Green as a Thistle

The resident green-advice columnist over at Grist has a very funny post today about whether or not urinating in the shower conserves more water than if it’s done in a toilet and flushed away. Something tells me No Impact Man (aka No Toilet Paper Man) has already bookmarked it. I especially like the part where the writer says he needs to clarify whether the shower peeing is a stand-alone activity, or whether it’s part of a multi-tasking, lathering-plus-peeing procedure.

Just thought I’d let everyone know: Although I said in my tote bag post that impulse purchases don’t count, I actually have no excuse whatsoever now because I’ve bought a collapsible nylon tote bag that fits right in my purse. So I’m officially done with plastic bags! (Hey, EnviroWoman — do I get a gold sticker? Please?)

You haven’t truly suffered dry, itchy skin until you’ve lived in Canada. No matter how high you crank the humidifier or how much water you drink, it can get to the point where it looks as though you just spent a week rolling around in a pile of salt, popping diuretics.

Some days, I wish I could immerse myself in a vat of petroleum. Even after repeatedly slathering myself with the equivalent of a stick of butter (Body Shop’s Brazil Nut Body Butter), topped with the equivalent of the periodic table (Gold Bond Medicated Body Lotion), my skin will still be parched.

Beautiful Soap & Co’s oatmeal and almond moisturizing lotion, which is 100% all-natural — no alcohol, parabens, petroleum, etc. — hasn’t exactly given me J.Lo skin, but it’s nice and thick and smells delish. Yet another green product that leaves the chemicals, but not the results, behind.

So as of today, I’m sticking to all-natural body lotion.

Now if there was only some way to refill it so I wouldn’t have to toss the empty packaging when I’m done (because at this rate, that’ll be in about two days).

I’m running out of toothpaste and thinking about switching to a natural brand, like Tom’s of Maine, Jason or Kiss My Face, but I’m wondering what the deal is with fluoride? Some brands advertise proudly that they have it, others that they don’t. It seems certain levels of it are good for you, but too much is a bad thing. Also, I’m currently using Sensodyne, and am wondering whether more or less fluoride would affect my sensitive molars? Anyone able to comment?