Keratin Vs. Brazilian Blowout

I was blessed at birth with thick, wavy, frizzy, unmanageable hair.  Thank goodness for the invention of the Chi!  A couple of years ago I decided to try a more permanent solution to straightening my hair than using a flat iron.  I was a little unsure about the Brazilian Blowout since it contains formaldehyde (however, they have since come out with Brazilian Blowout Zero, which contains no formaldehyde but is not as effective).  I searched online for a review from a real person who had tried both the Brazilian Blowout and the Keratin Treatment but didn't find much.  I'm hoping this review will help people like me who are wanting to try something new for their hair.

From our engagement photo session back in 2009.  My hair was straightened with a CHI straightener in this picture.

I purchased a Groupon deal for a Keratin treatment at an upscale salon.  It cost $125 and lasted about 6 weeks.  I did not find the Keratin treatment to be very effective.  It made my hair extra shiny, and a little "healthier" looking, but my hair was still frizzy.  I had to still blow dry my hair straight and follow up with the CHI, although it did not take as long to style my hair as before the keratin treatment.  I also noticed that my hair took less time to dry, which was one of the few perks of this treatment.

My hair a few weeks after getting the Keratin treatment

About a year later, I found a Groupon for a hair cut AND brazilian blowout for $150.  Normally, these cost around $300-$400, so I jumped on the opportunity to try it out.  I researched the product a little before hand and found that most people who had the Brazilian Blowout didn't have any side effects from the formaldehyde, but they did recommend using a face mask to block out the fumes.  So even though my hairstylist thought I was crazy for wearing the mask, I wore it proudly.  

It didn't help.  My eyes stung with tears throughout the blow drying process, and my throat was raw and sore for a week afterwards.  I promised myself after leaving the salon that I wouldn't get this treatment again, as I feared for my health.  

But when five months later, I still had perfectly straight and frizz free hair, I was convinced that whatever the effects, its worth it!  I only had to quickly blow dry my hair, without using a brush or trying to straighten my hair in any way, and I would end up with hair like this:

Immediately after getting the Brazilian Blowout for the first time

4 months after the Brazilian Blowout

 What I liked the most about the blowout is how long it lasted.  The first time I had it done, it lasted 5 months - and it might have lasted longer but I went swimming in a pool (which you are supposed to avoid) and afterwards it wore off.

If you want to avoid the harsh chemicals and are looking for healthier, more manageable hair, I would recommend the Keratin Treatment.  If you are really serious about having frizz free, straight hair, definitely go for the Brazilian Blowout.  I am so happy I decided to continue getting this treatment.  When I first returned to work after getting the blowout, one coworker actually told me "this was the best thing you could have done for yourself!"  It gave me a ton of confidence and makes getting ready so much easier. Just make sure your salon is well ventilated!

Have any of you ever had anything like this done to your hair?  What did you think?

 

Fresh From the Garden

I absolutely love fresh herbs, but I hardly ever buy them at the grocery store.  This is partly because I just plain forget to get them, and partly because they tend to go bad before I get a chance to use them.  Plus, fresh herbs can be so expensive!

It is much easier to grow your own herbs.  Many people grow theirs in pots, which is how we started our garden a few years ago when we moved out of our apartment and into a rental house.  Now that we own our home, we are slowly but surely piecing together a wonderful little garden.  We planted some tomatoes, herbs and jalapenos last year, and had an amazing supply of pico de gallo to show for it.  This year we did even better, and built two large raised garden beds.


We followed the plan on this site and it was super easy.  We made two 3'x8' beds, and this spring we planted tomatoes, parsley, cilantro, cucumbers, green beans, squash, zucchini, thyme, basil, and aloe vera.  Its been a few weeks, and boy these plants are thriving better than ever before!  We used Peat Moss and topped it with mulch.  We also have sprinklers set to go off 3 times a week so we don't have to worry about going out to water the garden.

I can't wait to make many fresh recipes using the vegetables and herbs from our garden!

Weigh In Day - Week 1

Today was my first official weigh in day!  I haven't yet posted what exactly my goals are so I'll explain that a bit before I reveal how the scale fared this morning.

I'd say that I'm trying to get back to my "high school weight" but even in high school I was constantly trying (unsuccessfully) to lose weight.  In fact, when I was a senior in high school I was told by my doctor that I was 15 pounds overweight - and I only weighed 120!  Those of you who are short like me understand the pressure I feel to fit into that ideal weight range for women under 5'4", which is 95-110 pounds.

I was so upset about being overweight when I went off to college, but little did I know that I would spend the next ten years trying to get back to that size. By the time I graduated college in 2005, I weighed 140 pounds - but man, it was fun putting that weight on!  More importantly though, I was extremely out of shape and hardly ever got any exercise.

I got a job in a restaurant where the fast pace and heavy lifting caused me to stay in better shape.  I took up running and ended up running in my first 10k! I was down to 128 pounds but still felt I wasn't as fit as I could be.

Then I went through a whole bunch at once - a career change, my parents got divorced, I got engaged - and put the weight back on.  I gained 10 pounds in one month, and this time around it wasn't so fun putting that weight on.

After the wedding, I stayed at a constant 140.  I tried losing weight before getting pregnant (doing the Petite Advantage plan) and went down to 130 two weeks before finding out I was pregnant with beautiful Haley!  Then came the cravings...  I ended my pregnancy at 170 pounds 8 weeks ago, and started my weight loss journey a week ago at 151.4 pounds. 

That brings me to this morning.  Stepping on the dreaded scale.  I had hoped to lose about a pound a week, which is a reasonable weight loss goal. My ultimate goal is to be fit, but my number goal is 120 pounds (and all muscle)!

Wait... what? the scale says 149.3!  Down two pounds! And I feel like I could've pushed myself even harder, I just didn't want to start off too strong and lose my stamina.

So I am putting two dollars in my Tip Jar for the two pounds I've lost and am $2 closer to a rewarding massage!  If you haven't started a tip jar yet for yourself, you should.  Its a great rewards system for working out and dieting and exercising regularly.

So imagine my shock when I saw I had lost 2 pounds this week! Go me!

I encourage you all to take this weight loss journey with me.  Please follow my meal plans and workouts, and post comments with how much you have lost as well!  Anyone have a success story this week?

The Beginning...

I'm beginning this blog in hopes of using it as a motivating tool.  I figure if I have something keeping me accountable, I'm more likely to stick with a lifestyle change than in the past.  In the past, I'd call it "dieting" or "starting to workout until... (insert excuse to stop exercising here)" but as of eight weeks ago today, it is definitely going to be a lifestyle change. On that special day, I was given the best gift in the world - a beautiful, healthy baby girl.

My Daughter Haley

I made a promise to her that I would stop my unhealthy lifestyle and exchange it for one that would ensure that I would be around for a long, long time.

This doesn't mean I will never eat a cookie or slice of pie again.  That would be crazy talk! It means I will be able to run around the park with my daughter Haley and not get winded.  It means I'll be able to keep up with her when I help her practice for her big soccer game.  It means I'll set a good example by not finishing off an entire batch of chocolate chip cookies - before they even hit the oven (yes this has, unfortunately happened).

I'm asking you to help keep me accountable by following along with me on my weight loss, get fit journey.  In return, I will post healthy recipes, workout routines, and offer endless support to anyone wanting to hop aboard the fit carousel with me.

I originally named this blog "Fit Carousel" after how it feels every time I decide to get healthy.  I hop aboard with so much energy in the beginning, but I never seem to get anywhere.  Eventually, I hope off, gain back whatever weight I happened to lose - plus some - and later I end up hopping right back on.  I never meet my goals, I just go in circles and become frustrated.

That is not going to happen this time.  This time I have the ultimate motivator and reason to be fit.

First Time Seeing Each other

So keep checking in for tons of great posts, not only for recipes and workouts, but for other interesting topics like home organization tips. crafts, lesson plans for teachers, cool DIY projects and more!

At my goal weight in 2008 of 120 pounds

At my current weight of 151 pounds