Jordan Richardson

Now here's a model I've been seeing everywhere. I love that she has worn her hair unstraightened and out as a model, I'm seeing that more and more from other models, too. I love it!

Alek Wek

This is Sudanese super model, Alek Wek. She is an inspiration to me, not only because of her unique style, but also because she is true to herself. Some of my closest friends are Sudanese, and I am learning Arabic at the moment. I love my friends, and to me it is sad that people would rather make their beautiful skin seem like a defect rather than the wonderful characteristic it is.

I think many African Americans struggle with feelings of self-hate as far as thinking the lighter the better, or the straighter/longer the better. I love variety, it would be a boring world with out it.

Spring!

I'm very happy to be seeing grass again. We got hit pretty hard with snow here in the midwest as did the rest of the country. I can't wait until the summer comes and I can get in the pool!

One of the perks that goes along with being natural us being able to get your hair wet without it ruining your do!

So if you're transitioning keep that in mind :)

Big Chop

Check out this video I made about the big chop. It answers questions like how long to transition, who should do your cut, and styles you can do.

Brrr...Broke!

So I'm broke and I've been looking at some options for cute things to wear at bargain prices.

I stumbled across lx3lally's videos and she has a lot cute ideas. One of her recent videos is about Winter Fashion Ideas. So if your broke like me, or just want to look at some cute outfits for the winter check her out on YouTube!

Yummy and Healthy!

I had a wonderful lunch on Sunday :)

If you have a Pepperjax in your city you should definitely try their rice bowls. Since I am going vegetarian I love the fact the Pepperjax has such a filling vegetarian rice bowl.

You can choose what you want to be included in your bowl, black beans, jalopenos, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, pinto beans, your choice of sauces and cheeses...it's just wonderful!

Another great place to get a quick bite to eat is Taco Bueno. I love their black bean burritos. Their good size, stuffed with rice, black beans, tomatoes, and onion. I also like to eat them with their chunky salsa and cheese nachos.

So I thought I'd share my healthy fast food options! Try them they are delicious!

Corinne Bailey Rae--Natural Inspiration!

I love Corinne Bailey Rae's music, style, but especially her hair. I've been called her look-a-like, people thought her picture was me when I posted it as my profile picture on facebook. I was surprised how much her hair has grown since I last saw pictures of her. The short curly look has blossomed into a beautiful mane! I hope I will get to that length one day.

Check out her new album "The Sea"!

"Good Hair"...My thoughts

Spoiler Alert! Don't read past the first paragraph if you haven't watched the movie yet. :P



I just watched Chris Rock's "Good Hair" movie Saturday, and I had mixed feelings. I appreciated that he showed the harmfulness of the ingredients of relaxers and the ridiculous amounts of money women are willing to spend on weave.



I found out some things I didn't know. I had no idea that the "100% human hair" was coming from Hindu temples in India when women would get shaved bald as part of a sacrifice. I thought it was very sad that these women had no idea their hair was being sold for thousands of dollars to women who don't realize they could grow their own. The Bronners' hair show and battles were ridiculous, and it made me upset that these people could get $20,000 for that mess.
Tracie Thoms-- (interviewes in "Good Hair")

I liked that a few naturals were able to be interviewed, but I don't think we heard enough from them. I wished there was more discussion about how "coarse" hair actually is manageable and can be very healthy and long.

I applaud Chris Rock for researching and putting this movie out there.

Welcome!

Hello and thanks for visiting my blog!

Hopefully what brought you here was an interest we both share, the desire for a healthy lifestyle! It's a brand new year, so I decided to make this blog to reach out to people who are looking to better themselves this year. Personally, last year was full of ups and downs as I sort of re-invented myself, educating myself on what changes I needed to make. I went natural with my hair, cutting off all my permed ends this past April. That was one of the best decisions I could make! Then this past November, I made a dramatic change in my diet.

My whole life I've loved food, even at times using it as a crutch or comforter. So I had an unhealthy relationship with food. Recently I'd noticed I was having issues with acne and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I researched home remedies, acne medications, and then I came across diet changes. I hadn't really considered taking meat out of my diet before. As I researched I realized a diet with vegetables, fruits, and fish would be very helpful in my efforts to get rid of acne, as well in other parts of my life.

Now this blog is not about making you deprive yourself of meat, or about keeping your hair completely unaltered. This blog is about communicating with others what you do to achieve a healthy lifestyle, so that even if they don't embrace everything you do, there is still something tangible and helpful they can then take away to use in their own lives. I celebrate diversity and value the variety and differences people possess. I hope this blog demonstrates that and that it is beneficial to you!

Watch my videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/elisiepooo

Or view pics on my fotki http://public.fotki.com/my-naturalness-is-showin/

--Femme Naturale