Update Coming Back Soon

I've had to put my blogging on hold due to a lot of diffrent things going on. Dealing with work, school, health and home life has put a lot on me physically and mentally. I took some time away to organize everything and reset my life. I will be returning with a few reviews and maybe a couple of videos but I won't have a regular schedule until the fall. I can't wait to get back to my normal schedule and bring on some new things. I'm excited about all the new things that are getting ready to take shape in my life. I can't wait to explore some new ideas and something God has brought to my attention. The new website for this blog will be up in late fall. This page will always be open but I will be moving on to a new home. Thank you to everyone who stops by this blog I so thankful and blessed for every view, share and like. Thank you and stay glued I have a lot to bring forward in the next coming months. Thank you God bless :)

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Murray's Edge Wax

Price $4.99 4 oz

When it comes to edge control products I think I have tried them all. I have read all the empty promises that companies have slapped on the back of packaging to products  which have come up short. I have tried so many different types of edge controls that have made it to my product stash grave yard section of no return. I gave up on finding a product that can tame my thick mane for my up do hair days. My hair is a beast when it comes to products that are meant to help fight frizz or smooth. They simply just don't work or only work for a very short time frame.I have always been a fan of Murray's products. Great quality great prices trusted  brand and easy to find.  I came across this wonderful product and was hesitate to try it at first but being that I have always been a fan of Murray's products I knew it wouldn't fail me and it didn't. This product was inexpensive, has a very nice smell, and smooth creamy consistency. The biggest thing that stood out was the color and texture of this product. The biggest problems I always hear with edge control products is the build up of white icky that it leaves and the oily mess they have. I didn't have any problems with using this product. No stickiness no oiliness no gunk.  Its a smooth combination of the Murray's trade mark wax and a nice gel of some sort. It looks white in the jar but comes off  clear once added to the hair. I used this product first simply on my edges one morning before heading to school. By the time I got to work later that evening my edges were still smooth. They stayed smooth for the next couple of days with little replying of the product. (Quick tip when using edge controls only use a tiny small amount to cut down on build up) I really like this stuff I think its a keeper. I will be experimenting with the different uses for this product i.e. twist outs, quickie wash n gos, buns. I highly approve of this products for all hair types. Now with any product expect some type of build up. This product has a wax based so just be alarmed that you will have to wash your hair to make sure there is no wax build up. Other than that I really think the Murray company has something special here in this 4 oz jar. I'm surprised that this product isn't plastered across all the blogs yet. This is a great product I;m so glad I tried it and I'm finally getting around to review it. There's one more product I'm gonna try the Murray's Cream Wax African Export reviewed it a long time ago on YouTube and I think I'm gonna finally give it a shot this spring/summer once my other twist products are used up. 

****Photo Credit via Google Images****

Product Junkie Rehab

It's been almost 3 years since I transitioned and 2 years into my natural hair journey. Over the course of that short time being natural I have developed a bit of a problem collecting hair products. I don't even know how this even started it just slowly crept in like a bad fart on an crowded elevator. When I was relaxed I never was into buying and spending money on products. I was like a guy if was cheap and gets the job done I bought it. I think since being natural I discovered a love for my hair that I didn't have before. Let me be honest for a minute here and make this statement . I HATED BEING RELAXED!!!! I only stayed relaxed because it was all I  knew outside of wearing braids and a ponytail. I'm so glad I made the change from relax to natural. No more chemical burns, long noise salon visits, and spending $60+ just to have my scalp burned off every 6-8 weeks (so don't miss those days). After getting rid of one problem I kinda developed another. At first it started by me not knowing what products worked for my hair, because I didn't know the basics  of natural hair and the whole hair typing thing. Once I grasps the basic knowledge about natural hair, then finding out the different kinds of products and how to properly use them for my type of hair things got a lot easier. I started to find a few staple products some not so nice products. Then something created a spark in me that I never had before. The more I researched the more I was interested. The more I was interested the more money I was spending on products. Fast forward I was hooked on trying every product that caught my eye, especially if it was on sale with a coupon marked down in the clearance section type of product. I was watching YouTube product hauls and reviews like they were hardcore porn movies. I looked up one day and notice my bed room was dominated by an organized prison for hair products. They were every where!!! In my closet, in a costume trunk, in a plastic 3 tier container, in the bathroom cabinet, almost a year worth of curl kit boxes and in the shower. I've tried giving some of it away and there is still too much left. So I have to face the music. I am Girl Friday and I am a product junkie. I never thought I would of seen the day I admit I love products because I love my hair. I've been doing pretty good lately using up stuff but still I find myself buying things. At least its things like conditioners that I use up in no time and things to make deep conditioners with. I've been only trying to buy things when I have to or are things that I really use on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. I plan on giving away most of the hair products I have left to newly natural women since I know how hard it was for me starting out. So here are a few tips I'm learning on my road to product junkie recovery.

Product Junkie Recovery Tips

• Clean House- Sort through all your products if it hasn't been used at least 4-5 times in the last 6 months put it in a box to be given away. Most likely your not gonna use them, some one else could.
• Inventory-Make a list of all the products you use by category (Shampoo, Conditioner, Deep treatments, Leave-ins, Moisturizers, Stylers, Oils, Tools, etc) By doing this you know exactly what products you use in your regimen and won't wonder or purchase other products.
• Restrictions&Limits- By setting up ground rules you only use what products you have and only buy what you need.
• Fighting Temptations- When getting the urge to walk down the isles of the supermarket hair section 

1. Stop and turn around you have plenty of products at home you can use.
2. Look but don't touch you won't buy it if you don't touch it.
3. Take mental inventory of products and come back to them when you use up products you already have at home.
4. If its a product you use REGULARLY and its on sale its ok to stock up on but not ok to horde (No more than 4-5 bottles of a product at one time)
5. Always keep a list of the products you NEED not WANT on hand when your out shopping.

• Recover Slowly-Take your time it's a process we are creatures of habit. A "PJ" addiction is just like any other addiction you can relapse if you don't take the steps needed to control it. 

Starting Over in 2014

I've been away from my blog here for a few weeks now but I will be back soon to make some major updates. I have been trying out products, recipes, diy projects etc to name a few things. I even enrolled in school and will be starting at the end of the month. I took time out to live life away from my computer screen and got inspired to make alot of changes in my life. I am starting a new path in my life and will enjoy the lesson and growth that will be coming from it. I will be taking time this year to explore learn and educate people on the many things I've over come. I feel it is my calling to reach out inform. My goal this year is to better my self, my life, my education, my career, and everything I do. I'm excited for this new season I'm about to coming into and I thank god for everything I have ever experienced in life. Working on some new things for my this blog well as my YouTube channel. To my readers I say thank you and stay tuned for my special updates coming in the next few weeks. 

DIY: At Home Coffee & Tea Bar!

Rihanna - Pour It Up (Explicit)

3 Sisters of Nature (Product Review)

I first came across this line of products (3 Sisters of Nature) a little over a year or so ago. I was doing what every other natural haired woman of this modern time does, cyber surfer YouTube for the latest products for.... you guessed it natural hair. At that time I was still in minimalist mode far as products for my hair. This is before I took a hit of the product obsession drug. So I saw a few reviews, watched a few videos, just kept a mental note and carried on with my little life. Fast forward a month or so ago  I saw these products and being a now product junkie, I had this strange urge to try out some of the products from this line. The prices of the products are slightly out of my rules for product junkiness, but I was willing to bend them since it was just a few dollars over my limits. Most of the products are being compared to more higher end product lines, such as Kinky Kurly&Miss Jessie's. What caught my eye first was the Sweet Honey Rose Treatment and from there I start to explore a few of their other products. I checked my stash before purchasing these products. Seeing what I needed to try instead of buying something that would go to waste. So I went for and I must say these are very nice products. They are natural based formulas, using a minimal amount of healthier ingredients which I thought was awesome. I LOVED the aroma of "cherry Starburst" like smell of each product. I didn't try all the products in the line but I will be going back some time soon to try the others I missed. Over all I had a good experience with a few snags along the way. I would recommend trying at least the Sweet Honey Rose Treatment or Natural Curling Gelo for starters.

Sweet Honey Rose Treatment
This treatment is one of two deep treatment products available from  3 Sister of Nature. This treatment has become a holy grail product for me now. Which says alot since I have about 2+ years worth of products in my stash. Everything from the candy like smell to the smooth, creamy consistency just screamed try me. Now the price kept me at bay at the beginning $12.99 for a 8 oz. deep treatment was unheard in my purchase log. This treatment is compared to Miss Jessi's Super Sweet Back Treatment. Deep down I knew I would really like it , so I went ahead a buy it. I applied this product after a full wash (Shampoo&Conditioner), as directed. I learned the wetter the hair when applying this product the better application. I had to put my handy dandy pink spray bottle to work since my hair is like a super sponge. It was a smooth process to apply to my hair in sections making sure everything was covered roots to ends. I followed my rule of deep conditioning "The longer you leave it in the better they work. Since this isn't a super protein treatment I left it in my hair with a plastic cap for 30 mins under a hooded dryer and 30 mins under a plastic cap. After I rinsed my hair in the shower can you say SUPER PILLOW CLOUD SOFT HAIR!!! This has to be the only thing to make my hair so supple and soft when it comes to deep conditioning. I loved this product this is it for me. I don't know if I want to even try any more deep treatments for my hair after trying this one.

Natural Curling Gelo
This particular product has been compared to the famous Kinky Kurly curling custard. I must say it's almost similar in look and texture. I again loved the smell and consistency of this product.  The price was very reasonable $9.99 8oz. I applied this product to my hair after rinsing the Sweet Honey Rose Treatment. I used the leave in conditioner from this line and applied this gel on wet hair. Styling my hair in a wash n go, this product was very light weight, creamy and easy to even finger comb into my hair. I would recommend using a thicker moisturizing leave-in conditioner before applying the gelo. When this curling gel dried it was a nice definition to my hair. It gave a soft some what firm hold to my hair in it's curly state. Haven't tried this gelo in a twist out style but it's pretty good I will repurchased.

Leave- In Conditioner
Now this product wasn't a total favorite out of the four that I tried. It smelled nice but was a little too watery for my type 4 thick hair. I'm thinking since this line is natural based the consistency was gonna be more on the liquid side. It was all bad it did work very well with the other products and I will use it when styling my hair in wash n gos or when I want lighter products in my hair. I don't think I will repurchase this leave-in conditioner.

Sulfate Free Shampoo
This was another ok product from this line. This was a creamy shampoo. It did sud up in a soft way but I HIGHELY recommend not to over use this shampoo. I was able to really detangle or finger comb my hair when using this product. It wasn't very moisturizing and for that fact I didn't really care for it. My hair was clean but I feel like this product formula needs some work. It's almost as if there are a few things missing that would make it a great shampoo. Maybe adding some aloe vera juice or extract with a few heavier oils like olive etc. to help this shampoo perform a little better. Over all it will be in my stash to use up maybe I can remix to make it work for me, or maybe give it away.


 

ELF Haul

Ori Essentials Cleansing Conditioner (Co-Wash)

I was first introduced to this lovely product in the May Curlkit box. This is my first natural co-washing product that I've ever used. I must say I am enjoying this product. I'm not a stranger to Ori Essentials line since I've recently tried the leave in conditioner in which was also from the April Curlkit box. (Got to love Curlkit for that) I enjoyed the leave in conditioner so when I saw this product one month later I couldn't wait to use it. I followed the standard hair washing method wet hair, apply product in sections, finger comb product through hair. I thought it was interesting that this product as it states doesn't sud like a shampoo but cleans like a soft cleanser. I was able to just finger detangle and didn't have to use it more than once in one wash application. One of the few perks of this product outside the fact that it's a natural product (CG friendly) would be the good slip and smell. I really like the smell of fresh bannana - tropical coconut type of aroma. This product left my hair so soft and clean. I have been thinking about repurchasing this product since I live in the south and the summers here are extremely hot and I find my self co-washing more often than in the cooler month. I've been building my summer hair care staples and this has made it to my favorites list for simple go to product. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who co-washes more than shampoo or anyone looking for a nice natural product that simple and just all around just yummy  and easy to use. It's definetly worth trying out.  

30 Day Crunch&Squat Challenge Week 1 Update

Week one check in the good and the bad......
So this week has been better than I thought give or take a few things. Let's start with the good first since everyone always loves good news. I've been very physical and very active. I had to change the routine by kicking it up a notch. I felt the challenge was a little too easy so for the first couple of weeks I will be doing 100 crunches and squats (which is what Ive been doing most of the week). This was a personal choice of mines I need a to kinda push myself a little more than normal. Turns out my body really likes the ideas of this change. I'm really starting to feel it and I like working out. Now the bad SMH... I have been having a bit of a dilema in the food department. Two things have been going wrong either I'm not hungry and don't want to eat or I'm implse eating or PMS eating is more like it. I've been a vegetarian for a year and a half now and not have any urge to eat all day isn't new to me. It freaks me out really. I've been a big girl all my life minus one year out of my 25yrs of life. This has been happening for the past 8 months now on and off and I've been noticing it more now. I have to plan my meals to make sure I'm eating enough to power my body. I didn't plan my meals last week and it showed. Then there is the impulse eating. I didn't go far off in the deep end and chug a dozen of dounuts but I did have some not so healthy things (to my standards) i.e. a coffee drink, banana nut muffin, etc. Nothing horrible but nothing I should be eating right now. I eat pretty clean for the most parts and eat full balanced healthy meals about 85% of the time. I'm very honest and open about my eating. I've always had a eating problem and it's one of those things I'm still working on but I'm doing better since becoming a vegetarian. I'm still amped and excited to be doing this challenge and I will continue moving forward with it. I'm focused on eating better I will be addding more reps to the routine since right now its a 100 x 1 for each workout then it will double up soon. I love how my body feels a little sore but I know it will be all worth it : )

Natural Hair: The Complete EcoStyler Gel Review (All Colors)

Youtuber/Vlogger MAHOGANYCURLS breaks down one of the popular and most used hair care products in the NHC (Natural Hair Community)

ECOSTYLER GEL

I enjoyed watching this video. MahoganyCurls gave a great personal perspective on each individual gel, while listing additional information in the description box of this video. I'm a big fan of ECOSTYLER GEL, "Olive Oil" is my favorite out of the line of products. I came across this video while researching hair care products and yet again a "HOW TO WASH AND GO" video on Youtube(#I SUCK AT WASH AND GO'S). I'm glad I did click on the link to this video. I will be trying the "ARGAN OIL" BRAND FROM ECOSTYLER. Hopefully I'll be able to have more luck this time around doing a wash and go. Check out the video below and stop by MAHOGANYCURLS on Youtube she has excellent videos on all your CURLY GIRL needs and just great videos period on natural hair.

Spicy Tofu Scramble

My on going love affair with Tofu has yet blessed me with another favorite dish. This has got to be one of my favorite Sunday morning dishes to date. (sorry pancakes) It a vegetarian take on the imfamous "Scramble eggs" even though it tastes like a stove top quiche to me. All you need are a few select around the house ingredients. This is what I call a "Kitchen sink" recipe, because no matter what you have around the old fridge it will always taste great. For this dish I used 4 eggs, extra firm tofu (DRAINED AND CRUMBLED), an array of diffrent spices,canola cooking oil spray, olive oil, two types of onions (white and green), a good ole' green bell pepper,Rotel brand tomatoes and chiles, and mild cheddar cheese. It's quite simple just preheat(medium to low heat) skillet and spray canola oil cooking spray and drizzle olive oil to coat the pan. Saute onions and bell pepper in skillet for only a couple of mins (DON'T FORGET TO STIR). Next add in the Rotel tomatoes and chiles and tofu. Make sure you stir to keep everything from burning or sticking to the pan. Then while everything is sauting crack the 4 eggs and beat with a fork. Add the spices of your choosing, I chose a dash of salt, pepper, garlic&pepper, Tony's brand creole seasoning (love that stuff), crush red pepper flakes. Add just a dash of each then later while cooking you can go back and add more as desired. Once eggs and spices are mixed in add them to the veggies in the skillet. At this time add a sprinkle of cheese to the dish. Stir the ingredients as the scramble begins to bond together. This process only take a couple of mins so keep stiring. When the dish is almost in scramble egg form sprinkle more cheese and spices as desired until everything has been completly cooked. Turn off the heat and plate the scramble. I normally eat this dish with a small bowl of oat meal or fruit in this case, along side a glass of almond/soy milk, green tea, lemon&honey or a cool glass of my favorite fruit juice. This dish will keep you full through out lunch time. Hope you enjoy!!!

CHEF SIDE NOTES: YOU CAN ALSO ADD AND MIX IN DIFFRENT TYPES OF PEPPERS, SPICES, AND VEGGIES TO MAKE A NEW SCRAMBLE TO CALL ALL YOUR OWN. TRY USING SEASONAL VEGGIES GROWN IN YOUR LOCAL FARMER MARKETS. THERE IS ALSO A VEGAN ALTERNATIVE TO THIS RECIPE:INSTEAD OF EGGS YOU COULD USE MORE TOFU OR SEITAIN, AND USE A SOY BASED VEGAN CHEESE LIKE DAIYA

Morning Star Product Review

In the name of all things good never in my life have I thought that my love of great food would lead me to the vegan/vegetarian commercial products in all places Walmart. After years of battling my digestive issues with IBS, I've managed to figure out a few ways to ease the very uncomfortable and occassionally embarrassing problems associated with this condition. I took to the web in search of ways to dilute my little big problem. I ran across information about adapting to a vegetarian diet will help stablize the symptoms of IBS. So over the last few years I have been doing a vegetarian detox sort of speak until I was ready to full commit to the life style. Now on to the MORNING STAR PRODUCTS I was walking down the frozen food section of my local Walmart store and saw a very small selection at the time of vegetarian/vegan friendly food. At the time I was a renewley wed to the vegetarian/pescatarian life style and wanted to try my had at some quick fix food products. I first tried the Morning Star Black Bean Burgers. They were soooo good even my southern down home country kitchen cooking mother was so impressed with my "Hippie Burgers she asked for more. A few months later I stumbled across some thing new in the now growing vegan/vegetarian friendly food section at my local walmart. Since summer is right around the corner and I live in Memphis,TN (The land of bbq and fried food) I felt a little sadness in my tummy about missing out on my favorite BBQ goodies. Until I saw the Morning Star Riblet. OMG there aren't enough words to explain the explosion of joy that came over me when I bit into this riblet. It was so yummy and I enjoyed every bite of it. The sauce was delicious,it wasquick and easy to make and only costed about $4.00 2-pak unit (for healthy food that's cheap). I decided to eat it on whole wheat bread since I don't care for white bread much. This product reminds me so much of the imfamous Mc Donalds Mcribwhich. IT TASTES JUST LIKE IT!!! Can you say product clone anyone. I'm so glad that I dont have to miss out on my favorite summer grilled goodies. They even make hot dogs and chicken nuggets of course they are Vegan/Vegetarian friendly. So I'm such as super fan of Morning Star products now and I can't wait to try some more products from this company. I'm definitely stocking up the freezer next time.