Why I Chose A Natural Lifestyle..O'Natural

Hola Chicas/ Chicos...I pray all is well with everyone

Well, the question has been asked..so here ya go, my response to why I choose a natural lifestyle.. I hope you guys enjoy


Happy Natural Health

Let's Talk Hair: Triple Band Bushy Fro Ponytail VIDEO!!

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone!!

Ok, here it is, my video tutorial showcasing my Triple Band Fro Ponytail..I hope you guys enjoy.

Products Used For This Video:

• Goody No Slip Bands (3 needed)
• Natty Butter or any type of moisturizing agent
• Accessory of your choice (I used a floral accessory)

Happy Healthy Hair

So What's The Rave About: PEPPERMINT OIL

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone.

Ok, today we are discussing one of my absolute favorite essential oils..Peppermint Oil. It has so many wonderful benefits and uses, from hair to skin to overall health. And yes, it is the minty goodness that you smell and taste in peppermint candy.

The modern peppermint plant is actually a hybrid of two original wild plants - water mint and spearmint - and has stronger medicinal properties than either of the two originals. It is sometimes revered as the world's oldest medicine because of its use in treatment of illness throughout history.

So now I present the wonderful benefits and uses of Peppermint Oil.

Peppermint Oil..The Internal Edition:

• Digestion: Peppermint oil helps to alleviate gas pain in many users. It also helps to calm nausea and stomach upset.
• Oral Health: Peppermint oil helps to eliminate germs in the mouth and on the teeth. This oil can also help freshen bad breath. All it takes for this is one drop of Peppermint Oil on your tongue and voila!!! Please be advised, the oil is concentrated so it is very strong.
• Respiratory Health: Peppermint oil contains menthol, which helps to loosen phlegm and relieves symptoms of colds, asthma and other respiratory conditions.
• Pain Relief: Peppermint Oil is known to be a wonderful aid in ridding the body of headache and muscle ache. I use it whenever I have a headache. I combine 3-5 drops of Peppermint Oil to a carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil) and apply to my wrist and lay back and relax and inhale deeply and relax while my headache eases away. You can also apply a couple of drops to your head to relieve your headache. Adding Peppermint Oil to a homemade massage oil is an excellent way to rid the body of aches and pains, due to its ability to relax and soothe muscles.
• Healthy Immune System: Peppermint oil can make the immune system stronger and healthier which may help prevent disease from occuring.
• Improves Circulation: Peppermint Oil opens the blood vessels as it relaxes the muscle, making it easier for blood to flow more efficiently.
• Urinary Tract Infection: Peppermint oil can be used for treating urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The muscle relaxing property of peppermint oil has been found to ease irritable bowel syndrome.
• Stress: Like most other essential oils, peppermint is able to provide relief from stress, depression and mental exhaustion due to its refreshing nature. It is also effective against anxiety and restlessness.
• Hot Flushes: Breathe in the aroma of peppermint oil for about five minutes. You’ll cool off quickly
• Congestion: Got a stuffy nose from a cold, flu, or allergies? Place a drop of peppermint oil on the tongue and inhale to relieve congestion, or put a few drops in a bowl of warm water with the same number of drops of eucalyptus oil, for a natural decongestant.
• Tired/Sore Feet: Mix a few drops of peppermint oil in a warm foot bath to relieve sore, hot, swollen or over-used feet.

Peppermint Oil..The Skin Edition

• Poison Ivy: For poison ivy or poison oak rash, apply Peppermint Oil to soothe the itching.
• Acne: Adding Peppermint Oil to your facial wash, toner or moisturizer, or just adding a few drops to a carrier oil such as grapeseed or jojoba oil is a great way to rid the skin of acne. Peppermint Oil also improves a dull complexion. Using Peppermint based soaps helps to prevent bacterial and fungal skin infections.
• Athlete's Foot: Peppermint Oil's antibacterial properties helps to relieve athlete's foot when mixed with a base oil or aloe vera.
• Cellulite: You can also reduce cellulite lines by rubbing a mixture of peppermint oil mixed with a base into the effected area.

Peppermint Oil..The Hair Edition

• Oily Scalp: Peppermint oil is actually an astringent which normalizes your scalp's oil production. An oily scalp produces excess oil which is then distributed throughout the hair; that creates greasy, oiled hair. Peppermint oil eliminates this problem and makes the appearance of greasy, flat hair a thing of the past.
• Dry Scalp: Because of its PH balancing qualities, peppermint oil can also be used to treat the opposite problem: dry scalp and dandruff. And since the oil will be neutralizing the dryness on the scalp itself, it will take away any itching sensation associated with this social nightmare.
• Moisturizer: Peppermint oil is frequently used as a moisturizer for the hair shaft. All you have to do is distribute a generous amount evenly throughout your hair. Wrap hair up in a shower cap or thin towel. Place a heated towel on top. Let the heat from the outer towel penetrate through your hair for twenty to thirty minutes. You may then reap the benefits of moisture rich hair. I have added it as one of the many wonderful ingredients in my Natty Butter. I also use it in my moisturizing spritz.
  
• Hair Growth: The tingling sensation mentioned above not only evens the playing field of the PH balance of your scalp, but it also stimulates your hair follicles and promotes hair growth.

Peppermint Oil..Other Uses:

• Paint fume fix: Mix half of a small bottle of peppermint oil into a gallon of paint to dispel the fumes.
• Remove a tick: Apply a drop of peppermint oil to the tick and it will unlatch itself from the host, without leaving its head behind (a risk if you just pull at a tick)

Happy Minty Health!

Always dilute any essential oil with a carrier oil. This information is not to serve as a medical substitute. Always seek professional medical advice before using.

credits: www.hubpages.com

My Weekly Regimen: CO-WASH PART 1 Video!!!

Greetings Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone..

Ok, so 1st let me apologize for the part 1 and part 2..I haven't mastered how to put 2 videos on my post at one time, and when I try to upload a video, it appears as a picture instead of a live video.so I had to split it into 2 parts..Once, again, I am hamming it up on the video!!!

This video shows my weekly regimen, which mainly consists of Co-Washing, Moisturizing, Sealing and Styling. I talk about the products that I use and how I apply them to my hair and the main areas that I focus on.

Products Used In This Video:

• SheaMoisture Raw Restorative Conditioner (for my conditioner wash)
• SheaMoisture Deep Treatment Masque (as my leave in)
• Castor Oil (for my sealer)
• Apple Cider Vinegar and Distilled Water (or filtered or spring water)
• Natty Butter (as my moisturizing styling agent)

Please check out my youtube page at www.youtube.com/nique1076 to see PART 2 to this video...
Questions, reviews and comments are ALWAYS welcomed and appreciated!!! Thanks Everyone

Have a Happy Healthy Day!

Let's Talk Health: HELL NO... GMO!!!

Greetings Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is healthy with everyone.

Let's Talk GMO, which means Genetically Modified Organism, which is the most common name for it, or you may have heard it called GEO (Genetically Engineered Organism). This is basically when edible items are genetically mutated or manipulated to meet mass demand. You know, the food approved by the FDA that are in all local grocery stores.

It's in our chicken and beef. Like the sista said in the song, 'worms won't even go near apples' due to the chemicals that are being injected into and added onto our foods. And when you walk down the isle of the fabulously marketed grocery stores, notice the size, the bright color and the feel of the fruits and veggies..The fruit and veggies are injected with food coloring, hence this is why when you clean your fruit and veggie you will see your water turn the color of the particular food you are washing. I use distilled vinegar and sea salt to clean my fruit and veggies to ensure that the chemicals have, at least, cleaned the surface of our fruit and veggies. Rinsing your fruits and veggies under the water no longer works..let's clean them right!

Genetic engineering is a radical new technology that forces genetic information across the protective species barrier in an unnatural way. Why be concerned? One of many good reasons is that these laboratory-created mutations are unlabeled, virtually untested and on grocery shelves everywhere.

Now, this topic could get very wordy, but let me just say that the rise of GMO foods have created a rise in obesity, cancer, and over-development in our youth ( do you notice how teens look like mature adults now?)..we can thank our wonderful powers that be for this . Check out this website for more info on GMOs at www.saynotogmos.org..

Hope you enjoyed the music by this talented and creative sista..Have A Happy GMO Free DAY!!

video credit: thanks to www.youtube.com/Maimounayoussef'
thank you, Luladey for sending this link to my page!! Definitely Much Love

Let's Talk Hair: My Two Strand Twist Out Bushy Fro VIDEO!!

Hi Everyone..I pray asll is well

I'm so excited to have completed my video tutorial that people have been asking me for months about now.. ok, is it safe for me to say that I am officially a youtuber?? Or do I need more practice..lol. So anywho..here it goes and I hope you enjoy!!!


Happy Fro-Licious

youtube channel: www.youtube.com/nique1076

Let's Talk Natural Health: KISSABLY CLEAN

Hola Chicas/Chicos...I pray everyone is naturally healthy!!

Okay, so let's touch on a subject of ORAL HYGIENE. Now, I'm sure many of us try to stick to the brushing after every meal, or at least twice per day. So, let's focus on the importance of oral hygiene and how it relates to our overall natural health.

Importance of Good Oral Hygiene:

• Good oral hygiene is critical for overall health because bacteria from mouth can travel to other parts of the body. In fact, oral bacteria have been linked to such conditions as osteoporosis, obesity, heart conditions and atherosclerosis (when artery walls thicken due to fatty buildup), as well as certain types of cancer.
• The mouth, with all of its crevices, pockets and hiding places, can provide refuge for bacteria (nasty nasty germs) that may be causing problems in other parts of the body, so be sure to make good use of your floss, toothbrush and gum scraper.
• Halitosis: is typically caused by poor dental hygiene. However, other factors may be involved, including gum disease, tooth decay, heavy metal buildup, infection of the respiratory tract (throat, nose, lungs and windpipe),improper diet, constipation,smoking, fever, diabetes, foreign bacteria in the mouth, indigestion, inadequate protein digestion, liver or kidney malfunction, postnasal drip, stress and too much unfriendly bacteria in the colon. Dieting, alcohol abuse or fasting (due to lack of food which causes the body to breakdown stored fat and protein for fuel) can cause bad breath as well. I will do a full future post on Halitosis soon.

Nature Knows Best

• Your daily dental regimen should include products that contain natural ingredients that promote teeth and gum health. Just as bacteria from our mouths can travel into our bodies, so can harsh chemicals that are found in many non natural toothpastes, and some that claim to be natural, leak into our bodies..many of which are carcinogens (cancer causing agents).
• Look for toothpastes with natural ingredients such as goldenseal, echinacea, grapefruit seed extract, or neem. These are all antibacterial botanicals that are used in various oral care applications.
• Natural toothpastes that contain the natural sugar 'xylitol' is recommended. Natural toothpastes that contain sweet goodies such as, raspberries, strawberries or blueberries are super beneficial. These fruit contain the natural sugar xylitol, which is a low glycemic natural sweetner with an ability to inhibit bacterial growth and prevent cavities.
• Try to look for flosses that contain tea tree, cranberry, myrrh or green tea. These safeguard your mouth against plaque and bacteria.
• Herbs such as, aloe vera and calendula have anti-inflammatory properties that are useful for protecting gums.
• Natural toothpastes that contain wonderful ingredients like 'anise' are excellent for combating bad breath. Anise is in the parsley family, and parsley is one of the recommended helpful items to chew on in situations of oral diseases such halitosis.
• Please steer clear of toothpastes that claim to be natural that contain sulfates such as, sodium lauryl sulfate, and the likes. I mean, simple shampooing with sodium lauryl sulfate can put as many nitrates into your body as if you ate a pound of bacon...so imagine them going directly into your mouth (and these are products approved by the FDA) colgate, crest, aquafresh, toms(which claims to be natural), etc contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Flouride is another harmful ingredient to limit exposure to. In the early 1900s, it was used as a rat poison. It may contain lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic. It also accumulates in the body and can cause bone disease. And last, but not least, many commercial toothpastes contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and neurotoxin that can be fatal if swallowed, absorbed through skin or inhaled.

Excellent Natural Toothpastes

• Nature's Gate Mint (not the gel)
• Jasons (not the gel)
• Healthy Mouth
• Organique by Himalaya 
• Desert Essence

Remember..oral hygiene is extremely important. Become Kissaby Clean the O'Natural way..
These toothpastes can be found at any health food store or herb shop



credits: some info found at www.squidoo.com/natural-toothpastes
by Emily Bragonier in Remedies for Life January 2011

Product Review..TANGLE TEEZER

Hola Chicas/Chicos...I pray all is well.
So, I am SURE that most of you have heard or even used the infamous 'Tangle Teezer'. Well, I definitely have and I usually like to use a product for at least a couple of weeks before I try to give my personal review ofTa the product. So, here goes...the Tangle Teezer

The Tangle Teezer: What it Claims

• Tangle Teezer is excellent for detangling both wet and dry hair.
• Fantastic, painless detangling is achieved by using a firmer pressure. Remember: it’s like no other brush.
• Tangle Teezer gives a blissful, relaxing head massage even for the most sensitive scalps.
• Unlike conventional brushes and combs where you have to try and ease tangles out starting from the ends of the hair and working up towards the roots, Tangle Teezer can be used from roots to ends and mid-length to ends.
• Tangle Teezer is a brush sent from hair heaven when it comes to detangling their little darlings’ hair that loves to knot. Hair is calmed in minutes where out go the tears and in come the smiles!
• Tangle Teezer is a must-have for hair extension wearers. Tangle Teezer will simply glide though the hair from roots to end, passing painlessly over the bonds without pulling. For those with hair extensions you will find less hair is pulled out and your style will last longer and look better. After three months your hair extensions will continue to look like new rather than pieces of twisted and frayed rope!
• Gives superb results for the daily and on-going maintenance of wigs, wefts, weaves and clip in hair pieces. Tangle Teezer leaves them looking and feeling just like new.
• Excellent results are achieved on even the tightest curls and afro hair.
• Tangle Teezer minimises hair breakage, so over a period of time you will notice your hair feels thicker and looks healthier. A results driven brush, the minute you start using Tangle Teezer the sooner you are on the road to beautiful hair.

The Tangle Teezer..Directions For Use:

• Always place your Tangle Teezer with the pointing teeth up. This way you minimize damage to the teeth.
• Rinse your Tangle Teezer with warm water after using any kind of product.
• Dry at room temperature. Do not be tempted to speed dry by putting on a radiator or drying the teeth with your hair-dryer.
• Clean using a toothbrush by lightly brushing through the teeth with soapy water once a week. Rinse thoroughly.

The Tangle Teezer..My Personal Results:

• Ok, so yes, the Tangle Teezer toots its own horn..as it should! I absolutely LOVE this tool. I have been using it for about 3 months now and I have used it on different textures of hair ( I bought 2 so as not to share hair tools). I even did a natural hair demonstration using it for a cosmetology class. It is AMAZING! Before I purchased it, I saw a couple of reviews from a couple of naturals who stated that the Tangle Teezer caused split ends on them, or that it didn't detangle that well for them..I haven't seen that on me nor my children. It made detangling a breeze, do ya hear me!!
• When I first saw the Tangle Teezer I was like, hmmm ok so this is it, huh? Then I held it, and
  due to the fact that I was used to holding a wide tooth comb, it was a tad bit awkward to use. But that feeling disappeared quickly. I love the way that it detangles..I do still begin detangling at the tips, but I have tried it from the roots, and yes, it does work great either way.
• It claims to work well for those who wear weaves, I can't speak on that as I haven't used it on anyone who wear weaves..but all I know is that it works great on my 4a/4b hair, as well as my children, one who has the same texture as me and one who has a finer texture 3a/3b.
• And yes!!! It does allow a closeness to the scalp, it detangles that well. It does feel like a mini scalp massage.
• My hair combing sessions with my children are a breeze. My 5 year old loves the tool..my 2 year old could care less.
• Ok, so if you follow me on Facebook, I put a pic showing my hair in ponytails. After I detangled with the Teezer, I was able to easily put my hair into 4 ponytails (see pic below)..it was too funny. But the tool does detangle well and stretches the hair. I don't hear any tearing or splitting or breaking or snapping of my hair..NONE! I still use the tool on wet hair that is slippery with conditioner.
• So, overall, I would say that it performs just as it claims..I Give It 4 stars. (Only because I have not used it in all scenarios: dry hair, weaves, wigs)

Happy Healthy Hair!!

Let's Talk Hair...POINT BLANK!!!

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone.

Let me just get straight to the point of this post. I have seen and still see so many posts, articles, videos that promise people that if they do this or that, use this or that...your hair will automatically grow within a certain length of time..and usually this length of time is a short time. Now, let's be realistic, there is no one product that will make hair grow like some infomercial of a chi-a-pet!! Bottom line, it takes TIME for hair to grow and sometimes a long time to reach its full potential. But, like with anything else, to reach full potential, maintenance and patience are key ingredients. I mean, in order to achieve a nice garden, you must till the earth, plant the seeds, water, maintain it and exercise PATIENCE. Now, in order to achieve a stellar garden, you must research the best elements to add to the earth or water so that your garden will reach its maximum potential. Well, that's the same with our hair..sure, it will grow and with proper maintenance, minimal manipulation (using excessive heat, too tight braids or weaves) and giving it the proper moisture, it will grow nicely. Now, when you subtract the use of harsh chemicals, add protective styles and add elements that promote even more hair growth (certain essential oils), add even more moisture and exercise patience, then you can see your hair reach its full potential. And that potential being extremely healthy hair..POINT BLANK!!

Achieving long length can be a good goal..HEALTHY hair and scalp should be the # 1 goal. And let me say this, everyone's hair journey is different. Some of us have always had thick heads of hair, long flowing locks or easy to maintain tresses. And some of us have had hair that was short, with a very tight coil, extremely dry and more challenging to maintain. And with both scenarios, I have seen hair that has flourished. But it's not fair to you or anyone else if you compare your hair to someone whose texture and curl pattern are not the same...STOP DOING THAT..STOP IT!!! You're only going to leave yourself frustrated and discouraged. I mean, Tracie Ellis Ross has absolutely beautiful hair, but for me to expect my hair to look just like hers, I am setting myself up for FAILURE!! I mean, sure, my hair will be as thick and full, but our textures are different. Our curl pattern is different. We both have beautiful hair, just beautifully different, and I accept and appreciate that...POINT BLANK!!

I'm a realist..I searched for inspirational results from naturals with a similar texture as mine..My hair is not wavy, it's thick and kinky. I can appreciate a cute hair do that a wavy chica has rocked and apply it to my hair, but I never expect it to look just like hers..I just love it for looking like mine...POINT BLANK!!

And ladies, we are not the 'natural hair mafia'...let's stop making those who have not embraced their natural hair and still rock chemically treated hair like they are unaware or confused or ignorant or 'in denial...STOP THAT!! .That should never be your intention and you won't attract any bees to your honey with that attitude. And please stop being natural hair snobs..It's just HAIR. And don't forget, at one point we were relaxed or mis-managing our hair. i mean, just because you proclaim natural hair doesn't mean you are living a total natural lifestyle ie, processed foods, pharmaceuticals vs. natural herbs, etc...etc..I don't know all there is to know about natural hair and am learning more and more info daily..I just know what has worked for me and my family. So, whether relaxed or natural, chemically colored or henna'd, let's just high five each other and embrace our differences...POINT BLANK!!

Like Andre from Outkast quoted ' everybody with dreads ain't for the cause and everyone with perms ain't for the fall' Let's straighten up and fly right...POINT BLANK!!

Happy Health!!


photo credits: www.baldbeauties.tumblr.com

Let's Talk Health: The 10 Laziest States in America

Hola Chicas/Chicos...I pray everyone is A-OK..

Ok, now we must address physical health. Just as hair and skin are important, so are our physical bodies. And I ran across this article as I was checking my yahoo, that caught my eye titled 'The Laziest States In America'. And as I was skimming through the states, I anxiously awaited the revelation of which state would be deemed the absolute laziest state...I couldn't believe it, but here goes..

The 10 Laziest States In America

10. OKLAHOMA: With 62.6% physically active adults.This means that fewer than 2/3 of adults in Oklahoma claim to get the 2 1/2 per week moderate exercise required.

9. NEVADA: with 62.5%physically active adults. Navadans lack of interest in physical exercise could be linked to the plethora of casinos that hook and sink so many gracing it's presence...hmm.

8. WEST VIRGINIA: with 62.2% physically active adults. With its rolling hills and beautiful outdoor scenery, West Virginia offers much for a person to want to venture out and get some PE and bond with nature, but no can do. Now the teen age group bring better hope with an average of 26.3% with the same level of physical activity..the national average for teens is 17.1%

7. ARKANSAS: with 62.1% physically active adults. hey..isn't this the home of our former president, Bill Clinton, whose love of junk food eventually led to his triple bypass surgery..hmm..but thankfully, he turned it around

6. NORTH CAROLINA: with 60.9% physically active adults.

5. ALABAMA: with 59% physically active adults. Alabama is also in the top 10 states for obesity, with 31% of the population defined as obese..woah Nelly! Did you know that Alabama does not require elementary schools to provide recces, its child care centers don't specify moderate or vigorous physical activity, and the state doesn't support urban design, land use and transportation policies that promote physical activity?

4. KENTUCKY: with 57.9% physically active adults. Home of the Col..Sanders, that is 'Kentucky Fried Chicken'. While fried foods can be delicious, it should be served with a side of sweat drenching physical activity. Check this out, the CDC reports that 10.1% of census blocks have a park, half the national average of 20.3%.

3. MISSISSIPPI: with 57.2% physically active adults. It ranks numero uno (#1) for the prevalence of obesity, the CDC reported, as of 2009, 34.4% were registered as obese, the highest of any state.

2. LOUISIANA: with 56% physically active adults. Only 35.5% of the state have youth parks, community centers and sidewalks in the neighborhoods, far below the national average of 50%.

1. TENNESSEE: with 51.8% physically active adults. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!! Well, actually I could, but I didn't want to believe it..this is the state that I have returned to live in, that I grew up in,..and although I love rigorous sweat drenching workouts, apparently my fellow Tennesseans haven't followed suit. The home of such outdoor beauty..the home of Elvis, who's over indulgence of food, drugs and alcohol, and lack of physical activity, led to his early demise...come on Tennessee, let's get PHYSICAL!

Happy Sweating!!

credits: article by Greg Bocquet