How to: No more 'poo

I've been on a mission to eliminate toxins from our household; including beauty products. When it comes to beauty products I am kind of a hoarder; I have more than I even know what to do with.

Then I started hanging out on sites like these:


www.lesstoxicguide.ca
safecosmetics.org
toxicfreeawareness.com

....and thought, "WTF am I putting on my body."

So I have been looking for ways to clean my home with products that don't require a call to poison control if ingested, and since I adhere to that policy on my counter tops then WHY am I putting chemicals on my head.

Doesn't make much sense does it?

Then a friend mentioned seeing something on pinterest about washing hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar. I immediately went into my fridge, smelled the vinegar and thought.. hell no.

I read on, discovering that going 'pooless improves the quality of your hair, and even stimulates growth. Not being very pleased with the condition of my hair, and desperately wanting it to grow, I had nothing to lose, so I started weaning myself off of my shampoo. Gradually using less and less, in hopes that my "transition period" would be less greasy. Some of the blogs I read said they experienced a transition period because their scalps were overproducing oil, almost like a shampoo withdrawal. I also read that instead of apple cider vinegar you can use lemon juice or honey in place of a conditioner, which was far more appeasing to my senses.

I had some major apprehension giving up shampoo {I gave up conditioner last May}, but there was some hard evidence against using it, and boy am I glad I made the change.

I washed my hair last night, and did not do any heat styling, and added no products. (I know, I need a trim.)

In about 3 weeks time, the quality of my hair has improved dramatically and I feel like my hair is SO much cleaner for SO much longer. I can go about 4 days now, and my hair still looks really, really clean. (Don't worry, I still shower) The change was noticeable enough to turn several of my friends & family members into believers, and they've made the switch too.

I also really don't need to use any other products anymore. I occasionally use a little sweet almond oil on my ends, especially if I am heat styling my hair. I know some people will have a longer adjustment period than I had, so I suggest weaning yourself off of shampoo for about a month. {I was eventually only using about a dime sized amount about 3 times a week.}

So here's what works for me.
{If you check out the sites I linked below you will see several other ways to tweak this "recipe."}

*I make a solution {in a recycled mouthwash bottle} with 2 cups of water and about 2.5 tbs of baking soda. You may need more or less. A good ratio to start with is 1tbs of baking soda to 1c of water. I like to make 2 cups at time, sometimes I use it all, most of the time I use about a cup. (I plan on graduating to a squirt bottle soon.)

*While I am in the shower I rinse my hair with warm hair, running my fingers through the strands removing excess dirt and oils. Then I apply the baking soda solution to my scalp and work it in with my fingers for a minute or two. I focus application to the hairline and crown, this ensures that my entire scalp makes contact with the baking soda solution. Don't worry so much about the ends of your hair, they will become clean by default.

*Every other wash I use a Lemon and water solution to "condition", you can also use honey and water, or apple cider vinegar and water. The amounts will vary person to person, but just remember that a little goes a long way.

{As you can see my hair is dark, and dyed so I am expecting some lightening to happen (which would have happened anyway). I am planning on quitting color too, so some lightening is actually okay since my natural color is lighter than my current one. I'll do a color update when I have been using baking soda/lemon longer}



Take some time to read about some of the benefits of making the switch, some blogs that really helped me get going are, simplemom & keeperofthehome ...and Babyslime had the most info as far as toxins are concerned. I really couldn't say a whole lot that wasn't already said, so go check 'em out if you are interest.


Simple mom also did a 2 year follow up, you can see that here.


I'll be nixing my body wash soon, I just have to cut the cord with bath and body works first.
....and I am still trying to find the perfect non-toxic household cleaner that will satisfy my persnickety cleaning standards.

So that's all, let me know if you try it or have any questions.

Namaste!
r

A few things: A party, Baking Soda, and taking hikes.

This week just flew by for us! I hardly had enough time to think about the fact that my grandmother is hosting a cocktail engagement party for R and I tonight in Orlando. What does one wear to such an event?

R and I snazzed up for a wedding in '10

I've never been the guest of honor before, so I'm feeling a little nervous. I know it will be a great time, my grandmother puts on a great party, some of my favorite family members will be attending and our parents will finally meet. R and I have known each other almost 9 years (yikes!), so it is about time the parentals finally got acquainted with each other.

So that is thing one.

Thing two is, I finally made the switch from Shampoo to a baking soda solution. I've been weaning myself off shampoo for about 3 months now, and have been conditioner free since the summer. With all the toxicity reports coming out on beauty products I figured it was worth a shot, and I am so glad I made the switch. My hair looks really awesome! (R made the switch too)

I will make a How To post sometime next week; I still want to try using lemon as a conditioner. (I've just been using honey and water since I can not stand the smell of apple cider vinegar, especially during a relaxing shower.) If you are interested in giving it a try, I highly recommend taking some time to wean off the detergents (shampoo is a detergent) so that your "adjustment period" is minimal and hatless. :)

THE THIRD thing is my new obsession with taking hikes. Yesterday my good friend Emily and I traded in our usual happy hour date for a hike along the Northeastern edge of the everglades. At one point we were walking through a canopy and all of these butterflies started flying all around us, it was actually really magical. After we left the magical butterfly tunnel, we proceeded to dodge banana spiders and horse poop, when we spotted some evidence of boar activity. We quickly googled "What to do if you encounter a boar in the wild" just in case and after about 4 miles we started bitching because I didn't wear proper shoes, and we were both ready for food and wine. I need to brush up on my wilderness skills.

I love being in nature because it forces you to get in touch with your primal instincts. I always feel like I am a little kid again when I am on hikes. I find myself coming up with all of these fantasy scenarios, which Emily found less than amusing since most of my "stories" involved us encounering a Florida Redneck in the woods, being abducted and forced to live in an underground torture chamber. Whatever.. If you ever watch the news then you know some wacky people live in Florida and we were in the middle of NO WHERE, so it was hard not to think some crazy was lurking in the bushes.

Did I mention it was beautiful out?

Neitzche said: "Sit as little as possible, give no credence to any thought that was not born outdoors while moving about freely"

I think he was onto something, because despite the horror stories I was entertaining Emily with, I feel really refreshed and can't wait to start spending some more time thinking outdoors.


So those are the things happening with me right now. Nothing exciting, but always entertaining.

Have a peaceful weekend,

Namaste.
R

Getting in touch with my dark side: A beauty post.

Almost every fall/winter I like to get in touch with my dark side.

exhibit A: Chicago 2005       exhibit B: R b-day 2009.

This year is no different, except I'm changing my make-up too. Black hair, nude lips, pink cheeks, full lashes.

{Before I was light brown, smoky-eyed and pink lips and blush}

I haven't officially purchased nude lipstick yet, but I did use my foundation all over {heavy on the lips}, and then mixed some of it with a peachy-lipgloss. {It's a lot more "nude" looking in person.} Then I used a blush called Poppy made by Sally Henson, brown and purple pencil on the eyes with sheer white and gold shadows and Maybelline Falsies Volume Express {Flared} mascara {best stuff ever}. 

Before I put anything on my face I used my favorite product, which is a hypoallergenic OTC moisturizer called Vanicreme.

{This is pretty much the best product line I have ever put on my skin. Other products usually make me either break out a lot, dry out my skin or develop a rash-- I was cursed with horrible skin allergies-- the wind can blow the wrong way and I break out in hives.. that being said, other products just have too much happening in them, and do nothing for me. If you've had similar problems try this stuff. Exfoliate twice a week, tone with Witchhazel and wash and moisturize with this stuff. I'm not an expert, but nothing else has worked for me.}

Does anyone else change their look seasonally? I've been known to go blond in the spring. 

What are your favorite trends this year? 

Mine is the nude lip; reminds me of Mona Lisa. :)

xo, 

r