Pages

Acceptance and Understanding

Happy Holidays! 

A few days ago, I read an article in which the male Author came down hard on women of color who do not choose to wear their hair "naturally" (without chemicals). My initial reaction was: "This is something he should discuss privately with the woman/women in his life, not the rest of us." It took me a minute to realize that I was reacting to something that really is not important in my life---the author's opinion.   Had to check myself, as I wasn't about to allow this guy to steal my joy!  I already know that no matter how many styles and ways I wear my hair----I am not my hair. I've gone from childhood braids to a beautiful Afro, perms, back to braids and twists.... from long to shoulder length to short-short! My styles were dependent upon

Pretty Dangerous

A manicure may look beautiful, but some chemicals involved in the process of getting one, especially the application of artificial nails, can affect the health of your nails, the surrounding skin, and other parts of the body. Many common nail polishes contain what’s referred to as the “toxic trio” of chemicals: toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).   These three toxic chemicals have been linked to serious health concerns including: birth defects, asthma, developmental problems, headaches and other illnesses.  While nail polish brand leaders OPI, Orly and Sally Hansen make polishes sans the toxic trio, polishes with these dangerous ingredients still can be found in nail salons.

Recently, the California Department of Toxic Substance Control released their official report stating that some nail polishes claiming to be free of the toxic trio instead contain large amounts of

Skin Care Series - Ingredients to Look For

Before we have a discussion of specific ingredients, it's important to educate ourselves a little bit more on skin itself and what makes a product good or poor.

The biggest reason our skin, whether on the face or the rest of the body, develops lines and/or starts to sag, is that the collagen and elastin in our skin begins to break down. This article is the most technical of all the "Skin Care Series", so bear with me as we discuss "good" ingredients to look for in your skin care products.

Skin Care - Ingredients To Avoid

It seems incredible, but many skin care products are loaded with ingredients that actually harm your skin over time. In this post, we'll identify them and tell you how they are harmful.  Let's get started.

Mineral Oil.   I have seen this oil used in literally hundreds of products I've looked at. Mineral oil may also go by the names liquid paraffin, paraffin wax, and petrolatum on the product label. Mineral oil is used so pervasively in skin care products for one reason:  it's cheap! The danger is that

Skincare Intro

By the time you finish reading the postings found on this website, I guarantee you will be a more educated consumer on how to choose quality skin care (and hair care) products that give you the results that you seriously desire. At the very least, you'll learn more about what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to taking care of your precious skin.

For the next few weeks, we'll be focusing on skin care. Maybe we've never even met, but I'll bet that if you're like me, you're sick and tired of skin care products that don't do what they claim to. The worst part is that most times, the most expensive products are the ones that are the most ineffective.

Now, of course, there are some good products on the market that genuinely help make your skin look smoother, more radiant, youthful. Not only should a quality skin product help reduce bags under, and fine lines around, the eyes, but it should even out coloration inconsistencies caused by age spots and other unwanted pigment concentrations.

The problem is that

The Trayvon Martin Tragedy

This post is not about hair.  It IS about skin.  Skin color in particular.

Unless you live under a rock, you've heard the recent news about the Trayvon Martin case in Florida. 

The whole thing somehow reminds me of the Troy Davis execution in September 2011. 

To keep us updated about what's going on, The Huffington Post has set up a news page ("The Trayvon Martin Tragedy") dedicated to coverage of this case at "Black Voices".    Check it out and stay informed.   

Special thanks to Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Trymaine Lee, for sharing  Trayvon's story from the very beginning until other influential columnists and the media picked up on it.  With Florida and 23 other states determined to keep this law on their books, all of us should be communicating with our loved ones  near and far about what happened to Trayvon.  We also need to talk about this so called "stand your ground" law that  effectively allows  "alleged" killers to view the men in our lives (who are fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons) as a threat---simply because of skin color.  

In the meantime, Jasiri-X, the Pittsburgh-area activist and rapper who spends a great deal of his time traveling the US in support of various causes and solutions, has made a name for himself by weighing in on current events and issues of race.  Jasiri-X has just released a video about the Trayvon Martin case set to the beat of Kanye West and Jay-Z's "No Church In The Wild." Check it out.....and share your thoughts:







Established to show the possibilities of healthy living while building better businesses, the Healthy Hair Source provides current news that promote healthy solutions for hair, skin and health care issues. This original post is on Dolle House Healthy Hair Source © copyright, 2012. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. If you would like more information on any of our topics, please indicate that in your comments. Thanks for reading! Best Regards, Admin

Is Your Shampoo Cancerous?

Could your shampoo be increasing your risk of developing cancer? Or your moisturizer?

Many personal care products you use daily pose a danger to your health. Ingredients that are banned in Europe for use in personal care products such as shampoos, deodorants, and body lotions, are sold to unsuspecting Americans every day. Several of these products are probably in your home right now.

Some contain a cocktail of harmful ingredients, including DHA (diethanolamine), phthalates, formaldehyde, benxene, para-dioxane, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and petroleum.  ALL of them have all been linked to many diseases, including cancers.

Personal care products are NOT regulated by the FDA for safety. According to the Environmental Working Group, only about 11 percent of the over 10,500 ingredients used in personal products have been tested for safety.

The following are some of the most frequent offenders:

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). SLS is an ingredient used in commercial shampoos, but it's also used in engine degreasers. It can be stored throughout the body including in the eyes, brain, heart, and liver, and can even change genetic information in cells. It can react with other ingredients in shampoos and body cleansers to form carcinogenic nitrates and dioxins. With just one shampooing, large numbers of nitrates can be absorbed by the skin and enter the blood supply.

Propylene glycol. Propylene is a major ingredient in industrial antifreeze as well as brake and hydraulic fluid. In personal care products, it helps retain moisture. It’s used in toothpastes, deodorants, lotions and shampoos, and it can cause kidney and liver damage.

Para-dioxane. Para-dioxane, also known as 1,4-dioxane, is a probable carcinogen that is found in some children’s shampoos at levels above those deemed safe by the FDA. In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned a study of baby-care products that found 1,4-dioxane in 67 percent of products tested. The Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 25 percent of all personal-care products contain the chemical. Personal care products containing para-dioxane have been banned in Europe.

Diethanolamine (DEA). DEA is found in hundreds of personal care products and is probably in your soap and shampoo. It causes cancer in rats when applied to the skin as well as damage to the liver, kidneys, and other organs.

Rules for avoiding harmful products:

• Don’t buy products that contain ingredients with long names. They are usually synthetic and haven’t been tested for safety.

• Don’t buy highly scented products. They contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which easily enter the bloodstream, killing brain cells and causing cancer. Avoid products listing “perfume,” “fragrance,” or “scent,” as ingredients.Instead, choose products labeled “organic” or “all-natural” and products made with plant-based oils such as almond or jojoba.

While it's true that most organic/all natural products are more expensive....aren't you and your loved ones are worth every cent?


Established to show the possibilities of healthy living while building better businesses, the Healthy Hair Source provides current news that promote healthy solutions for hair, skin and health care issues. This original post is on Dolle House Healthy Hair Source © copyright, 2012. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. If you would like more information on any of our topics, please indicate that in your comments. Thanks for reading! Best Regards, Admin

The Connection of Friendship

“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.”
-Bob Marley

Friendships and connections are a necessity in life. We need them for our health and even our survival. It’s important to recognize that whatever we put out into the world, we will also receive. Furthermore, I’ve learned that if you know how to be a good friend, and practice that in your everyday life, you will be able to create friendships with not only other women, but other people in general..  If you want to have healthy friendships with other people, you’re going to have to learn to expect flaws and disappointment from time to time. I am not advocating that you be a pushover and accept disrespect under any circumstance. What I am saying is to recognize that no friendship is “perfect.” So if --or when--conflict occurs, you should take the time to logically weigh the good against the bad. If there’s more good, do your part to address any issues and maintain the friendship. If there’s more bad, cut the relationship loose and keep it moving. In the end, the goal is to have great and life long friendships. And the best way to do this is by making decisions in who you choose as friends.

Do you have any great friendships?

What is the key to forming, and maintaining healthy relationships?
.



Established to show the possibilities of healthy living while building better businesses, the Healthy Hair Source provides current news that promote healthy solutions for hair, skin, health and life issues. This original post is on Dolle House Healthy Hair Source © copyright, 2012. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. If you would like more information on any of our topics, please indicate that in your comments. Thanks for reading! Best Regards, Admin

Whitney Houston....You Were Loved


I was checking emails, and suddenly another popped up; I smiled as I recognized the senders' name.....a long time friend who always sends great jokes and inspirational words of encouragement. Never did I imagine that this time, the email contained a simple message: "Whitney died".

And now, we mourn her, even tho we know that to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord.  Most of us will always remember what we were doing when we heard the news.  And some will wonder WHY Whitney Houston's death is so hard for so many of us. Yet all of us will feel some connection with the songs included in the video below.  She touched us all in different ways.

Vegan Eating Tips

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports “on average, vegetarians consume a lower proportion of calories from fat (particularly saturated fatty acids), and more fiber, potassium, and vitamin C than do non-vegetarians". However, deciding to become vegetarian, or vegan,  doesn’t automatically equal "healthy" eating. I can assure you that if you don't do "The Veg Life" the right way, you WILL suffer the health consequences.

Here’s what you need to know:

Protein Sources: Soy foods, Soymilk, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy products, quinoa

As a vegetarian, you have to make a conscious effort to get enough quality protein in your diet. What makes a good protein? Two things. The first is the digestibility of the protein: Can your body break it down and absorb it well. And the second is the Amino Acid composition (does the protein contain all the right Amino Acids and are they in the right proportions?). The Protein Digestibility Corrected Score (PDCAAS) measures proteins from 1 to 100, 100 being the highest quality protein. Guess which protein tops the list? (Drum roll, please.)

Eggs!

They contain the ideal mix of Amino Acids that your body needs for growth, giving them a PDCAAS score of 100. In second place are animal meats, like fish, beef and chicken; their numbers are in 90s. Soy protein is in the same bracket. (thank God!) Next come legumes, which score in the 50s and 60s, followed by grains, which only get 25-40.

If you are not giving your body the right Amino Acid ratio, it will end up using the random amino acids; instead, for muscle, hair, skin, nails growth, immune function, etc. For non-meat eaters who want more options than tofu every night (it’s good and all, but they don't call "variety" king for nothing!), there is light at the end of the tunnel. Proteins are like clothes; you can mix and match to get the job done. For example, when you eat legumes you get two Amino Acids and when you eat grains you get their complementary pairs. Beans and rice don’t just taste good together, they work well in your body as well. Multi Grain/ Whole Wheat crackers and peanut butter are also a good combo.

Fats Sources: Fish/Fish oils (EPA/DHA), ground flaxseed, walnuts, soy products, nuts/seeds, avocado

There are good fats, bad fats and horrible fats. Good fats (unsaturated) are found in plants, bad fats (saturated) come from animals and horrible fats (trans-fats) are man-made. The American Dietetic Association recommends that our fat intake should be between 20 to 35 percent of our total calories each day. Fats are important because they aid with growth and development, provide energy, help with absorbing certain vitamins, provide cushioning for our organs and help maintain cell membranes. Vegetarians and meat eaters alike should aim to consume mostly unsaturated fats because they have additional health benefits (such as lowering cholesterol).

Calcium Sources: Almond butter, Tahini, figs, textured soy protein, soy nuts, kale, broccoli, collards, mustard greens, corn tortillas (processed with lime), vegetarian baked beans, black beans, fortified soy milk, fortified rice milk, dairy products

Vegans who don’t eat calcium-fortified foods probably aren’t meeting the daily requirement for this mineral. This is dangerous because calcium is necessary for muscle contraction. Plus, if we don’t consume enough calcium early in life (before age 30), we face greater risk for developing osteoporosis at a later age.

One thing to keep in mind is that calcium in plant foods is not absorbed as well as it is in animal products (dairy). Specifically, calcium is poorly absorbed from some beans and high-oxalate veggies like spinach and beet greens. However, calcium is well absorbed from soy products, kale, collards, mustard greens and broccoli. So make sure to get plenty of those foods in your diet!

Vitamin D Sources: Fortified soymilk, fortified cow’s milk, fortified breakfast cereals

Recent studies link vitamin D to lower risks of diabetes, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, memory loss and several types of cancer. The problem is, most of American’s don’t get enough vitamin D. To make matters worse, vitamin D deficiency has been called a “hidden epidemic” amongst African Americans. Vitamin D is synthesized via sun exposure, so the darker your skin is, the greater chance you have of melanin interfering with synthesis. Since fish and egg yolks are among the only sources of vitamin D in foods, we must make sure to consume foods fortified with Vitamin D, like fortified breakfast cereals. If not, supplementation is a must.

Vitamin B12 Sources: Fortified meat analogues, fortified breakfast cereals, dairy, fortified soymilk, nutritional yeast

Vitamin B12 is the only vitamin that occurs naturally only in animal foods. Sea veggies and cultured soy products (miso and tempeh) were once thought to be good sources of B12 but have now been shown to be less ideal sources of the important vitamin. The main goal for vegetarians is to consume products that have been fortified with B12 like breakfast cereals or soymilk.

Iron Sources: Bran Flakes, instant oatmeal, whole wheat bread, nuts, nut butters, potato with skin, dried fruits, legumes, fortified cereals, whole grain cereals

There are two types or iron: heme and non-heme. Heme iron, found in animal products, is better absorbed by our bodies than non-heme iron, which is found in plants. Additionally, vegetarians are more likely to consume whole grains and legumes, which contain phytate, a property in some plant-based foods that inhibits the absorption of iron. The solution: try eating iron rich meals with vitamin C, which enhances the absorption of non-heme iron.

Zinc Sources: Whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fortified breakfast cereals, dairy

Vegetarians can require up to 50% more zinc than meat eaters. Similar to iron, the phytate in vegetarian diets interferes with the absorption of zinc. Try combining foods rich in zinc with protein, as protein enhances zinc absorption. Also, soaking dried beans and tossing out the water before cooking can lower phytate content.




Established to show the possibilities of healthy living while building better businesses, the Healthy Hair Source provides current news that promote healthy solutions for hair, skin and health care issues. This original post is on Dolle House Healthy Hair Source © copyright, 2012. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. If you would like more information on any of our topics, please indicate that in your comments. Thanks for reading! Best Regards, Admin

Beverly Kearney, BET Honoree

The BET Honors, a star-studded even which celebrates African American achievement, was recently held at the Warner Theater in Washington, DC.   Honorees included Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Maya Angelou, Spike Lee, Beverly Kearney and the Tuskegee Airmen. You can read Rahiel's reflections on what made the weekend unforgettable HERE.   But I want to introduce you to Beverly Kearney, or  "Bev", as she is affectionally called.   

Everyone knows that I'm not a big fan of the BET television network.   On the other hand, everyone also knows that I firmly believe in giving credit where credit is due.   And credit IS due to Debra Lee since she has gotten "The Honors" right for the past 5 years.   Ms. Lee held the 5th annual BET Honors Ceremony at the Warner Theater in DC on Saturday, January 14, 2012.  First Lady Obama was there, along with entertainment celebrities and industry leaders who came into DC and did their very best to fill up all the high-end hotels.  This year, amongst all the celebrities who were being honored, it was Bev who left the most vivid memory.     

Why?

Because her-story is inspirational.  Or maybe, because the foundation she set up holds a Minority Mentorship Symposium every year.  It might be because for 18 years, she's been the legendary head coach of the University of Texas women’s track and field team, and has coached more than a few "Olympians".  Or, because she's in the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.  Could it be that she reminds me of myself---a fighter driven to overcome all the beat-downs that occur in life?   

The fact of the matter is, Bev reminds me of what my GMama used to say:  "It's alright to fall down, long as you don't stay down." 

Beverly Kearney's accomplishments offer further proof that GMama's words are just as true today as they were long ago:  That there is no excuse for mediocrity.  We all face adversity at many points in our lives, but what matters most is how we respond to those challenges.  Life will continuously knock us down, but how fast we get back up is the true measure of who we are.

Beverly Kearney's story is one of tragedy and triumph.   Read the short version HERE .  It is a story of a woman's resilience.  If you are ever blessed to hear her testimony, I'm sure you'd agree that there is absolutely NO excuse for mediocrity.  Period. 

Oh....and don't forget to watch The BET Honors on Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 9:00pm (EST) and 8:00pm (CST)!




Established to show the possibilities of healthy living while building better businesses, the Healthy Hair Source provides current news that promote healthy solutions for hair, skin and health care issues. This original post is on Dolle House Healthy Hair Source © copyright, 2012. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. If you would like more information on any of our topics, please indicate that in your comments. Thanks for reading!     Best Regards, Admin

Half A Biscuit is Better Than One: Healthy Weight Goals

The healthiest way to lose weight has nothing to do with crash diets nor bursts of exercise.  Our bodies don't like fast changes in terms of food and exercise.  For example, someone who hasn't exercised for years shouldn't rush into running miles a day or pounding the treadmill.   Doing so will leave you feeling disheartened and demotivated, especially if you injure yourself while doing it. The same goes for people who suddenly

Healthy Weight Loss Strategies That Work

Happy New Year! 

Did you add "healthier lifestyle" to your New Year resolutions list? Or have you scratched that one off the list already?  Yeah...I know, because........I did the same thing for years!  Until last year, when I committed to do better with my up and down weight loss goals.  Healthy and permanent weight loss is possible when you know what it takes. The only difficult part is your honest answer to this question:  Are you