Shampoo and Conditioner Alternatives

I have decided to go back to using baking soda and apple cider vinegar for shampoo and conditioner.  I used to use it all the time and my hair was so healthy and clean.  I honestly loved it.  I'm pretty sure I stopped using it only because I wanted to use a coconut smelling shampoo I used to love one summer some years back.  I just sort of got out of the habit.  I've thought about doing this again several times over the past several years but I never do ---- several reasons why not 1) too lazy to go get the stuff to put in the shower (now that's sad) 2) I really didn't want to listen to MrBeans complain and alternately make fun of me for this - nevermind that I had been doing it long before I ever met him and he liked my hair just fine, thankyouverymuch! 3) I didn't want to hear my teen and grown children turn up their noses and consequently make fun of me as well.  They would all pretend to smell the vinegar in my hair - nevermind that you can't smell it after your hair is dry :-/ and nevermind that my husband never smelled it while we were dating.

So yeah, it really came down to what other people thought and, how they'd be watching and if everything isn't perfect, how much I'd be criticized.  I finally say - forget them!  I haven't much cared what anyone thought of me to begin with so why am I worrying now?!  So I found a bottle specifically to keep my baking soda in the shower - I'm in the process of getting the lable off of the bottle now so it doesn't attract attention ('cause you know that snoopy husband of mine will just have to take a peak ;-) ).  Now I'm working on a squirt bottle for the ACV.  But I had to get lunch and start blogging again....

So anyway, the basic instructions are .....

1) Wet hair normally
2) Either mix approx 1 Tbsp of baking soda with a cup of water and gently pour all over head, or simply start daubing 1 Tbsp on scalp without mixing in water
3) Either one you use in #2 - massage into scalp and let sit for a few minutes
4) Mix 1 Tbsp of ACV in a cup of water and add just a little to hair ... yes, there might be a little fizz action ;-)
5) Thoroughly rinse hair.
6) Slowly rinse ends and middle of hair with the rest of the ACV mixture, allow to sit for a little bit.
7) Thoroughly rinse hair - yes, you will probably smell the ACV
8) Towel dry or hair dry hair as normal - the smell will be completely gone by the time the hair is completely dry

Now, when first starting out, you will probably need to "wash" every day.  This is due to the hair being used to being stripped of the vital oils when we use "normal" shampoos.  Somewhere down the line, you can stretch it a little bit and try for every other day or maybe skip one day, wash two/three/four days, skip one day, etc, until you are stretching it out to what fits you best!  Everyone's head of hair is different - therefore, everyone's time frame will be different.  I have confidence you'll figure it out!

Homemade Automatic Dishwashing Detergent

I do believe I have finally found a recipe that I really like!  The last one was pretty okay, but I think this one is better.  I found this one at My Healthy Green Family.  I'm actually falling in love with this blog!!  She's a lady after my own heart :-D

Here are my "ingredients" ... well, actually the Sweet Orange Essential Oil did not get used since the lemonade drink mix (which acted as my citric acid) was so lemony, there was no need for an additional citrus smell.  I used 10-12 drops of Tea Tree Oil and 3 drops Oregano Essential Oil.  Smells wonderful!  Please click the link above to get the full set of instructions and the why's behind this particular recipe.  To be honest, I've often wondered about Borax but it's used all over the place in all sorts of "natural" and homemade products that I figured it must be safe.  Perhaps it isn't... perhaps it is.  I don't know right now.  I *do* know it is used to kill ants ... but then again, beer is used to kill rodents.... and chocolate can kill dogs.  So who's to say that just because it kills ants that it isn't healthy for humans or the environment??  I do not know the answer to this question - and may never know to be honest.

I'm using my super duper citrus vinegar that I make as the rinse aid - whatdya know ~ this is what My Healthy Green Family uses (and makes in almost the same way as I do)!!  As a reminder here is my citrus vinegar at work as a Laundry Fabric Softener :-) .... it is also used as an all-purpose cleaner, mixed half and half with water, in a spray bottle.  Love, love, love it :-)

A Break for Mourning

I apologize for my abscense. I had to take a break in order to mourn.  The break began as studying for finals but three deaths filled that space.  Followed by four more.  Followed by three more.  I'm hesitant in coming out of mourning because each time I did, more death followed.  That averages to be 1 death every 3 days for the past month.  For the most part, I'm emotionally drained, and I have two sick relatives - my grandfather and my father-in-law - who aren't doing well.

Just to share so you know what types of death we've dealt with this past month ...

1 murder (adult)
2 strokes (adults in their 70's)
1 cancer (13 years old)
2 car wrecks (adult & 17 year old - two separate wrecks)
2 congenital diseases - one expected, one unexpected and sudden (14 and 6 years old respectively)
1 "old age"
1 unknown/unexpected - literally died talking in her chair (an autopsy is being performed to confirm if medical condition or prescription med clash - older adult)

If anything, it brings to the forefront to live each day as if it's your last.  We never know when our last tomorrow will be.

Prayers for a Dead Child
O Lord who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham's bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell: receive in peace the soul of Your little servants B., M., K., & U., for You Yourself have said, "Let the little children come to Me, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven." Amen.

General Prayers for the Dead
Christ our eternal King and God, You have destroyed death and the devil by Your Cross and have restored man to life by Your Resurrection; give rest, Lord, to the soul of Your servants J., L., U., B., R., G.,  who has fallen asleep, in Your Kingdom, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering. In Your goodness and love for all men, pardon all the sins they have committed in thought word or deed, for there is no man or woman who lives and sins not, You only are without sin.

For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and Repose of Your servants J., L., U., B., R., G.,  departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory with Your Eternal Father and Your All-holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Menu Monday

All meals begin with a Salad-Bar Salad (that has to fill your dinner plate).  All meals are Gluten- & Dairy- Free.

Monday: Asparagus, Peas, & Lemon Fettucine with Baked Marinated Chickpeas
Tuesday: Fish Chowder & Seared Cauliflower w/ Garlic & Tamari
Wednesday: Moroccan Bean & Lentil Stew (Bean7 begged for me to make it again!!)
Thursday: Jamaican Fish (not spicy), Steamed Broccoli, Peas, Ginger Glazed Carrots

I will be out of town this weekend so my family likes to fend for themselves while I'm away so that MrBeans can make them all sorts of things they aren't supposed to have!  We will be mostly eating out on our dive trip.  I'll be packing lots of healthy snacks to take with me and a frozen fish & veggie foil packet to grill over the campfire that first night that we're campfire eating.  So that's it for this week!

Menu Monday

'Tis that time again!  Seems to happen every Monday ....

All dinners begin with a Salad-Bar Salad.  All are Gluten- & Dairy- Free.

Monday: Squash-ghetti & Marinara Sauce
Tuesday: Lemon-Dill Tilapia, Balsamic Zucchini & Squash
Wednesday: Moroccan Bean Stew with Sweet Potatoes
Thursday: Artichoke & Sun-dried Tomato Whiting, Brussel Sprouts, Seared Cauliflower & Carrots
Friday: Oven-Baked Chickpea Ratatouille
Saturday: Orange-Honey Salmon, Green Beans, Garlic Parsnips
Sunday: Halibut with White Sauce & Broccoli