Awareness: I Am Because We Are

I know this is my natural hair blog, and I'm expected to constantly talk about hair. But since i have your attention every now and then i want to write a post that is also geared towards us as African American woman of color, and as mother earth. So i will call it AWARENESS, And every Monday I will post a new awareness concern facing our community. This first post will talk about a documentary i saw yesterday entitled I Am Because We Are. It gives a glimpse into Malawi a small country in southeast Africa. It tells the stories of the Malawi Orphans devastated with H.I.V.,A.I.D.S, Poverty, Rape, Kidnapping. You name it these Beautiful children have seen it. Below is a preview, and also the full version. I hope you watch, and your heart, and soul move you to do more in your community, if when you cannot help have way across the world.

Thank you for reading.

Key Key

You can watch I Am Because We Are i it's entirety By pressing the play button below.

please visit: http://www.iambecauseweare.com/

The Wigs "The Colored Museum"

I was so happy to come across this video. It is a excerpt from a play called The Colored Museum" A years ago I played the role of the Afro wig in this very play. I wish someone had recorded it because i was sooooo good. LOL! So just want to share this funny skit.

And What!!!!!

I could not have said this better myself. I love this pic. I wish it was on a t-shirt!

More Natural Hair Update Pics!!!

Things I'm Doing To Maximize Hair Growth

Here are just some of the things I'm doing to maximize my hair growth. Please keep in mind these are things i do for my hair. What works for me may not work for you.

INTERNALLY

Aloe Vera juice: Heals inside out.
Cod liver oil: Omega 3 essential for hair and nail growth
Prenatal Vitamins: Has essential vitamins as well as herbs that are essential for hair growth
Evening Primrose oil: GLA+essential fatty acids.Hair is often very dull looking and dry without enough omega-3 fatty acids in the body, flaxseed oil contains these fatty acids in abundance-the use of these fatty acids will restore life to lifeless hair. The use of supplemental flaxseed oil will also reduce the itching and flaking from the scalp which result in dandruff. This oil can also be very useful in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis affecting the scalp. The scalp and the hair are moisturized by regular topical use of the evening primrose oil as massage oil on the scalp

EXTERNALLY

Oils used

Virgin coconut oil: One of the only oils that actually penetrate the hair strand.

Jojoba oil: One of the only oils that actually resembles our natural sebum.

Shea Butter: (not listed)

ESSENTIAL OILS

Rosemary:dry hair and dandruff as well as itchy scalp, aids i hair growth

Sage oil:It deep cleanses impurities away from the scalp and works well with other herbs to heal scalp problems such as scalp psoriasis and helps with falling or thinning hair.

Ylang-Ylang :

Peppermint:helps to stimulate blood flow to the root of the hair. This helps the hair to receive proper nourishment and to grow correctly

Lavender: soothing the scalp and the hair

UN-NATURAL PRODUCTS I STILL USE

Elasta QP Mango Butter : makes my hair soft

Elasta QP Gel: I like the hold.

Elasta QP DPR 11: One of the best deep moisturizing conditioners I have used (will not give up)

I do add honey, rosemary, and a little coconut oil.

ORS Pack (not listed) Must have.

CONDITIONER

I will use this as long they make it. when i cannot buy Aubrey Organics or one of the other brands for financial reasons. It's inexpensive and does the job. Because it is so thick and doesn't have good slip on it's own I add water, honey,

and a little coconut oil. I still use this as a co-wash as well as a conditioner after shampoo.

TOOLS I USE

Large tooth comb or rake
Natural Boar bristle brush
Tooth brush:to control the hair helping it to lay flat.
Hair clips:to hold hair in place during detangling, conditioner faze.

Also I ..........

Follow a healthy dietary regimen.

Use a mild shampoo to wash my hair at all times.

Use a cotton t-shirt to dry my hair when needed instead of a towel.

Protect my hair from excessive wear and tear and therefore try avoiding contact with harsh chemicals. this can include the chlorine in swimming pools, and the high heat from common blow dryers or the heat of curling irons.

Do a weekly scalp massage as a essential component of my every day life. This will lead to the stimulation of blood flow to the scalp; in addition, it will also help relieve stress-a factor known to contribute to hair loss problems in many people.

Hair Update

Finally a hair update! I know it's been a while nothing since my 6-month hairversary. So here goes. My hair is type 4a/4b So when wet it draws up appearing shorter than what it actually is. But i love it anyway. Taken 5/30/09
Taken 5/30/09
Taken 03/09

I cannot get over how much my hair has grown. Even between the last photo i took which is the picture i used for my main blog photo. I blew it out 1 time last week just to see the length, and i didn't do it bone straight so i know if i had it is def on my shoulder. I am so in love with my natural hair.

And to think this where it all began. Honestly if it wasn't for my niece I think i would have grabbed the creamy crack (relaxer). LOL! But I'm glad i stuck with it, and am continuing to stick with it. I just cant wait until it's grow out more.

Happy Mother's Day

Every day is a mother's day. So to all the Strong, superwoman, who put that S on their chest and struggle, sacrifice, love nurture, and teach the children of this earth. Enjoy this special that like you would any other.

Happy mother's Day!

Key-Key

Master Cleanse

Today I am starting the master cleanse by Stanley Burroughs. I wanted to start it at the beginning of spring but, i decided to do it now.

It consist of a lemonade using lemons, water, and grade b maple syrup as well as cayenne pepper.

A laxitive tea

A salt water flush

I will be doing it for 10 days, and i'm excited (locked in and ready to go)

will let you know how its going.

Def Poetry Jam

Love Like by Shihan

I love poetry, and i came across this video to share.

Blackstrap Molasses

Hey Curly's

Wanted to share what I bought today... drum roll please. I finally purchased some Blackstrap Molasses. Yayyyyy! In case you heard of it, but are not sure exactly what it is. Blackstrap molasses is the the dark liquid byproduct of the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar.

It is made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup and is the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar's sucrose has been crystallized. it is also a excellent source of manganese and copper, and is a very good source of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. In addition, blackstrap molasses is a good source of vitamin B6 and selenium.

For an in-depth nutritional profile click here: Blackstrap molasses. I know for centuries it was used for dark hair while honey was used for lighter hair. I cannot wait to make a caramel deep conditioner or pre-poo with it. When I do I will post it? Have any of you ever tried Blackstrap Molasses for your hair?