying my new goodies soon and I'll post a review for you guys. Also I'm due for a length check since I started my hair vitamins...look for that in the next couple of days. Until then....

Happy Transitioning!

Monique

Health Slips: Whole30 Week 2 Meal Plan

This weeks meal plan for my Whole30 Challenge. Last week I did well until the weekend mostly due to the fact that the weekends for me is usually spent out and about so its difficult to adhere to the diet plan when there is not much you can eat where you go. I have decided that I will follow the diet to a T during the week but if I'm at an event that has nothing I can eat that is allowed than I'm going to cheat a bit because I can't starve. I will do myself to take snacks though. If at a restaurant I will do my best to order something on the menu that is allowed rather than ordering what I want and getting a stomach ache after.

So, here's this weeks meal plan:

Monday:

• Breakfast - two boiled eggs, strawberries, and grape tomatoes.
• Lunch - can of white tuna, chopped roma tomato, chopped cucumber, chopped avocado, and a little bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
• Dinner - Chicken Tikka Masala and cauliflower as a rice sub (the sauce I'm using have a couple of no no ingredients but whatev)

Tuesday:

• Breakfast - ground pork, scrabble eggs, sweet potato hash, and berries. 
• Snack - banana
• Lunch - left overs from Monday
• Snack - almonds and a orange
• Dinner - Baked salmon, green beans, and mashed sweet potato

Wednesday:

• Breakfast -  ground pork, scrabble eggs, sweet potato hash, and berries.
• Snack - banana
• Lunch - left overs from Tuesday
• Snack - almonds and a pear
• Dinner - Turkey burger minus the bun topped with sauteed spinach, mushrooms, and avocado. Side of roasted sweet potatoes 

Thursday: 

• Breakfast -  ground pork, scrabble eggs, sweet potato hash, and berries.
• Snack - banana
• Lunch - left overs from Wednesday
• Snack - almonds and a orange
• Dinner - Spicy lime shrimp salad with avocado, cilantro, spinach and white wine vinegar and olive oil dressing. 

Friday:

• Breakfast -  ground pork, scrabble eggs, sweet potato hash, and berries.
• Snack - banana
• Lunch - leftovers from Thursday
• Snack - almonds and a pear
• Dinner - eat out

Saturday and Sunday:

Not sure what the plan is because I usually skip meals due to sleeping in or running errands. Typically eat out for dinner.

There it is for week 2. If anyone is following my blog then hopefully this is helpful to you if you are on the challenge as well. 

Happy Transitioning!!!

Monique

Health Slips: Whole30 Week 2

I'm starting week 2 of the whole30 diet tomorrow and I have to say I'm a little disappointed in myself. All last week I did really well staying strict to the diet plan and only eating what was allowed but than the weekend came. I think the hardest part about this diet is going to outings and there not being anything you can eat that is allowed. Sooooooooo, I cheated a bit. I had a little bit of cheese, french fries, a little bit of chips, little bit of rice, half a cookie, half a cup of beer....so forth. Sunday was the worst. For Mother's Day breakfast I decided to order french toast. I don't know what it was...maybe the sugar but my stomach was really hurting today after breakfast. I should have just gotten eggs, bacon, and fruit but yeah. After dealing with an upset stomach, which is what usually forces me to stop eating certain foods, I've decided that I am going to stay strict with the plan but allow myself some no nos when there is nothing available I can eat. I think my biggest accomplishment was the no alcohol part of the diet. I have tried and failed going off of beer and alcohol many of times but for some reason right now I just don't have the urge the drink. I had a half a cup of beer Saturday and today only because one was a home brew I wanted to try and the other I just wanted a taste of it because it was new to me. On the upside I have been doing really well with my water challenge and have been drink more than enough water for the past few weeks. I was going pretty strong with my hair growth vitamins but I have been skipping them a bit lately...meh.

This week I plan to get back to the gym. Last week I did not work out at all except for a 7 mile run/walk on Thursday. Due to withdrawals from my camp out weekend binge fest I was very fatigued and motivation for working out was very low. I have to say that Thursday was a good run for me. The type of energy I had felt a bit different from my normal energy level and I ran a bit more than normal. Today's run wasn't so great but I think its associated with the breakfast I had or at least  I think it is.

Anywhoo, I haven't planned my meals for the week yet but I will do it tomorrow and post what I'll be eating for the week. For the most part tomorrow I plan on making chicken curry with cauliflower for a rice substitute so I'm hoping it turns out well. I'm praying this week I hold true the diet plan...maybe week 2 won't be as hard as last week.

Happy Transitioning!!!

Monique

Hair Slips: My Hair Survived a Camp Out Weekend

So, my hair and I survived this weekends camp out with my running group. I was so worried because I haven't exposed my hair to any really harsh conditions until now that I did know how I was going to manage. I took a duffle bag of my hair stuff with me and paid very close attention to my hair the whole weekend. With having two textures of hair right now (relaxed and natural hair) I have to be very careful with my hair because I don't want it breaking to much. 

My hair regimen this weekend:

The first night I just put leave in conditioner in my hair after playing in the river most of the night. Saturday I did a co-wash at some point in the day and anytime I felt my hair was dry I put some leave-in conditioner in it. Sunday I did a wash with my Giovanni 50/50 shampoo, conditioned, added leave in-conditioner, and my shea butter. When I finally got home Sunday evening I washed again with my shampoo and then did a deep conditioner for about a hour followed up with some leave-in and shea butter. 

Along with all this I did keep my hair in a clip all weekend and tried to protect my ends as much as possible. The most my hair was dry dry was after riding on the jet ski on the river. I think all the wind took a big toll on my hair. My tip for anyone that will be attending a camp out or going to be swimming all weekend on a trip just remember to get your hair moisturized. Co-washing and using my Giovanni leave-in really helped out a lot. Protective styles are also helpful too. 

Happy Transitioning!

Monique