Moringa and Why You Need It In Your Life

Moringa leaves

About six months ago I get a call from my mother asking, "if I've ever heard of the plant Moringa?", to which I replied no. She told me research it and on her visit to LA she would bring me some.  After much research I was itching to get my hands on this plant. Moringa or sometimes called the tree of life grows in tropical and sub tropical areas and in my opinion is a wonder plant. The plant takes care of a lot of your nutritional needs, has medicinal qualities, can purify water and is a fast growing tree!!! The leaves have 10x more vitamin A than carrots, 25x more iron than spinach, 17x more calcium than milk, 4x more protein than eggs, 15x more potassium than bananas and 0.75 more vitamin C than oranges.  To get an even better idea of this plant dubbed "the miracle tree" , "It can rebuild weak bones, enrich anemic blood and enable a malnourished mother to nurse her starving baby. It's cheap, and full of nutrients. A dash of Moringa can make dirty water drinkable. Doctors use Moringa to treat diabetes in West Africa and high blood pressure in India. Not only can Moringa staunch a skin infection, it makes an efficient fuel, fertilizer and livestock feed." - http://www.miracletrees.org. Can you understand my excitement now?!?!!! I've been using the powder in my smoothies, sometimes brewing it and drinking it like tea or sprinkling it on my food. The method I prefer most is in my smoothies. While I find the smell strong (reminds me of  henna), it doesn't alter the taste of anything but seems to act more like a flavor enhancer. I have some seeds I've crushed up and put it in my facial cleanser to see how that works. I've been using the plant for about 3 weeks now and one thing I've started to notice is that my hair and nails seem very strong and the growth rate seems to have increased. I haven't measured or scientifically documented this to make any factual claims but since I started taking it I have to clip my nails more often and shave and pluck far more rapidly than normal and I haven't introduced a new supplement to my regimen other than the Moringa. In order to really give a thorough review though I'll have to get back to you guys in about 3 months, but I will update if I notice further improvements. I'm excited!!! To learn more about Moringa check out http://www.treesforlife.org/our-work/our-initiatives/moringa and of course google! Have a wonderful Sunday lovlies:)
Ciao

Moringa Powder

Biotin and MSM Update

The month of November sped by at the speed of light and now we're approaching the middle of December!!!!!! A lot has been going on in my world, one of them being I'm in the middle of moving. While I'm happy of where I'm moving to, I don't like the process it involves. But um... this has nothing to do with biotin and MSM, I apologize. Here's a quick observance of the changes that I've noticed. My new growth appears thicker and fuller. I am loving this!!! I've always lusted for thick hair, I have a lot of hair but it's fine (and yes you can have fine kinky hair). But I've also noticed my eyebrows are also thicker and let's just say when biotin aids in the condition of your hair it's  all of your hair. Certain beauty maintenance rituals have increased in frequency. As for the MSM? I'm noticing the benefits of this in my yoga class, it has supercharged my flexibility! But has it helped my hair grow faster ??? To be honest I don't know. I feel my hair has grown a lot this month but I'll be able to get a better picture once I retighten my locs.  I'll try to do it before Christmas but that's a pretty ambitious goal for me to set right now. I also want to color my hair again as my 3 month hiatus is coming to a close, but that's definitely not going to happen until the New Year! So just a quick update lovelies, have a great day!

Cheers!

I've added MSM to The Mix

MSM otherwise known as Methyl Sulfonyl Methane is a nutrient our body uses for healthy connective tissues and joint function, proper enzyme activity and hormone balance, along with proper function of the immune system.  So why am I taking taking it? Well for my hair of course! I was lurking on YouTube and noticed videos where a few people who were taking biotin also added MSM, because it aids in prolonging the growth stage of your hair.  Since my new loc obsession is achieving length, this supplement caught my eye and I did some research on it. While MSM does help in healthy skin and hair, it does so many other amazing things for the body that I had to add it to my rotation. I've been taking the vitamin for about 3 weeks now and as with any supplement this is not an instant miracle. I like to give supplements about 3 months to start noticing any benefits.  I bought my supplements from Trader Joe's in pill form but will switch over to taking MSM in powder form based on further research that I've done showing that this is the most beneficial way to take it.  Aside for it's beauty benefits those who suffer from joint problems, athletes (or regular exercisers) and the average Jane or Joe could benefit from this supplement. Here is the disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist or any other certified whatever. Should you decide to try MSM, do your research. I've left the link to a great article about it http://www.nutriteam.com/msm.htm, check with your doctor and all that other good stuff. These are just my thoughts and experiences and discoveries that I wanted to share with you lovely folks. Have a Wonderful Week-end.

Cheers!

Restless Hair Syndrome

This was taken sometime mid June

 I've been going through this phase where I'm not unhappy with my hair but I'm kind of like meh. This   feeling of slight ennui is what led me to trying the demi permanent hair dye and now I've been engaging in the dangerous activity of comparing my locs to others. I know, I know but I can't help it! And what's eating me now is length envy, the irony being that this is the longest my hair has been in years. Should I just embrace that and be satisfied?  Well I should but I'm not. I've been looking at fellow locers who have had locs for only 2 years, 3 years and their locs are either my length or longer and I'm approaching my 5th year!!!  I've decided to enlist the help of supplements. I've started taking biotin supplements and pre natal multivitamins (I also heard this is great for the skin too). I'm not expecting miracles but I should see some progress by my locversary on Dec. 30. The one good thing about keeping a blog, vlog or both is that when I go back and look at pictures I can see that my hair is actually growing, despite all that I wish it would grow faster, I'm ready for long locs now.  I need to follow my own advice and enjoy each stage of the process but until I get there let's see what difference adding these supplements will make.

Cheers!
P.S.  Sorry for the shoddy photo, I tried to get one of me now with my current length but my damn media program was acting up and I got frustrated. We'll just have to make due with this one taken in June with me at an odd angle.