kiss kiss...bye bye heating tools for hair

I will not throw out my blow dryer today, but this is the last one I ever plan to buy. I am also ditching a lot of hot curlers and other heat tools. It sounds strange to my own ears to say, as well as type given that I recently purchased a beautiful purple InStyler curling/styling wand. A month has passed since it arrived in the mail. I read the directions. I viewed the video. I am on this healthy hair care journey and excessive heat is the enemy.

Years ago, despite my wide hot curler collection, I was an avid fan of jheri curls, braids, and definitely my “snap, lock, and go” aside from basic magnetic hair rollers. I even purchased a hot curler set, that I think I threw away, but did not use once. I had so many magnetic rollers.

My hair thrived in those protective styles. The only time I can recall damage was through post-braiding relaxers, which actually should have followed with protein treatments. Staying away from heat will force me to rely on 'non-heat' techniques to produce satisfying results. Over time, it becomes a habit. It will not be hard. For the past 5 years, since starting out natural and bald-shaved, I frequently reflect on the times when my hair thrived. Despite my age, and all things that change with age, there needs to be a return of the old things that worked and eliminating the things that impede growth.

healthy hair update

Since beginning a moisture-max hair challenge that includes journaling my results, with just a little over one month in, I have noticed significant results. My hair feels thicker, while feeling as strong as it looks. I do not take any supplements currently, other than vitamin D. Again, if vitamins are needed, I will take them. I have read so many viewers using supplements to grow their hair. Two of the most popular are: Hairfinity and Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin, and Nails.

As long as my hair is thriving, I will continue the regimen of moisture!moisture!moisture! It works!

I am aiming at stretching my texlax's from 3 to 6 months. The next scheduled one is June and this will likely only be applied to the 4c section at the crown. Lavender and Peppermint oils have become a steady part of my hair care regimen. Daily LOC's continued. One Protein/One Deep Conditioner at mid/end wash. My hair seems to like ACV rinses. The co-washes are a thrill.

This challenge is for one year and with just two months in, I can see amazing results!

asparagus bisque

1 lb. asparagus
2 T. coconut oil
1 T. minced garlic
1/4 c. chopped red onion
black pepper, seasoned salt

Cut asparagus into 1-2 inch pieces. In a saucepan, sautee ingredients on med-low heat, lightly season, and cover. Occasionally check pan for tenderness. Blend vegetables, return to saucepan. Turn heat to medium/boil, and then gradually add water two cups at a time. Simmer on low for 20 minutes.  Season to taste.

acv rinse and homemade protein treatment

Once a month, I am aiming at balancing the ph in my hair and cleaning it from product buildup without a harsh wash. This process, by trial basis only would follow with a HOMEVEDA protein treatment.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinse. After many views on YOUTUBE, it is best for 'relaxed' hair to only receive ACV rinses once per month. The current recipe for the ACV rinse for my hair volume is 1 to 4 ratio/using 1/4 cup of acv + 1 cup of water. I poured this into a spray bottle, sectioned my hair into fourths, and massaging acv into the scalp, on one section at a time. My hair was fully saturated before the mix bottle was empty. I then poured the remaining over my hair. The setting time was 10 minutes under a baggy.

After rinsing, my hair did not even look like my hair. I was pleasantly surprised and even for a moment wondered why I had never tried this before! The rinse closes the cuticles of the hair shaft allowing the strands to appear more shiny, as they reflect more light, but also improves manageability. Strands with open cuticles are easily tangled, unmanageable, and can lead to breakage.

Protein Treatment. Following this amazing ACV rinse, I mixed together [1 egg, 2 T soy milk, 2 T coconut oil, 2 T Aloe Vera]. With hair in four sections and using an applicator brush, I applied the treatment from root to ends. Covered hair with a baggy and a satin bonnet, then sat under a HOT dryer on MED temp. for 35 minutes. To remove egg, I co-washed with Suave Naturals Aloe and Water Lily, 2x. De-tangled, and applied the LOC method.

 

I have noticed an immediate marked difference and improvement. I will continue using this 1-2 punch! My hair loves it!

march madness

I can hardly contain my excitement. The daylight is stretching, the weather is warming, the snow is melting...and my workouts are about to get an overhaul. Yep! I've decided to get off of the machines and kick it into high gear. I've decided to push more weight and use the 'assists' aka Smith Machine.

I also noticed that I managed to do quite well on the budget front. I have no idea how. Sometimes I think "put it back, you're over the limit" and then magically the accounting fairy does her thing. I do believe it is a testament to shopping with a list, purchasing sales, and buying in bulk/bag instead of singles, especially with fruit/veggies. I find that if I hit the market too frequently in between major trips, I am more prone to picking up useless or unnecessary items. This does not mean I am free from making interval visits to grab items that 'were not on sale but now are and much needed'.

I am reaching that epic time for replacing my oils and possibly my butters. And there is nothing like sales to push me to the press the button...click! I found a wonderful site "Bulk Apothecary" that has a great price on Avocado Oil and my trusty Castor Oil. I promise the next time I make the BlackTeaOil I will certainly photo op it and post. The oil is amazing! I do plan to bring back the Olive and Coconut Oil. And, yes...my hair is doing amazingly well with the new treatments and Co-Washes! I am in the process of putting together a protein treatment that is scheduled for application on/about the 17th of this month: egg, coconut yogurt, honey, avocado oil...into a nice whipped mask!

Bulk Apothecary Avocado Oil

 

College Basketball brackets, pizza, and the onslaught of rain...

Yes...it's officially March Madness and all that it entails. I recently had an inbox from Cottage Inn promising a year of free pizza for scoring wins on the bracket. Huh? Yes!