Being Well

  Vegetables—Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Cucumbers, Carrots, Squash, & Garlic Every time write a blog post, no matter the topic, I gravitate back to health and wellness. It's as if these themes have a magnetic pull, drawing me in with their promise of vitality and balance. Specifically, I am passionate about whole foods and meal planning, not just for personal preference, but as a universal necessity. Whole foods are the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. They are minimally processed, nutrient-dense, and free from artificial additives. When I write about whole foods, I am reminded of their power to nourish our bodies and minds.  They provide the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants our bodies need to function optimally. From fresh fruits and vegetables to whole grains and lean proteins, whole foods offer multiple flavors and textures that make eating a delightful experience. Meal planning with whole foods is another topic I can't help but revisit. It's a prac...

  Silk Press Hair straightening  is as old as ancient civilization, where people heated combs and tools  to "iron" their hair flat. It was prevalent in Egypt.  Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, different cultures adopted various techniques to achieve the "straight look," as my mom would say: to get the hair "bone straight." The hair-straightening process evolved over time to become more efficient, and less damaging to the hair due to heat applied to straighten it, as well as the tools used to achieve the straight look. Chemical hair relaxers were popular for women with curly hair patterns. After the hair was chemically relaxed, it was straightened with a metal pressing comb placed on an open burner to heat the tool, then combed through the hair to give it a finished appearance.  When non-Black women with straight hair during mid-20 th century wanted straighter hair, they used a clothes iron to straighten their hair to achieve a polished and wel...