Hairstyles

Hairstyles

Monday, September 30, 2013

10 essential foods that help to grow your hair: Part 1-Omega-3




There are so many things that I do to grow out my hair, from protection hair styling, to making sure that my hair is properly moisturized.  But we should be looking at what’s going on the inside as well. I want to do a series on 10 essential foods that will help give you grow healthy and beautiful hair. Vibrant hair depends on a balanced diet. If you eat a balanced, varied, protein-rich diet, you can give your hair a healthy chance to reach all of the goals that you set out to reach.

Let’s start out by discussing Omega-3. Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are vital to every cell in the body. The benefits of omega-3 extend to the heart, breast, bone, brain, hair and skin health.

Omega-3 has gained attention for its ability to combat dry and brittle hair, hair loss, dry, flaky scalp and reduced circulation to the scalp. The benefits of omega-3 EFAs include adding luster, sheen and elasticity to your hair. Both DHA and EPA are vital for the nourishment of hair follicles. Omega-3 can help restart hair growth, help hair grow quicker and stronger—even prevent or reverse hair loss.
One of the best sources for Omega-3 is Salmon.  The omega-3 fatty acids found in this tasty cold-water fish are incredible. Your body is unable to make these fatty acids, which your body needs to grow hair. About 3% of the hair shaft is made up of these fatty acids. Omega-3s are also found in cell membranes in the skin of your scalp, and in the natural oils that keep your scalp and hair hydrated.

 If Salmon is not your favorite, you can get the essential fatty acids from other sources like herring, sardines, trout, and mackerel, as well as avocados and walnuts.

Here is a wonderful recipe for Salmon:

Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Lemon, Basil, and Salmon

TOTAL TIME: 20 min
Ingredients
  • 1/2 pound whole-wheat spaghetti pasta
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 (4-ounce) pieces salmon
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 3 tablespoons capers
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta and transfer to a large bowl. Add the garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Add the fish to the pan and cook until medium-rare, about 2 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish. Remove the salmon from the pan.
Add the basil, capers, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the spaghetti mixture and toss to combine. Set out 4 serving plates or shallow bowls. Place 1/2 cup spinach in each bowl. Top with 1/4 of the pasta. Top each mound of pasta with a piece of salmon. Serve immediately.
Per Serving: Calories:462; Total Fat: 17.5 grams; Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams; Protein: 34 grams; Total carbohydrates: 46 grams; Sugar: 3 grams; Fiber: 8 grams; Cholesterol: 66 milligrams; Sodium: 573 milligrams
For More great recipes check out this link:
Salmon Recipes

Enjoy!


Friday, September 27, 2013

Would you grow out your hair and then Cut it all off?

OKDani.com

As you guys know I am finally deciding to grow out my hair. I am very happy with the shoulder length hair that I have and I have to say that it is manageable just as it is....but I've gotten board. Although, I am not sure if its in my "Genes" to grow hair down to my waist, I'm not above trying. So I have been inspired by Danielle Faust and have watched her effortlessly grow hair down to her waist.

OKDani.com

OKDani.com


Recently, she began pondering over doing something different to her hair......one option was cutting it all off. Now I have to tell you I am not afraid of cutting my hair. I get my hair cut every 4 months....It grows back, right? But could I cut off over 52" of healthy hair.  Hey its only hair and it will grow back, in three to five years, whats the big deal. Three to five years   She also donated the hair to an incredible cause.

Here is the video of her cutting her hair:
Short Hair Dont care

She also wrote a blog on donating your hair.
Hair Donations 101

Her end results are beautiful, she stated, that she has care free days again. With caring for a toddler amongst one of the challenges I can understand the need for freedom from the whole hair routine.  Do you think that with all that we endure with taking care of our natural hair....that you would grow bored or tired of the routine. My hair has taken on a life of its own...thus this blog, O.K. I digress, but do you think that you could cut your hair in such a drastic manner, what are your thoughts?

New Care Free Hair.



Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Back to wash and go.





I have to say that I am a “big hair don’t care” kind of a girl, Today I shingled my hair after wearing a braid out for 4 days. I honestly feel that the braid out was a low manipulation style and could have gone through the week with little to no updating (adding products) to the hair. Although I am trying to go with protection styling for the rest of the year, it was so fun, seeing my hair!!! Back to protection styling.

Here is a comparison to my 4 day braid out (after the rain attacked it) and my wash and go.



Are all products equal?





OK guys I was walking through the Dollar general and was browsing the hair products as I always do, and I find three new products that are reasonably priced and seemed to have the right ingredients for $6.00 and under. Right now I am shelling out $11.00 for a typical curl moisturizer and I am going through the product in 3 weeks. Here is what I found.

Aunt Jackie’s line, all products were $5.00



Motions naturally you, all of the products are $6.00



 Pantene True natural Line which coast $5.00



 Has anyone tried these products yet….I think it’s time to do a you tube video on each…stay tuned!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Four days of my braid out.






I am disappointed to say that the rain turned me into a frizz ball last night, I think that without the rain I could have easily have gone 7 days with no fuss curls. For the past 3 days, every night I have braided my hair in 4 braids and pin curled them for the night. I tried the pineapple method and it preserved the curls but it stretched them so much that I had waves and I am going for a curly bob look.  


So instead of giving up on my braid out I used Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie and eco styling gel and placed my hair in 4 braids and pin curls.  This is the result for today. ( I only used a very small amount not to cause the hair to be damp, this was done on dry hair. )





After making it into work the rain frizzed the curl a bit and now I have more of a wave, the top photo is before I left the house and the bottom is after I made it through the rain (Clinching to my umbrella like it was my life line)





 I think it will make it through the day. My goal is to wear carefree hair with minimal manipulation.  To see how I got this braid out check out my blog entry: