This hippie gives these two thumbs up!

July 9, 2009

#1-Crystal Stick mineral body deodorant-

I have struggled with strong sweat since I was little girl. I used to get terrible water blisters on my feet, rashes on my thighs, and pimples anywhere else, especially my upper back. At various places I’ve worked, when I was experimenting with hippie deodorants (with no aluminum) I was asked several times about my showering habits! It was mortifying, but I got used to being embarassed, as what was I supposed to do??

I had heard mention of the Crystal stick, but after spending 15 yrs and countless dollars, I had given up. But ultimately, I did buy it. Call it a last heroic attempt.

Since UrbanGreen Girl said is succinctly and as well as I would say it, this was shamelessly re-posted from her blog. I made some slight edits in length. Thank you, Urban Green Girl!

http://urbangreengirl.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/dont-die-trying-to-smell-good-use-a-deodorant-crystal/

————————————————————————————–

Today we are going to talk about how conventional deodorants and antiperspirants have been rumored to cause cancer because of the ingredients aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium. It is said that these aluminum compounds are absorbed through the skin and into the lymph nodes. Aluminum, is a neurotoxin and is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. (Thus, you should also get rid of your aluminum frying pans while at it!).

According to the National Cancer Institute:

Some research suggests that aluminum-based compounds, which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen-like (hormonal) effects (1). Because estrogen has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists have suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer (1).

Research linking conventional deodorants and antiperspirants to cancer may be inconclusive, but so is the research of many other causes of cancer. So rather than waiting to find out, why not eliminate the risk altogether?

HUMAN BIOLOGY:

The purpose of sweating is to cool the body and release toxins. Toxins are not something you want to keep in your body. It’s nature’s way of keeping us healthy. Now, it’s not the sweating that causes body odour, it’s the bacteria that comes into contact with the sweat. So in order to eliminate body odour, all you need to do is create an environment where the bacteria can’t thrive.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH TRADITIONAL DEODORANTS?

Traditional deodorants mask body odor with a perfume, contain alcohol to shrink pores, or aluminum chlorohydrate/aluminum zirconium. These compounds enter the pores and physically block or clog them to reduce the flow of perspiration. In essence, they inhibit the body’s natural expulsion of toxins.

THE SOLUTION – A DEODORANT CRYSTAL:

These crystals are made up of a variety of minerals which form a new compound that is too big to be absorbed by the skin. When applied to the skin, it creates an environment where bacteria cannot thrive, thus, no more body odour. Other benefits are that they are fragrance-free, non-sticky, will leave no marks on your clothes or white flakes or residue on the skin. They are approved for safety by the Environmental Working Group, and recommended by health professionals.

DEODORANT CRYSTALS ARE:

Safe for your health (regardless if the jury’s out on aluminum chlorohydrate, it’s 100% sure that these are safe)
Better for the environment (No harsh chemicals)
Less packaging
Available in health food stores ($4-$8)
Last 1 yr

Here’s a sample photo, so when you see one at the store, you can pick one up!

#2-Neti Pot

I dated a guy who was mad, crazy, I would even say obsessed with how well the Neti Pot works. I was skeptical, I was resistant. I made jokes. “It’s a pipe! Up your NOSE!” Eventually, he ‘double-dog-dared’ me to try it, and I have to say, like most things I fight at first, I was pretty impressed. Don’t get me wrong, it will never exactly feel right having water chugged through your nose, but if it’s warm, salt water, and it helps me breathe better when I’m sick, have allergies, or am out in the Dusty, Desert Wonderland known as Burning Man, then hell, pass it OVER. Here’s a great picture of the pot, and the instructional video, in which a four year old shows you that anyone can do this!

Image-http://www.ecobathroom.com/shop/images/hi-netipot.jpg

#3-Household Cleaner, a solution of Vinegar/Water

I discovered not very long ago that vinegar is amazing for cleaning all sort of places in my house. I discovered this after the cat upchucked on the carpet for the umpteenth time. And, after I burned cooked pumpkin in the bottom of my favorite large pot. And, after I spilled wine on the carpet. And, after I was done cleaning the house, but needed to do a quick dust-swipe, and had someone coming over who is sensitive to smells. For all these reasons, and many more.

Uses for Vinegar

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 50% water and 50% vinegar in a spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean sinks, counter tops, and other surfaces.
Floor Cleaner: Add ½ cup distilled white vinegar in a gallon of water to clean hardwood or laminated floors. No need to rinse.
Dish Cleaner: Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar to liquid dish soap to help cut grease.
Scouring Cleanser: Combine 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture.
Glass and Windows: Alcohol and white vinegar together make a quickly evaporating spray glass and mirror cleaner. Mix 1 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon vinegar in a spray bottle. Or try the 50-50 all-purpose cleaner listed above.
Refrigerator Cleaner: Clean the refrigerator by washing with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar.
Get rid of fruit flies: Set out a small dish of undiluted white distilled vinegar.
Microwave Oven Cleaner: Set a solution of of 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Heat for 2 minutes on high. This will loosen splattered-on food so it wipes out easily.
Show Curtain Cleaner: Get rid of mold from shower curtains by putting the shower curtain in the washing machine with a couple of towels; add 1 cup white vinegar to the detergent and wash.
Faucet Cleaner: Put vinegar on a cloth and let it sit on the back of your kitchen or bathroom faucet to remove hard water stains.
Coffee Maker Cleaner: Run a pot full of white vinegar through your drip coffee maker once a month to free it of mineral buildup . Rinse thoroughly with water when the cycle is finished.
Shower Head Cleaner: Remove hard water deposits from your shower head by putting some white vinegar into a plastic baggy; duct tape it to the shower head and leave overnight. Brush the shower head to remove remaining deposits.
Drain Cleaner: Keep drains clean by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1/2 cup vinegar; the mixture will foam as it cleans and deodorizes.
Copper Cleaner: Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of distilled vinegar to make a paste to clean copper pot and pan bottoms.
Garbage Disposal Cleaner: Make vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal to clean and deodorize the disposal.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down, then pour pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Scrub down the bowl. Never mix vinegar with bleach. If you use bleach tablets do not use vinegar.
Eyeglass Cleaner: Clean your glasses by wiping each lens with a drop of white vinegar.
Gummed Label Remover: Saturate a cloth with hot vinegar and soak price labels to remove from glass, wood, and china. Give the vinegar time to soak in and after several minutes the label can be rubbed off.
Clean and deodorize urine on a mattress: Mix a white distilled vinegar and water solution. Then sprinkle the area with baking soda and let dry. Brush or vacuum the residue after it is dry to the touch.

#4-Dr. Bronner’s

Who doesn’t love Dr. Bronner’s soap? the zealous religious gibberish, the clean pastel labels? The re-fillable bottles, the varied but organic scents? And did I mention the ridiculously, notorious, impossible to read instructions?

http://www.drbronner.com/

#5-Showering in the dark

If you have not done this, no amount of youtube, external links, or firely turned phrase can give you a sense of this delight. You will just.have.to.trust me. It’s amazing, wonderful, and really fun. You’d be surprised how well you know where the things are in your shower. Try it sometime. See how far you get.AND, if possible, report back!