Hippification actually has nothing to do with becoming more hippo-like. That would be Hippofication. No, I'm talking about this thing that seems to be happening in my head. This thing where I gradually start looking at things differently. Where I start to consider things that never would have even crossed my pea brain because I didn't know they were possible until I met people on the internet.
Things like cloth diapering, which I've already decided to try. I have 18 tiny diapers of multiple brands, kinds and styles all ready to go. I'm prepared to try.
Things like washing my face with oil. Which, as an oily-type person I never thought I would do, but it turns out my skin isn't as oily as I thought, and there's some chemistry involved that makes oil ok even for oily skin and I'm doing it, and liking it. I just tweaked my recipe to include more olive oil, so we'll see how that works out. So far, I'm really pleased. I can put powder on without seeing little flakes of dead/dry skin on my nose and forehead. I don't have any tea tree oil in my mix, but I have noticed fewer breakouts since I started--which could be due to a change in hormones or something, but I'm going to go ahead and take credit for switching my face care and call it good.
Things like not using shampoo.
I know, it sounds crazy. It really does. Especially since my scalp is a very oily place. I tried one of those Argon/Moroccan/Fancy Oil (not V05) treatment things a while ago. I got a sample from Sephora, so it seemed pretty harmless to try out. Oh, it was bad. My hair was oily for DAYS. The stuff just wouldn't wash out. Icky.
So, please know that when I say that I'm considering not using shampoo, I don't mean that I will become an unwashed person.
Why would I even consider something like this? People who know me (and really, that should be you by now) know that I am a girl who likes her creature comforts. I like fuzzy socks, being an appropriate temperature and only venture into the out-of-doors when I have to. I don't commune with nature. I send nature post cards and plead for her to leave me alone with the bugs and the biting. So, I don't really feel like a good candidate for becoming a hippy.
So, even though I don't like to be outside IN the environment, that doesn't mean that I don't care about it. And I like saving money. I probably like convenience and saving money a little more than the environment, which is why I can't every really see myself as "green" or "crunchy." I like trying new stuff, so when I see stuff that is new and could potentially save me money, I'm interested. If it helps the environment as a bonus, then hooray. These things combined have led me to this thought:
When my current bottle of conditioner runs out, I will switch to rinsing my hair with apple cider vinegar. Diluted, of course. If I stink like the wrong side of an orchard, you will be my friend and tell me to get myself back to the grocery store for some conditioner in a hurry, right? Thanks.
Then, when my shampoo runs out* I will start using baking soda to clean my head.
I know what some of you sciency-type people are thinking. Baking soda and vinegar?! I promise I won't be making a volcano on my head--both products are diluted in water and used separately. Although, volcano on my head would be a pretty cool trick, and possibly even an incentive to give up my nice smelling shampoo and conditioner.
Still, both are significantly cheaper than even the cheap shampoo, and with a tiny person on the way, I'm all about saving money.
I'm not so set on this that if it doesn't work after 2 weeks I won't march my happy non-hippy butt right back to the store and come back to the shampoo & conditioner fold just like the rest of the world, but it seemed worth a try, right?
Then I can try making my own laundry detergent! I'm already cleaning my face with EVOO, so you know... in for a penny, in for a pound, right?
*And as we all know, this will be quite some time after my conditioner does, because I don't know a single soul in the history of EVER who uses the same amount of shampoo & conditioner. It's totally not just me!
2 comments:
I've thought about doing things like making my own laundry detergent and stuff, but then I remember that I have ridiculously sensitive skin and have flashbacks to waking up covered in hives because my mom washed the sheets in a new detergent. Or the time I put on a costume and broke out into hives because the shop used a detergent that my skin didn't agree with (yes that's right the costume shop had to switch to my brand of detergent). Of course I would like to think that the homemade recipes are safe because they are made of household things that I already use, and are fairly chemical and dye free, but having had hives under my fingernails one too many times in my life, I will continue to pay for the stuff from the store. Saving money is good. Comfort is better.
I think that trying new things is cool though, and I think you are braver than I am to try cloth diapering. When we get around to kids I don't see that being an option. I just don't think we can keep up with it. Never know though.
I tried to explain "poo free" to Shannon, but I think I scared her. When you switch to baking soda, think on getting it even less expensively if you get the GI-NORMOUS bag of it at Costco or if you look for the large bag of it in the pool cleaning section of the various stores. It is still the same ole Arm n Hammer.
Also, think on, if for any reason there will ever be little person daycare you must make sure they are willing to work with cloth diapers.
Thanks for entertaining and letting me know that I am not the only one using more conditioner than poo.
You can also use the white vinegar and baking soda for cleaning porcelain and keeping sinks from clogging up.
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