Oil Pulling

A few months ago our friend Iris pointed Keith and I to an article on Oil Pulling by Morgan Potts (a Certified Holistic Health Coach). Like most things we read that lean towards being more natural/toxin-free - we thought, let's try this! We emailed her to ask a few more questions and she was so friendly and helpful. After we learned this doesn't replace brushing but supplements it, we began!

Well Keith did. Way more faithfully than I did! I started off doing it 2-3 times a week and then kept forgetting. But I think after reading Keith's reflections on it below - I'm totally going to be more consistent with it. Without further ado, the blog on Oil Pulling...written by Keith!

- Beka

Oil Pulling 

I once told my dentist that I didn't use regular toothpaste… she did not approve. I figured she wouldn't understand, unless it's fluoride or anti-bacterial, everything else is hokey in her eyes. So, on my next visit, a year later I didn't bring up the whole natural thing again, and she didn't remember. She asked me if I use regular toothpaste or sensitive toothpaste, I just said "regular", and without any bias she checked my teeth, did some cleaning and said "Everything looks great! Keep doing what you're doing." I will! All that to say my teeth were pretty good before I started oil pulling, so that will be my base starting point. I've been doing oil pulling for around 2 months now. Pretty consistently, but missed a few days here and there. 

Here's how you do it:

Take 1 tablespoon of oil, put it in your mouth, and gently swish around your mouth for 10–20 minutes. Preferably on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Spit it out in the garbage. 

That's it! The proper oil to use is either sesame oil (cold pressed, and preferably organic) or sunflower oil (organic if you can). Use sesame oil if you don't mind the taste, if you don't want any taste, use the sunflower oil. Supposedly those are the 2 best oils to use, other oils are reportedly less effective. That said, I haven't used either of those oils yet. I intend to get the sesame oil, but it just hasn't happened yet. So I've been using, what most people agreed is the next best thing, coconut oil. 

Time is key. I find anything less than 10 minutes is not satisfying at all. Be sure to keep swishing it around your mouth and between your teeth until enough saliva has been mixed in so that the oil is clear and watery. Spit it out in the garbage, rinse well and brush your teeth. 

Oil pulling helps clean, melts plague away, whitens teeth and… possibly adds 20 more years to you life… who knows. Now, supposedly, oil pulling helps pull the toxins out of your body and into the oil as well. So when you spit it out, that oil is toxic, make sure you dispose of it cleanly. I don't know how much of that is true. There hasn't been any studies done on it. But, this Ayurvedic practice has been done for thousands of years. Just because there is a lack of graphs doesn't mean it can't be true. I read a blog online who vented that oil pulling does not work, the only reason their oral health is better is because they spend more time and care cleaning their teeth hence better health as a result. Or… maybe it does work?  

Anyways, whether it works or not, the overall result is better oral health. I feel fantastic after oil pulling it. It helps with bad breath, and I love that coconut aftertaste… despite it being supposedly toxic in my mouth. I've never gotten compliments on my teeth before, and after a week of oil pulling both Rebeka and my mother in law both commented on how white my teeth looks. WHAT? 

The first time swishing was awkward. I keep thinking I was going to swallow it, or worried that my gag reflex would be in a huff. But you get use to it after a few practices. If you're squeamish, it may take a few tries.  

So, in conclusion, my teeth feel whiter, fresher and overall cleaner. It also feels less sensitive. Most importantly, it didn't dissolve my teeth away. Will post an update when I get the sesame oil. 

Verdict: Love it! Highly recommend you try it, your mouth will love you for it.

- Keith

The coconut oil we use from Costco at the moment (Image from: ohsheglows.com)

New Fave Deodarant

About a month ago my friend Lisa suggested that I try using a lime slice as my deodorant. What?! I'd never heard of that one before in all the years I spent looking for and trying natural deodorants. I'm always up for trying new things though and love testing out natural, toxic-free and cheap ways of living so you know I just had to try it! I was definitely skeptical though as I have b.o. and armpits that are very picky. Barely anything "natural" works on me. What works for others always has me smelling by mid-day.

I cut a sledge of lime and applied it to my underarms after my morning shower. At the end of the day - no smell. What?! Crazy.

I did this for 4-5 days or so, (even after I shaved one day which I thought would sting but didn't!)

Lisa has been doing this lime slice thing for a while and loves it. It works great for her and other people I've looked up love it as well. I was surprised that it actually worked for me too! If you're looking for a simple cheap deodorant, try the lime slice! Cut a wedge and keep it in the fridge in between uses. I used one wedge for 2-3 days. Just make sure you don't expose your armpits to sun! Citrus and sun do not mix. That goes for any citrus creams or other things you put on yourself as well. Don't go in the sun with them.

However, after a week or so I wasn't smelly per say, but I also didn't feel "fresh." This lead me to my discovery of my new favourite deodorant as mentioned above.

I looked up if I could add baking soda to the lime to see if that would help make me feel fresh and completely non-smelly longer. I wanted to make sure lime and baking soda could mix and wouldn't cause a chemical reaction on my skin (which shouldn't by the way! But it could be harsh for some people on their armpit skin) This lime and baking soda search led me to this incredible discovery.

Coconut oil and baking soda.

I quickly went to my kitchen, took my organic coconut oil and mixed it with equal parts baking soda.
I mixed:

• 3tbsp of coconut oil 
• 3 tbsp of baking soda.

Then put it in a glass jar with a lid.

I've been using this for a whole month now. I'm still using the original one I made a month ago so that 3 tbsp lasts a long time! It's incredible. It's so much easier to use than the salt stick and baking soda one I've been using for a few years now. And even easier than the lime wedge!

Why I love it:

• has a slight, beautiful coconut scent
• works all day, even 24 hours
• soft to apply
• easy to apply
• I don't have to keep it in the fridge, I can keep it in the bathroom mirror
• There's no multiple steps (ie. go to fridge, get lime, squeeze and apply, put back in fridge OR wet armpits, wet salt stick, pat with baking soda)
• I am completely smelly-free and have not been self conscious once this month of my smell

So I'm completely sold. This stuff is magical. The lime wedge led to an amazing discovery!

So for those of you still looking for that perfect natural deodorant that works for you, I hope either the lime wedge or coconut oil suggestions work for you.

Like I always say, everybody's different and every body's different. Don't give up. Find the natural, toxic-free thing that works for you.

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UPDATE: July 8, 2013
After about 8 weeks of using this, I found my armpits got a bit raw. *sad face*
I'm wondering if the baking soda is too abrasive on my armpits for daily use. Or if the PH in it is reacting against my body's PH? Either way. I'm back to the search of a deodorant that works for me. C'est la vie!
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UPDATE: August 12, 2013
Found another recipe and tried it...so far love it! Here it is --> Another Try at Deodorant

Update on Laundry Soap

So back in October 2012 I posted this blog about the DIY laundry soap we started using. After 6 months we have just used up half of our purchase (if I'm not mistaken) which means that we can do a year's worth of laundry for $30-$35. This is doing a minimum 2 loads of laundry per week, sometimes 3. Amazing.

Also, we like it a lot! Our clothes come out just as clean as they did before, neither of us notice a difference cleaner/dirtier-wise. There's no scent at all which is great for those of you who are looking to do scent-free things in your home. 

Practical hints/tips we've discovered:

• it's a powder laundry soap but our building's washing machines are liquid-only. We simply use 3 tbsp of the mixture with 1/2 cup of water (as it suggests on the boxes), swish it around and pour it into the correct compartment in the machine (thanks for the tip Margaret!).
  
• wear a scarf or cover your mouth/nose somewhere when both mixing this detergent together and when scooping it weekly to do a load. It's powder so it definitely floats in the air when scooping and breathing it in (along with anything that's not air) is not good for the lungs.
  
• it's non-scented but recently we've been adding 5-6 drops of essential lavender oil to our two-load mix (6 tbsp of powder and 1 cup of water). It smells so great! And it's only a very slight hint of lavender that you can smell, enough to make it not non-scented, but not scented either.

That's our update, over and out!

Happy Earth Day!

We made a card for you (yes you!) for Earth Day Open it HERE Lots of love, The Ly Home

Eating Clean with Plan to Eat

Absolutely loving Plan to Eat

I was recommended this website a few months ago and was skeptical since it had a yearly fee. I don't like paying for things, ha! I didn't want to pay for something I could do myself. I tried it out for a month for free and was completely hooked. It only cost about $40 a year which equals $3.40 a month or about 83 cents a week. Totally worth it - trust me.

We've been eating so much "cleaner" since I try to get recipes that are healthy and fresh and try our best to purchase things based on the Dirty Dozen to keep things as toxin-free as possible. Because this site generates a shopping list for you based on the meals you choose, we only ever have those ingredients in our home so it's guaranteed healthy and we don't waste as much food. I know every week exactly what we're going to eat that week.

People who haven't seen me in awhile have been commenting on the weight I loss the past few months - I just started exercising this week so really, it's just been me eating fresh and clean consistently. And I find this has been a huge help with that.

If you get it, let me know! We can share recipe books! I have 187 recipes in my recipe book right now, ready and willing to share. Our user name is "Ly Home" if you want to share recipes.

Over and out.

DIY Hang Out

Back in February I met a friend of a friend named Andrea. I then realized that she was THE Andrea - the illustrator and blogger of Cereal With A Smile I used to follow a few years back. We talked about making DIY things and a few weeks later we met up for a DIY hang out.

It was fun!

She made a scrumptious chickpea lunch and together we made an all purpose spray, a cleaning scrub and toothpaste. I loved it because now yet another person in this world knows how to make 3 toxin-free things for themselves and their home.

Then her friend Malex dropped by and brought cake. Great ending!

So fun to meet bloggers in real life. And make homemade things.

Here's her entry of our hang! Malex on the left, me on the right.

I had so much fun doing this. If you'd like to come over for a DIY hang or want me to come over, just let me know! We can trade - I can teach and bring the ingredients for cleaners and you can make food or give/teach me something that you DIY that is earth-lovin' and friendly.

Face Routine

For a few months now I've been doing pretty much the same face routine - and my face loves me. I have finally found some products/ingredients that I love and love me back.

I mean I still have those times of the month where I get pimples around my mouth (I always touch my face there...) and my skin looks tired (oops, I sometimes forget to drink water and/or sleep...).

But in general I've felt so much better about my face this year. This is an update to this blog from almost two years ago now.

Thought I'd share my night and day routine with you. I linked the things I use to where I get them from in case you're interested!

Good Night!

So it's night time and I'm getting ready for bed. 

1. I rinse my face four times with just plain ol' warmish tap water.
   Four isn't a magical number, it's just what I do.
2. I pat my face slightly dry and then smooth on some basic lotion. I then take a textured cloth and wet it with hotter water and wipe the lotion off my face gently with it. I feel like this removes any dirt, oil or makeup the first rinse didn't get. And it just feels so good.
   *
3. I take my witch hazel  which I have in a spritzer bottle, spray it on another smooth cloth, and wipe my face gently. This is my toner.
   Did you see the price of this? $1.29 for 100ml. So cheap. So amazing. My face loves this stuff.
4. I put a thin layer of this night cream on.
   This stuff feels so thin, but I wake up to such a smooth and moisturized face.

* Once a month after step #2. I use this night exfoliant. It's magical and I wake up to such a smooth face! It's the smoothest and best smelling thing I put on my face.

Night night!

Good Morning!

I wake up to a nice smooth face from the night before and jump into the shower. 

1. When in the shower I gently rinse my face with water. I can feel the night cream rinsing off.
2. I go in the fridge and get my hemp oil and apply a thin layer to my face. My face LOVES this. It's my day "cream" and the best stuff I've found so far to moisturize my face.
3. I have cornstarch in a spice shaker in my bathroom and I shake a little on my hands and apply it evenly on my face. This is my "cover up" or "matte powder". Works like a charm. It takes the shine away from the oil and evens out my skin.
   And no, I don't leave the house looking powdery or white. It actually rubs in nicely.
4. I take my blush and apply two circles on my cheeks and rub it in gently.
5. I take my eyeshadow and apply a wee bit to my eyelids.
6. I curl my eyelashes everyday with an eyelash curler for about 10 seconds per eye. If I'm going out at night I usually wear some mascara.

Ready to go, see ya!