Dear LUSH ...there is a new contender in town

AFRICAN BLACK SOAP

You all know how much I LOVE LUSH but...

I have recently done a ton of research on natural beauty products and came across African black soap. I heard about it in passing at many festivals and seen it packaged on vendor’s tables. I never truly understood what it was and why it is so powerful!!!

In doing some research I found that there are two main types of black soap, one from Ghana and one from Nigeria (Dudu Osun). People love both but some saw that the DuDu Osun brand burns a bit because of the lime juice that’s added.

For centuries, Ghanaians have used Black soap to:

keep the skin clear and help prevent fine lines and wrinkles

treat acne

oily skin

clear blemishes

eczema and psoriasis

dandruff and ringworm

The ingredients consist of: Cocos nucifera(Coconut Oil),butyrospermum parkii,(Raw Shea butter), Cocoa Pod ash, Aqua(Water) Elaeis guineensis (Palm Kernel Oil) (ALL THINGS I CAN READ and understand)

I love thinking about how it is processed.

SUN DRYING

The skin of the cocoa pod is sun dried to a specific texture and then roasted in a clay like oven. During drying, the heat is kept at a constant temperature in order to maintain a particular smell, color and texture of the dried cocoa pod.

ROASTING OF COCOA POD

The cocoa pods are then roasted. The roasting process determines the color of the African black soap. The longer the roasting process, the darker the black soap.

MIXING OF COCOA POD WITH PALM KERNEL OIL

After the roasting process, the cocoa pod is mixed with pure, unrefined, natural Palm Kernel Oil. This process leads to the formation of the soap. No scents, preservatives, chemicals, color enhancers, dye, charcoal or fragrances are added during mixing.

PACKAGING

The African black soap is then poured into molding blocks and then heat sealed.

The above Info taken Coastal Scents website.

I have purchased both and absolutely LOVE them. I am beginning to notice a positive difference with my complexion and texture of my skin. The heels of my feet are super soft and my tone is evening out. To find RAW African black soap check your local African grocery store or Coastal Scents-where it is fair traded and the money goes to support the women in the village that makes it. Usually where ever they sell the raw shea butter, that I so fondly LOVE, you will also find raw black soap.

Check out YouTube for great vlogs on black soap!

Sorry LUSH but I think I have to replace you! I still LOVE your bath bombs though…

xoxo,

Ronita

Saddness in the Midst of Celebration

In the midst of celebrating one of the most viewed sports across the world...a tragedy has happened. South Africa is the 2010 host of the International World Cup which is a very prestigious and historical feat. Last night after the kickoff concert Nelson Mandela's great grand daughter was killed in a tragic accident. "Zenani Mandela was travelling in a car returning from the World Cup kick-off concert at Orlando Stadium when the accident occurred. There was only one car involved and no one else was injured."

{photo and story courtesy}

I pray for The Mandela family during there lost....a precious little angel...

xoxo,

Ronita

Wordly Knowledge...at your finger tips

Cincinnati: My City

Toronto, ON...where I will be visting soon!!

With this cool site you are able to see all the front pages of over 80 countries. Just roll over the dots on the map and broaden your news knowledge!!

Check out Newseum to stay informed!!

xoxo,

Ronita

documentary called "BABIES"....= Amazing

(Youtube)

Babies is a documentary film by Thomas Balmes, depicting the early lives of four infants growing up in Bayar in Mongolia, Poni in Namibia, Hattie in San Francisco and Mari in Tokyo, respectively. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States by Focus Features on April 16, 2010 (youtube.com), coming out in NY & LA around at that time then wider release in select markets 4/23….then DVD comes out October/November.

The Focus Features web site for the film says it follows them “from first breath to first steps, on a journey at once universal and amazingly original.”

I am excited to see this documentary because it shows that even though these babies are in completely different parts of the world, they all need the same basic things. The preview is so captivating and the imagery is vivid!!

Take a look and let me know what you think!

xoxo,
Ronita

Praying.....for Haiti

(photos taken from cnn.com)

Please people pray for our bothers and sisters in Haiti...this is just horrible and devastating to an island that already suffers so much... this insert was taken from the Livesay (Haiti) Web Blog, a web blog of a family that has devoted their life to building life and spread ingGod's love in Haiti. I hung off all their words...

January 13, 2010

The Morning After - Earthquake Haiti 2010

The sun is about to come up. The aftershocks continue. Some more noticeable than others. There is no way to even begin to share the things we’ve heard and seen since 5pm yesterday. To do so would take hours that we don’t have to give right now. Some of them feel wrong to tell. Like only God should know these personal horrible tragedies.

The few things we can confirm – yes the four story Caribbean Market building is completely demolished. Yes it was open. Yes the National Palace collapsed. Yes Gov’t buildings nearby the Palace collapsed. Yes St Josephs Boys home is completely collapsed. Yes countless countless - countless other houses, churches, hospitals, schools, and businesses have collapsed. There are buildings that suffered almost no damage. Right next door will be a pile of rubble.

Thousands of people are currently trapped. To guess at a number would be like guessing at raindrops in the ocean. Precious lives hang in the balance. When pulled from the rubble there is no place to take them for care Haiti has an almost non existent medical care system for her people. To read more go here.

Count your blessings today and always and continue to have hope even admist your suffering.

Thank You God,

Ronita

You can help now by donating to yele.org, founded by Wycelf Jean.