♥Your Best Breasts ♥

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I will be researching and posting some ways to avoid the terrible disease & honoring some beautiful woman who have overcame the illness As women, our breast are of most importance to us. They feed our children (most importantly) and give us our unique shapes that make us all BEAUTIFUL. Whether small, perky, freckled, huge (haha), real, fake, mis-matched, or barely there (love them ladies!), they are YOURS to keep so take care of them ;))

Breast Cancer has been fatal for women in my family, so I understand the worries and concerns most of us have when it comes to avoiding the cancer. 

There are some amazing people who have fought this cancer for years, with modern medicine and alternative medicine. Woman who fear losing their lives and leaving their children behind. Woman who go in for mammograms only to find out they will have to fight the biggest battle of their lives. Life is not promised, but we can do things to improve our health and lower our risks of disease.


So, what has caused such an increase in breast cancer? (this is my opinion!)

-Toxins! Toxins in food, water, in the air. In our lotions, soaps, deadorant, and fragrances. We have become the most toxic society in human history. Yes, the swipe of deodorant you put under your arms arms has toxins. 

Aluminum-based compounds are used as the active ingredient in antiperspirants. These compounds form a temporary plug within the sweat duct that stops the flow of sweat to the skin's surface and may contribute to the development of breast cancer. This is not FACT, but why take the risk? 
Lafes Natural Deodorant works great.  I found I still sweat a bit more with natural deodorants, but it's worth ti!! ☺  

http://www.bing.com/shopping/lafes-natural-crystal-deodorant-roll-on-unscented-3-fl-oz/p/2A710A8FA30EECE35002?q=natural+deodorant&lpf=0&lpq=natural%2bdeodorant&FORM=EGCA&lppc=16

Potentially Harmful Ingredients Often Used in Commercial Facial Moisturizers:

• Synthetic Fragrances - An unspecified mixture of chemicals that are known human immune system toxicants; Found in majority of moisturizers; Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity
• Lecithin - A skin conditioning and emulsifying (binding) agent; also penetration enhancer - alters skin structure, allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin; Waxy substance in nervous tissue of all living organisms; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents
• PEG (aka: Ingredients starting with the following and proceeded with a number: Oleth; Nonoxynol; PEG; Octoxynol; Ceteareth and Ceteth - Most commonly used are Ceteareth 20, Ceteareth 30 and PEG 8) - A humectant (promotes moisture retention) cleansing agent and solubilizing agent - Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin; eye and skin irritant; penetration enhancer - alters skin structure, allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin; may be contaminated with harmful impurities like Ethylene Oxide (highly hazardous; known carcinogen; immune, respiratory, cardiovascular and skin toxicant; neurotoxin; reproductive system, nervous system and developmental toxicant; toxic to the liver, etc.) and 1,4 Dioxane (probable carcinogen; respiratory, skin, eye and lung toxicant/irritant)
• Benzyl Alcohol - A fragrance ingredient, preservative, solvent and viscosity decreasing agent; strong evidence as a neurotoxin; causes allergenic effects to skin and lungs; mutagenic; skin sensitizer and irritant
• Triethanolamine (TEA) - A fragrance ingredient, pH adjuster and emulsifying agent; strong evidence as an immune, respiratory and skin toxicant; possible immune system toxicant; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents; may cause asthma
• BHT - An antioxidant and fragrance ingredient; skin and lung irritant; endocrine disruptor and brain and nervous system effects at low doses
• BHA - An antioxidant and fragrance ingredient; potential human carcinogen; liver effects at very low doses; Prohibited in Europe - Should not be used as a fragrance ingredient (Based on the depigmenting effect); mutagenic
• Tocopherylacetate - An antioxidant and skin-conditioning agent; skin sensitizer - can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin; strong skin toxicity; broad systemic effects at moderate doses on organs; May be contaminated with toxic impurities such as Hydroquinone which has been linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity and endocrine disruption
• Propylene Glycol - A fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent and viscosity decreasing agent; Has been found to provoke skin irritation and sensitization in humans as low as 2% concentration, while the industry review panel recommends cosmetics can contain up to 50% of the substance; may provoke allergic reactions; reproductive effects at moderate doses; mutagenic; penetration enhancer which alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin
• FD&C Color Pigments - Synthetic colors derived from coal tar that are continously tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties; Contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation; Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic
• Paraben Preservatives - Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products; Widely used even though they are known to be highly toxic; Skin sensitiser - Known to cause allergic reactions and skin rashes and can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin.

When it comes to moisturizers, I try to go simple...straight from nature. Pure Shea Butter works MAGIC on skin. It moisturizes, reduces marks, and evens skin tone. Its amazing! 

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=pure+shea+butter&view=detail&id=8BC6A2337130B5B90D65922E091CF94C60F44F6F&first=39

Common chemicals in body soap can cause the following health risks:

• Benzaldehyde: Depresses the nervous system, brings on dizziness, vomiting, and sudden drops in blood pressure if inhaled.
• Benzyl Acetate: Eye and lung irritant, and known carcinogen that has been associated with pancreatic cancer.
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS): Breaks down fats, and impairs the skins ability to maintain moisture. Classified as a "mutagen" meaning it can alter genetic material in cells.
• Ethanol: On the EPA's hazardous waste list! Can irritate the respiratory tract and cause vision impairments and loss of muscle control
• Linalool: Narcotic substance that can harm your respiratory system and motor activity. Can also attract bees, which would be a problem for those of you allergic to bees.

Again, this is just a short list to give you an idea. The good news is, you have plenty of healthy natural soaps to choose from!

To clear dirt from your OH-SO-BEAUTIFUL skin, try using pure soaps, vegan soaps, and organic soaps. My preference? Nubian Queen! Right now I'm using Mango & Shea Soap and it's better than any soap I've ever used. Super Moisturizing with a Yummy Scent!! 

http://www.organicbeautytalk.com/2011/05/body-care/nubian-heritage-mango-shea-and-cocoa-butter-body-soap

Is going back to nature a cure for Breast Cancer? I can't prove that. But I can prove that choosing Natural Skincare Products is Safer, & better for you and your family ;)

Be Happy. Be Healthy! 

You're too AWESOME and deserve the BEST! 

♥♥♥♥

-

New Season = Spiritual Changes

Fall represents out with the old and in with the new. A time of change, rebirth, & new beginnings! I walked outside this morning and noticed the beautiful leaves covering my driveway and some made their way into my car ;) I absolutely love the color orange. The way the trees shed their leaves to prepare for upcoming spring. Mother Nature sure knows how to fascinate me ♥ Orange is the color of creativity, sexuality, joy, and enthusiasm. A balance of orange will let a person handle the ups and downs of life with finesse, quickly recovering from disappointments or wounded heart or pride.  Have you noticed how everyone seems to fall in love this time of year, or quickly forgive someone who has hurt them? How on Thanksgiving, families come together & forget the difficulties and sad memories of the past? Enjoy this special time of year with your family and loved ones! Let the transition be one of happiness, joy, & let the bitterness go!!! We are here to share our love for one another and to be ONE. Mother Earth is transforming minute by minute. She is physically tired of the torture and pain she has been through. Her pains are similar to the pain of a mother going through labor, and soon she will birth a new world. This physical world is an illusion. Dig into your soul. Stop worshipping money & material things. Our blessings are coming. ;)))

♥

The Power of Melanin (Know Yourself!) ♥

Kuba Children dancing during a royal visit. Aren't they beautiful? ;)

Every human being on Mother Earth has their own special powers and gifts to share. How beautiful and amazing is that? Some of us have been lied to, manipulated, and belittled simply because of the way we look. Know that you ARE special, no matter what skin color you are. Being blessed with dark and luscious skin has been envied for centuries, almost to the point of the destruction of darker people. Why is that? Why is our skin attacked in every way. In the media, in the news, in our own homes? From people we love? From authority? The simple and proven facts about melanin prove that there is a reason for massive genocide and dumbing down of particular people.

Knowing yourself is an important part of your growth as an individual. You can't be who everyone wants you to be and expect to live to your fullest potential. Human beings have been brainwashed and manipulated by higher powers for thousands of years. Telling lies to our children and sweet babies to fulfill their own agendas. 

So what is melanin? 

mel·a·nin

 [ méllənin ]   

1. brown skin pigment: a dark brown or black pigment that is naturally present to varying degrees in the skin, hair, eyes, fur, or feathers of people and animals as well as in plants (bing.com)

Why is Melanin So Special?

Melanin is BLACKNESS itself, the single chemical responsible to colouring the skin pigments in black people. It is the only natural protection from rays of the Sun. It also possesses the unique ability to absorb energy sources and convert those into re-usable energy. This includes mediums such as music vibrations, sun rays, light rays, sound waves, and sun heat. 

Chemical Structure of Melanin

"We Afrikans, with our distinct racial features -blackness, curly hair, broad nose, thick lips, etc.- are really blessed with greatest gift from nature. The source of all this beauty is this precious life and chemical substance; Melanin."

Melanin is also present in the genital organisms of the black man and woman.# This is the point of departure of our inner breathing, thus, spirituality. When it departs the genitals, it makes few stops before reaching the black dot; below our breast and a few centimeters above our breast.

"It goes in a form of a spiral. Our soul and spirit spiral in a form of a serpent. So does the cosmos, the universe, our black hair, etc. A clear example is when we throw something in the water; the object hits the water and it forms a spiral movement. This spiral or serpent like movement of the cosmos and spirituality was well know to ancient Afrikans.

This is what they called kuminaini.! The pharaohs in Khamit/Egypt, always had golden serpent image right in the middle of their forehead, where the black dot is located. We activate our pineal gland (melanin) through prayer, meditation, breathing exercises, martial arts, good diet, fasting, dancing, singing, proper love making+ , etc., anything that can help one get in touch with the inner self." -Anthony Brown

The only danger is that for most of us, once the reach the stage of high consciousness, we do not know what to do with the power that we possess, so we become materialist, envious, jealous, etc. It is our turn to look into ourselves, realize and understand the gift that God put on us, melanin, and start working for our liberation.

As with all people, you must know yourself to love yourself!!
When you look in the mirror, be proud, Be confident! & be Courageous!

Here is an amazing book about Melanin Facts, to help you better understand yourself & for those who are interested in learning what they don't teach you in school ☺

http://yeyeolade.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/black-skin-is-the-key-to-our-greatness/

♥

Sweet, Syrupy, Beautiful Skin ☺

Speaking of Syrup (teeheehee), I'm craving for a super-huge plate of waffles this morning, smothered in organic syrup and topped with strawberries and bananas. Mmmmm hmmmm. If you've checked out my veggie blog, http://www.healthyhappysexy.blogspot.com/, you've already figured out that I am a vegetarian, or have attempted to be one, for the past five years. I believe and LIVE by the quote "your health is your wealth". I even have a super cool recipe for women/men who are suffering from common acne and dark spot problems on their face. I went through a stressful time in my life, as most of us imperfect humans do, and woke up one day with the worst breakout in the galaxy! No kidding! My skin was untouchable. I looked for answers, I researched. Tried ProActive (yucky! do not get addicted to this company!). Tried scrubs. Even tried the whole "wash your face 30 times a day" thing. Didn't work. Out of curiousity, I pulled out the Indian remedy for fantastic skin, Turmeric. I went with my gut, blended lemon & honey in the mix, & made a face mask 3 times a week. I washed with soap and Turmeric everyday for a month. My pimples mysteriously disappeared, my skin was smoother, brighter, and younger looking. I was so excited, I tried a remedy for whiter teeth (whitening strips are YUCKY!).....baking soda and lemon (no worries! baking soda takes the acid right out of lemon).  Walked outside and went on my usual trip to the grocery store, and had so many compliments on my face, teeth, and skin I almost felt like a CELEBRITY! And no, I am not over-exaggerating! Nature does the body good.!! Here is my own personal recipe for you lovebugs out there who are tired of spending so much money to keep up with your skin!!! 

You can find turmeric at your local grocery. It's yellow, VERY yellow! It's a very important spice from India & also used in India for youthful looking skin. 

You will need:
1 Tsp. Turmeric
1 Tsp. Honey
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Mix together and spread over face as a facial mask.

Leave on for ten minutes, and rinse three times.  You don't want a yellow face all day!

After cleansing, use an organic moisurizer, preferrably pure shea or cocoa butter, to help even out skin tone. 

You can do this as much as you want, but turmeric does have lightening effects! So be careful. If you have dark skin and don't want it lightened, use once or twice a week. I only used this for blemishes and it worked wonderfully! Most of the time, without lemon, and it still worked ☺

To top off your look, dip your toothbrush in baking soda and squeeze lemon juice on top. Brush your teeth as usual for instant whitened teeth! I'm no expert, but this does work!! (Dr. Oz suggested it also!)

So, now that I've shared my secret for beautiful skin, I will let you go and experiment for yourself. Have fun LADIES and GENTS! 

♥

It's been so long since I've blogged. I've actually had quite an interesting last couple of months. Spent so much time with myself, been up and down with drama after drama. I'm surprised I'm not on pills!! Jokes aside, life has given me a few scrapes and bruises. I went from being in love to being alone. I've had a definite surprise this year, and now a little one is expecting to arrive in the beginning of 2013. Truly a blessing to have an angel arrive to bring on the new year of spiritual evolution and awakening! I am honored (still surprised) and blessed to be a momma. It's such a journey watching these little souls become their own. But, in a world of deciet, destruction, and murder, I often become over-proctective and afraid for them. I often wonder if bringing them into this world was a not-so-good idea. Then I remember that each and every soul brought to Mother Earth has a purpose. And the only way this change is going to happen is if we keep bringing these little souls! Instead of drugging them up, lift them up. Instead of putting them down, encourage them. They are our only HOPE. Our children.... Enough preaching (haha). I do have a problem keeping up with my healthy ways being a baby-carrier. My coconut milk has been replaced by Eddy's Ice Cream. Instead of snacking on peanuts, I snack on lucky charms. And forget the apples and oranges, DOVE cookies n' cream chocolate bars do something for my Soul ☺. I need to make changes....asap. I will keep you all updated on my journey from preggo junkie to health freak baby momma. This shall be exciting! Speaking of reproducing & makin babies, do they have a future here on Momma Earth? I promise you, with all my heart, the only way we (the human race) can make his home a HOME for our children is through LOVE & ACCEPTANCE. We come into this world of pure heart, With pure love. With no judgements. No hate in our HEARTS. We are incredible beings. We have the power to CHANGE the course of the future. To knock the EVIL FORCES out of their thrones and replace it with our divine love for one another. Be positive & look within yourselves for answers! Be leaders. Be healers. Be spiritual warriors. The battle has just begun for what will become PARADISE for our SOULS! I love you all, and can't wait to share my sometimes crazy thoughts with you! ((warm fuzzies))