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How to Transition to a Plant Based Lifestyle

If we aren’t being taught how to grow our own food, how to take care of ourselves and our families, and how to live without the need for huge governments, banks, and corporations – as our ancestors once did – then we aren’t being educated; we’re being indoctrinated to be dependent  and subservient to the system.

-Gavin Nascimento

1. Find the Drive

Learning about the truth behind food is exactly what I needed to give me a kick start to taking control over my health.

The world is over populating, we are plagued by a fearful energy that causes greed, egos, hate, and lies. Industries can’t keep up with the demands of a growing world. Instead of truly helping heal, most food industries are after more money. Capitalism is killing us. The way the system is set up, the continuously growing population will continue to even out and money will continue to grow because we’re being fed complete bullshit that deprives our health and our pockets. It’s a system; a scam.

According to the post traumatic slave diet, the dynamic of the African American family is broken. Mom and dad are out working all day and night to keep mouths fed and a roof over the family. We need quick, cheap, and easy meals. In my opinion, the fast food industry is capitalizing off the middle and lower class neighborhoods. Offering unhealthy food for an exchange of convenience and affordability. Our ignorance is depreciating our health everyday. Toxic food is cheap and easily accessible. Yet, healthy food is overpriced and only available in certain places.

The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and the sick get sicker. 

We Are Consumers

We buy genetically modified foods; designed to make us sick and need prescriptions. We buy prescriptions; designed to cover up symptoms and  keep us buying more. Man-made drugs aren’t meant to heal; they are meant to temporarily cover up symptoms, while causing more in other places of the body. So, we have to keep purchasing them in order to feel good. 

Stats say 680,000 people die yearly from an unhealthy diet and 72,000 people from prescription drugs over car crashes, homicides, and murders. Even more than tobacco and alcohol; those of which are still legal. It’s okay to sell products which will eventually cause diseases but millions of minorities are in jail for possession of a dime bag? The prison industry is a big money maker too; just saying.

*Sips tea and burns more sage*

The companies that make the most money are selling us toxicity. Then, according to the documentary What The Health, those same companies who sell us food to make us sick, sponsor organizations like American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, and American Diabetes Association to make you think they are out here looking for a cure. 

Many diseases are ultimately the cause of what we put in and on our body. Which is also the only way to cure our body. Get educated and stop the cycle.

EVERYTHING is passed down through genes until healed. We’re talking about our quality of life, our kids, and grand kids  lives now.

The system is built to keep us controlled and dependent on it. Let’s stop letting food and drugs depreciate our health while making a profit. 

Learn a deeper understanding of the vibration food has on our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health in my NEW BOOK!

 

2. Re-Program Your Mental Energy

Ignorant – Lacking knowledge or awareness

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to understanding what we are feeding our body. We grow up on with no knowledge of healthcare; what nourishes us and what heals us. We eat whatever is sold at the grocery store (that we can afford) not once thinking to look at what’s in it or where it came from. We don’t know what makes us sick; we just assume all humans get sick, it’s a normal part of life. Once we’re sick, we depend on doctors to tell us exactly what to take and for how long. Not even knowing what’s in the drug.It’s so easy to control everyone. Through our ignorance, we listen to whatever “the professionals” tell us through the school system, social media, news, and TELL-A-VISION.

Many things we believe we need and desire in food are things we have been taught, conditioned, and programmed to believe. Our subconscious mind has been fed all sorts of ideas around food and our mind has agreed and made those our reality. This has created our relationship with food. Our brain has constructed our eating habits and It’s difficult to change the brain pattern that’s been building our entire life. So, we must re-program our brain to reprogram our relationship with food and our eating habits. 

If you tell yourself “I could never go plant based.” You my friend, will never go plant-based because you can only achieve what you believe.

Everyone is capable of going plant-based; it’s your mind that’s telling your body you can’t. Your entire body, including your taste buds, listens to what your mind tells it. Your body is following what you keep telling yourself. So, as a result, when you attempt to make the switch, your body is feeling sick, feeling weak, lacking nutrients, and craving foods you once ate because you told your body it wouldn’t sustain itself by eating plant-based.

Transitioning to a plant based diet is very mental. Its unwinding the old beliefs and food propaganda we’ve been consuming since birth. It takes self control, wisdom, patience, and creativity. If we’re not in the right mental state going plant-based is almost impossible. So, we must work on our mind first. Once we get it vibrating higher, our body follows, making it much easier to change and adapt. 

  1. Research – Watch a documentary or read up on plant based nutrition. We must reconstruct our mind to understand the needs of our body through food education.                                                                               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-GQYK-UrRQ   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1QDkpUPiI8       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxVR53xemSs
  2. Agree and Affirm – Repeat affirmations to yourself about how you are willing and capable of living on a pant-based diet. Tell yourself you are going to provide your body with the nutrients it needs. In order to change our beliefs and habits we must agree and affirm the new information. 

3. Love Yourself

To have enough self discipline, patience, and drive to transition to plant-based you must put your self love above all else. You must love yourself enough to make the changes necessary and put in the work for a healthier lifestyle. You must love yourself enough to want better for your mind, body, emotions, and spirit. You must love yourself enough to want to break out of the self depreciating cycle you’ve been in.

Ask yourself, “Do I love myself enough to choose not to fill my body with with toxic energy?”

If yes, GREAT.

If no, that’s OKAY. Begin practicing self-love by simply saying “I love myself” out loud. For more self-love practices read my NEW BOOK LOVE STARTS HERE

4. Take it Easy 

Once you make the decision to transition to a plant based lifestyle, be kind to yourself! Take it easy, have cheat days, and shift slowly. Results are better when whining off certain habits slowly; one at at a time and keep building. Cut out one thing, then gradually keep eliminating more things from your diet. 

  • Cut out red meat (pork and beef) consistently for at least 1 month.
  • Cut out poultry (chicken and turkey) consistently for at least 1 month. 
  • Cut out seafood (fish and crustaceans) consistently for at least 1 month.
  • Cut out dairy (milk, cheese, and creams) consistently for at least 1 month.
  • Cut out processed and GMO foods (white sugars, white flours, pre-packaged meals, canned foods, etc) consistently for at least 1 month. 
  • Base your diet around the new plant foods you’ve been gradually consuming for the past 5 months. 

Understand, a plant based diet is PLANT BASED, meaning what we consume is based around plants. This does not mean we can never eat another animal product again. 

Its called balance.

Nala Asa Shakur

Tyler A. Norman who now goes by Nala Asa Shakur is a multifaceted creator & healer serving through various forms of artistry. Her ways of expression range from being an author, philosopher, model, holistic health guide, creative director, to a Kitchen alchemist . Through her work and her movement, #Naturalisthewaytoglow™, she inspires and assist others with personal growth, self-love, holistic healing, and finding an inner glow.

Ready to transition to plant-based but not sure what to make? Check out our variety of Vegan & Plant-based recipes!

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DIY Avocado & Banana Deep Conditioner

The perfect DIY deep conditioner for moisturizing, strengthening, repairing damage, and adding shine to your natural hair!

The best part is, this quick and easy deep conditioner can be made with ingredients already in your kitchen. When making DIY deep conditioners, the ingredients and measurements can be altered to treat YOUR HAIR the way you like it! Plus, you won’t have to worry about any unwanted extra ingredients that may do more harm then good to your hair. This DIY deep conditioner is perfect for a naturalista wanting to use the power of nature to nourish her beautiful CROWN!

SAY HELLO TO HEALTHY NATURAL HAIR!

Ingredients

  • 1 Ripe Avocado – Avocados are packed with vitamins A, C, D, E, and B6 to nourish the hair strands and add shine! They are also a fatty fruits which is perfect for moisturizing all hair types. This smooth and creamy ingredient softens the hair and tails frizz too!
  • 1/2 Ripe Banana – Bananas have similar benefits to avocados as they increase shine to the hair. They are full of natural proteins which repair damage hair strands, improve texture, and prevent future breakage!
  • 1 Tbsp of Raw Honey – Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws in moisture from the environment. Long lasting moisturization paired with its ability to add shine makes honey a perfect addition to this DIY deep conditioner!
  • 1/4 (or more) Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Olive oil brings the benefits of conditioning and nourishing the hair as well as sealing the hair strands to lock in all this MOISTURE and LOVE.
  • 2 Tbsp of Irish Sea Moss Gel (optional) – Irish Sea Moss is super supplement with 92/102 minerals in the entire body! This ingredient is optional but will add a SUPER BOOST of vitamins and minerals to this DIY deep conditioner!

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender (I use a blender with individual cups).
  2. Blend until a smooth and creamy texture is reached.
  3. Transfer to a glass container or whatever container is easier for you to apply to your hair from.

Usage

  1. Wash, conditioning, and detangle hair is usual.
  2. Apply the DIY deep conditioner to wet hair making sure to smooth the conditioner throughout the entire crown. Focus on the ends and damaged areas.
  3. Twist hair or place hair in a bun.
  4. Place a plastic cap over hair.
  5. Leave in for 15-30 min (sit under a dryer if you wish).
  6. Rinse hair with COLD water.
  7. Style as usual.

HELLO HEALTHY NATURAL HAIR!

Use this DIY deep conditioner as needed for shiny, soft, long, and strong natural hair!

Be sure to share this recipe with our other natural hair sisters!

Nala Asa Shakur

Tyler A. Norman who now goes by Nala Asa Shakur is the CEO of The All Natural as well as the author of Love Starts Here. She’s a multifaceted creator & healer serving through various forms of artistry. Her ways of expression range from being an author, philosopher, model, holistic health guide, creative director, to a Kitchen alchemist . Through her work and her movement, #Naturalisthewaytoglow™, she inspires and assist others with personal growth, self-love, holistic healing, and finding an inner glow.

Need help or motivation transitioning to natural hair? Check out My Natural Hair Journey!

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My Natural Hair Journey | 7 Years of Relaxers to Long Healthy Natural Hair

Free your mind and free your hair.

Relaxed Hair – 2013

Looking back at this point in time, my hair was fried, I’ll be honest. The crazy thing is, I didn’t even know it back then. To me, this was getting closer to that ideal image of beautiful hair. I was blind to the fact I was destroying my hair to fit European beauty standards. With every pass of a flat-iron and damaging relaxer, I was demolishing my natural curl pattern and erasing genetic blessings. Not only was I disrupting the physical nature of my hair but the spiritual too; all of its essence and internal energy.  Spending money to be like someone else while destroying myself, all to be apart of a beauty a standard. Becoming further distant from the true definition a beauty; loving myself and all that I come with.

As time passed, the curly hair trend began running it’s course. Celebrities like Christina Milian played as the pretty girl in movies; she was straight poppin’ in Love Don’t Cost a Thing. I saw the look wanted the same attention. So I hopped on the trend too (barely). I further began manipulating my strands to resemble other girls. I used flexi rods, curlers, and curling irons to achieve some sort of a curl pattern. Still blind to the beauty I had previously damaged.

Embracing My Own Beauty – 2014

If I could narrate my own journey I’d ask when was this girl going to stop ignoring her own beauty by manipulating her hair to look like someone else’s? I was doing the most to create a replica of a projected image, searching for visual appeal in everything outside of myself.

Similar to the Film Nappily Ever After with Saniyah Lathan, it took a salon disaster and all of my hair nearly falling out for me to start making a change in my perspective. After seeing the condition my hair had gotten to, I knew I could no longer use chemicals nor heat or my hair would never reach health. I decided to go natural.

The Transition – 2014/2015

When I first started my transition phase, I refused to do the big chop. For me I still wanted my hair to be somewhat nice looking, and because I was still swallowed up in conditioned ideas, I associate beautiful hair with length. So, I held on to my length during the beginning of my transition. I worked with two different hair patterns; my new growth and my dead ends. Due to this inconsistency in texture, there were only few hairstyle suitable; buns, braids, twist outs, and flexi rods.

Shoutout to natural hair gurus on YouTube and Pinterest because ya girl was lost. This was all so new to me, so, I dedicated my free time to watching tutorials of natural hair. Searching ways to make hair grow, tips for transitioning hair, products for natural hair, and tips for getting rid of a relaxer. At this point I wasn’t aware that the only way to get rid of dead hair was to cut it off! Still, I followed different regimens like oiling my scalp nightly, using natural hair products, and the inversion method. To my surprise, I began seeing growth!

How I Transitioned

  • Oiling scalp nightly with castor oil and olive oil
  • Using ONLY natural hair products (parabean free, alchohol free, sulfate free, natural ingredients etc.)
  • Using protective styles (BUNS, braids, twist etc.)
  • Drinking a TON of water
  • Taking vitamins
  • HYDRATING then MOISTURIZING (hydrating is using water or water based product; moisturizing is sealing the hydration in with an oil or butter)
  • Satin scarf /satin pillow case while sleeping
  • Deep conditioning once a week
  • Continuing to learn about natural hair

The BIG CHOP – 2015

After my new growth reach a desirable length I decided to let those dead ends go. Not so much the big chop, but a medium chop. Which still took a lot of courage out of me. With new hair came a new Tyler.

I like to refer to this time period as trial and error. My hair had been relaxed for the past 7 years, little did I know there was so much more to learn about natural hair. The thing is, everyone’s natural hair is completely different. What works for someone else, might be horrible for the next person. So, I sampled different regimens to figure out what would work best for me. I tried out deep conditioners, various combs/brushes, leave in conditioners, smoothies, gels, and oils. Then, I tried different techniques like finger detangling, shingling, air drying, and defusing. Not to mention, I had to figure out what order to perform these regimens and how often.

Bleach – 2016

My hair had grown tremendously in the past year and I was so content with how well I was taking care of it.

Then, college happened.

Seeking attention from the wrong crowd; I searched for a way to stand out and feel as though I existed. My hair seemed so plain and well.. natural. So, I went for something to make me pop out a little more; purple hair it was. I assumed my hair was healthy enough to withstand the change and proceeded with bleaching and dying my hair. Immediately after washing the dye out I noticed a difference. My hair was almost lifeless; lacking bounce with the texture of straw. 

As time went on, I nourished my hair to as much strength as I could with frequent hot oil treatments and deep conditions. For a while, I was happy with my looser curl pattern; it was longer and looked more “mixed”. Sort of like the idea I was going for when I first desired curly hair. I still wasn’t understanding the concept of going natural. It wasn’t just about having curly hair, but having NATURAL hair. Accepting and loving the hair that natural grows from the roots of my head.

 Cut it – 2017 

Because I was still trying to manipulate my hair to look and be like someone else’s, I had to start over. My curls no longer bounced back when I brushed them and my ends were bone straight when wet. I realized the bleach was still considered a chemical that damaged the natural curl pattern of my hair. The purple had to GO.

After the cut, there was a freeness unleashed. Letting go of those dead ends symbolized me letting go of old parts of myself. Releasing old beliefs and ideas about my hair. Those heavy and brittle strands on the end were old energy no longer serving me. Only weighing down my crown; preventing transition and growth.  If a flower didn’t let old petals fall, it would never grow newer and healthier ones. It was time to start fresh and welcome a new me on this journey again. 

Maintaining Healthy Hair- 2018 

After two rounds of damaging my hair I finally understood and applied the true concept of natural hair to my life. I learned more about my hair including: its history, the curl pattern, and the porosity. I began admiring details; the way each curl created a spiral pattern as it grew, resembling the curvy essence of femininity. I honored the dedication of taking care of it, knowing that the most sacred things in life are cared for. I began to fall in love with my luscious strands. I understood the history, the meaning, the time, and energy it needed. I loved it and it loved me back.

I researched continuously; on the way finding out my ancestors used gifts from the earth to charge their crown. Which then resulted in long and beautiful hair. I gained an understanding of what my hair liked and my hair needed; trying some amazing products along the way. In this year I even cut my hair again, not because of health concerns but because it’s a symbolic release of energy.

Loving Natural Hair – Present 

Natural hair is not just wanting bouncy curls, or an afro, and any other form of vanity. Natural is hair is more than what’s on the outside, its’ whats on the inside. My natural hair journey was apart of my journey of self-love. In fact, it was the first step in my journey. Going and staying natural was the first step in loving my true self. This step lead to a lifelong journey of continuously finding love deeper within myself. Becoming and sharing my authenticity with the world. Despite how long it took for me to get there, I finally stopped comparing my hair and my entire essence to others. I began loving myself as is. Then, understanding the power of my own self love; the power behind the perception we have of ourselves.

It helped to compare my hair to a plant. When it is not rooted, watered, nourished from the inside out, and loved, it does not grow. Just like plants, we are ( including our hair)  made from tiny cells which are each living organisms. Those cells listen, they feel, and condition themselves to perform according to what we feed them and the mind which controls them. When you speak kind words to plants, they grow faster. Our hair is the same; when we brush our hair speaking or even thinking thoughts of it being annoying or ugly, desiring to change its nature, and not appreciating the beauty its expressing to us, the cells are listening and conforming to match the energy of our thoughts. When we feed those cells abundant life force energy from within our vessel, they thrive. Ultimately having a HEALTHY head of hair, whether that be short or long, all boils down to maintaining a healthy physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional energy. Our hair is an outward reflection of our internal growth. Meaning healthy natural hair is more of a lifestyle than a quick fix. #naturalisthewaytoglow

Make your hair routine a sacred ritual. A time for showing yourself love and care. A time for infusing gratitude and high vibrations into your crown. Begin admiring the creative detail. Speak kind words to your hair; tell it you you appreciate it, and you accept it. Feed it healing foods from within, drink your water, and LOVE YOUR HAIR UNCONDITIONALLY. Then, watch your hair thrive into the beautiful plant it is.

My hair type: 3C, 4A

Porosity: Low

Routine: pre-poo with oil, shampoo, condition, detangle, deep condition (1 hour with heat), apply a butter and/or gel, apply a light oil to seal, and air dry. Repeat 1X per week and oil scalp 5-7X per week.

Beginner Products

Favorite Natural Plants/Seeds for DIY Products 

  • Avocado
  • Raw Unfiltered Honey
  • Aloe Vera Plant
  • Bananas
  • Flax Seed Gel
  • Fenugreek Spray
  • Almond oil
  • Almla Oil
  • Olive oil
  • Shea Butter
  • Mango Butter
  • Argan Oil
  • Jamican black Castor Oil
  • Rosemary essential oil
  • Peppermint essential oil

DIY Avocado & Banana Deep Conditioner

The best part is, this quick and easy deep conditioner can be made with ingredients already in your kitchen. When making DIY deep conditioners, the ingredients and measurements can be altered to treat YOUR HAIR the way you like it! Plus, you won’t have to worry about any unwanted extra ingredients that may do more…

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DIY Strawberries & Cream Hair & Body Smoothie

Summer is approaching, which means we want to let out natural hair down and show off our healthy glowing skin! This hair and body smoothie is perfect for treating winter dryness and reviving our natural glow! The best part is, just like a regualr smoothie this can be made with ingredients already in your kitchen.…

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Nala Asa Shakur

Tyler A. Norman who now goes by Nala Asa Shakur is the CEO of The All Natural as well as the author of Love Starts Here. She’s a multifaceted creator & healer serving through various forms of artistry. Her ways of expression range from being an author, philosopher, model, holistic health guide, creative director, to a Kitchen alchemist . Through her work and her movement, #Naturalisthewaytoglow™, she inspires and assist others with personal growth, self-love, holistic healing, and finding an inner glow.

Looking to give some TLC to your natural hair? Try our DIY Deep Conditioner for Natural Hair!