We need your help getting to 250 votes in order to qualify for a small business challenge sponsored by Chase. If you could click on https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com, and click on support, and vote for us it would be much appreciated.
The easiest way to vote for us is to type 60607 in for zip code. The company Thank God It’s Natural will show up.
Thanks for your support.
tgin will be at Navy Pier this weekend vending at the Green Festival. Be sure to stop by the tgin booth #318 to say hey and get your all natural organic shea butter and olive oil soaps. The Festival hours are Saturday(May 5) 12pm-8pm and Sunday (May 6) 11am-7pm. For more info about the Green Festival, click here.
Ok, Chicago Naturalistas, come on out this Sunday to the Zhou B. Arts Center from 1pm-6pm for the Chicago Naturals Beauty Expo and make sure to stop by our booth to get your Mega Bling tshirts and olive oil soap!
If you’re looking to make some quick cash this weekend as a tgin sales rep/brand ambassador at the Atlanta Natural Hair Show then read below. We are looking for a young, energetic, health conscious African-American woman with natural hair to help us work our table at the Atlanta Natural Hair Show April 28-29, 2012 from 8 am – 9 pm both days.
A background in retail/sales and a familiarity with natural hair/body products is a plus.
Job Description:
• Handing Out Samples
• Selling products and apparel
• Promoting the Brand
• Talking about health and the benefits of using natural and organic products
• Event setup/break down Ideal candidate will posses:
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Strong attention to customer service issues.
• Prior merchandise planning responsibilities preferred.
• Detail oriented with the ability to plan, organize and execute corporate goals.
• Honest
• Can work in a fast paced environment.
Please include 1) photo, 2) a resume, 3) list of three references and 4) a description of why you want to work for/with us and 5) Your phone number. Subject of your email should be Atlanta Brand Ambassador.
We are under a very tight schedule, so we apologize in advance if we can’t get back to everyone.
Pay: Market
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| Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair by Chris-Tia Donaldson |
As soon as I was able to get the package open I was all into the book, lol. No wonder Essence magazine is calling it “Your Natural Hair Bible,” the book is LOADED with useful information on natural hair care and maintenance. The author Chris-Tia Donaldson, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing a couple of weeks ago here, breaks down every stage of the natural hair from the very beginning and walks you through the many questions most of us had during the initial transition!
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| Thank God I’m Natural has an array of beautiful, low maintenance natural hair styling ideas and tips! |
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| The key to growing healthy hair is understand what hair is and how it functions. Chris-Tia Donaldson breaks down the anatomy of the hair follicle in a way that is easy for the reader to comprehend the basic chemistry of hair. |
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| There are also great recipes for hair shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, gels, styling pomades and more! |
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| If you’re not sure what chemicals you should watch out for on the labels of your favorite products, don’t worry! Thank God I’m Natural lists the names and abbreviated names of various chemicals so that you can make wise decisions on the products you put in your hair. |
We’ll be vending at the World Natural Hair Show Next Weekend. If you’re in town, please be sure to swing by and say hello. We’re booth #503.
We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but the power comes from what that breakfast consists of. Grabbing a donut and sugar-filled latte every morning doesn’t award you any gold stars. If you want to make your breakfast count go for protein-filled foods like eggs, greek yogurt, string cheese, or an apple with peanut butter which will keep you feeling full longer so you can skip the mid-meal snacking. If you’re like me and crave sugar with your coffee go with natural sugars like oatmeal with cinnamon or cocoa powder.
So ladies, what’s your healthy breakfast look like?
Sulfates..now that’s a term that we have heard over and over on many natural hair care forums and blogs. So, what exactly are sulfates? Sulfates are harsh foaming cleansing agents that are found in many traditional shampoos. Many naturals find sulfates extremely drying because they steal the moisture that our hair so desperately need. This is why most times, hair feels dry after it is dry when shampooing.
Now, let’s distinguish the difference between harsh sulfates and mild sulfates, if you choose to use a shampoo that do contain sulfates.
Harsh Sulfates to avoid in cleansers:
Mild Sulfates in cleansers:
Sulfate free shampoos under $10
Happy Healthy Hair
Morning ladies?
Today we’re going to speak about protein and its importance to your natural hair.
You excited?
Okay, to begin, we’re going to break down what proteins are made up of. In a single protein, you have about 20 or single units knowns as amino acids. These awesome gals are all joined through peptide bonds. The order and number of amino acids that make up a protein is determined genetically.
Why does our hair need protein?
Your hair can suffer major damage from all that comes from styling, the elements, manipulations, heat, etc., Protein treatments work by filling in the gaps in the hair’s cuticles caused by all this damage.
You got all that?
Okay, so now that we know what a protein is and why do you need it, we have to find the right size. Proteins such as collagen and Keratin are too large for the hair to really be of any use. However, hydrolysed protein IS the correct size. Hydrolysed protein will be attracted to hair and conditioner helps deposit better in regions of damaged hair.
Now, the best protein treatment. Or the treatment that’s a fan favorite is the ApHOGGE treatment. This protein treatment is like the bees-nees for natural hair. However, some have complained that your hair can get hard when sitting under the dryer before you rinse it out.
No worries ladies, this is okay. Eggs are chock full of protein, and when heat is added to an egg (or your fry it) it gets hard. It’s the same concept. When your hair gets hard it doesn’t mean it’s not working.
So ladies, now that we’ve had our extensive science lesson for the day and you’ve all got put on to the ApHOGEE treatment, think you’re going to go out and try it?
The last few weeks have been extremely stressful with working on the launch of our new website, blog, and hair product line. On top, of that we’re getting ready to head to Atlanta two weeks from now for the World Natural Hair Show. I’m juggling all of my tgin duties with having my real job and working out. So stressed isn’t even the word, I’m looking for. It’s more like meltdown.
Anyway, I came across this great article on aromatherapy and have found that using lavendar oils on my temples, pulse points, and elbows has helped to relax me significantly. I used to think aromatherapy was actually bs, but I’m going to start looking into it more.
In any event, here are 10 aromatheraphy practices from Organic Spa Magazine that may bring you peace and calm.
• Add essential oils to your skin- and hair-care products to enhance their benefits. I like adding a few drops of rosemary essential oil to my hair shampoo/conditioning treatment (stimulates blood circulation to the scalp). And a drop of geranium to my facial moisturizer to accentuate a healthy glow. Or purchase items that already contain certified organic essential oils.
• Bathe with essential oils. I’ll add 6 to 8 drops of my desired essential oil(s) into a small amount of organic plant oil. Next, fill the tub and put this prepared oil mix in when the tub is almost full as to experience the essential oil’s full potency.
• Massage your body, feet, scalp, or any area that needs attention. Mix 6 to 8 drops of your favorite essential into an ounce of organic plant oil, and massage. Be fully present during this process, sending yourself loving energy. (Peppermint oil is great for a belly rub. It helps the digestion and calms an upset stomach.)
• Take a steam. Although a spa facial steam is simply divine, the homespun version can work. Whether for skin conditions, or respiratory problems—bring a pan of water just to a boil on the stove, move to a stable surface (on a trivet) add from 8 to 12 drops of your essential oil selection. Sit next to this with your head placed comfortably over the pan, and tent a towel over you to create a steam bath. Now take deep, healing breaths.
• Create your own natural perfume. Add 25 drops of any combination of essential oils to one ounce of perfume alcohol or denatured alcohol. Create a perfume oil by adding to a carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil.
• Mist your environment. Mix a few drops of essential oil and a teaspoon of alcohol with purified water in an atomizer (shake before each use), or you can use a hydrosol spray or floral water. Hydrosols are the byproduct of the steam or water distillation methods that create essential oils.
• Use an essential oil diffuser to float oils in your environment. Try peppermint, eucalyptus, and juniper in the bedroom at night if you have a stuffy head, lavender in the evening to calm the overactive mind, or citrus oils in the a.m. to get going, as well as to brighten mood. Other great sleep inducers include chamomile, lavender, marjoram, or Neroli. You can also put a few drops on a tissue or cotton ball and tuck into your pillow.
• Place a drop or two of oil on a cool light bulb. After you turn the light on, the bulb heats the fragrance and disperses it throughout the room. You can also purchase ceramic diffuser scent rings specifically made for placing on the bulb.
• Make your own smelling salts by placing 1 tablespoon of rock salt and 10 drops of basil, peppermint, or rosemary essential oil (or a mix of these) in a small container with a tight fitting lid. Uncap and inhale as desired, stimulating present moment awareness, clear thought, and providing an instant pick-me up.
• I’ll place a few drops of purifying oils on a cotton ball and place in a plastic bag for when I travel, taking out at intervals during flight to take deep breaths into my lungs. Eucalyptus, rosemary, cedarwood, pine, tea tree are all great antibacterial, antimicrobial oils for this usage.
• Aromatherapy candles are wonderful for meditation, relaxation, and special occasions. Make sure the candle is made with pure essential oils, natural beeswax or organic soy, and a natural, non-lead wick.
General Safety Information
• There are specific precautions about using essential oils. Do not apply undiluted essential oils onto the skin or take any oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Also, certain essential oils have contraindications, and trained aromatherapy professionals as well as any reputable retailers will be able to discuss these issues with you. By the way, if wanting to delve in more deeply, there are many excellent websites, DVD’s, books and more, that can help you learn about the more than 700 essential oils in existence.
• It’s now well proven that artificial fragrance can be quite toxic. Please remember to honor and surround yourself with the purest, most organic aromas possible—including personal care, household, and cleaning products, and the candles, incense, and essential oils that you use.
Beauty and wellness educator MARY BETH JANSSEN is a certified mind-body health educator for the Chopra Center for Well Being and the author of five books. For a list of her top 14 favorite oils and their qualities and uses, click here. Follow her on twitter @cosmicdenmother.
