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!
Monday, 25 April 2011
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!
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Goodbye Cineplex - Hello comfort of my living room!
Hey everyone,
I'm feeling slightly blah today. I slept in and it was miserable outside so I went to the movies. I think the giant cineplex theatre is to blame for my blahhh mood. Firstly, it's pretty expensive especially for snacks. We purchased two movie tickets ($20) and a soft drink, popcorn and chocolate bar combo ($20). I instantly regretted purchasing the incredibly unhealthy combo - I can already feel the sugar hangover. We saw the movie Hanna which was just terrible. The movie was superficial and had no depth. To be honest, nothing about my cineplex experience had any depth, meaning or value. This isn't the first time I have felt like this, but I keep going back. This needs to end. These superficial, void experiences need to end. I feel like something is chipping away at me and I do not like it.
I am now at home eating samosas and soup and watching season 2 of the Wire with my roomates. Now that has some depth.
Next time you think about going to the movies, maybe with the exception of the Bytowne theatre (for my Ottawa friends), consider renting a movie or heading to a gallery or museum instead.
Free yourself!
I'm feeling slightly blah today. I slept in and it was miserable outside so I went to the movies. I think the giant cineplex theatre is to blame for my blahhh mood. Firstly, it's pretty expensive especially for snacks. We purchased two movie tickets ($20) and a soft drink, popcorn and chocolate bar combo ($20). I instantly regretted purchasing the incredibly unhealthy combo - I can already feel the sugar hangover. We saw the movie Hanna which was just terrible. The movie was superficial and had no depth. To be honest, nothing about my cineplex experience had any depth, meaning or value. This isn't the first time I have felt like this, but I keep going back. This needs to end. These superficial, void experiences need to end. I feel like something is chipping away at me and I do not like it.
I am now at home eating samosas and soup and watching season 2 of the Wire with my roomates. Now that has some depth.
Next time you think about going to the movies, maybe with the exception of the Bytowne theatre (for my Ottawa friends), consider renting a movie or heading to a gallery or museum instead.
Free yourself!
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