New Install - Leelee48207

This beautiful lady allowed me the pleasure of escorting her into the land of the free - Sisterlocks! Her installation was done over two days. She looks amazing, and is loving her locs. She is the reason I do what I do....

Waging War on Weight!

I ought to be ashamed to call myself a blogger. My posts have been few and far between, but it's only because the Lord has been blessing me to be busy helping other sisters set themselves free with Sisterlocks™. Anywho, I'm back and am embarking on a new journey. I have been battling the bulge for about 2.5 years now and am officially declaring war. In 2007, I had surgery to reconstruct my ACL (a ligament in my knee). The surgery was absolutely debilitating beyond anything I was prepared for. My health insurance (Blue Shield) afforded me only 6 physical therapy sessions which was ridiculous. I was limping and gimpy for months afterwards, and was absolutely devastated. I couldn't wear my high heels, which at 5 feet 2 inches are just part of my drill. Walking was uncomfortable, my knee was still hurting. Desperate for relief of any kind, I started taking yoga classes at the gym on my lunch hours, twice a week. I could barely do any of the postures, but my size zero, blond haired, blue eyed instructor continued to encourage me to do what I could and each time, try to take the stretch a little further. I hung in there, and low and behold, within about 2 months, I was able to fully straighten and stretch my leg. I was gradually able to resume wearing my heels. I was feeling so good, I started adding cardio and weight training to my routine. I managed to lose about 20 pounds, but plateaued. Because my husband has high blood pressure and cholesterol, we eat fairly healthy as a practice. Fish, lean chicken, turkey, fruits and veggies. We only drink freshly prepared juices, nothing bottled or in a carton, water, wine. The only time there is ever soda in our home is if we're having a family function and only if someone brings it, in which case they are required to take it with them when they leave. We exercise daily at 4-6 times a week, and still can't seem to loose a pound. I'm declaring war now! I've been exploring vegetarianism and raw foods for some years now; dibbling and dabbling. Well, today was my first day eating a totally raw diet. Unbelievably, I'm not weak or hungry. Here's how my day went: 7:30 AM - Banana & Water 9:00AM - Hot Yoga (90 minutes) 11:30AM - Fresh Juice (2 Apples, 2 Carrots, 1/2 inch piece of Ginger Root and a squeeze of Lemon) 6:00PM - Spinach greens w/ sliced strawberries and golden cherry tomatoes tossed in a strawberry vinegarette; 1/2 cup dry roasted, unsalted almonds 64 ounces of water consumed throughout the day It's 11:30PM, and I feel great. Getting ready to call it a night, and try it again tomorrow. I'll probably go for a 2 mile run in the morning - not enough time for yoga :o(. Stay tuned!

So, my locs are now 5 years old as of 12/29/2011. I just love them more and more with each milstone...

Dr. Cornwell Responds to Chris Rock's "Good Hair"

This is Dr. Cornwell's new video, soon to be released for sale in DVD format on the Sisterlocks website. Dr. Cornwell addresses the fact that no natural hair care options were researched in making the movie, and were very marginally discussed. We are trying to spread the word and have our voices heard by Oprah, Tyra, mainstream media. We realize that natural hair poses a threat to many of their sponsors who promote the thought that "normal hair" is chemically altered and is certainly not "nappy"; heaven forbid. We must however have our voices heard. Chris Rock opened the door for discussion we have been waiting centuries to have.

I once thought that when women reached a certain age, they just wore wigs. I had no idea that my Great Aunt, Mother, several other Aunts, and I'm sure numerous other women, were wearing wigs to hide the fact that years of chemically altering thier hair had caused significant damage to their scalps, and in some cases extreme thinning, even balding. It was just not something anyone ever talked about, so generation after generation, the women aged and behold - without question or any discussion,the wig showed up. The wig was hiding an ugly skeleton. No one EVER discouraged me from perming or coloring my hair because I could end up 60 and bald. It was just a necessary evil. How sick is that?

"That Hair Thing" is serious business. We have got to teach each other to first practice self love and that certainly means not putting toxic chemicals on our scalps. I can't love myself and hate my hair which is so very much a part of me. Sisterlocks might not be the answer for everyone, but we have got to learn to deal with "our hair". I love that Chris Rock put it on blast that the black hair care industry is far from being black owned. We are the only peopole in the world who can use the products, yet we have minimal ownership interest. Wake up people!

The time for the conversation is here. The door has been opened, and we need to take advantage of it. Help Dr. Cornwell get the message to mainstream media. Forward the videos to Chris Oprah and Tyra; E-mail them. Order and read hew new book "That Hair Thing" and the Sisterlocks Approach (Second Edition) http://www.sisterlocks.com
I bought 6 extra copies to give as stocking stuffers to family and friends who love my hair but are still dealing with issues about how others will perceive them. Nevermind that people perceive them as looking crazy as hell with weaves sitting like helmets on their heads; tracks showing, matted ends bunching up. Are they seriously looking in the mirror and thinking that looks good? For real? It's not who they are and they're failing miserably at who they're trying to be. Just be yourself! It's a recokoning one has to come to on one's own terms though - the book is a great place to start.

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Title: Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire Review: Precious

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Sisterlocks Homecoming Photo Shoot 2009

Well y'all, I did it! I was blessed to have finally made my way to this year's Sisterlocks Homecoming. Having been locked since December 2005, it has long been my desire to attend however, I also wanted to take the Sisterlock Consultant training while I was there, and had been unable to do so until now. I can't even convey to you in words how much this pilgrimage meant to me. I met so many beautiful spirits on my trip. Hundreds of beautiful locked sisters (and brothers), and much like our locks NO DRAMA! Dr. Cornwell has not only created a hairstyle which allows us the freedom to be ourselves and enjoy long flowing locks without artifical additives or preservatives, she has created a culture in which we can co-exist, share, grow and thrive. Well, if that don't beat all!

I stayed on an additional three days to take the Consultant Training. What an eye opening experience. The science of Sisterlocks is truly amazing. I have always admired and respected Dr. Cornwell, and my locticians (the one who installed my locks, and the one who maintains them), but after having taken the class, taught by Master Trainer, Michelle Bryant, I have a whole new respect for them. Not only is the Sisterlocks system a beautiful and empowering hairstyle and lifestyle, it is a business, which by sharing this freedom with someone else, I can also earn a living. It does not get any better than that.

If you have never been to a Homecoming, do yourself a favor - go! If you have an interest, and the means, take the training or at least a re-tightening class. It's an intense few days, but so, so worth it.

So you know I had to do a photoshoot while I was there. I don't get very many opportunities lately to get pics of my locs despite having a daughter who is a photographer (why is that always the case?). My camera was having technical difficulties, so I am waiting for some people to send me copies of their photos so I can share the full experience with you. In the meantime, here is my photo shoot. I had fun shooting it, I hope you enjoy it!

I'm Still Here

Yes, I'm back on the block. I fell off there for a while. It was just becoming too trying and much too boring to try and chronicle every millimeter of my Sisterlock's growth, so I decided to give it a rest. I did not however intend to stay gone so long.

I've been keeping busy, working, studying Egyptian Belly Dance, working out - swimming, weight and cardio training. I've lost 20 pounds since I started September 1, 2008. It's been a wonderful journey and I am blessed beyond measure.

Thanks to my consultant, Lana of Braids by Lana, who retightened my locks on Friday, I have some new pics to post. She did a bantu knot set on me using Wrap A Locs. I kept them in from Friday to Sunday, and on Sunday she took them out and showed me some styling options. Like to see it? Here it goes...

Mother's Day

My mother, daughter, aunt and I started our Mother's Day at church, followed by brunch at Khana Peena, a wonderful Indian restaurant in Oakland. We ended up at the mall where we decided to do a photo shoot.