Daily Affirmations, Love Notes, and Positive Pictures

In the same vein of Vision Boards and creating your positive environment, posting little loving reminders are also great to do.

Affirmations- Use post it notes, sheets of paper leaves the skys the limit. It’s more about where you post them and what you say. Affirmations work best when you can write something opposite of an area you are feeling weak in your life. For exmpale if you are feeling like you are always rushing and never have enough time write “There is more than enough time in the day” (let me pause to write that one for myself Right.Now.) see? Post it in a place that you’ll see it so that you are affirming and re-affirming everyday. To read it as you see it is one thing. But if you say it out loud!? Look out world you will be believing it in no time. Try it for 21 to 30 days and you will be a Believer!

Love Notes- Love notes are like affirmations but they are all about that self love not just the environment around you. So shamelessly write in lip stick, dry erase marker or sticky note on your bathroom mirror “I AM Beautiful”, “ “I Radiate Love”, “I am Peace and Love Personified” Love on yo self and nuthin wrong wit it!!!

Positive Pictures- Just fun because you are envolved in the Creative Process AND Affirming what ever you are drawing, painting etc. I have pictures with definitions of words I would like to embody or sometimes a phrase or an idea that either speaks to me, or I’m working to embrace. Get creative and get positive.

The Universe will Thank You by giving you Exactly what you want.

My Theme Song!

Age of Aquarius (Let The Sunshine In)

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
The Age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!

Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius! Aquarius!

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
The Age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!

Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in

A Few Of My Favorite Fabulous Things

AFRO + Dashiki!


Marsha Hunt

Fabulous Fro! I want it!

NNEKA

Sabores that Get Along

I've found in my Smoothie adventures that some flavors like each other and will save your smoothie every time... Taste I reckon is like beauty...but give it a whirl can't hurt...


Carrots + Ginger

Beets + Cinnamon

Bananas + Peanut Butter


that's all I can think of now.... I'll write more if I can think of more. Share your combos with me as well!

Happy International Day of Families!!

Today is International Day of Families

You can find out more about that on the official website

but here is a short blurb about the day:

The Division for Social Policy and Development supports the worldwide observance of the International Day of Families (15 May) by preparing background information on the family for use by Governments, the UN system, including the regional commissions, and UN Information Centres and NGOs. An annual message of the Secretary-General is prepared for wide distribution.


I Say, to celebrate, fill your whole body with gratitude for the individuals in your family (blood and chosen) and then spend the day contacting members (in a physical, metaphysical or spiritual manner) and let them know that you love them!

Peace and Love BWWP Fam!

Perfect Vision

Your Living Environment has a lot to do with your outlook in life.

If you are able to change what surrounds you everyday you are really able to change your circumstance and perception of the path your life heading in.


I am a firm believer in Vision Boards. What is a Vision Board? A vision board is something that you put on the wall with words, pictures and intentions that you hold. Variations of this would be a Vision Book, where you either create a book or put pictures, affirmations and intentions in a spiral and flip through it every now and again to affirm and re-affirm these intentions.

Why does it work. First of all it’s a Creative Process. Simply by cutting out pictures in magazine, drawing pictures, writing affirmations and intentions etc, you are putting positive energy towards what you want to see happen in the future. You are thinking of it NOW and NOW is the only moment that is promised to us. As you are there Creating you are drawing all of those things to you.

For me the Vision board on the wall is hands down the way to go. You are forced to look at it everyday and even when you are not actively looking at it subconsciously your little dreams and hopes are seeping into your awareness and bringing it forth into your life. Take time every now and then to look at your vision board and FEEL the FEELINGS you’ll feel having those things, living that life, job, spouse, whatever. Just feel it be thankful and feel it in the Present Moment.

Since I’m away from things I’m used to right now…like magazines…I was thinking man, what am I going to do for a Vision Board? I was feeling down with the challenges of my current position and needed bust. Luckily some family members sent me some mags, but def not enough and definitely not with the things I need. Oh well Ill work with what I have. So I made a Vision Board. Ok ya got me…I made three ☺ and put them up. If anything they colored my white walls and made me feel more at home.


Well recently upon looking at them SO many things from what I felt was a hap hazard so so board have come to BE! I cannot believe it and yet I SO Believe it. What really excites me is that means my beach front home that I have on there is in the works…it’s just going to manifest when the time is right!

My Vision Boards are always collages of Magazine pictures, Words and sometimes printed computer cut outs. A friend of mine has a cork board with just a couple of things pined to it, while still another mentor of mine has journal entries, picture cut out and crayon drawings in a small spiral she carries around. Do what works and feels best to you. Or do a combination of these things and more! I suggest you do it though. It is one of the greatest Manifestation Tools I have come across.

More Fabulous Hair Care Reviews.

More Fabulously Natural Hair Products to Review-

If any of you tune into SUN Day posts you know that I got a package of all sorts of things to play with during my Kinky Curly Curling Custard experiment.

I thought I would do a quick review of the things I’ve been using and what I think so for. I have a ton. I just think they are fabulous because most of the things aren’t fancy at all. Just good ol’ natural oils or products you’ve heard of but never though of using. Let’s dig in.

Baking Soda- Refrigerator deodorizer, toothpaste alternative, toilet scrubbing agent netti pot ingredient and hair clarifier (just to name a few). That’s right, Baking soda is great to add to your shampoo for a clarifying treatment. What do I mean by clarifying? Sometimes shampoo just doesn’t cut it if you are suffering from major product build up. In times like these reach for the Baking Soda and you will clean your hair and scalp with out stripping it of it’s natural moisturizer. Baking Soda also is a great No Poo Method. Just add some Baking Soda and water (I have found 1 parts Baking Soda to 8 parts water! Works for me…but I know it varies person to person) and you have a great hair cleansing non drying solution. Give it a Try!

Castor Oil- !!! I know right? So old skool, right?! If it ain’t broke don’t fix it as they say. Castor Oil has been a favorite for centuries. Well maybe not a favorite to those who got a spoonful of it to alleviate stomach issues. It’s popularly known as a n effective laxative. Well hey, if it’s on your shelf use it for whatever. All I know is that it’s natural deriving from castor beans and it’s wonderful for your hair.

I apply Castor Oil to my scalp mostly. I used to be on to “grease” my scalp but we all know that stuff was just too heavy and blocks pores hindering growth. Castor Oil is a perfect in between consistency. I try to not to coat my hair with it, since it IS thick because it’s harder to wash off of your hair. I leave the more light weight oils for that. Castor Oil is perfect for thinning hair or trouble areas. Just dab a bit on the thinning area for a couple of weeks and you will see growth! (as long as there isn’t permanent damage where the hair follicle is no longer in tact.) It is also great for damaged ends. If you have raggedy split ends. Instead of cutting it off and losing the length seal the ends with Castor Oil and they will repair themselves and leave you looking Fabulous!

CoCoNut Oil- Love! Love the feel, love the ease, love the smell. Coconut Oil is absolutely faboooo. Use it all over your body if you like, wash off your eye make up and then blend up some in your morning smoothie. It is as good for your skin and health as it is for your hair…oh and gentle enough for the eyes. Coconut Oil is light weight but packs a punch when it comes to moisture. Other special qualities it has is being great for those who have issues with dandruff. Since it’s so light weight even if you are not one to put oils or even greases on your scalp you won’t even know it’s there. It’s also great for scalp/hair hot oil treatment. Apply it to you scalp and hair and put on a plastic cap for 25 minutes to an hour and your hair will feel soft and supple and your scalp will be hydrated and dandruff free!

Jojoba Oil- another amazing stand out light weight oil. In my opinion it’s not as light as Coconut but I love oil with a bit of gravity to it. I haven’t experimented all the much with jojoba, but I know that jojoba is a main ingredient of so many expensive super hydrating creams. Jojoba oil is good to add to your shampoo if you feel its stripping your hair too much of it’s moisture.

Shea Butter- I have 3 Shea Butters to talk about. In general Shea Butter is the bizz-nazz! Natural Shea Butter has a natural sun protectant quality that makes it wonderful for taking on vacations. You can moistures and protect your hair and skin with this product (see how natural is the way to go! It covers all the bases!). It is a solid at room temperature and emulsifies in the head of the hand…which also makes it easy for travel and transportation. Skin wise Shea is supposed to be great for stretch marks and scars as well. But lets talk hair shall we? Because of it’s room temperature paste like consistency I use Natural Shea Butter for twist and braid styles. It seems to hold them and moisturize all that he same time.
The three kinds of Shea I have are:

Natural Raw Shea butter- Straight from the tree. You have to melt this down in or really rub it around in your hands to get it the right consistency for use. But I love it! For many people though shea in the raw is not their thing.

100% Natural Shea – This is a store bought mixture is whipped into a consistency that is user friendly and oh so smooth

Cantu Shea Butter – Ok this is technically not Shea Butter only, but I’m putting it under this category. This product is fabulous. It’s a “Leave In conditioner/ Repair Cream” and it gets me through a pinch all the time. Since I’m trying to be on a moisturizing program. Whenever I have forgotten to tend to my hair. I rub this throughout my hair, no matter the style, and plastic cap it, or just scarf it up and 30 min for that moment my hair has had a moisture rebirth. You can use this on wet or dry how. Fab!

Vegetable Glycerin- This was the strangest of the bunch to me. Like, what IS IT? It’s a moisture power house that’s what it is. I had week of experimenting with VG and I think it’s the softest my hair has ever been. It’s a great great leave in conditioner. I will say this. For my hair if I wanted to do a braid out style this is not the product for that. You hair gets SOOO soft that it wil just morf into a fro or whatever your most natural state of your hair. It’s all moisture all the time. This Humectant is not playin around. You can throw your VG in your smoothies too as it’s ALL NATURAL!

Whew I think I covered them. If I missed something, holla at your girl, and I’ll do a review. If I missed any details and let me know so I can fill in the holes! Peace ☺

Smoothie Recipes #1

As Promised Some Smoothie Recipies

Some Recipes I found with Ingredients I can use, maybe they’ll be useful to you too. The only one I have made so far is the Avocado, Carrot and Ginger smoothie and it was Surprisingly delicious. I found this recipe when looking to see how to use Vegetable Glycerin ** as a sweetner. Worked like a charm.

The Original Recipe:
Carrot, lemon and ginger avocado smoothie
1 tsp almond butter or tahini
1 large glass of water
1 tsp FOS/Stevia mix
1 small avocado (or half a large one)
1 small carrot (or part of a larger one), grated
½ - 1 tsp grated fresh ginger OR ½ tsp ground ginger
½ - 1 tsp lemon flavouring
1 scoop flaxseed meal
2 tsp vegetable glycerine

My Delicious Substituted “Use What You Got” Version:
(p.s. don’t have measuring spoons so I just used a soup spoon for “Tablespoon” and the spoon I use for coffee and tea as..well…”teaspoon”...still came out great)

ACCG (as I affectionately call it)

1 Half Avocado
1 Half Carrot Grated
1 tsp Ginger Grated
1 Whole Lìmon (i.e lime) squeezed (they are small like key limes)
2 tsp Vegetable Glycerin
8 oz of Water
1 tsp Panela
*I added a large Chard leaf (hence the second "C" and it didn't alter the taste at all...and made the color more appealing..looked less like baby food and more like a super hardcore healthy green shake, yeeaaahhhh) Oh and it doesn't separate so the last time I tried it I doubled the recipe and stored half for later. That's going to be great for mornings I'm short on time...

*****

Update

I have since tried some more that I like. Hooo Wee Talk about Trial and Error! It's fun though. It would be nice if I had a food processor or a REAL blender. BUt I make do with a plastic blender situation and a cheese grater...I use it for everything as the blender cannot handle chunks of anything. So know that pretty much any thing I can use on that grater. Ginger, Beets, etc...Ice would probably make some of these even better, so if you have a good blender try adding ice.

Fruity CoCo

Banana
other fruit (some kind of berry, peaches etc...I used strawberries)
6-8 oz of fruit juice
2-3 Tblspn of CoCo Oil

For my fruit juice I used soy Apple Juice. Since it's so hot here my Coco Oil was a liquid but up against my frozen strawberries it turned to a solid at the bottom of the blender and I didn't realize it until I was washing it out. I got a hint of Coco flava but it could have been better. Still a great smoothie.

BVC Smoothie Original
Coconut (milk and meat)
Kale
Cinnamon
Banana
Agave

My take on the same smoothie...

BVC Ecuador Remix

Banana
Coconut Oil
Chard
Cinnamon
Panela

This did NOT blend or go down well...So then I added water. Mistake! a swampy frothy mess!
So I saved it with...

1/2 Beet

It saved the day and was delicious...whew... I'll have to perfect it or just consider the Beet addition the official remix :)

Moon ABC

Apple
Beet
Carrot
Ginger
*Tasty w/soy apple juice

The most recent and surprisingly delicious smoothie is the...

Chardtastic Smoothie! it was born from the Chard I bought starting to wither. I would throw in a leaf here and there...but could chard play a leading role in a smoothie? We were going to have to see. I thought I had used up all my smoothie good luck as I have been able to save and make all of them delish....

Ladies and Gents...

Chardtastic

4-6 (or whatever is left) leaves of Chard
1 (or what's left) carrot(s)
2/3 index finger of ginger
2 bananas (best if frozen)
Tblspn Honey
Tblspn Peanut Butter
2 oz soy apple juice (or fruit juice of your choice)
2 oz Water

Mmmm Mmmm

Already my Energy has been through the roof! I thought I was going to feel faint after a weekend of smoothies but it was a great start to my Wellness Plan. By Sunday I did feel hungry though every few hours, but as my friend explained, my body isn't using energy to get energy from the food I'm eating, so it burns faster. When I'm off of the initial fast I'm going to carry peanuts around to satiate myself in between meals. Plus when I start up with beans and such, I'm sure I'll be fine. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to incorporate your daily doses of fruits and veggies into your diet!

Hair Journal Entry Intro

Okay I know Sunday is about personal things, but I think this is way over indulgent and only maybe 5 people will even care. However, I can justify it. My mom is looking to create some classes around natural hair care and asked me to keep a journal and I was looking online to study people’s hair routines and I really couldn’t find that many. So for those combined reasons and more I’m typing out some things from my hair journal…My hope is that is helps someone alone in their natural journey….which is on of my personal Quests.

So being in Peace Corps…I wash my hair…whenever I feel like it…which sometimes would be 3 times a week…everyday wetting it or I would flip the calendar and be like..”ummmmmm….when was the last time…..”. So the first challenge was to wash my hair consistently at least every week. “Washing” doesn’t just mean washing..it means this whoooole program I’m about to write to you about. So here goes.

Alright so the Stages are:
Pre-Poo
Shampoo/Co-Poo/No-Poo
Condition/Deep Condition
Style

They flip flop depending.

Man I guess I need to do MORE background lol.

Alright a Pre Poo essentially is so kind of moisturizing application that you do before you know you are going to shampoo.

Various Shampooing/Cleansing/Clarifying Options:
Shampoo – Your typical shampoo that you either buy at the store or maybe you make one at home.

A Co-Poo- is when you “shampoo” only using other agents…for example my mother uses Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) (awesome for hair btw), any kind of conditioner and a dab of coconut oil. When I was Co-Pooing I would use V05 Conditioner as my shampoo. It’s gentle enough for natural hair but still cleanses.

A No-Poo- would be Baking Soda and Water from what I have heard. Not sure if there are other mixtures that are considered a No-Poo

Conditioning- You can do a deep conditioner before or after you shampoo. You can do a rinse out conditioner after you shampoo, or you can do a live in conditioner after you shampoo.

Style- where you arrange the hair in the desired style and add whatever final products you like!

I’ll post the journal entries in the next SUN Day I write...