Updates:)

Peace Family,


I hope this post reaches you all in good health and spirits. How are you? I would love to hear how your week has been going. I'm happy to say that I will be picking up my new computer battery today! Yay!!! This forced hiatus from HoneyCee.blogspot.com really helped me realize how much I enjoy blogging.


I have a few updates for you all and I didn't want to make a super long post so I did a video for both my blog and YouTube family members to view. I hope you enjoy and feel free to leave your comments, questions, and feedback below. I look forward to resuming my regular blogging schedule next week. As always, I wish you peace and light. Cee ya in the next post!

Feature of the Week: Ashley Robertson of Afiya LLC!

Peace Family,


I had to opportunity to catch up with my good friend and line sister Ashley Robertson Co-Ceo of Afiya LLC. She is a business owner, entrepreneur, and graduate school student at Howard University. I love her for her diligence, tenacity, and down home spirit. I think you will too :) Check out the interview below...

HoneyCee: For those who may not know, what is “Afiya” and what is your mission?

Ashley Robertson: Afiya is a host of natural bath and body products that contain fair trade shea butter and certified organic ingredients. Our line ranges from hair butter, body butter, hair oils, shea sugar scrubs and foot butter. The name Afiya is Swahili and it is a wish of wellness and good health. The mission of Afiya is to create all natural products that heal, soothe and restore your skin and hair and to educate people about how to be healthy inside and out.

HoneyCee: Where did the idea for “Afiya” come from, how long has it been in existence, and what was your inspiration for starting the product line?

Ashley Roberston: Afiya was initially something that my friend Jerilyn (Co-Ceo of Afiya) and I started because of our natural journey's. Initially it was hard to find affordable natural products for our hair and skin so we decided to experiment with creating our own.  Jerilyn created the hair and body butter and I created the eczema butter. We sent the products down to Tiara (Public Relations and Marketing Manager) to test them out and she promoted them at her job. People loved the product and what was supposed to be an experiment turned into a business. Initially the product line began with hair butter, body butter and eczema butter and we later expanded.

HoneyCee: What does the “Afiya” product line consist of?

Ashley Robertson: Afiya has bath, body and hair care products. Our bath products include shea butter soap and body wash. For the body we have facial scrubs, facial wash, facial butter, body butter, body wash, shea butter soap, shea sugar scrubs, body spray and foot butter. Our hair products include hair oil, hair butter, shampoo, conditioner and styling spray. We have new products in the works also.

HoneyCee: Who are “Afiya” products for?

Ashley Roberston: Afiya products are for all people with skin! People make the mistake of thinking that natural products are for people with natural hair but natural products are for anyone that is interested in HEALTHY skin or hair. 

HoneyCee: What is your vision for the future of “Afiya”?

Ashley Robertson: As for the future of Afiya we pray that where ever God wants to take us we will go. I would like for us to own boutique spa's featuring our product across the country if it's in God's will. 

HoneyCee: Toss up: What is your favorite free time activity?

Ashley Roberston: With me being in Grad School I don't have a lot of free time but when I do have some I'm usually on Facebook or playing around with my Blackberry. 

HoneyCee: Where can HoneyCee blog readers get find more information on “Afiya” and check out your products?

Ashley Robertson: You can find Afiya on twitter at www.twitter.com/afiya4you, on youtube at www.youtube.com/afiya4you, on www.facebook.com/afiya4you, our website is www.afiya4you.com and lastly our email address is info@afiya4you.com. You can purchase our products on the website or at www.etsy.com/shop/afiya4you

Quote of the Day: "You Can't Rush A Good Thing"

Peace Family,


I type this post to you in a hurry from work. My new computer battery hasn't arrived yet and it has been rather difficult for me to upload post. I am going to the computer store today when I leave here. Normal activity should resume Monday. Thanks for riding with me:)


What I really want to share with you all today is a quote I heard in passing about a week ago. I can't even remember who said it now, but it was "You Can't Rush a Good Thing." Simple quote right? But it resonated so deeply within me. I really allowed myself to ponder the words for a second and when I did it occurred to me that all the good things that have taken place in my life took time, lots of energy, and patience (which is not my strong suit). I'm working on my patience every day and it is a work in progress. I do breathing exercises, meditation, and most of all prayer! I'm going to keep this saying in the forefront of my mine for the next couple weeks as I am preparing for a few changes in my life. When I feel anxious I'm just going to remind myself "You Can't Rush A Good Thing" and take comfort in the ease that accompanies it. What are your favorite sayings? Feel free to leave them below as I can always use a little enlightenment :). HoneyCee Blog has gotten a little face lift. Check out the changes by clicking here. Until next time, I wish you all a peaceful and positive day. Cee ya in the next post!

Motivation Monday!!

Peace Family,


I come to you this morning with a little motivation. I know Mondays can move kind of slow, but I wanted to share with you the quote that gets my morning moving, "Create Joy, Create Happiness, and Create the Life You Imagine." I chose this quote because it is written on the cup I drink my tea from every morning and it serves as an everyday reminder for me to get up and get to work on the things I want to accomplish. This quote also reminds me that happiness is a choice and that we have some control over how we feel everyday. We can dwell on the negative or focus on the positive. To bring happiness to myself everyday this week, I decided to paint smiley faces on all my nails. Yes, I know its kind of corny but when I look down at my hands there will be smiles coming at me :)

This was an attempt to add a little spice to my week and remind me to smile and be happy. It kind of came out looking like spooky Halloween nails but I'll stick with it mostly because I didn't have time to fix them. It was after twelve a.m. when I did them and I needed to get some rest for work. The point of it was to give myself some encouragement throughout the day. I think it will suffice. What do you do to brighten your week? Leave your comments below I would love to hear from you. Until next time, peace and light.

Cee<3

Song of the Day: Bob Marley "Don't Worry About A Thing"

Peace Family,


I have had this song in my head for the past week! My car broke down again lol My father let me borrow his and that broke down too!!!lol On the way to my part time job yesterday, his car decided it didn't want to accelerate anymore and I had no choice but to creep over to the side of the road and sit. I didn't even get upset. Honestly, I just called my father and thankfully he was able to come get me and take me to work. He even came and took me home last night. My relationship with my father has been a very interesting one to say the least but my sister helped me to realize something this morning, our car situation has helped to mend our relationship with our father. I share this with you all to say there is a blessing in every circumstance even though we can't always Cee it right away. Nothing is by accident everything is for a reason. I have started to accept that I won't always know the answer or the way right from the start. I take comfort in the fact that God has me and would not desert me so I pray and wait knowing that God will reveal everything to me in time :) And I just want you to know that God will do the same for you too. I'm going to leave the link to Bob's "Don't Worry About A Thing" below. I encourage you to listen to it and heed the message he shares with us. As always, I wish you peace and light. Cee ya in the next post!


Link to ""Don't Worry About A Thing:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mACqcZZwG0k

Recipe of the Week:Egg Plant Spaghetti

In the words of my lovely LS Tiara, downgrade!!! My computer battery is dead and I have had the most difficult uploading posts here and on my guest blog sites. *Sigh* I ordered a new battery and it should be here by the end of next week God willing. I am trying my best to be patient which I have already stated here before, is not my strong suit:) I'm working on it y'all. One day at a time. Ok, here is the recipe:

• Green Onion: Chop three sticks green onion
• Egg plant: 1 chopped into cube sizes
• Tomato: 1 chopped into cube sizes
• Red pepper: 1/2 chopped
• Red Onion: 1/3 or to taste
• Carrots: 3
• Spaghetti Sauce: 1 jar
• Wheat noodles: Half box
• Season: Sage, Garlic Powder, Oregano, Parsley, Season Salt

This recipe will serve 4 people. Check out the video below for a visual of how I made it. Until next time, which I hope will be soon, I wish you all peace and light. Cee ya in the next post!

Feature of the Week: Shelley Chapman!

Shelley Chapman of Naturi Beauty Concepts LLC.

Peace Family,


It is a pleasure to introduce to you all Food Relationship Coach Ms. Shelley Chapman of Naturi Beauty Concepts LLC. I am follower of her blog and youtube channel where she encourages viewers and readers to develop healthy relationships with food. I'll let her explain more to you in her own words...

HoneyCee: For those who do not know, what is Naturi Beauty Concepts LLC. and what inspired you to start the company?

Shelley Chapman: Naturi Beauty Concepts is a brand and lifestyle that promotes radiance through food and beauty.  I was inspired to start the company because I wanted to help women with their natural hair including myself.  The company has grown and my position has evolved from simply the woman who creates and sells the products to The Food Relationship Coach where I help individuals, namely women, redefine and recreate their relationship with food and beauty.

HoneyCee: I love your relationship with food and how you encourage others to maintain a healthy, satisfying relationship with food as well. Why is our relationship with food important? Shelley Chapman: Food is not only a source of nutritional nourishment that our body uses as daily fuel, but it is also a source of connection and energy that helps us create the life we desire.  I know when I say that, I get the occasional Scooby Doo "urrrr?"  It's a different way of looking at it.  I noticed early on how a delicious meal causes people to sing, dance, tap their toes, clap their hand and what have you. We get excited over food.  I encourage people to explore where that feeling comes from and how they can transfer that feeling into their personal lives to create the relationships they want.  Not just their relationship with food, but the relationship with their partner, their career, their family, themselves, etc. HoneyCee: You often talk about food and how it relates to the senses. What specific foods or herbs illicit a specific response from people and why?

Shelley Chapman: I started an event series called “Decadence!” to explore that very concept.  “Decadence!” takes ordinary ingredients and shows the varying uses that can make them extraordinary.  At each “Decadence!” event participants get to taste different dishes prepared with a specific ingredient and then later become a “Kitchen Chemist” and create a beauty product with the same ingredient. At the premiere “Decadence!” event in Atlanta we explored Chocolate.  Chocolate is the ultimate alchemical food.  It inspires our sensual nature and it literally links with our "bliss gene" in our bodies and puts us in a good feeling place.  That's why so many women crave it during their menstrual cycle.  At the D.C. “Decadence!” event we explored Honey, Rosemary and Ginger.  The ginger was uplifting and exhilarating while the honey felt relaxing and soothing.  It really is about people connecting with food and understanding how they can use the varying properties to benefit their lives as necessary.  There are two more upcoming “Decadence!” events on the calendar: December 4 in Atlanta and January 15 in New York.  We'll be exploring coconut and turmeric at the Atlanta event and details are forthcoming for the New York event.

HoneyCee: You make the most delicious meals, some of them I have tried myself, how do you come up with the recipes?  Shelley Chapman: Most of my meals are intuited through my dining experiences in my travels.  We all have different memories of places we've visited, some remember the shopping, some remember the tourist highlights.....I remember the food!  I have this beautiful ability to taste a recipe, so when I order food that I like, I typically recreate it at home.  Other meals are a fusion of some of my favorite dishes.  I really love Thai Sticky Coconut Rice and Mango.  One problem though....I haven't quite mastered the Sticky Rice lol.  So I created a vegan version where I made Coconut Custard with Mango steamed in Banana Leaves....omg! It's so yummy! I have a video with that recipe coming very soon:) HoneyCee: What is your favorite ingredient to cook with? Shelley Chapman: This question always stumps me.  Especially when people ask what my favorite cuisine is.  I love ingredients so much it's hard to choose.  It's easier to tell you what I don't like.  I'm not the biggest fan of Asian inspired food (save Thai or Filipino) because it doesn't utilize tomatoes and cheese lol!  I do love rosemary, basil, mint and thyme.  The first three herbs give a kick to any meal and I love that, even though their little, they manage to boldly stand out and add their creative, powerful boost amongst other flavors in a dish. HoneyCee: I know you have your own line of beauty products. What does the line consist of and what specific benefits can customers look forward to?

Shelley Chapman: I discontinued the line in June.  When Naturi Beauty was conceptualized in 2004, I thought that it would solely be a resource for women with natural hair, thus I created a well received product line.  As the business began to expand, Naturi Beauty Concepts became an umbrella and a lifestyle, not just a product.  Just as anything in life, the business has its own identity and I'm in charge of nurturing it and making sure that the Brand continues to expand.  The focus lately has been showing women how to use food for beauty, consumption, sensuality and health through the “Decadence!” events and the online Naturi Beauty show. There are plans to revamp the actual product line in the future.

HoneyCee: What is your overall goal for Naturi Beauty Concepts LLC. Where would you like to see the company in 5-10 years?  Shelley Chapman: Our goal at Naturi Beauty is to help individuals recreate their relationship with food and beauty and use it to nourish and nurture themselves and ultimately grow.  We are working on having our online show featured on major television networks around the world.  We are looking forward to our “Decadence!” workshops and Culinary Coaching classes going global starting next year.  We're also collaborating with other businesses to create retreat and conference experiences so that women can directly apply the Nourish. Nurture. Grow experience.  We're also authoring several books on food and its energetic appeal that will include loads of yummy recipes of course :)  We have a lot in store, some I can't reveal yet but please join us over at www.naturibeauty.com so that you can stay up to date. HoneyCee:  Toss Up: What is your favorite song and why? Shelley Chapman: Oh dear...again the favorite question stumps me every time....do I have to choose? LOL! Okay let's see, I'll choose one from my list of many.....ummmm I think I'll go with Adele's First Love.  It's beautifully delivered and it really speaks to the need to move on when it's time.  I apply it not only to love but just life situations.  It was really tough to close the product portion of Naturi Beauty, as that was the first love of the business, but it was time to focus, groom and grow other facets.  In this song, she really explores the emotional aspect of letting go and moving on. HoneyCee: Where can HoneyCee.blogspot.com readers get more information from you?

Shelley Chapman: My virtual lounge is a good start www.naturibeauty.com and then you can hop over to my blog and check out my inner landscape at http://naturibeauty.com/blog and of course at Twitter, please do follow me www.twitter.com/naturibeauty and on FB, let's be friends Shelley Chapman and I'd love to have you join the FB Fan page Naturi Beauty as well.

The Sting!

Peace Family,


Below is "The Sting" this week's run down of what you can expect from HoneyCee.blogspot.com. I want to thank you all for riding with me, reading my post, and giving me your feedback. Your feedback is thoroughly appreciated and inspires me to keep sharing. Enjoy the video! and feel free to leave questions, suggestions, or comments below. Cee ya in the next post!

Link to "Mission Winter Purse" http://honeycee.blogspot.com/2010/09/mission-winter-purse.html

Happy Monday!!

My Team:)

Good morning, Good morning, Good morning Family!


I feel so blessed to be writing you all today. God favored us and woke us up so lets give thanks and praise! I hope your weekend went well. I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend and wish it could have lasted longer lol (Don't we all say that). I wanted to let you all know that I participated in Step Out! Walk to Fight Diabetes October 2 and it was truly an experience. I am raising money through this organization to spread Diabetes awareness and prevention. This is a cause very near and dear to my heart as Diabetes has affected my maternal family in great numbers. My mother was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 37. To read more about my personal reason for joining this initiative click here. I just really wanted to share with you my video footage from the walk and encourage you to make a donation (no matter how small) to help those afflicted with Diabetes and help prevent others from developing this illness. I wish you all a wonderful and fruitful day. Link to video below:) Cee ya in the next post!!


Link to "Step Out!" Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzky4qTmPFw

What do tea, a book, a towel, and a toilet seat all have in common?

What do tea, a book, a towel, and a toilet seat all have in common? A bath! lol Yesterday I found enough time to indulge in one of my favorite past times, a long relaxing bath. I even had the time to try the Oyin Handmade Bath Fizz I received a month or two back at their pod cast taping. It was very moisturizing to my skin. I just wish it would have smelled a little stronger. Inside the packet,  the fizz smelled like Burnt Sugar Pomade but in the bath it really had no fragrance. Then again I was burning rosemary incent...:/ Hmm Idk I just wish it would have had more smell lol But the bath was very relaxing. I really enjoyed the tranquility of it. I've been working so hard lately and yesterday was a crazy day. If you want to know how crazy check out my "How You Doing Wednesday" you tube video. But I'm holding it together with God's grace. I've been reading Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi's entire body of work and Half of a Yellow Sun has not failed in comparison to her other novels. This woman is a truly remarkable writer. She exposes us to Africa's post colonial issues in a way that is very informative yet engrossing. She gives you a little sugar with your medicine and writes in a way that really opens your heart and mind to Africa's political climate. My tea was my tea. It is always the same green (sometimes with a little citrus or peach) and hot:) I really enjoyed my Cee time today as I don't really have much down time anymore. I know some people are grossed out at the thought of baths, but i encourage you all to try it. You muscles and skin will thank you later:) As always I wish you all peace and light. Cee ya in the next post!

Heartfelt Recipes: Oatmeal & Honey Face Mask

Peace Family,


I'm back with another "Heartfelt Recipe" that I think you all will love. I chose to do an Oatmeal and Honey Face Mask because I recently did a guest post for Naturally Obsessed that allowed me to  discover all the wonderful benefits of honey. It is a natural ant-inflammatory, heals cuts and burns, and can even act as a deep conditioner for hair! After I concluded my research, I just knew that I would to try some of the many recipes I found. Here are the details for this mask:

• Half cup of ground oat meal (you can use a blender. I used the Great Value brand Oatmeal)
• 2 tsp of honey (I used Great Value brand honey)
• 5 table spoons of waters (I used tap water)

Stir this mixture together and your ready to go! This recipe makes enough for three applications. I stored the remainder in the fridge and used it this past Sunday. To cee how I applied the mask check out the video below. I let it stay on my face for about fifteen minutes before rinsing. Afterward, I noticed my face was a lot smoother and so baby soft! My pores were much smaller and the redness of my pimples was greatly reduced (which can be attributed to the oatmeal.) I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know if you decide to try it. Leave your questions, comments, suggestions below. As always, I wish you all a peaceful and productive week. Cee ya in the next post!

Link to Facial Toner Recipe: http://honeycee.blogspot.com/2010/09/homemade-facial-toner.html

Feature of the Week: Ashley Haydel Massage Therapist

Peace Family,


I wanted to share with you all someone who I think is a gift to her career field and a joy to have met, Miss Ashley Haydel a Maryland based massage therapist who specializes in Swedish and deep tissue massages. I had the pleasure of receiving one of her FANTASTIC massages this past weekend and sitting down for some girl talk turned interview ;). Here is what she had to say:


HoneyCee: Why did you choose to go in to massage therapy?


Ashley Haydel: I was unhappy in my line of work at that time and my coworkers would tell me that I was good with my hands because I always gave massages. One day I fell asleep on the couch with the television on and when I woke up right there was a Medix School advertisement for massage therapy! I said "you know what I'm going to call them."


HoneyCee: What have you learned from your training that stood out to you?


Ashley Haydel: The transference of energy. We do an exercise called "palm to palm" where we measure energy and my energy ball is huge! It's just ridiculous. I could stand across the room from a person and they could still feel me, my energy. It requires a lot of concentration.


HoneyCee: Where would like to cee yourself in the long term? What are you future aspirations or goals for massage therapy?


Ashley Haydel: My best friend, my little sister (who went to school for cosmetology), and I would like to open a tea shop where customers can come for open mike nights and music. I would also like to open a massage studio with my sister where clients can come and escape all their stress. We would like to provide our customers with a peaceful and nurturing atmosphere.


HoneyCee: Toss up: If you could be any where in the world right now where would it be and why?


Ashley Haydel: I would like to go to India and visit a real Buddhist temple. Buddhism is a journey. Buddhist do believe in God and the spiritual connection between self and the creator.


To cee Miss Haydel in action check out the video below and to schedule your own consultation email her at aehaydel@gmail.com . As always, I wish you all peace and light. Cee ya in the next post!!

Quote of the Day

"Beauty is power; a smile is its sword." ~Charles Reade

 Hey Family,

I know that I usually greet you all with a "Song of the Day" but I had to share this quote with you all that I read on one of my fave curly girl friendly websites Curlynikki.com "Beauty is power; a smile is its sword." ~Charles Reade It resonated within me. Body language is very important and something that I could do a better job of working on myself lol. Truth is I love to smile, laugh, and generally have a good time and who doesn't. Sometimes the inconvenient aspects of our lives keep us from doing this as much as we would like to. But each day is a blessing and I treasure my time spent with family, friends, doing the things I enjoy and giving them my huge/wide smile that I often tried to hide as a child lol. It's almost like that saying that goes "when you're feeling down dress up" it is suppose to make you feel better. So I encourage you all to give a smile to your love ones today even if something is bothering you or you just don't feel like what the day has in store. And I'm going to take my own advice too. I'm about to go in my sisters room and smile all up in her face right now! lol She will dislike me for it at first but who knows maybe later today, when she is at work, she will think of it and smile too:)  

"The Sting" 10/03-10/11

Hey Family,


Below is this weeks webisode of "The Sting" a weekly run down of what you can expect here on HoneyCee.blogspot.com. I have a lot of interesting post for you guys this week including face masks, interviews and a recap of my recent walk for "Step Out" Walking to Fight Diabetes. (More on that in another post) Last week was so crazy busy! I am adjusting to a new routine, but I am back and ready to bring you all the best in home made body care recipes,  hair care recipes, food recipes, inspiration, motivation, and local events. I look forward to all that is to come. Please check out the video below and feel free to leave your questions, comments, suggestions. As always, I wish you all peace and light. Cee ya in the next post!

Link to "Mission: Winter Purse:" http://honeycee.blogspot.com/2010/09/mission-winter-purse.html

Song of the Day



Fantasia


Hey Family!

I apologize for being kind of MIA this week. Things have been very busy (In a good way) and I will be explaining more about that in a later post. But for now, I come to you with a "Song of the Day!" Today's song is "Total Praise" and the version of it is by Fantasia. I have had this particular rendition of the song on replay for the last two days! Fantasia tore it up OK! Like she really did her thannggg! But then again I wouldn't expect anything less from her :) People can say what they like, but the girl has a gift. Maybe it would help her a little more to include more songs like this one on her albums. I would definitely listen :) Check out the link below to enjoy some good ole down home stronggggggggg sannging for the Lord. Mm hmm. lol As always, have peaceful day. Cee ya in the next post! Link below..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXhjm63CssY