I have read all the reasons for going no 'poo, and it sounds fantastic. You really have to stick with it though. This is my second go around with no 'poo, and it is just not for me. Yes, I know that if I truly stuck it out it would get better, but after doing much research, it seems that the one thing I hate the most will never get better. What might that be you ask? I HATE (with a passion) how my hair feels if I must blow dry it instead of letting it dry naturally. There are just some days that drying naturally is just not an option. When I blow dry my hair, it feels stiff and icky. It seriously reminds me of hay it is that bad. I, however, still have the desire to lessen the amount of chemicals in my life and on my body, so I started researching other options. I had heard rumors of using coconut milk. I don't know about you, but I am in LOVE with all things coconut. Check it out, you will be too!
Here is the final recipe to shampoo with Baking Soda and condition with Apple Cider Vinegar
1 TBSP of baking soda to every cup of water
- Get your hair wet. The general consensus on the best way to apply it is with a squirt bottle such as an old dish detergent or even a Propel water bottle with the squirt top. Make sure to shake it really, really well before you use it. Apply it to your scalp and massage, focusing on your scalp only. Rinse
2 TBSP of ACV to every 1-2 cups of water, mix well
- I put mine in a spray bottle and sprayed my entire head, even the scalp. You can just stick to the ends if you would like. It is rumored to help with the amount of oils in the adjustment period.
I am working on the coconut milk recipe now. I am only two days in. I currently love it much more. I plan on updating as I go along and post the final recipe once I decide to keep it or kick it! (I still have another recipe up my sleeve if this is a bust!) I have two recipes, one from Crunchy Betty and one from Wellness Mama. If you haven't, you should check out these two wonderful ladies. I get a lot of my inspiration from them!
Have a happy day!
Sadly, I have already written this post once. Then I deleted it on accident. Anyways, sorry for the delay, it has been a crazy few weeks! We added gymnastics to our weekly routine, and yoga (which you should definitely try if you haven't)! My baby girl turned four! And we had a terribly sudden and tragic loss.
Going 'Poo Free (update):
Who on earth convinced me adding essential oils to the shampoo I was going to be using was a good idea when my hair is already oily to begin with?
Day 1: I looked like a grease ball that never washes their hair.
Day 2: I watered the mixture down some. It was slightly better. I reverted back to plain ole' shampoo on this day because I was going shopping and looked awful.
Day 3: I watered my mixture down some more and added more baking soda. It helped again, but not quite enough.
At this point, I decided this mixture wasn't going to work for me. Things got kinda crazy, and I just went back to shampoo.
Today, I started back to 'poo free using just baking soda in water and apple cider vinegar (ACV- going forward). My goal is to go through the adjustment period and then maybe add a drop or two of the oil again for scent purposes.
Things I have already started and/or are starting soon
ACV for athlete's foot (more on this in a moment)
Coconut Oil for moisturizing
Raw Honey for washing my face
Oil Cleansing to remove make up
Coconut Oil w/ Baking Soda and Essential Oils as a body wash
ACV for Athlete's Foot
I have tried many over the counter treatments for this that only seem to solve the issue temporarily. A few weeks ago, I set out in search of a better (greener) way to treat this problem for good. The one solution that kept appearing was apple cider vinegar. I did most of my reading here. One way was to dilute it with water and soak your feet for any where from 5-30 minutes. I really don't have time for that so I kept looking. Another was to use cotton balls to apply it directly to the affected area. Now this, I had time for.
How I do it:
Twice a day, I use cottons balls to scrub my feet completely and let them air dry.
I have notice a marked improvement in my feet in the two weeks I have been doing this. It really seems to be clearing it up. I will keep updating on my progress.
Thanks for reading. :-)
Today is class day so we are keeping it short and sweet!
What is the easiest and simplest way to start the road to greener living? Get a water bottle.
This pretty baby is my new bff. We do everything together. She goes to class with me every Tuesday and Thursday. She goes shopping, walking, running, and watches while I do Turbo Jam. She is never more than an arms length away.
How is this green? I no longer buy bottles of water creating less waste, and I am using this to help eliminate soda from my diet. How you ever considered what you are putting in your body when you drink soda? But seriously, that is another post for another day.
I tried 'poo free once. My heart wasn't in it. So here we go again. There are two main reasons driving me to this.
1.I am having trouble with Folliculitis which is basically like acne as far as I can tell and dry flaky scalp. My doctor's solution is to live on an antibiotic. I am convinced there is a better way.
2. Have you read the list of chemicals in your shampoo?!? I can't even attempt to say over half of them. Some of the ingredients in shampoo strips your hair of its natural oils and conditioner is a shoddy attempt to replace those chemicals.
While scouring the internet, I stumbled on to a different spin on the baking soda and vinegar recipes from the one I tried last time (found here.) The old one, in my opinion, did use enough baking soda. I also, right now, seem to like the white vinegar better than the apple cider vinegar. In the new recipe I found, she suggested making the baking soda like a watered down paste and adding vanilla extract or some kind of extract (she recommends a food grade kind, not imitation or an oil) to help mask the scent of baking soda. After you have applied this to your hair and scalp and completely rinsing it out, then rinsing your hair really well with white vinegar and rinsing it out as well.
Here is my spin on it it! I did go with a watered down baking soda paste. I added a few (very few!) drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil because it is known to help fight acne and greasy skin. It is also known as an antidepressant. I choose orange extract and added to the vinegar instead of the baking soda. I am sitting here post shower smelling like a citrus farm and loving it! My hair feels nice and clean. As far as I can tell, the orange extract did no good. I will leave it out in the future. I can definitely smell the Lemongrass though!
Now with going 'poo free, there is an adjustment period for your hair and scalp to rebalance and stop producing all the extra oil. I am going to continue this for two weeks and post an update as to whether or not I am in still in love or not!
You now have two links with tons more info on 'poo free and my opinion on each! Check 'em out! Maybe give it a try!
