How natural are you?

Repost from Bluu's News: The vegan diet took Los Angeles by storm starting about 10 years ago and Natural hair, well un-relaxed hair, is a fad amongst black women these days. But like all fads there isn't any real dedication behind the superficial benefits and hashtag communities and self righteousness. However there are some people who really truly believe in living a healthy lifestyle and avoid chemical processing wherever they can.  This video from The Female Sex vlog came across my desk this week and I wanted to know your thoughts on the subject of feminine health care in general starting with the subject at hand. Would you go this natural? Leave your comments below!!

10 ways to Decrease Negativity Every area of your life

We all know that how we think effects how we feel physically. We found a blog that helps us get away from the negative and run towards the positive! 

10 Practical Ways To Stop Involving Yourself With Negative Sh*t

Blog By:Brianna Wiest

1. Be with people you can be honest around, or don’t be around them at all.

If you trace the beginnings of the ends of any relationships you’ve been in, I guarantee it probably had something to do with someone cutting off honesty and/or communication. (The two go hand-in-hand.)

The second you cannot say to someone “I think what you’re doing is wrong,” “I’m upset with how you’re treating me,” “I’m scared and here’s why,” “I’m having doubts and these are what they are,” or “I love you but I don’t love this thing you do,” is the second it’s going to fail.

You end up expending all of your energy pretending to be someone you’re not, and it’s not helping anybody. Only ever telling people what they want to hear verbally placates them into their same old habits, their same old ways, and nothing changes. This doesn’t mean you have to be rude. This doesn’t mean to throw effective, healthy communication out the window; there’s a difference.

If you cannot be honest with someone and have your thoughts and opinions heard, be around other people who you can. They’re out there.

If you pretend for long enough, you only end up losing yourself.

2. Stop keeping things in your life because you just don’t want to go through the stress or discomfort of letting them go. 

Up to and including: friends you don’t genuinely want to spend time with, on-again-off-again flings that won’t amount to anything other than your own pain, exchanges that leave you exhausted and frustrated, resentment over things you can’t change, subscriptions to magazines that make you hate yourself, social media connections that do not add anything to your day, the phone numbers of the people you always have to text first (if at all) and love for the people who will never love you back.

3. Stop ruminating on the old and start building the new.

The second a negative thought or crippling memory crops up, don’t entertain it and allow yourself to sink further down the rabbit hole of all things could-have-been and should-have-been. Analyze what about the situation makes you uncomfortable, and figure out how you can apply what you wish you would have done to your life now. Don’t just “vow” to be different, figure out how you can actively, consciously do so. If you apply it correctly, it’s the healthiest, most effective coping mechanism around.

4. Play by the “if you’re going to forget about it in a year from now, don’t waste your energy worrying about it now” rule. 

If you look back on your life, you will probably realize that you have mentally divided it into segments during which you worried compulsively about the outcome of something that either worked itself out or wouldn’t matter in a relatively short period of time.

Simply: if you look back, you’ll realize that no feeling was ever final, and you wasted your time concerning yourself with issues that weren’t either.

It’ll give you the perspective to work cultivating that mindset now, before you’re looking back on these years and thinking the same things.

5. Don’t allow your “no” to be the beginning of a negotiation.

You get as much respect as you demand. You teach people how to treat you. If you don’t feel that your wants or needs are being understood or respected, find a way to communicate them better, and then learn what it means for you to draw lines — even if that’s as serious as completely walking away. It’s not a matter of giving up easily, it’s a matter of knowing what you’re not going to permit.

6. There’s not one person on this planet that’s like, “yeah, this is exactly how I thought it would go.” Stop projecting a future based on what you believe in now.

The unknown is scary. So scary, in fact, that we decide things about our futures based on what we can conceive of being possible now, and the fault in this is that we get attached to an outcome that isn’t necessarily most right for us.

We tend to be surprised by what we get in place of what we thought we wanted. Even the concept of relinquishing future control just comes across as another elusive platitude, but it’s really, really important. It’s the only way to free yourself from impending suffering.

7. Learn what it means to view everything objectively, in light of what it will ultimately amount to in the bigger picture. 

This whole world isn’t indebted to you, but nor is it out to get you. People aren’t usually “against” things, they’re just for themselves. People think of you far less than you worry about them doing so. Your perspective is just one of them. You are a speck in the span of infinity. Remember how small you are.

8. Don’t expect to receive that which you don’t communicate you want.

You get what you have the courage to ask for.

9. Don’t let one thing define you. 

There is not one decision or day or instance that makes you who you are. You are what you repeatedly do. The only thing that isn’t normal is to pretend that you never struggle, have never suffered, never feel anything but happiness, etc. 

You’re supposed to ebb and flow, you shouldn’t want it any other way. It means you’re alive, you’re invested in things that matter, you made mistakes but you made an effort regardless, and you’re not emotionally or otherwise stunted, as would be the case if you didn’t feel remorse or sadness or grief.

10. Realize that the problem is always you.

Now that sounds harsh, and I imagine a slew of you will want to rise and disagree, and I get that, but to be really honest with you, that’s the problem. 

Here’s the thing: you are the only thing you can control. If you are upset with a situation, you cannot force people into changing to suit your wants and needs, so you have to change what you can control: whether or not you’re removing yourself from it, asserting yourself, or changing your mindset about how you’re going to approach it.

If you aren’t doing so — the problem is you. 

The girl next door, well down stairs

Theres one thing that reigns true for every woman in every country of every soci-econmic background, we all have vagina's. In the 25-30 days we are not celebrating our private part-y we have collected some questions from teens and women about the mystery that is lady V. Heres our list of answers, feel free to chime in with a  question or comment or both, we'd love to hear from you!



Q.) What is the queef all about?. 

A.)This is the sound that mimics gas coming out of your vagina. If this happens to you, Nick named "the queef" is simply what happens when air is pushed into the vagina during intercourse or yoga class, and a switching of positions allows much of it to rush out.  It if it happens just keep enjoying yourself, because it has happened to all of us. 

Q.) douching is so expensive do you guys have an home alternative for vaginal washing?

A. Your vagina doesn't have to smell like the perfume boutique at Bergdorfs. Or be “douched.” Just because hundreds of products are marketed to help you spruce your vagina, doesn’t mean that’s whats needed. If you like to use those products—okay. But don’t use them out of insecurity. A vagina is meant to smell like...well a vagina.

Q.) My doctor suggested I get the HPV shot but my paps always come up clean, how do I tell her Im not interested?

Your pap can only detect one type of cancer And that’s cervical. It doesn’t scan for cancer on your ovaries, uterus or your colon. The HPV vaccination is a good  option for some people but it is a decision you should read up on and discuss in depth with a health care professional. Most hospitals and OB-GYN offices will schedule consultation appoints to help you with any concerns you may have in an environment that is welcoming and wont make you feel rushed. 

Q.) Im only 24 and i'm experiencing vaginal dryness, is something wrong?

A.)Plenty of women struggle to become naturally lubricated. Don’t feel like you’re all dried up  by standing in the K-Y aisle at the drug store. You deserve comfortable and enjoyable sex. So go get it. Alway consult your GYN before treating what may seem to be abnormal symptoms and make sure your partner knows that foreplay only makes it better for the both of you!

Q.) I recently found out i contracted an STD from a guy I always use condoms with, he's accusing me of sleeping around but unless I blacked out I haven't been with anyone else, the STD makes me look like a liar any tips?

A.) Unfortunately condoms aren't a sure fire way to stay STD free. It’s a huge let down but, it’s the reason why sleeping  around without a commitment/arrangement and new test results isn't the best idea.  If the skin of the vulva comes into contact with affected skin on the scrotum, you can still catch an STD. If sweat or body fluid runs from one infected area to another area an STD can be transferred. The safest sex isn't one with just Birth control its with honesty and knowledge about your partners doings. 

Sun screen or sun block, is there a difference?

As most of the northern hemisphere is powering full speed ahead into the summer months our editor's here have been thinking of ways to celebrate your Private part-y outdoors.  With that incentive we began to wonder what steps we could take to protect your skin during each and every outdoor celebration. We stumbled across this article by Sensitive Touch Medical Spa: 

SUNSCREEN-THE MYTHS AND THE FACTS

Myth: Organic and all-natural sunscreens are not as strong as the chemical based sunscreens.

Fact: The inherent ingredients in all natural sunscreens typically last longer in water than chemical ingredients.

Myth: SPF 100 provides the best protection, no need to use anything else.

Fact: SPF 15 protects you 93% against UVB rays. SPF 30 is 97%, SPF 50 is 98% and SPF 100 is about 99%. However, the higher the SPF factor the more chemicals you are exposing yourself to, for just one percent advantage.

Myth: Applying sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying every two hours is necessary for best protection.

Fact: Some sunscreens last eight hours, but two hour reapplication makes up for best protection. Physical sunscreens start to work immediately; however, the chemical sunscreens need to be applied few minutes before sun exposure.

Myth: All sunscreens are the same.

Fact: There are different formulations available. You can find sunscreen for sensitive skin, sport, face, body or just lips. The facial sunscreen should feel light on the skin. Heavier formulation is great for the body.

Myth: There are no major differences between physical and chemical sunscreens.

Fact: Physical sunscreens use physical UV filters, while chemical sunscreens use chemical UV filters. There are also hybrid sunscreens that contain both physical and chemical sunscreen actives.

The differences between physical and chemical sunscreens are explained in the table below: 

	Physical
How They Work	Physical sunscreens protect your skin from the sun by deflecting or blocking the sun's rays.	Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the sun's rays. Some chemical filters can scatter sun rays, but still mostly just absorb them.
Other Names	Sunblock; Inorganic sunscreen	Organic sunscreen
UV Filters (UV filters are the active ingredient in sunscreens that protects you from the sun.) For more information about UV filters, their description, and other sunscreen active ingredients check here.	Titanium dioxide (TiO2) Zinc oxide (ZnO)	Octylcrylene Avobenzone Octinoxate Octisalate Oxybenzone Homosalate Helioplex 4-MBC Mexoryl SX and XL Tinosorb S and M Uvinul T 150 Uvinul A Plus
Stability	Generally stable	Most are photostable, but some are not. Avobenzone is notoriously unstable. However, it can be stabilized when formulated in conjunction with other UV filters.
Comedogenicity	Titanium dioxide can be problematic for some people. (If you break out from mineral make up and physical sunscreen, titanium dioxide could be the culprit.) Zinc oxide is generally safe. It can be used on delicate skin and is a main ingredient in diaper rash cream.	Chemical filters tend to be more irritating to skin. If it gets in your eyes, it can make your eyes sting and water. Some can cause allergic reactions.
Protection How much protection is offered depends on the amount of the active ingredient in the sunscreen, particle size of the UV filters, photostability, and overall product formulation.	Titanium dioxide protects against UVB rays, but not the full spectrum of UVA rays. Zinc oxide protects against the entire spectrum of UVB and UVA rays. Starts protecting immediately upon application.	Chemical filters offer more coverage against UVA and UVB rays than physical sunscreens, but the range of protection will depend on the particular active and its stability. Avobenzone, for example, protects against the full spectrum UVA rays. Must wait 20 minutes after application for effective sun protection.
Texture	Thick and opaque, may be hard to apply. Tends to leave a white cast or tint. Rubs off more easily and must be frequently reapplied.	Colorless, odorless, usually runny. Can sometimes double as a makeup primer, depending on the active and the formulation.
Safety	Pretty safe, FDA approved. Don't cause free radicals. Note: Nanoparticle zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are controversial at the moment.	Generally safe, however some chemical filters generate free radicals which can cause skin damage, irritation, and aging. Many chemical UV filters have not been FDA approved in the States, but are in sunscreens sold in Europe and Asia.

Hopefully this information will empower your decision making and lead to private after part-y's without tan lines or sun burn!

5 baths

Spending  buckets of money on spa treatments full of chemicals to sooth your aching body any day of the month is never ideal so we comprised a short list of ingredients for the best at home Spa treatments you can find right in your kitchen...

1. The classic Oatmeal soak

Back in the olden days, nearly every doctor recommended Aveeno baths to the patients who had sunburn, rashes, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis … anything itchy, really.

Would you like to know the only active ingredient in Aveeno soothing baths? Oatmeal. That is all.

And it’s not just for people with dry and itchy skin. Oatmeal is also great for acneic skin, oily skin, and aging skin.  It caresses your skin and leaves it feeling baby soft.

How to take an oatmeal bath: Fill a knee-high nylon or thin sock without holes with 1/2 to 1 c. of old fashion oatmeal (not instant). Tie tightly at the top. Place it in your warm bath, with you, and squeeze it softly every so often to release the oatmeal “water.” Before leaving the bathtub, scrub your entire body lightly with the sock. To clean: Over a trash can, turn the sock inside out and scrape all of the oatmeal off the outside, then rinse well with warm water. Wash as normal.

2. Finding your Bath Bliss with an Herbal Bath

There are a thousand different ways you can take an herbal bath, and each of them are decidedly healing and relaxing.

You don’t need to run out to the store for dried herbs to take a relaxing herbal bath, by the way. You might already have the perfect options in your kitchen right now:

• Green Tea or Orange Peels: Energizing and mood stabilizing – also antioxidant, anti-aging, and healing for any skin type
• Rosemary: Relaxing and great for alertness, also astringent and clarifying
• Sage: Uplifting, soothing and an astringent  GREAT for oily skin or back acne
• Chamomile or Lavender: Calming and relaxing wonderful for dry or irritated skin
• Peppermint: Energizing (or relaxing) and clarifying

How to take an herbal bath: While you could make little herbal bath bags, you could also brew a very strong tea ahead of time using the herbs (and coconut oil, if I want an extra kick). Brew 1-2 cups of very strong herbal tea. Strain and add it to your running bathwater. Afterward, take the remaining brewed herbs and place them in the middle of a washcloth. Gather the washcloth together at the top and tie tightly with a ribbon or a hair tie. Leave it in the bath as you soak, and then scrub well with it before getting out of the tub.

3. Good ole Epsom Salts – Magnetizing your sexy

Here’s the coolest thing I know about epsom salts: Scientists have proven that your body actually soaks UP the magnesium in epsom salts when you bathe in it. So taking a bath in them is akin to getting a good dose of magnesium.

What does magnesium do? It relaxes you. It soothes aching muscles. It regulates blood pressure. It regenerates and heals skin cells. We all know how much iron and magnesium we shed during our private part-y. 

And soaking in epsom salts themselves? It reduces swelling, helps heal bruises, and detoxifies your system handily. Dancers and other athlete swear by this stuff

How to take an epsom salt bath: Add 1-1/2 to 2 cups epsom salt to your running bathwater. If desired, before adding the salt to your bath, drop in 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil to the epsom salts. Stir well, and then add to the bathwater.

4. Milk and Honey – The most heavenly bath

You may have heard of Cleopatra. She ruled Egypt. She was beautiful. And she bathed in milk and honey.

As cliche as it may sound, bathing in milk and honey is a fantastic way to get soft, supple skin – all over your body. The lactic acid in milk is very exfoliating, and honey is softening, moisturizing, and all-around beautifying.

The key is to use full-fat milk (or powdered milk) and pure honey. Full-fat milk will not only exfoliate the skin, but it will also moisturize.

How to take a milk and honey bath: Pour 1-2 cups of milk (or 1/2 c. full-fat powdered milk) and 1/2 c. honey under running, warm water. Swish around to mix, and hop in. Close your eyes and imagine 5 beautiful servant men fanning you with palm leaves. Repeat as necessary.

For full effect, brush your skin lightly and in circular motions with a dry brush or a washcloth before getting in the bathtub.

5.Champagne or Red Wine

It may not be economically feasible to soak in wine or champagne daily, but this bath is a quality splash  treat for any skin type. 

The polyphenols in red wine are incredible antioxidants (read: anti-aging) and the tartaric acid in champagne lightens skin and helps reduce discoloration and fine lines. Both red wine and champagne are also great for cleansing pores while  reducing their appearance.

Lest you think this is still a wasteful idea, let it be known that bathing with either of these two heavenly liquids after they’ve gone flat or turned is still a very beautifying experience.

So never again will you have to throw out that last cup of champagne or wine that’s sat alone in the back of the fridge. Now, you can bathe in it. Genius!

How to take  a wine or champagne bath: Simply pour a glass (or more) of red wine or champagne into your running bath. Soak for 20 minutes. 

Inner thigh work outs...for those who really like laying down.

We, ( Private Part-y posters) are always looking for was to multi-task. We dream about the day we will be able to find someone who has figured out how to make cookies that taste fattening but are really made out of veggies. Until that day comes we search blog sights for ways to work through the laziness or crabbiness our Menstrual Cycles. Heres what we found via Pop Sugar: 

If you're looking to tighten and strengthen your inner-thigh muscles, this exercise series will tone your legs and help you feel more confident, whether you're in tight jeans, a bathing suit, or . . . well, you get the picture.

       

Don't let the "lazy" lying position of this move fool you; this inner-thigh series is challenging and will make those muscles shake! Here's how to to do it.

Inner-Thigh Series

Starting position: Lying on your side, lengthen your bottom leg, and cross your top leg over, resting either your top knee (as pictured above) or the top of your foot on the floor. Prop your head up with your hand, or rest your head on your arm. Work in side-lying neutral to keep your torso steady, and concentrate the work in your inner thigh rather than allowing your back to create the motion. To find neutral, reach your top hip down so your pelvis is level. Your waist should pull away from the floor a bit. Maintain this position as you do the movements below.

• Straight-up lifts: As you exhale, lift your bottom leg, and inhale as you lower it back down without letting it touch the floor. Your torso should stay still while you do this. This counts as one rep. Perform 15 reps.
• Tiny pulses: As you exhale, lift your bottom leg up, keep it in the air, and pulse 10 times. Then lower the bottom leg to your mat.
• Small circles: Exhale, lift your bottom leg, and keep it in the air. Begin to draw tiny, controlled circles forward, and be sure your torso remains on the ground. Circle 10 times forward, then 10 times backward. Lower your leg to the ground.
• Go halfway: As you exhale, lift your bottom leg halfway up, and pause on your inhale. On your exhale, lift your bottom leg all the way up, and pause your inhale. Then lower halfway down, and pause before lowering your leg all the way down to the ground. This completes one rep. Perform 15 reps.

Once you finish the series, be sure to switch sides so both legs get to enjoy this workout! Work your way up to repeating all four variations two or three times on both sides.

When your face Breaks...out.

What type of acne do you get during your Private Part-y?

When I think back though,  I wasn’t quite sure which type of spot a ‘whitehead’ was… and I’m still not even sure if I’ve ever had cystic acne, or if what I’ve had would be more classified as nodules… or maybe even just bad papules…

Either way! Here is your acne types with plenty of pictures:

Whiteheads

whiteheads

We’ll start with whiteheads. To me, it made perfect sense that whiteheads would be the smallish red pimples with the tan-ish white pussy “heads” on them. But apparently those are actually called pustules. 

 Whiteheads are simply clogged pores that are not inflamed. They are clogged below the surface of the skin, so they remain closed and flesh colored, but create a little bump on the skin. 

Blackheads

blackheads

Then comes blackheads. Blackheads are basically the same as whiteheads – a non-inflamed clogged pore – but the difference is that the top is open and therefore exposed to the air. The air oxidizes the sebum and keratin that’s stuck there and it turns black.

Papules

papules

And now we get into inflamed acne. Inflamed acne is when a clogged pore – a whitehead or a blackhead – gets irritated and becomes inflamed. This mean it swells, turns red, and begins to hurt. This is why cleansing after wearing make up and perfume is so improtant. 

Papules are tender red bumps … usually fairly small, up to a cm in diameter, and somewhat raised. The defining factor is that they are not filled with pus, although they may go on to fill with pus later on and become a pustule.

 Do not squeeze these!!! It’s only going to make matters worse and encourage scarring. And the cycle continues. 

Pustules

pustules

Pustules are your classic zit. Hard, inflamed, and full of pus that has the defining yellow-ish centre. Like a fleshy volcano. While it’s  tempting to pop these, please try to refrain. It may not be as harmful to pop one of these vs squeezing some other varieties, especially if it’s waiting to burst…but still keep your dairy intake down and your face clean while your hormones are raging popping these babies up all over your beautiful skin

Nodules and Cysts

Cyst

And now on to severe acne lesions… nodules and cysts. These are large (much larger than papules and pustules) painful bumps under the skin that take quite a while to go away and can create scarring.

Nodules are generally hard and not filled with pus. Cysts are filled with pus and feel like fluid filled sacs underneath the skin.

Inflamed acne happens when a plug ruptures a follicle wall and leaks fluid into the skin, which your immune system then responds to with inflammation. if this rupture happens near the surface of the skin, the result is usually a minor papule or a pustule. If it happens deep within the skin, it’s much more likely to become a serious nodule or a cyst (another great reason to never squeeze your skin… you push the bacteria further into your pores, making it more likely for you to get nodules and cysts. And if you do get them, don’t ever, ever, EVER even dare THINK of squeezing this type of acne. Since caused by bacteria you may want to think of seeing a doctor, but beware antibiotics can lead to a whole host of other problems below your bikini line. Diet and topical treatments may be the way to go. 

Nodules is where I’ve gotten confused about my own acne… in the past, whenever my acne started taking a turn for the worst, I would begin getting a lot of big, hard inflamed spots that don’t have heads on them, mostly around my chin. I have never really known if these are actual nodules or just bad papules, because I’ve never had a ginormous one that has lasted for months. I still don’t know the answer.