Truly sorry!!!

I apoligize for being MIA. I haven't been feeling up to par recently (hurt my back over the weekend). I will come back to you on Friday and pick up where I left off with the 2nd in the Tasty Tresses Series/Contest. So if there is anyone who still wants to take a guess at what's next I will extend the timeframe until then. Thanks for your patience!

CallaLily

Posting delay

I apoligize but I need to delay posting my weekly "Friday's Formula/Tasty Tresses" article. I've been pretty busy. I will try to get it up tomorrow. Thanks!

CallaLily

Study Hall: Book Club

Unfortunately, I can’t say that I really got into this book but wanted to make interested parties aware of it. The book is separated into 3 parts; (1) your hair: chapters 1-5 (2) common hair problems: chapters 6-9 and (3) hair thinning & loss: chapters 10-15. The publication, written by a hair replacement surgeon, does contain a lot of helpful information, including some recipes/remedies you can prepare at home. Here is the 411 if you think this is up your alley.

The Hair Bible : The Ultimate Guide to Healthy, Beautiful Hair Forever by Susan Craig Scott with Karen W. Bressler
Summary: At last, medical science explains "bad hair days" -- and what you can do to avoid them! The straight-haired among us long for curls, yet those so endowed wish to tame their headstrong locks. Although you can't change what you were born with, you can make the most of the hair you have -- by knowing the physiological, chemical, and even psychological causes of the most common hair problems. Dr. Susan Craig Scott, a hair-replacement surgeon, consults with other medical authorities and beauty experts to present the ultimate companion to having vibrant, healthy hair at any age. The Hair Bible is every woman's guide to

• Best daily treatments, products, and hair care tools
• Styling without damage
• Finding your look
• Fixing styling mistakes
• Choosing wigs, extensions, and other alternatives

The Hair Bible also tackles a major concern for millions of women: hair loss. Dr. Scott explains how stress, diet, prescription medication, vitamin deficiencies, chronic illness, and other factors affect hair growth -- and, with a keen awareness of the emotional strains on women coping with thinning hair, she presents up-to-the-minute information on all treatment options:

MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL: minoxidil, cortisone, and hormone therapies NATURAL: herbal products, stress management, and fitness
NUTRITIONAL: dietary changes for improved hair
SURGICAL: implants, grafting, scalp reduction, and more

Get to the root of your hair care concerns. Turn to The Hair Bible for answers -- and make every day a great hair day!


Thanks for reading. Be blessed!


CallaLily


*You can click on the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed

My latest hair brew

Why did I procrastinate until the last weekend of summer to do this??? I finally got around to infusing oil with herbs – I’ve been wanting to do this for months.

Anyway, the process of infusing carrier oils with herbs is very easy. I have read various methods of infusing oil. I am using the solar method. I would like to infuse the oil for about two weeks.

Although I have an herb garden, I purchased all of the dried herbs used in this experiment. It was hard to narrow them down but I decided on these five herbs:

Chamomile – Extracts from its flowering her are used in preparations for sensitive skin
because of its sedative and emollient effects. The active principle in chamomile is alpha-bisabolol, which is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and nonallergenic. Also used in hair dyes, chamomile has a brightening and shine-enhancing quality.

Coltsfoot – This herb is excellent for the hair. It is valued for its high levels of amino acids (cysteine), phytosterols, and silica. This herb is said to strengthen, condition, and make the hair more resilient – thickening hair strands and enhancing shine. It’s also a great normalize for excess oil production of skin and hair.


Horsetail – This herb is excellent for the hair. Like coltsfoot, it’s valued for its high levels of amino acids, phytosterols, and silica and is said to strengthen, condition, make the hair more resilient, and normalize oil production of skin and hair.


Nettle – Nettles contains mucilage, amino acids, mineral, vitamins, and other beneficial herbal constituents that make this a very nourishing herb. Nettle is tonic (strengthening) and antifungal; it’s also said to stimulate circulation at the scalp, which is beneficial for hair growth. If you’re gathering it in the wild or garden, be sure to harvest before it flowers, and wear gloves so you’re not stung by the glandular hairs along its stalk. Interestingly enough, the burning and irritation caused by nettle plant hairs may be alleviated by dabbing nettle tea on the skin.


Rosemary – Purifying, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, and stimulating, this aromatic member of the mint family is a tremendous conditioner for the hair. It can also be used at higher quantities in a rinse to darken the hair.


The carrier oil I used was olive oil. From the fruit of the olive tree, this cooling oil is rich in protein, mineral, and vitamins. It will impart a rich, nongreasy emollience and shine to the hair. It nourished, stimulates, and softens the skin. The vitamin E in olive oil is a powerful antioxidant, and the fatty acids make for an oil that is very stable (it resists going rancid). This oil is heavier in viscosity and has a stronger aroma than most other oils, so, depending on your personal preference, you may want to mix it with a lighter oil. Make sure to purchase the “extra-virgin” variety.


After the infusion process is complete, I may add some vitamin E and/or essential oil(s); haven’t decided yet. I will do an update post with pics when the oil is ready to be transferred.

I plan on using the herbal oil for scalp massages, pre-poo/overnight oil treatments and to add to conditioner for deep treatments.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

*Information was referenced from Naturally Healthy Hair

Friday’s Formula/Tasty Tresses: Alcohol (AND A GIVEAWAY!!!)

I’m switching gears for the next few months on my Friday’s Formula posts. When I started this piece, the focus was on the recipe – listing 1 or 2 interesting ones I came across. Now my attention is on the food or beverage. We all know that consuming the right things will give us wonderful benefits both internally and externally. Having said that, those same things we take in can be used for beneficial hair treatments. I’ve made a list of food/beverage items that can be valuable when applied to the hair so let’s get started with the first in this series. . .

What’s on the menu for your mane #1 – Alcohol

BEER: The sugar and proteins in beer are tremendous for bodifying, or volumizing, the hair, adding manageability. It may be added to your shampoo or used as final rinse.

CHAMPAGNE: Like beer, champagne is rich in sugar and protein, which help to thicken the hair and give it more bounce.

VODKA: Vodka is effective in removing buildup from the hair. It has astringent as well as oil-removing properties, making it effective in shampoos for oily hair or scalp.

Here are some alcohol hair recipes I found that use common ingredients:

Beer hair rinse (previously posted here)

Beer Shampoo
1/2 pint beer (any brand)
1 bar castile soap, grated
2 oz glycerin
1 oz hops (tea)
Combine all ingredients and pour in bottle. Use as you would any shampoo.

Champagne hair gel
1 T unflavored gelatin
1/2 C warm water
1/2 C champagne
1 T rose water
Dissolve the gelatin in the warm water and stir well. Add the champagne and rose water and stir well again. Allow to set into a gel (placing in the refrigerator will speed up the process). Remove when set, and allow mixture to reach room temperature before using. Store in an airtight container.


Brilliantine
1/2 C vodka
2 T castor oil
Mix together the vodka and castor oil. Pour into a clean bottle; shake before using. Apply a small amount through your hair and allow to dry, for extra shine.

Now, more good stuff! I promised everyone a giveaway so here are the details.

Can you guess what next week’s hair food (or drink) will be?

If you answer this question correctly, you will be my WEEKLY winner! I will give you the opportunity to guess the next item* on my list (going in alphabetical order). The window to enter a correct answer will remain open until the following Friday. Whoever is first to get it correct will get a “guest slot” on this blog. It can be a topic of your choice (related to hair of course). When the winner is announced, you will be given time to submit the content of what you want posted on BreaKINK New Ground on your behalf.

If you answer this question correctly multiple times, you will be my GRAND PRIZE winner! This series will go through December (possibly January). If you wish to follow through the course of the contest, you could be the winner of a $50 gift card to ONE store** listed below. The person who gives the most correct answers through the Tasty Tresses series will be the gift card recipient. I will do a tie breaker if necessary.

RULES: To properly enter, you must leave your answer below the post in the comments – emails will not be considered. You do NOT have to enter a guess for every single week to be considered but you are limited to ONE entry per week. You do NOT have to have your own blog to take part. You do NOT have to be a “follower” however a follower will receive a bonus gift with the $50 gift card. If you choose to participate “anonymously”, please list your initials and city after your entry to ensure accurate tallying.

* Note: Alcohol was grouped together but most items in this series will be listed individually.


**For the $50 gift card you can select from Curlmart, Honeyfig, or Sistasplace (if you’re into buying products) or From Nature With Love, Mountain Rose Herbs, or Texas Natural Supply (if you want to get your hands on ingredients to make your own goodies).

I hope this makes sense. Leave me a comment below or email me at callalily40@gmail.com with any questions. Let the contest begin – good luck all!

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

* Other recipes can be found in the "hair recipe" category to the right

Study Hall: Book Club

I love, love, love this book I just got done reading! It’s overflowing with a wealth of useful information on hair care. It also addresses Ayurveda. Most important to me, mid-way through the book it gets into using natural ingredients in your hair regimen and gives a solid foundation on herbal preparations. It’s filled with basic, easy recipes and all-in-all I can’t say enough good things about it. This read is definitely a good investment!

Naturally Health Hair by Mary Beth Janssen

Summary: Your hair reflects your personality, emotion, style, and self-esteem. Now internationally acclaimed hair designer and educator Mary Beth Janssen explains how achieving harmony in your mind and body can give you the stunning hair you've always wished for. You'll discover:

* Ayurvedic philosophy -- the ancient holistic health science from India -- and how it can renew and invigorate your hair

* Vital foods, vitamins, and minerals for healthy hair

* Natural hair care formulas to make at home

* Healthful approaches to cut, color, and styling

* Tips for finding and working with a salon and hair care professional

As an educator and author, Mary Beth Janssen is a voice for the integration of beauty and wellness. She is one of the most sought-after commercial hair designers, and she created a series of instructional videotapes and manuals for the salon industry. Janssen is a certified education for Deepak Chopra's Infinite Possibilities organization as well as an herbalist, massage therapist, aromatherapist, and Master Gardener. Her company, The Janssen Sourc, Inc., serves as a wellness consultant to the beauty profession and the community at large. She lives in Illinois.

NOTE: I have been experiencing MAJOR frustration with my Amazon widget (mentioned last Wednesday). I seem to run into technical issues every time I add something to it. I now have 79 book listings and I believe it will stay that way for the time being. I hope my hours of work are not in vain and this helps someone.

Thanks for reading.  Be blessed!

CallaLily

* You can click on the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed

15 minutes of fame :-)

Check me out on Black Girl with Long Hair

Great things are in the works!

I admit it; I realized this morning I was ill-prepared for my Sunday post :-(  When deciding on a topic, I attempt to unearth as much data as possible before posting. Unfortunately, I usually learn more on the subject after the fact *sigh*.


Anyway, my head has been all over the place – digging up partial information on various interests. I’ve been gathering recipes, reading books and tapping into all sorts of resources. I’ll give you a teaser on what’s in the works for BreaKINK New Ground readers. . .

• At week’s end, I will unveil a series that will compliment Friday’s Formula (along with a contest).
• I’m developing a “hair regimen education series” of sorts. I would like to initiate it one upcoming Sunday. I’ve also been toying around with a few other random topics for Sunday posts.

I promise to keep the ball rolling once I have established more organization. I’m very excited for what’s in store and hope I’ve got your nose open :-)  My aim is always to assist in educating the knowledge thirsty - though I stress that I am no expert! I only divulge what I’ve come across so it might make understanding hair care easier for the next person.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Friday's Formula: Oil Treatments (and announcement)

I would like to inform you of a new spin on Friday’s Formula that I will be implementing next week. It will be a fun and interesting series. I’m calling all of you to participate so make sure you tune in next Friday for the update. I’m also going to do a significant giveaway at the end of the series. . .

It’s so nice to just go to the kitchen and get a few ingredients to make your own hair treatments. To control what goes into your products is such a fulfilling process. Hot oil treatments are beneficial in so many ways and preparing them at home is definitely more cost effective. The longer they can be left in your hair the better (preferably overnight if possible). Now, here are some recipes for hot oil treatments I obtained from various sources. Give them a try – your hair and wallet will thank you!

Honey Hot Oil Treatment
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
Combine oil and honey in small plastic bag and close. Fill a mug with hot water. Place bag in water mug until oil is warmed. Apply warm oil to dry hair, working from the scalp to ends. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave for 15 minutes. Wash hair as usual.

Jojoba Hot Oil Treatment
2 teaspoons jojoba oil
1 teaspoon soybean oil
Combine ingredients then place on the stove or in the microwave to warm gently on low heat. Test temperature on inside of forearm. Massage mixture into hair thoroughly. Wrap your hair in a hot towel or cover with shower cap or plastic wrap for 15 minutes or longer for extra treatment. Shampoo & rinse out. Recipe may be doubled for very long hair.

Rosemary Hot Oil Treatment
1 bunch of fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 cup soybean oil
Clean and dry your rosemary and remove leaves from sprigs. Fill 1/4 of a small pan with water and turn heat to medium. Place a large glass bowl on top of the pan and make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Combine the rosemary and oil in this bowl and stir occasionally. When the oil has been warmed, strain the rosemary leaves. Massage oil through hair and scalp. Place shower cap and towel on head and leave oil in for 15 minutes. Wash hair as usual.

Hot Oil Hair Treatment
½ c. olive oil (May reduce to ¼ c. for short hair.)
¼ t. peppermint oil
¼ t. vegetable glycerin
Heat combined ingredients briefly in a pot on the stove or in a bowl in the microwave until warm, but not hot. Standing with your head and hair hanging over the sink or tub pour the warm oil onto your hair and gently massage into scalp and all of hair. Put hair on top of head and into a shower cap. Top with the dry, hot towel. Leave on head for 30 minutes while you relax. Draw a warm bath and wash hair while in the tub. The oil treatment from your hair will moisturize your dry skin while you bathe.

Silk, Shiny Hot Oil Hair Recipe
1 tablespoon Coconut oil
1 tablespoon Almond oil
1 teaspoon Evening primrose oil
1 tablespoon Jojoba oil
5 drops Rosemary Essential oil
5 drops Chamomile Roman Essential oil
Melt coconut oil in a double broiler on low. Add other carrier oils, allow to cool then add EOs. Apply to hair, wrap hair in a towel for 30-45 minutes. Wash then dry hair.

Super Deep Hot Oil Conditioner Recipe
1 tablespoon Avocado Oil
2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
8 drops Chamomile Roman Essential oil
8 drops Myrrh Essential oil
Place oils in a small plastic bag and place the bag in a hot cup of water for 1 minute to warm. Apply to hair, wrap hair in a towel for 20 minutes. Wash then dry hair.

Hair Regrowth Hot Oil Conditioner Recipe
3 drops of essential oil of thyme
3 drops of essential oil of lavender
3 drops of essential oil of rosemary
3 drops of essential oil of cedarwood
1/8 cup of grapeseed oil
1/8 cup of jojoba oil
Apply at night, to scalp in thinning areas. Do not rinse out till morning. Shampoo as normal

Egg & Vinegar Oil Treatment
1 egg beaten (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vinegar
2 teaspoons coconut oil
Mix together and apply to hair. Cover with shower cap and towel. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse and shampoo.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

* Other recipes can be found in the "hair recipe" category to the right

Study Hall: Book Club

First off I would like to say that I am very excited about my new Amazon widget. I have tried to compile this resource to include dozens of books on adult and youth hair maintenance, methods to natural approaches, as well as stories for our little one’s to impart a sense of pride in their “hairitage”. I will make additions to this widget as I discover more books.

I finished reading a book that a lot of naturals are raving about – Curl Talk by Ouidad. This book is filled with lots of good information for ALL curly heads. One thing that I really resonated with me was a statement in the very first chapter “A curl’s best friend is awareness”. This statement itself speaks volumes! I’m sure you can tell I how much that stuck with me since this quote is the theme of my widget :-)

Summary: Finally, the "Queen of Curl" reveals the secrets of curly hair to the millions of women at loose ends with their unruly locks.

Sixty percent of American women have curly hair -- a little-known fact concealed by straighteners, relaxers, perms, irons, blow-dryers, and gallons of styling products. Now, the foremost expert in the field (celebrated by Elle and Vogue as "a curl's best friend") offers an alternative to the daily wrestling match with what's on your head.

Based on 20 years of experience around the world and in her one-of-a-kind New York City curly-only salon, author Ouidad debunks common curly hair myths and offers practical advice for taming, maintaining, and confidently reveling in your gift of naturally curly hair. From finding the right cut, choosing the best conditioning products, and styling your hair for any occasion to everyday conundrums like to shampoo or not to shampoo, and how to blow-dry without causing a frizz attack, Ouidad's advice, illustrated with photographs, drawings, and anecdotes from her experiences with curly-haired women around the globe, will revolutionize the way you approach your hair.

I recommend heading to your library to check out this book. The author of this book has her own line of hair products and also has a fabulous website if you didn’t already know.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

*You can click the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed

Good news!

Because I saw myself making too many unnecessary transactions, I started to keep record of how often I made hair related purchases. It was quite ridiculous and absolutely absurd and I knew I needed to take action! Anyway, I am happy to announce that it has been a whole month since I have purchased a hair product. I’ve still purchased accessories/tools but even that has dwindled down.

I have still been scoping out new things that I want to try but I’m logging it on my wish list and continuing to use up things I already have. Right now some of the lines on my wish list are Aubrey Organics, Neutrogena Triple Moisture, AfroVeda and HairVeda. The only product I am running low on and will NEED to purchase in the near future is shampoo.

The Sisterhood of Product Junkies can learn to curb our impulse to constantly spend our revenue on “the next best thing” with some helpful tips:

* A really great idea that I’ve seen from Kcurly has been an encouragement to me.

* Keeping an inventory list of what I have on hand prevents me from buying what I don’t need.

* Also, if it’s something you are willing to try, experiment with making your own products. I personally am going to start experimenting with common and Ayurvedic herbs (for cleansing and conditioning) and see how that works out. Hopefully I don’t go from a product junkie to an ingredient junkie :-)

If you feel your PJism is out of control, I hope you found this article helpful. Let’s try to keep some of that money in our pockets during these uncertain economic times.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

Friday's Formula: Lisa's Rose Milk Bath - Fresh Version

I’m going to allow myself to switch gears this Friday. Usually, my Friday Formulas are recipes for hair. I realize that we all tend to neglect what we need and want at times for a myriad of reasons – obligations to family, work, etc. This is just a reminder that you should take some time to relax. Doing so will help to recharge your mind, body and spirit. Before you get to the point of feeling run down, schedule some time for YOU!

As you may know from my Wednesday post, I have been reading Success Never Smelled So Sweet by Lisa Price (founder and president of Carol’s Daughter). This is an inspiring read about her “rags to riches” story. In this book, she also offers several recipes for spa-type treatments. I certainly plan on making this one in the very near future. I encourage you to slow down and take a moment to give yourself some TLC.

With its sensual and aphrodisiac qualities, rose oil is known as th queen of all oils. It soothes the emotions, uplifts the spirit and boosts the user's self-confidence. Excellent for skin care, it nourished dry and/or aging skin.

1 quart whole milk
1 fifth of vodka
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
5 roses
50 drops rose frangrance oil
Strawberries, sliced and strained of juice (optional)

1. Sit in a comfortable chair, preferably one with arms or pillows to embrace you. Bring roses to your nose, close your eyes and inhale deeply. Let the aroma take you on a jouney. Be careful not to lose your balance.

2. Gently pull the petals off the roses, throwing away the center and stem.

3. Toss the petals into a large mixing bowl, saving some for floating in your bath or in a bowl near your bath.

4. Pour in the milk (smoothes the skin), followed by the vodka (tones the skin), then the vanilla extract (an aphrodisiac). Stir.

5. At this point you have the option of including sliced strawberries to add alpha hydroxy acids (improves skin texture, cleanses pores).

6. Add rose oil frangrance. Be creative if you dare by adding gardenia (uplifting), honey (attacts and retains moisture) or sandlewood (calming, aphrodisiac, aids in meditation).

7. Close the bathroom door, turn the shower on "hot" and allow bathroom to steam up. Shift water to bathtub nozzel, reducing temperature to warm as not to dry out the skin.

8. Gather remaining rose petals in a decorative bowl. Put some John Coltrane in your CD player, light your favorite candle, dim the lights and sit on the side of the tub. Slowly pour rose mixture into bath, swirling the ingredients in the water with your hand. Set bowl of petals alongside your bath or sprinkle petals atop the water, asking them to help you draw out your most loving feelings. Stick your big toe in the water to test the temperature. Adjust the water as necessary. Slide in.

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

* Other recipes can be found in the "hair recipe" category to the right

Study Hall: Book Club

This week’s “Book Club” is not dealing with hair care. I’ve been wanting to check out Lisa Price’s book. Most are probably familiar with her company Carol’s Daughter. This book is her account on how she went from financial straits to president of a multimillion-dollar enterprise. In this inspirational memoir, it is wonderful to see a minority woman overcome her circumstances and pursue what she is truly passionate about. Lisa has also spoken with college students and taught seminars on being an entrepreneur. I enjoy the way she shares her life stories so openly with the readers and I hope this book will spark your attention as well.

Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion by Lisa Price and Hilary Beard

Summary: In this remarkable memoir, Lisa Price shares the extraordinary story of how she went from bankruptcy to successful entrepreneur—grossing more than two million a year while working from her very own Brooklyn home. Intoxicated by fragrance and scent even as a child, Lisa was famous among her friends for always smelling good. She never imagined that the oils she enjoyed mixing up for her own pleasure would give way to the hugely popular “Carol’s Daughter,” a luxurious, all-natural line of bath and beauty products. How did a young black woman in financial straits, unable to get a business loan and deeply in debt, churn out a multi-million dollar enterprise? With $100 in cash, her own kitchen, and the simple notion that people should follow their hearts (which Lisa did by following her nose!) But first Lisa had to face down her demons—her fears about money, low self-esteem, and a history of failed relationships. But as she tackled each problem, her confidence soared and her business was unstoppable. She met her husband and business partner, began a family, and bought a large, beautiful space in her Brooklyn neighborhood to sell her products—favorites like Honey Pudding, Mango Body Butter, and Jamaican Punch that stars such as Halle Berry, Erykah Badu, Maya Angelou, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Rosie Perez buy religiously. In Success Never Smelled So Sweet, Lisa Price charts her amazing journey in lively, down-to-earth stories about her childhood growing up in Brooklyn and the often unexpected “accidents” in the kitchen that led to her bestselling scents. From the early cultivation of her sensory gift through cooking with her Trinidadian grandmother to her painful years in a rigid school system where she was berated by teachers and bullied by kids, Lisa speaks tenderly and wisely about the subtle ways in which life can guide us to our inner truth—even as it throws out difficult obstacles along the way. For any woman who has ever longed to leave the nine-to-five grind and work successfully from home, Lisa Price’s story is a must-read. Filled with inspiring anecdotes, life advice from her own mother, Carol, and the recipes for some of her best-loved products, Success Never Smelled So Sweet is a book to read by candlelight while soaking in a silky rose-milk bath.

Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

CallaLily

* You can click on the “study hall” label in the right-hand column to read posts you have missed