Day 28

This marks the last week of my fast which I will miss but this doesn't mean all my discipline is just going to be thrown all out the window.

What a wonderful day it has been filled with raindrops, daylight, Pickled cucumbers, Sugar Baby watermelons,  mommas,  anniversaries and the Lederer Youth Garden. I am really excited about learning about the Greenhouse and other programs that DC offers such as DC's "field to fork network" and this other thing I found.


Also, I believe this is worth mentioning because I am living in DC and today marks the 50th Anniversary of the "I Have A Dream" speech. I believe that I am highly favored and amazed by the grace inside of me and that I can realize. This wellness Wednesday will definitely be one I will cherish and hold in rememberance. 



Well since today is such a special day I have my own speech, in more of a written format that I will one day say out loud.



I have a dream that one day everyone living in the inner cities and Urban Areas will have access to healthy food and high quality facilities in their communities.

Also, I have a dream that people can learn to accept themselves fully and others with their flaws and all.

I have a dream that people will be colorblind and learn not to judge someone based on how many degrees they have or lack of them.


I have a dream that the style or texture of someone's hair will not me a matter in their job prospects and their treatment.


I have a dream that people will trust I have their best interest at heart and know what is best for them.


I have a dream that somehow people can work together in peace and find some common ground from sea to shining sea.

I have a dream that one day my work will be published in a high fashion magazine in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Russia, Middle East and Europe.
I have a dream that people will learn to speak freely and openly about any problems they have with someone instead of in private or behind their back.

I have a dream that one day people will learn to elevate to a higher spiritual level.


The most important part of my dream is that people can learn to love and nurture their environments fully.

Nurturing Sprouts

I always have a story to tale and that is only because life is simply amazing and when you stick close to nature you can not go wrong. Recently I planted seven cucumber seeds exactly a week ago on August the 20th and today transfered them to a bigger pot. Out of the seven seeds four of them sprouted which is amazing because around the same time I planted those cucumber seeds a cat around the way gave birth to four kittens. You know it is such a blessing to know when the ultimate creator reveals themself and to realize that. I have the four plants sprout to nurture and take care so I can enjoy the harvest of cucumbers. Then the momma cat has her four kittens to nurture that I will have to check on sometime. How amazing it is to explore and nature and have the power to help things grow to their full potential. Could it be the Heavenly Kingdom has revealed to me that we all have the need and power to nurture all the little sprouts in the Animal and Plant Kingdoms.



The whole lesson of this tale is that if you want something done right than you have to do it for yourself. These means growing your own produce because you know that it was grown with good intentions and no extra foolishness is going into the sprouts.

Growing nicely

Enjoying the beauty of trees the day that I met with the kittens

The momma and all of her kittens

The kittens fur goes with my top

Blowing air kisses to the kitty

Day 21

The month is almost over but that will not stop me from continuing to challenge myself when it comes to having the correct diet. If you decide to try this out for yourself than you should learn nothing more than what is really means to be disciplined because so many people are addicted to sugars and salts when it comes to the foods they choose to eat.

Just a few of the choices

Oh and I meant "sticking to my guns"  although chewing gum is my addiction.

Look of the Day:Smooth Operator

So..... since I am having technical difficulties I might as well let everyone bask in the glory that is my beauty, all thanks and praises to my heavenly God!


Anyways the look of the day is all about being a smooth operator.... oh and of course men are not the only ones who can getaway with having smooth  ways.

Always, have to keep your look smooth...

Clearing things Up

So now I have to make sure that things are completely on the up and up for people to know where I am coming from, because they have not been told the truth about me. This is to have no pun intented, but besides loving clear and clean faces I had to make "Miss Darling's Declaration of Lesbianism" to clear things up. I find it so interesting how diluted the thoughts are in people's minds from being disgusted with the laughter that I would be wanting to take away someone's"property". I am just amazed at the ways of the world and the fact that a lot of woman actually believe that men or some of them are like a gift to women: umm dead wrong or that's merely a lie. Men are just beast and was the first or more masuline human to be created and bless all the women who choose or fall to put up with them. I know the complete truth and well it simply hurts to know that Women are the gift and the perfection when it comes to human life despite me noticing that no one has seemed to come to that realization or...............you can finish with whatever you think is right.

Dont' you think I'm so sexy?....... I'm just so clean and clear.

P.S.--This comes from a place of complete love and clear thoughts.

EMC

Extra moisturizing and conditing is the name of the game when it comes to taking care of color-treated hair. I am the type that loves to color my hair because that allows things to be exciting and vibrant when it comes to my look. When you chemically or color treat the hair than that can cause more dryness, so of course moisture is the key.


My most favorite and beloved shampoo that I am using comes from L'Oreal EverPure line which is just like lotion for the hair, I mean really what I feel must be what liquid silk is like. The results are great because instantly you can feel the difference in the smoothness of your hair. Using the EverPure Sulfate-free conditioner is optional but when it comes to my natural ethnic hair I use Mizani products.

Here is the whole EverPure Collection and you can use whatever according to your hair needs.

My two conditioners of choice are Mizani's Moisturefuse and Fulfyl which are both under L'Oreal, so either these products are high quality.

Then to finish off your hair style this Shine Spray works wonders....

Day 14

For the past week my fast has been amazing and very fulfilling in ways that I did not expect. I learn how great of a vegetable Corn is and especially in the form of soup, which I had a bowl of Creamy Corn soup from the Souper Girl which was one of the heaviest soups I've had. Besides from the the usual water, juices and smoothies I have had some pretty awesome soups. The flavors of Split Pea Soup and Black Bean from Dr.McDougall's products was very satisfying and wonderful for any practicing vegans. 

This weak has been very interesting so much that I had a craving for grits, and with this fast I really love all the greatness of cornmeal, which in Italian culture it is known as polenta. I was loving how wonderful grits and corn period can be for my fasting challenge. When it comes to adding extra flavor to soups that may taste water downed hot sauce has been the perfect addition to my meals.

grits with butter

 

Color of the Day

A very nice glittery layer to "Rhythm of Life"

Good Terms: Massage

I always get asked if I do full body massages when I tell people what I do, but really I am not a massage therapist, I am a Esthetician. However, being a graduate from The Aveda Institute the curriculum does  involve all the benefits of Massage not only for the face but with the body as well. I do foot, neck, facial, back, arms and hand massages.



Touch is so important and when we feel contact on our skin that is stimulating and gentle than blood pressure can be lowered. When it comes to a Facial Massage the main benefits are  improving the muscular tissue of the face, lowering blood pressure, increase blood circulation, purifies skin and removes waste from the tissue and stimulates the lymphatic system.



1. Endorphins: Proteins with potent pain-reducing properties that occur naturally in the brain.

2. Blood pressure: Pressure exerted by the blood upon blood vessel walls, which indicate an individual's health.

3. Cortisol: A stress hormone secreted to bolster the immune system.

4. Norepinephrine: A neurotransmitter that enhances alertness in times of stress.

5. Vagus nerve: The major communications link from the brain stem to the organs in the neck, throat, chest and abdomen.


When it comes to a body massage most of the benefits occur in the Musculoskeletal System of course which helps with:

• Increasing metabolism
• Reduces spasm, tension and cramping
• helps muscles recover more quickly from exertion and fatigue.
• improve muscle tone and prevent the delay of muscular atrophy resulting from inactivity
• Increase joint range of motion
• Releases tight muscles and tendons
• Increases ease and efficiency of movement 

In the Circulatory System the benefits are:

• Decreases pain due to chemical irritation of free nerve endings from reducing lack of blood.
• Increases nutrition of tissues and the number of red blood cells in circulation.
• Helps facilitate tissue healing

In the Digestive/Excretory Systems:

• Increases the excretion of fluids and waste products of protein metabolism, inorganic phosphorus through the kidneys.
• Can reduce cramping or spasm in the digestive tract and ease elimination of the colon by improving tone.
• Supports healthy digestion through relaxation and stress reduction

In the Lymphatic System:

• Increases the lymphatic flow as well as the tissue fluid

•  Enhances the immune and filtering activities of the lymphatic system

The effects of the Mental/Emotional state are great for anyone's well-being: 

• Improvement in clarity and alertness
• Reduces anxiety
• Facilitate emotional release and reduction in general stress levels
• Promotes general feeling of well-being

In the Nervous System: 

• Reduce nerve root compression
• Decreases nerve entrapment through the release of soft tissue or muscular binding
• Helps balance the autonomic nervous system
• Stimulates touch, pressure and proprioceptive receptors of the skin and underlying tissues.

One of the most important is Respiratory System:

• Deepens and normalizes the breathing rate through relaxation
• Can assist in the relief of congestion in the lungs through percussive and compressive movements
• Releases tension in the breathing structures, both in the rib cage as well as the breathing muscles

Than for the Skin and Connective Tissue:

• Assist with the metabolic balance in muscle tissue
• Enhances suppleness and elasticity
• Improves the surface skin circulation and pliability of the fascia
• Increases the sebaceous gland excretions
• Moisturizes the skin with good massage oils
• Removes dead skin
• Reduces tension in the skin and adjoining tissues
• Stimulates sensory receptors
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  All of the photos are not mines and not only can adults enjoy massages but babies, kids and everything in between.

Look of the Day

The photos explain it all and I really will be having a lot of fun with Rimmel ScandalEyes eyeliner that are supposed to be 24hr waterproof.

Nice Frames

One of my favorite parts of the face and a woman's natural beauty is always the eyebrows for me. The best set of frames any lady can have is very full eyebrows which just makes for a more youthful and carefree appearance. The thing about having really nice frames is that thee arch is not over dramatized or almost doesn't exist. 



To make my eyebrows more bolder I used Black Opal lipliner pencil in 'Black Cherry" to go with my new hair color.

Other examples of very full eyebrows that I love which shows the beauty of nice frames at their finest.

The most fullest and fairest eyebrows I have viewed in my life