Nu-Gro Hair Products

Nu-Gro is a natural products company started in 1988 at Shreveport, LA. The creator was W.D. Andrews, but as of 2003, the company is being run by his son, Greg Andrews. Nu-Gro's primary focus has been hair growth products, however, they also offer a range of other natural products including weight-loss, eye lash growth, and arthritis and gout pain ointment.

Nu-Gro's hair care line is extensive and offers something for everyone. I've been using the system off and on since 2009 and have notice (along with others) a HUGE difference in my hair's thickness and length. Often I'm asked what types of hair the product can be used on. According to Greg, they've tried the products on 42 nationalities with positive hair growth results on all.

I started using Nu-Gro in February of 2009. Over the previous year, I had noticed my hair thinning which was foreign to me because growing up I'd ALWAYS had thick hair. My beautician attributed it to my age (at the time I was 34, stress, child birth, etc. I heard her, but was not willing to give up. I think I'd tried just about every shampoo and conditioner that had been raved about from here to the moon. Price was no object for me either. If it was $.99 or $50, I was ready to put the investment into the health of my hair. So around that time, I ran across a video from Ateyaaa on YouTube about this new product called Nu-Gro that was doing wonders for her hair. Well why not give it at try? Ateya's hair was gorgeous, and shiny. So I immediately placed my order and waited patiently for my shipment(thankfully it only took two days). I opened the box and ran to wash my hair!! The first thing that I noticed was that this green grainy concoction smelled like medicine. At that point though, I was willing to try anything. There were actual pieces of herbs in the shampoo, you could see them, feel them...wow. The shampoo was also very thin, but did build a nice lather after the first wash. I could not believe how silky my hair felt during this wash, especially since I was in dire need of a touch up. I followed through with the conditioner, which was thick, but not super thick like a treatment. Once I finished, my hair was like butta'!! I noticed a difference right away. I incorporated Hair Gro Oil with the shampoo and conditioner, and watched my hair grow and thicken like magic!! If you're interested in more details, here are some of my videos from YouTube with more details.







As of 2011, Nu-Gro has revamped their products and have an amazing line of new inventory. From 2009 to now, I feel like there was a new product every time I went to purchase replacements. Here are a few of the products currently in their line. For more details, check out the Nu-Gro website.

Shampoo: moisturizing, sulfate free ($9.99)
Conditioner: regular, moisturizing for dry hair ($9.99)
Hair Oil: baby, professional, super, temple balm, styling pomade, liquid (from $5.99-$15.99)
Moisturizing Spray ($9.99)
Oil Free Spray: original, light ($9.99)
Petroleum Free Hair Butter ($11.99)
Nu-Laxer Hair Relaxer Kit contains no chemicals ($18.99)

So, if you haven't already, I hope that you will give Nu-Gro a try. They ALWAYS have a sale or promotion going on, so run to the website: www.nugrohairproducts.com. If you do, make sure you enter discount code dynamite at checkout to receive an additional 10% off already reasonably priced products that actually work!!

Any questions...holla at ya girl!

XOXO
D

Health Helpers!!

Hey guys!! In case you didn't know already, I LOOOVE Dr. Oz and The Doctors!! They offer super duper health advice. Here are some tips to help you and your loved ones live longer...all jam packed in ONE place!!! Add more if you have em, I WILL!! XOXO...




Supplements:

Chromium Polynicotinate (200 MCG/day): helps prevent diabetes

Magnesium: lowers risk of colon cancer in women

IP-6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate): May help prevent colon, liver, and lung cancer. Take 500mg twice daily

Black Raspberry: May help prevent esophageal and cervical cancer. Take 300MG twice daily

Vitamin D: May help prvent cervical, breast and colorectal cancer. 1000 IU per day


Foods:

Beets: rich in iron; allows blood to flow, dilates blood vessels; contain betanins starve tumors and keep cancer cells from diving. 1/4 cup per day can help prevent kidney cancer.

Juiced super drink: Beets, carrots, parsley, apple

Papaya: contains lycopene, ruten, and cryptozanthen. One per week can lower your risk of cervical cancer.

Jumbo Shrimp: contains omega 3 fatty acids cancer fighter that starves tumor cells. Eating 8 or 9 per day can reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Unsalted Cashews: contains proanthocyanidins that also starve tumor cells; prevent cancer cells from dividing. Eating 12 per day can lower your risk of colon cancer.

Caffeinated coffee: caffeine allegedly stimulates the 'suicide' of cancer cells; helps prevent breast,colon, uterine, neck, head, brain and prostate cancer.

Filtered water (that you filter from your tap): helps prevent colon and bladder cancer.

Beer: protects against certain bacteria that may lead to ulcers. ONLY One drink per day helps prevent cancer.

Sauerkraut: protects against cancer. The fermentation process of the cabbage helps increase stronger anti-carcinogenic elements.


Guys, please do your own research, I am not a doctor or health practitioner. ALWAYS check with your physician before you change your eating habits or add any supplements to your diet!!

Stay healthy!!

Weight loss tips

Hey guys!!! Need some tips?? I SURE DO!!! I've been slaaackin!!! Til I saw a picture of myself on a boat ride. I was wondering if I was still pregnant or not...Anyhoo, here are some helpers in our quest! I've gathered these from television, magazines...etc, but in the end, always do YOUR OWN RESEARCH!!

1. Cayenne Pepper - metabolism booster - sprinkle on at least two meals a day, or take the suppliment tablets, two per day will do.

2. Green tea - metabolism booster

3. Vitamin B complex - metabolism & energy booster

4. Cinnamon - 1 tsp per day - metabolism booster (makes your liver more sensetive to insulin, so your body is less resistant; lowering your blood sugar)

5. Safflower Oil - possible belly fat buster - use it in cooking or on salads, you can also opt for sunflower seeds 3 teaspoons per day.

6. Raspberry Keynotes - supplement that will help trick your body into thinking it's skinny, therefore burning more calories!

7. Keto-7 - drops that help boost your metabolism. Take 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg at night.

8. Forskolin- Helps break down stored fat (who doesn't want THAT?!?). Take 125 mg in the morning. Be sure to get the right dosing by looking at the label. It must read that it is standardized to 20% forskolin.

9. Relora - Helps you lose stubborn belly fat!! OOOOOWWWW!! Take 250mg of Relora three times a day – or one dose with every meal.

10. Alpha Lipolic Acid - Help reduce the inflimation of fat cells so that they will release one another... Take 200mg with each meal.


.......................................................................

Now, don't think you can drink green tea and eat sunflower seeds and the fat will melt away. The absolute bottom line is that...

1: the input has to be less than the output. Meaning, if you eat 2000 calories per day, you want to try to burn at least 2500 if you're trying to lose weight. Don't be afraid, you burn calories by breathing...lol, like 10, but seriously, you've got to MOVE...Excercise helps everything. Plus, it helps keep your body tight...no use in losing weight and looking like a prune...

and...

2: you MUST modify your diet IF you are trying to lose weight. Once you reach your goal, you can have a cheat day...not a go crazy day, but one day per week that you can have that cheesecake slice, that fried chicken dinner, or that ice cream sunday. You HAVE to enjoy life if you are going to be successful in reaching your goals.

I'm with you, we can do it...

Please feel free to post any tips that you might have for weightloss and getting on course.

Shed those extra pounds!!

Hey guys...

If you're like me you've got an extra 5...10...15...OKAY!!!! 40 pounds to shed. If you're even more like me, you hate dieting, and you hate working out even more. If you're my twin, then you're over 35 and you need to face reality!!! LOL...we have GOT to work out. There is no way that you are going to be able to:

a. lose weight, or
b. get toned

without working out. So, I've purchased several videos that I plan to use at home and give you some updates on. I have Tony Horton's 10 minute trainer which is kick-a** on a dvd. It is killer!!! But that lets you know it will work; I've got Core Rhythms which is cool, and starts off slow, but you totally feel it the next day...again, it works; and lastly, I've been taking advantage of my Comcast/Xfinity on Demand feature which also offers a work out channel on my terms. So look for that in the future.

So, right now, let's talk about eating healthy...NOT dieting. When you think of dieting, you automatically thing uuuuuhhh....nothing that I can enjoy, lettuce three times a day, and water. It doesn't have to be that ,way. There are lots of alternatives. Hungry Girl, Lisa Lillien,(looove heeerr!!) offers great alternatives to those high fat, yummy goodies that we love like burgers and fries, and sundaes!!! Her philosophy is keeping all meals under 300 calories. She's got a show on the Cooking channel now too!!! Also, the 17 day diet is awesome for me at least. I've been doing it off and on for several weeks. Not as diligently as I should have, but enough that I've lost 25lbs.

The bottom line to getting those pounds off is focus, determination, keeping yourself full, and not doing a lot of mindless eating. Everything should be conscious. Eventually, it will become second nature. Again though, if you're like me, you have to STAY focused at least until you reach your goal weight. Once I eat something naughty, I have a hard time refocusing.

So, for you my loves, I offer a couple of Lisa's Hungry Girl alternative recipes, and a list of 17 day diet "authorized" foods.



Hungry Girl recipes (from the June 17th Woman's World Mag):

Buffalo Chicken Wing Macaroni & Cheese

4.5 oz uncooked elbow macaroni with at least 2g of fiber per 2 oz serving
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 small onion, chopped, 8oz cooked skinless chicken breast, shredded
1 tsp chopped garlic
1/4 C Frank's RedHot sauce
1/2 C fat free sour cream
2 wedges The Laughing Cow light creamy swiss cheese
2 tsp yellow mustard
1.5 Tbs reduced fat Parmesan style grated topping
1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley


-Preheat oven to 350F. Cook pasta to al dente, drain; reserve
-Mist nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Over medium-high heat add celery, carrots and onion; stir occasionally until veggies soften, 5 minutes. Add chicken, garlic and 3 Tbs. hot sauce. Mix well.
-In microwave-safe bowl, mix sour cream, cheese wedges, mustard and 1 Tbs hot sauce. Microwave 30 seconds.
-Mist 8"x8" baking pan with nonstick spray' add half of pasta. Top with layers of chicken mixture, remaining pasta and sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with grated topping and parsley. Bake until bubbly, 30 minutes

SERVES 4
______________________________________

Strawberry Cheesecake Minis

CHEESE-CAKES
8 low fat honey graham crackers (2 sheets)
1 3/4 tsp unflavored gelatin
16 oz fat free cream cheese softened
1/4 cup fat free egg substitute
1/4 cup lite vanilla soy milk
1/2 cup Splenda
2 tsp Coffee-mate fat free french vanilla powder creamer, dissolved in 1 Tbs warm water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
TOPPING
1/2 C sugar free strawberry preserves
1/4 tsp unflavored gelatin

-Preheat oven to 350F
-Crush graham crackers into crumbs. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with baking cups; distribute crumbs. Shake pan so crumbs settle. Bake 5 minutes, then remove.
-Dissolve gelatin in 1/4 cup boiling water. Stir vigorously until smooth, Reserve.
-Place cream cheese in mixing bowl. In separate bowl, combine all other ingredients, including gelatin. With mixer on low, blend into cream cheese. With mixer on medium-high, beat until free of lumps. Spoon into baking cups; bake 15 minutes (until tops begin to crack).
-Combine topping ingredients; stir well. Once cheesecakes are done, remove from oven. Distribute topping among cheesecakes. Return pan to oven, 5 minutes.
-Allow pan to cool, 20 minutes; refrigerate until chilled (at least 3 hours). Keep refrigerated until ready to serve
Servings: 4
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17 Day Diet:



The overall concept is for the first 17 days to eat veggies, some fresh fruits, lean meats, drink lots of water and green tea. Stay away from sugars, starches, etc. Hard, yes, but it's only for 17 days. The next 17 days, you will incorporate some starches slowly back into your diet, and alternate those days with the original 17 days. There is a third set of 17 days, but your girl hasn't made it that far...LOL...check out the info on The Doctor's page (loooove them!!!).

Start with the first 17 days...the Accelerate step.

Eat unlimited amounts of green veggies (spinach, lettuce, broccoli, etc) along with other veggies...onions, mushrooms, etc. No starches like potatoes!!
Two servings of fruits (low sugar fruits like red grapes, grapefruit, berries, and apples) can be eaten daily prior to 2pm as the body does not metabolize the sugars well after that time (since we are normally mostly at rest then).
Two servings of probiotics should be eaten daily. My choice is fat free or low fat probiotic yogurt, preferably Greek (Chobani is the BOMB!!!)
Again, unlimited amounts of lean meats including egg whites, ground turkey, fish and chicken breast.

Happy healthfulness!!!
XOXOX - Dyna

Hair remedies...

Remember back in the day when your grandmother had a fix for anything that 'ailed' you? At times, like myself, you probably thought that old-timers (Alzheimer's) was setting it, and didn't think much of her 'cure'. Well, as it turns, she was probably right. Check out some of these remedies that really work on your overworked hair!!

Dry strands?
Try a mixture of egg, olive oil, avocado, mayo, and honey!!



WAIT!!! DON'T EAT IT!! LOL...

The egg's power is in the yolk...all that nasty cholesterol will help strengthen and thicken your locs.
The olive oil is great for moisture and shine, not just a base for all of Rachael Ray's dishes...well, she uses EVOO!!
The yummy avocado is awesome for deep conditioning, not only adding some texture to your salad...
The mayonnaise is also great for strengthening your hair, not only cream-ifyin' your potato salad.
Last but not least, the honey is great for shining up and smoothing out your tresses!!

If you can sit under a dryer for 15 minutes great, if not, just put a plastic bag on your head and do your toes for about half an hour. You'll love you for it!!




Are you a beach bunny?? Love the water? Salt or chlorine? Well, I am willing to bet the farm that your hair is not a fan of either. Before going onto the beach or jumping into the pool, coat your hair an oil, olive, avocado, whatever...or a nice leave in conditioner...



...to shield it from absorbing the toxins and losing moisture. Be sure to rinse your hair immediately once you are out of the water...



Hope this helps a little...and don't forget the sunscreen for your skin, no matter what your complexion!! African Americans can burn too!!



XOXO
-Dyna

Extreme Couponing

Ok, so I know I'm late, but I had to come and chat about this new hot topic...

As for the show, I love it...totally entertaining and over the top. Everything I look for in 'reality' tv.

Is it really possible? Absolutely, if you can figure out how to get 100 coupons for $.75 off of gatorade...have a store in your area that not only doubles your coupon, but is offering gatorade for $1.50. Therefore, you can start your own stockpile with 100 free bottles of gatorade.



A little much? Completely. LOL...

I live in the north east. Bargains are few and far between here. But let's call it 'Super Couponing', as opposed to extreme. How's that?

As of late, Pathmark (though another few and far between luxury in my area) has been offering double and TRIPLE coupons over the weekends up to and including $1 AND $2!!! That is pretty amazing considering the number of things you can get for $3...so I ended up with quite the amount of 'free' items.



Couponing is all about organization, diligence, and preparation. You can do it. Even if you are not getting 25 cases of soup, you can probably feed your family for the month on just $50.

Make sure you check out your local Sunday paper and online coupon spots (coupon mom, common sense with money etc.), match up your local grocery store with the coupons, and you're on your way. You may not find everything that you want every time, but you should be able to get some pretty good deals.



I've been thinking about starting a coupon club.




We would get online, and trade coupons across the country, let me know what you think and if you would be interested..

A little help for new moms on a budget...

Hey guys, real quick on this one. You can get a free baby sling (for babies and toddlers up to 35lbs) at Seven Slings!! You're only paying the shipping. The slings are adorable, and will truly come in handy. Use promo code FAMILY2011.



Also, if you're a nursing mom and in need of a nursing cover, go to Udder Covers again, you're only paying for the shipping!! Use promo code SEVEN



These would make a great gift as well...share with a friend. There's no limit to the number of times you can use the codes.

Enjoy!!
XOXO