Hair How To

I found this great video on YouTube which has been lost in the virtual world.  I cannot find it to link it here.  So you will have to go off my stinky directions. 

I love wavy bouncy hair. But it takes FOREVER  to curl.  This method takes 10 minutes.

Blow hair dry.  Divide into 4 sections: two in the front and two in the back.  Curl a section tight and AWAY from your face.  Spray it and LEAVE it. It will look like a big ringlet.  Go on to the next section and do the same thing until you have 4 sprayed ringlets on your head. Let the hair completely cool.  Turn your head upside down.  With your fingers just massage your roots...DON'T run your fingers through your hair. Flip your head back over.  Tada!!

Before:


After: (yes, I know all these pics make me look super duper VAIN.  But the ones of me from the back also serve as good *before* pics...so that's how I sleep at night)




















Here's one from the back

And another

and still more

I did this haircut myself...I think I did pretty good considering I graduated from the YouTube Beauty Academy.

Gospel According to El

The word *Gospel* literally means *Good News* and even though what I have to say isn't nearly as exciting as what Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John had to report, it is still, nonetheless, Good News.

This news is that I am doing rEalLy GOOD!!! I am currently four days into the 9 day Phase 1: Detox of the Fat Smash Diet. I am shocked by how good I feel. Phase 1 approved foods are fruits, veggies, beans, legumes, 2 cups brown rice, and 2 LF yogurt.  No meat. No cheese. No bread. No pasta.  No Free Day!!!!

I thought by now I would be giving up, or wanting to give up, or having friends beg me to give up.  I thought I would be cranky and miserable. But I'm not. I feel good. 

One of the biggest keys to success is that I have to eat at certain times. The rule is to never go more than 3 hours without eating.  And this isn't a *the-fork-goes-on-this-side-of the plate* fake rule.  It is serious business. I have to eat often and on time.  If I don't I am angry and shaky and searching for quick pre-packaged contraband.  I have been eating RIGHT on schedule with great results.

My fruits and veggies have been tasty. 

Watermelon (mmmmmm watermelon...)

And corn on the cob (yes, I know it's technically a *grain*, but it's Fat Smash approved)

Weird thing about me is that I have *mad-corn-cob-eating-skills*...see how nice and neat that turns out! One row at a time, baby.

I've been eating all kinds of raw veggies with humus....like green beans.



I cooked some dry chickpeas in my pressure cooker and roasted some of them at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  I sprinkled them with Mrs Dash and cumin. They were just as good as chips. I promise.  Crunchy and spicy.



I also made one of my favorite recipes. 

Pesto Bulgar Lettuce Wraps  (4 Servings, Fat Smash Phase 1)

1 1/3 C Water
1 T No-Sodium Chicken Bullion   
1 C Dry Bulgar
1 14-oz can Pinto Beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 C Basil Pesto
1 Poblano, chopped
Head of Boston Lettuce

Bring the water and bullion to boil.  Add the bulgar.  Reduce heat, cover, cook 10 minutes.  Stir in the beans, pesto, and poblano.  Serve wrapped up in the lettuce leaves.

This is a picture of the picture in my recipe book....I had waited 3 hours and 2 minutes to eat and couldn't wait for my camera to turn on. I had to EAT.

I am feeling super fun and pretty and full of energy.  Which makes me want to look cute.  So I went tanning.  And the girl at the counter made me feel like a loser for not having tanning bed lotion.  But not a big enough loser to actually drop $35 bucks on the stuff she was selling.  So I went to a local beauty supply store and snagged some there for $10.  Still a lot....but this one promised to make me sexy and give me energy...so it was really a bargain.


I also got this crazy thing....I can't believe I am even admitting to it.  But here's the thing.  I wax my own brows, cut my own hair, I might as well give myself pedicures.  And the only reason I drop $30 on a pedicure is cuz the lady uses one of these....


Gross I know but I get wicked calluses on my heels.  And this works miracles. Haven't tried it yet. But I am really hoping it works!!! Don't worry...I solemnly swear NOT to post a single picture of how it works or anything ghastly like that.

In the meantime, I'm just enjoying this *Natalie-Wood-I-Feel-Pretty* feeling.

Feel Good

I love being tan.  Having a tan makes you look thinner, healthier, and even makes your smile look whiter.  I know its horrible for you and I do not suggest any one go out and do it.  But I did.  See? 

It helps my mood too.  We are having some great weather right now and it just reminds me how much I miss the sun! 

Note:  That full body shot of me shows a typical outfit for me.  That's usually what I can be seen wearing.  I need some serious help.  Tanning will help me feel better.  Well, until my next visit to the dermatologist anyways. 

I also found this tasty sugar-free gum.  I got it at a discount store.  A pack of 3 for $1.00. 
 
It smells awesome too! I can smell it though my purse.  And the chewing keeps my cravings at bay!

What about you??? What do you do to keep cravings away and to make yourself feel pretty??

Beauty School

I have been feeling extra super frumpy lately. I just can't find my Pretty. When I shower and dress at the gym in the morning, I am consistently amazed by how good everyone looks when they are done getting dressed. They look put together. I am so jealous. I watch the process and it's not all that different from what I do. But the end result is so much nicer.

Going up and down in weight does pose problems to my wardrobe. I only have 2 pairs of jeans that I wear right now. And they are both a bit too big. And I don't own any winter tops that fit. So I have been wearing a t-shirt and then putting one of two jackets on top. I have really been wanting a good haircut. Fun. Flippy. Flirty. Whenever I try to explain what I want to a hair stylist I never ever ever get it.

And half the time they end up cutting way too much off my hair, which is pretty long (half way down my back). And they never get the layers right. This reminded me of an old problem I used to have with my eye brows. My eyebrows are thick and I like them that way.... none of the people I paid to wax my eyebrows agreed with me. They always took way too much off. After the last massacre to my eyebrows (which are still bald in crucial spots) I decided to take matters into my own hands. I bought professional waxing supplies. And have been doing my own eyebrows. And I love them. So, what about my own hair?

I had no doubt that I could cut someone else's hair the way I wanted mine....but how to do it to myself?? This problem was really eating at me. So I turned to the one place that was sure to have answers. Google. And she sent me to YouTube where I found this awesome video and a whole bunch of others, including demos on how to cut side swept bangs, and the twist cutting technique which makes perfect angles in your hair.

I felt really confident. I went home.... and cut my own hair. I even gave myself bangs.... and?

I....LOVE it!!! I am so excited! This morning in the dressing room I also brought my own blow dryer and a fat curling iron and did my hair. I am still in my frumpy clothes but I feel a lot better. Amazing what a good cut can do!