tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90726124503823822552023-11-16T01:20:12.762-06:00Goddess ThoughtsCommunity. Culture. Life.Gap-toothed Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09150251741286667374noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072612450382382255.post-86296773614612039052010-09-29T20:04:00.000-05:002010-09-29T20:04:13.529-05:00I've Got a Big EgoSoooooooooooo... I just watched the movie <em>Revolver</em>. Very good movie. I had to put my Building Websites for Dummies book down to give this my full attention. Now I must say I did cheat a little. Somebody did hip me to what this movie was about but it didn't spoil it at all. As I got deeper into the film, the more I could see how correct this person was, the more I liked the film. I'm about to spoil it for you. The film, <em>Revolver</em>, is about overcoming or controlling your ego. <br />
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I will not get in the plot of the film. I've already exposed the most important part. This post is to talk about the difference between pride and ego and how to control both or at least the latter. Too much pride might as well equal ego and some of us know how it is dealing with somebody with a huge ego. Do not let Beyonce mess your mind up. Having a big ego IS NOT a good thing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9BGzOe1jEm8ModBh3ewEw3JBHx0RJVzNhwPSq1C7RxNxQPj3b1wHdMQdLHd22w-IxnaXHWt-gtI4HKXGoRaUD2_5csDlnQgTBKrKr7zzbHMOPFslcQ5ciJxEh11D2w2HDfmw49HONIc/s1600/ego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9BGzOe1jEm8ModBh3ewEw3JBHx0RJVzNhwPSq1C7RxNxQPj3b1wHdMQdLHd22w-IxnaXHWt-gtI4HKXGoRaUD2_5csDlnQgTBKrKr7zzbHMOPFslcQ5ciJxEh11D2w2HDfmw49HONIc/s320/ego.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />
Pride is said to be selfless, a pleasure in your accomplishments with humility. Ego is selfish as hell and is said to be self-intoxicating. People with huge egos are usually the most insecure individuals around. You know who I'm talking about, maybe you are who I'm talking about... I know I've been there. Those with healthy pride are selfless. They understand their life and the things done are bigger than themselves. The egotistical ones can usually be found belittling somebody they feel they are above.<br />
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Your ego will destroy everything you work toward if not controlled. Your love life will be destroyed by ego, thinking something is always wrong with them...it's never you. Your career will be sabotaged by ego, they can't fire you they need you to run the company smoothly. That kind of thinking is ego. The egotistical are always looking for approval from external sources instead of approving themselves. They need those ego boost to breathe!!! Ego must be checked, told who runs this thing called life, and broken down to obey or to nothing at all. How do you do that? How do you stop your ego from keeping you single, unemployed, friendless?<br />
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Number One: STOP comparing yourself to others. STOP. STOP. STOP. It is nothing but a game your ego plays to tell you why you're better than others. I caught myself playing this game today on the way to sign up for a new membership at a gym. Me, Miss Natural Black America, see another sister with her blonde hair, hazel eyes, and false lashes and think 'Why can't she just accept who she is?' In actuality, she may be a person who is comfortable who she was dressed today. But the fact that I caught myself comparing myself to her and in a sense spitting on her "Westernized appearance" showed an insecurity in myself. In hindsight, I see that was all ego this morning. Comparing yourself to others in rarely done in a positive manner. Rarely do you hear somebody look for the things in another person that will make themselves look bad. No, people look for ways to make themselves feel better. Be comfortable in yourself and who you are.<br />
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Number Two: MEDITATE!!! I. Am. Struggling. With. This. I intend to continue to practice until I get it right. They say going within yourself and learning to quiet and control your mind help control the ego. In Revolver one of the most powerful line was when the main character tells himself/ego, "You don't control me. I control you." Eyes closed, calm breaths, calm tone and what did his ego do? Flip the hell out! It knew the jig was up. We have to learn how to control ourselves. Meditation is a great tool that helps with that.<br />
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Any thoughts on the ego and how it can be tamed? I'd love to read them. <br />
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Peace...Gap-toothed Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09150251741286667374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072612450382382255.post-14571074033709588552010-09-29T00:21:00.000-05:002010-09-29T00:21:34.186-05:00What is Your Purpose?I have been on hiatus from this blog for a few months. A LOT has been learned...soaked in since the year started and I am trying to wrap my mind around everything I've learned. It is intense, in a sense, because I thought I found myself years ago and there I go wanting to learn and know more and here I am with all of what I have learned and trying to figure out how I FEEL about these things. (If that makes any sense.) <br />
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The title of this post... What is Your Purpose? I've been asked this a few times this Summer, by myself and others. I remember putting in an email to someone that I am a healer... that is my purpose. That is something I feel in my heart. Choosing my current profession, being interested in Naturopathic medicine, choosing to heal aspects (such as financial, dietary, career, etc because I feel ANY dysfunction in these aspects is a dis-ease in that area & it needs to be healed) of myself, and most importantly wanting to share healing with others, especially Black Women show that this is something I feel strongly about. Another purpose, rebuilding the Black community (which I cannot do alone). This, right here, has been on my heart for years. And not being sure where or how, I've been led to a powerful group, for lack of better word, that keep me focused on this purpose.<br />
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When asked what their purpose is, many people draw a blank. Some have not even thought about it. They walk aimlessly through life hoping somebody will stop them outside of Starbucks and tell them what they're supposed to be doing. In the book The Spirit of Intimacy by Sobonfu Some, it is stated that children tell their village what their purpose is before leaving the womb. If this is possible, if you believe it, then you know what you're hear to do before your first breath. Why are you fighting it? That thing that you constantly push to the back burner, afraid of ridicule. What you may stay up late at night researching. The tug in your stomach, the book that piqued an interest that has always been there... that is your purpose.<br />
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How do you find this? I can't answer that for you. You have to ask yourself what you are here to do. Meditate on it. The answer will come to you. Some say you can figure this out in twenty minutes. Here's what they say to do: <br />
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<blockquote>"1.Take out a blank sheet of paper or open up a word processor where you can type (I prefer the latter because it’s faster).<br />
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2.Write at the top, “What is my true purpose in life?”<br />
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3.Write an answer (any answer) that pops into your head. It doesn’t have to be a complete sentence. A short phrase is fine.<br />
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4.Repeat step 3 until you write the answer that makes you cry. This is your purpose."</blockquote>I didn't cry when I discovered I want to "heal"... should I check my purpose? No. lol You may not cry. What do you feel strongly about? Educating children the proper way and not the way they do in public schools? Dropping knowledge in a poetic form that would make Jill Scott bow down? Your purpose will not be as profound as Mother Theresa's. Don't expect it to be. Your life is all about what works for you. Not what you've been told to believe, feel, or say... Nobody but nobody can tell you why you are here. That is between you and The Creator. Get quiet, go within, and find yourself.<br />
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Come back soon for my posts on Debt and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.Gap-toothed Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09150251741286667374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072612450382382255.post-42504826676121531062010-07-21T17:31:00.000-05:002010-07-21T17:31:46.074-05:00Financial Growth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4_QVwQYS1bqCNEtY_6BwCvjSxOGd9a5k8h4Bz-hq9DuFc435TVX6WyesHHINj6GVNNKw0zgIx-L2hd7DRjaV4W0jlj7rkteuMm-8hF-qwoNKaANun4IoTYoiG668IWFfO8TcaWvkG2w/s1600/money_heart1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4_QVwQYS1bqCNEtY_6BwCvjSxOGd9a5k8h4Bz-hq9DuFc435TVX6WyesHHINj6GVNNKw0zgIx-L2hd7DRjaV4W0jlj7rkteuMm-8hF-qwoNKaANun4IoTYoiG668IWFfO8TcaWvkG2w/s200/money_heart1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
This post is off the top of my head, so walk with me as I think...aloud.<br />
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My best friend and I just started having "meetings" via yahoo IM to discuss life. Life goals and how we are to go about accomplishing these tasks. Most of my goals are financial. At 27, I am nowhere near where I want or hoped to have been financially. The beauty is, I am young enough to change that. I want to share my financial journeys in hopes that it will not only help keep me accountable but help somebody that needs to help themselves financially.<br />
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I searched for financial blogs geared toward Black women....... didn't find any. Funny. An article I read recently put the average net worth for today's sista at a whopping $100. Add our cars, if we own one, and it may go up to $5000. Now, if $100 is the average, how many of us have a negative net worth? So why don't we have any financial blogs for us? If there are some, please point me in their direction. This sh*t is making me nervous but they say being nervous means you're doing something right, right? Do what scares you. Putting myself on a budget scares me. So much so, I asked my friend if I can call it a "spending plan" just to make me feel better. Hope that works. <br />
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They say the best way to become financially fit, to straighten up these tangled wires in our finances is to seek advice. I've found some quotes that I am going to use to keep myself in check. Even found a net worth and budgeting worksheets that I will share with you. I don't know if I will give y'all the details of my finances but... I will definitely share the journey. Maybe I'll call the posts "Mind on My Money" with whatever subtitle works for that day. *shrug* Who knows? I will be sharing some of my goals, starting with becoming financially stable. I'm not as bad as I was (and trust me... I was horrible with money) but nothing is planned. I spend as I go and when it's time to look at where it went, I don't. That makes me still kind of bad with the green.<br />
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My ultimate goal is to make sure my children's children's children have nothing to worry about. Other races pass money down from generation to generation. Not enough black people do that.<br />
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So take this ride with me to a future of prosperity and wealth and FREEDOM!!!<br />
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Next time on My Mind on My Money... DEBT! (yeah, I said it.)Gap-toothed Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09150251741286667374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072612450382382255.post-18454593645674815012010-06-08T22:50:00.002-05:002010-06-08T23:11:02.992-05:00Community: Who Do You Think You're Fooling?<div><span style="color: #38761d;">**I wrote this this past weekend after hearing some disturbing info on the Aiyanna Jones case. Excuse the delay in posting.**</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">One of my biggest pet peeves is having my intelligence insulted. I can't stand when men do it, go off when the job does it, and find myself pissed beyond relief when "authority figures" (i.e. government and police) insult the intelligence of a race. The police... this whole Aiyanna Jones issue is getting out of hand and I just want to know who in the hell does the Detroit Police Department think they're fooling?</span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: #38761d;">If you haven't heard about Aiyanna Jones, I am not surprised. The media, at least nationally, doesn't cover this story. You won't see this innocent child's face on Nancy Grace either. Don't worry, I'll break this down as briefly as I can. The incident happened early, extremely early, Sunday, May 16th. Detroit Police raided a duplex in search of a suspect in a murder case of 17 year old, Jerean Blake. During the raid, seven year old Aiyanna Jones was shot and killed. At first, all of the info was sketchy. It was said in the beginning, that police had a struggle with Aiyanna's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, resulting in the accidental discharge of the officers weapon. Then the truth came out. First 48, a series on A&E, was taping the Detroit Police Department the night of the raid. There was no struggle at all with Ms. Jones. The DPD had been caught on tape attempting to cover up this crime! Blame grandma. Then it came out that the DPD had the wrong apartment/unit. The suspect was apprehended upstairs. The tape recorded by First 48 showed DPD throwing a flash grenade through the front window onto the couch that Aiyanna and Ms. Jones were sleeping on. The tape also showed an officer firing a shot before even entering the apartment. That shot killed Aiyanna. After an autopsy, it was concluded that the bullet entered Aiyanna's neck and exited her neck. Now, sources (most likely sources at DPD) are naming Charles Jones, Aiyanna's father, as a suspect in the Jerean Blake case. So, again, who does the Detroit Police Department think they are fooling?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Blame it on the grandmother. The first excuse of the DPD was to basically say, 'If grandma hadn't jumped up her grandbaby would still be alive.' Struggle or no struggle, are you trying to tell me that this officer is not capable of controlling his own weapon. Ms. Jones would've been tackled as soon as she touched the officer. I mean, they shoot before entering the house, it makes sense to believe that a struggle would've been halted before it even jumped off.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Charles Jones is now a suspect in a murder case in which the desired suspect has already been arrested. I'm going to tell you exactly what this is. Another cover up!!! One more attempt to blame the death of this child on anybody but those responsible, THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT!!! Please know and understand that the police have probably pressured the original suspect of Jerean Blake's case into cooking up a story involving Charles Jones. If this works, DPD will say Mr. Jones was an accomplice, that's how they ended up at the wrong unit, and that's how Aiyanna ended up shot. This blatantly disrespectful and dehumanizing. Who do y'all think you are fooling?!?!?! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">US. That's right. The police and media know that a large majority of us will ignore this tragedy because it isn't us. It isn't being blasted on BET. It's not your child. As long as it isn't on our front door, then it's all good. And as long as we continue to have that mentality, we'll continued to be fooled... and ignored. If you haven't, sign the petition to release the video recorded by First 48. It takes two minutes, if that, to go to </span><a href="http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/aiyanajones"><span style="color: #38761d;">http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/aiyanajones</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> and sign this petition. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">We have to stop letting the media, police, and government pull the wool over our eyes. There is something brewing, it's going to be ugly, and if we don't stand now, we will not be prepared.</span></div>Gap-toothed Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09150251741286667374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072612450382382255.post-61505040247569228592010-06-04T04:12:00.002-05:002010-06-04T04:12:49.326-05:00Changes...A change is coming to the Goddess Project... Actually, a few changes. Bare with me.Gap-toothed Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09150251741286667374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072612450382382255.post-14936104591263326482010-06-02T20:30:00.003-05:002010-06-03T02:04:01.987-05:00Affirmingly Creating Our Lives<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuosBZSFprbdLAICl2NmMgYJt5HyrozXblcpm_2LCkXPx-Y55Vsos5jqIxAzWeYIOi-1ZOFUaie-jfx1o6ZzNn3ON7Vic8SrolSrEPnhy-BVbAB7ROxWs3xejOnhpXYOH4Uadn2CYNxtM/s1600/affirmations.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478433026874343042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuosBZSFprbdLAICl2NmMgYJt5HyrozXblcpm_2LCkXPx-Y55Vsos5jqIxAzWeYIOi-1ZOFUaie-jfx1o6ZzNn3ON7Vic8SrolSrEPnhy-BVbAB7ROxWs3xejOnhpXYOH4Uadn2CYNxtM/s320/affirmations.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#003300;">All right! I have been on a positive kick for a grip and now it's time to give you some positivity. Lately, I have been reading, hearing, and knowing that our lives our a result of our thoughts, words, and deeds. We create our lives. The love we want, we bring into our lives. The career that holds our attention and passion, we created. The money in our bank account. The car we drive. The job we complain about. All of it, each and everything that is happening in this time on this earth, we asked for and got.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#003300;">For the past MONTH, I have been attempting to create affirmations to effect change in this life of mine. Everyday I look at this phone and ignore the reminder on the bottom telling me to create said affirmations. Subconsciously, I think I am afraid of the good these affirmations may do. Afraid of good? YES!!! Sometimes we get so comfortable and complacent in our lives that to do more... to receive more gives us an uneasy feeling. So this is what I learned about affirmations and by my next entry, I will have some to share with you.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#663333;">WHAT DO YOU WANT:</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#003300;">What do you want? From a new car (which is on my list) to the wealth of Bill Gates, you have to know <em>specifically</em> what it is that you want to happen. You have to know and you have to be willing to prepare to receive and maintain it. No general ideas. See and visualize the color, smell, feel, taste... whatever it takes for your mind to recognize your desire. You have to be able to call out what you are trying to encourage in your life.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#663333;">POSITIVE WORDS ONLY:</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#003300;">When you're ready to write you affirmations down, use all affirming or positive words. 'Not', 'won't', 'can't', are all negative. Saying "I won't gain any weight" will only cause you to gain weight. Use 'am' and 'have'. These are "now" words and will cause you mind and the universe to believe as if it already is. "I am losing weight," will get those pounds off. "I am confident in my power." Speak and think as if it already is. 'Will' and 'going' are future words. They will always delay your desire because your mind will always think it's <em>going</em> to happen instead of it is happening.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#663333;">OUT LOUD:</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#003300;">Say it out loud. The sound of your voice will only drive home what you are creating in your life. Shout it. Scream it. Whisper it, if in public. Just let your voice be heard. It's also good to say your affirmations aloud, in front of a mirror. Give yourself plenty of eye contact and repeat each affirmation at least three times... more for the ones you really want to happen ASAP. Your mind will see your face, your lips and voice forming these words and will eventually bow down to your will. It will feel hell uh weird at first but how bad do we want change. I'm sure embarrassing ourselves in front of ourselves is worth an abundant life.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#003300;">What are some of your affirmations? Which have worked? What hasn't? What other affirming practices do you use?</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#003300;">Divinely Thinking,</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#663333;">KLS</span></strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Gap-toothed Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09150251741286667374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072612450382382255.post-15209942830280777292010-01-14T13:56:00.007-06:002010-01-14T14:56:59.720-06:00Loving the Skin You're In<div><div>A week or so ago, I went on this rant on Twitter about going bra-less, squatting, basically taking better care of ourselves. All the RTs and agreements I got made me decided to blog about this stuff. People blog about relationships and what not all the time. I think we're all tapped out on the relationship advice. Hopefully, you will enjoy this approach and have fun with me. I will work hard at providing research for everything. Let's go!</div><div><br /><br /><br /><div>Goddesses & kings, do you know what you are putting on your bodies?! The soaps, shampoos, and moisturizers may smell heavenly but are they good for you? Is it really softening your skin or imbalances your hormones? Trust, there is not enough time in the day to break down every chemical in the skincare products we buy so I'll touch on two; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Mineral Oil.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) is a muhfuggin' trip!!! This ingredient is found in most of the body washes and shampoos on the market. Bet you didn't know it's a main ingredient in engine degreasers, car wash soaps, and garage floor cleaners. SLS is one of the most dangerous ingredients in skin care because the isht is corrosive... CORROSIVE!!! For real, you're using engine degreaser to wash your yoni! No wonder vaginitis & yeast infections pop up. SLS is used in lab testing to irritate the skin of animals and humans. The skin is an organ, people. It is our first line of defense against anything that can harm us. If SLS is stripping the skin or it's natural, protective oils, what's going to protect us? In shampoos, SLS strips and attacks the hair follicle causing hair loss! And here's the kicker... when SLS combine with some of the other chemicals in our body washes and what not, it can form Nitrates, a cancer-causing carcinogenic.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Now mineral oil... This is found in baby oil, lotions, creams, etc. and it is something else we should leave alone. Mineral oil is what is left over from gasoline. Oh... Yes... That stuff you're rubbing on yourself and child is what you put in your car. It is expensive to dispose of and since it can't be dumped into the earth they package it and sell it to us to dump on our skin. As I said before, the skin is our first line of defense and absorbs just about everything we put on it. Our skin can't process mineral oil so it sends it to the liver where it cannot be processed again so it gets stored as fat. This creates hormonal imbalances. Dermatitis, skin infection, is also caused by mineral oil. Absorption of excessive mineral oil deprives the body of essential vitamins and clogs the pores. It's not healthy, no matter how good it smells.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>So what are some awesome substitutes? Coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, cocoa & shea butters.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1StwLxBv-tILTt-t7dOkx7G8v4w3d90TSkzGLGtV6G1hyosZpTivoQgQYdLzIv4uhYx5OFzI-9MHLDKNZOitqB81dJZTB4GrtoLgxw8zVyFqGVz8hKVMJhsodhuIUyDPc5A0S3_VBw4/s1600-h/47efd8f6a4e64.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1StwLxBv-tILTt-t7dOkx7G8v4w3d90TSkzGLGtV6G1hyosZpTivoQgQYdLzIv4uhYx5OFzI-9MHLDKNZOitqB81dJZTB4GrtoLgxw8zVyFqGVz8hKVMJhsodhuIUyDPc5A0S3_VBw4/s1600-h/47efd8f6a4e64.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426693805516968626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1StwLxBv-tILTt-t7dOkx7G8v4w3d90TSkzGLGtV6G1hyosZpTivoQgQYdLzIv4uhYx5OFzI-9MHLDKNZOitqB81dJZTB4GrtoLgxw8zVyFqGVz8hKVMJhsodhuIUyDPc5A0S3_VBw4/s320/47efd8f6a4e64.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Coconut oil is off the meter. The brand picture can be found at Walmart. This wonderful oil aids in weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion, and balancing cholesterol levels. With regular massage into the scalp, coconut oil can free you of dandruff, promote healthy hair growth, and give your strands a beautiful shine as well as load it with essential proteins. I use this directly after the shower while the skin is still open. The coconut scent lingers and who doesn't want to smell edible?! P.S. Coconut oil can be used as a lube... future blog.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />Olive oil is another awesome oil. It <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1KmReB5FaOCIrhcIvXHeNm_On0sSz0LAmYF-5qi_JV8KoBUcO-zWq06dEgsXm-x4Pc2yM9si0qMR5eu9Oi-Gttfgz1jooPOJtXdmBvpReKNi2ijnlEqk_tbZZQHM6bnZ0aKbeXoUolU/s1600-h/pompeianoliveoil-300x225.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426696598343774242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1KmReB5FaOCIrhcIvXHeNm_On0sSz0LAmYF-5qi_JV8KoBUcO-zWq06dEgsXm-x4Pc2yM9si0qMR5eu9Oi-Gttfgz1jooPOJtXdmBvpReKNi2ijnlEqk_tbZZQHM6bnZ0aKbeXoUolU/s320/pompeianoliveoil-300x225.jpg" border="0" /></a>prevent stretch marks and seal water into the skin. On the hair, olive oil prevents split ends. It is a natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. Olive oil is also a great source of vitamin E. The best oils to get are the Virgin or Extra Virgin "cold pressed" oils when it comes to coconut and olive oils. Pompeian, pictured, can also be found at Wally World.</div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /> </div></div><div><div>Jojoba(ho-ho-ba) oil mimics the sebum (oil) we naturally <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEZDNGOcQnR7O-UTSFaeJNLYc0mBnRvPs6fsLEaAHe3r7JmHcYcUXvZ7Une1nM4ei_y3yl8u22JrNqkQhvAB_TTuBvsWVsPSYWokw67OpxPE0dr1fMIaBghFu_25zgbSaKdmd7BF_7sQ/s1600-h/2110DE_Organic_JoJoba_Oil_4oz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426697892728940050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEZDNGOcQnR7O-UTSFaeJNLYc0mBnRvPs6fsLEaAHe3r7JmHcYcUXvZ7Une1nM4ei_y3yl8u22JrNqkQhvAB_TTuBvsWVsPSYWokw67OpxPE0dr1fMIaBghFu_25zgbSaKdmd7BF_7sQ/s320/2110DE_Organic_JoJoba_Oil_4oz.jpg" border="0" /></a>produce very closely. So when used on the face (one drop is more than enough), it balances the production of oil helping to calm and prevent breakouts. Who would've thought, oil to help fight acne! YES!!! The anti-bacterial properties also make jojoba oil great for the face. Jojoba oil can penetrate the hair effectively and treat dry skin & eczema. This brand I found at Whole Foods. I have oily skin and get breakouts but with this in the morning and shea butter at night my skin is a lot calmer.</div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdL-8xLqgiGiMvZ0Rl12htEMsZWd_dMWQlNXUrS71cCsLAgfsOxjF9QYkHryCSpcmGsl_dlotmEYtxsB-UC83uyuhyphenhyphen-DpzbgJL4GwUGvwdwYbE36Z6iFr70dHTlGUVwT53lpA7UUq5iyM/s1600-h/705px-Cocoa_butter_p1410148.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426700073671624066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdL-8xLqgiGiMvZ0Rl12htEMsZWd_dMWQlNXUrS71cCsLAgfsOxjF9QYkHryCSpcmGsl_dlotmEYtxsB-UC83uyuhyphenhyphen-DpzbgJL4GwUGvwdwYbE36Z6iFr70dHTlGUVwT53lpA7UUq5iyM/s200/705px-Cocoa_butter_p1410148.jpg" border="0" /></a>Cocoa butter, your mother told you about. It fades scars and stretch marks. But did you know it's an immune booster? Cocoa butter also relieves tired, achy muscles.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPg4RYYJoHV-lWxZfKUMPAk7mTNuWgU5Eklps3Oin_xE6JvFJ_ZGnYE3zlxgD3X6VdbOrkg-o8M12t3vWQ5973aEB1AZYMeoGXiXcyDU8FQozYqh5FO67INHLtxYrl_R3qswnRT0lrK4/s1600-h/thumbnail.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426700873075667634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPg4RYYJoHV-lWxZfKUMPAk7mTNuWgU5Eklps3Oin_xE6JvFJ_ZGnYE3zlxgD3X6VdbOrkg-o8M12t3vWQ5973aEB1AZYMeoGXiXcyDU8FQozYqh5FO67INHLtxYrl_R3qswnRT0lrK4/s200/thumbnail.jpg" border="0" /></a>SHEA BUTTER!!! This wonderful product from God diminishes wrinkles and promotes cell regrowth. It increases circulation to the skin and is a natural sunscreen. It has anti-microbial properties stopping bacteria & fungi and will not clog the pores. Natural shea butter has a nutty scent.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When buying any of these products, find the most untouched version on the market. Palmer's cocoa butter is a NO NO! All of those additives kill the butters or oils. A good jar or cocoa butter or shea butter can be found at any African retailer or Whole Foods. Prices will vary but it's worth it and the jars last FOREVER!!!</div><div> </div><div>I'm checking on natural fragrances. Soaps can be found at Whole Foods or check the Natural Beauty isle at Walmart or Target. Take small steps, goddesses. Your body will love you for it. Trust me.</div><div> </div><div>Next blog: Drop Down and Get Your Eagle On... (lol)<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1StwLxBv-tILTt-t7dOkx7G8v4w3d90TSkzGLGtV6G1hyosZpTivoQgQYdLzIv4uhYx5OFzI-9MHLDKNZOitqB81dJZTB4GrtoLgxw8zVyFqGVz8hKVMJhsodhuIUyDPc5A0S3_VBw4/s1600-h/47efd8f6a4e64.jpg"></a></div></div>Gap-toothed Goddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09150251741286667374noreply@blogger.com1