Poo Free and Proud

I have been Poo Free for 2 years. This may sound odd to most of you.  “What is she talking about?”  I know where your mind is going, and that is NOT what I am talking about.  Let me clarify.  I am shamPOO free and have been for 2 years.  I realize that sounds strange to most of you, but this choice has simplified my life and has given me the opportunity to commit to this journey of detoxifying my body and home.  

“So, you haven't washed you in 2 years?”

I wash my hair.  I just don’t use mainstream shampoo products to do it.  I started this process by washing my hair with baking soda and water, until the natural oils of my scalp found their balance again.  Now I use a bar that consists of olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, herbs and essential oils.  

“Isn’t your hair greasy all the time?”

Actually, no - it tends to be on the drier side.  You see, when you are consistently stripping your scalp and skin of its natural oils the body creates more and more to make up for its lack of them. This is why when you are in the habit of using shampoo and then don’t use it for a couple of days your hair feels very greasy.  But it is not because you NEED shampoo for your hair and scalp to be healthy and clean.  It is because the body is seeking to regain balance and creates more oil than necessary.  If you give your body enough time to figure this out, balance will be restored.

“What about conditioner?”

I ditched my conditioner when I ditched my shampoo.  Now I use an apple cider vinegar rinse which is a natural detangler, so brushing my long and wavy hair is never an issue.  Apple cider vinegar balances the PH in your hair which gives it everything it needs to feel soft, look shiny and be totally manageable.  Sometimes I add a drop of lavender or rosemary essential oil when I want to enrich my experience.  

“How does your hair look?”

I’ll be honest.  It took about a month for my hair to figure out what the heck was going on.  But I think about how long I had been inhibiting its natural process with putting products all over it, and a month doesn’t seem so long to get back to its natural state.  During that time it kept swinging from feeling dry and frizzy to feeling extra greasy.  When it was feeling dry, I added a little coconut oil to the ends to help with those frizzies.  When it was greasy, I wore a scarf as a headband to cover up.  And then one magical day, sort of out of the blue, my hair finally felt awesome.  It looked healthy, soft and my waves were prettier than they have ever been.  I felt like I met my hair in its natural state for the first time.  

So there you have it.  My experience with the No Poo Method.  It has been working great for me and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to take that step in the direction of simplifying the products in your life.  

5 Natural Alternatives to Common Household Products

So, you are ready to start simplifying your life and want to cut out the toxic products in your home.  But what should you replace them with?  I have found 5 simple ingredients that can easily be swapped out for ALL your home care products.  

Vinegar (white)

You can switch out every single toxic cleaning product in your home for white vinegar.  It is an inexpensive and a powerful cleanser.  I use it to clean my kitchen counters, tile floors, bathroom counters and bathtub.  For extra scrubbing power sprinkle baking soda onto vinegar covered surface and let it soak together for 10 minutes before wiping off. For super disinfectant power, spray hydrogen peroxide on surface after vinegar has been used (do not mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together).  Vinegar also makes a great glass cleaner!

Coconut Oil

This super oil is packed with essential fatty acids and antioxidants which make it an extremely healthy choice to add to your diet.  It is a great oil to cook with due to its high temperature resistance.  Coconut oil is also a useful home body product alternative! I use it as a skin moisturizer, in my hair for an oil treatment and as a natural diaper rash ointment for my baby (I have never had to use another product to treat his diaper rash).

Baking Soda

This simple kitchen ingredient is a natural deodorizer and cleaner!  Put a box in the fridge or cupboard to help absorb odors, sprinkle on your carpet before vacuuming to freshen up your carpet, and add to your kitchen sinks and bathtubs for extra scrubbing and cleaning power.  Baking soda can also be used  for brushing your teeth by mixing it with water until you form a paste.  I have also used baking soda to clean my hair and scalp in lieu of shampoo.  

Hydrogen Peroxide

A staple in everyone’s home, hydrogen peroxide is a powerful stain remover and disinfectant that has many uses.  Add a cup to your laundry instead of bleach to fight stains.  Most people don’t realize that hydrogen peroxide makes a very effective and inexpensive mouthwash.  It fights germs and bacteria.  That is why it is also a great natural choice for wound care!  Hydrogen peroxide has super hero sanitizing powers which makes it a great tool for disinfecting bathroom counters, toilets, floors and tubs.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Oh, the many benefits and uses of apple cider vinegar!  It can be used as a natural heartburn remedy due to its enzyme packed properties which also help to balance out candida in the body.  It has been known to aid in detoxifying the body which comes in handy when feeling ill and trying to lose weight.   It also makes a great natural conditioner and hair detangler since it naturally balances the PH in your skin and hair.  This is my #1 choice for an all natural hair conditioner.  I dilute one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with approximately one cup of water to use as my conditioning rinse.  My hair comes out soft, manageable and shiny!

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It is important to educate yourself on the ingredients that you bring into your home.  Think about the goal you are seeking for each product you choose.  Do you want to moisturize your skin? Are you trying to heal a skin ailment?   If you are purchasing a petroleum, lanolin, or mineral oil based moisturizer or salve, you may have trouble reaching these goals.  Although these ingredients can be helpful in other ways, they create a barrier on your skin which inhibits proper absorption.  If you are purchasing a product that contains calendula because you have read that it is good for the skin, make sure it is made with ingredients that won’t prohibit absorption.  Otherwise, what is the point?  If your skin is unable to absorb that wonderful herb,  then you may not be getting the benefits that you seek.

What should you be looking for on your skin care labels?  Keep your eyes open for ingredients that are easily absorbable by the skin.  Natural butters (shea, cocoa, mango, etc.) and natural oils (jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, etc) have a symbiotic relationship with your body and are easily absorbable through your pores.  These ingredients are also packed with vitamins and minerals which benefit your body greatly.  As always, consult a doctor if you are pregnant or have medical conditions before using a new product.  

Want to know more about the potential dangers of mainstream cosmetic and skin care products?  The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit organization committed to independent health research in order to inform and educate.  

To see their research, visit:  http://www.ewg.org/search/site/1%2C4-dioxane%20is%20fairly%20widespread%20among%20cosmetic%20products.

~Abby

Lavender For Life

Aaaaaah….Lavender!  It always provides that calm sense of reassurance that everything is alright.  The scent immediately penetrates my mind with the wise words of Bob Marley, “Don’t worry, about a thing.  Because every little thing, is ‘gonna’ be alright!”  Lavender essential oil is usually the gateway for most people into the powerful world of essential oils.  It is gentle yet effective and has one of the most diverse uses for your physical, mental and emotional states.  It is the most versatile natural essential oil that benefits your health and home.

LAVENDER OIL FOR YOUR BODY

Studies have shown that lavender has powerful antibacterial, antibiotic and antiseptic properties.  It is great for the skin and can help many ailments.   It may be used to soothe and cleanse cuts and scrapes, and other skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and burns.  I use lavender oil on many of my massage clients, since it does not contain much of an allergen effect.  I find that it helps to ease muscle tension and sore muscles.  It also has been effective in soothing mild headaches.  

LAVENDER OIL FOR YOUR MIND

In my experience, lavender oil tends to create a general feeling of balance and relaxation.  It calms the mind and helps to reduce stress and anxiety.  I often put a few drops in my toddler’s night time bath to help ease him into a relaxed state of mind which makes bedtime a smoother transition for him.  

LAVENDER OIL FOR YOUR EMOTIONS

It has been suggested that Lavender may help with depression, since it improves your mood and may reduce feelings of anxiety.  It can have a very gentle and subtle effect on the nervous system and can facilitate feelings of calmness and balance.  I really enjoy diffusing lavender oil when I am practicing restorative yoga, or taking an epsom salt bath!

Although I have read about the benefits of taking lavender oil internally, I only use it topically, in a diffuser, or diluted in a bath.  When choosing your own essential oils, be sure to choose one that is 100% pure therapeutic grade.  As always, if you are pregnant or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician before introducing something new to your body.

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4 Simple Ways to Boost Your Health

A new year is upon us and with it comes inner reflection and an opportunity to set clear goals for the year.  My focus this year is on my health, which also includes the health of my family.  I am letting go of the reckless eating habits that the holidays tend to bring.  My pants are starting to tighten around my waist which is quite reminiscent of my growing pregnancy belly (except this time around, I am not ‘with child’ - I am with ‘sugary treats').  So before my buddha belly gets out of control, I am cutting back on the junk, and sticking to what has worked for me in the past.  It boils down to a just a few changes, to see some great results.

1. DRINK WATER!  This is the simplest and best thing you can do for your body.  Drink water as soon as you wake up in the morning - before coffee, tea, orange juice and breakfast.  Drink a full glass of water!  Water gets your body systems moving and processing.  It kick starts your metabolic process in the morning, and helps with eliminating toxins throughout your day.  Add a little squeeze of fresh lemon for added benefit.

2.  GET ENOUGH SLEEP! We underestimate the importance of rest in our society.  A full deep, restful sleep works wonders for your health.  This is the time when your mind shuts down and allows the parasympathetic nervous system to kick on.  Deep, relaxing sleep is where all the magic happens. This is when your body stops doing and starts healing.  When you wake up the next morning refreshed, and ready for the day, your body will thank you!

3. GET UP AND MOVE! In today’s day of computers, cubicles, cars and tvs, it is easy to forget that we need to move.  Movement is how we allow our body to stretch and digest.  It gets the juices flowing so that our joints can stay healthy, and our muscles can stay in shape.  Don’t have time for exercise?  A mindful practice of making new choices is all you need. Choose the stairs, choose to take your dog for a walk, choose to park further away from the building, and choose to take 2 minutes to do 10 jumping jacks. Choose to move!

4. RELEASE STRESS! Science shows us that stress constricts the body, restricts our breathing, and causes a whole bunch of health problems.  Figure out the best way you can release the stress you feel, and do it every single day.  Close your eyes and focus on your breathing, count to 10, take a yoga class, sip herbal tea, take a bath, sit in nature, take a hot shower with essential oils.  There are many ways to release stress. What can you do to feel more relaxed and centered?

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