Add Positivity to Your Hair Care Routine

Often, if we are unhappy with how our hair looks or behaves, we view our hair care routine as a time-consuming chore and become frustrated by it. This is perfectly understandable, but it helps to keep in mind that just as gardening requires patience, care and time, achieving healthy hair is an ongoing labor of love.

Anthony Morrocco lists positivity as an essential "spoke in the wheel" of the Morrocco Method. Along with lunar hair cutting, the use of 100% natural hair care products, proper brushing, diet, and regular exercise, outlook is key. Whether we realize it or not, our attitude affects every aspect of our lives in a multitude of ways. Positivity can help us to stay focused on our goals, draw motivation from small victories, and ultimately find more contentment in our successes. Here are some tips to bring more joy into your hair care routine. Note that I am not a trained psychologist or expert. These are strategies I employ in many areas of my own life, but you should find what works for you and seek expert advice if you feel that you need it!

1. See hair care as a journey

It can be difficult, but hair care doesn't have to be a battle. It's a journey! That means, that there is no ultimate end-point that signals success or that needs to be achieved for you to be happy with your hair. Instead, think of making healthy choices for yourself and your hair as success in itself, and enjoy the many other successes that result along the way.

2. Regard your reflection with love

Notice where your mind goes when you look in the mirror. If your thoughts about your appearance or hair are negative, actively try to replace them with positive ones. Find out what you love about your hair, and celebrate those things. It may take effort at first, but positive thinking can become a habit.

3. Draw power from independence

Own your hair care routine. Take pride in caring for your own hair, and be grateful for your ability to do so. By taking charge of your health and your hair, you are asserting yourself and your power to affect positive change in your life. Know that you have the ability to take steps in the right direction, and that you can start right away. If you have an established Morrocco Method routine, be adventurous and try blunt snipping your own hair! The ability to cut our own hair is not one that many of us realize we have.

4. Thank yourself

Be grateful to yourself for the care you put into your health and your appearance. When you put time into caring for your hair and consider hair care options that are not harmful to your health, you are already practicing self-love. Start by thanking yourself for that, and remember—every day is a good hair day. 

Good Mood Foods with Sandy J. Duncan

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Morrocco Method Int'l.

The old adage "You are what you eat" is becoming increasingly true. What we choose to eat and when we eat has a huge impact on how we feel. Here's a fun list of foods you should eat to improve your mood fast! Peanut Butter with Apple may be just the ticket. If you are feeling crabby, your body may just be saying "Feed. Me. Now." To elevate your mood try a combination food that includes a carbohydrate with either some protein or some good fat. Carbs alone give you a quick burst and are gone too soon, but adding fat or protein slows digestion and helps energy levels stay with you longer. The apple is a healthy complex carbohydrate and the peanut butter provides the healthy fat. Sprinkle it with love by adding Chia seeds. Avocado is the yummy green vegetable that contains serotonin, which happens to be a feel-good neurotransmitter. It's also great for your skin, hair, nails and has been known to reduce inflammation.  So make some guacamole, pull out the all-natural gluten free chips and have a margarita (sugar free, of course). You will be happy you did. Dark Chocolate should be eaten in times of stress and need. A new study in Switzerland found that eating just an ounce and a half of dark chocolate can lower the stress hormones cortisol. This reduces those feelings of being stressed out. I could have saved them millions of dollars in research by telling them that chocolate always makes me happy! Chocolate has even been referred to as "the new anti-anxiety drug." Green tea with Passion Flower contains theanine and the herb Passionflora, which calm you and help you maintain clear concentration and focus, but it contains less caffeine than coffee so you won't get the jitters. Sample Gift Pack. Bananas contain dopamine, a natural chemical that enhances your mood. You get the added bonus that bananas are high in B vitamins, including vitamin B6, which can soothe your nervous system. Plus the magnesium in bananas will contribute to the effects of this positive mood food. Berries contain anthocyanins that are full of antioxidants.  These in turn help your brain produce dopamine, a chemical that improves coordination, memory and your mood. So the good news here is that you'll feel happy and then you will remember that you felt happy! Greek Yogurt is full of protein, aids digestion and is said to give you a flatter stomach because of these qualities.  This all adds up to making you feel much happier. Just make sure you are getting a brand with no additives, preservatives or added sugar. Chia Seeds are tiny little gluten free seeds with super powers that make them worthy of donning a cape. Just one tablespoon delivers more calcium than a glass of milk, more Omega-3s than you get from Salmon, 42% of your daily fiber, lots of protein and they beat out blueberries in antioxidants. Omega-3's have the ability to be mood lifting and possibly to help alleviate depression, according to many new studies. I love them on celery sticks with peanut butter. Sprinkle them on any of the above foods for a double dose of happiness. (Read Mama Mia Mighty Chia) Sometimes we work against our happy food choices by partaking in foods that will always bring us down. The three good mood food busters are sugar, gluten and processed food. Just say no! Healthy Blessings, Sandy If you loved the post on Good Mood Foods, pass it on! Sandy J. Duncan is CEO of Millionaire Moms, a freelance writer and success coach. She and her husband have 5 children and have been blissfully married for 21 years! Visit her blog at 10tophealthsecrets.com.  

Is Your Business Eco-Friendly?

Eco-Friendly Business is our Responsibility

Earth Day is April 22nd. Morrocco Method Int' is a green business, and it's something we take great pride in. We make our products from natural, wildcrafted ingredients because we value sustainability. Today, in honor of Earth Day, we want to discuss other simple ways that a company like ours (and yours!) has the ability to make a difference. Many companies claim to be green but are using up resources at an unsustainable rate. Being green is not simply about a company's product. It is about modifying the way it does business. Making conscious changes like reducing the the amount of paper and electricity we use may seem inconsequential in the larger scheme of things, but small, long-term changes make a big difference. Here are  10 simple ways you can make your business more eco-friendly today: 1. Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. You've probably heard this before, but it's worth repeating. Turning off equipment when it's not being used and especially at the end of the day can save you big on energy costs. It's good for your wallet, it's good for the environment and all it takes is the push of a button or the flick of a switch! 2. Consider dimmers, motion sensors and energy-saving light bulbs and appliances.  If you have the time, funds, and a larger building, invest in lighting dimmers or motion sensors to minimize unnecessary lighting and power use. If these options are out of your business's budget, energy-saving light bulbs are a great option for any space. 3. Arrive with a friend.  Carpool to work, whether your commute is long or short. Owners and supervisors, reward employees for doing the same. Of course, you can also bike! 4. Go paperless. Or double-sided.  Cut down on paper use any way that you can. Communicate with customers and fellow employees via-email, and print sparingly. If you must print, print double sided or on the backside of paper that's already been used. 5. Save and reuse packaging.  This also cuts down on costs and waste. Additionally, ask suppliers if they will take back packaging for reuse. 6. Make changes to your break room. Encourage employees to bring cups or supply washable cups. Don't use paper or plastic cups that will be thrown away after one use. 7. And your bathroom.  Invest in dual flush toilets or low-flow toilets. To make older toilets more eco-friendly, install a displacement  dam in your toilet's reservoir. This will limit the amount of water that fills your toilet's reservoir after every flush.  You can make one from household objects like plastic bottles or bags filled with stones. You can find ideas and directions online. 8. Recycle, recycle, recycle! And not just bottles and cans. Appliances, office supplies, and even furniture can be recycled. Again, if you're not sure of the best way to recycle something, the internet is a great resource. 9. Work with other eco-friendly businesses. Work with partners who understand your goals and priorities or encourage businesses you currently work with to make the changes you are making. Working with other eco-friendly businesses will make it that much easier to do green business. 10. Keep at it. Being green is a commitment. Long-term changes will make the biggest difference. Turning great ideas into great habits takes a little time, but believe us: it's worth it.   Do you run an eco-friendly business or home? Got any ideas or tips? Share below! And don't forget to revisit our general tips on being green(er)!  

3 Surprising Benefits of Brushing Your Hair!

Using the right chemical-free hair care products goes a long way in repairing damage to your hair and preventing future breakage, but there's an often-overlooked item in your hair toolkit: it's your hair brush. Brushing your hair matters. You use your brush daily, and it's doing more for you than you might expect. Brushing is not only about managing tangles. In fact, a proper brushing (and scalp massage!) routine is an essential part of maintaining the health of your hair, second only to a healthy diet and using the right holistic hair care products. Here are three surprising benefits of brushing your hair: 

1) Hair brushing is cleansing.

Brushing is a form of dry shampooing! Brushing your hair eliminates waste materials, including deposits of uric acid crystals, catarrh and other acids and impurities that build up and become encrusted on the scalp.

2) Hair Brushing is Conditioning and Strengthening. 

It's conditioning as well. Scalp stimulation from hair brushing distributes natural sebum  (produced by the sebaceous glands) evenly throughout the hair, contributing to hair health and resilience. Coating the hair with sebum restores moisture, adds sheen, smooths and increases manageability. It also strengthens your hair!

3) Hair Brushing Helps to Prevent Hair Loss.

Brushing stimulates the capillaries, increasing blood circulation in the scalp and transporting oxygen and nutrients to the hair stem, root and bulb. It also helps to balance the sebaceous glands by stimulating them and allowing them to breath while retaining natural oils. Sebaceous gland imbalance is often to blame for hair loss, as overproduction and underproduction of sebum cause weakening and undernourishment of the scalp. Are you using the right brush? Plastic and artificial brushes are damaging to the scalp, scratching it and negatively affecting overall hair health. We highly recommend using natural boar bristle brushes, as they are gentle and non-intrusive, while still being effective. It is also important to note that brushes are not one-size-fits-all.  Choose a brush that is a good match for your hair's thickness and for the sensitivity of your scalp. For more information on brushing and scalp massage, take a peek at our literature on brushing and massaging. To check out Morrocco Method's scalp massager and selection of boar bristle brushes, click here!  

Lunar Hair Cutting and Root Work: This Week's Full Moon Makes it the Perfect Time to Cut

If your lunar cutting goal is root work, the 16^th and 17^th are the days to cut this month. These dates coincide with the full moon, making them more powerful than a standard lunar hair cutting day. We love the moon for its mysterious beauty, but it's also a scientific and spiritual force that affects our lives in a multitude of ways. The full moon is always the most powerful time to cut hair, excluding the seasonal solstices and equinoxes, and this month, it's the ideal time to cut for root work.

Why cut for root work?

Cutting on a root work day shocks the entire growth cycle and reinvigorates hair at the follicle and scalp level. Much like the enriched soil of a plant, a healthy scalp provides a good foundation for naturally healthy hair. The phrase "at the root of. . ." exists for a reason! Root work is important, and it is a great goal if you want to improve the overall health of your hair. See our Lunar Root Work Package, if you haven't already. It includes our Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and our Zen Detox Hair & Scalp Therapy. Both products target the scalp, and our Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo will help restore both hair and scalp to a healthy pH.

Remember: 

To take full advantage of these full moon lunar hair cutting days, the best way to cut is to blunt snip. For tips and tricks on blunt snipping your own hair, visit our blog post "How to Cut Your Own Hair: Blunt Snip." Keep in mind that ideally, men should cut every 4 to 6 weeks and women should cut seasonally. Men, if you cut during the spring equinox in March, you are due for a cut!

The Dangers of Quick-Fix Hair Loss Treatments

As we mentioned in our blog about preventable causes of hair loss, quick-fix solutions to hair loss like drug or surgical intervention can be costly. And unfortunately, the cost is not only monetary. In our frustration to find solutions to and hair thinning, it can be tempting to turn to products that guarantee instant, hassle-free results. However, the American Hair Loss Association warns that a large percentage of hair loss treatments marketed to consumers are completely ineffective and make unethical promises to consumers. In choosing so-called alopecia quick fixes like drug therapy or surgery, we put ourselves in danger of doing more harm than good.

Hair Transplants

Keep in mind that hair transplant treatments involve invasive surgery. Therefore, they come with the risks associated with surgery and healing from surgery. Often, if they are not rejected by the body, hair transplants do not generate any substantial growth. Additionally, side effects such as chronic headaches and permanent scarring have been reported. Although advocates of hair transplants would have us believe otherwise, hair transplants are a drastic measure.

Hair Regrowth Drugs

Hair regrowth drugs do not grow healthy hair. Often the result of using these drugs is closer to fuzz, if regrowth is seen at all. This is because these drugs do not address the problem at its root: your scalp. Even FDA-approved drug treatments for hair loss are often medications that were originally intended to treat another health issue and were only approved to treat hair loss after hair growth was found to be an unexpected side effect. This is evidence of the fact that any drug we put in our body can have unintended and often harmful side effects. Hair loss a is side effect of many medications and drug treatments, and that is because hair growth and chemicals do not mix. There is no chemical substitute for routine scalp massage, natural healing scalp treatments, and a focus on overall wellness.

 We are proud to offer 100% natural alternatives!

Instead of opting for  potentially dangerous treatments, stay calm and stay informed! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and the results you get will not be worth the risks to your health.We encourage you to use our restoring elixers  instead of putting yourself at risk. If you are new to hair loss treatment, get started with our Golden & Silver Elixer set. These products were formulated specifically to promote hair and scalp renewal and restoration. Happy healing!

Morrocco Method Has Hopped the Pond!

As you may have heard, Morrocco Method has arrived in the UK via MorroccoMethod.co.uk!

And we are excited to be here. Now, our raw, vegan, and wildcrafted products are available through the Amazon UK storefront.

What does that mean for our friends across the Atlantic?

• It means that we can now offer our products to UK customers without tariffs or customs
• Orders of  £10 or more qualify for FREE Super Saver Shipping!  £25 or more for eligible countries outside the UK.
• As an added bonus, we can now offer one-day delivery to Amazon Prime members.

We want to share our 100% natural hair care solutions with as many people as possible, and we are thrilled to make this announcement. Check out our Amazon.co.uk storefront, and let us know how it goes! 

4 Hair Styling Tips for Spring

March 20th marked the first day of spring! As the seasons change, so do the needs of your hair, and so does the way you style it. In the springtime, many people experience increased energy and creativity. As a result, spring hairstyle trends tend to be looser and more playful. Here are four ways to protect your hair while you style.

1. Get a fresh start.

Springtime is a great time to detoxify your mind, body and hair! Let go of bad hair days past, and let go of whatever your hair is holding onto, whether it be chemical damage, heavy metals or harmful toxins. Try our Zen Detox Therapy, and don't forget to treat your mind and body as well as you treat your hair.

2. Accessorize with a hat or scarf.

Hats and head scarves are always a good way to protect your hair from the unpredictable spring weather. Pastels and floral prints will help get you into that springtime spirit. You can get creative with the way you tie scarves in your hair. Just remember that more coverage=more protection from the elements.

3. Want curls? Sleep on it!

Avoid using heat! Springtime heat damage is no way to prepare for the summer. Instead, experiment with other methods of hair curling like sleeping in foam rollers or playing with pin curls. Look for an upcoming blog with more ideas!

4. Choose the right styles.

Choose styles that protect your ends, and remember to keep them loose! Pinning ends underneath a high bun or pulling hair back into a loose braid are both good ways to protect your hair. To add variety, try a braided bun or fishtail braid. Try to avoid styles that require teasing. Spritz on our Sapphire Volumizer Mist Conditioner and Moisturizer before you style to protect your ends and add control.