Hair Food...Prunes

So I've added prunes back into my diet and couldn't be happier. Yes, prunes! I know when most people think of prunes they imagine them going in one end and pushing stuff out the other! Gross...sorry. Maybe they are good for that too. But prunes also have a whole host of other benefits that should make you want to give them a second look. As we all know, eating more fruits and veggies can only help most Americans in terms of leading a healthier lifestyle. In addition, the prune has some other amazing credits to its name:

Scientists at Boston's Tufts University found that prunes came out on top in tests for oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC).

This simply means they are better than any other fruit at soaking up the free radicals which can lead to cancer, heart disease and aging diseases. (No small deal considering African Americans- hell Americans in general- suffer big time from these issues!)

"If you eat prunes you will double or triple the levels of ORAC in the blood compared to eating fruits lower down the order" he said.

"If these findings are borne out in further research, people may be able to reduce the risk of diseases simply by adding high-ORAC fruits to their diets."

"Prunes are good for hair, nails, skin, growth and vision and are packed with fibre, potassium and iron and contain no fat or cholesterol. We already know that what we eat impacts not only our internal function but also our external physical appearance.

Taken from: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_19990404/ai_n14491602/

Also, considering bone health issues in women,

"Through medical research, it is believed that 100 milligrams of prunes, approximately nine to 10 prunes per day (I don't know if can stomach 9-10 a day but I might be able to do half that!), is sufficient to reverse the aging process of osteoporosis. While prunes have long been shunned for the laxative affects, healthcare professionals and nutritionists commonly suggest prunes for the overwhelming age defying health benefits which far outweigh the gastrointestinal side effects."
From: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/123661/reversing_bone_density_loss_eat_prunes.html?cat=51

They contain potassium and iron which essential for healthy blood. Fibre and natural chemicals to keep you regular! (Shame that it is the butt of so many jokes). Vitamin A and vitamin C to help maintain healthy hair and skin. Chromium which maintains healthy blood sugar levels. Lutein to prevent eyesight failure and slow-release sugars to keep energy levels up during the day.
From: http://www.antioxidants-guide.com/prune_health_benefit.html

So lots of good benefits for body and HAIR!!! I bought the singles kind like in the pic so they are easy to pack and I can take them wherever I go. So what do you think? Should prunes make a comeback in your diet?

Hemp for Health :D

Ingredients: Organic rolled oats, organic evaporated cane juice, organic soy oil, organic brown rice flour, organic flax seeds, organic hemp seeds, organic oat syrup solids, sea salt, organic molasses, organic rice bran extract.
Pre-hulled hemp seeds

I was eating breakfast this morning (you know it's the most important meal of the day!!!LOL) and upon reading the box labels I became interested in learning more about Hemp seed. Here's a little bit of what I found:

- Skin health: The critical importance of EFAs for healthy skin makes hemp seed oil a highly effective skin care and cosmetic product. Its lipid constituents allow it to permeate through the skin and nourish skin cells directly. For this reason, hemp oil is beneficial for skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. For the health of skin and hair, nourishing and balancing hemp oil is now added to a multitude of soaps, shampoos, skin lotions, lip balms, conditioners and other natural skin-care products.

Taken from: http://www.brainready.com/blog/hemp_the_perfect_brain_heal.html

What it IS and What it AIN'T!
Hulled hempseed is not psychoactive. Ingesting foods with hulled hempseeds does not lead to intoxication. True, all hemp plants have delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but the residual level in hulled hempseeds used for food is miniscule—usually measured in 1 or 2 parts per million. Nature’s Path foods with hulled hempseed do not cause involuntary intoxication.

Also... Hemp as Detox???

Hemp for Hair:

The hair chemists at Alterna discovered, what health food advocates already knew, that hemp seed oil is one of the very richest sources of nutrients that when injected into hair care formulas. Hemp seed oil has been proven to help some people with the development of healthy kerative formation. In other words, hemp oil, for some people, can help develop hair that is strong and healthy.

As we all get older it is a fact that our hair slowly becomes deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids. By using external hair care products coupled with internal supplements like Hemp, Flax and Evening Primrose Oil (all high in fatty acids) we may starve off the aging to our hair and skin.

Alterna promises that the hemp seed oil's concentration in their products is a perfect 3:1 ratio of essential fatty acids. The 3:1 ration is what a healthy human scalp and hair should consist of. This ratio is also what our bodies can most easily absorb.

When used on a regular basis, Alterna promises that its hemp-based products make a dramatic difference in the look, feel and behavior of any hair type.

You will hear the same promises from other makers of hemp oil based hair and beauty products including Dr. Bronner, Sun Dog, Nature's Gate and Jason's, to name a few of the more popular health food store brands.

Is it best to use hemp seed internally or externally for your hair? Most nutritionists believe that to really get benefits from a supplement, we need to take them internally. If you are experiencing hair or skin challenges, taking hemp oil as a capsule form or as a food, will offer the best results.

Taken internally, it is thought by many to simulate growth of hair and nails, improve the health of the skin, and can even reduce inflammation from arthritis or related diseases.

While the hemp based shampoos and hair care products can offer the benefit of softer hair and skin, it can not be as supportive as taking the oil internally.

My experience is that it simulates growth of hair and nails, improves the health of the skin, and can reduce inflammation. I like the idea of having one good oil that supplies both omega-3s and GLA, without the need to take more capsules.

Some people experiment with adding hemp seed oil directly to their favorite shampoos and conditioners as a home grown custom recipe. Others will apply the oil directly to their hair as a form of conditioning. Not well suited as a hot oil treatment, the oil can still be applied to hair and left on overnight. It can also be used to oil braids, cornrows or other hair weaves.

If you wish to experiment by adding hemp oil to your hair start slowly with a little oil. If the formula works, you can slowly increase the amount you use.

Excerpt taken from: http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip091.htm

Does anybody use this stuff?? It sounds like it's a pretty good source of Omega fats. I really like the cereal by the way and it's LOADED with the hemp seeds.

Coconut Cake & Afro Twists... an Update

Hey guys! Random ALERT: I LOVE coconut cake! There was some on the counter when I got home from internship today and I killed it. :)

I just wanted to say that I have had these Afro twists for a week and 2 days...and so far I LOVE them! It has been so cool to just get up and go without having to untwist, fluff, flounce, pick, wet or otherwise mess with my hair. I have not posted anything in the past few days because I have been so busy with school. This is my first real moment of "down time" I've had in a week.

So far I have washed them once. When the ladies twisted my hair, they put something on my scalp as they twisted. I could not see it but if my nose was correct I would say it was Let's Jam - you know, the slick gelatinous styling gel that is not really meant to go on your scalp! By the end of the week my scalp was done! To wash, I put my twists into ponytails, about 5 or 6 all over. The hope was I could get at my scalp without getting all the hair totally wet. I used a color applicator bottle to apply diluted shampoo and warm water to my scalp and I massaged it for a few minutes.

Then, I rinsed in the kitchen using the sprayer, again trying to get my scalp only. After I was done, I towel dried the hair that got wet and I used a blow dryer with a diffuser on cool to help dry the rest. I lightly applied some coconut oil to my scalp and braid spray/Infusium to the hair. Pretty easy! Now, they lay better and the ends are more curly. So far so good!

Sweet Almond Oil...an almond update

Selah asks a great question: "This makes me wonder... is Sweet Almond Oil as helpful?"

I have never personally used sweet almond oil although I am contemplating using it in my next Shea butter whip mix. There are so many great natural oils out there that have many uses. Here are a few things SAO is good for:

Sweet almond oil is one of the less expensive essential oils, and it can be used in many ways. High in Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and Vitamin E, sweet almond oil is wonderful as a culinary oil. It is odorless and comes from pressed almonds. You can use it on salads or sandwiches, but you can also use it as a massage oil or as a moisturizer.

How to Use Sweet Almond Oil

Step1

Use as a carrier oil for aromatherapy. In aromatherapy, you can use different essential oils to achieve different effects. But many essential oils can irritate the skin if applied directly. Therefore, you need a carrier oil, and sweet almond oil makes a wonderful carrier oil.

Step2

Use for making soap. Sweet almond oil is often used for superfatting soaps because it is a great moisturizer. If you dabble in soapmaking, add sweet almond oil to your soaps because it makes stable lather.

Step3

Use as a massage oil. Sweet almond oil is widely used as a massage oil because it is easily absorbed and serves as a great emollient. It also makes a great lubricant, and therefore it helps combat itching and inflammation. Sweet almond oil is also great for massage because it has a high concentration of oleic and linoleic essential fatty acids, which help relieve muscle pain.

Step4

Use for removing eye makeup. Not only does sweet almond oil remove your eye makeup, but it hydrates and softens the skin around your eyes.

Step5

Use as an all-purpose moisturizer. Use sweet almond oil as a moisturizer after you get out of the shower. You can use it on your face as well as the rest of your body, and it can even moisturize dry cuticles.

Step6

Use as a salad dressing. Combine 3 tablespoons of sweet almond oil with 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Check out CurlyNikki's awesome post about using Sweet almond oil in your hair!