Wordless Wednesday- I Got Their Backs...

I got their backs literally and figuratively!

All Tied Up!

Let me start by saying I love my natural hair, but there are definitely a few downsides to wearing your hair in it's natural state. If you go on any natural hair blog/vlog you will hear someone raving about the latest and greatest product that added so much moisture and shine to their hair and while moisture and shine is great what about the rarely spoken of evil that comes with natural curly/coily hair. SINGLE STRAND KNOTS!

Natural Curl Pattern

My natural hair creates very tight coils so tight in fact that it coils back onto itself and makes a single strand knot. When I first started down this journey and would run my fingers down the shaft of my hair I assumed the rough patch I would encounter meant I had split ends. So I would trim my hair and amp up my moisturizing and sealing routine. Than 2-3 months later I would find myself running my fingers down the shaft of my hair again and hitting the same rough patches and the process of trimming etc. would start again. It wasn't until I read an article on CurlyNikki that I took the time to look a little closer and realized what I was dealing with were not split ends but knots on my strands. Now what!

Curlformers

I began to do twist or bantu knot outs instead of wash and go's, but I became laxed in that department and reverted back to wash and go's on occasions. So not only am I doing twist or bantu knot outs faithfully I am stretching my hair prior to styling it as well. There are several ways you can stretch your hair, but my method of choice  is to use Curlformers. So stretching my naturally  SUPER coily hair can and does reduce the occurrence of single stand knots while the twist or bantu knot outs give my hair back a curl or a wave that although not my natural pattern are stylish none the less. *wink*

Bantu Knot Out

Do single strand knots haunt you? What is your method for keeping them at bay?

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Scandal "You're Ornamental, Not Functional"

Image courtesy of ABC

It's been a couple of weeks since one of my favorite shows SCANDAL had it's season premiere, but there was a phrase in that episode that has really stuck with me. The scene in which President Grant (Tony Goldwyn) and the first lady (Bellamy Young) were arguing after a press conference in which she over stepped her boundaries. “Your opinion doesn’t matter,” the president said. “You’re the first lady. Your job is to plant gardens and decorate rooms and let them blog about your clothes. You’re ornamental, not functional.” 

"You're ornamental, not functional" really resonated with me, it made me sit back and evaluate my role in the lives of my loved ones, friends and acquaintances and their roles in mines. I have come to realize that I give far too much weight to the length of time someone has been in my life vs. the value they are currently bringing to my life and I to theirs. And I therefore have allowed relationships to linger far longer than they need to. 

That is not to say that I feel that my relationships are all about what I can get out of them. It's important that I remember that sometimes I may meet someone in order to be a blessing or a positive influence on their life, and that I  may not benefit from their presence in any significant way. If neither party is benefiting from a relationship be it love, friendship, emotional or support what is the point of putting my energy and time into it. I say there is no point and my energy will be better geared towards other more "functional" relationships in my life. 

I realize Scandal is a television show and should be viewed as entertainment, but I believe that a lesson can be learned or a gentle reminder can come from anywhere. So with all that said I am working on playing a more functional role in the lives of those I value and being more aware of those who are merely ornamental in mines. 

Image courtesy of ABC

Are you playing an ornamental role in someones life? Is there someone in you life who is merely ornamental?

WEN Cleansing Conditioner Review

Why oh why did I do this to myself?!?! A few months back I received a generous sample of Wen's Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner and right away I have to tell you my hair enjoyed it and I enjoyed the simplicity of the process as well! 

I am going to let you in on a little secret I am extremelly frugal, particularly when it comes to hair products. My current staple product do not exceed $5 dollars in cost and I tend to write off any product that exceeds $10 in cost. With that said there is no way I would have tried Wen unless I received it as a gift/sample. So now that I have tried it will I be breaking this $10 limit I have set for myself? 

                                      

WEN Instructional Video - African American Hair

Now if you took the time to watch the above video you would know that for African American hair like my own they recommend that you use a minimum of 40 full pumps of conditioner to your hair for just one cleansing session. I must admit I did not use 40 full pumps because that would have turned my generous sample into a one time experience instead of the four sessions I was able to extend it to. I decided to focus more on applying it to my scalp for cleansing purposes and my ends to make sure they received the conditioning benefits. Otherwise I followed the directions step by step. 

While WEN Cleansing Conditioner was in my hair I did take the time to detangle my hair which is no easy task do to the sheer volume of hair I have, but it  was made easier due to the great slip that it provides.WEN left my hair feeling clean but not squeaky clean like shampoos with sulfates in them does, and  because of its conditioning qualities my hair was super soft upon rinsing it out. 

While my hair enjoyed the tingly feeling the mint left behind, there wasn't any drastic improvement in the overall health of my hair. Yes I applaud the product for doing what it typically takes three products to do for me (Conditioner Wash +Apple Cider Vinegar to Clarify + Deep Conditioner), but the facts remain that I am frugal and even with purchasing all three of those products is still 1/3 the cost of WEN. So I guess I will be stalking QVC for some awesome special in order to enjoy the connivence of this all in one product.

Disclosure: I received Wen Cleansing Conditioner as a sample and was not compensated for this post. As always my thoughts an opinions are my own. 

I Am a Runner

There are two thoughts/idea/visions that have been mainstays in my mind that most people looking at me (including myself) may think are far fetched. The first thought being that I will be a millionaire somehow someway someday, but this is not the idea that I focus on. Because life taught me a lesson several years ago that money truly cannot buy you happiness, therefore I made a conscious decision to make the quality of my life and my families life a priority over any monetary gain I may encounter. So for now I have decided to breathe life into my vision of becoming a runner and will focus on the millions a little later. *wink*

There is something inside me that keeps telling me that I should run, in my dreams I run and in my daydreams I picture myself as one of those people who just HAVE to run. I have become addicted to the idea of running. So just a few days ago I was having a conversation with myself and I said, "self if you are convinced you are a runner than surely you can convince your body of this." From that point I found a Four- Week Beginning Training Program to Run 1 Mile, that I am determined to complete. If I can get my body to agree with what my mind has already confirmed than I truly am on my way to being a runner. 

If I were to sit here and allow doubt to creep into my thoughts It would say you are obese you can't run, you need to lose weight first, you don't have time to run and on and on and on. But I got a few words of wisdom for Mr. Doubt, being obese is just giving me more motivation to run and I have proven already on my first training day that I can run maybe not fast or long yet but I can run. And not having time every one has that excuse, those who knows and love me know that I LOVE my sleep, but I am rising early in the morning even before the sun rises to make my mind's reality of me being a runner my bodies as well. 

The funniest thing is that my belief and or desire to be a runner has nothing to do with my desire to lose weight. What I want most is the experience that avid runners describe of it being freeing, a way to clear their had, therapeutic and the sense of accomplishment for every new goal achieved. 

I realize this is just the beginning of my journey as a runner, but I am excited and look forward to sharing more with you. So what thought our idea have you have allowed Mr. Doubt to suppress in your mind for fear of you being unable to realize it? What's inside you just itching to get out? 

Disney on Ice- Rockin' Ever After Review

Disney On Ice was all that I remember as a child and so much more. The magic of Disney started as soon as you got out the car. My boys were fascinated by all the little girls running around in their princess attire. And of course when you enter the venue there isn't a shortage of Disney paraphernalia everywhere. Let me remind you my sons are only 2 &3 and didn't quite grasp the concept of "Disney on Ice" all they knew at this point is that everyone around them was excited and bright colors were everywhere, so they in turn were excited. 

However, once the show began they were in a trance, it must have been the  Magic of Disney. Our oldest son is able to express himself pretty well and shared that his favorite part of the she was "the songs and dancing"! Which was evident as he and his little brother swayed in their seat and bobbed their heads to the beat.


I personally loved the structure of the show, it re enacted several of its most known stories spending about 20 minutes on each story. Their was a good blend of new and old stories including; Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Tangled and Brave. Of course we were also treated to appearances by those timeless characters that Disney was built upon Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald Duck! The production was excellent the transition from one stories set and background was effortless, the costumes where impeccable and the lighting perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and can see myself attending it in the future with or without the children it certainly had something to offer everyone.

Disney on Ice- Rockin' Ever After will be at Phillips Arena, in Atlanta until September 14th. If you haven't got your tickets what are you waiting for you will not be disappointed!

Disclosure: I received media tickets to this show in exchange for posting about it.  As always my opinions are my own.

Dark Chocolate My Not So Guilty Pleasure

I was around 11 years old when my aunt told me that "One day my pallet would expand." Now when she made this statement she was referring to okra and I still haven't acquired a taste for that, but certain foods have made their way into my repertoire. I can contribute the addition of caviar, sushi, most seafood and numerous other foods to the hubbies persistence and his mature pallet.

Here recently I have made an effort to maintain a healthier diet. Just like anyone else I have cravings, chocolate in particular, and do often succumb to my sweet tooth. Many times after sending the hubby on a late night sweets run he has returned with my favorite milk chocolate bar and a candy bar of the dark chocolate variety for himself. I always turned my nose up to his choice, but since I have been making an effort to make better food choices I decided to give dark chocolate  a try. And I am hooked! After finishing my first dark chocolate bar, since I was an adolescent, and actually enjoying it (can you say mature palette) I decided to look up its benefits.

FIT DAY shares 6 Health Benefits to Eating Dark Chocolate. Three of which really resonated with me. The first is it being good for your heart by lowering your blood pressure and helping with circulation. Secondly dark chocolate helps control blood sugar levels protecting the consumer against type 2 diabetes. Also it's full of antioxidants and can help reduce your chances of getting cancer and slow the process of aging. I was sold. Like with anything enjoy it in moderation. The recommendation according to WebMD is to eat it 1.6oz of dark chocolate daily. I can live with that!!!

So the next time you have a desire for chocolate try dark chocolate it may taste better than you remember!