Uncategorized
Olive Oil – Really Virgin? Really Italian?
For years I have heard about the crime fueled olive oil industry. Most of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil we get in supermarkets, markets e.t.c is actually not Olive Oil, much less virgin or extra virgin.
If you want to find out more about this, I have plenty of links for your reading pleasure.
I would advice that you start with these easy to read illustrated slides by Nicholas Blechman.
You will find short information on the racket that is the Olive Oil industry here. For example, did you know that In 2007 it was reported that only 4 percent of olive oil leaving Italy was pure Italian Olive Oil? Even the ones that have MADE in ITALY stamped on them or even have those cute Italian Flags on them.
Only a few brands have been singled out as being the real deal by Tom Mueller who is considered an Olive Oil expert. You can check out the list here.
Another oil I would really like to get into is most of the Jojoba oil sold in Nigeria. Another day...
Natural Nigerian’s Things I love this month – January 2014
This month, I am loving the things that make me clean.
PUMICE STONE
Let's start with my feet. I have very very dry skin. My heels are dry and even have cracks in them. To slough off dead, dry skin, nothing works better than my local pumice stone. I have tried a lot of the imported variations but they can't hold a candle to this stone. They are typically not sold in stores, so imagine my joy when I walked into Fig Health Store, Lekki and saw them displayed beautifully in a basket. I bought 3 of them. At N350 each, I consider that a good deal.
I typically use the pumice stones once a week and follow up with a deep moisturizing treatment. if I feel like my feet need more TLC, I slather cream on them and sleep in socks. Works every time.
CLARISONIC
I have spoken about my Clarisonic before. After years of using my hands, wash cloths, soft sponges, medium sponges et al without much satisfaction, I came across the Clarisonic Aria about a year ago. I use it once a day - typically at night. Let's just say that my facial skin has never been the same. I now spend less on facial products because my face is so clean, my products sink in faster. Also, that elusive glow girls chase after? With the truly clean skin the Clarisonic gives, you will come closer to having it.
While my skin is actually quite good and acne free, it has gotten even better with the Clarisonic. It is a product I would advice everyone to get.
I bought mine straight off the Clarisonic website. They don't ship to Nigeria, unfortunately.
EXFOLIATING GLOVES
The first time I had these used on me were at a Hammam treatment. I have been to more Hammam treatments since that initial one but never thought to use the gloves on myself. On a whim, I bought a pair about 2 months ago and I do not know why I didn't do so sooner. Anyone that has had a Hammam knows that those ladies don't play with these gloves. By the time you are done with the treatment, a whole lotta dead skin and dirt is left behind - I figured that I could get a similar effect. The first time I used them on myself, Chile! lemme tell you that I was puzzled at the brown water pooling at my feet in the shower when I rinsed off.
These babies rid the skin of dead cells and reveal smoother, skin. I do not hurt myself by rubbing myself raw. A sensible pressure will still give you the desired effect. I get a lot of questions about what products can give glowing skin. Yes, I used the word "give" and not "reveal", intentionally. Apart from good make-up, which gives only a temporary glow, I don't believe that there is a product that can give it to you. Wash your body and face properly and you may be able to reveal that glow.
I bought these for between N850 - N1000 at Ebeano Supermarket.
Have you used any of these products before?
Happy New Year – 2014
Merry Christmas!
Proudly Nigerian Cartoon for the kids – Bino and Fino
A while ago, I spoke to Adamu Waziri about Bino and Fino, his educational cartoon aimed at children. In the current market climate that is Nigeria, it is laudable that this young man is not only following his passion but is being ethical about choosing sponsors.
If you have not already seen clips, follow this link to view clips of Bino and Fino on the web. You can also buy DVDs for friends and family (fantastic Christmas gifts).
If you ask me, what I like the most about Bino and Fino is the fact that it is African - we are quickly introduced to Bino and Fino's extended family - they eat local food, celebrate African holidays and speak with an African accent. Lastly, Bino has a big, bouncy AFRO which she secures together in two buns! My daughter has a DVD and I have gifted children around me with the same, putting my money where my mouth is.
Here's what Adamu had to say when I asked him a few questions.
When did you absolutely know that this was something that you were going to do?
I would say 2009 was when everything crystallized and I decided to go for it. Up till then Bino and Fino was just an idea which had been bouncing in my head and I was scared to implement. In fact I didn’t even have a name for the show then. I just knew I wanted to do a genuine animated cartoon show for children. I also knew I wanted the production to be done entirely in Nigeria. Beyond that it was just a void. The Bino and Fino show was developed out of that void. Even though it has been tough I am glad I made the decision to pursue this project.
I am sure that you have had some highs and some lows with this project. Please share them with us.
The highs come in different ways. The fact that we were the first to actually produce an educational children’s animation DVD in Nigeria and then bring it to market was a high for me. We had to go through a lot to achieve that. Another high is more important to me. That is the reaction of parents and children to the show. When a parent gets in touch with us to let us know the positive effect the show has had on their kids it gives me more fuel to push ahead past the lows. At the end of the day that is what Bino and Fino is about. Educating and entertaining kids.
The lows are those I’m sure many businesses face in Nigeria. These include lack of funding, infrastructure etc. As we produce a media product we are also susceptible to piracy and other distribution problems. There are also several sponsorship deals we’ve missed out on due to politics within organisations.
Please click here to ...continue reading
Christmas offer from Ahia Natural Nigerian
From now until the 20th of December (when we close for the year), take 15% off all items in the NN Ahia. As long as it is in stock when you pay, it is yours!
To facilitate your order being processed quickly, please send your
- name
- address and
- phone number
to orders@naturalnigerian.com for an invoice. This offer closes at 1400hrs, 20th December 2013. If you have not paid for your items by that time, you will not qualify. Also, you must quote CHRISTMAS15 for the discount.
This is limited to people ordering direct from our Ahia and does not cover ordering from our affiliates or shops that carry Ahia NN products. That means that even if you are in Adamawa, as long as you buy from our shop, you are covered by the discount.
We will be shipping everyday this week to make sure that you get your orders on time.
Tell a friend or 4!
Please note that the price for Cocoa Butter is now N1500 for 500g.
Things I am loving this month – November 2013
After reading tons of reviews about this product - the spiralizer - I decided to get one for myself. While there is currently no danger of me going on a raw food diet - this Nigerian still likes her cooked meats - between my daughter and I, we put away quite a lot of veggies so adding this handy device to my collection was a no-brainer.
So far, I have to admit that I have not used it as much as I could have, but at the times that I did, I was able to come up with a salad in minutes. It is easy to clean and not as easy to cut oneself on as the mandolin (I have one nasty experience with a mandolin under my belt).
All in all, I love the spiralizer because of all the potential it holds. Veggies as quick meals. Easy to clean. Does not require electricity - an important feature in Nigeria. Go here for a short video showing the spiralizer helping to make healthy meals and here for even more recipes.
For those that are looking to purchase it locally. I bought this abroad and not in Nigeria, I do not know where to buy it from here. If you do, please share!
Thinking about making this (Things I am loving this month) a feature every month. What do you think?
NITC7 – Save the date
The 7th edition of our quarterly meet up promises to be fantastic! I don't want to give too much away right now (because we are still putting things together) but I can tell you that there will be at least one new element - a product swap. Start rooting around your cupboards now for those underused bottles of magic. What you no longer want may just be what someone else is searching for.
Our theme revolves around protective styling so fully expect to learn how to tuck your hair away and care for it while it is tucked away and when you do let it out. We also have new vendors with items that have never graced the NITC stands.
We also have at least two new speakers who are excited about meeting you and sharing what they know! Get your questions ready!
We'll bring your more details later, but you know the drill - save the date, tell your friends, bring a friend or 3!!
See you there.
Date is 30.November.2013
Pooing (yes, you read it right) the right way
My ancestors were right!!! And yours too....
In the ol' days, before the modern Water Closet (WC) toilets were installed in houses, my ancestors would go out to their pit toilet, squat and get their business done. Once WCs were installed, we got used to squatting but our bodies have apparently had a hard time adjusting. Constipation, muscle exhaustion e.t.c. suggest that we need to go back to the way things used to be. *Drumroll* enter the Squatty Potty
Now that we have been told by the white man that the right way to do our business is to squat, I fully expect to see these flooding homes in Lagos. This way, we get the squatting benefit without being exposed to the flies from a pit toilet.
To summarize, the benefits of using a squatty potty are
- Helps with constipation, hemorrhoids and other digestive issues
- It opens the colon for fast, easy elimination.
- Excessive expulsive effort not required.
Would you get a squatty potty?
By the way, I typed all that with a straight face....talking about pooing and eliminations is just another day in the NN business 
Reference and pictures from: http://www.squattypotty.com.
Talking about pooing in Nigeria, this will probably be my only opportunity to share this piece that I absolutely love with you. Read here.
