Do You Really Need to use a Shampoo?

http://www.betweenskyandearth.com.au/



Do you really have to use shampoo or is it just a habit that is second nature?

I have been washing my hair with plain warm water for a few weeks now.

Due to allergies and sensitivities I have been using an unscented shampoo for over 16 years. But it was quite harsh on my hair and I could not find an alternative that was gentler that I could tolerate.

I have a friend who had gone shampoo free a couple of years ago and was very happy with the results. I also knew of a number of people who did the same.

Hmmm ... ? I pondered it on and off for a long time. Then I forgot about a haircut appointment. This had happened before. Was it an omen?

So, now I do without both shampoo and haircuts. At least for a while.

My decision sits well with me as an environmentalist and on account of my health issues and also, to a lesser extent on my hip pocket.

Time will tell if it is a physical benefit to my hair. It certainly doesn’t damage it.



KISS for Life,

Peace to all,

Miriam

Human and planetary survival and climate change are intertwined

Climate Change is doing severe damage all ready (latest example in my country is Cyclone Yasi).

The way we operate broadscale agriculture is one thing that urgently needs to change. It is doable, it is not so difficult, it is rewarding for those doing it and it can be applied practically anywhere.




How we all live our lives - especially in the West - needs to alter quickly.

Reduce your carbon footprint NOW. Even if you all ready do and you don't think you can any further, reflect on it and how you live. Try helping others to reduce their footprint by at least 10-20% over the course of 2011. Explore ways you might reduce your own further if you were able to form groups or partnerships with others to accomplish various things - share garden/farm for fruit and vegies; car share/pool; cargo bike share; share composting and worm farming facilities (have a larger system, collect scraps from local business); create biofuel communally - lots of things are possible.

Want a hand? http://betweenskyandearth.com.au/store/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=3

KISS for Life,
Peace to all,
Miriam.

Starting/Back To School the Healthy Way

Hi there,

Are you gearing up to send the kids (back) to school?

Our older daughter is starting school on the first of February.

Are you like us - your kids eat healthy unprocessed diets at home but when they go out and need to take lunch and/or a snack, it becomes challenging to ensure:
(a) the food they take with them is healthy and not too messy to eat without cutlery and crockery, and
(b) the way you store the food for them will not leach nasty toxins into their food and/or beverages.

Check out the following links for a tip of the iceberg look at just one toxin, biphenol A:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/01/more-bpa-more-heart-disease.php?campaign=weekly_nl

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/07/is-there-bpa-in-your-home-canning.php

What can we do to keep our loved ones and ourselves safe from contaminants in food and beverages?

1)*Give them organic &/or home grown unprocessed food (don't use tinned, bottled or prepackaged foods),
2)Store it in a way that doesn't leach toxins - eg. use real cellophane bags/wrappers
not plastic; if necessary use stainless steel containers, not plastic.
3)Give them filtered water,
4)Store the water in a stainless steel BPA free drink bottle.

*Unfortunately, processed organic foods are still packaged using "conventional" methods and materials, losing a lot of their "goodness".

Cellophane, glass and stainless steel are the best options these days, but you can't send your child to school with food in glass containers. The cellophane can't be the fake stuff made from plastic. The latter is "softer" and doesn't make quite as much noise when handled or crinkle up so much. The stainless steel options are great and increasing a lot at present. Some have lids/caps made with plastic(s) containing BPA and some are not. The latter are more costly but necessary for beverages. For foods you may be able to get by with the food containers with plastic lids if you have an educated and understanding child - simply place a piece of cellophane over the container's opening, between the food and the lid.

If you are interested in BPA free stainless steel food and beverage containers, email us:

info@betweenskyandearth.com.au


Have a great start to the school year,

Love and Peace

Miriam.