Guess who's back?! *crickets*

Hello! 

Is anyone here?

I'm back...

For the past few months, I've regretted  relaxing my hair. Especially after investing 8 years of  my life to being natural. 

I've always admired hairstyles with clean, freshly twisted, beautiful locs, but that terrifyingly loud voice has been adamant about my hair being too thin to even venture down that road. 

After visiting a nearby Dominican beauty salon and watching them rip out my hair, I'd decided that enough was enough! After 6 long, albeit lovely, stress-free years of straight hair, yesterday I completed my 2nd (or 3rd) big chop. I am overly excited to restart my journey.

However, this time I'm going to do things my way! *Cue Sinatra*

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It's My Birthday!

Last Big Chop: 5/31/2009
Last Relaxer: Nov. 2008

*********************************

So um... uh... I kinda had to walk away from my Natural Journey this year. February 4th to be precise. I could get into why but I don't have the time since

It's my birthday!

The big 3-2! That's officially 8 years until 40! Oh boy...

But let's stay in the moment: Time to celebrate!

My Facebook Caption:  

Sorry #TeamNatural ... I'm back to the creamy crack! Happy birthday to me! #BirthdayDinner #32

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I. Am. Antisocial.

Yesterday, the highlight of my day was spending 14 hours listening to Spotify. Before then, I knew absolutely nothing about this amazing website! All these years wasted on Pandora, listening to the same songs over and over. Oh the agony!

- Cue the violins -

Why didn't anyone tell me?! Where have I been all these years?!

No seriously. What the heck?

Why didn't I know anything about Spotify? It came out in 2008 for Pete's Sake!

I feel like that kid who discovered a fantasy world in a wardrobe. Do you know how awesome of a discovery this is for an anti-social introvert?!  Have I not mentioned this before?  Wasn't it obvious with all of the movie postings? Maybe I need to elaborate.

My name is MღRlz. I am (mostly) an anti-social introvert, who loves to lock herself away from the world, with nothing but her thoughts and music. And sometimes food. But sometimes I couldn't care less but that in itself is a thesaurus-sized chapter for another day... In 2007, I evolved into an avid movie fan. And then I became movie obsessed. That's worse than an addict, right? Anywho, I can go a whole day without any human interaction. A whole week without knowing what is going on on the other side of the door. A month without the depressing, sometimes barbaric news stories. Truth be told: I haven't watched the news in over a decade. I get all of my information from social media. Maybe I should keep that last part to myself. I like my geographically, culturally, and politically diverse group of  "friends" because they keep me informed on real news-worthy info. Not the stories reported by "neutral" and "unbiased" news outlets.

A small peek at the madness that is MღRlz.

Back to my new discovery. I enjoy listening to music with my eyes closed. So that means that yesterday I spent 14 hours in bed. Well, not in bed. You can now judge me. Although, I don't see it as laziness. I did not "waste" half of a day. I actually cleared my schedule and avoided everyone and everything specifically to do absolutely nothing.

I've been anti-social for a majority of my life. Especially after realizing that people drain me so much so that I have to isolate myself and recharge.

Are the violins still playing?

Why am I getting so personal?

Who's reading this anyway? If you're read this, comment below.

Guess who's currently listening to throwback hits from the early 2000s on Spotify, while writing this post? C'est moi! It's been 3 hours, with a lot of dance breaks.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I know been a few years but.... just wanted to wish you all a happy thanksgiving!

These are the dishes I made for Thanksgiving:

Upper left is vegetable lasagna. 

Upper right is mac & cheese. 

Lower left is Haitian-style potato salad (with beets-- so nutritious and yummy!). 

Lower right is quinoa corn casserole.

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Super Soft Hair?!?!?

Did I do it? 

Did I finally discover a routine to get my diva-ish, 5-day twist outs super soft? 

I'm amazed. And shocked. But mostly amazed.

I definitely have to try this routine again to see if I can achieve the same results, but for now, I'm happy. And amazed. And shocked! LOL

Products used:

• Aubrey Organics GPB Glycogen Protein Balancing Conditioner (Leave in)

• Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine (Sealer)

• As I Am Smoothing Gel

• Shea Moisture Organic Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Without wetting my hair, I applied the GPB. Then I sealed the leave-in with Nourish & Shine. Afterward, in the palm of my hand, I mixed the Smoothing Gel and Curl Smoothie, then applied it to my hair before twisting. 

Bantu Knot Twist Out

Now I just need to battle the frizz!

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Extrovert M3RLz

 Hey guys,

I joined a website called Meet Up where you can find interactive groups with people of similar interests. These groups have scheduled events and activities ( aka meet ups ). I've been a member for 5+ years but yesterday I went to my first meet up.

The best comedians of the night were Sunshine and Kuperman. Jenkins and Flip did not perform. And I don't remember who Schulz, Stroll and Wasser are.... Did Schultz even perform?! Anywho, I had a great big cup of Long Island Ice Tea so....

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Chef M3RLz is back!

Hey guys! 

I know I haven't written any food-related posts in months but I'm back. (Just for tonight tho. LOL)

I have been cooking but I haven't been posting any pics. 

I haven't forgotten about this blog, since I am occasionally reminded by my homie E that I'm  "slacking on my food posts". I prefer to call it "p0rn" but is it really food p0rn? Is anyone calling it that? Anyone? Anyone at all?

Oh yeah, I forgot.... I only have one consistent reader and that's E. 

* side bar *

Hi E! 

How are you doing tonight? 

Yes, I am cooking at midnight. 

No, I'm not bored or anything. 

Just wanted to give you something to read. 

:)

On the menu for tonight: 

Baked panko crusted shrimp with cheese and broccoli rice.

How sexy is this shrimp?!?! 

This pic is definitely food p0rn. LOL

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Twist & Curl

This is my second time attempting a Twist & Curl on my natural hair.

This time, it was a success! 

Yay!!!!!

My method: detangled, washed, then twisted my hair and put in rollers.

 



Shampoo: Pantene

Leave In: Aubrey GPB Conditioner

Butter/Sealer/Oil: Oyin Burnt Sugar and Jane Carter Nourish and Shine (mixed together)

 

Twisted with: Cantu Shea Butter Strengthening Treatment

Was running super late 

so I didn't get a chance to untwist my hair.

Left Side

Right Side

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Chef M3RLz: 12/29/12

Tired of spaghetti and meatballs?  Try this on for size:

Spaghetti 

with codfish!

It might sound like a weird dish but trust me, it's yummy. Here is what I used:

• cod fillet
• ripe tomatoes, diced
• large onion
• olive oil
• garlic clove, minced
• tomato sauce
• spaghetti
• hot sauce (I use pepper sauce, Mom uses cayenne)
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

It can be paired with garlic bread, a side salad, or you can eat it by itself.

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O_o

Is it just me or does it look like someone shaved my eyebrow while I was sleeping?!?!? 

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Chef M3RLz: 12/16/12

Hola!!!! 

My computer's hard drive died so all of my food-related pictures are MIA until I can pay someone to burn them onto my external hard drive. 

You'd think I would have learned my lesson the first two times that this happened to me.  

Moving along.... 

I'll continue to try and cook once a week but I can't make any promises. This year, my immune system has taken quite a beating! Since Thanksgiving, I've had a cold and the flu and it hasn't even been a month!!!!

Without further interruption....

Today's meal:

Long grain and wild rice, baked BBQ chicken, potatoes au gratin, and salad.

I told everyone on twitter and facebook that I made it from scratch but I didn't. Well, it can be considered "from scratch" since I made it straight out of the box!!!

• Long grain and wild rice - Uncle Ben's (very yummy)
• Baked BBQ chicken
• Potatoes Au Gratin - Betty Crocker
• Salad - Stop & Shop
  

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My First Ponytail

I've been natural for almost 4 years now but because of my ongoing battle with shrinkage, I've never been able to achieve a decent ponytail. There's always been something wrong: not enough hair to grab, not enough hair hanging from the ponytail, etc, etc.

For the past 2 weeks, I've been sporting a protective style. I was suppose to wash my hair on Saturday but instead I procrastinated for the whole day. Finally got myself motivated but instead of washing my hair, I decided to cook dinner (click here for post).

Anywho, I woke up an hour late this morning, because of my dreaded on again-off again relationship with insomnia, and needed a style for church.  Didn't want to wear a hat or throw on a wig, so I had no choice but to finally do a ponytail. To add a little pizzazz, made 2 twists on each side of my head so I wouldn't need a headband or any other accessory.  Pictures posted below.

P.s.: I've tried a bunch of products but the hairline on the left side of my head refuses to grow back. Stupid relaxers! Stupid Traction Alopecia! Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!!

 

Doesn't my ponytail look sad??? :0(

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Chef M3RLz: 09/20/12 and 09/21/12

Chicken, chicken, chicken!!!!

Bawk, bawk, bawk!!!!

I'm consuming so much chicken, that I'm afraid I'm going to turn into one!

Is that a feather?! Oh no! Help!

Silliness aside....

Before this cooking challenge, I was only eating meat 2 or 3 times a month! Now I'm eating meat 5 or 6 times a week! My stomach is in complete turmoil! My routine diet has taken a backseat to these delicious meals that look too good to pass up! As a flexitarian, a person who eats a primarily vegetarian diet, but occasionally also eats meat, I'm teetering towards a carnivorous lifestyle!

Booooooooooooooooo! Meat is murder!!!!!

Well, except for shrimp, of course.

Don't judge me....

So this week, my two meals are vegetarian! Both meals contain Dole's Very Veggie Salad Blend: Romaine Lettuce, Iceberg Lettuce, Carrots, Snow Peas, Red Cabbage, and Radishes.

9/20/2012:

Fusilli pasta with homemade pasta sauce
and a side of  Dole's Very Veggie Salad Blend
(Excuse the dirty stove....and some pieces of overcooked pasta)

9/21/2012:

Dole's Very Veggie Salad Blend 

(Romaine Lettuce, Iceberg Lettuce, Carrots, Snow Peas, Red Cabbage, and Radishes)

Added tomatoes, cucumbers,  raisins, sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese and a light creamy Caesar salad dressing.

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Chef M3RLz: 09/13/12

Last night I made homemade pizza for dinner. Yum!

Tonight's menu:  Baked Apricot Chicken with Fried Plantain and Veggies.

I was bored and had 2 hours to find a recipe to make before my movie started. (I'm an avid movie fan, some even use the word "obsessed", so I have a schedule to follow; click here for my Monthly Movie Lists.) My mom was cleaning out the fridge and offered me 2 pieces of chicken to experiment with. I have dabbled with the Smucker's Apricot Preserves before but this time I wanted to make a great dish instead of a good one.

Don't have the exact measurements but here is the original recipe:

• 3    pounds chicken drumsticks
• 1    cup Smucker's Apricot Preserves
• 1/2  cup ketchup
• 1/4  cup soy sauce
• 2    tsp hot pepper (Used Matouk's Hot Calypso Sauce which is very spicy!!!)
• 2    tsp clove garlic, minced

Vegetables (sauteed) :

• Onions
• Red pepper
• Green pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic

Baked Apricot Chicken 

with Fried Plantain and Veggies

It was so yummy, I took a quick bite before snapping the first pic. 

It was gone by the 2nd pic! LOL

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Chef M3RLz: 09/11/12

My mom is bragging to her friends about my cooking again. That's the same person who is always reluctant to try my food. She loves to complain that her "blood pressure is too high" or her "sugar level is abnormal" and that since my food is too sweet, it would cause her levels to fluctuate. My American food that is, not the Italian dishes.  

Excuses, excuses. I think she's afraid that if she tries it, she'll actually like it! I know she would.

One of the people that she told was my uncle. He loves when my sister and I excel at different hobbies so he's always super supportive when we try something new. He's yet to try any of my food (see last post) but has decided to contribute a large bag of jumbo shrimp! Ka-ching! I love that man! :)

Keeping with my new schedule of cooking twice a week, I've managed to serve a few dishes recently. For the month of September, I've made cod fish, chicken, and shrimp and we're only 11 days in. I'm back with another chicken dish: my tweaked version of a Honey Baked Chicken recipe found online. Turned it into curried chicken instead since my food is always too sweet; notice I said "curried chicken" and not "curry chicken". Unfortunately, I did not follow the recipe. I never do; just use the same items but change the amounts and add other things. Here is the original recipe:

• 3 pounds of Chicken drumsticks 
• 1/4  cup of butter
• 1/4  cup of honey
• 1 tbsp of mustard
• 1/2  tsp of salt
• 1/2  tsp of black pepper
• 1 tbsp of curry powder

Curried chicken, white rice, 

with string beans and carrots.

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Chef M3RLz

My mom is an excellent cook who's been making meals for over 45 years! Our household is known for having visitors who are "in the neighborhood" and happened to "stop by" to see how my mom is doing. Of course, the conversation always includes "I'm hungry; what did you make today".

My mom is a devout Christian woman who strongly believes that sharing is caring. No matter who comes through the door, they have to sit down and eat and 95% of the time that's exactly why they are "in the neighborhood" or have "stopped by" to do.

While our visitors are stuffing their faces eating, they always ask "can you cook as well as your mom?".  My reply has always been "Why are you all up in my business?! I can't cook".

Honestly, I can cook. I just refuse to cook for non-immediate family members. The responsibility of being half as good as my mom is stressful enough without the added anxiety that comes from impressing others. Once I manage to amaze my mom, I can cook for anyone without any hesitation! Trust me.

During my childhood and teenage years, I voluntarily accepted every single corporal punishment unleashed upon me for not wanting to cook. I wore each punishment as a badge of honor. Then I realized that one day I would have a family of my own. One day, but not today. I was in my early 20's when I started learning how to cook and it was only because my boyfriend kept impressing me with his West Indian meals. If a man can cook, why can't I?

Fast forward to my late 20's, when learning to cook moved to the top of my list instead of the bottom. So for the past few years, I've been cooking once a month to showoff my culinary skills. According to my mom, I don't have any. With that being said, it's very frustrating to satisfy someone who thinks all American-style cooking is sub-par and bland. The only dishes that I'm "actually decent" at making is lasagna, spaghetti, and stuffed shells, which are all Italian dishes. "Actually decent" is a good compliment when mumbled by my mom; it means that if we ran out of food and one of her many visitors appeared, she would feel confident enough to serve it to them. But if they get food poisoning, that's their fault for asking to sample my food. (Yes, that was a disclaimer....)

This year, I've been cooking once or twice a week but today I've decided to showcase my food. I don't have anywhere else to post these pictures. It's my blog, so my rooms. Now don't judge me too harshly.

Feta Cheese and Plum Tomato Pasta Salad

05/22/2012

Spicy Lemon Shrimp and Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

09/08/2012

I like everything well done. "If it ain't burnt, it's not ready yet."

Look out for more food related posts.

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Curlkit: Month #4 - September

Whoop whoop! My Curlkit is here!!!

Last month, I made a remark that Curlkit was now playing in the big leagues and boy was I right! Definitely stepping their game up: they're shipping outside of the US and their leaflet, which turned into a pamphlet, has now turned into an 8-paged booklet called Curl Life! This booklet includes hair tips, product information, product reviews, and much more!

Let's get this show on the road!!!!

 Curls Gone Wild:

• Queen Helena - Royal Curls Moisture Rich Conditioner 
• Not My Mothers: Knotty To Nice Conditioning Detangler 
• III Sisters: Natural Lengthening Creme 
• Lustrasilk - Curlmax Curl Pudding 
• Twist N Locs: Natural Oil Shampoo 
• Twist N Locs: Leave-in Conditioner

Two full-sized products and 9 sample products

I'm so excited and can't wait!!!!!! 

Stay tuned for reviews!

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Curlkit August Review

Two great months in a row! Wow! Curlkit is no longer in the minor leagues; they're playing with the big boys!!!!

Click "here" to view last month's goodies and "here" to read last month's review.

Ready? Let's go!

This month's theme gives us nine different products with scents reminiscent of a Caribbean getaway. Click "here" to view this month's Curlkit.

Caribbean Curls 

Island Splash Edition:

• Alikay Naturals/ Black Onyx Avocado Cream Moisture Repairing Hair Mask - Used 2x; Lives up to its name: moisturizes and repairs! Product leaves hair silky soft and tangle-free! After 45 minutes, the comb just slid effortlessly through my hair. Leaves a great smell and results lasted for almost a week. Con: A tad pricey but might purchase anyway #ProductJunkie
• L.A.C.E. Naturals Mas Humedad (More Moisture) Cream - Used 2x; Works well as a leave-in. Have to apply another leave-in after 3 days.
  
• Amazing Botanicals Hibiscus Gel  - Used 3x; Great twists which equaled great twist outs! Pics below.
• Jamaican Mango & Lime Coiling Creme Pudding - Did Not Receive
• Nice & Curly Same Day Repair Creme Conditioner - Did Not Receive
• Wondercurl Mango Colada Polishing Pomade - Not quite sure how to use this so Unopened & unused
• African Pride Shea Butter Miracle Silky Hair Moisturizer - Used 1x; hair felt rough and dry, even with a moisturizing leave-in underneath. After applying Amazing Botanicals Hibiscus Gel on top, hair became manageable. Did not live up to name!
  
• 4 Naturals Afro Stretch Curl Cream - Unopened & unused
• Nourishea Mango Conditioner - Unopened & unused

Update -- 9/25/2012

 Love how my hair looks shiny and wet! Completely dried

 

Twist out:
(Click for full picture! Beautiful!)

Hair Routine:

Deep Conditioner: Alikay Naturals Avocado Cream Moisture Repairing Hair Mask (potential staple)
Wash/Shampoo (Every 2 weeks) - Ur Curly Soya Shampoo (staple)
Leave in - L.A.C.E. Naturals Mas Humedad Cream
Butter - Coco Curls Coco Curl Moisturizing Cream (staple)
Sealer - Ampro Vitamin E Oil (from June's Curlkit)
Spritz while twisting hair - DPL Curl Revitalizer

Would you purchase:

• Alikay Naturals/ Black Onyx: Avocado Cream Moisture Repairing Hair Mask - Yes, Definitely!
• L.A.C.E. Naturals: Mas Humedad (More Moisture) Cream - Maybe
• Amazing Botanicals: Hibiscus Gel  - Yes, Definitely!
• Jamaican Mango & Lime: Coiling Creme Pudding - (Did Not Receive)
• Nice & Curly: Same Day Repair Creme Conditioner - (Did Not Receive)
• Wondercurl: Mango Colada Polishing Pomade - Undecided 
• African Pride: Shea Butter Miracle Silky Hair Moisturizer - No
• 4 Naturals: Afro Stretch Curl Cream - Undecided
• Nourishea: Mango Conditioner - Undecided

 Verdict:

Two great products out of four items, that were tried in this month's box. Not bad. Will have to give the other 3 a chance. This month was good; much better than the first box received (click here).

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