Healthy Hair Starts With A Healthy Body ®

Healthy Hair logoHealthy Hair Starts with a Healthy Body™ is a community-based lay health education program which was launched in 1999.  Healthy Hair is an innovative program that strives to encourage healthy eating and physical activity, among African American women in Michigan.  The program is comprised of two components: a 30-day intervention (Phase 1) designed to increase clients' awareness of several key health improvement steps and measure their progress toward taking one or more of those steps, and a 90-day intervention (Phase 2) during which 'veteran' Healthy Hair stylists help clients track their progress toward specific health goals.

Healthy Hair lesson pictureThe Healthy Hair, Phase 1 lay health education strategy begins with the NKFM training African American hair stylists in how to discuss nutrition- and physical activity-focused chronic disease prevention strategies with their clients.  The intensive one-day training provides stylists with information about good nutrition and the importance of physical activity, as well as detailed instruction and practice in conducting client "health chats."  The health chat, which is the centerpiece of the stylist-client intervention, involves hair stylists sharing the information they learned at the training with their clients and encouraging them to improve their health by doing one or more of the following:
 

  • Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables
  • Increase consumption of whole-grain foods
  • Increase consumption of non-fat or low-fat milk or dairy products
  • Engage in regular physical activity
  • Stylists help clients to focus on the healthy lifestyle messages communicated during the health chats combined with educational literature.

When clients return to the salon after approximately one month, stylists have a second health chat with them to re-emphasize the above steps and assess progress to-date.  Clients complete program survey forms at each health chat so the effectiveness of the Healthy Hair intervention can be measured using a pre and post tests.

The Healthy Hair, Phase 2 program builds upon the lay health educator skill sets acquired by stylists during previous Healthy Hair, Phase 1 campaigns.  In Phase 2, 'veteran' Healthy Hair stylists assist their clients with establishing specific healthy lifestyle goals related to nutrition and physical activity. Stylists provide encouragement during a series of four health chats that take place over a three-month period. Program tools that help support clients in achieving their goals include a progress chart, nutrition and physical activity diaries, dry-erase refrigerator calendars, and monthly check-ins with their stylist.  Information provided on the progress charts is analyzed to determine the degree to which clients met their goals.  

For more information on the Healthy Hair program, call the NKFM at 800-482-1455.
 

Calling All Barbers & Stylists:
 

HH TrainingOur January 2013 Healthy Hair starts with a Healthy Body training was a success! Thank you to 13 barbers and stylists who participated and we look forward to working with you on this campaign. We are always looking for interested stylists and barbers to help us improve the lives and health of our community!

Check back for updates on our next training dates. Until then, you can inquire about the Healthy Hair program in the Detroit area by calling the NKFM-Detroit Branch at 313-259-1574 or in the West Michigan area by calling the NKFM-Grand Rapids Branch at 616-458-9520.

Thank you!

PORK CHOPS WITH APPLES AND GARLIC SMASHED POTATOES

Ingredients:
• 1 pound small fingerling potatoes
• 2 cloves garlic
• 4 1/2-inch-thick boneless pork loin chops (5 ounces each)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
• 2 Granny Smith apples, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3/4 cup apple cider
• 1/4 cup buttermilk

 

Directions:
Put the potatoes and garlic in a saucepan, cover with cold water. Cover and bring to a boil, then uncover and continue cooking until tender, about 15 minutes. Cover and set aside.
Meanwhile, rub both sides of the pork chops with the sage, and pepper to taste. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat, then add 1 teaspoon olive oil and sear the chops until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out the skillet and add the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil. Add the onion and apples and cook over medium-high heat until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season with pepper and stir in the cider.
Return the chops to the skillet. Cover and cook, turning once, until just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the potatoes, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. Return the potatoes to the pan; add the buttermilk and mash, adding cooking liquid as needed. Season with pepper. Serve with the pork chops, onion and apples. Drizzle with the pan juices.

Per serving: Calories 413; Fat 16 g (Saturated 5 g); Cholesterol 76 mg; Sodium 98 mg; Carbohydrate 40 g; Fiber 5 g; Protein 26 g

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine. Photograph by Antonis Achilleos.

 


HH StylistTips for Keeping Hair Healthy in the Winter

This month’s Healthy Hair tip is courtesy of Kristina Beaty of Studio Glamour salon in Eastpointe, Michigan. Read below for “Glam” tips on maintaining the health of your hair for the remainder of this chilly winter season!

“Glam” Hair Tips by Kristina the Glam Tech
Tip #1- Avoid hair products that contain "sodium lauryl sulfate", it strips the oils that your hair naturally produces as a protectant.

Tip#2- Always rinses your hair in cool water. This will close your pores and lock moisture in. (this tip works on skin when bathing as well to prevent wrinkles)

Tip #3- Cover your hair in winter months with hats and scarfs to protect from the harsh weather outside. While inside, invest in a silk pillowcase.

Tip#4- Sew a piece of silk fabric inside of your wool/knit hats to prevent drying and damage. Also, wear a silk scarf over the collar of your wool coats to protect the hair on the nape of neck.  If you have cloth seats in your car, cover your headrest with a silk scarf to prevent breakage at the crown of the head. (The same goes for baby's car seats) ever wonder why all the babies are bald in the back???

Tip #5- Eat a diet high in lean protein, omega-3, iron, zinc, and vitamin A, B, C, & D. Some examples are salmon, walnuts, eggs, spinach, lentils, Greek yogurt, blueberries, chicken, oysters, & sweet potatoes. Remember your hair grows from the inside out
 

What are Healthy Hair Starts with a Healthy Body & Dodge the Punch?

The Healthy Hair Starts with a Healthy Body and Dodge the Punch programs are community based initiatives that target African-American men and women who are disproportionately affected with chronic kidney disease. The program provides one-day training for stylists and barbers to educate them about kidney disease and the primary contributors, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. After completion of the training, stylists and barbers are prepared to talk with their clients about healthy lifestyle changes and risk factors for chronic kidney disease.
 

What is the targeted impact of these programs on the community?

To prevent kidney disease by educating the community on the benefits of good nutrition and physical activity.. In addition, the programs facilitate positive lifestyle changes within the community; having reached 7,272 individuals since 1999.
 

Healthy Hair Stylist and ClientHow do I (stylist/barber) qualify to participate?

  • Contact the NKFM branch office closest to you:    
    Detroit: 313-259-1574    
    Flint: 810-232-0522    
    Grand Rapids: 616-458-9520
  • Have an interest in your health and the community you serve
  • Stylists and barbers must be 18 years of age or older
  • Must be a licensed cosmetologist or barber
  • Have not previously participated in the program within the last 12 months. Stylists and barbers are allowed to participate in the Healthy Hair and Dodge the Punch programs once per calendar year.
  • Healthy Hair Stylist and ClientAttend a one-day training held in the community
  • Sign an agreement committing to participate in the program
     

Where are one-day trainings held?

The trainings are held at NKFM regional branch offices, community centers and salons.
 

Are there any out-of-pocket expenses?

There are no out-of-pocket costs to you. NKFM will provide you with any information needed to participate in the Healthy Hair and Dodge the Punch programs.
 

Can I refer other barbers/stylists to participate in Healthy Hair Starts with a Healthy Body?

Yes! By referring a barber or stylist who meets the requirements outlined in Question 3, you are eligible to qualify for referral compensation. The stylist or barber you refer must participate in the Healthy Hair/Dodge the Punch training, complete the program, and produce a minimum of 25 approved client conversation chats. Upon completion of the above, at the end of the campaign, you will receive compensation for the individuals you referred.