2009 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival - DEC 27th at The Showplace

Business Spotlight: Bohemian Soul

Bohemian Soul

I ran across this sister's site and thought I would share! Bohemian Soul specializes in one of a kind clothing and accessories, with a funky retro edge. Bohemian Soul caters to the fashionista who embraces uniqueness, individuality, and loves all things fabulous! Be sure to check out her Black Friday Sales at http://www.bohemiansoul.com/

Shea Butter Benefits

(Unrefined Shea Butter)

I always knew that unrefined shea butter, or scientific name Butyrospermum Parkii, was great for overall skin health, but I thought I would research it for more in depth information and share

Shea Butter Origin

                                     

Shea butter is slightly yellowish or ivory colored natural fat that is extracted from the seed of the shea or Karite tree. The shea tree grows naturally in the wild in the dry savannah belt of West Africa from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east, and onto the foothills of the Ethiopian highlands. It occurs in 19 countries across the African continent, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

                                                         

The shea tree does not produce it first fruits until it is about 20 years old. When it reaches an age of about 45 years it reaches full maturity and production potential. Now that is a true testament that things do get better with age! The shea tree can be productive for up to 200 years from its maturity date.

Types of Shea Butter

Ultra-refined Shea Butter

• Resembles cooking oil. It is the same butter that is used in the food industry for chocolate. During the refining process many of the skin loving benefits are removed

Refined Shea Butter

• Resembles Crisco shortening. Usually odorless and white in color. Shea butter has been refined using heat and chemicals. Refined shea butter is still a great moisturizer, but other known benefits may be removed during the refining process.

Unrefined Shea Butter ( pictured at the top of page)

• It has a nutty aroma and its color can range from a tan to grayish yellow. This type of shea butter is extracted without the use of chemicals. This is the best type to use if you want to get all the benefits of using shea butter.

If you see shea butter that is bright yellow or gold in color, it usually has other unknown additives that help to "stretch" shea butter or to get more from a little. These are usually cheaper in cost.

Shea Butter Benefits

• Shea butter can help even skin tone with regular use.
• Shea butter can be used to help the prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy.
• Shea butter has been used in the relief of sinusitis and nasal congestion.
• Shea butter can be used as natural hair conditioner. It helps to maintain moisture in dry brittle hair.
• Shea butter helps the healing process of small wounds, burns, cuts and scrapes.
• Shea butter can be used as a natural makeup remover.
• Shea butter can be used on everyone! It is safe for babies, children and adults.
• Shea butter helps with the prevention and treatment of sunburn. Ranges in SPF from 0 to 6.
• Shea butter has a naturally high content of vitamins A and E.
• Shea butter moisturizes dry, cracked skin. It is great with those with eczema and other similar skin conditions.
• Shea Butter rehydrates skin and promotes cell growth.
• Shea butter can be used to help muscle fatigue, aches and tension.
• Shea butter is recommended for conditioning animal’s coats.
• Shea butter is a great natural lip balm.


Fair Trade Shea

Please look for shea butter that has been obtained upholding fair trade principles. These principles help implement social, economic, and environmental development in the areas of Africa that the shea butter is produced.

Overall shea butter is a great ingredient to have in your household. Shea butter can be stored for up to 2 to 3 years. After this time, it will start to lose some of its beneficial properties. It is recommended that those with nut or latex allergies should not use shea butter.

Shaolin Dragon School of Kung Fu

Once I saw this group perform their Kung Fu techniques, I knew I had to post a seperate blog to promote them. The Shaolin Dragon School of Kung Fu gives an awe-inspiring performance. It is very rare to see a group African American kids and young adults that can master this Chinese Martial Art. Kung Fu, also known as wushu consist of a number of fighting styles that were developed over the centuries.

In addition to traditional Kung-Fu and Tai Chi training, the Shaolin Dragon School of Kung-Fu performs public exhibitions, sponsors tournaments and facilitates a martial arts summer camp. Through Kung-Fu, students of all ages learn the value of discipline, confidence, self esteem, agility, leadership, self defense and physical fitness. Whether you are an adult seeking to improve your health and fitness, or a parent seeking a worthwhile extracurricular activity for your child, you will find your answer at the Shaolin Dragon School of Kung-Fu.

They offer a variety of martial arts instruction including:

Forms
Weapons
Take downs
Self defense
Tai Chi
Seminars (available upon request)

Class Schedules

Children/Youth (3 - 15)
Monday & Wednesday
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Adults - (16+)
Tuesday & Thursday
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Support the students performance at the following upcoming events:

The Autumn Festival - October 30, 2009 @ The Siegel Center (performance at 7:30PM)

The Christmas Parade - December 5, 2009 Broad Street (Parade starts at 10AM)

The Harlem Globetrotters - December 27, 2009 @ The Siegel Center 2PM

For more information :

Phone: (804) 767-6168

Email: ShaolinDragon@clearwire.net ; ShaolinDragon@cavtel.net

Website: http://shaolindragonkungfu.org/

Visit them on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/ShaolinDragonSchoolofKungFu

http://www.facebook.com/ShaolinDragonKungFu

Le Coil

Le Coil is a great website for natural beauties.

It showcases women with natural hairstyles.

Check out the site at http://lecoil.tumblr.com/

Spotlight: God-S Wearable Art

God-S Wearable Art is a unique and creative line that uplifts the image of women. Each image is painted to represent beauty and the feminine spirit. The collection ranges from T-shirts, Jackets, earrings, and handbags to name a few.

Check out these hand painted leather earrings from God-S Wearable Art:




There are plenty more original designs to choose from at http://www.on-que.com/ !

Attention Bloggers & Website Owners

$200 LuShae Sweepstakes

Click on the link below to enter in the sweepstakes to win $200 from LuShae Jewelry.

Select link "Win Jewelry" on the website.

Every entrant will also receive a 15% discount off the entire LuShae Jewelry range.

You have to enter your name, email and the address of your blog/website, if you wish to enter the competition.

Event Updates: Down Home Family Reunion, IEC Hair & Fashion Show, Happily Natural Day

I always like to update the blog with pictures of events that we participate in. We have been very busy this past month, but here are a few pictures of our past events this month. As always we meet many vendors and we will update you with the individual businesses info in the future.

Down Home Family Reunion:

The Down Home Family Reunion was a great outing for the entire family. We had many supporters come out and visit Aziza Beauty Supply at the event. We were so busy, that I did not get many pictures, but here a few:

Image Enhancement Center (IEC) & Indulge Hair & Spa Hair & Fashion Show:
This was another great community event that was Free! IEC is the home to a variety of different salons in one building. All of the salons had segments that they produced in this show. They also had the The Shaolin Dragon School of Kung-Fu come out and show out at the event. Check out the pics:












Happily Natural Day 2009 :
Again, another great free event for naturals and everyone. Full of energy, workshops, live music, food, and craft vendors. Here are a few photos:

EVENT: 3rd Annual IEC Summer Celebration

August 23, 2009

Where: Downtown Richmond, Virginia @ Foushee St.

(Between Broad Street and Grace Street)

Who: Image Enhancement Center (IEC)

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 Pm

Features:

Food

Fun & Games for children

Hair Showcase

Vendors

Giveaways & More

EVENT: 19th Annual Down Home Family Reunion

A Celebration of African American Folklife
August 15, 2009

Richmond, Virginia

WHEN Saturday, August 15, 2009 • 4 - 11 pm, Free.

WHERE Abner Clay Park, Downtown in Historic Jackson Ward
Belvidere & West Leigh Streets (convenient, at I-95 Interchange, Exit 76B) Richmond, Virginia.

WHO A Family Festival Open to the Public.

Presented by Elegba Folklore Society, Inc.
Richmond's Cultural Ambassador

WHAT A Celebration of African American Folklife. Weekend Event Features an All-Star Line-Up of World Music and Dance, Entertainment and Cultural Traditions.

FEATURES R&B Band and Show, African Dance, Music & the Oral Tradition with Elegba Folklore Society, and more.

Saturday in the Park: Interactive Folkloric Demonstrations,
The Heritage Market, Delicious Down Home Food, and more.

More details will be updated at a later time.