New: August vs. Late November braid pics

Next comparisons:

March '07 (Nov '06 vs March '07)



************NEW**********- collage of photos over time

June '07 (Straight comparison, 1 year of hair care :) )

************NEW**********- collage of photos over time

June '07 (Straight comparison, 1 year of hair care :) )

For now flat-iron usage will only be to show progress and to get even trims.

Since I'm a bit lazy...I'll list some of the products I use here

Conditioners:

Blended Beauty Curl Cleansing Conditioner -

This is pretty much Blended Beauty Curl Quenching Conditioner with more witch hazel. I like it because it's the most moisturizing conditioner I have ever used. Since BB prices have gone up quite significantly from what I've heard, I'm on the hunt for new products. I'll probably try the Curls line.

Aubrey Organic's HoneySuckle Rose Conditioner - I love this because the base of the product is some type of coconut cream and not water. You feel like you're doing a DT everytime you use it. It smells very flowerly too. I hear overtime your hair becomes more moisturized and easier to detangle.

DTs-

Henna - to be reviewed

Cassia- gives your hair nice shine and helps to tame frizzies

Shampoo-

Curl Cleansing Conditioner- not really a shampoo, but it cleans like one

Aubrey Organic's HoneySuckle Rose Shampoo - I just like it because there are no sulfates...

Styling-

Blended Beauty Happy Nappy Styles - My loooove. This stuff is great, especially if you need a moisturizer for doing braids or twists.

Just leave in conditioner.

Mixed Chicks Leave-In-- I might toss this, it's okay but it has a cone in it. The only reason I didn't toss it immediately is because I have a no sulfate clarifying shampoo that has an ingredient that gets rid of that particular cone.

This is pretty much Blended Beauty Curl Quenching Conditioner with more witch hazel. I like it because it's the most moisturizing conditioner I have ever used. Since BB prices have gone up quite significantly from what I've heard, I'm on the hunt for new products. I'll probably try the Curls line.

Aubrey Organic's HoneySuckle Rose Conditioner - I love this because the base of the product is some type of coconut cream and not water. You feel like you're doing a DT everytime you use it. It smells very flowerly too. I hear overtime your hair becomes more moisturized and easier to detangle.

DTs-

Henna - to be reviewed

Cassia- gives your hair nice shine and helps to tame frizzies

Shampoo-

Curl Cleansing Conditioner- not really a shampoo, but it cleans like one

Aubrey Organic's HoneySuckle Rose Shampoo - I just like it because there are no sulfates...

Styling-

Blended Beauty Happy Nappy Styles - My loooove. This stuff is great, especially if you need a moisturizer for doing braids or twists.

Just leave in conditioner.

Mixed Chicks Leave-In-- I might toss this, it's okay but it has a cone in it. The only reason I didn't toss it immediately is because I have a no sulfate clarifying shampoo that has an ingredient that gets rid of that particular cone.

Goal of healthier hair: achieved

Next Goal: I'm aiming for armpit length straightened hair and shoulder length (length my hair is straight now) natural hair. Due to past pictures I'm guessing my hair grows the average hair inch per month so hopefully I'll reach my goal by december. I'm hoping for nice long hair by April of next year because of prom. 8 months = 4 inches unless I get another trim.

Since May 17 I have been working to keep my hair as healthy and as moisturized as possible. Once you get the hang of it, it's not really hard at all. It's like washing your teeth and face everyday.

Routine so far:

-condition twice daily (at least once if I get lazy)
-absolutely no heat!!!!! except for heating pad to do deep condtioning/hot oil treatments
-keep hair in 2 braids or a bun/puff =)
-moisturize twice daily (after conditioning)
-use all natural products/non-commercial (natural products work best on my hair, commercial products... just don't)
-keep combing very very sparse. I only comb in the shower when my hair is dripping wet and soaked with my favorite conditioner (Curl quenching conditioner), if I'm out I finger comb and braid.
-Treat my hair like old lace. This means no pulling/tugging/ripping the comb out of my hair. I comb from the bottom up as if my hair is going to break with every comb. It keeps me gentle and my hair healthy.
-moisture, moisture, moisture ^_^
-I take GNC Ultranourish Hair currently (bought july 2nd) I'll post if I get faster results by taking a supplement. (I hear the hair and nails formula is better, I may switch to that instead...if I can find my receipt, haha.

hair grows the average hair inch per month so hopefully I'll reach my goal by december. I'm hoping for nice long hair by April of next year because of prom. 8 months = 4 inches unless I get another trim.

Since May 17 I have been working to keep my hair as healthy and as moisturized as possible. Once you get the hang of it, it's not really hard at all. It's like washing your teeth and face everyday.

Routine so far:

-condition twice daily (at least once if I get lazy)
-absolutely no heat!!!!! except for heating pad to do deep condtioning/hot oil treatments
-keep hair in 2 braids or a bun/puff =)
-moisturize twice daily (after conditioning)
-use all natural products/non-commercial (natural products work best on my hair, commercial products... just don't)
-keep combing very very sparse. I only comb in the shower when my hair is dripping wet and soaked with my favorite conditioner (Curl quenching conditioner), if I'm out I finger comb and braid.
-Treat my hair like old lace. This means no pulling/tugging/ripping the comb out of my hair. I comb from the bottom up as if my hair is going to break with every comb. It keeps me gentle and my hair healthy.
-moisture, moisture, moisture ^_^
-I take GNC Ultranourish Hair currently (bought july 2nd) I'll post if I get faster results by taking a supplement. (I hear the hair and nails formula is better, I may switch to that instead...if I can find my receipt, haha.

Picture of some of my styles, I'm trying to be more diverse so we'll see what I can come up with:

-Scarf pic
-Braid pics

------------
Also, instead of making a new album I'm going to put a few pictures of here from a few months ago. Just need some comparisions.

------------
Also, instead of making a new album I'm going to put a few pictures of here from a few months ago. Just need some comparisions.

I added ACTUAL people to my inspirations. If your picture is here and you want it down please tell me!! :)

I really have soooooo many inspirations of women with absolutely gorgeous hair here on fotki and I really wish I could add them all. If only I had that much time :)

fotki and I really wish I could add them all. If only I had that much time :)

4th Month of taking care of my hair :)

length- just a bit past collar bone :)

5th month of hair care :)

The months are getting colder... so you'll notice more on and off of the natural vs. straightened hairstyles. It's just a bit more easy to deal with when it is cold outside.

6 months of hair care ;)

From looking at my May folder...all I can say is wow- I can't believe the transformation my hair has been through. Past my shoulders? 6 months ago if you had told me that I wouldn't have believed you, so all I can say to the ladies or gentlemen who want to grow their hair, don't give up! It's possible.

And it is true that your hair grows when you're not paying attention to it ;)

Anyway- I'll have more natural pictures somewhere between 3 days and a week from now.


length- at least an inch past collar bone

;)

From looking at my May folder...all I can say is wow- I can't believe the transformation my hair has been through. Past my shoulders? 6 months ago if you had told me that I wouldn't have believed you, so all I can say to the ladies or gentlemen who want to grow their hair, don't give up! It's possible.

And it is true that your hair grows when you're not paying attention to it ;)

Anyway- I'll have more natural pictures somewhere between 3 days and a week from now.


length- at least an inch past collar bone

Not going to straighten my hair until June '07. That's about 6 months from now, and I should gain 3 inches and be close to, if not, at armpit length.

New routine:

Morning:
co-wash
- Butter Me Up or Milkshake or Happy Nappy Styles (I'll be experimenting with different results- will post pictures)
-Seal with All Natural Hair Oil

Once a week: Clarify with Volcanic Clean mask, follow up with herbal reconditioner and wash out and co-wash with curl quenching conditioner.

No heat of course til 6/'07

co-wash
- Butter Me Up or Milkshake or Happy Nappy Styles (I'll be experimenting with different results- will post pictures)
-Seal with All Natural Hair Oil

Once a week: Clarify with Volcanic Clean mask, follow up with herbal reconditioner and wash out and co-wash with curl quenching conditioner.

No heat of course til 6/'07

Something I mess around with from time to time :)

Happy New Year!

---Twists! Yippee!

***New---Experiment with Straws
Products used: Water, Happy Nappy Styles by Blended Beauty, and a straw ;)

Products used: Water, Happy Nappy Styles by Blended Beauty, and a straw ;)

Now: Ugggh! Hair is soooo dry. I ordered my conditoner too late, so I had to go a while using a bunch of conditioners that just don't do anything for my hair while waiting for my products to arrive. I'll probably have to do a baggie/shower cap method until my hair is able to recuperate... so I'll post my progress with that.

Anyway...I finally have access to a camera so I couple of pictures up.


Goal: Still armpit, I'm thinking if my protective styling works and I don't have to give myself another nice trim.. I should be at least armpit by June, which is 4 months and 2 inches from now.

Short term goal - Bra strap! (This is probably the length I'd maintain after I got tried of waist length)

Long term goal - waist length straight hair-- I think that is about what? BSL curly hair.. I kinda just want to see if I can get here, I dunno if I could maintain all that hair.. we'll see ;)


Update: Feb 1st--- Ugh! Broke my heat challenge! I had some pretty bad splits and a bunch of knots! So...I made sure to trim those up.

I'll probably have to do a baggie/shower cap method until my hair is able to recuperate... so I'll post my progress with that.

Anyway...I finally have access to a camera so I couple of pictures up.


Goal: Still armpit, I'm thinking if my protective styling works and I don't have to give myself another nice trim.. I should be at least armpit by June, which is 4 months and 2 inches from now.

Short term goal - Bra strap! (This is probably the length I'd maintain after I got tried of waist length)

Long term goal - waist length straight hair-- I think that is about what? BSL curly hair.. I kinda just want to see if I can get here, I dunno if I could maintain all that hair.. we'll see ;)


Update: Feb 1st--- Ugh! Broke my heat challenge! I had some pretty bad splits and a bunch of knots! So...I made sure to trim those up.

Omg it's March all ready!!!!!

Time for some new goals:

I'm gonna lay off straight comparisions for a while, I wanna focus on natural length. So far I'd say it's about shoulder length, more near the base of my neck. I wanna aim for armpit length natural, so that would probably be about brastrap stretched.

The healing process:
My hair is so dry!!--ICK! It's from wearing it out and givin' it no love, so I gatta work on that:

DT 2x a week + showercap at night and co-wash daily until it's more moisturized. I can tell when it's well moisturized when I don't have to use so much conditioner when I co-wash, but there are some dry months that I can't dodge no matter what.

Scalp treatment: Massage oil into scalp daily, I'll probably do this to help with stress for means of motivation. Apply natural hair oil to ends, and hot oil treatment once a month.

Strength/Breakage: Protein treatment once a month (maybe). My conditioner all ready has protein in it, so I don't need to really focus on protein treatments, they are just important after recently straightening my hair.

Protective styling!!! You can't see it in the pictures, buuut I need to work on my ends. I'm gonna have to cut off... I'm guessing an inch, so until I do that I'm gonna try to do as many protective styles as possible and then make an appointment at a natural hair salon over the summer, maybe I'll get highlights ;). I'm just gonna keep my ends in good shape until then, I'm sooo tired of knots, they're just about killing me.

Styles to look forward to:

Braids
Twists
Coils

I'm thinking I'll keep braids/twists in for about a week. I HAVE to wash my hair just about everyday, so that = braids that like to unravel. Maybe I'll get some hairbands for the ends.

the base of my neck. I wanna aim for armpit length natural, so that would probably be about brastrap stretched.

The healing process:
My hair is so dry!!--ICK! It's from wearing it out and givin' it no love, so I gatta work on that:

DT 2x a week + showercap at night and co-wash daily until it's more moisturized. I can tell when it's well moisturized when I don't have to use so much conditioner when I co-wash, but there are some dry months that I can't dodge no matter what.

Scalp treatment: Massage oil into scalp daily, I'll probably do this to help with stress for means of motivation. Apply natural hair oil to ends, and hot oil treatment once a month.

Strength/Breakage: Protein treatment once a month (maybe). My conditioner all ready has protein in it, so I don't need to really focus on protein treatments, they are just important after recently straightening my hair.

Protective styling!!! You can't see it in the pictures, buuut I need to work on my ends. I'm gonna have to cut off... I'm guessing an inch, so until I do that I'm gonna try to do as many protective styles as possible and then make an appointment at a natural hair salon over the summer, maybe I'll get highlights ;). I'm just gonna keep my ends in good shape until then, I'm sooo tired of knots, they're just about killing me.

Styles to look forward to:

Braids
Twists
Coils

I'm thinking I'll keep braids/twists in for about a week. I HAVE to wash my hair just about everyday, so that = braids that like to unravel. Maybe I'll get some hairbands for the ends.

Current length: Just past Armpit

Desired length: BSL first, then waist

BSL Time: Late August

WaistLength Time: I'm guessing a year after I hit BSL so August '08 unless my hair magically grows more than 1/2 inch a month.

Yeey I'm almost at BSL! Just 4 more months to go ;) I should take more vitamins and my amino acid pills to step it up, I need them anyway I'm just being lazy :P

New Challenge (nothing like a new one ;))

NO HEAT! We'll see how long this lasts... but after I get my hair done at sophiasunflower I'm not gonna want heat for a loooong time, just because when I didn't use heat my ends stayed pretty much perfect and I didn't have any knots for the longest time. I'm going to go with no heat for a year (I'll do stretched length pictures, and twists on dry hair for comparisions). I think 3 months is too short a span of time for me to take it seriously so...we'll see how 12 months works :)




Wow... school is almost out, ugh which means AP exams are near...

Anyway!

Sooo, health regimen:

xDeep Conditioning Treatment - twice a week.
xHot oil treatment at least once a month
xCo-wash daily ( at least 3 times a week )
xMoisturize in sections and braid up--seal with ANH oil
xBaggy method at night (olive oil, conditioner, natural hair oil, whatever else I can find...)
xProtective styles
-pinned up braids
-pinned up twists
-2 ponytails --tucked under
-2 buns


Daily:

Co-wash hair with Curl Quenching Conditioner in 3 sections. Apply conditioner, let sit for 2-3 minutes, comb through gently with shower comb and then through running water.

Smooth in moisturizer, comb in if needed (not for curl definition!) Apply all natural hair oil and put hair in two braids.

Nightly:

Take hair out of two braids, apply moisturizers, oils, and conditioner to hair and seal with baggy (baggy method).
-I'm doing this mainly to avoid: knots, breakage, and split ends. Annd I'm not good with trimming, so I need an alternative which ideally would be no trimming at all.


Every 2 weeks or so: DT
Every month: HOT

Let's see if I can follow this:

Chao

WaistLength Time: I'm guessing a year after I hit BSL so August '08 unless my hair magically grows more than 1/2 inch a month.

Yeey I'm almost at BSL! Just 4 more months to go ;) I should take more vitamins and my amino acid pills to step it up, I need them anyway I'm just being lazy :P

New Challenge (nothing like a new one ;))

NO HEAT! We'll see how long this lasts... but after I get my hair done at sophiasunflower I'm not gonna want heat for a loooong time, just because when I didn't use heat my ends stayed pretty much perfect and I didn't have any knots for the longest time. I'm going to go with no heat for a year (I'll do stretched length pictures, and twists on dry hair for comparisions). I think 3 months is too short a span of time for me to take it seriously so...we'll see how 12 months works :)




Wow... school is almost out, ugh which means AP exams are near...

Anyway!

Sooo, health regimen:

xDeep Conditioning Treatment - twice a week.
xHot oil treatment at least once a month
xCo-wash daily ( at least 3 times a week )
xMoisturize in sections and braid up--seal with ANH oil
xBaggy method at night (olive oil, conditioner, natural hair oil, whatever else I can find...)
xProtective styles
-pinned up braids
-pinned up twists
-2 ponytails --tucked under
-2 buns


Daily:

Co-wash hair with Curl Quenching Conditioner in 3 sections. Apply conditioner, let sit for 2-3 minutes, comb through gently with shower comb and then through running water.

Smooth in moisturizer, comb in if needed (not for curl definition!) Apply all natural hair oil and put hair in two braids.

Nightly:

Take hair out of two braids, apply moisturizers, oils, and conditioner to hair and seal with baggy (baggy method).
-I'm doing this mainly to avoid: knots, breakage, and split ends. Annd I'm not good with trimming, so I need an alternative which ideally would be no trimming at all.


Every 2 weeks or so: DT
Every month: HOT

Let's see if I can follow this:

Chao

School is Almost OVAA!!! :)

Sorry I haven't updated or replied to comments and stuff lately...I've been a bit busy with school and all :)

One year of hair careeee! Boo-ya! ;)

Updates:

Okay I cut off an inch of hair, I would have taken pictures but my sister has the camera.


School is OUT! BAM! :) Got out June 4th for me...omg it's been 6 days!

Okay I'm going to try to up my regime becauuuse I've definitely been slacking. And now that it's summer...I don't have an excuse!

School is OUT! BAM! :) Got out June 4th for me...omg it's been 6 days!

Okay I'm going to try to up my regime becauuuse I've definitely been slacking. And now that it's summer...I don't have an excuse!

The journey continues

-Sorry guys-!

No more pictures for a while until I get a camera...mine is lord knows where and my sister broke hers soooo..... I'll update as soon as I find it!

Much Love

-NR

Much Love

-NR

****Still No Pictures, sorry -_-*******

I think I'm at brastrap??? I'll take a look tomorrow, I was glancing in the mirror and I didn't have my glasses so I'm not sure, but it definitely looked like it.

I ABHOR knots...but it might just be something I have to live with, gah. I don't have a bunch, but you know... I just snip whenever I encounter one. Who knows it might be beneficial to our hair in some way? Like a protective thing?? Just my 2 cents ;)


I might do camera stills instead of high quality digital pictures; I just won't have really good quality for a while. Hope that's aiight, lol.


Goals: I just want to reach brastrap for now, I might go for waist length but only because I want brastrap length curls...that would be the bomb. I don't know if I'll go past that just because whatever since I'm going to college and all that I don't know if I'll have a bunch of freetime to be taking care of a bunch of hair...we'll see.

Much Love! <3

I'm a senior!!!!!!!!! '08 ;)

like it.

I ABHOR knots...but it might just be something I have to live with, gah. I don't have a bunch, but you know... I just snip whenever I encounter one. Who knows it might be beneficial to our hair in some way? Like a protective thing?? Just my 2 cents ;)


I might do camera stills instead of high quality digital pictures; I just won't have really good quality for a while. Hope that's aiight, lol.


Goals: I just want to reach brastrap for now, I might go for waist length but only because I want brastrap length curls...that would be the bomb. I don't know if I'll go past that just because whatever since I'm going to college and all that I don't know if I'll have a bunch of freetime to be taking care of a bunch of hair...we'll see.

Much Love! <3

I'm a senior!!!!!!!!! '08 ;)

Went to a party which = pictures!! Well..not many, I think I only have like one where you can actually sorta see my hair. I put it in a cool retro lookin style. I'll do it again and take pictures when I have a camera :)

I have a camera :)

FINALLY HAVE A CAMERA!!!!!

My sister saved up and bought one so...yay!!! :)

No longer at BSL, I cut about an inch to two inches off for the good of my hair :).

*Back to armpit length, cut off quite a bit of hair...
(Not going to straighten until like January/February of '08)

Henna info!

Pre-henna treatment:

shampooed and conditioned with aubrey organic's honeysuckle and rose shampoo and AOHR conditioner. Believe I also used avalon organic's lemon clarifying shampoo. Used a tincy incy wincy bit. None of the shampoos have sulfates. I only use the clarifying shampoo if I used my mixed chicks leave-in.

Used curlynikki's method of adding spiked water (water and apple cider vinager) to my henna.

For this henna treatment I used 100g of Jamila henna from mehandi.com (Catherine's stash). And 50g of Cassia Obovata also from mehandi.com.

Henna was mixed into a thick mashed potato like consistency.

I let it sit for about 12 -15 hours for dye release.

When it was ready I added more apple cider vinegar (just a pinch more) and honey to get it to a pretty smooth consistency.

I applied it to my hair in about 2-3 inch sections (WITH GLOVES!)

I then wrapped my hair up and put plastic wrap around it.

I used heat for only an hour and then kept it on my hair the rest of the time--totalling 12 hours. (I slept for 8 of those hours ;)).

I rinsed it out thoroughly, used gloves for a little bit when I began rinsing it off then I took the gloves off for better control. I rinsed the henna out on each side of my hair because bending backwards didn't completely do it for me. Came out very easily.

After it was all rinsed out and conditioned I mixed Aubrey Organic's Honeysuckle conditioner and Blended Beauty's Natural Hair Oil and put it into my hair in sections. I let it sit for another 3-5 hours.

Rinsed it out, added Happy Nappy Styles and there you go.

Long process, but it was pretty relaxing and fun.

Pre-henna treatment:

shampooed and conditioned with aubrey organic's honeysuckle and rose shampoo and AOHR conditioner. Believe I also used avalon organic's lemon clarifying shampoo. Used a tincy incy wincy bit. None of the shampoos have sulfates. I only use the clarifying shampoo if I used my mixed chicks leave-in.

Used curlynikki's method of adding spiked water (water and apple cider vinager) to my henna.

For this henna treatment I used 100g of Jamila henna from mehandi.com (Catherine's stash). And 50g of Cassia Obovata also from mehandi.com.

Henna was mixed into a thick mashed potato like consistency.

I let it sit for about 12 -15 hours for dye release.

When it was ready I added more apple cider vinegar (just a pinch more) and honey to get it to a pretty smooth consistency.

I applied it to my hair in about 2-3 inch sections (WITH GLOVES!)

I then wrapped my hair up and put plastic wrap around it.

I used heat for only an hour and then kept it on my hair the rest of the time--totalling 12 hours. (I slept for 8 of those hours ;)).

I rinsed it out thoroughly, used gloves for a little bit when I began rinsing it off then I took the gloves off for better control. I rinsed the henna out on each side of my hair because bending backwards didn't completely do it for me. Came out very easily.

After it was all rinsed out and conditioned I mixed Aubrey Organic's Honeysuckle conditioner and Blended Beauty's Natural Hair Oil and put it into my hair in sections. I let it sit for another 3-5 hours.

Rinsed it out, added Happy Nappy Styles and there you go.

Long process, but it was pretty relaxing and fun.

It's important to stay healthy even when becoming vegan. I think vegans--the smart ones--can actually end up being the healthiest people on the planet when research is done as to what should be eaten and what important nutrients must be taken into account. Sooo I have come up with the main foods that must be consumed as a vegan based on important minerals and vitamins needed for bodily functions:

Examples of where to get Vitamins:

A- Mango, green veggies (spinach), carrots, and sweet potatoes

C- fruits and veggies: strawberries, grapes, oranges, broccoli

D - exposure to sunlight, some types of mushrooms have this, fortified foods/drinks (fortified soydream soymilk)

E - nuts (sunflower seeds), veggie oils

K - dark green veggies, soybean/canola oil

B1(Thiamin) - rice, beans, nuts, whole-GRAIN* breads

B2(Riboflavin) - almonds, avocados, dark green veggies

B3 (Niacin) - peanuts, and peanut butter

B6 - nuts, beans, veggies, bananas

Folate - beans, peas, peanuts, oranges, OJ, spinach, sunflower seeds

B12- fortified foods/drinks, Redstar nutritional yeast

Pantothenic Acid- peas, whole-GRAIN* cereals, starchy beans-pinto, black and navy beans

Biotin - fortified foods/drinks, legumes

Minerals:

Calcium- fortified foods/drinks...I believe you can also get calcium from some dark green vegetables... I may research about calcium a bit more later.

Iron - legumes, soybeans, spinach

Potassium - fruits and veggies, OJ, bananas, beans, potatoes

Zinc - whole-GRAIN* bread, yeast, soybeans

Fiber - beans, oats, whole-GRAINS*

Water!! This is one of the most important nutrients!!! Make sure to get lots :)



In a nutshell...as a vegan you should eat mostly:

veggies, fruits, whole-grain products, beans, nuts (peanuts, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, etc...), and buy fortified products such as soymilk.


* Whole-wheat =/= whole grain. Make sure the product says whole GRAIN and not just whole wheat. Whole wheat products do not necessary include the entire part of the grain!

and what important nutrients must be taken into account. Sooo I have come up with the main foods that must be consumed as a vegan based on important minerals and vitamins needed for bodily functions:

Examples of where to get Vitamins:

A- Mango, green veggies (spinach), carrots, and sweet potatoes

C- fruits and veggies: strawberries, grapes, oranges, broccoli

D - exposure to sunlight, some types of mushrooms have this, fortified foods/drinks (fortified soydream soymilk)

E - nuts (sunflower seeds), veggie oils

K - dark green veggies, soybean/canola oil

B1(Thiamin) - rice, beans, nuts, whole-GRAIN* breads

B2(Riboflavin) - almonds, avocados, dark green veggies

B3 (Niacin) - peanuts, and peanut butter

B6 - nuts, beans, veggies, bananas

Folate - beans, peas, peanuts, oranges, OJ, spinach, sunflower seeds

B12- fortified foods/drinks, Redstar nutritional yeast

Pantothenic Acid- peas, whole-GRAIN* cereals, starchy beans-pinto, black and navy beans

Biotin - fortified foods/drinks, legumes

Minerals:

Calcium- fortified foods/drinks...I believe you can also get calcium from some dark green vegetables... I may research about calcium a bit more later.

Iron - legumes, soybeans, spinach

Potassium - fruits and veggies, OJ, bananas, beans, potatoes

Zinc - whole-GRAIN* bread, yeast, soybeans

Fiber - beans, oats, whole-GRAINS*

Water!! This is one of the most important nutrients!!! Make sure to get lots :)



In a nutshell...as a vegan you should eat mostly:

veggies, fruits, whole-grain products, beans, nuts (peanuts, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, etc...), and buy fortified products such as soymilk.


* Whole-wheat =/= whole grain. Make sure the product says whole GRAIN and not just whole wheat. Whole wheat products do not necessary include the entire part of the grain!

Back at grazing BSL (um sorta??)

We'll see how I maintain it!! I'm keeping my hair in protective styles for the rest of the winter, which = buns and 2 ponytails for me...since they are the easiest for me to maintain and do. I'll probably let my hair down at least 3 more times... but I'm trying to keep it up as much as possible!

Pictures to come:

I'm hoping to do a henna this weekend... we'll see how that goes.

I'll try to get a few styles up. Every time I get a good style I can't find the camera!!! Lol...

Goals:

Healthy hair...I don't care much about length anymore. I figure if I just focus on keeping my hair healthy then my length will sneak up on me.

Challenges:

No stretch challenge-- I just made this up :) I'm not going to check length until my birthday: March 1, 2008 (I'll be 18 ;)). Unless of course.. I straighten in between that time which I very well might... we'll see.

I'm doing the protect styles challenge...sorta. I'm just keeping my hair up all the time instead of down. I may do twists tomorrow, or today..or something.

Okay yea..I think I just wanted to write something here :)

for me to maintain and do. I'll probably let my hair down at least 3 more times... but I'm trying to keep it up as much as possible!

Pictures to come:

I'm hoping to do a henna this weekend... we'll see how that goes.

I'll try to get a few styles up. Every time I get a good style I can't find the camera!!! Lol...

Goals:

Healthy hair...I don't care much about length anymore. I figure if I just focus on keeping my hair healthy then my length will sneak up on me.

Challenges:

No stretch challenge-- I just made this up :) I'm not going to check length until my birthday: March 1, 2008 (I'll be 18 ;)). Unless of course.. I straighten in between that time which I very well might... we'll see.

I'm doing the protect styles challenge...sorta. I'm just keeping my hair up all the time instead of down. I may do twists tomorrow, or today..or something.

Okay yea..I think I just wanted to write something here :)

I have decided to start a dextox program that actually works. Well, that has been claimed to actually work. I'm not much of a skeptic so I don't doubt the number of glowing testimonials on a product called: Colonix. I will be receiving the Colonix and Toxinout products on Tuesday so I will document my journey and record the changes I see.

More information here:

DrNatura.com

called: Colonix. I will be receiving the Colonix and Toxinout products on Tuesday so I will document my journey and record the changes I see.

More information here:

DrNatura.com

My skin has usually been very easy to take care of but recently it started going a bit crazy..I blame it on the facial I went to get, but oh well. I found this website:

Acne.org

Even though I don't consider myself to have acne, just the occasional breakouts on my forehead --my breakouts did start worsening so I decided to do something about it before they got too bad. I tried many natural remedies which do work, but they didn't seem to be preventing new breakouts for me just helping get rid of old ones.

Acne.org is a free website with support forms and pictures galleries that document the progress of acne sufferers that follow "the regimen" or that use other forms of treatments.

The regimen:

Wash
Medicate
Moisturize

It's really that simple. You wash gently with an unmedicated wash, medicate with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, and moisturize with an oil free moisturizer.

But if you have sensitive skin like me it's really not that fun for the first two weeks while your skin adjusts to the bp. I decided to stick it out, however, when it got rough and I really wanted to give up but it is great at reducing pimples and breakouts overnight and preventing future breakouts.

bp is a mild drying and peeling agent so while it is good at drying out pimples and peeling off dead skin to even skin tone it is verrry important to moisturize well. Even when I thought I was using enough moisturizer my skin was still extremely dry in the beginning, but it does get better.

I am only going to do this regimen for probably another couple of months and then go back to just washing with noxema. I have seen lots of improvement in two weeks (no sign of breakouts and I'm pretty much back to having clear skin with a sign of a tiny blemish here and there) so I'm sure two months will be good enough.

don't consider myself to have acne, just the occasional breakouts on my forehead --my breakouts did start worsening so I decided to do something about it before they got too bad. I tried many natural remedies which do work, but they didn't seem to be preventing new breakouts for me just helping get rid of old ones.

Acne.org is a free website with support forms and pictures galleries that document the progress of acne sufferers that follow "the regimen" or that use other forms of treatments.

The regimen:

Wash
Medicate
Moisturize

It's really that simple. You wash gently with an unmedicated wash, medicate with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, and moisturize with an oil free moisturizer.

But if you have sensitive skin like me it's really not that fun for the first two weeks while your skin adjusts to the bp. I decided to stick it out, however, when it got rough and I really wanted to give up but it is great at reducing pimples and breakouts overnight and preventing future breakouts.

bp is a mild drying and peeling agent so while it is good at drying out pimples and peeling off dead skin to even skin tone it is verrry important to moisturize well. Even when I thought I was using enough moisturizer my skin was still extremely dry in the beginning, but it does get better.

I am only going to do this regimen for probably another couple of months and then go back to just washing with noxema. I have seen lots of improvement in two weeks (no sign of breakouts and I'm pretty much back to having clear skin with a sign of a tiny blemish here and there) so I'm sure two months will be good enough.

Sorry I have kinda abandoned this site, I'm going to try to get more pictures up soon!! I just...really need to get my own camera, lol. I'll save up so I can post pictures up more often. I have a camera on my laptop...but it's hard to take BSL pictures with it.

I'm finally at BSL..(again) we'll see how long this lasts. I don't plan on cutting my hair anytime soon, but I will have to probably cut off another inch or so sometime soon. I've been neglecting my hair a little. I need to do more co-washes and DTs (deep conditioning treatments). I'll probably go back to doing a DT once a week. It's a little harder to take care of now that it's longer. I'm probably going to have to start detangling before I get into the shower to cut down on the time I spend in there.

Regimen:

co-wash daily with my vegan organic conditioner :) --AO Honeysuckle Rose

Detangle, detangle, detangle...the more I do it the easier it gets...the less I do it...well that's an entirely new story

I'm starting to let my hair dry for about 10 minutes and then gently diffuse on low for a little while until my hair is mostly dry.

I shall henna this weekend!! :) I'll post pictures after.


------------

Currently also working on my skin, horrible breakout after getting a facial--ugh never going there again. But it's definitely getting better. I kinda like this whole "take care of yourself" routine. I wonder what I should improve next, maybe whiten my teeth or something...

camera on my laptop...but it's hard to take BSL pictures with it.

I'm finally at BSL..(again) we'll see how long this lasts. I don't plan on cutting my hair anytime soon, but I will have to probably cut off another inch or so sometime soon. I've been neglecting my hair a little. I need to do more co-washes and DTs (deep conditioning treatments). I'll probably go back to doing a DT once a week. It's a little harder to take care of now that it's longer. I'm probably going to have to start detangling before I get into the shower to cut down on the time I spend in there.

Regimen:

co-wash daily with my vegan organic conditioner :) --AO Honeysuckle Rose

Detangle, detangle, detangle...the more I do it the easier it gets...the less I do it...well that's an entirely new story

I'm starting to let my hair dry for about 10 minutes and then gently diffuse on low for a little while until my hair is mostly dry.

I shall henna this weekend!! :) I'll post pictures after.


------------

Currently also working on my skin, horrible breakout after getting a facial--ugh never going there again. But it's definitely getting better. I kinda like this whole "take care of yourself" routine. I wonder what I should improve next, maybe whiten my teeth or something...

Again I have abandoned this site...but GOOD NEWS ! I have a camera...so now I can upload pictures without begging my sister for her camera!


I've done quite a bit of cutting on my hair lately. I have noticed quite a bit of knots so I want to cut all of those out.. Might be a while before they are all gone since I don't want to just do a drastic chop. I have cut off about half and inch to an inch each time. I kind of like my hair at this length since I refuse to straighten it anymore.

Products!

Hydration Conditioner (I think) Blue bottle from herbal essences..I need a cheapie conditioner since I'm runnning low on cash!

Elasticizer - UK product this stuff was pretty expensive. I bought it directly from the official website so that might be why. I think it was about 53 dollars including shipping... so yea definitely don't go out and buy this stuff for the heck of it. I like it though. I'm going to use it for DT's but it's definitely not something I am going to buy often since my hair doesn't really need a damage re constructor. But I just got it because I've been seeing splits and knots so...why not.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me!

Xinoutorah@gmail.com

I will post more picture soon



College I will be attending in the fall:

Davidson College


No idea what my hair length is since I've stopped stretching it, but it's getting fuller towards the bottom since I cut my hair mostly at the bottom--thus the top of my hair is catching up with the bottom. I don't want it to completely though so I might try to cut layers as it continues to grow.

have noticed quite a bit of knots so I want to cut all of those out.. Might be a while before they are all gone since I don't want to just do a drastic chop. I have cut off about half and inch to an inch each time. I kind of like my hair at this length since I refuse to straighten it anymore.

Products!

Hydration Conditioner (I think) Blue bottle from herbal essences..I need a cheapie conditioner since I'm runnning low on cash!

Elasticizer - UK product this stuff was pretty expensive. I bought it directly from the official website so that might be why. I think it was about 53 dollars including shipping... so yea definitely don't go out and buy this stuff for the heck of it. I like it though. I'm going to use it for DT's but it's definitely not something I am going to buy often since my hair doesn't really need a damage re constructor. But I just got it because I've been seeing splits and knots so...why not.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me!

Xinoutorah@gmail.com

I will post more picture soon



College I will be attending in the fall:

Davidson College


No idea what my hair length is since I've stopped stretching it, but it's getting fuller towards the bottom since I cut my hair mostly at the bottom--thus the top of my hair is catching up with the bottom. I don't want it to completely though so I might try to cut layers as it continues to grow.