New Multivitamin for Hair Growth

Posted on by Michelle

I joined the “Ultimate Hair Growth Challenge,” on K.I.S.S. at the end of August.  It lasts for 6 months and only requires two things:

1.  Use a growth aid 2-5 times per week
2.  Take a multivitamin every day
At the beginning of the challenge, I was on the tail end of a bottle of Women’s One a Day vitamins.  I can’t say too much about them as far as hair growth because I didn’t notice any difference while using them.  I also kept having an upset stomach whenever I took them.  The hair challenge gave me a good enough excuse to start looking for
something new. 

I wanted a vitamin that would give me the minerals I need along with some natural elements.  So I headed to one of my favorite Natural Grocery stores called Vitamin Cottage where I often shop for supplements and natural hair care products.  The prices are reasonable and they have a pretty good selection.  I settled on the Women’s One Food Based Multivitamin by Rainbow Light.  It is gentler on my stomach (as the bottle states) and is made with things like kale and spinach juice, organic spirulina, probiotics and enzymes.  So far, I prefer it over my old vitamin because with it being easier to take, I’m keeping up with it better.  I can almost swear that my nails are growing faster so that tells me it may a good choice for my hair growth challenge.  My first length check is at the end of October so we’ll see how it goes.

Easy Cheesecake Recipe

Posted on by Michelle


 




 

For our 10 year Wedding Anniversary, the hubby asked if I would make a cheesecake for dessert.  I thought, “Why not…It’s been a while since I’ve made cheesecake”.  Normally I just use the recipe on the back of the graham cracker box but, the one I picked up didn’t have one.  So, I searched for a recipe online the night before the big day.  It was too late to head out for any last minute ingredients.  After reading a few recipes, I figured out that I could probably pull something together using what I had on hand. 

The results…an easy cheesecake recipe that was good to the last slice.  Try it and you won’t be dissapointed.

Crust

Ingredients
10 whole graham crackers
6 tblsp. butter (salted)
2 dashes cinnamon
9″ Spring Form Pan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare pan with Non-Stick Cooking spray.

Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs (I used a food processor).  Set aside.  Microwave butter until melted.  Add butter and cinnamon to graham cracker crumbs.  Using a fork, mix the ingredients until the crumbs are moist with butter.  Pour into springform pan.  Use the back of a spoon or measuring cup to smooth the crust into the bottom of the pan and up the sides.  Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes.  Set aside to cool.  Turn oven down to 325 degrees.

Cheesecake

Ingredients

2 pkg.’s Cream Cheese (room temp)
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/4 Cup Plain Yogurt
2 Eggs
Lemon Zest from 1 Medium size lemon
1 can Cherry Pie Filling for topping-optional

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Using a mixer, blend Cream Cheese and Sugar until well combined. Add Vanilla and Yogurt. Mix until creamy. On low speed, add eggs, one at a time. Fold in Lemon Zest. Pour mixture into prepared crust. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes (will be jiggly in the middle). Run knife around the outside of crust to seperate from pan (to prevent cracks). Allow to cool on cooling rack. Place in refridgerator overnite. The cheesecake can be served plain or with optional topping.  Enjoy!
TIP:  To release cake from pan bottom, set on top of eye on the stove to warm the bottom slightly.  Since the crust is made with butter, it will release with the help of a knife and slide onto a cake platter.  Place back into fridge until ready to serve.

Natural Style-Flat Twist-Out

Posted on by Michelle




 

While I was transitioning, I learned how to flat twist my hair by watching videos on YouTube.  At first, the technique eluded me and it seemed like I could never get the twists right.  I was always starting each one over and over.  I kept at it and now it is one of my favorite styles.  The only thing I haven’t quite figured out is how to get them to dry faster. 

This weekend I decided to do some flat twisting once again for a soft wavy look.  One thing I figured out is that if I twist in rows from the crown and go back towards my nape, I end up with pretty little spirals that fall down around my face. 
Another tip I picked up over at CurlyNikki.com is to secure each flat twist with a bobby pin so that it doesn’t unravel.  Sometimes I use rollers on the ends for a Twist n’ Curl or just leave the ends out for a faster drying time.  

Flat Twists in Rows for soft
Curls that frame the face
After I washed and conditioned my hair, I applied Giovanni Direct Leave-In and a little olive oil to seal the moisture in. Then I used my Aloe Vera/Water/Glycerin spray to re-wet each section before detangling with my Denman brush.  After that, I twisted each section until the hair began to come away from the scalp and pinned the twist down before twisting to the ends.  

The next day, it was a teeny bit damp so I took them down and used a diffuser to dry the hair completely.  That night I twisted them again and used Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Replenishing Hair Milk, a little more water and Shea Butter to set the twists for another day.  This time the twists were shiny and the hold lasted a couple more days without re-twisting. This may be my new wintertime style!

Hair Challenges for Length

Posted on by Michelle

I am a member of K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Sista), a gathering place where ladies (and men) learn more about caring for their hair.  It’s a place where you can ask other members for advice and find out what people have done to reach their healthy hair goals.  After lurking through all of the hair challenges, I finally decided to join in on a few.  What is a hair challenge you ask?  From what I gather, it’s when a group of ladies (and men in some cases) decide to all do something that will benefit their hair over a set period of time.  At K.I.S.S., everyone is striving for longer, healthier hair and a hair challenge is that extra, little bit of motivation we sometimes need to achieve our goal. 

“Bunning” for Length
I have always had my own goals for where I want my hair to be by the end of year 1, 2, 3 etc.  I keep track of my progress by taking photos each week. I was getting pretty antsy once my hair reached my shoulders.  The dreaded “Shoulder Length” can be hard to get past because the ends of your hair are constantly rubbing against your clothing.  This means wearing it up most of the time or you will be doomed to this length forever…muuaaahahaha.  I love to wear my hair down so this in itself is a challenge for me.
In July, I joined my first hair challenge group called “Shoulder Length to APL (arm pit length) by Dec. 2010”.  It was comforting to know that others were in the same boat as me.  It’s a place where we can share progress pics and encourage each other.  The second challenge I entered was the one started by K.I.S.S. founder, Traycee, called, “The Bunning Challenge”.  All I have to do is wear my hair in a bun or up-do M-F and then I can wear it down on the weekends.  The third and more recent is the, “Ultimate Hair Growth Challenge”.  This one is new territory for me.  I realized I only have 3 months until December to reach my goal of APL and I may not reach it unless I up my game.  In this challenge each participant was asked to pick their poison (growth aid) and multivitamin, apply the aid several times per week (vitamins as directed) and voila…hair growth on a whole ‘nother level!

My husband teased a little when I told him what I had been up to.  His hair is Mid-Back Length with little to no effort so he didn’t see the point of all these “challenges”.  I tried to explain that it just helps to know that there is support out there for those of us who need it.  So far, it’s actually kinda fun and I’m learning a lot.  For now, I’m just trying not to be impatient for the length that is to come.  All in all, I know it’ll be
worth it.

Indian Store Haul…Henna and Amla

Posted on by Michelle

I started using Henna at the beginning of the year and immediately noticed its’ benefits. Unfortunately, I wasn’t too sure about the brand I used so I later found out that it possibly had sand in it as a filler. This is sometimes the case when buying from a local store because manufacturers have been known to add things to packaged Henna.





Henna, Amla Powder and Amla Oil
from Ananda Bazaar in South Aurora
Since then I’ve been ordering all of my Henna online to make sure I’m getting quality, 100% pure henna to dye my hair. This can be costly though so, I have been

 determined to find it locally to save on shipping. I kept checking out different stores and finding mostly groceries and dvd’s.

Today I decided to head back to the Ananda Bazaar in Aurora where I found the Henna I used on my first application. I was amazed to find that the shopkeeper is now selling the Henna brands I have been hearing everyone rave about. We’re talkin’ Reshma, Jamila and Hesh varieties. He also now carries Neem oil, Shikaki, Amla powder and Dabur’s Amla oil. For about $16, I left out of there with 5 boxes of product (less than half of what I would pay online). I wanted to by more but at least now I know where to go when I need my Henna fix..lol.

After opening the henna boxes I was happy to see henna of a fine, powdery consistency without all of the additives I found in that first package. The Amla is to help darken the color so that the henna won’t be so red. I’ve also heard that it will keep the henna from loosening my curl pattern. It is already looser than before so I don’t want to lose my curls completely. Now I can’t wait to do my next application so I can cover up these stubborn grey hairs!