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! 

Naturally Professional: Michelle

I am so excited to introduce Michelle, our next feature in the Naturally Professional series.  Not only is Michelle rocking her beautiful natural hair in the corporate world with State Farm, she is an entrepreneur and the co-owner of  M.A.J.E.S.T.I.C. fitness.  

This interview is a must read.  Michelle opens up about learning how to be comfortable with her natural texture, a decision we all have or will face at some point or another. 

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

CT

How long have you been natural?

Michelle

Since July 2009

CT

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

Michelle

I have worn braids off and on, I tried weaves, wigs, the whole nine!  And of course, I wore my hair relaxed!  I was also searching for a new look and after wearing my hair in one style for a period of time, I tend to get bored.  I always resorted to braids, however, because I exercise a lot.  Braids were always easiest to deal with.  With respect to the full transition, I have always been intrigued with and admired women who were bold and confident enough to wear their hair so, being tired of my braids, I said, why not?  At the time 95% of my hair was virgin and I refused to put one more ounce of chemical in it…I got a 2 strand twist and never looked back!

CT

How do you wear your hair?

Michelle

I primarily wear my hair in a two strand twist.  It gives me a bunch of versatility.  Often, people think I have locs in my hair.  On occasion, I will take the twists out and wear it loose.  Recently, I started shampooing my hair and loosely coiling the hair – this also gives a different look and represented me stepping out again and being comfortable with my texture of hair!

CT

I can remember that feeling of getting comfortable with my own texture without weaves or braids.  Can you describe that feeling or process?

Michelle

Yes, I remember staring in the mirror a lot – first in disbelief that I finally “did it,” and a slightly higher level of self-confidence.  I began to look more closely at other women and their natural styles, too.  I was so accustomed to always having my hair straightened, or longer, that I never knew what my natural texture was and how to make it work.  I was afraid of my texture, afraid of it being kinky, and afraid of it being “shorter” and less manageable.  The more I played with my hair, I realized the versatility of my natural hair – be it in twists or an afro.  And frankly, it probably took 7 long months before I pinned all of my hair up or drastically changed my style.  It took 10 months before I ventured into the afro!  I can say now after 15 months of natural hair – I finally get it!

CT

What are some of your favorite products?

Michelle

I use products by Miss Jessie’s.  Specifically, the   Baby Buttercreme; it provides great moisture to my hair and doesn’t compromise the twist.  I actually believe it accentuates the twist.  I also use the company’s Curly Pudding when I coil my hair or wear a loose afro – this product accentuates my normal curl pattern.  Otherwise, for detangling purposes, I use good ole Infusium conditioner.

CT

What kind of work do you do?

Michelle

I am a recruiter with State Farm.  I’ve been with the company for 11 years.  I work in and around New York City, so, I certainly am in a location that experiences diversity in many different ways. 

I also co-own a fitness business called, M.A.J.E.S.T.I.C.

www.majesticworkout.com

Michelle And Jackqulyn

CT

You went natural in 2009; did you transition to natural hair while working at State Farm?  If so, please describe how you felt at the time? 

Michelle

I did transition while at State Farm; I’ve been with the company for 11 years, so I felt OK about transitioning into this type of style and I’ve always changed my hairstyles.  I suppose my biggest thought was, ‘OK – how do I explain this style to people?!’  Certainly, once I wore the twists, so many people complimented the look and assumed my hair was cut!  While I agreed my hair was cute (LOL), I had no idea so many would embrace it – and that was across gender and cultural lines.

CT

Going back to your other business; I love the website and have also been interested in urban fitness and nutrition, please tell us a little more about your business and what makes it unique?

 

Michelle

Our business was founded in 2005, out of a season of fasting and praying, and of course, our passion for fitness.  M.A.J.E.S.T.I.C. is the acronym for: Michelle And Jackqulyn Energizing Sold Together In Christ.  Our mission is to promote physical fitness in urban communities via group exercise and personal training.  We offer a variety of fitness genres including: Hi-Lo Impact Aerobics, Body Conditioning, Zumba ®, Soul Line Dancing, Cardio Boot Camp, Sassy Senior Aerobics, and African Dance.  We offer a lot and can create programs for just about any client – corporate, community, or individual.  We love what we do – our sincerity, passion, and knowledge are paramount.  We give all we have to the people we are working with – we want to make a difference in helping to combat obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions by educating people about good nutrition, sound exercise principles, and making healthy lifestyle changes.  Oh, and we just completed our first fitness DVD “Cardio Jam N’ Tone!”

CT

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

Michelle

 I haven’t had one negative opinion yet (at least no one has stated anything to me).  Most people compliment my “haircut!”  I did throw a dash of color in my hair in April – so folks loved that, too!  Very, very positive feedback from people with MANY different ethnic backgrounds!

CT

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

Michelle

None

CT

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

Michelle

I never had to. Many black women with perms complimented me on taking the steps to go natural.  I often hear, I want to do it, too, but…

CT

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

Michelle

I have been embraced with my style change at the workplace.  From a hair standpoint – keep it neat, well-maintained, and keep it clean.  At times, I have seen men and women with natural hair and it’s a mess.  Wearing our hair natural doesn’t give us the green light to not maintain it!  That’s the point where natural hair can get a bad rap.  Also, be confident about your style – make sure you’re ready for the transition.  It took me years until I got the guts – and I am very certain, I will never return to a perm (I will throw a bit of color chemicals in from time – time!!). 

CT

Thank you Michelle, I love the advice you gave about transitioning to natural hair and keeping it neat and clean. Please feel free to add additional comments.

Michelle

 www.majesticworkout.com.  We have a new fitness DVD out – Cardio Jam n’ Tone!  Get your copy today!!  I can also send photos if interested!