Growth hindering hair habit to do away with.

Sometimes we don’t always pursue the best habits for our hair and sincerely, we are all human and sometimes our hair can’t take first place. However, let’s commit to being better to our hair and retain as much growth as possible by leaving these hair habits behind:
1. Over manipulation – brushes, combs and even heat tools all take a toll on our hair. Detangle with your fingers first when it comes to detangling after washing. It will help you alleviate the majority of your tangles without pulling your strands. Then use a wide tooth comb for smoother results. Refrain from using combs and brushes as much as possible, use your fingers instead. It may be time consuming but it’s totally worth the time. Use heat tools minimally and with care when you do if length retention is your goal. You can blow dry your hair using cool air to cut down on the use of heat for maximum stretch without the extra stretch of heat usage. Always deep condition with protein before flat ironing.
2. Styling – protective styling is good, but we have to make sure we wear these styles properly and take sufficient breaks in between. You can wear braids for a month; allow your hair to be free for a month in between. This will allow you to properly moisturize your hair and do scalp massage for healthy hair growth.
3. Neglect – natural hair suffers when it is neglected. Don’t be surprised that your hair won’t be where you want it to be if you are not doing the necessary things you need to do like proper moisturizing, sticking to good hair regimen, taking your vitamins regularly, scalp massaging, wearing your satin or silk scarf etc.
4. Deficient trims – trimming is an essential part of any natural hair regimen. Make sure you get all of the hair that needs to be trimmed when you do. When you don’t trim, you end up with thin ends and before you know it, you will be in need of a haircut. Trim when necessary, but don’t allow three months to pass without ensuring your ends are at their best.
5. Rash hair decision – refrain from cutting and damaging your strands. Maintain your strands to successfully keep your hair healthy in the process. It is better to wait until you have obtained the length you’ve been striving for.
6. Comparing your hair to others – we all has a hair crush. One thing you must remember when driveling over your hair crush is to admire their hair, and not compare it to yours. Comparing your hair to others can make you discouraged about your hair and you may start to neglect it trying to achieve a particular look.
What are some hair habits you are leaving behind?

Beautiful but Modest

Every creature God created is beautiful the way He made it. The creator is pleased with the way he made the earth and all that’s there in it. All the other creatures were and are still happy with the way God made them and whatever He provided for them. But man is always looking for ways of improving upon or even completely changing the way God made him. The birds of the air do not complain about their feathers and grass of the field about their leaves. But human beings are forever looking for ways to “make up” their external appearance possibly to look beautiful in their own estimation.
God cares for our bodies. He who made the body knows what to do to sustain and maintain it. He feeds the birds of the air and clothes them with feathers in different colors. He clothes the lilies of the field daily, if God is concerned about ordinary grass which appears today, and tomorrow cast into the oven, how much more we His temple,  inside whose bodies He dwells. He knows what you need to care for your body in such a way that it will not decay but that it will function properly to serve him here on earth. Be content with what he provides for you to take care of your body. The gain in doing this is eternally unquantifiable.
God is still in the business of clothing His creatures today but in His own way. He made our bodies and they are good in his sight the way He made them. All we need to do is to maintain it at the barest cost that will make it functional. We have to avoid wasting our money, time and other resources.
You don’t have to spend all your money, time and resources to look beautiful. Just take care of yourself by simply being clean and approachable. General cleanliness of the body helps keep it healthy. Use mild soap for regular bathing. Avoid bleaching your skin with bleaching soaps and creams, because it has an unhealthy effect on your skin cells, and you may end up with skin cancer and eventually, untimely death.
Wash your hair regularly. Tidy it up and make it neat. You don’t need to chemically alter it before you can look beautiful. Remember, God made everything and he saw that it was very good. How do you look at your body and your hair? Look at it very well to see the natural beauty in it.
Dispose your body waste properly. Wash your hands with soap and water each time you use the toilet. It helps to wash away dangerous toilet germs. This is preventive and it is cheap and simple. It helps to maintain the health and beauty of the body.
Finally, dress to cover your nakedness. Don’t forget, you will be addressed the way you dressed. Originally, a dress is meant for covering nakedness. Body will never complain of any dress you use to cover it. It is only self (the flesh) inside that complains.
God made us simple. We are the ones who have made ourselves complicated. Lack of contentment about how God made us and the provision he makes for us is what causes us to make ourselves complicated. But godliness with contentment is great gain. If we allow God to meet our needs the way He desires, His will is the best for our lives.
Do not be high minded but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Allow God in your life.

Recipe for a healthy relationship

First of all, ask yourself what a real relationship is. You need to understand what your desires are from another person, and what you are willing to give them. By doing this, you will know if you are to continue and work towards a future together, and if the other person feels the same.
Once you have decided to have an official relationship, you both need to remember what brought the two of you together in the first place. It will help not taking each other for granted, which can often happen after two people have been together for a long time. This does not mean the love is fading, but there is lack of effort. Everyone is independent in their own beliefs and ideas about things, so never expect a person to always see things your own way. However, if you want to avoid frequent arguments, it is important to have similar expectations out of a relationship. There are few recipes that go into this tasty meal of healthy relationship. Let get started.
Freedom of love -Showing affection is really one of the key things that distinguishes a relationship from friendship and it is important not to let it fade. When love is present, the other entire recipe falls into place.
Honesty and truth-  a top priority for healthy relationship. You need to know that you can trust your mate because it builds a zone of safety and comfort around them. You should be able to rely on your loving partner to tell you the truth. Always confess your wrong doings to another after making mistakes.
Patience is one of the keys to a healthy relationship. There are times when your partner will not respond in a way in which is pleasing to you, but this doesn’t mean we have to take it so serious or personal. Always slow down and think of reasons why your partner may be acting a certain way. Assuming and jumping into conclusions is not the best because it shows your partner they can act freely. No matter what the situation may be, patience is golden in a relationship.
Appreciation- If too much time goes by where they don’t feel like their effort is appreciated, they are bound to slow down, stop and maybe leave. Every healthy relationship consists of two people who not only appreciate what their partner does, but also who their partner is. Learn how to appreciate.
Respect- Respect is the bowl that you used to mix all of these ingredients together, without the bowl, everything else just falls all on the floor and becomes one big mess.
If you are in a relationship, I hope you commit to loving your partner with honest heart, transparency, patience and a fully present mind.
Lastly, never forget to say I LOVE YOU, it can never be said too much.

Celebrating Valentine's day as single

Valentine’s Day is a day couples or love interests go all to express their love. It’s all good but what about those who are single? Can singles enjoy a day like Valentine’s Day? Yes.
After all, Valentine’s Day is all about love and you have to love yourself first before any other. It is OK to long for that special relationship if you are single but you have no reason to feel unhappy in the meantime. You should have a loving relationship with yourself if you are not in a relationship. Use Valentine’s Day as a time to pamper yourself and treat yourself to something you truly want and know that you deserve. Give yourself the attention and love you hope someone will give you one day. It all start with self love, if you are able to love and treat yourself well first, you will be able to do the same for others, and will also never settle for less than what you are used to giving yourself and know that you deserve.
You can be happy as a single on Valentine’s Day. Resist the pressure to couple up if it’s not the time for you, and celebrate the moment. Forget about mopping around this Valentine’s Day! Do something you enjoy doing and catch some fun for you. Some ideas on what you can do are:
1. Cook yourself a delicious and healthy meal, set a beautiful table, create a relaxing mood for yourself and cuddle up with a good book.
2. Stay indoors and watch movies of your choice, while munching some sweet treats.
3. Spread your love by sending out greetings for loved ones in your life or by extending love to the needy.
4. Splurge on a spa package. Relieve pain, reduce hypertension and boost immunity with a massage.
5. Be creative. Involve yourself with something you love doing that has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. It will put you in touch with how great your life is and remind you this is one day out of the year.
Love your singleness and think about the benefits of being single. For example, free time, no compromises on home front, no fighting over remote control, less responsibilities etc. Focus on the benefits rather than the drawbacks. Be happy within yourself.
Will all these lovers continue to whisper to each other’s ear sweet words? Will they keep surprising one another and trips down the memory lane? We all, as single or married can fall into a habit of not acknowledging the people who matter in our life. Why not use Valentine’s Day as a reminder to spend the rest of the year letting people know how much they mean to you. This will show your couple friends that love is everywhere.
Break away from tradition and reinvent the day as a reflection of who you are and a celebration of your life because who knows, next valentine’s day you may no longer be alone and may have someone in your life to treat.

Health benefits of African star apple (Agbalumo)

African star apple, botanically called chrysophyllum albidum is also known as African cherry fruit and white star apple. It is popularly called Agbalumo in the southwestern part of Nigeria and Udara in the southeastern part of Nigeria. It is associated with the dry season and has been enjoyed over the years by Nigerians as a fruit.

African star apple is mostly cultivated in the rural areas of the country and fully in season from January to April. Naturally, it’s advisable to let the fruit fall to the ground before harvesting but it is common practice for people to pluck it from the tree even when it has not ripened fully. This is one of the major reasons for its sour taste and slapping sensation when it is consumed. However when the fully ripe fruit is consumed, it is sweet, and sensitizes the taste buds of the eater. To crown it up, it is highly nutritious.

Previous studies indicate that the roots, barks and leaves of African star apple have been employed in folk medicine for the treatment of diseases. The bark is used for the treatment of yellow fever and malaria, while the leaf is used as an emollient and for the treatment of skin eruption, stomachache and diarrhea. The cotyledons from the seeds of African star apple are used as ointments in the treatment of vaginal and dermatological infections in Western Nigeria.

African star apples are a rich source of calcium (calcium lends strength to your bones and teeth, and it may also lessen symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, such as cramping and abdominal bloating). This fruit also contains good amounts of vitamins A and C (higher content of vitamin c than oranges or guava).  100g of the fruit gives 25mg of vitamin C. African star apples are also quite rich in iron (a mineral vital for oxygenating your body, that you need every day).

African star apples are low calorie foods and are rich in dietary fiber. Eating up to 3-5 fruits can give a feeling of being full and keep dieters from over-eating and consequently controlling calorie or food intake thereby helping to control or manage weight. It is also a good snacking fruit which can be used to stop hunger pangs.

Eleagnine was found to be the main compound responsible for its antimicrobial activity. Eleagnine was further shown to exhibit anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The seed cotyledon has been reported to possess anti-hyperglycemic (lowers high blood sugar) and anti-hyperlipidemic (lower blood cholesterol) effects.

Consumption of African star apple gives your body a better chance of fighting and avoiding heart disease, cancer etc. because it contains natural antioxidants. It is a very good recommendation for patient with heart problems and diabetic patient.

Its antibacterial properties is useful in the relief of tooth abscesses, intestinal/stomach upset, skin infection and diarrhea. Reduction of inflammation associated with laryngitis (sore throat) and pneumonia.

As with all fruits and food, moderation is the key. Do not consume African star apple excessively because it could lead to heartburn.  Enjoy… Don’t forget to share with me.

World Cancer Day 2016: We can, I can

Every February 4^th is world cancer day to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer. Theme for this year is “we can, I can”. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Cancer affects everyone, the young and old, rich and poor, women, men and children. The most frequent types of cancer differ between men and women. Deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue rising, with an estimated 13.1 million deaths in 2030.

Cancer, also known as malignant tumor or neoplasm, is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. There are over 100 cancers that affects human.

When cancer begins, it invariably produces no symptoms. Signs and symptoms only appear as the mass continues to grow depending on the type and location of the cancer. Possible signs and symptoms include: a new lump, a prolonged cough, change in bowel movements, unexplained weight loss etc.

90-95% cases of cancer are due to environmental factors. The remaining 5-10% is due to inherited genetics. Environmental factors such as lifestyle, economic and behavioral factors and not merely pollution. Common environmental factors that contribute to cancer include tobacco, infections (viruses, bacteria and parasites), lack of physical activity (negative effects on the immune and endocrine system), stress, radiation (ionizing, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation, medical imaging, radon gas, radio frequency, electric power transmission and radiation from mobile phones), diet and obesity (over nutrition, high-salt diet, aflatoxin) and environmental pollutants. It is nearly impossible to prove what caused a cancer in any individual, because most cancers have multiple possible causes. Some hormones play a role in the development of cancer by promoting cell proliferation. Obese people have higher levels of some hormones associated with cancer. Women who take hormone replacement therapy have a higher risk of developing cancers associated with those hormones.  

Most cancers are firstly recognized either through screening or appearance of signs and symptoms. People with suspected cancer are investigated with medical test s such as CT scans, endoscopy, blood tests and x-rays.

Cancer is considerably a largely preventable disease because most of the cancer cases are due to environmental risk factors which are controllable lifestyle choices.

Vaccines have been developed to prevent some carcinogenic viruses. They include Human papillomavirus vaccine (cervarix) which decreases the risk of developing cervical cancer. Hepatitis B vaccine which prevents infection with hepatitis B virus and thus decreases the risk of liver cancer.

Many treatment option for cancer exist, they include chemotherapy (treatment with one or more cytotoxic anti neoplastic drugs), radiation therapy (use of ionizing radiation to either cure or improve the symptoms of cancer by damaging the DNA of cancerous tissue), surgery (primary method of treatment), hormonal therapy, targeted therapy (form of chemotherapy that targets specific molecular differences between cancer and normal cells), alternative and complementary treatments and palliative care (action to reduce the physical, emotional, spiritual and psycho-social distress experienced by people with cancer). The treatments are used depending on the type, location and grade of the cancer. The treatment may be curative or not.

Just as cancer affects everyone in different ways, all people have the power to take various actions to reduce the impact that cancer has on individuals, families and communities.

We can inspire action and take action, stop the myths that lead to stigma against cancer patients, encourage schools to educate children on how to prevent cancer, create healthy environments, improve access to cancer care and work together for increased impact.

I can make healthy lifestyles choices, understand that early detection saves lives, ask for support and support others, love and be loved, return to work after cancer treatment, be myself, share my story and speak out.

World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do and take action. Whatever you choose to do ‘we can. I can’ make a difference to the fight against cancer.

Communication that improves relationships

Communication can be said to be a two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in which participants not only exchange information, ideas or feelings but also create and share meaning.

Relationships don’t exist in a vacuum. They exist between two emotional human beings who bring their own past experiences, history, and expectations into it. Two different people also have different levels of skill when it comes to communication. But better communication can be learned because it is a skill.

Communication either makes or breaks most relationships. You can improve your relationship today, right now, by putting into practice some of these tips for improving the communication in your relationship.

Be open and honest with your partner. Being open means talking about things you may have never talked about with another human being before in your life. It means being vulnerable and honest with your partner, completely. It means opening yourself up to possible hurt and disappointment. But it also means opening yourself up to the full potential of all a relationship can be. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it’s the key to a healthy relationship. Admit that you aren’t always perfect and apologize when you make a mistake instead of making excuses. You will feel better and it will help strengthen your relationship.

Pay attention to nonverbal signals. Most of our communication with one another in any relationship isn’t what we say, but how we say it. Nonverbal communication is your body language, the tone of your voice, its inflection, eye contact, and how far away you are when you talk to someone else. Learning to communicate better means that you need to learn how to read these signals as well as hear what the other person is saying. Reading your partner’s nonverbal signals takes time and patience, but the more you do it, the more accustomed you will be to what they’re really saying.

Stop and listen. Listening is a very important part of effective communication. A good listener can encourage their partners to talk openly and honestly. Tips for good listening includes showing genuine attention and interests, keeping genuine eye contact, leaning towards your partner to show genuine interest and concern and always ask for feedback from your partners.

Make your message clear. No matter how well you know and love each other, you cannot read your partner’s mind. We need to communicate clearly to avoid misunderstandings that may cause hurt, anger or confusion. Avoid talking about serious matters or issues in writing. Text messages, letters and emails can be misinterpreted. Talk in person so there aren’t any unnecessary miscommunications. When you talk to your partner, try to: Think about what you want to say and what you are feeling when you said it. Be clear about your message so that your partner hears it accurately and understands what you mean. Share positive feelings with your partner, such as what you appreciate and admire about them, and how important they are to you.

Stay focused. Sometimes discussions turn into arguments. To be respectful of one another and the relationship, try and keep the arguments focused to the topic at hand. 

Find the right time. If something is bothering you and you would like to have a serious conversation about it, make sure you pick the right time to talk. Don’t interrupt your partner when they’re watching a sports game, TV show, about to go to sleep or stressed about an upcoming test or event. Tell your partner you would like to talk later and find a time when you’re in the same room and not doing anything important. Don’t start serious conversations in public places unless you feel safe.

If your partner does something that makes you angry, you need to tell them about it. But you don’t have to do so right away. Remember your partner can’t read your mind. If you don’t speak up when you’re upset, there is no way for them to apologize or change. Once you do mention your hurt feelings and your partner sincerely apologies, let it go. Don’t bring up past issues if they’re not relevant.

It’s okay to get angry in a relationship. Everyone does at some point! What’s important is that you resolve fight in a healthy way. If you get angry with your partner, here are a few steps to take:

1.      Stop, take a step back and breathe. Give yourself time to calm down.

2.      Think about the situation and why you got so angry after you’re no longer upset.

3.      Talk to your partner and when you do, follow the tips above.

4.      Listen to what they have to say after you tell your partner how you feel. You both deserve the opportunity to express how you feel in a safe and healthy environment.

Communication is not about who is right or wrong, but instead about helping each other see things from each others perspective, so that you can be on the page and avoid any misunderstanding that will cause unneeded arguments. We can all learn how to improve the way we communicate.