KELEWELE

I love food, I love spices and I love food full of flavour.
Growing up in Labadi - a suburb of Accra (Ghana), kelewele {spiced plantain} was a snack that we sometimes queued to buy 2 streets away from our house. It is best served with roasted peanuts.
Imagine my delight a week ago when I realised that Pepper and Stew Ltd were offering the pre-packaged spice blend – I HAD TO BUY some!!!

After taking time off work today, I decided to make use of the kelewele spice. I blended the spice mix with medium sized onion, small scotch bonnet, fiery Ghanaian skinny ginger {a real pain to peel but worth it} and a teaspoon of water not forgetting a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour.
The paste was added to the plantain and left to “marinade” in the fridge for almost 2 hours before frying it. The end result is one glorious snack which I really enjoyed and brought back good memories of living close to the beach in Ghana.
The one down-side (for me personally) is the taste of cloves still lingering in my mouth. All in all, it is a great blend and I am really proud of PepperandStew for offering this to those of us with a diverse palate.

Akua
ethical + fair trade business
sheabuttercottage


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SCALP ISSUES : AN EXPERIMENT

Back in September this year, I had an interesting conversation about the use of baking soda + distilled water as a shampoo and wondered how many used this hair cleansing system? I posted this on our Facebook fanpage with mixed reaction

I therefore decided to try it myself.

I believe our scalp thrives best around pH of 4 -5.
I used distilled water which has a pH of around 7 [neutral], organic apple cider vinegar which has a pH of 5 [acid] and bicarbonate of soda which has a pH of 8 [alkaline].

These were separately mixed with distilled water - sodium bicarbonate solution iin the plastic jug - left of the screen and ACV in the glass jug - right of your screen.

"18.09.12:
Sodium bicarbonate is a mild exfoliant to release the dead skin cells.

Apple cider vinegar on the other hand is seen as a fungicide as dandruff could also be the result of bacteria.

I diluted ~15g of sodium bicarbonate in 270g of distilled water and used this solution to wash my hair.
Rinsed out with distilled water ~ 500g
Applied diluted apple cider vinegar - ~15g in 250g of distilled water. Massaged into my hair and rinsed out with distilled water after 5 minutes. My scalp was and has been breathing since.

Not yet oiled my scalp but neither the scalp nor hair feel dry."

Akua
Sheabutter Cottage

TROPIC ISLE LIVING BUSH BATH @ SHEABUTTER COTTAGE

Night is drawing nigh,
Shadows of the evening
Steal across the sky.

Now the darkness gathers,
Stars begin to peep,
Step into a bush bath
To relax the muscles
Soon will be asleep.

BUSH BATH

TROPIC ISLE LIVING BUSH BATH/SHOWER GEL

We are excited to receive our Tropic Isle Living consignment which includes the new range of 100% natural bush bath/shower gel which can be purchased at http://akuawood.x-shops.com/product.php?productid=832&cat=42&page=1

Now here is the fun part - caption this photo below and win a bottle of ginger bush bath/shower gel.

This is open to all till midnight of 4th September 2012.

Good luck

Akua Wood
ethical + fair trade business
http://www.sheabuttercottage.co.uk

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TROPIC ISLE LIVING JAMAICAN BLACK CASTOR OIL

TROPIC ISLE LIVING [TIL] asks

Did you know this?

For ages throughout the Caribbean, black castor oil was and still is highly prized for its beneficial effect on the hair and scalp. Women with natural or permed hair use it to cleanse toxins and fatty deposits on the sca

lp and hair follicles that causes dandruff, dry scalp, and barber umps. It also nourishes the scalp; thickens hair roots; and stimulates hair growth. A black castor oil hot oil treatment will moisturise dry brittle hair; repair split ends; and gives the hair body, bounce and sheen.

Black castor oil is also popularly used to manage aches and pain caused by arthritis, rheumatism, joint stiffness and muscular strain. By massaging black castor oil in these it will help to sooth, cleanse and improve blood circulation to the area. It’s also used to soften corns and calluses and reduce the soreness.

Traditional healers usually recommend that women massage their breast with black castor oil to ease the soreness due to hormonal changes and to help prevent cysts and lumps from forming.

Black castor oil is also popularly used to manage aches and pain caused by arthritis, rheumatism, joint stiffness and muscular strain. By massaging black castor oil in these it will help to sooth, cleanse and improve blood circulation to the area. It’s also used to soften corns and calluses and reduce the soreness.

Traditional healers usually recommend that women massage their breast with black castor oil to ease the soreness due to hormonal changes and to help prevent cysts and lumps from forming.

Tropic Isle Living is still the trusted Jamaican Black Castor Oil brand for 18 years and counting. We are the originators…not the duplicators. Our healthy natural products come to you from many years of research and development.

Sheabutter Cottage is proud to distribute this wonderful product through.  Grab yourself a bottle and find out why some call this a miracle in a bottle: http://akuawood.x-shops.com/product.php?productid=124&cat=42&page=1

TIL - the name to trust

Akua
ethical + fair trade business
http://www.sheabuttercottage.co.uk

socialise with us
facebook : http://www.facebook.com/sheabuttercottage
twitter : http://www.twitter.com/akuawood
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SHEABUTTER COTTAGE @ UZIMA HOLISTIC EXPO

Your discount coupon for next Saturday Uzima Expo - just click + print BUT don't leave it behind!!!!!

*Only printed coupons will be accepted*

Buy your tickets at http://uzimaexpo.eventbrite.co.uk/?ebtv=C

Hope to see you there

Akua

Sheabutter Cottage

CIOCCOLATINA GIVEAWAY

Watch and WIN goodies from an ethical + fair trade business [http://www.sheabuttercottage.co.uk]

All comments to be either on our YouTube channel [http://www.youtube.com/user/sheabuttercottagehq] or facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/SheabutterCottage]


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AUTHENTIC AFRICAN BLACK LIQUID SOAP

Mild and fragrance-free for the whole family with more than 40% of pure unrefined fairly traded shea butter. This natural soap is nice and thick in texture like melted chocolate. Used in West Africa to relieve skin irritations, it has a pleasant smoky scent and can be used as a body wash/shampoo.

Lather up
Akua

ethical + fair trade business
http://www.sheabuttercottage.co.uk

socialise with us
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TROPIC ISLE LIVING : JBCO WITH ARGAN

We are proud to introduce a new product for distribution from Tropic Isle Living range of Jamaican black castor oil.


Tropic Isle Living is THE HOME of original Jamaican black castor oil aka JBCO


JBCO + Argan + Shea = bye bye frizzy hair

Akua

Sheabutter Cottage

DON'T JUST HANG YOUR ONIONS *repost*

*repost from 31st March 2010* Just like all teenagers, I had selective hearing but 1 of the things that kept ringing in my rather stubborn ears was "onions are good for you". My mum said this and even went on to say how good it is for scars. 

Thank goodness I did not ignore her. I have always added onions to my diet and as well as a daily massage of pure unrefined shea butter on my skin, I barely have any scars.

There are so many different varieties of onions but they are used to:
* improve memory
* sore throat
* tummy infection
* high blood pressure

I came across this article whilst flicking through the newspaper yesterday:

EATING onions every day could protect against heart disease.

Researchers have found onions contain the largest amounts of quer·ce·tin A yellow powdered crystalline compound produced synthetically or occurring as a glycoside in the rind and bark of numerous plants, used medicinally to treat abnormal capillary fragility. Also called meletin. , an antioxidant antioxidant, substance that prevents or slows the breakdown of another substance by oxygen. Synthetic and natural antioxidants are used to slow the deterioration of gasoline and rubber, and such antioxidants as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), butylated hydroxytoluene thought to help delay or slow damage to cells and tissues.

Quercetin may also lower levels of 'bad' or LDL cholesterol 
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is the primary cholesterol molecule. High levels of LDL increase the risk of coronary heart disease. -- a risk factor for heart disease.

In a study at Wageningen Agricultural University, Holland, researchers looked at three major sources of the compound: tea, onions and apples. Onions contained twice as much as tea and more than three times the amount found in apples.

A second study at Christian-Albrechts University in Germany showed that a daily intake of 50 to 150mg was needed to enjoy the health benefits.

One medium-sized onion contains around 22 to 51mg. It doesn't matter whether the onion is raw or cooked.

Akua
Sheabutter Cottage 

NEW PRODUCT AT CIOCCOLATINA : GREEN & FRESH POMADE

We ♥ your hair and would like to introduce one of our new Cioccolatina products - Green & Fresh pomade is a rich moisturising & vegan friendly blend of cactus, broccoli, laurel and castor oil with a touch of a fresh blend of essential oils to help add shine and promote healthy hair. No waxy feeling. Great for braids & locs.

Now available online : http://akuawood.x-shops.com/product.php?productid=799&cat=29&page=1

Akua
Sheabutter Cottage

NEW PRODUCT AT CIOCCOLATINA : COCOA + MARULA HAIR DELIGHT

We ♥ your hair

Akua
Sheabutter Cottage

SHEABUTTER COTTAGE @ CURLVOLUTION : DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Hope to see you there


Akua
Sheabutter Cottage

SANKOFA HAIR OIL

Hot oil treatment is a great way of helping to boost shine and maintain healthy follicles.

Our sankofa hair oil fragrance-free and vegan friendly with natural ingredients including:

* AMLA ~ Emblica officinalis : An excellent conditioning herb, it helps to prevent scalp infection whilst controlling premature greying of the hair and promoting hair growth.

* BLACK CUMIN ~ Nigella sativa : also known as kalonji seeds give naan bread a distinctive taste. It is purported to help with respiratory problems. The seed produces an oil which is said to be effective in the treatment of alopecia

* BHRINGRAJ ~ Eclipta alba : A great hair tonic, it is purported to be effective in the treatment of alopecia

* BAY ~ Laurus nobilis : A fragrant herb, bay can help in clearing dandruff.

You only need a little bit on your scalp and in your hair after shampooing. Massage the oil on your scalp to help stimulate blood circulation. Full ingredient list on our site

We love your hair
Akua
Sheabutter Cottage

NEW PRODUCT AT SHEABUTTER COTTAGE

DISCOVERING ARGAN

NEW PRODUCT AT SHEABUTTER COTTAGE

NEW PRODUCT - PANTHENOL POWDER: http://akuawood.x-shops.com/product.php?productid=755&cat=1&page=2

We use this in a lot of our products including shampoos bars [rhassoul, etc.], sakari hair mask [http://akuawood.x-shops.com/product.php?productid=558&cat=0&page=1]

Akua Wood
ethical + fair trade business

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