Joyful Mama: Up Close and Personal: Simple Tips for Chemical Free Living

Spring is a perfect time to reflect on fresh mercies and reset our goals for pure, simple, and whole living. Whole living permeates every part of us as we strive to simplify our lives and reduce our toxic load. My last blog touched on the benefits of chemical free spring cleaning, and with it I took a poll on what products those in my social network preferred to achieve this goal. Now, I would like to go a step farther and take an "up close and personal" look at chemical free living with our personal care products. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and is constantly exposed to/absorbing toxins in the air and the products we use. Soaps, shampoos, deodorants, lotions, perfumes, and cosmetics are loaded with toxic chemicals that we are lathering onto our bodies. In using these common personal care products, we are unknowingly exposing ourselves to hormone disrupting endocrine inhibitors, skin/respiratory system irritants, possible carcinogens, and other potentially damaging chemicals.

CHEMICAL FREE PERSONAL PRODUCTS

With having severe chemical sensitivities and ongoing autoimmune challenges, I have transitioned into chemical free personal products over a number of years. I purchase natural nontoxic glycerin soaps, body washes, and lotions to use for personal care. Most of these products can be picked up at whole foods stores or online. One of my favorite online shopping sites for these products is the Swanson Vitamins Website which sells products at a reduced cost and offers regular promotional sales. When making personal care purchases, I look for "fragrance free" and "free and clear" products that have as few chemicals as possible. I avoid artificial fragrances, sulfides, petroleum, mineral oil, and other toxic chemicals as much as I can. I do admit that I occasionally use conditioner that is not chemical free, and I have yet to research safe nontoxic cosmetics, which is a future goal mine. I keep cosmetic use to a minimum and have tried the hypoallergenic Physician's Formula makeup that can be bought at retail stores like Walmart or Target.

The industry is full of hypoallergenic and "free and clear" products, but I prefer to follow a simple and cost effective approach to personal care. Here are some simple inexpensive tips for chemical free personal care with my favorite products that I have found to work well for my own hygiene needs.

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil is absolutely one of my favorite dietary and personal care products. I always keep a bottle in the bathroom to use as a moisturizer, deodorant, and agent for oral care. Coconut oil also makes a perfect sunscreen. Coconut oil is a safe natural product full of anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, not to mention it smells and tastes delicious! I like to use coconut oil first thing in the morning for oil pulling therapy and massage my hands, feet, arms, and legs with it just before bed. Most deodorant products contain aluminum and other toxins that can put us at risk for breast cancer. I keep a small jelly-sized mason jar at my sink with a mixture of coconut oil and baking soda that I add by the teaspoon until the mixture is a paste consistency. It makes a very effective homemade chemical free deodorant that keeps me feeling dry and clean all day. You can also make your own toothpaste by mixing coconut oil, baking soda, and a little filtered water flavored with peppermint essential oils. When purchasing coconut oil, be sure to look for unrefined organic oil. We purchase inexpensive organic coconut oil at Aldi.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Raw organic apple cider vinegar is also one of my favorite products to use in cooking, replenishment beverages, and personal care. It makes a very effective detox bath and can be used in place of shampoo for shiny hair. When having a vinegar detox bath, I add a few tablespoons to my bathwater. For a chemical free a hair wash, take a jar or glass of water and wash with a tablespoon or two of baking soda (depending on the length of your hair), wash with a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar, and then rinse. I like to rotate hair products between a mixture of baking soda with apple cider vinegar and a hypoallergenic nontoxic hair and body wash that I get from the whole foods store.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Hydrogen peroxide is another household favorite as a disinfectant, topical agent for sores and insect bites, as well as hand sanitizer and mouthwash. I keep a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide in my purse in place of a hand sanitizer. I also keep it at the sink for oral care, brushing teeth, and I make a homemade mouthwash adding a couple of teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to a small mason jar of filtered water. I have also noticed that hydrogen peroxide speeds up the healing processes for cuts and insect bites. It is a must in my personal care package!

BAKING SODA

Baking soda is a necessity for any chemical free household to use in cleaning products, detox baths, deodorants, toothpastes, facial and hair scrubs, etc. The uses of baking soda are almost limitless. It can be soothing for skin rashes as well as insect bites. I use baking soda for hair washing, deodorant, and oral care. When I brush my teeth, I will sometimes add a little baking soda to my tooth brush and mix with hydrogen peroxide to get my teeth and gums nice and clean. When I add a few tablespoons of baking soda to my detox bath, it is very soft and soothing to the skin. It is my favorite product for this purpose.

ALOE VERA

Aloe vera is a popular product for skin care and digestive health. Why take the time and expense to purchase chemically loaded aloe products when we have a large aloe plant in our house! Aloe plants are perfect for absorbing toxins out of the air, and their leaves can be used to treat burns and other skin conditions. Some people also consume aloe which is said to have healing properties for our intestines. Aloe is very easy to grow and transfer shoots into new plantings. This versatile low maintenance plant is perfect for any chemical free household.

CHEMICAL FREE WHOLE LIVING

There is no need to go out and spend a boatload of money on personal care products when these basic tips can be used for a simple and inexpensive whole lifestyle. Whole living is an ongoing process in which we can always improve upon and look at ways to reduce toxins in what we consume, breathe, and put on our bodies. May we inspire and encourage each other to live well and live fully. Our bodies will thank us!

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JOYFUL TREASURES: PREPARING YOUR GARDEN

With spring finally here, it is time to plan for your summer garden! I was a little late this year getting my flower seeds planted. I like to get my flowers and garden vegetables started in my laundry room with peat pellets, a small enclosed "greenhouse" planter, and a bare light bulb. There is nothing more thrilling than watching those fragile little seeds germinate into new life!

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." -- Robert Louis Stevenson