Bentonite Clay Time!

Hello Ladies and Gents!

This evening I am going to try Bentonite Clay: Aztec Indian Healing Clay for the first time. I have been reasearching it and have heard a lot of wonderful things about this clay. I will be using it as a face and hair mask. Then I will proceed with doing a twist-bantu out afterwards. I will post the results once I am done. If I like how my hair turns out after using the bentonite clay, then I will incorporate it into my monthly routine. I will use bentonite clay and henna once a month by rotating them biweekly.

What is it?

Bentonite, also referred to as Montmorillonite, is one of the most effective and powerful healing clays used to treat both internal and external maladies. Bentonite can be used externally as a clay poultice, mud pack or in the bath and, in skin care recipes. Internally it can be added to water or glazed upon food to help those with sensitive palates. A good quality Bentonite should be a grey/cream color and anything bordering "pure white" is suspect. It has a very fine, velveteen feel and is odorless and non-staining. The type of bentonite offered by Mountain Rose herbs is a Sodium Bentonite.

How does it work?

Bentonite is very unusual in the fact that once it becomes hydrated, the electrical and molecular components of the clay rapidly change and produce an "electrical charge". Its highest power lies in the ability to absorb toxins, impurities, heavy metals and other internal contaminants. Bentonite clay's structure assists it in attracting and soaking up poisons on its exterior wall and then slowly draw them into the interior center of the clay where it is held in a sort of repository. To state it another way… "Bentonite is a swelling clay. When it becomes mixed with water it rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge. From here the toxins are drawn into the sponge through electrical attraction and once there, they are bound.

Where does it come from?

Bentonite clay is sedimentary clay composed of weathered and aged volcanic ash. The largest and most active deposits come from Wyoming and Montana. (Mountain Rose Herbs stocks a Wyoming variety).

The information above was taken from http://www.botanical.com/products/learn/bentonite.html

Until next time,

Indulgenceiskey

www.naturesindulgence.net

My Wash-N-Go Video

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to share with you all the way I do my wash-n-go's and what I use to achieve my look. I hope you enjoy it!

A Tip For You!: Herbs That Are Used to Combat Hair Loss

I thought this was great info and I wanted to share it with you all. If you are experiencing hair loss or know of someone who is, check out the herbal remedies below. The below information was taken from http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/Hair/hair_loss_herbs.htm


Herbal remedies increase circulation, disinfect the scalp and stimulate hair growth.

Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and sage tea. This helps hair grow. Catmint or chamomile infusions used as a final rinse can help with itchiness, a source of hair loss.

Aloe, nettles, stinging nettle, birch leaves and watercress are excellent blood and skin cleaners. Drink 1 tbsp. of juice of stinging nettle, birch leaves and watercress, mixed in a glass of water to cleanse the blood.

Licorice extract may help prevent hair loss.

Used as a tea, parsley strengthens the kidneys. A tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is also good for they kidney.

Horsetail is a good source of silica. Silica helps to keep hair strong and looking shiny and sleek. To shampoo hair, steep 2 tbsp. horsetail in 4 oz. hot water and add to a baby shampoo.

Massage scalp regularly with tinctures of stinging nettle, birch, horsetail and rosemary for hair growth stimulation, to disinfect the scalp and to increase blood circulation.

Rosemary or stinging-nettle may help combat dandruff, a source of hair loss. Put a large handful of rosemary into a pan and cover with water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes and leave to cool. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a jug containing a few drops of wheatgerm or any oil. Use this as a rinse after you have washed your hair with a very mild shampoo. Finally rinse thoroughly with tepid water.

Arnica, marigold, rosemary, or southernwood are also useful for hair loss. For best results, massage an infused oil into the scalp.

A tea of marshmallow and burdock is good for dry hair. To make the tea, add 1 tsp of marshmallow and 1 tsp of burdock to a cup of hot water.

Ayurvedic Antistress Tea

Mix equal proportions of jatamamsi and brahmi. Steep 1 teaspoon of this mix in 1 cup of hot water. Drink 2 or 3 times a day to relieve stress, which is a cause for hair loss.

Chinese Herbs

Psoralea seeds: Eat 3 to 9 grams of the seeds daily. A study examining the effects of psoralea extracts and exposure to ultraviolet light in forty- five bald men found that, within six months, hair was completely restored in 36 percent of the cases and there was a significant restoration in another 30 percent.

Oyster and clam shell. Crush and decoct into a tea to increase kidney qi.

Mulberries: The Chinese doctors believe that mulberries are an excellent tonic for the kidneys, liver, and blood.

Oriental Formulae

Bupleurum and Dragon Bone Combination: Effective for round alopecia. Good for those of strong constitution and nervousness.

Cinnamon and Dragon Bone: For round alopecia. For weak person with vertigo.

Siler and Platycodon Formula: For delicate physique and alcoholics or the constipated.

Traditional oriental tonics tone liver and kidneys and promote new hair growth. They include herbs such as:

Polygonum

Lycium fruit

Chinese foxglove root

Chinese yam

Cornus

Until next time,

Indulgenceiskeyhttp://www.naturesindulgence.net/

Do You Want To Be On The Tyra Show to Discuss Natural Hair?

Would you like to be a part of the Tyra Banks show? Well, she has some interesting topics that are awaiting the submission of your story on for a chance at being on her show. Some of the upcoming show topics are listed below.

Focus on Race: What is Good Hair?
Focus on Race: Are you a Black Woman Who Hates Natural or Unprocessed Kinky Hair?
Do You Know a Person Who Deserves to Have Their Dreams Come True?
http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/

Take a look at her website and submit to some of the show topics if you would like.

I just thought that I would share and yes, I submitted my two cents about the so called “Good Hair” topic. In my opinion there is no such thing.

Until next time,

Indulgenceiskey
http://www.naturesindulgence.net/

My First Henna Experience

Guess what?!! I henna’d this past weekend! I was excited to do so and I like my results! I could really see the amber tones in my bathroom lighting. I did a twist out once I was done and it turned out ok. It wasn't as shiny as I had expected but that may be the result of me using new products (they are mentioned below). I will Henna again next month using my usual butters and compare the new results to these results. (more pics are below)

I used Uttam Henna that I purchased from a local Indian Grocer. I made a paste using the Henna, Lemon Juice, Sweet Almond Oil and hot water. I mixed it all in a plastic Tupperware bowl using a plastic spoon. I applied it to freshly co-washed and detangled hair. I began applying it starting at the back and continued until I made it to the front. I then donned on a plastic cap and let it sit for 3 hours.

To remove the paste, I leaned over in the bath tub and let the water rinse all the Henna. It was very dark while rinsing. When the water began to turn light reddish brown I co-washed 4 times with suave humectant conditioner. I actually used the entire bottle. I then applied a Pantene Pro-V Nourishing Moisture Replenishing Mask and left it on for about an hour. Afterwards, I rinsed it out and had wonderfully soft hair!! I proceeded to do my two stranded twists. I applied Infusium 23 as a leave in and used TRESemme’s Flawless Curls, curl hydration lotion creme and shea butter before twisting. After each twist was done I sealed the ends with shea butter once again.

I took my twists down the next morning and rocked a twist out for the entire day!! It was in between shiny and dull. I won't be using the Infusium 23 and the TRESemme's Flawless curls anymore. The reason being is that I took a look at the ingredient list and did some research after my twist out wasn't what I was expecting. I know I know, I should have done this before I purchased them, but I didn't. I was in Wal-Mart scanning the hair aisles and reading the ingredient labels. I bought those two items thinking I had products with water soluble cones in them only to find out that I was wrong. I didn't have my computer with me(of course) to look them all up and decide whether or not they were good to use. I looked them up after I saw the result of my twist out being in between shiny and dull.

I must say that I will Henna again.

Tell us about your Henna experience.

Until Next Time,

Indulgenceiskey

http://www.naturesindulgence.net/

Winter Hair Care Tips

When winter rolls around we are prepared by having our coats, gloves, scarves, hats etc. but what do we do to protect our lovely kinks, coils and curls? Along with winter comes the bitter coldness, wind, dry air, snow, indoor heat and the list goes on and on. During the winter, when temperatures are very cold outside, the atmosphere cannot hold much humidity and moisture. This accelerates the evaporation of moisture from your hair into the atmosphere. That is why it is so important to seal your hair and ends. Get ready to moisturize, seal, and protect your tresses.

How to Avoid Breakage and Damage from Dry and Cold Air

If you normally style your hair in the morning and leave the house with wet or damp hair due to your wash-n-go’s or refreshing your previous day style with water, you can potentially freeze your hair. When this happens, it becomes easy to break.

Make sure you do weekly or bi-weekly deep conditioning treatments to help keep your hair conditioned and less prone to breakage. When you deep condition try covering your hair with a plastic cap and wrap it in a towel for about 30 to 45 minutes. Another option is to sit underneath a hooded dryer for about 45 minutes with the conditioner on your hair.

Try wearing protective styles such as twists, buns, braids etc. If you must wear your hair out, style it at night and allow it to air dry while you get your beauty sleep. Seal your ends with shea butter or your butter of choice. Coconut oil is good for sealing your ends as well. In the morning, style your hair and apply a little bit of a moisturizing cream or butter to your entire head of hair before you walk out of the door.

Protect Your Hair from the Wind

The wind can blow your hair into a tangled mass especially if it is wet. Again make sure your hair is conditioned and moisturized. Also, cover it with a hat until you get to your inside destination. If you are afraid of the winter hat attacking your curls, coils or twists, place a satin bonnet over your hair and then place your winter hat on top. Make sure you take a little hair butter with you so that when you get to you destination you can remove the hat and bonnet and smooth down any pieces that may need it.

Indoor Heat can be the Enemy
Going from the cold outside to indoor heat, your hair can become dry just as your skin does. Follow the suggestions above on regular deep conditioning treatments as well as moisturizing and sealing your hair.

Quick Tips:

• Take hair butters/oils along with you
• Seal your hair
• Wear protective styles
• Moisturize and condition regularly
• Avoid products (mousses, sprays and gels) with drying agents in them such as isopropyl alcohol.
  
  
  Until next time!
  
  Indulgenceiskey
  http://www.naturesindulgence.net/

Hairstyles to Try

Have you had that special occasion to attend that left you wondering “How I am I going to wear my hair?” Well hopefully the pictures below can give you some ideas.

Me being me, I would wear some of these hairstyles to work as well as make them a part of my hairstyle collection. I will keep you posted on the ones I wear. If you have any other hairstyles you would like to share please email them to me at (indulgenceiskey@naturesindulgence.net) and I will post them. Thanks!

Until next time,

Indulgenceiskey
http://www.naturesindulgence.net/

The photos above are located on mznikkigrl's photobucket.
http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k196/mznikkigrl/?start=80http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k196/mznikkigrl/?start=100

The photos above are located at http://www.nedjetti.com/.

Hope in the Lord

Today's Scripture
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Everyone has times when they feel tired and overwhelmed by the pressures of life. But notice, this scripture gives us a clear remedy: Hope in the Lord. It’s easy to put your hope in other things; maybe you had hope in a relationship, hope in a job, hope in the stock market. It’s time to redirect your hope to the One who will never let you down; the One who never changes, the Rock of Ages.When you’re tempted to give up on your dreams, when you’re tempted to just settle where you are, listen to that still, small voice of hope on the inside that says, “No way. This is not who I am. I was created to live in victory. I was created to overcome this sickness. I was created to rise above these problems.” Put your hope and trust in the Lord because He is faithful! As you do, He will renew your strength. He’ll cause you to soar on wings like the eagle, and you’ll be empowered to move forward confidently into the victory He has for you!

A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, today I choose to put my hope in You. I know You have good plans for me. Thank You for renewing my strength and keeping me close to You. Fill me with Your peace and joy today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Free Stuff in the New Year

Hello Everyone! Happy New Year!

Guess what? I have some websites available for you all to go and get some freebies. That's correct, freebies. I did and you can as well. I learned about these sites from Miss Nappygoddess of http://www.afroglitz.com/. We are going to be just fine even though the economy is in a frenzy. God is going to take care of us all.
Enjoy!



Household
Charmin Extender
http://www.charmin.com/en_us/pages/extender_request.shtml


It’s the time of the year to get together with family and friends. These Ziploc® products are perfect for winter entertaining, or just cozy family meals at home. If you’re one of the first 20,000 Right@Home™ members to respond, you’ll receive a free gift pack that includes:
1 Ziploc® Brand Fresh Produce Bag with Moisture Vents
1 Ziploc® Brand Easy Zipper Storage Bag
1 Ziploc® Brand Snack Bag
1 Ziploc® Brand Zip 'n Steam™ Microwave Steam Cooking Bag
1 Ziploc® Brand Snap 'n Seal Container

http://www.rightathome.com/offers/NovGiftPack/

FREE mini Mr Clean® MAGIC ERASER
http://mrclean.com/en_US/sharethelove/signup.do



Personal Care

Gas-X Strips

https://secure.novartisotc.com/secure.novartisotc/gasx/trial_alt.jsp

Degree Ultra Clear Deoderant
http://www.startsampling.com/sm/100270/captureAddress.iphtml?item=100270&source=STARTSAMPLING&&p=
The form is in Spanish

Degree Absolute Protection Deodorant for Men
http://www.scifi.com/eureka/madeineureka/degree_form.html


Feminine Hygeine
Sample of CAREFREE® and STAYFREE®.
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid52472.aspx

Always Infinity
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid63312.aspx

Playtex Tampons
http://www.playtexsport.com/Demand-It.aspx?

Beinggirl Sample Kit for teens
http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/sampling_teen.jsp?utm_source=Ivory__Oct_18+&utm_side=Top&utm_campaign=18+

Kotex Pads
http://www.walgreens.com/dmi/kotex/default.html?ban=flh_kotex

Poise Pads
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11311937&search=samples&Mo=4&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=samples&Ntt=samples&No=2&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1



Magazines and Books
Jiffy Cookbook
http://www.jiffymix.com/recipeform.php


Food and Drink
Metamucil Berry Burst
http://metamucil.safeprocessing.com/HouseholdLimit.aspx


Benefiber
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid56908.aspx


Fruit Roll-Ups
http://freesample.myfruitrollups.com/MyFruitRollUps/Default.aspx

Bare Naked Fruit and Nut Granola
http://www.bearnaked.com/postcards/sample.asp

Hair Care
Dove Hair Therapy System
http://www.dove.us/#/haircare/free_sample.aspx/?source=octhairpromoshinesample

Head & Shoulders
http://www.dove.us/#/haircare/free_sample.aspx/?source=octhairpromoshinesample



Detergent
Tide Total Care
https://secure.novartisotc.com/secure.novartisotc/gasx/trial_alt.jsp



Babies
Places where kids eat free
http://coupondivas.com/kids-eat-free/

Parent's Choice Infant Formula
http://www.parentschoiceformula.com/sample-milk-baby-formula.aspx

Enfamil
https://www.enfamil.com/app/iwp/ConsumerRegisterLoadConsentInfo.do?BV_UseBVCookie=yes

Infant Formula
http://www.membersmarkformula.com/free_sample.aspx

Playtex Baby
http://www.playtexbaby.com/bpafree/info.html

Potty Training Kit
http://www.pampers.com/en_US/home

Goodnites
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid60094.aspx

Kirkland Signature Supreme Diapers
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11324601&search=sample&Mo=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&whse=BC&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=5000043%204013898&NTK=Text_Search&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&cat=48022&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=sample&Ntk=Text_Search&Ntt=sample&No=0&s=1&Sp=S&topnav=&Nty=1&s=1

Juicy Juice Sippy Cup
http://www.juicyjuice.com/Login/Register.aspx


Until next time,

Indulgenceiskey
http://www.naturesindulgence.net/