The one product I continue to make...

In a prior post, I stated how I am no longer make my own hair products. The natural hair community has grown leaps and bounds over the past 5 years, and so has the sales of natural hair products. With all products out there, I still prefer to make one thing myself: Hot Oil Treatments.

If you are a type 4 natural, hot oil treatments are a must! There are several benefits to using  a hot oil treatment including: restored moisture balance, easier detangling, reduced shedding and increased shine. The pre-made hot oil treatments are not pure oils and are diluted with who knows what.

I do a lot of protective styling. Anytime I am going to use heat on my hair, a hot oil treatment makes for easier blow outs and more manageability, which saves time. My wash day time is cut down to 2 hrs. start to finish. I often apply hot oil treatments the night before to be sure I get the maximum benefits.

Hot Oil Treatment

• Olive Oil
• Castor Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Avocado Oil
• A few drops of Tea Tree Oil ( if my scalp is dry)

Mix oils together in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 20 seconds. Be sure it's not too hot. Separate and lightly dampen hair. Apply to hair starting at ends working to roots. Sit under dryer, steamer, or leave on overnight. Proceed with wash day.

Three reasons I stopped making my own hair products.

I remember theI first time I attempted to go natural in 2004, my friend and I were only able to find one company that specialized in products for natural hair. Carol’s Daughter. That was it. After hours of research on forums (pre-Youtube days), we decided to try our hand at making our own hair products. Several trips to whole foods, which for us was about an hour away in the city, avocado,three different oils, raw honey, egg, banana, coconut milk and a blender and we had a all natural deep conditioner which we split between us. Fast forward two more natural hair transitions attempts--one unsuccessful, one successful--and 10 years, these are my reasons why I stopped making my own hair products.

#1-They are widely available and cost effective.

Back before the natural hair boom, there were very few products available on the ground. Now, you can go into just about any store and get quality, all natural hair products. Starting from scratch, you could spend $20 making your own deep conditioner. Since everything that you are using are all natural, once your mix it, you have about two to four weeks to use it even with it being in the refrigerator. If you desire a more customized conditioning treatment, you can add hibiscus powder, cassia, and the list can go on...as well as the price going up. Each of these add in can add anywhere from $5-$15 on to your conditioner.

#2-It saves Time

If your wash day is like mine, then time is of the essence. Between hot oil treatments, detangling, washing, deep conditioning, detangling, LOC’ing, and styling the last thing on my mind is making a deep conditioner, shea butter mix, or revitalizing spritz. Between the cutting, measuring, and breaking out the Vitamix, mixing and clean-up...I’ll pass.

#3-They do it better

Naturals know what their hair likes and what it does not like. Although we know, glycerine isn’t for me or my hair hates coconut oil, and that the 2012 version of TRESseme conditioner is way better than the new version. Many of the businesses that specialize in natural hair products study formulas and chemistry that just, well, work for hair. It’s their passion and they work on perfecting their product to do exactly as described. Not to mention that you will try ingredients that you may not have heard of or thought that your hair loves like rhassoul clay and mango butters. Many feature certified organic ingredients and natural preservatives that make your products last longer than if you made them yourself.

Bonus:#4-It Supports Small Businesses

Many of the online stores that I patronize are small, women owned businesses! Your dollars go farther than just that $12 whipped shea butter mix or flaxseed gel, you are building the economy and supporting another sistas dream with your purchase.

In a future post, I will share with you the one hair product I still make myself. What’s your thoughts? Are you a DIY’er or a Buyer?

Exciting News and New Posts!

I know its been a while, but I have been too busy and going through some personal issues. Let's get right to it!

I'm a brand ambassador! About a year ago, I went to a natural hair meet up and found a replacement for my beloved Qhmet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream: Carmella Marie Hair Crack (now called Treasure). I fell in love with this product! It was exactly what my dry, 4C natural hair needed.  Later that year, me and my curlfriend went to a Let's Talk Hair Expo in Youngstown, OH and had a great time. While browsing through my emails, I saw a email for brand ambassadors for Carmella Marie. Immediately, my mind went to me shooting to YouTube and Instagram fame with thousands of followers. Well, not really. I know social media will have people endorse any company for financial gain or social media fame. Not the case for me. This is truly a company that I can stand behind the products and most importantly supporting small, black owned business, so be on the lookout for product reviews, giveaways, and new posts.

 Speaking of giveaways, to help kick off the Carmella Marie Brand Ambassador program, we are hosting a 10 day challenge with the chance to win free Carmella Marie Hair products! My challenge consists of trying something new for 10 days. Its easy! It can be anything, a new recipe, workout, food, hair product, hair style, book, the list can go on. Follow me on Instagram @mzkarameldee for more details!

Are you looking forward to 2015?!?!?

 

In preparation of the new year, I decided to ignite my love of reading. I found the book 'Write it down, make it happen'. I saw this on one of my favorite YouTuber's Favorites video. I searched the library and found that they did in fact have the book. My goal is to finish reading it before 2015. I plan on writing down a clear, concise plan for the new year. Goal I want to accomplish, places I want to go, things that I want to see, but most importantly putting them into action! 

I am excited and looking forward to the new year! Please join me in reading and reviewing this book. If there are enough people interested, I will start a Google hangout so we can discuss, share, and encourage our plans for the future!

Follow me on Instagram at: @mzkarameldee.

What's New?!?! Blog Posts?

 

 Be sure to check back to see what's new here on Walking Through Honey! I am making a personal goal to post at least twice a month!

Natural Remedies: Part I

In a prior post, My Migraines, I talked about how I was going to start taking vitex to regulate my menstrual cycle. Since this post, I have gone through two bottles of vitex. My experience with vitex has been nothing but a positive one and here is my story.

For as long as I can remember, I have never had a regular period. When I was younger, they just thought that it was because I started at such a young age. As I got older, they pushed birth control on me to help regulate my period. I was on birth control, the pill and the patch, for about 8 years off and on. After I got off of the patch birth control, my body went crazy. I would have horrible periods that lasted almost 2 weeks, blood clots, and heavy flow. My flow was so heavy and lasted so long, I was anemic from the blood loss. I went to the doctor and they thought that it was fibroids, it wasn't. They did sonograms and their final conclusion: my ovaries just wasn't working properly. After about another 2 years on birth control, I decided to give it up. I was at the age where I wasn't trying to prevent pregnancy, but I wasn't doing anything to get pregnant. I made the decision to try to regulate my periods on my own, naturally.

I searched for months about which herb to try to to regulate my periods and decided on chaste-berry or vitex to do so. I began taking them as directed and within 2 weeks, I started to feel like I was going to start my period. Sure enough, it started. It started and lasted for 7 days. It was heavy, but that was to be expected since I hadn't had a period in months. After taking it for 3 months, I had three periods. Now, the one thing that I will say is that the number of days varied, but did I have one every month? Yes. 

Since this time, I have slowed down on taking vitex because I wanted my body to regulate itself and guess what? I have a period every month. I am going to talk with my gynecologist about the length of time between my periods and see if there is any problem with it. My periods are normal. I have a couple of heavy days and then it slowly tapers off; it lasts about 5 days and then its gone. This is the most regular periods that I have had in my life!!!

I used vitex strictly for period regulation. While taking vitex, I also took a multivitamin (filled with extra B vitamins), evening primrose oil, vitamin C, and a fish oil capsule. In my prior post, I stated that I also took Dong Quai. I still have this, but unfortunately, I couldn't stomach the smell to take it on a regular basis. I am sure that the vitex along with the other vitamins help contribute to my success.

If you are looking to regulate your periods naturally, or if you are trying to conceive, please research some natural alternative. There are tons of websites with information about it.

If you have any questions, please leave them below! 

This is my personal experience. I am not  a doctor nor do I claim to be. Please research and see what will work for you and check with your doctor to see if its safe for you to take any herbs or natural remedies.

Me and Menstrual Cups...

Have you ever used a menstrual cup? For a lot of women it seems very foreign to use a cup instead of the standard pad or tampon for their menstrual flow. I finally took the plunge last month and tried it. 

Research, research, research. I had been researching an alternative to pads and tampons for months. I thought about disposable pads, but considering that I hate washing clothes, having a blood soaked piece of cloth could be laying in my hamper for weeks drawing maggots and all types of bugs wasn't an option. I stumbled upon menstrual cups while searching. In other countries, its a normal thing. Here in the US, not so much. I remember telling my friend that I wanted to get a menstrual cup, and I was met with 'What? Huh? So, what will you use during your period?'. There are literally 50+ types of menstrual cups out there. Just search amazon and you will see plenty, google it and you could be reading for days. 

Its no secret that I had  horrible periods; blood clots, heavy flow, lasting for days on end. I say had because in a future post I will reveal how I took control of my periods without birth control or hormones. I still experience these symptoms but milder, and my period is a lot more predictable than it was before. The incident that lead me to trying a menstrual cup happened one afternoon at work on a Friday. I remember because it was super busy in the office. I had on a pair of jeans and I completely forgot to change my tampon/pad since lunch. I sat at the table to sort through some papers and felt some wetness after I got up. But since the seat was black (thank goodness), nothing showed up. I went back to my office and sat there and did some work on my computer. I got up to get ready to leave and that's when I seen it. There on my stripped office chair, a huge stain! I was embarrassed, but thankfully I was in the office alone. I went to the bathroom and there was blood on my jeans, visible for anyone to see. At this moment, I knew that I needed something that was more effective than a pad and tampon combination that I had been using for years. Saturday morning, I woke up and went to CVS and picked up Instead Softcups.







If you looks at the size of the softcup on the box, you will be slightly intimidated. I know that I was, but I brought them anyway. I had to wrap my mind around how this ring was going to fit inside of me...how was it going to fit down there. I read that box about 3 times before I tried it. To my surprise, you cannot feel them inside of you. I repeat, you cannot feel them. I used the instructions provided and it went smoothly. I put on a pad, just to be sure or in case there were any leaks, I would be covered. I wore my first one for 9 hours without a leak. The next day, I did the same, and had minimal leaking. I slept in them without anything, no leaks. The most important thing with the softcups is the placement. This may be one of the cons: You have to be comfortable touching yourself, seeing blood and it being a little messy. When you take it out, there will be blood and you basically have to finger yourself to get it out. I didn't have a problem with doing this considering I only have to do this 2 times a day. If you want to rinse these and reuse them, it may be a little weird in a public bathroom. I personally just remove, dump, dispose, and put a new one in. If you have a heavier flow, you may have to change more often. I can go 5-6 hours without problems on a heavy day. 

Am I a menstrual cup user for life? Exclusively, no. I will still wear a pantyliner or light pad a back up. And I feel like on light days, it may be a waste. As of today, I am happy with my experience with softcup and will buy it in bulk on Amazon because $10 at CVS is a bit much. I am also looking into getting a reusable menstrual cup such as the diva cup or lunette; I just can't decide. I would encourage all women to give the pads and tampons a break, not just for the environment, but also for your health. Research and find out what option may work best for you.

If you have any questions, please sure to leave them below!

Traveling Alone..

There is no nice way to say this: none of my friends are open minded enough to want to go. That is the main reason that I think about traveling alone. There are other reasons like just having the freedom to do anything that I want to do, when I want to do it, eating where I want, and not having to hear anyone complain (either in my face or behind my back). Please don't get me wrong, I love traveling with friends and my most vivid memories include trips that I have taken with them, but I want to go beyond just the Vegas or DC trips that we are used to. I spoke to one of my closest friends about possibly traveling overseas. No place too crazy, like London or Paris. She had every excuse from costs to the amount of time being on the airplane. 

Truth is I would love to travel to Bora Bora or Egypt. Experience the culture, see the once in a lifetime sites, do the stuff that tourists do, and meet new people. For once, not be concerned with the club and who plays the best music. Honestly, all of my trips are planed around clubs and nightlife. There is nothing wrong with turning up every once in a while, but I feel that I am getting past that age. I've read several blogs and stories about traveling alone and  I feel as if I am ready to spread my wings and my horizons! 

Be on the lookout for upcoming posts including saving, destination selection, and planning!

TMI Tag

I thought that it would be fun to do one of these TMI Tags since I haven't posted in a while.

1: What are you wearing? A tan tub top dress and flip flops
2: Ever been in love? Yes
3: Ever had a terrible breakup? Yes
4: How tall are you? 5'4
5: How much do you weigh? TBD; I loss 5lbs this week thanks to the game on diet
6: Any tattoos? Yes, 2.
7: Any piercings? Yes, ears only; 4 or 5 in each
8: OTP? Umh, not sure what that means
9: Favorite show? Awkward
10: Favorite bands? Bands: Roots
11: Something you miss? Scandal
12: Favorite song? Poetic Justice by Elli Ingram
13: How old are you? 32
14: Zodiac sign? Gemini
15: Quality you look for in a partner? Honesty
16: Favorite Quote? Jeremiah 29:11
17: Favorite actor? Kevin Hart
18: Favorite color? Coral
19: Loud music or soft? Soft
20: Where do you go when you’re sad? To the bathroom
21: How long does it take you to shower? Oddly enough 10 minutes at night, 20 minutes in the morning
22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 40 minutes
23: Ever been in a physical fight? Yes, years ago
24: Turn on? Clean cuts, dreads, and smelling good
25: Turn off? Smoking, snoring, and dry hands
26: The reason I joined Youtube? To track my favorite Youtube videos
27: Fears? Failure, not being able to support myself
28: Last thing that made you cry? My little cousins wedding
29: Last time you said you loved someone? To my dad
30: Meaning behind your YouTube Name? Its my google+ name
31: Last book you read? The secret soul mate
32: The book you’re currently reading? Gentlewoman
33: Last show you watched? R&B Divas: ATL
34: Last person you talked to? Kristen
35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted? Friends
36: Favorite food? Thai
37: Place you want to visit? Houston for some strange reason or Chicago
38: Last place you were? Olive Garden
39: Do you have a crush? Yes
40: Last time you kissed someone? Three weeks ago
41: Last time you were insulted? Last Wednesday
42: Favorite flavor of sweet? Mango
43: What instruments do you play? None
44: Favorite piece of jewelery? My cross that I wear daily
45: Last sport you played? Bowling
46: Last song you sang? Jill Scott
47: Favorite chat up line? Chat up line?...
48: Have you ever used it? No
49: Last time you hung out with anyone? Tonight
50: Who should answer these questions next? Anyone that reads this!

New Posts on the Way!

I know that its been a while since I've posted anything here on Walking Through Honey, but I feel that I am now willing to share somethings with y'all. I've been super busy with work, working, and more work. Aside from that I am in a wedding and I do have somewhat of a life. My mind has been on overload lately and I need an outlet. 

Here are just some of the posts that you can expect to see:

• Traveling Alone...why its been on my mind lately
• Natural Remedies and Update on my Vitamins
• My Diet Changes and Working Out
• Natural Hair Update and Styles
• Book Review
• Career Moves

Be sure to subscribe to be the first to read all about it!  I finally got with the times and got an instagram account. I post frequently on IG and now prefer it over facebook. Follow me @mzkarameldee!

Fashion Friday

 

Trying something new can be scary, but not so much when it comes to fashion. Fashion is the one thing that if you try it and don’t like it, no biggie. Take it back, donate it, or make it work. I recently discovered a trend that I think I like: Harem pants. Or peg leg pants. I’ve seen then called genie pants, but many of us will recognize them as Hammer pants from the 80’s. I first tried on a pair at Charlotte Russe with a crop top. Please don’t ask how that looked. Let’s just say that I didn’t get it. There was just something that stayed with me about the harem pants. I’m not sure if it was the slightly relaxed fit or the fact that it was a pair of pants that wasn’t leggings. Ok, I know that I am not the only one tired of seeing leggings everywhere.  

Then while blundering through Kohl’s I saw a pair of JLo pants that looked like harem pants. I gave them a shot. I even took a picture of them, but couldn’t decide between the Large or XL. I got on the phone with one of my fashion forward friends and her response was ‘Harlem Pants? I’ve never seen them before. What are they?’ As my voice echoed through the dressing room, attempting to describe them, I decided it would just be easier to just send the picture to her.  No response.

Fast forward one month and they are still on my mind. On Sunday, I just decided to break down and get them. I pictured them dressed up, dressed down, casual chic, and lounge wear. On my way to Vegas on the plane, out on a date with a POF recruit, and just chilling with friends. Now, there is nothing better than getting what you, unless you’re getting it at a dirt cheap price; they were only $16 (Regular $50, on sale for $20, free shipping, 20% off coupon).

 

Wait a minute, honey! What do you plan on wearing those with? A tank top and denim vest, cream button up, sheer shirt.

 

Or my favorite in my mind, this shirt from ASOS. 

 

 

Hopelessly Single.

It all started one Sunday. Actually the Sunday after my 31^st birthday. I was invited to another  31^st birthday dinner. Since I’m the type of friend that cannot say no, I decided to go. I called one of my other friends to see if she would be going and she said, yeah, I’ll try to go. The day of the dinner comes and she calls and asks if I was bringing a date. My normal response ‘No, I wasn’t planning too’. Oh because I was going to ask [Jim] if he wanted to come. Fast forward to dinner and I am sitting in between two couples and two children at a dimly-lit, overpriced restaurant. Great.

As the night went on, it wasn’t horribly bad, but I felt awkward. Not the type of awkward that you feel when you at a party where you don’t know anyone, but the awkward feeling when your singleness is the elephant in the room. Oddly enough, the subject of hooking me up with one of the dudes friends came up and that elephant came trotting towards me at 2 miles an hour. As my two female friends asked several questions about this guy because in their words, I would even think to ask these questions.  It progressed to pulling up pictures of him on Facebook. I slowly sipped my watermelon martini.

Was I that pathetic? In this particular situation, yes, I was that pathetic hopelessly single friend that everyone wanted to see happy. The friend that when they find her the perfect one they’ll boast about how it was their great matchmaking skills that is the reason that she is no longer the pathetic, dateless, hopelessly single girl that she was 4 months ago. That elephant must have been sitting right between the baby sling, to the left of the Bang-Bang Shrimp and smack dab in front of me. As I delighted in my small, but flavorful plate, it dawned on me. I’ve never brought a date to any event-NEVER!  Not a dinner, party, BBQ, wedding, nothing. It’s always just been me: RSVP: 1. By the time, I finished off my crabcake, anxiety set in. Between my mind and the elephant sitting there, I went from feeling awkward to uncomfortable. I saw a quote on Pintrest that said ‘Don’t believe everything you think’, but I couldn’t help it. My mind was consumed with thinking about how out of all my friends in Pittsburgh, I am the only one that was single. You’re 31 years old…when you go to the gynecologist, you need to ask about freezing your eggs, oh and fertility treatments.

Later that night, as my friends relished in their children playing games and napping and never touching their wallets (their beaus footed the bill), I was served with a $31.32 bill-before tip-paid for by moi.

I'm Back!!

After taking a couple months off of blogging, I'm back! I missed it and need to get my creative juices back flowing. I think that I will I am going to change it up a little bit and do more quality than quantity posts; better editing, graphics, more thought provoking pieces. Yup, its always coming up soon!

Virus...

If you are wondering why I haven't been posting in a while its simple: I have a virus on my computer. Grr! I am in the process of trying to get rid of it, but as of this moment nothing has helped. It keeps on constantly redirecting me to other sites. I also think that whomever out there in the hacking-computer-sphere is trying to take over the blog as well. I got an overwhelming number of views in one day...and I haven't posted anything in close to a month. As soon as the virus is gone, I will be back to my regular posts.

The Return of Beauty Week

Next week will be Beauty Week here on Walking Through Honey!! I know that is what most of you wait for, and here it is! Pending, my income tax refund coming on time and me getting new camera.

Stay Tuned!

Words of Wisdom

The Game...

I am sitting here house a mess, thirsty, stinkin', all because of this Game marathon on BET. Today was supposed to be Spring Cleaning, but after going out and getting a new bathroom set and some other items, I don't feel like doing anything. Shame, Shame, SHAME! I really miss the old episodes of The Game, pre-married Derwin and Melanie on the CW. Those were the days!



So, tell me are you going to be tuning into the new season of The Game on BET?

I am on the fence about it. After last season, I don't know if I can suffer through it since the story lines and acting has gone down the tubes since BET took over, and the original cast is not intact.

A Lost Love...

I am not a product junkie, but I will try different things until I find what works for me. This week for a protective style I decided to wear a wig. Mainly because my shows came on Sunday and after cooking, washing my hair, and watching the shows, I didn't want to deal with my hair and it was going to be cold during the week. I normally moisturize with Qhemet BiologicsAlma & Olive Heavy Cream, but for some reason I reached for the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. There was just a thin coat in the bottom of the jar, so I said might as well use this little bit on up. I started to part for my 6 big braids and my hair was ssooooo soft! I'm not sure why I ever stopped using it?  It was like I was meeting a lost love for the first time all over again and he still knew everything about you, and you picked up right where you left off at before you split up.

Days later, my hair is still moisturized and not greasy at all! Where have you been all of my life?!! Oh yeah, right on the shelf next to the Suave Conditioner and bergamont hair grease that my mother forced me to take from her house. Don't get me wrong, I still love myQhemet Biologics, but the weather is getting warmer and I will not need something as heavy. I am back in love with my Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie ya'll!

Music Monday...

Don't judge me. Please just download and listen to the fundamental, slightly redundant lyrics, perfectly timed ad libs, and catchy beats that stay in your head.

He most definitely isn't eye candy, and I keep on hearing him being referred to as a Jerome off of Martin look alike.

My Migraines...

I called off of work today because lately I have been having some serious migraines. While in college, I had a short bout with them and was prescribed Imitrex to help relieve the pain. I stopped taking this and all of the medicine that they prescribed because of the way that it made me feel; mainly, all loopy, floppy, sleepy, and lethargic.

I believe that the ones that I have been experiencing for the past week or so are due to stress. It's been so much with work, planning and helping people out with different things, the weather, and just stress in general that I cannot think of anything else that have been causing this. I also believe that it also has something to do with my hormones. I have stopped taking Vitex and started taking Dong Quai. In a prior post, I talked about stopping taking birth control and trying something more natural, Vitex, to regulate my periods. I took if for the recommended amount of time, and gave myself a break. Since I was unsuccessful with Vitex, I decided to try something a little stronger. I am giving Dong Quai a try for at least 8 weeks. I am also going to up the dose and see if that will help with keeping my periods regular.

 

As for the migraines, all I can do is just hope for the best. I took a couple of over the counter migraine pills and rested.