Invest in your health: Exercise

When it comes to investing in our health we often choose to ignore what obviously works. Take for example, EXERCISE…
Proper exercise is one of the best thing you can do for your health but not the only thing. It might be the ultimate investment opportunity. If you are willing to make the investment (commitment), you will have an abundance of energy, be more self-confident, you will feel and look healthier, more productive and discover a more joyous and fulfilling life. They are substance of high quality living and rewards that money cannot buy. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose, and still, many of us fail to act on this extraordinary opportunity. We simply choose to procrastinate or ignore the proven benefits of exercise.
Few reasons that sometimes inhibit our willingness to take a chance or make a change:
1. Fear of failure- take the first step and acknowledge the fear, then the next step will come easier. Once fear is acknowledged, it usually quiet down.
2. Indecision- this can be defeating, but doing “anything” is better than doing nothing. If you can’t decide on a particular exercise program, pick a few exercises and start with something simple. If you don’t like it, go on to the next exercise.
3. Lack of confidence- when you lack the confidence to start something new, take a deep breath and try to figure out why. Try to find out where to gain the skills you need or find someone with the right skills who can help.
4. Overwhelming task- the bigger the task, the more overwhelming it can be. Break the task aside into smaller pieces. Begin with short, simple exercises and slowly expand your routine. The absolute worse approach to exercise is to overdo it when first starting the program. Moderation is the key.
5. Unpleasant or boring task- exercise can really be boring or unpleasant. There are days when we just plain lack the enthusiasm and motivation to continue. It’s part of human nature. On days like that, focus on “why” you are doing it. There are many task we do that we may not like, but are necessary to live a productive life. Focus on the bigger picture.
6. Busy lifestyles- life just seems busy to find time for some activities. Exercise has to become part of your routine. It can’t be an option. Make it a high priority just the same as your career and other areas of interest.
To reap the benefits of exercise, you must agree to become a willing participant. It doesn’t matter if you start out just going one day per week; it is better than what you were doing before you made that commitment. Try out a different number of exercises to find something that you enjoy and which fits with your schedule.
Understand how to properly stretch. Do not just twist your neck to side or lazily reach for your toes to stretch. It is a recipe for injury.
Remember, as you embark on your journey (mission), you are investing in something near and dear to your own heart, life and a future of healthy living.

Harmattan and your natural hair

Today, it’s all about harmattan and our hair. We all know that the season is dry, dusty and even cold to some extent; this is not good for our natural hair. It tends to dry out our hair much faster and makes our hair looks like sponge, also causes breakage and makes it difficult to maintain moisture because of how its dries out the hair so fast. It is important we give extra care to our general health especially our hair. So, how do I take care of my hair this season? Here we go:
1. Washing: stay away from shampoo this period because it dries out your hair, instead co wash with warm water. Co washing means skipping shampoo and relying solely on conditioner. It helps to retain moisture, give you a clean hair and still condition and keep it soft.
2. Deep conditioning: deep condition once a week as this helps to curb breakage and also keeps hair healthy. You can make your own conditioner if you don’t want to use readymade conditioner. Here are a few you can use:
a. Aloe deep conditioner: Aloe vera juice helps prevent and reduce breakage. Mix juice with olive oil. Massage into hair after mixing, wear a shower camp, leave for 30minutes and rinse out. Pat dry afterwards and seal with carrier oil or shea butter.
b. coconut milk deep conditioner: Blend the edible part of the coconut with water, separate the chaff from the milky part and keep for a day. The next day, the milky part would be below and water on top, pour the water out and use as a deep conditioner. Massage into hair, cover and let it sit for 45minutes then rinse out and seal.
3. Moisturizing and sealing in hair: after co washing your hair, use your leave-in conditioner and then seal with mixture of carrier oil and Shea butter, olive oil preferably because coconut oil dries out faster. Oils and butter are not moisturizers but sealant because they just make sure your moisturizer stay in your hair. They are very important so you don’t lose moisture; moisture is the foundation of what keeps our hair healthy and strong. By the way, water is the best moisturizer.
4. Spray bottle: get a small spray bottle where you have mixture of water, oil and leave-in mixture so you can take it with you wherever you go and can spritz from time to time to re-moisturize your hair.
5. Head wraps: use head wraps preferably satin scarf. They prevent your hair from the harsh weather and retain moisture.
6. Protective styles: Any style that will keep your ends hidden and has low to no manipulation is protective. Don’t wear wig directly on your hair; wear a satin cap before putting on a wig. Basically, you want your ends to be well hydrated and covered up.
7. Increase your water intake: water is good for the body. Drink enough water, your hair will thank you for it.
8. Eat more vegetable and fruits that can provide you with daily minerals and vitamins that you need and keep to a regular healthy eating routine.
Remember to always moisturize and seal hair frequently as possible. Don’t let your hair dry out. Take care of yourself and your hair more.

Natural hair: Detangling tips

I have a lot of hair, it’s long, thick and takes forever to detangle and style. Detangling your hair in the shower is usually easier because the hair is wet. There are ways to detangle without pulling handfuls of hair out in frustration when working through tangles on dry hair. How do I detangle my natural hair when dry?
1. Spritz if needed: you can mix water, water-based product, a leave-in conditioner or a water/oil mixture in a spray bottle. Adding moisture to your hair makes it easier to comb through. Spritz as much as you needed.
2. Section the hair: use a rat- tail comb or your fingers to divide your hair into sections. The number of sections may range from 6-8, or more, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Use hair clips to keep the rest of the hair out of the way.
3. Add finger tangling to any detangle section: this is a gentle way to begin the process. You can work out major snags without pulling out hair. You have a better chance of saving your hair by gently pulling tangles apart.
4. Use a wide-toothed comb: begin at the bottom of the 1st section of hair. Use one hand to comb while using the other hand to firmly hold the section of hair near the bottom. Slowly work the comb through until the bottom is free of tangles before moving up the hair. Make sure you can comb freely from the root to the tip.
5. Continue to spritz hair if it dries and you need additional moisture.
For successful detangling:
1. Detangle on a regular basis at least once per week.
2. Use products with slip. The more slip you have, the easier it will be for fingers and hands to glide through your tresses. To add more slip, add some oil mixture to make detangling much easier. Oils like almond oil (to reduce hair follicles inflammation), olive oil (for moisture), castor oil (for nourishment), avocado oil (to improve blood flow to the scalp) and jojoba oil (to coats and protects the hair) can be used.
3. Avoid the need to “over-detangle”. Don’t get cut up in the idea that your hair must be 100% tangle free.
4. Twist your hair back up so that it cannot knot again.
Proper detangling requires patience.

Natural hair: Basic washing tips

Whether you hair is short or long kinky or curly, washing natural hair can be one of the most intimidating task. You have to remove product build up without drying it out or creating excessive tangles when washing your hair. Washing your natural hair get harder as your hair grows. Knowing how to wash your hair is priceless. Here few tips for getting through wash day with natural hair:
1. Pre-poo: prepooing is the process of coating the hair shaft prior to washing. It prevents the hair from being dried out during the wash process, particularly when sulphate shampoo are used. It also helps to reduce protein loss. Coconut oil is a great prepoo ingredient. A conditioner can as well be used.
2. Shampoo: there are various options for washing your hair. For long natural hair, the key to tackling the hair is to approach it in section. You can as well braid your hair while to wash to prevent tangling. As you wash your hair, focus more on the scalp where there is the most build ups and focus less on the ends which is the driest part of your hair. Scrub your scalp and run the shampoo down the hair shaft to prevent it from detangling, the hair shaft will still get clean when you rub the shampoo down it. Process of section and wash takes a longer time, but fewer tangles, knots and breakage is totally worth it.
3. Dry hair with a microfiber towel: be sure to squeeze and blot the water out of the hair and avoid rubbing.
4. Follow up with a conditioner: you can apply a leave-in conditioner while the hair is still damp. Apply in sections to ensure even coverage from root to tip. Focus on the ends of your hair. Don’t apply too much products as this can weigh down the hair. The purpose of applying the conditioner is to replenish the moisture back into your hair as well as for easy detangling. Some leave-in conditioner can as well be used as a daily moisturizer. The conditioner can either be a protein leave-in for too soft/weak hair for strength or moisturizing leave-in for too stiff/tough hair to soften or smoothens it.
A little bit of breakage while washing is inevitable, but be sure to keep an eye out for excessive breakage. Learn to adjust your hair washing regimen to better meet the needs of your hair. Remember, the key concept is divide and conquer, otherwise, it becomes overwhelming.

Invest in your health: Health insurance

There are many financial institutions in the financial sector, of which insurance is one of the key institutions in the finance world. Insurance can be defined basically as a risk coverage for an unforeseen contingency.  We all are exposed to risk on a daily basis, which we have little or no control over: A drunk driver ran his car at you, or a learner who had not perfected the act of driving broke down your fence. There are so many reasons why we should get insurance coverage.
Insurance is divided into two: The General and Life Insurance. The general insurance deals with risk coverage over properties like: Houses, Cars, Organisations, Laptops, and other valuable items or properties. Life insurance, as the name implies has to do with Lives, with policies like: Annuities, health insurance, whole life assurance, term assurance. The word insurance and assurance are used interchangeably when dealing with Life.
Health insurance is a vital insurance coverage that is always recommended to individuals and families at large.
Health insurance is a service you pay for but hope you will never need. It's there for the unpredictable, unexpected and uncontrollable problems that comes up in people's lives. Health insurance or assurance takes care of the bills of the insured whenever there is a need for medical attention.
Insurance thrive in numerical advantage in a cohort, meaning the larger the cohort, the better it is for the insurer to deliver on his promises.
In Nigeria, many organisations have the health insurance coverage for their employees and some of their staff’s family members. Aside the monthly 7.5% being deducted from the salaries of staff for their pension scheme, certain amount are being deducted, as premiums to carter for health insurance. Most private organisations have contracts with private health care providers while the Government own companies deals with NHIS (National Health Insurance Scheme).
There are several categorise and levels of the policy you are going into. The level at your organisation determines the kind of HMO (Health Management Organisation) benefits you will enjoy and the coverages.
The importance of health insurance covers those unpredictable moments in life. A typical health insurance plan provides four primary functions: provision for routine care, chronic condition treatment, emergency medical assistance and pharmaceutical care.
Investing in health insurance means investing in your quality of life. Having insurance can pay for preventive treatment to treating illnesses.
Preventive care helps and it may prolong the need for insurance but there is nothing better than knowing you are fully protected.
Buy health insurance when you don't want it, because you may not get it when you need it.

Week 15 games of the EPL

The weekend games were filled with surprises. Surprises that we are
already used to. This season has been all about the "big teams" not
showing consistency in their games.
Stoke City entertained Man City, in what eventually became Stoke's
best game of the season so far. Stoke had better chances, played
better and could have ended the game as early as the first half. Man
City couldn't find their rhythm, resulting to them being out played by this stoke side. Though some key players for Man City couldn't play
due to injury (Kompany, Toure  and Aguero) but that shouldn't have
stopped them from winning a game like this.
Arsenal returned back to winning ways by putting Sunderland to the
cleaners. After a disappointing November for the gunners, they are now back, getting the job done. Though Arsenal has serious injuries
concern to some notable members of them team, but it never stopped the likes of Campbell, Giroud and Ramsey from giving them maximum points.
Man Utd continued to be shy in front of goal, after they played out a
goalless scoreline with West Ham. Though West Ham have been tagged the giant killers this season after defeating the likes of Arsenal,
Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea. United could have done better
considering the poor run of form West Ham were coming to this game.
United's performance this season has been below par. With this kind of
result, more pressure will be on LVG.
West Brom held the consistent Tottenham to a 1-1 draw. The returning Dele Alli gave Tottenham the lead, but could not hold up for a win.
Chelsea FC continued in their bad run of form after they conceded a late goal against lowly rated Bournemouth. They have remained
consistently inconsistent in the cause of this season. Defending they
won last season is almost out of reach and securing a place in next
season UEFA Champions league might be due to their performance in this year's edition of the competition.
Southampton held Aston Villa to a 1-1 draw. The form of Southampton
lately has dropped. Newcastle United did the unthinkable against Liverpool. Liverpool's performance has been impressive lately under Klopp. Newcastle pull a surprise by defeating Liverpool 2-0.
Stoke City 2-0 Man City
Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland
Man Utd 0-0 West Ham
West Brom 1-1 Tottenham
Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth
Southampton 1-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle 2-0 Liverpool.
Man City and Liverpool are our biggest losers for this week, while
Arsenal are undoubtedly our biggest winner.
Can Leicester City finish in the top four?

Natural hair: Natural remedies for hair growth (part 4)

Maintaining your hair is relatively easy with the right steps. Proper care will surely help you to cope with any type of hair or scalp trouble. There are some natural solutions for healthy hair growth aside diets, oil treatment and home remedies. They are as follows:
1. Regular combing and trimming- comb your hair twice daily. Combing is essential as it provides good blood circulation and stimulates hair follicles, helping them produce new hair naturally. Trim your hair every 3 months. Trimming is extremely important for expediting the growth of new hair.
2. Flip your hair upside down 2 to 3 times daily as it helps to improve blood circulation to the scalp for new hair growth.
3. Minimize the application of styling products like hair colors, serums and straighteners as they contain harmful chemicals that can damage your hair in the long run. You may look attractive for a few days by applying a hair styling product, but you never know how it affects the condition of your hair and scalp in the long run.
4. Massage your scalp- it also promotes blood flow to the scalp which in turn stimulates the hair follicles.
5. Address medical problems as certain medication like birth control pills, antidepressants, anticonvulsant and others may contribute to problem such as hair loss and hair thinning.
6. Stay stress free- stress is one of the most important factors that contribute to hair loss. To manage stress, you can use medication, breathing exercise or other relaxation techniques.
Maintain healthy long hair by following a good hair care routine and using hair products that are suitable for your hair type. Also, protect your hair from sun damage and avoid use of hair styling products.

World AIDS Day: Getting to zero

December 1st is World AIDS Day. It is a day dedicated to commemorate those who have passed on and to raise awareness about AIDS and the global spread of the HIV virus. It is an opportunity for people to work actively and collaboratively with partners around the world to raise awareness about HIV and help us move closer to the goal of an AIDS-free generation.
The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988 after health ministers from around the world met in London, England and agreed to such a day as a way of highlighting the enormity of the AIDS pandemic and nations responsibility to ensure universal treatment care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS. Each year’s World AIDS Day celebration comes with different theme and the theme for this year is “getting to zero”. Zero new HIV infection. Zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related death.
HIV is a virus. AIDS is a medical condition. HIV is a virus which attacks the T-cells in the immune system while AIDS is the syndrome which appears in advanced stages of HIV infection. Both the virus and the syndrome are often referred together as HIV/AIDS.
HIV infection causes AIDS to develop. However, it is possible to be infected with HIV without developing AIDS. HIV infection progress and eventually develop into AIDS in the vast majority of cases, without treatment. Infection may be identify at early stages through HIV testing. This allows the patient to use prophylactic (preventive) drugs which will slow the rate at which the virus replicates delaying the onset of AIDS.
HIV can be transmitted through:
1. Perinatal transmission- mother can pass the infection unto her child during pregnancy, childbirth and also through breastfeeding.
2. Sexual transmission- this can happen while having unprotected sex, including vaginal, oral and anal sex or sharing sex toys with someone infected with AIDS.
3. Blood transmission- this can happen among drug users, sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV. Infected blood is extremely hazardous. People who give and receive tattoos and piercings are also at risk and should be very careful.
AIDS patient still have the HIV virus and are still infectious i.e. someone with AIDS can pass HIV to someone else.
There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus cannot be transmitted from shaking hands, hugging, pecking, sneezing, sharing towel, using the same toilet, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, touching unbroken skin or other form of “casual contact”.
Symptoms of early HIV infection includes: fever, sore throat, joint pain, red rash, tiredness, weight loss, weakness, muscle ache, enlarged glands and sweat (particularly at night).
Symptoms of late stage HIV infection includes: blurred vision, dry cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, permanent tiredness, swollen glands lasting for weeks and white spots on the tongue or mouth.
During the last-stage HIV infection, the risk of developing a life-threatening illness is much greater due to the patients’ weak immune system to fight illnesses. They are: nervous system infections (e.g. meningitis), cancer, esophagitis, pneumonia, toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis. With proper HIV treatment, life-threatening illnesses may be controlled and treated.
Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS is made through a blood test that screens specifically for the virus and through ultra-sensitive HIV sensor.
There is currently no vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS. Treatments have evolved which are much more efficacious, they can improve patients’ general health and quality of life considerably. Treatment includes:
1. Emergency HIV pills- this treatment is called PEP (Post- Exposure Prophylaxis). The treatment should be taken as soon as possible after contact with the virus within the last 72hours (3days). It may stop the infection. PEP is a very demanding treatment lasting for 4weeks. It is also associated with unpleasant side effects like diarrhea, malaise, nausea and weakness. After a positive HIV diagnosis, regular blood tests are necessary to monitor to progress of the virus before starting treatment. The therapy is designed to reduce the level of HIV in the blood.
2. Antiretroviral drugs- HIV is treated with antiretrovirals (ARVs). The treatment fights the HIV infection and slow down the speed of the virus in the blood. Generally, patients take a combination of medication called HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). HIV treatment is usually permanent and lifelong and is based on routine dosage. Pills must be taken on a regular schedule every time. Common side effects includes: nausea, fatigue, moodiness, diarrhea, skin rashes etc.
HIV can be managed through adherence, general health, additional precaution and psychology.
Prevent HIV by having protected sex, share needle carefully, not exposing yourself to body fluids, health education and for expectant mothers, take your medication during pregnancy and after delivering to prevent your baby from HIV.
Ignorance is the faster killer not even HIV/AIDS. Getting to a zero HIV-AIDS world begins with you. Get counsel from your pharmacist.
Live healthy! Get tested! Think positive! Zero HIV.

Week 14 games of the EPL

Prior to the week 14 games, several top managers were in the news for one reason or the other. Pellegrini had to deal with the rumour of Pep agreeing to join City, putting a dark cloud over his position at the club. LVG was not happy with his players after playing a goalless draw with PSV mid-week, also considering the displeasure from the fans concerning his style of football. Would Sanchez be rested for the
clash against Norwich by Wenger, while Mourinho hit back at Drogba.
Man City returned to winning ways when they took on Southampton.
City lost their last two games in all competition and needed to make a
statement, which they did emphatically against Southampton. Goals from De Bryne, Delph and Kolarov sent them back to the top of the League.
Leicester City vs Man Utd was the biggest clash of the the weekend,
because it is the top of the table clash and the prolific Vardy was
gunning for a record. Vardy lived up to expectation, by converting his
chance to eclipse the long standing Van Nistelrooy record of scoring
10 consecutive goals in 10 matches. Vardy made it 11 against Van's
former club. The game didn't record many goals like the previous season. It ended a goal apiece.
Tottenham vs Chelsea was another interesting tie we were looking
forward to, but it ended in a barren draw.
Norwich held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw with Arsenal losing 3 players to injuries. Sanchez was one of the injured, while Wenger has been receiving some backlashes from his fans for not giving him a deserved rest.
The resurgent Liverpool did the needful against Swansea City, scoring a single goal and recording another maximum points to keep their ambition alive.
Man City 3-1 Southampton
Leicester 1-1 Man Utd
Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea
Norwich 1-1 Arsenal
Liverpool 1-0 Swansea
Southampton are our biggest loser of last season top 7, while Man City
returned to the top and they are also our biggest winner with  2 goal
difference.

Natural hair: Natural remedies for hair growth (part 3)

We all want to have a gorgeous healthy hair that can define our style and image, caring for your hair both inside and outside with oils will keep your hair in peak condition. The role of oils for healthy hair is important. We have essential and base/carrier oils for healthy hair. Using essential oils can work wonders on your hair and scalp.
Essential oils are very useful in homemade hair care products and many of them are good. They can be used to cleanse the scalp, control irritation and dandruff, stimulate hair follicles, improve blood circulation to the scalp, strengthen hair, antibacterial and antifungal properties and even promote hair growth. They are called essential oils because they carry distinct scent/essence of the plant from which the oil is extracted. They are used sparingly because they are highly concentrated, hence, they are diluted with carrier/base oils.
Here are the list of essential oils and their benefits to hair:
1. Peppermint oil- it is important for hair as it helps the hair to receive proper nourishment which in turn will lead to hair growth. It also helps to stimulate blood flow to the root of the hair.
2. Lavender oil- it is good for all hair types. It is good for dandruff and itching, controlling hair breakage and improving hair growth. Most widely known to treat alopecia. Daily massage with lavender oil help significant regrowth and gives you significant results in few months.
3. Tea tree oil- a great moisturizer for the hair. It helps to keep the scalp free of bacterial and fungal problems.
4. Chamomile oil- most soothing of the essential oils for hair. It helps to treat itching scaly scalp and dandruff.
5. Lemon oil- it is especially beneficial for oily hair. It is not recommended for dry hair.
6. Myrrh oil- it is very good for dry hair. It is used for treating dry scalp, dandruff problems and under-active sebaceous gland.
7. Rosemary oil- it stimulates hair follicles, as a result, hair can grow longer and stronger. It is also useful for dandruff and itchy scalp.
Take a look at the list of carrier oils and benefits to hair:
1. Castor oil- it is a vegetable oil obtain from the castor bean. It helps to retain hair moisture, seal moisture, softens and visibly thicken hair, nourishes and prevent scalp from drying.
2. Jojoba oil- it is great for all hair types and has an ability to inhibit excess activity of the sebaceous glands making it the perfect choice for people with oily scalps that still need conditioning. Also used to moisturize hair properly. It is the suggested carrier oil best for hair loss.
3. Avocado oil- it is extracted from avocado. Full of vitamin that your hair needs like vitamin A, C, D and potassium. Mix with other hair carrier oils for deep conditioning.
4. Olive oil- extra virgin olive oil is the best and does not contain chemicals. Green color extra virgin olive oil is of higher quality than the golden yellow oil, though, it is scarce. It strengthens and smooth hair cuticles, helps in preventing hair loss.
5. Vitamin E oil- it rejuvenates and offers protection for the scalp. It aids proper blood circulation which leads to thriving hair follicles which leads to hair growth.
6. Coconut oil- it is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the regrowth of damaged hair. It also provides essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair, softens the hair and conditions the scalp.
Some people are allergic to essential oils and when pregnant, some essential oils are not recommended. It’s all about nature.

Golden melon: Fruit for all

Golden melon or honeydew as it is popularly called, is among the best choice of fruits for those who have chosen the path of living healthy through maximizing the nutrients therein.
Nutrients present in golden melon and their amount includes; calcium-10.6mg, iron-0.3mg, magnesium-17.7mg, phosphorus-19.5mg, potassium-404mg, sodium-31.9mg, selenium-1.2mg, vitamin A-88.5iu, vitamin B6-0.2mg, vitamin B1-0.1mg, vitamin B5-0.3mg, vitamin C-11.1mg, choline-13.5mg, vitamin K-5.1mg, folate-33.6mg, water-159g.
Relevance of golden melon to the overall nutrition and wellbeing of everyone includes;
1. It presents an opportunity to people who have been diagnosed of diabetes or high blood sugar while still enjoying a fairly sweet taste of the fruit.
2. It contains a light green pigment called zeaxanthin, powerful antioxidant that have been found to be helpful to protect vision.
The vitamin A present in it also beneficial for vision, maintain the health of the skin and boost up the function of the immune system.
3. It is a rich source of vitamin C, an antioxidant which helps to boost levels of collagen, protein that gives skin its youth and firmness.
4. It plays an important role in controlling blood pressure and acts as a host of other critical body function since it is an excellent source of potassium.
5. It is also a good solution for growing babies because of it abundance of vitamins and minerals. It assists in preventing diseases.
6. It is good for pregnant women as it contain nutrients, antioxidants, fiber and folates which promotes rapid division of your latent cells.
7. It is good for those that wants to lose some pounds of fat because it is a low calorie food with high fiber.
Golden melon is a fruit for all. Look around when driving or walking around any market, you might be lucky to see the golden melon fruit, do not forget to buy one for me, I will sincerely appreciate it and pray for you. Thanks

Natural hair: Natural remedies for hair growth (part 2)

There are no shortcut to growing luscious, long hair. Your general health and wellbeing affect your rate of hair growth. You can encourage your hair growth by maintaining healthy hair through a good diet and proper hair care.
For healthy hair, eat healthy diet, abolish junk and processed foods, aerated drinks, smoking and drinking, it will do your body and scalp good. Healthy diets for healthy hair includes: diet rich in protein, vital vitamins and minerals, food high in iron, zinc, copper, selenium and magnesium, and also food rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Below are some lists of food you can eat for healthy long hair.
1. Protein rich foods- soybeans, eggs, chicken and kidney beans are the richest source of protein of hair. It is essential to take protein rich foods to maintain hair growth since our hair consist of a protein called ‘keratin’.
2. Foods that contain vitamin A- carrots, mango and pawpaw are fruits rich in vitamin A. they promote hair growth when taken in the right quantities, too much of it can cause hair loss.
3. Vitamin B rich foods- oatmeal, beans, chicken, potato and banana are rich in vitamin B. vitamin B is responsible for the production of haemoglobin in the blood, which improves blood circulation ultimately leading to a strong, healthy hair.
4. Vitamin C rich foods- mostly citrus fruits like orange, grape, lemon, guava etc. They help in collagen production thereby promoting hair growth.
5. Foods rich with vitamin E- cereals, soybean oil, and sunflower oil contain good amount of vitamin E. The scalp capillary function is stimulated by the intake of vitamin E in your diet. It plays a vital role in improving blood circulation to the scalp.
6. Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acid- tuna, salmon and sardines are rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 is one of the essential fatty acids our hair needs to be healthy. Walnuts, almond nuts, flaxseed, canola oil, shrimps, lobster and crab are also sources of omega 3. It promotes the production action of hormones that affect the health, tone, sheen and integrity of your hair. Also the source of the body’s natural lubricant for the scalp and big contributor to the sebaceous gland responsible for feeding hair follicles.
7. Food rich in minerals like iron (green vegetables), zinc, selenium, magnesium and copper are also good for your hair health or better still, get a supplement that contain all these minerals.
Alternative to diet is herbal supplements. They are as follows:
1. Aloe- it is excellent in the promotion of hair growth. It helps by stimulating blood circulation along the scalp. Adding pure aloe vera gel to the scalp on a regular basis will help. Mixing with coconut milk is a great hair growth remedy.
2. Ginkgo biloba- it increases blood flow to the brain and also correct deficiency that is present in the hair.
3. Ginseng- it is a popular Chinese herb that helps to stimulate hair growth. It is also known as hair tonic.
4. Evening Primrose Oil- it also stimulate hair growth.
Others includes biotin, folic acid, green tea etc. you can always get all these supplements from the nearest pharmacy store close to you.
Better looking hair can start at your next meal. Just like every other part of your body, the cells and processes that support strong, vibrant and healthy hair depend on a balanced diet. Take balanced diet and get the desire supplements your hair needs to grow healthy.

NATURAL HAIR: HOME REMEDIES FOR HAIR GROWTH [PART 1]

Going the natural way! We love our hair. Hair health plays the deciding role in factors like styling and personality. Few of the common hair problems faced by all includes; hair fall, damage and dandruff. Hair fall used to be a sign of ageing, pollution, hectic lifestyle and never-ending work stress paves way for hair fall.
Instant results is not the right solution for healthy hair. Each strand of our hair goes through 3 stages in its entire cycle: The anagen stage [when hair growth is actually seen]. The anagen stage [more of a transitional phase] and the catagen phase [renting phase which lasts for about 2-4 months]. Why move from natural remedies to chemical treatment looking for instant results. It is time to bring back the age old solutions.
There are many remedies from nature that deliver great results for natural hair. They are;
1. Kitchen ingredients
2. Diet
3. Oil treatment
4. Natural solution.
Today, we will consider kitchen ingredients that are healthy for natural hair and how to use them. They are;
1. Apple cidar vinegar- it maintains the pH balance of the hair accelerating hair growth and gently cleanses the scalp. Mix 75ml to 1 litre of water. Use apple cidar vinegar as a final rinse after washing your hair to get healthy and shiny hair.
2. Coconut milk- it is rich in proteins, iron and other essential nutrients. Extract milk from coconut and apply on your hair, keep it overnight, rinse off with cold water the next morning.
3. Egg mask- egg is one of the best ingredient that promote hair growth because of its high protein content. Mix the white part of egg with olive oil and honey, mix thoroughly to form a smooth paste and apply over your hair. Leave for 20 minutes, rinse with cold water and shampoo it off.
4. Onion juice- oldest home remedy for hair growth because it is rich in sulphur which boosts collagen production in the tissues and help in hair re-growth. Use red onions, squeeze out its juice, apply on your scalp carefully and keep for 15 minutes, finally rinse off with mild shampoo.
5. Amla- it is the powerhouse of anti-oxidant and vitamin c. it promote hair growth and also improves the pigmentation of the hair. Available in oil.
6. Garlic- it boosts the regeneration of new hair and promotes the scalp circulation. Boil a few cloves of crushed garlic in coconut oil or olive oil, apply to the root of your hair, wash off properly. Use 3 times a week for best results.
7. Green tea- rich in antioxidants. Apply warm green tea all over scalp, leave it for an hour, rinse off with cool water.
8. Potato juice- potato is rich in vitamin A, B and C, all of which are essential for healthy and strong hair. Get potato juice by extracting, apply juice on scalp. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off with shampoo.
9. Hibiscus flower- it is used to enhance hair growth and curing dandruff. Thickens the hair and prevents pre-mature ageing. Make paste of hibiscus flower, mix with coconut oil, rinse with mild shampoo
10. Vitamin E oil – rich in antioxidant, and this help to fight free radicals.  Helps in increasing oxygen in the body and do increases the blood circulation in the scalp.  Massage Vitamin E oil onto the scalp, leave it overnight, wash off with a mild shampoo the next day for soft and smooth hair.
Watch out for other natural products you can use.

Week 12 games of the EPL

In the week 12 games we didn't record more goals, as compared to some previous weeks. After going 3 games without recording a goal, and was about making it 4 before Wayne Rooney showed up. This has been the story of Manchester United in the past few weeks of games. United took on West Brom at Old Trafford. United were given the lead by their new shinning light in Lingard, while Juan Mata scored the second from the spot to end the game 2-0 in favour of the Red Devils.
Even though we expected Southampton to defeat Sunderland, we never expected it to be this close in terms of score line. Despite
Sunderland defeated Newcastle in their derby, Southampton are in a
good run of form. Southampton won 1-0 away from home.
The poor form of Chelsea continued when they were hosted by Stoke
City. Chelsea having lost 6 games in the league prior this game, were
hoping to win the game to kick start their own season, but it wasn't
meant to be as Stoke who had earlier dumped them out of the Capital one cup, defeated them again in the League 1-0.
Table topper Manchester City  could not breakdown the defense of Aston
Villa to the surprise of many. Before the game, it wasn't a question
of would City win? It was a question of how many goals would they
score. City couldn't get the services of Aguero and Silva, they still
lost their second striker Bony to injury in the course of the game.
The game eventually ended in a stalemate.
Liverpool welcomed Crystal Palace to Anfield. After defeating Chelsea
in their last league game, we knew Palace were going to give them a
run for their money, which they did, by defeating Liverpool by 2-1 at
Anfield. Thereby delegating Klopp to his first defeat.
The north London derby has always been a clash with great excitement.
Arsenal hosted Tottenham, with Tottenham hoping to get a positive
result for their poor record against Arsenal. Kane gave Tottenham the
lead, but they couldn't hold on for a win. Substitute Gibbs gave
Arsenal a point in the derby to finish 1-1.
Man Utd 2-0 WBA
Sunderland 0-1 Southampton
Stoke 1-0 Chelsea
Aston Villa 0-0 Man City
Liverpool 1-2 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham
Now we take a look at our biggest loser and biggest winner. It was a
close one between Liverpool and Chelsea for the biggest loser, we pick Chelsea for not having a goal, unlike Liverpool. Our biggest winner is Man Utd.
Can Utd sustain this momentum?

Week 10 games of the EPL

The giant killers have done it again. After defeating Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City. Chelsea were the latest big team to be defeated by West Ham United, thereby compounding the woes of Jose Mourinho, after struggling with Chelsea this season. A late Carroll goal ended the game 2-1 in favour of West Ham. The next game would determine whether Mourinho remains the boss at Chelsea.
When Arsenal are in such great form, they are practically unplayable.
Mid-week, they defeated almighty Bayern. Everton knew before the game that they stand no chance of winning, a draw would have pleased them.
Tottenham thrashed Bournemouth 5-1, with Harry Kane bagging a hat-trick. The much anticipated and over hyped Manchester derby didn't live up to its billing, as the game ended in a stalemate, to the disappointment of many, despite being the most expensive Manchester derby ever.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool recorded their third consecutive draws.
Benteke came off the bench to give them the lead, but a late equalizer
from Mane gave Southampton a point.
West Ham 2-1 Chelsea
Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Tottenham 5-1 Bournemouth
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
Liverpool 1-1 Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur were the biggest winners of this week while Chelsea
are the biggest losers for their loss.

Natural hair headache!

Hair is hair whether natural or relaxed, and yes, you are going to have some issues concerning it from time to time. It takes some work for you to keep your natural hair tidy and good looking and it has to be done correctly.
There are few issues that can or will arise when dealing with natural hair especially for newly naturals. They are:
1. Question of "where do I start?" You can't shy away from this question. If you have never dealt with natural hair, then you are going to be clueless. You will need to search on web or go to natural hair salon.
2. You may not like what you are getting from being natural. Yes, hair changes with time. It could be hormonal or it could be that your hair needs to get used to a different way of being treated, but whatever the reason, newly naturals can become very different in a few weeks, months or years. Take note!
3. Dealing with the transition period. This is for those transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair. If you need to keep your hair length and not cut it, you will have to work with 2 different texture of hair and figure out how to deal with it. You may try a protective style like braids or weaves. It's hard but fret not, you are not alone and there's help.
4. Buying new products. Trust me, you will definitely need natural hair care products to take good care of your natural hair. There is a difference between relaxed hair care products and natural hair care products because most of these products are made for chemically treated hair.
5. Expensive hair care products. Although, this solely depends on the individual but then most of these natural hair care product are damn expensive. You can get cheaper product if you can't get expensive ones. The list of natural hair care products is growing but let's face it, it may take a while for you to find what works best for you. Meanwhile, you have growth frustration. My dear, don't worry, you will find the holy grail soon enough.
6. Detangling - it is a big issue for quite a few naturals and some struggle through it while others may just quit the natural hair journey. This is where the use of water is necessary. Natural hair needs and loves water. It is very essential.
I believe most naturals would agree that being natural is worth all the headaches in the world.
Don't get discouraged. Stay tuned!

Natural hair: Know your hair type

What is natural hair type? This question can determine a lot about your daily styling routine. Knowing your hair type is basically knowing your natural texture. Your head could have a mix of 2 or 3.
There are four types of hair with 3 sub types each. They are:
1. Type 1 hair which are generally greasy, lifeless, frizzy and oily could be 1A, 1B or 1C. Type 1 hair are straight hair and their texture differs with type. Type 1A hair are fine, very thin, soft with a noticeable shine. 1B has medium textured and more body than type 1A. 1C types are most resistant to curly styling and relatively coarse compared to other type 1 hair.
2. Type 2 hair- they are basically wavy hair. It could also be 2A, 2B or 2C. Type 2A is relatively easy to handle from a styling perspective because it can be straightened or curled. 2B has waves that tend to adhere to the shape of your head and 2C is fairly coarse and will frizz easily.
3. Type 3 hair - type 3 hair are curly hair. Type 3A hair is very shinny and loose. Type 3B has medium amount of curls, ranging from bouncy ringlets to tight corkscrews. Type 3C has tight curls that looks like cockscrew.
4. Type 4 hair - this is the kinky type of hair. Most common hair type found in blacks (the African american hair). It is the coarsest and driest of all hair types. It is very hard to get moisture to the scalp and maintain shine because of the many twists and turns of the texture type. The hair also tends to shrink, making it very hard to determine the actual length of the hair. Type 4A is full of tight coils and follows s- pattern shape while type 4B has a less defined pattern of curls and looks more like a "Z". Type 4C is not a common hair type.
Finding your hair type is definitely not the 100% solution to understanding your hair but it does provide you with a good starting point. It will enable you choose more suitable products and will help provide you with guidance for how you should care for your hair.
How do i discover my hair type? To discover your hair type, wash your hair and examine your strands in the mirror without any styling products.
Knowing your hair type is essential and very useful.

Hydroquinone: stay away from it

Hydroquinone is a tropical agent for reducing skin pigmentation. It is available over-the-counter strength up to 2% and higher concentration (4%) by prescription.
How does it work?
Hydroquinone works by denaturing the melanin-protein complex, causing decolouration of the skin. It also works by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme, as well as the synthesis of the protein associated with melanin.
People typically use hydroquinone to lighten areas of skin affected by hyperpigmentation disorders, as well as the freckles and age spots.
If you are thinking about using hydroquinone; there are different reasons you should stay away from it.
1. Ochronosis - a long term disease condition that is caused by exposure to certain chemicals. When this occurs, the skin becomes darker and thicker than normal.
2. Allergic reaction - it can cause extreme redness, itching or even  severe burning and stinging sensation.
3. Photosensitivity - hydroquinone can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Exposure to UV light can cause severe sunburn when using hydroquinone.
4. Carcinogenic property - hydroquinone makes your skin lighter by reducing the amount of melanin your skin produces. However, doing this makes your skin more susceptible to UV rays that can lead to dangerous sunburn, and over a prolonged time, there will be increased risk of certain types of skin cancer.
Make the safe decision, and avoid topical skin lightening products that contain hydroquinone, even in small concentration.

Week 9 games of the EPL

With the international break now over, we can now sit back, relax and
enjoy our club football. The week 9 games started with a litmus test for the new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Tottenham Hotspur welcomed Liverpool to white Hartlane. The game was a drab affair. Klopp shouldn't be too bothered about the outcome of this encounter considering the records of his predecessors in their first games in charge of Liverpool.
Man City came out smoking, capitalising on their last game against Newcastle. Though the likes of Kun Aguero and David Silva were lost to injuries during the international break, it was an opportunity for Bony and Sterling to stand up and be counted, which the did. Raheem Sterling bagged his first hat-trick, while Bony got a brace to hand Bournemouth a 5-1 bashing.
Everton had been a thorn on Man Utd's flesh. United had not find joy
visiting Everton, they practically lost their last three encounter without even registering a single goal in those encounter. Today, United broke the jinx with a resounding 3 nil victory over Everton, with goals from Schneiderlin, Herrera and Rooney. Rooney's goal brought him joint second with Andrew Cole on the League table of top scorers ever.
Chelsea were able to grind out a win against lowly Aston Villa even in
the absence of Jose Mourinho. The returning Diego Costa gave them the
lead, with Villa conceding an own goal to end the game 2-0.
Southampton surrendered a two goal lead to end the game against
Leicester City in a 2-2 draw. Vardy continued in his spectacular form
by grabing a brace.
Watford couldn't help but taste defeat against a rampant Arsenal side. Though it took Arsenal over an hour to record their first goals courtesy of Sanchez. Giroud and Ramsey scored to make it 3 goals 3points against Watford.
Our biggest winner for this week is Man City for their 5-1 demolition
of Bournemouth. Choosing our biggest loser was a bit difficult, but
Tottenham should take it for not scoring a goal at home against
Liverpool.
I think the league is Arsenal and Man City to lose.

Global Hand washing Day: Raise a hand for hygiene!

Global Hand washing Day takes place 15th of October of every year. It was first held in 2008. It is an annual global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding the importance of hand washing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Global Hand washing Day is designed to foster and support a global and local culture of hand washing with soap; shine a spotlight on the state of hand washing around the world and raise awareness about the benefits of hand washing with soap.
Hand washing is an easy way to prevent infections. Frequent washing of hands is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick or spreading illnesses.
As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, mouth or nose. Washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.
Always wash your hands before:
1. Preparing food or eating.
2. Inserting or removing contact lenses.
3. Giving medicine, treating wounds or caring for the sick or injured person.

Always wash your hands after:
1. Preparing food.
2. Using the toilet or changing diaper/napkins.
3. Touching an animal, toys or waste.
4. Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands.
5. Treating wounds or caring for the sick.
6. Handling garbage, household or garden chemicals, or anything that could be contaminated.
7. Shaking hands with others.
With the short and simple act of hand washing, you could stop a child from vomiting, help hundreds to avoid diarrhoea and food poisoning, and even prevent the outbreak of flu.
Notes:
1. Use soap and warm running water to wash your hand and wash for at least 10secs.
2. Supervise young children while washing their hands and don’t use a single damp cloth to wash a group of children’s hands.
3. Keep the surface areas in your home and office free of germs by cleaning them. Telephones, keyboards, light switches and door knobs are especially important to keep clean.
4. Throw away tissues as soon as you use them. Do not squeeze into your hands.
5. Hand sanitizers can be used when their is no access to soap and water.
6. Drying your hands properly is as important as washing them.
Hand washing is extremely important but sadly most people don’t realise this.
Don’t underestimate the power of hand washing! The few seconds you spend at the sink could save you the trips to the doctor’s office. Raise a hand for hygiene!