Smile Pretty

Fruit 'til Noon

2011-03-04T20:14:00.005-05:00

Earlier, when I used the term detox, it wasn't really a raw food or cleansing detox. It really didn't feel much like a detox at all because there were only minor changes happening. Well, I say minor but removing coffee and soda cold turkey when I drank both in excess is a great first step toward my goals. And I'm so glad I got rid of those vices because the change in how I feel is unreal. And it inspired me to move on to the next step on this journey.

About a week ago, after reading Fit for Life: Not Fat for Life by Harvey Diamond, I decided to try a challenge he presented that entailed eating nothing but fruit until Noon. Now, I am not trying to lose weight; I want to gain health. The reasoning and explanation he gave seemed so simple and logical that I figured, why not? I already start my day with my oranges and green smoothie so it wouldn't be that big a challenge to hold out until Noon before mowing down on some lunch.

After a week, not only am I hooked on this method of eating in harmony with my circadian rhythms, but I'm wanting to kick it up a notch. I'm going to start having my green smoothie as an afternoon snack (or maybe even as lunch, as I did unintentionally one day). When I first wake and down a glass of water to flush my system, I'll follow it with a tall glass of fresh green juice when I start to feel hungry. After finishing the green juice, I'll have my daily two oranges like I've been doing for almost two years now just because I looooove them, and then have whatever fruit we have on hand until at least Noon.

That is when I'll follow my body cues. Maybe I'll crave something fatty and have an avocado packed lettuce wrap or salad. Or maybe just a green smoothie will satisfy me. Perhaps I will hunger for more fruit and continue grazing through dinner. Or make another big green juice. Now that the only time I'm really eating cooked or refined foods is at dinnertime, I don't find myself fixating on food or eating out of boredom. And with the fog of caffeine and refined, processed foods being lifted.. Man, I'm pumped about reaching higher levels of "cleanliness" - and all without starving myself for feeling deprived. I'm loving this and so happy I decided to make the change from SAD to high-raw.

Goals, Goals, Goals

2011-03-02T15:34:00.003-05:00

Anyone will tell you that goals are important. Here are a few of mine pertaining to diet and health:

- Go to the gym at 5am every morning. What better way to start the day? Whether I have an intense workout or opt for a leisurely swim or soak in the hot tub, I need to get my butt out of bed and moving each morning before going into Mama mode when the kids wake around 7am.

- Participate in my gym's yoga classes when I can and bring the kids at least 3-4 days out of the week for a couple hours of play and socializing there in addition to my 5am workout. Hopefully, Lucas gets better with the coming home willingly part. Since his last super tantrum at the gym, I've been waiting until the kids are in bed to head to the gym. I don't love coming home at 11pm feeling like I could run a marathon when I should be settling into bed.

- Consume nothing but fresh fruit and green fruit juice until Noon and then have a light, but nutrient dense raw lunch. Right now I eat fresh fruit and drink a green smoothie, along with a cup of hot tea if I'm in the mood. While I've been eating mostly raw lunches, they are feeling pretty heavy - that might be from the un-raw parts. For example, I haven't made raw bread yet and have been using whole grain processed Slimwich buns when I make my mushroom sandwiches. I'd like to move my green smoothie to the afternoon, between lunch and dinner instead.

- Once Adelaide is nursing less often, I'd like to try doing a weekly juice fast where one day a week I drink just water and fresh nutrient dense juice to give my digestive system a day of rest and thus allow my body to utilize its energy stores for other processes such as self-healing.

- Eat processed or refined foods only on rare occasions.

- Something else I want to try is colon hydrotherapy. There are a few reputable places nearby that do this and at a very reasonable cost. Depending on how it goes, perhaps it is something I could do once every 2-3 months. I'll trust my body cues.

These are just a few of the goals I have for myself. I don't have a set timeline because I'm relying on my instincts and listening to my body to tell me what it needs, what it can and cannot handle, etc. And I think that is my biggest overall goal here: trust my body to guide me. I want to get to a point where my body is functioning as it should so that it communicates its needs with my noggin. As for the goals above, they are fluid. I may change my mind on something, find I don't tolerate something well, discover something else that works even better for my well-being, and so forth.

Cool Green Juice

2011-02-17T10:36:00.002-05:00

When I first started the transition to a high-raw diet, I was eager to add the Green Lemonade recipe from Natalia Rose. And when I drank it, I wanted to puke. The thing is, there are a ton of people who love that recipe. But I should have used my common sense and realized that if I do not like regular lemonade (or any sour food or drinks) then I would not be able to stomach this Green Lemonade. Duh. So I changed it up a little and found a recipe much more palatable for the non-lemonade drinkers out there.

Cool Green Juice

1 Bunch of celery
1 Cucumber with skin
1 Bunch de-stemmed kale
2 Fuji apples with skin

Makes about a half quart.

It is much milder in taste and easy to stomach first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. My centrifugal juicer doesn't do so well with the leafy greens, so if you have a masticating juicer, a half bunch of kale would probably yield the same amount of juice. I also strained out some of the pulp this time with some cheese cloth. Cheers!

Detox Day Seven - Nesting

2011-02-09T14:30:00.004-05:00

When it comes to cleaning and organizing, I work in a particular way. Randomly, I will feel an urge to clean or organize and it cannot be denied. Sometimes it is brought on by anger or frustration. Living with a family of four, this means my urges are quite easily satisfied. Every direction I turn, there is something that could be tidied up as I'm sure is the case for most people with kids. But, I just cannot bring myself to clean or do household chores just because it should be done. Bad housewife, but whatever. It's how I work.

Today, I got the urge. It felt like what women describe as nesting prior to giving birth (a phenomenon I don't remember ever having with either pregnancies). While the kids napped, I attacked the refrigerator and tossed all of the random fast food sauces we have been hoarding, things shoved to the back or dressings forgotten about and expired, etc. We have a side-by-side refrigerator, which means our usable space is limited, and when I stocked up on produce over the weekend, I was stacking strawberry cartons on top of soda cans and ended up moving all of our apples and oranges to a basket on the counter when usually they reside in a produce drawer - a place they will likely remain.

Then I purged and organized our spice/bread cupboard, finding a rainbow Slinky toy in there. Went through and pulled out every single plastic storage container and lid in the tupperware cupboard and recycled anything that was missing a lid or any lids that did not have a container mate. And a bunch of glass jars are currently soaking in my sink so I can remove the labels from them for a project later on. I was just about to tackle the pantry when the kids woke up and interrupted my groove.

I wonder if my urge to purge and detox my home will continue tomorrow..

Detox Day Six - Boycotting Smoothies

2011-02-08T14:30:00.009-05:00

Uh oh. My blender has one foot in the grave and as a result is leaving the greens in small little leaves instead of pulverizing them into a smooth texture like before. That is fine with me, but after picking one or two little bits of leaf from his tongue, Lucas now adamantly REFUSES to touch any smoothies! Until I can get my hands on a new blender that can handle my high demands, I will have to try and coerce him back into trusting my smoothies by making his favorite of just strawberries and bananas. Maybe I can try adding a splash of pulp-free Green Lemonade in there (but not enough to change the color, haha) to get those green enzymes into his little body. Otherwise, he may become a Fruititarian!

Detox Day Five - Caffeine

2011-02-07T14:30:00.027-05:00

Since my daughter was born almost a year ago now, I have become much more of a coffee drinker than ever before. Every morning begins with a 16oz cup, then most days I have a craving around mid-afternoon and have another 8oz cup. Sometimes, I even had an 8oz cup after putting the kids down for bed at 8pm or later. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. Worse, was the fact that I also polished off 1-3 cans of soda in between those cups of coffee, some days. May as well have had me on a caffeine IV drip.

Judging by social media status updates and my online mom-esque forums, I was not alone in that. You always seem to hear parents commenting on how they wish they had half the energy their kids do. I have said the exact same sentiment numerous times when Hurricane Lucas is running around like a wild man. Especially in the morning. My kids are morning people. The boy is up anywhere from 4-7am and going strong until 12-2pm when he gets a nap in. The wee girl is usually up around 6-7am but is still going down for a catnap around 10am. Me? Well, I am a zombie. An irritable zombie. The first thing I do when I drag my ass downstairs with the kids is start myself a cup of coffee and peel my orange. It's a vicious cycle and I KNOW that much caffeine is horrible, but it seems to have become an addiction. A bad one that most people in this StarbucksOnEveryCorner society think is totally normal and fine.

But a funny thing happened between yesterday and today. Yesterday was a bad, bad, bad day for me. I went through the cycle described in the first paragraph, consuming a total of 32oz of caffeinated coffee and 36oz of regular soda. I just kept wanting more and more. Of course, the first mistake is having these things in the house. Like the obvious solution to stop smoking is to just stop buying cigarettes. But how many people have the willpower to do that? Not many. Yesterday was a day of weakness for me. Maybe it was part of the detox. I don't know. It's hard to say because I'm not drastically detoxing but going about it in a more slow way and assumed I wouldn't show the typical symptoms associated with coming off a crap diet, so your guess is as good as mine at this point.

This morning, I came downstairs and peeled my orange. But instead of starting a cup of coffee, I chopped up fresh fruit for the kids. Then I said to myself, I'll just wait an hour or so for my coffee and maybe have a granola bar with it (a comfort combo for me). But after I finished my orange and a few bites of the kids' pears and strawberries, I went to the refrigerator and started gathering supplies for a green smoothie. When lunchtime rolled around, I had totally forgotten about making that morning cup of coffee. I just never got around to it. And it seemed silly to make it just because I had skipped it.

My lunch consisted of a freaking delicious sandwich piled high with green leaf lettuce, vine tomatoes, a grilled mushroom cap, and a light spreading of condiments on whole grain bread. Keep in mind, I am not 100% raw and consider this to be a decent transition food for my current lifestyle. Well, out of habit, I grabbed an ice cold can of soda from the refrigerator to accompany the sandwich. Cracked it open after having taken a bite and took a sip. Totally unsatisfying. Just so happened to have my bottle of water within reach and drank from that. With my sandwich finished, I took another sip of the soda and even though it was still fresh and cold tasting (aka totally appealing) I had no desire to continue drinking it. And so I dumped it. Didn't stick it back in the refrigerator for later - I took the cue from my body that it was done with it. Just dumped it down the sink.

For dinner, I had a bowl of soup and didn't drink anything. Had no urge to touch another soda. Being that the only real changes I've made so far in my daily diet have been spacing out fresh fruit consumption and adding in the green smoothies, I now consider the smoothies to be my Incredible Hulk drink. Here is what was in them if you're curious:

Morning Smoothie | 12oz

Frozen Strawberries
Frozen Wild Blueberries
Medium Fresh Naval Orange
Two Large Fresh Kale Leaves
Green Lemonade (freshly juiced celery, kale, lemon, apple)
Carrot Orange Juice (freshly juiced carrots, oranges)
Ground Flaxseed
Agave Nectar

Afternoon Smoothie | 12oz

Frozen Mixed Fruit (peaches, pineapples, grapes, cherries)
Frozen Chopped Spinach
Medium Fresh Naval Orange
Green Lemonade (freshly juiced celery, kale, lemon, apple)
Carrot Orange Juice (freshly juiced carrots, oranges)
Ground Flaxseed
Wildflower Honey

I'd much rather be addicted to green smoothies. Cheers to tomorrow!

Detox Day Four - Detoxing Children

2011-02-06T10:00:00.007-05:00

Originally, my post topic for today was something different but then bedtime rolled around and I feel moved to write about that instead. As I've mentioned before, it is the health of my son that concerns me the most and is a driving force behind a lot of the research I have been doing regarding the subject of detoxification. He does not eat well, and the heartbreaking part about that is that I know for a fact that he eats a much more balanced diet than most other kids his age I know. Even by eating what I consider to be horribly. Let's not even go down the road of mama guilt I have over letting him get to the point he is at now - a diet of boxed macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, cereal, oatmeal, turkey dogs, yogurt, peanut butter and jam, grilled cheese, cottage cheese, cheese blocks, boxed waffles, frozen pierogies dunked in sour cream, and pizza on the rare occasion we have it. Of course, he does eat a lot of fresh fruit, enjoys hummus and smoothies and only drinks milk and water with some orange juice here and there. But that's pretty much the bulk of what he eats. And we let him. But no more.

Because I want to safely and slowly detox his system, not shock it and make him worse off, I am adopting the phrase from some old program that was on Nickelodean a few years ago. Kick One Pick One. KOPO. For each bad habit we kick, we pick a new and healthy one to replace it. Baby steps. Slow and careful cleansing.

I have begun "kicking" the poor fresh fruit combining habit and "picked" up the habit of starting the morning with a variety of fresh fruits and waiting at least 30 minutes before giving him his cereal or oatmeal. We no longer buy pure garbage cold cereals, so he does fully enjoy and request "strawberry cereal" which is Special K Red Berries. Soon I hope to "kick" the Special K and "pick" the organic and whole grain Kashi version. We are still easing into the various habits being kicked, but along with the dry-brushing (going to do every second or third day for a while so to not irritate his sensitive skin) I am going to let him jump on his bed! Encourage it, even! Rebounding, or bouncing on a trampoline, bed, or other springy surface is another super beneficial activity not only when detoxing your system, but just to promote an ongoing state of good health. And hello, you're giving your child permission to jump on their bed. Score one for the cool mom column.

Why am I adding a good bed bouncing session to Lucas' bedtime routine? Because the act of rebounding is a top notch lymphatic system exercise. The movement in rebounding provides the stimulus for a free-flowing system that drains away the potential poisons your body is trying to secrete. Speaking of poisons. As I was helping him into his pajamas, I tried to explain to Lucas why green smoothies were going to be made every day, why we have to wait before/after eating fruits, and brush his skin. I told him there were little poison cells stuck in his belly and all of those things help to push them out so he will feel happy and healthy and good. Then during his bouncing session, he stopped every so often to say, "Mama, are the boys getting out of my belly?" The boys. Like there are "boys in" his belly and not "poison" - I can understand his interpretation of the concept because the phrase sounds similar, but I also had a good laugh at it! Then he had his usual sips of water from his cup on the desk next to his bed and laid down sighing, "The boys are going." And yes. I hope the boys are indeed leaving his belly.

Detox Day Three - Dry Brushing

2011-02-05T20:00:00.010-05:00

Yesterday, I bought a long-handled natural bristle brush that has a detachable head for dry brushing. With your skin being the largest organ in your body and responsible for nearly a third of your body's detoxification each day, it would be foolish to do any kind of detox or cleanse and ignore the lymphatic system. And I feel like a boob for not having done this prior to researching natural detox methods and nutrition. Sure, I use a loofa in the shower, but wet exfoliation is different than dry brushing. Aside from aiding in the release of toxins and sloughing off of dead skin, dry brushing stimulates circulation, strengthens the immune system, enhances lymphatic flow, improves the function of the nervous system, reduces or eliminates cellulite, and stimulates the sweat and sebaceous glands, thus contributing to the restoration of moist, supple skin. Combined with adding more leafy greens and antioxidants, I'm hopeful that my skin (previously the bane of my self esteem) will improve. The body brush feels great and is easy to use for my limbs and core, but I am probably going to end up with a smaller brush, as well, to more easily navigate my face.

My nearly four year old has had eczema since he was a baby and it seems to have only gotten worse as he's grown. Most recently, I attributed it to a gluten sensitivity, but when I saw no improvement after putting him on a gluten-free diet, I just assumed it was something he would have to endure the rest of his life. But more likely, the worsening skin condition correlates with his increasingly poor diet. The kid would eat fresh fruit from the time he wakes up until the time he goes to bed (particularly apples!) but turns up his nose at vegetables and other fresh foods. He loves sugar and pastas and grains - crappy and processed kinds. My lightbulb moment came after reading more about just how important the skin is in ridding your body of impurities. Lucas is a sweaty kid. When he gets to running around, the sweat just pours out and his cheeks immediately get bright red and bumpy. I don't know why I didn't connect that with his diet, but basically, his sweat is toxic. Captain PoisonPerspiration. So when he gets worked up and sweaty, his face breaks out. BIG TIME. And so I am slowly trying to cleanse his little system of all the built up toxins. Adding in a dry brushing session before bed is just one of the new additions and he loves it. Giving him a gentle, yet stimulating brush down is a much nicer alternative to slathering him with thick Aquaphor and other pore-clogging creams.

Detox Day Two - Green Smoothies

2011-02-04T21:00:00.007-05:00

One of the easiest changes to be made with this detox is the daily addition of a green smoothie. Lucas loves them, but I only made them on occasion and rarely drank them myself so to ration out and make our produce last longer. But considering the fact that these delicious green smoothies are essentially the ONLY avenue for getting the nutrients and enzymes available in these dense greens, they will become a daily morning treat for all of us. A green smoothie is mixing certain greens in with a fruit smoothie.

But wait, didn't I JUST go over the importance of not mixing fruit with anything but more fresh fruit? Well, like anything else, there are always exceptions to rules. Green smoothies are one yummy exception to the fruit rule. And while I personally love a heaping plate of dandelion greens, baby spinach, and lettuce topped with an assortment of veggies and proteins, most people do not find leafy greens appealing. But they are so necessary to maintaining good health. Lucas used to love sharing my salads but in recent years turns up his nose at the sight - however, he will slurp down a green smoothie containing a serving of kale and spinach without a second thought. Even better is the fact that by blending the greens, you get MORE of their essential elements than just gnawing on a salad.

The vitamins and minerals are delivered in an easily absorbed liquid form as the blending process fractures the cell walls to release the nutrients. Consuming blended greens on a regular basis helps to restore biochemical hydration and proper internal pH balance (homeostasis) from the most basic cellular level. And it doesn't have to taste like crap, either. BONUS. As time goes on, I'll be experimenting with different greens and fruit combinations, but a mix of kale, spinach, strawberries, and oranges or bananas seems to be a hit around here. In addition to the produce, I have been adding in ground flaxseed for the Omega-3 fatty acids and protein (I'll write more about flax later on) and if the bitterness of the greens, particularly dark kale, is able to be tasted over the sweet fruit, I will add a bit of agave nectar or organic honey. The daily addition of green smoothies is one of the most enjoyable parts of our lifestyle change.

Detox Day One - Fruit Rules

2011-02-03T20:25:00.011-05:00

One of the most simple, and probably most important, pieces of information I've come across is the rule for eating fresh fruit. With the phrase "Eat it alone or leave it alone," Natalia Rose advises to not eat fresh fruit with any other type of food. So no fruit in your cereal, with cottage cheese, yogurt, or any of the endless lists of breakfast and dessert items most people eat. From her book (and how I've seen it also explained by other Nutritionists and Dietitians) here is her explanation about fresh fruits,

WHY FRESH FRUIT DOES NOT MIX WITH ANY OTHER FOOD

Most fruit requires twenty to thirty minutes to pass through the stomach (melons take slightly less time, bananas slightly more). If eaten with another food type, such as cottage cheese, fresh fruit is held back because the cottage cheese needs at least three and up to four hours in the stomach to digest. The fruit will ferment with the cheese causing much trouble.

Why did I make a particular note about this fact? Because my son is a fresh-fruit-aholic. He seems to always have an apple in hand and readily gobbles down almost any other fruit put in front of him. Bananas, pears, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes - you name it, he oinks it. He also seems to have digestion issues and though I'm told it's perfectly normal, at almost four years old, he still has the majorly distended abdomen of toddlerhood. With his belly being so prominent and firm, that has me worried and my instincts are telling me that it shouldn't be like that. When I read about fruits fermenting in the body when mixed with other foods, it was a huge "Aha!" moment for me. His poor digestive tract is probably laden with fermenting food matter because he is constantly munching on fresh fruits.

Now I am determined to start his day off with fruit first thing in the morning, followed about thirty minutes later with his usual breakfast of either a yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal. Then keep an eye on him to make sure he's not sneaking an apple or other piece of fruit within reach too soon (2-3 hours at the earliest) after eating a non-fruit item. This will probably be a difficult rule for him because he is so accustomed to being allowed fruit whenever he is hungry for a snack, but we are going to try to adhere to it as much as possible. At least long enough to gauge whether or not it is helping him.

And for me, my usual breakfast of an orange or two with my coffee along side a granola bar will now be split up into having the fruit before anything else and following up with either more fruit until lunch or waiting the appropriate time after consuming the fruit to eat a granola bar or other non-fruit breakfast. And eventually, I will probably get to a point where I eat only fresh fruit and green smoothies until lunchtime.

Like other parts of this cleanse, it isn't about restrictions or starvation. I am positive my son and daughter will continue to eat all the fresh fruity goodness their sweet tooth desires. It is simply about modifying the means in which they eat them. Rather than picking at fruit all day long, they will just need to adjust to eating fresh fruits before a meal, on its own, or waiting a few hours after a meal before reaching for an apple. Of course, I want to keep their guts and organs healthy and free of poisonous fermenting foods - but I know how my kids work (particularly Lucas, who is very strong-willed) and know that in order to succeed in the rearranging of eating times, we'll need to work at it. Gradually. Slowly, until his body adapts to the change.

Vibram FiveFingers Sprints

2011-02-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

Finally! After lusting after Vibrams for a year or more, I finally took the plunge and bought a pair! The sneakers I was wearing to the gym were ridiculous and painful to even walk in, but I didn't expect much from shoes bought for five dollars at Kmart some ten years ago. But, they were all I had in the form of running shoes - I would have felt rather silly clomping along on an elliptical in my Converse.

Do the Vibrams look peculiar? Yes. But are they wonderfully comfortable and delightful to wear? YES. I wore them without socks the first day and the only odd thing I noticed was that every so often I would feel a sensation a bit like my toes were numb, but without the unpleasant tingling. They weren't numb, as I would learn with a quick wiggle. My thought is that it might just be my toes not touching each other and missing that sensation. A bit like how you don't feel a ring on your finger after a while of wearing it unless it moves.

After that first time, I wore a pair of toe socks along with them and while I enjoy the added warmth, it makes for too snug a fit, particularly in the outer three digits and becomes uncomfortable after a bit of walking or using any kind of cardio machine. So, while I adore my pretty rainbow toe socks, I prefer comfort and will likely be going sockless from now on. Even if there is two feet of snow on the ground. Hah!

Raw Food Detox

2011-02-01T21:00:00.004-05:00

On a recent trip to the library, I stock-piled some books regarding raw food and the health impact from consuming a diet of mostly raw fruits and vegetables. This was spurred by my attraction to David Wolfe's enthusiasm on the subject in the documentary, Food Matters that Derek and I watched via streaming Netflix. One of the books, and the first that I have read so far was The Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose.

Her book is great and even if I wasn't planning to make a change in eating habits beginning with a natural (and safe) cleansing method, there were some great tidbits of information that are super beneficial. This book encouraged me to delve deeper into the world of eating raw foods, digestion, and nutrition. You would think that having been a Vegetarian/Vegan for all of my adult life (gave up meat in seventh grade) that I would be well versed in all things nutrition. Well, I am ashamed to admit that I am not and the more research I do, the more glaring my ignorance on the topic becomes. It's sad, really. Especially when you consider the fact that I am solely responsible for the health and well-being of two little people.

Even if it took me nearly a quarter century to learn all of this fascinating information and make the choice to change what goes into the mouths of myself and my family, it's better than continuing in the dark while we suffer the consequences. Though, I am finding more and more of the common ailments we, along with many friends and extended family members, suffer from on a daily basis can be cured with a simple change in diet. Of course, most Americans are not willing to make even those simple changes, but perhaps my success will be an inspiration to those close to me teetering on the edge of comfort and the unknown to jump in head first and begin the process of detoxifying their bodies and making a lifestyle change to continue along the road to good health and happiness.

And so, I am taking bits and pieces from Natalia's book, along with some other resources and techniques that I will share along the way, and am beginning on the long journey of cleansing myself - starting with my eating habits. I also plan to go to work on undoing the damage that has been done to my poor Lucas' gut from his shift to eating more and more processed and artificial foods. Luckily, Adelaide is still mostly breastfed and aside from the occasional Goldfish Cracker or sugary Quaker Rice Cake, hasn't been filling her little body with garbage. She loves her fruits and veggies and maybe by moving the family as a WHOLE away from those kind of foods, she won't have a chance to mirror our years of crappy eating habits like Lucas has. Let's do this!

Making Some Lifestyle Changes

2011-01-31T21:10:00.005-05:00

We joined a gym. Along with every other American in the month of January.

For me, it is the first time being a member of an actual fitness club and I am eager to utilize every bit of it. The kids can play in the child care center for two hours each day while Mama gets some cardio and strength training in or even a nice swim, the part I am most looking forward to after I get a few necessary accessories. Like a swimsuit. Somehow, it has been four years since I wore one, which is quite sad because swimming laps is one of my favorite exercise activities. Or I can take a leisurely soak in the hot tub or steam in the sauna if I'm not in the mood for an intense workout but rather an hour or so of quiet relaxation while my kids play safely and socialize and share germs with others their age.

Since becoming a mother, I have been neglecting my health - mind, body, and spirit. And I'm starting to lose my marbles. With yoga classes included in the membership and the opportunity to pee without a baby at my heels or read a book without a preschooler (he isn't in preschool, but he feels beyond the age of toddlerhood) farting on my lap.. I think the mind and spirit will start to heal. That is, if Lucas ever gets past the stage of throwing a screaming fit when I gather him up to go home from the gym. Talk about taking two steps back! And well, the body improvement is obvious with daily exercise.

My husband, too, has put his physical health aside the last few years. When we were first dating, he was in the habit of running and strength training nearly every day but that came to a screeching halt after our first was born. He is pretty geared up about being more active and getting back to the fit form he had pre-fatherhood, and it's refreshing to have his support in making this first step toward revitalizing our family health as a whole. Healthy and happy parents make for healthy and happy kids.

Dreadlock FAQ

2009-06-12T11:46:00.002-04:00

What are dreadlocks? How are they formed?

To put it simply, dreadlocks are ropes of knotted hair. Or, if you want the Wikipedia definition, "Dreadlocks, also called locks or dreads, are heavy matted coils of hair which form by themselves eventually fusing together to form a single dread. This is possible in all hair types, if the hair is allowed to grow naturally without combing or using conditioner for a long period of time. However, they can also be intentionally formed as well through backcombing the hair into dreadlocks (or more commonly in the Americas and West-Indies by twisting). Because of the variety of different hair textures, there is a variety of methods used to encourage the formation of locks such as "backcombing" sections of the hair, and a process involving the weaving of the hair with a crochet needle to form knots." You do not need any hair products in order to create dreadlocks. The only thing necessary is clean, unconditioned hair and friction. WAX IS NOT GOOD.

How long do they take to mature?

The development of dreadlocks is a never ending process, really. But new Caucasian dreads typically start to get really hard and tight and looking like ropey dreadlocks in the 7-12 month period. The first few months they're fuzzy and bumpy and a bit crazy. Maturation speed and the way they look as they mature varies greatly from person to person due to their individual hair textures and how much is done in terms of maintenance and upkeep.

Don't you have to shave your head if you don't want them anymore?

No. You certainly can cut your dreads off or shave your head when you no longer want them, but it is not necessary at all. Slathering them in conditioner and slowly combing them out starting at the tip does the job just fine. It is tedious and time-consuming but even dreadlocks that are years old can be successfully combed out. Then trim off ugly ends, usually only a few inches lost.

Do you wash them? With shampoo?

Yes, of course! You use a no-residue shampoo (I currently use Squeaky Green by Lush) so that nasty chemical additives don't build up inside the dread. No conditioner. Clean hair dreads faster and tighter than dirty or greasy hair because it is more rough in texture. This is why you do NOT want to use any kind of wax or other products on your dreads - it does nothing but hinder the locking process by either not allowing your hair to move and tangle or by coating and conditioning the hairs which are then too slippery and slimy to knot up. However, you can go longer in between washings than you did with brushable hair because oil is not distributed down the hair shaft like it is with un-dreaded hair. Your natural oils stay near your scalp and roots because you are not combing or brushing your hair and spreading it down the length of the lock. When you wash your dreads, it is not necessary to scrub and wash each dread with soap or shampoo unless they smell from smoke or actually got dirty from something. You can simply wash your scalp and allow the shampoo to run down the dreads as you rinse and squeeze out the soap and water. In addition to regular washing, I recommend doing a deep clean every 3-6 months or so. I will post about that later when I do one.

How do you dread the part close to your scalp as it grows?

You don't. Because dreadlocks are the natural state of unbrushed hair, as your hair grows out, it dreads itself into the nearest lock. The only thing you really need to do to maintain dreads (and need is subjective depending on who you ask) is sew or crochet in loose hairs that grow from the scalp between the dreads and don't tangle themselves on their own.

Do they ever get too tight near the scalp?

Not unless you do something to make them that way. You typically have about a half inch to an inch of loose hair at the scalp of new growth as it makes its way into the dreadlocks. If dreadlocks are over-maintained and super tight at the scalp, you can actually develop traction alopecia, or gradual hair loss caused by constant pulling or strain of the hair at the scalp.

How many dreadlocks do you have?

When my dreads were created, there were 92. So far none have combined, but we will see how many I have at a year.

Are you trying to be Black or Rasta?

This is a very touchy subject for some, so I will just state my personal opinion on the matter and move along. I am not trying to be anyone or anything but me. I am Caucasian and do not adhere to the Rastafarian religion. However, it is worth mentioning that dreadlocks are the natural state of ALL unbrushed hair, not just Afro-centric types. Think about it logically, when humans first came into existence, they probably did not have a comb handy and thus had some type of dreadlocks or matted hair. The hair style has a history of being worn by Vikings, Greeks, Indians, and likely by many people mentioned in the Christian Bible. Dreadlocks on a "white girl" are not a sign of cultural appropriation or mockery. Everybody has their reasons for wearing the hair style, whether it is religious, cultural, spiritual, or simply for personal style and grooming preference.

Why did YOU dreadlock your hair?

My reason for wanting them is pretty simple, nothing too deep or earth shattering. Firstly, I love how they look. I like the low maintenance. Being able to shower and towel dry my hair and either style my bangs or pin them back and go is so nice when you are the parent of a busy toddler or two. With brushable hair my routine was so long and tiring because I have a lot of hair and it took forever to blow dry, then flat iron, and even if I let it dry naturally I liked to diffuse blow dry it so it wasn't limp looking. With the dreads all I have is 2-5 minutes to style my bangs and squeeze out excess water. I do palmroll each one after I shower but after they are a few months old, that will not be as necessary. I really love the natural feel of dreadlocks and the care (or lack thereof) needed for the style. Maintenance maybe once every few months depending on personal taste. Natural shampoos and no conditioner or other styling products - so much less expensive over time and obviously better for your health and the environment. Those are the main reasons but they obviously mean something to me because I formed them myself and will take care of them. It may sound corny but I am more attached to my dreads (not just in the literal sense, LOL) than any of my previous hair styles for whatever reason. Like each lock has a mind of its own and you get to sit and watch it evolve and grow with you. It just feels right to have them.

If there are any questions you have that have not been answered, comment or email me.

Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

2009-02-16T17:38:00.011-05:00

My complexion has always been a sore spot in my self esteem and I blame it entirely on my struggle with acne. This dermatological monster has been following me around since puberty and I am starting to feel like I will be one of those sad old people still breaking out like a teenage pizza face. I'm allowed to say pizza face because I AM ONE. My entire post pubescent life I was convinced that oil was bad. Bad, bad, bad and evil. Particularly on the face. In fact, I thought any moisture on my face would equate in a huge break out. Everybody always said that dry skin was the answer. Tanning was the answer. Products that cost more than a month's rent by the time I add them all up were the answer. As a result, I find myself in my early twenties with skin better fitting of a woman ten years my senior. Large pores, unevenness in color, acne scarring on my cheeks that won't go away, dull and lifeless skin, active breakouts, and just really unhealthy and ugly, limp skin. You can see why this was a daily battle with my self image and why I stand as far from the mirror as I can get and dim the lights when applying make up, doing my hair, or otherwise participating in an activity where I need to be looking at myself unretouched. I would describe my case as mild to moderate acne because I have seen others with much worse but when you are a young woman, every flaw is magnified. Surely some of you can empathize.

Let me start by telling you what has not worked. Proactiv has not worked. Murad has not worked. BenzaClin, Differin, Duac, Tazorac, and Retin-A did not work. Neither has Clearasil, Nutrogena, Biore, St. Ives, Oxy, or Stridex. Yes, I have tried them all and used each correctly without improvement in my skin. Even the four years I was on oral contraceptives, my acne persisted. Most recently I saw a commercial for Skin ID and actually thought about ordering the product. After seeing that list I know you are saying to yourself, "What is that crazy broad thinking?!" because obviously these topical creams, gels, cleansers were not doing what they claimed to be able to with me. I cannot even tell you how much money I have thrown away on not only these products but also every oil-free and acne-prone-skin-friendly make up on the market trying to find something that covered the horror that was my face without making my breakouts worse or looking like stage make up. I could probably buy myself a whole new face by now.

I always knew exfoliation was good. For years I would wash my face with one of the aforementioned cleansers, soak a rough wash cloth in hot water, steam and scrub the cleanser off. Apply the toner and the smallest dab of moisturizer I could manage if it happened to be a part of the medication trio. Like I said, moisture and oil have always been pore clogging nightmarish things to me. Somewhere along the way recently, a light bulb switched on in my head. All the things I was being told to do to clear my face was making it worse. My poor epidermis has been abused for some six or seven years now and it is showing.

For starters, I have not laid in a tanning bed since before I was pregnant (2006) and make myself slather on sun block when I go outside in the sun. My mom always said the sun and tanning beds dried out your skin which made acne go away. Wrong. More likely, it just makes the redness a bit less noticeable compared to being set against pale skin. And trust me, I am pale. Eat your heart out, Edward Cullen. Not only did the over-drying from repeated suntan and burn probably make my acne worse, it has been slowly eating away at my skin's natural elasticity. Don't get me wrong, I was never a tanorexic, but I almost never wore sunscreen and used a tanning bed once every few months to keep some color when I could afford the expense. No more. I have embraced my inner albino and am hoping my skin thanks me by changing its behavior.

Secondly, and the reason for this post, was my recent discovery of a very simple homemade exfoliating sugar scrub recipe. Though I have only been making single-serve batches so it is always fresh, you can make as much as you want at a time so long as you add a preserving agent like Rosemary Extract, Vitamin E oil, or Grapefruit Seed Extract. Along with storing your scrub in an air-tight container placed in a cool and dark area, these ingredients will keep your scrub from going rancid. I choose to just make enough at a time to do a single scrub so I need not worry about that. If you've endured all of my mumbling, here is your reward:

Base Ingredients

✩ Finely ground sugar.
✩ Oil of your choice: Jojoba, Avocado, Grapeseed, Olive, ect.

Optional Ingredients

✩ Fragrance: Extracts, Flower buds.
✩ Fruit pulp, juice, rind or puree: Banana, Orange, Grapefruit.
✩ Fresh Aloe Vera or Honey.
✩ Essential oils: Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Lemon, Lavender, ect.

Directions

1. Measure base ingredients. This part depends on your personal preference and needs. During the harsh Michigan winter months, I find I like to make my mixtures with almost a 1:1 ratio, which gives me an applesauce consistency. If you want more scrub than moisturizer, try a 1:2 or even 1:3 oil to sugar ratio. The method of measurement doesn't matter so long as your ratios are consistent. So, if you are making a 1:2 mixture and start a batch with 2 spoons of oil, then add 4 spoons of sugar. This is enough oil to moisten the sugar rather than soak it.
2. Add optional ingredients: Decide which essential oils would help best with your skin needs. For instance, Tea Tree oil for acne or Rose oil for aging skin. When adding essential oils, remember they must be diluted to 2-3 drops per 10mL of oil so they aren't too strong and harsh.
3. Mix ingredients: Stir ingredients together in a small bowl. You can alter the texture by adding more oil or sugar based on your needs. Don't be afraid of the oil, like I have been my whole life. If your scrub contains too much sugar and not enough oil, it will not stick to your skin properly and fall off in the shower. Don't be afraid of having something that looks a bit oily because it will stick to your skin better, making it easier to rub on. Also, the grains of sugar remove the oil from your skin as you rub which leaves skin smooth rather than greasy.

Once you are happy with the smell and consistency, transfer to a clean, dry, air tight jar. If you have one that is dark colored, that would be best, as mentioned above. Store your scrub in a cool dark place. When using it, don't be afraid to slather it all over the place. And don't just limit yourself to using it on your face! After gently massaging my scrub into my skin I let it sit for a couple minutes before rinsing it away. My face, neck, and chest feel as soft as a baby's bum afterward. You won't be disappointed.

Every night I first wash with my Lush CoalFace Cleanser. Then I apply a toner with a wad of cotton and finish with a lightweight moisturizer. Personally, I use the exfoliating sugar scrub (made with Sugar, Jojoba oil, and Vitamin E) once every 5-7 days but you can try it more or less often to see what works for you. An easy and natural solution for toner is witch hazel or a few drops of essential oil added to rose-water. So, try these things out and let me know what you think. I know this new routine has made the world of difference for my facial dilemma but I would love to hear feedback (positive and not so much) from you if you try these. Ditch all of those high priced commercial chemical products and give this a go. Good luck!

Rice Cooker Review II

2008-10-27T18:34:00.005-04:00

The Nishiki Sushi Rice I bought yesterday has been calling out my name from the pantry to be cooked. Derek and I decided on the Panasonic Rice Cooker I mentioned in my previous entry about rice and it arrived today! I tore through the box like a kid on Christmas morning and immediately plugged that bad boy in for a test run. I had already rinsed and soaked my rice beforehand so it was just a matter of adding fresh water into the cooker and waiting.

The cooker beeped to signal me that it was finished and now just keeping the rice warm and when I opened the lid, I noticed the condensation from steam trickle down in a little stream onto the base of the cooker. I peeked around the side of the pot anticipating another mess of rice water to clean up only to find that this genius product had a special water catcher built in right where the water drips down so it collects in a cup attached to the side rather than dripping all over your counter. Oh, I was in love. Then I fluffed the rice (the sweet aroma had already filled my home) and gave it a quick taste. Delicious. I am not lying, I don't think I have had fluffier or perfectly moist rice before. Even Nathan, who eats rice every day due to his restrictive diet, took a bite and gave an immediate "Mmmm!" before asking for more.

I used a couple of my small cookie cutters to form some fun little onigiri characters pictured above. I didn't have fancy fillings but I utilized another function of the cooker and steamed a serving of cubed butternut squash and one large carrot to add to the middle of these rice shapes. I mostly added the nori for decoration and to help keep the rice from sticking to your fingers while eating it. The eyes on the star are little sesame seeds. Nathan wouldn't go near the onigiri, though, because of the smell the nori gave off. Lucas picked the rice from the ends and gave the nori wrapped portion to the dog! I guess our boys aren't fans of seaweed.

Rice Cooker Review

2008-10-17T08:54:00.006-04:00

I love rice. Love it. If I could, I would probably marry it. But for some reason I can never get it just right when cooking it on the stovetop. I must have been drawing on my hands during that day of Home Ec. class. Or maybe that was the day I skipped class to fall asleep at my future brother-in-law's house. Either way, I fail.

I started hearing rave reviews about rice cookers and the set-it-and-forget-it method that resulted in perfectly cooked rice each and every time. A godsend! So, when creating our main bridal registry, I knew I had to add a rice cooker. The problem with registering for anything in the store is that you cannot read the consumer reviews and I will admit - I am a sucker for pretty and shiny small kitchen appliances. I was sucked in by the smooth chrome finish of this Cuisinart Rice Cooker and immediately scanned it to our registry when I saw the reasonable price tag.

My sister bought it for me (she asked me what I wanted MOST on my registry) and I was so excited to use it. I read through the brief instructions on preparing the cooker to be used, the rice to water ratio, ect and started making 1 1/2 cups of short grain brown rice. A few minutes passed and I noticed the lid starting to rattle and went over to inspect the cooker. It was boiling over! Little squirts of scalding hot water were popping and fizzing out of the vent hole and from the edges of the lid. Starchy rice water was dripping down the sides of the cooker and all over my counter. It continued on until the rice was cooked and I was left with a sloppy mess to clean up. I emptied the bin only to discover that the rice had also burned to the bottom of the cooker. In a 4-cup capacity machine, cooking 1 1/2 cups of rice was too much causing water to boil over but not enough water to keep the bottom from burning.

I was so disappointed. We are taking it back and will try this Panasonic Rice Cooker - I am thinking the sealed lid is a good thing! We cook brown rice almost exclusively and I am hoping the brown rice setting allows the cooker to turn out awesome and fluffy brown rice. Basically, I do not recommend the Cuisinart Rice Cooker unless you want to clean up a mess and risk being popped in the face with boiling hot water. Totally up to you.

The Business of Being Born.

2008-05-14T19:52:00.004-04:00

My eyes were glued to the television as I watched in horror what seemed to be the story of Lucas' birth unfolding. Only, it wasn't just the birth experience of my first child, it was the story and situations of so many mothers in the United States. The unnatural fear of birth. The pushy and manipulative doctors who start you on the steep slope of medical intervention that more often leads to a cesarean section than not. Doctors who pressure women into surgery so they can make it home for dinner.

As OB/GYNs were being interviewed for the documentary driven by Rikki Lake, I sat with a gaping mouth nodding my head and choking back tears. I was reminded of barely one year ago when I experienced one of the most emotionally and physically traumatic events of my life - the birth of my son. I am increasingly disgusted and appalled with the American Health care and Insurance systems but hadn't really given thought to how it all affects women and their birthing choices. Anyway, if you haven't already seen it, I strongly encourage you to watch. If you are a Netflix user you can watch it directly from the website or put it in your queue. Watch it.

And here is Lucas' birth story, written shortly after I returned home. I have not revised it since.

Monday morning I woke up and noticed a slight gush of fluid when I sat up in bed. The rest of the day I continued to leak fluid, but wasn't having any noticeable contractions. I was having somewhat regular Braxton Hick's, but definitely nothing that made me think, "Oh, I'm in labor!" Therefore, I waited. I called the hospital around 3:00am on Tuesday morning and let them know my water was broken and coming out in a slow trickle and the nurse told me that I could come in at any time. I called my sister, Lindsay and let her know because she was going to be in the Delivery Room with me. She came over; she and Derek went to sleep and I told them I would wake them up if I noticed my contractions getting stronger and we would head to the hospital. When 9:00am came around and I still didn't feel any significant change, I figured I might as well go in. Part of me still wonders if that was the right decision. We checked in and when I told the nurse that I'd been leaking since Monday morning, she freaked out and basically scolded me for waiting 24 hours to come to the hospital. The doctor came in to check and confirm that I was in fact leaking fluid and once they determined that [painful vaginal exam topped off with a pinch of the speculum on my labia from an unconcerned doctor] I was given an IV to administer antibiotics. External monitors were strapped on to my belly and it became a waiting game. I don't remember exactly how long they let me "labor" on my own but I believe the nurse, who continually talked down to me like an ignorant child for waiting to come in, brought in an IV bag with what I recognized to be the Pitocin drip regulating machine from my other sister, Kristen's induction 7 weeks previous. I asked her why they ordered Pitocin so long as the baby wasn't in distress and she again said it was my own fault because I waited and I was endangering my baby. She started the Pitocin and left the room. As soon as she was out, I started crying uncontrollably. I knew that from that point on nothing I said or did mattered and the birth of my baby was now entirely resting in the hands of intervention hungry nurses who thought I was just some dumb kid. She came back in when I was crying because the tightening of my stomach while I was crying made the contraction monitor go kind of crazy. She checked my cervix and I was 1-2cm dilated - as she was fiddling with the monitors, I mouthed to Lindsay that my body wasn't ready and knew that pushing it like this nurse intended to wouldn't lead to anything positive. Two hours later I was still barely at 2cm dilation and the doctor noticed my sac was bulging. I had had a high leak so she artificially ruptured the rest of my water and shortly after that miserable experience, I realized I was going to want to die before the night was through. I knew that the baby was posterior but had no idea what people meant when they talked about having "back labor." Every contraction came hard and strong without the gradual climb of a natural contraction and each time it felt like my pelvis, tailbone, pubic bone and entire groin and thigh area was being pulled apart by some kind of invisible inhumane torture contraption. The next nurse who came on was worse than the first. She had the know-it-all attitude and seemed to like pushing the buttons on the Pitocin drip. I had planned on a completely natural labor and delivery and thus prepared breathing and relaxation techniques that went right out the window with the Pitocin. Little Miss Holier Than Thou continued to jack up the Pitocin and kept pushing the option of an Epidural. I swear I had to tell her each time she came in that I did not want one no matter how much pain I may be in. Of course, she would counter telling me how it was "okay" and I didn't have to be "tough" and all sorts of meaningless shit and I continued to tell her that a little bit of pain relief was not worth the long list of risks and complications that could result from an Epidural. As time went on and Pitocin dosage went up, I found it harder and harder to make it through the contractions. My mom came up around the time where the contractions were all but unbearable and at one point even had to leave the room because I was screaming out in so much agony. Doctors came and went checking me and each time they would move my bed to have me lay flat on my back and each time I would beg them not to because it felt like every bone south of my ribs was breaking when I was on any kind of a decline. Ignored. I couldn't even squat or stand - even if every ounce of energy hadn't been stripped from my body by the Pitocin, the pains in my joints and bones were so overwhelming they would collapse under my weight. I couldn't even walk myself to the bathroom without falling down. Finally, I reached a point where I was starting to hyperventilate between contractions because it was impossible to catch my breath. Each one hit without warning and they were literally one on top of the other without a break in between. I was essentially fighting each contraction rather than working with the natural rhythm of my body and my cervix continued to remain where it was. All the while, the baby was doing fine; I could even feel him moving every so often and his heartbeat was strong and steady. They took off my monitors because I was moving around too much for them to pick up the heartbeat and inserted internal monitors for both the baby and my contractions. My breaking point came when I started to heave and throw up from the pain. When you are puking and heaving your guts out during such intense contractions on top of being unable to catch your breath, you lose all control of your body including bladder control. Each heave and contraction I was peeing all over myself and becoming more and more uncomfortable and miserable. Things were happening too fast and I was no longer in control. Or.. was I ever? Finally, after I had nothing left to puke up [I'd had nothing but a handful of animal crackers that morning and ice chips] I broke and got a dose of Demerol through my IV so I could attempt to breathe and work with the contractions so they would become productive. It didn't do anything for the actual pain [which was fine, I didn't accept it for that reason] but I was able to calm my breathing down just enough to make it through each contraction without hyperventilating and passing out. I continued to hear the nurse beep-beeping around with the Pitoin and went from 4cm dilation to feeling the intense urge to push in under an hour. I was on my side from when I was throwing up and when I started feeling the urge to push, I discovered that was the only position I could maintain that was productive. It may sound dumb or possibly gross, but each push I would have a bowel movement and I was glad because it reminded me how to push even in the chaos of everything leading up to that point. Another nurse came in [bless her soul] and realized I was probably ready to start pushing to get the baby out because he was right there. She helped me by holding onto one of my feet and pushing it upwards and she must have been some sort of superwoman holding fast despite how hard I was pushing against her. I also think I may have broken Derek's hand. When I started pushing to get the baby out, I told the nurses and doctor, "If I am close to him crowning or coming out, DO NOT let me stop. I'll push longer." Because I knew they would only allow me to push on my own for so long before they felt the need to intervene somehow. I was going to have some say in how my baby was born if it killed me. Each contraction I managed 4-5 strong and long pushes lasting well over 30 seconds each. My mom still has no idea how the hell I managed to do that but realizes that when I put my mind to doing something, I will do it no matter what the cost to me. Three contractions worth of pushing later, my son was born. Without the use of forceps or vacuum extraction or c-section like my sister said she heard nurses whispering about. Despite saying he didn't want to, Derek peeked over in curiosity and watched the baby come out. In his words, "It was really gross, but beautiful at the same time." When they put Lucas on my chest to be cleaned off and everything, the first thing I said was, "Oh my god, I have a baby." I didn't cry, I couldn't. The feeling was so surreal that that baby was inside of me and now he was mine. Derek and Lindsay both cried when he was born, though. I asked if I could wait until my placenta was ready to expel it so the doctor allowed me to wait 30 minutes to birth it on my own while Derek went with the baby to be assessed. The 30 minutes passed and my placenta showed no sign of wanting to come out on its own [probably because it, like Lucas, wasn't ready] so they gave me a shot of Hemo-something to thin my lining and get it out. She then began to stitch up the episiotomy that I didn't know she'd even done. Not too happy about that since I specifically stated that I preferred to tear than be cut. The birth of my son was probably the most traumatic and worst experiences of my life up until that point.

Hot Mamas Know Apple Cider Vinegar!

2007-11-08T09:28:00.002-05:00

I'll be the first to admit that since becoming a mom I "let myself go" most of the time. Guilty as charged. Despite not feeling quite like a Hot Mama most days, I thought I would participate in this fun little Blogism. Once a month hot mamas from around the blog-o-sphere swap and share their beauty secrets and tips at Absolutely Bananas.

My tip for the month of November came originally from Babyslime's No 'poo Method for hair care. I gave the whole no 'poo a try but quickly gave up after a month. I did continue using my Apple Cider Vinegar rinse, though! She recommends two tablespoons of ACV per cup of water, but my own rinse is closer to a 50-50 blend. Load up a cheap spray bottle you can buy at the dollar store and spritz your clean hair. I lift my hair up in chunks so I can be sure to get underneath and to my scalp, too. Once my head is thoroughly saturated and smelling like fermented apples, I let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out with a wide toothed comb in water as cold as my head can stand.

Apple cider vinegar is a mild acidic made from fermenting apples, the acid content is usually only around 3-5% in store-bought ACV. It has a lot of health benefits when taken internally, too! When used on your scalp, it helps promote circulation, acts as a natural antiseptic, and dissolves excessive fatty deposits and reduces scaling or peeling of the skin. As for use on hair, it helps to clarify, detangle, balances hair's pH level and seals the cuticles. Some people are bothered by the smell, but be assured that the smell should dissipate within a moment or two of rinsing. If it doesn't, you're using too much in your solution!

Doing this every other shower or so keeps my hair surprisingly shiny and pumped. Because I am nursing, especially, my hair has a tendency to look dull and lifeless. But, this simple little trick helps to perk up my 'do and combat that limp, grungy hair look!

Blogs I Read

2000-02-05T18:58:00.021-05:00

Craft & Art

A Beautiful Mess
A Lovely Dream - Suzi Blu
Hello My Name is Heather

Parenting, Mommy & Women

Adventures of Superwife
All Tuckered Out
Babyslime
Clumsy Cajun Baby
Cupcake Kind of Love
Dooce
Flip Flop Mamma
Get Knotty
Green and Natural Parenting
Half Pint Pixie
His Last Kiss
Just Like Mom Used to Make
Katie Katie Bo Batie
Majik Faerie
Melban Memories
Mom Smoo
Moms Speak Up
Not Nigella
Short But Sweet
Shanni's Blog
The Tattooed Mama
Thinkin' Thoughts

Food & Bento

Another One Bites the Crust
Bakerella
Crazy Vegan Mom
Fat Free Vegan
Gluttonous Vegan
Happy Herbivore
Happy Vegan Face
I Eat Food
Lunch in a Box
Pink Haired Girl
Vegan Cookies
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World
Vegan Lunch Box
VeganYumYum
We're Rabbits

Deaf Culture & ASL Interpreting

Many Tribes
Michigan Deaf Community
Rachel Colemen of Signing Time
The Deaf Edge

Social Work & Political

Adventures in Prison
A Little Left of Lost
Awake and Dreaming
Be the Change
Burned Out Social Worker
Daily Life of a Young Social Worker
Eyes Opened Wider
Five Seconds to Spare
Furious Seasons
Halo's Medical Mission
In The Slammer
Shedding the Postmodern
The 32 Monther

Photographers & Photography

Becky Earl Photography
Dominica Rain Photography
Heather Photo
Image is Found
Jaime Pott Photography
Karol Quinn Photography
Pay it Forward Photography
Stephens Photography
Think Pink Photography

Miscellaneous Blogs

All Things Cupcake
Blurbomat
BMEzine: ModBlog
Fail Blog
Homegrown
Johnny Cupcakes
Post Secret