Wheat Grass Smoothie & Hair Regimen @ 28M

I'm often asked for the wheat grass smoothie recipe, so here it is. I don't take credit for this. I got it from LockItUp a couple of years ago. I researched the benefits of wheatgrass (something I recommend you do too) and have been drinking a smoothie each morning for the past 2 1/2 years. I started drinking them even before I locked in preparation of helping my hair to be as healthy as possible. I continue to drink them for the nutrients. While my eating habits are pretty healthy, I don't eat as often as I should.

Wheatgrass Smoothie:

1/2 cup vanilla soy milk

1 teaspoon honey

1 full teaspoon wheatgrass powder

1/4 cup frozen blueberries

1 shake - cinnamon

1/4 banana

Blend everything together and drink!

(Add more or less soy milk to get the consistency you like. If your banana is not quite ripened, the shake will come out very thick.)

I use these particular products, purchased at Whole Foods.

The other request I often receive is to share my hair regimen. It's pretty simple, just the way I like it and one of the many benefits of Sisterlocks. First and foremost I started with a healthy head of hair. I was natural 9 years prior to locking. For you newbies (I wore a bald fade for 8 of those years because I thought it was my only option for not having to "mess with my hair" until I discovered Sisterlocks.)

Simple regimen: Retighten every 4-6 weeks (religiously for the past 2 years. I could probably go 6-8 wks, but I like my locks neat); wash and condition every 2 weeks. Sisterlocks moisture treatment every 2-3 months. I don't cover my locks at night, although I used to when they were younger. I pull them up into a high pony each night. Doing this maintains my curls and keeps my hair out of the way while sleeping. I love it when I take my hair down after my morning shower, shake my head and the curls just fall into place. I love me some Sisterlocks!

Other things I do: Wheatgrass smoothie each morning, One-A-Day Women's Multiple Vitamin, Biotin pill, exercise (step aerobics, walking, running).

Hair: Flex-Bend roller set after a wash. Locks were slightly damp when rolled. Left them in over night, finger combed next morning. This pic didn't come out very well, but I liked the looks of my locks so I posted anyway.)

Still Luvin' My Sisterlocks

My hair remains soft to the touch, no oils, moisturizers or anything else. Who would have thought it? I've read some post where some Sisterlocks wearers have "bad hair days" or hair going "every which way" or "problems with slippage." I haven't had those days yet. Maybe it's because I'm so perfectly content with my Sisterlocks that a bad day with them is better than any day with chemicals or spending hours in a salon. Perhaps the "bad hair days" are to come, but for now I haven't experienced any negatives. Besides, if I were to have one, I could simply let the moisture from the shower dampen my locks, run my fingers through my hair and off I go. I haven't used a comb or brush in over 2 months and NEVER will again. Just imagine that!

I attribute my healthy locks to several things. Because I wore my hair in it's natural state for 9 years before getting Sisterlocks, my hair didn't have to transition from chemicals to being natural to Sisterlocks. Secondly, the Wheatgrass smoothies I drink each morning. I got the recipe from my Yahoo LockItUp Group. After doing some research on the positive aspects of Wheatgrass, I decided to incorporate it into my lifestyle. Wheatgrass contains all of the nutrients found in green leafy vegetables that I don't get enough of - like greens, spinach, cabbage, etc. I drank one every day four months prior to getting my locks with the sole intent of having healthier hair and healthier locks. I continue to drink them almost daily. They give me a source of energy and I highly recommend them. I'll be sure to post the recipe for those who might like to try it. I also take a multi-vitamin each day.

I'm embarrassed to say that I had to wait four months after I decided I was ready to lock because I put a texturerizer in my hair thinking I wasn't changing its natural texture - duh! I really am of fair intelligence - honest! Afterall, the box said that it wasn't a perm and my hair was soooo thick! I learned the hard way, that ANYTHING that changes the natural texture of our hair shouldn't even be purchased. I was so disappointed when my consultant taught me this valuable lesson and sent me on my way to wait for new growth. While I was waiting to lock, I read and researched as much as I could about natural hair and hair care and became addicted to the great exchanges, advice and encouragement found on the Yahoo LockItUp Group.

And finally, my tightly coiled, thick, natural hair is perfect for Sisterlocks! Yes, the hair that I hated for years growing up. The hair I prayed as a litle girl for God to "make good hair." Little did I know that I already had "good hair." I just had to allow it to do what God intended.

I examine my hair carefully all of the time because I enjoy touching it, and because I vainly admire it. But mostly because I'm looking for tell tale signs of locking. It really doesn't matter though how soon it locks or how slowly it locks - afterall it's only been 2 months. I'm just so happy with my new found sense of enhanced liberation and hair freedom.

I see other sisters looking at me enviously, wishing they "had the nerve." I wish for them also because it's natural to be natural.

"A mind exposed to a new idea never returns to its original
condition." Knowledge is power.