New Technique: Dry Wash and Go Method

For the past few weeks, I've been using this wash and go method on my hair to reduce drying time and to minimize fairy knots.  I love it!  Another benefit of this method is that it elongates your curls.

In the video I'm using a leave in solo - but if you need a gel or styler, just add it after applying the leavin.  My hair dried in HALF the usual time!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Field Tested In High Dews: Kinky Curly Curling Custard

Hey everyone!

Summer heat and high dews (moisture in the air) can cause the best hair day to end in a frizzy, puffy, undefinded mess!  lol.  Trust me...I KNOW! 

So recently I uploaded a video (Perfect Summer Curls: No Frizz DEWS and DONT'S )
 where I discussed some of the best products and ingredients to incorporate in  your summer regimen to put your best curls, coils, waves and kinks forward!

Today, I road tested one of my favorite summer/high dews gels Kinky Curly Curling Custard so you could see how well my curls held up.  Details:  today's temp- 90 degrees | Dews 70

Here's my hair in the morning:

And here it is late evening!

Not too shabby huh?  :)  I used the dry wash and go method for product application and love the results.  No frizz.  No shrinkage.  No puffiness.  THAT'S A WINNER IN MY BOOK! 

HOW DO YOU LIKE THE RESULTS?  WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER GEL?

Join the 30 Day Squat Challenged!!!! Getting Tight And Right!!!

Thank you ladies for joining the challenge!  I am so excited about what we'll accomplish collectively and individually during the challenge!! 

Here's a sneak peek at our daily goals and squat schedule for the challenge!

Today, is Day 3 of the Challenge. Now I know some of you didn't begin with us on day 1 - but no worries!  Feel free to modify the first few days of the challenge so that you able to catch up with us over the next week. 

Here's a pretty simple diagram of a basic squat.  Technique is everything!  :)

 

The goal is to get tight and right!  lol - but this should also be fun and allow us to incorporate exercise into our daily schedules to maintain optimal health and to live long glorious lives!  I was so saddened today to learn that one of the dads I've known via my daughter's theater program passed away at only 44 years of age from a heart attack!!!  Live is so precious.  He loved his children (ages 15 and 10), his wife (college sweethearts) and his community.  Let's pledge to take care of our temples (bodies) and be intentional and thoughtful about our self care.

I love you all!!!  Thank you for coming together around this exciting challenge!!!  I can't wait to learn more about you!  

Please subscribe to the blog so that you receive notice of  new posts and updates THEN TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!

Happy Squatting ladies!!!  Talk with you soon!  L 

Stay Slim Dairy-Free Shrimp Taco Recipe

Mexican: The Dairy-Free, Fresh-Tasting Taco

While Mexican restaurants in the United States often serve enchiladas covered in melted cheese and then topped with a dollop of sour cream, tacos are a much lighter -- and authentically Mexican -- dish. This sautéed shrimp version is especially healthful, punched up with fresh tomatoes and lime juice.

 

Servings: Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 small onion , roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 dried chipotle chilis , seeded and chopped
• 3 tomatoes , roughly chopped
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 1/2 pounds shrimp , peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup lime juice to taste
• Cilantro

Directions

Place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, and sweat onions in 1 tablespoon of oil for 3 to 4 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and chipotle peppers, and continue to sauté for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, season lightly with salt and cook for 1 minute before removing from heat.

Blend mixture well in small batches until smooth, adding a little water if needed, and reserve. In a large heavy-bottom pot, heat remaining oil over high heat. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper and sauté for 2 minutes stirring occasionally, allowing the shrimp to lightly color. Remove shrimp from the pan to a plate and add the tomato mixture to the remaining oil in the pan, being careful, as it will splatter slightly.

Cook sauce for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, and add shrimp back to pot. Once shrimp are cooked through and coated with the sauce, remove from heat and season to taste with lime juice, salt and pepper. Finish with the chopped cilantro and serve with corn tortillas. 

Enjoy!

Stay Slim Meals: Pad Thai Noodles

Thai: Sweet Noodles Done Light

Pad Thai is one of the tastiest noodle dishes in Asian cooking, but most renditions are also swimming in oil, which means the typical takeout box will contain 1,140 calories and 7 grams of saturated fat. Make it yourself so you can pile on the vegetables and use fewer rice noodles. This recipe offers other tweaks to lighten the dish.

 

Servings: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar , packed
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar or distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 7 ounces (1/2-inch-wide) dried rice noodles
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 clove garlic , minced
• 1 pound medium shrimp , shelled and deveined
• 4 ounces baked or fried tofu , cut into 1/4" x 1" squares (about 1 cup)
• 2 large eggs , lightly beaten, optional
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions (green parts only, cut into 1-inch lengths)
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts , plus additional for garnish
• 3 cups bean sprouts , plus additional for garnish
• 1/2 cup sliced red pepper
• 1 lime , cut into wedges

Directions

Stir together all the sauce ingredients until the sugar is dissolved. Meanwhile, soak the noodles in warm water to cover, about 30 minutes or until softened; drain.

Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the garlic and sauté, stirring, about 20 seconds, just until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes, until pink and not quite cooked through. Stir in the noodles until coated with the oil.

Add the sauce to the noodles and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed; add water if necessary to soften the noodles. Stir in the tofu.

If using the eggs, create a well in the center of the wok by pulling the noodles to the side. Add the eggs and cook, stirring, until firm. Stir in the scallions, peanuts and bean sprouts; blend well and heat through. Transfer the noodles to a serving platter and garnish with the red pepper, bean sprouts, peanuts and lime.

For a healthier version: Reduce the fish sauce and brown sugar to 2 tablespoons each. Cut the vegetable oil to 1 tablespoon, and use only baked tofu. If using eggs, substitute one egg white for one of the eggs. Use dry roasted peanuts, and reduce to 1/4 cup.

Recommended ingredients: Fish sauce and tofu are available at most supermarkets, specialty stores and health food stores.

Nutritional Information

(Baked tofu and without eggs) 599 calories, 23 grams fat, 3 grams saturated fat, 1688 mg sodium, 64 grams carbohydrate, 33 grams protein

(Healthier version without eggs) 463 calories, 12 grams fat, 2 grams saturated fat, 991 mg sodium, 58 grams carbohydrate, 31 grams protein

From the January 2003 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Beauty Rush! Snag Them Before 9PM PST!

I love all things natural...especially BareMinerals Makeup! I was introduced to it about 8 years ago when stress caused me to experience a bad case of breakouts --- and I do mean a BAD case of breakouts. They were painful, very visible and quite consistant. OUCH!!!!!

Anyway, my skin care specialist helped me to revise my facial cleansing regiment and also informed me about the benefits of mineral make-up. Within an week - my face had cleared up significantly! I explored a few mineral makeup brands, but fell in love with BareMinerals because of the variance in colors, the way it blended and the positive response I noticed in my skin! I love by this stuff. It is not irriating and actually helps you to maintain the overall health of your skin. People often say my skin glows! I love that. Because have oily skin, I love wearing the power because it helps to keep shine in check. Any whoo - BareMinerals has a few sales! Check out their line and try it! I wear Tan and Medium Tan depending upon the time of year. :)

Save up to 65% off retail with bareMinerals Get Started Kits.

At Least 30% Off bareMinerals Clearance Products

NEW goodies DEEPLY DISCOUNTED - Beauty Rush. Snag them before 9pm PST: http://bit.ly/BE-PickMeUp

My Wash and Go Tutorial + MahoganyCurls Experiment

Savngs This Week - My Budget Buys!

This year I vowed to step up my money management game big time!



My Goal?  I don't want to pay full price for ANYTHING!  While I know this will be very challenging and that I may have to pay full price for stuff like gas, utilities, some food items, etc - I'm plannng to relegate 70% of my spending - especially my discressionary spending on stuff like clothing, beauty products, spa visits, vacay's and staycations.

This week, I found a few savings --

Beauty: 
CVS had beauty product marked down 50% - 75% on select items.  I purchased Sally Hanson's NailGrowth Miracle hue Fearless Fog #260 for only $2.50 - reg. price $6.99.  YES! 

H20 has great sale on Value Gifts (Save up to 50%) !  I'm going to be purchasing gives for my high school Girls Rule! (www.girlz-rule.org ) ambassadors which I think they'll love!

I found this discount for New York & Company:  Shop Up To 80% Off EVERYTHING - Shop Now, Save Big! Exclusions Apply.  You can also get extra discount savings if you have a AAA membership!  I believe the discount is 10% PLUS if you have one of those Entertainment Discount Books, you can save 25% on your overall purchases!!!  My dad gifted me with this book for Christmas and I'm soooo thankful!  :)

Well that's all this week.  Did you get a great sale this week?  Where?  How much did you save?  SHARE IT BELOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION! 

Happy savings guys! 

L

Green Gulp Recipe! Yummers!!!

This is one of my favorite green drinks!  You can blend it or juice it.  Either way it's not only DELISH but very energizing! 

"Like" or "Share" this recipe if you are planning to try it!  :) 

My Hair Goals for 2013 and Stretched Styles

 

 

Hey everyone!  A lot of you have been asking me what my 2013 hair goals are and to be honest, I really don't have any.  I just want to have healthy hair.  :) 

 

 

As I explained in a recent vlog, I've made the decision to keep my hair stretched as much as possible this winter to help retain length and to keep my hair in it's healthiest state.  It served me well last winter so if it ain't broke....why fix it? 

 

 

I'll stretch my hair using a variety of methods --- here are a few of my favs!

 



FLEXI RODS SETS

Lasts about a week!
Many style variations

PERFECT FOR TRANSITIONERS

 

 

 

BRAID OUTS

Last up to 5 days, more if you rebraid each night

 

BRAID AND CURL

Lasts up to 5 days

Lots of style variations

PERFECT FOR TRANSITIONERS

 

 

 

TWIST AND CURL

Lasts up to 5 days

Lots of stye variations

PERFECT FOR TRANSITIONERS

 

 

TWIST OUT

Last up to 5 days, more if you retwist at night

 

 

I had fallen so completely in love with wash and go's I'd completely forgotten how much I love wearing stretched styles.  :)  Not only are these styles lower manipulation (some more than others and depending upon how often you retwist or rebraid) but they also allow me to enjoy my length!  That's always a plus! 

 

 

Do you have hair goals for 2013?  What are they?