A Year without Toothpaste, Shampoo, and Deoderant

     So maybe I'm just crazy, but several years ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. No one knows how or why, but everyone knows there is no cure. My first doctor told me I had two choices: radiation or surgery, and I said neither. After 6 years of monthly lab tests, medications, and a "clean" diet, my lab work showed I was still sick, so I continued to look for ways to improve my health without surgery or radiation. 

     I decided to remove all chemicals from my "beauty" products. I have been reading labels to make sure I was not eating unrecognizable items, so now I wanted to make sure I wasn't unintentionally putting chemicals in my body. 

     Your skin is an organ. Everything you apply to your skin is quickly absorbed and enters into your bloodstream. It then travels to your liver and kidneys. Your scalp and feet absorb chemicals even faster than your hands.

     Jan. 1, 2013 I quit using deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo. Jan 1, 

2014 I still have my friends and family. Maybe everyone thought they were being nice, but no one said a thing to me about body odor, stinky breath, or gross hair. I got all of my ideas from Diane Kidman's "Beaty Gone Wild" and "Hair Gone Wild."

     For my hair, I use "no poo."  I wash my scalp with baking soda every 2-3 days, rinse, and then wash with apple cider vinegar. On my off days, I massage my scalp with honey and use honey as a conditioner.

     For deodorant, I shave then rub my armpits with a stainless steel spoon for 20-30 seconds. Sounds bizarre, I know. I did sweat a lot during the first few days, but then my body adjusted, and I didn't even have any problems with sweat or smell during the long Georgia summer.

     For toothpaste, I tried several different recipes and finally settled on dipping my toothbrush in baking soda before I brush. It took a while to get used to it. There is no minty, fresh feeling, but my teeth are shiny white and my dentist appointments went well.

     Throughout the year I learned how to make soap and lotion, so I use those now, too, helping to reduce my chemical exposures.

     During the first two months, I lost 15 pounds without any other changes. Was it due to the change in chemicals or my illness? We 'll never know. But, it is a change I will keep in 2014.

    

P.S. Please tell me if I need to change/update my hygiene. I do not want to be offensive, just healthy.