ETA: CHECK HERE FOR UPDATES. THE DETAILS OF HOW THE CHALLENGE STARTED HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THE 2ND POST.
Update: Everyone participating please post your current diet/regimen and your new goal regimen. Also include what areas you need to work on, whether it's getting enough sleep or flattening the tummy.
Update 07/04/07: The liver is like the pit stop for everything that enters your body. Some of you may want do a liver flush for a few days (optional). Liver congestion is caused by toxic overload, it is unable to detoxify the bloodstream effectively. When the liver is congested, the toxins circulate in the bloodstream and can enter into the brain, nervous system or other organs. The liver can also become congested by an excess of fat, sugar, alcohol, white flour products, and chemicals found in the water, food, and air. My mom did it and I noticed the benefits so I'm going to force myself to do it for 4 days. There are other versions as well if you do a web search. Here's a link to one: Lemon Liver Flush
REMINDER TO POST YOUR BEFORE REGIMEN/DIET AND YOUR NEW ONE
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Your hair grows from your body, healthy and strong bodies produce long, strong hair. This challenge is about balance, it's not just about eating raw broccoli all day
If you take a moment each day all of the rules can easily be incorporated into your daily and please take a moment to read ingredients.
As we go along please share tips, recipes and suggestions. Ladies, remember to post your regimens and progress including what changes you'll be making so we know what to hold you to
Incorporate these rules into your diet.
Good Food List! - Your daily diet
*must* include portions of the following and please remember that a balance of protein, complex carbs, vitamins and minerals are need so don't focus on one thing.
- Include Protein your daily meal -
Hair is 80-90% protein. I got 1" of unexpected growth just by adding some random protein rich foods. Protein sources include, beans (a can of refried beans and yellow rice is cheap and tasty), chicken, rice, fish (why not make a snack from tuna or kippered herring), cheese, eggs, nuts, tofu and milk. Try to combine proteins to form a complete amino acids like rice & beans.
Further info: MORE DETAILS
- Include natural oils in daily diet - It can be as simple as pouring some seasoned olive oil over your veggies or a tablespoon of flax seed oil in the morning.
Naturally moisturized and softer hair = less breakage, more length retained plus it's good for your skin and the rest of your body. Sources include, nuts, avocados (the small Mexican avocados have more oil, but more fat, the large smooth avocados are less fatty and contain slightly less oil), nuts, flax seed oil, olive oil, fish oil.
- 8 Glasses of water per day - Water makes up a large percentage of your hair strands. Clean body = better absorbed nutrients. If necessary buy a refillable water bottle and refill every morning or add lemon/lime juice.
- EAT THOSE UNIONS! - What does MSM, MTG and boundless tresses have in commmon besides being the cause of rapid hair growht for many members? SULFUR! Besides protein sulfur is one of the best things you can do for more growth. Red unions are sweet, so slice thin and throw them in a salad, throw in your rice pot, sprinkle in your potato salad. Don't forget other extras like fresh garlic and tomato are very good for your body.
- Embrace your exotic cook - Herbs have many beneficial qualities for your body and hair! Ginger for example aids in digestion, sautee your chicken in a sauce of honey and ginger. Break out those long forgotten herbs or discover new ones; paprika, cumin, tarragon, cayenne, cilantro are just a few. Plus they are cheap.
- Brown rice - White rice is a no-go for this challenge.
- 2-3 servings of fruits every day - There's a fruit for everyone. Take some to work or school, try strawberries, grapes, watermelon, berries or oranges.
- Minerals - Mineral deficiency has been linked to everything from fatigue, improper brain functions and even mood swings. Sources of iron include molasses, red meat and dark green vegetables and sulfur is found in unions. There are also multi vitamins that combine multi & mineral into one pill.
- Take your multi vitamin - Theres a multi vitamin for every price range. Head to your Walmart, Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe or GNC and pick up a multi vitamin.
- Bonus vitamins: B-5, Biotin, MSM, flax seed oil, castor oil. I choose biotin and flax seed oil because they've always made my skin and hair nicer. Tip: Serve out a weeks worth of vitamins in advance and store them in your purse.
- Daily meal must include a vegetable - Try broccoli covered in olive oil and minced garlic or salad. Buy a pre-cut salad mix, add some sliced red unions, croutons and minced olives and your favorite salad dressing or steam greens in chicken broth and have with dinner.
The
NO food list:
- Junk food - It doesn't mean you can't have mac & cheese, but cut out the big mac, fries, cheese doodles and sugar glazed donuts! There are healthier alternatives. Seek and ye shall find. Do you like M&Ms? Next time grab some carob coated raisins or chocolate covered almonds with the healthiest ingredients list. READ THE INGREDIENTS OF WHAT YOU BUY!
- White rice - Replace with brown rice, brown basmati or jasmine rice. White rice has the nutrient rich outer layer removed and is filled with carbs. Carbs are broken down into SUGAR and excess sugar leads to adult onset diabetes, weight gain and lacks nutrients that are beneficial to your hair and body.
- Limit artificial sugars - Not only did my hair grow slower when I had a high sugar diet but my skin wasn't as youthful looking. Remember excessive sugar binds itself to collagen with causes drooping and sagging skin and can stunt the immune system. Check your fruit drink to see if it says "5% Real Juice" or "100%" and avoid high fructose drinks.
- Deep fried foods. - Try braised, roasted or stir fried.
- Avoid excessively salty food - Next time you reach for that salt shaker drop it!!
- Caffeinated and carbonated drinks
- Limit your stress - It is a fact that stress retards hair growth. Remember worrying never changed anything. Prey, meditate or work on it and then leave it alone.
EXTRAS: ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST CHOOSE AT LEAST 2X OF THE FOLLOWING
- Physical activity 3x a week - Improved blood flow carries nutrients to your hair follicles. Besides a stronger heart, trim body and youthful glow, exercise makes you sweat which in my experience makes my hair grow. I know it sounds weird but my hair grows faster when it's hot or I'm sweating. Try running, taking your dog for a walk, or hit the gym. If cost is an issue most cities have YMCA that offer discounted access to gym facilities. Locate one near you: http://www.ymca.net/find_your_ymca/
- 7 to 8 hrs of sleep per night - Your body grows and recuperates while you're asleep. If you're up all night then your body can't rebuild, restore and refresh.
- No direct heat more than 2x a month - This is an automatic requirement only because growth that's gained during this challenge can easily be lost to breakage. So no flat irons (except new growth), curling irons or hot combs except 2x a month.
- Drop that cigarette!
Here's an example of a dinner that includes THE RULES:
Stewed/roasted chicken (protein), make it teriyaki or brown stew it in your favorite herbs with minced tomatoes, unions, rice and a side of beans (google some recipies or boil some split pies in a little water, add a little curry, cilantro, salt, paprika and cumin and let it cook down). Beans with rice form a complete protein. Add a salad or some stir fried broccoli and mushrooms and you've got your daily veggies.
Here are some links to articles that discuss the link between hair and diet:
-
6 Superfoods for Healthy Hair
-
Hair Health Diet
. I guess I will stick with Salmon
Great lists/plans so far! Im trying to be realistic w/ mine so I can stick w/ it. Ill "upgrade" as I go along/adjust.
for this list. I swear, I have been online trying to find which foods are right to eat and which are'nt...thank you, thank you, thank you
okay, 
I really want to look great for my graduation in December so here we go yall....
