Black Women in Europe (™) Blog - It ain't where you're from it's where you're at.

Black Women Bloggers in Europe Series – England 13 – The Musing and Words of a UK African Woman Living In London

B.W.I.E (™) / 2012/02/06 / No comments

Meet Tai:

I’m optimistic and pragmatic on varying days. I’m also a paradoxical being depending on my opinions and my moods! My parents hail from SW Nigeria – the Yoruba people. I love to write and muse – hence the different thoughts on this blog about some of my “out loud ” thoughts on well… life: identity,race, womanhood, notions of family, expressions, creativity,love and my ‘invisibility’ as an UK born NaiJAH woman, living in a ‘multi cultural’ society.

I’m a Londoner, born to Nigerian/Yoruba parents. I’m a mother to two fine young men. I’ve taken a long sabbatical from my career to focus and concentrate on my writing, but other things took place, called LIFE. Because of this, my sabbatical didn’t go as planned, but I am hoping to become more consistent with my creativity. This gives me life and overall, a healthy outlook on my life. I am looking to self publish my book in the near future. Thus, placing me in FULL CONTROL and placing my own independence in writing and staying within the frameworks of my creativity.

Visit Tai’s blog.

Category: black london, black UK, Black Women Bloggers in Europe / Tags: Tai, The Musing and Words of a UK African Woman Living In London

Sisters sharing knowledge – Hair over 40

B.W.I.E (™) / 2012/02/03 / No comments

From Lori van Echtelt in the Netherlands

There is a lot of talk about menopause in Europe but not much over Perimenopaause. That is the period before menopause where you hormone levels start to change. Menopause is the cessation of your menstruation. Menopause means that you have gone a full year without a period. Periomenopause can start as young as 30 and this period of perimenopause can last as long as 10 years or longer.

Signs that you may be going through perimenopause:

Weight gain
Mood swings (these can be mild to sudden outbursts)
Thinning of hair
Irregular periods
Hot flashes
Change in bleeding during periods (heavier or lighter flow)
Foggy Brain (forgetfulness)
Fatigue
Insomnia

This is just the begin of the list. This means that that you are not going crazy. It is your body going through a transitional phase. This is a time to be extra mindful of your diet; fresh vegetables, decreased caffeine and sugar intake. You may have to cross things off the list that you once considered “Must Do’s”. I call this a period of increased self-care. A doctor can not do it for you. There are places within Europe that do recognize this period in a womens’ life and offer bio-identical hormones after they have completed tests of your hormone levels.

Estrogen dominance (too much estrogen in the body) can worsen these symptoms. Estrogen dominance is far more common than people think. Certain chemicals (i.e plastics) , foods, can increase the body’s estrogen production. High levels of estrogen have been linked to breast and ovarian cancers.

Natural progesterone replacement can help offset the estrogen dominance.

Your hair may be thinning at this point. It is best to be in touch with your hair. Does it feel dry? Dry is not normal. Mariposa Import has wonderful products to eliminate dryness completely from your hair. However nothing will replace a good healthy diet and the elimination of stress that can cause havoc on your hormones and hair. I like to call Perimenopause, Peri- ME-PAUSE. Kick martyrdom to the side. It is your time to take extra care of yourself.

The product feature of the month is HairVeda Amala Cream Rinse. This product is wonderful for those who prefer to no-poo (wash their hair with a conditioner in place of a shampoo).

Available via Mariposa Import (www.mariposaimport.com). Ordered today, shipped today!

Lori van Echtelt is the owner and founder of Mariposa Imports (MI), based in the Netherlands. She was on the Black Women in Europe™ 2010 Power List. Mariposa Import started in February 2004. It is the first and original shop focused on curly and frizzy hair in Western Europe. MI specializes in unique, high quality, hair and skin products from America and Afrika. We only sell products we ourselves use. The products we sell do not contain mineral oil or petrolatum, ingredients which block moisture absorption by the hair. We select products is based on our personal experience and that of our friends.

Category: black Holland, Sisters Sharing Knowledge / Tags: hair care, perimenopause

Black Women Bloggers in Europe Series – Azerbaijan – One Dream at a Time

B.W.I.E (™) / 2012/02/02 / No comments

This blog is about how a late bloomer-finally takes a stab at some of her personal dreams. Let’s start with Dream #1 – JOINING THE PEACE CORPS. Status: Actively serving as a PCV in the Republic of Azerbaijan. But it doesn’t stop there…

Meet the blogger:

Job: Peace Corps Volunteer
Country: Azerbajdzjan

Presentation Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? I believe I’m the tortoise. I have an affinity with Dr. Pepper, spend too much money on books, and I swear everything can be fixed. After countless dating Faux Pauxs, I finally have a great boyfriend. My cat loves him more than me, but he loves me more than masturbation. I’m a college graduate and one of the many african americans that doesn’t identify with THE GAME or anything on BET.

Interest: Dancing, Traveling, riding motorcycles, cooking, reading, soaking up the sun, sleeping, playing with my bad cat, kissing my boyfriend, cooking for my sisters, shopping and most importantly giving something to someone who may not have what I have. Also staying open to receiving.
Favorite films: Wall E, 300, Scent of Woman, She Hates Me, Do the Right Thing, UP, Crooklyn, Muppets take Manhattan, Into the Wild, 300(again), THOR
Favorite Music: Anything that stirs my emotions.
Favorite books: The Alchemist, The History of God, oh the list is longer than you really want to know.

Visit the One Dream at a Time blog.