Recipe ~ Apple Dump Cake

This is the only cake that I know how to make.  I do not remember where I got the recipe from, but I have been making this for at least 15 years.  This is a no fail, always perfect, cobbler like dessert that ANYbody can make.  It is especially fun to have the kids get involved.  Its called a "Dump" cake for a reason.  You are literally going to dump the ingredients into a pan and bake!

Apple Dump Cake

Ingredients:
1 box of yellow cake mix
2 cans of your favorite pie filling (we use apple)
1 stick of margarine

Preheat the oven to 350
In an average size rectangle cake pan or any oven safe dish thats deep enough...

Dump in the 2 cans of pie filling.  (spread it evenly)
Dump the contents of the cake mix box on top of the pie filling (yes the dry cake mix)
Slice the margarine and place the slices on top of the cake mix.  Try to cover it as much as possible.
Bake in the oven for 30-45 minutes or until its bubbling.

Cool or serve warm with scoops of ice cream for a wonderful summer treat!

Remember:  You can use ANY pie filling you want for this recipe OR crushed pineapples. Try using 1 can of crushed pineapples and 1 can of cherry pie filling.  Its yummy. Experiment and have fun!

Thanks for reading :-)

Simple Summers ~ Learning AND Fun

Kids love nothing more than being out of school and summer time.  Sometimes it can be a challenge finding things for them to do that will keep them both interested AND busy.  Today we kept it simple and just got out the hose.

We intend to continue to keep it simple for the rest of the summer.


We will work in our container garden.
We will play OUTSIDE

We will visit the local library.
We will visit museums
We will attend cultural festivals/expo
...and more

These are just a few of the things that are planned for my LittleChick this summer.  I must add that I will not be accomplishing all of these things with my daughter on my own.  I do have a job.  My village (My husband, mother, sister, and neighbor) will all help.

What do you have planned for your kids this summer?

Thanks for reading.

Peace :-)

Sistah SpotLight! Mahogany Babies

On behalf of Our Natural Kids, I am so excited to tell you all about Mahogany Babies!  Mahogany Babies is a California based program that helps to educate parents about healthy hair and scalp care as well as healthy self esteem.  They achieve this through educational "hands on" seminars developed by Trichologist, natural hair stylist and salon owner, Dr. Kari Williams.  I just love the mission of this program:
"...to inform and train parents on how to nurture their child's hair and self esteem by providing education that teaches how to recognize common scalp disorders and avoid unhealthy hair care practices that can lead to permanent hair loss in children."

Dr. Kari believes in encouraging healthy techniques for styling hair at home to ensure that children will actually have a head full of healthy hair as they grow.

If you are in the Los Angeles, CA area, you are in luck because the next seminar  is set for Saturday, May 19th, 2012.  This particular installment will teach parents how to detangle, braid, twist,  and cornrow! In addition to education there will also be entertainment in the form of music, art, spoken word, stories that inspire, AND MORE!!  (A buffet style lunch is included in the price of a ticket.)

Go to http://mahoganybabies.eventbrite.com/ for more information and as a special offer for our Cali readers enter coupon code MAHOGANY to save $10 on your ticket!

Sign Up on www.OurNaturalKids.Ning.com to learn about how you can win a FREE ticket to this event.

Education is key!  Check out Dr. Kari's other sites also:

http://www.drkariwilliams.com/

http://www.mahoganyrevolution.com/

Thanks for reading!

Container Garden 2012

My LittleChick and I are at again!  At the beginning of April we started our beloved container garden.  We had such success with last years venture that it this year was a no brainer.   One thing that we didn't know is that some of the things that we planted before actually come back from year to year.  We now know the difference between Perennials (Life cycle 3+ years), Annuals (1 year) and Biennials (2 years).
  

Romaine

On April 1st we planted:  Cucumbers, Spinach, Onions, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lettuce, Romaine, Carrots, Kale, and Collards.
On April 14th we planted: Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Cilantro
On May 5th we planted: Bell Peppers

Kale

Collards

We are having so much fun with this.  My daughter rushes home from school everyday and immediately goes out to check on her plants.  She really nurtures her crop.   Watering daily and notifying me of any differences that she sees.  

Spinach

Starting a container garden is easy.  Here is what we did to get started.  We logged on to one of the popular seed websites to find out what "zone" we are in.  This tells you what can be planted and when based on the climate that you live in.  Once that was determined we decided on what we would grow and we purchased the seeds, premium potting soil and pots.  We simply followed the planting instructions on the seed packets and stood back to watch it all grow.  Container gardens are EASY.  No bugs.  No muss.  No fuss.  There is NOTHING like stepping right outside your house and grabbing everything you need to make a fresh salad.  I cant wait  until we can do that.

Lettuce

Do you have a garden or container garden?  What are you growing?

Thanks for reading.

Peace

World Natural Hair Show ~ Spring 2012

Pierre & Jamyla Bennu
Oyin Handmade

I LOVE Natural Hair Events.  There.  I said it!  I attended the 15th Annual World Natural Hair Health and Beauty Show presented by Taliah Waajid on Sunday (29th) .  I am telling you, every year this show gets better and better.  The weather was just perfect and so was the venue (Georgia International Convention Center). This bi annual event brings together the BEST in natural hair styles, fashion, health, etc. and a bevvy of celebrities from the local natural hair community plus SO much more.  I had an amazing time as always.

Catherine of Hair Kitty Kitty( luvhairkittykitty.blogspot.com )
Master Barber Will Williams of Sof N Free
The SistahChick

Thea (@gblsales)
representing Shea Radiance

Gorgeous Natural Hair

The beautiful ladies of LodieLocks
http://www.lodielocks.com/

Check out The SistahChick & Our NaturalKids Facebook page for more pics!  See ya in the Fall!

Thanks for reading.

Peace

Coco Curls & Conversation

Jeanelle Darden, Creator, Coco Curls
Fro Fashion Week Spring 

Atlanta is the place to be if you are a blogger with a passion for all things natural hair related.  I happen to be in love with a new-to-me product called Coco Curls Moisturizing Styling Cream.  I was introduced to Coco Curls and its lovely creator, Jeannell Darden during Fro Fashion Spring 2012.

Lucky for me i received a generous sample of Coco Curls and I have been hooked ever since!  After trying the product I couldn't wait to attend my very first Coco Curls & Conversation event.  It was a lovely afternoon spent at Celebrity Hair Salon in the Castleberry Hills area of downtown Atlanta with Jeannell and friends.  We learned about healthy living, styling tips, and of course Coco Curls.  There were also Live product demonstrations, vegan food samplings and more.

The venue was the hip and trendy Celebrity Hair Salon

There were many beautiful natural haired beauties in the house

Including some of my favorite fellow bloggers

Nikka Shae & @PGRDresses
www.OhNikka.com
www.PrettyGirlsRockDresses.com

@VirtuousStyls
www.virtuousstyls.com

The SistahChick & Oh Nikka

@Cocoa Report
www.CocoaReport.com

www.TheSmileyEffect.com

I loved that co-host DeShonca of D'Essence Hair Studios tied health and fitness into natural hair care and maintenance.  She did a good job explaining the uses of different vitamins and the importance of exercise for overall health.  She also took questions and gave styling tips and advice

DeShonca of D'essence Hair Studio

Live product demonstrations went on through out the event

We also learned a little about raw vegan living

Tassili's Raw Reality

It didn't stop there.  We played healthy trivia games.  DeShonca helped many to identify their curl patterns.  There were many giveaways courtesy of Sweet Honey Child and more.  

I got a cool tshirt, a jar of one of my new favorite products, Coco Curls Moisturizing Styling Cream AND I got to chat with the creator, Jeannell Darden!!  This day was a good day.

Click here to read my review of  Coco Curls Moisturizing Styling Cream

Click here to see the rest of the pictures from this event Coco Curls & Conversation

Thanks for reading, Peace

  

Coco Curls Moisturizing Styling Cream ~ Product Review

The great thing about being a natural hair blogger in Atlanta, is that there is ALWAYs something to do.  Always a natural hair related meetup.  Always a hairshow.  Always a gathering of some kind where like minded sistahs can get together and discuss our passion.  During Fro Fashion Week, I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting the beautiful Jeannell Darden, Creator of Coco Curls. Once I met her and touched and smelled the product I was very anxious to try it out.  During my month long product testing process I heard about Coco Curls & Conversation, an event hosted by Jeanelle.  I could not wait to attend. My experience with Coco Curls was with out a doubt "love at first use" for me.   I decided that not only would I show up, but that I would show up with Coco Curls in my hair. I consider myself to be fortunate to meet this product maker face to face before she blows up!! This would be my second time using the product.  I wanted to show  Jeannell  and whoever else was in attendance how beautifully it worked for me.

Two days prior to the event, I washed and conditioned my hair.  While it was dripping wet I sectioned my hair into 5 parts and smoothed CocoCurls (A nickel sized amount or a "finger full") on each section from root to tip using my fingers to comb it through.  Then I let it air dry.  Thats it.

Freshly applied Coco Curls

It does not dry white

It took a few hours to air dry...

Dry

That evening I swooped all of my hair up into a single bun on top, tied with a scarf and went to sleep.  The next morning I gave my hair a hard shake separated a little with shea butter coated fingers and this was the end result...

I really, really love the smell of this product. It smells a little coconutty.  Maybe a little butterscotchy..Its good that it says "not for consumption" on the labeling! YUM! It has a smooth creamy but heavy texture when rubbed between your fingers.  A little goes a long way with this product.  I used about a finger full for each section that i mentioned earlier.  Once dried my hair was shiny, it felt and non greasy to the touch.  It felt soft and not crunchy and it made for a gorgeous Wash N Go style. (Pic above) My husband could not keep his nose out of my hair!  It smells fantastic! This product will find itself in my "Must haves" rotation very soon.  I love it!  

The SistahChick & Jeannell Darden, Creator of Coco Curls

Have you ever tried Coco Curls?

Click here to read about the event ~ Coco Curls & Conversation!

Thanks for reading.

Peace

Grey's Anatomy ~ Baby Zola's Hair

Grey's Anatomy tackled the topic of white parents caring for their black children's hair in last weeks episode.  I really love the way it was handled (with humor & love).  For those of you who don't watch "Grey's".  Dr. & Mrs Shepherd (a white couple) have adopted an African American child.   I appreciate that the show expanded on this often untalked about issue.  The clips are below.

In this scene Dr Shepherd believes that a woman is racist because she stares at him and baby Zola



In this scene Dr. Bailey shows Derek how to do baby Zola's hair



Did you see it?  What did you think?

5 Styles in 10 Days with Curls Unleashed

Organic Roots Stimulator has added a new curl care line to its bevvy of products!  Curls Unleashed was launched at Fro Fashion Week Spring 2012.  I was invited to give the products a try and I am happy to report that I was very pleased with it.  I dont believe that using a product one time with just one style can give you a total and fair review so I worked this line out.  I did 5 styles in 10 days. I have thin type kinky and curly 4a hair.  See for yourself the the specific product that I used, the style and the results that I got.

These are the Curls Unleashed products that I used:
Lavish in Lather Sulfate Free Shampoo
No Boundaries Leave In Conditioner
Take Command Curl Creme
Second Chance Curl Refresher
Let It Flow Shine & Define Mouse (gave this to my mom to try)

Day 1 ~ Wash N Go
I started by giving my hair a nice wash with Lavish in Lather Sulfate Free Shampoo.  The name they gave this poo is very appropriate.  It gave a very nice lather which scared me at first, but it did not leave my hair feeling stripped at all.  It left my hair feeling good & smelling wonderful. (I used my own conditioner after the poo)

To achieve this Wash N Go I cocktailed the No Boundaries Leave In Conditioner & the Take Command Curl Creme.  On totally damp hair I applied the No Boundaries leave in from root to tip and then shingled in the Take Command Curl Cream.  I sealed with jojoba oil and let it air dry.  I noticed no difference in the amount of shrinkage that I experienced.  This product DID NOT DRY CRUNCHY!!  You all know that I am Wash N Go girl so this made me very happy.  As you can see it left my curls looking very shiny & healthy and feeling moisturized and soft to the touch.

Day 3 ~ Two Strand Twists
After touching and smelling the Second Chance Curl Refresher, I thought I'd try it for a 2 strand twist.  I finger parted through my wash n go with just a dab of this product on my fingers for each twist.  Again, great smelling product and not sticky at all.  My twists were still soft.

Day 4 ~ Bantu Knots
I took a little bit of the No Boundaries Leave In Conditioner (about a dime size) and smoothed it into my twists on this day.  I decided to throw some Bantu Knots in.

Day 5 ~ Bantu Knots Unraveled
I unraveled the knots, but not the twists on this day.

Day 6 - 10 ~ Twist Out
I took the twists out on day 6.  These pics are on day 10, so this is a 4 day old twist out.  I used the No Boundaries Leave In Conditioner this time to add moisture to my edges and pulled my hair back with a barette. My hair still smells as fresh as it did on day one, and is still soft to the touch.

I really like this product for my hair.  I will definitely be using the Curls Unleashed line again and hope to try the No Restrictions Moisturizing Conditioner next time.

Have you tried this line yet?

Thanks for reading.

Peace :-)

Thank You Whitney Houston

Words cannot express the emotions that I feel with the loss of our sistah, the beautiful songbird, Whitney Houston.  Who was she to me you might ask.  After all she is just another celebrity.  She is not related to me.  right?  Well let me explain it to you like this.  When someone's meaningful songs and words touch you at any point in your life, that person becomes family by proxy.  See Whitney got me through high school. My senior prom hair style was based on her hair in "The Greatest Love of All" video.  She was there with me through my first love AND my first heartbreak.  She partied with me through the 90's as I came of age.  She never let me down when she sang the Star Spangled Banner.  She IS family.  She IS our sister.  She is an integral part of Music History, selling more than her share of records and winning a lion's share of rewards and recognitions.  Never mind that she had personal and family issues.  Who doesn't?!  I just want to take a moment today to remember and recognize that angel, Whitney Houston. A legend who understood what her life purpose was and who used it to shine her radiant light upon us through song.  She will be missed.

Thank you Whitney Houston

This was my favorite song.



I felt the same way when Michael Jackson died.  Check out my tribute to the King of Pop...

Excerpts of My Life...Soundtrack by Michael Jackson ~ A Tribute to the King

Thanks for reading.

Peace.