Avocado conditioner

• Avocados are rich source of Vitamin E and B and helps in hydrating the hair and guard against heat. Purchase fresh avocado from the grocery store. Wash and clean the fruit. Peel off the skin from the avocado and remove the stone.
• Set aside some coconut milk to add in to the Avocado.
• Now, crush the Avocado and pour in the coconut milk to the crush until it reaches the consistency of the conditioner. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
• Gently apply the mixture onto the hair and massage the scalp with it. Allow the conditioner to be on for at least 15 minutes and then wash off with a shampoo after the stipulated time period.

Click below to read more;

http://buy-hotbuns.com/hot-buns-hair-reviews/making-natural-hair-care-products-for-your-hair/

Healthy Scalp, Healthy Locs

Nyesha Samuel, Publisher/Master Loctician for healthylocsblog.com

The birth of Blackhealthtv.com came out of a shocking dinner conversation co-founder Dr. Corey Hebert had with friends. “About two years ago, I was having dinner at a Mexican restaurant with a group of African American colleagues. When the fajitas arrived at our table, one of the gentlemen felt grease pop on his skin. He immediately said, “Quick, I need to get some butter,” recalls Hebert, an award-winning medical journalist and frequent contributor to the Dr. Oz. Show. “As a physician, I thought to myself, he couldn’t be serious.  I admonished, “You’re not going to put butter on that burn!  That’s the worst thing you could ever do.” He defended vehemently, “My mom and grandma always told me I should put butter on a burn.”  Even though I was the only physician at the table, everyone argued that butter was the best way to treat a burn.”

The dinner companions turned to the Internet to see who was right.  “At that point, I realized that there was no offering for African-American health that was standardized, academically-based and interactive on the Internet,” explains Hebert. “Furthermore, if these college-educated black folks didn’t know basic first aid, then I had to do something to make health information available to all African Americans despite socioeconomic and education levels.”

Click below to read more;

http://www.tnj.com/news/business/blackhealthtvcom-interactive-approach-to-delivering-health-news

Nyesha Samuel, Publisher for healthylocsblog.com

Black celebrities battle obesity problem on public stage

Nicole Ari Parker was motivated by frustration. For Star Jones, it was a matter of life or death. Toni Carey wanted a fresh start after a bad breakup.

All three have launched individual campaigns that reflect an emerging priority for African-American women: finding creative ways to combat the obesity epidemic that threatens their longevity.

African-American women have the highest obesity rate of any group of Americans. Four out of five black women have a body mass index above 25 percent, the threshold for being overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By comparison, nearly two-thirds of Americans overall are in this category, the CDC said.

Many black women seem to not be bothered that they are generally heavier than other Americans.

Calorie-rich, traditional soul food is a staple in the diets of many African-Americans, and curvy black women are embraced positively through slang praising them as “thick” with a “little meat on their bones,” or through songs like the Commodore’s “Brick House” or “Bootylicious” by Destiny’s Child. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and The Washington Post earlier this year found that 66 percent of overweight black women had high self-esteem, while 41 percent of average-sized or thin white women had high self-esteem.

Click below to read the full article;

http://www.oregonlive.com/celebrity-news/index.ssf/2012/12/black_celebrities_battle_obesi.html

Nyesha Samuel, Publisher for healthylocsblog.com

1.  Curl – Curling instantly adds glamour to your locks. It gives your locks a fab look without much ado. After all, curling rods, soft curlers, etc are often easy to use and inexpensive and if you need help, you can always check out video tutorials all over the web. As a matter of fact, many fabulous styles for locks make use of grandma’s good old curlers so if you want a fuss-free way to pretty locks, get those curlers working.

2.  Cut – If they’ve always been long, cutting you hair short is the shortest route to a completely new look. However, consider one    that frames your face nicely. For others, an afternoon with hair shears is no big deal but there are those who need to think things through before getting their locks chopped off. Whatever category you’re in, it helps to have an experienced stylist around to guide you in making a decision.

3.  Clip – Use pieces that compliment your hair and outfit. Try hair accessories, put on a head wrap, wear a head band, earrings, dazzling beads etc. Clip whatever you have as long as they match your get up. In short, accessorize but learn how to mix and match. Accessories can greatly enhance your locks hairstyles but the trick is to not overdo it. Some pieces can help radiate your feminine appeal, give you classy look or show your fearless, fashionable side.  

4.  Color – A new shade can definitely perk things up in the mane department, dreadlocks or not, but again, find the hue that suits you. Remember that a shade that looks amazing on someone else may not yield the same result for you. Go to a reputable salon or a trusted colorist instead of going for a DIY as locked hair is more challenging to dye. If you just had your hair locked, wait for at least twelve weeks before coloring. In case you haven’t, it’s recommended to dye your hair first before locking them.      

5.  Change – Little changes like a new angle of your part or creating a part if you have none can make a huge difference. Play with your bangs, put your locks into a bun, create a Mohawk and if you are a bit more daring, you can even shave a side. As a matter of fact, various styles for locks are available especially to those who are not afraid to experiment. If you welcome changes, you will not find yourself lacking in options.   

Leave a comment and let me know what you think

Healthy Scalp, Healthy Locs

Nyesha Samuel, Publisher/Master Loctician for healthylocsblog.com

Back in the day, if you had put a relaxer in or had your hair pressed straight you would have to cut all your hair off and grow out an afro long enough to start forming locs.  But now that’s not the case.  If you want to keep your length and start your locs you can do so.

The most popular method for starting locs with your own straight or curly hair is interlocking.  Some people get the micro size or sister locks done when their hair is straight, but interlocking can be used to create any size locs.  Make sure that the person doing your interlocking does not use a latch hook or crochet needle to do it.  Both of those tools can damage your hair over time.

If you’re getting sister locs/micro locs done then the sister lock tool is fine.  If you’re doing medium to large locs it’s best to do it with your fingers or a yarn needle to help your hair maintain its size and strength.  You can see an example of this by watching me do it on my own hair in the following video,  http://healthylocsblog.com/videos/healthy-locs-does-her-own-hair-part-2/

Another way to get straight hair to lock is by doing individual braids and waiting for them to matte and loc over time.  It will take your locs longer to look like what you know as locks if you use this method though.

Now if you don’t mind having hair added to your head then you can get loc extensions done to give you the look of someone who has had their locs for years.  Some use yarn or synthetic hair to do these extensions, but I say stay away from both of those.  If you’re going to get lock extensions done, make sure the stylist uses human kinky hair so that your locs will look as real as possible when they’re done.  Also don’t let anyone come to your head with weave glue or a needle and thread.  If they can’t create the extensions with just the human kinky hair, then run and find a stylist who knows what they’re doing.

The above methods are great options for starting locs on straight – curly hair texture.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Healthy Scalp, Healthy Locs

Nyesha Samuel, Publisher/Master Loctician for healthylocsblog.com

 Nyesha Samuel, Publisher for healthylocsblog.com

Natural healing doesn’t have to be complicated – especially when it comes to helping people with depression or anxiety. With the right information – you can virtually eliminate the symptoms of depression without harmful (toxic) drugs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every ten people reports being depressed. The findings were that people between 45 and 64 were the most depressed, with women outnumbering men. The deep south of the United States had the highest levels of depression, in some areas ranging up to 15 percent.

Why is there so much depression?

If you look closely at our diets and lifestyles, you can see how they’ve contributed to certain conditions associated with depression. We see diabetes; allergies; chronic fatigue; hypoglycemia; hypothyroidism; heavy metal toxicity; and many more as contributing factors. Also, we have to consider all the different drugs people ingest on a regular basis.

Add to this excessive caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, sugar, and a lack of proper exercise, and it’s actually a wonder more people aren’t depressed. What could people possibly be thinking?

 Click below to read more;

http://www.naturalhealth365.com/natural_healing/depression.html

 Nyesha Samuel, Publisher for healthylocsblog.com

Over the years, the Black church has been widely criticized for their moralistic attitudes and silence when it comes to the AIDS epidemic in our community. But here’s what we do know: There are some churches across the country that are tackling this issue from the pulpit and making differences in their communities.

Filmmaker Paul V. Grant’s new documentary, The Gospel of Healing Volume 1: Black Churches Respond to HIV/AIDS, which debuted at the International HIV/AIDS Conference in D.C. this summer, highlights some of these faith-based initiatives and discusses how our community cannot grow strong in the wake of AIDS without faith.

BET.com caught up with Grant to talk about his documentary, why he’s passionate about raising HIV awareness and what he hopes the film will do to inspire HIV activism in the Black church.

Why was this the story you wanted to tell?

In 2004, I co-produced a documentary for BET called Tangy’s Song! It was about an indie gospel singer, Tangy Major, who contracted HIV in the late ‘80s. Yet despite losing her son and boyfriend to the disease, she was still extremely grounded in her faith. She believed that she was healed spiritually—I was really struck by that.

 Click below to read more;

http://www.bet.com/news/health/2012/12/03/health-hero-paul-grant-tackles-aids-and-the-black-church.html

Nyesha Samuel, Publisher for healthylocsblog.com

If you have high triglycerides, you may be thinking about eating healthier meals as a way to lower triglycerides naturally and reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Over the long term, switching to a healthier diet is indeed the best way to lower triglycerides naturally.  But what about the short term? Wouldn’t it be nice to know that by choosing a healthy meal you’re providing immediate benefits to your cardiovascular system as well?

A 2012 study comparing the immediate effects of a junk-food meal to a Mediterranean Diet-type meal has found just that: junk-food meals immediately damage your arteries, while Mediterranean Diet-type meals not only do no harm—they may even be beneficial, especially if your triglycerides are high to start with.

What is endothelial function?

Researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute at the University of Montreal compared effects of a junk- food meal and typical Mediterranean Diet meal on the inner lining of the arteries (the endothelium). The endothelium is not passive; it plays an important role in maintaining the health of the arteries by sensing and responding to various signals. The endothelial lining releases substances which cause the arteries to contract and expand in a balanced, harmonious way.

Click below to read more;

http://www.naturalhealthadvisory.com/daily/cholesterol-control/want-to-lower-triglycerides-naturally-mediterranean-diet-type-meal-proven-to-do-so…-and-it-improves-artery-function-within-minutes/

Nyesha Samuel, Publisher for healthylocsblog.com

Healthy relationships are one of the key primary foods in life. It’s vital to look beyond nourishing our physical body, and focus on that which nourishes our heart and soul. From friendships and marriages to siblings and co-workers, our relationships cultivate a community of companionship and support.

Healthy relationships have the ability to boost longevity, fight depression, and ultimately create an abundant life full of happiness. The health benefits of nourishing relationships are clear: research shows that happily married couples live longer and are less likely to have heart attacks; close friendships are proven to help cancer recovery; people who own pets are less likely to have stress-related diseases. 

Communicate – Whether in person, through an email, over Skype, or a good old-fashioned phone call, reach out to the people you love, even if it’s just to tell them, “I love you!” A little communication goes a long way in nurturing relationships.

Click below to read more;

http://holisticnaturalwellness.com/blog/2012/11/5-simple-ways-to-focus-on-your-relationships-this-holiday-season

Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Nyesha Samuel, Publisher for healthylocsblog.com

One of the most unique substances on the planet, bee pollen, probably doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. This superfood possesses all of the nutrients essential to sustain human life, with a breakdown of 55 percent carbohydrates, 35 percent protein, three percent vitamins and minerals, two percent fatty acids and five percent other substances.

A phenomenon uncharted by science

Pollen is the tiny male seed, required for fertilization, that exists in blossom of flowers. When bees collect nectar from flowers, these tiny yellow, tan, orange, and brown balls of pollen stick to their legs, thus creating bee pollen. Bee pollen is a special substance that can only be produced by nature.

Man-made pollen does not possess the same unique properties, even though it is chemically identical, as far as science can determine. When laboratory synthesized pollen is fed to bees, they die even though all of the known nutrients are present. Even with the latest technology, science cannot identify some of the special components that exist in bee pollen. These components are likely the same ones that hold the key to its powers.

Click below to read more;

http://blackhealthweb.com/articles/bee-pollen-one-of-the-worlds-most-perfect-superfoods.html