Afro Power!

by Jayla J.

" Ariel Picture " http://www.pinterest.com/pin/337207090821083383/

                

          Do you feel as if your hair is healthy? Does it lack moisture? Does it constantly shed? If you don’t know the answers to any of these questions I can help you! Keep reading!

" Naturally Curly Hair " http://www.wikihow.com/Learn-to-Love-Your-Curly-Hair

Natural Hair is hair that is not drowned in harsh chemical products that can cause dryness, brittleness, and breakage. This goes for any ethnicity but the most common is African American hair.  Many people don’t favor their natural hair because of society, they may have  their own personal hair preference, or they feel as if their hair is too short and wont grow. Most of the time women have an decent amount of hair but it is damaged so they decide to cut it. In the natural world we call this a "Big Chop", after this occurs the hardest part would be getting used to your short hair and learning how to maintain your hair without the harsh chemicals used before. This is called the transitioning stage and most people decide to go back to their old habits at this point because it is very strenuous. I feel as if they should persevere through it because they will like the outcome of their hair in the end.

 " Kurly Kichana picture "  http://www.kurlykichana.com/2014/04/making-our-way-through-natural-hair.html#.U9kzVSiQ2Uk 

It is very hard finding products that work for your own natural hair type. But since having natural hair is more common now its easy to find people who are going through the same hair problems as you whether its in a video, blog, etc. There are many types of hairstyles for natural hair so don't get frustrated when you want to switch it up from twist outs, braid outs, or puffs.  But when you feel as if your hair needs a break from these styles there are also many "protective styles"  that help your hair grow. Any Ethnicity can have Natural hair and use the same products because really they are used to help define curl patterns and moisturize the hair. But really water is one of the most important ingredients when dealing with natural hair because it helps lock in moisture. When water is not used hair does not have a lot of elasticity and is prone to breakage and I'm pretty sure no one wants this. What you put on your hair does not just affect it, also what you put into your body can affect its health. By this I mean food, vitamins, etc.

How do the foods we eat affect our own health and the health of our hair ?

Ever heard of the saying ," You are what you eat?" Well this applies in this situation because the more greasy unhealthy foods you eat the more your body will feel the aftermath of your choices. The more nutrient rich foods you eat you will see how good and energized your body feels. Here are some Nutrients that promote healthy hair growth...

1. Protein - a building block of hair, helps provide strength for the hair shaft which can prevent damage.
2. Vitamins - helps with the oils in your hair and keeps it from getting dry and brittle.
3. Water - makes up for most of the weight of a strand of hair and its helps lock in moisture keeping hair silky and shiny.
4. Essential Fats - are oils that your body doesn't produce but need for your hair to flourish.

This is a link for the Top 10 foods for healthy hair but I have chosen a couple to get you started. 

1. Salmon - provides the natural oils that help keep your scalp and hair oiled. 
2. Sweet Potatoes - provides vitamin A and helps produce and protect the oils for your scalp.
3. Eggs - contains a lot of protein and helps keep your hair shiny.
4. Greek Yogurt - moisturizes and detangles hair.

References

 "13 nutrients that promote natural hair "   http://blackgirllonghair.com/2011/11/13-nutrients-that-promote-hair-growth/

" Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair " http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-styling/top-10-foods-for-healthy-hair

 " Kurly Kichana picture "  http://www.kurlykichana.com/2014/04/making-our-way-through-natural-hair.html#.U9kzVSiQ2Uk         

" Ariel Picture " http://www.pinterest.com/pin/337207090821083383/

" Naturally Curly Hair " http://www.wikihow.com/Learn-to-Love-Your-Curly-Hair

Don't Set Yourself Up For Failure

by Jailyn R.

Would you continue to do something that you know will decrease the amount of years you will live? Ever seen a label that said, "No MSG"? How about realizing that there is less sugar on the label of your favorite ice cream? Believe it or not, this is cause for concern.

A relatively newer company is responsible for Senomyx. If you haven't heard about Senomyx think of a flavor enhancer like MSG (Monosodium Glutamate.)  The bad news doesn't stop there, but the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says they don't have to label it.  Senomyx is listed as an artificial flavor on food products.  Of course, consumers have been told to never to use processed foods especially anything that says artificial and/or natural flavors, which is where they hide aspartame and MSG.

This picture shows preservatives being adding to a tomato http://tomatotalk.earthfare.com/page/18/

Senomyx has contracted with Kraft, Nestle, Coca Cola, and Campbell Soup to place a chemical in their food products that masks bitter flavors by turning off bitter flavor receptors on the tongue and enhancing the salty and sweet flavor receptors. This allows for companies to tout claims of "less sugar" or "lower sodium" by reducing the actual sugar and/or salt by approximately half, but the foods will retain the same level of sweetness or saltiness when they touch the tongue by fooling your brain.

Our food has become so highly processed and because by FDA law, food companies can list spices and flavorings as natural or artificial flavors, unbelievably strange and disgusting things are being added to our food.

• Castoreum- is a food flavoring extracted from the castor sac scent glands of the male or female beaver, which are located near the anus. Where you'll find it? You won’t see this one on the food label because it’s generally listed as “natural flavoring.” It’s natural all right—naturally icky.
• Silicon dioxide- is what gets in your bathing suit and your hair at the beach. Where you’ll find it: Salts, soups, and coffee creamer.

• 

  https://www.teamearthfare.com/takethechallenge/lessons/artificial-preservatives

  Carmine- is a red food-coloring that comes from boiled cochineal bugs, which are a type of beetle. Where you’ll find it: Carmine can be found in ice cream, Skittles, Good n’ Plenty, lemonade, and grapefruit juice.
  
  

  These were just a couple of an examples of some of the items that they put in your everyday foods. My intention was not to gross you out it was to make  you aware because everything you eat may have a good presentation but may actually bad for you. Eat in moderation.

  
  

   For more info about the strange ingredients in common go to 
•  http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20588763_15,00.html