My New Hobby

I went to a bead party not too long ago and I fell in love with these beads that adorn your waist.  Unfortunately, not being used to having something wrapped around my waist, my little chain did not make it very long. I broke it on the first day and each bead went spilling onto the floor.  Determined not to loose my purchase so quickly, I restrung the beads and put my little waist chain back together while discovering a new hobby at the same time.  I love making African Waist Beads and here are a few of my first creations!

All Natural Whole Grain Vegetable Lasagna

Today is #Meatless Monday and normally I try a new recipe but today I thought I would try a little something different.  I was walking in Target yesterday and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this whole grain, vegetable Lasagna by Huxtable's; made with zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, spinach, onions, tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan and ricotta cheeses. Not only is this special treat only 280 calories per serving but it rings in at only 7 points on the Weight Watchers system. I had to try it and I am so glad I did.

I was very impressed with the taste and have already added it to my favorites.  The best part: My husband...He likes it! He did not even try to add meat to it like he normally does.  What are some of your ready-made vegetable favorites?

Kale and Roasted Vegetable Soup

This is a recipe I have to share.  I found it at Simply Recipes.  In an effort to increase my veggie and fruit intake I cut out a lot of meat and breads this past fall/winter.  I started juicing but found I was very cold all the time so I warmed it up with tasty soups.  This Kale and roasted veggie soup is one of my absolute favorites.  For more of my favorite soup recipes check me out on Pinterest.

Happy 2012 everyone!  I know it has been a very long time since I last updated my blog but I plan for this to be a new beginning for me.  I really hate resolutions but here I am making one because this topic is so important to me and because I have been very inspired by many natural sisters and brothers over the past year.

The last time I posted I was8 months into my Journey and now I am 25 months Sisterlocked and still loving every moment of it.  I am still in awe at how much my hair has grown and changed over the past year.  When I first had them installed in March of 2010 they were so short and curly I could just was and go.  Now I find myself taking more and more time to style them.  It is a lot of fun but don’t get me wrong I still go with the freestyle look every now and again.

Below you will see pics of my New Years Eve style.  I hope you enjoy them.

I am really looking forward to this year and am very excited about what is to come.  First of all, Naturally Professional will be making a big comeback;  I have met so many sisters with natural hair who want to speak to us about their experience in the professional world.  I look forward to swimming, hiking, biking, running and just playing with my naturally fit sisters.  Additionally, many brothers and family members who love their natural ladies want to share their experiences.  I have encountered a few young sisters who have the courage to stand alone and wear their natural hair in a classroom of peers who define beauty by other standards. Finally I have heard from many natural loving mamma’s and poppa’s who wish to share their journey in raising children to love the way God created them to be.

Happy New Year and thanks for your support in 2012!

8 Months

I can't believe it! I have been Sisterlocked for 8 Months.  Check out my progress below. 

1st Month

8 Months

1 Month

1 Month

8 Months

Naturally Professional: Melissa

I am so excited to introduce our next natural professional: Melissa.  Melissa is an entrepreneur who owns a financial planning firm, www.melissalgeorge.com .

Please join me in welcoming Melissa to Crown and Temple as our next Naturally Professional Feature. 

CT

How long have you been natural?

Melissa

My journey began in February 2010. I loc’d my hair in May 2010.

CT

What made you decide to wear your hair in a natural style?

Melissa

I had been thinking about it for a year or 2, but needed to educate myself as to all the options for wearing natural hair, upkeep, costs, etc.. I was tired of putting a chemical on my skin, my hairdresser informed me e was moving out of the country and I didn’t want to go through the process of trying to find someone who could do my hair.

CT

How do you wear your hair?

Melissa

Locs. In fact, I have extensions called Bornu locs. I know many women with long hair are concerned about having to do the ‘BIG chop & start from scratch, but Bornu (my loctician) has developed a shortcut for those who don’t want to start from scratch. Visit www.bornu.com and schedule a consultation.

CT

What kind of work do you do?

Melissa

I own & operate a financial planning firm.

CT

What kinds of feedback do you receive about your hair while working?

Melissa

Not a day has gone by that I have not gotten a glowing compliment about my locked hair. I have been well received.

CT

Have you encountered any negative experiences working with natural hair? If so, please share your experience?

Melissa

Recently on Facebook, one of my Caucasian high school classmates commented on how beautiful one of my pictures was and my hair is loc’d in the photo. Shortly thereafter, she made a negative comment about loc’d hair and why would anyone want to have their hair like that or something. Before I could even reply, several of my friends ‘educated’ her why people choose to loc their hair, etc. My bff also shared with her how politically incorrect her comment was and by the time I got to her page, everything was deleted. I realize many people are just ignorant, but in the 6 months I have now been loc’d, this was the only negative comment I’ve heard and it wasn’t directed at me personally. I continue to receive GLOWING comments about my hair. It’s real esteem booster!

CT

How do you deal with any negative comments about natural hair?

Melissa

I haven’t had any yet. I will say that I have had a lot of people to inquire about why I transitioned to locs and the process in general. I suppose based on my long, flowing curls in the past, most people would’ve bet money that I would NEVER go natural. Now I find that more of my friends who are also in the corporate arena are looking to me for information and education as they, too, contemplate going natural or locking their hair.

CT

What advice would you give to women who wish to transition to natural hair while maintaining a professional career?

Melissa

Well, India Arie said it best. “I am not my hair”; however, my hair IS an extension of who I am and, to a large extent, my values. I would advise other women to do your homework first. There are many misconceptions about natural hair and the care/maintenance of it. When doing my research, I read a lot in books and on the web and then I talked to sisters with natural hair, locs, Sisterlocks, etc. until I figured out what I wanted and then I went for a consult with my current loctician. I saw his work and then spent an hour discussing my hair (grade/texture, style options, maintenance, etc.). Going natural is about appreciating the hair that God has given you and yourself as a whole. It is a liberating experience that I wish I had done years ago. I absolutely LOVE my hair.

CT

Please feel free to add additional comments.

Melissa

Melissa L. George & Associates is a state registered investment advisory firm specializing in tax-free retirement planning, executive compensation and estate/trust funding. Please visit us at www.melissalgeorge.com

Rock Your Natural Event Recap

The Bay area naturals event this past weekend was a hit.  Cassadie, Editor of Natural Selection went out of her way to make sure all attendees had a great time at Oakland's Levende lounge.

Sisters and one brother (my hubby)  from all over Northern California were in attendance.  This event full of fun with great food, giveaways, vendors, product swaps and inspiring conversations.

Sisters rocked their traditional locs, Afros, TWA's, knots, Sisterlocks, kinky twists, and a number of other naturally textured styles. 

Thank you Cassadie for putting on such an extraordinary event!