Beta-hydroxy-di-ethyl-what??

Tatiana talked about making the move to veganism and chemical or biological additives to food and being in charge of your body—instead of your body being in charge of you. Wow--where did she get all those smarts? 

 By the way, it is amazing to me the things that the FDA says are “natural” that can be put into our foods or even NOT included on the label…but THAT’S another post. 

I’m going to chat about my personal experience with chemicals. (cue sinister music ♫♫)

Several years back, I had an allergic reaction, cause unknown.  I suffered for several days using alternative remedies; however, when nothing worked, I decided I had better see my primary care provider.  It was diagnosed as “contact dermatitis” (which I already knew).  The only thing that I had changed in my life was moving to a fabric softener that was labeled free of dyes, perfumes, etc.  He mentioned that there are so many chemicals we encounter in our daily lives that even items labeled ‘free and clear’ still contained many of the same chemicals and that I should give my body a break from those items.

A light bulb went on in my head…duhh!!

 I just paid someone to tell me that?  

 (I am thankful he helped me re-think things though).   Everything I used around the house and on my body was made of chemicals…hand soap, shampoo, body wash, household cleansers, dish soap, laundry detergent, automatic dish-washing liquid, antiperspirants, fabric softeners…and many, many more with ingredients that I couldn’t pronounce or had never even heard of in my chemistry classes.

With his instructions to cut out those items, I started to move away from chemicals around our house...and, voila, my rash went away!  Don’t get me wrong—I still cover my gray and use Paul Mitchell’s color-protectant shampoo—like I said in my bio to the right, it's a work in progress!  I am trying decrease exposure to most of the chemicals in my life and to use more environmentally-friendly items.

I use Simple Green to clean as well as white vinegar, baking soda, and biofriendly detergents (like BioKleen or Mrs. Meyer products).  I just found out from my sister that Simple Green has petrochemicals in it and is just as toxic as other chemical cleaners!  Alas, companies that create household cleaners are not required to put all ingredients on the label!  C-r-a-z-y but true...marking that off my shopping list forevermore! 

 My body wash is organic with olive oil, avocado oil and green tea. The family is working on shampoos and will probably move to Dr. Bronner’s tea tree castile soap and baby castile soap for McKenna.

Todd and I have purchased name brand foaming hand soap for several years.  We noticed how dry our hands became and every 6 months, I would have bleeding cracks all over my hands because they were so dry from all of the chemicals I use at home and work.  (I am a nurse and the soap and hand sanitizer at work is very effective for killing bacteria—but they also kill my hands!). 

I wanted something neat and un-messy in order for the bathroom sinks to stay just a little cleaner and yet offer munchkins and not-so-munchkins adequate anti-bacterial protection so I started trying different concoctions out about 6 months ago and came up with my newest creation: 

Foaming hand soap!

One caveat—you need a foaming pump dispenser.  I, wanting to be a green girl, recycled my Dial foaming soap pump containers and refill them with this recipe.  I use Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Pure Castile Soap to save my tea tree essential oil for other things.  I use lavender oil and between the two, I still get the same antibacterial properties.  You can use his unscented soap and create your own scent...but it won't be antibacterial!  Use a combination of oils if you like, but I recommend staying around 20 drops maximum of all oils combined.

Best Ever Foaming Hand Soap

• 2 Tbsp Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap

• 10-20 drops of essential oils

• About 1 cup filtered (or tap) water  

If you are using the Dial soap type of dispenser—just place the soap and the essential oil into the container and fill to the line with water. Shake gently to mix ingredients.

Note:  This recipe is strictly for foaming soap--too watery to use for regular soap. I haven't come up with an adequate recipe for regular hand soap yet.

Ta-da!  Simple as that!  My hands don’t crack and split and I know that it still has the antibacterial qualities I want because of the tea tree and lavender essential oils but WITHOUT ALL THE CHEMICALS!

 In addition to decreasing chemicals ON my body, obviously I want to ingest as few chemicals as possible  (or other nasty biological germs--like E. Coli...ew) , so I always make sure I wash/soak any fruits and veggies. 

Honestly, I can’t always afford to buy organic fruits and vegetables, but I DO buy mostly organic so I don’t have to worry about chemicals (but I still have to worry about biological germs!) and I always wash them.

FRUGAL FRUIT (& VEGGIE) WASH

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
2 Tbsp baking soda

      Mix all together in bowl and then pour into spray bottle (after fizz as settled down). 

       IMPORTANT:  Let produce sit in rinse for 3-5 minutes before washing off.

       Hard-skinned fruits/veggies:  Spray on, rub in and wash off.  Soft-skinned fruits/veggies:  Spray on and wash off.

  

The acetic acid kills bacteria and helps dissolve the wax and pesticide residue while the baking soda acts as a gentle scrub to remove them!

  

 

(You can also use commercially prepared fruit & veggie washes like Environne—purchase fairly cheaply at your local health food store or health food section of grocery store.  I know that Tatiana uses lemon essential oil for her wash.  )

Just yesterday, I was wondering if Grapeseed Extract (GSE)* would work as a wash because it’s an antioxidant as well.  I found a recipe that I’m going to try...I will let you know what I think and how I adapt it!

 GSE Produce Wash

3 cups water

1 cup white vinegar

2 Tbsp baking soda

15-20 drops grapefruit seed extract

    

Combine all ingredients in a large container. Then, transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce, and rinse thoroughly after at least 5 minutes.

*Grapefruit seed extract is available at your local health food store.

What chemicals can you cut out of your life?