A letter to my fellow Hairstylist.

Dear fellow hair stylist, 

           You are not my competition, you are my ally.    

       This profession is built with a fine line between friendship and competition.  The fact of the matter is there should not be competition between stylists or between salons.   

Yes, there are A LOT of hairstylists and if your town is like mine, a salon is on every corner.   I am fairly certain we have more salons than stoplights in this town, and you know what?... that's okay!  

Regardless of how many of us there are, there are far more people looking for a stylist than we can imagine.  There is plenty of buisness to go around, and I'm not naive enough to think my expertise is one size fits all. 

      I know my cutting or coloring style is not for everyone.    My personality is not for everyone either, I am the opposite of what you think of when you think of a hair stylist.  I am quiet and reserved, I hold myself in a professional manner, I am there to listen while making my guest feel beautiful.   That said, not all clients like that.   Some clients come in looking for the boisterous stylist with the exciting life.   That's fantastic!  There is the right stylist out there for everyone.  

      There is a wide range of price in our industry, this pairs nicely with our clients.  Every household is at a different place financially, this gives them the option to find the right stylist for them within their budget. With that said... 

STOP discounting your work!   I have a huge heart, I get it!  We listen to someone's heart ache for two hours... you can't help but think, "oh they're going though a lot they can't afford this."  What about what you're going through?  What about your mortgage payment, the food you need to eat, the electric bill that's due?  What about your children?  

It is so hard to charge people sometimes.  I've even had clients guilt me into charging them less.. you know what?  That is NOT okay, and shame on me for letting that happen.

You are worth what you charge, never let anyone convince you otherwise!   

This is where we become allies.   What if we never discounted our work?  Then no one would ever expect a side deal.  What you charge is what each client pays.  If we all unite and put our foot down imagine what amazing things would happen for our industry!  

You can't go to Walmart and barter what you pay for your groceries or home goods.  You wouldn't even think to do that!

The same goes for selling retail.   It is no secret that every single item you buy has a mark up.  For instance the shirt you just purchased at the mall,  do you think the store paid $20 for it and then sold it to you at $20?  Of course not!  The store bought it cheap and sold it to you at a higher price to make a profit, this is called business! 

When I was in high school I worked at Pizza Hut.  The breadsticks we sold cost the company .14 cents to make... They sold them to the consumer at $4.95.  This is how companies are able to pay all their bills and their employees.  

Being a hairstylist is your livelihood,  you sell a product to a guest because you believe in the product!  You know their hair will look, feel and last longer with the proper product. So why are you giving it away?  No one gives us retail products for free!  Every other company in the world has a mark up.  Why should we be any different?   You or your salon paid for that product,  it's only fair that you get your return so you are able to afford more product for the next guest.  

Let's band together and make positive changes in our industry! 

Who among us has not had a new client make an appointment that has had a horrible hair experience?  It happens, that's just part of our buisness.  We've all seen the uneven haircut, the choppy layer, the blotchy highlights and color corrections from other stylists.   Maybe we made the mistake and the client went else where.  It doesn't matter if you've been doing hair 4 months of 49 years, every woman in earth will tell

You hair has a mind of its own.  Strange things happens and it doesn't always turn out as we planned.  That's just part of the journey.

How you react to the situation says more about you than it does about the stylist who made the who made the mistake.  

We are only human, we have bad days, we make mistakes.  I'm here to tell you, NO hair stylist on earth would ever purposely mess up someone's hair.  No hairstylist with any conscious anyway.  

If I have a client call me who has had a "bad experience" somewhere else and they start bad mouthing the other stylist.. I immediately shut them down.   I refuse to gossip about someone else's work.  If the client continues, I simply tell them I am not the right stylist for them.  If they're going to bad mouth someone the whole time I do their hair, what will they say about me when they leave? 

If you're the hair stylist that scoffs at the uneven layers and makes fun of the blotchy highlights the whole time.... Think about how that sounds. 

No hair stylist is perfect, and the stylist who did those things.. did the best she could with the knowledge she had.  Just politely fix it and go on.   

Talking bad about each other is what causes animosity and division in our industry.  

You are not my competition, you are my ally. 

If I never discount my work, no one will expect a discount.

If I never take a loss on retail products, selling them without profit...  no one will expect a discount. 

If a client calls me and requests something beyond my knowledge, I will send her to another hair stylist who I know specializes in that service. 

If we are all kind to one another, working together, creating and alliance.  If we are building each other up rather than tearing each other down.  If we support one another's journey in this industry... amazing things will happen!  

We are not competition,  we are allies!       -Jayde

There is no such thing as just a cat!

There is no such thing as just a cat!

    

As a toddler, growing up on my Grandparents farm in norther Missouri, one would expect, as most farms have... barn cats to keep various things away.  

      I have heard different stories about me with cats, even as an infant, 

 my first memory is walking to the barn with my Grandmother to feed the cats. She would have upwards of 20 at a time when I was a kid.

 

When I would visit, I would spend hours at the barn just sitting with the cats.  I had no siblings, or anyone to play with.  To me, those kitties were my friends.  

I believe the cartoon version of Garfield and friends aired in 1988, and the first episode that Nermal, "the cutest kitty in the world" aired shortly there after.  (FYI:  Nermal is a BOY cat, I own the comics.. look it up!)  In 1988 that would make me 5 years old, waking up to watch Saturday morning cartoons that featured cats! I was always drawn to the cute fluffy gray Nermal cat on the cartoon.  I was disappointed when Nermal only had a cameo (as a Siamese) in the Garfield movie. 

I was born a cat lady!  I would constantly beg my parents for a cat.  People would purchase me stuffed cats, or figurines for my bedroom,  it just didn't suffice.  

My parents bought me fish, rabbits, and hamsters.. OH MY!  It just wasn't the same as a cat.  

When I was about 7 my Grandma without the farm moved in with her cat Sooner.  A fat striped nub tail cat, you could imagine my joy!  

He would sit on the side of the bath tub, and bat at the bubbles when I was in there.  One time he fell in, and to get me back... he ran across my bed with his wet paws.  I didn't even get mad when he chewed up the hand on my brown haired barbie!

To this day, I have never slept all the way through the night.  A few years ago, my Mother mentioned I had been that way since birth.  When Sooner lived with us,  I would get up in the night and just sit with him on the couch.   Often staring at him like a creepy little kid!   I felt weirdly drawn to that cat.  Naturally my Grandma moved out, into her own place and took Sooner with her.

Shortly there after we moved as well.  I remember being in the fourth grade, and crying to the librarian that I had already read all the books about cats the library offered. 

I was a kid who bought anything with cats on it.  That was the days before Hello Kitty made a come back only to become overwhelmingly popular.   For me Garfield was where it was at!  If I found Garfield with Nermal on it... that was the JACKPOT!  As an adult, I have even purchased a few Nermal things at antique shops!

I continued to bug the heck out of my parents for a cat throughout my teenage years.  I even tried to convince various boyfriends to buy me a cat... If it was a gift, they had to let me keep it right?!  Had my parents said, "Jayde, forget the 1988 Chevy Corsica we are handing down to you for your 16th birthday... we are buying you a cat instead."  I would have been elated to take the bus!  

Fast forward to 2003, recently graduated from barber college, searching for an apartment that allowed animals,  lets face it.. we all know where this is going.  I moved into a brand new apartment complex.  I had the cutest 900sq ft one bedroom apartment  with the stairs inside the apartment.   The first thing I bought for my apartment was.... A CAT!

My then boyfriend, now Ex husband and I went to the local shelter.  Some cats were in cages, some were free range.  All I knew was, I wanted a gray male cat to name Nermal.

On my search, I noticed a little cat poking his arm out if his cage and yelling at me to come over,  I pet his head and his meows turned to purrs.  I said, "okay little kitty, I'm going to look around."  Every time I turned to walk away,  he would yell at me very loudly.  I grabbed an associate and asked what the gender was.  He was a healthy 10 week old male gray kitten... I finally had my Nermal!!

The perfect accessory to my new apartment.  My good friend Valerie moved in two apartments down,  at times we would visit her,  she is is "Auntie Val" even now. 

The funny thing is... I almost took him back to the shelter,  As a 20 year old living on her own, I wanted to sleep in on the weekends.  While Nermal knew. "lets go night nights."  he certainly didn't understand the concept of let's sleep in.  He snored from day one,  and with his rambunctious kitten energy, would run around and use my body as a speed bump in the morning time.  

I had a yellow ball of yarn,  I came home from work one day only to find the yarn woven around my kitchen table legs and chairs, then strung across the room and woven through the legs of my coffee table.  As funny as it was,  for a brief moment I thought... having a cat may be too much responsibility.

I am so grateful I toughed it out through those kitten years.  I was gifted a wild cat against my will,  as much as I fought it Siera AKA Seebs became my second cat.

I bought a house, got married and eventually.. again against my will ended up with Samye.... better known as Sam dog.  Never ask a man if you should get an alarm system or a dog.  I now have both, and a dead beat dog Dad. 

Nermal had companions, but he preferred people.  In my early 20's,  I had many parties, with many people.  Nermal was never afraid,  he roamed around and met people.  I imagined him saying, "hi, I'm Nermal, welcome to my house."  After all every cat owner knows,  It's really the cats house.  

When I got I got a cat, I knew I would have something to love, take care of, and teach things to.  What I didn't know was, how much he would love me, take care of me, and teach me so many things about love and life.   

I call him the love of my life.  I have never loved anything, or anyone the way I love Nermal.  

In the past 12 years, I have grown and changed, countless people have come, gone and given up on me.  Nermal has NEVER given up on me no matter what. 

If I trip and fall, Nermal comes running to check on me.

If I acceidently hurt myself and squeal,  Nermal comes running to check on me.  If i get up from the couch to get a drink, he follows me.  He is always there for me, no matter what.  Through all the years,  the only thing that was never given up on me or abandoned me is Nermal.  

The people around me can see,  Nermal really is my best friend.  He and I have this connection that you would only understand if you have, had an animal you've connected with.  We anticipate each others needs, and when I look at him, as crazy as it sounds... It's like he can see inside my soul.  

December of 2014 at the age of 11 Nermal was diagnosed with congestive heart failure due to heart disease, and given 6 months to live.  

  How could I give up on him, he's never given up on me. 

I always imagined he would live to be at least 20, he would get to meet my human children one day,  He has lived much longer than expected.  8 months longer to be exact.  I have been extremely diligent with his medicine.  5 am and 5 pm every day he takes pills.  twice a week he receives fluids.  and every 3 months he goes to the doctor for a radio-graph and check up.  

I recently noticed he was having intense abdominal breathing.  I had a full day at my job, while someone very close to us had a day off, she offered to take him to the vet.  She called me every step of the way,  I felt if I couldn't be there Cassidy AKA "Momma Cass"  was the next best thing.  

At his last check up 2 weeks ago, I got the feeling we were nearing the end.  Cassidy took him to the Dr.  he had A lot of fluid built up in his chest cavity.  As a cat mom who doubles as a hair- stylist... I can't help but cringe when I see his hair cuts. 

While at the vet office, they discovered in addition to his heart conditions, Nermal may also have lymphoma.  They sent is blood, and fluids off to be tested.  The results were in today, they have not called me with them, nor have I called them.  I am terrified of the results.  In my heart, I already know the answer.

My heart aches terribly, I can't give up on this cat.  he has never given up on me.  

As I sit here typing this out, he lays beside me so peacefully tears are streaming down my face.  I fear the end is closer than I am ready for.  I will never be the same without him. 

I don't even know how I will function in daily life without him by my side.  He knows all my secrets, and he has been here through everything.  knowing he's sick makes it hard for me to function.

I am 33 years old.  I have 4 sets of Grandparents who are all still living.  My parents have always hid death from me.  I lost my best friend to suicide when I was 17, teenagers are resilient, and tend to band together,  that being the only death I have really experienced this one is difficult.

In my 30's my heart is much more soft and sensitive,  I find myself being more empathetic and caring.  the death of my cat whom is my child, may just break me down to nothing.  

So no there is no such thing as just a cat.  Nermal isn't a cat,  he's my companion, my best friend, the love of my life, and above all... 

                                        

                                      a 5 year old little girls dream come true. 

I FIRED MY HAIRSTYLIST. SHE'S TOO EXPENSIVE!

You've just got your hair cut, colored, styled the whole bit... it looks fabulous... You go to pay your stylist, she tells you the price, "You want me to pay WHAT?!"  You think to yourself.  You may even mutter it under your breathe, or make a snide comment about inflation or it being expensive.  The audacity of this stylist asking you to pay such a huge amount, and she wants a tip.. UGH..  In your head your thinking.... She charges that much because she has that fancy iPad, or that new car, and new clothes.  BITCH.  but at least you look fabulous!  Maybe you'll go somewhere "cheaper" next time because her prices are just ridiculous.

I am going to do my best to break this down for you.  You just spent 2 hours with your hairstylist.. Chatting about work, doting on your kids... talking about where you're vacationing next or your plans for the holidays while complaining about your husband.  After all he's your additional child, always acting like a dang fool.  Maybe your husband isn't the problem, perhaps you're going through a life event and you need someone to talk to.  You spill your problems, maybe shed a tear while (hopefully) your stylist is listening with an open heart and open mind.. there to add gentle advice if you need it and to be your advocate.

Time to pay... $100.00 are you kidding me?!  That's just outrageous!  Here's what you don't know... out of that $100 your hair stylist is only taking home approximately $44.50 give or take which breaks down to $22.25/ hour.  an honorable living if your're working 40hrs or more per week.

That is just hoopla you might be thinking... The girl behind this blog is full of shenanigans.

Chances are your hairstylist, though working inside a salon, is actually an independent contractor therefore being self employed.  Self employment tax is a whopping 30%.  Kinda blows your mind right there huh?   So that already takes your $100 down to $70.  

Your stylist most likely pays booth rent...  In case you haven't figured it out yet... I have been a hairstylist for almost 13 years.  The salon I work in has relatively low booth rent, I am blessed in that regard.  Say on average your stylist has 20 clients this week... which is a high estimate even with my years of experience.  Booth rent per client breaks down to $5.50 per person.  So now we are at $64.50.

You got your hair colored, she had to buy the product to color your hair.  That can't cost mush right?!  You've seen the box color at walmart... you've seen bottles at Sally beauty supply.. It's cheap.. If you could reach the back of your head you'd do it yourself.. It looks easy!  No matter what product line your hairstylist is using I assure you its A LOT better than the wally world special.  The product she's using probably add up to $20.  It's not just the color.  It's the shampoo, conditioner, various products she's used in the styling process.

I am in a different situation than most.  I am an organic hair stylist and all my products have to be FEDEX'd in.  It's a product made in the United Kingdom.. It recently got pulled out of the US.. So I will be having it shipped in from the UK soon.  Have you seen the cost of postage lately?!

The cost of shipping aside... Other business expenses I'm not adding in your stylist has:  Sheer sharpening, business cards, liscensing, continuing eductaion, blow dryer. flat irons, various combs, brushes etc.  all those things benefit you.  Plus being self employed if she doesn't have a spouse, she's probably buying health insurance out of pocket.  Mine is $370.00/month just to give you an idea and YES! That is just the cost for me.

Let's see where we are:
$100
Taxes:        $30
Booth rent $5.50
Products     $20
without mentioning any of the other expenses you can see how we get to $44.50.

So if all 20 clients are paying $100.00 she's still making $890.00 a week, That's really good.
What about all those people who just get hair cuts?  or just waxes etc.  It doesn't quite balance out, and the 20 clients/week was a high estimate anyhow.  Your hair stylist is probably making $30k or below every year which is actually considered poverty according to today's poles.

Not only does your hair stylist have business expenses but she has to have a roof over her head, food in her belly and a running vehicle.

I absolutely LOVE my job and ADORE my clients.  A few years back I had colored 2 sisters hair in the same appointment.  I overheard one say, "do you know how much money she's making off of us?"  I should have corrected them then, but my heart had sank into my stomach, I was so hurt my that comment.

When clients complain about price, to us stylist it's like your boss saying you make too much money.  You don't deserve raises, and even though the cost of living has gone up you're going to make the same amount of money you make now 15 years from now.

  This blog is not to shame anyone, rather it's to put the facts out there.  I promise your hairstylist isn't getting rich off your hair appointment.

I have 2.5 jobs and I barely stay a float.  I don't live a lavish lifestyle of champagne and caviar, In fact I am grateful I don't eat meat because I couldn't afford it anyway!  I am single, no husband to counter the bills.  My house cost $80k which I bought in 2004.  I buy my clothes at Kohl's because I also work there and can get a sweet discount.  The most expensive thing I have is my vehicle, I needed a nicer car to be self sufficient due to having no family near by.  PLUS my old car was a 2001 and it literally blew up! LOL

I realize this does not apply to all hair stylists, but a decent amount I imagine.

Please share this blog with as many friends as possible,  I am hoping people gain some understanding to the price of beauty, and what really happens with the money you pay your hairstylist.  So now that you see how little we make, tips are not expected.. but ALWAYS greatly appreciated.

Coconut oil! My miracle from nature!!

I am way behind on getting ya'll this amazing information on coconut oil, I apologize greatly!  With school happening, I'm finding myself writing more for grades than for pleasure!

So.... In case you didn't already know.... Coconut oils is the bomb ya'll!  What does it do?!  More like what doesn't it do?!  Pretty much everything!  You know in the movie My big fat Greek wedding where the guy uses windex as a cure all for everything?  Yea that's me with coconut oil! 

First of all, It's edible!!  Just keep in mind, when melting it... a little goes a long way!  I had the clever idea to put it in the pan before cooking like I would with EVOO or real butter...Sooo... The first batch of eggs were a super greasy mess and ended up in the trash can...  Approximately 1/4 Tsp. should be sufficient for pan cooking!  Whoopsie!!  I also throw about a tablespoon in my morning smoothies!  Why?! You may be asking.... Coconut oil has a healthy amount of fatty acids that are great for brain development and brain function.  Coconut oil also does not contain saturated fats.

Coconut oil is a great metabolism booster, and in turn provides us with a great source of natural energy!  Who doesn't want more energy, right?!  An added bonus to the boost in metabolism and energy is burning more calories, resulting in weight loss!  

I could go on, and on about benefits of ingesting the stuff, such as it having anti fungle, anti-virus, and anti-bacterial properties, also lowering cholesterol and heart disease risk, but lets get to the topical properties!

I have been using coconut oil as a facial moisturizer for 2 years and I love it!  It doubles at a moisturizer as well as a sunscreen, anytime you replace something full of harsh chemicals with something actually nature made your body will thank you!   A gal I work with kept breaking out in hives on her neck no matter what brand of moisturizer she used.  I told her multiple times it was chemically related,  she didn't want to use the coconut oil due to it being "too greasy"  meanwhile she was suffering greatly.  Eventually she made the switch and the hives were discontinued!

Since I was a child, I have had an allergic reaction to "perfume soaps"  I can not use any lotions or soaps with fragrance.  I will spare the name of the soap that sent me to the Dr. with a rash.  We all know these are harsh chemicals doing a number on our skin and even worse soaking in to our bodies.... but is smells so good you say?  Smells good at what cost?... Get yourself some essential oils and you are set!  There is a number of other things I am allergic to because of the chemical content.... sooooo.... this is TMI.. HOWEVER, it helped me greatly and I would like to pass on that coconut oil is also a perfect personal lubricant.... Moving along gracefully....

So I'm an organic hair stylist, lets discuss the benefits of using coconut oil in your hair!    Deep conditioning. and detangling!!  Oh my gosh!  For deep conditioning make sure you have ample time.  Melt a small amount,  slightly over what you would use for regular conditioning.  apply all over hair especially on the ends as this is where hair tends to dry out the most.  Comb the coconut oil through your hair and cover it with a shower cap... or... plastic bag from the store!  Hey! It works in a pinch!  the longer you let it sit the  better it will work.  minimum time would be 1 hour, if you are able to sleep in it that would be best!

Massaging coconut oil into your scalp is great for dandruff and dry scalp, also doing this can promote hair growth if you are looking for long beautiful tresses give it a whirl!

Using a little coconut oil on you hair before brushing and combing will help ease the tangles out, and best of all you are not adding any harsh chemicals to your hair!!

I have only been writing this blog since February!  Happy to finally be getting it to you in September!  better late than never!  If you are located in the OKC area and wish to have an Organic Hairstylist please click  Organic Hair Care to visit my website!!

The Great American Diet!



 

 

The Great American Diet!

 

The great American diet!  Yum!  Nothing says type 2 diabetes and cancer more than convenience foods.

Pictured above are the groceries of two different friends of mine, people I actually know and know on a pretty close level.  Yes!  GASP! "The Organic Girl in the City" associates with the likes of these two!  The way I see it Jesus hung out with the sinners so it's whatever!  I kid! I kid!  However, I hope some of my healthy ways will rub off on these two ladies!

 

The photo on the left a friend sent me after going grocery shopping, we'll call her "Christina".  At the time Christina didn't have access to a car or live close enough to a store to go on her own.  She had been anticipating her room mate taking her grocery shopping for quite some time.   She was ecstatic about her grocery finds.  I received the photo and my first though was, is this a joke? 

 

Let's break this down for a minute, you know I'm an advocate for a healthy lifestyle, did she think it was going to be a celebratory moment over the chemicals she had laid out on the counter?  That I was going to congratulate her on her pseudo food finds?  My response to her was exactly this, "Where is the produce and ingredients to cook meals with?"  She was dumbfounded...  her response to me was, "the cookies are for someone else." 

 

She actually believed what she had there was sustainable food.  Usually I would have got on my soap box (kinda like I'm doing now)  and preached about every individual item, and told her what she could have purchased instead.  I was so in shock over some one's excitement for processed chemical food like products.  I just told her, "you know I'm going to write a blog about this right?"  At the time I don't think she understood. 

 

Shortly after the photo on the left was taken, Christina unfortunately fell on a bad situation and ended up staying with me for about 3 months.  I think it was culture shock for her, she had never even stepped foot inside my house until that day.  I'm not saying I'm perfect, there are definitely some no no items in my pantry. I mean let's get real, I'm still human!  The first night she was at my house, I made a meal with fresh ingredients from scratch!  She went on and on about how good it was, I said, "Thank you, I know!  This is what real food tastes like!"  Just Christina living here made her realize the importance of healthy eating.  She started buying real groceries, at times she would even buy ingredients and ask me to cook certain things for her!  Christina no longer lives here, however she calls frequently to ask how to make things, or questions about the gym etc.  She now understands what a GMO (genetically modified organism)is, and why it is important to consume whole foods regularly.  Christina even asked for a smoothie maker for Christmas, I like to believe it was my influence!

 

The picture on the right. Sigh!  Oh that photo!  While visiting another friend of mine, we'll call her "Dixie" I snapped this photo.  Dixie, fell on some bad circumstances and had to move back in with her parents.  I already knew Dixie was one of the most unhealthy people I had ever met.  Junk food is HIGHLY addictive, In fact high fructose corn syrup is more addictive than cocaine.  You have to want to change your lifestyle.  Giving up processed "food" is like giving up smoking, drinking, drugs, and over eating.  They really should make an AA type meeting for people specifically with processed food addiction.

 

Dixie opens her pantry for a snack and I say, "oh my gosh, can I take a picture of this?"  No one can be around me for any length of time without hearing my spill on healthy eating.  Not because I'm a snob or I think I'm better than anyone, but because I have lived the junk food life.  I made the change to the healthy lifestyle, pretty much cold turkey.. I don't eat meat so.. I gave it up pretty much.... warm salad... Okay that analogy doesn't work but you catch my drift here, and for the record,  clean healthy eating becomes much easier as you go along as well as makes your body feel great!  When I made the switch I had more energy, I felt great, and my skin started to glow!  It is amazing what your body can do for you when you're good to your body.

 

Back to Dixie,  as harsh as it is for me to say these words to a person,  I would often tell Dixie, who has had some major health issues in the past, if she continued to eat like she was, she would most likely end up with cancer.  Dixie's argument to me was always, "there is no history of cancer in my family though."  She was right there WAS no history of cancer in her family.  I would explain to her that there is a first time for everything and it could pop up anywhere in anyone.  She had, had major health problems in the past, so I tried to level with her and explain, she of all people should take care of her body before she regrets it later, her body was already fragile.  I should also mention Dixie is under 30 years old, so is Christina actually.

 

As I said, there was no cancer in Dixie's family, however Dixie's mother is obese, with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, a bundle branch block in her heart, and sleep apnea.  If that alone is not a wake up call, you're pretty much doomed.  Recently Dixie's Mother was also diagnosed  with uterine cancer.

 

I actually know someone in my organic lifestyle circuit who was diagnosed with stage 2 uterine cancer, and cured it herself with the help of a natural doctor. We'll call her Susan.  I do not have all the details, but I do know cancer can NOT live in an alkaline body,  a vegan diet makes your body alkaline.  Susan is a Mom of 3 daughters, she's a fighter, she went completely vegan, gave up sugar, used essential oils, took recommended supplements, saw the natural doctor and has been cancer free for over a year.  I hear you now, "I could never give up, meat, dairy, or sugar."  That's what's wrong with America,  Americans just want a pill for their quick fix so they can continue to eat crap, and not change.  That's a sad way to live guys, I have news this is why the pharmaceutical companies rule our country, why we have so many health problems, and why once you've "cured" your cancer with chemotherapy or radiation, It's coming back somewhere else in your body.  You have to change your life, or lose your life.. It's your call.

 

Like my friend "Tami" with 5 kids and stage 4 colon cancer.  She had an extremely inspiring positive attitude fighting it off.  Of course she did everything on the chemical route, per doctors orders.  I can imagine being diagnosed with cancer is extremely frightening, so you just do what you're told by the physicians.  Tami fought off her cancer, thankfully she is alive yet has to carry a colostomy bag.  A small price to pay for your life.  I had the privilege of visiting with Tami last week,  I asked her if she had changed her diet any she replied, "no!  I eat whatever I want."  just like that, like it was no big deal.  My heart aches for these poor uneducated souls.  I didn't say much about it as hard as it was however, If she doesn't change her diet, that cancer will come back somewhere else in her body.

 

When I first told Dixie about Susan, the woman who cured her uterine cancer on the natural route, it was long before her mother's diagnoses.  She didn't believe me, which is pretty standard for most people brainwashed by the media.  Of course after her mothers diagnoses somehow I become the one with all the magical answers.  It is very sad to say this, but I was very reluctant to re-tell Dixie, Susan's story.  I felt like it would be a waste of breath and time for me to go over it.  Also given her Mom's track record, I knew she would never give up junk food even if it did cost her her life, leaving behind her two daughters and two beautiful grandchildren. 

 

I have gone over the vegan diet thing some with Dixie, and told her other things Susan did, as well as known foods that halt the growth of cancer cells.  Despite minimal changes in diet, no Dixie's Mom has not made any major changes to her lifestyle.  She is under going surgery and all I can do is pray, it goes well, with the obesity and heart conditions going under is very risky.

 

Dixie has made few changes in her diet, I am sure it is difficult when you live in a home with a plethora of junk food always available.  She has made some changes, frequently asks me for help, and genuinely tries, so I wont give up hope on her.

 

I know there are many out there saying, "everything causes cancer, might as well eat what I want."  While this may be true, for me personally I want to prolong my health as long as possible.  I also want to feel great as long as I am living.  The food choices you make drastically change the way your body feels, looks, and the way your brain functions even.  Think before you purchase, think before you eat.  It could be life changing.  Change your life or lose your life.

 

 

 



Beauty starts from the inside



 

In case you are new here, I have been writing a blog for the past 2 years and some change about things regarding organic lifestyle.  Not only about food, also about all things holistic, which includes but is not limited to kindness!  I was new to the holistic world myself, as I learn I am sharing my experiences with others who may be new to this amazing lifestyle as well!  

 

I am doing a blog cross over starting now!  Never fear!  I'm not done talking about food and lifestyle, I'm just adding beauty in addition to!  I am a Certified Organic Hair Stylist, yes we exist!!  You are dumbfounded and you asking yourself... but how is that even possible?!  I was a regular ole hair stylist until I started researching chemicals in foods, which in turn led me to chemicals we put on our body!  If I wasn't putting the chemicals in my own body,  I couldn't justify putting them on peoples heads all day.  I did some research for about 6 months before finding an amazing company out of the UK.  Everything works like traditional products without the harsh chemicals.  All their products have certified organic plant based ingredients, are cruelty free and certified by PETA, and also vegan!  The line is truly amazing, I can do anything with it, perms colors, straighteners,  But that's not what I'm here to talk about!!

 

I love getting texts or emails from clients (who I also refer to as my friends) asking me for healthy or natural ways for this or that!!  Keeps my brain flowing, trust me... it needs flowing!  Probably a side effect from the 10 years I wasn't an organic hair stylist!  I kid! 

 

For real though! I'm here to tell you that beauty does in fact start from the inside out.  What you put inside your body reflects on your skin, in your hair and with your nails.  Sure you can take biotin and other vitamins as much as you want, however no supplement will ever compare to what happens with your body when you put the proper nutrients in with good whole foods.  All this said, you cant have a salad smothered in ranch dressing for lunch and expect to wake up with glowing magical skin and hair to your waist! 

 

If you want that gorgeous hair, glowing skin, and healthy finger nails you have to be mindful of what you are putting in your body 24/7.  Sounds boring and scary but It's not!  Don't eat fast food,  don't eat junk,  eat produce with every meal, if you are a meat-eater choose organic lean meats.  Nothing tastes good you say?!  You've been on the chemical train way too long my friend!  Fast food and junk food have no nutritional value, most the time it's not even real food, it just looks like food. When you consume chemical foods, it dulls your skin, and slows hair growth.   Do you want to look good?  Feel good?  Have more energy?  Feel happy?  All this starts on the inside from nutritionally dense whole foods, which by the way taste amazing! 

 

It wont happen over night.  It takes 35 days for the whole foods and nutrients to build up in your body so you can see it on the outside.  I have witnessed this first hand, not just in my own life also with my clients!  When a client comes in talking about how suddenly their hair hit a growth spurt.... My first question is,"have you started eating differently?"  9 times out of 10 the answer is yes, more produce less junk!  It works! 

 

Take a 2 month challenge and see the change, I promise you wont be disappointed!  I will be back next month to talk about the beauty benefits of coconut oil.  Here's a sneak peak... It's Amazing!!  

 

To schedule an appointment visit

www.JaydeTheHairLady.com

 

The fun questions a vegetarian gets asked!

      I'm a little behind on my blog writing, life really takes off sometimes!  Back in September I celebrated my two year anniversary of a (mostly organic) vegetarian!! Yay me!!  That's a triumph for someone with a 60+ work hours per week life, and a signature phrase that was, "It's not a meal if it doesn't have meat!"  You know what that means?!  It means no matter how busy your life is there is no excuse!!  Might I also mention, I own a home which I live in alone (hence I have no help) have 2 cats and 1 dog, 2 jobs, attend a bible study weekly, a yoga class 3 times per week and I'm starting school in the spring (more on that later)!  I'm not saying this to brag, I'm saying this to let you know... Where there's a will there's a way to make a healthy lifestyle happen!! 

Excuse all my exclamation points... apparently I am feeling extremely enthusiastic about life right now!

Okay!  lets get to the good stuff! Over the past two years, I have been asked a plethora of questions about my lifestyle.  I don't typically tell people I'm a vegetarian, as I don't like to draw attention to myself.  Obviously friends and family know, and occasionally it comes up with different people in life.  I have been asked the age old question that makes all vegetarians want to roll their eyes and strangle someone... "Where do you get your protein?"  I even wrote a previous blog about this.  No one cares about your protein intake until they hear you don't eat meat.  What about my Vitamin E intake, or my Amino Acids?  Why does no one ask me about that?!  Why don't they go ahead and ask me about my bowel movements while we're at it?!  I don't mean to be harsh on the uneducated people, who are seriously interested.  Maybe google it, it is the most asked question to vegetarians and vegans!  My go to response is,  "Americans take in too much protein.  A cow didn't eat another cow for protein."  You can't argue the facts!  Also,  I have not lost any muscle from lack of protein, in fact I have gained muscle!  I have been called fat most my life, but recently was told I was mostly muscle and had an athletes body!  That's whats up!

Okay!  For real now!  The super fun questions I have been asked!  "Have you ever dreamt you ate meat?"  and, "Have you ever accidentally ate meat?"  The answer to both those questions are YES!

I first went vegetarian in late September 2012.  I hadn't intended on starting my new lifestyle until after the holidays, I accidentally stumbled onto some meat research, swore it off at that moment and never looked back except for in dreams!  I was a big meat eater before, hot, cold, throw the leftover meat from dinner in an omelet for breakfast.  Shortly after my swear off of meat, the holidays arose.  My first Thanksgiving as an organic vegetarian I went hardcore.  I cooked all my own food organically and took it to my Moms.  She was not happy about that, I have since cut back on the organic in family as well as friend situations.  The truth is you can't stop living life and socializing due to a lifestyle change.

We had Thanksgiving dinner, everything went off wonderfully for me!  It wasn't until later that night I had an issue.  It happened... The dreaded, I ate meat dream.  It was the most silly simple dream, however it sure did make me suddenly wake up with a gasp!  I dreamt it was the day after Thanksgiving, I went to hang out with my family.  I'm a scavenger always digging through my parents fridge so that was nothing new.  Behold I found the container of cold left over turkey meat, I grab it start eating right out of the container and talking to my family with my mouth full of turkey meat like a barbarian!  So I'm eating away and it suddenly clicks in my head... My eyes get huge, my mouth drops, and I say in a horrified voice, "OH MY GOSH!  Guys, I'm eating meat."  My Mothers attitude remains the same in real life and in my dreams, she gives me the you're stupid look and replies in a snarky voice, "SO."  I reply with a scared, what have I done voice, "I'm a vegetarian."  She rolls her eyes huffs and walks off leaving me standing there terrified with the rest of my family starring at me.  That's when I wake up, My eyes shoot open and I gasp!  Shew It was all a dream!  Shortly after that I did read that dreaming you ate meat is a common occurrence for new vegetarians as well as vegans.

I've had a few more instances where I have accidentally eaten meat, or rather got meat in my mouth and spit it out in disgust.  I try not to be too picky when I'm with my meat eating friends.  Truth is, I have no qualms with anyone eating meat, it does not offend me, so I try not to offend others with my vegetables!  Some vegetarians are sticklers on not wanting there food even cooked on a griddle where meat was.  While it does bother me,  I'm aware I don't have much of a choice here in the Midwest and try to be thankful for any vegetarian options. 

All that said, I have learned it is probably not a good idea to share a pizza with a meat eater.  There has been several instances where the pizza place of choice has mis-cut the pizza and I end up with meat on my side!  The bummer of this is.. when there is extra cheese.... sometimes its not noticeable until... dun... dun... dun.. it's in your mouth!  WHAT! Gross meat in my mouth.  People like to tease me and say I like getting it... Let me tell you.. maybe if I accidentally ate a hamburger or a steak I would enjoy it,  but processed pork.. No thank you,  I didn't eat pork before!

One particular time I almost ate meat.  I was eating at a local pizza place with one of my best friends,  She is so good at ordering things without meat when I'm around.  Not because of me really, but rather because she's not a meat fan herself.  We both ordered a starter Caesar salad (anchovy free dressing).  There I am shoveling ice burg lettuce into my mouth like a bunny rabbit who hasn't ate in 3 weeks.  Suddenly I stop in my tracks, I look at my friend in shock, dig out a random colored piece and hand it to her, "Is that bacon?" I ask confused as neither of us have ever known Caesar salad to contain bacon bits.  Again I did not eat pork previously to being vegetarian therefore never understood the bacon hype.  "It sure is bacon."  she confirmed... We both grabbed a menu to see if this particular restaurant adds it to be different.. It is not listed on the menu.  We both dig through out salads in case there is more.  She has no meat in her salad, meanwhile I pull a giant piece of ham out of mine.  We can't help but laugh hysterically.  I would be the one to get meat in my salad, we stop the waiter, he confirms they do not put meat in any salad except the ones listed.  We explain the situation and he offers me a knew one.  I kindly decline. 

Similar incidents have happened to me other places.  Something I ordered the other day had a big chunk of chicken in it.  Somehow it still throws me for a loop.  If I ate meat I'd probably enjoy it like when you get surprised with an onion ring in your french fries! SCORE! 

Those are my two biggest asked questions, that are worth answering.  Those, and is this forever? I can't really answer that, I would like for it to be forever, I feel so much healthier and happier, but there is no promise of forever. 

So here is to two more years as a happy healthy vegetarian!!