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From the monthly archives:

August 2009

The Essential Oil Arsenal

by Tyrika on August 26, 2009

Welcome back!

Every house hold has their own set of essentials, from a particular brand of laundry detergent to sheets with 800 thread count; we’re all particular about something that is a must have in our home.  In my home, rosemary, lavender, basil, lemon, and ylang ylang are my must have essential oils.  I call them my Essential Oil Arsenal.  These five oils make it possible for my life to go on from day to day.

Lavender and rosemary, in my eyes, are the goddesses of essential oils.  They serve so many purposes; I can’t imagine life without them.  The calming properties of lavender are what ensure I get a good night of rest.  It manages my unpleasant disposition (read – Level Red anger) when things aren’t going my way.  It even plays a role in enhancing the lengthy, luxurious tresses that I am blessed with.  The rosemary plays a role in that as well as they both encourage hair growth.  The rosemary is also vital in the oils blend I burn in a diffuser to help me dig down into a hard day’s work.  I burn it early in the morning; that way my son gets to reap the effects of the “magical focus” promoting blend and we’re both on our way to successful, productive days.

The lemon and basil oils are key players in the focus inducing blend in additional to the rosemary.  Nothing better than a little productivity, right?  The lemon plays multiple roles; when I’m looking for a little variety in the night time bath relaxation ritual, I add it to the lavender to guarantee I’ll get some sleep.  Lemon has some chameleon like qualities though (shh…don’t tell anyone it’s secret)  The citrus combination of lemon, lime, orange, and even a little grapefruit will perk you up in the morning too.  The basil is excellent for managing  my oily hair, my migraines, and coping with the occasional case of the blues (hey I get down sometimes; we all do!)

Ylang ylang keeps the peace in my home.  I don’t burn it often but when I do it’s because someone has had a really rough day and I want to put them at ease.  There’s no worse feeling for us as the women in our homes than to see any of our family feeling down and out.   I use the Seductive scent from the le’amour body line sporadically when I want to set the mood in my house, since it’s blended with just enough of the scent to make any night a memorable one.

No matter what the circumstance, I always remember “I can tackle all things through the essential oils that strengthen me! “  What are some of the common feelings/emotions in your household that could benefit from a little aromatherapy?

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‘Fro’ed out on Great Day Houston

by Tyrika on August 7, 2009

From left to right: Tyrika, Taleebah, Debra Duncan, Irozenell
On the set of Great Day Houston – From left to right: Tyrika, Taleebah, Debra Duncan, Irozenell

No one was more surprised than I when I arrived at the KHOU studios this morning to attend a taping of Great Day Houston and found myself on camera!  As an assistant organizer to the Nappy Love Houston meet up group, we’d previously attended a taping and met the host Debra Duncan, who also wears her hair natural, and our group had been requested to come be a party of her audience for her vintage style show today.  You know…big 70’s fro meets 2009 fashion.  Sounded like fun and we were thrilled to have been requested by Debra!

As the two other ladies from the group and I arrived at the studio, one of the producers met us at the door, informing us that one of us was to model our hair on the show.  My fellow nappy sisters quickly appointed me before I could speak up and I was whisked off to hair and makeup.  I must say Clemente Javier from Michalyndon’s salon made my hair look fabulous.  I’d never styled my hair this way before and he and Ryan Chase, the makeup artist, made me look and feel like a diva.

Though my moment in the spotlight was brief (click here for the clip), it was a lot of fun and an awesome experience.  Wearing my hair natural is more than just about beating the Houston heat, or even the overall easier maintenance.  Wearing my hair natural is a way of life; it’s a lifestyle of health and caring for my body for years to come.  Taking care of my hair and skin in a way that requires more thought, effort, and research is worthwhile to me because I have control over what does and doesn’t go into my body.  I challenge everyone to take a moment and read the labels on your hair and skin care and really and truly take a look at the ingredients.  If you don’t know what they are, you should wonder why?

Love and blessings to you all!



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