October Chemical Elimination – Natural Medicine Cabinet

This month’s Chemical Elimination is a major cheater post.  As I was preparing to do this post, Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking did one of her own, and I simply cannot say it any better than she can! She is thorough, informative, and very, very helpful! I resourced this numerous times when my own family recently was struck hard with the influenza.

Go check out her website for Stocking Your Natural Herbal Medicine Cabinet!

I also want to add this recipe for Tried and True Cold and Flu Kicker. I have not tried it yet, but I have heard great things about its wonders!

And here is a recipe for homemade cough and cold syrup!

September Chemical Elimination – Laundry Soap

I still love soap nuts, but if you are more industrious, than here is my very detailed blog post on Toxic Talk Tuesday- Laundry Care! Loaded with info, recipes, and options for naturally clean laundry!

August Chemical Elimination – Shampoo and Conditioner

Better late than never, right?

In my quest to rid my home of chemicals, this has been, by far, the most difficult category. After six months of trying various replacements, I cannot say I have found anything I am satisfied with. However, since everyone’s body chemistry is different, I know some things will work for some people and other things for others. It is a process of trial and error. I will lay out some options so that you can knowledgeably try some various options.

Here are some key ingredients to look avoid when shopping for a good product: parabens, sulfates,  fragrance (parfum), derivatives of sulfur sulfate and ammonium, Propylene Glycol, chlorine.  Many shampoos and conditioners also contain plastics and waxes, so be on the lookout for that, too!

Check out my post on Naturally Simple Solutions: Hair Care, for some very economical, healthy options for hair care! I have known many people who have used these successfully, but for some reason they simply do not work on my hair.  I have noticed, however, that a 50/50 baking soda water solution, massaged into my hair and left for 5 minutes, then rinsed with apple cider vinegar, restores my hair to a smooth, soft balance after the buildup of shampoo and conditioner.

Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa line is supposed to be a good, natural, economical solution, and if you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, it is much cheaper than Amazon. I have heard both good and bad reviews on this.

All that being said, if you look in my shower right now, you will find Biolage:-)  I have simply struck out so far in my search for natural and healthy!  What about you? Have you found any good, natural solutions to hair care?

2012 Chemical Elimination Poll: Is it worth it?

Yes, I am still alive here. I have just continued in my laxity on all things blogging. Honestly, it is mostly because I feel like I am writing into emptiness. I have two small children (one who rarely sleeps), a teenager, and a husband to care for. I only want to blog if it is of some benefit to someone. And I have to ask myself, am I the only one interested in the chemical elimination goals I set out to accomplish for the year? It is a lot of work to do the research, implement changes, and then blog about it every month. But it is totally worth it if it is benefiting my family (in living cleaner, safer, healthier) and others (who have the same desires). But honestly, every month that I embark on the topic for that month, I feel a bit like 1) nobody cares 2) if they did care, all of the information is out there for them to find anyway. Am I really doing anybody a service, or am I just wasting time?

This is not a blog post to instigate pity. I just really need to know if it is worth the time and effort to do the last 4? months of the Chemical Elimination posts. I saved the most intimidating ones for last, and we will not actually be able to implement many of the changes I would be researching into our own home until a later, less penny-pinching time. So I feel like a bit of a hypocrite to write about the dangers of flouride, hormones, and pesticides seeping into our drinking water, when the only solution costs more than we can afford anyway. There is also a sense in which I feel that ignorance is bliss if I cannot do anything to change things anyway.

So I am looking for input. Is there anyone out there who is just dying to see the last four Chemical Elimination posts and would benefit from them? Or does everybody have more pressing things to occupy their time? Because I really, really hate to feel like I am behind and not finishing what I started if people are counting on it…but if they’re not, I don’t want to waste my time or theirs.

On the other hand, I myself am curious about the last five topics (Shampoo/Conditioner, Medicine Cabinet, Laundry Soap, Safe Drinking Water, Home/Personal Fragrances) and have half of them halfway drafted and would be more than happy to post about it if other people are interested. I just need to know that so I am motivated:-)

So what do you think? Should I press on and finish the final 5 posts in the 2012 Chemical Elimination Challenge?

And while we’re at it, were people benefiting from my write ups of the Fabry’s Toxic Talk Tuesdays?

July Chemical Elimination- Soap, Shaving Cream, Aftershave, Sunscreen

Okay, so this whole chemical elimination thing has been a lot harder than I bargained for. I apologize once again for my tardiness in posting! But here, at last, is July’s category.

This month we are covering a number of personal care items, such as soap, shaving cream, aftershave, and sunscreen.  Why do we need to make a switch from using these products in our home?  Modern products contain a plethora of harmful ingredients that have a very direct affect on our health and wellbeing.  Unfortunately, the government does not require health studies before releasing these products, since they make no particular health claims.  But the troubling truth is what goes on our skin is absorbed into our bodies.  As we look for natural and healthy alternatives to these products, what are the ingredients we want to avoid?

Look for products that DO CONTAIN:

• Only high-quality & pure ingredients
• Organic ingredients as much as possible

Look for products that DO NOT CONTAIN:

• artificial fragrances or perfumes (these are derived from petroleum and not something we want to put on our skin. Look for  products only scented with essential oils)
• parabens, phthalates, dyes or sulfates (What is wrong with these?)
• Genetically Modified ingredients (Why not?)

In keeping with these guidelines, I can highly recommend two companies for their products, and I will also give some homemade recipe options.

Jenuinely Pure is a mom-created company that offers a variety of soaps at a reasonable price.  They are high quality, primarily organic ingredients and they never use harmful or questionable ingredients, artificial fragrances or perfumes, parabens, phthalates or sulfates, or genetically modified ingredients.

Graham Gardens offers a variety of natural products, including soaps, bug repellent, salves, lotions, lip balm, and baby care products.  Their desire is to use natural, safe ingredients that not only work, but heal. And they just added a certified organic line for $5 a bar!

Shaving Cream

Instead of using shaving cream, I’ve taken to just using either a bar of soap and working up a little lather, or some liquid soap accomplishes the same purpose. This is effective, economical, and simplifies what I have in my shower.

Aftershave

Graham Gardens offers a healing salve with safe, natural ingredients.

Passionate Homemaking has a number of recipes for making your own aftershave.

Sunscreen

When looking for a safe sunscreen, it is important to remember that exposure to sun in a limited amount is a very good thing! We seem to have forgotten the importance of getting some sun nowadays as we are so fearful about harmful UV rays and getting cancer from that.  But the sun is an important source of the very important vitamin D that our bodies so need.  It is good to get at least 15-30 minutes of uninhibited sun exposure a day, and even better to be out in the sun at 15 minute intervals throughout the day sans sunscreen.

But for those long mornings at the pool, here are some guidelines for finding a safe sunscreen:

• Look for a sunscreen that does not contain added vitamin A  or insect repellent.
• Look for a sunscreen that does not have higher than 50 SPF.  It is not only useless, it is possibly dangerous.
• DO NOT buy spray or powder sunscreens.  These can be ingested into the lungs.
• Look for a sunscreen that does not contain fragrance
• Look for a sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzne, a hormone disrupter
• Look for sunscreens that DO contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, Avobenzone  or Mexoryl SX.  These are effective, safe UV blocking minerals.

Here is a great resource for finding a good sunscreen.

To make your own, here is a recipe.

And next month we’ll continue our personal care chemical elimination with shampoo and conditioner!

Further Reading:

Cheat Sheet: Paraben, phthalate and PEG free baby products

Recognizing Harmful Ingredients in Labels

How to Recognize and Avoid Phthalates

June Chemical Elimination: Toothpaste & Mouthwash

When it comes to hidden and dangerous chemicals in our homes, not many of us probably think of toothpaste and mouthwash as all that toxic.  Sadly, however, in-home poisoning is the number 2 cause of death in children–and mouthwash is one of those poisonous substances!

We have been making our own mouthwash for some months now and are really enjoying it. It is simple, economical, and tasty!

Homemade Mouthwash

1 cup aloe vera juice (fairly inexpensive at Trader Joe’s among other places)

1/2 cup distilled water (I just used filtered)

1 tbsp. witch hazel

2 tsp. baking soda

20 drops peppermint essential oil

Toothpaste

So what’s so dangerous about toothpaste?  Amidst other questionable substances, the key health concern in most toothpastes is their fluoride content.  But isn’t fluoride good for us? Isn’t that what makes our teeth strong? Unfortunately, no.  However, this post is not about the dangers of ingesting fluoride.  More information on that topic will be in our November Chemical Elimination post on safe drinking water.  For now, it is simply helpful to know that, contrary to popular belief, it is best to use toothpaste without fluoride.

Toothpaste sans fluoride can be difficult to find though.  What are some safe alternatives? You could always use good old baking soda and water, but, well, that is simply not a very pleasant experience.  For more palatable options, check out Trader Joe’s fluoride free toothpaste (just $1.99 in store) or Tom’s of Maine.  Or make your own.

May Chemical Elimination: Pest/Weed Control and Natural Bug Repellent Recipe

(Yes, I am aware that I am actually finally posting this in June…things have been very busy lately! Hopefully I will actually get June’s done before the month is out!)

Ever since I began the journey into healthier, more natural living, I have been concerned about the chemicals we so readily turn to to kill unwanted pests in an around our homes.  It disturbs me that we will spray toxic chemicals in our homes, on our floors where our babies crawl, and not give a second thought to the possible danger we may be causing.  But we also do not want bugs, spiders, ants, and mice invading our homes! So what is the answer?

Conveniently, this month’s Chemical Elimination coincides with this month’s and last month’s Toxic Talk Tuesday!  For detailed information on each individual topic, check out those posts or MomsAWARE.  I will compile all of the most helpful tips here!

Most pests and irritating rodents do not like the smell of peppermint, so either plant some or sprinkle some peppermint leaves in or around areas where you are having issues with mice, etc. Plant marigolds in your garden to keep rabbits away and chives to keep the deer at bay.  (The marigolds also took care of the beetles eating my green beans!).  Diluted Neem oil is also effective against a whole host of garden pests.  Use garlic/onion/cayenne or all three in a spray on pests inside and out.

Cedar is also another major critter deterant.  Use cedar mulch, or spray diluted cedar essential oil in problem areas (use instead of moth balls!).

Other essential oils that are useful against pests include peppermint, lavender, lemongrass, basil, and clove.

To kill of the weeds, try this recipe for simple, frugal, safe weed killer:

Homemade Natural Weed Killer 

• 1 gallon white vinegar
• 1/2 c. liquid soap
• 2 tbsp. salt

Combine and shake. Place in spray bottle and spray leaves and stems of weeds only. Avoid surrounding plants.  This really works! And I loved spraying the weeds with my two-year old tagging along behind me today, knowing he wouldn’t be harmed by smelling or touching the spray!

Instead of going to the store and buying pricey, toxic bug spray, try this recipe: (Do not be intimidated by the essential oils–check out the link below for suggestions on all sorts of essential oils that can work just as well!)

Personal Bug Repellent

1/2 teaspoon citronella essential oil
1/2 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil
4 ounces distilled witch hazel

Mix ingredients in a 4-ounce spray bottle. Shake well. Spray onto exposed skin, avoiding eyes and mucous membranes. Reapply every 2 hours, or as needed.

Recipe courtesy of Laurel Vukovic.
August 2004
Herbs for Health

I love this website for a list of which essential oils repel which insects and all the possible carrier oils, as well as ratios to mix up whichever bug spray will suit your needs best!

I am excited to try these recipes using coconut oil and essential oils!

Check out the Bug Busting Bonanza for more helpful hints! Happy natural pest-ridding!

April Chemical Elimination: Household Cleaners

One of the most commonly used household toxins are our cleaning products.  In the past few decades, a plethora of chemicals have come on the market with which we can “clean” our homes.  The problem is, these products are doing much more harm than good.  Products that claim to disinfect, eliminate mold and relieve offensive odors contain a truckload of harmful ingredients that studies are continuing to prove hazardous to our health.  Why is this allowed?

Unfortunately, household cleaning products make no health claims, they are not subject to the FDA’s health tests and regulations.  They do not undergo the same rigorous testing for safety as do health products.  But this does not mean the fumes they emit are not actually harmful.  In fact, the exact opposite is proving to be true.

We all know not to let bleach touch our skin, not to be in an unventilated room while using ammonia, and not to mix our chemicals. Why? Because the caustic nature and fumes of these chemicals can cause all sorts of serious, if not deadly, reactions.  The problem is, though, that even with using these precuations, there is a residual affect to using these chemicals in our homes.  That bleach you used to scour your tub is still present when you fill your tub with your children’s bathwater, even if you rinsed and rinsed afterwards.  The fumes of ammonia and spray on cleaners like Lysol remain in the air, inhibiting our brain’s function and growth.

The list of consequences to our overuse of chemicals in our households goes on and on.  So what is the answer? Can we effectively clean and disinfect our homes without the use of these chemicals? Yes we can!

Here are a few helpful hints on how to rid your home of these chemicals and replace them with natural, safe, economical alternatives!

Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

There are dozens of DIY recipes for natural cleaning things you find in your kitchen cupboards, like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon as well as many essential oils.  This is easy, economical, and effective.  MomsAWARE has an abundance of recipes and resources for making your own cleaning supplies.  They are also in the middle of a ten-step journey to chemical-free cleaning challenge.   I love this website and all of Andrea Fabry’s Toxic Talk Tuesdays for a wealth of knowledge on how essential oils and everyday, natural ingredients cleanse, disinfect, deodorize, etc. !

At this point in my life, making my cleaning supplies is just too much for me.

So, I

Use Melaleuca

I have used Melaleuca for a number of years now and continue to be impressed with it.  Their main ingredient is tea tree oil, a natural anti-microbial and generally amazing essential oil.  Many of their products are concentrated and will last for a year or more, so even though the up front cost may appear more expensive, it ends up being cheaper in the long run.

So far, the only qualm I have with Melaleuca is that some of their products, including the dish soap and laundry detergent, contain fragrance, a derivative of petroleum.

But for an even more overall cost-effective, simple option,

Use Norwex or e-cloth

I recently discovered Norwex and e-cloth and am hooked!  The above two options still bring a number of various cleaning supplies into my home that make me feel cluttered.  I like more of a “one size fits all” approach, and Norwex has nailed it.  With their revolutionary design of a natural, antibacterical silver microfiber cloth, this and water are virtually all you need to clean your entire house!  The envirocloth is their all-purpose cloth and works to wipe down and effectively clean your whole house.  Of course, they have a vast amount of particular cloths for particular purposes, but for the most part, you can get away with cleaning the majority of the house with just the envirocloth.  Use the envirocloth and window cloth and achieve spotless, streak-free windows in seconds–with no chemicals!  Clean your oven and stove tops with their cleaning paste and spirinettes and without the use of potent chemicals.  Reduce soap scum in your bathroom with the bathroom scrub mitt.

Norwex cloths have a 2 year guarantee but are tested to work for up to 7 years.  The e-cloth is comporable, while possibly slightly less quality, but for significantly less cost.

The long and short of it is that there are so many options to effectively and economically clean your home without the use of harmful chemicals!  Find what works for you, and share any other suggestions you have!

 

Simple, Frugal Chemical-free cleaning that WORKS!

I am extremely excited about April’s “Chemical Elimination” Challenge–Natural CLEANING!

In preparation for the blog post, I have been testing a variety of options in our own home, and I simply cannot wait until April before I give a brief plug for Norwex:-)

In my Chemical Elimination blog post, I will be more thorough, but let me just give you a quick overview of Norwex.

From their website:

“Norwex is committed to radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning to promote health. More than ever we feel the need to emphasize the positive environmental impact of reducing chemical use.”

“In the last 50 years more than 80,000 new chemicals have been produced and introduced into the environment. “Ecology” refers to the way human beings, animals, and other life forms and nature interact and influence each other.

The ecological approach considers that all living species and nature are interdependent, and that there are limitations to what nature can absorb in terms of human activities such as pollution.  Change something here, and the consequences will pop up there.  Radical change — manmade or otherwise — may overwhelm the delicate balance in the environment, resulting in unintended and dramatic negative change.

We must find a way to provide for the needs of the present, without sacrificing the ability of future generations to provide for their needs.  Contributing to the change by becoming part of the Norwex family will result in an improvement in quality of life.

“We strive to improve quality of life rather than standard of living.”

Behind this aim lies the value and beauty of life itself, both for us, and other life forms. 

From a health point of view, it is equally important to radically reduce the use of household chemicals.  Research and information on the health effects of chemicals has not kept pace with their development and use. “Most of the chemicals that people are exposed to everyday have never been assessed for their impact on human health.”

The harm chemicals have on humans is extensive.  Chemicals found in the average home are linked to many serious diseases such as allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities.  Many today believe that the extensive use of chemicals indoors contributes to “modern” diseases such as asthma and allergies.”

Norwex allows you to clean and disinfect your entire home with the use of simply a microfiber cloth and water! Check out their website for their full line of products and how this amazing technology works!  You really have to see it to believe it.

On Tuesday at 7pm, we are having a Norwex party at our home.  If you are in the QC  area and are curious, please contact me–I would love to have you come!  There will be light snacks and Christina will be demonstrating how Norwex works…by cleaning parts of my home!!

If you are already familiar with Norwex and are eager to purchase more of their amazing product, check out my consultant’s website–you can place an order on-line through me or her!

I cannot say enough good things about Norwex. It will truly revolutionize the way you clean, and you will never have to stock your cupboards with sprays, solutions, detergents, and chemicals to clean your home with again!

March Chemical Elimination: Deodorant

In an effort to progressively rid our home of harmful toxins and chemicals, March’s goal is to replace one of our personal care products, deodorant, with a natural, safe alternative.

Most of us wouldn’t think of the personal care products we use on a regular basis as harmful, let alone toxic.  But the sad truth is, these products do not undergo the same testing as food and medicine do, and do not have the same requirements of safety since they make no health claims. Deodorants, like most personal care products on the market, contain a handful of harmful ingredients. Most deodorants on the market contain aluminum, a toxic metal which can be absorbed through the skin and has been linked with mental illness such as Ahlziemer’s Disease and autism.  Many deodorants contain parabens, a toxic petroleum derivative.  For more reading on harmful chemicals to avoid when shopping for deodorant, click here.

Although it can be discouraging and overwhelming to learn of the presence of so many harmful ingredients in the products we use and love every day, the purpose of this post is to encourage you with finding other, safer options.

Because each of us has different body chemistry, personal care products vary in their effectiveness.  That es why one deodorant may not work for you, but it may work for your spouse.  It is also why it usually takes some trial and error to find what works for you.

Following are a wide range of options to replace toxic forms of deodorant with natural, safe alternatives.  I have included both products available in the store and homemaking options.  If I have tried any of the options, I will include a personal review in italics.  But again, keep in mind that each person is different, so what works for me may not work for you, and vice versa.  Be inspired by how many different options you have, and don’t give up!

Safe Alternatives to Anti-Perspirant:

Meleleuca offers safe, aluminum free options.  This option did not work for me. I have friends who love it, though!

Tom’s of Maine has safe, though pricey, alternatives.  Look carefully at ingredients, though, as some contain aluminum.  They can be found in most stores.  This option did not keep me odor-free, either!

Homemade Deodorant Recipes

We use this recipe from PassionateHomemaking.com with some variations. I am eager for my husband to try it after his current bar runs out. We are going to try this method of putting it in his old stick.

Mix in a small bowl:

6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil, partially melted
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred)

Directions:

1. Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder.
2. Slowly add coconut oil and stir it with a spoon.  Allow coconut oil to set up, stirring occasionally to ensure equal distribution.
3. You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.

-Zinc oxide is a natural anti-perspirant.  Including it in your homemade deodorant will most likely help relieve any odor.  For a simple recipe as well as a plethora of variations, For a simple recipe to make your own, click here. I am excited to try this one, too.

Homemade Deodorant Spray

(From MomsAWARE.org)

Make a baking soda spray by blending 3 tsp. baking soda with 1 c. water in a spray bottle. Add 3-5 drops tea tree oil for added protection.

This is what I used and worked fine until after the birth of my daughter.  My hormones must have changed, because suddenly, for the first time in my life…I am very sweaty! This no longer cuts it for me.  But if it works for you, simply spray some on your hands, rub it under arms, and allow it to dry. I added the tea tree oil.

Queen of Hungary Water

(This can also be used as a toner and as hair care!)

Originally used in Europe as a perfume, Queen of Hungary Water is revered for its many healing properties and is widely known as a cure-all.  It can be used as a toner, astringent, a deodorant, a hair rinse, and can even be ingested to help soothe a sour stomach, among other things.  Here is my recipe, but you can really use whatever herbs you have on hand:

Combine in a large Mason jar:

3 TB. Peppermint leaves

2 TB Comfrey leaves

2 Tbs chamomile

4 TB Rose leaves

2 Tbs Lavender leaves

2 Tbs Nettles

3 TB Calendula/Marigold

1 TB Lemon zest

1 TB dried rosemary

1 TB dried sage

Cover with organic, raw apple cider vinegar and leave in a sunny spot for 2-3 weeks. After 2-3 weeks, strain out the herbs and place in fresh, clean bottle.

To each cup of herbal vinegar, add 1c. total extra liquid (I used witch hazel extract).  Add several drops of essential oil, if using. Stores indefinitely.

That list of herbs may look intimidating, but most of them can be found at your local health food store, or you can place an order at Mountain Rose Herbs.  Or you can ask me for a sample size, and I can mail you one for a small price.

I hope one of these options works for you and your family! I, for one, am glad I have found something that works and saves us from chemical exposure while also saving us money!