Coconut Oil Hair Challenge

Hi Everyone! I hope all is well. Some readers asked what is a good oil to use. This oil is one of my favorites! Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Yes this oil works wonders. Not only can you cook with it, its great for your skin and especially your hair. Coconut Oil has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties as well as vitamin and mineral goodness. When asked what products thicken hair, regrow bald spots and give hair a nice shine I always refer to Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Coconut Oil has protein, I add it to all my conditioners as a light protein treatment. Those proteins strengthen the hair strand, and you will see less breakage in a short time. I know I did. I was able to grow my relaxed hair to a length it never reached in a period of 6 months. Coconut oil is apart of my daily regimen. I massage it into my scalp, stimulating the blood flow (which promotes hair growth) I also put some on my fingertips as I unravel my twists in the morning. It gives my hair a glow, I often get compliments on how healthy my hair looks. I want you to join me on my healthy hair journey by participating in my coconut oil hair challenge. I guarantee you, you will see results. I am on a 6 month challenge. Coconut Oil should be used regularly. If you want to please send me pictures of your hair journey for the next six months. Even if you do not send me the pictures I recommend that you document your hair journey. At times you may think your hair isn't growing but when you look at a picture from 3 months prior you will see the growth. I buy my extra virgin coconut oil from amazon. I use Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. The amazon link is below.

http://www.amazon.com/Nutiva-Organic-Virgin-Coconut-15-Ounce/dp/B001EO5Q64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286927294&sr=8-1


Until Next Time.

Best Wishes, Good Health and Happy Hair Growing!!!!
Nelly

Homemade Hair Products!!

Hi Everyone! Lately I have been getting questions about natural products that are good for the hair. My friend sent me these wonderful homemade recipes, and now it's time for me to share them with you. Here there are in no particular order. ENJOY!


Lemon & Honey Rinse

2 Teaspoons Honey 1/4 Cup Lemon juice 4 Cups Warm water

Mix ingredients together. Wash as usual. Apply mixture thoroughly through hair. Do NOT rinse.

Honey Rinse

1 Teaspoon Honey 4 Cups Warm water

Mix the ingredients. Wash as usual. Apply mixture thoroughly through hair. Do NOT rinse.

Honey & Olive Oil Conditioner

3 Tablespoon Honey ¼ Cup Olive or Coconut Oil 1 Cup warm water- optional

Heat honey in the microwave, then add coconut or olive oil and mix well. Add to water and stir well. Work in a small amount through the hair. Cover with a cap for 30 minutes. Rinse well, shampoo. Style as usual.

Mayo Conditioner

3 - 4 Tablespoons mayonnaise (real mayonnaise, NOT salad dressing)

With hair wet or dry, cover hair with mayonnaise. Apply plastic cap for 15-20 minutes. Rinse, then style as usual.

Note: Leaving a minimal amount in the hair will keep it soft and moisturized.

Hot Olive Oil Treatment

1 - 2 Teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 Sandwich bag (with zip closure)

Put olive oil in the bag and zip it. Run hot water over the bag until desired temperature (DO NOT OVERHEAT!!!).Apply olive oil all over your hair. Apply plastic cap for 5 - 10 minutes. Rinse, then style as usual.

Homemade Dandruff Treatment

1/2 Cup White Vinegar 1/2 Cup Water

Mix the ingredients and stir well. Apply to the scalp. Let sit for 5 - 7 minutes. Rinse well.

Note: You can put this mixture in a plastic bottle and spray in onto the scalp for ease of use.

Homemade Citrus Hair Spray

1 Orange 2 Cups Water

Chop the orange and boil until 1/2 the original contents are gone. Strain, cool, and put into a spray

bottle. Add more water if too sticky. Refrigerate after use.

Homemade Hair Gel

1 Teaspoon unflavored gelatin

1 Cup warm water

Dissolve the gelatin in the warm water. Keep refrigerated and use as you would any hair gel. It's that simple!

ACV rinse (Apple Cider Vinegar)

2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 Quart/Liter of distilled H20

This is very good for your hair. It prepares your hair to receive all the nutrients from your conditioner or homemade recipe.

Coconut Milk Soak

Apply as much coconut milk (canned) to your dry hair

Make sure to work it in really well.

Place a shower cap (or plastic bag) or towel.

Sit under a hair dryer for 10-30 minutes

Shampoo out with a gentle shampoo and condition

LOVE THIS!!!! Your hair will smell good and feel GREAT! Please be sure the coconut milk is not expired. Yes, this product will go bad and trust me you will know it's bad.

Rosemary Honey Hair Conditioner

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup warmed olive oil (2 tbsp. for normal to oily hair)

4 drops essential oil of rosemary

Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.

Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight fitting lid.

Apply a small amount at a time to slightly dampened hair.

Massage scalp and work mixture through hair until completely coated.

Place a warm towel or shower cap and sit under a hair dryer on low heat;

Sit for 30 minutes. Remove towel or shower cap; shampoo lightly and rinse with cool water. Dry as normal.

This is a great recipe to restore nutrients in your hair. Our hair endures weather conditions, styling tools and methods; we need to restore the needed nutrients to promote healthy growth.

Banana Hair Smoother

Ingredients:

1/2 banana

1 tsp. wheat germ oil

2 tsp. plain yogurt

1/4 avocado

Or...

1 banana (for mid-back length hair)

1 tablespoon honey

3-4 drops of jojoba oil

Blend banana then run it through a strainer/cheesecloth.

Mix in honey & jojoba oil.

Apply to length

Let sit for about 20 minutes.

Heat cap/shower cap or plastic bag.

This is great for controlling those split ends. The banana smoothie mix smells great and truly conditions your hair.

Clarify Hair

2 cups warm water

½ cup lemon juice = 8 tbsp

Mix together, pour over hair, massage gently. Let sit for 10 minutes, rinse out, condition and style

Lemon/Honey Rinse

1 tbsp honey

¼ cup lemon juice = 4 tbsp

4 cup warm water

After washing hair, pour over hair. DON'T WASH OUT, style as usual

Baking Soda Clarifying Treatment

1 tbsp. baking soda

2 cup warm water

Mix together, put on hair, sit 1 minute rinse out

Baking Soda Deep Conditioning Treatment

½ cup baking soda

1 cup conditioner

Mix in a bowl, rake through hair DON'T MASSAGE INTO SCALP. Put a plastic bag or cap on and leave for 1 hr or more. Rise really good. Will leave hair soft

Brown Sugar Scalp Scrub

1 tbsp brown sugar

3 tbsp conditioner

Mix and apply to scalp, in circular motions move around to exfoliate. Rinse well & shampoo, condition, etc.

Amla & Shikakai Powder

Use 4 tbsp Shikakai & 2 tbsp Amla, mixed w/ boiled water (I boiled it in the microwave). I just kept slowly adding water & mixing until became pasty. I let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Then I washed my hair w/ it. It really cleans the hair. Even foams or soaps up. You can hear it. Try to really reach scalp and roots. Wash out really good.

Amla/coconut conditioner

2 TBSP Amla powder

1 cup of coconut milk (heated in microwave)

1/2 Cup of coconut oil, honey (I didn't measure. but I squeezed the bottle 2-3 times).

I parted and sectioned hair into thin sections and applied generously from root to end. Then just worked it through good making sure I got all my ends and hairline. Put on a plastic cap, wrapped a towel around my head 30 minutes-1 hr. Wash out w/ warm water really good.

Please Note:

oz = ounce

tsp = teaspoon

tbs = tablespoon

c = cup

Best Wishes, Good Health, and Happy Hair Growing!!!

Nelly

Weight Loss Journey

Hi Everyone! I hope you enjoyed this three day weekend!! I wanted to talk about how I was able to lose and keep off 15lbs since last July. I know you all are thinking she must be working out daily. That is not the case I just recently started adding in a few hours of cardio into my schedule. Here are my tips and tricks:

Tip One: Sharing is Caring!
When you have a craving for your favorite ice cream or that bag of chips...BUY IT! Yes buy it, but share with others around you would don't mind the additional calories. I am known for sharing a bacon egg and cheese on a roll with a coworker in the mornings. I even share candy bars, and small bags of chips. That way you satisfy your craving without taking in all those bad calories.

Tip Two: Everything in Moderation!
Portion control is key. Americans are used to large portions of meat and starch. Its so important to reduce the amount of meat on your plate and add vegetables. I personally prefer raw vegetables because they are much healthier for you. The leafier and green the vegetable the better. I enjoy collard greens, spinach, lettuce. I eat a lot of raw carrots, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, the list goes on and on. You wont miss the meat I promise!


Tip Three: Agua...Drink it!
I read online that it makes no sense to drink your calories. Why get heavy off of soda and juice filled with high fructose corn syrup? I replaced soda with water and green tea. (unsweetened) If I need a little variety I add fresh lime or lemon. Its extremely refreshing. There are so many benefits to drinking more water. Most importantly its excellent for your hair, skin, and nails.

Tip Four: Wear Flats!
After work try getting off a few stops from your home and walk the rest of the way. Take advantage of this beautiful weather. Get outside and take in the fresh air. I enjoy long walks especially walking the Brooklyn bridge with my hubby. Not only is it romantic, and free, you are burning calories.

So I hope these tips help you in your healthy hair journey. I'm half way through my weight journey. I have 15 more pounds to lose. As colder weather approaches I will have to change some of my tactics but I will keep you all posted. Below is a recent picture of myself, my husband and Mike Phillips, (the best alto sax musician alive) Yes I am a HUGE Fan!

Until Next Time...
Best Wishes, Good Health, and Happy Hair Growing!!

Nelly