Melody Bojang, RD, LDN
I just walked out of the garden-frustrated. My Kentucky beans post-transplant are bowed over as if to say: “The sun is hot and we have nothing to cling too.” True.
However, the reality is that I was actively working on putting stakes in a few days ago, but the rain started to come down so hard that I had to retreat. Don’t take the latter statement as a complaint-I am always happy to see the rain. Nonetheless, it did put a temporary halt on the project. Another issue is that I think I killed most of those bean seedlings once I moved them from their original sprouting spot.
Thus far I have been doing my homework-that is reading my Organic Gardening book and listening to a few words here and there of experienced gardeners, but I notice that regardless of knowledge nature is the constant that no human being can compete with. Considering I am a naturalist, I consciously try to embrace the co-existence. Yet, I have to admit the feeling of powerlessness can be so nerve wrecking. According to the weather forecast the sun is making itself known in a fierce way and relief may be further than closer away.
The insects that make the soil their home appear to show mercy to the other seedlings, but I know that at the right time-they too will become competitive with my goal of harvesting cabbage, eggplant and spinach. That being said, I mentally race around reading about creating conditions that are ‘wildlife’ like to allow nature’s natural predators to eat and be eaten.
Ironically, the bees prefer me and a food cooler over the flourishing mint and flowers sizzling under the Carolinian sun. I realize now that I might as well relax. Nature is here to stay; knowledge is mine to seek and keep. Wisdom will bridge the gap between the two.

Who:Greenway Chiropractic & LocLife
What: Toxic Nation Talk
Where: 7530 Ramble Way, Raleigh NC (Just across the street from the shop)
When: Monday August 15th
Why: To educate one another about toxic dangers in our everyday life, and affordable, alternative solutions.

Join LocLife and Dr. Barnes of Greeway Chiropractic for an open informative talk and question answer about toxicity in your life. Bring your own hair products, and learn how to fight Damaged unhealthy hair and skin, without continuing to compromise with chemicals. If you feel like you can be the cheerleader to help someone else with this kind of a change, then we welcome you too!!

Let’s talk about setting your goal. It seems like that would be easy enough, but remember we’re not losing weight anymore.. We’re gaining wellness, so our goal has to reflect the wellness goal we hope to achieve. And we’re all about setting up for success. To set S.M.A.R.T. Goals, you have to start with your most basic goal statement… are you fighting diabetes? Blood pressure? Do you just want to be able to do a pull up? Are you looking to have a six pack? Have you plateau-ed? There are a million different wellness goals that you have based around your quality of life, and your needs.
S- Specific: My goal was to be fit. But specifically my goal was to be able to do a pull-up. I wanted to be better at calisthenics, and made my goal about building muscles. But specifically I wanted to be able to do pull—ups.
M – Measurable: I want you to know that not only is a pull up obviously measurable – you can do it or you can’t… the ability to do a pull-up happens in increments. So your goal has to me something you can measure. If it’s to lower your cholesterol, then you need to consider how many points you plan on lowering it. Measurable

My first Pull-up

Melody Bojang, RD, LDN
Before I dive in my pool of gratitude, it is appropriate to take a moment to assist any individual who may have slept through biology. Magnesium, a divalent cation, is a component of chlorophyll-the green pigment (color) evident all around us in plants and trees. Magnesium is also found inside body cells (~50%- the other half is in bone) and plays a role in neuromuscular transmission and activity. You see, every day that we open our eyes without gratitude for the science behind nature I feel we commit a grave injustice against ourselves.
This injustice is just a manifestation of a lifestyle characterized by MAJORING in MINORS. Working in the garden helps me to stay aware of all that I am grateful for: the air- my lungs that breathe it in; the birds-my ears that can hear them; and nature-my eyes that behold it daily. Running from bees (I am facing my fear of bees), talking to my seedlings, and praying for rain takes the focus off of participating in self-degrading behavior.
That stated, I encourage you to put down the negative and focus on the positive. I am aware that it can be a challenge in the environment in which we live. Last you heard YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Well, I challenge you to turn off that flat screen and go outside. Look up and look around to behold the greatest science on earth! Take in all that nature has to offer. It is absolutely FREE- no payment plan required.

SOW’IN & REAP’IN: THE TIME FACTOR
Melody Bojang, RD, LDN
I didn’t realize that I have succumbed to the falsehood that everything comes in an instant.
Amazingly it must have happen somewhere between 3G and 4G (i.e.-network speeds), search engines, instant messaging, text messages and the GPS. Everything I need is just one button push away. As a matter of fact, my body actually cringes when I have to wait. You know what I am talking about: that tension you feel as your eyes scan the gadget of choice and the physiological reaction you have if more that 2.5 seconds pass without some data to answer your query.
So this week when I walked in the garden, my psyche was taken back as my eyes scanned the dark earth for some sign of the labor I put in. Surely, my sore arms and legs did not deceive me. My blistered hands did something last week, didn’t they? “Where are my results?” My brain and eyes are confused, isn’t this the 21st Century? Upon taking a deep breath and tuning in to the birds singing and the mosquitoes swarming around my neck, reality sank in. The cabbage and eggplant seeds that I delicately pushed into the soil last week; will undergo a change that is far from instant. Aside from the obvious fact that H2O is a necessity; the right amount of oxygen, and nutrients via the soil will inevitably result in a lesson on what I did right or possibly what was done wrong. So far by my interpretation of things, nature is on my side: it rained a few days last week and I can see very small green stuff peeking through the dirt in the area I planted. They are not weeds- an assessment confirmed by an individual I consider an expert. With this in mind I am happy to report that it feels good working toward something that is not instant. A true sense of appreciation is growing inside of me. How something is and what it can become has a huge range, but within that range lies cause and effect. Everything I do, or don’t do will have a result. That being said, we should walk through our days being mindful of our actions and the consequences because whether a relationship, our health, the seen or unseen-a garden is not the only place in life that REAP’IN what we SOW apply.

I’ve heard a lot about weight loss. I’ve also, like most, have failed a lot at weight loss. I’m almost positive that I have belonged to every gym in the greater New York Metropolitan area- I have drunk lemon juice and Cayenne for days, counted points, and eaten prepackaged food that was prepared to be nutritionally balanced 5 times a day (the brownies weren’t so bad..), I’ve had meat for every meal, with a side of meat and meat for snacks; this doesn’t even mention, Stacker, Xenadrine, and Lipo 6… and countless other diet pills I have choked down with the intention of losing weight. I never started with any other goal than to “lose weight”, never tracked – other than the occasional step on the scale, and of course was never successful.

I set upon a journey in February – to be well. I weighed 194 pounds, 5’3″, 35% body fat, my rib cage was 39″, waist (smallest point) 35″, hips (widest point) 49″. My goals were pretty simple: to be able to do a single pull up (we should all be able to pull our body weight up at least once, if for nothing else, for safety reasons), and to be able to integrate activity into my daily life. My goal was to move every day, to sweat at least 5 times a week, and to challenge my body every time it demands me to stop.

I had to keep in mind a few things:

1. The changes I was making had to be small enough to be sustainable (I will never be able to quit chocolate or cheese) – My goal is long term, so I had to be aware, and grateful for incremental change.

2. The small sustainable changes were not only for my eating, but also for the exercise I was planning on integrating. They had to be something I could maintain.

3. My perception (what I saw in the mirror) was NOT reality.

4. I didn’t get that way in eight weeks, I probably can’t revert in eight weeks.

5. I needed to make a goal, track metrics, and remember that a day off, heck, a week off, is not failure. Failure is Failure. Stopping is failure.

These were the beginning realizations that helped me on my journey – not of weight loss – but of Wellness Gain.

But – wait- I said February – and now it’s July – where am I now?

Stay Tuned… Let’s take a Walk to Wellness.

– See You at the Track –

Greetings LocLifers,
Let’s play a game. Ready, o.k.?
“Truth or Dare?”
“Dare”
“Great, I dare you to strip?” Yes, I dare you to get naked. I dare you to remove everything from your life that is not, does not, and will not make you a better person. I dare you to remove everything in your presence that keeps you from being your most natural beautiful self.
The day I decided to be me was one of the most liberating days of my life. My brain was happy to be chemical free, and my heart began the journey of self discovery. Life began a new, and I was now un-learning what I took for true. I found out that the real me was even more beautiful.
Yet instill as I continue to travel the road of natural living, I find that so many sisters are still unwilling. Unwilling to discover who they are supposed to be. Unwilling, to live their life naturally. I hear excuses like my hair won’t curl like that, I won’t look right you have the face for it, and my personal favorite natural ain’t for everybody.
It is my belief that in the last five centuries we have lost our natural minds. We lost the ability to think for ourselves and we are now running out of time. We no longer have time to categorize us in the circle of them. The best way to be you is to look deep-with in. I dare you to get down to the naked truth. Living natural is for those who choose to define themselves way beyond their hair. If you want to see beautiful go to a mirror and see who returns your stare. So go on- strip, find out whose inside there.
I think discovering your truth is worth the dare.
Lele

Melody Bojang, RD, LDN
Welcome to the chronicle of all things necessary for SALUS-a Latin root, which means health. As a stakeholder in the latter, it is time I share this epiphany: The conventional agriculture process has grossly neglected our Mother Earth and the direct beneficiary of that neglect is the soil. Yes, I agree that this ‘light bulb’ can’t compete with that tweet that just hit your cell. However, what is relevant is YOUR FOOD.
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides were never meant to be apart of our agriculture family and subsequent biology, yet we chew and swallow an unmeasurable sum everyday. This truth in mind is the basis for no longer sitting on the side of indifference- i.e., attempting to heal the sick by recommending “eating right” when alot of those choices available are pseudo versions of nutrients vital to life and/or so altered from the organic state that we should not wonder why our hair is falling out, our thought processes are vague, and diseases-although medically-managed, are still on the rise. Moreover, I can no longer accept the statistics that plaque my community.
Thus, I invite you on an excursion were passion inevitably meets science. Where failure is better than more of the same.
Where at least bending, leaning, sweating and walking up and down Home Depot’s aisles foster more health benefits. This road less traveled places my feet upon some brown stuff sprinkled with the green stuff and nurtures a respectful relationship between a human being and the land upon which one will attempt to grow food. Understanding that curiosity is human, let me address this quickly and honestly: I don’t know the outcome. What I do know is that cabbage, broccoli, eggplant, onions, or members of the fruit family will meet the world with respect and natural materials fed to the land. I suspect quality of life and food “as thy medicine” will be the reward.

Greetings LocLifers,

As the beginning of summer approaches, through much reflection and anticipation I find myself inspired by the mere thought of the sun. Since a child I have understood the importance of appreciating the sun; for in the darkest times of the world the sun has remained an incandescent support to the natural elements of life. Its faithful presence supply’s a guiding light that can never be ignored. Imagine, if the sun no longer shined how would the earth survive? I often say to others “bask in the Sun”, as I’ve always felt it is the Creators’ way of aesthetically scintillating the individual wonders all living creatures have to offer. I was led to this conclusion around the age of eight when I began to internalize the lyrics of the titular spiritual This little light of mine. Somewhat of a call and response song, the background chorus boldly reiterates the luminous purpose we each have through the statement “I’m going to let it shine”. I interpreted this song to mean that inside each of us there is a light that burns bright for the entire world to see. Unfortunately, it took me a little longer to figure out that I had not yet allowed my light to shine.

Like so many I bought into the misconception that I would stand out if I could blend in. I subconsciously wanted to be accepted. I wanted to be beautiful. In elementary school it meant everything to me to look like the little girl on the front of the JUST FOR ME box. I can remember singing along with the theme song “I got style and beautiful hair”, only to later record over the white and pink tape with my favorite songs from the radio.

This same mentality continued throughout middle and high school. I graduated from JUST FOR ME to the more sophisticated Motions and Dark & Lovely relaxers. Assured that I would remain Dark & Lovely each time I would shellac my hair with the “beautifying” chemicals. I will admit it always felt good to hear “ooh girl your hair look good!” or my favorite “you got Indian in your family” lol. With compliments came confidence and I liked feeling good about myself. So like clockwork every six weeks I was off to get a touch-up in order for my hair to remain straight, silky, shiny, and smooth. And like most women I began to fill unfulfilled and no longer satisfied with just a perm. I never was a runner but I soon became an instant track star once I was introduced to hair tracks. I can remember thinking “Are you kidding, my hair can go from ear to shoulder length in a matter of hours-sign me up.” But even after the chemical restructuring and the hair additions I still remained unfulfilled and unsatisfied.

It was not until my sophomore year at North Carolina Central University, when I met several NATURALLY Beautiful, Brilliant, Confident, Dark and Lovely young women that changed my mind. Many of them were upper classmen but through various social circles and like minded goals I often found myself in conversations with many of these enlightened women on a journey to greater womanhood. Enlightened because they appeared to achieve what I had been searching for my whole life; confidence through Love of Self. They had allowed their light to shine by tapping into the inner core of themselves through the unification of mind, body, and spirituality. Truly becoming the women God had intended them to be. I soon realized that the lack of fulfillment and dissatisfaction I felt toward myself was not in the perm or tracks but my reasoning for getting the perm or tracks. Sure I could say my hair was easier to manage, or that I wanted it to “lye” down but the crux of the matter is I wanted to be considered beautiful.

I heard beauty is only skin deep, so then I guess that doesn’t include your hair. So sad how we have been conditioned to believe that we are only beautiful when we look like someone else. As of late, it seems that “Going Natural” is the new thing. The only problem with that oxymoronic statement is that you cannot go natural but be natural. “Natural” or “Being Natural” is not a fashion statement or a hairstyle but a lifestyle intended for those courageously willing to be themselves. Until we realize that we were born beautifully blessed, created to conquer all that stands in our way we will remain in a state of confusion like a dimly lit candle intended for guidance in the dark. Our vision becomes slighted as we can only see what we believe lies ahead instead of what is actually there. As the mothers of the earth, givers of life, and catalyst of the future we must correct the misconception of beauty and live like the Sun-Kissed women we are.

When I say bask in the sun I’m saying enjoy being you. As Marianne Williamson eloquently states “As we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same and as we are liberated from our own fears our presence automatically liberates others”. We can no longer be scared to be ourselves. We must become like the sun and be that guiding light whose incandescent support can never be ignored. So I ask you, will you let your light shine?

Salesha ‘LeLe’ Mason

These are comments from a contributor and do not necessarily fully reflect the views of Locstyle.

I know it’s a little cryptic, but we’ll get there. One of the biggest complaints about the natural journey that I’ve been hearing is that being natural is hard to maintain. I’ve heard that with a perm, or a weave, you can set it and forget it – and all you have to do it touch it up every now and then and you’re as fresh as ever. However, with the “natural style” you have to keep maintaining it and maintaining it.

So I remembered this statement I had heard about telling the truth at all costs. It went, “It’s not always easy – but it’s always right.”

So here we are – talking about what’s easy and what’s right.

Why does a “manufactured” hair style seem to be easier to maintain? Well to be blunt, it’s because of the processing (mostly chemical) that’s done to it. Essentially, the chemicals that people of color introduce into our hair are mostly intended to make it manageable, or easier to handle, or hold a style better – or a million other cliches. What it comes down to, it that the intention is to remove the nap from our hair so that it can fall, blow in the wind or be styled in a way that more closely mirrors Euro-centric hair. Why? That’s a whole other discussion which I’m sure you can chase down anywhere on the web.

Bottom line is this: If you apply enough chemicals to change the texture of your hair, you end up making it do what you want it do do rather than what it wants to do!! Sure it’s “manageable” – just like a child would be if you broke his or her spirit!! Manageable – but lifeless. So after rendering it “manageable but lifeless” you now have to add more chemicals to make it appear shiny, lively and “healthy”. The reason why most folks claim that this is easier to maintain is that after beating the hair into submission, you only have to “touch up” the new growth – and make sure that it doesn’t betray you by showing what your natural hair texture really is.

But your hair is a living, breathing organism. And it should be treated as such. Embalming away it’s natural texture, nap and heft are inexcusable – no matter what the arguments made.

Naturally styled hair “appears” to be harder to maintain because you have to take more consistent care of it. This is because it’s not soaked in chemicals or baked in intense heat and rendered almost embalmed…. It’s natural!!! And its natural state requires that it be treated more gently.

Think of your average grocery store with rows and rows of cheerful looking, symmetrical genetically modified fruit – that will keep looking that way for months on end. Then at the end of the shelf there’s a display of organic fruit which don’t all look like soldiers, but taste a whole lot better. There’s a reason why they’re more expensive and probably won’t last as long on the shelf. Simply put – they’re natural…

Making sure your crowning glory stays natural, well hydrated, well groomed and otherwise well cared for isn’t always easy – but it’s ALWAYS right.