Hey everyone,
My mom was recently told by a contractor never to use Drano. Why? Because the harsh ingredients found in this product can actually cause pipe material to disintegrate and will eventually result in leakage.
The solution is a combo of products you will likely already have on around the house.... my favourites: baking soda and white vinegar.
If you notice that water is not draining very well, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain and then follow with half a cup of white vinegar. You should then put a drain cover over the drain so things don't get messy. (Baking Soda and Vinegar react to expand which helps push things through the drain). While waiting for approximately 20 minutes you should boil about 8 cups of water. Then pour the water down the drain.
Repeat until you have unclogged your drain.
Simple, environmentally friendly and cost effective.
Free yourself!
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Goodbye summer haze - Hello clean, sharp, focused living!
Hey everyone,
I haven't been posting much lately. I haven't been doing really much productive lately. You see - we got cable since moving to suburbia - at our old apartment downtown I had cancelled the cable a couple of years ago because I thought it was a waste of money and I felt like I was becoming lazy. Well voila - that is what has happened for the last 3 weeks or month that I have had cable. To be fair - my new position in a new government department is taking some adjustment. I am also now busing to work while before I was biking... so obviously it is more than just the TV. But to be honest - it just feels like everything. My boyfriend was travelling for the last week and I went out with some friends but came home after and watched So you think you can dance for about 3 hours on tv and then watched past seasons on youtube for another 3 hours and then finally went to bed at like 2 or 3 a.m. woke up super late - went to work - looked like shit - felt like shit - ate like shit.... and then went home and did it all over again.
Whoooaaa.
I do not like this. I keep happening to stumble upon articles about unhappy marriages and how it is all going to go to shit in the end. Most of the articles seem to put the blame on the women - like if she hadn't "let herself go" the husband wouldn't have left blah blah blah. Anyways - I know it is all bullshit - it's just depressing sometimes. So I started thinking, omg,.... I'm letting myself go, I'm out of shape, I am going to be unhappy - I am going to be bitter - it is all going to shit. Luckily my boyfriend came home and snapped me out of it. It was kind of like a light switch.
Tonight was great - I ate well - I am on the road to going vegan again. I am still drinking milk and I had some fish recently but no cheese, other meats etc... I'll make some exceptions for summer weddings and stuff. Why? For environmental reasons, health reasons - (the China Study - read it - explained how animal protein causes most cancers) and for general well being (when I don't feel bloated and tired, I feel much happier, surprise surprise).
I also went for a run with the boyfriend. We went jogging and did an 800 m race around the track near our house (he won, boooo). I then got home and did some stretching and drank water- probably the first glass of water in a few days.
Anyways- this is probably all sounding a little melodramatic. You may be thinking: this is your crisis? My family member has cancer.
I agree - but if you are unhappy - then I think it is serious - nobody wants to be unhappy - especially since things can sometimes spiral downwards.
So - I think I am going to stop with the lists- I sort of make lists of things I need to do obsessively - a little OCD probably. I also joined a running group to train for a full marathon. I am going to exercise almost every day. Go to bed on time. And not watch TV. Especially when the boyfriend is travelling. I will only allow myself to read. I have been going for walks at lunch but I'm thinking I might bring runners to work and like power walk at lunch, work it!
Finally - I think I am having a bit of a career crisis. Sometimes it is hard working at a desk in the middle of summer. You ask yourself, is this it? I think the problem is I work in a unit of 1 - but there are great people around me. So I need to become more social - and also keep with volunteering and other things that make me feel like I am doing something productive.
I don't think I can say free yourself since I am feeling a little weighted down by the sad state of this past week. I will get back on my two feet and I hope that next week I will be able to say it with conviction - and get back to some concrete scientific evidence on living a longer, happier and freer existence.
I haven't been posting much lately. I haven't been doing really much productive lately. You see - we got cable since moving to suburbia - at our old apartment downtown I had cancelled the cable a couple of years ago because I thought it was a waste of money and I felt like I was becoming lazy. Well voila - that is what has happened for the last 3 weeks or month that I have had cable. To be fair - my new position in a new government department is taking some adjustment. I am also now busing to work while before I was biking... so obviously it is more than just the TV. But to be honest - it just feels like everything. My boyfriend was travelling for the last week and I went out with some friends but came home after and watched So you think you can dance for about 3 hours on tv and then watched past seasons on youtube for another 3 hours and then finally went to bed at like 2 or 3 a.m. woke up super late - went to work - looked like shit - felt like shit - ate like shit.... and then went home and did it all over again.
Whoooaaa.
I do not like this. I keep happening to stumble upon articles about unhappy marriages and how it is all going to go to shit in the end. Most of the articles seem to put the blame on the women - like if she hadn't "let herself go" the husband wouldn't have left blah blah blah. Anyways - I know it is all bullshit - it's just depressing sometimes. So I started thinking, omg,.... I'm letting myself go, I'm out of shape, I am going to be unhappy - I am going to be bitter - it is all going to shit. Luckily my boyfriend came home and snapped me out of it. It was kind of like a light switch.
Tonight was great - I ate well - I am on the road to going vegan again. I am still drinking milk and I had some fish recently but no cheese, other meats etc... I'll make some exceptions for summer weddings and stuff. Why? For environmental reasons, health reasons - (the China Study - read it - explained how animal protein causes most cancers) and for general well being (when I don't feel bloated and tired, I feel much happier, surprise surprise).
I also went for a run with the boyfriend. We went jogging and did an 800 m race around the track near our house (he won, boooo). I then got home and did some stretching and drank water- probably the first glass of water in a few days.
Anyways- this is probably all sounding a little melodramatic. You may be thinking: this is your crisis? My family member has cancer.
I agree - but if you are unhappy - then I think it is serious - nobody wants to be unhappy - especially since things can sometimes spiral downwards.
So - I think I am going to stop with the lists- I sort of make lists of things I need to do obsessively - a little OCD probably. I also joined a running group to train for a full marathon. I am going to exercise almost every day. Go to bed on time. And not watch TV. Especially when the boyfriend is travelling. I will only allow myself to read. I have been going for walks at lunch but I'm thinking I might bring runners to work and like power walk at lunch, work it!
Finally - I think I am having a bit of a career crisis. Sometimes it is hard working at a desk in the middle of summer. You ask yourself, is this it? I think the problem is I work in a unit of 1 - but there are great people around me. So I need to become more social - and also keep with volunteering and other things that make me feel like I am doing something productive.
I don't think I can say free yourself since I am feeling a little weighted down by the sad state of this past week. I will get back on my two feet and I hope that next week I will be able to say it with conviction - and get back to some concrete scientific evidence on living a longer, happier and freer existence.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Goodbye $1.00 in my bank account - Hello adventures, activities and lots of fun!
Hey everyone,
As you all know - if you have read some previous posts, I just moved into my first house with my boyfriend. I am loving the house and the neighbourhood but not so much liking the very small amount of money in my bank account and the very large amount on my credit card.
This isn't so much a result of the down payment but rather a number of small purchases that have been made at walmart, etc for things like paper towels, and other small household purchases that just seem to have been adding up. I also had a bit of a starbucks/ bridgehead/ amazing bakery on Bank street (Bread and sons) binge that has lasted just over 3 weeks. This may be why I currently have a terrible cold.
I want to get my finances in order pronto so I can relax and start planning for a big trip, joining some activities like ballet or a sports league in the fall and buying some nice things for the house that will last a lifetime ie. art, good quality furniture and finally perhaps taking a university course.
Luckily I haven't been receiving my new salary yet although I started my job just over a month ago so I will also get a back paycheque which should take care of the remaining balance on my credit card.
Anyways - you don't care about the ins and outs of my financial status. But what may interest you is a challenge I am going to embark on; something called spend no money. I haven't run this by my boyfriend so we'll have to figure this out haha. I don't want him just paying for my half of everything - since this will defeat the purpose and may put a dent in our "perfect suburban life".
Anyways - today is Monday - my challenge will be not to spend any money for 1 entire week. This won't be impossible because the fridge is decently stocked right now, we even have some left over crown royal for this coming canada day and we have all we need to live comfortably. Any spending I could do this week would likely be frivolous - but if I don't impose this challenge on myself, I know that tomorrow I will head to bridgehead in the morning for a coffee and then maybe bread in sons in the afternoon for a bun or brownie, then maybe I will decide I need something red for Canada Day, then I will decide to buy a membership to a gym although it is gorgeous out so I should just run outside.
I think the biggest challenge will be food, possibly commuting as well.
I definitely have some good tools to help me get through the week: my bicycle, a gift certificate to a fancy restaurant, lots of canned beans, a decent sized wardrobe, low maintenance family and friends who aren't $$ crazy, Gatineau park with lots of nice hiking trails and beaches.
I'll check back in on Monday and let you know if the week was a success.
Free yourself!
As you all know - if you have read some previous posts, I just moved into my first house with my boyfriend. I am loving the house and the neighbourhood but not so much liking the very small amount of money in my bank account and the very large amount on my credit card.
This isn't so much a result of the down payment but rather a number of small purchases that have been made at walmart, etc for things like paper towels, and other small household purchases that just seem to have been adding up. I also had a bit of a starbucks/ bridgehead/ amazing bakery on Bank street (Bread and sons) binge that has lasted just over 3 weeks. This may be why I currently have a terrible cold.
I want to get my finances in order pronto so I can relax and start planning for a big trip, joining some activities like ballet or a sports league in the fall and buying some nice things for the house that will last a lifetime ie. art, good quality furniture and finally perhaps taking a university course.
Luckily I haven't been receiving my new salary yet although I started my job just over a month ago so I will also get a back paycheque which should take care of the remaining balance on my credit card.
Anyways - you don't care about the ins and outs of my financial status. But what may interest you is a challenge I am going to embark on; something called spend no money. I haven't run this by my boyfriend so we'll have to figure this out haha. I don't want him just paying for my half of everything - since this will defeat the purpose and may put a dent in our "perfect suburban life".
Anyways - today is Monday - my challenge will be not to spend any money for 1 entire week. This won't be impossible because the fridge is decently stocked right now, we even have some left over crown royal for this coming canada day and we have all we need to live comfortably. Any spending I could do this week would likely be frivolous - but if I don't impose this challenge on myself, I know that tomorrow I will head to bridgehead in the morning for a coffee and then maybe bread in sons in the afternoon for a bun or brownie, then maybe I will decide I need something red for Canada Day, then I will decide to buy a membership to a gym although it is gorgeous out so I should just run outside.
I think the biggest challenge will be food, possibly commuting as well.
I definitely have some good tools to help me get through the week: my bicycle, a gift certificate to a fancy restaurant, lots of canned beans, a decent sized wardrobe, low maintenance family and friends who aren't $$ crazy, Gatineau park with lots of nice hiking trails and beaches.
I'll check back in on Monday and let you know if the week was a success.
Free yourself!
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Goodbye shoulder length hair - Hello armpit length hair!
Hey everyone,
Another post about hair. This time I will discuss everything I know I can do to encourage my hair to get from shoulder length to armpit length. This might sound a little funny to you but essentially arm pit length hair would be when your hair reaches the point where it touches your arm pit crease from behind (see picture for proper explanation haha).
My ultimate goal is waist length - maybe hip length if it is really healthy at waist length.
Anyways - I wanted to share with you everything I know that you can do to speed up hair growth while maintaining beautiful hair.
1 - Vitamin B Supplement
2 - Fish oil supplement
3 - Eat seaweed
4 - Buy a silk or satin pillow case
5 - Use monistat, yes monistat, diluted with oil or water on your scalp
6 - Do not use shampoo
7 - Deep condition your hair weekly
8 - Apply an egg and honey mask to your hair (ensure to rinse with cool water or else you will cook the egg - gross)
9 - Eat a mostly raw food diet
10 - Eat Marmite - I can't find any in Ottawa. HELP ME!
11 - Wear your hair up as much as possible
12 - Do not eat processed food
13 - Take MSM Supplements
14 - Make sure you have enough iron in your diet
15 - Don't get frequent trims (sounds obvious but many of us have a habit of heading to the salon every 2 - 3 months)
16 - Do not colour your hair or use henna instead, or honey (see previous post).
17 - Do yoga
18 - Eat eggs
19 - Eat lots of nuts and seeds
20 - Avoid the bad stuff (alcohol, cigarettes, sugar)
21 - Stay positive
22 - Avoid using elastics - go for clips or scrunchies instead
23 - Braid your hair before bed
24 - Don't wear hair up until it is completely dry
25 - Get enough sleep
26 - Give yourself scalp massages
27 - Eat yogurt
28 - Eat beans
29 - Eat mangoes
30 - Eat bananas
That's all the hair wisdom I can come up with right now. I know some people have fast hair growth despite not really trying that hard - but I think my hair grows quite slowly. I am doing my best to follow all the the items listed above.
I hope to be at arm pit length at some point in the fall. I'll keep you posted.
Let me know if you have anything else you think I should try.
Free yourself!
Another post about hair. This time I will discuss everything I know I can do to encourage my hair to get from shoulder length to armpit length. This might sound a little funny to you but essentially arm pit length hair would be when your hair reaches the point where it touches your arm pit crease from behind (see picture for proper explanation haha).
My ultimate goal is waist length - maybe hip length if it is really healthy at waist length.
Anyways - I wanted to share with you everything I know that you can do to speed up hair growth while maintaining beautiful hair.
1 - Vitamin B Supplement
2 - Fish oil supplement
3 - Eat seaweed
4 - Buy a silk or satin pillow case
5 - Use monistat, yes monistat, diluted with oil or water on your scalp
6 - Do not use shampoo
7 - Deep condition your hair weekly
8 - Apply an egg and honey mask to your hair (ensure to rinse with cool water or else you will cook the egg - gross)
9 - Eat a mostly raw food diet
10 - Eat Marmite - I can't find any in Ottawa. HELP ME!
11 - Wear your hair up as much as possible
12 - Do not eat processed food
13 - Take MSM Supplements
14 - Make sure you have enough iron in your diet
15 - Don't get frequent trims (sounds obvious but many of us have a habit of heading to the salon every 2 - 3 months)
16 - Do not colour your hair or use henna instead, or honey (see previous post).
17 - Do yoga
18 - Eat eggs
19 - Eat lots of nuts and seeds
20 - Avoid the bad stuff (alcohol, cigarettes, sugar)
21 - Stay positive
22 - Avoid using elastics - go for clips or scrunchies instead
23 - Braid your hair before bed
24 - Don't wear hair up until it is completely dry
25 - Get enough sleep
26 - Give yourself scalp massages
27 - Eat yogurt
28 - Eat beans
29 - Eat mangoes
30 - Eat bananas
That's all the hair wisdom I can come up with right now. I know some people have fast hair growth despite not really trying that hard - but I think my hair grows quite slowly. I am doing my best to follow all the the items listed above.
I hope to be at arm pit length at some point in the fall. I'll keep you posted.
Let me know if you have anything else you think I should try.
Free yourself!
Monday, 6 June 2011
Goodbye bleach - Hello honey!
Hey everyone,
Again - this is probably a post that will mostly interest women. I have recently been absolutely obsessed with this website called the Long Hair Community. I am doing my best to quickly grow out my hair - so I am just eating up all the information on this great site.
Because I had been hoping to grow my hair out I had completely given up on the thought of ever highlighting my hair again. I have naturally dirty blond hair which I haven't coloured in over two years.
But... today I was intrigued by a link to a post on using honey to lighten your hair. Apparently it works on blond, red and brown hair. I am not sure if it works on black hair. The results are significant for some of the women who have tried this method. The results appear to be more effective for people who have naturally lighter hair.
For those of you who are interested in a less damaging way of highlighting your hair for the summer - I would suggest you give this a try.
You will need to buy some honey - preferably dark honey - they recommend jarrah honey.
You will need distilled water.
And you will need to ground cardamom as well as extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.
Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 3/4 cup of distilled water. The ladies on the forum also recommend adding some extra virgin olive oil and cardamom. You need to let the mix sit at room temperature (do not heat) for 1 hour. This will allow the honey to produce peroxide through a chemical reaction.
You then soak your head with water. You have to make sure your hair is very wet when you apply the honey mixture. Then you should apply the mix to your head using a brush or bottle. After applying you need to wrap your head using saran (because you want your hair to stay very wet) and then put a swim cap on top of the saran. The mixture will be less effective and may dry out your hair if your hair doesn't stay moist for the hour of application.
You should not go in the sun or get too warm while the mixture is on your hair for the next hour since heat breaks down peroxide.
It is not clear how you would remove the honey after the hour. I think I will try to rinse it out using conditioner. FYI - I bought this Olive Oil conditioner so I can do deep conditioning treatments once a week. I bought it in the section of the store with relaxers and other products for black hair. I am very interested in using some products that black women use since my hair is also delicate and prone to breakage.
Most women who have seen dramatic results have used this treatment a few times to get their impressive results.
I have a bad habit of posting on things I haven't tried out.
I just get so excited and want to tell you all about it.
I will definitely do the honey treatment in the next month and report back.
I personally think highlighting your hair is overrated - I just thought naturally highlighting my hair would be a fun change for the summer given that I will not be cutting it. I really can't believe how much women spend on highlights. I haven't been to the salon for a full do recently, but a couple years ago the cost was about $180 for a cut, highlights, wash and blow dry. Luckily my hair was growing at a snails place and my hair is naturally light so I didn't really get it done more than once a year.
I would also like to say that I really think people with dark brown or black hair look best with dark brown or black hair. It is the people who have the sort of darkish blond hair who sometimes need a little pizazz. My hair is starting to fall into this category.
The most important reason to just let your hair be or consider a honey treatment is because of the harmful effects of conventional hair dyes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer found that hair dressers were more likely to get bladder cancer because of their daily exposure to the harmful, toxic ingredients found in hair dye.
It is time we all started thinking about alternatives to things we always suspected were a little toxic. I think anyone who has smelt hair dye must realize it is going to do bad things to your body.
Until next time, Free yourself!
Again - this is probably a post that will mostly interest women. I have recently been absolutely obsessed with this website called the Long Hair Community. I am doing my best to quickly grow out my hair - so I am just eating up all the information on this great site.
Because I had been hoping to grow my hair out I had completely given up on the thought of ever highlighting my hair again. I have naturally dirty blond hair which I haven't coloured in over two years.
But... today I was intrigued by a link to a post on using honey to lighten your hair. Apparently it works on blond, red and brown hair. I am not sure if it works on black hair. The results are significant for some of the women who have tried this method. The results appear to be more effective for people who have naturally lighter hair.
For those of you who are interested in a less damaging way of highlighting your hair for the summer - I would suggest you give this a try.
You will need to buy some honey - preferably dark honey - they recommend jarrah honey.
You will need distilled water.
And you will need to ground cardamom as well as extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.
Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 3/4 cup of distilled water. The ladies on the forum also recommend adding some extra virgin olive oil and cardamom. You need to let the mix sit at room temperature (do not heat) for 1 hour. This will allow the honey to produce peroxide through a chemical reaction.
You then soak your head with water. You have to make sure your hair is very wet when you apply the honey mixture. Then you should apply the mix to your head using a brush or bottle. After applying you need to wrap your head using saran (because you want your hair to stay very wet) and then put a swim cap on top of the saran. The mixture will be less effective and may dry out your hair if your hair doesn't stay moist for the hour of application.
You should not go in the sun or get too warm while the mixture is on your hair for the next hour since heat breaks down peroxide.
It is not clear how you would remove the honey after the hour. I think I will try to rinse it out using conditioner. FYI - I bought this Olive Oil conditioner so I can do deep conditioning treatments once a week. I bought it in the section of the store with relaxers and other products for black hair. I am very interested in using some products that black women use since my hair is also delicate and prone to breakage.
Most women who have seen dramatic results have used this treatment a few times to get their impressive results.
I have a bad habit of posting on things I haven't tried out.
I just get so excited and want to tell you all about it.
I will definitely do the honey treatment in the next month and report back.
I personally think highlighting your hair is overrated - I just thought naturally highlighting my hair would be a fun change for the summer given that I will not be cutting it. I really can't believe how much women spend on highlights. I haven't been to the salon for a full do recently, but a couple years ago the cost was about $180 for a cut, highlights, wash and blow dry. Luckily my hair was growing at a snails place and my hair is naturally light so I didn't really get it done more than once a year.
I would also like to say that I really think people with dark brown or black hair look best with dark brown or black hair. It is the people who have the sort of darkish blond hair who sometimes need a little pizazz. My hair is starting to fall into this category.
The most important reason to just let your hair be or consider a honey treatment is because of the harmful effects of conventional hair dyes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer found that hair dressers were more likely to get bladder cancer because of their daily exposure to the harmful, toxic ingredients found in hair dye.
It is time we all started thinking about alternatives to things we always suspected were a little toxic. I think anyone who has smelt hair dye must realize it is going to do bad things to your body.
Until next time, Free yourself!
Monday, 30 May 2011
Goodbye sanitary pads - Hello Mooncup!
Hey everyone,
If you are male you will probably want to skip today's post.
Ok - for the ladies:
I was planning some summer vacations tonight with my boyfriend and we are thinking of going on a multiple day kayak and backpacking trip. Of course my period would fall at the end of when we are planning our trip. I feel like this always happens.
I am going to try and get another week off work but I thought it might be worth doing some research into products/ tricks I could use while camping.
I did a search and it looks like many people recommend using a menstrual cup. There are several brands out there. I am hearing good things about the Mooncup. The Mooncup is the newer silicone version of the original menstrual cup called the Keeper made of latex. You should purchase a size A if you have given birth or size B if you have not or had a C-section.
I am thinking of purchasing one of these (I am thinking the Mooncup). I definitely have some questions and concerns - I'm a little concerned that it will be too big and make my vagina bigger or not big enough and then there will be some leakage. Yikes!
This is a photo of the Mooncup.
READERS: I am hoping that those of you who may have experimented with menstrual cups can post (anonymously if you wish) your reviews.
This is definitely something that is very intriguing - it's like a tampon in that it is completed inserted inside you so you can use it for the beach etc. Apparently if it is inserted properly you won't feel it. Amazing!
And - there is no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome since it is not made of absorptive material like tampons.
It looks like it will cost with tax about $45 and will only need to be replaced every 10 years. Amazing!
I think this past cycle I spent almost $15 on pads. Ridiculous!
Also - the cup only needs to be emptied every 8 to 12 hours. Amazing!
Ok - I will definitely purchase one of these cups before my next period and test it out. In the meantime I will conduct some more research to find out which type is best for me. I'll let you know the results after my next cycle.
I think one of the major major benefits of using a menstrual cup is the amount of waste produced by other forms of protection.
This is something that I think you may want to consider for your own comfort and for mother earth.
Free yourself!
If you are male you will probably want to skip today's post.
Ok - for the ladies:
I was planning some summer vacations tonight with my boyfriend and we are thinking of going on a multiple day kayak and backpacking trip. Of course my period would fall at the end of when we are planning our trip. I feel like this always happens.
I am going to try and get another week off work but I thought it might be worth doing some research into products/ tricks I could use while camping.
I did a search and it looks like many people recommend using a menstrual cup. There are several brands out there. I am hearing good things about the Mooncup. The Mooncup is the newer silicone version of the original menstrual cup called the Keeper made of latex. You should purchase a size A if you have given birth or size B if you have not or had a C-section.
I am thinking of purchasing one of these (I am thinking the Mooncup). I definitely have some questions and concerns - I'm a little concerned that it will be too big and make my vagina bigger or not big enough and then there will be some leakage. Yikes!
This is a photo of the Mooncup.READERS: I am hoping that those of you who may have experimented with menstrual cups can post (anonymously if you wish) your reviews.
This is definitely something that is very intriguing - it's like a tampon in that it is completed inserted inside you so you can use it for the beach etc. Apparently if it is inserted properly you won't feel it. Amazing!
And - there is no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome since it is not made of absorptive material like tampons.
It looks like it will cost with tax about $45 and will only need to be replaced every 10 years. Amazing!
I think this past cycle I spent almost $15 on pads. Ridiculous!
Also - the cup only needs to be emptied every 8 to 12 hours. Amazing!
Ok - I will definitely purchase one of these cups before my next period and test it out. In the meantime I will conduct some more research to find out which type is best for me. I'll let you know the results after my next cycle.
I think one of the major major benefits of using a menstrual cup is the amount of waste produced by other forms of protection.
This is something that I think you may want to consider for your own comfort and for mother earth.
Free yourself!
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Goodbye all or nothing mentality - Hello moderation!
Hey everyone,
Sorry I haven't posted in a little while. I started a new job, ran a half marathon today and am moving into a new house in just a couple of weeks so life has been busy. I think all of these new developments in my life have definitely resulted in me failing a few challenges or commitments I had made in previous posts (i.e.; the coffee and chocolate situation - who didn't see that coming?). Is this a big deal? Sort of - the main reason I was adopting a lot of these things was for health reasons - so I definitely want to do my best to follow the advice I have been dishing out. But sometimes I found these little challenges a little stressful - and stress is also a killer. So.... moderation is key. My mom is somebody who has always been good with moderation. She eats really well - but indulges in a small dessert after dinner most nights, she is very careful with her money - but occasionally buys expensive clothing or paintings, she wears make-up and uses skin products - but only high end products that are less likely to contain harmful chemicals.
I wanted to come clean and provide you with an update on where I stand in each of my commitments:
Goodbye shampoo? Yes - still no shampoo. My dandruff has suddenly reappeared in the last week but I think this is a result of stress associated with starting a new job. If I switch up my no shampoo routine you will be the first to know.
Goodbye nail polish? I am wearing nail polish right now. It's sandal season. Not sure how I feel about this.
Goodbye deodorant? This one is sooooo easy. My boyfriend has also ditched the stick. He is someone who is always hot- and he smells fantastic.
Goodbye diabetes? Well I don't have diabetes, but I think I could definitely cut back on the sugar.
Goodbye car? I have been riding my bike alot.
Goodbye cineplex? I went to the World Exchange theatre downtown - which feels less corporate and didn't purchase any snacks so.... success.
Goodbye blind trust? Yeah - I guess I have been doing more research before trying homemade recipes and tricks.
Goodbye sweet tooth? ( this post was on toothpaste). I have been using toothpaste mostly rather than salt or baking soda. I have been eating a lot of chocolate lately so I felt I really needed to use toothpaste for the fluoride in order to protect my teeth from cavities.
Goodbye mask? I haven't been wearing makeup to work however I have been wearing some good quality mascara (Marcelle) and eye shadow out on the weekends. I have been using coconut oil for lip gloss.
Goodbye stale air? Well it's finally summer in Ottawa so I have been outside quite a bit but I still haven't started going for walks at lunch time. Maybe this week! This is really important - I just read a NY times article on how sitting for long periods of time everyday will kill you. AND...Working out after a day in the cubicle doesn't cut it (Yikes!). I think I'm going to start standing at work while I read my e-mails.
Goodbye sleeping pills? This was never really an issue however I had a lot of trouble sleeping last week - I think nerves associated with the new job. I realized my advice about getting up and getting stuff done if you can't sleep was kind of useless. I still felt too tired to accomplish things and didn't want to wake up my roomates.
Goodbye oblivion? Yep - I've got people from all across Canada, the United States and even far places like India and Malta reading my blog. Hello!!!
Goodbye hot hot showers? Sort of. I've been trying to end my showers off as cold as I can handle. Some days I can make the shower ice cold and hang out for a few minutes - other days - especially late at night, I don't do this at all.
Goodbye calorie restriction? No - I have been really hungry all of the time - I think from training for the half marathon. Hopefully my crazy hunger will subside now that I am taking a little break from the running.
Goodbye cravings? Yeah, no.
Goodbye race? I think I have been doing better about just enjoying life. I was really nervous about my job but I tried to just embrace it.
Goodbye Mona Lisa smile? Haha - hmmm I think my teeth have been whitter but I am not sure why.
Goodbye scented? This one is easy - I just don't wear any perfume.
Goodbye impulsive hair chopping? So far so good. I told my roomate I wouldn't get a trim until November. I am convinced my hair grows at a snails pace but she thinks I just get too many trims. I am also taking some MSM and biotin supplements. I have to do more research on these supplements. I have a feeling they might have some questionable ingredients or not be very effective but I'd like to give it a shot. My friend from Taiwan suggested eating seaweed to speed up hair growth. I will purchase this next time I head to Herb and Spice. I have also started sleeping with my hair in a scrunchie at night to protect it from all my tossing and turning and my friend also suggested brushing my hair with my head upside down in the morning so I will do this too!
Goodbye sunscreen? So far so good - although it rained all week.
Goodbye chocolate and coffee? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
I look forward to hearing how you are all doing on freeing yourself from big pharma!!
I think it's important to maintain a positive attitude and experiment with different things! Until next time... Free yourself!
Sorry I haven't posted in a little while. I started a new job, ran a half marathon today and am moving into a new house in just a couple of weeks so life has been busy. I think all of these new developments in my life have definitely resulted in me failing a few challenges or commitments I had made in previous posts (i.e.; the coffee and chocolate situation - who didn't see that coming?). Is this a big deal? Sort of - the main reason I was adopting a lot of these things was for health reasons - so I definitely want to do my best to follow the advice I have been dishing out. But sometimes I found these little challenges a little stressful - and stress is also a killer. So.... moderation is key. My mom is somebody who has always been good with moderation. She eats really well - but indulges in a small dessert after dinner most nights, she is very careful with her money - but occasionally buys expensive clothing or paintings, she wears make-up and uses skin products - but only high end products that are less likely to contain harmful chemicals.
I wanted to come clean and provide you with an update on where I stand in each of my commitments:
Goodbye shampoo? Yes - still no shampoo. My dandruff has suddenly reappeared in the last week but I think this is a result of stress associated with starting a new job. If I switch up my no shampoo routine you will be the first to know.
Goodbye nail polish? I am wearing nail polish right now. It's sandal season. Not sure how I feel about this.
Goodbye deodorant? This one is sooooo easy. My boyfriend has also ditched the stick. He is someone who is always hot- and he smells fantastic.
Goodbye diabetes? Well I don't have diabetes, but I think I could definitely cut back on the sugar.
Goodbye car? I have been riding my bike alot.
Goodbye cineplex? I went to the World Exchange theatre downtown - which feels less corporate and didn't purchase any snacks so.... success.
Goodbye blind trust? Yeah - I guess I have been doing more research before trying homemade recipes and tricks.
Goodbye sweet tooth? ( this post was on toothpaste). I have been using toothpaste mostly rather than salt or baking soda. I have been eating a lot of chocolate lately so I felt I really needed to use toothpaste for the fluoride in order to protect my teeth from cavities.
Goodbye mask? I haven't been wearing makeup to work however I have been wearing some good quality mascara (Marcelle) and eye shadow out on the weekends. I have been using coconut oil for lip gloss.
Goodbye stale air? Well it's finally summer in Ottawa so I have been outside quite a bit but I still haven't started going for walks at lunch time. Maybe this week! This is really important - I just read a NY times article on how sitting for long periods of time everyday will kill you. AND...Working out after a day in the cubicle doesn't cut it (Yikes!). I think I'm going to start standing at work while I read my e-mails.
Goodbye sleeping pills? This was never really an issue however I had a lot of trouble sleeping last week - I think nerves associated with the new job. I realized my advice about getting up and getting stuff done if you can't sleep was kind of useless. I still felt too tired to accomplish things and didn't want to wake up my roomates.
Goodbye oblivion? Yep - I've got people from all across Canada, the United States and even far places like India and Malta reading my blog. Hello!!!
Goodbye hot hot showers? Sort of. I've been trying to end my showers off as cold as I can handle. Some days I can make the shower ice cold and hang out for a few minutes - other days - especially late at night, I don't do this at all.
Goodbye calorie restriction? No - I have been really hungry all of the time - I think from training for the half marathon. Hopefully my crazy hunger will subside now that I am taking a little break from the running.
Goodbye cravings? Yeah, no.
Goodbye race? I think I have been doing better about just enjoying life. I was really nervous about my job but I tried to just embrace it.
Goodbye Mona Lisa smile? Haha - hmmm I think my teeth have been whitter but I am not sure why.
Goodbye scented? This one is easy - I just don't wear any perfume.
Goodbye impulsive hair chopping? So far so good. I told my roomate I wouldn't get a trim until November. I am convinced my hair grows at a snails pace but she thinks I just get too many trims. I am also taking some MSM and biotin supplements. I have to do more research on these supplements. I have a feeling they might have some questionable ingredients or not be very effective but I'd like to give it a shot. My friend from Taiwan suggested eating seaweed to speed up hair growth. I will purchase this next time I head to Herb and Spice. I have also started sleeping with my hair in a scrunchie at night to protect it from all my tossing and turning and my friend also suggested brushing my hair with my head upside down in the morning so I will do this too!
Goodbye sunscreen? So far so good - although it rained all week.
Goodbye chocolate and coffee? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
I look forward to hearing how you are all doing on freeing yourself from big pharma!!
I think it's important to maintain a positive attitude and experiment with different things! Until next time... Free yourself!
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Goodbye chocolate and coffee - Hello good riddance!
Hey everyone,
As you all know I am in love with chocolate and coffee. But I've decided to give it up. I will make exceptions for birthday cakes and holidays but otherwise I think it's time I kicked the habit. I feel like I'm really striving to be clean and yet I regularly consume packaged chocolate bars. I think quitting chocolate and coffee is one of the last major changes I need to make in order to achieve a high level of health. And I think I need to quit both at once.
Chocolate pros:
It is true that pure dark chocolate has many health benefits including high iron levels, high antioxidant levels, metabolism boosting and heart health boosting properties. But the reality is most of the time I am not consuming $5 dark chocolate bars.
Chocolate cons:
Most of the time I am consuming processed milk chocolate with lots of saturated fats, corn syrup, refined sugar and preservatives.
Coffee pros:
Coffee drinkers have less Parkinson's, dementia, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. However, this could just be due to the common characteristics of coffee drinkers. I have noticed that many people who do not drink coffee substitute with soft drinks like Coke and tend to be of a lower socio economic background and therefore, more prone to some of the above noted diseases.
Coffee cons:
And... coffee has some known negative effects, mostly as a result of its dehydrating properties. Caffeing found in coffee pulls water out of the body (which is why you have to urinate so much when you drink a big cup in the morning). This water is coming from your skin (which results in wrinkles), your mouth (which results in tooth decay) and other parts of your body. Most Asian people I know do not drink coffee - they tend to drink herbal teas instead - and these Asian people look very young for their age.
Another benefit to quitting coffee and chocolate is that my bones will be stronger. I have very small bones to start with so I really can't afford to losing any more bone density. Caffeine inhibits calcium absorption and therefore prevents the remineralization of bones. Essentially caffeine is one factor that can cause bones to become this and brittle and fracture in old age. (Side note - do not take osteoporosis medication - it has been shown to cause hip fractures in long time users). See link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-03-11-bones11_st_N.htm
Results:
I have noticed that since giving up chocolate and coffee my hunger levels have stabilized. I used to have terrible cravings and I always felt hungry. Now my blood sugar levels are normalizing and everything from my mood to my sleep is feeling more steady.
Need some other reasons:
Coffee can cause weight gain. Coffee increases cortisol levels. Your body naturally produces cortisol when you are stressed so coffee is mimicking this. When you are stressed your body will store as much fat as possible because it is prepping you for going for a long period of time without food. Think hunter gatherer days.
Doubts:
The only thing that is making me a little weary about all of this is that there are some studies that show that coffee may prevent baldness and encourage hair growth.
I think I really need to quit both coffee and chocolate at once. If I keep consuming one, my blood sugar and cortisol levels will become destabilized and I will crave the other.
I think the benefits outweigh the potential negatives so I'm going for it.
Free yourself!
As you all know I am in love with chocolate and coffee. But I've decided to give it up. I will make exceptions for birthday cakes and holidays but otherwise I think it's time I kicked the habit. I feel like I'm really striving to be clean and yet I regularly consume packaged chocolate bars. I think quitting chocolate and coffee is one of the last major changes I need to make in order to achieve a high level of health. And I think I need to quit both at once.
Chocolate pros:
It is true that pure dark chocolate has many health benefits including high iron levels, high antioxidant levels, metabolism boosting and heart health boosting properties. But the reality is most of the time I am not consuming $5 dark chocolate bars.
Chocolate cons:
Most of the time I am consuming processed milk chocolate with lots of saturated fats, corn syrup, refined sugar and preservatives.
Coffee pros:
Coffee drinkers have less Parkinson's, dementia, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. However, this could just be due to the common characteristics of coffee drinkers. I have noticed that many people who do not drink coffee substitute with soft drinks like Coke and tend to be of a lower socio economic background and therefore, more prone to some of the above noted diseases.
Coffee cons:
And... coffee has some known negative effects, mostly as a result of its dehydrating properties. Caffeing found in coffee pulls water out of the body (which is why you have to urinate so much when you drink a big cup in the morning). This water is coming from your skin (which results in wrinkles), your mouth (which results in tooth decay) and other parts of your body. Most Asian people I know do not drink coffee - they tend to drink herbal teas instead - and these Asian people look very young for their age.
Another benefit to quitting coffee and chocolate is that my bones will be stronger. I have very small bones to start with so I really can't afford to losing any more bone density. Caffeine inhibits calcium absorption and therefore prevents the remineralization of bones. Essentially caffeine is one factor that can cause bones to become this and brittle and fracture in old age. (Side note - do not take osteoporosis medication - it has been shown to cause hip fractures in long time users). See link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-03-11-bones11_st_N.htm
Results:
I have noticed that since giving up chocolate and coffee my hunger levels have stabilized. I used to have terrible cravings and I always felt hungry. Now my blood sugar levels are normalizing and everything from my mood to my sleep is feeling more steady.
Need some other reasons:
Coffee can cause weight gain. Coffee increases cortisol levels. Your body naturally produces cortisol when you are stressed so coffee is mimicking this. When you are stressed your body will store as much fat as possible because it is prepping you for going for a long period of time without food. Think hunter gatherer days.
Doubts:
The only thing that is making me a little weary about all of this is that there are some studies that show that coffee may prevent baldness and encourage hair growth.
I think I really need to quit both coffee and chocolate at once. If I keep consuming one, my blood sugar and cortisol levels will become destabilized and I will crave the other.
I think the benefits outweigh the potential negatives so I'm going for it.
Free yourself!
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Goodbye sunscreen - Hello shade!
Hey everyone,
I am quite fair and burn relatively easily. Last summer I was pretty vigilant about wearing sunscreen, even on weekdays - when my only sun exposure was at 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. At the end of the summer - I was still white as a ghost however I felt that I had done the right thing. Well - it turns out maybe I hadn't.
Some recent studies suggest that sunscreen may accelerate or promote skin cancer. Why? Here's a few reasons:
1) Vitamin A - which is found in many high-end facial moisturizers/sunscreen is photocarcinogenic. This means that when it is exposed to the sun it can cause cancerous tumours. Vitamin A, often in the form of retinol, is often added to sunscreen because of its antioxidant properties. It is also believed to reverse skin aging. But it turns out it this "anti aging favourite" becomes nasty when it reacts with sunlight. For more info: http://www.aolnews.com/2010/05/24/study-many-sunscreens-may-be-accelerating-cancer/
2) Many of the ingredients found in sunscreen lotion are absorbed into your skin and are often hormone disrupting and adversely affect the immune system.
3) Even weak sunscreens will block UVB rays from reaching your skin surface and will consequently reduce the production of Vitamin D by 95%. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones as well as a healthy immune system, preventing multiple sclerosis and certain forms of cancer. I think it is important to note that many fatty fish are also a good source of Vitamin D.
4) Sunscreens often contain oxybenzone, a chemical that absorbs UVA and UVB rays. Oxybenzone produces free radicals when it reacts with sunlight. Free radical damage can lead to cancer.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested 500 sunscreens and found that only 39 were up to par. I would recommend you check out the EWG's full ranking of sunscreens.
http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/
Another thing that is pretty shocking is that even the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other national cancer research and dermatology institutes don't believe that sunscreen is very effective in preventing skin cancer, if at all. In 2009, the National Cancer Institute stated: “It is not known if protecting skin from sunlight and other UV radiation decreases the risk of skin cancer. It is not known if non-melanoma skin cancer risk is decreased by staying out of the sun, using sunscreens, or wearing long sleeve shirts, long pants, sun hats and sunglasses when outdoors”.
Check out the link below for more information.
http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/full-report/health-agencies-question-sunscreen-efficacy/
Why is everybody wearing sunscreen when the leading institutions do not even know if it is effective?
Here is what I am going to do with this information. For this one - I am not going to try and tell you what to do because the stakes are high.
1 - I will not wear sunscreen.
2 - I will wear a hat, bring an umbrella to the beach, use a t-shirt etc. when I am in the sun between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. - I think the umbrella at the beach is really key for being able to comfortably read. I can't lie on my back - even with sunshades and read a book comfortably.
3 - I will not be afraid of getting a little bit of natural sunlight, HOWEVER, - I will not get one burn this summer. I promise.
4 - I will continue to eat a diet rich in Vitamin D food (ex. salmon, vitamin D enriched milk).
5- I will do regular skin checks to make sure that I don't have any new odd looking moles. See the attached link for a guide on what to look out for: http://www.golfdigest.com/images/magazine/2008/07/maar02_skin.gif
I hope you keep your eyes and ears open for information on the best way to protect yourself from skin cancer. Please share any additional knowledge on skin cancer below. Free yourself!
I am quite fair and burn relatively easily. Last summer I was pretty vigilant about wearing sunscreen, even on weekdays - when my only sun exposure was at 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. At the end of the summer - I was still white as a ghost however I felt that I had done the right thing. Well - it turns out maybe I hadn't.
Some recent studies suggest that sunscreen may accelerate or promote skin cancer. Why? Here's a few reasons:
1) Vitamin A - which is found in many high-end facial moisturizers/sunscreen is photocarcinogenic. This means that when it is exposed to the sun it can cause cancerous tumours. Vitamin A, often in the form of retinol, is often added to sunscreen because of its antioxidant properties. It is also believed to reverse skin aging. But it turns out it this "anti aging favourite" becomes nasty when it reacts with sunlight. For more info: http://www.aolnews.com/2010/05/24/study-many-sunscreens-may-be-accelerating-cancer/
2) Many of the ingredients found in sunscreen lotion are absorbed into your skin and are often hormone disrupting and adversely affect the immune system.
3) Even weak sunscreens will block UVB rays from reaching your skin surface and will consequently reduce the production of Vitamin D by 95%. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones as well as a healthy immune system, preventing multiple sclerosis and certain forms of cancer. I think it is important to note that many fatty fish are also a good source of Vitamin D.
4) Sunscreens often contain oxybenzone, a chemical that absorbs UVA and UVB rays. Oxybenzone produces free radicals when it reacts with sunlight. Free radical damage can lead to cancer.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested 500 sunscreens and found that only 39 were up to par. I would recommend you check out the EWG's full ranking of sunscreens.
http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/
Another thing that is pretty shocking is that even the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other national cancer research and dermatology institutes don't believe that sunscreen is very effective in preventing skin cancer, if at all. In 2009, the National Cancer Institute stated: “It is not known if protecting skin from sunlight and other UV radiation decreases the risk of skin cancer. It is not known if non-melanoma skin cancer risk is decreased by staying out of the sun, using sunscreens, or wearing long sleeve shirts, long pants, sun hats and sunglasses when outdoors”.
Check out the link below for more information.
http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/full-report/health-agencies-question-sunscreen-efficacy/
Why is everybody wearing sunscreen when the leading institutions do not even know if it is effective?
Here is what I am going to do with this information. For this one - I am not going to try and tell you what to do because the stakes are high.
1 - I will not wear sunscreen.
2 - I will wear a hat, bring an umbrella to the beach, use a t-shirt etc. when I am in the sun between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. - I think the umbrella at the beach is really key for being able to comfortably read. I can't lie on my back - even with sunshades and read a book comfortably.
3 - I will not be afraid of getting a little bit of natural sunlight, HOWEVER, - I will not get one burn this summer. I promise.
4 - I will continue to eat a diet rich in Vitamin D food (ex. salmon, vitamin D enriched milk).
5- I will do regular skin checks to make sure that I don't have any new odd looking moles. See the attached link for a guide on what to look out for: http://www.golfdigest.com/images/magazine/2008/07/maar02_skin.gif
I hope you keep your eyes and ears open for information on the best way to protect yourself from skin cancer. Please share any additional knowledge on skin cancer below. Free yourself!
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Goodbye impulsive hair chopping - Hello waiting!!
Hey everyone,
Until recently, my hair had been the same length for a long time. The funny thing was - this was not at all intentional. My plan was always to grow my hair out really long- but every 4 or 5 months I would get fed up with my thin hair and head to the salon. I would usually just request a trim - but they often took a little extra off. If other Ottawans are looking to grow out their hair, and are willing to spend some money, I would recommend SAAB salon on Bank Street. The stylists at SAAB really listened to me and respected my long term hair goals. The problem was it ended up costing me $85 with the tip for such a subtle change. So - I made the mistake of trying different salons - where the stylists would take more than half an inch off and would add too many short layers, etc.
Side note: I think my hair experience - as perhaps trivial as it may seem- can teach everyone a lesson. In order for things to change - you can't keep repeating the same behaviour. Sometimes you just need to be patient and wait.
This past Dec 30, I decided I really wanted a new look, so I went to the salon and asked for shoulder length hair- and they gave me like a couple inches above shoulder length - of course. Most people think it looks better now - since my hair is quite thin so it looked a little scraggly when it was longer.
But I think I'm looking a little "new mom" ish. This is not meant to offend new moms- they are busy running around and need a functional haircut. Also - I understand that a lot of hair falls out post-pregnancy. But I am still in my mid 20s and do not have a newborn so I think the cut does not suit me. These are supposed to be my glamour years!!!
My hair is now layered - with the longest layers just a little bit past my shoulders and the shorter layers just past my chin. I don't style it for a few different reasons.
a) heat is bad for your hair
b) I bike to work with a helmet on my head
c) I don't want to put any product in it
Since the no shampoo (no poo) method - my mom (my cheeleader) says my hair is much healthier and thicker. I adopted this no shampoo method about a month after chopping off so much of my hair.
So I'm sort of caught - although I think my hair looks really healthy, it is pretty boring and not at all stylish - but I don't want to put any products, highlights, whatever in it since it is delicate and thin and this will only slow down the growing process and thin it out even more. I also have beaded hair, also known as monilethrix. People with monilethrix have trouble growing long hair since each strand has a tiny knot about every millimeter down the hair strand and is prone to splitting at these knots. Most people don't notice it - except hairdressers - but under a bright light you will see that my hair has little stripes going down the hair shaft. To be honest - I'm not 100% sure that I have moniletrhix since my hair was able to get so long. Most google images have pictures of people with super short patchy hair. Perhaps I have a mild form of this.
Here pictures (OF OTHER WOMEN) of my pre and post New Years haircut.
Pre New Years hair
(My current haircut - it's a little longer right now)
So I'm asking you readers - what should I do? I guess my goal is to keep it really healthy and go back to my old length or longer but with thicker hair this time around. If you have any tips, good in between cuts, good foods to eat, maybe staying in down- dog for hours on end so that a lot of blood rushes to my scalp, please send me a comment.
I think I might do a before and after "Freeing myself from Big Pharma" photos next New Years but until then I will not be posting photos of myself.
If you have any tips - please share the love.
Free yourself!
Until recently, my hair had been the same length for a long time. The funny thing was - this was not at all intentional. My plan was always to grow my hair out really long- but every 4 or 5 months I would get fed up with my thin hair and head to the salon. I would usually just request a trim - but they often took a little extra off. If other Ottawans are looking to grow out their hair, and are willing to spend some money, I would recommend SAAB salon on Bank Street. The stylists at SAAB really listened to me and respected my long term hair goals. The problem was it ended up costing me $85 with the tip for such a subtle change. So - I made the mistake of trying different salons - where the stylists would take more than half an inch off and would add too many short layers, etc.
Side note: I think my hair experience - as perhaps trivial as it may seem- can teach everyone a lesson. In order for things to change - you can't keep repeating the same behaviour. Sometimes you just need to be patient and wait.
This past Dec 30, I decided I really wanted a new look, so I went to the salon and asked for shoulder length hair- and they gave me like a couple inches above shoulder length - of course. Most people think it looks better now - since my hair is quite thin so it looked a little scraggly when it was longer.
But I think I'm looking a little "new mom" ish. This is not meant to offend new moms- they are busy running around and need a functional haircut. Also - I understand that a lot of hair falls out post-pregnancy. But I am still in my mid 20s and do not have a newborn so I think the cut does not suit me. These are supposed to be my glamour years!!!
My hair is now layered - with the longest layers just a little bit past my shoulders and the shorter layers just past my chin. I don't style it for a few different reasons.
a) heat is bad for your hair
b) I bike to work with a helmet on my head
c) I don't want to put any product in it
Since the no shampoo (no poo) method - my mom (my cheeleader) says my hair is much healthier and thicker. I adopted this no shampoo method about a month after chopping off so much of my hair.
So I'm sort of caught - although I think my hair looks really healthy, it is pretty boring and not at all stylish - but I don't want to put any products, highlights, whatever in it since it is delicate and thin and this will only slow down the growing process and thin it out even more. I also have beaded hair, also known as monilethrix. People with monilethrix have trouble growing long hair since each strand has a tiny knot about every millimeter down the hair strand and is prone to splitting at these knots. Most people don't notice it - except hairdressers - but under a bright light you will see that my hair has little stripes going down the hair shaft. To be honest - I'm not 100% sure that I have moniletrhix since my hair was able to get so long. Most google images have pictures of people with super short patchy hair. Perhaps I have a mild form of this.
Here pictures (OF OTHER WOMEN) of my pre and post New Years haircut.
Pre New Years hair
(My current haircut - it's a little longer right now)
So I'm asking you readers - what should I do? I guess my goal is to keep it really healthy and go back to my old length or longer but with thicker hair this time around. If you have any tips, good in between cuts, good foods to eat, maybe staying in down- dog for hours on end so that a lot of blood rushes to my scalp, please send me a comment.
I think I might do a before and after "Freeing myself from Big Pharma" photos next New Years but until then I will not be posting photos of myself.
If you have any tips - please share the love.
Free yourself!
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Goodbye scented (read toxic) products - Hello fragrance free!
Hey everyone,
Today we will be discussing scents. I was reading the following article in the Life section of the Globe and Mail and it inspired me to do a post on fragrances.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/work/wacky-workplace-rules-no-beards-no-gossip-no-deodorant/article1638154/
The article is fun but the comments are hilarious. Most of the comments had to do with people venting about smelly co-workers. I don't believe that wearing deodorant prevents bad odor - but rather regular showers, clean clothing and a healthy lifestyle will keep you from offending your neighbours.
Here are some of the problems with fragrances in many beauty/cleaning products:
1) Perfume/ Cologne:
Most perfumes and colognes do not list all of the ingredients on their labels. The excuse: to protect the brand's "secret recipe". This recipe is often a concoction of hormone disrupting petrochemicals. Please find below a link to a great report entitled Not so sexy, by the Environmental Working Group, which tested commonly used brand name scents such as Chanel, Armani, Britney Spears and many more.
http://www.ewg.org/notsosexy
I would recommend forgoing perfume an cologne and just eating well and exercising instead.
2) Laundry detergent / Dryer sheets:
Do not dry clean - apparently the dry cleaners use a chemical called perchloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene which can cause central nervous system damage and is toxic for the environment. My boyfriend wears suits frequently and gets his jackets and pants dry cleaned. I think I am going to invest in a clothes steamer for him because this information makes me a little nervous.
I am currently using a fragrance free President's Choice laundry detergent and I hang dry all of my clothing so I don't use dryer sheets. I have never paid much attention to the ingredients in my detergent - but tonight I am going to take a look to make sure there is no phosphates or chlorine. I have read some posts on making your own laundry detergent - but they seem extremely time consuming and don't appear to be that effective. Smelly shirts cause bad odor so make sure to wash your shirts after 1 or 2 uses. Many pants on the other hand do not need to be washed so frequently. I have a friend who used to work in the fashion industry and she said jeans are "cooler" if they are not washed with soap (I think because they get almost a duller -vintage look). She suggested spot cleaning jeans if they get stained and putting them on a clothes line to air them out.
Want more tips on non toxic cleaning around the house:
I stumbled upon this great site which offers more natural solutions to most household cleaning products - from wood varnish to air fresheners.
http://www.oregontoxics.org/kitchen_laundry.html
3) Deodorant / Antiperspirants:
Check out my earlier post on this topic. Use baking soda instead!!
4) Air fresheners:
Use baking soda in the fridge, in the bathroom and open all the windows to get some fresh air in your house.
5) Take a look at your diet:
Here is a great article from Psychology today on eliminating red meat consumption to smell nicer.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/homo-consumericus/201002/you-want-smell-better-don-t-eat-red-meat
I hope you consider alternate ways to keep the air around you smelling pleasant. It doesn't need to cost much, and I don't think we should obsess over it either. Free yourself!
Today we will be discussing scents. I was reading the following article in the Life section of the Globe and Mail and it inspired me to do a post on fragrances.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/work/wacky-workplace-rules-no-beards-no-gossip-no-deodorant/article1638154/
The article is fun but the comments are hilarious. Most of the comments had to do with people venting about smelly co-workers. I don't believe that wearing deodorant prevents bad odor - but rather regular showers, clean clothing and a healthy lifestyle will keep you from offending your neighbours.
Here are some of the problems with fragrances in many beauty/cleaning products:
1) Perfume/ Cologne:
Most perfumes and colognes do not list all of the ingredients on their labels. The excuse: to protect the brand's "secret recipe". This recipe is often a concoction of hormone disrupting petrochemicals. Please find below a link to a great report entitled Not so sexy, by the Environmental Working Group, which tested commonly used brand name scents such as Chanel, Armani, Britney Spears and many more.
http://www.ewg.org/notsosexy
I would recommend forgoing perfume an cologne and just eating well and exercising instead.
2) Laundry detergent / Dryer sheets:
Do not dry clean - apparently the dry cleaners use a chemical called perchloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene which can cause central nervous system damage and is toxic for the environment. My boyfriend wears suits frequently and gets his jackets and pants dry cleaned. I think I am going to invest in a clothes steamer for him because this information makes me a little nervous.
I am currently using a fragrance free President's Choice laundry detergent and I hang dry all of my clothing so I don't use dryer sheets. I have never paid much attention to the ingredients in my detergent - but tonight I am going to take a look to make sure there is no phosphates or chlorine. I have read some posts on making your own laundry detergent - but they seem extremely time consuming and don't appear to be that effective. Smelly shirts cause bad odor so make sure to wash your shirts after 1 or 2 uses. Many pants on the other hand do not need to be washed so frequently. I have a friend who used to work in the fashion industry and she said jeans are "cooler" if they are not washed with soap (I think because they get almost a duller -vintage look). She suggested spot cleaning jeans if they get stained and putting them on a clothes line to air them out.
Want more tips on non toxic cleaning around the house:
I stumbled upon this great site which offers more natural solutions to most household cleaning products - from wood varnish to air fresheners.
http://www.oregontoxics.org/kitchen_laundry.html
3) Deodorant / Antiperspirants:
Check out my earlier post on this topic. Use baking soda instead!!
4) Air fresheners:
Use baking soda in the fridge, in the bathroom and open all the windows to get some fresh air in your house.
5) Take a look at your diet:
Here is a great article from Psychology today on eliminating red meat consumption to smell nicer.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/homo-consumericus/201002/you-want-smell-better-don-t-eat-red-meat
I hope you consider alternate ways to keep the air around you smelling pleasant. It doesn't need to cost much, and I don't think we should obsess over it either. Free yourself!
Monday, 9 May 2011
Goodbye Mona Lisa smile - Hello peroxide punch!
Hey everyone,
As all my faithful followers know - I've been working on getting my teeth whitter. I tend to smile with my mouth closed because I don't like my slightly off-white teeth. This Mona Lisa smile makes me look kind of timid or mischievous in photos.
When I visit the dentist for my bi-annual cleanings, the dental hygienists sand blast my teeth with baking soda. I have asked the dentist if they can do anything more drastic but he has recommended that I don't do anything else since my enamel is already thin. Apparently I grind my teeth while I sleep - I have been given a night guard to wear but I recently stopped wearing it because I don't like the idea of putting plastic in my hot mouth. I believe the heat from my body must slowly break down the plastic and I don't want plastic accumulating in my body. On top of this, the night guard was uncomfortable and my boyfriend doesn't think I grind my teeth since he has never heard anything. I assume I must have done this before when I was a stressed out University student. Now my life is relatively free and easy - I am not being sarcastic.
Last night I brushed by teeth with baking soda, then I dipped my toothbrush in 3% hydrogen peroxide and brushed the front of my teeth and later on I brushed my teeth with a regular toothpaste containing fluoride. I intend to do this about once a week. This morning I noticed my teeth are definitely whitter than usual.
I heard about using regular hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth from a blog of a woman who was using baking soda instead of regular toothpaste.
I think the hydrogen peroxide was effective and a much more affordable solution than buying white strips or fancy mouth wash. But I am not sure it is healthier than alternate solutions. The European Union only allows hydrogen peroxide concentrations of up to 0.1% to be sold over the counter. Although hydrogen peroxide is a normal product of metabolism and is found in the body - studies have shown that it can aggravate the risk of cancer caused by smoking. The British Dental Journal suggests refraining from using hydrogen peroxide without gum protection given its tumor promoting effects.
Other studies have suggested that hydrogen peroxide can wear down the enamel of your teeth. However, most of the research I have come across has suggested that, overall, hydrogen peroxide is safe.
I'm really looking forward to my next dentist appointment. I think I won't say anything until the hygienist gives me her initial thoughts. Then I will have quite a few questions for the dentist:
- Is hydrogen peroxide safe to use on a weekly basis given that I do not smoke?
- Does baking soda wear down my enamel?
- Is sea salt or baking soda better for my teeth?
A friend told me that the no toothpaste method can cause little black dots to appear on my teeth. I have been on the lookout for these black dots - which apparently go away once you use a regular toothpaste.
I guess I'm not really comfortable giving any concrete advice yet with respect to dental hygiene. I would definitely not use anything containing hydrogen peroxide if you are a smoker and I would refrain from using a hydrogen peroxide whitener often. I don't think the crest strips or bleaching trays are safer than just dipping the toothbrush in a hydrogen peroxide solution.
I would say that my teeth feel a little bit more sensitive today so - I think I'll probably only use this method once a month. Until my next encounter with peroxide - I think I will try a couple of other methods. Sunday will be the day when I experiment.
1) I will mash a fresh strawberry and apply it to my teeth using a toothbrush or finger to brush my teeth.
2) I will dip my toothbrush in apple cider vinegar. Apparently this is a great way to remove tartar without damaging your enamel.
3) I will rub the inside of an orange peel onto my teeth.
Let me know if you have any other low-cost home recipes for beautiful teeth. Free yourself!
As all my faithful followers know - I've been working on getting my teeth whitter. I tend to smile with my mouth closed because I don't like my slightly off-white teeth. This Mona Lisa smile makes me look kind of timid or mischievous in photos.
When I visit the dentist for my bi-annual cleanings, the dental hygienists sand blast my teeth with baking soda. I have asked the dentist if they can do anything more drastic but he has recommended that I don't do anything else since my enamel is already thin. Apparently I grind my teeth while I sleep - I have been given a night guard to wear but I recently stopped wearing it because I don't like the idea of putting plastic in my hot mouth. I believe the heat from my body must slowly break down the plastic and I don't want plastic accumulating in my body. On top of this, the night guard was uncomfortable and my boyfriend doesn't think I grind my teeth since he has never heard anything. I assume I must have done this before when I was a stressed out University student. Now my life is relatively free and easy - I am not being sarcastic.
Last night I brushed by teeth with baking soda, then I dipped my toothbrush in 3% hydrogen peroxide and brushed the front of my teeth and later on I brushed my teeth with a regular toothpaste containing fluoride. I intend to do this about once a week. This morning I noticed my teeth are definitely whitter than usual.
I heard about using regular hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth from a blog of a woman who was using baking soda instead of regular toothpaste.
I think the hydrogen peroxide was effective and a much more affordable solution than buying white strips or fancy mouth wash. But I am not sure it is healthier than alternate solutions. The European Union only allows hydrogen peroxide concentrations of up to 0.1% to be sold over the counter. Although hydrogen peroxide is a normal product of metabolism and is found in the body - studies have shown that it can aggravate the risk of cancer caused by smoking. The British Dental Journal suggests refraining from using hydrogen peroxide without gum protection given its tumor promoting effects.
Other studies have suggested that hydrogen peroxide can wear down the enamel of your teeth. However, most of the research I have come across has suggested that, overall, hydrogen peroxide is safe.
I'm really looking forward to my next dentist appointment. I think I won't say anything until the hygienist gives me her initial thoughts. Then I will have quite a few questions for the dentist:
- Is hydrogen peroxide safe to use on a weekly basis given that I do not smoke?
- Does baking soda wear down my enamel?
- Is sea salt or baking soda better for my teeth?
A friend told me that the no toothpaste method can cause little black dots to appear on my teeth. I have been on the lookout for these black dots - which apparently go away once you use a regular toothpaste.
I guess I'm not really comfortable giving any concrete advice yet with respect to dental hygiene. I would definitely not use anything containing hydrogen peroxide if you are a smoker and I would refrain from using a hydrogen peroxide whitener often. I don't think the crest strips or bleaching trays are safer than just dipping the toothbrush in a hydrogen peroxide solution.
I would say that my teeth feel a little bit more sensitive today so - I think I'll probably only use this method once a month. Until my next encounter with peroxide - I think I will try a couple of other methods. Sunday will be the day when I experiment.
1) I will mash a fresh strawberry and apply it to my teeth using a toothbrush or finger to brush my teeth.
2) I will dip my toothbrush in apple cider vinegar. Apparently this is a great way to remove tartar without damaging your enamel.
3) I will rub the inside of an orange peel onto my teeth.
Let me know if you have any other low-cost home recipes for beautiful teeth. Free yourself!
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Goodbye race - Hello experience!
Hey everyone,
I wanted to do a movie review of Into the Wild, a Sean Penn movie starring Emile Hirsch. It's a true life story of a recent university graduate who is sickened by the materialism of the world and decides to escape society's expectations of a recent straight As college grad and back pack around the U.S. with almost no money. I watched it for the first time tonight.
Well - I loved the premise of the movie but felt it was a little melodramatic and I guess still a little too "clean" - his encounters with people seemed too perfect- it was missing the awkwardness and struggle of everyday life. I thought the characters were too flawed or not flawed enough. My boyfriend pointed out that it is definitely something that only the rich would find romantic. I did find the movie truly entertaining and I am not sure if I would have enjoyed it had it been more "real".
The soundtrack was great too! But it got me thinking- there is all this great music playing while he is on his adventures - and this tricks the viewer from feeling the loneliness and perhaps fear that the character must have felt early on. Movies often turn very regular mundane scenes into something beautiful and moving by adding big music in the background.
All in all I loved the movie because it got me thinking about focusing on experiences. I think it's time I focus more on positive experiences. I think I may have lost track of this - or maybe I never really focused on it. Sometimes life just feels like a race. I am always chasing a higher level at work, a more fit body, all of my to-dos.... but I want this to change- I feel like I am at a point in my life where I can take a deep breathe and start pursuing things with experience in mind rather than the end result.
I encourage you to think about experience too! Free yourself!
I wanted to do a movie review of Into the Wild, a Sean Penn movie starring Emile Hirsch. It's a true life story of a recent university graduate who is sickened by the materialism of the world and decides to escape society's expectations of a recent straight As college grad and back pack around the U.S. with almost no money. I watched it for the first time tonight.
Well - I loved the premise of the movie but felt it was a little melodramatic and I guess still a little too "clean" - his encounters with people seemed too perfect- it was missing the awkwardness and struggle of everyday life. I thought the characters were too flawed or not flawed enough. My boyfriend pointed out that it is definitely something that only the rich would find romantic. I did find the movie truly entertaining and I am not sure if I would have enjoyed it had it been more "real".
The soundtrack was great too! But it got me thinking- there is all this great music playing while he is on his adventures - and this tricks the viewer from feeling the loneliness and perhaps fear that the character must have felt early on. Movies often turn very regular mundane scenes into something beautiful and moving by adding big music in the background.
All in all I loved the movie because it got me thinking about focusing on experiences. I think it's time I focus more on positive experiences. I think I may have lost track of this - or maybe I never really focused on it. Sometimes life just feels like a race. I am always chasing a higher level at work, a more fit body, all of my to-dos.... but I want this to change- I feel like I am at a point in my life where I can take a deep breathe and start pursuing things with experience in mind rather than the end result.
I encourage you to think about experience too! Free yourself!
Goodbye cravings - Hello taste buds!!
Hey everyone,
This is going to be a short post because I am going on a hike in Gatineau park shortly. Yay fresh air! As you may have seen from my comment on my last post, the intermittent fasting experiment was very challenging. I was golden until about 1:00 p.m. and then I just couldn't get food off my mind. I decided to only do a true 24 hour fast and ate at about 8:30 p.m. last night, so it had been 26 hours since my last meal.
I have decided that for now I will not fast on weekdays since it is disruptive at work and I think I will fast once a month. (Maybe the first Sunday of every month - like what Mormons do).
One thing I did notice was that my food last night was much more tasty than it would have otherwise have been. I had carrots, soup ....... and then cashews and chocolate chips (that I was supposed to save for baking) lol, but anyways, the carrots and soup tasted better than they normally would have.
I have read that fasting can help you appreciate healthy food. Before people used to have fruit for dessert - and it was a treat (think orange in your Christmas stocking) - now fruit for dessert is seen as something reserved for miserable dieters.
There are a lot of other benefits to intermittent fasting that I didn't mention in my last post - like improved skin, white eyes, protection against colds, better digestion and elimination. The list goes on.
Also- I came across this great example online yesterday. Apparently, when an animal is sick, it stops eating. This is because its body knows that fasting will allow it to heal faster because all of the animal's energy is going towards the healing process rather than digestion.
Ok - I should get going. I just want to assure people that I do not have an eating disorder. I am naturally a thin person who works out a lot - but - I have a healthy appetite. I just really enjoy challenging myself in different ways. I also want to stay healthy for as long as possible. I guess death is something that really scares me and I haven't come to terms with it yet.
Well - on that sad not I guess I'll say .... Free yourself!
This is going to be a short post because I am going on a hike in Gatineau park shortly. Yay fresh air! As you may have seen from my comment on my last post, the intermittent fasting experiment was very challenging. I was golden until about 1:00 p.m. and then I just couldn't get food off my mind. I decided to only do a true 24 hour fast and ate at about 8:30 p.m. last night, so it had been 26 hours since my last meal.
I have decided that for now I will not fast on weekdays since it is disruptive at work and I think I will fast once a month. (Maybe the first Sunday of every month - like what Mormons do).
One thing I did notice was that my food last night was much more tasty than it would have otherwise have been. I had carrots, soup ....... and then cashews and chocolate chips (that I was supposed to save for baking) lol, but anyways, the carrots and soup tasted better than they normally would have.
I have read that fasting can help you appreciate healthy food. Before people used to have fruit for dessert - and it was a treat (think orange in your Christmas stocking) - now fruit for dessert is seen as something reserved for miserable dieters.
There are a lot of other benefits to intermittent fasting that I didn't mention in my last post - like improved skin, white eyes, protection against colds, better digestion and elimination. The list goes on.
Also- I came across this great example online yesterday. Apparently, when an animal is sick, it stops eating. This is because its body knows that fasting will allow it to heal faster because all of the animal's energy is going towards the healing process rather than digestion.
Ok - I should get going. I just want to assure people that I do not have an eating disorder. I am naturally a thin person who works out a lot - but - I have a healthy appetite. I just really enjoy challenging myself in different ways. I also want to stay healthy for as long as possible. I guess death is something that really scares me and I haven't come to terms with it yet.
Well - on that sad not I guess I'll say .... Free yourself!
Friday, 6 May 2011
Goodbye calorie restriction - Hello intermittent fasting!
Hey everyone,
As I mentioned in my insomnia post, my whole attempt at calorie restriction has been a huge fail. I think I ate a chocolate croissant right after I finished the post. A good alternative to calorie restriction is intermittent fasting. This is what I am doing today. I have not eaten since yesterday at dinner. I do not plan on eating or drinking anything but water until tomorrow morning. Why? Because it is extremely healthy. I haven't decided how often I will fast. In one study, it was found that men saw the most benefits when fasting every second day while women saw the most benefits when fasting every eight days. I think I will start with once a month and make my way down gradually to once every eight days.
Apparently Mormons are among the healthiest group of Americans and it is suspected that the cause is the low smoking rates and the fact that they fast on the first Sunday of every month. A study by the American Heart Association also did a study on the benefits of fasting while controlling for drug use, alcohol and tobacco. The result: the individuals who fasted were always better off.
I think this is all pretty logical: think of our hunter gatherer days. People wouldn't have antelope just hanging around all the time waiting to be chewed. People had to chase their pray. This meant that you would eat when you could but there were periods without food. I was reminded by this while reading "Pillars of the Earth" which takes place in 12th Century Europe. I won't give the novel away - but I'll say that many of the characters go for extended periods of time without eating much.
The most impressive part of intermittent fasting is that it can help prevent cancer and can even help indivduals going through chemotherapy. I think this is really important so here is the full article:
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20080331/fasting_may_improve_cancer_chemotherapy
There are two aspects to the protective and healing effect of fasting with respect to cancer.
1) There are less errors made in the regeneration of cells when you are fasting. It is believed that a major cause is that the body is able to put more energy towards regeneration. Eating is actually very taxing for your body and also produces many oxidants.
2) As the article above notes, fasting may protect healthy cells when you are undergoing chemotherapy.
A study from the National Institute on Aging also has conducted tests (with mice) which had led researchers to conclude that Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting dietary regimens can ameliorate age-related deficits such as Alzheimer's disease.
How am I feeling right now? Generally I feel ok - maybe a little irritable, but I know that I will just need to adapt. Apparently this diet is especially hard if you eat a carb heavy diet which I do. Most proponents of this diet try to follow a primal diet which consists of fruit, vegetables, meat and a small amount of nuts and grains. Where's the chocolate?
I encourage you to do this slowly. I'll keep you posted on my results.
Until next time... Free yourself!
As I mentioned in my insomnia post, my whole attempt at calorie restriction has been a huge fail. I think I ate a chocolate croissant right after I finished the post. A good alternative to calorie restriction is intermittent fasting. This is what I am doing today. I have not eaten since yesterday at dinner. I do not plan on eating or drinking anything but water until tomorrow morning. Why? Because it is extremely healthy. I haven't decided how often I will fast. In one study, it was found that men saw the most benefits when fasting every second day while women saw the most benefits when fasting every eight days. I think I will start with once a month and make my way down gradually to once every eight days.
Apparently Mormons are among the healthiest group of Americans and it is suspected that the cause is the low smoking rates and the fact that they fast on the first Sunday of every month. A study by the American Heart Association also did a study on the benefits of fasting while controlling for drug use, alcohol and tobacco. The result: the individuals who fasted were always better off.
I think this is all pretty logical: think of our hunter gatherer days. People wouldn't have antelope just hanging around all the time waiting to be chewed. People had to chase their pray. This meant that you would eat when you could but there were periods without food. I was reminded by this while reading "Pillars of the Earth" which takes place in 12th Century Europe. I won't give the novel away - but I'll say that many of the characters go for extended periods of time without eating much.
The most impressive part of intermittent fasting is that it can help prevent cancer and can even help indivduals going through chemotherapy. I think this is really important so here is the full article:
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20080331/fasting_may_improve_cancer_chemotherapy
There are two aspects to the protective and healing effect of fasting with respect to cancer.
1) There are less errors made in the regeneration of cells when you are fasting. It is believed that a major cause is that the body is able to put more energy towards regeneration. Eating is actually very taxing for your body and also produces many oxidants.
2) As the article above notes, fasting may protect healthy cells when you are undergoing chemotherapy.
A study from the National Institute on Aging also has conducted tests (with mice) which had led researchers to conclude that Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting dietary regimens can ameliorate age-related deficits such as Alzheimer's disease.
How am I feeling right now? Generally I feel ok - maybe a little irritable, but I know that I will just need to adapt. Apparently this diet is especially hard if you eat a carb heavy diet which I do. Most proponents of this diet try to follow a primal diet which consists of fruit, vegetables, meat and a small amount of nuts and grains. Where's the chocolate?
I encourage you to do this slowly. I'll keep you posted on my results.
Until next time... Free yourself!
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Goodbye hot hot showers - Hello cc-cc-o-co-c-olddd showers!
Hey everyone,
I'll start with an Irish curse: "the end of the feast is frowning."
PS: (the feast is a long hot shower)
Yesterday my roommate was telling me that her cousin had posted something on facebook about the health benefits of cold showers. I thought I would explore this further. Wow - it definitely seems to be accepted that cold showers are an effective tool for anti aging, preventing injury, improving sleep,....
I have always known that you should rinse your hair with cold water before getting out of the shower to close the tip of the cuticle. Your hair will appear shinier and be less prone to split ends. But this is just the beginning.
When you take a cold shower - blood will rush from the extremities of your body. This will increase circulation and help eliminate toxins from the blood and your muscles. After your shower, the fresh blood being pumped to your skin will also provide nutrients and oxygen to the skin and will give you a youthful glow.
Another benefit, is that when you shower in cold water, the pores of your skin stay closed which prevents any chemicals from products (if you are using them) or municipal tap water from penetrating your skin barrier.
Apparently it improves fertility in men.
It will make your skin more elastic, tighter and more moist. Hot water removes your skin's natural oil and will make your skin loose.
Apparently the increased blood flow has also been reported to help people suffering from depression and anxiety.
It will help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism up to 80%. I read online that a women lost ten lbs without changing anything in her diet and exercise regimen. Hot water causes food to pass through your intestines more slowly - which is uncomfortable and a major cause of weight gain.
Several experts do not recommend this method if you are more than 7 months pregnant. There has also been some websites advising women who are menstruating or men that have just ejaculated not to take hot showers because their bodies are working hard enough. Also - it is not advisable to shower for more than 10 minutes with cold water.
I have never taken a 100% cold shower in my life. I love my hot showers. So this is really troubling for me.
I would like us to do this together since it won't be easy at first - but I think we will gradually enjoy it. It helps that summer is coming.
My approach will be to start off in a lukewarm shower and go back and forth between cold and lukewarm for the first week. I'll check back in after that.
The last thing I want to add is that cold showers will be a great way of cutting on your energy and water bills and protecting the planet.
I am really excited about this one! Hope you are too! Free yourself!
I'll start with an Irish curse: "the end of the feast is frowning."
PS: (the feast is a long hot shower)
Yesterday my roommate was telling me that her cousin had posted something on facebook about the health benefits of cold showers. I thought I would explore this further. Wow - it definitely seems to be accepted that cold showers are an effective tool for anti aging, preventing injury, improving sleep,....
I have always known that you should rinse your hair with cold water before getting out of the shower to close the tip of the cuticle. Your hair will appear shinier and be less prone to split ends. But this is just the beginning.
When you take a cold shower - blood will rush from the extremities of your body. This will increase circulation and help eliminate toxins from the blood and your muscles. After your shower, the fresh blood being pumped to your skin will also provide nutrients and oxygen to the skin and will give you a youthful glow.
Another benefit, is that when you shower in cold water, the pores of your skin stay closed which prevents any chemicals from products (if you are using them) or municipal tap water from penetrating your skin barrier.
Apparently it improves fertility in men.
It will make your skin more elastic, tighter and more moist. Hot water removes your skin's natural oil and will make your skin loose.
Apparently the increased blood flow has also been reported to help people suffering from depression and anxiety.
It will help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism up to 80%. I read online that a women lost ten lbs without changing anything in her diet and exercise regimen. Hot water causes food to pass through your intestines more slowly - which is uncomfortable and a major cause of weight gain.
Several experts do not recommend this method if you are more than 7 months pregnant. There has also been some websites advising women who are menstruating or men that have just ejaculated not to take hot showers because their bodies are working hard enough. Also - it is not advisable to shower for more than 10 minutes with cold water.
I have never taken a 100% cold shower in my life. I love my hot showers. So this is really troubling for me.
I would like us to do this together since it won't be easy at first - but I think we will gradually enjoy it. It helps that summer is coming.
My approach will be to start off in a lukewarm shower and go back and forth between cold and lukewarm for the first week. I'll check back in after that.
The last thing I want to add is that cold showers will be a great way of cutting on your energy and water bills and protecting the planet.
I am really excited about this one! Hope you are too! Free yourself!
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Goodbye oblivion - Hello Proctor and Gamble!
Hey everyone,
Just a quick update. I have a stat counter on this blog to track how many people are following it and which city they are from. Anyways - I noticed that somebody in Europe working from a Proctor and Gamble computer address checked out my blog. Big Pharma is worried....rightly so. I have essentially told you that you do not need to buy:
- shampoo
-conditioner
-body soap
-facial soap
-facial moisturizer
-body moisturizer
-toothpaste
-nail polish
...
and that is only the beginning. Here are what topics to expect in some upcoming posts:
1) laundry detergent
2) household cleaning products
3) fashion
4) when to wake up
5) yoga
6) sunscreen
7) bug spray
Please feel free to make some recommendations below. Free yourself!
Just a quick update. I have a stat counter on this blog to track how many people are following it and which city they are from. Anyways - I noticed that somebody in Europe working from a Proctor and Gamble computer address checked out my blog. Big Pharma is worried....rightly so. I have essentially told you that you do not need to buy:
- shampoo
-conditioner
-body soap
-facial soap
-facial moisturizer
-body moisturizer
-toothpaste
-nail polish
...
and that is only the beginning. Here are what topics to expect in some upcoming posts:
1) laundry detergent
2) household cleaning products
3) fashion
4) when to wake up
5) yoga
6) sunscreen
7) bug spray
Please feel free to make some recommendations below. Free yourself!
Goodbye sleeping pills - Hello dark and cold nights!
Hey everyone,
I wanted to start with a quick update on how I am doing on sticking to all of the promises I made in the previous posts.
No shampoo, no conditioner, no hair product:
This is going great, I don't even think about it anymore. Quite a few people have commented that my hair looks thicker. Now - I don't have gorgeous hair - but I never have - so this isn't like some tragedy. But if you are like many other women I know, you will have resign yourself to having very healthy shiny hair, but I don't think that you would be able to straighten it, or curl it. (you need a serum for the straightening and hairspray to hold the curls - and these products may not come out easily without the help of "SLS"!!!). I think my hair will look better in about one year when it is longer.
No soap:
This is probably my most successful change:
I haven't used moisturizer on my body or face in a couple of months either since my skin is no longer dry and I no longer have eczema. I occasionally rub some coconut oil under my eyes to prevent/get rid of wrinkles but I don't think it makes a difference. I will assure you that I don't smell bad - but I wouldn't say I smell good either - because I am not wearing perfume. I just smell neutral. To be honest, the smell of other people's deodorant and perfume or cologne has become much stronger and almost too sweet and artificial. I think my sense of smell is getting much stronger. I would also like to note that I have not had any breakouts since adopting this no soap method. This is pretty incredible. Spread the word to any teenagers you know. They need to free themselves.
No toothpaste:
This one is going ok. I have been really craving chocolate lately so I think I've been judging my teeth especially harshly. I have used conventional toothpaste on nights where I have been out (drinking wine lol). But otherwise I have been using very fine sea salt. I love the taste of it and actually really enjoy brushing my teeth. Are my teeth whitter- no - but I have only been using this method for a few weeks and I definitely need to think about my coffee and chocolate consumption if I am serious about pearly whites.
No deodorant:
No problem. I even ditched the baking soda for a while but with the increased humidity I have decided to use baking soda during the week when I am at work.
No makeup:
I have been wearing normal mascara on special occasions but otherwise I haven't been doing anything. I didn't have a chance to try the foundation recipe in my make up post. To be honest - I really don't think I will since my skin has been so clear lately. Especially in the summer. Even if your skin isn't flawless, I would recommend ditching all the cover up and foundation. Let your skin breathe!
Caloric restriction:
FAIL!
Fresh air:
I am training for the half marathon and have been biking to work so I am definitely getting some fresh air and loving it. I haven't implemented the lunch time walks yet though. It keeps raining :( I have been really happy lately so I will attribute my good spirits and non-bitchiness to the fresh air.
Ok - Sleeping pills
Lately I have been meeting all sorts of people who have a lot of trouble sleeping. This post may frustrate some of them since most of my recommendations are anecdotal. But ... I don't have all of Big Pharma's minions working for me so for now we will have to experiment with different methods.
I'll start by providing you with some possibly surprising news:
People who said that they slept as little as 3.5 hours lived longer than those who slept 8 hours or more.
People who said that they had insomnia lived a little longer than those who did not have insomnia.
Here are some recommendations pulled from my personal experience and the novel Thrive by Brenden Brazier (a Canadian ultra ironman superman).
1) Don't watch TV, especially before bed. TV viewing is actually a stressful activity. The bright lights and action on TV causes the body to release cortisone which in turn leads to weight gain -the body thinks that it is being attacked and prepares for a long period of famine by retaining as many calories as possible.
Ok - back to sleeping - the bright lights from a tv and a computer will interfere with your body's natural rhythm. Humans are meant to sleep when it is dark and be awake when it is light. If you work shifts, then you would probably want to sleep in a basement where there is as little light as possible.
2) Make sure you are not too hot. Sometimes I need to go sleep on the couch to cool off. I always fall asleep instantly. I feel guilty because I love my partner - but I really find two people in one bed is just too hot sometimes. Right now is the perfect time of year because I can just leave the window open at night. I think that coolness is also related to our body's natural rhythm. I would recommend taking a shower before bed, since this will help cool you down and again - if it is 1 a.m. and you are tossing and turning - maybe head to the couch or ideally, the basement.
3) No caffeine or sugar. Try to limit any caffeine and sugar consumption before bed. I do find I have a hard time sleeping if I am hungry - so it will be important to still fill up on healthy food.
4) Exercise and fresh air. I went on a ski vacation for the first time in my life this winter and I have never slept better. I think being outside exercising all day and breathing in all that fresh air really tired me out so my body knew it needed some solid rest. Also, I have ran a half marathon twice before and fell into this crazy amazing deep sleep a couple of hours after the race. It was out of this world. I couldn't walk when I got up but that is another story.
Many people are exhausted from the long hours they work, family drama, driving their children all over the place. This mental fatigue needs to be matched with physical exhaustion. I am sure people "feel" physically exhausted. The truth is that your body is simply become weaker and weaker if you do not work it out. That feeling of sluggishness is due to poor circulation. Flip the switch. If you are an extremely busy person I would recommend going for a walk after dinner and doing some lunges, squats, push ups (can be on your knees), sit ups and stretching when you get home from your walk. These weight bearing exercises will exhaust you quickly and can be done in your living room.
Many people wouldn't think twice about going to the hospital or the doctor's office if something was wrong. But many people don't take the time to exercise daily. If you don't put in some pain now, you'll feel the pain later. It's time we look at exercising as medicine - not as something frivolous and vain.
5) Finally, if you cannot sleep, don't lie in bed trying to fall asleep, get up and try to get a head start on some of tomorrow's tasks. You will have even more trouble falling asleep the following night if you spent your "awake time" lying in bed.
6) Do not use prescription medicine. Many people report feeling groggy or hungover after taking sleeping pills. This means you will likely move slower the next day and not experience the necessary physical exhaustion to enhance your natural sleep. Also, people often become addicted to sleeping pills and may even hurt themselves or die if they combine this type of medication with alcohol or other medicine. Prescription medicine abuse is second only to car accidents in the cause of accidental deaths in the U.S.
Experiment with some of my recommendations above and let me know how it is going. Free yourself!
I wanted to start with a quick update on how I am doing on sticking to all of the promises I made in the previous posts.
No shampoo, no conditioner, no hair product:
This is going great, I don't even think about it anymore. Quite a few people have commented that my hair looks thicker. Now - I don't have gorgeous hair - but I never have - so this isn't like some tragedy. But if you are like many other women I know, you will have resign yourself to having very healthy shiny hair, but I don't think that you would be able to straighten it, or curl it. (you need a serum for the straightening and hairspray to hold the curls - and these products may not come out easily without the help of "SLS"!!!). I think my hair will look better in about one year when it is longer.
No soap:
This is probably my most successful change:
I haven't used moisturizer on my body or face in a couple of months either since my skin is no longer dry and I no longer have eczema. I occasionally rub some coconut oil under my eyes to prevent/get rid of wrinkles but I don't think it makes a difference. I will assure you that I don't smell bad - but I wouldn't say I smell good either - because I am not wearing perfume. I just smell neutral. To be honest, the smell of other people's deodorant and perfume or cologne has become much stronger and almost too sweet and artificial. I think my sense of smell is getting much stronger. I would also like to note that I have not had any breakouts since adopting this no soap method. This is pretty incredible. Spread the word to any teenagers you know. They need to free themselves.
No toothpaste:
This one is going ok. I have been really craving chocolate lately so I think I've been judging my teeth especially harshly. I have used conventional toothpaste on nights where I have been out (drinking wine lol). But otherwise I have been using very fine sea salt. I love the taste of it and actually really enjoy brushing my teeth. Are my teeth whitter- no - but I have only been using this method for a few weeks and I definitely need to think about my coffee and chocolate consumption if I am serious about pearly whites.
No deodorant:
No problem. I even ditched the baking soda for a while but with the increased humidity I have decided to use baking soda during the week when I am at work.
No makeup:
I have been wearing normal mascara on special occasions but otherwise I haven't been doing anything. I didn't have a chance to try the foundation recipe in my make up post. To be honest - I really don't think I will since my skin has been so clear lately. Especially in the summer. Even if your skin isn't flawless, I would recommend ditching all the cover up and foundation. Let your skin breathe!
Caloric restriction:
FAIL!
Fresh air:
I am training for the half marathon and have been biking to work so I am definitely getting some fresh air and loving it. I haven't implemented the lunch time walks yet though. It keeps raining :( I have been really happy lately so I will attribute my good spirits and non-bitchiness to the fresh air.
Ok - Sleeping pills
Lately I have been meeting all sorts of people who have a lot of trouble sleeping. This post may frustrate some of them since most of my recommendations are anecdotal. But ... I don't have all of Big Pharma's minions working for me so for now we will have to experiment with different methods.
I'll start by providing you with some possibly surprising news:
People who said that they slept as little as 3.5 hours lived longer than those who slept 8 hours or more.
People who said that they had insomnia lived a little longer than those who did not have insomnia.
Here are some recommendations pulled from my personal experience and the novel Thrive by Brenden Brazier (a Canadian ultra ironman superman).
1) Don't watch TV, especially before bed. TV viewing is actually a stressful activity. The bright lights and action on TV causes the body to release cortisone which in turn leads to weight gain -the body thinks that it is being attacked and prepares for a long period of famine by retaining as many calories as possible.
Ok - back to sleeping - the bright lights from a tv and a computer will interfere with your body's natural rhythm. Humans are meant to sleep when it is dark and be awake when it is light. If you work shifts, then you would probably want to sleep in a basement where there is as little light as possible.
2) Make sure you are not too hot. Sometimes I need to go sleep on the couch to cool off. I always fall asleep instantly. I feel guilty because I love my partner - but I really find two people in one bed is just too hot sometimes. Right now is the perfect time of year because I can just leave the window open at night. I think that coolness is also related to our body's natural rhythm. I would recommend taking a shower before bed, since this will help cool you down and again - if it is 1 a.m. and you are tossing and turning - maybe head to the couch or ideally, the basement.
3) No caffeine or sugar. Try to limit any caffeine and sugar consumption before bed. I do find I have a hard time sleeping if I am hungry - so it will be important to still fill up on healthy food.
4) Exercise and fresh air. I went on a ski vacation for the first time in my life this winter and I have never slept better. I think being outside exercising all day and breathing in all that fresh air really tired me out so my body knew it needed some solid rest. Also, I have ran a half marathon twice before and fell into this crazy amazing deep sleep a couple of hours after the race. It was out of this world. I couldn't walk when I got up but that is another story.
Many people are exhausted from the long hours they work, family drama, driving their children all over the place. This mental fatigue needs to be matched with physical exhaustion. I am sure people "feel" physically exhausted. The truth is that your body is simply become weaker and weaker if you do not work it out. That feeling of sluggishness is due to poor circulation. Flip the switch. If you are an extremely busy person I would recommend going for a walk after dinner and doing some lunges, squats, push ups (can be on your knees), sit ups and stretching when you get home from your walk. These weight bearing exercises will exhaust you quickly and can be done in your living room.
Many people wouldn't think twice about going to the hospital or the doctor's office if something was wrong. But many people don't take the time to exercise daily. If you don't put in some pain now, you'll feel the pain later. It's time we look at exercising as medicine - not as something frivolous and vain.
5) Finally, if you cannot sleep, don't lie in bed trying to fall asleep, get up and try to get a head start on some of tomorrow's tasks. You will have even more trouble falling asleep the following night if you spent your "awake time" lying in bed.
6) Do not use prescription medicine. Many people report feeling groggy or hungover after taking sleeping pills. This means you will likely move slower the next day and not experience the necessary physical exhaustion to enhance your natural sleep. Also, people often become addicted to sleeping pills and may even hurt themselves or die if they combine this type of medication with alcohol or other medicine. Prescription medicine abuse is second only to car accidents in the cause of accidental deaths in the U.S.
Experiment with some of my recommendations above and let me know how it is going. Free yourself!
Monday, 25 April 2011
Goodbye stale air - Hello fresh air
Hey everyone,
I have a confession to make. I am not as "pure" as I would like to be. I have a serious chocolate / coffee addiction and I think I would describe myself as a pretty stressed - high strung person. I really want to learn how to relax, I always feel a little antsy. I have been thinking that a good way of getting my mental health in order would be to start spending more time outdoors.
This past weekend I went on two 2.5 hour hikes with my boyfriend and his parent's dog in the Gatineau Park. I felt really happy and relaxed during the hike. I would like to start going on these kind of hikes at least once a week for the rest of the summer - maybe on Sunday's like a Swiss family.
I also think I should probably start getting out of my office at lunch time. My building has been dubbed one of the "sick buildings" in Ottawa/Gatineau. Apparently the air circulation in the building is really poor. I think this is possibly something that drives me to visit the Laura Secord store downstairs on a regular basis - I NEED MY MEDICINE!
Apparently being outside is addictive - my boyfriend was telling me that when he was a lifeguard in the summer he would get antsy after just a couple of hours of being inside.
I also noticed this past winter, when I took up downhill skiing and started running outside in the cold, that after spending an hour or so outside it becomes ....ok. You lose that natural aversion to the harsher elements. Before whenever I had to walk somewhere in the winter my shoulders would be up to my ears and my mood was bitter and very sour.
I think part of my recent stress has been due to the fact that I need more time outdoors. I work in a cubicle. I love my job but I really don't think it is the best thing for my health.
It's time that we all make a conscientious effort to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Free yourself!
I have a confession to make. I am not as "pure" as I would like to be. I have a serious chocolate / coffee addiction and I think I would describe myself as a pretty stressed - high strung person. I really want to learn how to relax, I always feel a little antsy. I have been thinking that a good way of getting my mental health in order would be to start spending more time outdoors.
This past weekend I went on two 2.5 hour hikes with my boyfriend and his parent's dog in the Gatineau Park. I felt really happy and relaxed during the hike. I would like to start going on these kind of hikes at least once a week for the rest of the summer - maybe on Sunday's like a Swiss family.
I also think I should probably start getting out of my office at lunch time. My building has been dubbed one of the "sick buildings" in Ottawa/Gatineau. Apparently the air circulation in the building is really poor. I think this is possibly something that drives me to visit the Laura Secord store downstairs on a regular basis - I NEED MY MEDICINE!
Apparently being outside is addictive - my boyfriend was telling me that when he was a lifeguard in the summer he would get antsy after just a couple of hours of being inside.
I also noticed this past winter, when I took up downhill skiing and started running outside in the cold, that after spending an hour or so outside it becomes ....ok. You lose that natural aversion to the harsher elements. Before whenever I had to walk somewhere in the winter my shoulders would be up to my ears and my mood was bitter and very sour.
I think part of my recent stress has been due to the fact that I need more time outdoors. I work in a cubicle. I love my job but I really don't think it is the best thing for my health.
It's time that we all make a conscientious effort to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Free yourself!
Friday, 22 April 2011
Goodbye mask - Hello me!
Hey everyone,
As you know, I stopped washing my face with soap a few months ago. I just rinse with water and I have used apple cider vinegar as a toner and baking soda as an exfoliant once or twice. As I mentioned earlier, I am very active and sweat a lot, but despite this, my skin is perfectly clear. I have always had relatively clear skin but I would get the occasional breakout and my skin felt a little dry. Since I am no longer using soap, I am no longer applying moisturizer - but my skin feels soft and hydrated. The only downside to all of this "mother nature knows best chatter" is that I cannot wear make-up. Firstly, I think part of the reason my skin has been co-operating so well is that I do not apply anything to it and secondly it would be a little tricky to get all of it off with just water.
I must confess that last week I wore mascara for a party - and I felt prettier than I have in a long time. So something has to give. I feel like I look good but I don't feel that pretty anymore. Boo hoo!
Before I start speaking about alternatives - let me provide you with a description of some toxic chemicals found in most make-up products:
Blush:
The main ingredient in most blushes is talc, a carcinogen. Colour is provided by hazardous coal tar dyes. Mineral oil, which can clog pores, and propylene glycol, a neurotoxin and skin sensitizer, are binders used to hold the formulation together. Acrylate compounds, commonly used as thickening agents, can be strong irritants.
Concealer:
Concealers contain numerous irritating chemicals like propylene glycol, lanolin and paraben preservatives. Imidazolidinyl urea is the second most reported cause of contact dermatitis. BHA, a preservative, is a carcinogen that can be absorbed through the skin. DEA, TEA and MEA can form carcinogenic nitrosamines that are absorbed through the skin, and may be carcinogenic in themselves.
Eyeliner:
Mainstream eyeliners contain carcinogenic coal tar colours, hormone-disrupting TEA, and PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone). PVP is an allergen and there is some evidence that it cause cancer in lab animals.
Eyeshadow:
Talc, a carcinogen, is the main ingredient in powdered eye shadows. Cream eye shadows are made with petrochemicals like paraffin and petrolatum, carcinogenic coal tar colours, and lanolin, an allergen which may contain pesticide residues. The glitter in cream eye shadows is created by adding pure aluminum which can cause violent allergic reactions in some people, as well as possibly entering the eye and causing injury to the cornea. The Consumer Agency and Ombudsman in Finland tested 49 eye shadows and found that all contained lead, cobalt, nickel, chromium and arsenic. Researchers say the amounts can cause occasional allergic reaction and sensitivities. However, other research shows chronic exposure to low levels of arsenic can cause hormone disruption.
Face powder:
Mainstream powder products commonly contain talc, a carcinogen. Airborne talc is particularly dangerous because it can be inhaled. Other toxic ingredients include formaldehyde (carcinogenic and a sensitizer), quartenium-15 (can release formaldehyde), lanolin (irritant), imidazolidinyl urea (irritant, can release formaldehyde), MEA, TEA and DEA (hormone disruptors, can release formaldehyde) and parabens (hormone disrupters, irritants).
Foundation:
Foundations are the third leading cause of contact dermatitis among cosmetics users. Because foundation is worn on the skin for many hours, products containing synthetic ingredients can cause skin problems. Mineral oil can block pores and promote cosmetic acne and isopropyl myristate, a fatty compound, can cause blackheads. Other ingredients include propylene glycol, a neurotoxin and skin sensitizer, TEA and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol which are often found together and which, combined, may cause the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines, parabens, commonly- used hormone disrupting preservatives that may accumulate in body fat, and quaternium-15, a germicide that may break down into formaldehyde which is a carcinogen and sensitizer. Foundations also include coal tar colours and synthetic fragrances. They may also contain lanolin, a common allergen.
Lipstick:
A woman may ingest more than four pounds of lipstick in her lifetime - even more if she wears it every day. Coal tar dye colours are common allergens and also carcinogenic. Lipsticks also contain amyldimethylamino benzoic acid, ricinoleic acid, fragrance, ester gums and lanolin. Some dyes can cause photosensitivity and dermatitis.
Mascara:
Conventional mascara contains petroleum distillates, shellac, acrylates (strong irritants), phenylmercuric acetate (preservative made from benzenes and mercury that can cause blisters, skin irritation and allergic reactions), parabens (hormone disrupters, allergens), quaternium-22 (preservative, allergen), quaternium-15 (eye irritant) pentaerythrityl (resin additive made from formaldehyde). Lash-extending products can contain plasticizers, like polyurethane, that cause cancer in animals, and polystyrene sulfonate which can irritate eyes and may be a hormone disruptor.
Source: http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=personal#blush
So what are the alternatives:
- Aubrey Organics sells make-up without any toxic chemicals I outlined earlier http://www.aubrey-organics.com/.
The rest of the options are things I have been experimenting with:
- Coconut oil: (FYI - it's finally out of my hair). For cosmetic purposes - I sometimes apply a tiny bit of coconut oil to my cheekbones and around my eyes for a nice shine. Coconut oil also makes a great lip balm. I am not crazy about red lips - but if you are a va-va-voum kinda gal - you can mix a little bit of coconut oil with some berries or beets. This could replace your standard coloured gloss.
- Cinnamon: Apply some cinnamon and coconut oil to your lips for five minutes before heading out. It will make them plumper and slightly red - a la Angelina Jolie.
- Coconut oil or Vitamin E - use a little bit of oil with a plain mascara wand - no mascara. (http://www.sallybeauty.com/Disposable-Mascara-Wands/SBS-168970,default,pd.html). Then curl your eyelashes. The great benefit of this approach is that you will not get any dark circles around your eyes later in the night. I would also recommend this method for outdoor music concerts or if you want to look cute while playing sports - lol.
- Potato starch, corn starch and various other ingredients. I haven't tried this one yet - I might this weekend. For a tinted face powder you would mix some potato starch and corn starch and add a bit of cinnamon. This will give you a healthy glow without subjecting your skin to harmful UV rays. For eyeshadow add a little bit of cocoa to the above mix. A tiny bit of oil added will help the powder adhere to your lid.
I'm a big fan of just get up and go beauty. I just wanted to provide some options in case you have a night out and you want to dress up a bit. Also, I have noticed that my features look a little bit plain in photos - so this could be a good solution next time I think there will be a lot of picutres taken at a particular event.
I hope these homemade solutions will enhance your natural beauty without harming your skin and overall health. Please provide any home made recipes or tips you may have.
Free yourself!
As you know, I stopped washing my face with soap a few months ago. I just rinse with water and I have used apple cider vinegar as a toner and baking soda as an exfoliant once or twice. As I mentioned earlier, I am very active and sweat a lot, but despite this, my skin is perfectly clear. I have always had relatively clear skin but I would get the occasional breakout and my skin felt a little dry. Since I am no longer using soap, I am no longer applying moisturizer - but my skin feels soft and hydrated. The only downside to all of this "mother nature knows best chatter" is that I cannot wear make-up. Firstly, I think part of the reason my skin has been co-operating so well is that I do not apply anything to it and secondly it would be a little tricky to get all of it off with just water.
I must confess that last week I wore mascara for a party - and I felt prettier than I have in a long time. So something has to give. I feel like I look good but I don't feel that pretty anymore. Boo hoo!
Before I start speaking about alternatives - let me provide you with a description of some toxic chemicals found in most make-up products:
Blush:
The main ingredient in most blushes is talc, a carcinogen. Colour is provided by hazardous coal tar dyes. Mineral oil, which can clog pores, and propylene glycol, a neurotoxin and skin sensitizer, are binders used to hold the formulation together. Acrylate compounds, commonly used as thickening agents, can be strong irritants.
Concealer:
Concealers contain numerous irritating chemicals like propylene glycol, lanolin and paraben preservatives. Imidazolidinyl urea is the second most reported cause of contact dermatitis. BHA, a preservative, is a carcinogen that can be absorbed through the skin. DEA, TEA and MEA can form carcinogenic nitrosamines that are absorbed through the skin, and may be carcinogenic in themselves.
Eyeliner:
Mainstream eyeliners contain carcinogenic coal tar colours, hormone-disrupting TEA, and PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone). PVP is an allergen and there is some evidence that it cause cancer in lab animals.
Eyeshadow:
Talc, a carcinogen, is the main ingredient in powdered eye shadows. Cream eye shadows are made with petrochemicals like paraffin and petrolatum, carcinogenic coal tar colours, and lanolin, an allergen which may contain pesticide residues. The glitter in cream eye shadows is created by adding pure aluminum which can cause violent allergic reactions in some people, as well as possibly entering the eye and causing injury to the cornea. The Consumer Agency and Ombudsman in Finland tested 49 eye shadows and found that all contained lead, cobalt, nickel, chromium and arsenic. Researchers say the amounts can cause occasional allergic reaction and sensitivities. However, other research shows chronic exposure to low levels of arsenic can cause hormone disruption.
Face powder:
Mainstream powder products commonly contain talc, a carcinogen. Airborne talc is particularly dangerous because it can be inhaled. Other toxic ingredients include formaldehyde (carcinogenic and a sensitizer), quartenium-15 (can release formaldehyde), lanolin (irritant), imidazolidinyl urea (irritant, can release formaldehyde), MEA, TEA and DEA (hormone disruptors, can release formaldehyde) and parabens (hormone disrupters, irritants).
Foundation:
Foundations are the third leading cause of contact dermatitis among cosmetics users. Because foundation is worn on the skin for many hours, products containing synthetic ingredients can cause skin problems. Mineral oil can block pores and promote cosmetic acne and isopropyl myristate, a fatty compound, can cause blackheads. Other ingredients include propylene glycol, a neurotoxin and skin sensitizer, TEA and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol which are often found together and which, combined, may cause the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines, parabens, commonly- used hormone disrupting preservatives that may accumulate in body fat, and quaternium-15, a germicide that may break down into formaldehyde which is a carcinogen and sensitizer. Foundations also include coal tar colours and synthetic fragrances. They may also contain lanolin, a common allergen.
Lipstick:
A woman may ingest more than four pounds of lipstick in her lifetime - even more if she wears it every day. Coal tar dye colours are common allergens and also carcinogenic. Lipsticks also contain amyldimethylamino benzoic acid, ricinoleic acid, fragrance, ester gums and lanolin. Some dyes can cause photosensitivity and dermatitis.
Mascara:
Conventional mascara contains petroleum distillates, shellac, acrylates (strong irritants), phenylmercuric acetate (preservative made from benzenes and mercury that can cause blisters, skin irritation and allergic reactions), parabens (hormone disrupters, allergens), quaternium-22 (preservative, allergen), quaternium-15 (eye irritant) pentaerythrityl (resin additive made from formaldehyde). Lash-extending products can contain plasticizers, like polyurethane, that cause cancer in animals, and polystyrene sulfonate which can irritate eyes and may be a hormone disruptor.
Source: http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=personal#blush
So what are the alternatives:
- Aubrey Organics sells make-up without any toxic chemicals I outlined earlier http://www.aubrey-organics.com/.
The rest of the options are things I have been experimenting with:
- Coconut oil: (FYI - it's finally out of my hair). For cosmetic purposes - I sometimes apply a tiny bit of coconut oil to my cheekbones and around my eyes for a nice shine. Coconut oil also makes a great lip balm. I am not crazy about red lips - but if you are a va-va-voum kinda gal - you can mix a little bit of coconut oil with some berries or beets. This could replace your standard coloured gloss.
- Cinnamon: Apply some cinnamon and coconut oil to your lips for five minutes before heading out. It will make them plumper and slightly red - a la Angelina Jolie.
- Coconut oil or Vitamin E - use a little bit of oil with a plain mascara wand - no mascara. (http://www.sallybeauty.com/Disposable-Mascara-Wands/SBS-168970,default,pd.html). Then curl your eyelashes. The great benefit of this approach is that you will not get any dark circles around your eyes later in the night. I would also recommend this method for outdoor music concerts or if you want to look cute while playing sports - lol.
- Potato starch, corn starch and various other ingredients. I haven't tried this one yet - I might this weekend. For a tinted face powder you would mix some potato starch and corn starch and add a bit of cinnamon. This will give you a healthy glow without subjecting your skin to harmful UV rays. For eyeshadow add a little bit of cocoa to the above mix. A tiny bit of oil added will help the powder adhere to your lid.
I'm a big fan of just get up and go beauty. I just wanted to provide some options in case you have a night out and you want to dress up a bit. Also, I have noticed that my features look a little bit plain in photos - so this could be a good solution next time I think there will be a lot of picutres taken at a particular event.
I hope these homemade solutions will enhance your natural beauty without harming your skin and overall health. Please provide any home made recipes or tips you may have.
Free yourself!
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Goodbye to you, my trusted friend - Hello longevity
Hey everyone,
The title is a little dramatic. It's the opening lyrics from the song "Seasons in the Sun". This post is about saying goodbye to my friend comfort food, and saying hello to a restricted diet. Let me begin by saying that I am not looking to lose weight - I am looking to live until I am 114 like Walter Breuning (in photo) who died last week.
Walter Breuning attributed his longevity to hard work and eating less; he only ate two meals a day. Walter was not alone in his belief that cutting calories would increase his years. There have been many studies with mice and even monkeys which have proven that eating a calorie restricted diet will increase longevity and prevent the onset of several diseases.
Mice and rats subject to calorie restriction have seen their average lifespans increase by 30 - 40%. Monkeys who have undergone caloric restriction have significantly less diabetes, cancer, heart and brain disease. In one study on monkeys, at the 20 year point 80% of the caloric restriction monkeys were still alive, compared to only half of the controls.
There are different theories that have been put forward to explain this "medical miracle", but in my humble opinion, I believe that the diet is effective because it diminishes the amount of free radicals produced by the body. Free radicals are produced by over eating and are known to cause degenerative diseases and cancer.
Here is a great link to the FAQ page of the Calorie Restriction Society. http://www.calorierestriction.org/Frequently_Asked_Questions#CRvsWeightLoss
Not only will calorie restriction allow you to live longer, but a 2009 research paper showed that the diet would improve memory in normal to overweight elders.
Calorie restriction is tough because many social outings and lonely evenings on the couch are centered around food. Here are some recommendations to help you cut down on the calories.
1) Don't snack all day. Instead have breakfast, lunch and dinner and nothing in between. This will allow you to not always have food on the brain.
2) Exercise. Now exercise will make you hungry so this may seem counter-intuitive but hear me out. People generally don't want to eat 1 - 2 hours before they exercise because this will cause cramping throughout your workout. Also, you can't eat while you are working out so there's another hour to 2 hours . You have just potentially filled up 2-4 hours of your day when you won't be eating and chances are food will be the last thing on your mind.
3) Don't buy anything unhealthy at the grocery store. Save your treats for when you meet a friend for coffee, or when you are celebrating a family member's birthday.
4) Be aggressive about paying down debt/mortgage. When you take money out of your bank account and put it towards repaying big debts, there is less money for frivolous non-nutritious snacks.
5) Get used to being hungry. So you just ate and you are full. Before eating anything else wait until you are really hungry. I'm not asking you to embark on this crazy calorie restrictive diet with me... I'm just asking you to get used to the feeling of being really hungry. I have noticed that I am scared to feel hungry. But at the end of the day, it's not that bad.
6) It is important not to develop any vitamin or mineral deficiencies, so make sure you are eating high quality foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, yogurt and fish.
Try out one or two of the recommendations above and let me know how it goes. Also, recognize how much of a business food has become. Corporations are taking advantage of you and your emotions. Food is no longer about hunger... it has become an antidepressant/filler. I am asking you to embark on a journey of self discovery. Do not be afraid. Just try something new. Free yourself!
The title is a little dramatic. It's the opening lyrics from the song "Seasons in the Sun". This post is about saying goodbye to my friend comfort food, and saying hello to a restricted diet. Let me begin by saying that I am not looking to lose weight - I am looking to live until I am 114 like Walter Breuning (in photo) who died last week.
Walter Breuning attributed his longevity to hard work and eating less; he only ate two meals a day. Walter was not alone in his belief that cutting calories would increase his years. There have been many studies with mice and even monkeys which have proven that eating a calorie restricted diet will increase longevity and prevent the onset of several diseases.
Mice and rats subject to calorie restriction have seen their average lifespans increase by 30 - 40%. Monkeys who have undergone caloric restriction have significantly less diabetes, cancer, heart and brain disease. In one study on monkeys, at the 20 year point 80% of the caloric restriction monkeys were still alive, compared to only half of the controls.
There are different theories that have been put forward to explain this "medical miracle", but in my humble opinion, I believe that the diet is effective because it diminishes the amount of free radicals produced by the body. Free radicals are produced by over eating and are known to cause degenerative diseases and cancer.
Here is a great link to the FAQ page of the Calorie Restriction Society. http://www.calorierestriction.org/Frequently_Asked_Questions#CRvsWeightLoss
Not only will calorie restriction allow you to live longer, but a 2009 research paper showed that the diet would improve memory in normal to overweight elders.
Calorie restriction is tough because many social outings and lonely evenings on the couch are centered around food. Here are some recommendations to help you cut down on the calories.
1) Don't snack all day. Instead have breakfast, lunch and dinner and nothing in between. This will allow you to not always have food on the brain.
2) Exercise. Now exercise will make you hungry so this may seem counter-intuitive but hear me out. People generally don't want to eat 1 - 2 hours before they exercise because this will cause cramping throughout your workout. Also, you can't eat while you are working out so there's another hour to 2 hours . You have just potentially filled up 2-4 hours of your day when you won't be eating and chances are food will be the last thing on your mind.
3) Don't buy anything unhealthy at the grocery store. Save your treats for when you meet a friend for coffee, or when you are celebrating a family member's birthday.
4) Be aggressive about paying down debt/mortgage. When you take money out of your bank account and put it towards repaying big debts, there is less money for frivolous non-nutritious snacks.
5) Get used to being hungry. So you just ate and you are full. Before eating anything else wait until you are really hungry. I'm not asking you to embark on this crazy calorie restrictive diet with me... I'm just asking you to get used to the feeling of being really hungry. I have noticed that I am scared to feel hungry. But at the end of the day, it's not that bad.
6) It is important not to develop any vitamin or mineral deficiencies, so make sure you are eating high quality foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, yogurt and fish.
Try out one or two of the recommendations above and let me know how it goes. Also, recognize how much of a business food has become. Corporations are taking advantage of you and your emotions. Food is no longer about hunger... it has become an antidepressant/filler. I am asking you to embark on a journey of self discovery. Do not be afraid. Just try something new. Free yourself!
Monday, 18 April 2011
Goodbye soda - Hello tap water!
Hey everyone,
I am in the process of purchasing a house with my boyfriend and was just doing some math to figure out how to squeeze every penny out of my last 3 pay cheques before we need to give our lawyer a big cheque for the down payment and all the associated fees.
While researching how to be as frugal as possible, I stumbled upon this site Wise Bread and thought you may be interested in the following article:
http://www.wisebread.com/how-water-can-save-you-977-a-year.
If you read my previous post you will know that I don't have any cavities - this is despite the fact that I have always eaten dessert after supper since I have been a teenager. I think a possible explanation for this medical miracle is the fact that I was not allowed to drink soda as a child and I rarely drink it now.
But after reading the information below - it's time to become militant. I declare that I no longer drink soda!
Here is what the experts have to say:
"Soft drinks have long been suspected of leading to lower calcium levels and higher phosphate levels in the blood. When phosphate levels are high and calcium levels are low, calcium is pulled out of the bones. The phosphate content of soft drinks like Coca -Cola and Pepsi is very high, and they contain virtually no calcium."
"The relationship between soft drink consumption and body weight is so strong that researchers calculate that for each additional soda consumed, the risk of obesity increases 1.6 times."
"Sugar and acid in soft drinks so easily dissolve tooth enamel."
"Saccharin is a 100-year-old non-nutritive, non-caloric sweetening agent… its use has exploded over the last twenty years as a staple of the diet food and drink craze. Its major current consumption is in diet pop by teenagers, and not by diabetics and the obese. The public now firmly believes that foods containing saccharin are effective in weight control, and has been persuaded by the soft drink industry (through the Calorie Control Council) that these benefits outweigh any possible health risks."
"More than a dozen animal tests over the last thirty years have demonstrated the carcinogenic effects of saccharin in the bladder and other sites, particularly female reproductive organs, and in some instances at doses as low as the equivalent of one to two bottles of diet pop daily."
"Heavy soft drink consumption can interfere with your body's metabolization of iron and diminish nerve impulse transmission."
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/004416.html#ixzz1Ju0BTGZY
I am in the process of purchasing a house with my boyfriend and was just doing some math to figure out how to squeeze every penny out of my last 3 pay cheques before we need to give our lawyer a big cheque for the down payment and all the associated fees.
While researching how to be as frugal as possible, I stumbled upon this site Wise Bread and thought you may be interested in the following article:
http://www.wisebread.com/how-water-can-save-you-977-a-year.
If you read my previous post you will know that I don't have any cavities - this is despite the fact that I have always eaten dessert after supper since I have been a teenager. I think a possible explanation for this medical miracle is the fact that I was not allowed to drink soda as a child and I rarely drink it now.
But after reading the information below - it's time to become militant. I declare that I no longer drink soda!
Here is what the experts have to say:
"Soft drinks have long been suspected of leading to lower calcium levels and higher phosphate levels in the blood. When phosphate levels are high and calcium levels are low, calcium is pulled out of the bones. The phosphate content of soft drinks like Coca -Cola and Pepsi is very high, and they contain virtually no calcium."
"The relationship between soft drink consumption and body weight is so strong that researchers calculate that for each additional soda consumed, the risk of obesity increases 1.6 times."
"Sugar and acid in soft drinks so easily dissolve tooth enamel."
"Saccharin is a 100-year-old non-nutritive, non-caloric sweetening agent… its use has exploded over the last twenty years as a staple of the diet food and drink craze. Its major current consumption is in diet pop by teenagers, and not by diabetics and the obese. The public now firmly believes that foods containing saccharin are effective in weight control, and has been persuaded by the soft drink industry (through the Calorie Control Council) that these benefits outweigh any possible health risks."
"More than a dozen animal tests over the last thirty years have demonstrated the carcinogenic effects of saccharin in the bladder and other sites, particularly female reproductive organs, and in some instances at doses as low as the equivalent of one to two bottles of diet pop daily."
"Heavy soft drink consumption can interfere with your body's metabolization of iron and diminish nerve impulse transmission."
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/004416.html#ixzz1Ju0BTGZY
Goodbye sweet tooth - Hello salty tooth!
Hey everyone,
I just wanted to begin with a quick update on my coconut hair fiasco. Since applying coconut oil to my hair I have taken 3 showers. The first shower I rinsed my hair several times with apple cider vinegar, the second shower I applied a yogurt, lemon and honey conditioner which didn't seem to help get any of the oil out so I followed that up with a commercial (OMG) conditioner (SLS-free at least) - this might seem counter-intuitive but some articles have suggested that conditioner is more effective than shampoo at removing excess oil. This morning I took a shower and washed my hair with baking soda and rinsed with apple cider vinegar. The result - my hair is still pretty greasy. Therefore, my recommendation to anyone using the no shampoo method is that you do not do a coconut oil hair treatment. Or if you really want to do one, only use a little bit of coconut oil. Not like a handful like I did. I have really thin hair, so if you have long thick gorgeous hair maybe a handful would work.
On to the oral hygiene post. This one is going to be a little bit controversial so reader beware.
Ok. I don't really like my teeth. I don't have any cavities which is great and they are straight thanks to braces, however my teeth are not super white. I guess a rather major problem is that I have had a long term love affair - with chocolate and coffee and I just can't give it up! Anywho, otherwise I think I take pretty awesome care of my teeth. I brush two to three times a day with an electric toothbrush, I floss religiously, I drink lots of water and I rarely drink soft drinks or juice. What's not to love!
So I did a little bit of research and this is what I have found out. In the last 5 days I have switched up my oral hygiene routine and I think my teeth are already looking great.
Fact #1: It is the mechanical action of brushing your teeth that cleans them not toothpaste. In fact, toothpaste has many very abrasive agents that actually wear down your enamel and make your teeth even more prone to tooth decay. Guess what else toothpaste contains: SLS!!!! (Read no shampoo post for further details)
Fact #2: Commercial mouthwash can cause dental erosion and certain studies have shown that alcohol-containing mouthwash has been proven to increase the risk of oral cancer by 5 times.
Fact #3: A simple salt and water rinse will neutralize the acidity in your mouth which contributes to tooth decay. (Side note- I quit veganism because I had heard that vegans often have many more cavities than non-vegans. It turns out this is due to the increased acidity in many fruits which form a larger part of a vegan's diet. If you make sure to brush your teeth and rinse following these meals, these problems should not occur).
Fact #4: Brush your tongue - your tongue is often the source of bad breath.
Fact #5: Brush your gums and floss daily. Flossing may seem unimportant - but not flossing can lead to gingivitis which if left untreated can allow toxins to invade the bones and structures supporting the teeth and cause bone loss, loose teeth and teeth to fall out.
Fact #6: Fluoride helps prevent and actually heal cavities. Fluoride is found in most municipal water supplies but check your city's website to know for sure. There has been a lot of controversy regarding fluoride. A lot of the rich hippy dippy crunchy people like me (minus the rich part) have been urging their city to stop adding fluoride to the water supply (for more info: http://www.fluoridealert.org/50-reasons.htm). For the most part they have been unsuccessful since public health agencies have argued that fluoride is an important tool in preventing tooth decay - especially for the less afluent population. I will do a future post on the best type of water to drink.
Fact #7: It is important for keep your mouth moist. Saliva prevents bacteria from growing.
Fact #8: Sugar is bad mmmk.
Fact #9: It is better to eat 2-3 meals rather than snack all day. Your mouth cleans itself between meals. Also, the former oldest man in the world, Walter Breuning, died a few days ago. One of his secrets to longevity was only eating 2 meals a day. I will do a later post on the link between longevity and calorie restriction. - Something I have yet to attempt.
My new routine:
Well, I have stopped using toothpaste regularly. I have probably quadrupled the amount of time it takes to brush my teeth in the morning though. With toothpaste there was always gobs of it falling all over the place so I think I tried to be speedy so I wouldn't have to put on a new shirt for work or whatever. Now, I carefully polish each angle and side of my teeth like they do when you go to the dentist for a cleaning. I also brush all of my gums as well as my tongue. Without the toothpaste I can actually see my teeth and I am 100% sure I am doing a way better job than I was with all the toothpaste. I am still flossing before bed. I am alternating in the morning and before bed with sea salt and baking soda mouth washes with tap water. I am brushing my teeth using a little bit of toothpaste once every 2 days to make sure my teeth are getting adequate fluoride.
I have read about many people who have completely given up the toothpaste but I am hesitant since my teeth are such an important, expensive and visible body part that I would like to speak with a dentist before going completely au naturel. The problem is I don't know who to trust. If any of my readers have some testimonials regarding toothpaste, I would love to hear what you have to say. I am looking into perhaps purchasing the solar-powered toothbrush (check out link: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/08/solar-powered-toothbrush-needs-no-toothpaste.php).
A lot of people have recommended using ash from burnt wood to whiten teeth. I don't have access to this but apparently it is very effective. Many people brush with baking soda or salt. I am just a little worried about this because I don't want to further damage my enamel.
Since I am only at the early stages of this less commercial toothpaste experiment, I don't have any strong words of wisdom. I think for now , I would recommend brushing without toothpaste and then following it up with a little bit (pea sized amount) of toothpaste. I would recommend not snacking all day. I would use a baking soda or salt mouthwash and make sure to brush your teeth immediately after eating something very sugary or acidic. I would also make an effort to consume less soda and sugar including chocolate.
I'll do some more research and post a follow-up article. Any comments in the meantime would be greatly appreciated.
Free yourself!
I just wanted to begin with a quick update on my coconut hair fiasco. Since applying coconut oil to my hair I have taken 3 showers. The first shower I rinsed my hair several times with apple cider vinegar, the second shower I applied a yogurt, lemon and honey conditioner which didn't seem to help get any of the oil out so I followed that up with a commercial (OMG) conditioner (SLS-free at least) - this might seem counter-intuitive but some articles have suggested that conditioner is more effective than shampoo at removing excess oil. This morning I took a shower and washed my hair with baking soda and rinsed with apple cider vinegar. The result - my hair is still pretty greasy. Therefore, my recommendation to anyone using the no shampoo method is that you do not do a coconut oil hair treatment. Or if you really want to do one, only use a little bit of coconut oil. Not like a handful like I did. I have really thin hair, so if you have long thick gorgeous hair maybe a handful would work.
On to the oral hygiene post. This one is going to be a little bit controversial so reader beware.
Ok. I don't really like my teeth. I don't have any cavities which is great and they are straight thanks to braces, however my teeth are not super white. I guess a rather major problem is that I have had a long term love affair - with chocolate and coffee and I just can't give it up! Anywho, otherwise I think I take pretty awesome care of my teeth. I brush two to three times a day with an electric toothbrush, I floss religiously, I drink lots of water and I rarely drink soft drinks or juice. What's not to love!
So I did a little bit of research and this is what I have found out. In the last 5 days I have switched up my oral hygiene routine and I think my teeth are already looking great.
Fact #1: It is the mechanical action of brushing your teeth that cleans them not toothpaste. In fact, toothpaste has many very abrasive agents that actually wear down your enamel and make your teeth even more prone to tooth decay. Guess what else toothpaste contains: SLS!!!! (Read no shampoo post for further details)
Fact #2: Commercial mouthwash can cause dental erosion and certain studies have shown that alcohol-containing mouthwash has been proven to increase the risk of oral cancer by 5 times.
Fact #3: A simple salt and water rinse will neutralize the acidity in your mouth which contributes to tooth decay. (Side note- I quit veganism because I had heard that vegans often have many more cavities than non-vegans. It turns out this is due to the increased acidity in many fruits which form a larger part of a vegan's diet. If you make sure to brush your teeth and rinse following these meals, these problems should not occur).
Fact #4: Brush your tongue - your tongue is often the source of bad breath.
Fact #5: Brush your gums and floss daily. Flossing may seem unimportant - but not flossing can lead to gingivitis which if left untreated can allow toxins to invade the bones and structures supporting the teeth and cause bone loss, loose teeth and teeth to fall out.
Fact #6: Fluoride helps prevent and actually heal cavities. Fluoride is found in most municipal water supplies but check your city's website to know for sure. There has been a lot of controversy regarding fluoride. A lot of the rich hippy dippy crunchy people like me (minus the rich part) have been urging their city to stop adding fluoride to the water supply (for more info: http://www.fluoridealert.org/50-reasons.htm). For the most part they have been unsuccessful since public health agencies have argued that fluoride is an important tool in preventing tooth decay - especially for the less afluent population. I will do a future post on the best type of water to drink.
Fact #7: It is important for keep your mouth moist. Saliva prevents bacteria from growing.
Fact #8: Sugar is bad mmmk.
Fact #9: It is better to eat 2-3 meals rather than snack all day. Your mouth cleans itself between meals. Also, the former oldest man in the world, Walter Breuning, died a few days ago. One of his secrets to longevity was only eating 2 meals a day. I will do a later post on the link between longevity and calorie restriction. - Something I have yet to attempt.
My new routine:
Well, I have stopped using toothpaste regularly. I have probably quadrupled the amount of time it takes to brush my teeth in the morning though. With toothpaste there was always gobs of it falling all over the place so I think I tried to be speedy so I wouldn't have to put on a new shirt for work or whatever. Now, I carefully polish each angle and side of my teeth like they do when you go to the dentist for a cleaning. I also brush all of my gums as well as my tongue. Without the toothpaste I can actually see my teeth and I am 100% sure I am doing a way better job than I was with all the toothpaste. I am still flossing before bed. I am alternating in the morning and before bed with sea salt and baking soda mouth washes with tap water. I am brushing my teeth using a little bit of toothpaste once every 2 days to make sure my teeth are getting adequate fluoride.
I have read about many people who have completely given up the toothpaste but I am hesitant since my teeth are such an important, expensive and visible body part that I would like to speak with a dentist before going completely au naturel. The problem is I don't know who to trust. If any of my readers have some testimonials regarding toothpaste, I would love to hear what you have to say. I am looking into perhaps purchasing the solar-powered toothbrush (check out link: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/08/solar-powered-toothbrush-needs-no-toothpaste.php).
A lot of people have recommended using ash from burnt wood to whiten teeth. I don't have access to this but apparently it is very effective. Many people brush with baking soda or salt. I am just a little worried about this because I don't want to further damage my enamel.
Since I am only at the early stages of this less commercial toothpaste experiment, I don't have any strong words of wisdom. I think for now , I would recommend brushing without toothpaste and then following it up with a little bit (pea sized amount) of toothpaste. I would recommend not snacking all day. I would use a baking soda or salt mouthwash and make sure to brush your teeth immediately after eating something very sugary or acidic. I would also make an effort to consume less soda and sugar including chocolate.
I'll do some more research and post a follow-up article. Any comments in the meantime would be greatly appreciated.
Free yourself!
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Goodbye blind trust - Hello research (follow-up on the coconut oil hair treatment)
Hey everyone,
I am having some trouble with the coconut oil hair treatment. I read that putting coconut oil throughout your hair will make it beautiful, shiny, spectacular. Everything my hair is not. Well right now I am really struggling because I am about to go to yoga and my hair looks so greasy. I did the coconut oil hair treatment yesterday morning. I spread it throughout my hair and wrapped my hair in a plastic bag and a shower cap. This insulation is supposed to make the coconut oil deeply penetrate your hair. I then attempted to rinse using apple cider vinegar. I applied a full 3 water bottles full of my apple cider vinegar mix. FAIL. There is still so much coconut oil in my hair. I am hoping that the salty sweat from this yoga class will break down some of the coconut oil. I think I will also go for a run today. Hopefully the yoga and running will do the trick. I think I will try a baking soda solution as well.
I'll let you know how it goes. I need to go to work tomorrow so this is a little scary. If you have any advice that doesn't involve a commercial shampoo please post a comment below.
I should have done more research as to how to get this coconut oil out first. This reminds me of the time in grade school when my friends decided to dye my hair with food colouring and vaseline. I think it took a week to get the vaseline out with the help of harsh chemicals.
Research before action! Free yourself!
I am having some trouble with the coconut oil hair treatment. I read that putting coconut oil throughout your hair will make it beautiful, shiny, spectacular. Everything my hair is not. Well right now I am really struggling because I am about to go to yoga and my hair looks so greasy. I did the coconut oil hair treatment yesterday morning. I spread it throughout my hair and wrapped my hair in a plastic bag and a shower cap. This insulation is supposed to make the coconut oil deeply penetrate your hair. I then attempted to rinse using apple cider vinegar. I applied a full 3 water bottles full of my apple cider vinegar mix. FAIL. There is still so much coconut oil in my hair. I am hoping that the salty sweat from this yoga class will break down some of the coconut oil. I think I will also go for a run today. Hopefully the yoga and running will do the trick. I think I will try a baking soda solution as well.
I'll let you know how it goes. I need to go to work tomorrow so this is a little scary. If you have any advice that doesn't involve a commercial shampoo please post a comment below.
I should have done more research as to how to get this coconut oil out first. This reminds me of the time in grade school when my friends decided to dye my hair with food colouring and vaseline. I think it took a week to get the vaseline out with the help of harsh chemicals.
Research before action! Free yourself!
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