OT - Cleaning the Natural Way - You, Your Mask, Your Home

You all are the best. This is so great to get so much good information! All your home recipes are wonderful...staying organic or at least natural has become almost impossible with the added expense of DME'S, CPAP, DRs appts. etc. Personal products are really costly, now I have some things I can do. I'm in a pickle and this will really help. I known I had severe allergies but have found it's to all dairy, all grains, tomatoes (life ends with those 3 for me, ie pizza) all most every environmental inhalant and have a big heavy metals issue. I am working with an ND, and an all I can tolerate is 2 drops of special made homeopathic 2 x a day, but it does make a difference. I'm settling in for the long haul and have to get serious about getting all toxins out of my life. I have overcome fibromyagia, Epstein Barr in remission and thyroid & hormones under control. Now I'm ready to tackle the allergens the last "mountain". I'd just been pondering the personal care & cleaning stuff issue and here you are with all this. You've made it seem do-able. Got a good mix for deodorant??
Thanks, J Wife of hose head

Glad all my anxiety has had a good result for you!

Just kidding....

Deoderant - Well, my boyfriend, the Seventh Day Adventist, and VICTIM OF FORMALDEHYDE POISONING has a very strong feeling that "anti-perspirants" are a Very Bad Thing. He talked me into quitting using them, and I've switched to just Deoderants.

BTW - he's a stickler about chemicals everywhere. He says Febreze has formaldehyde in it. I've given it up for CLEANING THINGS as opposed to "air freshening" things. Formaldehyde poisoning lost him his job (no, they never compensated him), and 5 years of his life. Not a dime from the government, either. He got so bad he couldn't remember his wife's name. I wonder if when he got better, he realized he couldn't remember why he married her? Should ask him that....

My reenacting/natural friends tell me that antiperspirants also leave residues on your clothes that stain and are impossible to remove. Those "sweat stains"? From the AP, not the sweat.

I'm lucky - I don't sweat much, and I don't stink too much. Or, at least, no one's sent me deoderant anonymously, and I have done that to some people... Diet helps there, too. Boyfriend claims non-pork eaters smell better. He smells FANTASTIC, and I'm very sensitive to body smell, and he doesn't eat pork, so I believe him. Specious, I know, but there you go. No, he uses NO colognes or scented products. Okay, he does use Mennen Speed Stick, which I've developed a weird Pavlvic reaction too.. I suppose I don't need to explain...

BTW, I still eat pork. Not much, though. Gotta have those ribs... He's a very tolerant man and let's me order ribs when I'm with him...

I've used the Crystal deoderants. Work fine. I just hate the wet mess. I'm currently using some Avalon Organics brand stuff I found at the local Grocery Outlet for way cheap and bought a few years supply of. My recommendation is to figure out the brands you want, and start surfing the liquidation stores for it.

I've used Tom's of Maine and liked them. I like the Avalon stuff better - it's softer on my skin, and I like their choices of scent better than Tom's.

And now I'm thinking about putting Mennen Speed Stick on my pillow... I'm a sick puppy, I know... Isn't mental illness THE BEST???

LOL,
B.

BTW - even non-reeanctors can apprecate some "green alternatives" to personal hygiene.

Try the tips here:
http://www.elizabethstewartclark.com/GAMC/LS/index.htm

Click on "The 19th Scentury - Explore Options for a Delightful Personal Presence"

Our ancestors weren't idiots, despite the assumptions of many in the 20thC. Here's hoping we're more enlightened in the 21st century.

LOL,
B.

Babette wrote:Deoderant - Well, my boyfriend, the Seventh Day Adventist, and VICTIM OF FORMALDEHYDE POISONING has a very strong feeling that "anti-perspirants" are a Very Bad Thing. He talked me into quitting using them, and I've switched to just Deoderants.

I've always used only deodorant, not anti-perspirant. The reason? APs interfere with a natural process. Yes, it means finding a deodorant that works well and/or sometimes applying said deodorant a couple times/day, but it's worth it.

Was that too much information?

Doug.

Impossible! I'm the Queen of TMI and I definitely think that's NOT TMI!

BTW - What Doug Said! I was thinking that, but mind was skipping ahead of fingers...

LOL,
B.

Babette,

I found your post about hair washing to be eminently fascinating. I discovered a while back when I had a surgery and was too weak to wash for a few days that my hair didn't get as oily as I thought it might. So, I started experimenting to see how long I could go between washing it.

I immediately found out something interesting. The less I washed my hair, the less oily my face was. So, then it became kind of a challenge to see how long I could go between doing either and not look like hell.

I had to go back to washing my face on my regular cycle because even though my skin was less oily, I wasn't getting enough exfoliation and I was having breakouts. That was BOCM, of course (before oil cleaning method). Now I do OCM twice a day, but prob could just do it at night, really because my skin isn't very oily any more. The lemon oil I added to my ocm is definitly adding some exfoliation.

I found 3 days between soaping up my hair was my max, even with a non sodium blah blah sulphate shampoo. Usually I do every other day since that is how often I need to shave my legs too. Might as well get it all over with at once, I guess!

I'm going to try some of these methods. I'm currently growing my hair out from a very short cut just for something different. I have very thick (read: enough for 3 people or so I have been told by every stylist ever!) wavy hair. I might try the conditioner only--actually it would kinda be like ocm for the hair, but it would rinse out easier. And I might try the vinegar or citrus juice thing. Citrus would make my hair turn orange however (with solar rays).

I also bought a box of dye from the health food store today. I think the untreated osa made me start graying prematurely. I almost have a shock of gray like that "What Not To Wear" gal. I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that I won't react to it like I did the drugstore brand. If I do at least ocm will help minimize the eczema. And I'm only going to spot treat certain areas of my hair, not the whole head. This box cost $15, so I'm only going to mix up a little bit and save the rest for later. I hope it works!

I'm too vain to have gray hair at 35! Ugh! My husband says it isn't noticable, but it must be because my sister makes fun of me!

Jen

WAIT! I thought I was the queen of TMI! Maybe we should have an election?



Jen

No no, Jen! You're the Cliff Claven of CPAP, remember?

And I'm the Glady Cravitz of CPAP.

And everyone agrees I'm the Queen of TMI! Did you miss the whole "doing it on the kitchen table" discussion?

You can be.... Tsarina of TMI, how's that? Empress? Grand Poobah?

Have decided to experiment with the not washing, and will buy the Curly Girl book. I can look heinous at work for a few weeks. Hey, did I post that already here, or was that the Sewing Academy?

Jen, I'll bet your hair responds really well to not washing. It will take some time for you to figure it out.

I DO NOT APPROVE OF YOU COLORING YOUR HAIR UNTIL YOUR SCALP IS 100% HEALED, however. Sheesh! I think Stacey London looks totally HOT with her white shock! I'm TRYING to let mine go gray, but the last "highlights" got all orangey and I recently had to cover everything with BROWN. I'm all boring dead-mouse brown again. With cute little silver glints.

Try to resist the urge, Jen. You may regret it. But if it's too late, well, I'll send you some chocolate.

What KIND of Lemon Oil did you put in our OCM mix? Essential Oil? Is there a cooking oil? How much?

Cheers,
B.

[quote="Babette"]No no, Jen! You're the Cliff Claven of CPAP, remember?

And I'm the Glady Cravitz of CPAP.

And everyone agrees I'm the Queen of TMI! Did you miss the whole "doing it on the kitchen table" discussion?

You can be.... Tsarina of TMI, how's that? Empress? Grand Poobah?

Have decided to experiment with the not washing, and will buy the Curly Girl book. I can look heinous at work for a few weeks. Hey, did I post that already here, or was that the Sewing Academy?

Jen, I'll bet your hair responds really well to not washing. It will take some time for you to figure it out.

I DO NOT APPROVE OF YOU COLORING YOUR HAIR UNTIL YOUR SCALP IS 100% HEALED, however. Sheesh! I think Stacey London looks totally HOT with her white shock! I'm TRYING to let mine go gray, but the last "highlights" got all orangey and I recently had to cover everything with BROWN. I'm all boring dead-mouse brown again. With cute little silver glints.

Try to resist the urge, Jen. You may regret it. But if it's too late, well, I'll send you some chocolate.

What KIND of Lemon Oil did you put in our OCM mix? Essential Oil? Is there a cooking oil? How much?

Cheers,
B.

Very good! Grand Poobah of TMI Jen!

Glady Cravitz was the nosy neighbor on "Bewitched" - the annoying high voice? The bubble hair do? The pinched mean face? So me....

Oops! I misspelled her name!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladys_Kravitz

I love that I'm not the only one that has to bring lists to the doctor or I don't get all my questions answered! Do you have to type them too, because your handwriting is beyond even YOUR comprehension? Or is that just me?

Again, ask doc before doing any coloring of hair. Sorry. I know. There there... Try a perky headband. I just picked up several kicky little numbers at Burlington Coat Factory. They are back in style, you know.

I don't know if stripping my hair would leave me with silver hair. Wouldn't parts of it grow back in brown? Then I'd have brown roots instead of white roots!

My big thing - I'm decorating. I'm cleaning my house, putting up pix, re-decorating my office... BIG CHANGE for me!!! BTW, have you seen Robbie's lovely website for her photos?

http://www.womengophoto.com/

She sent me a beautiful one that I want to frame but I can't decide whether to put it in my living room or my office at work!

Hugs,
B.

No my handwriting is MOSTLY legible. I can get by.

Ok, Ok, I wasn't going to do it tonight anyway. It might sit there for weeks until I get the urge to do it. I will ask and I think I might even bring the box of color to see what she thinks about it. If she says, no way, I'll just return it unopened.

Ah, Bewitched. I did watch that as an itty-bitty, but not enough to remember anyone's name but Samantha and Daren. She was a much better character than Jeannie, I remember! I used to love Samantha's mom. I think I secretly thought that when I grew up I could be wicked if I wanted to be and no one could tell me otherwise. Sigh. Alas it isn't so!

I looked at those pics. Are those by RobbieH here? Is that pic on the home page, her? I always assumed Robbie was a boy, yikes. Hope I didn't unintentionally offend. If that is her, she is one beautiful gal!

I get it about your hair, yeah, I'd stick with dead-mouse-brown. Sorry.

Jen

When I had my daughter I went 3 weeks without washing my hair....It was pretty nasty. I broke out in scalp acne and got it all around my forehead and neckline too. I will tell the truth even if some people think it is gross. I throw my hair up in a bun sometimes and done take it down for days. I usually wash on thursdays and sunday night. If I am going somewhere special I will wash it. Otherwise I just do not have the time or energy to deal with all of this hair. I havent dyed it since the horrible red/auburn color I tried in 9th grade. I am sure it looks good on many people....I am not one of them. It made me look dead pale. My pic on here is me with a tan. lol.
My hair itself is quite healthy....I never get split ends. I havent put conditioner on my roots in years. It just weighs it down and you get less volume and flatter looking hair.

I did my oil routine in the morning today...as I missed it last night. I didnt even put foundation on, just a little conceler under the eyes (still get dark circles) and a very small dusting of powder and I moved on to mascara and blush.

I also found a good recipe for a toner if anyone actually uses one. 5 drops lavendar oil to 1 teaspoon witch hazel. It was on the lavendar oil bottle lol. I dont do toner these days. But I might try it.

Hey JennMary! I don't think your hair routine is gross at all! I'll have to report on how long I manage without washing my hair. It may be difficult, with short hair and this heat wave.

I figured out today that my pits do stink...

Oh well. Better than stains, right?

I can't believe I'm watching "Faster Pussycatt, Kill! Kill!" But I can't stop... I wish I looked like one of those girls! Tura Santana is my idol...

Okay, enough goofiness for one night. Good luck Jen! Good luck JennMary! And to all the ships at sea... GOOD NIGHT!
B.

My one year old niece has SEVERE eczma. Her entire legs are scabs...her feet bleed all the time and are a mess. Her face gets bad too, as does the rest of her. Do you think a grapeseed, lavender mix might work well as a moisturizer? Any thoughts?

I had that in high school. The only thing that helped was cortisone shots in the butt. Ketisone? I think that was it.

I was told to:

1) Quit washing with soap except for pits and pubes
2) No baths. Period.
3) Use Neutrogena bath oil after I got out of the shower
4) No fabric softeners or dyer sheets

So, yeah, try your oil on her, after her shower, while she's damp, and then make sure you pat any excess off so she's not slippery.

Have her mom get rid of all SLS detergents in her laundry and bath. The kitchen is probably okay. The sheets and clothes and bathing products are what concern me most.

Good luck! It was hideous having this and puberty at the same time. I really feel for her being so small!!!! At least I was a mean, tough teenager.

Hugs,
B.