Beauty Out of Africa

Effective Shea Butter Products

I can't say enough about the healing powers of shea butter. For centuries, Africans have used shea butter to:

• Moisturize and regenerate skin and hair
• Reduce inflammation, stretch marks and wrinkles
• Treat eczema and arthritis

Today almost every moisturizing product on the shelf make claims about the benefits of shea butter in their products. The question is, how much shea butter is in these products. To truly enjoy the healing benefits of a shea butter product you need to be sure that it contains a good percentage of pure unrefined shea butter. For more information on effective shea butter products check out shea radiance products

 

Reflections on Being 40 Something

First I must confess that I do not look or feel 40 ish. I feel like a very wise 28 year old :)

Anyway, I think one of the reasons people call 40 middle age is that it is a time to reflect on your life and make necessary adjustments in order to really start living the best years of your life.

So here are a few of my reflections and proposed adjustments:

1. Continue to grow in my Christian life. Having a strong spiritual foundation in Christ has allowed me to live a purpose driven life. I know I was designed for a very specific purpose which unfolds as I follow Him. This foundation gives me confidence to keep moving ahead even in the midst of negative circumstances.
2. Finding a mentor and being a mentor. I have attached myself to women who are successful in areas that I am seeking to grow in. I also make room for younger women to come alongside and learn with me.
3. I have a very keen sense that life is short and tomorrow is not promised. Stepping out of my comfort zone, risking failure and ridicule but knowing that it was the right thing to do. I step out on the edge knowing that it's better to have tried and failed than to live with the regrets of 'what ifs'
   
4. Know you are beautiful. Why does it take women so long to fully appreciate their beauty? For the longest time I would not wear open toe shoes or sandals because I thought my feet were ugly and you know what, maybe they were. But so what? They are the only pair of feet I've got. Why should I deny myself the pleasure of wearing all the beautiful strappy sandals Nordstrom & DSW have to offer because of some vain concern. It occured to me that one day when I am old and gray with gnarly twisted toes, I would look back with regret that I did not appreciate how lovely my feet were in my youth. Needless to say, I started getting regular pedicures and enjoying open toe shoes.
5. Try things I've never done before. I trained to run a marathon a couple of years ago. I suffered a stress fracture and ended up doing a half marathon. It was just as much fun and it challenged me.
6. My next goal is learn how to swim properly and stop faking it.
7. Travel the world. I need to travel more. I want to go to India, Singapore, Kenya, and South Africa in the next 2 years
8. The better care I take of myself, the better wife, mother, sister and friend I will be. Pay attention to your body and do something about it if there is a problem. Don't be in denial. Don't ignore lumps bumps and fibroids.

The Kindness of a Stranger

Have you ever been approached by a stranger asking for money after a long drawn out tale of woe? Most of the time you suspect they are just looking for a couple of bucks to support a bad habit right?
Well this past Saturday, I experienced what it was like being in a position of need and having to depend on the kindness of strangers. Due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, my purse and car key got locked in Car #1.

After a couple of hours in the hot sun, a friend dropped me off at home to get a spare key and drive Car #2 back to Car #1. As I am driving Car #2, I notice that my gas tank is empty. I have barely enough gas to get to the gas station. Somehow I manage to get to gas station and realize that I have no way of getting gas because my purse is locked in Car # 1,  Aaaagh! I go into the gas station and try to explain my situation to the gas attendant, I promise that if he gives me 1/2 of a gallon of gas so I can drive to my other car, I will come back and pay him. From the look on his face I could tell he was not buying my story.

I was getting a little desperate because I knew I couldn't leave without getting some gas. Imagine getting stuck on the side of the road in 90 degree weather without gas, cell phone or a wallet? I couldn't call my husband to help because he was waiting for me  to pick him up and I obviously was not in a position to call him. I turned to the other customers in the station, hoping someone would show some mercy but every one avoided my gaze and another lady told me she couldn't help.

I went back out to my car wondering what I was going to do. I notice a young man pumping gas and I walked up to him and asked if he would help. I tried to briefly explain what had happened and I don't know if I was making much sense.This young man was so gracious. After he was done pumping gas in his car, he swiped his credit card and pumped not 1 but 2 gallons of gas into my tank. I don't know how much diesel fuel costs in your neck of the woods, but it's close to $5.00 a gallon here in Baltimore.
I was so touched and all I could say was a heartfelt God Bless you. he didn't want me to pay him back and I didn't want to insult him by insisting. If you ever run into a wonderful Cape Verdean by the name of Adylson, thank him again for me.

Lesson Learned: If anyone approaches me needing help, regardless of how improbable their story is, I will do what I can to help. You just never know when you will be in the same situation, at the mercy of the kindness of strangers.

Living with Less

The price of food is up, the housing market is in a slump and oil prices continue to rise.Things don't look like they are going to get better anytime soon. I am finding that living in economically challenging times forces us to be less wasteful and more resourceful. As a family we have been pressed into evaluating our lifestyle to find ways to save and create alternatives.

Here are a few things we have done:

• Plant a garden of herbs and veggies that we tend to buy on a regular basis from the grocery store like tomatoes, peppers and eggplant
• Use public transportation for our daily commute
• Pack a lunch for work instead of buying
• Take advantage of free cultural event in the community

Living with less is helping us recognize that we really don't need that much to be happy and content. It's actually a blessing in disguise

Stop the FDA Globalization Act of 2008

Shea Radiance, along with thousands of other small business owners that manufacture cosmetics and personal  care products, are steadfastly against the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 for the following reasons:

• This legislation will put thousands of small businesses out of business by forcing them to pay outrageous registration fees and comply with burdensome paperwork.
• If passed, this law would drive consumers back to the days when they could only choose between a few huge, faceless, nameless big box stores and brands for their cosmetics and personal care products.
• Fewer consumer choices always leads to higher prices.

To find out how you can take a stand and make your voice heard  check out Indie Beauty Blog and read what other small business have to say on this issue