Day 3

Today is day 3, and to be honest... I'm still not that hungry. I'm certainly not walking around with hunger pains!

I will say that I don't feel like I need to drink ALL of the lemonade today. It's not the taste or the fact this is the third day of drinking, well, lemonade, it's that I'm not famished. Which is good I guess.

I didn't know if I could make it 7 days with no actual food, so my mini goal was three days. Now that I'm here I'm pretty sure I can go all the way!

Weight lost: almost 4 pounds

Day 2

Today is day 2 of the cleanse and, surprisingly, I'm not hungry. I will say that the cayenne pepper is giving me MAJOR heartburn. I guess I will have to measure it out instead of taking the pill... OUCH!

Weight lost: almost 2 pounds

Bye Bye Dove

In 2004, there was a study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention which claimed to find a connection between antiperspirants and cancer. Basically saying the women with shaved under their arms and then applied antiperspirants got cancer 22 years before non-users. The theory is that the aluminum in the antiperspirant get through nicks in the skin and get into your lymphatic system.

Some other studies have refuted these claims, but if it's so unsubstantiated why do many antiperspirants have a warning not to use on "newly shaven, broken, or irritated skin"? Maybe it's a coincidence...

Then there are parabens. These are used as "preservatives" and found in some underarm products.

From Cancer.Org

"Studies have shown that parabens, which are used as preservatives in many skin care products (like lotion, make-up, and sunscreen) can be absorbed through the skin. In 2004, a small study found traces of parabens in some samples of breast cancer tumors. Parabens are also used as preservatives in some underarm products and may have entered the breast through the underarms in these cases. This is a possible concern because studies have shown that parabens have weak estrogen-like properties. Estrogen is a female hormone known to cause breast cells (both normal and cancerous) to grow and divide. And some conditions that increase the body’s exposure to estrogen (like not having children, late menopause, obesity, etc.) have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer."

 Either way, if I can try a nature way to be fresh... why not?

Enter...

The Baking Soda Project

For two weeks I ditched my normal deodorant in favor for baking soda. After I got out of the shower every morning I would apply the baking soda with a cotton ball. It doesn't have a "pretty" smell like cucumber or baby powder (pretty? really?) but that's not important to me. Plus, I don't usually notice that "pretty" smell for much longer than the time it takes for me to get dressed anyway.

On a regular day I wouldn't have to reapply until post-shower in the morning... or after I showered at night if I wanted. Best of all, it kept me fresh on a really hot day when I was outside or really busy. I didn't feel sticky and I didn't have to reapply milky deodorant in the car... (sound familiar?) All in all I liked it better.

Protection wise it's as good as my old deodorant, maybe a little better. Chemical wise, I like that I'm limiting the amount of chemicals I slather on my skin.

So how do I store my "deodorant"? In a little glass jar with a lid of course!

Organic Cleanse - Day 1

So after a lot of thought I decided that I needed to hit my body's restart button. It's hard to just stop eating poorly and start eating better... or less. And although we eat only portioned, organic meals at home, I still find myself eating crap when I'm out.

Or making myself a PB&J when I'm making one for Jake because, well, I already have the stuff out so I might as well...  

So in an attempt to let my body know who's boss (me, right?) I've gone back to an old favorite.

 

Lemony Goodness

I figure that this will be a test of self will and determination. Not to mention it's a great way to cleanse your system of all of the toxins and pesticides that you've been storing. Nice huh?

So what's in it?

1 fluid oz Grade B organic maple syrup
1 fluid oz Fresh squeeze organic lemon juice
1/10 tsp cayenne pepper (hot!)
8 oz distilled water

The cleanse calls for you to drink 8-10 glasses of this lemonade mixture. The mixture with the cayenne pepper in it was too hot for me the first time so I went with the capsules this time. And to save on prep time I made enough lemon juice and maple syrup for 64 oz of the lemonade the night before. I heard it's better to add the water last so I added the 64 oz this morning.

Word from the not-so-wise, there is much more than 1/10 of a tsp in those capsules. It's more like 1/4 of a tsp. So only take 4 a day and DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR LEMONADE RIGHT AFTER YOU TAKE ONE. Otherwise you're just asking for some serious, hard hitting heartburn :(

Hopefully at the end of this I come out stronger, cleaner and with a little more self will to eat better from here on out.

Homemade Laundry Soap

Hate running out of laundry soap? Don't like the thought of all of those chemicals on your skin?


Well neither do I!


And I'm lucky enough to have Alicia, my Eco-Friendly freak friend, who has introduced me to the fine art of...

Homemade Laundry Soap...ing....

Anyway, she sent me the reciepe and, with a helpful nudge from my mother, I got to work. Well mostly my mother got to work while I chased after J.

You can find the instructions on Alicia's blog which we followed (except we used a bar of Fels soap instead of Ivory and I couldn't find "Washing Soda" so I used "ph Up" aka Soda Ash aka Washing Soda) and made a double batch.

We let it sit 24 hours and...

Ta-da!

Delish.

It smells so good, and it cleans amazing. I use it for everything, including my diapers :)

Now if I can just find some mason jars we can get rid of the plastic!

Back Off!

Made with Love <3

Thank God for my Cricut. I "waterproofed" my sign by Mod Podge'ing over the entire thing. Sure made it shiny!

Now maybe those pesky AT&T salesmen will get the hint. I mean, since when did NOT answering the door mean keep ringing the door bell?

The "shots"

 "We have our own weapons of mass destruction"

Let me preface this by saying I do not judge parents who vaccinate their children. I understand that, while I do not choose to vaccinate my child, other parents may choose to do so. More importantly, there are some people who, in their situation, would be neglecting their child's health to not vaccinate.

However...

Those of you who let your pediatrician "fire-at-will" because "it's what they said" or "it's what you're suppose to do" are incredibly irresponsible and, quite frankly, I think you aren't fit to be a parent. Matter of fact, I think you're an idiot.

First of all, I hate the word "shots". And I hate that people think they are as routine as, say, a diaper change. And by the way, your kid isn't cranky or sad because he got a "shot". They are miserable because their body is fighting the poison that you just let his pediatrician inject into him. That's why they get a fever or a rash. Oh! and that's why your kid gets a few of the same "shots". Because sometimes the body is really good at fighting off the vaccine and they need it again so it will "stick". Aka: their body will stop fighting it off.

BUT sometimes the vaccine will "stick" the first time and those other shots aren't needed. Didn't know that did you? A simple blood test will tell you which vaccines you child doesn't need to get again, and again...

Not to mention that most vaccines are for "herd immunity".

This "describes a type of immunity that occurs when the vaccination of a portion of the population (or herd) provides protection to unprotected individuals. Herd immunity theory proposes that, in diseases passed from person to person, it is more difficult to maintain a chain of infection when large numbers of a population are immune. The higher the proportion of individuals who are immune, the lower the likelihood that a susceptible person will come into contact with an infectious individual."

So what does all of that mean? It means that you vaccinate your child from diseases we don't really see so just in case you come in contact with someone with a disease, you won't spread it to an un-vaccinated person. That is if your vaccine works - which they don't always. Even if you've had the boosters.

At the very least you owe it to your child to read the ingredients in the vaccine. Even if you have no intention of changing the standard vaccine schedule. For the life of me, I can not understand why a parent wouldn't be interested in the poison, animal matter, fetal matter materials being injected into their child. Again, I know that some people, particularly older parents, grew up with some of these diseases and will do everything in their power to protect their children. That's your prerogative as a parent. But for God's sake people - read!

For more information on the ingredients in your child's vaccines and other vaccine related information visit:

Informed Choice
Vaccine Information Service
WAVE - World Association for Vaccine Education


... but to be honest. I'm glad for the parents that vaccinate at will without a second care or thought in the world... Because it's you that provided me the ability to not vaccinate my child.

What's your carbon footprint?

Yahoo! Green has a pretty cool carbon footprint calculator - where do you stand?

Carbon Footprin Calculator

40 Fantastic Uses for Baking Soda

I found this on Yahoo! Green today - 40 uses for baking soda! Who knew!

Personal Care

1. Make toothpaste

A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpastes. (Or here’s a formula for a minty version.) You can also just dip your toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.

2. Freshen your mouth

Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit, and rinse. Odors are neutralized, not just covered up.

3. Soak oral appliance

Soak oral appliances (like retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures) in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in a glass or small bowl of warm water. The baking soda loosens food particles and neutralizes odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances clean using baking soda.

4. Use as a facial scrub and body exfoliant

Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use.

5. Skip harsh deodorant

Pat baking soda onto your underarms to neutralize body odor.

6. Use as an antacid

Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for instructions.

7. Treat insect bites and itchy skin

For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

8. Make a hand cleanser and softener

Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or 3 parts baking soda with gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean.

9. Help your hair

Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly — baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

10. Clean brushes and combs

For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.

11. Make a bath soak

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration. It also makes your skin feel very soft. Or just focus on soothing your feet. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub.

Cleaning

12. Make a surface soft scrub

For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile, and sinks — even fiberglass and glossy tiles — sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt, and liquid dish soap — let it sit then scour off.

13. Hand-wash dishes and pots and pans

Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with your regular dish detergent) to the dish water to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots, and pans. For cooked-on foods, let them soak in the baking soda and detergent with water first, then use dry baking soda on a clean damp sponge or cloth as a scratch-less scouring powder.

14. Freshen sponges

Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid of the mess (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water). For more thorough disinfecting, use the microwave.

15. Clean the microwave

Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.

16. Polish silver flatware

Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.

17. Clean coffee and tea pots

Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the baking soda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean damp sponge.

18. Clean the oven

Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.

19. Clean floors

Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no-wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water — mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.

20. Clean furniture

Clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted furniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

21. Clean shower curtains

Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.

22. Boost your liquid laundry detergent

Give your laundry a boost by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and brighter. Or you can add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels or to neutralize gym clothes and odoriferous clothing.

23. Clean and freshen sports gear

Use a baking soda solution (4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize and clean golf irons (without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda to 1 part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

24. Remove oil and grease stains

Use baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

25. Clean batteries

Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc., because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal. After cleaning and reconnecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery — they contain a strong acid.

26. Clean cars

Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats, and floor mats without worrying about unwanted scratch marks. Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs, and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or soft brush. Eliminate odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the baking soda.

Deodorizing

27. Deodorize your refrigerator

Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.

28. Deodorize trashcans and recyclables

Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash smells at bay. Clean your recyclables container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge. Wipe clean and rinse. Also, sprinkle baking soda on top as you add recyclables to the bin.

29. Deodorize drains and garbage disposals

To deodorize your sink and tub drains and garbage disposal and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water — it will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda that is being retired from your refrigerator.)

30. Deodorize and clean dishwashers

Use baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.

31. Deodorize lunch boxes

Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda in everyone’s lunch box to absorb lingering odors.

32. Remove odor from carpets

Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight or as long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.) An added bonus: You'll also deodorize your vacuum cleaner.

33. Freshen closets

Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh.

34. Deodorize pet items

Cover the bottom of your cat box with baking soda, then fill as usual with litter. To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter after a thorough cleaning. Eliminate odors from your pet's bedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors), then vacuum up.

35. Deodorize sneakers

Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking baking soda into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing.

36. Freshen stuffed animals

Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.

Miscellaneous

37. Cure all camping needs

Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. It's a dish-washer, pot-scrubber, hand-cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, and fire extinguisher, and has many other uses.

38. Extinguish fires

Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire — and call the fire department just to be safe.

39. Care for the septic system

Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help keep your septic system flowing freely. One cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.

40. Scrub fruits and vegetables

Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse. Here’s another way to clean your vegetables as well.

OK, so there are my 40 suggestions (with a little help from the Arm & Hammond baking soda site, thank you). Do you have any tips or tricks that I missed? Please share in the comments.