A Happy YOU= Happy Hair

I remember when I first started to do research on the world of locs. Most of what you are about to read may seem abstract. Reading my blogs, consistently, will show you how the whimsy, weird but funny moments make up my entire being and life😇. I love the life I have been gifted. If you're a hair stylist or work in that arena, I'm not here to fib about hair or add to the ridiculous myths out there. Im sharing MY own personal experience as a human, daughter, sister, mother, RH Witch( if you are scared of this word...grow up) and soul mate.

My first time seeing locs were on the head of a light skinned black man. He was on the cover of one my. Father's favorite vinyl records. As my Dad took in his herbal meditation, I remember crawling over to this huge square envelope. My eyes getting bigger as I realize this is a black man, who looks very similar to my Father, with long ropes of hair. Something about this hair was magnetic to me, even as a youth.

A few years went by and I saw Maxi Priest's video "Close to you". I began to gather that this hair and music were related to each other somehow. My mother and father have a fascination with music. My mother loves gospel and R&B. My dad Love's Roots Music a variety of jazz music, rock music, meditation vibrations, Blues, and the sounds of nature. As time went on I started seeing more and more music artists with Locs who seem to be in an obscure category here in America. I am a lover of the obscure. I was just drawn to locs even more so. By the time I was in high school I had experienced the pressing comb, the perm, straw curls, tracks, cornrows, extension braids, microwave ponytails, drawstring ponytails,  and lightening my hair with peroxide. So as you can see I went through a lot of different phases like most black women do.

Although I learned different things out of each phase the last and final phase that I experienced has been my choice for the rest of my life...Locs.

I began to talk to people on the street who had locks and ask them about their own experiences. Mind you I cut my hair at least seven times all the way down to the scalp. I was young it was just hair and at that stage in my life already news it's going to grow back. Half the people I spoke with particularly females, we're acting secretive about how to start Locs how to maintain them and what got them started. It just made me want them more because women in my neighborhood were acting as if it's some big secret or some evil act. Why women would want to keep healthy hair advice to themselves and not share it with young women in their Community I don't know and I don't care because I still got my answers. Some down to earth Sistas shared with me that 1) its not hard to maintain your own hair 2) its best to start them in the Fall and 3) Don't take everyone's advice on locs.
I began going to a young lady around 2008 to get my hair locked. At the time she was doing Palm roll locs which is the method where a little, if any, product is put on the root of the hair and then twisted between the two palms of ones hand then clipped in place and set in place via hairdryer. This was cool. My hair began to adjust and she was a very sweet person. However I could not afford to keep paying $50 and then $60 and up for her to maintain my hair. I admit I got frustrated I cut my locs, permed my hair and just started over again. Then I met my soulmate let's call him C-lo. He said to me that he would loc his hair with me if I wanted to do it. So we started locking together. I purchased the book "Dreads". It's a photography book and it has some very inspirational stories in it regarding the ancient wearing of locks in one's hair. From beautiful African Tribes to Hindu Priests and strong Maori warriors, this book covers the diversity behind locs.

It was 9 years ago that we started locking. Since then he has cut his hair. It was going down his back when he cut it LOL. My Locs are still intact there healthy there are about 24 in Long or a little longer. The only reason why they are healthy and they are long is because I remain happy. It doesn't matter if you're homeless, jobless, filthy rich, living on water or living on land, if you are a miserable negative mean person then your locks are going to thin, they're going to fall out they're going to reflect that which is going on inside of you. By my own race I have been shamed, I have been called out, I have been ostracized I have been ignored, I have been called weirdo I have been told that I must worship the devil and today I still get ugly looks from women of all ages because I decided to wear my natural crown. It makes me laugh because usually there is a child around who can't help but Snicker and look at my hair with big eyes out of curiosity ,  the same way that I looked at Bob Marley's hair on that vinyl record all those years ago . My Crown is growing it's not going away and I'm not ever cutting it.

So I wrote this little entry to remind the one who is deciding to lock their hair that you can do it. Don't listen to people's negative attitudes don't listen to myths about your hair. DON'T listen to naysayers. You CAN find shea butter, aloe vera, olive oil, argan oil and anything else that you need to maintain your own hair. It's easy to find someone to pay to lock your hair but you'll get more out of it if you do it yourself. Everyone has different methods. No one method is greater than the other. If someone tells you that their method is the only one that works, you need to run! Lol. There are multiple ways to loc hair: Palm rolling, interlocking, sponging, yarn, and braiding so that it grows into locks are just a few I know off the top of my head. Find the right method for YOU and YOUR HAIR. Also, please accept right now that locs do shed just like your hair used to shed before you decided to lock your hair. Skin sheds every day and hair sheds every day. I'm not saying that clumps of hair should come out every day. What I am saying to you is don't get scared if you see one hair on your sink. If you do get a little worried then incorporate some olive oil or coconut oil in your shampoo and conditioning routine. You'll be happy that you did.

Playing with colors in the locs is a choice that is entertained by some of us right? Well, I was warned about playing with blond in my locs. I played with it anyway and I did not enjoy my locks feeling dried out and flat and just all-around unhealthy. Once I decided decided to go back to my natural color my locs started feeling better and staying healthy. It's fun to play with colors in locs. However, be mindful that you're putting chemicals on your natural hair. It will have an effect so be careful and respect your hair.

Sorry this was such a long post but I was inspired this morning to go ahead and put this out there. I appreciate your time. Enjoy your locs enjoy your lives and enjoy each other🙏 there is not enough love in this world. So when real love does come your way, relish in it my friend. Ase' ( This word means...and so it is)

ACV-Apple Cider Vinegar

" Eeeew that stinks!", is usually a phrase that is used when a wise person is utilizing this nectar of the gods around someone who isn't  aware of it's lovely blessings it gives the body. Elders please forgive us, because some like myself didn't quite gather the fullness of what vinegar does for our bodies and even our homes. It's okay because, let me tell you that I had no idea the multitude of benefits you get from using apple cider vinegar in your daily routine. 

As a little girl, my Mother would give me and my sister a tablespoon of this with just a dab of honey mixed in it. I used to wonder, "How do they make this stuff?". It was always when the winter was around and there were colds running rampant at school. Here we are now, 20 years later and I am giving my children the same treatment to prevent colds from coming around. However, it wasn't until about 3 years ago, while searching for natural rinses for your hair, I came across the good things that come from using vinegar  on a regular basis. As you read the list the benefits that I have personally tried and verified, allow me to share some questions that I used to have and the answers that I have found. Some are just as easily found on your own spare type, with some due diligence and yep, you guessed it, enough free time. 

How is Apple Cider Vinegar Made?

Truth is, there are a few different ways out there. This one, I came across yesterday while looking up how to make some st home. So, I hope to do this an will post my results with pics. However,the one that I am going to mention on that a lovely woman on a you tube channel called: Set Apart Living

She has a simple recipe that anyone can make. Allow me to say as she had even stated, a lot of people buy Bragg's vinegar and I am one f those people. Until I successfully make a batch using this wise womb-carriers recipe.

Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar

What You'll Need:

Enough apples to fill a mason jar (whatever size jar you desire, as long as it can filled at least an inch away from the top of the jar)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Pure filtered water

A Secret of hers you will have to find out by watching her video on ACV (Gotta spread the love)

Papertowel, wax paper or covering for  jar

Dark place for ACV to ferment

Directions:

1. Gather all materials

2. Cut the apples

3.Add them to the mason jar, pressing down as you add more, stop about 1/2-1 inch from the top

4.Add a little ACV (homemade or store bought)

5. Add filtered water to rim

6.Add the secret ingredient (Again you will have to watch her video to find out)

7. Allow to ferment 

So, now you know how easy it is to make apple cider vinegar right at home. Keep reading to find out what amazing benefits apple cider vinegar has in store for you.

What are the different ways to use ACV in your daily routine?

1.You can use ACV as a mouthwash after brushing your teeth in the morning. Yes, it cleans the mouth. You can try it by either mixing 1TBS with a splash of water in a morning rinse cup and give your mouth a real good swish, repeat once and  feel how clean your mouth is.

*Adams Family Toothpaste Recipe Courtesy of my Father
What you will need:
Baking Soda (Either pour some in an air tight container or if you don't have one, open the box enough to be able dip the toothbrush inside
and pull it out)
Hydrogen Peroxide or water if you do not have any HP on hand
A Toothbrush

Why this natural at home recipe works: The baking soda is polishing while the peroxide cleans and destroys germs

How to use:
1. Wet your toothbrush with the peroxide or water
2. Dip your toothbrush into the baking soda
3. Brush those teeth for at least 3 minutes
4. Rinse mouth well (Use the ACV mix)
5. Pat yourself on the back because you just took 3 minutes out of your day to give your smile a natural, cleansing boost
6. Encourage others to go with more of a natural approach when taking care of their bodies


2. ACV Hair Rinse

The main thing I like abp The results have been very pleasing. You really can see the gunk that you thought was gone already. We ACV rinse our hair twice a month to keep the Locs happy. Natural hair, Locs, etc, if you have hair on our head and want it legitimately cleaned, give it a try.

What you'll need:

The P Word

(Disclaimer)
You re about to read words from a woman regarding the menstruation cycle. Everything you read will be shared from EXPERIENCE. I am not a certified anything or anyone. I am a woman, simply. So, if I say something familiar, feel free to share that pleasure with everyone in the comments section. If it's too deep, then maybe get in tune with your divine feminine energy.  I encourage you to seek out more info about YOU, so that your true purpose of being a woman becomes more clear ( human born with the equipment to carry a child). Now, if you are having menstrual ups and downs, please go to your gynecologist and get checked out, don't waste time. If you are uninsured, make sure you are in tune with your home girl down there. Keep her happy, clean and entertained. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. (Hint: You have Kegels for a reason)


This topic lest alone an in depth look scientifically has frightened many over the years and blurred some real facts versus some religious bizarro nonsense. Before we get into that, allow me to share a few do's and dont's that I wish all men could truly appreciate.
1. DO know, it's not that I'm mad, it's just that I am experiencing contractions and not having a baby, but replacing my vaginal wall and then some. This is out of my control and yes, I sure will get short and reply impatiently, but i still love you Honey (smirking girlishly).

2. DO know that, yes, I do gain strength around this time. No I don't need your help re-arranging the furniture, gardening, doing, laundry, cleaning the kitchen and all other related duties. Of course afterwards I will be whining like a baby on my husbands chest or moaning from a well deserved massage from his strong, firm hands. Did you all know that during menstruation, certain massages shouldn't be done? It's true. Make sure your man knows the right spots and times to massage you ladies. Yoga for menstruation is awesome too! Just a few short poses works wonders for that special time.

3. DON'T push it, my love, if I want to eat some cucumber salad or some trail mix and that's it, leave me alone with it. Sometimes the appetite changes around this time, not for all, but for me it definitely changes.

I know you all could add so much more to this list. Feel free to put your dream lists in the comment section.