| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Georgia Girl |
Posted - Jan 26 2008 : 09:48:48 AM
I wasn't sure where to put this post so here it is.
I was just wondering how "natural" everyone is. What do you do that is "abnormal" by todays thoughts (ex..not shaving your legs, not wearing deodorant, wearing cloth pads, not eating out, hand washing your clothes, not using shampoo, eating fermented meat, no cleansers). Please share what you do and your thoughts on it. What products do you use that are organic? not organic?
Thanks!
~Denise~
Proud Farmgirl Sister #113
http://mybigcityfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 10:58:30 AM
I try to buy as much organic as possible. I don't make my own cleaners, but I don't use any un-natural types. I mainly use bon ami. I started using it when I was a teenager to clean the "white walls," of my Vans. Our laundry empties into the seasonal creek, so I use biokleen and white vinegar. I have cloth bags for groceries. I have one that is 12 years old, that is still good as new. I have about 7 that I carry in the car, and a zip up one that goes in my purse. I can sense annoyance from cashiers, so I, being a former courtesy clerk, offer to bag. I have to carry groceries up stairs, across a foot bridge, and up a few more stairs, so plastic wouldn't be good anyway, since they break and cut into your arms if you carry a bunch at once.
I use mineral make up and Aubrey Organics facial cleanser, shampoo bar, ACV, and castille soap and California Baby on Baby Owen. I only use diaper wipes for #2, I rinse them out before use, and they are organic. We have 30+ baby washcloths used for pees. I use readily boidegradable, disposable diapers. I buy them from Diapers.com, since they are not found in my tiny town, and they are aout $4 more a case than Huggies, Pampers, etc. I have not used deodorant for about three years now. It causes my armpits to swell, and it really hurts, so I wear perfume when I go out, and wash regularly. DH never says I stink.
I am addicted to flour sack towels, so we don't use that many paper towels.
Trish
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war!
FREE TIBET! |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 08:44:00 AM
I live in an apartment complex...yes, in the city.
When farmgirls were chatting about clotheslines and making clothespin holders and decorating clothespins, I decided to hang my own clothsline up. Most of the apartments here have them but mine doesn't. I hung one up weaving it from the side of the building to my porch railing. It doesn't look great but I like it! They haven't asked me to take it down so it must be ok.
The fresh air and being outside with the smell of freshly washed clothes is wonderful. I also use an old fashioned wood dryer, saving much use of my gas dryer.
I have been known to hang underwear right on the porch railing but got "comments" it was funny but I'll be a little more discrete with panties now. LOL 
Linda in PA
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One Day at a time.
By the Grace of God.
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farmgirl #71 Linda in PA |
| LindaEllen |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 07:29:42 AM
What a great post and posters answers. Well living in the country theres a lot to do that is natural. We built an earthcontact so we can have passive solar heat. Garden organic, can and dry the harvest. I'm, going to be makeing soap this next weekend. Butcher chickens this weekend.
I have to put back up the clothes line that we took down back of the home , putting in an outdoor kitchen.
My intertainment is the critter sounds, birds in the day and bullfrogs at night. And looking at the stars. Oh I wish the computer was natural, I like it too : ).
Cooking a lot of dinners at the outpost. Fishing and forage in the woods.
I would like to get away from using paper products , so been knitting washcloths and using them for spills. Still use toilet paper tho. To old for cloth pads but not old enough for cloth pads!!! I'm in that age bracket. To old to be young and to young to be old.
I'm looking at my legs now and I could roll up the hair with rag rollers. My arm pits , let me look, yep they could use the swipe of a zazor too :/
tc linda who still can get more natural even after all these years. Thanks for some good ideas 
Locust Trail Homestead
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/walkabout/
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| Bellepepper |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 07:07:54 AM
Ditto on a lot of the things mentioned above. What I use for moisture is olive oil. I read somewhere that Sopia Loren only uses olive oil. Hopeing someday I'll look like her. LOL I also use a lot of vinegar on me and for cleaning stuff. |
| Annab |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 03:11:55 AM
To Wal Mart's credit, if the checker sees my bags in the cart, they will alwyas grap those first. So it helps to help them out too
Funny, it must either be the older women who are willing to assist---or just folks wanting to further the cause, but I don't seem to get sighs and "the look" like I do at the more expensive grocer.
Not to digress, but its annoying when the younger school kids who are checkers get all bent out of shape when you bring your own bags or ask for paper and it slows them down. Hey, I've got all the time in the world when I;m shopping, so spare the drama. |
| SusieQue |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 7:13:21 PM
Trying very hard to change alot of things. At this time we do have an organic garden, eggs and we have our own honey from our farm. Composting is a must. Only soap I use is homemade goat soap that my friend makes and I do love it. But I still have to have my makeup and hair products.
"A mother is someone you never outgrow your need for" |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 10:48:38 AM
I am learning and getting inspired and encourage from this topic.
You gals are helping me use my resuable bags more and more. It is challenging to catch the bagger before they pack them up so quickly. I have been known to take some things out and give the bags back to cashier. It feels so good to know I am doing the right thing.
I am in a reusable shopping bag swap....in case ya don't know about it. We made handmade ones and swapped. Perhaps with more interest we could do another one.
I have to keep shaving because of the itch if I don't but It is only about once a week. I haven't worn makeup in almost 20 years (except a couple times a year) and I always air dry my hair. I keep a style that is simple and only needs trimmed once every few months.
I like wearing flat shoes all the time and when I find a red pair I want to wear them with everything all the time :-D
I am having fun thinking of more natural and earth saving things.
Linda
****************
One Day at a time.
By the Grace of God.
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farmgirl #71 Linda in PA |
| Annab |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 03:31:06 AM
Thanks for the tortilla recipe Laurie!
I can also add to the list:
I have been carrying cloth shopping bags in the car all the time now for the past 6 or so months, but don't like it when the checker tries to cram it all into one bag, so I carry lots of bags that still hold more than the plastic ones. They also don't fall all over and keep the items organized.
Discovered freeze dried raw dogfood. Made and sold locally. Saves on storage w/no wastage at all and very mininal packaging.
Have never been prone to lingering in the shower so 5 minutes is tops and haven't touched a hair dryer in over 20 years.
Continue to drive a Toyota Tacoma from 1996.....still runnin' smooth and paid off
Can still wear clothing from 10 or so years ago. Still in good condition and not trendy- so no fashion fax pass Have had my Birks re-corked several times.
Started carrying water from home in stainless steel. Tasts better and I know shere it came from. Also save a dollar and a ton of plastic in landfills.
Recycled all the bailing twine from work. It's jute, so it will decompose and has millions of uses on a farm!
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| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Aug 23 2008 : 1:19:32 PM
guess I should have finished answering the real question here. I do a lot of the same. Don't shave as my skin just itches too bad while the hair grows back. Use a natural soap on my hair too, cloth bags and napkins. I have to eat out a lot with my job when I can't get a hotel with a kitchen, but I try. I'm finally starting my own garden in my berm house after shopping for years at the natural market or the farmer's market which is my favorite. Can because I love it and shop with my mom and always find hte best used bargins. I don't buy too many thing brand new.
Best Growing |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Aug 23 2008 : 1:15:29 PM
Anna, Pizza recipe for you.... Use tortillas!. Everyone can have their own, that's the best part. A young lady from the coffee shop I visit has adopted me as her "aunt". She came over and we had homemade pizza. She just loved it. Really easy. Ok the tortilla isn't handmade, I struggle with that, but hey. oven to about 410-425, I go a bit lower if I am using frozen spinach so the tortilla doesn't burn. lay it out, spread out some pizza sauce (sometimes I do pesto!), add topping (lots of veggies for me), spread cheese, ( I use parmesian) and bake for 12-14 minutes. viola, you have your own pizza.
Best Growing |
| mommom |
Posted - Aug 23 2008 : 12:47:55 PM
Oh yeah! And I drive a 1994 Subaru wagon which gets really great gas mileage! Doesn't look like much....but I love it! Susan |
| mommom |
Posted - Aug 23 2008 : 12:42:21 PM
I would say that I'm mostly natural. I take cloth bags for the groceries, cook and bake from scratch, compost, knit, sew, walk, grow veggies that I freeze for the winter, and I do use natural body and hair and skin products from Melaleuca. I use no paper towels or napkins. Thanks to you wonderful ladies I'm even making little rice heating pads now! I make sun tea and have always been a stickler for all my kids and grandbabies eating their veggies and fruits. All my laundry is dried on the line or the wooden racks my Amish neighbor made me. He even made me a little "whirlygig" with clothespins on it to hang socks and underthings from! I buy all my clothes from goodwill/salvation army stores and thrift stores. But, I've always been this way. I cannot begin to tell you when the last time was I bought something to wear from a store. Brand new. I even buy second hand purses! Even if I were to win a big lottery tomorrow it is not very likely that I would change the way I am. This is me. Susan |
| Georgia Girl |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 4:08:54 PM
We have so many new people, I thought I would bump this post back up
~Denise~
Proud Farmgirl Sister #113
http://mybigcityfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Feb 01 2008 : 07:15:50 AM
Wooliespinner, I live in an east coast city, but in a poorer part of town. I think I am the only one who takes cloth bags to the store in my neighborhood too. It's kind of awkward to have to stop the cashier as they start to put the groceries in plastic (they don't even ask). But nobody has ever made a fuss about it. At my old store, the cashiers got to know me by sight and would always ask if I had my bags with me. Boy, didn't that make me feel guilty on the days when I forgot them! Good luck finding bags. I used to use ordinary canvas totes, but Wegmans has started offering a reusable cloth bag for sale at their registers. They are shaped like a paper bag, so they hold a lot more than an ordinary tote. I think Wegmans has expanded into Ohio, so if you ever get the chance to go to one maybe you can pick up some bags. |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Feb 01 2008 : 05:41:04 AM
Your welcome Kate.
I doh't know what other people have experienced with the crystal but the getting adjusted is definatly a factor. At least it was for me. I have ask my family members if I am offending in anyway and they told me absoltely not. My mother was surprised when I told her that I was using it. She works in an office and said when she retires she is going to try it herself. She is afraid to take the chance since she works so close to people.
The main thing is not to panick when you sweat a little. Its really normal and good for your body. Companies like to convince us that we all must be micro clean or we are offending everyone. I use to use all this unatural products and I was always breaking out in rashes or hives. Sometimes lumps under the arms. I was using scope all the time and had mouth sores from it. Too much can be really bad. Now I brush with natural tooth paste and my mouth is great. I use my own homemade soap and feel fine. I mix 3 oils(castor,olive, peanut) and essential oils together for my lotion. My skin has improved allot. I have red hair and have very sensative skin. And of course the crystal deoderant. Experiment a little and find out what works for you. Its kinda fun to check new natural things out.
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
| Annab |
Posted - Feb 01 2008 : 03:50:40 AM
Several people have mentioned Trader Joes
Happy to report I know of 2 here in NC and try to shop at those when I visit my parents.
All their food is so tasty
It's refreshing to read the labels and know exactally what's in it
When I lived in Southern California there was one there. Pity I discovered all this cool stuff (organic, all natural, wholistic bla bla bla) when I was back here here in the mid-west where access is a bit of a challenge and not so "mainstream" and just a part of the culture.
And on a bit of a side note, ever notice how most companies are eitehr in California or the extreme East coast? |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Jan 31 2008 : 9:00:31 PM
I am going to try my crystal again too. I didn't know about the time lag either. (wish they would tell you that)
At the very least I only wear real deodorant (dove) when I am going to be in our heat and humidity. It feels weird when you put it on, after wearing natural deodorant.
I don't know about the summertime here and using the crystal. My friends and family may have objections.  But, now is the time to try it, if I want to give it a few months to get it balance out correctly.
Thanks, Linda for the little tidbit of info!!!!
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Jan 31 2008 : 3:20:58 PM
I didn't know about the time lag - I think I will have to try it again, now that I know. This would be a good time to start - it's cold out here now. I too have tried Tom's of Maine natural deodorant, but same thing - sweat mixed with lavender smell for me. thanks - I will definately try a crystal again.
Farmgirl Sister #98
Check out my new online store
http://www.shopthefrontier.com/VFstore/index.php?manufacturers_id=79&osCsid=6be4b25bf9555031c6e2e86bbde23dba |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Jan 31 2008 : 3:14:07 PM
Sherri,
I started using the crystal deoderant about 15 years ago. Regular antiperspirants would make my underarms sore and sometimes I would have lumps. It got so bad that I tried just plain deoderant like toms of main. It did stop the pain under the arms but now I started to have underarm odor mixed with herb smell. I decided to try the crystal after a friend of mine told me she used it. She told me that for a few months I would sweat because my body was use to not being able too. But she said slowly my body would adjust. And sure enough I did sweat. I would just wash and re apply half way through the day. But I did adjust and most of the time I have no problems. In the summer if its pretty hot and I am working in the heat I will sweat all over but not horrible under the arms. But I do notice a breakthough on odor and will just wash and reapply and go on. Not to big of a deal. Thats only in the summer outside working in the heat and believe me in Ohio the heat and humidity is horrible.
But I will never go back. My pits don't hurt anymore. The crystal works by keeping bacteria from growing naturally. All you do is make sure you put a little water on it and apply. I just make sure after getting out of the shower that I don't dry my underarms and just rub it on. My crystal usually last about 2 years unless I drop it. Then it breaks and becomes very sharp. IF this happens I just rub it under water or sand it to smooth it off. I only do this if I didn't break it down to far. Believe me I have done that.
The main thing is it does take a little time to adjust. I don't even think about it anymore. I am so use to using it. One time I forgot my crystal deoderant and used my moms antiperspirant when I stayed at her house. I could not believe how bad my underarms hurt the next day. And I think it didn't do that great of a job on odor either.
Hope this helps..........good luck.
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
| nashbabe |
Posted - Jan 31 2008 : 09:56:27 AM
I'm not nearly as natural as a lot of you, but I'm trying.
*some organic cotton clothing
*crystal deodorant
*buy organic food when I can, and when I can afford it
*buy stuff at my local farmers market where it is all grown by the local producers
*drive a small old car that gets great gas mileage and very low emissions
*avoid as much processed food as I can
*trans fat and high fructose corn syrup? eeeeeew.
*wash clothes in cold water whenever possible
*have a thermostat that turns the temp way up in summer at night, and way low in winter
Crunchy crafty goodness and psychoses...;-)http://nashbabe.blogspot.com
groovy stuff 2 buy...http://www.alittlesplurge.etsy.com |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Jan 31 2008 : 09:31:03 AM
LInda - I see you use a crystal for deodorant. How's that working for you? I hate to use commercial anti-perspirants because of the aluminum in them, but my daughter tried the crystal and said it didn't do anything for her. She perspires a lot though so I was wondering how it worked for someone else. Anyone else use a crystal?
Farmgirl Sister #98
Check out my new online store
http://www.shopthefrontier.com/VFstore/index.php?manufacturers_id=79&osCsid=6be4b25bf9555031c6e2e86bbde23dba |
| Canadian farmgirl |
Posted - Jan 31 2008 : 09:13:48 AM
If you can get to a fabric store, check out the discount upholstery fabrics--they're so strong for making into cloth bags, and really attractive and unique, too. There are lots of free patterns on the Internet, and I agree, if you don't want to use webbing for handles, just make your own from fabric. Also, upholstery fabric tends to be wider, so you get more to work with. I made some for gift bags, and even buying webbing, the bags only cost me around $5, since I got the fabric really cheap!
Lori |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 6:50:09 PM
I have a few cloth bags that were given to me, but I wanted a few more for large trips so I'm making them from fabric I bought when a Joann's went out of business. I just measured a regular paperbag, will use scrap denim to strengthen the bottom and use fabric rather than nylon web for the handles. Don't want to put much into them.
My goal is to keep them in my car so I don't forget them when I go to the store. |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 2:13:53 PM
Heather,
That sounds very cute!!!!
I threw my name on mine so the store would know I already purchased them, and in case they got lost.
I purhcased the ones a Trader Joe's due to their size and they were cheaper than buying them at the local thrift store.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 2:11:21 PM
Thank you for the info and tips !!
I don't know of any thift stores where I live. There's just not much to choose from out here. I will check out a good will next time I am in the "big city". Otherwise I will maybe check out online sources to get started. Its hard to find things in my area that are green. Most people think I am "different" or comments like are you "amish" or even been called Laura Ingles, just because I have dairy goats,spin and make everything just about from scratch. Sometimes it makes one feel like an outcast but decided I will take it as a compliment. Thats why I was worried about taking the bags to the grocery store. I do live in the country but its not like I thought it would be. But I hope to meet more people where I live (been here for 16 years) that enjoy the same things. But for now will be happy for what I have. Well time for chores. Take care.
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
