Author: alexandriawill

alexandriawill

5 Last Minute Holiday Gifts For Everyone

December 18, 2015

Looking for quick gifts for the holidays? Don’t stress out, I have you covered. Here are 5 last minute holiday gifts for anyone on your list. All items are under $30! Last Minute Holiday Gifts Ven & Rose I have known Vashti Patrick-Joseph aka Veepeejay for some time now. I adore her passion, determination for always mixing things up and mostly walking by faith. She has created a new apparel lined called Ven and Rose that reflects not just herself but also inspires women to Believe and Have Faith. Uncle Funky’s Daughters Workout Wonder Kit Working out is great for our bodies, but makes our hair sweaty and smelly! Uncle Funky’s Daughter is one of my favorite product lines for of the year.Working out is great for our bodies, but makes our hair sweaty and smelly! Their workout wonder sample package is perfect for any fithair chick. It’s also just $20 and fits in a gym bag with ease. Klean Kanteen Earlier this year, I purchased the Klean Kanteen and have been obsessed with this container. I love the 64 ounce jar as it preserves my alkaline water for days. This is a great gift for those who are trying to increase daily consumption of water or simply save money on purchasing water bottles. Don’t forget to check out my water, natural and ph series to see why you might want to rethink twice on bottle waters. Sports Bras Every fitchick knows, sports bras are essential. You can find sports bras any and every where in various colors. I picked up few at Title Nine in bright colors to help get me out the bed in the mornings but Target and Six02 also have great options at great prices. Here are three sports bras for women of any size but especially those who have large boobs. Books, Magazines and Amazon There isn’t anything better than curling up at a coffee shop with a cup of tea and a good book. From Juicing books to Starwars DVD digital package you can find a lot of of quick and easy gifts on Amazon. Take a look at some of my favorite books and dvds I recommend.

Healthy Vegan Pizza in 10 Minutes

December 7, 2015

Last weekend, my brother and I spent some quality time during his Thanksgiving break. He is picky eater, but while under my care we make have a habit of always trying new foods, dessert (vegan cupcakes are his many favorites) and a lot of learning. Needless to say it’s always a fun and adventurous time together. It was raining a lot so we decided to put on some Christmas music and make our own pizza using traditional Naan bread. Naan bread is a authentic, hand-stretched naan, baked in a tandoor oven at high heat; a cooking method which dates back many centuries.It has an authentic look with large bubbles, smoky flavor and airy texture. The naan is prepared with ghee (clarified butter) and flavored with buttermilk, a low-fat source of dairy. One of my favorite brands of Naan bread is by Stonefire Authentic Flatbreads. Simple & Easy Vegan Pizza I purchased all items at Trader Joe’s except the Beyond Meat. I made the vegan pizza while he made a non-vegan pizza. Here are the items I used. Healthy Vegan Pizza Ingredients Naan bread Coconut spray Vegan cheese Pizza sauce Italian seasoning (I used Zoe’s) Beyond Meat crumbles Don’t want to make a vegan pizza? No problem! Swap out a few ingredients to still have a fairly healthy and delicious pizza. Non-Vegan Healthy Pizza Ingredients Naan bread Coconut spray Mozzarella cheese Pizza sauce Italian seasoning (I used Zoe’s) Choice of meat (toppings) Note: We had some leftover pepperoni from a free lunch-kit box. I illustrated this in the picture above. We decided to use the left over pepperoni on the pizza. Waste not want not. Assemble all the items and place cheese, toppings and sauce on the Naan bread. We had an assortment of toppings so feel free to add other toppings. Things will get a little bit messy but with a great Spotify playlist playing, you won’t even mind the mess at all. This is a super easy and kid friendly recipe to have for a rainy day or any day. After assembling the pizzas, spray the pan and or baking sheets. In an oven set to 375 degrees, bake the pizza until the Naan bread is a bit crispy, which is about 5-7 minutes. It was my first time making a vegan pizza and it came out perfect! Honestly it was very good too! Pair with a simple salad and that’s it! Delicious!

Easy Bantu Knot Out

November 23, 2015

I love having 4c hair but sometimes hair styles can be a bit tricky. Luckily, I got a chance to try the blueberry line from Curls from attending the Bella Kinks Bloggers Lounge during the Expo and was surprised at how easily I was able to do a quick and easy bantu knot out style on 4c hair. Easy Bantu Knot Out on 4C Hair After sectioning full detangled hair, moisturize hair with Curls Blueberry twist-n-shout cream. Add Curls Blueberry control gel and brush on hair. I am using a denman brush I received from The Natural Cole How-To Event. You can see my quick recap and stash of products here. Two-stand twist hair and add Curls Blueberry control paste on edges when needed. Twist hair into a bantu-knot. Secure knots with hair pins and go to sleep. Take down and fluff hair out. Since the products are light feel free to use more jelly or paste to assist in styling hair. That’s it. Easy bantu knots on 4c natural hair.

WATER PH AND NATURAL HAIR

November 16, 2015

Water is vital to our entire world but especially our bodies. Water helps to distribute nutrients and vitamins to cells, helps remove toxins from the body and aids directly in hair growth. Unfortunately, most people do not have the proper amount of water each day or are having a very hard time drinking. If you are having concerns about drinking water or need a reason to kick the soda habit, take a look at my water, ph and natural hair series for an eye opening segment focusing on water, ph and natural hair. WATER, PH AND NATURAL HAIR This is the first video of the water, ph and natural hair series. Did you know your body tries to maintain a neutral balance of alkaline and acidity. Foods, water, alcohol and even stress can and does directly affects a person’s overall well being but also the pH levels. In this video I discuss the importance of water, education on ph and how water affects not just natural hair growth but internal organs, skin complexion and much more. Acid, Alkaline, Natural Hair and Your Body Many studies suggest an acidic body is a magnet for sickness, early aging, various diseases and even cancer. Eating more alkaline foods helps shift your internal body’s pH and oxygenates your system. This means your body has more oxygen, which is something we breathe in every second of the day. Acidic items are needed such as our stomach acid in order to break down but to much acidic foods internally can hinder and alter our ph levels. Alkaline foods keep your body healthy and functioning correctly, preventing diseases and help with your overall well being. In this video, I discuss the differences in acid and alkaline and how it affects the over all well being of a person. Acid (0-6) Neutral (7) Alkaline(8-14) Please note: I am mostly referring to basically alkaline and acidity levels with regards to foods and liquids. The PH Test Now that you know a little bit about acid, alkaline and how water affect your body, it’s time to test the ph of common drinks most people have daily. In this video, I test three different liquids to see their ph. The items tested are Sprite soda, Ozarka bottled water and Alkaline water from Santevia water system. As a DIY naturalist, I think of acids, alkaline and neutral ph’s in this manner Acid (0-6): Apple Cider Vinegar Neutral (7): Distilled Water Alkaline(8-14) : Baking Soda or Lemon If you are not a DIY naturalista or want to see a ph chart here is a quick chart of acid and alkaline chart. References for Water, Ph and Natural Hair Series Items mentioned in the videos can be found below on my Amazon store Books Referenced Tapped and Ph Diet Ph Testers Water systems Recommended Santevia & Zen Water —————————————————————————————- Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website/video is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. JustAlex/Alex Williams does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this website. Reliance on any information appearing on this website is solely at your own risk.

Why GMO Salmon is Bad

November 15, 2015

Salmon is the only fish I actually enjoy, eat and can recommend. It’s also one of my top favorite foods to recommend for hair growth. However, thanks to FDA folks approving the selling of Salmon with NO REGULATION. It will be almost impossible now to tell, which salmon is from the ocean, farm or lab. ‪I jumped on periscope to express my frustrations and issues with gmo salmon and the difference in farmed and wild. Take a look at the periscope replay below. Why GMO Salmon is Bad According to New York Times , “The approval by the Food and Drug Administration caps a long struggle for AquaBounty Technologies, a small company that first approached the F.D.A. about approval in the 1990s. The agency made its initial determination that the fish would be safe to eat and for the environment more than five years ago.” – Source Here are a few links to articles and recommendations on the salmon issue FDA approved GMO Salon Difference in Farmed and Wild Salmon Center for Food Safety Files Lawsuit Against AquAdvantage Salmon Background (GE/GMO Salomon) Difference in Wild and Farmed Raised Salmon Source: Prevention This Prevention Magazine infographic shows a great comparison between wild and farmed raised salmon. It’s eye opening to look at the difference in wild verses farmed raised salmon from a nutritional standpoint. You can see more details on the entire infographic and how Wild salmon trumps farmed raised completely by clicking here. I fear GMO/GE Salmon will be along the same lines as the farmed raised salmon. No GMO Salmon For Me In my periscope rant, I expressed my opinions on GMO salmon compared to what has happened with Farmed raised salmon. In general I hope that things are labeled so that we can be better informed as a consumer. Personally, I will not purchase the GMO salmon and have moved towards a meat-free diet for a bit. But I eat according to my body and plant based. Unfortunately, the Center for Food Safety points out “Consumers concerned about their personal health may not be able to avoid the fish. While 9,000 grocery stores and numerous restaurants have vowed not to sell the GE fish, lack of labeling laws mean that average consumers will not have a choice.” Source Let me know what you think about GMO, Farmed and Wild Salmon

Night Time Regimen For Crochet Braids

November 2, 2015

I love crochet braids but going to bed with them can be a hassle. Check out what I do to make sure I keep my crochet braids intact, scalp healthy and edges in tip top shape. Night Time Regimen For Crochet Braids Products mentioned Blueberry Bliss CURL Control Paste Aquis Microfiber Hair Turban NOW vegetable glycerin ‘One ‘n Only Argan Oil Treatment Loc soc Cream of nature silk/satin scarf Please note, I don’t use the argan oil every day on my scalp. I use a blend of Jamaican Black Castor oil, coconut and olive oil. Want to see what kind of crochet braids I have in my hair? Take a look at the Jamaican Bounce Crochet Braids tutorial. This video is not a sponsored post or video. Aquis reached out to see if I needed some assistance in hair towels. I was researching and google connected us. All thoughts are my own and I was not paid by them in any shape or form.

Vegetarian Weekly Meal Prep

November 1, 2015

I am currently on the Massy Arias 30 day challenge. I really like the program and some of the meals. However, I do customize the meals to my specific dietary needs. This week, I wanted to share my vegetarian meal prep for this week. In less than 90 minutes and $80 dollars, I was able to make all my meals for the week. I purchased all items at Trader Joe’s with the exception of Beyond Meat. You can find Beyond Meat items at Whole Foods, Central Market or at your nearest grocery store by clicking here. Take a look below for details of my easy and affordable vegetarian meal prep. Breakfast & Lunch I workout in the morning so I normally eat breakfast in the car. I make homemade egg sandwich with Ezekiel English muffins, egg whites and sauteed onions and peppers. I get bored with eating the same things every day so I have two options for lunch. Using one bag of Beyond Meat crumbles/grounds, I season two different ways. Any additional meat I have left over my the salads, I also use as well. Meal option 1: Sweet potato smash, mixed vegetables and seasoned Beyond Meat with curry and chopped veggies. Meal option 2: Lettuce wraps using seasoned with ginger and coconut aminos and chopped veggies, cilantro quinoa and tomatoes. Similar recipes for lettuce wraps can be found here. Snacks Currently fresh berries are expensive, thus I purchased frozen organic berries instead. I use Fage 2% yogurt and added stevia and cinnamon for flavor. This week Massy has us making a green smoothie for our snack but unfortunately I can’t do it at work. As an alternative, I am making my “green” travel smoothie. I use Garden of Life Raw chocolate and Plant Fusion vanilla with almond milk or purified water in a blender bottle. Dinner I love mason jar salads. My mason jar salads include with variety of chopped vegetables, steamed beets, mixed greens and Beyond Meat beast burger or chicken strips. I used bbq seasoning for the beast burgers and trader joe’s chicken seasoning rub for the chicken strips. I also use the taller mason jars when I am on the go. Vegetarian Weekly Meal Prep Completed That’s it! I am loving this weekly meal prep as I am getting faster each week and more focused. Once I clean up my kitchen, I prep my workout and office clothes for the week too! It has helped keep me focused and saves me time. PS: The containers I am using for meal prep can be found at my amazon store or by clicking here.

Three Things I Learned at the Bella Kinks DFW Expo

October 28, 2015

This weekend, Julian of Bella Kinks hosted the first Bella Kinks DFW Natural Hair Expo, an annual event bringing together women with Afro and Multi textured hair in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Bella Kinks’s mission is to highlight the natural hair community as the preferred lifestyle option as well as provide resources to the natural community of Dallas and Fort Worth Texas. A weekend focused on natural hair care workshops, product education, live entertainment, culture, food and a whole lot of FUN! I had such an amazing time this weekend and can’t wait till next year. Make sure you take a look at the gallery of photos and then check out the three things I learned at the Bella Kinks DFW Expo. Be Open. The Bella Kinks DFW Expo weekend is focused on education so it’s important attendees keep an open mind and soak up as much as they can from the instructors. You cannot be openminded during this weekend. I can’t count how many people spoke to the importance of being flexible and open in order to grow natural hair and in life. At the Bloggers lounge presented by Curls, many of my fellow bloggers agreed that being open to a variety of possibilities has helped us connect with our followers, increase business and enjoy life. This weekend was filled with lots of events so take advantage of each workshop, try new products and be open. Be Honest. This weekend was EXTRA special because I revealed my new FitHair method for achieving successful hair from the inside-out to the public. Yay! I loved both of my sold-out sessions because everyone was honest about their journey to achieve healthy hair and body. I had such a great time meeting you all and blowing your mind away about water. (If you missed the session, I am recording a few videos of the things I spoke about.) Attendees were very honest with their feedback and it made each session perfect. Whether you’re attending a session or learning about a new product from a company, being honest will result in the best assistance from companies and instructors. Also, special thanks to my sponsors Eat Organic DFW, Beyond Meat and Roots Juice for providing coupons, swag and delicious healthy food and juices! Be Supportive. The POWER panel was nothing short of sheer power. It was filled with so many takeaways from the cast of CEO women in the beauty and hair industry. A big lessons I took was the importance of being supportive to and of one another and the brands. It was eye opening to see other “competitors” discussing how they support one another consistently through the ups and down within the industry. This quote from Texture Talk sums up the panel’s focus. All roads to success were different, but the common purpose was the same: to SERVE OTHERS – Charlene Walton, TexturedTalk™ The women discussed how we as women are at advantage and can write our own paths within this world. It will take a lot of hard work and even more support but each person focused on desire to meet a need and were there to serve each other. Another moment, was admiring Obia of Obia Natural Haircare. I recall several years ago meeting her with nothing but a dream, a great product and faith. Five years later, she is running a fantastic company and sells all over the world. #girlboss Overall, this was a great weekend that pushed me to make my dreams a reality and continue to support my fellow friends and bloggers along the way. I can’t wait till next year and am already gearing up for some new material and things to share. Thanks to all who attended. Photography by: Joe Chea, Island Boi Photography, Isha Gaines and myself.

Five Easy and Healthy Halloween Snacks

October 25, 2015

Halloween is a holiday that is all about ghost, goblins and mostly candy. While we all know candy isn’t healthy, I decided to share a few cute and easy healthy halloween snacks that you will love. Try swapping these healthy options and decrease the candy intake this year. Five Easy and Healthy Halloween Snacks Skeleton Veggie Tray From Kraft.com Ghost Eggs From The Gourmet Mama Frankenstein Kiwis Found on Two Healthy Kitchens Clementine Pumpkins Found on My Fussy Eater Boo-Nanas Found on A Healthy Slice of Life/ BuzzFeed