How To Market Your Blog (Part Three)
Catch up on the first two installments if you haven’t already!
Black Hair Care
Being my ethnicity (I am full, dark-skinned black) one thing I am most proud of is my hair. It’s so versatile. I can wear it kinky or stick straight, go a week+ without washing it (and you’d never tell the difference), relax it, or ‘fro it and stick it straight up on top of my head with zero product or effort.
I won’t lie, though. There are too many times that my hair just doesn’t do what I want! It won’t stay down, it won’t stay straight, or it won’t grow out as fast as I’d like. That’s why hair care specific to black beauty is crucial. We need different products and tools to get the most out of out hair, no doubt to it.
As with any ethnicity, hair care starts from the inside. No matter how you wash your hair or who your stylist is, your hair’s not going to be healthy or retain any growth unless you’re feeding it from the inside as well.
- Drink plenty of water. This will rid your body of impurities and toxins that could be stripping the health of your hair and stunting its growth. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
- Eat a high-protein, low sugar diet. Hair is made of proteins, so naturally eating lots of it will contribute to the strength of your hair. Try to aim for up to 100 grams of lean protein a day (protein powders can help).
- Take your vitamins. Vitamins are great for so many reasons! The key ‘hair’ vitamins you may want to take are:
- a multivitamin – contains all the basics
- B-complex – B12 is great for hair growth
- fish oil – moisturizes your hair and aids in growth
- biotin – thickens your hair which aids in growth
- there are many more options, but I would start with those
“Back to black.” Many would say that relaxing or adding extensions to our hair isn’t exactly showing ‘pride’ of it’s nature, but if we can modify or add to anywhere else on our bodies, it shouldn’t stop at our locks. You don’t need kinky hair to show that you care.
For those relaxed mavens who care about how to moisturize your hair, how to make your hair grow and glow, and other pampering techniques, these tips are for you.
Stock Up On Healthy Foods
Fortunately my will to be healthy hasn’t taken a backseat to my busy lifestyle lately. I tend to eat often throughout the day (about once every 2-3 or my body scolds me for it), so I need to make sure that a) these are healthy calories for fuel, b) they will be burned efficiently, c) they will keep me fuller, longer, and d) I’m not breaking the bank by spending on fast food or other pricey convenience meals.
If you were to raid my fridge after grocery day, these are foods you could find:
Essential
The above foods I try to keep stocked at all times. They are high in protein and fiber and only contain natural sugars. They are also foods that take little time to prepare (ideal for a busy OR lazy lifestyle).
Eggs –I’ll cook them up in different ways depending on my mood. My favorite thing to do is boil at least a dozen eggs at night, peel them, and store them in baggies in the fridge to snack on over the next couple days. This is a great way to up your protein for the day. Out of 12 eggs I’ll eat maybe three yolks.
Oatmeal or cottage cheese – Oatmeal is the leaner choice, but both are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and nutrients.
Apples – Green apples satisfy a sweet tooth. These are also conveniently portable.
Strawberries & bananas – Mmm, smoothies (made with soy milk).
Frozen skinless chicken and fish – Quick, healthy dinners can be built around these meats. Healthy sides include steamed broccoli or asparagus, long grain or jasmine rice, and sweet potatoes. Ginger, pepper, and cayenne are my favorite spices.
Preferential
Gardenburger veggie burgers – These are my favorite brand of veggie burgers and they’re lower in calories than Boca veggie burgers. Pop them in the microwave for a minute and they’re done! These are high in protein and fiber and they’re very taste.
Amy’s Pizza – If you’re a pizza lover like I am but want to avoid traditional frozen pizzas that are high in preservatives and processed toppings, Amy’s Pizza is a great pick. They taste amazing and I don’t have to feel as guilty eating the whole pie!
Snacks
Mrs. May’s Cashew Crunch – These are so yummy! Each little block or ‘crunch’ is the perfect combo of sweet and salty with a wholesome nutty taste. They are flavored with sea salt and natural cane sugar so I feel good about treating myself to these every now and again.
Kashi GoLean Honey Almond Flax Bars – I cannot eat just one no matter how hard I try! Fortunately they are chock full of soy protein, flax seeds, almonds, fiber, and many more nutritious goodies.
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