Going no-poo and other simplifying

Strange way to say it but in the fall I read about a new way to wash my hair on simplemom.net with out shampoo.  I waited until after family pictures to try it not knowing what the transition period might be like.  It was actually a rather smooth transition and I am still enjoying the results.  I  have had some family members tell me that my hair has more life.  I like that. I use a ketchup bottle for the soda water and a spray bottle for the vinegar.

A couple of weeks later I tried the skin care oil cleansing method.  A very new idea but intriguing. It too seems to be working.  I didn't dare tell anyone for a while but my daughter found out and she tried it.  She has struggles with blemishes and feels like her face has never been so clear and doesn't feel dry.  That is really saying something in our dry cold climate.

Although this whole experiment has made me feel a bit "crunchier" than I had been, I love it.  I would say that there has been a couple of adjustment periods but it is working and it is so cheap.  I feel like I am doing something very good for me and it isn't taking a chunk out of our family budget.  In fact as I start using it on the kids I will actually be saving money for all of us.  It make sense to me that taking care of our selves should be simple.  It shouldn't require chemistry degrees and lots of money.  It is so freeing to find natural ways to run my home.  Next I'm going to try dish washing detergent.  The store bought doesn't seem to do a good job and we go through a lot.  I haven't gotten brave enough to make my own deodorant but it is on the list.

New resolutions include new ways of doing the same old thing, especially when it is cheaper and better!

Grateful:

• people who stand for standards
• plenty of fire wood and warm blankets
• those who share their stories and remind us that we are all doing the best we can
• missionary letters