Getting the Most from the Natural Experience!!

Alot of Natural sistas believe that to let go of the perm and start from scratch is all there is to going natural along with the trial and error sessions of trying new products but there is way more to this process. In the past weeks I have discovered that this process should be more of a internal one if you working its way from the inside out with that being said I have gained more consciousness on the things I eat and how they affect my body with the winter months approaching I have begain to take vitamins that support immunity, hair, skin, and nails and others that just help with the overall person I am writing to encourage you to drink plenty of water get you veggy intake  up and care for the inner you as well as you tend to the outer you because you cannot have one with out the other let make this a natural journey of re discovering our better selves!!! Just a kind word of advice!!

Yours Naturally,

My New Color and Natural Hair

Hello I know its been a few weeks since I last posted but since I am days away from celebrating my two month natural hair anniversary I thought I would go ahead and share that I have added color I decided to do so because my natural hair color was not giving the pop I needed and it felt as though I was missing a finishing touch thanks Mom!! So i used the Soft Sheen Carson Dark and Lovely brand my color of choice was Red Hot Rhythum I must say I am greatly pleased. 

I bet you are asking if my hair is any different or has my regime changed huh?? Of course you are and my answer is going to me no my hair texture is still the same but after careful research I learned that when color is added its thins a later of the hair so it makes it easier to lose moisture but the best remedy for retaining moisture is to deep condition or co/wash with a great conditioner.
 Shampooing is not something you have to do with natural hair but some prefer to do since our hair needs oils and moisture and given that most shampoos strip the hair of that its best to condition conditon and co/wash this cleanses the hair and adds moisture as well.

What have I been up too??
Recently I have been spritzing my hair with this mix I put to gether this mixture is what I called my hydrate moisture mix : you add a little spring/distilled water, a little aloe vera juice or gel, an essential oil of your choice but i chose to add jojoba, lavender, rosemary, and tea tree oils, some gylcerin because its helps hold moisture

Once you have all ingredients added you shake well and spritz onto hair for a nice moisture fix what many of us do not know is natural hair needs moisture and water provides that moisture but the oils we use help seal the moisture into the hair follicles so the thing we want to remember is to add moisture and this will keep our locks strong, shiny and beautiful.  for more simple recipes please stay tuned!!!! Posted below are pics of my color and growth since September 18,2011

Naturally Yours,

How to Identify products for your Hair***

Hey Ladies on this Natural hair Journey we will all discover a variety of different things such as how our hair differs from others. I bet you are just like me spend your late njights watching Youtube videos on how to's and product suggestions but even after watching those you still have to  go to the hair store and get your products and if you are like me I read the directions and ingredient information to make sure it specific to my hair care needs. One thing I suggest in your Journey is to keep a progress report and this can be as simple as dedicating a page in your  journal or Iphone calendar to hair specifics

( For example I write down what my routine is every week or everytime I make a change this makes it easy to remember and offer suggestions)

Today I saw a post on Facebook where Carol Daughter asked if one could create a product for the line what would it be? My response was I would create more hair specific products for example some of us have thinning hair and some have dry scalp. I would create products that dedicate to a specific issue. Now ladies I suggest that before you go and buy all these products that are suggested you thoroughly evaluate your hair and its needs and buy accordingly because hair products especially for natural hair can get costly. I however have opted to go the most natural route so Whole Foods Market is my hair store now!!! I know that my hair needs oil and moisture so I am only concerned with maximizing moisture while not clogging pores.  I buy products that are light and moisture rich as well as curl defining. Again I am coming to you on a tip of encouraging you to evaluate your hair needs and shop accordingly also support those fair trade products because that helps provide support to our sistas and brothers in the mother lands and other countries!!

Also check out my pics its my one month Hair Anniversary and I am loving it!!

Your Naturally,,

Minah

Its My 1 Month Hair Anniversary Post Big chop!!

Hey Friends!!!  I am super proud and excited today marks my (One Month Anniversary Post Big Chop) and I feel great!!! In this past 30 days I have enbarked upon a Journey of freedom and liberation. I have allowed my self the opportunity to embrace change by letting go of old barriers and standards. I have come to certain realizations in this past 30 days but I know this is just the beginning of my journey I recently accepted that I am a beautiful woman I am more than what meets the eye I am strength defined before making the decision to chop I was concerned about my head shape and how I would look I was even concerned with how the man in my life would take it but I made a decision that I love me and that includes all aspects and parts of me I realized that who I am is more than what my hairstyle is and how I choose to wear it. In this Journey I am discovering that the only standard of beauty is the one we choose we are all beautiful in God's eye and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I have to say that I love my hair even though its TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro) its so cute and I can see texture forming too!!

HAPPY ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY!!!

Natural Hair and Pure Essential Oils!! Must try this at home remedy!!

Hey ladies I am coming to you with a new simple and easy remedy its called getting to know my essential oils. Ok so one may ask what is an essential oil?

Essential Oils-they are highly concentrated aromatic essences of plants from around the world. They are extracted directly from various plant parts such as : the roots,flower,fruits, leaf and wood.

Today I will give you a new hair remedy that I am currently trying out to combat dryness, itch, and flaky scalp.
 The reason I chose this remedy was simply for the benefits of each essential oil I will be mixing Pure Lavender oil, Pure Tea tree oil and Pure Rosemary oil along with my carrier oils for skin jojoba oil.

Brief Oil description-
Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)- is a great for toning, refreshing, relaxing, and calming also used on the scalp for scent and cleasning

Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)- has intense, medicinal arona, tea tree is a superier essential oil that can be used on skin to cleanse and purify as well as stimulate the scalp and promote healty and shiny hair grown as well as a healthy scalp and prevent premature hair loss and premature graying

Rosemary Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)- has a fresh and purifying and anti-microbial properties that help nourish the scalp and relieve tension and flaky scalp and itching and promotes hair growth works well as a massage blend

Jojoba oil (Simmondsia Chinesis)- is extracted from the seed of a desert shrub in the American southwest, Jojoba contains proteins, liquid waxes and unique fatty acids. This oil is great because it resembles the skins own natural oils and emollients

Okay now that I have briefly explained to you what each oil is and its purpose I will begin with how to mix these oils and why. Because these oils are pure and all natural they can be strong and must be diluted with water or a carrier oil and a carrier oils is simply and oil that can be allied topical and blended with other oils that safe to apply on skin without any irritation. so you add about 10-15 drops of each oil and then you add about double the amount of the jojoba oil it depends on how much you make its safe to add extra drop if you want to increase potency but remember in doing so you must dilute properly with water or your carrier oil. With essentials oils you must keep them stored in a cool place away from sun light I bough a dark blue glass dropper bottle and placed my oils in the bottle for storage. Once combines you must shake very well to ensure properly mixed i also added a dab of pure olive oil to just for fun.

Once properly mixed just take the dropper and apply oil to scalp instantly you feel a cool and refreshing sensation and it also provides ease to itching scalp and relief.

 I hope you enjoy this mixture let me know what you think.

Note* the cost of these oils vary on size I spent about $28.00 but its great compared to buying the more expensive natural hair products that separately cost you the same and I have a lot of it so I can make additional mixtures for friends to sample.

On this journey you want whats pure and natural what provides you with optimum performance and in just a single night I can tell the difference.  All products can be found at you local Whole foods market or organic natural store or online good luck let me know what you think and i will keep you posted on results!!!

Yours Naturally,

Minah Marie!

How do you see yourself In the I am State!!

Hello again today I am coming at you from a interesting stand point and that is how do you view yourself in the (I am) state I  have been reading this book title the Laws of Thinking and it has been very enlightening on certain subjects of how we think while reading this book the author posed four simple questions he suggested each reader ask oneself and the questions are: 1. Where did you come from? 2. Why are you here now? 3. Where are you going, 4.  Who am I ? I encourage each of you to take time out and ask your self these question and anyone who comes into your life and after carefully answering these question ask yourself am I living my best life? I have answered the question and I found my responses to be shocking and interesting i encourage you to participate in this exercise and please let me know how it goes!! So as a way to motivate you I will share my response to question number four.

Who Am I? I am Yaminah Stribling  a woman that was beautifully created,I am educated I am successful, I am strong,brave,and courageous. I am living the blessed life not perfect but I am looking to good for strength, I am divinely created and I am purpose driven, I am one who lives happy with peace and joy close by as friends, I am on a mission to succeed and please God while doing so, I am growing from where I was to the woman God wants me to be, I am a lover that loves hard and strong, I am a marriage minded indiviudal, I am a great wife to the husband I shall someday have, I am rich in Mind,Body, and Spirit, I am a friend to my friends, I am a great mother to the children I will someday bare, I am confident in  my abilities and very well poised I am sophistication at its finest, I am the child that God looks at and smiles big upon, I am favored by God, My name means a woman who worked among women of high places a princess among princess I am royalty. I am the queen of my thrown I am most of all a child of God created as a woman!!!

I hope you enjoy this let me know what you think!

Ways to promote hair growth internally!!!

Hey ladies I know we are all running to our local Beauty supply store to gather our hair essentials but did you know it takes more than  topical applications to our hair but also a great way to support hair growth and prevent hair loss you can start by taking Vitamins specifically  the vitamin with Biotin in it this product can be found at Walmart and local retail store for as little as five dollars also the easiest way to remember vitaimins good for hair are to remember those that start in the early part of the alphabet vitamins A,B,C and E are great supplements that support the internal support of hair growth also there are certain foods that provide this support as well such foods are those containing whole grains, yeasts, egg yolks, and some meat and dairy products well good luck I hope on this natural journey you embrace the internally restoration as well the benefit you will receive will prove to be rewarding and share the tips!!

Why Do You Wear Makeup I like you better without it!!!

Hey Ladies have you ever been with your guy or perhaps dating a guy and he asked the question Why you wear makeup? And if so what was your initial response to his question?  Ok well here is my take when asked that question. I  wear makeup because its my hobby I was given my first compact at 16 and taught by a professional my mom lol! how to perfectly apply my makeup. I fully understand that it will not make me or break me but only enhance me. I recently read a blog where a young lady stated that she was 23 and had never been in a relationship she stated she has tried every thing from dressing up to applying heavy makeup and still no luck. The point is that no matter  if you are unattractive make up wont fix you it may hide a few dents and bruises but honey it wont fix you and that goes to say this is you love the glam of making up your face and its apart of your daily regime and who you are go ahead girl love it and do it because I will not be putting my compact or mascara down and if my man cant love that then well he knows what he can do and besides most men never know until you tell them I'm just saying continue to do you regardless in most cases I find that the one talking is not paying the cost to be the boss and if he is so what its your face make it up how you please and that just my take so why do I wear makeup its simple because I love it and its my hobby some people paint cars, some golf I love makeup and skin care there it is plain and simple. Hope this help!! Also ladies before I go know that its okay to be a little defiant my men have always known me to be the do what I want girl meaning even if they suggested or stated they didn't like a style or cut if I had made up in my mind it was cute and I wanted it I was still going to do it anyway its okay to be submissive sometimes but don't always be his little push over or door mat some days do what you feel make him work a little harder trust me in the long run you will be glad you did men like a woman who has her own mind and head on her shoulders. Just saying!

Lets Define Beauty!!

I must say that we live in a shallow world where women are defined by certain standards of beauty. I have worn relaxed hair all my life and never received any questions about it until the day i cut all my hair off the guys were like why? Some went on to assume I was having man problems or single? Some even suggested I'd stay single lol! Because of it but Ladies I define beauty as what works for you whatever you have going on in your life that complements and works for you as a woman i suggest you go with that I am writing to encourage you to step over that boundary of what standards are beauty are because we ourselves should set those rules and hell break them if we choose too! One thing I realized in my recent transition is I notice so much more about my self and I truly believe to be beautiful its a trait that dwells within the individual and it pours outward not the other way around. I encourage you to take risks I once played it safe of course I don't want you to go jump off a bridge not that kind of risk but be daring test the elements of beauty heck who says I can't look or wear my hair a certain way or rock my makeup a certain but in all you do make sure it appropriate and tasteful again I am embracing this change within my self because I notice with growth there is development and I am learning that hair it come and it grows this is my motivation to other women who are curious but afraid of the critics and what they will be perceive as I say welcome sista we all have a unique ness embrace your bare all and natural side I have!! But I love all phases of me I wont say my natural is better than my relaxed or Vice Versa I just love me and breaking rules *****

Defining Natural curls!!!

Okay so I was watching You Tube and I was watching a video by Coloured Beautiful I hope I got her name correct and she was doing a tutorial on defining curls now to test this method I did the tutorial on one of my friends who is a natural sista as well. Now our story is a little different because this required a hair color. This is her first time coloring her natural hair and after a few inquires we chose to go with Dark and Lovely Soft Sheen Carson Red Hot Rhythm. I had my friend deep condition her hair the day prior. I applied the color and allowed it to stay on for 30 mins on natural hair. After Rinsing the color out I applied more conditioner and this is wear the method suggested by Coloured Beautiful comes into play so we applied conditioner to the already damp hair and massaged it in until it was not visible then I applied the Eco Style gel and more water and blended those in and my did girl friends curls pop and as it dried the curls maintained their position and she was rocking her natural curls and coils through the rest of the day and night and it was amazing to see the new vibrate color and curls pics coming soon of this style and to my amaze ment this was my first natural hairstyle and my friends know me as the hair person so I was excited at doing her hair. With a successful turnout look for more hair tips!!

MY Natural Hair Routine Week 3

After three weeks I have found a useful yet simple routine and that is I wash my hair every other week that works for me considering my hair is short now I do like the Co-Wash Method but at present with the harsh and hard water here in Texas I will only be washing every other week now I do utilize the spray bottle method to dampen my hair. Daily I like to apply my Hawaiian Silky 14 N 1 Leave In conditioner along with my essentials oils by Beautiful curls its the Shea Butter and Coconut Hydrating Curl oil for Curly to Kinky hair now its really good and only requires very little to get the job done provides shine and moisture through out the day and night not over greasy or shiney. I have and do like to use Eco styling gel but only if I want a more define curl or defined look. For days when I am mostly home I prefer not to use the gel because I do not care if my hair is tamed or not when at home or hitting the gym. Hope you guys like this I will be sharing with you a natural hair styling techiniques I found via youtube!!

WEEK 3 Post Big Chop

Okay so its been three weeks and let me tell with each week there has been change but rapid growth the first week I noticed my scalp was really dry so I spent time working to build up moisture my first week I used Olive oil spray and Coconut oil spray because my hair was very short and I did not want to have the greasy look or over shiny look. I have to admit with short hair there are hazards like!!! BUMPING YOUR HEAD OUCH!! BE VERY CAREFUL I bumped my head like twice and one time really hard it was bleeding lol! Okay so week 1 consisted of a alot of itching and flaking of the scalp again I focused on Moisture and I decided that I should do a internal natural cleanse so I loaded up on Vitamins, organic and all natural juices and water lots of water this helps as well. Now Week two wow we are making progress I can almost pinch my hair but its shiny and still pretty low but the feed back from the cut has been amazing so many compliments. Ladies! I believe in all that you do wear your confidence trust me even with no hair it makes you look so much better and men love that lol! So again even though my hair is short I am still working on moisture and controlling this itching so i continued to oil my hair and I still Yes I Still sleep with my night scarf! Some may ask why well okay I will explain the cottons from our pillow cases and bed spreads are harsh and can collide with our hair to cause breakage and dryness so please continue to sleep with your night scarfs or satin pillow cases. Now we are in week three I have developed a hair routine !!! (my routine will be presented later)!!

A New Motivation and My Big Chop with No Transition!!

Recently I decided to take a new approach and new focus in my life I decided to go on a journey that since September 18,2011 I have immediately seen the impact of this Journey I decided to go where very few desire to go and that Journey was to go Natural. In going Natural I had to make a tough decision although the trend of most women who pursue going natural is to transition well considering the fact that I was already rocking short tresses I just figured transitioning wasn't for me so I decided after much deliberation I would chop all my relaxed hair off. WOW!! what a brave move I know!!! But my mind was made up and with that decision I made my appointment to have a friend cut it all off. Now before I went about this change I did check my head for surface wounds like dents and I had to verify that my head shape was okay lol! After I walked around my house for a few days with my hair pulled back I came to the conclusion that I am beautiful with hair and beautiful without hair I said to myself girl you are badd so I went to the barber shop and I encourage those who aspire to get their hair cut off make sure the environment is a cool and relaxing because if the person cutting your hair is not in full support for those who are still a bit nervous this could cause an instant change of mind. So after a few why questions and laughs the cut began it took about and hour because we wanted to ensure that it was cut with great precision. I also suggest the most feminine cut possible and I have to say I enjoyed my experience and my how hair grows I will be posting pics soon!!! Hope this helps!!

That feeling**

I have gone for years denying it I have even tried to run from it but yet the feeling comes and then it goes again. I have seen first hand the beauty of it and how it changes you, It has shown me that it has the power to make even the bitter taste sweet. I am convinced of its power this thing is very rare and unique in its own right the kind that is for me may differ from from your kind.

I wonder as I wait when will I get my dose questions develop and I ask have I missed my opportunity?

I am convinced that I have not but when it meets me I want to be ready I often wonder what will it look for, will it recognize me will I submit or will I run. The thing I am most ready to feel is genuine. Its value holds no means that money can buy it is priceless a timeless treasure.

I feel nervous at the thoughts of its arrival but I wait anticipating it. I can not say that I have experienced this before but I hope its all its said to be. Now that I write this I wonder am I ready to really face it? It I were met with this gift today would I embrace it? hmm I ponder and my answer is when will Love find me!!! Again I got that feeling......

Yaminah's Words: Where I wanna Be**

Yaminah's Words: Where I wanna Be**: "I am stuck not in a hard place but a uncomfortable place. In this place I am safe but but not secure I want more I long for it and there is ..."

Where I wanna Be**

I am stuck not in a hard place but a uncomfortable place. In this place I am safe but but not secure I want more I long for it and there is this feeling within me that tells me I am greater than this and its only capsizing my abilities. I am ready I want to chase my dream but the problem is the dream is so big so bold I can hardly contain it. I am burning with the anger and frustration of getting to where I wanna be I know that in this world anything worth having takes hard work. I sometimes wonder if I have gone in the right direction I look at what I have true passion for and my current stance and what drives me do not line up. Where I wanna be is in a place where my skills are polished a place I naturally excel not one that bores me and makes me long for things and dreams hope for where I wanna be is a driving a force deep within me that I am impelled to follow I pray and pray and I feel the urge Lord help I don't wanna act to hasty or move to swiftly but where I wanna be I hope I get there soon be cause being here standing still is draining me. I will get there some how some way I am sure of it.

Birthing a break through!!! learning how to push!!!

Today is one of those days when I just wish I could go and hide up under the bed the Sun has come up and the lights of day have invaded my room reminding me that it is time to rise and shine. So I rose and my day is full of questions I ask myself what it is I need to do and what should I do? i can't call anyone because they are all at work or tending to their own daily duties. So I sit in silence hoping,praying, on my day. I've realized that when things are good its easy to be happy and smile but when things are slow not necessarily bad it a bit harder to move forward and thats when you must triumphant even more on those days. I have gotten to a point were I just want my stuff I pray and fight and fight and pray and I know God hears me but its just some days its easier to carry the load than others I know he has it in store for me but its just the waiting that takes it toll and the believing that no matter what its seems like this is not the final say so I am determined to push past the fear of the unknown and keep my mind and faith elevated towards the Most High because I come too far and I know he has never left me or forsaken me so I will trust and continue to lean and just called on his name because has loves me and he has me so pushing is what I am doing I am pushing, like a mother giving birth to a new child I am birthing my breakthrough I am going to push, push, and keep pushing past the pain because I know that the wait has not been in vain and I am giving birth to greatness, success, and all the desires of my heart. So my advice to those who read this is to keep pushing and keep hoping and know that Now faith is substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things un seen. Its going to come to past for me and I will know who,what, and where it all came from thank you God!!

In the waiting room!!

I am sitting in the waiting room waiting on the breakthrough news I do not know what to expect But I know what it is I want my heart is racing my the anticipation of waiting. I know that at this point its going to take faith to get me through this even if its the faith of a mustard . I have my mind set that no matter what there is no going backwards for me. I am waiting on the outcome the verdict as I go through the surgery of life and the incisions of ups and downs I am still convinced that in the end I will be much better than I was before. I have my family waiting for me and they are cheering know that once I leave the ER of life's trials and tribulations I will have yet to give all the glory and honor to God. The Doctor is so full of science he reminds me of doubt you know with all the talk of the should a, could a, would a, but I am not worried. In the waiting room I know that is the time that I should rejoice and give thanks because this means that my breakthrough coming through those doors of my future are all the things I desire and I know that God gives the best to his children so I am sitting here in my faithfulness thanking and praising him daily for getting me through it while in the waiting room people stare and wonder what is she doing here? wonder what's her issue, but they look and see my glory but they do not know my story at all. I sit and I am quiet because that where God has placed me in a quiet place. So if you are in the waiting room in life right now just wait on the Lord because he shall renew your strength I am in the waiting room and sometimes when its quiet and it seems like nothing is happening I like to say even though i have no clue God is working every thing out for my good!! And now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen so wait on the Lord Wait I say on the Lord!!!

Its been 30 days!!!! (30 Day notice)!!

So ladies have you even had some someone vamp on you. I mean this guy didn't  leave notice or advance warning well its been 30 days.  I am like what changed your mind , why is that you want to talk and spend time now my friends telling me to chill and go with the flow. I am like really should I just chill its easy to say what I should and shouldn't do after you spent you last 30 days with your man. I have spent my 30 days wondering if it was something I had done was I too blunt, was I too laid back, I know I am the model type so what was the problem. Its good to hear from you but I still have alot of unanswered questions. At first I'll admit I was hella excited to hear his voice. I smiled and you could hear it in my voice but then reality set in that it had been 30 days. I am way to much fun,fine,sexy, sophisticated to just get benched. I am wondering who did you spend your days and nights with?  Who did you invite out to enjoy being the center of your attention? Why is it now you want to get back into my good graces is this a game? I must admit I am not one for teasing my self so now I am pondering should I?? I know I have spent countless nites and days alone. I think of all the times I tried to text and got no reply! Your excuse baby my phone been acting up think of countless voicemails I had left you and didnt get a call for weeks. I am saying you could have given me a DAmn 30 days notice!!! 

Honesty First!!

I have alot of friends whom i converse with alot and most of the time we talk and share personal stories recently I discovered something among our conversations and that was that its easy to talk about and around our issues but its hard to just be honest. Have you ever sat at home and evaluated all the wrongs in your life and then you thought on the strategies to fix them and got nothing yes I am sure you have because I have been there but the one thing I realize is being honest today we have so many Real people or those that claim to be but the hardest thing to do is to sit and be real with yourself I mean its no but you I totally feel MJ on this song man in the mirror. But how many of us can say we have faced the man or woman in the mirror the one thing about being honest with self is you open up and acknowledge the flaws from within you admit to the things you fail at or done. Being honest with self can bring you to tears but its sheds light on the cures to future endeavors. I suggest that we start being more honest with ourselves stop settling so much and compromising. Because I've notice the times I settled or compromised my true feelings for something or someone else when the shoe was on the other foot I always had to respect the truth so now its simply honesty first if I want a committment I am not settling for companionship. If I want steak do not bring me turkey lol!! If I want to go out I will not settle for a movie in if I want marriage you can't offer me a platonic relationship its time to be honest with our selves. Too many times we blame others for the wrongs in our lives but did you ever stop and think that maybe its could possibly be some things you did may its not just them and may you could change a few things to now its seems like I coming down on you but I am just shedding light my friends start today on a new path of searching within yourself and learn how to live long and strong, laugh harder, and love, love, love!! Peace!!!