Living Byond Natural

Titus 2 Tuesday & Thursday Special $100

2012-01-22T20:57:00.000-05:00

Titus 2: 3-5
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Spend 2 1/2 hours being served in the spirit of Titus 2: 3-5

Service includes: Wash, Cellular Condition and your choice of Ionic Bodifying, Loc Maintenance (interlocking not included), Twist Out or Rod Set.

Service also includes Low Tea with a variety of teas, tea sandwiches & tea cookies prepared just for you.

Call or email today to schedule your appointment.

MOVING FORWARD!

2012-01-22T20:33:00.000-05:00

Phillipians 3:12-15 says "12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you."

Are you reaching forward toward the things that are ahead, or do you keep looking back at the past? No matter what happened yesterday, its over! It will never return again. Each day we have an opportunity to move forward. We have to trust that God's word is true and will do exactly what is says it will do. If the Word says we can move forward, we can move forward. What are some hinderances that are preventing you from moving forward today? Identify them, whether its low self-esteem, unproductive friendships, draining relationships, selfishness, unforgiveness, whatever it is.....you can make a change today and decide that today is the day you will move forward! God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Take hold of your power, speak to your sound mind and operate in love as you move forward, and watch the Lord take you places you never even dreamed of:)

Private studio, more customized service

2011-05-01T19:14:00.000-04:00

NEW, PRIVATE STUDIO
2011 has been full of wonderful changes for me personally and for Byond Natural. As of June 1st my clients will be served in a custom designed, private, hair & scalp therapy studio. My new studio will allow my clients to receive their services in a relaxing, jazz filled atmosphere, and will give my clients with hair & scalp issues the privacy they deserve. Last but certainly not least, my new studio will allow me the flexibility to minister to my clients needs as the Lord leads.

DON'T NEGLECT YOUR SUMMER HAIR & SCALP THERAPY!
With the end of the school year comes the beginning of busy summer schedules for moms. Don't forget to make time to pamper yourself and to prepare your hair and scalp for the hot Georgia summer. The summer is no time to skimp on hair care. Sun damage, excess salt on the scalp from prespiration, the drying out of color-treated hair and excessive drying from overwearing braids all require consistent care throughout the summer.

Call today to schedule your appointment!

Is Your Hair Ready for Spring & Summer? Let Byond Natural @ Salon Mone't Be the Judge of That.

2011-03-10T15:48:00.002-05:00

I'm so ready for spring! I'm ready for daily sunshine, warm spring breezes and watching my yard explode with color. I'm ready for open windows, walking barefoot to the mailbox and cooking out on my deck with family and friends. I'm ready for entertaining the ones I love and spending time with my children (letting them run me ragged and loving every minute of it). I'm ready for date nights with my husband wearing sundresses and sandles. As you can see, I'm really ready for spring!

Is your hair ready? Winter is such a drying time for hair and its just as important to continue your hair care routine in spring and summer as it is in fall and winter.  Spring and summer bring sun exposure and possibly damage, chlorine exposure, the ever damaging "daily ponytail" and the potentially hair stressing braids. You wouldn't slack on your skin care during the warm months so please don't slack on your hair care.

Byond Natural @ Salon Mone't can provide you with all the therapies you need during the warm months to prevent sun exposure damage, chlorine damage and preserve your hairline while wearing braided styles. It's just as important during warm months to continue to get steam therapy and deep moisturizing therapy.  Before going on vacation, be sure to get your deep moisture therapy and upon your return get a deep cellular therapy.

Byond Natural offers all natural, organic, holistic therapies specifically for the care of your hair.  Most of our therapies are custom created and have been formulated to reach deep into the hair shaft to bring extra moisture, strength and protection.

We're not hair as usual.................we're Byond Natural
The place to come when you're serious about holistic hair & scalp therapy.

"After four years of no price increases, we have recently raised the pricing on a few of our service offerings. These increases reflect the high-end, high quality products we use in our services and therapies and our increased overhead cost."

Healthy Hair is a Process.......Begin Now.

2011-02-14T13:23:00.001-05:00

Winter can be brutal on the hair. The dry air and wind outdoors and heat indoors can dry the hair out mercilessly. Now is the time to begin to remoisturize and strengthen the hair at the cellular level. Contact us now to schedule your appointment to prepare your hair for the Spring and Summer, when the sun can bleach the hair and the salt from your scalp sweating can dry the scalp out. Deep moisturization at the cellular level penetrates all layers of the hair shaft and leaves your hair soft, smooth and elastic and the scalp ultra moisturized. Byond Natural is a multicultural studio, call today for your appointment!

Your Hair Care is an Investment in Your Hair and Scalp Health....You Get What You Pay For.

2011-02-14T12:59:00.000-05:00

Taking proper care of your hair and scalp is a worth while investment in your health. Its important that healthcare and haircare go hand-in-hand. As much as great product helps to enhance your hair, nothing can compensate for poor health habits.

The average person is malnourished in the daily requirements of essential vitamins and minerals. The average daily water consumption is 24oz, well below the minimum 64oz needed or the ideal 128oz daily. Most people bring their jobs home with them and worse, the stress of the job. I don't know many people that get the 8-9 hours of sleep we need at night for proper cell regeneration. Our schedules are jam packed, yet we rarely allow time to just do nothing. Last but certainly not least, we often cheat ourselves looking cheap services that we pay a greater price for in the long run.

Your skin and scalp absorb "EVERYTHING" applied to it. Yes, EVERYTHING! This is why its so important to understand the value of using quality products and not skimping on services because you're trying to pay the cheapest price. If your hair care professional is using high-end products, they seek to give you high-end results. But you can't expect high-end products when you're not willing to pay for it. Many quality salon conditioning treatments can range from $100-$500 and your hair and scalp reap the benefit and they feel awesome. These types of treatments have lasting results and use the absolute best ingredients. They also can cost your hair care professional hundreds of dollars to keep on hand. For those of us that are committed to quality, natural, eco-friendly hair care the costs are substantial because it takes time and effort to research the best products and then test those products to ensure they do what they say they will do. These are things that most clients understand, but don't always make the connection between pricing, expense and their expectations. I haven't even mentioned the expense of salon space rental.

I've been natural for 22 years and I love for my hair to look, feel and be healthly, but that can only happen when I invest in my haircare. This is also what I encourage my clients to do. Your scalp has specific requirements and if you decide to use all natural treatments you are now relying on your natural hair culturist to know chemical compounds of the products or essential oils they are using and to know how and why a natural product works........you have to always remember, you get what you pay for. Choose quality. Yes it will cost more, but in the long run you reap all of the benefits. A natural hair culturist that has taken the time to purchase the latest steaming equipment or UV therapy understands the value of those items for their clients overall hair and scalp care. You want the best for your body....................get the best for your hair.

Remember, cheaper isn't always the best savings. You truly do get what you pay for.

Be blessed and a blessing!

Happy Holidays and Healthy Hair & Skin!

2010-12-13T12:20:00.001-05:00

We're often so busy during the holiday season that we have a tendency to let a few things go to make up for hurried time. The first thing is usually our hair. We're saving for holiday spending so we skip our hair maintenance. The winter is the worst time to skimp on your hair. The air is dry, cold and often windy, leaving our hair dried out from the air and battered from the wind and cold. Winter is the time that our hair and skin need extra moisturizing on a consistent basis. Here are a few tips to keep your hair in tip top shape during the holiday season:

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
In the African American community moisture has always been associated with oil. Moisture comes from water and water based products. A good deep moisturizer is critical to natural hair which is usually curly and has a tendency to dry out when exposed to dry air. Hair should be washed and conditioned with an excellent moisture shampoo and conditioner.

My favorite shampoo & conditioner: Paul Mitchell Instant Moisture Daily Shampoo and Instant Moisture Daily Treatment.

My favorite leave-in moisturizer: Care Free Curl (that's right!) Moisture Gold

Protect
Here is where you oil based products come in. Oil serves as a protectant for the hair and as a vehicle for vitamins, nutrients and essential oil properties to penetrate the scalp. Oil based products should be used in modertation and work best when the hair is damp. As the hair dries and the water evaporates, the evaporation pulls the oils into the hair shaft and into the scalp. Oil on dry hair sits on the hair and just gets on your clothes and pillow cases (yuck!)

My favorite oil protectant: Organic Jojoba Oil (put in a few drops of lavender and rosemary for conditioning and to stimulate the scalp) Jojoba is the only oil that most closely matches the sebum that is naturally produced in the scalp, its a light oil that absorbs very quickly into damp hair and scalp and is excellent as a carrier oil. Jojoba is also very affordable.

Aloe is great for dry, itchy scalp and skin. Excellent alone or mixed with your favorite conditioner, lotion or bath product

Argan is also great for dry hair and for protection from the elements, but you rarely find pure Argan Oil as its very expensive on it own.

Neem and Tamanu Oils are excellent for dry hair and skin issues and over the top as an addition for your hair conditioner and your favorite lotions. I reserve these oils for clients with skin and scalp problems such as psoriasis, exzema and other inflammatory skin issues.

Healthy Diet
I would be in error not to mention that you can do everything listed here and still get no results if you're not eating properly and drinking enough water on a consistent basis. As hair and skin are made up of protein be sure you're getting enough protein in your diet on a daily basis. Drink at least 64oz of water daily (more if you exercise) and eat plenty of fresh fruits and veges. If you take medications, ensure you're taking them properly and know their possible side effects (hair thinning comes with a variety of medications). Don't always feel that just because so-in-so does such-and-such for her hair and its growing, means the same will work for you. We're all different and you need to learn your bodies needs and what works for your body.

Hope these tips help you spend less time worrying about what to do to keep your hair and skin healthy during the holiday, and spend more time loving on friends and family.

May the joy of Christ fill your holiday with peace and love!

Many blessings for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Byond Natural

2010-10-19T10:35:00.000-04:00

byondnatural@gmail.com

This is truly a new time, an exciting time for Byond Natural. Our focus has always been meeting the needs of our clients, but I feel a push leading me to move in a new direction. Keep it simple, make it plain. I want to serve you not just with my knowledge of hair care, but my ministry of love for people. You no longer see a price list, but my clients can guarantee my pricing is the same. You don't see a long list of "hair and scalp issues", but you can rest assured that any issue you may be facing, I'll still take the time to work with you and help you focus on solutions to make your situation better (if it is possible within the scope of my knowledge).

I feel a move of the Lord and my business is flowing with that move. A move of healing, a move of peace, a move of new beginnings, a move of rest in Him, a move of restoration. Byond Natural has truly become a place of healing, a place where LOVE rules. I love hair care, but I love people more. Anyone that knows me knows that I don't call myself a "hair stylist", never have and never will. I CARE for the needs of my clients hair and scalp, but I LOVE my clients. Having said all this, Byond Natural is not just my business, its part of my ministry of Love and Hospitality. Those that the Lord brings get exactly what He needs them to get and I'm so glad He uses Byond Natural to do beyond natural things.

Be blessed and if its worth living, its worth living beyond.....................................

Byond Natural is now blogging only

2010-10-11T10:12:00.000-04:00

I'm always trying to find ways to make sure I'm developing relationships and not just marketing. Byond Natural is no longer has a website, we are blogging to have a more interactive relationship with our clients.

As my clients already know, I take new clients by referral only. Please share the blog with them for weekly information. You'll now get articles and information on living byond natural to help you not only have healthy hair and scalp, but to live a whole, healthy lifestyle.

More to come soon..........

Living green, saving money and loving life!

2010-04-20T09:50:00.000-04:00

Changing to a "green" lifestyle is more than a notion, but once you get good, practical information it becomes so much easier to acheive. I just want to share a few tips you can use to live green and save some green:)

Household Cleaning

Disinfecting with 70% Isoprofil Alcohol
My son has allergies gallore, so I'm always mindful of the products I use to clean our home. One of the easiest and least expensive things I've done is to use 70% Isoprofil Alcohol in a spray bottle to clean my kitchen and bathroom hard surfaces. Its a great alternative to using chemical laden products and is very effective at removing many harmful microbes.

Scrubing with Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
Need a great scruber to remove stubborn stains without having to wear a facemask to prevent fumes from overcoming you. Consider using baking soda and lemon juice. Mix 1/4 cup lemon juice with 2tbsps water and mix in enough baking soda to make a paste. Excellent for cleaning stains from the sink, tub or toilet. Be sure to use on hard surfaces only. Works well and smells great!

Natural Air Freshner
Cinnamon sticks and cloves make a great natural air freshner. Place 2 cinnamon sticks and a palm full of cloves to a simmering pot of 2 cups water and allow to simmer on low. The fragrance will fill your home with the warm, relaxing scent of spice.

Air Purifier
Plants, plants, plants. A study conducted by NASA found that for an average home of under 2,000 square feet, the study recommends using at least fifteen samples of a good variety of these common houseplants to help improve air quality. They also recommend that the plants be grown in six inch containers or larger.

The recommended plants are easily available from your local nursery.

1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium', heartleaf philodendron

2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron

3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana', cornstalk dracaena

4. Hedera helix, English ivy

5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant

6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig', Janet Craig dracaena

7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena

8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig

9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos

10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa', peace lily

11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron

12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen

13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm

14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant

15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

For more on the study and its findings and recommendations visit http://www.cleanairgardening.com/houseplants.html

Fabric freshener for dryer
A few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton gauze tossed into your dryer will freshen your clothes minus the synthetic chemicals used in conventional dryer sheets.

Floor cleaning
Although I don't usually recommend products, I will say that a good steam mop is well worth your time, money and health. You use tap water in the steam mop and its converted to steam while you clean the floors. No chemicals, no dirty water to dispose of, no gloves............... Just wash your cleaning pads when finished. Steam mops are awesome!

These are just a few great options to get started on your journey to green living. Stay tuned for more green living tips:)

Byond Natural March Promotion - Luck of the Irish!

2010-03-17T20:58:00.000-04:00

March – Luck of the Irish Package $90

Step outside the box with a Barley & Hops infused cleanse and condition. It takes more than luck to get strong, soft, conditioned and volumized hair. It takes beer! With essential vitamins, biotin, barley & hops it’s the perfect addition to your hair pampering regimen!

Package includes ($100 value)

Beer infused cleanse

Beer & Honey infused steam conditioner

Argan oil & Acai berry leave-in treatment

Your choice of silken or rod set

Locs add $20 Interlocs add $50

http://www.byondnatural.com/

Hair thinning and/or loss don't have to mean the loss of your self-esteem

2010-03-08T19:59:00.000-05:00

I found myself in a beauty supply store several weeks ago looking a wigs. That's not so unusal as I always look at wigs and I love to wear wigs for a quick change of pace or fresh look. What was problematic is that I was looking at wigs because I really felt I needed one. There is a hugh difference from wearing something because you want to and wearing something because you feel you need to. I felt I needed to.

Over the past two years I've been sharing with my clients that my hair is thinning. I've also acknowledged that I deal with Trichtolomania (pulling the hair out) when I'm under stress, and I take a hypertension medication that also thins the hair. The Trichtolomania I'm very aware of and make every effort to keep my hands out of my hair with the exception of styling, but I must say that I learned that I've been pulling my hair out of the crown of my head while sleeping with the the last stressful event. This is unsettling, but I'm not defeated. I finally decided to take authority over my thoughts and I decide who and what I give space to in my mind...............worry won't be one of the things that gets any space.

I encourage women on a daily basis regarding hair thinning and loss. I support my clients in having healthier lifestyles, focusing on learning to treat ourselves well and making time for ourselves. I have to remember the lessons and words of encouragement I give to others and start encouraging myself as well.

I'm a "sold-out" women of God, and I know who I am and Whose I am. I recognize that I walk in victory and that I don't have to give in to feeling defeated. I decided that my hair is what it is. If I want to wear a wig I will, if I don't, I won't. Either way, I'm still me and that's a pretty good person to be. I love people, I love helping and taking care of people and I refuse to walk in defeat. The Lord is so big and there's nothing He can't handle, nor is there anything He allows me to go through that I can't handle.

Ladies, we truly are not defined by our hair, but by our character.

Many blessings!

Dealing with my own hair loss, kinda

2010-02-16T19:53:00.001-05:00

As a natural hair culturist, I've worked with women with a variety of hair thinning and loss issues. I fully understand the process of hair loss, the cause of many forms of hair loss and the emotional toll it can have on the self-esteem. I must say that there's nothing like experiencing it yourself.

Over the past year and a half, I've been slowly losing hair in the crown and on the sides of my head. My hair loss is medication related. I take Lisinopril to control my hypertension, and I must add it really controls my blood pressure very well (116/68). The horrible down side, my hair looks a hot and thin mess. Each time I run my fingers through my hair, its an ugly reminder of what I used to have. Praise God my hair is nappy and I can cover the thinning spots with my afro, nappy hair gives the illusion of thick hair, so for the most part no one notices. But I do. It took me years to find the right medication to control my blood pressure without making my heart race or making me feel tired or that was really expensive. Lisinopril is only $4 at most pharmacies and I only have to take one tablet daily. But my hair!

Sunday morning I found myself crying in my husbands arms murmuring "I don't want to loose my hair". Kevin is such an awesome husband and could truly care less if I have a head full of hair, a weave, braids, locs, whatever, I've done it all. He reminded me that my hair wasn't what was important, but my health is of vital importance, and he agreed we will work with my doctor to find a new medication to curtail the hair loss while still maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

The irony here is that I truly understand and am committed to the fact that my ministry is to women who are going through hair thinning and loss. The Lord reminded me that you can only minister to someone effectively when you've had similar experiences. No one wants to hear, "girl just trust and pray", a sister wants to know "how did you get through it"? Here's how:

Put your health first and get to the root of the problem;
Research, research, research;
Surround yourself with a good support system;
Don't stress out, it prevents you from making sound decisions;
Seek holistic help as well as medical help (nature and science should work together);
Don't let your hair define you;
Take good care of your scalp and use great product with great ingredients;
A good wig or weave can be a girls best friend while finding the solution (if any) to your hair thinning/loss.

Be encouraged and know that I am.

What gives?

2010-02-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

I just have to ask. What makes a person want to go natural and use the best products on their hair and scalp, yet never drink more than 24 oz of water, rarely eat a balanced meal or get enough sleep, haven't taken a vitamin in years, eat junk on a regular basis and live in stress mode?

It's more than a notion to attempt to live a healthly lifestyle. Everything needs to be done in moderation and in a balanced way. I love that so many women are living chemical free, but let's take that to another level. This year make every effort to detox all the way around, that includes mind, body and spirit. You don't have to completely give up donuts or throw away every hair product you bought last year. Just use good judgement and don't get caught up in the marketing schemes that scare you into buying items you really don't need and before you saw the ads, didn't want. Here are a few easy, economical things you can do to start living a healthy lifestyle:

Love yourself right where you are, but recognize what needs to change and change it;

Love others right where they are, but you don't have to tolerate ugly behavior or take on others issues, especially when they don't want to take on their issues themselves;

If going natural is important to you, lose the relaxer and get good professional transition hair care;

Schedule a physical;

Go through a good, holistic body detox 3 times annually;

Eat 5 small meals a day to help metabolism work more effeciently;

Drink at least 64oz water daily;

Exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes each session;

Make quiet time for yourself;

Try to get 8 hours of sleep each night (set a regular bedtime and stick to it);

Turn the cellphone off at a certain time each evening;

Honestly evaluate your relationships, friendships, etc. (anyone toxic?);

Honestly evaluate yourself (you may be the toxic one) make corrections;

Be the friend you want;

Stop letting life live you..............don't stress (this to will pass)

Know that prayer changes things.

Don't just go natural...............go Byond Natural.

In February show your hair a little love too

2010-01-31T17:56:00.000-05:00

Byond Natural is always trying to find new and exciting ways to pamper and nourish the hair with the most natural ingredients possible. This year we're offering our clients monthly promotions to take their hair care to another mouth watering level. You'd be amazed what you can find in your cupboard to soften, condition, strengthen and protect your hair. Follow Byond Natural as we take our clients on a delicious journey throughout 2010. You can even try creating your own delicious hair pampering regimens. Enjoy!

Love & Happiness Hair Care Pampering Package $100 ($125 value)

Relax and rekindle the love affair with your hair with an aromatic, nourishing and stimulating cocoa and mint scalp scrub, a cocoa & mint steam conditioner and a refreshing warm mint tea hair rinse. Finish your service with a ginger infused twist out, rod set or blow dry & curl.

Package includes

Cocoa & mint scrub

Cocoa & mint cleanse

Cocoa & mint steam conditioner

Mint tea hair rinse

Argan Oil & Acai Berry Leave In Treatment

Ginger infused twist-out, rod set or blow dry & curl

(Locs add $30, Interlocs add $60)

Visit us at http://www.byondnatural.com/

Training Day

2009-11-04T22:27:00.000-05:00

Today's blog isn't going to be long, overstated or even further explained. This is one of those subjects that really needs no further explanation or definition. It just requires quiet reflection and honesty with ourselves, and then change on our part. Ready.......................In the journey of life, we train others how to treat us.

What's your impact on this earth?

2009-09-15T09:52:00.000-04:00

Every single thing we purchase and use has some impact on our earth, and our health. I recently changed all of my cleaning products and laundry detergent to eco-friendly products. I also use soy candles with lead-free wicks to scent my home, eco-friendly hair and skin care products and I purchased wash clothes instead of paper towels to dry our hands in the bathrooms and then wash the filled basket as needed. My husband and I made a decision to go completely eco-friendly because our son has allergy induced asthma and we wanted to illiminate all potential fumes and allergens.

As a woman of color, I have a vested interest in living eco-friendly. African American children have the highest rate of asthma in the United States. Communities of color have the highest levels of air and noise pollution (American Lung Association). Schools in communities of color have more building deteration issues, lack of proper maintenance and lack of proper resources to correct issues. Indoor air pollution, lead, water leaks, aesbestos, etc. are all still serious concerns in schools in communities of color. These issues deserve to be addressed at the local, state and federal level and we have to raise our voices to be advocates for our families health.

What can you do today to make a positive impact on our earth? These are just a few ideas that are easy, money saving and effective.

Purchase eco-friendly cleaning products and laundry detergent for your home.

Use eco-friendly hair and skin care products that include natural and organic ingredients.

Use natural light when possible during the day and turn off lighting when leaving a room.

Use eco-friendly lighting inside and outside your home. Try indoor solar lighting.

Apply dimmers to lighting throughout your home.

Create a grocery list to keep you focused when shopping, saving money and gas.

Use wash clothes instead of purchasing paper towels to dry your hands. Place a basket in your bathroom for used wash clothes and then wash as the basket fills. This saves paper and trees.

Consider purchasing a steam mop. No more detergent, no more chemicals, extra clean floors.

When purchasing new appliances always look for the "energy star" label.

Set your dishwasher to run after midnight when water usage is low and run on "energy saver" cycle.

Purchase glassware instead of plastic when possible.

Consider installing a cooling/heating ceiling fan in your bedrooms. They circulate cool air in summer and warm air in winter and run on pennies a day.

Purchase eco-friendly bed linen (organic cotton, bamboo and recycled materials - yes the thrift store items count as eco-friendly:)

Shop thrift stores for your childrens summer clothes, and truth be told you can find great school clothes as well.

Pack up all unused or unwanted clothing and donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army or a thrift store. You can also make a little extra money by selling your old items to a consignment shop.

Open your windows on comfortable days to allow fresh air to circulate through your home and disapate indoor air pollution.

If you drink coffee or tea, purchase "fair trade" products to ensure your dollars help sustain the villages the product comes from.

Do your shopping locally when possible.

Shop local farmers markets for your fresh produce.

Get to know your local butcher and fish monger. They will know where their product comes from and how fresh it is.

Make sure your home has good quality insulation and check your home seasonally for leaks or general maintenance. Leaks can cause mold growth which can be a terrible health hazard.

When making additions to your home or remodeling use as many eco-friendly materials as possible - everything from flooring to fabric can be eco-friendly and affordable.

When we make positives changes for our families, our children take notice and we leave them a legacy and a love for the environment around them. They take interest in caring for our communities and great pride in living in a community that's beautiful and healthy.

For more information, products and ideas to help you make a positive impact on our earth, check out http://www.evo.com/

Life more abundantly!

2009-09-14T13:49:00.001-04:00

Over the past four years I've learned alot about myself. Most importantly, how I treat myself. I'm a wife (and every now and then "sexy' wife:), mother, business owner, PTA officer, church volunteer and friend. Seems pretty managable..........but my life had been managing me, so it was exhausting.

I'm a helper at heart. I enjoy helping others and watching them succeed. I also enjoy cooking and feeding my friends and family when I can. If I could just entertain and cook for a living I'd be set. LOL!! I developed a bad habit of not knowing when to say no. So I trained those around me that I'm always available, always able and always willing. Problem is none of that is true. I was overextending myself and sometimes for people that didn't appreciate it.

So what did I do to change how I was operating? I started to manage my time more wisely. Before my head leaves the pillow I thank God for another day for me and my family, then I spend 20 minutes with Him before doing anything. That's my time for prayer, Bible study, reflection. This change in the start of my day has made a world of difference about how I value my time. I manage my client schedule in a way that allows me to spend the time I desire with my children and gives me the opportunity to volunteer at their schools. Creating a legacy for my family became priority, not just taking as many clients as possible. I have a date night with my wonderful husband once a week - just me and him doing whatever we want. I purchased a dry erase calendar, put it on my frig and fill it in with my families activities for the month so I don't over schedule any of us. I make time to do "nothing", whatever my nothing is I plan to do it.

Now that I take time for myself, I finally have a chance to listen to my body, notice things I had glanced at but never paid attention to. I listen to my husband and children and make an effort to ensure that I actually hear them. I perceive what's important differently and I value the small details that make a big difference. I changed my business to ensure it matched up with what I value, I'm facilitating healing with my clients. I talk to them, learn about their lifestyles, family, issues, etc. (You'd be amazed that 90% of scalp problems have nothing to do with the scalp itself - marriage problems, worrying about children, financial difficulties, job stress, poor nutrition - its so not about what it looks like, so my discernment has heightened.) I give my time and make concessions of my time for those that I know truly do value me, my family and my time. I make my home a peaceful, restful place for my family and I don't allow drama, people or otherwise, into our home. If I find that when in the presense of an individual, I'm drained when we part ways, I don't spend my personal time with that person. If being in someones presense is work, its not enjoyable. I love being around positive people and I enjoy being around people that I learn from, that add to me as a person.

When I started to re-evaluate how I treated myself and the outcome I was getting when I treated myself well, I truly began to live life more abundantly. My money hasn't changed, some of my circumstances didn't change, but my perspective did.

Blessings,

Natural by Nature

Moisture is a girls best friend

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I remember as a young girl my mom would wash and condition my hair and then grease it to the nines with Vigirol (you remember the blue grease). My freshly washed hair would be greasy for days, and Lord forbid if I decided to scratch my scalp, I'd get a fingernail full of mess. lol!!!

As I got older we kinda started to get that moisture came from water based products, but for that moment it was in the form of Jeri Curl moisturizers like Care Free Curl. Something interested happened during that time, folks with Curls hair began to grow, and grow quickly ---- Water Based Moisture. Then something even more wonderful started happening. The natural hair culture came of age.

As a natural hair culturist when I tell my clients to use water based products there's almost disbelief. Use water on African American hair? Yes, yes and yes. Natural hair is curly hair and curly hair needs plenty of moisture. Yes, no matter how tight the curl, its still a curl:) I have tight, nappy hair too and proud of it, but it still needs plenty of water.

Your hair care products should not costs a small fortune, reasonably priced product can have a price point up to $22 and be awesome. I've spent $30, $40 on product, only to have to give it away or throw it out because it didn't do what it says it was developed to do. The ingredient list is very important. Conditioners should contain water as the first ingredient followed by fats, proteins, vitamins and essential oils. A good styling agent that provides hold for twists, locs, sets ect. should contain the same, but also contain a holding agent for real hold. FYI - butters and natural gels such as aloe are great for keeping the hair soft and conditioned, but are not good at holding locs or twists, they need a good holding agent like a carbomer.

Oh, I almost forgot the mention, don't be mislead into thinking that you can only use products targeted to African Americans for your natural hair care. Paul Mitchell Instant Moisture Daily Shampoo and Instant Moisture Daily Treatment are the best moisturizing shampoo and conditioner I have ever used, personally and professionally. Keepin It Real Sculpting Gel is the absolute best curl definer with great hold, no buildup and excellent shine after drying that I've professionally. Additionally, with Keepin It Real Sculpting Gel you can rewet your hair daily with a water based moisturizer (Care Free Curl, Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist, Curls Quenched Curls, etc.) and the curls will spring back to life for up to four days - a great money saver.

Last, but certainly not least is steam. Steam's small molecules penetrate deep into the hair shaft to make your conditioner do double duty. It also assists in pushing essential oil scalp therapies deep into the scalp to nourish the hair follicle, making your scalp therapy treatments more effective. Steam is also great for the skin. You don't have to go to the salon to get that great steam conditioning. Your shower can serve the same purpose. During your shower, don't cover your hair, let the steam moisturize your hair for about 10 minutes once a week and see the difference in how it feels.

Blessings to all, and don't forget to follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/locsbytanya

Welcome to Living Byond Natural

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I'm so excited about my new blog on natural hair care, holistic health and everything in between that impacts the health of women of color and our families.

We're going to debunk hair care myths, give good solid information relating to your hair and scalp health and your overall health, and discuss topics like health care, stress, family issues and education. Yes, we're covering the gammit and getting to the "root" of getting healthy and staying healthy.

Visit us regularly for new information, and interesting articles to help us live a more holistic lifestyle.

Blessings,

Natural by Nature