INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When your are contemplating a pregnancy, it is natural to have some hesitation. Try addressing the things that are causing you to pause. To begin, consider the financial ramifications of a pregnancy and of raising a child. Financial instability can contribute to emotional unpreparedness surrounding a pregnancy. Children are expensive. And so is health care. It's essential to have the means to care for a child properly or you'll risk feeling overwhelmed and possibly even resentful. Discuss the financial details openly with your partner, including expectations about who will take time off work and when, if at all, the partner principally responsible for at-home baby care will return to work. If you choose to be a stay-at-home mom or dad, there will need to be very clear financial strategies set in place to ensure that this decision doesn't mean you're stretched beyond your abilities financially. Be realistic. Consider costs of doctor visits, food, clothing, daycare, etc. Try to reduce debt and save as much as possible before becoming pregnant. Many people are nervous about the physical impact of a pregnancy. Addressing this concern can help you feel more physically and emotionally ready for changes. Caring for the physical needs of your pregnant body can help to prepare you emotionally for a pregnancy. Many women experience intense emotions as a result of hormone fluctuations and the dramatic changes that their bodies encounter during a pregnancy. Some women are shocked to find that they have "mommy brain" and can't think straight during some or all of the pregnancy. While this doesn't happen to all pregnant women, for those who do experience it, it can be very distracting. This might mean considering reduced duties if working, scheduling earlier bedtimes and getting help with things that you find tax your energy too much. By exercising regularly and eating healthy, you can take greater physical control over your body. In turn, this can help to create better emotional control. Get in the habit of getting some moderate physical exercise most days of the week. If you already work out, ask your doctor how you can adapt your routine to be safe during pregnancy. Start taking prenatal vitamins before you are pregnant. You can also make sure that you are getting plenty of folic acid and calcium. Try eating leafy greens such as kale and low-fat dairy products. Write down a list of questions to ask yourself before you make the decision to become pregnant. This list can include concerns or hopes, or just general questions. After you write the questions, spend some time reflecting on honest answers. Ask yourself why you want to have a baby. Reflect on whether it is something you truly want, or if you are feeling pressured by society. Think about your support system. Do you have friends and family around who will support you? Are you ready to change your career plans? Do you think you'll want to work full time after you have a child? A self-assessment can be very useful in helping you emotionally prepare for the changes a pregnancy will bring. Ask your partner to complete one, too. Obviously, pregnancy is going to effect your mind, body, and finances. But a big part of preparing emotionally is thinking about all of the other ways your life is going to change. During a pregnancy, you may not have the energy to keep up your normal schedule. During the beginning and end stages of a pregnancy in particular, you may feel tired. If your partner is the one who is pregnant, you may need to adjust your schedule to help her get the rest you need. Both partners should think about if they are ready for extra chores. During a pregnancy, you will need to spend a lot of time preparing. You will need to furnish a nursery, buy supplies, and make plans for child care. Think about your current lifestyle and figure out where you will find additional time. You may also need to reconsider travel. Are you used to being able to take off for weekend trips at a moment's notice? During a pregnancy, you may not feel physically capable of going on a spur of the moment adventure. You can also start thinking about how a baby will change your lifestyle. Are you ready to add caring for another human being to your morning routine? Are you ready to find a sitter each time you want to have a date night? Your doctor is an excellent resource, before and after you become pregnant. You can schedule a prenatal appointment to discuss your plans for conception. Be honest and open about any questions or concerns that you have. Make a list of questions to ask your doctor. Plan to discuss hormonal changes and how they will affect your emotions. You can also ask about any special concerns you have. For example, if your family has a history of diabetes, depression, or other illnesses, you can ask your doctor to make some recommendations. Ask your partner to go with you to the appointment. From the beginning, planning for a baby should be a team effort. That will make both of you feel emotionally supported.

SUMMARY: Make a budget. Prepare your body. Complete a self-assessment. Plan for lifestyle changes. Talk to your doctor.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In a bowl, stir together a tablespoon of the black seed oil with olive oil. You may also substitute the olive oil for an equal amount of coconut oil . These are both natural oils commonly used for moisturization. Mixing them with the oil should give you enough oil to spread throughout your hair. If you need more of the mixture, add a second tablespoon of olive or coconut oil and not more black seed oil. Dip your fingers into the oily mixture and spread it through your hair. Work it deep to coat each strand all the way down to your scalp. If you're having trouble with this, a comb can help spread the oil after you've gotten it in your hair. You can also work it into your scalp to promote hair growth. Let the oil soak in for at least 30 minutes. Wrap your hair in a towel so that the oil sticks to your hair instead of your furniture. Set a timer so you know when it's time to rinse your hair. When the 30 minutes are up, turn on the warm water in your shower or sink. Go ahead and wash your hair with shampoo as you normally would. This removes all of the oil, so your hair will feel refreshed when your done. The oil is a moisturizer, so you won't need to wash with a commercial conditioner.

SUMMARY: Mix the oil with an equal amount of olive oil. Massage the oil into your hair. Wash the oil off after half an hour. Rinse off your hair.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Weight loss as slow as 1 to 2 pounds per week is normal. If you were expecting much more dramatic results, then adjust your expectations so that you are not discouraged. Eat a maximum of 6 ounces of protein at mealtimes. Ideally, women should consume 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day, and men should consume 1,800 to 2,200 per day. If your weight loss has stalled, then try counting calories for a couple of days and see what is pushing you out of your acceptable calorie range. If you're estimating, then you may be overeating. Make a new commitment to accurately counting the grams of net carbs that you eat each day. If you aren't eating enough vegetables, then you may become constipated, which could increase the reading on the scale. Many sauces and condiments contain carbohydrates, so be sure to read your labels. Sometimes, dieters overdo their consumption of these products. If you skip a meal, then you will feel ravenous before your next meal. If you allow yourself to become extremely hungry, then you will have more difficulty gauging when you have eaten enough. Over-the-counter medications and some prescription medications can slow down weight loss. Stress causes your body to produce cortisol, a fat-storing hormone, which can deposit fat around your waist. Try yoga, meditation, exercise and other healthy methods to cope with stress and to restart your weight loss. Increasing the intensity of exercise or varying your exercise routine can be a wonderful way to restart your weight loss journey.

SUMMARY:
Adjust your expectations. Manage protein consumption. Count calories. Count your net carbs. Make sure that you consume 12 to 15 grams of carbs in the form of foundation vegetables. Watch for hidden carbs. Cut back on low-carb shakes and bars. Avoid skipping meals. Talk to your doctor about medications. Curb stress. Get some exercise.