Body Sugaring

A Picture of  the Sugaring I made

A cheap, homemade alternative to waxing (or shaving) is body sugaring (a method for removing body hair).  Hair is removed by the root, and when it grows back there will be less of it, and it will be softer and not stubbly as it is if a razor had been used.

Body sugaring is done by heating sugar, water, and lemon juice to the softball candy stage.

After you have let the mixture cool enough so that it won’t burn, you spread it on your skin, cover it with cotton strips of cloth, and then rip the cloth off like one does a bandage. Some find sugaring less painful than waxing.  This is debatable.  Oh, the price we pay for beauty (smile). 

The following is a recipe that I have found to be the most beneficial:

INGREDIENTS
2 cups sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup water

Additional items: Candy thermometer, muslin cloth strips and Popsicle stick.

Combine the ingredients in a heavy saucepan, and heat on low using a candy thermometer. Watch the mixture very carefully so that it doesn’t boil over. Heat the mixture to 250 F on the candy thermometer; this is the hardball candy stage.

Remove from the heat and let cool enough to pour into a glass jar. (Note that this jar will be reheated in the future. Make sure it is safe for whatever form of reheating you plan to do—in the microwave, or in a pan of water.

Rip clean cotton fabric (muslin) in 1-inch strips.

Let the mixture COOL enough so that it won’t burn your skin. You can test the mixture on the palm of your hand.  The palm of your hand is much tougher than the sensitive skin under your arms.

Using a Popsicle stick spread the cooled sugar onto your skin. Cover the area with the cloth strips and let it set for a few minutes.  Rip the fabric off quickly.

You can reheat the mixture to a warm and not hot temperature and reuse. 

Do you Have to Count Calories to Lose Weight?

No you don't technichally have to count calories to lose weight. The French have a higher average daily caloric intake yet they weigh less than the average American. Their also was a study done where the participants kept gaining weight regardless of the fact that they ate less calories than was needed to maintain their weight (I will update with a link when I find the study I read). Calories can also differ drastical from plant to plant depending on where they are grown. I gain weight every time I lower my caloric intake but lose weight when I eat more. People who sleep more lose more weight when they are on a diet than those who don't. Some people are born with less fat cells since the amount of fat cells remain constant from birth but rarely increase in morbidly obese persons. Also, stress can cause weight gain even without a change in caloric input/expenditure.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adipose_tissue
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_loss

Fast Food Kid's Meals are not as Unhealthy as you Might Think

A new report released Thursday asserts a Chick-fil-A kid’s meal is among the five worst fast food kids meals that claim to be healthy, The report is obviously slanted and biased.  The report, which was commissioned by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, says Chick-fil-A's Grilled Nuggets Kids Meal contains the same amount of cholesterol as a McDonald's Big Mac.  Chick-fil-A’s grilled nuggets do not contain the same amount of cholesterol as a McDonald’s Big Mac.  The Big Mac has 75mg of cholesterol and the grilled nuggets have 65mg. 

According to the article, when the six grilled nuggets are paired with waffle fries and low-fat chocolate milk, the meal has 570 calories, 19 grams of fat, 75 milligrams of cholesterol, 1,150 milligrams of sodium and 23 grams of sugars, the report says.  The healthy kid’s meal was not meant to be paired with waffle fries and chocolate milk.  Six grilled nuggets only contain 110 calories.  When six grilled nuggets are paired with a fruit cup and milk the meal is only 250 calories.  Get 4 nuggets instead of six and the total becomes 220 calories.

The report claims that grilled chicken contains large amounts of PhIP, "a potent carcinogen that may play a role in the development of breast, prostate and other cancers."  But, PhIP occurs when any meat whether cooked at home or not that is cooked above 392 F or cooked on direct heat. 

The other kid’s meals on the list include the McDonald's Cheeseburger Happy Meal, the Sonic Kids' Jr. Burger Meal, and the Burger King Hamburger Kids Meal.  The McDonald's Cheeseburger Happy Meal includes a Cheeseburger, fries, apple slices, and a drink (I used milk in my calculations) at 520 calories the meal also contains 100mg of vitamin C (170%) and only 50mg of cholesterol (16%).  The Sonic Kids' Jr. Burger Meal is 550 calories when you order a Jr. Burger, APPLE SLICES W/FAT-FREE CARAMEL DIPPING SAUCE, and an Apple juice box and the burger only contains 35mg of cholesterol.  The Burger King Hamburger Kids Meal contains 380 calories and includes apple slices and a small drink (I used milk in my calculations).

The report was commissioned by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine which promotes a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.  Any meal you or a restaurant prepares for your child that contains meat will not meet the ideals of the PCRM.  Brooke Henley a dietitian at Central GA Rehab at Medical Center of Central Georgia totally disagrees with this reports assessment of Chick-fil-A’s kid’s meals.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physicians_Committee_for_Responsible_Medicine

http://www.bk.com/en/us/menu-nutrition/lunch-and-dinner-menu-202/bk-and-reg-kids-meal-229/hamburger-kids-meal-m2379/index.html

http://www.sonicdrivein.com/pdfs/menu/SonicNutritionGuide.pdf?0

http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/meal_builder.html

http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Food/Menu-Detail/ChickfilA-Grilled-Nuggets#?details=nutrition&variation=ORA_5816count

http://chick-fil-a.com/Kids/New-Meals-Fact-Sheet

http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Carcinogens-found-in-Grilled-chicken-14915-2/

http://hapeville.11alive.com/news/news/119826-chick-fil-kids-meal-among-least-healthy

Length Update

My hair has only grown about 1 inch instead of my intended 4 inches.  The first 3 months I really struggled taking care of my hair without it becoming an all day process.  I also have a scalp build up problem (because my texture makes it hard to get my scalp clean).  I have recently switched back to sulfate shampoos for the time being.  I only wash my hair once a week because I just don't have the time.  I can not do a wash and go with my multiple texture hair nor can I even fit my hair in a ponytail since my hair has gotten so thick.  I will have to work on a hair regi that doesn't take all day.  Overall, I am just happy my hair grew some.  My hair is now 8 inches in the front and 8.5 inches in the back.

Where do all the hair pins and bobby pins go?

hair comb tuck replaced all my hair pins

Where do all the hair pins and bobby pins go?  A pack of thirty lasts me a couple of weeks at best.  I haven’t found the real answer to this question (Maybe a leprechaun that has a craving taste for bobby pins that will never be fulfilled?).  But I did find some hair accessories that keep my hair place without getting lost.  You can find them here.   The prices start at $2.99 which considering I used to spend $1 twice a month on hair pins is relatively cheap.  They are Made in the USA.  Another reason I made the switch was because if the little plastic ends are loose or if there are rough spots on the metal I end up pulling some of my hair out with the hairpins.  

A hair style using the hair chignon.

hair chignon 5 prong

Wigo Flat Iron Review

I have used many flat irons but this is the best so far for my hair.  It is called the Wigo Pink Zebra 1” Flat Iron.  This is what it looks like.  I really like the results and my hair has not been this straight in years.  I did not pre-straighten my hair with a blow dryer.  The photos show my hair after being straightened.

Length Update

I trimmed my hair almost two months ago to get rid of my brittle damaged ends.  So, my hair is not much longer.  The front of my hair is 6.5 inches.  The back of my hair measured from the nape is 6 inches (after trimming it was only 4.75 inches).  The back of my hair measured from the crown is 7.5 inches.  Although I did not retain much length my hair feels much healthier and stronger.  I am no longer using any commercial rinse out conditioners.  I am still working on my regimen but that is the biggest change so far.  Also, I thought my hair was all 4b but since I stopped using conditioners my hair is now a 4b,4a,3c mix but it is still mostly 4b.