Check me out on Writing.com

Hello Everyone
I have been doing a lot of writing lately. Please check out my profile on Writing.com

http://Writing.Com/authors/reneej

You can also email me at:

reneej@Writing.Com

Here is an excerpt from my latest post



"Darkness creeps over the hills too soon 

And lull the half-tired to a deep snore

Until there comes the sun glowing pink through sheer curtains that hang there all year round

And greet the sleeper with the harmony of bees



The quiet makes you write and write

Until Friday eve and time for prayers, 

Creativity paused as we walk down bumpy roads and greet those leaning on walls, smirking at your flesh

The scent of smoke from black lips drive your thoughts to foreign places

And heightens hope for new things undiscovered



Words misused, laughs not real, reach up to the trees dancing in the cool afternoon breeze

Feet padding lightly on cool dirt moistened with travellers

Toes dipped in cool waters fanned by God, only found here that makes you breathe

Heads thrown back, dark gums exposed to the all year sun"


© Copyright 2014 Gillian (UN: reneej at Writing.Com). All rights reserved. 

The Vegetarian Diet

Hello Everybody!

I get questions from friends and families all the time about my lifestyle. I decided to change the way I ate and treated my body when I was about sixteen. I was inspired by Dr.Oz while watching The Oprah show one evening. It all began with drinking water and I saw my troublesome acne disappear, then I began working out and felt so good!. Recently I decided to give up meat and animal by-products (I still eat fish). The results have been amazing.

Firstly my skin has cleared up nicely
It easier for me to maintain a healthy weight
I have more energy and definitely feel happier

Here is a sample of what a meal plan for me looks like

Breakfast

Granola with soy milk
Banana
Water

Lunch
Vegetable Loaf
Water

Mid-Afternoon snack
Any fruit

Dinner
Green Vegetables
Rice
Water


I still eat Junk, but only occasionally, which I am trying to stop completely (especially French fries)
This diet can be hard and It takes discipline, but I focus on the care that I am giving to my body. Try to get creative with dishes and make sure you are making up for important nutrients like calcium and protein. Below are a few websites that may offer help if you decide to try this diet.

oh my veggies

Choose Veg

Vegan Outreach

Peta

Vegetarian Dishes on Pinterest

eatright.org

Vegsource

Enjoy!

My skincare Routine

Hello everyone

I decided to do a post on my skincare routine, since my skin has been getting clearer. I watched the progress for a few months now and decided that It was time to share it with everyone. I watched how my skin was progressing before doing one, so that I could do a honest post.

I wash my face with my Ambi Black Soap with Shea Butter. I find that this works really well on my combination skin. I know many people are against using soaps, but I live in the tropics and my cleanser was Just not enough. My face felt oily and looked shiny all the time, until I switched to this, which in my opinion works miracles. My face feels clean, but not squeaky and it doesn't dry out my face.

I skip the toner because I realized that I don't need one and i get breakouts when I use them. I enjoyed using the Irie Rock Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Facial Toner. It is a very natural toner and feels very gentle on the skin


After I wash and rinse thoroughly, I moisturise with Ambi Skin Care Essentials Daily Moisturizer SPF 15. This is light and great for the hot time, plus it has SPF, so you cant go wrong.
Sometimes I use my Naturella moisturiser. I've tried searching for it, but it seems as though it is only available in my country.

I apply EVOO under my eyes as an eye cream

On the weekend I exfoliate my face with St. Ives Apricot Scrub. Again many people are against this scrub. I was sceptical about using it, but I found that it worked great for my skin. I exfoliate only once a week

To give my skin extra pampering I use my Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. My face feels very soft and looks radiant when i use this.  I only use this once a week as well.

** I do not expect these to work for anyone, just giving you an idea of what works for me. the best thing to do is to go simple!

These products would probably not work if I didn't change my diet. I will do another blog post on what i eat to take care of my skin and body.

Healthy Hair

I have been MIA (sorry!). I have just been busy with Uni work. I got some pretty decent grades, very grateful. I wanted to share some tips that i have learnt from various blogs and forums. I am about to begin my healthy hair journey. I have relaxed hair and after abusing it. I decided to take charge and try to have the healthiest hair possible :)

I get my hair relaxed by a professional every eight weeks

1. Daily:

Moisturize with Whipped oil moisturizer**

I section my hair in fours with a wide tooth comb and apply the moisturizer from roots to ends. I love this moisturizer because its not heavy and it gives GREAT sheen.

I wrap my hair and tie it down with a silk scarf and bonnet.

Sealant: Extra virgin Olive oil ***

2. I wash my hair bi-weekly, as where i live is very cold and I don't use a lot of products, so I don't have a lot of build up.

Wash Day Regimen:

Pre-poo with VO5 Moisture Milks conditioner

Shampoo with Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine

Clarify once per month with ORS Creamy Aloe shampoo

Deep condition with ORS Replenishing Deep Conditioner

Apply Cantu Shea Butter Leave in OR African Pride Leave in

Air Dry until 80% dry then Blow on cool setting

Flat iron with L'Oreal Straightening Creme

** Every two months I do A protein treatment using:

1 egg

1 tbsp olive oil

water

For Styling

I use Smooth n Shine styling mousse and apply perm rods to create curls that last me through the week.

Sometimes i will use my Eco-Styler protein gel for buns

Products:

**I use the optimum oil whipped moisturizer now, but planning to change to This. I used this before and its much cheaper than the one I am currently using.

Oil:

EVOO

***I dont seal my hair during the first two weeks after my relaxer, due to the fact that i have fine hair and it makes my hair limp and look wet.

Shampoos:

Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Shampoo

ORS creamy Aloe Shampoo

Conditioners:

Vo5 Moisture Milks

ORS Replenishing Deep Conditioner

Leave Ins:

Cantu Shea Butter Repair Cream

African Pride Leave In

Styling:

Smooth N Shine Styling Mousse

Eco-Styler Gel

Tools:

Wide tooth comb

Perm rods

flexi rods

paddle brush

rat tail comb

Writer's Dream

As long as I can remember, I loved writing. it didn't mean anything to me when I was younger, but as I grew, I realized that i could really express my thoughts and feelings through writing. I wrote about anything and everything, some lost and some still etched in the back of my mind. I could relate with those who felt the need to just WRITE and felt safe and stable when I wrote. I watched movies and read books about writers. I sympathized with the great writers who were constantly rejected and felt the frustration they did when they wrote and wrote and just wrote.

My biggest achievement since late was having my story published in a local newspaper. Many may not understand the excitement and joy I feel when this happened, but it just, to me, felt like a man in a desert, his feet are filled with blisters and sores. his lips are peeled and cracked, his throat is on fire. he has been burnt by the sun over and over that the pain is now a slight sting; but a far off is an oasis filled with green trees, coconut and cool water. its far and the journey is treacherous, but he will soon fill his dry, sore lips with cool, cool water.

Enjoy my story, a qualified entry in the Pixel Hose writing competition, by clicking the link below

http://pixelhose.com/last-breath-by-johnson-renee/

Renee'