Picnic

Picnic

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

What you put on your hands does matter.

I love being healthy, not just eating healthy, but soaping healthy! In the last 4 or 5 months, I've tossed almost all the soap we own: bar soap, liquid soap, hair soap (shampoo), laundry soap, even tooth soap (toothpaste).

Have I lost it? Maybe. But most soaps on the market have harmful ingredients that cause hormone disruptions (infertility & thyroid problems), skin problems (eczema) and the big C, cancer.  Ingredients to avoid like the plague:  Phthalates, (also known as parfum/fragrance on ingredient lists), Sodium laureth sulfates (or Sodium Lauryl sulfates), paraben of any kind, phenoxyethanol and anything antibacterial.  Those are a few of the more serious offenders.  If you check out ingredient listings, you'll probably find some, if not all of these in your everyday products, even supposedly green products.

One of the changes I've made is with our liquid hand soap.  My boys and I spent the morning with a girlfriend of mine who knows a lot more than I do about health.  She showed me how to be healthy and economical at the same time.  So, I took her advice and went out and bought myself a glass foaming soap dispenser (not plastic, which has phthalates) at Home Outfitters ($20).  Then I went to Eat It and bought Dr. Bronner's organic liquid soap (about $11).  It seemed expensive for our budget, but with the foaming dispenser, it has lasted my girlfriend about a year.  Not so expensive after all!  And so, I have peace of mind that when I wash my sons hands for the millionth time in the day that I'm doing well by them.
Foaming dispenser: 20% soap, 60% water, 20% air

4 comments:

  1. That is a good idea with the foaming dispenser. I have been thinking about starting to make my own soap. I love bar soaps. I don't know why. I am not as big on the liquid soap...I think it is because there is so much more packaging involved and bar soaps feel so luxurious. Ha Ha! I know I am a little odd. There are a couple local people who make some great simple soaps so I figured why can't I? If I end up doing it then I will send one your way to try it out.

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  2. Yes, I want to make my own bar soap too! I have the supplies to start. I'm waiting to get together with a friend so she can show me how to do it. I'm a visual learner. Right now I'm using soap works bar soap from Eat It until I can make my own. Good luck with your soap adventures. Let me know how it turns out.

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  3. Hey Renae! I'm excited to follow your blog. It will make me feel like I know what's going on in your life and get to see some updates on your gorgeous boys! I miss you a lot.
    Way to go on your mission to live naturally. There are many things I'd like to do as well, but now that we are up here; it's far more difficult. We don't have as much access to things as I'd like. Oh well, I'll do what I can!

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  4. I've been using dr bronners, diluted, in all of my hand soap containers, for years. I had been reusing plastic dispensers that I had bought years ago (crazy durable?) but have been wanting to switch to glass b/c plastic is icky. :) I have one foaming dispenser and I do like the feel of it, plus, it do think it makes your soap last longer (more bubbles with less concentrate). Thanks for the lead on a foaming glass dispenser, I haven't been able to find any before this. PS: if you like dr bronners, check out his documentary, dr bronners soapbox. I just watched it on streaming Netflix. So interesting!

    Happy cleaning!

    ~maria

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