New year – new goals!

My journey to holistic wellness has been an on again off again experience.  I have read a number of books, articles, blogs, etc. and I believe I KNOW what to do.  I have even given advice and references to others – I know better now I have to do better and follow my own advice.

I try not to make New Year’s Resolutions, but I do like to set goals for the upcoming year.  This year,   I want to locate a holistic health practitioner. I want a master of eastern and western health to guide me to optimal health.  In addition, I am renewing my commitment to a part vegetarian part vegan diet and losing soda—I also hope to finally get on a regular (regular for me) workout routine—something I haven’t been able to do successfully since a short stint in 2004/2005.  That’s five years of sporadic activity including walking at the park, random aerobics classes and trips to the gym, a few fun dance and pole classes but nothing consistent.

So to help me in my commitment to getting back on track this year – yesterday I joined the Dr. Oz Just 10 Challenge.

Excited to see that my first hurdle of the year was also the first step in the challenge—not drinking soda!  YAY – I feel like I am making strides in the right direction!  I will have to make ginger ale the exception though.  The punch I make with it when I “host” guests in my home is just too good!

So since I feel like I will master step 1 with ease – I thought I should move on to step 2—hit the brakes this one may take a while!  Step #2 is to stop eating 3 hours before you go to bed.  Um….the evening snacks and late night dinners will have to go. Although I am not nearly as bad at this as I used to be, it will be a challenge – because of my busy lifestyle.  I’ll keep you posted how this and future steps go.

Feel free to join me and others across the country in the challenge as well.

I just wanted to tweet and share this via fb but…

But this EXCELLENT site on focused on black health care doesn’t have good “share” tool.  So I am re-posting their entire article and hope I don’t get any slack for sharing this great info!

	Should You Be Relaxer-Free?
	(BlackDoctor.org) — There are some in the Black community who believe that relaxing your hair is the equivalent of selling out or wishing to be white. Others see it as a measure to promote manageability.  Either way, the debate continues (and each year, home relaxer sales still total over $45 million). All About The Relaxer The relaxer was discovered by an African American named Garrett Augustus Morgan. Morgan was born the seventh of eleven children to former slaves. He is best known for his invention of the automatic traffic signal and the gas mask. But it was around 1910 that he stumbled upon what would become his major contribution to the hair care products industry, and what would pave the way for several other entrepreneurs and manufacturers over the next hundred years. While working in a sewing machine repair shop and attempting to invent a new lubricating liquid for the machine needle, it is widely believed that Morgan wiped the liquid off of his hands and onto a wool cloth. Returning the next day, he found the woolly texture of the cloth had “smoothed out.” Morgan then set out to find how the liquid chemical had changed the cloth’s texture. He experimented on an Airedale dog, known for their curly textured hair, and the effect was successfully duplicated. Morgan then tried his lubricating liquid invention on himself, called it a “hair refining cream”, and thus patented the first chemical hair straightener. Morgan  founded a personal grooming products company which included hair dying ointments, curved-tooth pressing combs, shampoo, hair pressing gloss, and the one that started it all: the “G.A. Morgan’s Hair Refiner Cream” (advertised to “Positively Straighten Hair in 15 Minutes”). The Relaxer Today Many years after Morgan’s invention, there have been many social, cultural, and political discussions and debates about relaxing or not relaxing hair. As a stylist, of course, I believe the bigger issue is that, if performed incorrectly, relaxing can cause hair breakage, hair thinning, lack of hair growth, scalp irritation, scalp damage, and hair loss. These are just some of the complaints from many who experience problems due to the misuse of chemical hair relaxers. In fact, the FDA lists hair straighteners and hair dyes among its top consumer complaint areas. Because of the fragile nature of highly textured hair, the use of any chemical process should always be done with caution, patience. Following a manufacturer’s directions is always a must. If applied correctly, hair can be relaxed safely and effectively. But for many of the reasons listed above, many of my clients do change their minds about relaxing their hair, and one of the most frequently asked questions I get is how to successfully transition from a relaxer to natural hair without extreme breakage? I DON’T AGREE  – ANY CHEMICAL ALTERING IS UNHEALTHY NOT ONLY FOR OUR HAIR BUT OUR SCALP, BLOOD STREAM, ETC.) Option 1 – The Slow Transition • Step 1 – Grow It Out This step requires a lot of patience, but sometimes it is the only way to transition from relaxed hair back to your natural hair. Hair grows at a length of ¼ -1/2 inch per month so it may take 9 months to 2 years or more to truly grow out your relaxed hair. Of course that will depend on how you care for your hair and how much length will make you feel comfortable. • Step 2 – Trim Gradually The easiest rule of thumb is growing an inch, and then cutting an inch. Remember, condition regularly and take care and patience with your hair in that it is very fragile when you have both relaxed and natural texture on one strand. Hair will tend to break off at the point where the 2 textures meet, with the weaker part of the strand, the relaxed part breaking off. • Step 3 – Condition. Condition. Condition It is important that you never skip this step. Keeping hair balanced between strength from proteins and softened with moisturizers will be key to a healthy transition. • Step 4 – Set & Go Wear textured styles- straw sets, rod set styles, and two strand twisted styles will keep hair healthy and allow the new texture to work with the relaxed hair with minimal damage. • Option 2 – Cut It All Off Cutting off all of the relaxed hair and starting fresh is one of the fastest ways to go from relaxed hair to natural hair. • Option 3 – Temporarily Wear Other Hairstyles Style your hair in cornrows, braids, extensions or wigs until the natural hair grows out. This will allow you to look stylish while simultaneously transitioning from relaxed hair to your natural hair. The key here is make sure braids or extensions are not too tight, and condition regularly. Above All, Remember It’s A Journey Remember that, ultimately, how you wear your hair is about you and what you’re comfortable with. Being natural isn’t for everyone. Relaxers aren’t for everyone. If you do decide to transition to a natural style, you may find yourself doing any or all of the options above – if this is the case, just be patient and don’t give up. Also, consult with a professional who can ease you through your journey. It also may help you to know that I’ve personally gone through the relaxer-to-natural process. I would never go back. I am glad that I did it. By Jacqueline Tarrant, BDO Hair Expert Jacqueline Tarrant is a beauty expert, consultant, columnist, founder & CEO of Style Infinity Products & The Hair Trauma Center in downtown Chicago. Jacqueline Tarrant has pioneered effective methods to help men & women re-grow hair with her multi-layered approach to hair loss, known as Quadra-Follicle Stimulation. Jacqueline’s expertise on hair care and hair health is expressed monthly in national columns that reach millions through various publications. With numerous Style & Beauty appearances nationwide on Good Morning America, NBC, CBS, & the Fox Network; Jacqueline’s credits also extend throughout print in such publications as Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, Essence & the Wall Street Journal. Her reputation as a renowned Educator, Trainer and Platform Artist has taken her throughout Canada, Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. (the sharing part that doesn’t work right!!!!!) 12-Nov-2010 , Copyright © 2005-2010, BlackDoctor.org. All rights reserved.

Grow Your Dinner and Save Money with a Vegetable Garden

Discover eating well – with healthy recipes, healthy eating, healthy cooking, healthy diet recipes, weight loss recipes and healthy menus from EatingWell Magazine.

via Grow Your Dinner and Save Money with a Vegetable Garden.

Christian Cullen is definitely Shook!

Tonight I had a moment of insomnia, where I really probably could have went back to sleep, but the knot in my stomach from eating something I shouldn’t have was telling me otherwise. So, I took the liberty of starting Shaken and Stirred.

OMG! I only read the first 3 chapters which included 2 of Ms. Cullen’s (the main character’s) journal entries and I can ALREADY see that see is definitely shaken! Although I know this to be all too common in this day and age—the down-low brotha phenomena never ceases to amaze me.

So I have never written more than an academic literature review or a brief summaries of non-fiction that I’ve read, therefore I can ALREADY tell that it will take a little time and skill to reflect on the story for this medium verse a tell-all “girl could you believe it when” that our book club will have once everyone has completed the book. OOHHHH-WEEEEE!!! I can’t wait and do I need to remind you that I only read the first 3 chapters? If you hadn’t decided from the last post, consider joining me in this reading now—you can purchase the book HERE!
Aside from the drama that has unfolded in the first few pages, I find it interesting to read a novel that was written by and about someone from my “neck of the woods” – Indianapolis. I often say that the people of Indianapolis {especially the black people] are uniquely Indianapolis. Many are so unlike people from other parts of the country –the slightly country style and linguistics—the consumption of religion—seemingly low cultural & entertainment standards and often lack-luster ambition , at best. I know this sounds not-so-nice, but lets keep it all-the-way-real – those from Indianapolis that have gone other places or even met people from other parts of the country know EXACTLY what I am talking about. This doesn’t mean that I don’t like or am ashamed of my city – on the contrary – I am the first to state its benefits and its potential with others what is means is that I know my community here can do better. My main desire is for the black folks here to wake up—try something –start something—explore something—ANYTHING!!!! So more than anything right now, I am proud of Crystal Black Davis for pursuing her dreams and putting a Nap story on the map.
What I am left wondering about is less about the geographical reference and more about the writer’s style. I am wondering if the phrasing and clichés she uses are unique to our city/state. Obviously statements like “drop it like it’s hot” are somewhat universal [or national really?] But what about phrasing and statements like:
• “on the romance front”
• “extremely Mary Poppin’ish” (I use the –ish thing WAY to often for an educated professional!)?
Does everyone use that same phrasing—or is it Midwest? *hmmmm??*
Last thought on this small fragment of the book, I find it so fun to read about my current “culture”. Things that I KNOW are shared by many in my age-range no matter where you live. It is nice to read about a character that likes the same music you like, drinks the same wine you drink , (current wine preference being Moscato-thanks color vision) and has SIMILAR though still unique world views and cultural interests.
If you can’t tell by now- I can’t wait to get into the rest of this book!

Yes – I am random!

So by now my friends & various readers know that there is no method to my blogging madness. Its random – but I like it that way. I have read all the research and no to have a big following and to drive advertising demand I need to have a focused topic or appeal to a very specific audience—blah, blah, blah! I just use this forum as my personal sounding board. Once I launch my new business, I’ll either focus on a small set of related topics or start another blog for business purposes. For now—if you are reading this continue to expect randomness!!
Anyways—I was totally EX-CI-TED to get the mail yesterday when I got home from work. The package I had anticipated since late February had FINALLY arrived. What is it you ask? My own personal copy of the 30-something acclaimed novel Shaken and Stirred by a fellow Nap-born entrepreneur & self-employed diva! It launched in 2009, but my attention was elsewhere. I knew I wanted to get a copy and indulge in one of my favorite pastimes – reading, but I just hadn’t gotten around to doing so. So when yet ANOTHER Nap-born entrepreneur & self-employed diva @ Style Root offered her network FREE copies and the opportunity to participate in a national book club via conference call—I was completely on board. I can hardly contain my excitement to both read something I know will be great and to talk to other women about it!
Kudos to both businesses for stimulating my mind & forcing me to enjoy one of my favorite things! So stay tuned to my personal commentary about this book in the coming days before the official book discussion. Feel free to participate with me via the online dialogue here if you have already read the book or want to purchase it HERE & join in on the group read!

Days 10 – 14 – Sucks… I got off track in my documentation of the process:)

Moral of my first cleanse story was that it was great. I had lots of questions, have had lots to share with friends and co-workers. I did my usual Starla thing I do when I have time and get interested in something – I “read up” on the subject on several sites and 3 books on the subject cover to cover.

Oh yeah and with the help of Madame B. Fly and my books – I led my first group of 18 through a similar 14-day process – the Indianapolis Urban League Young Professionals. Not all of them made it through but they DID learn some lessons on diet & health. I am still receiving additional requests via facebook to do the same with others! THIS IS SO COOL!!!

Juice Again

Per Madam B. Fly and Kimberly Snyder, hubby and I are now drinking water with lemon & cayenne pepper first thing in the morning to “wake up” our digestive system from a night of slumber and clear out mucus. I like it! Some days we even add ginger as in Kimberly’s recipe.
So in addition to this for the am routine – I actually got up this morning at 6 am to do Pilates!!! I am SO excited as this has been an item on my to-list and an appointment is “dismiss” daily on the calendar.
For breakfast, I TRIED – emphasis on TRY – to make Kimberly’s Ulitmate Green Smoothie minus the Cilantro(can you believe my neighborhood Kroger was out??? – what’s that about?) BTW –the smoothie, well… ummmm….this didn’t work out quite like I wanted it to! It turned out to be SUPER thick ( I now know that I should have added water at the first sign of extraordinary thickness!)

Juicing Eight

OOOOOHHHH-WWEEEEEEE! Today was juice day 1. Guess what – I was starving but I feel pretty good now (10:44 p.m.) You know what’s even better? I am plotting & planning other group cleanses. To top it off I decided that my next personal detox/cleanse will be all raw and juice! It’s so cool to have friends, business associates, facebook friends, co-workers, and others expressing interest in learning more and in tryiing a natural body detox for themselves. Can it get any better than that?

Group & individual detox will be offered as part of our holistic wellness consultations for my new business launching in 2010 for sure!

So what am I doing now:
Reading uo on various versions of detox programs including variations for men & women. If I find a great gems of information I’ll share them with you later for sure. As for those of you who are checking in to see what’s on the daily menu – this is what I had today:

Breakfast Smoothie with random fruit and Orange Juice
Peppermint Tea
Water
Carrot & Pear juice (per the juicing that Madam B Fly did for me!)
Water
Cinnamon Tea (and at this point in the day I was starving – i never looked forward to green juice ever in life)
Kale/Pear & Apple juice (again courtesy of Madam B Fly)
Smoothie with banana, cranberries, nut butter, frozen peaches & soy milk – it was a little too thick but decent.

So great day! My goal to improve the health & well being of my community is being accomplished 1 lifestyle change at a time! WOW!

Salad – salad – and mo’ salad!

Yes – days 6 & 7 of my diet cleansing journey were quite interesting. My system should be getting a well-deserved nourishing of a lifetime. For sure the hubby’s has – he’s been to the bathroom every few hours since day 3 or 4. I haven’t seen such obvious changes but I have to say that I do feel okay!

The past two days were RAW days in which we were only supposed to eat raw – fresh – uncooked – living foods. The biggest part of this challenge is trying to figure out what I CAN eat – how I can get some variety. Of course Madam B. Fly gave some suggestions of which tomato and avocado salad was my FAVE for sure! The other leaf salads that I made weren’t bad either – they all had a base of heart of romaine lettuce then the other ingredients varied and included: onion, avocado, tomato, radishes, sprouts, broccoli, mango, green pepper, cucumber and mushroom. I couldn’t believe I had forgotten one of my salad faves – olives – but that’s okay cause I usually by the canned ones anyway.

A chopped salad that looks great but wasn't mine - didn't have a camera handy!

In addition to all the salad, I did have several different fruits, water, tea, juice and or course a smoothie. (I even had a wheatgrass shot as an added bonus –burps that smelled of grass after that. )
My husband and I watched Food Inc together – I am hoping that helps shock us into more permanent dietary changes. There’s something very…GROSS about watching cows hanging from conveyor belts. Seeing chickens smashed into “hamburger filler” and the multitude of “corn” products! I do live in Indiana but I think there’s more than corn in most grocery stores – maybe?

Speaking of stores – I have purchased some items that have never seen the likes of my kitchen before. Among them are: hummus, tabouli, ginger root, whole radishes, fresh parsley, pita bread and fresh pears!

All in all I made it – I am learning tons and can’t wait to continue to share my journey with others.

Day 5 Friday 3:52

I am strug-gle-ing!
Pinpointing the problem: frustration + boredom = I want a chocolate/sweet snack!
I can now pointpoint the feeling I get when I am in my office most weekday afternoons. Question is will I be able to redirect those emotional cravings to something more healthy??? Today – yes; In 14 days – I hope the answer will still be yes!
I need a snack & I don’t think oranges and water can cut it. I am about to try it though.
I do have some anxiety in relation to the next four days of this journey in which the challenges is eating raw (live) foods and juicing. I have no clue of I am going to have for dinner right now – let alone a full 2 days of raw cuisine. So in addition to work frustration – I am an now frustrated with not knowing what to eat – BOOO!!!!
But in case you are wondering what was on the menu up until now…
Breakfast: smoothie (I could have this EVERYDAY!) Ingredients: soy milk; fresh bana, flax seed with blue berries, frozen strawberries, and soy strawberry yogurt.
Lunch: Naked Burrito Ingredients: black beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, onions, guacamole, 2 kinds of salsa and a few chips on the side
Snack: fresh fruit from home – raspberries, tangerines, apples
Drink: H2O but is it – I had a Smart Water – what is THIS about? I have to admit, I bought it only because of it’s large cute bottle (see?)

But now that I am drinking it all I can this of is what a waste of plastic this is. Then to top it off – one of my students said that drinking this ‘educated’ water was like drinking a sports drink – yep electrolytes were added. What the heck does that mean? What is that doing to my body? What happened to water that tasted like metal faucet and was laced with fluoride and more importantly was FREE???