Part I: Chicken and Pineapple Fried Rice

Last night I decided I really wanted to make rice that was a fusion of the amazing rice from Benihanas and the pineapple fried rice that I get from Thai restaurants.

Everything was smelling right but not looking right. The dish looked so dead and wack. Then I realized I forgot vegetables. *Sigh*
So next time I decide to make this I'll do it right and then post the recipe and pictures.

It was still tasty just lacking color and some necessary nutrients.

Creating Concoctions

Shelbie always talks about using her perishables in every dish that she makes. When you are making food only for yourself it is easy to forget you have certain produce items. They can easily spoil before you get a chance to use them. I've began to incorporate this method as well. Especially since I do not have a job I can't just have onions and peppers rotting in my fridge.

During my weekly deep conditioning treatments I had a bright idea! Why don't I use this food method when it comes to my hair?

If you read as many hair blogs as I do you have definitely seen the use of everyday food for hair nourishment, but that is not what I am going for here.

What I mean is combining multiple hair products in order to make the ultimate product and also to use products that do not do that great of a job on their own.

What I used for my DC was
- Shea Moisture Deep Treatment mask ($9.99 @ Target!)
- Yes to Cucumbers Conditioner
- Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Peppermint and Rosemary essential oils

This concoction was really me looking around on my dresser to see what I could use. I didn't have any thought out logic when using this combination. Definitely an experiment.

However, the results were amazing! I left the conditioner on for an hour with my heat cap. My hair was incredibly soft and so much easier to detangle. I also credit this success for how long I left the conditioner on. Usually I only leave it on for 20 min, but realized that with all of this thick hair that is definitely not enough.

Hope this helps!

Upcoming Posts!

The TWA and Winter.

--When washing and going seems no longer like feasible option.

--How to beat the drying effects of winter.

--How to CORRECTLY wear hats.

Shelbie's Jamaican Feast

--Brown-Stew Chicken Recipe

--Authentic Jamaican Rice n Peas Recipe

Shelbie's Perfect Date Night Dinner

--Salmon Recipe

--Cous Cous Recipe

--Asparagus Recipe

TWA "Up-do"

--Really easy. A lot of fun. Takes away from the monotonous style of a fro!

Stay Tuned!!

Shelbie's Super Creamy College Friendly Mac n Cheese!

I adapted this recipe from my Mommy and my Auntie Marva! (love you guys!)

It's SUPER simple and super delicious. Perfect for a night you just need something warm and comforting. AND you can make it ONE POT! Ideal for the lazy college kid in us!

What you'll need:

- 1 box (pound) of Elbow Macaroni

- 2 15 oz jars of Alfredo sauce (I like Classico Brand)

- 1-2 6 oz bag(s) of Shredded Italian Style cheese

- Salt and Pepper to taste

- Breadcrumbs (optional)

1. Fill a pot with water and add a liberal amount of salt and bring to a boil. Add a box (1 pound) of elbow macaroni.
2. After the pasta has boiled for maybe 8 minutes, give it a test. You want it to be cooked by NOT mushy. It should still have a bite to it. Not a crunch. Drain the pasta in a colander and return the pot to the burner.
3. Pour in two 15 oz jars of alfredo sauce. This may seem like ALOT, but this recipe makes ALOT of mac n cheese. :) Thin the sauce with about a half jar of water. Bring to a simmer. Stir frequently as alfredo sauce is made with a lot of dairy and this will curdle or burn if not stirred.
4. When the sauce is heated through, add about a 3/4 -1 bag of store bought shredded Italian cheese mix. Stir until cheese is thoroughly melted through. Add pepper to taste. (Don't add salt. There's enough salt in the alfredo sauce and the cheese that adding anymore would be crazy!)
5. When cheese sauce is complete, add the macaroni back to the pot and STIR.
6. You can either eat you mac n cheese this way OR if you're feeling ambitious (or fancy), pour macaroni mix into a baking dish, sprinkle a little cheese/breadcrumb mix on top, and bake it at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes until the cheese in melty and starting to make a crust.

That's it! Told you it was simple. I'll definitely add more pics of this recipe in the coming days.

With love,

Shelbs

Cooking Fails

I realized that im too broke of a college student to buy things that I could possibly hate. I'm no garbage disposal so if something doesn't taste right I will not eat it.

Fortunately, I haven't been hit too hard because Trader Joe's has interesting things but they aren't too expensive. Clearly, if I continue on the path of experimenting with food products I could end up wasting a lot of food AND money.

Recent failed purchases:

- Lobster ravioli

- Butternut squash ravioli

- Mango chicken sausage

This doesn't mean that I won't take smaller risks with recipes, but I won't use products in the recipes that could leave me hungry and forced to eat toast for dinner.

Updos

Recently, I've been working on perfecting an updo. They can work for more formal events and when the weather is crappy, but you don't want a regular, old ponytail.

Visit our tumblr - The Love Jones- for extensive pics

Products:

- Eco Styler Gel

- Bee Mine Hair Milk

I french braided the back and then had NO clue what to do with the front. I decided to push it all to one side and hold part of it with a hair comb. Then I twisted the remaining hair and pinned that up.

I need something better to do with the front part.

I also realized updos work better with a fresh twist out, which was not what I had here.

Eeeek! The Brazilian Blowout/Keratin Treatments

( image from The New York Times)

As I was eating my oatmeal this morning and reading the New York Times, I saw an article on the dangers of the Brazilian Blowout and decided to finally read about it.

I think when this process became more popular people were attracted to it being "safer" and less permanent than relaxers. The less permanent part is true. This process lasts a few weeks to a few months (but if you want the effects to continue you will obviously still need to get your roots touched up).

The picture above says enough to why I wouldn't endorse this product. Despite claims that the formulations are now formaldehyde free, salons are using industrial strength respirators and one salon even designates a special floor for the process. WHAT?!

I have been to many hair salons and witnessed the relaxer process, yes women wear gloves, but never a respirator mask. That's insane.

Beauticians have reported nose bleeds, breathing problems and eye irritation from this process in the past, which sparked the need for research. Imagine putting those chemicals on many heads throughout your work week. I'd rather not.

Clearly money and profit is the real issue. The Brazilian Blowout can range from $250- $700 and continues to become increasingly popular for those who want to "tame" their curls and frizzy hair.

Hmmm.