Regretting It
Some thoughts on the changes I’ve made that are proving way more difficult than I expected, essentially ruining my life in every conceivable way…
THE LIST - A lot of people ask how far I plan ahead in this green challenge, if I’ve got the whole year mapped out. Ha — I wish! No, sadly, I don’t and to be honest this could all fall apart. However, I do keep a running and rather convoluted list of ideas, which I modify as time goes by. Eventually, it gets pretty hard to read, so I have to make up a new one. It’s just another time-consuming and irritating part of this whole project. To give you a better idea of what I’m talking about and precisely how disorganized I am, here’s a photo of the current master plan:
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THE SHAMPOO - Uck! This shampoo situation is killing me! First I tried switching to the Avalon Organics lemon verbena shampoo; fortunately I only bought a trial-sized bottle because it sucked.
When I finally finished that, I decided to try just using vinegar, as a few women readers suggested, but then my hair smelled like a fish ‘n’ chip shop and was still pretty greasy. I know I’m supposed to wait a week or two to let the PH balance out or whatever, but I also need to be presentable at the office every day and I’d rather not be walking around with a vinegary mop on my head all day.
One person suggested the Kiss My Face pure olive oil bar soap, which I’ve tried using on my face and body now that I’ve finally made it to the end of my lousy Alba suds, and it is pretty good, but not so much on my hair — it leaves a bit of a residue and makes it all squeaky.
Another couple readers swore by Dr. Bronner’s concentrated castille soaps for their tresses; it’s meant to be an all-purpose soap so you can also use it to clean other things around the house. This past weekend, I crossed my fingers and invested in a whole bottle, thinking that if it didn’t work on my hair then at least I could use it for other surfaces.
Well, I guess my bathroom tiles are going to be spic and span for the next year because it was horrible. It went in and lathered all right but would not rinse out and left my hair so sticky and knotted that by the time I finished brushing it out it felt like I’d just played eight rounds of tennis my arm was so sore. Yeesh!
Back to the drawing board, yet again.
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THE HANKY - I have chronic nasal drip. Let’s just get that out of the way. Basically, it means my nose is running more often than not, but it’s more of a low-flow, watery substance than a full-on stream of snot.
Anyway, when I decided to abandon Kleenex in favour of a reusable handkerchief (or hankette, technically speaking), I thought it was such an obvious, easy-peasy change. A month passed, then another, and it was all going swell. I’d use it when I went running, mostly, and occasionally throughout the day depending on how many allergens and irritants were swirling about.
But I never took into account how disgusting it would be using a single square of cloth if I got a bad cold. That happened this week.
My poor folded piece of organic cotton was soaked with phlegmtastic boogers (sorry, TMI, I know) within half an hour and I was left frantically searching for other pieces of cloth, towel, sleeves, whatever I could find that wasn’t made from paper. I had to buy more in the end, as well as cut some old bedsheets into small squares, and a couple times I resorted to using a bit of my recycled toilet paper.
I felt as though I needed to carry a giant Santa sack full of hankies everywhere I went, which isn’t such a cool idea when you’re going out to a bar or to visit a couple’s new baby.
I’ll still keep a single hankette in my purse after this challenge, and I won’t use Kleenex because it’s made from virgin fiber. But when I get sick with a real cold, I’m just tearing off some of my recycled toilet paper and using that instead.
May 8, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Aw. Yeah, this is no fun. Seriously, though- why is paper evil? I’m just not entirely clear there. Paper comes from trees. More and more, trees come from Tree Farmers. Do we want to put the tree farmers out of business?
At any rate- you can use that line of reasoning as special dispensation, at least during colds. There’s more than one shade of green, ya know.
May 8, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Oh, yeah- “virgin fiber” - does not not not mean “virgin forest”- less and less old forest goes for paper these days; it’s too valuable. Maybe we should designate that as “Extra Virgin Fiber”?
May 9, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Why—when this challenge is over, ofcourse—couldn’t you just use Seventh Generation facial tissue? It is made from 100% recycled paper–80% minimum post consumer. Are you not able to purchase it where you live?
May 20, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Boo Hoo Hoo. I say get over it. I went back to hankies after only a short time of the disposible ones because my nose was in a state of constant itch and/or drip regardless of the brand. That was nearly 40 years ago and on days when I accidentally forget a hanky I miss it.
I have several points I’d like to share. Your constant “drip” might slow or stop if you stay with the hankies and avoid all scented laundry products.
A regular hanky user has lots of them - enough to carry them though the most wicked of colds. And there’s a separate corner in his/her drawer.
Some years ago women’s hankies all but disappeared; except for thin, decorative ones for uses such as weddings. They are still hard to find and when you do, they are usually thin, made in China junk - totally unlike the old-time hankies - incapable of catching the loose stuff.
Also, I will not buy pants or skirt that does not have a pocket for my hankie. This means I often buy second hand clothing (and good condition hankies) because they used to have nice deep pockets. When clothing manufacture started going off-shore pockets got smaller and have disappeared altogether in many brands of women’s clothing. Men still get deep pockets and they try to tell me that women don’t want pockets because of the bulk. They just want to save fabric and labour.
If you need more than one per day, have small ones, folded and tucked into back pocket or bag. When one gets used, tuck it away in a purse or pack-sack compartment, other pocket or wherever is convenient and where you’ll remember to empty it. It really is do-able and I really think you will drip less.
There are a a number of benefits: You probably won’t get those ugly red sores when you get a cold. A big advantage is you will never again have to deal with all the fine paper shreds that stick to your favorite dark articles of clothing because you forgot to check the pockets. go for it gal!
May 21, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Wondo, as I’ve said already, I do carry a hankie around in my purse at all times and I do use it regularly, but I would literally need at least 20 or 30 of them during a bad cold with the amount of snot that comes out my nose (maybe I’m just more phlegmy than other people, I don’t know). Either way, I’ll probably do as Conni says and use my hankie for day-to-day purposes but use recycled paper tissues during heavy colds.
May 28, 2007 at 2:07 pm
I’ve had a chronic runny nose for years, and have suddenly solved the problem - I quit drinking soda pop. Not sure which ingredient was the problem - HFCS or something else. But my nose is a prefect drip-free angel now!!! w00t! And of course, that has resulted in a huge drop in kleenex use!
May 30, 2007 at 6:42 pm
I suggest a natural nasal remedy — THE NETI POT. I have had one for a number of years to assist when my nose malfunctions due to cold or allergies. Oprah recently discussed these, but it has been around for thousands of years. I have the porcelain variety similar as shown at the Himalayan Institute website (just google it). I make my own saline solution (water + salt.. easy). My sister takes hers with her whenever she travels. I strongly recommend it!
May 30, 2007 at 11:40 pm
I second the Neti Pot. I was just talking to a coworker today about allergies. Mine used to be terrible and debilitating. I started using a Neti about a year and a half ago. I don’t use it daily, but when my nose gets a little tickle, it’s the best. I have suffered through many sinus infections, but the last one I had I blasted away quickly with my Neti. In Seattle, I can buy it at Whole Foods or PCC. Most health stores carry them. I highly, highly recommend it!
It gives you an incredibly refreshed feeling!
May 31, 2007 at 2:54 pm
For your shampoo dilemma, you may want to try Druide brand. They’re the best of the bunch…
June 3, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Vanessa, I use both Aveda and Shikai shampoos. Aveda should have something that will give your locks some love!
June 5, 2007 at 10:58 am
I am a determined hanky-user, after having gotten tired of too many mulchy balls of fluff turning up in my laundry. However, when you get a bad cold, you must give in and use disposables! Or you could save all your old broken socks for such an occasion - socks are soft. But on NO account must you use your hanky when the snot flow increases beyond a thimbleful per day.
June 10, 2007 at 8:16 pm
SHAMPOO:
I’ve had success with these specific shampoos and rinses (we appear to have similar hair). Also, if you have hard water, consider a shower or whole house filter. Of course, ideally, I’ll be making my own shampoo and rinse…
http://www.aubrey-organics.com/product1.cfm?product_id=071&cat=6&subcat=40
should always be followed up with
http://www.aubrey-organics.com/product1.cfm?product_id=001A&cat=6&subcat=18
http://www.natures-gate.com/shop/showitem.asp?ProductId=41102302&menuId=171&withLinks=1
works great with
http://www.natures-gate.com/shop/showitem.asp?ProductId=42102303&menuId=138&withLinks=1
Good luck!!
June 16, 2007 at 1:16 am
For your nose….try getting a netti pot (As seen on Oprah). Apparently it cleans out your sinuses and is really amazing for allergies etc.
Re shampoo…..what about aveda? Not green enough I guess?
June 16, 2007 at 5:10 am
Vanessa, I second the Nature’s Gate option. I tried Aveda once and it was horrible for my sensitive scalp. Also tried Dr. Bronner’s-great for body, bad for hair. I have been using Nature’s Gate for over a year now and although it definitely has an organic smell to it, it does a great job. There are several options within the line to try from also. It has a different consistency so it took a few days to get used to it but hopefully you can try it out.
June 22, 2007 at 4:24 pm
I really like your blog, thanks for writing about your journey
This might be a silly question, and I don’t know if you did this or not, but did you dilute the Dr. Bonners? I used to use it, but the first time I did, I didn’t know this and my hair was a stiff tangled mess. After diluting with purified water, it worked much better.
June 22, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Hey lady! Great blog, thanks for inspiring us all. Found you by way of NIM, then Little Blog…
I use the Dr. B’s bar soaps on my hair with a vinegar and herbal rinse I made myself from home-grown herbs (sage, rosemary, lemon verbena and peppermint) from time to time. Most days I just rinse it out and go - I don’t brush it until it’s totally dry. But I have Coarse,naturally curly short hair, so perhaps it all depends on your hair type and one-size may not fit all.
You are definitely on my ‘faves’ for a regular read…press on, we’re watching and learning (and little by little, doing!)
~Sunny
June 24, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Lori V. - Isle dance - Elizabeth:
Your options do work well, but they also contain SLS and multiple parabens. What’s the point of using an organic, natural product if it contains harsh sulfates and hormone and endocrine disruptors?
You could try the miessence shampoos…..they are totally organic and paraben & SLS free. no animal testing. recycled bottles that can be recycled. they got it all going on.
Or Burt’s Bees. They have a great line of products.
The other line that I love is simply organic beauty. Made with olive oil. Good stuff.
Maybe these will help in your quest for balancing both your hair’s Ph and the wellness of this here ball we are balancing on every day.
June 24, 2007 at 12:15 pm
http://www.geauxorganic.mionegroup.com
June 26, 2007 at 3:08 am
Use Kirk’s Castile Soap - in bar form. Maybe visit their website for their line of wonderful natural soap products.
June 26, 2007 at 4:21 pm
hi green as a thistle.
i totally love your site. go girl!
as for the shampoo dilemma….it is true that the ph will eventually balance out…and you’ll get to the point that you can get away with shampooing once per week. also, you may not know this but shampoo and conditioner (and of course other hair products) leave a residue (even natural/organic/chemical free). so, the more you use, the more you need…and so on, and so on…i really like california organic baby…btw.
good luck!
emily
June 29, 2007 at 11:23 pm
1. Why is an IKEA shower curtain a green idea?
2. Why is sleeping naked on the list? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for it. I’m just askin’. I guess that cuts down on laundry?
3. No smoking whatsoever? If you were going to poison yourself and others with smoke, why would you even bother caring about the state of the world? I would have assumed that this one was so obvious it wouldn’t even need to be on the list. Why not also put: “No burning styrofoam cups and throwing them at dolphins?” Though… Hmm… I’m guessing that by adding the qualifier “whatsover” you may be referring to a special kind of smoking. LOL
4. I don’t have much hair. But I’m looking for some eco-friendly face and body soaps. And also a green detergent. So if you find anything good, please post about it!
July 11, 2007 at 3:12 am
Hi. Just found your site through a link on Plasticless. Have you tried Lush shampoo bars? The beauty of them is that they are solid bars that require no plastic container whatsoever. Also, they make an awesome deodorant bar that is also container-free.
I am trying very hard to do the no-plastic thing and have added by own little blog, http://www.fakeplasticfish.com, to the ever-growing chorus of green converts. I have an article on there about Lush Cosmetics. They are green in oh so many ways.
July 12, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I just found your site and although I almost immediately left when I saw you write for the National Post (right-wing paper??? How green can she be?!) , I’m glad I investigated a little further. Great blog and great ideas!
About the hair:
I made the switch a few months ago to Baking Soda/Vinegar. I have long hair, with body. You’re not supposed to use vinegar on it’s own. It’s just meant as a rinse.
I use two or three tbsps of baking soda diluted with a few drops of water until it’s like a runny paste. Scrub your scalp with it. Rinse well. At first I was using more baking soda, like 1/4 cup, but as I’m fine tuning this, I find a couple tbps works best.
Follow with a capful of apple cider vinegar (I used white vinegar at first since I didn’t have acv and it was ok) diluted in a lot of water (1 litre maybe?). Rinse your hair with it. Then rinse one last time with water.
You will smell like a pickle until your hair dries. I haven’t really found this to be a problem since I can get a way with washing my hair once or twice a week, I do it when I’m going to be at home for awhile.
There is a icky-hair stage for a couple weeks as your scalp gets used to it. It could be a good idea to time this with some vacation time if you don’t want to have to wear your hair up for a couple weeks.
July 13, 2007 at 11:29 am
Now that I’m all caught up (yes, I read all the archives), I see you’ve solved your hair problem. I haven’t been able to find refillable hair and skin stuff in Ottawa, yet. I don’t think I’d use the hair stuff but I’d love a refillable moisturizer.
July 29, 2007 at 7:49 pm
As a fellow chronic nose-blower, I understand the problem. It’s not caused by using scented products or having allergies. It’s caused by getting up in the morning, sudden bouts of physical activity, eating warm / hot / spicy foods, drinking anything, going outside, going inside, getting emotional or excited (crying not required)… I find that standard North American tissues–two layers of ‘paper’ that rip the second you touch them–is extremely wasteful. But I pollute the Earth by flying to Europe (Germany) twice a year to see family and friends, and sometimes for work. So when I’m there, I stock up on 4-ply Taschentücher (tissues–the packages are often multilingual). And if I don’t have a cold, I can keep 1 of them in my pocket for at least 2, sometimes 3 days and just keep on using it. Yes, I’m still using paper, and I’m a jerk for flying ca 25,000 miles a year. But the solution I use for colds (which seem to me to be exponentially worse than in people with normal nasal flow) is to use bandanas (no, I never wear them) and wash them by hand, which is inefficient water use. I can’t do it all the time.
You are a journalist, no? Do you travel for your job? You could pick up sets of these thick tissues and use them for cushioning in your suitcase; they always fit in somehow. It takes me and my husband (whose nose is almost as bad as mine) at least 6-9 months to go through 24 packs of 10 tissues each. I recommend buying them in Europe because there they’re cheaper than if you buy, say, ‘Sniffs’ in the U.S.
Also, you can do that saline rinse without buying the teapot. Just cup your hand in the shower and snort it in. No salt needed.
July 29, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Oh–and I find that it helps to lay off all forms of milk when I have a cold. Too bad for me, since yoghurt is my favorite food (unusual, I know). Try having no milk products for a good 72 hrs next time, and see if that makes the nose better.
August 29, 2007 at 3:26 am
ah the shampoo dilemma. Right now I’m loving JASON brand shampoos. http://www.jason-natural.com/
I’ve tried avalon organics tea tree for scalp balancing and thought it was just OK. I’ve tried Burt’s Bees conditioners and was not thrilled with the consistency… too drippy! the jason products are pretty good, and i think i’m sticking with them.
Also, watch out with Kiss My Face, many of their products contain parabens.. and those are bad news!
September 2, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I recommend Aubrey Organics Shampoo/Conditioner (I use honeysuckle rose). If you are going to use vinegar in your hair, I would say use the apple cider kind (Bragg’s is great) but most people who do that start with baking soda as a “shampoo” and finish with ACV as a “conditioner”. I saw someone recommended Aveda, and I would advise against this because, as far as I know, their products contain SLS and other scalp irritants. Aubrey is great, though, and I’m pretty sure Adria Vasil mentions it in her book.
September 7, 2007 at 5:11 pm
For hair washing, did yiou use straight vineger? It’s not just vineger that cleans yer hair, its also a diluted scrub of baking soada first, rinse and then diluted vineger. Here is a great blog post on it. http://babyslime.livejournal.com/174054.html
September 12, 2007 at 8:25 am
Oh, I LOVE the Burt’s Bees shampoos and conditioners. I thought the conditioners were a little too thin as well, but after using it for a week or so, my hair has gotten used to it and is so shiny and soft because of it. I deal with the slight drippiness by putting some in my palm, and then rubbing my hands together before I run my hands over/through my hair.
September 13, 2007 at 10:50 pm
For years I have laid claim to my fathers, and now my husbands worn-out white t-shirts to use as my hankie when having a cold. You can get several per shirt and nothing is softer on the nose.
September 13, 2007 at 10:52 pm
For the hair rinse I combine two cups chamomile tea and a couple of drops essential oil with the diluted vinegar. Leaves no residue and the essential oil covers the “pickle head” problem.
October 3, 2007 at 8:14 pm
http://www.jrliggett.com/what/original.html
October 4, 2007 at 6:42 am
A shampoo idea:
The greenest soap company I’ve discovered is Woodsprite. No petro; all organic veggie based, with essential oils. Sounds simple but it is actually really hard to find soap made entirely with ingredients you can pronounce. I started using it a couple years ago, and after a while I tried it on my hair, and it rocks. I am a guy with short hair so my hair needs may differ from yours. I will say that it is very moisturizing. No conditioner needed. I like the spicy clove bar.
October 6, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Soapworks makes a shampoo/conditioner bar that my hubby loves. No packaging at all, doesn’t cost a fortune, all natural ingredients- they list all their ingredients on their website..and Grassroots carries their line. I use the soaps exclusively. I dont like Dr. Bronner’s cause I cant stand the preachy labels first thing in the morning!
October 10, 2007 at 2:13 am
Shampoo
http://www.organicpicks.com/blog/2007/10/09/fresh-look-healthy-hair-healthy-body-healthy-environment/
October 17, 2007 at 8:22 am
Definitely with you on the bad shampoo thing. I’m still searching for a decent brand that doesn’t leave my hair limp and unhappy. Originally an english brand called Faith in Nature worked a treat (the aloe vera one) but after a couple of months my hair got used to it and I’ve never been able to get the condition back no matter which ‘flavour’ I try. Although when I wash my hair in their Ginkgo Biloba shampoo and conditioner people always comment on how nice my hair smells, even the day after I’ve washed it.
It was sort of creepy at first to have random people sniffing my hair, but now I’ve got used to it!
October 20, 2007 at 12:32 am
I have tried just about every low-impact, good for you shampoo, deodorant, and soap. Amazing how much money you go through! After years and years of trying (and getting hooked on products that changed their ingredients or went out of business), here’s what I found to work:
SHAMPOO… I have been using this for about a year now: Safe Choice, by AFM. Here’s where I buy it: http://www.alerg.com/page/A/PROD/04HC/HC1100. It has 4 ingredients.
Personally I think it’s the CONDITIONER that is the key as far as giving your hair some love… I use EarthScience fragrance-free conditioner. It seems to be readily available in most health food stores.
SOAP… Green Mountain Soap. It’s just glycerine (made from coconut oil and olive oil) - I use the liquid version, but it’s also available in bar forms. (I’ve heard bad things about Dr. Bronners’ not-so-greenness, btw.) My face is extremely sensitive, and it’s one of the few I’ve found that doesn’t make my face dry and doesn’t make it break out. I buy it here: http://www.alerg.com/page/A/PROD/05BOD/BC5205
I know you found your DEODORANT, but in case you want to try another, I’ve been using this one for years: Alvera Aloe & Almonds. (Note: their fragrance free ain’t so good.)
And since I’m sharing, LOTION… I use straight jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is the main ingredient in most lotions, so I figured why not use it straight? You should use filtered, which is clear-colored. The yellow, unfiltered (available in most health food stores) is a bit thick and clogs pores. The filtered works better than lotion - and I’ve even had my husband using it for a year! I use Heather Loraine: http://www.heatherloraine.com/index.php?dir=product&page=products&cat=10
I tried using a hanky, too, and couldn’t stick with it. Bummer, isn’t it?
Hope that helps!
November 13, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I’ve tried a lot of organic shampoos, most were awful (someone recommended Druide above - that was one of the worst for me!). The best I’ve found, and better than most of the non-green ones I’ve used: http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/
November 13, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I have been a Burt’s Bees fan too. Though I don’t think I will be buying more shampoo when this bottle runs out. Sadly Burt’s Bees was recently bought by Clorox and to me that is not good news. I already saw the Burt’s Holiday Gift Packs all plastic-y and overly packaged at my local drug store. I don’t know if they have had those displays in years past but it does not bode well, me thinks.
Maybe I will try some Jason? *sigh* Ooh! Or maybe I can farmers-market-find some shampoo that someone is making in their kitchen if ‘they’ haven’t legislated that into oblivion.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/11/burts_bees_sell.php
November 14, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I’ve kicked non-organic shampoo and I have yet to find a really good one. I’ve tried desert essence and right now using natures gate and I hate it when I first try it, but after a week it starts to work. In that week I do not look disgusting, I just feel a little less clean. However, my hair seems a lot more manageable now and curls, dries and straightens better than before…so…go to a health food store and talk to one of the workers there about what they use and just give it a week or so before giving up on it. I’ve tried Dr. Bronners on my hair and I too am glad that it cleans other surfaces. You could also dilute it and use it as a body soap after you run out of another.
December 6, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I have been a hanky user since I was 12. It came from an aversion to tissues that would break apart in my hands as a result of my sneezing (I’m a violent Sneezer.) So after a few weeks of Hankies and a serious cold, I made the switch permanent. I usually carry two on my person in winter, just in case, and then another nearby in the lunchbox or briefcase, etc. I have managed 13 years with them, and have survived and overcome even the worst colds.
December 30, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I recently received a bar of J.R. Liggett’s “Old Fashioned Shampoo Bar” http://www.jrliggett.com/what/original.html and tried with curiosity on my fine hair. Really lathers up (kind of fun after not using any SLS for years) and didn’t need to follow with a conditioner, as per their claims.
Instead of rubbing in my hands and then trying to apply, I wet my hair well and then rub the bar directly on my hair.
Minimal packaging too, it’s comes wrapped in a piece of paper. Or you can buy one that comes with a travelling case which is made from recycled plastic.
A caution about Burts Bees and Body Shop…BB was bought out by Clorox (chlorine bleach giant) and The Body Shop was taken over by L’Oreal. I no longer buy any of these products as I don’t agree with the philosophies of those parent companies, particularly their approach to testing on animals.
January 8, 2008 at 3:41 am
I know this is an old post to some extent, but I couldn’t help but notice your nasal drip issue. Have you heard of neti?
January 13, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Cut mucus-causing foods; eat mucus-removing foods. One of the best? Figs!
Try this next time you’re sick: Blend 4 oranges, 6 figs and 1/2 papaya (or 1/4 cantaloupe) with a some water to thin. Eat nothing, and drink only this (and water) during the day. (Make another batch if you run out.) Reasoning: Digestion is the most energy-draining thing the body commonly has to keep dealing with. Giving it a break from regular food lets that energy go to healing faster. The vit.C in the fruit boosts your immune system, and the mucus-removing capabilities of figs helps clear out the gunk! ALSO, sleep/rest as much as you can. Again, this directs the body’s energy into healing.
If your nasal drip is caused by something your body doesn’t tolerate well, finding what that is and eliminating it/them will clear up the drip. Common culprits are dairy, corn, wheat, gluten, soy…I’m sure you’ve heard it all.
I’ve heard great feedback re: neti pots at work (health food store).
For sinus infection, drink 2oz apple cider vinegar a couple times a day. (Gaaaack!) Trust me, that’ll drain your sinuses! (you can blend it with grape juice or water and honey or whatever, but get it down. Then rinse your teeth well. The acidity of ACV over time is hard on enamel.) Check out http://www.earthclinic.com/ for amazing feedback on how well this works–type in sinus infection.
January 16, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Jason shampoo…the bomb!! I especially love the Sea Kelp line…my hair looks and feels gorgeous!
January 27, 2008 at 3:35 am
Hey, I had the same problems with shampoos, but I have since solved it:)Lush has solid shampoo that works great. I like the “Karma” bar (if you don’t mind smelling like a hippy-a clean hippy mind you). Also the big carrot has bulk organic Giovani shampoo and conditioner. They are amazing! <y favorite is the “smooth as silk” line
January 31, 2008 at 6:21 pm
As for the shampoo issue, do you live near a LUSH store? Being in Toronto (that’s where you are, right?) I would think you’d be near one. They offer a solid shampoo bar (in many varieties) that lasts about as long as three bottled shampoos. They’re a decently green company as well, and you can get shampoos in very-lathery or little-lathery if that’s what you like. I’d check it out. Most LUSH stores will give you a sample to try too, if you ask before you buy. Being in Canada, you could also do their mail order if you’re not close enough to a store, and just buy multiple ones at once to offset the carbon some. Lush packages with the smallest boxes possible and uses vegetable-based inks and 18-month biodegradable plastic when necessary- and if you get two shampoo bars you get a free carrying tin (which I use the top and bottom separately at home to keep mine in). Just a thought- and no, I don’t work for the company, I just really really like them. I’ll never go back to liquid shampoo again. I only wish their solid conditioner worked so well for me.
February 4, 2008 at 3:48 am
hey vanessa,
this is response to your shampoo search.
i’m not full into it yet either on finding anything worthy of green suds.
but i came across a shop down on queen street.
it’s called LUSH.
http://www.lush.com
they make two sets of almost everything.
example of you can buy shampoo that looks like a soap bar. [ these last long, almost three months depending how much you wash your hair. ]
or you can but it in liquid-esh form in a bottle. now the bottle i believe to be biodegradable. but they do urge you at the location to use the soap bars.
they have everything from lotions to lip balm that is organic and environment friendly.
hope this helps.
x
February 14, 2008 at 4:46 am
I love Lush too, they have the most wonderful fantastic products!
I use cloth hankies 99.9% of the time, when I have a cold then I use tissues. I found it too difficult to try and keep up with having a clean dry hankie when I was using it every five seconds! When I use tissues they go in the compost. All up I think I have about 20 hankies, plus my DH has his and our daughter uses mine. Love them!!
March 20, 2008 at 7:42 pm
the key to dr.bronner’s as a shampoo and apple cider vinegar as a conditioner are two things: dilution and essential oils. i use recipes i found in “Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair: Natural and Healthy Personal Care for Every Body” by Dina Falconi for both. they mostly call for some fun herbal infusions as well, but when in a hurry i just use a 1:4 ratio of bronner’s to water and add about 20-30 drops of whatever combo of essential oils i feel like (tea tree oil, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary). same for the apple cider vinegar rinse. as long as you dilute it 1:4 (or more) and add essential oil, the vinegar smell is light and goes away when your hair dries. the other trick to both is that they are more watery than commercial concoctions so you need to make sure you get it to contact with all of your hair. i didn’t do that the first couple times and only the hair at the top of my head was clean and not at my temples and at the nape of my neck.
note: i have a thick head of long, fine hair that is prone to oiliness so i can only attest to this working for my hair type. my husband has short fine hair and hasn’t had any complaints either. hope this helps, love your blog. especially the not being smug part.
March 26, 2008 at 1:57 pm
If you want a good lather, clean hair and environmentally friendly product, try Nature Clean. I use their shampoo, soap, conditioner, laundry soap, veggie cleaner, all purpose cleaner and dish soap. I must admit that I prefer Dr. Bonners for my all purpose but I would never go back to any other shampoo after using theirs. http://www.naturecleanliving.com/index.htm
April 5, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Nasal Drip/Allergies: Use a neti pot. It will help clear you sinuses and help with your allergies. Read this excerpt from the Oprah Show, people using the neti pot have actually elliminated the drip/allergies:
http://www.oprah.com/health/oz/oz_20070426_350_105.jhtml
Shampoo: I too have had a LOT of trouble with finding a green and enviro friendly shoopoo that works for me. The only herbal shampoos that have worked for me have contained cedar, rosemary, and thyme- the only thing that works on getting rid of the grease.
Soap: The Soaps Works. I have used this brand of soap for many many years, and will use nothing else. They do make a bar of soap called ’shampoo & conditioner’. The carbolic soap is awesome for removing grease from the body. http://www.soapworksofcanada.com/
These products may not be toxic, may be more natural, I just wonder what the environment cost is now to make them and what it will be when these products are in high demand.
April 7, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Love the site– not sure if you’ve tried it, but Lush makes great shampoo bars that are not only free of SLS, they are free of wasteful packaging. I just got one free for spending $50 at the store, and I really love it! I was skeptical at first, but it really is lovely. Good luck!
http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/catzoom.html?mv_arg=Solid%20Shampoos&expand=Haircare
April 7, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Love your site and can totally relate to your shampoo dilema. Have you tried Aveda products? They cost a bit more but are TOTALLY worth it. and are organic and environmentally friendly. And they offer so many choices you are sure to find one that suits your hair type. Good Luck!
April 20, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I’ve heard the Burt’s Bees shampoo bar is good, haven’t tried it yet:
http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?categoryId=10007&subCategoryId=-83&productId=-71&catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1
May 5, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Try Blue house soaps, its a wahm buisiness and she (also melissa) makes some AWESOME shampoo bars. The leave in conditioner is a must too! Just go take a look at them and you will want them.
http://www.bluehousesoaps.com/
May 29, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Hi Im giving up plastic so have to give up everything plastic packed - well you can imagine. Any way I have been through a lot of the stuff you have but if you go to my site you will find quite a few shampoo/conditioner kind of alternatives. They may work for you. its http://www.plasticisrubbish.wordpress.com Think your site is great and I love the chairs.