I went "no 'poo"...and back

Huh?

No 'poo -  the idea of idea of not using the typical shampoo/conditioner routine to wash hair.

Why...?

Well, after I read this post, I didn't look at my shampoo bottle the same way again.  Shampoo is a detergent?  What are all those chemicals in there listed after water?  Why would I wash my hair with that?  If I'm so concerned about what kind of dish soap I use and making sure that whatever I use is biodegradable, shouldn't I be just as concerned as what I use to wash my hair?  Maybe they're on to something here...

So I toyed with the idea for about a month until I had a situation where I would have washed my hair twice in one day.  And my husband said to me, "You don't want to wash your hair twice in one day.  Why don't you try the no 'poo routine?"  Lightbulb moment.  Why don't I, indeed?  But it takes commitment.  I had read enough blog posts about the process and the method to know that there is a transition period while your hair goes crazy and gets used to the natural hair care.  Was I ready to see my hair in its natural state, go to work like that, not sure how long it will be and what it will look like post-transition?

And before I had a chance to think twice, I did it.  Wouldn't you know it - my hair was BEAUTIFUL that first day.  Golden, fluffy, with natural volume.  It was as though my hair was doing a happy dance.  It lasted for maybe 36 hours.  Then the transition period started.

But I stuck it out.  I just knew that a lot of good would come out of this.  And it did work!  My hair was full of volume and was just really really nice.  I felt proud of sticking to this routine!  I even confided to a close friend that I went no 'poo, whispering the words to her.  I felt like I was sharing a dark secret.  For any of my friends, if you saw me while I was doing it, you probably didn't know there was anything different about my hair.  And that's a good thing!

Unfortunately, I have no pictures to share so you'll just have to trust me.  And also unfortunately, my hair stopped cooperating after a month.  It seemed to get dull and was not happy anymore, so I went back to the regular shampoo/conditioner routine.  But I think I will do the baking soda/apple cider vinegar routine at least once a month to clean my hair and refresh it.  And I definitely have an eye out for what I put in my hair than I did before.

If you'd like to read more about the process, click here or here or here.  Let me know if you try it and if it works for you!

The Post-Purim, pre-Pesach detox

With the weather turning beautiful, and our plans for our summer trip to Israel underway, and with my closet being restored to its walk-in self, I feel the urge to detox.  Not in the "colon cleanse" kind of way (that's hardcore), but definitely move towards a more healthy, clean living.  I want to be outdoors (maybe my lovely office view is to blame), I want to move and walk, and I want to eat clean.  I'm not sure what "eat clean" means, but I feel like my body needs something more simple than the current fare.

So - this is a general call-out for your favorite clean-living recipes.  Recipes that are more plant-based and grain-based, as opposed to meat-based (not that we eat a lot of meat during the week, fortunately!).  For example, I want more recipes that use quinoa, tofu, vegetables, etc - but also recipes that don't require a lot of cooking or baking or processing.

I get inspiration from the Gluten-Free Goddess, but I'd like you to share with me your favorite *simple* recipes.  I like crunchy salads, fish, light soups, sandwiches.  Anything dairy.  Simple desserts.

Thanks in advance!!

An egg co-op in Houston?

Why yes - of course!  Um - what is an egg co-op?

(it's ok, I've never heard of one either)

My understanding is that an egg co-op is similar to participating in a co-op for fruits and veggies.  The benefit is that you know where your eggs come from, and you know about the chickens who worked so hard to lay those eggs for you.  You get to support a local farm and also improve the health and well-being of your egg-eating family. 

The way it works is that you buy a "share" for the specified length of the program.  Your share will be a certain number of eggs each week delivered straight from this farm.  You can also buy half-shares.  The co-op needs a minimum number of shares in order to commence, so time is of the essence.

Here at our local Jewish Community Center, a program is underway to begin an egg co-op to purchase farm fresh eggs.  Now, everyone touts farm fresh eggs, but really, these are straight from the farm.  As in, this farm.  Right outside of town.  Not hundreds of miles away.  I believe this is a fairly innovative program along with the CSA (community supported agriculture) fruit/veggie program our JCC operates.  Not too many JCCs have such programs, so we are very lucky.

Judaism, of course, supports and advocates for humane and ethical treatment of animals.  After all, how can we nourish ourselves if we don't take care of the beings who nourish us?

If you would like more information about this program, contact the egg co-op administrator at the JCC at jhandy [AT] jcchouston [DOT] org.