Art by Leonceo!

I want to thank Leonceo Omar Bennett for creating this image art for me. I love this. Thank you.

Featured Reader - LaRisha!



Q: What is your hair story?  What kind of hair styles have you rocked, before embracing your natural hair?  

A: Throughout the mid-80s to late-90s, my hair was chemically tainted from perms, s-curls, leisure curls, and relaxers. In 1998, after my first big trim, I tried to grow it out and wear my hair natural, but being afraid of “the big chop”, half my head was curly and half was chemically straight and limp. Ewwwwwwwww.


In 1999, I got inner-locs twice. First time, I took them out, my hair pressed out beautifully and it was long. Second time, I left them in too long, and I broke off a lot of my hair. Still afraid of a big chop, in 2000, I started getting it relaxed again, got trims and started wearing it in cute roller sets (think Whitney in the 90’s). Relaxers finally ruined my scalp completely, so I started transitioning again by using this mixture – LIV leave-in crème, ProStyle Gel, and water and scrunching my hair into these pretty cool waves and curls. As the transition progressed, I started getting creative with the curly/wavy styles. I started putting my hair in medium braids at night, and I would use jeri curl rods to curl the braids tightly. When I take the braids and curls out, it would make the cutest style (think 1930s).


One day, after getting my hair pressed, I saw how badly uneven and broken my ends were, it was horrible. So finally, I did THE BIG CHOP! And, boy it was liberating. I was chemical-free!!! I wore it in a bob cut. It was so cute when pressed, but it felt so good to wash it and wear it wavy/curly knowing that this was ALL MY NATURAL hair!  I’ve been wearing it natural ever since.

Q: When and why did you decide to start wearing your hair naturally?
A:  I’ve been wearing my hair naturally on and off, but went permanently natural in the early 2000s. Chemicals were killing my scalp and ruining my hair. I always loved the look of curly hair on black women (i.e. Lark Voorhies from Saved by the Bell was my inspiration), I desired to rock that look one day.  I didn’t know my hair could really do it.

Q: Did you have any big fears about going back to your natural texture?
A: Not really. I didn’t know my hair was naturally curly and wavy, so I embraced it.  Only thing I feared was losing a lot my hair from the breakage after washing it. When my hair finally got to its total natural state, my curls got real coily and tight, and they would get tangled a lot. I had to learn to be real careful when I comb my hair out.

Q: What are three products you can't live without for nurturing/styling your hair?
A:  Essential oils (Castor at the moment), Aloe Vera Gel, A good deep conditioner (using Aubrey’s at the moment)

Q: What would you say to someone who's thinking about embracing their natural hair, but scared about being rejected in various parts of their lives?
A: Look at the millions of beautiful and prominent women who are embracing their natural hair, and say to yourself “hey, this is me – take it or leave it. I’m awesome, confident, and this is part of my heritage”. There are so many ways to wear your hair as a natural woman. You can be wild and free, or neat and chic, so don’t be afraid, there is a personal style for every natural woman. If one regimen doesn’t work, try the next.  Don’t give up. You just have to be willing to accept that being natural is a trial and error process. Not all regimens work the same, but it’s worth it when you find the right one or few.

Q: How can we keep up with you and your journey i.e. blog, twitter, facebook, fotki, tumblr, personal or professional website? (Optional)
A: www.rishabelle-summersoul.blogspot.com

Malaria

Malaria is a female-mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by a eukaryotic protist of the genus Plasmodium. Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae causes milder disease in humans that is not generally fatal. Malaria transmission can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites by distribution of inexpensive mosquito nets and insect repellents, or by mosquito-control measures such as spraying insecticides inside houses and draining standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Severe malaria is treated with intravenous or intramuscular quinine or, increasingly, the artemisinin derivative artesunate.[4] Several drugs are also available to prevent malaria in travellers to malaria-endemic countries (prophylaxis). [7] Ninety percent of malaria-related deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. In humans, the parasites (called sporozoites) travel to the liver, where they mature and release another form, the merozoites. These enter the bloodstream and infect the red blood cells.
The parasites multiply inside the red blood cells, which then rupture within 48 to 72 hours, infecting more red blood cells. The first symptoms usually occur 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, though they can appear as early as 8 days or as long as a year after infection. Then the symptoms occur in cycles of 48 to 72 hours.
The majority of symptoms are caused by the massive release of merozoites into the bloodstream, the anemia resulting from the destruction of the red blood cells, and the problems caused by large amounts of free hemoglobin released into circulation after red blood cells rupture.
Malaria can also be transmitted from a mother to her unborn baby (congenitally) and by blood transfusions. Malaria can be carried by mosquitoes in temperate climates, but the parasite disappears over the winter.
The disease is a major health problem in much of the tropics and subtropics. The CDC estimates that there are 300-500 million cases of malaria each year, and more than 1 million people die. It presents a major disease hazard for travelers to warm climates.
In some areas of the world, mosquitoes that carry malaria have developed resistance to insecticides. In addition, the parasites have developed resistance to some antibiotics. This has led to difficulty in controlling both the rate of infection and spread of this disease.
Falciparum malaria, one of four different types of malaria, affects a greater proportion of the red blood cells than the other types and is much more serious. It can be fatal within a few hours of the first symptoms.
Symptoms
• Anemia
• Chills
• Coma
• Convulsion
• Fever
• Headache
• Jaundice
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Stools, bloody
• Sweating
• Vomiting
Tests & diagnosis
During a physical examination, the doctor may identify an enlarged liver or an enlarged spleen. Malaria blood smears taken at 6 to 12 hour intervals confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Malaria, especially Falciparum malaria, is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization. Chloroquine is a frequently used anti-malarial medication, but quinidine or quinine plus doxycycline, tetracycline, or clindamycin; or atovaquone plus proguanil (Malarone); or mefloquine or artesunate; or the combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine, are given for chloroquine-resistant infections. The choice of medication depends in part on where you were when you were infected.
Aggressive supportive medical care, including intravenous (IV) fluids and other medications and breathing (respiratory) support may be needed.
Prognosis
The outcome is expected to be good in most cases of malaria with treatment, but poor in Falciparum infection with complications.
Complications
• Destruction of blood cells (hemolytic anemia)
• Liver failure and kidney failure
• Meningitis
• Respiratory failure from fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
• Rupture of the spleen leading to massive internal bleeding (hemorrhage)
When to contact a doctor
Call your health care provider if you develop fever and headache after visiting the tropics.
Prevention
Most people living in areas where malaria is common have acquired some immunity to the disease. Visitors will not have immunity, and should take preventive medications. It is important to see your health care provider well before your trip, because treatment may begin is long as 2 weeks before travel to the area, and continue for a month after you leave the area. The types of anti-malarial medications prescribed will depend on the area you visit. According to the CDC, travelers to South America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Asia, and the South Pacific should take one of the following drugs: mefloquine, doxycycline, choroquine, hydroxychoroquine, or Malarone.
Even pregnant women should take preventive medications because the risk to the fetus from the medication is less than the risk of acquiring a congenital infection.
People on anti-malarial medications may still become infected. Avoid mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing over the arms and legs, using screens on windows, and using insect repellent.
Chloroquine has been the drug of choice for protection from malaria. But because of resistance, it is now only suggested for use in areas where Plasmodium vivax, P. oval, and P. malariae are present. Falciparum malaria is becoming increasingly resistant to anti-malarial medications.
For travelers going to areas where Falciparum malaria is known to occur, there are several options for malaria prevention, including mefloquine, atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone), and doxycycline.

male yeast infection

You actually know yeasts: they are good guys. In your gut, where they properly belong, they help keep your 1000 or so other gut bacteria in check and keep you feeling on top of it.
Great guys, great neighbours, actually.
The Itchers
Burning, itchy tip of the penis? Red, tender spots? Swollen? Some white stuff on your penis tip, particularly under the foreskin? Even a flakiness on the penis tip?
Click here to find out how to cure a yeast infection
The Turf fighters
They’re disrespecting your turf. They’ve multiplied and multiplied and are spilling over their limits and transgressing into your backyard. Hard.
A fight, and your body is the prize. You fight the good fight; you win. Like tired. Aching muscles. You get indigestion. Can’t loose the beer gut even when you try. Which is very hard because you crave beer and starchy stuff.
You actually have a disease: you have what is called leaky gut caused by systemic candida.
If you are interested in exactly how the yeast beast poisons your body:
Click here for 4 ways in which men with a yeast infection are poisoned
and
Click here for Yeast infection causes serious male penis diseases … including painful urination and blockage of semen
The kind of yeast behind yeast infection in men and women is called the candida yeast. If you feel this flat you won’t be going places anytime soon. Get help because procrastinating won’t help. Click here to find out how to cure a yeast infection
The killers
This is serious stuff. Yes, you can die. If you organise all the help you possibly can.
You are also at risk if you have cancer and/or are getting cancer treatment like cortisones. Men with AIDS have a very high risk, too.
Male yeast infection is widely misunderstood and is a much overlooked disease today. This report explains their causes, symptoms, and natural treatments without drugs and unwanted side effects. Recent advances have made it possible to eliminate yeast from the body by treating the cause and not just the very uncomfortable effects and symptoms...
Most men will go through life never knowing that they have a candida or fungal infection because it is extremely difficult to detect since men are built different than women. Women will get a vaginal infection and this is the clue that things are amiss in their body. Whereas men will have absolutely no idea they may have a male yeast infection until it creates other problems with their health.
Public Service Ads Cure Male Yeast
Yeast No More
Yeast Cure

Usually, men are informed by their significant other that she has a yeast infection, so the chances are he has it too. Most doctors will prescribe an anti-fungal and suggest that the man takes it also, other wise he will give it back to her.
This is very true and worse, I am afraid, especially if she has a vaginal infection. During sex, the males urethra is exposed and vulnerable to a male yeast infection from an infected female. The yeast can travel up the urethral canal and settle in the prostate gland.
Now you may not have problems for years but prostate cancer and prostate problems are affecting almost every male at some point in their life. Think about it, boys and young girls do not get reproductive yeast infections as near as often as adults, do they? Boys also do not have prostate problems or girls ever need a hysterectomy. This obviously shows me that sex is an additional cause of infections.
Yeast is used to raise bread in cooking. Isn't it possible that it can swell a prostate gland?
Men who drink beer have been known to have skin yeast on their penis. They are usually totally unaware they have a male yeast infection due to the outside temperature of the skin being about 77 degrees keeping the infection dormant. But the vaginal canal, being a very inviting place for yeast to grow, can activate the infection in the woman. Before the female notices symptoms, she can give it right back to the male, and it can travel up the urethral canal settling in the prostate. It then literally becomes a ticking time bomb.
In some cases, male yeast infections will be noticeable as a penile yeast infection that has dry cracked skin although the infection can occur most anywhere on the skin. When the man has an erection, this skin can crack and be extremely painful.
How Do Men Get A Male Yeast Infection?
All the causes of male yeast infection are the same for any other fungus infection including sex. Most often the good bacteria to yeast ratio in your digestive system becomes unbalanced, allowing the yeast fungi to thrive and spread to other parts of the body.
Male and yeast infection in boys most common causes are antibiotics, alcohol, beer, sex, wheat products, corn products, peanuts, barley, and a weakened immune system. Other than the antibiotics, the rest contribute to candida overgrowth by weakening the immune system by killing good bacteria from the over acidity they produce in the intestine.
These common food products are universally contaminated with molds. We all unknowingly eat them thinking they are perfectly safe, but they are not in most cases since they are usually contaminated with molds and fungus. The powerful effect of molds in the body and modern medicine is best illustrated in the following paragraphs.
Take for instance Penicillin, discovered in 1928 by Dr. Fleming as he was running an experiment with mold from bread(wheat product). He took some of this mold and added it to his dish of live bacteria. What he noticed was that the mold completely cleared out the bacteria. The fungus killed the bacteria just as it does in your digestive system when you take antibiotics.
Think back how many times in your life you went to the doctor for a chest cold, or what ever it may have been, and you were prescribed an antibiotic. You took it, the cold cleared up and you thought everything was ok. What you didn't know is the antibiotic killed your good bacteria, also. Not all of it, since we have in a normal healthy human digestive system about 70 trillion beneficial bacteria, but you killed some allowing the male yeast infection to spread throughout your body. You have a cold beer every now and then, you killed some more. Male yeast infection thrives on beer and helps it grow due to the yeast being used in its production. You eat food unknowingly that contains molds, you killed some more. You eat sugar-laden foods, which feed the infection allowing it to grow and spread. This goes on until the fungus takes a good hold in your digestive system and becomes systemic. Piercing the lining of the intestine and spreading throughout the body. There have been cases of yeast encasing people's hearts and causing it to shut down.
The bottom line is you have let your immune system get worn down by the constant introduction of molds to your body. That is when you begin to experience some of the symptoms...
Common Male Yeast Infection Symptoms
Here are some of the more common symptoms you may experience with a male yeast infection. For more symptoms please see Symptom page link to the left.
Men and boys most commonly experience digestive problems and all the related problems as the number one symptom.
The more common symptoms of male yeast infection are constipation, bad breath, bloating, indigestion, frequent intestinal gas, frequent diarrhea, very loose stools, sexual dysfunction, irratibility and mood swings, fatigue or lack of energy, memory loss, jock itch, dry itchy flaky skin, athletes feet, and prostate problems.
You may also develop a craving for sweets, pastas, chips, etc. Any of the foods that feed the male yeast infection since the parasite demands to be fed, and you will more than likely feed it, until you realize you have it, and do something about it.
The Male Yeast Infection Simple Home Test
There is a simple test to see if you have a male yeast infection. The very first thing when you wake up in the morning, before you even get out of bed, spit twice into the glass of water that you left on your nightstand from the night before. Now over the course of the next 15 minutes watch the glass of water. If your spit just kind of dissolves and dissipates in the water, you do not have an infection.
If on the other hand it becomes cloudy, with strings, sinks to the bottom, looks like spider webs, you could possibly have it. If there is sediment in the bottom of the glass after 30 minutes or so then you have parasites also and will have to deal with them first. It will be very noticeable, so don't worry about being unsure if you have it or not. In most cases, you will be able to tell in the first 5 minutes.

Sleep and depression

Without a doubt, sleep and depression are correlated. Sleep is a natural process that is absolutely necessary for good mental health. In medical parlance, there is a high degree of comorbidity between mood disorders (particularly depression) and sleep disorders but the direction of causality can go either way. In other words, sometimes the sleep disorder is caused by the depression and sometimes the depression is caused by the sleep disorder. But before we go further, let's examine depression and sleep individually.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has a rather comprehensive way to define depression using their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). But to the layman, we can all understand depression as a debilitating low mood accompanied by loss of self-esteem and loss of enjoyment in activities that once brought pleasure. Depression varies in both intensity and type. For example, it can exist on its own (unipolar depression) or it can exist as part of a person's bipolar disorder.

Similarly, sleep disorders are also officially recognized and categorized. Sleep is a complex process that is divided into several stages and is crucial for a person's well-being. In today's stressful world, it's not uncommon for the natural sleeping process to be thrown off balance. Essentially, any sleeping pattern that is not only abnormal, but also severely disrupts a person's normal day-to-day functioning can be considered as a sleep disorder. Broadly, sleep disorders can be categorized as hypersomnia, sleep apnea, circadian rhythm, insomnia and parasomnia. There are also other sleep disorders and some that are not specifically specified ('not otherwise specified' or nos for short).

So how do these two seemingly different set of disorders affect one another? Well, let's take the example of a person having unipolar depression. Occasionally, a person having depression would have hypersomnia, that is excessive sleeping or feelings of sleepiness. There have been some theories that have been put forward to explain this, but it's quite easy for anyone to understand this phenomenon. A person going through a major depressive episode would often be utterly drained of energy and motivation. The body's desire to sleep is simply a reflection of a lack of energy. Yet, there are some who would argue that it's not just a lack of energy but actual exhaustion. This is because the depressed patient will often have negative self-talk repeating endlessly in his

Depression and the baby blues

Having endured a long labor and perhaps a difficult delivery, maybe even a c-section you will feel totally exhausted. You will most likely feel an uncontrollable urge to close your eyes and sleep. If you're lucky, you may get a few hours sleep and perhaps even start to feel a little 'normal' again. Some mother's experience a feeling of euphoria, particularly new mothers, however, as many as 80% of new mothers experience a case of the baby blues. In some cases this can last for several weeks.

Baby blues is not something that a new mother can control. The first thing to remember is that no one is to blame. It is not baby's fault. It is not dad's fault (well perhaps not) and it is certainly not mum's fault. The most experienced and committed mothers can get the baby blues. In fact just because you have never had the baby blues before does not guarantee you wont get them this time.

What Exactly Are The Baby Blues

The birth of your baby has started a rapid change in your body and in your life. Your emotions now have to learn how to deal with these changes. There are dramatic hormonal changes, milk will start to flow in your breasts, and your womb will start the contracting stage in an attempt to return to its normal state. You now have to adapt to not having a large stomach. Not only that, a part of you has gone. What was once a living thing moving, kicking and perhaps even hiccuping inside you has now gone. Instead, you have this little bundle of joy that only communicates by crying, even at 4am in the morning.

Is it any wonder with all these changes that, at times, you are going to feel a little down? You're not the first or last mother to experience this. The emotional letdown you experience during the first few weeks is common after birth. Just remember that your emotional state has a physical origin and is made worse by the challenging circumstances that you and your body have to adjust to.

What Are The Symptoms

Every woman who experiences the baby blues does so in a different way. The most common symptoms include:

* Anxiety and feeling nervous
* Sadness and feelings of loss
* Stress and tension
* Impatience and/or a short temper
* Bouts of crying or tearfulness
* Mood swings
* Difficulty concentrating
* Trouble sleeping or excessive tiredness
* Feeling lethargic - not able to do normal household duties

What Should I Do

If you experience any of these symptoms then your first call should be the doctor. Baby blues (also known as post partum blues) is a common problem

Link of the day - Franchesca's Headband/Necklace

Franchesca found a great accessorie online. It is a bendable necklace that can also be worn as a headband.

Natural Beauty - Kwarana Adrea


This weeks Natural Beauty is model, Kwarana Adrea. A good friend of  Kwarana emailed me and recommend that I feature Kawarana. So I am very happy to introduce you to this lovely young lady, that has been natural all of her life.
What inspired your to have natural hair? Well growing up I've always notice family, friends, random people in the street - all following a trend of weaves,extensions... straighten hair, basically.  And I didn't want to be part of that group. Even still to this day, I'm the only person in my whole family who has locs. Never in my life, did I ever put chemicals in my hair. The quality and texture of my hair has never changed since day one. I remember being such an outcast in my school years, because all of little girls my age were already perming their hair.  It honestly never bothered me . My younger sister always begged my parents to have her hair permed, but I never did. As a child I grew up with every possible natural hair style you could imagine....I had the braids, corn rows, William sister beads, Afro puffs, mickey mouse puffs and Afros.  I carried those hairstyles up through elementary and middle school then eventually high school. Finally in my second year of high school, I started to grow loc's.When I first started the loc my hair, I got so much negative feedback from a lot of females, but that didn't stop me. And look at me now  ..... Its been six years now and I love my locs!!!!! I was meant to have natural hair all my life; and I wish alot of women could follow...  The same young ladies back in high school, who told me to not loc my hair, are in love with my hair  now and actually are on a path for having natural hair. So I'm very thrilled about that!!!

Maintenance Tips: I use two very good product line for my hair and I would recommend it for everyone....I use the "Loc  A Fella twist gel" & the " Jamaican Mango & Lime Island Oil".  These two products work well with my hair. I used the "Jamaican Mango Wax" for a couple of months at one point, but then I stopped because the wax created build up. So I wouldn't suggest using the wax. But a great alternative is honey. But I have always been curious to know if other people with loc's use wax and if it also created the same build up..."
- Kwarana Adrea,  facebook.com/KwaranaAdrea

Ima's Curls!


I have total loc envy when it comes to Ima's loc's. I first saw Ima online and then in person, and she is just as beautiful in person as she is in her photos (also see her previous post). Ima recently tried the styling technique of using pipe cleaners, to create big beautiful curls, with her loc's. And it came out gorgeous!

"After shampooing my loc's I put the pipe cleaners in them while still damp & kept them in until they where completely dry, before I pulled them out. I use very little oil on my scalp & hair.  I had so much fun styling my hair, it was easy to put them in." ~ Ima

I am inspired!  I will be trying this style soon. Thanks Ima...




Celetial Crowns Shower Caps

Hello everyone! I want to recommend a great shower cap created by Margie Cattouse. She is the owner of Celestial Comforter, LLC.   Her company creates shower caps for women with big, beautiful, natural hair. I received my shower caps a few weeks ago, and I use them almost every day!! I wish I had these shower caps years ago. Not only can I fit all of my loc's into the shower caps, but they are comfortable.

Here is more about Margie -

"My name is Margie Cattouse, the owner of Celestial Comforter, LLC.   My product is aptly named "Celestial Crowns Shower Caps".  I originally developed my "Shower Crowns" for an under served, loc'd hair community, of which I am a proud card carrying member.  My locs were approaching shoulder-length, yet I was having difficulty placing this hair I adore in any shower cap currently available in the market.  Not only were they too small, they lacked durability and were totally devoid of any aesthetic appeal.  I wondered what in the world would I do as my hair grew to its zenith?  So, I conducted an independent survey of my peer demographic with longer, heavier loc's and I was shocked and dismayed by the responses given.  Here, were the descendants of Kings and Queens, using garbage bags, dry cleaners plastic, multiple unreliable shower caps, playing dodge the shower nozzle and other innovative methods, in an attempt to avoid getting their treasured loc's wet. I researched in stores and on-line sites for oversized shower caps and was thoroughly underwhelmed!  What existed, lacked knowledge of, or an affinity for this particular community of potential customers.... quite simply lacked LOVE.
 
I decided to design a better mousetrap, making a shower cap that would be sturdier, more attractive and mindful of price. My optimum goal is to have everyone in the natural hair community world-wide owning at least one “Celestial Crowns Shower Cap", never again donning a garbage bag. I debuted my Crowns at the Transcendence Hair Show in New York in October. They were extremely well received, with responses like "God Bless you Sister”, “This cain't be what I think it is”, “You made a shower cap for us, Awww”, and my favorite "I thought of making an oversized shower cap (correction my sister CROWN), but I was too lazy and asked God to direct me to someone that had created one”...(prayers are answered YES sometimes My Love). As you can see from the pictures attached, my Crowns come in 3 different sizes, XL, L, and Mini-Crowns.   Mini-Crowns, were created by popular demand, born out of the “envy” of friends and family without natural hair wanting a durable, funkier shower cap. My friends said, "Marg, I want to shower in a CROWN TOO!”, LoL. As an added feature to the Shower Crown, a 15mm nickel snap has been attached on the  X-Large to serve dual purposes, 1) to hold heavier, lengthier hair, which sometimes falls out the back of the Crown, or 2) for use by people with permed, braids, weaves, or silky straight hair.   When individuals with relaxed hair use the snap they pull the Crown back and their hair cascades into the fullness of the Crown, no need to wrap their hair prior to getting in the shower. Crowns are attractively packaged in 6x9 clear frosted plastic, die cut handle bags with "Celestial Crowns" in gold script lettering. Furthermore, the bags are heat-sealed for shipping.  My website is www.mycelestialsouls.com.  - Margie L. Cattouse

Nature Desktop Wallpapers





Nature Desktop Wallpapers









Copyright © 2011-2012 MaxCTR Blogger Template Converted by Xiontechinfo.Com and BlogisBlogging.Com