Coconut Oil

I wanted better looking better hair, better looking skin, and better overall health. Coconut oil provided all of this for me. I read somewhere on an organic health discussion board about the benefits of taking coconut oil and I wanted to try it. So I bought a tub of room temperature solid coconut oil. I read that most people take a spoonfull of it.

I tried that a few times, and I couldn't take the gagging anymore! Even melting it first was too horrific for me, but I wanted to experience the benefits that everyone else was getting. So one morning, I put it in my coffee, and that took away the greasy feeling in my mouth and the gagging, and my coffee had a hint of coconut flavor. I liked it a lot. Others overcome the greasy feel by putting it in smoothies too.

I bought the tub of coconut oil in the vitamin isle in Walmart for $10.00. Each tub lasts me like a month and a half, so it's a good deal. Oh, and if liquid-form is too unbearable, capsules are available too.

For more info go here


This is the brand I used

Lavender

I've been doing a lot of research on natural herbs to treat common problems and to replace cosmetics made with chemicals. As I've mentioned before, after going off birth control, my face went crazy with acne. I tried sooooo many things that seemed to work for a few weeks then stop, or they did nothing at all. After much research, i discovered that my acne was hormonal. I wanted to find something that I could ingest that would cure my acne. Lavender got my interest because I read somewhere that it was good for acne and reducing swelling. Since I already buy a bunch of herbs at the natural foods store I decided to pick up some lavender too.

After only a few days, I noticed major improvement. My skin seemed a lot calmer. I was shocked. Now, I had been recently started taking Chlorella for a short time, so I didn't see much skin activity because of it. Since adding the lavender tea, I rarely see any pimples and if I do, it's just a blemish that goes away the next day. I also make tea with other herbs of calendula, lavender, burdock root, dandelion, fenugreek seed, and marshmallow, which all have acne curing properties. I'll talk about the benefits of the other herbs another time. My hair has also grown like crazy. I did a big trim a few months ago (like 3 inches), and all of that hair grew back in three months.

So, if you are having skin problems, I really suggest trying lavender. Lavender produces calming/soothing effects in those who use it. It also has high anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties, which is good for killing bacteria. Lavender oil has been used to treat eczema, skin disorders/acne. I haven't tried the oil, but I might pick some up to treat past acne scars.

Lavender is a great herb to add to your beauty routine or diet because it is also used to treat insomnia, (My lavender tea knocks me out, so I never drink it before school or work), depression, abdominal complaints, anxiety, mood disturbances and loss of appetite.

Lavender oil used to treat
- fungal infections
- burns
- wounds
- eczema
- acne
- rheumatic ailments
- stimulate circulation
- soothe nerves
- cure headaches when applied to the temples

Lavender has been used since ancient times for bug bites, relieve itching, and rashes.

Lavender water used as a tonic for
- weakness
- fatigue
- fainting
- giddiness

Lavender as a food
- produces nectar which yields a high quality honey
- the flowers can be candied
- add flavor to baked goods
- lavender sugar
- tea bags

Warning
- Lavender has been known to increase photosensitivity
- studies show and three cases were found that the oils caused gynaecomastia, an abnormal breast tissue in teenage boys. Lavender can mimic oestrogens which triggered this disorder, I believe. Mostly, boys outgrow it and it goes away.

Source Source Source

Hidden Stitches

I'm sure no one cares about this but me, but my husband always buys slacks that are too long for him. Heres a helpful video on how to hand sew a hidden stitch, which are good for hemming slacks.

Draping a Bodice

I would really like to design my own patterns and these videos are awesome!

How To Tame Unruly Curls

I was reading this article on Ivillage.com and I thought I'd share it because these are the methods that I use for defined frizz-free curls (click on the title for full article). I should also let you know that I stopped using chemical relaxers a year ago (exactly in June 2008) and I am currently transitioning. I am in the process of a long term transition, which means I will slowly chop off the relaxed ends of my hair until I only have my complete natural texture. I did my first "big trim" two days ago after a year of transitioning. So far, I am loving the process.

Here are some tips from the article...

-First, love your curls
-If you shampoo, use sulfate-free shapoos- I stopped using shampoos a year ago and it has done wonders for the health of my hair. I only wash with conditioner which has cleansing ingredients in them as well.
-Condition, Condition, Condition- After rinsing conditioner, I always add more for detangling and leave-in purposes for extra hydration. This leave-in method is the secret for fighting frizz. This will not work for all types of hair.
-Do not towel dry. Blot with a t shirt or paper towels. This is a part of preventing frizzy hair.
-After applying products and styling, leave hair alone until it dries- More fighting against frizz
-Sleep on a satin pillowcase
-Scrunch the curls for definition and volume- this does not work for me and creates frizz
-Find the right product for your curl texture and don't use too much, but also don't use too little-Air dry as often as possible
-If you must use heat, use a diffuser
-Get a good hair cut and interview your stylist about their knowledge of curls- I completely don't trust a stylist. No one knows how to manage my hair like me!