Hair Length Boosting Kale Stir Fry Recipe: The Coily Hair Edition

Food For Healthy Hair Growth

We all know that products and hair care habits promote length. However, the absolute truth is that hair health is mostly from WITHIN. I can't get away with failing to mention this from time to time on a blog dedicated to healthy hair growth. I have a previous post on a combination of ingredients that are easily consumed on a daily basis--surefire hair growth assistance.

Within the 4 years that I've been natural (and keeping weekly logs of progress), I've had a chance to notice a few things. During the times that I've been active (cardio workouts especially), and my intake of water was increased, I've noticed nice spurts of hair growth. I also notice that during the times I've been consistent with consumption of daily greens such as spinach, kale, and others--my hair has a luster that needs no products. Now, I know that there are products that I use that ensure luster and shine, but hair health from within has a different "glow" to it.

Here's an easy recipe that allows for a quick add of green to the day:

2 handfuls of kale and or spinach
2 tablespoons of garlic
Chopped Onions to your liking
4 Cups of Cooked Brown Rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

*Pretty much any veggies will go well chopped up in this stir fry.

Spinach, Kale, Brown Rice, Onions & Turmeric Stir Fry

I like to steam the kale/spinach for about 3 minutes after properly rinsing and chopping them up. I steam them in organic vegetable broth. Heat a wok with approximately 1 tablespoon of olive oil, add the garlic and onions, then the spinach/kale. Stir fry for about 1 minute, then add the brown rice while mixing in. Add Turmeric Powder. I love the color and taste that the turmeric gives. Season to taste (salt, pepper, paprika, etc). YUMMY!

DID YOU KNOW:

Both Kale and Spinach are high in vitamin C, and iron. Excellent anti-inflammatory food sources. Support collagen production (yeah skin), which is the foundation on which hair follicles rely. What I love most about kale and spinach is that they taste GREAT!

Garlic is often used topically (on the skin) to promote hair growth and minimize hair loss. Garlic has a high sulfur content, which is beneficial to hair.

Turmeric has so many benefits, I say do the research on this wonder plant. I buy it in powder form (organic of course), and sprinkle it on almost everything. It's an extreme anti inflammatory. It can be used as a natural hair dye. Some of the active components found in turmeric is said to aid in hair growth.

As with any changes in diet, it's always best to consult with your physician ahead of time. For anyone looking for that "quick fix", it's important to note that dietary changes (good or bad) are typically noticeable after a span of time. I love that when I am consistent with healthy eating habits, I see true, permanent results--as opposed to superficial (beauty industry) type results.

Do you have any hair healthy (which always benefits the body) recipes to share? Remember, SHARING IS CARING!

and as always,

---------------------------------------------------------------------------stay beautiful!

--tia

African American Waist Length Hair: 5 Inches in 7 Months

Waist Length Hair: Coily, Fine Textured and LONG!

January 2012

August 2012

Seven months has certainly given Miss Dimples lots of growth! In the picture on the left, taken January 2012, her hair lays about 5'' away from her bottom. In the picture on the right, taken in August 2012, her hair rests right above her bottom. I did a small trim recently, and plan to step up her deep conditioning treatments until the next trim (probably in October).

•  I never really get her hair "dead straight", because I'm still learning what the correct/safe flat iron temperature setting is for her hair. Her hair is very fine, while being tightly coiled--so this gets kind of tricky (avoiding heat damage).

• She seems to have exceeded her 1/2'' per month! It makes lots of sense, as she's a very active girl. It's said that good old cardiovascular activity helps promote hair growth, due to the blood circulation and all that good stuff. 

• Something that may have attributed to the length retention is that we don't do much with her hair, besides weekly wash/co-wash and style. Her hair maintenance is very low manipulation. Her heat sessions are probably every 6 months. So I'd say the recipe for her hair length retention is that I just care for it, and leave it alone.

Standard two strand twists still remain my favorite length retention styling/texture. So many styling options, easily moisturized, and very hard to damage. Most of all, a style like this can last all week (or two--if times get rough LOL), maybe freshening up the hairline. Also, a style like this is easy on the hairline (very important). If you haven't heard it from me yet, I promote two strand twists for all curl textures that I've ever come across. Using two strand twists to grow long hair is pretty much a surefire way to set about getting the job done.