by
Black Girl With Long Hair
1. Adequate Sleep. I used to notice that after a good night’s sleep my skin looked incredible. I didn’t think much of it until I learned that the body recharges itself at night. I’ve started to think of sleep as an active part of my health and beauty regimen.
2. Local Market Basket. My (soon to be) mother-in-law signed me up for a farmer’s market basket. It costs $9.00 and it’s full of fruits and vegetables from local farms. It’s delivered every weekend and it’s a great way to force me to eat fruits and veggies (which aren’t treated with pesticides.)
3. Eyebrow waxes. This is the only beauty related thing that I do RELIGIOUSLY. And it’s always a morale boost. I’m amazed at how a well-defined brow can open up the face. It’s a cheap way for me to instantly feel better.
4. Cutting out soda and sugary beverages. This is actually something I started when I was 16. My godmother is a doctor and at the time she advised my mom and I to keep soda intake to a minimum because of the dehydrating effects and high calorie content. Drinking less soda and sugary beverages has given me an opportunity to explore other options. I drink a lot of water. And right now I’m loving homemade tea chilled and mixed with tonic water. I get the flavor I want with health benefits I need.
5. Bathing with black soap. I recently adopted black soap for my facial regimen, and it’s graduated to my full-body regimen. Black soap is manufactured in Africa, and it’s basically a cleanser chock full of shea butter and other moisturizers. It’s incredibly gentle and I love the fact that it’s something I can use on my hair, on my face or on my body.
So there are 5 of my health & beauty tips. What are some of yours?
44 Responses
What a great write-up! No idea how you were able to say this report..it’d take me long hours. Well worth it though, I’d assume. Have you considered selling ads on your website?
i stumbled across this site some days ago. And now i’m hooked. i check out this site almost everyday. i’m so happy to see that i’m doing some things right with keeping my health/body in tact. I read a lot of the comments most of them i’m currently doing already. and most of all i’m very proud to hear there are positive healthy women taking care of themselves. i’m a lot more health conscious now especially since i went natural about 9 months ago. i’m so happy i found this website! lol.
These comments have been really helpful. Thank you for addressing the flouride issue. I have some qualms about spf…is there a natural alternative?
Is the girl in the pic Andy Allo???
@ Sesi
omg! lol….the subway cookieeeees!!!!!
white chocolate macadamia nut oh my looooord!
yea, subway cookies are definitely wrong.
i think everyone said what i was going to say….water.exercise. fruits & veggies. healthy mind & spirit.
although i do think that eating meat, especially red meat should be something more people try out.
1. Eyebrow threading!!! Much safer and more hygenic than wax. Also, it is a great way to get your brows groomed if you are using prescription acne washes, gels, creams etc. Waxing (and using these products can) lead to burns / ripped skin. Learned this the hardway.
2. Sunscreen. So many women of color just do not wear it. Since using a daily sunscreen I have noticed great improvements in my skin.
LOVE this post!
I physical tips for eons and eons but beauty is only skin deep. It starts deep deep deep deep down inside and radiates from within.
Everything things (or at least the vast majority) of things I do, I do with my spirit in mind.
I make sure to do things I love all of the time. I delve in the arts. I’ve been dancing since I was 3 and will not stop ever! It’s such a release. Live music, festivals, photo shoots, concerts, museums, art shows, all of it. I make sure to thoroughly enjoy and make sure that I go to these places and do these things with little concern for time if possible.
I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate nature. I love spending Sundays in the park, and I am a beach bum. I love going to gardens and nurseries to enjoy the flowers, and sounds of nature (God). Enjoy the beauty which surrounds you and that we take for granted.
I meditate daily and practice yoga for at least 5 minutes every morning, and for long periods of time of Sundays. I also stretch after I shower at night, while my muscles are warm and loose. Flexibility will save you when your older and improve your life now! Writing and talking to myself is great! I mean REALLY talking to myself when no one else around. I talk about what I love, what I don’t love, what I’m going to change, etc. Whatever I want. You don’t always feel comfortable telling things to people. Even your best friend. So tell it to God and the Universe when your home alone or driving alone for long periods of time. Articulating your thoughts and emotions is so much different then simply just THINKING about something, letting the thoughts bounce back and forth in your head. Seldom do you reach a real solution or feel much different/relieved of the thought/feeling afterward. You can solve things and answer questions for yourself much more efficiently when you just shut up, quiet your thoughts and just NOTICE instead of THINK. You will hear God speak, and the answers will be loud clear and obvious.
Please take care of your body. It’s the only one you have. Over 99% of diseases and illnesses are related to STRESS. Be very careful what you put in and on your body. Vacation as often as possible. Live in the present moment! Eat healthy, balanced, colorful meals! LAUGH HARD AND OFTEN. Use natural products in your daily life.
Breathe in positive energy and exhale of the things you don’t want or need.
Read often. Educate to elevate!
Perhaps the best beauty tips known to man: For attractive lips- speak words of kindness. For beautiful eyes- seek out the good in people. For a slim figure- share your food with the hungry.
I can literally go on and on for days…I’ll leave it there. lol.
https://www.sapphyr.net/largegems/dancelike.htm
https://www.great-inspirational-quotes.com/meaningful-quotes.html
@ Liyah
Hallelujah on the sexual healing comment!
[Jumping backwards with hands raised in the air]
@Liyah… LOL! You can definitely talk about sex 🙂
I am so glad that this topic has picked up too… This was so needed.
I wanted to add: 1.) Vacation, Vacation, Vacation… I can’t stress this enough. I think vacations are imperative to your mind, body and soul. Whether it’s a girls trip (which are the best stress relievers)or a getaway with hubby or your significant other WITHOUT the kids are priceless. Vacations relaxes the mind and take you away from all the daily stresses of life- does not have to be some exotic location just a quick getaway always works for me.
I can literately feel it when I need to get away from everything and everybody. I come back rejuvenated and it always feels like a new least on life. My skin is glowing and I feel relaxed!
2.) (Hope I don’t get kicked off of this site) But, I could not leave out an active sex life does a body good. I’m going to leave it at that…Lol:-)
3.) ME time…Whatever that means to you… Some people meditate, others may pray but just being still and having your own private thoughts without any interupptions.
I get up early on the weekends before my husband and the kids and do absolutely nothing. I sit on the couch and enjoy my thoughts. This allows me to be more even keel and centered before the chaos in my house begins.
I love this website…others really do not compare!
By the way, Thanks Maureen for the tip on the Avocado oil …I can’t wait to try this one!
LOVE hearing about all the regimes and tips for a healthier mind, body and soul. Here’s my three cents:
1) Live in the present…this is so hard but try I try to remember how short life is and how blessed I am.
2) GREEN SMOOTHIES…this was already mentioned but I have to say it again. This is a great way to get your greens and fruits in (esp the greens). Your body will thank you.
3) Run away from negative, angry people…it is really toxic!!
btw…this is my first comment! Love this blog and all the beautiful people!
LOVE, LIVE & BE FREE….
So glad this topic has picked up steam 🙂 A few more things I forgot to say: 1.) Keeping my apartment organized is TANTAMOUNT to my well being. A messy space is a stressed out mind for me. 2.) I’ve learned that stress manifests physically in bad skin, bad sleeping patterns and stunted hair growth. I now actively incorporate de-stressing activities into my health & beauty regimen (lol) 3.) I’ve stopped weighing myself everyday because then I focus on the small picture (how many pounds I gained or dropped) instead of the large picture (how I can live a healthier life. 4.) I swear by a cup of unsweetened tea and a piece of fruit/bowl of unsweetened oatmeal in the morning as a weight management tool. I don’t know if it has something to do with boosting metabolism early in the morning, or just setting a healthful tone for the day. But it works!
@ BlaqInfinite
Hugs from all of us: Me, the cat, & the house plants.
It’s awesome to see the many ways we take of our bodies. I think that any time you make a conscious decision to live naturally in one area, the other areas will be affected (whether that was your intention or not).
1. Drink water
This seems really basic by a lot of people are walking around dehydrated. We drink a lot of coffee, we drink a lot of teas that have caffeine in them and we drink a lot of sodas. And these caffeine containing foods really promote the body to lose water. So one way to help ourselves ahead of time before we even get dehydrated is to drink more water.
2. Eat whole grains
Whole grains really provide some of the best sources of nutritional support. They have high levels of dietary fiber and B vitamins. The great thing about whole grains is that your body tends to absorb them slowly so the grains will actually provide you with longer lasting energy. Additionally whole grains promote healthy elimination, which is not only great for your digestive system, it’s also reflected in your skin and hair.
My current favorite grain: quinoa
3. Embrace green leafy vegetables
I LOVE greens! Energetically speaking, green leafy vegetables shoot straight up and out. And so that’s the kind of energy they give. They’re really energy boosting and help with your spirit. When you nourish yourself with greens, they tend to crowd out the foods that make you sick or don’t make you feel well. The more greens you eat the less of other things you’re going to try to eat, because greens will just really help build your internal rainforest. Nutritionally speaking, greens are pretty deep…but we don’t have to get into all of that.
My current favorite green: lacinato (dinosaur) kale
4. Cook/Prepare Food
I believe a large component of eating healthfully includes actually preparing the food. When you do this you really make a connection with the food and your family. You often get a real understanding of these (whole) foods and why they can benefit you. So practicing cooking is a great thing whether you’re a chef in the kitchen or whether you’re a novice, trying something new and trying new foods is something that can really be helpful and really add some creativity into your cooking.
My current favorite dish: roasted butternut squash soup
5. Restore self-care
I do my best to do things that support my happiness. My theme for this year is gentle abundance. My theme reminds me to be gentle with others around me and trust that the Universe has a lot in store for me. I can be very focused, leading to “work, work, work” mode. So this is a gentle reminder for me to also embrace abundance in a gentle way. This speaks to my belief that making choices and decisions that honor our soul in everyday life. That can look different for everyone, but I think it’s important to explore needs and desires and put it into action.
My current favorite self-care action: creating collages
Ok, so that was much longer than I planned, but oh well 🙂
OMG Sandy…I talk to my cat too. I forgot that has to be one of the most mentally beneficial things for me: Connecting with sentient beings who are not my kind.
I really like this post! It’s great to know that so many women are taking care of their health {mind, body, spirit}. Some things that I do.
-Yoga & meditation!
-Green smoothies/wheat grass juices {HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU AT LEAST LOOK INTO THE BENEFITS!}
-I try to eat a mostly raw vegan diet {learn about it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhOdqWJa3iE}
-I only use natural products like sheabutter, coconut oil, dr. bronners soap but I’m trying to use soap MUCH less.
-I still haven’t gotten a good exercise routine set yet but i’ve been thinking of trying out the trampoline! I’ve heard lots about it in the past week or two {thanks target queen for mentioning it!}
-i read something inspiring everday
-i keep my thoughts positive and constructive
-i feel my feelings and deal with them or let them go
-i check where i’m at with my goals and take action steps towards them
-i strive to be better everyday 🙂
-i strive to show love to others in all ways everyday
peace & love
GREAT posts and comments. Loving that BGLH has been having convo’s about things other than hair–although I GET that the blog is hair focused. Anyhow, I drink a gallon of water ERRRRRday(lol) and walk three miles at work(I workfor a park district) or go to the gym. I’m a honey, salt, baking soda, coconut oil, essential oils queen. Don’t drink juice, pop etc. But dang those subway cookies 🙁
@JC
after reading about the dangers of flouride the past 3 years..I see nothing but BAD.
Well, in case you didn’t know it, fluoride is highly toxic. In fact, before fluoride was deemed a “cavity fighter,” it was used as insecticide and rat poison. It’s true. Even more surprising is that when it comes to dental hygiene, fluoride actually does more harm than good.
Everything you always DIDN’T want to know about fluoride
For decades the message that fluoride safely prevents tooth decay has been considered sacrosanct. This idea came from the same “chemicals for better living” era that also told us that smoking cigarettes soothed the throat.
Fluoride is a pollutant – a by-product of copper, iron and aluminum manufacturing. The problem of how to legally dispose of fluoride was solved in the 1930’s when a study (funded by one of the country’s largest aluminum companies) concluded that fluoride prevented tooth decay. A successful public relations effort, helped along with some cooperative government cronies, resulted in the good news going out: this miracle chemical, when added to water supplies, will give everyone healthy teeth and brighter smiles.
But does fluoride actually prevent tooth decay? Not according to the largest study ever conducted on fluoridation and oral health. 39,000 school children in 84 areas around the U.S. were studied in the mid-80’s, and the results showed no statistical difference in tooth decay rates between fluoridated and non-fluoridated cities
there are a million articles on the dangers of flouride..and books too..
Seems that all the most pertinent tips have already been stated 🙂
Go head target queen! I am a raw foodie “in process” – Was raw until the 5th month of pregancy and now moving back to raw foods.
1) Lots of green leafy veggies. it really helps my skin as well as my nutrient intake, as I need much more minerals now than ever with breastfeeding 🙂 I aim for at least 4 handfuls of veggies a day and 4 fruits a day – all unprocessed. I can easily accomplish this most times by drinking a green smoothie (more info in my fotki)
2) I use black soap and castor oil to cleanse my face. Most of the time I do the oil cleansing method, but if I have a lot of breakouts and such I usually use extra castor oil and rinse off with black soap. I use tooth powders versus toothpaste (Dr. Christopher or Eco_Dent)
3) I use yogurt as a facial mask and hair treatment. Sometimes I add clays or henna/cassia if needed for extra cleansing. I also started taking milk baths and they are amazing for exfoliating the skin in a jiffy!
4) I do yoga, pilates and kettlebell workouts. They are fun and give me a lot of variety. I also walk a lot at work (avoiding tickets to move my car) and I do use my trampoline when I am stuck at home.
5) I use shea butter, cocoa butter and other oils to moisturize my face and body as much as possible. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and massage almond or olive oil all other my body and feet.. then go back to sleep! I usually sleep much better and my skin thanks me (tends to be dry!). I drink at least 32oz of water a day, and take in healthy fats, like hemp and flax oils, evening primrose, and borage oils. These all provide me with Omega 3-6-9 oils which are great for reducing inflammation in the body and supporting internal lubrication and nourishment. —
Remember that the skin is your largest organ :*
thanks Yoshi3329 I’m gonna have to try those!
– savvy
https://savvybrown.com
Take super food supplements like Chlorella and Spirulina and you’ll cut the supplements you take now in half. It (Chlorella) includes every major vitamin, mineral and amino acid one needs to sustain life. Spirulina complements Chlorella.
I use these two FOODS daily and everything has been wonderful. My hair grows faster & thicker, I don’t smell as much, it detoxes the body, it regulates the body, lighter cycles, much more energy, weight loss, my lashes/eyebrows are thicker, I could go on and on.
But be careful and introduce it slowly to you system. And since it is a food, you can’t overdose!
Target queen – Current medical advice is that fluoride is most useful for children to prevent tooth decay. There are some areas where fluoride is added to water and if there is too much then problems can happen. However this problem is extremely rare in UK and USA.
Here is the British Dental Health Foundation page – https://www.dentalhealth.org.uk/faqs/leafletdetail.php?LeafletID=17
Oh this is all so helpful and inspiring!
I want a regimen too!
If only I were that way disciplined.
But I do do at least some wonderful things religiously.
Maybe 1 of these might do someone else some good too:
– I drink Sencha green tea almost every day.
– I actually do stop & smell the roses in whatever form they take.
– I talk to my cat. (I like acknowledging the fact that she has a life, mysterious and lazy though that life may be!)
– I get my daily dosage of BGLH.
– I take long showers (Yes. I know this is wreaking havoc on the planet. So sorry, Mother Earth! I’ll do better. I promise!)
– I keep my mind active (reading, learning new & old languages, writing)
– I laugh a lot.
– I dress and comport myself like a sartorially savvy and intelligent woman.
– I’m open to uncertainties, to conversations with strangers, to life.
Yikes. I’m beginning to wax all philosophical now . . .
PEACE.
I am a dark-skinned black woman, but I use SPF 45 sunscreen. I’m 23 and I don’t want premature aging. yea, I know that black doesn’t crack but whatever…I’m gonna make sure my black won’t crack 🙂
Before I go to bed, I put olive oil (coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter will do) around my eyes and on my laugh lines to prevent crow’s feet and wrinkles.
I moisturize my legs twice a day because they tend to get super dry. Also, I notice when taking cod liver oil supplements my skin looked heavenly. Witch hazel makes a great astrigent!
Of course, you gotta drink lots of water and eat healthy. 🙂
@maureen, no i dont add mint..its not necessary..just baking soda and clay mixed dry in a container..your teeth will feel brand new…I dont beleive in using flouride toothpastes..flouride does more harm than good, especially for children.
I get my avocado oil from the grocery store..no special brand, just make sure its cold pressed..i dab it under and around my eyes morning and night…google the benefits of avocado oil for skin and eyes…I use it everywhere..Im deep conditioning with it as I type
Best thing I have done for my overall health and well-being is put God first.
I have begun a regular exercise routine which involves a daily 3 mile walk and belly dance workout. My warm Miami, Fl weather is starting to come back so that means that I will be swimming either at the beach or in my parents pool 4 days a week. Then. . . I walk some more. I LOVE to walk!
Weight has been an issue my whole life. According to my doctor the biggest reason I have a hard time losing weight is because I am not eating enough. While it is uncommon for me to eat more than 2 times a day, I still thought I needed to eat less. . . Needless to say I was wrong. I have start eating small meals 4 to 5 times a day and the weight is finally starting to disappear. YAY!!!!!
Cut out the salt!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not anti-salt but we are literally killing ourselves. Now I use more herbs and spice and les salt, if any. And only Kosher salt. That means fast foods and processed foods are a no no, for me at least.
Black soap and shea butter are my skin’s best friends. I was blessed with good skin so it doesn’t need much more than that. Every now and then I will do a homemade sugar scrub for a deep down clean. Also drinking water 90% of the time helps.
Manicures and pedicures are my thing. I have actually perfected the technique so I can do them at home and save money. Homemade sugar scrubs with a little baking soda to remove dead skin and soften. Then cocoa butter and shea butter to moisturize. And I always wear socks.
For relaxation, I go to the beach, park, or some other place that feels right at the time to ease my mind and maintain my peace. I follow that up with a long bath scented with Lavender and Vanilla/Chamomile. With some smooth Jazz or Classical music, nothing with lyrics. And top it off with a glass of wine or champagne.
Oh and I must mention, to keep my immune system working properly I take IMMUNOCAL.
1. I have not touched soda in years. I think the last time I actually drank some soda was maybe 10 years ago. I definitely have noticed a difference. My body doesn’t feel bloated anymore and I don’t feel so sluggish.
2. I don’t drink. If I do have a drink, it is usually wine. Even then it is only a couple of times a year.
3. I don’t smoke. ‘Nuff said.
4. I got hooked onto belly dancing as a way to be more active and I love it! Its fun and I noticed that it tightened up my arms, shoulders and abs two weeks after I started doing it.
5. Sleep is very important. My skin looks gorgeous when I have gotten a good nights sleep. I haven’t been getting the right kind of sleep lately so its been looking kind of dull this week.
6. I cut down on the red meat a lot. I still eat burgers from time to time, but it is not a main part of my diet like it used to be. Its had similar effects to cutting out soda, and sorry if this is TMI but it has also improved my menstrual cycle.
7. I drink lots and lots of tea. Specifically green, peppermint, and ginger teas.
8. I follow a very simple skin care regimen for my face which consists of a vitamin C based cleanser, an aloe and green tea based moisturizer and I exfoliate once or twice a week. For my body my favorite moisturizer is coconut oil or grapeseed oil.
9. I have increased my fruit and vegetable consumption and I have been working in healthier alternatives to chips and other salty snacks since they are kind of a vice for me.
10. I make sure I get my full supply of iron. Iron deficiency seems to be common and I had trouble with it a couple of years back.
11. When I eat, I eat to be satisfied rather than to be full and I try to make sure that my meal encompasses foods from every group if I can.
So…these aren’t exactly secrets but they are specific steps that I have taken to look and feel better. Ha ha.
1.Get your EFA’s- they help beautify skin, hair, and they have helped me with cramps and knee pain. I’m vegan so I take a Barlean’s supplement that supports this. Do your research first to figure out what is best for you.
2.Honey! For skin, for hair forever! I now wash my face with honey and it has helped tremendously with acne and oiliness. Sounds strange but try it, use it as a mask if you’re not comfortable using it as a wash.
3.Floss, nothing worse than feel less than confident about your smile. I have a huge kool aid smile so it is imperative that I have a clean healthy mouth getting between the teeth everyday is necessary.
4.Lip plumper, yes I have full ample lips that I love, plumper’s keep them smooth, moisturized and youthful looking. A little plumper over a lip stain looks great and lasts all day.
5.Adventurous fruits and veggies or grain, go out and try at least two fruit, veggies or grains you have never had before. It may look strange or you may not be able to pronounce it correctly but it could be delicious, just try it to find out. Suggestions: pearled barley, millet, red rice, dandelion greens, micro greens, sprout salad, jackfruit, fresh passion fruit,kumquats
6.Take time EVERY weekend to soak in a tub of salt, herbs and anything else that makes you feel like you are doing something just for you. I do this on Sundays to get my mind right for the work week. I am in school and work full time and have a family so this is my time only for me. I put on some music and candles and just be.
Hmmm, eating healthfully is only a small part of being healthy.
-Mind
-Body
-Soul
Can’t focus only on one and neglect the others.
As for the body, I try to drink plenty of water, avoiding sugary processed drinks (esp coffee.) I’ve eliminated pork from my diet in the last 3 months. I eat out very rarely, and cooking allows me to have greater control of what I eat. As for skin and hair, I am parsimonious. I have 3 products for my hair, and I just use soap for my face. I like simplicity.
Mind and soul? Read and pray.
@Liyah… I eat cheeseburgers fairly often…
The objective of this post wasn’t to make it seem like I’m Ms. Health Nut. I am SO not. I have identified a few simple things that help me maintain health and manage weight. I respect vegetarians, but I could never be one (I love bacon too much!) I am struggling through a fast food addiction right now, lol. I hope no one reads in between the lines of what I wrote that I’m some kind of extra healthy person. There’s nothing in between those lines, lol. I wrote some of the *few* things I do to stay in shape.
I have to admit that I’m a *little* disappointed that more people didn’t comment. I don’t know if it was a sense of intimidation (did I come off really health nutty?) or what.
I struggle with staying healthy. And in America (one of the heaviest, food-rich and wealthiest nations in the world) I’m sure a lot of other people do.
I really wanted to hear about the things (minor AND major) that you all do to remain healthy. It doesn’t have to be as dramatic as running 6 miles a day.
Jc you are abosoulutely right. I think people take mental health for granted. But the best weatlh is health. I have little ones that are watching every move I make. I was a dunkin donuts junkie to the point where my 6 year old would remind me to get coffee. I realized, I was not setting the best example by being addicted to caffiene. However, there are so many things that I do positive and my children definately picked on those habits.
I work out everyday (when possible)… And my daughter reminds me of that too. Ugh… I don’t workout to maintiain my figure, it is my lifestyle. My daughter loves salads and my 18 month old loves fruits and vegetables. My Children do not drink juice at all. They love water! I rarley drink soda or juice so that was pretty easy to incoporate in their diets. I too use black soap as a regimen for my face and I like to get facials/chemical peels when it is feasable.
All in all- every now and again I will slip up and get my coffee or eat a cheesburger if I want to. But, I am focused on living my best life and taking care of my body and soul. My children are watching and I have to give them the tools to live thier best life. I can’t just preach, I have to be their role models… And, my little princess loves her natural hair which is already a Big differnce from when I was her age. 🙂
Wow Target Queen, making your own tooth paste…I’m inspired 🙂 Do you also add herbs like mint for a fresher feeling? Do tell, I wanna try it too! Def gonna buy the avocado oil, my eyes get puffier by the day.
Keep it simple. Drink water, and move. But do it every day. If you don’t have an hour, take 15 mins to do some situps or walk around the block. We all get stuck in this “I have to workout for an hour in the gym otherwise it’s not a workout” mode and that’s just not true. I’m now eating as “clean” as possible. Meaning nothing out of a package, and as organic as possible. I eat mostly vegetarian, but I agree with BlaqInfinite. There’s a right and a wrong way to do that. I also don’t use any parabens, cones, sulfates or bleach on my hair skin or even in my home. If you’ve seen my blog then you know I make most of my own beauty, hair and cleaning products. It makes a big difference when you know what goes into something. I’m working on relaxing more. Taking time out to meditate. Even if I have to go to the bathroom at work and do it.
– savvy
https://savvybrown.com
Jc you are so right about mental health. I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t take care of my mind.
Lol I must be the lazy one. I am sitting here drinking my third cup of coffee (Mmm tasty poison blaq! lol) and I have just postponed my exercise to tomorrow (yes I said that yesterday and the day before and the day before and the day before…:)).
My health and beauty tip is mental rather than physical. Investing in your mental health is the best gift to yourself given you are going to have to live with yourself forever. .
My tip – Try and be happy everyday, value yourself and always commend yourself for what you do right. Be less critical of yourself and others, look for solutions to your problems rather than worry about them, value your mind. There is no better medicine and no better make up than a true happy smile.
this is cool. i was a nutrition major in college so being more conscious of what I put into and on my body started then. I try to drink alot of water (even though I don’t think I drink enough). I notice that when I eat alot of carrots or avocado or parsely, my skin and nails look really good. And thats big because I have always had problem skin. im jamaican so i love carrot juice (ja style) however for added health benefits I add parsley. Its juiced carrots (blended), parsley and cucumbers, then sweetened with a bit of vanilla and almond extract, condensed milk and sugar to taste, oh and allspice. its delic and has lots of vitamin a which is great for our skin and hair.
These are great ideas. Natural hair has made me start slowly make other changes. I drink more water, only use natural products in my hair, and I oil cleanse (with Olive and Castor oils) my face, that has made such a WONDERFUL difference! I am also getting more sleep. Now for the exercise and diet improvements! Thanks for this post!
I’m a vegetarian (which doesn’t mean squat if you don’t do it right) but I try to stay away from mass produced foods and opt for organic. I also force myself to eat vegetables everyday.
NEVER eat fast food unless it’s a dire emergency. YUCK!
I workout 4 times a week
Restrain from drinking coffee (poison!) and instead, get more sleep.
All skin and hair products I use are natural. Overtime, I’ve learned I look great without makeup as long as I take care of my skin properly. I don’t wear makeup often-it’s not good for the skin. When I do, I use mineral powder, chapstick, mascara and natural lip gloss.
I meditate daily.
Reduce stress by staying organized and not procrastinating.
Actually I don’t even know if these are regular “beauty secrets”, but I honestly believe in natural, holistic health as the true beauty secrets. Pay proper attention to all nurturing all aspects of existence (mind, spirit, body) and you will look and feel great.
Oh, also I have been eating vegan for 3 years now. Dramatic change in those first few months in how you feel physically. Lighter, cleaner, get sick less often, a lot less digestive issues, etc. There’s a substitute for almost any animal product out there and some awesome recipes.
I love that there is a community talking about this. Thankfully my parents stressed eating healthily when I was younger so I find it easier to incorporate into my life now. Here’s what I do:
Eat something from every food group. It usually ends up with me having a colorful plate- the brighter the prettier.
Drinking water everyday. This is difficult but I find that if I squeeze lemon or lime into a glass I can do it.
Deep breathing excercises and lots of sleep.
Reading the ingredients label on all foods. If more people did this, a lot of products wouldn’t be on the supermarket shelves.
I try to laugh at least once a day. It keeps me young,lol.
@target queen… You’re 37!!!! Whhaaaaatttt????
I’m going to have to look up black soap. Where do you get it?
YES the other week my body just shut down at 8pm, like it forced me to go to sleep and I woke up the next morning feeling wonderful. It’s amazing how your entire day changes when you get adequate sleep.
I am a Mr. Pibb whore and I’ve been phasing it out. The funny thing is I only drink one when I don’t get enough sleep so I can kill two birds with one stone.
I tried to go the eyebrow threading route but it’s toooo painful for me and I have a high pain tolerance. I will get a Brazilian (and have) before I do threading again. Bring on eyebrow wax.
Well I Would Have To Add To That More Water, Then Some More Water. Multi-vitamins, and eating smaller means every 2-6 hours about 4-5 times a day. I do have days where i will forget to eat as frequently. I love salad, i was a weird child,lol. I make sure i have some kind of green veggie for my full means and sometimes I’ll grab a salad for a snack, but mainly I’ll make a Smoothie. I do indulge in my favorite snacks from time to time like chips and salsa and nachos, yum! I also eat a good portion of fish, i believe genetics play a good role in my skin and hair but i do believe the water, veggies and milk i consume help a lot. I’m not perfect every now and then i get craving for Vanilla Coke or Cake and i will eat and drink it but i drink lots of water.
I also love black soap, i’ve been using it for years, i also use cetaphil sometimes and then other facial cleanser. I also add a few drops of tea tree oil in my facial cleaner.I also sleep like no other, always have….i love sleep,lol.
And the number one love of my life next to drinking water, the one thing i need if i’m stranded on an Island….(Oh Wait I’m on an Island, LOL)Cocoa Butter!! Then Stuff is King & Queen, it keeps you smooth and clear up marks if you have them over time. i love it because it just leaves me feeling soft and happy…Some people in college use to nickname me Cocoa Butter, lol
well.im a raw foodist, if you wanna look 5 years younger…cut down on cooked and prepackaged foods.
I excercise on a mini trampoline for a full body workout, 20 minutes on a trampoline is equivelant to 3 miles of jogging! and no impact on the joints!
I never use soap on my skin or hair..for my face I use the oil cleansing method, and I moisturize with shea butter, avocado, and coconut oil, exfoliation is PARAMOUNT…baking soda is the cheapest and gentlest scrub you can use.
for puffy eyes and dark circles ( both of which I was developing as I got older..im 37) use avocado oil..my dark cirlces are gone..I had to nip that in the bud!
when you brush your teeth dont forget to brush your lips, I always brush my lips right before I finish brushing, your lips will be baby soft ALL the time.
I make my own toothpaste with bentonite clay and baking soda mixed together, just dip your wet brush in the powder and brush away, my teeth feel like they have been cleaned by the dentist every morning, plus it whitens.
ok, let me stop….I could write all night.; )