No 'Poo Update

A few months ago I wrote a post about ditching shampoo

and joining the no 'poo movement.
The basic idea is to discontinue using shampoo & conditioner
and wash your hair with natural things instead:
baking soda as shampoo and vinegar as conditioner.


Sounds pretty crazy, eh?
If you have no idea what I'm talking about
and want to learn more about the no 'poo movement,
start here.


Anywhoo, since it's been a few months, I thought it would be
a good time do an update on how my no 'poo experience is going.
The verdict is:

It's true!
I've been shampoo-free for nearly 6 months now,
and there's no going back for me.


What I love about no 'poo:
- it's SO much cheaper than buying regular shampoo & conditioner
*
- my hair is much less oily and greasy
*
- my hair (formerly stick straight and flat) has gained
so much natural volume and wave
*
- my hair is much easier to manage and style; hairstyles hold all-day long
*
- no-heat curls stay put and last all day
*
- my hair air dries super fast; I'm using my blow-dyer so much less
*
- absolutely NO dandruff ever!


Tips & Tricks:
- the baking soda and vinegar (apple cider vinegar is the type I use),
as a weak alkaline and mild acid, combine in this process
to provide you with a pH-balancing, gentle, and clarifying hair wash
*
- the vinegar may "stink" at first as you rinse your hair,
but I guarantee that as your hair dries the vinegar smell will disappear completely
*
- you will find after the first few weeks of going no 'poo 
that you need to wash your hair less, but you can still shower everyday, 
just "wash" your hair with water on the in between days
* 
-I've found that during these dry winter months my hair needs
more of a moisturizer than the vinegar provides, 
so, every once in a while (once a week, maybe) 
I use a very small amount (nickel to quarter size for longer hair)
of conditioner and rub it through my hair after the vinegar rinse. 
This adds a kick of moisture and helps prevent static and dry split ends. 
*
- if you have an oilier scalp you may need to use more baking soda 
in your shampoo mix, if you have a drier scalp more vinegar may be needed; 
experiment with the different ratios until you find your perfect mix
*the basic "recipe" is 1 tablespoon of baking soda to one cup of water, 
and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to one cup of water

And that, in a nutshell, is my no 'poo experience!
I really hope you give it a try and don't hesitate to drop me an email
or a comment if you have any questions.

Happy hair care-ing! 

read more "No 'Poo Update"

Choose Love: Health

At the beginning of this year, I committed to choosing love.
Part of this commitment is a choice to love my body. 
This is a hard commitment. And not just because I'm a woman. I believe that every single person struggles with body image and self-confidence in one way or another.
Personally, I've always struggled with balance. I love good food and I'm not a huge fan of hard exercise. But as I've gotten older, I'm realizing that I can't just eat whatever I want and get away with it. My body is keeping its records, and the records aren't looking too good right now. 
So, I have committed to loving my body. 
What does that look like? 
Well, firstly, I believe what the Bible says in Psalm 139, that I am created by God. 

  And because I know that I am so wonderfully made, it makes sense to me that I take care of this body that God has given me. 
So, down to the practical stuffs: I have been exercising, and plan on staying committed to exercising, with the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels.  So far, I am loving this workout. Jillian is tough and concise, giving me a fantastic, full body workout in 30 minutes a day. I asked the hubs to join me for a workoutand here's what he said about it. I've also been working on choosing GOOD foods to put in my body. And as gooooood as cheesecake tastes,  it's not the good kind of food that I'm thinking about. 
I'm trying to view my food as fuel these days. Put the good stuff in, and I'll be able to perform at my best. But, like I said earlier, I love good food, so I'm looking for healthy AND delicious options here! 
Here are some recipes that I've found on Pinterest that I have already tried or am really looking forward to trying: 

Source: multiplydelicious.com via Ferial on Pinterest

Source: chocolatecoveredkatie.com via Ferial on Pinterest

Source: skinnytaste.com via Ferial on Pinterest

Source: chocolatecoveredkatie.com via Ferial on Pinterest

And, yes, those chocolate recipes are HEALTHY.  Go, check 'em out. You're welcome. 

 

read more "Choose Love: Health"

Dear Shampoo...

I miss you.

It's been 3 weeks since we broke up. 

At first, it was great. 

I was so excited and enthusiastic about

joining the 'No Poo' movement and leaving you behind. 

The first two weeks were new and exciting, 

and Baking Soda and Vinegar were taking good care of me. 

Don't you get too excited. 

I'm not ready to run back to you quite yet. 


And I know, they told me the transition period would be tough. 
I've been dependent on you for my whole life, 
so, naturally, ditching you was not going to be easy. 


But I miss your bubbles. 
I miss your smells and soft silkinesses. 
But my research has shown that you're full of harmful chemicals
and my head's dependency on you is causing
an excess of oily drama. 


I don't plan on ever going back to you, 
and I'm hoping that my new relationship with 
Baking Soda and Vinegar 
will last forever. 


Hair's hoping, 

read more "Dear Shampoo..."