Naturally Obsessed

submitted by Ken of SoulShakedownParty
Personal Challenges keep me sane. Knowing that I’ve decided to start something, endured the full period and started seeing positive results or changes- however small they may be, is a great feeling. So, I’ve decided that I’m going to do a personal challenge again in the upcoming month. In deliberation, I’m running back and forth through a mental list of the challenges I’ve done before, attempted or thought of doing, and trying to decide which one would be a good idea.

I compiled a list of 5 of these great challenges to share with my readers: 5 Challenges Everyone Must Try. Of course my list is female-biased but nonetheless, no one is excluded from trying any of these challenges.

If you are new to any of these challenges, doing it as a group challenge is probably the best way to start off. It is easier to stay on track because it’s so easy to lose focus at first. The idea of competition is also always a great source of motivation.


30-Day Squat Challenges have gone viral. Although I’ve never done a squat challenges, I used to include squats in my regular exercise routines so I know how challenging it could be. Squats are a great workout for your lower body and are among the few exercises that are super easy to do at home. The good thing about the squat challenges that I’ve seen so far is that they include proper rest days and the difficulty level increases. I know a lot of beginners are complaining about the pain of trying to walk the next day. Well..the old cliche No Pain, No Gain works well with exercise.

The 8-A Day or eight glasses of water a  day is something I try to live by. You don’t have to literally drink an eight ounce glass of water 8 times daily. What you eat, how much extra physical activity and your body’s needs determine how much more water you need. Water intake depends on individual needs. What I’ve learned to do is drink small amounts of water regularly or when I really feel the need to. Carrying around a bottle of water instead of buying juice also helps. It’s a hard habit to get into but it was really worth it after some time. Your body will really thank you later..

This was a personal challenge idea that I got from a book. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the title/author of this book. The aim of the challenge is to say something positive or give a compliment to someone you may not know too well (since it’s easier to be nice to people we are familiar with). This self-development challenge was an uncomfortable one at first since I’m shy with strangers in person. I know you’re probably wondering how giving someone a compliment makes YOU feel better. A compliment works positively both ways- for both giver and receiver. Try it..

The Eat Healthy Challenge  combined with the 8-a day challenge, has bigger and better overall health benefits. But it is my least favourite, most frequently attempted and least successful challenge to date. I love junk food. The End. Okay, eating healthy is a great choice and we all know that it’s something we should be doing so, but it’s hard right? Junk food is my weakness so I make up a million excuses. This is the one challenge that I’ve only attempted too many times to count. But I think that it’s also the one challenge that everyone should try- Including myself again. So, motivation anyone?

Ken, you've definitely motivated me! Especially the eat healthy, sweets are my weakness lol! On the outside I look pretty darn fit, but even a skinny chick can be out of shape. Lately I've been trying to workout and incorporate more veggies in my diet by way of juicing, but it's sometimes hard to stay focused. However, when I'm lacking inspiration I'll be coming back to this post. Thanks for sharing! -SHANA

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Not sure how matter of fact this list is, but its an interesting read I spotted over at www.WebMD.com.  Here's a preview of what author Hilary Parker considers good food for good hair.  Enjoy ♥

"Lather, rinse, repeat" may be standard advice, but shampoo and conditioner alone won't give you the healthy hair you crave. For the most luxurious locks possible, you'll need to step out of the shower, and into the kitchen.

"Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth is the nutrients we eat," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, a Chicago-based dietitian. "If you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your entire body -- inside and out."

If you were born with fine, thin hair, you'll never have rope-thick tresses -- no matter what you eat -- but a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of growth-promoting protein and iron can make a difference, say nutrition and hair experts.

And beware of dietary supplements often marketed to thicken hair or make it grow faster. They may backfire.

"Even though you can find beauty supplements on the shelves of most stores, try to get the nutrients you need from foods whenever possible," Paradi Mirmirani, MD, a dermatologist in Vallejo, Calif., tells WebMD. "In rare instances, excess supplementation of certain nutrients, such as vitamin A, has been linked to hair loss."

Healthy Hair Food No. 1: Salmon

When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it's hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.

"Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health," says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a dietitian in Los Angeles and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look."

Vegetarian? Include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.

The Big Picture: A Balanced Diet for Healthy Hair

When it comes to foods for healthy hair and beauty, variety is the best way to go.

"An overall balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like salmon and low-fat dairy will help keep hair healthy," Giancoli says.

If you're tempted to drop pounds fast with the latest fad diet, it could leave you with less-than-healthy hair -- along with a growling stomach. Low-calorie diets are often low in some of the most important nutrients for healthy hair, including omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A. In addition to stunting hair growth and leading to dullness, super-low calorie plans may even cause hair loss.

"Crash diets can affect the hair cycle," Mirmirani tells WebMD. "Losing a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time can affect that normal hair rhythm. Two to three months later, you might notice a significant increase in shedding. This is a temporary problem that you recover from with a well-rounded diet."

To read the full article click here!

Here's an interesting blog I found, written by Lynn Drake MD, that breaks down the affects that stress can have on your hair.  Below is a short excerpt of the article...

When the body and our heath is negatively affected (trauma, pregnancy, emotional stress, major illness) your hair no longer has priority for your health maintenance.  It's as if your body is saying, "I've got bigger problems to worry about and take care of, I don't need to worry about hair growth right now." 

Your body's built-in self healing "process" considers your other problems so important, that it concentrates on those problem and ignores your hair.  Severe mental stress can have this affect as your body and mind tries to deal with your emotional issues. This process, known as telogen effluvium, occurs when more hairs go into a "resting phase" and are shed.  Telogen Effluvium is characterized by sudden, diffuse hair loss caused by an interruption in the normal hair growth cycle. This interruption is often the result of trauma, such as chemotherapy, childbirth, major surgery, severe stress, and severe chronic illness. This trauma causes large numbers of hair follicles to enter a stage of telogen, or rest, simultaneously.

The telogen phase can last 6 to 12 weeks (and much longer if left untreated) and affects women much more then men.

To read the full article please click here.

Source: HairLossLibrary.com

I personally don't suffer from an itchy scalp, but apparently a lot Naturally Obsessed readers are struggling with this issue. I found an informative article, written by Amy O'Conner at FindArticles.com, that breaks down the causes of having a dry scalp and she offers some good solutions as well.  Here's a snippet of the article...

Dry Scalp, characterized by itching and sometimes, dry flakes (not dandruff-like clumps), can be caused by genetics or harsh shampoos; in the latter case, the damage can be offset by switching to a plant-based, pH-balanced product. Shampooing hair more than once a day also leads to problems. "People who exercise a lot need to cleanse more often, but they shouldn't shampoo more than once a day--just rinse," says Hamernik. And when you shower, turn down the water temperature. While hot water might be soothing, it can exacerbate a dry scalp problem. "Most of us use excessively hot water, which means you're no longer hydrating, you're dehydrating," she explains.

One of the best ways to treat dry scalp flakiness is with an essential oil, though oily scalps also can benefit. Lazo recommends massaging a few drops into the scalp for five minutes or longer before shampooing. Jojoba oil, which smells fresh and fruity and has a non greasy feel, is "the most effective for breaking up encrusted oil and pollution and helps to break up flakes so that they're easier to remove during shampooing," Hamernik says.

Tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic that combats bacteria and soothes irritated skin, has a strong disinfectant smell, so look for hair products that contain it if you don't want to apply it in its pure form. A good one for normal to dry hair is Desert Essence's Daily Replenishing Conditioner with tea tree oil and jojoba. To ease the itchiness often associated with dry scalp, apply cooling eucalyptus oil. Essential oil of sage moisturizes and soothes very dry hair and a scalp that's been damaged by over processing. To use either of these essential oils, just warm a few drops in your palm, massage them into your hair, wrap head with a warm towel for 10 minutes or longer and then shampoo. A dry, itchy scalp is a bigger problem in winter and may need extra conditioning and essential oil treatments when the air tends to be drier.

The full article adresses other scalp conditions as well, click here to view them.

AssociatedContent.com is packed with interesting articles that always seem to make me say "Hmmm".  You can find an article on just about anything if you look hard enough.  Today I came across and article by Shaundra Williams, a former stylist and consumer educator, titled "The Golden Rule For African American Hair Growth".  In the article she breaks down some hair growth myths, bad ingredients and gives product suggestions.  Now I know that all rules are not for everybody and that everyone's hair is different, but I feel that we can all learn from each other.  Will these rules guarantee insane amounts of growth?  It may and it may not, but for hair to grow long and healthy you must understand basic do's and do nots...

Here are some of the highlights....

On Moisture:  "You must deep condition Black hair, at least once per week for it to thrive. A conditioner is nothing more than a cream that is applied to the hair to smooth the cuticle, soften the hair, add sheen, and restore moisture. Although conditioning your hair cannot make it grow---it can reduce shedding and breakage. As a result, your hair will actually become longer".

On Shampoo:  "As an African American you must protect against dry hair, but you also have to protect against an unhealthy, clogged, and dirty scalp. You need to wash your hair at least once per week. However, you cannot do this with cheap shampoos or high priced shampoos that contain the same harmful ingredients as the low priced, disguised under better brand labels".

On No-No Ingredients:  "Do not purchase cheap products with hair stripping ingredients, such as sulfates, alcohols, glycols, and silicones (any ingredient ending in the word "cone"). This eliminates about 96% of black hair care products available on the market".

To read the entire article and for the author's contact info click here.

I read an interesting article, written by Paul Arnold, today about the genectics of curly hair.  Here's a small excerpt...

A gene called Trichohyalin is strongly suspected of influencing whether your tresses are twisted or not.  Trichohyalin (TCCH) on chromosome one is a gene that is usually expressed in the inner root sheath and is involved in the development of the hair follicle.  But it also appears to contribute to the physical appearance of hair.  Biologically the curliness of hair is determined by the distribution of proteins called keratins as well as cell types in the hair fibre. As hair becomes curlier the number of mesocortical cells decreases.

To read the ful article please visit BrightHub.com.  Make sure you come back and share your thoughts.

I spotted this article over at BellaSugar.com and though I thought I'd share it with guys...
Lifestyles Report...Hair scare
By Debbie Norrell
At least two months ago WPXI contacted me to do an interview
about ingredients in hair care products used by African-Americans
possibly leading to breast cancer. I was selected because I am a 15-year Breast cancer survivor. I agreed to do the interview. However at the end of The taping I didn't know anything more about the study than before the Cameras started rolling.
Recently WAMO news anchor and New Pittsburgh Courier freelance
Writer Allegra Battle did a story on this same subject and it was a feature On the May 9, 5 p.m. KDKA news. But at the end of these
stories we still Did not have a list of the products. Battle gave me the
list that didn't Make her feature during a recent visit I made to the
WAMO studio's Promoting the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure. So many of my friends have seen The stories on television or read about this issue in the paper and they Want to know which products to be concerned about.
However I wanted to give you more so I went to the Internet and
looked for articles from the Center for Environmental Oncology and found one entitled: Why Healthy People Get Cancer: Center Examines
Environmental Suspects (update Spring 2005).
The article stated, one of immediate research priorities of the
new Center is the puzzling phenomenon of breast cancer in
African-Americans Under the age of 40, who have nearly twice as much breast cancer as do white Women.
The center will work with Silent Spring Institute, a Massachusetts based cancer institute, to identify suspect contaminants and ingredients in hair care products and other personal products regularly used by African-American young women and their mothers.
More recently, attention has turned to estrogenic compounds in
hair Care products used by Black women as a possible explanation for higher Cancer rates in this population. I've started to carry copies of the list in my purse but we're going to share it with you right here. The list simply says: The following is a list of products that have
previously been Found to contain hormones:
> Placenta Shampoo
> Queen Helene Placenta cream hair conditioner
> Placenta revitalizing shampoo
> Perm Repair with placenta
> Proline Perm Repair with placenta
> Hormone hair food Jojoba oil
> Triple action super grow
> Supreme Vita-Gro
> Luster's Sur Glo Hormone
> B & B Super Gro
> Lekair natural Super Glo
> Lekair Hormone hair treatment with Vitamin E
> Isoplus Hormone hair treatment wit Quinine
> Fermodyl with Placenta hair conditioner
> Supreme Vita-Gro with allantoin and estrogen plus TEA-COCO>
> Hask Placenta Hair conditioner
> Nu Skin body smoother
> Nu Skin Enhancer
The majority of these products contain placental extract, placenta, hormones or estrogen. As early as 1983 Dr. Devra Davis epidemiologist and director of the Center for Environmental oncology, part of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute) and co-researcher Leon Bradlow advanced the theory that xenoestrogens, synthetic estrogen imitators, were a possible cause of breast cancer.
Davis also says, 'most cases of breast cancer are not born, but
made and the more hormones a woman is exposed to in her lifetime, the greater her risk of breast cancer.'
We need to be more cautious of the products that we use on our
hair and our bodies and demand that more information about our health is shared.
The specialist's name is Dr. Devra Davis, the same specialist cited in the email above! If you want to hear the full interview: Chemicals, Cancer and You, you can listen at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14986010