Cute kids styles by Betsy Foust

This pretty little girl is Taleigha, who is 6 years old.  I think her hairstyle is too cute.  Her hair was styled by Betsy Foust from Michigan.  Here are some more styles by Betsy -

Kids� Lunches, What to Pack

School is starting soon and has started in some cities.  What should you pack for your kids� lunch?  What are some of the more healthier options?  In Japan, they have these cool lunch packaging containers with compartments for essentially each food group.  When packing a kids� lunch keep MyPlate in mind.   

• 2 fruits/veggies � yes, 2 servings � one of each is good or 2 fruits, 2 veggies � carrot and celery sticks, a juice box and an apple 
•  Grains � whole grains are best but it is often not easy to get a child to like whole grains.  They do have whole grain white bread or whole grain crackers.  They even have whole grain Goldfish.
•  Dairy � if it can be kept cold, yogurt is a great option as long as it is not the child�s versions loaded with added sugar and artificial flavorings.  Or have your child buy milk at school.
• Protein � lean meats, peanut butter, 2% cheeses.

MSN, Healthy Foods That are Perfect for School Lunch, had some great suggestions for healthier kid lunch options.  They noted too many kids are filling up on �empty� calories rather than calories packed with nutrients.  Here are some of their suggestions:

1. Happy Squeeze Apple, Kale, and Mango � so many parents stuff some applesauce in a child�s lunch.  While applesauce can be healthy, too many options are loaded with sugar.  These squeeze packs are 100% whole fruit and some kale.  Kids get fruit and a vegetable in one pouch. 
2. Organic Beef Hot Dog � hot dogs have a bad wrap because of the nitrates and nitrates they often contain.  These hot dogs have no antibiotics, no fillers,  and are not high in sodium. 
3. Peanut Butter is a healthy choice and for kids without a peanut allergy a good choice.  MSN recommends SunButter Organic Sunflower Spread.  This spread is made with sunflower seeds and isn�t loaded with sugar.  It is also allergy-friendly as it doesn�t contain nuts.
4. Water � some parents think water is the healthiest choice for a beverage.  But a child needs dairy.  If yogurt is packed in a lunch, then the beverage can be a juice box or water.  Hint Pineapple Water is a fun choice to pack, a hint of flavor without the added sugar and artificial flavors. 
5.  Nature�s Own Double Fiber Wheat Bread � getting a child to eat any food that is whole grain is a challenge.   This is one bread they may be willing to try.  It is also a healthier choice in that it is free of high fructose corn syrup, has no artificial colors or flavors and no artificial preservatives.
6. Cheese sticks � a fun way to get in some dairy and a good source of protein.  Reduced fat Sargento cheese sticks are a great choice.  Each cheese stick offers calcium and protein.  The Sargento Cheese Stick brand has no additives. 

So when packing your child�s lunch this school year, include some healthier options.

 

Sources:  Healthy Foods That are Perfect for School Lunch, MyPlate,  Image source:  Cheese

Doll Giveaway!! NGU for Bold & Fearless Magazine

Check out my interview on Bold & Fearless magazine online. At the bottom of the interview, you can enter the contest for a chance to win this doll. You must enter the contest on the Bold and Fearless website. To see more dolls like this for sale, go to Natural Girls United.

Healthy Kids Snacks

Who doesn�t love to snack?  Many people think snacks are bad for your health but they don�t have to be.  And for kids snacks are needed as they have small stomachs and really need to fortify themselves between meals.  A website called Zesterdailyhas some good ideas for kids� snack that are not only healthy but ones they can help make.  

      1.   GORP �doesn�t sound appetizing but what kid wouldn�t want to make some GORP?  It seems to stand for �Good Old Raisins and Peanuts�.   Or you can say it is kids� trail mix.   Easy to make and easy to take along on a car trip or hiking.

      a.       Basic recipe:

            �   � cups roasted, lightly salted peanuts or whole almonds (or nuts you like best)

             �   � cup raisins

             �   � cup dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots (or dried fruit your kid likes best)

              �   � cup Corn Chex, Rice Chex, Wheat Chex

              �   � cup toast green pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas)

2.  Hummus and veggies  

            a.       Hummus + cut up carrots (carrot chips work great), celery, zucchini, cucumbers

      3.   Make your own Parfait � a fancy parfait glass makes it extra special.  A great after school snack.

                a.       Layer yogurt, fruit (their favorite), granola    

       4.  Granola bars � a do it yourself granola bar.  Great to pack in a lunch, take to after school sports practice, pack for a picnic.  Kids will love to help mash the mixture into the pan.  Good idea to cover the mixture with wax paper and then let them mash it flat.  Let your kids help choose the ingredients they prefer.  Allergic to nuts?  Then choose sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.

       �         � cup lightly roasted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans or a combination).  To toast, put
            on baking sheet, in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes. 

      �         � cup dried fruit � one or a combination of raisins, currants, dried cranberries, chopped
                  dates,  prunes, dried apricots, or/or dried peaches)

       �         � cup quick-cooking oats

      �         �  cup crispy rice cereal

      �         2 T.  unsweetened coconut (optional)

      �         � cup almond or peanut butter

      �         � cup honey

      �         � tsp vanilla extract

      �         See the mixing directions at:  Granola - Energy Bars

       5.    Fruit Kabobs � what  fun way to get kids to enjoy fruit.  Let them choose the fruit they want to put on their kabob stick, and then let them help prepare the fruit.  They can peel and slice the bananas, wash the grapes, wash and cut up strawberry halves, cut up peaches, apple slices and other fruit. 

Kids that help prepare a snack will be more likely to eat the snack. 

Sources:  GORP,  Healthy on-the-go snacks kids can help make, Image source:  Fruit Kabobs for Kids

Natural Girls United celebrates Black History Month

Natural Girls United is happy to celebrate Black History Month. To learn more about the history of Black History Month, go to History - Black History Month and Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_History_Month. One of the goals of the dolls of Natural Girls United is to celebrate our beauty, our individuality, our beautiful tones and our beautiful textures. Love yourself for who you are. Natural Girls United http://www.naturalgirlsunited.com/

Blue Ivy's Natural Hair

I have been trying not to comment on this whole topic that has been circulating on the web, about the state of toodler's Blue Ivy's hair (daughter of Beyonce and Jay Z).  Because I did not want to bring attention to such foolishness. But to hear recently that an irresponsible and thoughtless person started a petition to get the famous couple to comb their daughters hair, has gotten me a little fired up.

I am so deeply offended by this petition. For one, you are bringing negative attention to a child.  That in itself is horrible.  Internet bullying is no joke and that is what this is.  Second, it is not your child - so it is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.  Third, there are so many people constantly criticizing Beyonce for wearing weaves, wigs and hair extensions. But she allows her child to wear her hair in a natural state and people still get angry.  I am sure that Blue Ivy is a healthy rambunctious child. I, for one, have a toddler at home.  I know first hand that when I do my daughters hair, she often messes it up with in a half hour of the style being done because she loves to play, wrestle, jump, cuddle, roll around, etc...  No toddlers hair is going to be perfect all the time.

I just think that internet bullying is so horrible. And for the creator of the petition to play if off as being a joke, is her not taking responsibility for doing something that could be hurtful to another person and family; and to focus on a child in any negative shallow way, is hideous.  To read more about this petition, check out the NY Daily News.

Blue Ivy, you are beautiful not matter what your hair looks like.

 

Natural Girls United Dolls

New ethnic hair inspired dolls available at Natural Girls United!

Double Dutch Dolls

Check out this new line of dolls and children books at Double Dutch Dolls, made for multicultural girls. The brand was created to celebrate the beautiful shades of girls from mixed cultures. The book series stars 2 characters, and is great for girls ages 8 and up. "As a young tween/teen girl, I never felt like their were books for me that featured brown girls. So, I created a line especially for girls like me." - K. Charles

The curly hair doll that is available on the website's name is Zaria Bradley. Zaria is into Soccer and Science. Zaria is an all vinyl 18� fashion doll.

To learn more about Double Dutch Dolls, go to doubledutchdolls.com website.

Achieving the Perfect Twist Out

Would you just look at that twist out! Like most of you, my curls don�t define themselves or match each

other perfectly, but that�s okay! Here you�ll learn to you do the most beautiful twist out that you have ever seen!

Step One � Begin by thoroughly rinsing and shampooing your hair. Try to use a sulfate-free shampoo to gently cleanse your curls without stripping them of their natural oils. After that, add a generous amount of  conditioner and begin finger detangling.

Step Two � After you've detangled, let the conditioner condition the hair for as long as needed, then rinse and begin the actual style.

Step Three � Section the hair into manageable sections (four to eight different sections, depending on the thickness and length of the hair) and clip all but one section of hair out of the way. Use a leave in conditioner of your choice, distribute it evenly throughout your hair. And lastly and an oil based product on top of that for �hold�.

Step Four � Start twisting that hair! You can use a wide tooth comb to part off neat sections or you can just grab at random and twist. I find that parting with a comb is better when you plan on wearing the twists as a style while pitch-parting (no parts) makes for a better looking twist out.

Step Five � Continue two strand twisting all of the hair. Make sure that you twist the hair in direction that you want it to fall. Decide where you want your part to be and twist accordingly!

Step Six � Let your twists dry completely before you remove them! You have two options here, you can remove them once they've dried (which should take less than twenty-four hours) for a crisp, more elongated twist out or you can wait several days (like I typically do) for a twist out with a deeper, more defined curl.

TIP! Once you've removed the twists, you have the choice of separating the curls for big hair or just wearing it more defined as pictured above. The choice is yours! Now get out there and enjoy your beautiful hair! I hope you found this helpful!

The Author:  Dominique-Alexis (from Natural-hair-care-info.com) is an eighteen-year-old blogger, aspiring hair stylist, and Paul Mitchell student. She has been blogging about the care and keeping of natural hair with her little sister for three years and plans on becoming a famous hair dresser for celebrities, teaching at hair shows, and educating African-American women to love themselves and love the beautiful curls that God blessed them with!

It's not a fad... My hair is beautiful!

As the hair care and beauty industry grows, so does the controversy surrounding black/ethnic and non-white hair. It has always been a global topic of discussion and subject of curiosity. However, at the start of this school year, it made headlining news and affected one of the world's most precious beings - children. In several states, and on one too many occasions, little girls have been either verbally reprimanded or told to leave school because of their "unacceptable" and "inappropriate" natural hair styles. In response to this controversy, TWELVE18 Media releases a very empowering Public Service Announcement sponsored by Aunt Jackie's Curls and Coils, encouraging young girls to love who they are AND the hair they are naturally born with. The PSA entitled "My Natural Hair Is Beautiful" addresses the messages that society and the media send to little girls about natural hair, presents the questions and insecurities they will inevitably be faced with, and offers a simple yet powerful and universal solution of non-judgmental acceptance.

 

The Guardian Princesses

The Guardian Princesses is a new book series of racially and culturally diverse princesses who protect the people and the planet.

The African Princess is named Vinnea. She is one of the new princesses of color from the Guardian Princesses. She is intelligent, compassionate and brave. This story aims to teach children about the importance of eating natural and healthy foods. Her story is part of the trilogy that will debut through our Indiegogo campaign. Here is a three minute video which summarizes our project. To learn more about this book, see their page on Indiegogo.

TWA dolls, Sisterloc's Dolls & More

Sisterloc's, TWA (teeny weeny Afro), braids, curls loc's, dreads and more...  

Dolls can be found at Natural Girls United!

www.naturalgirlsunited.com

Stylish Young Girl

Love this little models hair and outfit!

~ Source

New Natural Hair Inspired Dolls

To see more, go to Natural Girls United!

Little Beauty

Gorgeous young model showing off her beautiful natural hair.  

~ Name or original source unknown