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Simply..self care....

25/6/2018

10 Comments

 
 ...and family care. (Women do make most of these choices after all).

I've opened my eyes and looked on something that makes me smile. I've listened to something that gives me a good feeling, now I must wash and dress.

Since starting writing Live Simply Simply Live I've changed a lot  things I use. Soap, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant - you do know that anything you put on or in your body can be into your bloodstream within moments, don't you?  So I wised up on what is toxic or undesirable. Parabens, phthalates - the list is overwhelming and confusing - a minefield. 

I found the simple way through the minefield  without getting obsessed or depressed was to find one or two brands I like and stick with them. I visited a health food shop and asked for a shampoo without parabens and the assistant waved her arm over the whole department and said 'All of them'.  By shopping at a health store you simplify straight away.

I simply use fewer products and less of them. I forego almost all lotions/potions/cleansers/ moisturisers/toners/anti-ageing miracle creams/serums/conditioners/sprays/tinctures/foams/gels/scrubs/aerosols/whiteners/body butters/lip balms/dyes/bleaches/sunscreens/waxes/mousse/...oops this is beginning to sound like a rant! But all those unknown ingredients in my blood? No thank you. I'm also very aware that the residue of all these things goes into the beautiful loch.

I enjoy the occasional bubble bath, use a nice hand lotion on my gardening hands now and then but most days it's soap (a gift from Marseilles), toothpaste (Sarakan), shampoo (Faith In Nature).

Can you make a change today? You know, the one you've been thinking about for ages but haven't quite got around to doing? Do it for your partner's health, your children's health, your health...

The small changes add up.


There's a lovely new sound here today - the baby swallows have hatched. I can't see how many yet but can hear them when the parent comes in with food.

10 Comments
Viv link
26/6/2018 12:53:32 am

For some reason it took the Body Shop ages to be paraben free in their shampoos even though they led people to think they were 'natural'. I have used these kind of 'free of' toiletries since Art college days back in the 70's - the ideas in the books I was reading back then (and thought to be a bit crazy) are all being proven by science today. How can it take 40 years to implement changes that are for the better - governments just don't want to know - hence the plastic crisis now which was predicted back in the 70's.
I am so alarmed too at the child obesity and the government only just waking up but what they are doing is just papering over the cracks I think. It was noticeable to me when in Vicenza especially that the majority of Italians are so slim - we hardly saw an overweight person in the 6 days we were there.
Whoops - this is turning into a bit of a rant - sorry Freda - just saying how much I agree with you to make these little changes for your healths sake and often the planet - I am still making them as I continue to learn more.

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Freda
26/6/2018 02:27:01 pm

I think of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring published in the 60's - we are very slow to respond. I pointed out to my daughter that we do live longer on average than ever before and she responded that many of us live longer with chronic conditions she believes are due to environmental and diet. We must do what we can!.

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Lotta
26/6/2018 01:09:23 am

I see what you mean about the same wavelength! This topic was on my list too :-)
I've done exactly the same over the last decade or so, and did a complete cull of everything toxic in my house a few years ago including cleaning products etc. I only use a few toiletries and have experimented making some myself too. Moisturiser was surprisingly easy. And there are very few cleaning jobs that white vinegar won't handle!
A tip for UK readers if you don't have a health shop nearby or are on a budget, you can find a lot of the same natural brands at discounted prices at dolphinfitness.co.uk (Weleda, Urtekram, Green People, Jason etc)

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Freda
26/6/2018 02:29:22 pm

Thanks for the link Lotta. The internet has made it easier to research and find things though you have to know what sources to trust.

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Linda
26/6/2018 04:53:51 am

When we bought our house 16 years ago the previous owner 'helpfully' left an air freshener. It was disgusting, and throwing it away and opening all the windows were the first things I did. I honestly don't understand why people can't see that they don't need all these products that manufacturers try to push on us. I'm very low maintenance when it comes to toiletries - the simpler the better!

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Freda
26/6/2018 02:31:11 pm

I once switched one of these plug in 'air fresheners' in the dining room of a pub where we were eating. Yeuch!

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cath
26/6/2018 08:28:04 am

It seems to me it is impossible to deeply simplify without tackling what you raise in your post. Using less, or none at all (feeling a bit naked after years and years of eyeshadow), sticking to choices that agree well with me (Weleda saline toothpaste) and still there is much more I want to do. We recycle all plastic packing, I think it's appalling how much stuff comes packed in plastic. How happy I would be with a bulkstore nearby. At the moment I am working at less and/or different cleaning products. I agree with Lotta, natural vinegar works f.i. well as washing softener too. If necessary I am going to make my own.

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Lotta
26/6/2018 12:39:06 pm

Do you know about soapnuts Cath? I haven't tried them yet, but they have great reviews.

Reply
Freda
26/6/2018 02:35:25 pm

Our local supermarket has just announced they will use paper bags instead of plastic. We seem to reach crisis point before taking action though.. Remember the ozone layer?

Reply
Julia
26/6/2018 03:37:36 pm

Yes! To all of the above..your comments and your readers comments!
I joined the “no-poo” movement a few years ago..as in no shampoo, thank you very much! I use a solution of baking soda and a rinse of diluted apple cider vinegar once or twice a week..i love how the silver is highlighted in my hair! I was making toothpaste, but have settled on a jar of baking soda that i dip my brush in. and am using a bamboo toothbrush...my teeth feel very clean.
Simple bar soap from the health food store..no plastic pump bottles of liquid soap.
Instead of makeup, do yoga and meditation. Walk, breathe deeply, exercise, smile! Laugh! Eat organic healthy food. You will glow.

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    An artist seeking a simpler life - (but not too simple!)

    All words and images copyright Freda Waldapfel 2010 - 2020

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