I feel like I'm on the right track with my hair. I've been using protective styles to keep away from my hair as long as I could.   So far, I've worn two protective styles each lasting two weeks. Right now I'm on week 2 with my small twists.  I did these before Valentine's Day Weekend as a twist-out (to be cute :), then retwisted after the weekend.  The only problem I have is that I'm always feeling around for not-so-twisted twists, undoing them, and pulling at the hair to re-twist it.  So I don't feel like I'm "technically" letting my hair rest, but oh well.  It's always the week 2 of twists where my twists don't want to cooperate.  In the mornings after my rinse or conditioner wash, I mix my Elastica Mango Butter with some ORS Lock & Twist Gel and rub it through my wet twists.  I'll use my boar brush to lightly brush down the fluffs at the top of my head and tie it down lightly with a scarf for a little bit (I make sure not to leave my scarf on too long because I want my twists to dry freeform, not flat on my head).  And when I remember I'll rub my Protectiv over my ends. I'm also spraying this Dark & Lovely Naturals Citrus Braid spray in my twists.  All these products can be easily washed out with my conditioner washes.

I'm still doing this no-poo thang.  I'm actually almost done with my first VO5 Strawberries and can't wait to start on my Tangerines!   I also bought another conditioner that I saw at Costco that was shaped like a wine bottle and smelled minty--so I just had to grab it.  Also, Bath & Body Works had this $1 Conditioner (the size of your palm) that listed all these natural ingredients. I thought it was cute and got that to try.

I took my sis to the salon to get her braids in. Her hair has been breaking off from her bad relaxer. The braider, who saw her a year ago, even noticed that it hasn't grown. Unfortunately I can't see her everyday but try the best to help her out and teach her when I do see her. I hope to keep her hair in braids by learning how to braid myself, 'cause I can't keep dishin' out the big bucks every 3-4 weeks! I'm probably gonna buy that braiding video from Robin the Hair Lady (@growafrohairlong.com). I'm skeptical about getting it elsewhere, afraid that their featured styles may date back to the '80's or something(some of those videos are so dang old) and I can't have my sis looking like Rick James.

As for my diet, I started incorporating home-made salads into my meals. I try and make different creative meals using salads. Last week, my favorite was a mix of iceberg ready-made salad mixed with spinach leaves, cut mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and chopped broccoli & carrots mix. I'd add an avocado to the salad and that was my meal. This week I baked some frozen battered fish, diced into cubes, and stored for the week to dress my salad with for my lunches (like they do at fastfood restaurants, except with chicken). I also sprinkle corn and add my dressing. I'm still taking my Flax Seed oil almost every day, so I'll drizzle that over the salad as well (practically tasteless & undetectable). This week I've been snacking on dried fruits and nuts, and drink a Boost High Protein shake in the morning (it was expensive for a 6-pack, so I'm trying to stretch it out. The shake is really tasty. I'm drinking it mainly because it's what's recommended by so many women for growing healthy hair (protein shakes in general).

Anywhoo, I plan on expanding this site as soon as I can. There's so much I want to write about, so much I wanna do! *snap* But reality says "back to my studies"!