#afrointellectus

"The mind's first step to self awareness must be through the body."                    -George Sheehan

Spring is a time of rebirth & new growth. Here is an inexpensive, relatively easy way to cleanse from within. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

It aids with weight loss by regulating blood sugar levels. Insulin will not direct sugar to be stored as fat. Helps you feel full. Try this natural recipe;

Directions: 1 cup of fresh grapefruit juice 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp raw honey You can keep up to 2 days. Drink 2 times a day before a meal.

Grapefruit Juice

It is one of the best fat-burning foods and a cellulite remover. It improves blood flow, helps metabolize sugar in the blood, and reduces fluid retention. Try this natural recipe;

Directions: 1 cup of fresh grapefruit juice 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp raw honey You can keep up to 2 days. Drink 2 times a day before a meal.

Honey 

Helps boost and speed up the metabolism which aids the body in burning fat. Raw honey helps stabilize our blood sugar levels, which results in less food cravings. Honey has a healthier glycemic index (GI) than sugar, therefore it does not cause a sugar rush. It is gradually absorbed into our body. Try this natural recipe;

COCONUT OIL is the oil extracted from the edible, fleshy “meat” of a coconut. It’s a natural saturated fat, and is comprised almost entirely of medium-chain fatty acids. While that may not seem like anything extraordinary, coconut oil is one of the only sources of medium-chain fatty acids, which is what makes it so incredible for skin. APPLICATION You can wash your face with coconut oil, or a combination of oils, using a protocol called the oil cleansing method. Using the principle of “like dissolves like” – the basic concept is this: the natural oil you massage into your skin dissolves the oil that has hardened on your skin with impurities and/or clogged your pores. When you apply steam from a warm wash cloth to your face, the pores open and the natural oil lifts any dirt or makeup out of pours, which can be easily wiped away. Exfoliate your skin prior to bathing. After bathing, while your pores are still open, put a dime size amount in your palm at a time. Rub into your hands and apply by massaging a generous amount into your skin from head to toe. Seal in the moisture by wearing long sleeve clothing after applying. Depending on your skin type, repeat day to day or 3 to 4 times a week. BEST TYPES Organic, unrefined coconut oil is the best coconut oil for skin care because it contains all of the naturally occurring phytonutrients and polyphenols. Look for coconut oils described as “virgin,” “cold pressed,” or “raw.”

SHEA BUTTER is a superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the African Shea (Karite) tree, and that is naturally rich in vitamins A, E, and F. It offers UV protection (SPF ~6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. Shea butter has been used in Africa and other countries for years to improve skin and hair. BENEFITS · Moisturizing: The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin. It is often used as a remedy for dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils. 

· Reduces Inflammation: A 2010 study found that due to its cinnamic acid, and other properties like, lupeol cinnamate, shea butter was found to reduce skin inflammation, and potentially help avoid skin mutations. This also makes it beneficial for people with acne. 

highlighted by @nonperishableart 

“When I caught the post in the Fader, I thought it was cool to see a fresh take on two things we enjoy separately, blended together. A nice example of some daily duality.” -P.Dove

Trap Yoga — a course intended to both challenge the limits of one’s physicality and speak to the culture’s inherent spirituality.

In 2013, 26-year-old, Brandon Copeland opened a Washington D.C.-based yoga studio, Khepera Wellness, after feeling like the essence of black culture was being excluded from majority-white yoga spaces in the area.

"When I mentioned that I was listening to trap music when I did classes or when I practiced at home, or even put on Instagram, people were interested. Enough people were interested that on my 25th birthday, I threw a Trap Yoga class at the Lululemon in Georgetown, which for me was a really big deal because it felt really right." -Brandon Copeland (The Fader)

JOJOBA OIL is a liquid wax extracted from the nut of an indigenous American shrub that goes by the scientific name Simmondsia chinensis. The shrubby tree still grows wild in the United States, mainly in the arid regions of the Southwestern states. Jojoba oil is unique in that, unlike most other vegetable oils, it closely resembles sebum, a waxy substance produced by our skin glands. So it can act as a natural skin conditioner. It has nearly replaced animal fats in the manufacturing of skin lotions and creams. As a matter of fact, this oil rode into popularity on the back of the opposition to whale oil which was the traditional base of many cosmetic preparations earlier. APPLICATION: Jojoba oil works in several ways to counteract acne formation. It acts as a deep cleanser. Being a liquid, it can penetrate deep into the hair follicle. It can dissolve the sebum deposits and help dislodge the buildup, thus clearing out the blockage. You can wash your face with jojoba oil, or a combination of oils, using a protocol called the oil cleansing method. Using the principle of “like dissolves like” – the basic concept is this: the natural oil you massage into your skin dissolves the oil that has hardened on your skin with impurities and/or clogged your pores. When you apply steam from a warm wash cloth to your face, the pores open and the natural oil lifts any dirt or makeup out of them, which can be easily wiped away. Exfoliate your skin prior to bathing. After bathing, while your pores are still open, put a dime size amount in your palm at a time. Rub into your hands and apply by massaging a generous amount into your skin from head to toe. Seal in the moisture by wearing long sleeve clothing after applying. Depending on your skin type, repeat day to day or 3 to 4 times a week. 

BEST TYPES Organic 100% pure, cold-pressed, unrefined jojoba oil.

Define the word "freedom". Does your definition describe you or anything about you?. This episode is calling out the freedom-fakers and freedom-makers. Listen and see which you identify with. In Black Excellence, the power of lunch brings high school students together in a new club, a book club for the boys, and the Savannah State University cheerleaders bring "it". Listen to the Stars is dedicated to a few more of our favorite Aries artists; Halle Bailey, Pharrell Williams and Q-Tip. Relax, we got you, tune into Afrointellectus!

AfroIntellectus Ep 6: A Squad, Defined.

Greetings,

Happy Blackout Day!

Tap into the frequency for a weekly dose of Melanin Magic & Collective consciousness. Join four curators of creativity banding together to bring optimistic views to pop culture and world news. Exploring the obscure corners of the universe and expanding on objective thought, P.Dove, @nemythecoolest , @QueueD , & AlilbitTooCute offer a creative’s point of view on culture & society in an Afropunk meets socratic seminar fashion.

As they perfect their separate trades, Afrointellectus serves as an on air seat at the table of Afrocentric liberation and self-love.