Work It Out Wednesday: V8 V-Fusion Juice

Happy work it out Wednesday!

Today I will be expounding on how those of you who skip breakfast can workout a quick nutrition solution by drinking an 8 oz  glass of V8 V-Fusion Juice.  The difference between the regular V8 Juice and V8 Splash is that the regular V8 juice contains vegetable juice and V8 splash contains fruit juice, but V8 V-Fusion contains both.  In one 8 oz serving you get a full serving of each of your recommended daily servings of fruits and veggies. You also get to put antioxidants into your system i.e. vitamins A, C and E.

Vitamin A: Needed for vision and healthy skin. 
Vitamin C: Important for healthy bones, teeth, and your immune system. 
Vitamin E: Also needed for healthy skin and is used by your body for protection against cell damage.
 

Why do you skip breakfast?  Could it be due to time, not being hungry, or do you just not like to eat in the morning?  First, I want to let you know that breakfast is essential in getting your metabolism (fuel for the body) revved up as well as balancing your body's internal system.  Think of it this way.  If your car's tank is on empty before you pull out of your driveway, you already know that you will not get the best performance out of your vehicle.  Better yet, it might clunk out before you get to your destination.  Your body responds the same way.  Try to get into the habit of eating or drinking something that is nutritious before you start your day.  At first, your body might be in shock for a few mornings, but it will begin to thank you for it.

I am recommending V8 V-Fusion Juice as an option because it is quick, easy on the palate, and nutritious.  I tried it for the first time and it was good.  I had the Pomegranate Blueberry flavor.  It wasn’t too sweet or bitter and it had a very smooth texture.   I want to try the Peach Mango next.  V8 V-Fusion comes in Pomegranate Blueberry, Strawberry Banana, Peach Mango, Tropical Orange, and Açai Mixed Berry.  Take a look at this link for more V8 V-Fusion frequently asked questions.

Remember, your body needs the right type of fuel in order for you to get the best performance out of it.  Take care of it and it will take care of you. 

Until Next Time,
Indulgenceiskey

 

Stir Up Your Dreams

I hope that each of you had a wonderful weekend.  Here is some food for your soul.  Enjoy!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you...”
(2 Timothy 1:6, NKJ)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do you need some freshness in your life today? You may simply need to stir up what God has placed on the inside of you. Stir up those gifts, stir up those dreams, stir up those talents inside. Start stretching yourself. You were created to be a dreamer and to pursue the desires God has placed in your heart.

The Scripture tells us that without vision, people perish. If you don’t have a dream or vision for your life, you’re not really going to reach your fullest potential. Maybe at one time you had a dream, but you went through some disappointments or setbacks. Things didn’t turn out the way you planned. But here’s a key: when one dream dies, dream another dream. Just because it didn’t work out the way you had it planned doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have another plan. You cannot allow one disappointment or even a series of disappointments to convince you that your dream is over. It’s time to dig your heals in and hold on to the promises in your heart. Stir up those God-given dreams today and watch Him pour out His favor and blessing upon you and fulfill every desire in your heart!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I come humbly to You. I give You my past, my disappointments, my brokenness. Fill me with Your hope and expectation and give me the dreams and desires that You have in store for my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Have a wonderful day!!

Indulgenceiskey

Mane Chic Cierra

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, a mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head. Personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy.  If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane.  Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication.  With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Cierra!

How long have you been natural?

I've been natural for about 8 or 9 months

What is your goal for your natural hair?

My original goal was to see if I could actually let my hair grow out without giving in to the weak moments I knew were to come and perming it, and also to love and accept my natural hair and texture. I have so far accomplished that goal. So my next goal is to see how much it grows and the different styles I can do with it

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?

Sometimes my hair makes me feel self conscious especially when I try out a new style (I can NOT do hair to save my life, but I try) or when I am around people who still have negative misconceptions about natural hair (usually all of that goes away when they ask to touch it and find out that it is soft) or people of different races who rarely see Black women with natural hair and don’t know what to do about it. Other times I feel so beautiful because my hair is soft and manageable and a random new style worked out for me.

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why?

I would have either stayed natural my freshman year in high school making this year 8 years natural or I would not have permed it last December making this first year milestone come faster. I would have stayed natural my freshman year if I had known what I know now and possibly if I knew others I was surrounded by including family and friends were going to be supportive. Looking back I'm not sure about my family, but I don’t think high school would have been any more enjoyable with natural hair because kids are so cruel and as much as college is a time to find and be oneself high school is the time everyone wants to be accepted and blend in with everyone else. 

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?

Oh good Lord, I am quickly becoming a product junkie as I devour information on the internet about what to use in my hair. I have not been able to try out all of the products I've heard about especially the expensive ones, but I do have a few. I’d have to say the industrial size Eco Styler Gel (LOVE that stuff!) Lusters Pink Lotion, Shea Butter, Tea Tree Oil, and umm. Herbal Essences Color me Happy Shampoo and Conditioner (does that count as two?).  Any of their Shampoo and Conditioner duos for natural and thick hair would do I'm sure, but my hair is colored so, I'm going with the one for color treated hair.

What is your staple style?  Give a quick tutorial on your staple style. 

I usually go for the Big Ole Puff, with a flower on the side. My hair is still growing and not quite long enough for a scrunchie, so I tie it back with a shoelace and hide the ends in with bobby pins. Sometimes I’ll put two or so flat twists in the front to change it up. It is easy and kind of stylish (with the flower) especially if I was too lazy or tired to twist it up the night before. I just spray water in it add some Pink Lotion  and my lovely Eco Styler gel and brush it up with a hard/round brush, and I'm good to go.

What is one product that you have found to have more  than one use and you used it on your hair?  For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.

My special shea butter concoction is absolutely awesome for my hair. My twist are the BOMB when I use it. They come out like spiral curls and look great.

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

If you’re just starting out and afraid of the Big Chop like me, then ease into it. Pretty soon you’ll get tired of the scraggly ends left by the perm and you’ll want to cut them anyway. And YouTube is your friend. J

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why?

Beautiful. I've finally realized that my hair is absolutely beautiful in its natural state.

Thanks Cierra for showing us your Mane Chicness!!    

Have a wonderful weekend!
Indulgenceiskey

Fall Is Here!

Happy first full day of fall!

You all know that along with the new season comes new hair regimens, wardrobes, goals, etc.  Take a look at my fall post from last year (click here).  The tips are the same but not my regimen.  My regimen for this fall will include moisturizing, sealing, protein treatments, more buns and twists ( these have become my staples), and scalp cleansing.  My list is pretty short but very important for what my hair needs and loves. I incorporated scalp cleansing because I have been working out more and with that comes the sweat.  I want to keep the salt build up from the sweat as minimal as possible.  Sure, my scalp is cleaned on shampoo day, which is usually day 7, but what happens in between workouts?  Well, around about day 3 or 4, I plan to try and apply conditioner to my scalp and rinse with water.  I will continue to shampoo on my normal shampoo days.  As you can see, I  have incorporated shampooing into my regimen.  I was on a no poo routine for a while, but I decided to incorporate sulfate free shampoos into my regimen.  

Here's to healthy and beautiful hair!

Until Next Time,

Indulgenceiskey

Nurturing Your Spirit And Your Body

I pray that each of you had a wonderful weekend!  It is a new week and you have a chance to do things better than you did last week.  Now go and make it happen!

Sunday's Word - Food for your spirit:
Sermon from 9-19-2010
"I'm Still Standing"
Daniel 3:12, 15-18, 24-25, 27-30

1. You have to stand in your purpose
2. You have to stand in power
3. You have to stand in God's protection

Sunday's Dinner - Food for your body:
What I had for dinner was

1. Grilled pork chop
2. Sauteed spinach salad with onions and mustard seeds
3. Sauteed plantain

Until Next Time,
Indulgenceiskey

Don't You Hate It When .......

Don't you hate it when you let your eyebrows grow out and be all furry and unruly only for them to be messed up AGAIN?!!  Ooooweee! That gets to me.  I went to a nail shop to get them waxed and I specifically told her how I wanted them.  Now I have to wait for the left one to grow out so that that it can be arched like the right one.  They look more uneven and crazy in person.  Anyway, that was my "Don't you hate it when" moment.  What is yours?

Until Next Time,

Indulgenceiskey

Today's Word with Joel & Victoria

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit"  (Ephesians 3:20, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
When was the last time you imagined God doing something supernatural in your life? Is there a relationship that needs restoration? Is there a business you've wanted to start, but you are holding back? If there were no limitations on your life, if anything were possible, what would you be willing to imagine?

Friend, the only limits on your life are the limits you have in your mind, and God wants to do exceedingly more than you can even imagine today! He wants to overwhelm you with His goodness and amaze you with His faithfulness. But in order for Him to exceed what you've imagined, you have to at least be imagining something! Why don't you take a step of faith today and let your imagination come to life? Begin to see in your mind all the possibilities for your future. Meditate on the amazing things God has done throughout history. Let that seed of faith take root in your heart. Hold on to His promises because He is faithful. He is able to exceed your expectations and go beyond what you can imagine today!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. Today I submit my imagination to You. Help me to see what You see for my future. Help me to take the limits off my thinking so I can receive everything You have in store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

- Joel & Victoria Osteen

 
Until Next Time,
Indulgenceiskey

Mane Chic Deana

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, a mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head. Personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy.  If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane.  Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication.  With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Deana!

How long have you been natural?
I have been natural for almost six months (Big chop was on March 12, 2010) I wore weaves for a long time and continuously got relaxers. My hair started to break off and was really damaged, so I decided I needed a change.

What is your goal for your natural hair?
I just want my hair to remain in a healthy state and to get more vibrant and beautiful as I continue my journey.

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?
It makes me feel exotic and beautiful for my hair to be natural.

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why?
I’m still kinda early in my natural journey, but if I would have to say anything that I would change it would be that when I first got my big chop I wore a wig for 2 months because I wanted to grow my hair out a little bit more. I wish I would have had the courage to wear my twa earlier because it really was beautiful.

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?
1. AfroVeda Shea Amla Butter 2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3. Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner 4. HollyWood Beauty Castor Oil with Mink Oil and 5. Water because it is essential for your hair.

What is your staple style? Give a quick tutorial on your staple style. If you have a picture your staple style, include it as well.
Twist Outs/ Side Twist with a frohawk. It looks really good plus I get so many compliments regarding the style no matter how many times I do it.

What is one product that you have found to have more than one use and you used it on your hair? For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.
AfroVeda Shea Amla Butter is also really good for your skin for moisture.

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?
Embrace your Natural God Given Beauty, Don't be afraid to rock or flaunt your natural hair at all Love it because everything God created is beautiful and that includes Our Natural Hair!!

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why?
"Exotic"

Thanks Deana for showing us your Mane Chicness!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Indulgenceiskey

Mane Chic Cheris

Happy Friday Everyone!!

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, a mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head. Personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy.  If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane.  Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication.  With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Cheris!!

How long have you been natural?

I’ve been natural for 3 years.

                                                                                        

What is your goal for your natural hair?

My goal is to see how far my hair will grow. My hair is mid-back (stretched) at this point. I’m giving it about one to two more years, then I plan to do another BC that will be a closer crop than the first time. I’m really looking forward to this. Guess I wanna have a little more fun with it.

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?

I love it!  When I cut my hair off 3 years ago, I felt free. I felt like I had dropped the weight of social pressure to look a certain way and embraced who I really was.  I feel in love with the woman in the mirror.

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why?

Hmmm, I don’t think I’d change anything.

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?

Distilled water w/essential oils in spray bottle, Mop leave-in conditioner, Qhemet’s Burdock Root Buttercreme, Jane Carter Nourish and Shine, ayurvedic powders and an oil mix.

What is your staple style?  Give a quick tutorial on your staple style.  If you have a picture your staple style include it as well.

Right now, it’s still the twist-out although I must admit I’m getting bored with it. I wash, deep condition and then do a cool rinse. I section my hair into 4 quadrants and apply a quarter-size amount of leave-in conditioner to each section. Then I cover my hair with the Curl-ease towel for about 15 minutes to get rid of the drippies. Once I remove the towel I clip each section out of the way, I make about 3 to 4 twists per each section using a nickel size amount with a twisting or locking product coiling an inch of the ends with my finger. Then I seal the ends with oil.

 

What is one product that you have found to have more than one use and you used it on your hair?  For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.

Shea

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

Patience, patience, patience. It takes patience to learn what works for your hair. It takes patience to learn how to properly take care of your hair. Can it be frustrating? At times, yes it can. But you just have to take a deep breath, do your research and then try again.

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why?  
Beautiful.

Thanks Cheris for showing us your Mane Chicness!!  Check her out on her blog at Chocolate Orchid "the intersection of healthy eating, natural hair, and thoughts on life in general."

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Indulgenceiskey

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!


What did you spend your day doing?  Well I actually finished styling my hair and just enjoyed my day off.  Last night I washed and conditioned my hair as well as applied a protein treatment using 3 eggs, an avocado, and a few drops of rosemary essential oil.  It was time for a protein treatment and I didn't have any packets of the aphogee protein reconstructor.  So, I opted for the egg instead.  The egg gave my hair the protein it needed and the avocado gave it a great bit of sheen.  The rosemary helped to stimulate my scalp.  The entire mixture also made my hair look darker after I rinsed and conditioned it.  I really liked this hair mask/protein treatment.

Egg and Avocado Mix
3 eggs
1 large avocado
3 drops of rosemary


First, hand mix the 3 eggs in a bowl.  Next, add one peeled and pitted avocado.  Mix together using an electric hand mixer until smooth. 

 Last, apply a few drops of rosemary essential oil.

Apply the mixture to clean hair.  Cover hair with a plastic cap and leave on for 15-30 minutes.  Use heat if you would like.  After leaving the mixture on your hair for 15-30 minutes, rinse hair thoroughly and apply a conditioner afterwards.  Let the conditioner sit on your hair while you detangle then rinse with cool water.  Apply a leave in conditioner and style as usual.


I tried corn rowing my hair for the fourth time and I must say that it turned out well.  I still have a ways to go, but it is improving.  As you can see, my edges are thin so I make sure that I am extra gentle while dealing with them. 

I hope that you enjoy the remainder of your Labor Day!

Take care,
Indulgenceiskey