Stepping out of my comfort zone...into GREATNESS!!!

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

~Pablo Picasso

Hey lovelies!

The City Year Step Team (of which I am apart of), was featured on the City Year Detroit blog. I was also interview for the post (first official time being interview, too cool!).  In it, I talk about my experiences in pushing myself outside of my comfort zone to learn how to do step moves. I was even blessed to voted the Step Master of the team w/o voting for myself and no prior experience--God works in mysterious and wonderful ways!! He took me through so many moments and that pushed me into my challenge zone that helped me grow tremendously. I gush about my experiences briefly on the post.

Take a look at the blog post below y'all!

http://cityyeardetroit.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/no-raggidyness/

Disclaimer: 

City Year Detroit is not affiliated with naturalNaijabeauty.com in anyway. The views expressed on this blog are my own and are not those of City Year Detroit. 

Peace,

nNb :)

Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice!!!

"Variety's the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor."

~William Cowper

Hey lovelies!

So, I enter my mom and dad's house the other day and was welcomed by the aroma of sweet smelling baked goods. After running to the oven to check out what my mom was making, I noticed a pot of brown liquid boiling on the stove. My mom then told me that she had just finished cooking a smelly meal (her words, not mine..lol!) and that she was boiling cinnamon sticks to remove the smell from the house. Seeing as how I smelled no remnants of the meal she cooked, it seemed like a great idea to me!

Then today, I noticed a significantly larger pot on the stove filled with cinnamon sticks and brown liquid. After inquiring about the seemingly excessive quantity of cinnamon used, my dad told me that they also drink some of the cinnamon water. After giving my dad a skeptical look, he fixed a glass of cranberry juice with 5 tbs. of cinnamon water. IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! He then prepared tea and pour some of the cinnamon water into the cup, and it was sooooo good!

I was a little worried about the side effects of consuming cinnamon everyday, so I decided to do some research on it. 1/2 a tsp. of cinnamon a day can help reduce LDL cholesterol and it can help cure the common cold. Check out more of the health benefits here. My mom reported reduced aches and pains after drinking the liquid for a week. While cinnamon has several health benefits, it is important to remember that you should not consume large amounts as it can have an adverse effect on your health.

Quick recipe for Cinnamon Tea:

1.) Steep tea bag for 3 min (steep longer for stronger tea)

2.) Add 5 tbs. of cinnamon water

3.) Add sugar of sweetener

4.) Enjoy!

So as I sit here and sip on my delicious cup of cinnamon favored Lipton tea, I can't help but think how much more relaxed and good I feel. Ladies and gentleman, raise you tea cups (pinky finger out of course! lol!) and enjoy!

Peace homies!
nNb :)

New Protective Hairstyle --> Cinnamon Bun!

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.” 

― Dave Barry

Hey lovelies!

So after going 2 weeks with my hair out, I decided that my tired old ends need a much needed break! So, I searched high and low for a nice low maintenance protective style (y'all know I'm lazy, lol!) to wear for a  couple of days. Well, I came across a great protective hairstyles by one of my FAVORITE vloggers MsVCharles (check her out, she provides great info accompanied by plenty of laughs). Needless to say, I ran out to my local beauty supply store and grabbed all of the necessary materials and got to work! 

This style costed me a whopping $2!! wOoT wOoT! Y'all know that I'm a diva on a budget, so that's a definite plus for me! Check out the pictures below:

Brand of hair that I used (2 pkgs.)

Hair nice and slicked back! hehehe!

The braided extension

Final product

I got a lot of compliments about this style while at church and it took me less than 30 mins. to do. Check out the tutorial below:

Happy styling y'all!

nNb :)

Happy Friday!

Hey y'all!

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Friday! Enjoy today because it is a gift from God!

Enjoy the rest of the day lovelies!

nNb :)

*Reflections* --> I'm back!!!!

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.” 

― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Hey everyone!

It has truly been an exciting hiatus for me! I've discovered so many new things about myself and I have grown so much over these past 40 days! I will say that I have learned some things that I do and don't like about myself and I am taking the time to reflect on those things now. The above quote encompasses a lot of my thought process during the last couple of weeks.

During my fast, I realized that God doesn't focus on what the world focuses on...while we look at credentials and outer appearance, God looks at the heart. He knows my thoughts, passions and dreams. He doesn't look at me and say that because you had a low g.p.a. out of undergrad, you are not good enough to do this or that... He sees me for who I truly am, His daughter! I take so much comfort and solace in the fact that I serve a God that loves me IN SPITE of me! Glory be to God! 

As I continued to reflect, God laid it on my heart (through a convo w/ my mentor) that I AM a world changer. God uses what the world will think is weak people (we even think this ourselves) to create major change. Think of Moses when he was told that he was selected to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt (Exodus 3:7-20), he doubted his own ability, but God did not. God saw in Moses what he didn't see in himself. Thinking about my own life, I want change urban education for the better and although I might not feel like my credentials display my passion and drive, I know that I serve a God who is able! He will make a way for me to carry out this gift of empathy towards others who grew up in similar situations as me. The bible says in 1 Samuel 16:7 that we should not judge people by their appearance (or superficial things). The Lord doesn't see things the way that we see them, but He looks at the heart.

So as I grow more and more each day, and wait for graduate school responses, I keep holding on to the fact that I am a world changer. I am committed and I will persevere no matter what! No man, not even myself can stop God from fulfilling His will. No one! I will leave you with this quote that I look at every morning before I leave for work:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” 

― Margaret Mead

Blessings to all,

nNb :)