How to Draw a Detox Bath

Sometimes I get a serious case of the Mondays. You know those days, they follow a long hard work week that are ended in a weekend full of activities only to start all over again on Monday. Add in a sinus infection and a visit from Aunt Flo and you get one cranky crunchy peach.

That's when Mr Peach so sweetly and gently suggests I take a nice warm bath. Honestly, I would love to take one every day, but let's be serious, who has time for that?

So why draw a detox bath? Let's face it, toxins are basically everywhere these days from our tap water and beauty products to our homes and cell phones. The EPA even estimates that the average American has residue from over 400 toxic compounds in their body at any given time. Ugh, no wonder we can get so grumpy! Four hundred toxic compounds? Gross!

So what does it take to draw a detox bath? It's really pretty simple...

Epsom salt - helps muscles and nerves function properly, reduces inflammation, improves circulation,  flushes toxins, improves nutrient absorption

Bentonite clay - absorbs toxins, repairs damaged cells, balances the body's pH, removes mercury, strengthens the immune system, helps rid the body of allergens

Lavender essential oil - calming and relaxing, soothes skin irritations, eases muscle tension

At the end of the day when you're feeling extra toxic and bogged down draw yourself a warm bath. Sprinkle in 1 cup epsom salt, 1/2 cup bentonite clay, and 10 drops lavender essential oil into the water and mix with your hands. Turn off the lights, light up your favorite all natural candle, tune your iPod to some vintage Nickel Creek, and slip into your bath for 20 minutes.

After you allow the toxins to float down the drain be careful getting out of the tub, you may feel slightly light headed from the detox process. Make sure to rinse off before going to bed. Wake up the next morning refreshed and a lot less grumpy.

Ahhh. Now that's much better.

P.S. All the clay may not completely dissolve into your bath so be sure to rinse out your tub afterwards.

Sources:

doTerra

LA Healthy Living

Healthy Living How To

One Good Thing By Jillee

No Poo Defeat

(Let me preface this post by explaining that "no poo" is short for "no shampoo" and refers to the method of washing your hair without conventional shampoo and conditioner.)

My journey to no poo greatness began fourteen months ago. Why? Well because, frankly, I'm lazy when it comes to my hair. I have a lot of hair -a lot- and washing and styling it takes a lot of time. And I was tired of spending so much time and energy on my hair.

During college I typically washed my hair every couple of days, although after having worked up a good sweat dancing and teaching and rehearsing it sometimes was every day. Once I graduated I was able to get away with only washing it twice a week. Then I decided to embark upon my no poo journey. Over the course of six months I dealt with the greasiness that comes with training your hair to adjust to being washed only once a week. Then I was officially "low poo" and my hair was looking great!

(Disclaimer, I have very thick, very coarse, wavy long hair. I realize that for some people the thought of only washing their hair once a week is completely out of the question. For me, I don't usually start getting that oily look until about day eight, so I have been blessed to be able to get away with fewer washes.)

(natural wave just after washing with shampoo)

Once I reached low poo hair greatness I was pretty content. For a while anyways. Then I started reading all these natural bloggers rave about how much they loved their hair so much more once they did the deed and ditched the poo. No more chemicals and perfumes and waxes binding their hair from its natural splendor. I wanted that! Thus the flame in my search for no poo hair glory was reignited.

Five weeks ago I ditched the poo. I was prepared for a greasy transition period like I had experienced going low poo. But I was not prepared for what actually happened.

(low poo dirty hair day #9, getting ready to go no poo)

My hair just felt gross. I knew it wasn't dirty because I had just washed it. But it didn't feel clean either. My roots, which used to be so light and soft after shampooing, were now matted and lacking appeal. The ends and middle lengths of my hair felt fairly normal, but oh those roots! Every day was a battle and usually ended up in a messy bun (thankfully my job calls for a bun most days anyways). Even after only one day post shower it felt like my hair hadn't been washed in weeks.

If you're in the market, there are multiple no poo recipes out there, the most common a combination of being baking soda and apple cider vinegar. However, I read a lot of negative things about this method, such as how drastically different the pH of baking soda is than what your hair is and that it can be damaging and irritate your scalp. So I decided I didn't want to go down that road. Instead I tried honey, bentonite clay, castile soap, coconut milk, and apple cider vinegar. Nothing was working. It just kept getting worse.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted my hair back. My bouncy, silky, pretty hair. So I caved. I poo-ed. I just couldn't help it!

(clean hair via shampoo)

How did our grandmothers do it? Have such gorgeous looking hair before conventional shampoos and conditioners came into the picture? My fellow hippies, how do you get through the transition period without hating your hair every day? I still want to achieve no poo hair glory, but at the moment I'm a little lost, and a little scared. Back to low poo I go until I can work up the courage to try again.

So tell me, how do you poo? Got a great no poo recipe that has worked for you? Please share!

DIY Shaving Oil

So if you've read my post on the oil cleansing method then you know that these days I am kind of obsessed with oil. Essential oil, almond oil, coconut oil . . .

Shaving oil seemed like a no brainer. I tried shaving with straight oil and wasn't crazy about it. Bummer.

But no fear, after doing a little natural blog hopping and experimenting, I whipped up a batch of shaving oil. Success.

What it takes:

1/3 cup shea butter

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup almond oil

5 drops peppermint essential oil

How to make it:

Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.

Pour melted butter/oil into a bowl and stir in almond oil and peppermint.

Place in fridge and let set until solid - an hour or two.

Once solid, remove from fridge and whip using an electric mixer until you get a light and fluffy consistency.

Spoon into a jar and it's ready to use.

A little goes a long way plus this shaving oil is super moisturizing so no need to use lotion post shave! It is also thicker than your traditional shaving cream, so you may find yourself rinsing off your razor more frequently. And make sure your razor is cleaned completely post shave to avoid dulling the blade.

The peppermint essential oil makes this shaving oil feel extra clean and fresh. But you could always substitute for your favorite essential oil.

I have loved using this shaving oil for the past month. Like I said, I'm a little obsessed with oil.

Give it a try, let me know what you think!

The Oil Cleansing Method

Last summer I got fed up. Fed up with my face. Fed up with my skin. Fed up with the whole skin care industry.

For ten years I battled acne. I tried what felt like everything, from Proactiv to every over the counter anti-acne cleanser and mask that you can find at the local drug store, even prescription medications and creams. Nothing worked. At least nothing worked long term.

So, I got desperate. Desperate enough to try something that I would have never thought to do with my oily, acne prone skin: slather it with oil.

Yes, oil.

It is called the oil cleansing method.

"The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed." 1

From chemistry class we all remember that like dissolves like, and that oil dissolves oil. Makes sense right? But what exactly is the method and does it work?

How it is done (aka my nightly routine):

• Mix 1 part castor oil with 3 parts sunflower oil/carrier oil. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil.

• Gently massage a quarter size amount of oil onto face for 1 to 2 minutes. Concentrating on problem areas, if any.

• Wet and ring out washcloth in hot water and place over face until cooled (this allows the steam to open your pores and help you get a deep down clean). Rewet washcloth and use to gently wipe the oil off.

Too easy! I was skeptical. Way skeptical. But like I said, I was also desperate.

And that desperation paid off big time because never has my face felt so soft or been so clear. I am proud to report that this is the happiest I have ever been with my skin.

After one year of practicing the oil cleansing method I can say with confidence that I will never go back to a traditional cleanser. Like ever. I have said goodbye to the days of a pimpled forehead, oil blotting sheets and being embarrassed of anyone seeing my skin makeup free. No more stripping my face with harsh chemicals and plastering it with dyes and fragrances.

Thanks to the oil cleansing method, these days if and when I get a - hormonal - break out it is only a spot, not a face full of bumps, and it is gone within a day or two.

This is my skin after a year of oil cleansing - no foundation, touchups or filters (just lots of freckles!)

This was my first step into the crunchy world and due to the success that I have had with the oil cleansing method, I am excited to be experimenting with other DIY natural facial treatments. I'm also wanting to try to add some "luxurious" oils to my daily combination. These days, I am pretty much an oil junkie!

So, if you struggle with acne or are just looking for a natural way to gently cleanse your face, give the oil cleansing method a try. It's seriously inexpensive (a year later and I still haven't used up my first bottle of sunflower oil) and your face will certainly thank you for showing it some natural love. (But remember, as with any new skin care routine, give it some time for your skin to adjust. It took my face a good three months to clear up completely and to remain clear.)

And to all you crunchy mama's out there, let me know of your tried and true natural beauty secrets!

Interested in the oil cleansing method?

Here are some of the resources I used when doing my research:

1 The Oil Cleansing Method

The Art of Simple

Mommypotamus

Wellness Mama
Almost Exactly

Crunchy Betty

All Aboard The Crunchy Train

Granola. Hippie. Crunchy.

People that have chosen a natural lifestyle, free from chemicals, pesticides, dyes and all things artificial have been given many labels. But I'm not interested in labels, I'm interested in living.

Living free of reading labels and being confused and concerned by a list of ingredients that I can't pronounce and have no clue as to what they are.

Taking inspiration from a few women who have already taken the plunge into the granola world:

"I love bringing back what our mamas and grandmas used to do. They had it right in so many ways. Our modern-day culture is far from where we need to be. When it comes to living sustainably, I am all for it." (The Paleo Mama)

"Simple, small changes in your life can lead to a non-toxic, healthier lifestyle and a greener planet." (Groovy Green Living)

"Now i'm not talking about saving the world, boycotting major stores, and stop shaving or anything that drastic. Just simple things to try to cut out some chemicals and eat fresh homegrown foods. " (Livin the Life of a Lineman's Wife)

"I'm not a die hard never-touch-anything-non-organic, never-use-a-department-store-make-up, never-shop-at-a-"regular"-grocery-store girl, but I do believe in knowing what is in our products and highly reducing toxins wherever and whenever possible. " (The Gray Poppy Blog)

"Because I want them (my family) to be healthy and as toxin-free as possible. Because I want to teach them that what goes INTO their bodies matter. And to empower them to know how to use our earth’s gifts for healing and health. Because even with our amazing progress in modern medicine, we actually have MORE sick people in hospitals and people getting ill than we have ever before. Hm. Interesting. So call me crazy, call me a granola hippie... but me and my happy kids and family are keeping it real. As in real foods, real ingredients and real living…naturally." (Granola Living)

This is my journey of trying to live as natural a life as possible. I'm looking forward to real food, real beauty and real living.

How crunchy are you? Please, feel free to share your favorite natural living tips in the comments below!