Try It !!! Thursday

Okay Conditioners

Initially, I picked up the Coconut Conditioner and the Shea Conditioner at a TJ Maxx while shopping in a nearby city.   After using them just once, I knew that I would be purchasing more!  It was hard to believe that these $5.99 conditioners performed so well.  When I went to my local TJ Maxx to purchase more of them, I was disappointed because they did not have a single bottle.  So, I immediately went online to OkayPureNaturals.com.  I was pleased to see that the website offered so many products - including several other conditioners!  I ordered the Honey Conditioner, the Coconut Conditioner, Aloe Oil and Glycerin.  I received the order in less than a week.  When I received it, I noticed that the Aloe Oil was not included.  Instead, I was sent Olive Oil.  I immediately notified Okay Pure Naturals, and customer service promised to send the Aloe Oil.  The company even allowed me to keep the Olive Oil as a gift  (awesome customer service)!!!  Within days, I received the Aloe Oil that I initially ordered.  A few days ago, I went into my local TJ Maxx and noticed that there were several bottles of the conditioners.  And, of course, I stocked up on more conditioners - including the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Conditioner!

Now, for the final review:

I will rate each category with one to five stars - with five being the best.

1. Availability    **    I have only seen this conditioner at TJ Maxx.  However, ordering online was a breeze. (If you have seen these conditioners somewhere else, please let me know in the comments.)

2. Consistency *****  The conditioners have a medium thickness.  They are thick enough to be used as deep conditioners.  Yet, they flow freely enough to be used as a co-wash.  (I do not like thick co-washes.)

3. Cost        ****    If purchased at TJ Maxx, they are $5.99 per 12 ounces.  However, at OkayPureNaturals.com, they are priced at $9.00-$11.00 for a 12 ounce bottle - depending on the conditioner.  If the conditioners were priced at $5.99 on the website, I would have rated the cost at 5 stars.

4. Scent        *****    The scent is pleasant- somewhat fruity, tropical.  It is not overpowering.

5. Slip        *****    AMAZING!!!  I was actually able to finger detangle my hair.  My fingers gingerly glided through each conditioner coated strand.  To each’s own, I still use combs to detangle.

While NOT 100% natural, these conditioners are free of parabens and silicones.

Have you tried this line of conditioners? Let me know by commenting.
      

Happy Wednesday!

They are not your friends

 until they have defended you in your absence.

- Unknown

 

I don't know who said this, but I sure do like it.  It sums up part of what I think a friend should be.  Think about it.  Have you ever had the opportunity to defend a friend?  Did you do it, or did you shy away from it - just to keep peace?

Defining Relationships

Sometimes, the relationship that we want with others is not the relationship that they want with us.

Have you ever considered a person as a friend that did not consider you a friend? Perhaps, the person called you a friend, but treated you like an acquaintance.  That has happened to me before with a coworker.  

Before I continue, I need to tell you that I don’t readily refer to people as friends.  In my opinion, I believe that the term friend is used way too loosely.  For me, friend is a term that signifies a caring, giving, sharing and trusting relationship.  With that being said, I’ll continue with this post.

I once worked with a lady - I’ll refer to her as Lacey (not her real name).  Lacey and I started working at the job the same time.  Lacey and I are Christians.  We are both married to Christian men , and we attend church regularly.  One of our children is the same age, and they attend the same school.  Lacey and I are around the same age.  So, quite naturally, I thought we would be good friends.  We shared and talked about things very often.  We even exchanged prayer requests.  I’m somewhat of a loner.  But, I really thought that this friendship was going to be special.  I was excited because we could relate to each other.

I noticed that when we had professional development away from our campus,  Lacey would almost always have lunch with another coworker (we’ll call her Terri).  Yes, I thought this was strange.  However, I rationalized that Lacey and Terri may have known each other longer.  Then, Lacey was off work due to an illness.  I took her dinner, but not to her house.  Her husband met me at the store to pick up the dinner  (hmm).  I was really hurt by this.  I had insisted that it was no problem for me to take the meal to her house.  But, she insisted that her husband would meet me to pick up the meal.  You get the picture, I’m sure.  I could go on listing other examples, but this post is getting long.

Lacey, later, moved to a different job.  The problem, in this situation, is that I considered Lacey more of a friend than she considered me.  As a matter of fact, I think she only considered us to be coworkers.  Neither of us ever defined the relationship.  This led to an assumption on my part.

I mentioned Lacey and me because too many people form one-sided relationships. Too often,

• We care about people that don’t even know we exist.
• We help people who never lend us a helping hand.
• We love people that hate us.
• We become friends with people who backstab us.
• We talk to people who don’t listen.
• We marry people who take us for granted.

So, how do we not form assumptions about the type of relationship that we share with others?  First of all, the relationship MUST be defined. All of the actions defined Lacey’s relationship with me.  Secondly, we must NOT ignore the obvious.

If we do this, we will save our emotions from disappointment and despair that could very easily be avoided.

Has this ever happened to you?  How did you handle it?

A Yogurt Review!

  I tried a new yogurt!  Yes - yogurt.

The Brand - Noosa, finest yoghurt              

 


Although I don't digest dairy milk very well, I have no problems with yogurt.  This yogurt has a smooth, thick consistency with pureed fruit on the bottom.  What's special about this yogurt is that the cows that produced the milk to make this yogurt were not treated with rBGH (an artificial growth hormone).  This yogurt was made on a family-owned dairy farm in Bellvue, Colorado.  For more information about Noosa or to find a store in your area that carries this brand, go to Noosa Yoghurt.




I purchased a 4-pack of 4oz cups in tart cherry for about $3.29 at Kroger's.

I do plan to repurchase.  I noticed on the Noosa Yoghurt website that this yogurt can be found in Target.  It comes in several other flavors including strawberry rhubarb and pumpkin - which I have yet to try.

If you have tried this brand, let me know in the comments.  Did you like it?

Prayer - Stop Worrying!

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your grace and mercy.

Help me, God, to stop worrying about people, situations and things that I cannot change. Show me what to do, how to do it and when to do it.  

In the meantime, grant me peace .

In Jesus’ s name,

Amen.

New Living Translation
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)

King James Bible
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)

New International Version
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Happy Sunday!

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Linking up with Scripture and a Snapshot !

Meatless Monday #37

White Bean Chili

chopped garlic
fresh diced tomatoes
chopped bell pepper
Mrs. Renfro's Salsa  (Add this ingredient based on the amount of heat that you desire.)
chili powder
cumin
navy, northern, or some other light colored beans
Bush's Vegetarian Beans  (I like the taste that these beans add to the chili.)

 

Enjoy your chili with a fresh salad and a slice of cornbread, or with whatever you usually have with a bowl of chili!