Currrently Craving | NeoCell Biotin Bursts!

It's been a while since I've replenished on my NeoCell Beauty Bursts.  With a long and hectic travel schedule ahead of me, I thought it would be good to stock up so I can have the chews on hand for any time when my  mid afternoon sweet tooth kicked in.

Suddenly, I stumbled upon a wonderful, unexpected surprise.  The good people at NeocCell have come up with a high potency biotin chew.  Each chew contains 10,000 mcg of biotin along with superfood Acai berry powder.

I love the idea of enjoying a chewy snack and achieving healthy, wonderful hair in the process.  If these taste as good as the collagen chews, then I will also have difficulty eating just one a day.  Those of you who don't enjoy swallowing pills should look into this option as way of nourishing your hair and nails from the inside out.

Seaweed for Healthy Skin & Hair

I'm ashamed of how many indulgent, non-nutritious snacks I've eaten in the past few months.  Just last week, I stumbled upon a well known cupcake shop that had the best gluten free cupcakes I've ever tasted.  Sweets and deep fried snacks were becoming more of the norm that a treat so I decided to change things up. I really wanted to get back to nutritious eating.

After asking myself, which snacks can I enjoy while reaping huge nutritional gains, the immediate answer was in the form of sea veggies.  I've written about the  wonders of seaweed on this blog before. Years ago, I did loads of searching and found countless stories of women who claimed to have, or known someone with really healthy hair, as a result of eating seaweed on a regular basis.

A simple snack of nori sheets and seaweed salad.

This might have something to do with the nutritional content of seaweed.  Nori seaweed like the kind below is said to contain several amino acids along with vitamins A,B,C, and iron.  Not to mention the healthy hair powerhouses like biotin, folic acid and panthothenic acid.  Snacking on nori sheets also helps you get some omega 3 into your system.  I also appreciate the fact that these vitamins and minerals are in whole food form.  I suspect that our bodies can better assimilate nutrition from foods versus a multivitamin pill. 

And I'm not even gonna talk about how Nori contains nutrients that can promote healthy skin.  Seaweed is just an all around beauty food.  I will always keep some handy in the case of a snack attack.  Next, I'm on the lookout for food sources of kelp, which is said to be amazing for healthy hair.   I just found out that Amazon offers seaweed salad on the go which is perfect for when I travel or for days when I'll be out and about.  I can't go on eating a bag of nutrition deficient chips when I can enjoy crispy seaweed snacks that can give me amazing hair and skin.  The choice is clear.

Discovery | Bamboo Tea Water

The idea came of steeping bamboo tea bags in room temp water came to me in a fleeting thought but I took no action.  Then, days later, I received an email from someone asking if I thought it could be done.  She often creates fruit infused water adding lemons, cucumber, green tea and other wonderful ingredients to her water gallon.

This, of course, was a sign that I needed to try it for myself.  After reaching for a glass from my cupboard, I added a bamboo tea bag to room temperature water and waited.

Minutes later, the water shifted to a beautiful light green indicating that some of the properties had infused into the water.  Excited, I emailed her back sharing the discovery.  Ever since, I've been toggling back and forth between hot bamboo tea and bamboo water.  I even add a few pieces of frozen fruit to sweeten if needed.  This method is going to serve me well as the weather continues to get warmer. It's good to have choices.  Move over Fiji, you're no longer the only silica water in town.

Beauty Nutrition Haul | It Works Nourishing Complex, Collagen and Chewable Biotin

For as long as I can remember, I've always been a proponent of supporting a hair journey with proper diet and nutrition.  We've discussed everything from loaded smoothies to silica filled bamboo tea to antioxidant rich black rice.

My latest acquisition was a 30 day supply of It Works' hair, skin and nails complex.  It's from those same people who brought us the Body Wrap.  I was first made aware of this product at a friend's "Wrap Party."  A week later, she generously offered me a bottle to try.  I'm really excited because there are quite a few before and after pics on instagram where people seem to gain inches really quickly.  I'll dedicate a separate post on this product once I've tested it for a few weeks.

Somehow, I found myself wandering into in a GNC store the other day just to see if they had anything new and interesting.  The first thing that caught my eye was the last remaining package of Beauty Bursts.  Incidentally, they were running a "buy one get one 50% off sale."  Immediately, I ask the sales guy to check in the back for another package.  He comes back empty handed.  Instead of getting frustrated, I express gratitude to at least have the one.  Beauty Bursts are so tasty and I noticed a difference in my skin when I take them.  It's one of my favorite products because it satisfies my sweet tooth and supports my hair & skin.  I'm replacing my Kind Bars with these bursts whenever my sweet tooth starts acting up.  

Since they were all out of Beauty Bursts, I had to find a suitable substitute to get the lower price.  The sales guy asks me to walk up to the front with him where he introduces me to chewable biotin!  Immediately, I think back to when I first learned of hair, skin, and nail gummies through Instagram. After sampling one of the biotin chews I immediately make the purchase.  Tastes amazing!  And with 5,000 mcg of biotin per chew, it's like swallowing a biotin pill (but more pleasurable).  I almost feel guilty getting my hair, skin and nails fix by chewing on a piece of candy.

 By the time we hit 25, our bodies begin to lose about 1.25% of collagen production per year.  Collagen supplements act as a stimulant that helps our collagen building system to produce (regenerate) collagen at a faster rate.  When our body senses that addition of collagen in our blood stream (via supplementation), it interprets the influx of collagen as our body breaking down large amounts of collagen.  When this happens, it sends a signal to our body to produce more because it thinks our collagen stores are breaking down rapidly. So essentially it's a "stimulant" of sorts.  Our skin is comprised of 75% collagen so it's imperative that we maintain healthy levels to have the appearance of youthful skin.

The root of our hair is surrounded by a structure comprised of collagen. As our collagen production drops, our hair begins to thin.  The root also becomes weaker which can promote excess shedding (hair fall).  The claims of NeoCell is that taking collagen can actually thicken the hair shaft by 36-45%. One of the NeoCell representatives even threw out a challenge to have us cut one of our hair strands at the root.  Take collagen for serval months, then cut a new strand of hair and look at the difference in thickness.  He claims that we can visibly see a difference.   I reflect back to my hair analysis when the consultant was going on and on about how thick my hair is.  I wonder if my consistent collagen intake has anything to do with it.
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Eating to feel good.

Ever have an experience where you've  given into a junk food craving?  For me, the culprit is usually crunchy, salty snacks.  And, as of this moment, I've been weak for Popeye's Shrimp basket.  It's a promotion that only comes around a couple times a year so when it's available, I take full advantage.  The other day a craving came on and I listened.  Just as I was finishing off my last shrimp, a sensation came over me.

Suddenly, I became aware of how I was feeling.  Simply put, I didn't feel good.  And I'm not talking about the "I feel guilty for eating deep fried foods" feeling.  It was more of, "this doesn't actually make me feel good."  Then I asked myself, "why am I eating this?"  After a moment of thought, I realized that it was a simple craving that led me to this meal.

Yesterday, I stopped by Chik fil A for a small fry.  While in the drive through, my eyes caught a glimpse of the mini sundae and I thought "why not?"  After three or four spoonfuls I was overtaken by that same feeling.  Suddenly, I was confronted with the voice that asked said, "this tastes good but how do you feel?"   "How does this food make your body feel?"  When I searched inward, I noticed that after the food passed my taste buds, there was no additional reward. For the first time I truly understood what they meant by empty calories.  Left with no other choice, I put the spoon down

and  tossed the sundae.

source

Other times during the same week, I had ate salads, drank smoothies. Each time I realized,  that even though it may not have stimulated my taste buds like "junk foods,"  these foods impacted my body in a different way.  At the end of the meal, I felt fulfilled, not just full.  More and more, I'm becoming aware of this.  Literally, as I'm snacking on my favorite treat, I notice that the moment the food is swallowed, the pleasure I received in consuming it is gone.  Not to mention the long term affects of eating this way.   I'm going to explore this a little more.  With every meal I eat, I will pay close attention to how I feel my body responds to what I'm eating.  Not just my taste buds, but my entire being. I'm tired of feeling sluggish, heavy, unfulfilled after eating something that was supposed to be so pleasurable.  It's time to try something new for a change.  I'm sure my body has been trying to tell me this all along.  But now, I'm ready to listen.

Sardines | The Superfood of the Sea

It was at least a year ago when I heard in passing about a woman who wrote a book on how she lost weight eating a diet consisting mainly of sardines, green veggies, water.  I didn't think much of it at the time except that it reminded me of how much I loved eating sardines when I was younger.

Months passed before I finally picked up a couple of cans.  More time passed before I actually cracked one of them open.  I guess the thought of eating little fish straight from the can didn't seem all that appetizing to me anymore.  That is....until I actually tried them.  They're actually pretty tasty when prepared right.  I love them in sandwiches with a little mustard, some kale greens, avocado slices, red onion and raw cheese.  In fact, I love this combination so much that I've been enjoying several cans of sardines a week for the past month.

Sunday Brunch: sardine sandwich, season fries, tomato soup

What I didn't know at the time is how much of a super-food sardines are until recently.  Turns out that these little inexpensive delicacies are an excellent source of complete protein.  But it doesn't stop there.  If you pick up the kind with the bones included, you are also getting high quality calcium with your meal.  Sardines also have high amounts of B12, omega 3s, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B3, phosphorous (helps our body absorb the calcium) and selenium. It's also one of the few foods with the antioxidant Co-enzyme Q10.  Even if you don't like the taste of sardines, it's completely worth it to add to your diet for all the nutritional benefits.  Another important thing to note is that sardines have very low levels of mercury due to their low position on the food chain.

*Side note: Selenium is said to have the ability to help the body get rid of mercury....  Looks at nutrient list in sardines, sees selenium on the list, feels better about eating them. *

One thing I noticed of late is that my skin isn't as dry as it normally is this time of year.  My water intake is up and down so I don't think its because I'm drinking so much water.  My scalp also isn't as dry and my skin is happy.  I'm also loving the convenience factor of these little super food snacks. They require no cooking at all and if I'm too lazy to make a sandwich, I'll just have them on a bed of greens.

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that bring the most pleasure.

Boots.com Haul | grow gorgeous hair growth serum, Gold Collagen + more

Someone must have been a really good girl this year because I received a very special delivery on the eve of Christmas.  Can I just tell you how excited I am about my Boots.com haul?

After much discussion about the value of pea sprout extract in hair growth & health, I finally get to wrap my greedy little hands around a bottle (or two) of my own.  We've talked about grow gorgeous serum before.  But now I actually read the package, so let's find out more about it, shall we?

Product description on the label:

"Put your lethargic follicles through some serious schooling with this ultra-concentrated formula with a proprietary 21.5% active complex of 7 technologies that work hard together to make hair visibly longer, thicker and fuller."

Here is a breakdown of the 21.5% active complex.

+ 8.0% Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3: "Has been shown in an independent study to start working within 8 days to improve visible hair length while increasing hair density by 13% within 4 months. It'd be like having 13,000 more hairs on average."

+8.0% Bio-Active Pea Sprout Complex:  "Starts working within 2 weeks and improves visible hair growth by 78% compared to normal levels within 3 months based on an independent active complex study."

+5% Bio Active Complex of Chinese Skullcap, Soy Sprout & Wheat Sprout: "Improves visible hair thickness and the condition of the follicles within 3 months for fuller, denser and healthier looking hair.

+0.5% Hyaluronic Acid (non animal source): "Is able to attract up to 1,000 times it's weight in water, improving in scalp hydration and penetration.

So now that you have a basic understanding of the makeup of the serum, let's talk a little more about it.  I checked out the ingredient list which is pretty extensive but honestly, most of it consists of plant based extracts.  Water is the first ingredient.  The "Bio Active Extracts & Hyaluronic acid appear near the top of the list after water.  The only oil I saw present was castor oil which appeared as one of the latter ingredients.  As you can see from the picture above, it's a liquid serum.  The consistency is very watery and easy to distribute using the dropper provided.  Application was a snap because of the texture.  The only thing I would change about it is the scent.  It's really mild but, to me, it has a slight cologne-like smell.  But other than that, I'm cool with it.  I'm supposed to use it once a day, massaging it in until my scalp has fully absorbed the liquid.  So far, so good. Because of it's watery base, it feels like I'm moisturizing my roots during the process.  This also gives me another reason to stay consistent with my scalp massages.

Since I live in the U.S. and Boots.com only delivers in the UK, I had to take advantage of this opportunity and order whatever I could while I had the chance.  So I picked up a bottle of Fountain which is a liquid supplement containing 40 mg of Trans-Resveratrol.  This main ingredient is a powerful anti-oxidant which can help fight free radicals.  They say that resveratrol helps slow down the rate at which our cells divide which can slow down the aging process by extending the life of the cell.  Along with resveratrol, Fountain also contains black carrot (another anti-oxidant) and hyaluronic acid.  Seemed too good to pass up.

Finally, I picked up more collagen.  This time it's in a bottle, already formulated for immediate consumption.  I heard about Gold Collagen before but had a hard time getting my hands on it.  When I saw it on Boots.com, I knew what I had to do. Another thing I like about Gold Collagen is that it also contains vitamins such as zinc, copper, biotin, vitamin C, E, B6 and, the one ingredient that all my purchases have in common, hyaluronic acid.

Santa sure knows how to make a girl's day.

Merry Christmas everyone!

On Repeat: Products that keep me coming back

Time for me to replenish some of my most beloved beauty items.  I've blogged about each one of these items before.  They've served me well and now it's time replenish once again.  

 + {Iman BB Creme}  What I love about this product is how it serves as a moisturizer, light foundation and sunscreen all at once.  I can't tell you how often I run out of time in the mornings and have to clumsily apply this with my fingers while driving.  The results always look the same. My scars are covered, my skin looks hydrated and I'm protected from the sun.  I'll probably use this for the rest of my life. 

+ {Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo} After my hair analysis confirmed that I was suffering from product overload, I made sure to put Neutrogena Anti-Residue to use.  This stuff deep cleanses my hair with no suds and without leaving it feeling totally stripped.  I've replaced it many a times.  My only wish is that it came in larger sizes.

+ {Glam Glow Clearing Mud} I'm pretty much reaching the bottom of my Glam Glow jar.  I'm giving this mud much props with helping keep my skin clear.  It's so convenient, dries quickly and keeps my skin at peace.  As you may know, I own both of the Glam Glow masks and, of the two, I find myself reaching for this one more often. The original Glam Glow offers more of an exfoliating treatment which I don't really need since I use a Clarisonic Pro and my Riiviva.  My skin loves products that deeply purifying which is why I will be getting more of this.

+ {Beauty Burst Collagen} Addicted.  I am absolutely addicted to these yummy beautifying treats. They taste so delicious and they give my skin plumpness.  So even though I eat more than the recommended, I don't feel as guilty about it since I know I'm getting additional collagen.  If you have a sweet tooth, consider reaching for something that's both sweet and beneficial.  

+ {BabyFace Pure Protein} Words can't describe how grateful I am for this product.  My hair doesn't do well with protein products but ever since Pure Protein came into my life, things have been very different.  I love that it allows me to blend it into any of my favorite moisturizing conditioners.  This saves me time and money from having to buy moisturizing conditioners and protein based conditioners. Now my entire budget can be dedicated to moisturizing deep conditioners.  I love this product so much it hurts. 

+ {Fresh Clay Mask}  Not sure what happened but I somehow lost my clay bar (sad face). Ever since I started using the Glam Glow, I neglected the Umbrian Clay mask and I guess it felt bad and ran away?  Now that I realize it's gone, I realize how much I need it.  I adored this product because it allowed me to easily give myself a deep purifying mask on a daily basis without over drying/stripping my skin.  Between this and my Glam Glow, the Glam Glow is more powerful. That's why I prefer to use it once or twice a week.  The clay bar was my daily secret weapon that kept congestion at bay.  I got so many compliments when I used this daily.  How on earth did I lose it?  I'm going to dedicate a few more days to searching then I'm ordering another one. 

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Glamglow Face Scrubs & Exfoliants · Fresh Face Cleansers · Iman Face Care

{Grow Gorgeous} Pea Sprout Hair Growth Serum now available

Not sure if you remember but I wrote a post a while back about the merits of pea sprout extract in regards to hair growth. A study was done where men and women were asked to apply a gel which contained pea sprout extract to their scalp twice a day for twelve weeks.  At the end of the study, the participants were asked to give their feedback on the experience.  95% of the participants noted a slight to strong improvement in the amount of hair loss they experienced compared to before the study.  85% of them said they noticed an increase in hair re/growth.  One of the astonishing things about the pea sprout extract is it's ability to keep hair in the growing phase of it's life cycle much longer.

After writing that post, I introduced pea sprouts into my diet and began to wait patiently for the day when a product would go on the market.  Well, my friends, it seems like that day has arrived.  Design Essentials has launched a product called Nutriment Rx Pea Sprout cream which is a daily hairdress that boasts of having the ability to reduce hair loss and stimulate growth.

Next we have a new product just launched called Grow Gorgeous hair growth serum which contains bio-active pea sprout, hyaluronic acid, soy sprout and wheat sprout.  This serum claims to have the ability to boost hair density by 13% within four months while minimizing hair loss which allows the hair to grow longer.   If the claims are true, I can see this product being a life saver for women who are battling postpartum shedding.  Since we are in shedding season, Grow Gorgeous can play a huge part of someone's Winter regimen. Unfortunately for some of us, Grow Gorgeous is only currently available to our sisters in the U.K. via the Boots.com website.  Those of us in the U.S. have access to Design Essential's Nutriment Rx.  I'll also keep my eyes and ears open for new pea sprout based products as they come on the market.

Then of course there's the good ole fashion pea sprout.  The source of all this hair growing goodness.  I have direct access to pea sprouts by picking them up at my local Whole Foods store.   I like them raw on my sandwiches otherwise I toss them in my juicer.  While I'm certain that adding microgreens into my diet is giving me nutritional benefits, I'm not sure what it's doing to directly benefit my hair with regards to shedding.  Seems like the people on the study got benefits from topical application.  I've pondered the prospect of using wheat grass & pea sprout juice topically but never took the plunge.  Now I feel like I should finally stop being lazy and see what happens.

Proof that drinking your water can make you beautiful

How is everyone doing with their water drinking? You didn't think I forgot, did you? Just because I haven't touched on the subject lately, doesn't mean we still aren't taking on this challenge! If all of my past begging, pleading, and shouting from the rooftops didn't convince you to drink more water, maybe this will.

 Sarah, a 42 year old woman was suffering from health symptoms including poor digestion and reoccurring headaches. Desperate to try something to cure her ailments, she sought the help of a medical professional who encouraged Sarah, to increase her daily water intake to 3 liters. Sarah was willing to try anything to address her health concerns but little did she know that three liters of water would benefit her in ways she couldn't have imagined.

(source)

 The image you are seeing before is the transformation Sarah experienced after only four weeks of drinking three liters of water a day.

• The bags under her eyes are gone.
• Dark circles disappeared.
• Her skin tone is even toned and brighter.
• Her lips are plumper.
• Wrinkles have diminished greatly. 
• She appears almost decade younger than she did just four weeks earlier. 

If this isn't enough to keep you inspired every time you take a sip of water, I don't know what is.  Sarah also experienced improvements in her digestion, her flexibility and her headaches disappeared.  She even lost a little weight during the process and experienced improvement in her cellulite.  

Last week I traveled across the country to attend business meetings.  I posted on my instagram page an image of my water along with other necessities to maintain moisture levels.  I know the devastation that occurs when we are dehydrated.  A counterpart and I hosted the meeting for our department.  Throughout the entire 3 days, I kept a 1.5 liter bottle of Fiji water on hand from which I sipped regularly.  I didn't see her drink anything during the entire session.  On the last day, I caught a glimpse of her arms and legs which were scaly and clearly parched.  As we hugged goodbye at the close of the meeting, I begged her to start drinking more water.  The look on her face let me know that she understood exactly what I meant.  She confessed that drinking water was an opportunity for her then vowed to take better care of herself.  Like Sarah, her face showed signs of premature aging that I'm certain will correct itself if her water intake increased.  

What's most interesting to me about this article is the amount of water Sarah drank.  I have this theory that various level of water intake provide different benefits.  If we only drink a couple of cups a day (like Sarah did pre-experiment). The benefits are minimal.  We are able to stay alive. Basic functions are operating, but at the same time, our health is impacted.  Then, as we increase our water to maybe 1 liter or 2, we start feeling better. Toxins are eliminated at a faster rate. Things get better.  But when we veer into the territory that lies just beyond 2 litters (up to a gallon a day), then something wonderful happens.  Our bodies have enough resources to deal with the pressing health issues. Then finds that it can also focus on what I  call "beauty benefits."  

Beauty benefits are when your skin starts to clear up, your scalp isn't as dry as it used to be, your nails grow in nicely, your hair flourishes and you have an all over glow.  Who wouldn't want that?  I know you want that.....don't you?  

Then drinking your effin' water.

I bought Coconut Vinegar! Here's how I will use it.

As I was casually strolling through the aisles of my local vegan health food store, my eyes happened to look up at exactly the right moment to land upon this:

Immediately knew what it was because I just happened to write a post on coconut vinegar earlier this year.  Only difference was that my first attempt was a makeshift version. This time, I got my hands on the real thing.  Since this is a new product to me, I'm still in the learning phase.  So far, what I've gathered is how nutritious coconut vinegar is.  Not only does it contain 17 amino acids, minerals, vitamin C and B vitamins, it also has prebiotics (aka food for your digestive flora). All these nutrients are possible because the source of the vinegar is derived from the sap of the tree grown in volcanic soil.  It's said that the coconut trees go through their growth spurt in part due to the minerals collect from sea water along with the rich soil. The roots of the tree have access to this water which it delivers to the coconut blossom via it's sap. The nutritious sap is collected, fermented and used to make this amazing product.

Another piece of info I gathered from my research is that coconut vinegar isn't as acidic as ACV (apple cider vinegar). In fact, it has a nearly neutral pH.  This makes it much milder in taste and intensity to ACV.  So now that I have my hands on the "Coconut Secret," here's what I'm going to do with it.

I'm going to drink it! While I was checking out at the health food store, one of the employees mentioned how he drinks this in the morning instead of ACV. It has a much milder taste and doesn't sting like it's counterpart.  I used to muster up the courage to take a shot of ACV in the mornings but then I couldn't take it anymore and just gave up.  My husband still does it and I cringe any time I witness it.  Not only is it milder but coconut vinegar is much more nutritious than ACV.  Then I saw this video where a guy shared that he replaced him lemon water and ACV with coconut vinegar in the morning.  I'm gonna give it a shot!

I'm going to use it on my skin! Everyday I use some apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and apply to my skin.  This is because I've battled dermatitis for over a decade and, I promise you, ACV is the ONLY thing that worked on the peeling I experience on my face.  Perhaps the ultra low pH has something to do with it.  I'd like to experiment with coconut vinegar because I'm attracted to the nutritional content.  I'm curious to see if my skin will benefit differently if it came in contact to a nutritionally rich vinegar day after day.  On the other hand, I still need the same potency I get from ACV.  Who know's, maybe the best solution is to mix the two.

I'm going to use it on my hair!  We should all know by now how beneficial apple cider vinegar is to our hair.  The low pH helps seal cuticles and promote a healthy scalp.  I read a few accounts online where ladies substituted coconut vinegar for their usual ACV and liked the results.  They claim that this is milder but still benefited the hair.  Sometimes when I use ACV, I feel like it's a bit much for my hair.  Having an alternative available really makes me happy. 

I just bought my bottle yesterday so I haven't had a chance to use it on my hair yet. But I did get a chance to taste it both raw and diluted with water.  First off, this smells and tastes nothing like coconut.  The taste is very similar to ACV but not as potent.  Doesn't burn as much when it goes down the throat.  Then I put a little bit of it on a cotton pad and wiped it all over my face.  The experience was very similar to when I use ACV.  In fact, it reminded me of when I first used apple cider vinegar as a toner.  My eyes were a little sensitive to the scent and I experienced a little tingling.  I think my skin got used to ACV because I rarely experience tingling anymore.  I hope to see additional benefits from the nutritional content of this vinegar both internally and externally.  Oh, and I can't wait to use it on my hair.

What a vitamin D deficiency is doing to your hair!

Every year, after the summer season has passed, I have this unexplainable desire to consume more fish oils and stand out in the sun.  I can't say for sure, but I think it has to do with a craving to increase my vitamin D levels.

I'm sure you are familiar with this, but our bodies are unable to produce vitamin D on its own.  So it relies on natural sunlight to help synthesis the creation of this necessary vitamin.  We can also get vitamin D through our food but, based on what I've read, people rarely get enough vitamin D through eating alone.  It's also important to note that people of color have a natural sun protection factor through the melanin of our skin which blocks some of the vitamin D from forming.  Those of us who are diligent about wearing sunscreen are potentially inhibiting vitamin D production even more.  Less hours of sunlight coupled with dark skin and inadequate diet all work together to create a potential deficiency situation (those who live in colder climates should pay special attention).

Without adequate amounts of vitamin D we can start to experience symptoms like depression, feeling tired/weak, inability to lose weight, chronic pain, and even cancer.  But what really caught my attention was the link between vitamin D and our hair.  After browsing online, I found a few discussions where women who had vitamin D deficiencies noticed a huge improvement in the growth and health of their hair after proper supplementation.  In some cases, active hair loss was attributed to lack of vitamin D.  Could that be another factor in seasonal shedding?  Some of us who are "slow growers" may consider looking into their vitamin D levels as, low vitamin D levels can impact our hair growth rate.  I was shocked to hear an account, on one of the forums, where the person claims a woman with severe vitamin D deficiency hadn't gotten a hair cut in over 5 years.

(My modest cod liver oil collection)

What's critical to mention in all of this, is how important it is to have your vitamin D levels checked by a qualified physician so you can be prescribed the right amount of supplementation.  I will be very conscious of this potential problem as I head into the fall/winter months.  Some of the things I plan on doing include rotating gym visits with actual walks/workouts outdoors.  There were a few days when I worked from home consecutively. One thing I noticed is how quickly my mood levels dropped.  After taking a brisk 2 mile walk outside for a couple of days, my energy shifted for the better and I felt like myself again. Along with the outdoor activities, I will be consistent with my fermented cod liver oil consumption which boasts of containing between 2000-4000IU of vitamin D per teaspoon.  What I appreciate about fermented cod liver oil is how it is a natural (readily absorbable) form of vitamin D.

I have to do more research on this topic including understanding the various types of vitamin D. But in the mean time, I will do what I know. I will also make a conscious effort to consume vitamin D foods including leafy greens, eggs, sardines, etc.  I'm excited to learn about the connection of vitamin D to a successful hair (& health) journey.  By the way, this doesn't mean that I'll be foregoing sunscreen.  I will still wear it daily on my face and hands for anti aging purposes.  But, what I will do, is wear shorts more when I walk instead of full length pants.

Here's to healthy hair growth all year long!


**Please consult with your doctor regarding the proper amount of vitamin D usage to avoid risk of toxicity.**

My Morning Smoothie is getting out of hand {and I think I like it}

For a while, I stared at my overpriced blender in the kitchen contemplating whether I should take it back. "I already have blenders (I thought to myself). I'll probably never use this thing."  Boy was I wrong.  After getting a couple uses from my Blentec, I fell in love with the convenience and decided to make it part of my (nearly)  daily routine. 

Then, as time went on, I started adding more and more ingredients to my morning  mix. Today, it has evolved into a mash up of various powders, oils, and such.  I'm not sharing all of this to tell you to go out and buy all of these things.  Instead, use this as inspiration as you build your own smoothie routine.

{The Powders}
........................................
+Chlorella-Protein/Amino Acids
+Collagen powder- Skin, Hair, Nails supplement
+Spirulina powder-Protein/Amino Acids
+Vitamin C powder- Helps body absorb collagen & MSM
+Kelp powder- Minerals
+MSM powder (not shown)
+Protein/Whey powder (not shown)
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{The Liquids}
.............................................
+Special K protein shake
+Flax Seed oil (omega 3)
+Hemp Oil
+ Pumpkin Oil
+ Molassess (Iron & B12)
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{The Veggies - not shown}
+Spinach
+Blue berries
+Kale
+Whatever leafy greens and fruits I have on hand
+ Chia seeds
 .................................................

This seems like a lot of work to put together into one smoothie.  But honestly, I've gotten into a rhythm and now it takes no time at all.  The Blentec has settings that allow it to turn off automatically once your drink is mixed.  This buys me time to put all the products away while my smoothie is being crafted. 

I'd be lying to you if I said that my smoothie tastes delicious.  It's not repulsive by any means but I don't add enough sweet fruits to counter act the mild taste of the greens.  Honestly, I love the way it tastes because I know that with every sip, my body is being flooded with loads of nutrients. 

My skin loves it, it's pretty filling and my energy levels stay high.  Whenever I'm traveling, or if I'm "too busy" to make my smoothie, I feel like I missed out on something.  Starting off one's morning doing something good for yourself can impact your entire day. 

So there you have it, my amped up smoothie ingredients.  Drink up!

Beef Liver & Green Algae.... Would you like some?

I've decided to pull myself back on the bandwagon from which I have fallen off (hard).  Back in the day, I was so regimented about my supplement intake.  Now, I randomly take my vitamins here and there, whenever I remember.

My strategy for putting everything back in order was to pick up some super foods  so I'd be  motivated to remain consistent. 

One of the first purchases was beef liver pills.  Yes.  You heard correctly.  They actually sell beef liver in pill form.  I picked this baby up because, beef liver is considered a supper food. Why?  Because of it's high concentration of nutrition pound for pound.  Back, when I used to eat meat, I actually liked eating liver.   I contemplated bringing liver back in my diet but I haven't made the leap yet.  Then I heard about the pills and made a beeline directly to my local health food store. 

Beef liver supplement is actually considered a food.  And it's one of the most nutrient dense foods around.  Most of the time when we talk about super foods, we're normally talking about some leafy vegetable or exotic berry.  Just take a look at all the nutritional benefits of beef liver and you'll see why it's classified as a super food.

Beef Liver Contains:
High in {natural} Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Copper
Vitamin C
Trace Minerals
Vitamin B 12 {beef liver contains all of the B vitamins and is high in B 12}
Vitamin K
CoQ10 {Anti aging}
Iron
Folate {the natural version of folic acid which has hair skin & nails benefits}
Zinc
Chromium
Purines {Natural substances found in our cells.  Provides chemical structure for our genes}

After researching some info online, I notice that many people consume raw beef liver to preserve the nutritional content.  Believe it or not, some even juice raw liver and drink it in a shake (which I can't even fathom).  I'll just stick to the pills for now.  When I feel adventerous enough, I may even freeze raw liver and place them in capsules using this technique. 
....................................................................................................

I also stocked up on some nutrient rich chlorella.  Years ago, chlorella was a part of my regimen.  What attracted me to this supplement was that is was considered a food (like the beef liver).  Think of  "supplements" as man made and "super foods" as naturally derived.  When nutrition is naturally derived, our bodies are more likely to ingest and process it without concern of toxicity or low absorption.

This go around I opted for both the pill and powder form.  The fine green powder is a perfect addition to my morning smoothies.  I take the pills when I'm on the go.  Chlorella is a green algae which a high source of protein, B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.   It helps our body excrete toxins from our tissue like heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, etc. This is exceptionally helpful for me because of my silver fillings an I often eat seafood which could contain mercury.  Our digestion and pH levels also improve when taking chlorella.  Chlorella's beneficial factors are locked inside its cell wall which is indigestible in humans. For this reason, it's so important that we take in broken cell wall form so our bodies have access to it's detoxifying and nutritional properties. 

Next on my list is getting my hands on more spirulina which I've talked about in the past.  I heard that both chlorella and spirulina work synergistically together to further elevate their benefits.  I've been back on "green nutrition" for a few days and already noticed an increase in energy.  After re-reading my old post on spirulina, I was reminded of the benefits to my hair when taking this consistently.  Can't wait to experience that again.

Neo Cell Beauty Bursts {Healthy Skin in a soft chew}

One of my favorite treats as of late is something I can fully enjoy with zero guilt.  This isn't my first time testing out nutricosmetics, which are food supplements that can help provide beauty benefits.  In the past, I've tried other soft chews that were loaded with Acai, B vitamins and even some that contained fish oils. 

Honestly, none of the others were as yummy as these.  Though the servings are around 2-4 soft chews a day, it's hard not to keep dipping back in the bag for more.  There are times when I take my vitamins religiously, then there are those times when I couldn't be bothered. For those days when I'm not consistent, I'm just glad I have options like these available.  Obviously, beauty chews don't take the place of our normal vitamins but it's nice to have something that will help my hair, skin and nail journey all in a convenient little candy-like treat.

First off, I want to start by saying how amazing these Beauty Burst are.  Imagine Starburst but a little less sweet.  There's no weird after taste.  They contain collagen type 1 & 3, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C for antioxidant support and better absorption.  After our 20s the amount of collagen in our bodies start to decline.  Of course we all know this will lead to sagging skin and wrinkles.  I happened upon these Beauty Bursts when at health food store and decided to give it a go.  The ingredients were really attractive and could make a difference for me while on this Skin Care Journey.  I've been hooked ever since.  Should I also mention that I purchased the powdered version that I mix in my smoothies?  The reviews online were too good to pass over.  I freaking love the powder because it's so fine and mixes beautifully with what I'm drinking (with no taste at all).  I've gotten 3 compliments on my skin lately.  When I look back at what I've been doing consistently, I recall that I've limited the amount of rice I eat (reduces inflammation), I've been consistent with sunscreen & my facial routines. And I've introduced collagen into the mix.  Not sure what is contributing to the change, but I like it!

For those of you who sometimes get a sweet tooth and reach into the candy jar, why not treat yourself to something that can calm your cravings while giving you stronger hair, and prettier skin? Keep a few in your drawer at work, or a couple in your bag for when you're out and about.  It's a no brainer.

DRINK YOUR WATER CHALLEGE: Harmonized Water

It's been exactly seven months since I've had a facial so I thought I'd treat myself since my birthday is approaching.  Groupon had this special on a Skin Infusion Treatment so I took the plunge.  Since I bought a series of three, I'll wait until the final treatment to give any feedback on the treatment itself.

But the real reason why this visit was so amazing has a connection to our ongoing Water Challenge.  This Skin Studio uses all natural products from a brand, called Osmosis, meant to nourish the skin from the inside.  That's all good but when I searched deeper into the company I learned of a product offering that had my complete attention.

Osmosis creates products called Harmonized Water.  Basically, Harmonized Water is frequency enhanced water that "contains vibrational messages imprinted onto the water molecules."  If any of you have ever seen the movie "The Secret,"  you may remember someone mentioning that everything (including ourselves) has a vibrational frequency.  When we shift our thinking to what we want, we shift our frequency to align with attracting our desired outcomes.  Do you remember my "Love Water" post where I talked about how water responded to positive and negative frequencies according to experiments by Dr. Emoto?  Harmonized  H20, I'm guessing, capitalized on this quantum physics based theory to create water that are meant to promote health while addressing specific health concerns.

The site offers a variety of different frequency waters.  I had my eye on the Hair, Skin, and Nails formula but the beauty clinic didn't have any on hand.  So I grabbed the Anti-Pathogen which is said to help the body detox and clears acne, along with the digestive health.  I wanted the UV protection but decided to grab it on my next visit.  I've read several testimonials online from those who've stated that the UV protection protects them from burning even though they spend ours in the sun without the use of sunscreen.  It's only been a couple of days since I've started using so I don't have much to report.  I love the fact that they're odorless and tasteless.   Also, my desire to drink up has gone up tremendously since I know that my water now contains frequency-enhanced molecules that could bring me additional benefits beyond what I already receive.

A few months back, I bought a powered supplement to add to my water for added the nutrition. I hated everything about it...the taste, the grittiness.  I love the potential of harmonized water even though I have no idea if it actually works or if the placebo affect has something to do with it.   Actually, I have noticed some benefits but I don't want to be too quick to say that the Harmonized Water created it. 

My next step is to experiment with Hair Skin and Nails water which is said to "use frequencies that balance the disharmonies in the hair follicle and nail bed.  The balancing effect usually results in a reduction of hair loss and noticeable strengthening of your nails. " The claim they make on the site is that a user would see a difference in the amount of hair shedding within the first month.  While doing some research for this post, I learned a lot about structured water, and the claims about it's potential.  My interest has really peaked and I am still devouring information on this topic.  As I gain a better understanding, I'll share more.

In the mean time, if you'd like to learn more about this frequency enhanced water, you can check out their info here.  

"Once you go black".... Is Rice the new Super Food?

I get so excited whenever I stumble upon a new super food.  Just days ago, I was reflecting on how much rice I eat.  As a person of Haitian decent, rice is everything. I can eat rice for breakfast, lunch, dinner if I had to.  When I gave up wheat, I began to eat even more rice since rice flour is used in many traditional gluten free products like bread, pasta, cookies, etc.   I felt like I needed to do something.  Eating all that white rice couldn't be my best option.  

Then I started searching.  Looking for alternative that could address my desire for a healthy grain.  The answer came in the form of rice.  But not just any rice, black rice.  Some of you may remember a previous post where I showed an image of what appeared to be black rice.  That dish was a traditional Haitian recipe where the rice derives it's color from a dark mushroom. So pretty much, it's white rice dyed black.  But this, my friends, this is the real deal.

Also, known as the "forbidden rice."  This grain has been enjoyed in Asia for centuries.  The reason why it was considered forbidden was due its rare appearance. Black rice was considered the finest grain and served only to the Emperor.  Which is why it was deemed forbidden to the common folks.  

Lucky for us, we live in a time when we can now have direct access to this precious delicacy.  Why do we want to shift away from eating white rice and transition to its black counterpart?  Because white rice doesn't hold a candle to this black beauty.

First off, the reason why this grain is so dark is because it's loaded with anthocyanin, an antioxidant that gives super foods their deep red, blue and purple colors.  Blueberries, acai , and other nutritious foods get their rich hue from their anthocyanin content.  But did you know that black rice has more anthocyanin than any other food source?  So you are getting more antioxidants in this rice than in blueberries, but without the sugar. Could black rice be any more perfect?  What if I told you that it also contains 18 amino acids, vitamin E, iron, zinc, copper, carotene and fiber? Then would you understand how amazing this grain is? 

 Wait, I'm not done yet.  I also learned that black rice is anti inflammatory. White rice, on the other hand, can promote inflammation.  The aging process is accelerated when inflammation is persistent in our bodies. Many of the illnesses were hear about nowadays are linked to chronic inflammation.   Do you know what else can occur? Skin issues.  There was a study conducted where 10% black rice bran was added to the diet of mice.  Turns out that this simple shift in diet significantly suppressed allergic contact dermatitis of the skin of the mice.  

If you are still not convinced, I'd like to tell you about why I've fallen in love with this ebony rice.  It tastes so freakin' good!  Seriously, I have no desire to eat white rice ever again because this stuff is so delicious.  The flavor is described as nutty but I'm not sure "nutty" is the best way to describe it.  It's just so tasty and flavorful.  I've cooked mine in broth so I'm sure that added to the flavor profile.  Normally, when I eat white rice, I need some sort of gravy or a meat protein to help round out the dish and boost flavor.  The other night, I decided to eat a small amount of black rice mixed with a ripe hass avocado and had a blast.

Two days later, I had black rice again as a side with my Ahi poke. Amazing.  Here's the thing, I picked up some sushi yesterday at my favorite spot. After eating two rolls, I felt a little different. I was feeling bloated and lethargic.  For some reason, I didn't experience that same heaviness feeling after eating black rice.  Not sure why.

Seriously, I now shun all of the half filled bags of white rice sitting in my kitchen cabinet.  I have gone to the dark side and I ain't coming back.  I understand that it's a bit more expensive than white rice but so are blueberries.  I don't have to worry so much about shelf life as I do with healthy fruits, plus I'm getting even more benefits than blueberries pound for pound.

p.s. I found a 22 lb bag online which I will probably get to share with my mother who professed to eating white rice every day last week. Not too long ago, her doctor told her that she suffered from chronic inflammation. I can not wait to give her something to enjoy that can actually bring benefits to her body.

The Water Challenge: Using Iphone Apps to drink more water

I have to admit, even though I want so badly to drink up to a gallon of water a day, there are days when life gets too busy.  For a while I was bummed on days when I failed to reach my drinking goal but things started looking up when I came across some help in the form of technology.

Last week I traveled out of state for work and decided to pick up a gallon of water to last me over the next couple of days.  My coworker, who also was in search of a gallon, casually mentions to me that his water intake was darn near non-existent until he took action.  He found an app online that helped him track his daily water intake.  I immediately thought of our water challenge and decided that I had to share!

Waterlogged-Iphone (Free)

 

Waterlogged was the first app I looked into.  Based on the features available, this is the one that I'll likely download and use.  What I like about this app is the "take a pic of your bottle" feature which allows you to track your water intake based on your specific bottle.  This works well for me because I you guys know that I have that cooky looking water bottle which I love so much.  

Another thing I like about Waterlogged is that I can set my own goal and the free version has a reminder prompting me to keep drinking. By the way, you have a selection of reminder alerts available that are various versions of water sounds.  There's also a premium version of this app with special perks like unlimited interval reminders throughout the day.

Water Your Body Lite-Iphone (Free)

Water Your Body Lite is what introduced me to this whole "tracking your water" game.  This app works by allowing you to add your body weight so you can achieve a goal of drinking half your weight.  Some of the reviewers of the free version mentioned that they would like the ability to accept water consumption entries after reaching the pre-determined goal.  

Water Your Body -Iphone/Android ($0.99)

The upgraded version of the Water Your Body App has some neat features. For one, it asks questions about your lifestyle that could affect your water intake. Breastfeeding mothers and those who exercise frequently need to drink more water and this app accounts for that.  A few of the reviewers of this app compare it to "playing a game" which keeps them excited about what they're doing for their health.

I hope this post is helpful for those of you who struggle to keep drinking water throughout the day.  These are just a few suggestions, there are more options available on the App Market.  You now have a digital accountability partner to help you win this water challenge journey. Drink up!