An oily Hairy Tale

Recently I've noticed a bunch of ads for hair products saying "Recent research has shown that oil is good for your hair. Our bla bla bla shampoo is the only one which infuses oils, to leave your hair healthy shiny and beautiful..." with some very Photoshopped celebrity prancing around flaunting her ridiculously good looking hair, which probably has more than just shampoo and oil in it.

So I saw what advertisement and was thinking to my self  "WHAT! Indian women have been using Amla, almond, and coconut oils (just to name a few) for hair care for AGES!! and non-Indians fall under either one or more of the following categories: 1- their hair looks so greasy 2- they smell funny (yes coconut oil, amla etc. smell strong) 3-  ask "how do indian women have such beautiful hair?" 4- oil in their hair? what! no way I use mouse, gel, hairspray! 4- henna what?!?!

Egg, fruits, yogurt, henna, are also other things we use in our hair to keep it healthy, conditioned, strong, and beautiful. We stay away from chemicals as much as we can cause on the long run it creates hair fall. Amla, Almonds, Coconut oil, head massages, and consuming fish and fish oils, increases hair growth, and so I am told. So that beautiful black long hair is thanks to oils, and also genes to some extent. Indian women have all these amazing beauty secrets, some may sound nasty (ie. egg), but it works. Like why would anyone want to eat raw fish (sushi)? Its a cultural thing!

Parachute Coconut oil or Dabur's hair oils are my favorite. Also now there's "Morrocan Argan Oil"! Yep that's another oil to be bursting in the market recently. It's not an Indian thing, but its still oil in the hair. Now all of ya'll be putting oil in your hair! I use it too, it's helped to reduce frizz etc, but the coconut oil brings the most nourishment. Its kind of like what fertilizer are you going to put on your lawn? Shampoos dry out the hair, removing all oils, so I don't really believe those ads, and then split ends, and other damage happens.

It seems everyone is embracing the oils, maybe in a few years it will be some other trend. Who knows, all these companies and their marketing gimmicks. Next thing you know they'll say henna is a great conditioner, and they are the first to put henna in their conditioners ... um dabur and other Indian brands have been doing so for years, including the whole "oil in shampoos" idea. Also Indian hair is of highest demand, and women use it as weaves, dye it and use those as weaves too. Hmm.

Funny story, a year or so ago, I was at the post office and the postman asked me if my hair was real! I was taken aback, was he implying I was wearing a wig? or weaves? He said he was wondering cause his girl friend or something spends too much money on hair. For a long time I wanted straight, flat, hair, because I have thick, wavy hair, full of body, and I didn't know how to wear it. I liked keeping my hair short, however my hair was wavy and bouncy, so it would look like as I was later called, "Helmet Head". I finally began growing it out for real in 2010 and it's been a learning experience. The first 2 years I wanted to cut it off everyday, now I know what works for it, and what doesn't. I learned about braids, turbie twist, oils, brushes, and other things women use and do to their hair, slowly but surely!

Wishing you all beautiful bouncy hair!




Breathe

I remember this next ad from my childhood:

Geek Guy Gets The Sexy Model

There are two hot girls, and one is talking and suddenly you notice oh there's a frog looking guy on the right side of the screen. The hot girl in the pink dress suddenly slowly turns towards the frog, and they move in ever so slowly, purposefully for a kiss. The shot goes in close to show them kiss, intimately. For a seemingly long time, until you feel uncomfortable and squirm in your seat. Something seems wrong. Something is off. They shouldn't be kissing? This isn't porn? What? What is this? <--- click to watch!

Note: I am not a big fan of Go Daddy per se, but their latest ad did cause me to think deeply.

Have you noticed how are mind works sometimes, especially when we think we are the most open minded person, and then WHAM!

A year ago my friend started learning pole dancing, I was kind of surprised, for she and I had taken other dance lessons together. She told me it was an amazing work out, and lost a lot of weight doing so. It was funner than going to a gym and running on a treadmill. I realized more women were learning pole dancing for this very reason. Later she told me she was learning burlesque, and this was something I had no idea about, but I had to take a moment and think about it before I judged a friend I love to dearly.

My thoughts went like this - I love her a lot as my friend. She is doing a dance which I equate with stripping. Is stripping really bad? I should research burlesque. Should I not like her, judge her, or have a lower opinion of her because she chooses to express herself with her body? After all isn't belly dance, and other dances similar? Wow I am not as open minded as I thought I was, so now I am a hypocrite to claiming I am open minded.

I researched burlesque, watched videos online, and even watched Christina Aguilera and Cher's movie "Burlesque" (I don't care what the critics say, but I loved it!). I also talked to her about it, and understood it more. She was brave to go and drop her clothes in front of a crowd. It seriously takes balls! This isn't streaking, this is performing in skimpy clothes. I actually grew to admire her more. One has to be very comfortable with one's body to be able to do that.

I have another friend that enjoys photographing naked ladies for artistic photography. It isn't porn. It's tasteful nudity and appreciation of the human form. Especially with the unhealthy mindset we have in regards to what a woman's body should look like, appreciating the feminine form in all her shapes and sizes is something not many people can do. But she does. First I thought "Omg this is scandalous" Then I told my self to shut up and learn to love myself naked. How many of you honestly love your self naked - yes love handles, bulges et. al. ? How many of us truly think "She may look like an hippopotamus on the outside, but maybe she is a wonderful person on the inside. Let me get to know her." How many of us do that? We usually judge on appearances, careers, hobbies, dress choices before we even let ourselves get to know the stranger.

Many such incidences occur through out our lifetimes. Where we me encounter a cognitive dissonance type situation. It's tough, but we find ways to overcome it. So this years Superbowl featured an advertisement for a Go Daddy dot com featuring a hot model, and a nerd kissing. I think the point was sexy websites/ technology and the mastermind behind it all - a geek, come together to give you amazing web hosting services. Apparently this imagery caused a big hue and cry, disgust, and was termed "inappropriate" (an gun violence on TV is totally appropriate?). Maybe parents were concerned kids would see this "kiss" and suddenly the encyclopedia on SEX, and the Kamasutra would magically get downloaded into their brains through this perversion on TV. Like men jumping on each other, a murderer running amok the teams, and Beyonce dancing in a skimpy outfit is totally appropriate. Then again what do I know, i don't have kids yet. It's funny how we accept certain things, but don't accept others.

Some people claim it was a hot woman kissing an unattractive guy, the imbalance got to them. Maybe we accept people who are equally attractive or equally unattractive to date each other. That is acceptable. However an unattractive person dating an attractive person is not? Who makes these lame societal norms? So a skinny person should not date an obese person? Older woman should not date a younger man? Aren't we above this? Love is love! Let it be! Do we prefer war over love?

Since when did Love seem inappropriate over Violence?
We need to teach our kids to love better than we have learned to love.

Or apparently it feeds a negative stereotype that beautiful women/women are dumb. And most unattractive men are rich? What?! Bill Gates and Melinda Gates should sue these people who think this stereotype is common? Shouldn't they also ban Modern Family then?

Yeah, I was kind of grossed out by the kiss, but at the same time I thought why can't the nerdy guy get the pretty girl. Maybe because it was a raw kiss, no chick flick music in the background. Just a sensual kiss, tongue and all. I do it! So why did it seem wrong? Or is something wrong in my head cause I was all like "yeah go beat up the (-insert team name-)!!!" Really Pree? You condone violent sports that cause serious injuries all for an egg shaped ball, but can't deal with the nerd's dream come true kiss?

I'm thinking that kid was the luckiest nerd kid ever! And may all unattractive guys know they can get a hot chick on their arm. :-P Anyway the advertisement did work for the company!

All I'm trying to say is think, think before you realize some skewed societal norm is leading you to judge another person!

 

 

The Princess and the Frog Prince!

Other Articles:
http://www.underwearexpert.com/2013/02/bar-rafaeli-underwear-godaddy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bar-rafaeli-underwear-godaddy

 http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2013/02/06/the-woman-behind-godaddys-crass-effective-super-bowl-ads/







Breathe!

Falling for Fall

It's amazing how our energies change month to month, person to person, season to season... It is always in Autumn that my Chakras seem so activated and open. A sense of calm, understanding, love and acceptance sweeps over me. It's a dream world, these red, orange and yellow leaves; when the wind blows the trees gently shake their blessings of golden hued crispy dust onto me.

The trees themselves, so happy, they get ready for hibernating for the winter. They smile, they look dead to us, but they smile and lay their heads down to slumber through winter.

I remember as a kid I would go sit myself down in a huge pile of red, yellow and brown leaves which my parents would have so meticulously cleaned off the lawn. I would pick that spot to read a book, it just seemed perfect! Why sit anywhere else?! I think I got yelled at for sitting there and ruining the pile.

I remember being mystified by fall, the once green lawn turned red and yellow over night, blanketed in leaves. My parents would make piles and clean them off. The next day there would be yet another blanket of red, orange and yellow... the trees were shedding their next layer. The air wood get chillier and I would see dark shadows rise up in places I never saw them at in summer. The neighborhood dog turned into a wolf, the raccoons turned into vicious burglars, the pumpkin patch was vandalized, the squirrels turned into greedy little hoarders. The deer got braver and appeared majestically between the leafless apple trees. Once my parents brought us down in the middle of the night to show us a badger, badgering about the lawn. It was like catching the thief red handed! He scampered away into the darkness. I don't remember what the hue and cry was for, but it was fun.

Falls in India were much different, depending on where it was at. In Madras it meant Diwali/Deepavali, Kali Puja, Navaratri, Dashera and Durga Puja (Dashera and Navaratri are Durga Puja but in different names. They all celebrate Shakti). So it meant new clothes, sweets, fireworks, music, art and drama! The days do seem to get longer, and darker at least. The food at this time changes to the more satisfying kichudi, which warms you up to the core. This fall weather lasts through till about February and then it begins to heat up (not that it cooled down much). Fall in Madras meant to me a time of community, art and family. Sometimes a trip to Calcutta for Durga puja.

Calcutta falls, yes it gets chilly and we have to begin to wear our blazers toward the end of October. Fall means Durga Puja! 10 days of holiday in West Bengal. Crowds, road blockages, art, festival, large tents and "pandals" erected in every neighborhood. Shakti is dancing in everyone's hearts. The Mahalaya can be heard on loudspeakers everywhere, then children performing, grownups reciting poems... so much cultural activity. It all ends with drums, dance, and these lovely idols depicting the goddesses being submerged into the Ganges River. The idol is gone, but her spirit stays back with all the people. The arts is washed away, only to re-inspire another year of artistry and hard-work.

Fall in the above the tropics in the northern hemisphere, means bonfires, 'smores, camping, holidays are around the corner, the festivities of hallows' eve, horror movies, hiking weather, blessings of nature... utter beauty and acceptance of change which only nature can give us so freely with love.
Falling for fall: The last of the beautiful bright blue skies, and the last rays of the  warm golden sun, for a few months, until spring. Seems like such a long time from Fall to Spring. Fall colors, smells, the crisp air, warm clothes and the yearning to gather around bonfires and tell stories of Summer!

Greenbrier County, WV 2007

Greenbrier WV 2007

Greenbrier WV 2007

Greenbrier WV 2007

Greenbrier WV 2007

Greenbrier, WV 2007

WV - New River 2010

WV- NRG 2010

The Upper Gauley, WV 2011

My favorite Lothlorien tree at The Point, NRG, WV 2010

The Secret to Beautiful Long Healthy Gorgeous Luscious Hair

Growing up in India, I saw women with the longest, healthiest thickest and gorgeous hair. I always had short hair, so I had no idea about true hair care, but after finally growing my hair out in 2009, I have learnt so much, by talking to my grandmothers, aunts and other relatives and friends in India, who despite everything have gorgeous glossy long hair. Their secrets will be shared with you!

First, the rules!
If you don't want to bald by 50, and trust me it WILL happen, especially if you chemically treat and style with heat, then you will definitely want to follow these rules. Firstly don't dye your hair, its just not good for you or your hair. The chemicals strip it of moisture, and it does touch your roots and scalp, thus being a danger to you. Other chemical treatments should be avoided too - straightening, curling etc. We will talk about learning how to love your natural hair texture, shape, and how to treat it well.  Secondly, blow drying, straightening curling your hair with curling irons, ruins your hair, especially dries it out, burns and damages it. I used to straighten my hair everyday, for I love the straight look, and have wavy hair. However my hair got so damaged, and stressed. My hair is now midway down my back, to dry my hair I towel dry first. Then I let it air dry in the summer (yes it takes 4-5 hours), and use a diffuser to blow dry it on COOL, in the winter. Third: Wash your hair in cool/ cold water. This prevents your hair from falling out. If you can't then use warm water, and then rinse out in cooler water. This is good for your hair and body. Use conditioners less often. Although it makes your hair "smooth", it weakens it, and causes it to fall out easily and or break easily. Then your head ends up with these few stragglers that stand straight up. Lastly, don't brush hair while wet. It breaks your hair, and pulls hair out. Use a comb, or a brush when its almost dry or dry.

For dry, frizzy hair: Use coconut oil the night before you wash your hair the next morning. Coconut oil (Parachute/ Dabur/Vatika) can be got at any Indian Store. Wash your hair with a mild natural shampoo (Vatika), only once, let the oil stay in if it does cause it soothes out the frizz. It works well for hair in this Ohio type climate (which is pretty much ranges from dry to humid to stormy and sunny in one day, everyday!).Amla oil is great for hair loss, and reduces and encourages hair to grow back, however it is stinky. If you have naturally oily hair, well lucky you! You might think it's gross but the natural oils and sweat actually protects your hair!

For hair growth: Eat fish! baked fish not fried. Fried food is not good for skin, we want healthy skin and scalp right! Baked, or steamed fish is great! Nuts like almonds, foods with the Omegas help hair growth. There are other oils you can use for it to grow faster, but they smell gross. If you wish just comment and I'll let you know what and where you can get it.

Other hair care: So Honey, Lime, Beer, Eggs, and Yogurt are great natural treatment for hair. Eggs whipped and put on hair, are great strengtheners. Yes they stink. I don't suggest it. I did it maybe twice or thrice in high school. Many girls in high school cracked eggs on their heads, stank but had lovely hair.
Mixing a little honey in a mug/ small bucket, and then mixing it up, and then rinsing your hair, is a great conditioner and removes frizzies. Lemon helps lighten dark hair in a natural way, plus rinsing your hair with lime/lemon removes excess oil. Rinsing hair with a dark beer (like say Guinness, or Killian), well I've yet to try it, but it is said it's good to get rid of hair frizzies. The yogurt is good protein, and conditions hair too.

This girl's video was great cause it shows you how to put on oil in your hair. I like to massage it into my scalp by dripping drops onto my scalp at various locations after parting it well. Also love this video cause apparently the music is way to scary for most people. She has nice hair!

If you have curly hair, wavy hair, dry hair, oily hair, straight hair... and want to be natural and healthy about it, learn to love it and work with it. I greatly disliked my curls for my whole life and wanted pin straight hair, I learned to wear it well, by oiling, and using as less hair product as possible. I love using Moroccan Argan hair oil for reducing frizzies and styling it everyday! I eat fish once or twice a week. I like to keep my hair healthy and long, because one day I want to donate my hair to locks of love!

http://www.locksoflove.org/

My Beautiful Mother

Each day goes by and we get older, and I look at my mother. She is beautiful, caring, intelligent, and so amazing. She is this lovely woman who brought me up and has cared for me for my 27 years of life. She was my greatest enemy, and best friend; she would lay down the law and everyday I'd be up to the same mischief. I loved wearing her make up. I wanted to be as beautiful as she!
She always did the right things for me, as I look back and reminisce, well at least what she thought was best! Any mother would do that.
My mother inspires me everyday to love, care, be open minded, and she has taught me that there is no age to stop to go to school. She does yoga everyday, and for the record she can do headstand for 15 minutes! She does some 'asanas' better than me. We do teach yoga together (for free, she believes good health comes free). She still studies and takes exams, to better herself for the family. Mothers are so hardworking, and their work is never accounted for. This work that mother's do is the most priceless work ever. One day I hope to be like her...

 My Mom and I - May 22nd 2010