​
While most mouth ulcers are benign, they can be very painful and cause a lot of discomforts.  They are usually round or oval sores that commonly appear inside the mouth on the lips, tongue, gums and around the mouth. They usually clear up by themselves within a week or two.
Mouth ulcers are common and can usually be managed at home to make them heal faster, without seeing your dentist or your family Doctor. Here is what you can do to cure it at home. However, if your ulcer has lasted longer than three weeks please consult your physician.
All you need is:

1 Tablespoon (15 g) of Aloe Vera Gel
1 Teaspoon ( 5 g) of slippery elm bark 

1 Tablespoon (15 g) of Aloe Vera Gel
1 Teaspoon ( 5 g) of slippery elm bark 

Preparation: 
Mix the ingredients together in a small clean jar with a stick.
​

Photo credit: Francisco Anzola

Nineteen years ago, one of my friends gave birth to a 9 pounds baby girl, she was strong and healthy. However, she was completely discolored. Seeing her, we all thought that she was born with Vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that affects and causes the skin to change its appearance. 
Strangely enough, all the doctor advised my friend to do was to expose her baby to the earlier sun rays in the morning as the sun rises. Within a couple of weeks, the baby’s skin had tremendously improved itself. It was unbelievable!



 I always knew that the sun was very beneficial to the skin but I never really witnessed the direct effects of it until then. 
When natural sunlight hits the skin it triggers the body's production of vitamin D. Vitamin D is also known as “the sunshine vitamin.” It is a crucial ingredient for overall health; protects against inflammation, lowers high blood pressure, helps muscles, improves brain function and may even protect against cancer.  Although there are countless benefits to the exposure to the sun, an overexposure to it may be fatal from blindness to sunburn or even skin cancer may occur.

As liquid continues to come out of a propped bottle until it is empty, your baby may not be fully capable of steadily swallowing the content of the bottle. ​
You may notice that your baby sometimes needs to get rid of air from their little stomach in order for you to continue feeding them. Notice that in the first few months, your infant will regurgitate on almost everything including breast milk. Imagine your baby spitting up with a  bottle in his mouth, scary huh!

​If your baby has fallen asleep before finishing the bottle, she may breathe in (aspirate) the liquid rather than swallow it. Also, a sleeping position makes it more likely that the liquid will go down the wrong tube. This is because the openings to the trachea (tube for air) and the esophagus (tube for food) are so close to each other and even adults often choke in their sleep.
 
As an infant, my daughter was very good at drinking and latching, everything was going fairly well with her until she starts getting older. 

At around 7-9 months old, she started having a hard time breathing and she was choking on food and sometimes even on her own saliva. She had to go through surgery and last few weeks prior I had to sleep with my child in a sitting down position or the worst could have happened. Thank goodness she is doing well now, but imagine the risk of me just leaving my child bottle propping.
 
Having said that, feeding time is a very important moment between parents or grandparents with a child to bond and create memories that will last a lifetime. Babies grow so fast so, why not enjoying them while we can.

Feel free to share you thoughts below in the comment section.

Photo credit: cushyspa.com

​​We hear so many women complain about how they can’t find skincare products that work for them or how they waste so much money buying products they don’t even used. Maybe you’re not one those who complain but, has your husband or any relative ever seen your beauty cabinet or closet and give you that “what the heck” look? Then, you're embarrassed and pretend to be angry at them for being nosy or you simply start giving excuses for having so many half-used skincare jars or even untouched ones. Well if it isn’t the case for you, let me tell you that I’ve been there. Sometimes I used to find brand new product jars and asked myself; when did I but this? Yet my skin was still dry, brittle and looking terrible. I used to avoid going out if I don’t have time to apply makeup on or simply didn’t feel like it. 

It’s important to save money and buying products we don’t used is one way of doing the exact contrary. I usually advise people to use natural mask and oils, but we all know it’s not always easy. It takes time, energy and motivation which, is definitely not there after a hard and stressful day at work. Therefore, it’s good to have something to use can that will keep our face looking cleaned and fresh which will, boost your self-confidence. 

Here are some tips on how to get the most from your skincare products. 
 

1. Know your skin type. It helps to find out if you have sensitive skin, dry skin that tends to crack or oily shiny skin. People can experience dry skin all over their body yet have very dry skin on their faces.
2. Know what to look for in a product. It’s important to know what you want in a product as one single product may not always be able to cater to your every need. For example; whether you want a skin lightener or simply anti-aging products, if it’s your first time trying a product,  it’s important  to ask as many questions as possible in order to be well aware of what the outcome might be.   
3. Keep your skin Clean. If you are the type that wear makeup, it’s crucial that you make sure to leave your skin is make up free at bed time. It’s to use a makeup remover but also wash it. It helps to exfoliate three times a week to get rid of dead skin.
4.  Find the root cause of your breakouts. If you don’t usually have acne and you notice signs of  sudden breakouts, you may consider seeing a dermatologist as there might be various reasons for those pimples. 
5. Create a routine and stick to it. Whether you choose to use homemade DIYs or a skincare brand, the key is to have a routine, something that works with your lifestyle. One of the mistakes we often make when using skincare products is, not using it frequently and then expect it to work. No matter how expensive a product is, if it is not used properly, it’s a waste of money. Usually a product needs 60 to 90 to fully show results, when most of us get discouraged after 5 days. The result is one more half-used skincare product in our cabinet. Like everything else our skin needs time, patience, devotion and of course good products to glow and be at it’s best.
6. Take care of yourself. Last but not least; take care of yourself, eat well (i.e.) eat things like fruit and vegetables, exercise, drink lots of water, stay away from alcohol and cigarettes. Above all keep a good sleeping habit because beautiful skin cannot be achieved without enough sleep since our body mostly depends on it for the cells in our body to regenerate.  Let’s stay healthy and be proud to be in our skin.

       

​I remember that morning like it was yesterday, it was around April 2000. I was young with lots of dreams and ambitions. That Monday was almost like every Mondays the only difference was that I was burning hot with fever and then; the nightmare began. My life was going to be changed forever and I will never forget that.

Four days prior, I was suffering from acute upper back pain, it was so severe that I had to go to the clinic. they then prescribed some medicines that I started to take as soon as I got home. A couple of hours later I started experiencing stiffness in my joints and a slight dizziness.
My partner and I had previously planned to spend the weekend at a nice resort especially because his birthday was on that Friday. Although I didn’t feel like moving we did end going there. Let's say I just didn’t want to spoil the occasion because I knew it was special to us. I went there but couldn’t do much. He was not very happy, but honestly, I was in too much pain to care.

I remember that morning like it was yesterday, it was around April 2000. I was young with lots of dreams and ambitions. That Monday was almost like every Mondays the only difference was that I was burning hot with fever and then; the nightmare began. My life was going to be changed forever and I will never forget that.
​
Four days prior, I was suffering from acute upper back pain, it was so severe that I had to go to the clinic. they then prescribed some medicines that I started to take as soon as I got home. A couple of hours later I started experiencing stiffness in my joints and a slight dizziness.
My partner and I had previously planned to spend the weekend at a nice resort especially because his birthday was on that Friday. Although I didn’t feel like moving we did end going there. Let's say I just didn’t want to spoil the occasion because I knew it was special to us. I went there but couldn’t do much. He was not very happy, but honestly, I was in too much pain to care.

​Then, I could hear people talking, I heard my mother praying and my partner was crying. I saw myself laying down on the bed, my mother and everyone else who were in the room. I couldn’t know how long I was there, but I was there. Then came the time where I was taken to a different place where I could no longer hear anyone but the man in the whitest suit, I’ve ever seen that was with me.

He was showing a beautiful place, full of flowers and nice trees. It looked like a garden in the widest valley you could imagine. I was so happy and excited that I told myself that I didn’t want to go back home. I felt light and everything was so bright. As we walk, I wanted to ask so many questions, but I couldn’t open my mouth. I was just enjoying the view. There was a time when I saw a few people gardening and picking up flowers and singing some songs I have never heard before and then I suddenly couldn’t see nor hear the man anymore.

I was back to the hospital room, it seemed like mother had never left my side, I saw what looked like a cake and my partner putting flowers in a vase on a table next to my bed. He looked so sad. I was not flying it was more like I was floating or hanging, there is are words that can fully describe was I experiencing. Strangely enough, as soon as I was back in the room, I was not only connected to everyone, I knew their names, who they were I could also feel their sadness, their pain, and their fear. For some reason my mother and my partner were the two people I was more connected with, it was such where I could feel their heartbeats. I was so sad to see my mother in so much pain.  No one spoke until my partner said well it’s her birthday at least she should taste her cake, a nurse then said; she has been in coma for weeks and she has eaten anything, I don’t believe it’s a good idea to put the cake in her mouth, he then insisted that at least he would  put it on my lips and then, wipe it off.

I was just there watching everyone and my body motionless on that bed, all It was a very anxious time for me, I was wondering if I would ever be able to go back in my body because the pain of loved one became an unbearable sight at that point, I couldn’t recognize that person on the bed anymore. I was burnt, looking like someone poured hot water all over me. 

There was that one morning when the doctor walked into the room and I remember words for words what he said to my parents and my partner; “I’m sorry but she has a 5% chance of making it through the day. My partner broke down in tears and he couldn’t hold himself up, everyone else was troubled by the news but my mother fell on her knees and started to pray to God. Then all went blank again, I don’t know for how long, but I felt peaceful.
​
Afterward, everything became so clear, it was like daylight and I could feel myself hovering in the air. As I was up there, I saw a large crowd of people going towards the hospital where I was at, I started panicking and this smooth and calming voice told me don’t they cannot take anywhere because I will not allow it. That person was right next to me and started to fly with me, I try to turn my heard I was unable to. I was curious, I wanted who it was, but I felt someone holding so tight that had no more fear. I looked, and I will never forget what I saw, it was the most beautiful and transparent thing I’ve ever seen. The wing of an Angel, that’s what was wrapped around my hand and keeping me safe from death that day. After seeing the angel, the next thing I knew was that I was talking to my parents in the hospital. I later told my mother about what I heard the doctor says, she told me yes, it was three day before you woke up. ​

From that very moment, my healing process started, because I had completely lost the skin all over my body. I made it, I’m here.
I later found out that, it was a terrible allergy to one of the medicines I was taking, and when I arrived at the hospital, I was then given another one through IV that made it worse. According to researches only 3% who went through this made it out alive. Eighteen years after I still cry every time, I share this experience. It took Someone who conquered death to take me through it and stay alive. I’m grateful every day  for waking up another day, and that near-death experience changed my life for ever.
 

We all know that family is the oldest institution of humanity and having a supportive family can be a real blessing. Whether you are part of a traditional or a modern one, the important things are the love and support family members can show to one another. The size of a family shouldn’t affect their ability to rely on one another.
Although they are bonded by blood, many families do not necessarily have that special tie and sometimes it can be hurtful. If we really look closely, family doesn’t only remain within the restricted spectrum of a husband, a wife and children it also stretches to in-laws and other relatives. Family members are not perfect, from the bougie aunt who thinks she has it all and look down at everyone to that little cousin who can’t seem to know how to stay out of jail, without forgetting the nephew who’s always as high as a kite.  No matter their skin tone, level of education or their rank in society, they remain our family. 

​The differences we share can sometimes cause issues like jealousy, anger or even hatred. All those things that I just mentioned can be ignored when it’s not within the immediate family. For example; if you know you don’t come along with a relative you can simply skip that thanksgiving dinner or simply don’t answer their phone calls until you feel comfortable to settle your differences.
Sadly enough, rivalry doesn’t only exist between distant relatives it can right in our homes and it’s one of the the biggest nightmare we could endure. Parents often become jealous at their children or simply see them as a menace or vice versa.
I remember hearing several accounts of parents hurting their children, back in 2010 The Daily Mail reported the case of mother who cooked her month-old baby in the oven. Since then, many other cases have surfaced. For most parents it’s unthinkable but the it’s a real issue and it’s more widespread than you think. Jealousy usually arises when one parent show more attention to a child or children then the other partner thus, the parent considers his her or her own child to be a threat. 

Many of us have suffered from this issue and we sometimes wonder what we have done to cause such hate in our parents. One of my close friends whom I will not mention her name to protect her privacy, has gone through this issue. As a child, she was very close to her father and shared so many happy memories, to use her own words; he was her idol, her superhero. As she started elementary school, she noticed that things were changing between her and her father. He was very abusive towards her, he would use the harshest way to discipline to the point of cause several visits to the emergency room. She was really confused as she could not understand what she was doing wrong. My friend was a straight A student and therefore got a lot of attention from teachers and other school personnel. When she turned ten years old, the abuse had gotten so out of hands that she had go to live with one her aunts.
Years have passed, and things have not gotten any better between them, she spent 20 years angry and didn’t talk to him not even once. But then after losing a friend, she had a sudden change of mind, she wants to forgive him, and she has tried getting in contact with but unfortunately all he did was criticizing her in front of people to justify his behavior. He was unapologetic.
How do you continue to love that parent or family member who seems to hate you with every breath he takes? It’s hard task. We talk to many times about it, and we got to share our experiences that were pretty similar. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean that she or she deserves it. It’s simply the best thing to do because hate is a killer and it will cause you more harm then the person you hate.


​We can’t progress while dealing with hate, it’s a heavy burden. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just love at a distance, love has no boundaries there you don’t need to share the same home state of mind with someone to show him /her love and compassion. After hours of chatting and sharing, my friend has started to help her dad without him knowing it and she continues to pray for a change of heart on his part. At the end of the day, what really counts is that we try and the only way to be totally liberated is by learning how to love unconditionally. 

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By now all parents know that after the delivery room thrill is over, only then life really begins. In most cases a mother is the one caring for this tiny little human being who depends solely on her for everything and it's scary. After a while our maternal instinct naturally kicks in, well at least for most of us. At this point obviously, everything should be fine and dandy until the unexpected happens, yes the “unexpected”.

I will never forget that day, I took my daughter for a routine visit to the Pediatrician, I’m sure you  know the drill, from waiting in the lobby, filling forms and all until you finally get to meet your child PCP. After what seemed like an endless wait, it was our turn. She started the usual checkup, then started to ask many questions by the time the visit was over I was shaken to my core.  I got the news; my child had a developmental delay. I was so terrified and all i could ask was,  how bad is it?

Although my daughter was only a few months old, her behavior has led her Pediatrician to come up with the diagnostic. She was trying to convince me that it may not be as bad I think but believe me, in that moment all I could hear was let’s say… nothing. To make a long story short, later on I learned that my baby was within the Autistic Spectrum. The shock! it was hard to believe. How could that possibly be?
​

Between finding the right school that was tailored to my daughter’s needs, therapy sessions and  transportation arrangements, I was already burned out. Luckily, I was never shy to approach other parents who have been in similar situation and ask for tips. Trust me it helps! 
Being a single mom and now having to care for a child with such a diagnostic was one of the greatest challenges I've ever had to take on. I felt guilty, angry, powerless and hopeless. While I try to seek the best care for my child, I often forgot about myself and there lies the greatest danger because I cannot care for my child if I’m not in good shape. When I say shape it’s way beyond the physical appearance. It’s the mental, spiritual and psychological aspect of it.
​

The mistake that most of us make is trying to justify our state of mind to people. Especially those who have never walked in our shoes and may never will. Personally, I’ve never had too many friends because I don’t believe I need more than one or two. Honestly nursing a baby while to trying to work and do everything else, don’t leave a parent much time to socialize, caring for a challenged or special need child is even harder. Don’t get me wrong I love my baby more than words can explain but raising a child on your own is an enormous task. 
​
People who know me often ask; how do you keep your smile?
Well it’s pretty simple, I smile for two reasons;

1. I simply like to smile
2. Smiling keeps  people from asking me more questions

Having said that, situations come and go in life and we often get more than we bargain for. Therefore, it’s crucial to learn how to create a balance between oneself and everything else that’s going on around you in order to stay healthy.  

Here are some things I did that kept me from falling apart:
​
    I seek inner peace every day. I had to recognize that feeling guilty would not help in anything and free myself from it at once. I didn’t bring those challenges upon my child. Nevertheless, I needed to be strong. I had to remove anything that created a weakness in my life and guilt was one of them. Inner peace can be found in several ways. Some people choose yoga, prayers, physical activities like dance or different types of workout to help them burn any negative energy. Whether you like to enjoy a day at the spa or simply read a book, it’s important to create an escape “find your inner peace” which will take me to my next point;

Have some “me” time. When dealing with all those trials, it’s more likely that your finance might not be at its strongest either. I’m just going to say it objectively, if you can’t go on vacation to a nice Resort it’s okay to hide in your room or your bathroom for a few minutes during the day when you feel like you’re about to collapse. It won’t make you bad parent, just make sure you take a book and some snacks with you. You will be surprised how recharged you feel afterwards.

Find a Hobby. I know the first thing that will come to your mind is: she must be crazy, I don't even have time. No, I’m not crazy, look back up to the previous paragraph, remember? find your “me” time. Choose something you love and do it. How about you go on Youtube or other resources on the internet and learn a new DIY for example, something simple. Things that I had considered senseless and insignificant were  what helped me achieve the balance I needed to continue living and help me face every day’s challenges.


My child’s issues didn’t disappear, I just had to find new ways to deal with them and I believe it can work similarly for others as long as there is the will to give it a try. As women we are expected to be strong, being able take care of everything and everyone with no complaint, but who takes care of us? Well, we do, we take care of ourselves.  A while ago, I was watching a movie and I remember one of the actors said, “selfish people live longer”. I laughed so hard but really, it’s true because and at the end, no one can take care of me better then I can because I know what it takes and what I need. The most wonderful thing about it is, once you find that balance and that inner peace no one can take them away from you. I became that woman who is now fighting her battles with a smile on her face and who has that enviable peace. Don’t get it twisted I’m far from being where I need to be but it’s a process and it’s achievable. 
​

Feel free to comment or share you story in the comments below. 

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Nowadays, there are so many hair products brands to choose from, that we can easily get confused. From those who claim to be natural or organic, the list is endless. While some of them can be very costly, we don’t necessarily get the result we want from them. I’m sure most of us could open a beauty supplies store with all the half-used or even untouched jar and bottles of hair products laying around in your closet. 


In many cases, well-known influencers like @naptural85, @thechicnatural and many others go "back to the roots" by using raw natural ingredients used in our everyday routines.

Here are 3 common things you should add to your hair routine;
 
1- Fresh okra: also known as gumbo is an amazing fruit.  This food is low in Saturated Fat and Sodium, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Riboflavin, Niacin, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc and Copper, and a very good source of nutrition including Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium and Manganese. Forget about those beautiful words I just wrote, okra is just one the most incredible emollients. What I love about it is that it doesn’t cost much and very easy to prepare. It can be used as a leave-in conditioner, rinse-out conditioner, as a hair gel etc.. 

To make Okra Hair Conditioner you need:
 
a). Okra
b). Water
c). Your favorite essential oil
 
-Get a few pieces of okra 8-10
 
- 10 ounces of water. Throw the okra in the water and bring it to a boil. When you notice that the water is getting sticky, cut off the fire.
- Let it the mixture slightly cool down and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
-Use it as your conditioner after shampooing.

Note that if you wish to use it as your leave-in conditioner, this mixture must be very watery as the viscosity might cause your hair to be too stiff. I personally love to use it as a leave-in conditioner especially when I do twistouts, it’s amazing!

2-  Hibiscus flower and leaves: are very good because for the hair as they contain amino acids which help in strengthening the roots of your hair; nourish them thoroughly by penetrating the hair follicles.
 
Growing up, when my mother used to pour that tepid hibiscus water all over my head was the best feeling ever. I have 4c hair and washing them was not my most favorite moment. However, my mother knew exactly what to do calm my scalp down. We didn’t know about conditioner, but we had hibiscus leaves and flours.
 
For hibiscus infused oil you will need:
 
-Hibiscus flower
-Coconut oil/ macadamia oil /argan oil.
​

Crush 10 clean hibiscus flowers and leaves. Heat 8 oz of either of the oils that I just mentioned and add it to the hibiscus paste; mix and turn the heat off.  Let it cool down. Strain and massage your hair with the oil and leave it overnight.
 
For your hibiscus rinse: you will simply need two hands full of hibiscus leaves and flowers and then water.
 
Wash the leaves and flowers and then start rubbing them between your hands until they are completely mashed.  Then add 16oz of cool water mix and strain the leaves off. Use on clean hair, do not rinse out.

3- Fenugreek Hair paste: Fenugreek also known as Methi seed is a yearly plant that’s also considered a legume. It is loaded with nutrients like amino acid 4-hydroxyisoleucine, protein, magnesium, manganese, iron, B6 and much more. The flavonoids and polyphenols found in the herb have antioxidants properties. Fenugreek leaves are traditionally used to help treat indigestion and flatulence, while its seeds can be ground into paste and used topically to help fight infection and inflammation in wounds. When used as a scalp paste it may relieve scalp inflammation and promote healthier growth.

To make Fenugreek paste you need:
 
-       Fenugreek seed
-       Water
Soak a couple of tablespoons of Fenugreek seeds in water overnight, drain out the water, then blend into a paste. Apply on hair as a Hair mask. Use as needed.
 
And Voila!
 
After trying your favorite one, let us know how it works for you in the comments below.

When I was growing up in the Caribbean, going to the doctor when you’re sick wasn’t always the easiest thing to do. Especially, when there was no health insurance in place, and for the less fortunate it was even harder. From birth to around ten years old, my parents lived up in the countryside where it was worst because culture made it very complicated. People would run to the Hougan (voodoo priest) 100 times faster than they would go to a hospital.
My family was really blessed to have my grandmother around, who knew a lot about herbs, roots and spices. I remember people used to come and brings their children to get healing potion from her and she never charged anyone a dime. She was genuinely happy to help and until today when I meet anyone from my city all I have to say is my grandma’s name for them to start telling me how amazing she was (bless her soul).  

For others healing was right in our kitchen.

Fast forwarding to 2012, I was diagnosed with Uterine Myoma (Uterine Fibroids). Unfortunately, the majority of black woman all over the world suffer or will suffer at some point in their lives from Uterine Fibroids. Woman of all ages are not exempt, back in 2014 the youngest patient was a 14-year-old girl.
For those of us who experience that disease, we know it can bring a lot of discomfort, excruciating  pain, Hemorrhage, infertility or even more.

Usually when I experience pain, I don’t like to take over the counter pain killers because of their  disgusting side effects, such as nausea and dizziness. Honestly, I was raised using herbs and spices for relief or cure of most ailments that I have suffered and they have help tremendously. However, just like any other medicine, there are dos and don’ts. For example, if you are already following a regimen for any health condition, you should talk to your physician before starting any herbs and spices as they may counteract with the medication that you’re taking. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor as well as your child’s pediatrician prior to taking any tea or spices.  
​

How often  do we hear women complaining about the fact that they are unable to meet Mr.  Right ,  how they have reached a certain age and yet they are alone. For those who have a partner, he doesn't seem like he will ever propose. In addition our parents are pressuring us about grandchildren. It's a very difficult position to be in, especially when you know you have all the prerequisites to be the One. It's frustrating!

It's a real challenge hence, so many depression cases among woman. With all that being said, how single can a  single be? I'm sure you're probably asking, what is she talking about. Well bare in mind that, although many people are single, they are still sexually active by one way or the other. 
A few weeks ago I was chatting with a friend about that subject, she was complaining how  she has not dated anyone for the past nine month. She is beautiful, educated and independent yet not One guy has asked her out. As we were discussing, she got a text message from a male friend. as she read the message she looked up at me and started to smile. Of course I was curious, she then said "girl it's on" I'm gonna say it raw; it was a booty call. Don't get me wrong, I was genuinely happy that she was gonna have some fun, but the point I'm making is that a couple of days later she was hurt. She has gone back to the guy's place and he was too busy with another woman to even answer his door, and had told her afterward like it was the most normal thing on earth.