March | 2013 | The Phoenix Rising Collective

March 29, 2013
by The Phoenix Rising Collective Leave a comment

Looking Good, Naturally!

Are you Team Look Good, Feel Good, Naturally? Of course you are! So, you know a large part of cleaner living is moving toward using natural products for your hair, skin, and nails. And you also know that incorporating natural products into your daily routine can make your hair, skin, and nails feel as good as your body does with cleaner eating habits!

What is Clean Living? Well, we define it as making a commitment to informed decisions about the products we use and the foods we eat. The goal is to incorporate simple, sustainable, and healthful practices into your daily routines that are natural, nutritionally safe, and toxin-free for the body and home to cultivate clean living inside and out.

The products and regimens we’re providing are inexpensive, healthy alternatives - some can even be found in your kitchen!

HAIR

3 products Simone One of the most awesome things about having natural hair is versatility, and one of the most difficult parts about having natural hair is finding reliable products that work well with your hair type. For this we often turn to essential oils and conditioners made for sustaining healthy, natural hair.

Simone returned to natural twelve years ago, and started locking her hair in 2007. She usually wears her hair down or in protective hair styles, such as buns and pigtails (she is really obsessed with pigtails right now!), and she loves using coconut oil because it promotes hair growth by penetrating and moisturizing the scalp. When it comes to washing, it is an all day affair! She starts by using a combination of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, sea salt, and warm water to cleanse her scalp (and to promote shine). Then, she uses a few of her favorite Shea Moisture products to condition and shampoo her hair.

Aisha is three years into being natural and loves it. Depending on the day, the weather, or her school schedule, you can catch her with wash-n-go curly tresses, a protective style, or an occasional press-out. With that in mind, most of her favorite products are oils! Jojoba, argan, coconut, and peppermint - just to name a few. All of these oils work to maintain the moisture that hair needs. For wash-n-go hair (by co-washing), a leave in conditioner is essential, followed by oils to seal in the moisture. For a protective style, a good spray of oils fights hair breakage, allowing the style to actually protect the hair, not hurt it. If you are pressing your hair – which should be done sparingly, as too much heat can be damaging – oil can be used to seal the ends of your hair and maintain a healthy scalp. Remember, moisturized hair is healthy, happy hair!

SKIN CARE

photo (6) Some of Aisha’s favorite natural skin care products come from Lush, a cosmetics company that prides itself on the creation of fresh handmade products. She enjoys indulging in various handmade soaps (especially one made out of honey), soaking in oatmeal baths, and rubbing her body down with handmade lotion. Although buying handmade cosmetics comes at a price, we have to pick and choose how we’re going to treat ourselves, and this is where Aisha indulges. Plus, none of the products she buys are tested on animals!

Oh, and have you ever heard of the Oil Cleansing Method? It is amazing! Simone loves using coconut oil, avocado oil, and/or olive oil to clean her face. She follows this routine everyday, especially after workouts to keep her face firm and clear of breakouts. These oils are also great for the entire body, so get obsessed!

Feminine Hygiene - Yes, down there! We use natural products EVERYWHERE.

Simone uses natural vaginal cleansers that are gentle and moisturizing - a lot of vaginal washes come in lavender, rose, and other scents. In fact, there are also many natural foods that promote womb wellness and give you a fresher, cleaner feeling. Natural health practitioner and author, Queen Afua gives some examples in her book, Heal Thyself for Health and Longevity, of live foods that can be eaten for healthy feminine hygiene and wellness: mango, papaya, coconut water, ginger, sorrel, honeydew, celery, parsnip, cucumber, and greens such as kale, spinach, and chard. And here’s a recipe for a natural cleansing bath:

1tbsp. cinnamon
3tbsp. rosewater/3tsps. rose oil
Natural foaming liquid
Handful of patchouli
1-2 lbs. Dead Sea Salt (for deep relaxation)
Soak 20 - 30 minutes

And who loves a nice Brazilian wax? We do! Hey Fran Hey has an awesome recipe for a raw and organic hair remover that we cannot wait to try! You can also use this sugar wax on other parts of your body.

NAILS

Natural care for nails? Oh, but of course. Simone recently said goodbye to acrylic nails and hello to coconut oil to promote nail growth. Acrylic nails may look good, but they are very damaging and can often leave your nail bed weak and unattractive after removing them. For Simone, coconut oil has been the best solution for nail health and growth. The nutrients in the oil help to strengthen your cuticles and the nail bed, too. Massage coconut oil into your hands and nails two to three times a week, and before you know it, you will have long, strong claws! Okay, maybe you don’t want claws, but the strength is to die for.

We realize that all of this may be super overwhelming, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite resources and products that we hope you’ll incorporate in your daily routine. Most of the products we use are raw and organic for an extra clean look and feel!

Jojoba Oil
Coconut Oil
Argan Oil
Peppermint Oil
Avocado oil
Olive oil
Shea Moisture Products
Kinky Curly Knot-Today Leave-In
Witch Hazel (for cuts)
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine
Encyclopedia of Healing Foods

Remember that becoming au naturel is a process. Your health and sanity are important, so be patient with yourself when it comes to learning about clean products. Looking and feeling good from the inside out and the outside in are a commitment, so take the time to get your research on. Invest in yourself. Go ‘head—get to know the skin you’re in!

Tip: Before buying ALL of these products, pair up with a friend so you can find what works best for you without wasting money.

Happy cleaning!

Simone Savannah is an English instructor and contributing writer for the Project on the History of Black Writing at the University of Kansas. She is currently pursuing a PhD in English-Creative Writing and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. Her poetry is based on personal experiences she can’t let go—imagined or otherwise. Simone also enjoys making green smoothies, attending Bikram Yoga classes, and laughing uncontrollably.

Aisha Upton is a first year PhD student at the University of Pittsburgh, studying Sociology and Women’s Studies. Her research interests: Black women in service organizations and violence against Black women. She is passionate about many things including community service, lipstick, baking, thrifting, knitting, and being a proud owner of a Cockapoo, Napoleon. At the intersection of being a diligent student, a fashionista, and an activist – you will find Aisha, attempting to find a balance.

Be sure to continue following Aisha + Simone’s unique take on Life + Style and the importance of letting who you are shine through when it comes to self-care, and defining your personal style.

March 19, 2013
by The Phoenix Rising Collective 2 Comments

Around the World, In Search of More: How Traveling Has Changed My Life

Travel_Quote

We live in such a big world with people who have diverse cultures, customs, and beliefs, so I started traveling to get to know the world we live in better.

When we are born in one place and stay there all our lives, sometimes we miss the chance to truly be exposed to the cultures of others, and this can lead to thinking that our way of life is the only way, or sadly, the best way, so I began to travel more in order to experience for myself what other places are truly like.

My first trip outside of the U.S. was to Cairo, Egypt. A college friend was going home for the summer, so I decided to accompany her on the journey. While there I saw a world that was so different from my own. As I traveled around the country, I was fascinated by the fact that many people in Cairo have some of the same perspectives on family as those who live in the U.S. There was the mother who made sure her children were fed in the morning and off to school. The father who worried about where his teenage daughter was going, and who she was going out with at night. Having the opportunity to witness these similarities, and also experience some of the cultural differences, broadened my thinking, and probed me to ask more questions like, “Is there a right or wrong way? Couldn’t they all just be different?” These questions are what started my traveling bug.

This is a woman who lives in a rural town called Cayhuashun near Cuenca, Ecuador. The skirt is the typical dress of the women living near Cuenca. Every indigenous community has their own traditional dress.
Photo Credit: Erika Turpin

Since Cairo I have been to many other countries in the world, and I wish to visit and explore more places in the future. However, right now I have settled in Ecuador. This country fascinates me, and I want to continue learning about the people, so I haven’t left yet.

I currently live in beautiful Cuenca, Ecuador, South America, the third largest city in Ecuador and host to a variety of cultures. One that I have come to really embrace is those who speak Kichwa - an indigenous language in the country. I feel a connection to them, especially the women. And when I am with them, I often reflect on my own family.

They highly value hard work, and are committed to keeping close-knit family bonds. For example, the women usually get up at four in the morning to make sure everyone is well prepared for the day. This is also the perfect time for them to cook and wash clothes, which is all done by hand, and once everyone is off to work or school, they go to work themselves.

The photo (bottom left) shows a mother, her two daughters, and her granddaughter selling vegetables at the local market in Cuenca. The small children are carried on their mothers’ backs so they can remain hands-free for working. In bigger cities, the markets are where you will find most of the Kichwa women, so I love to stop, shell peas, and talk with them. I haven’t graduated to plucking the corn kernels off a cob because it’s too hard, and I usually end up with all the corn splattered on my face.

Mothers selling vegetables at the local market in Cuenca
Photo Credit: Erika Turpin

The Kichwa-speaking people are a very private and closed community. It takes a while for them to trust and let you into their circle, because they have experienced a lot of prejudice. Unfortunately, those outside of their community tend to look down on them, viewing them as ignorant and dirty. They believe Kichwa is a dying language of the past and don’t want to learn it; in fact, speaking English is preferred because they equate it with fortune. However, Kichwa is important to the rural areas of Ecuador because Spanish isn’t spoken, so their indigenous language is the central way to communicate.

The negative perceptions about this community are what make the people reserved and skeptical. But, on the other hand, once you win their trust, you’ve gained friends for life. I have also found that because I’ve taken the time to learn their language, I am easily accepted. They view me as someone who genuinely makes an effort to be a part of their lives.

There is so much more for me to experience in Cuenca, and I am excited to continue sharing my adventures and inspirations with you. Traveling around the world has changed my life, so hopefully, you’ll be inspired by some of the stories, and take the leap to begin (or continue) exploring places that have always intrigued you.

Erika Turpin is an English as a Foreign Language Teacher, who lives in Cuenca, Ecuador. To express her passion for sharing her traveling and cultural experiences, she shares a verse from her spiritual practice, “Jehovah himself gives the saying; the women telling the good news are a large army.”(Psalm 68:11) Furthermore, “why should women travel the world? Learning about women of all different cultures all around the world helps us to become connected and understand ourselves better. Many women around the world don’t understand their true worth, we must help and love each other.”

March 16, 2013
by The Phoenix Rising Collective 2 Comments

The Quilting Story Revealed: An Artist’s Path to Her Passion

Mixed Media Artist and Writer, Faith Ringgold
Photo Credit:
Click image for original source, and to learn more about this inspiring change agent’s books.

I fell in love with Faith Ringgold’s art years ago when I was studying quilts as a media art form. Yes, quilts as a media form. This may be hard to imagine, but the book Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad discusses the utility of these artistic blankets, far beyond keeping the family warm. The quilts contained messages, codes, maps, and stories for a specific culture; more specifically, the quilts led many enslaved African women and men to freedom. As an artist and activist Faith Ringgold talks about her artistry as a way of sharing one’s story and self-identity.

You can’t sit around waiting for somebody else to say who you are. You need to write it and paint it and do it. That’s where the art comes from. It’s a visual image of who you are. That’s the power of being an artist.

-Faith Ringgold

In the MAKERS documentary she said Aunt Jemima was the first Story Quilt she made. She chose to rewrite Aunt Jemima’s life story as an entrepreneur. Many people should remember Aunt Jemima if they eat pancakes – she is the woman on the syrup bottle that had a do-rag on her head, and years later transitioned to an Afro or maybe it is a Jheri curl (still to this day). Regardless, this Mammy caricature became the quintessential figure for the product - eventually selling syrup to millions of pancake lovers. Faith talks of reshaping the history of women so that we can accurately portray ourselves in an empowering light. More importantly, women can define themselves for themselves.

It is Faith’s words that led me to the feature for March, Women’s Herstory Month – Ernestine Holmes.

Ernestine is an extraordinary quilt artist, and I learned about her quilts a few years ago. I had the opportunity to see some of them during a demonstration speech. I was amazed at the detail and craftsmanship, so last December I sat down with her to discuss what led her to this rich and vibrant art form.

This 74-year old soft-spoken and gutsy artist was born in Arkansas, and she is the oldest of five siblings. She spent most of her adolescence in Arkansas until her father’s job in the automotive industry transferred the family to Michigan. While there, Ernestine was home schooled until she moved to the Midwest; she talked about her experience in the segregated school she attended, and how Black History was not allowed to be taught, but regardless, she had teachers who taught it.

erny_revise

Ernestine was always familiar with sewing. Her mother taught her to sew, and she credits her mother and grandmother, who both made Utilitarian Quilts, with inspiring her desire to quilt. They also made Anglo Saxon Quilts that were showcased at fairs, and regularly won ribbons. In the 1970s Ernestine received a scholarship from the Urban League to attend Academy Nvart in Southfield, Michigan. Her passion was to learn Couture Design, which she did.

However, Ernestine did not start quilting until she retired in 1992 from General Motors. At the age of 53 she decided to pursue her passion. She says she officially started quilting in 1994. Four years later she joined the African American Quilters in Flint, and then joined another group, the Michigan Quilt Network, where she started exhibiting her quilts annually.

I asked her about the messages in her quilts, and she explained that some of them tell a story while others focus on specific patterns that repeat themselves throughout the work. Ernestine also shared that her quilt that focuses on the African Diaspora was created because she specifically wanted to show how the slave trade affected cultures around the world. Out of the 200 plus quilts she has made, she stated that this one was her favorite.

Ernestine also expressed one of the challenges she has with quilting – selling her work. She is preparing for an exhibition this spring, and this is a very big deal, given the fact that she often sells quilts on commission. Selling her pieces has not been a common occurrence as there is an attachment to the art she creates. She explained that at times her challenge with people is whether or not they recognize and value the time and effort she puts into creating each quilt. And she doesn’t necessarily work on one quilt at a time; it simply depends. After looking at her extensive collection that covered her whole house, I realized how important Faith Ringgold’s words are – an artist can become the art she is creating. Ernestine says, “If you spend your time creating something you should be financially rewarded for it. When I went to Africa I wouldn’t barter with the people.” She says it was difficult to negotiate prices for the art she saw.

Finally, I asked Ernestine if there is something she does beyond quilting. She named two activities: golfing and traveling. Due to time, it has been a challenge balancing her personal interests, but her plan is to return to these two activities and continue creating beautiful quilts.

Here’s to Ernestine Holmes - a quilter, storyteller, activist, and indeed an artist!

Other Sources:

Utilitarian Quilts - Ernestine explained that Utilitarian Quilts are made out of the old clothing, specifically created to keep the family warm.

Traci Currie is a Communication Studies lecturer at University of Michigan-Flint, as well as a knit-crochet artist, writer, and spoken word performer. She has been a part of the art world for over 15 years in many capacities: art gallery board member; overseeing a spoken word series for 5 years; performing nationally and internationally; published poet. She believes Phoenix Rising Collective will help young women reach their highest potential and pay-it-forward. “This organization is about empowering women to take ownership of their lives, claim their identities and be the positive change they wish to see in the world they live.”

You can also read about Traci’s journey to self-love, as this contributing writer was also a LYFF feature: click here.

March 15, 2013
by The Phoenix Rising Collective Leave a comment

It’s Love Yourself First! Friday - Today’s Phoenix is Teneele.

teneele_blog_graphic “I love myself first by doing what makes me happy,” Teneele says. Making time to do things that bring her joy and meaning helps this aspiring yoga instructor identify what makes her unique. She journals, writes poetry, and reads books about history, culture, and health - and if that’s not enough for enjoyment, Teneele also listens to diverse genres of music. “When I’m in my zone, I get lost in the beats, rhythms, and lyrics. Music really is a universal language, and it allows me to feel connected to everyone and everything.”

Teneele is also a no-fuss kind of girl, so she keeps her natural hair regimen very organic. Whether she’s rocking a ‘fro or twists (like you see in the photo), she loves that her hair is healthy, soft, and versatile. This natural beauty also wants to be healthy from the inside out, so in January she became a pescetarian, and the process has positively pushed her to learn more about her body and what it needs to operate at its fullest capacity. She loves trying new recipes and foods, and even makes herbal infusions and medicines!

She has also made yoga an integral part of her life, and it has helped her achieve clarity, peace, strength, and balance. “It’s cool to see how much I’ve grown with my yoga practice, and I’ve been inspired to become a yoga instructor. I want to provide health and wellness services to underserved youth, and show them the importance of eating well, being self-sufficient, breathing, centering themselves, eliminating stress, and having focus,” she says.

To rejuvenate, Teneele begins each day with prayer and realizes that it definitely makes a difference in her day. Without prayer she says, “I feel disconnected, and it’s easier for the stresses and worries of the day to get the best of me. When I seek the Creator, my mind and heart are at ease. I know that I’m loved, and my needs and wants are being met far beyond my expectations.”

She is a Phoenix rising, and we appreciate her sharing how she’s self-love in action. Want more? Well, you can peruse, Teneele’s beautiful line of jewelry on Etsy!

Love Yourself First! Friday is a weekly self-love series created by the Phoenix Rising Collective. Beautiful, diverse women of color tell their stories of triumph, share their personal affirmations, and declare their love for their own lives! The series is meant to inspire and empower women to fiercely demonstrate self-love in action in order to build and sustain healthy, positive self-esteem.

The Phoenix Rising Collective

Inspiring Women. Empowering Change.

Monthly Archives: March 2013